morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-08-09
From: Stratton, ME

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day in Stratton. Bought eggs and bacon and cooked. The waitress didn't show up at the restaurant so they closed for the day. I offered to wait on tables, but the cook said no.It's a different world up here. There are as many ATVs on the roads as cars.I am enjoying this hike. It's still a bit scary. The trail is unbelievably hard. Even the thru-hikers are doing 10 mile days. I sleep as much as I can. Usually I'm up by 5:30 AM and asleep by 8:30 PM.
Date: 2015-08-10
From: Stratton, ME

To: Bigelow Col Campsite
Miles today: 8.0

What a great day of hiking! I was at the post office at 8:15 and hitched back to the trail by 8:30. Soon I passed a sign marking the 2000 mile point. Just then a southbound hiker came by and I asked him to take my photo at the sign. He mentioned he saw a sign like this yesterday. I asked him if he was northbound, or southbound. He said he was going north. At this point I told him I had some bad news for him... he was going south. He borrowed my phone and called Canada... hmmm. He then informed his dad over the phone that he was sick!I washed my phone and my camera.Great views from South Horn Mountain and from the West Peak of Bigelow. My target for today was Horn's Pond campsite, but when I got there I met U-haul and said he was going to go on to Bigelow Col campsite because they are calling for big rain for tomorrow, and I do NOT want to climb the Bigelows in rain so I too carried on.
Date: 2015-08-11
From: Bigelow Col Campsite

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 7.4

I was up early and out of camp by 6:30 AM, trying to beat the rain and get good views on Avery Peak (Bigelow Mountain), and I was NOT disappointed. It is only 0.4 miles from the campground to the peak, but is it a real straight up climb, so you go from the woods to above the tree line in just a few minutes. Avery Peak had the best views in a long, long, time and I've had some good ones. There was a clear view over Lake Flagstaff on one side and the greatest cloud show ever on the other side. The wind was howling. It was magnificent.Little Bigelow was nothing much, but it was nice to do some flat travel.I was into the West Carry Pond lean-to by 2:30 PM, before the rain started. Here I met up with U-Haul and thanked him for talking me into his plan, which worked out great. I also met Inchworm, BoxTurtle, Mosey, and AH.
Date: 2015-08-12
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 7.9

Easy day today. At the shelter I met 14, Luke and Ben (two Maine guys out for a few days) Link, and Mass. Mouse and Sunflower came in too. They seem to be hiking at about my pace, so I see them a lot. I hit (another) 2000 mile marker today!
Date: 2015-08-13
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 14.0

Another early start, though I only planned a 7 mile day on some of the easiest terrain yet. I ran into Trail Dog at East Carry Pond. This trail here is the same used by Benedict Arnold and revolutionary troops on the way to Quebec. I made it to the Pierce Pond Lean-to by 12:30. Luke and Ben were there having lunch. I decided to make a 4 mile dash to the Kennebec river, trying to get there before the last canoe shuttle across the river, which is to say 3:30 PM.I started by getting lost for half an hour.... this didn't help.So I back-tracked and was on my way. Because I was rushing, I raced by beautiful waterfalls and swimming holes without stopping for more than the occasional picture.The canoe ride across the river was fun. I paddled. On the shore I caught a shuttle to the Northern Outdoors center and rented a cabin-tent for the night.I saw Clank here. He is a real nice guy. I talked with him a few days back when he was doing a sobo slack-pack.
Date: 2015-08-14
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I'm at the Sterling Inn in Caratunk, Maine. It is a great place to stay. I hitched here this morning from the Northern Outfitters down road. First car picked me up and took me right here.My other hiking pole has bit the dust. The bottom falls off, and the tip is gone. They have some cheap poles here I getting to replace it. It should do me for the last 150 miles of the trail.Hard to believe there are only that few miles left! In a few days I'll be in Monson, the last town before Baxter State Park.I'm setting my clock for midnight to see the Perseid meteor shower. Skies are clear right now (noon), but this is Maine so who knows what weather the next 12 hours will bring.Wish me luck!
Date: 2015-08-15
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 0.0

Happy birthday to me. It's 3:30 am and I'm trying to decide ifI should hike in the morning. An unexpected birthday present...I decided to take the day off after all. Yesterday I went to the post office to mail my bounce box forward. As I was leaving I noticed a pair of Leki poles on theporch. Needing a new pole since mine broke the other day, I decided to walk backand, if they were still there, ask about taking them. The woman at the postoffice said they'd been there almost a week and that I was welcome to them. Itook one that worked pretty well (the lower section is locked up about mid-way).Pole problem solved!
Date: 2015-08-16
From: Caratunk, ME

To: stealth site at mm 2043.5
Miles today: 10.5

Eric of the Sterling inn dropped me off at the trail-head by 8:30. Right at noon I met up with Howard and Tina just after the Pleasant Pond lean-to. They warned me about the no water situation over the next 5 miles. I was already prepared, but it was thoughtful of them. They are so nice in that way.It was hot going up Pleasant Mountain and many of the sobo's were asking about water. The view from the top was much nicer than I expected and the phone worked too so I called Fern and chatted for a while. There were thousands of blueberries on the top and I ate many handfuls of them. Around 6:00 PM I passed a nice tent site. A few hundred yards passed that I found good water so I went back and set up my tent. I was asleep by 7:30. Great day on the AT!
Date: 2015-08-17
From: stealth site at mm 2043.5

To: Moxie Bald Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 8.3

I was up by 7:00 and hiking by 8:00. From Moxie Bald there was a nice view back of the Bigelows. By 3:00 PM I was at the Moxie Pond lean-to and I decided it was way too pretty a site to pass up. After setting up my tent in a nice spot down by the water, I swam in the pond for a while. Very cool and refreshing.I went up to the shelter to cook dinner and there was Giuseppe, so named for his huge mustache. I'd not seen him for many weeks and was surprised to see him again. As it turns out, he has already finished the hike to Katahdin and is going south, back to Springer. He is doing a yo-yo-yo, which is to say he has hiked from Maine to Georgia to Maine and is now going back to Georgia!
Date: 2015-08-18
From: Moxie Bald Mountain Lean-to

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 14.6

Last night I enjoyed the sounds of loons and coyote. It was quite a treat to hear these animals in the night. This morning I watched the sun come up over the pond. A few minutes later, I spotted two moose in the pond, right off shore.I met up with Howard (Trail Dog) and Tina just after the west branch of the Piscataquis river, and warned them about the horrible horse flies. I'd been bitten dozens of times while trying to put my camp/water shoes on in order to ford this river without soaking my boots.I was at the Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to by 1:30 and decided I'd move on and try to get to Monson a day earlier than planned.When I got to the east branch of the Piscataquis river, I noticed that, in my haste to get away from the horse flies earlier in the day, I'd not secured the strap on my pack I was using as a laundry line. My socks and underwear were gone. This is a big deal. I must have spare socks.I got to the blue-blaze to Monson around 6:00 PM and was at the 100 Mile Wilderness Adventures and Outfitters a few minutes later as it is only 0.2 miles down the side trail.Phil, the owner, gave me a ride into town. While there I ran into Howard and Tina. They had my socks! Another great day on the AT!
Date: 2015-08-21
From: Monson, ME

To: Wilson Valley Lean-to
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was an early start, Pop-Tarts and coffee at the 100 Mile Wilderness hostel. There was a light rain as I munched. At 7:30, Phil dropped me at the trailhead on Maine Rt. 15, and I headed north into the 100 Mile Wilderness in the rain. I was soon warmed up and took off my rain gear. It was stupid of me to get this gear wet just so I could stay dry for a few minutes.The rain continued all day. I kept thinking "I can't believe I'm in the 100 Mile Wilderness"! I forded the Little Wilson stream without a problem and enjoyed seeing the Little Wilson falls. At Big Wilson, I didn't see the rope at first, and started looking for a place to ford. One minute I was standing on a rock, and the next I was sliding down it toward the water. Fell on my butt. Only my ego was bruised though.I pulled into the Wilson Valley Lean-to around 4:00 PM and started hanging stuff out to dry. A few minutes later Twiggy Ninja, a northbound thru-hiker and ex high school teacher came into the shelter and decided to stay for the night. She was delightful company and we talked about life for a few hours. Another great day on the AT.
Date: 2015-08-22
From: Wilson Valley Lean-to

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 8.7

Twiggy Ninja was out early. I saw her again though at a stream I had to ford just before Wilbur Brook (which I also had to ford). The only reason I was seeing her again is that she stopped a the Trail Magic feed that was a short hike down a dirt road, and I did not. She couldn't believe I passed it up, but I figured any food I ate would just wind up being more food I carried.All told, there were three fordings today. All were a bit scary. The water was moving fast with all the rain we've had. Thankfully, today's predicted rain never came.Barren Ledges offered great views of the mountains and lakes to come. I was surprised to see many dragonflies up there, but since they eat the other bugs, I was grateful for their company.Sharing the shelter with Camo. 95 miles to go. The day ended with a squirrel harvesting pine cones from a tree a few feet from the shelter. It was nibbling them off the tree and letting them fall to the ground for later gathering.
Date: 2015-08-23
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 7.3

On the way back to the trail this morning I met RockOcean, a guy from my town of Brandon. He showed me a picture of the Milky Way he'd taken with his camera the night before. I'm so envious! I went to sleep when the sun went down. Today's highlights were Fourth Mountain, Fourth Mountain Bog, Third Mtn, Monument Cliff, and Columbus Mountain.In the Fourth Mountain Bog I saw Pitcher plants. They are a carnivorous plant shaped like a pitcher. They fill with water and put out a scent that attracts bugs, which then get stuck in the water and are eventually absorbed by the plant. See pictures.The weather was good today and the views from Third Mountain, Monument Cliff were very nice. I was in the lean-to by 4:00 PM. Just minutes before dark, a young guy comes by the shelter and says to me, "I can't stop hiking while it is still light. I'm trying to do the entire trail in 100 days", and moves on. Only a few minutes after he leaves, the sky opened up with a downpour. I was surprised when he didn't come back.
Date: 2015-08-24
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 9.9

It rained all day today, but at least it made for cooler hiking. I was at the top of Chairback Mountain in no time at all, since the summit was only 0.1 miles from the shelter and was only 200 feet higher. The view was all fog. I reached the Katahdin Iron Works Logging Road around 10:30. I'd expected a old, worn-out dirt road. I was surprised to see it was actually very well paved. I decided to take a break and dry out my boots a bit. Within a few minutes, a car came by. I waved and they pulled over to talk. It was a couple that worked at a hut/lodge up the road a few miles. I asked what the hut offered, thinking I might hitch a ride in with them. They asked what I was looking for, and I said probably a coke. They offered me a Moxie from their cooler. I'd never had one before, so I yogi'd my first Moxie.Half a mile later I was at Pleasant River which again was a fording.   By this time, my boots were so soaked from the rain that I decided to just walk right through and not use my camp shoes.I ignored the Gulf Hagas Trail which promised spectacular waterfalls. I'm surely acting like a thru-hiker now in that the miles mean more than the views. I'm ready to finish this hike.Into the Carl A. Newhall Lean-to by 4:00 PM. I arrived just a few seconds after a pair of section hikers that are doing a SOBO of the 100 Mile Wilderness. Here the story gets a bit ugly, but it is not all rainbows and butterflies out here...One of the section hikers had a small dog. He let this dog loose in the shelter without asking if anyone objected, which I probably wouldn't have, since I haven't yet done so. Well, this dog comes right over to me, and shakes itself off, all over me and my gear. I said a bad word, quietly, but loud enough to be heard by all. The owner didn't react at all. The owner's friend called the dog over to him. About a minute later, the dog came back and started rubbing itself dry on my sleeping pad. I yelled at the dog to stop. It ignored me. I pushed the dog off my pad. Again, the owner never even looked up. I said to him, "Your dog just wiped itself off on my pad". He replied, "Dogs do that".I was so shocked at his reaction that I started walking away. After a few steps I got really mad. I turned and said "Listen to me. You keep that dog away from me and my gear! You got it?". He didn't say anything, but kept the dog away.A nice young man named Reed of the U Mass rowing team came in too. Ironically, he was studying Veterinary medicine and was a dog trainer. He'd trained his dog for hiking the trail, but decided it was best to keep it home. Too much.
Date: 2015-08-25
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 10.2

Another early start today. I was excited about getting the last range of mountains behind me. Much to my surprise, it was a lot easier than expected. I was up and over Gulf Hagas Mountain, West Peak, Hay Mountain, and White Cap Mountain, all before noon. It was another foggy, rainy day, so no views. Though the sky did clear by sundown, so tomorrow may be nice.I passed my planned stop at Logan Brook Lean-to. I'm now in the East Branch Lean-to with Reed.
Date: 2015-08-26
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Jo-Mary Road
Miles today: 11.8

Easy trail today! I'm definitely on the home stretch! The day started with another river fording, the East Branch of the Pleasant River. This wasn't too bad. Again it was raining, and my boots are soaked.I met some southbound section hikers coming up Little Boardman Mountain. They were doing the 100 Mile Wilderness from Abol Bridge to Monson. They asked how I was doing and I replied "Great"! They thought I was kidding and said this mountain was kicking their butts. I didn't say anything other than pointing out that I was going downhill, so that was why I was doing great, but I thought to myself, "Wait until tomorrow dudes, you haven't even begun to see mountains".At the side trail to the Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to I met two really nice north bounders, Phantom and Happy Warrior. They said they were going to try to get to the campground that is 6 miles down Jo-Mary road. My feet are getting bad, like trench foot. The skin across the toes is rubbing off. Getting to a campground and getting my boots dry is a good idea, so I decided to try for it too.Another sobo came by, his name is Pico, like the ski mountain in Vermont.When I got to Jo-Mary road, I started to head toward my resupply spot that Phil of the 100 Mile Wilderness Adventures and Outfitters has supposedly stashed for me. Before I could walk more than a few paces a truck came by heading towards the campground. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to hitch, so I stuck out my thumb. The truck stopped. The resupply check will have to wait until tomorrow.At the campground I set my boots in front of a fan and did laundry, so I have dry socks now! I then set up my tent and put all my stuff in it. I then went down to the camp store to use their WiFi to contact my wife. Once inside, the rain came down like a deluge! When I got back to my campsite, I found my tent did not stand up to the rain. The sandy soil couldn't hold the stakes. Amazingly, the inside of the tent was mostly dry with just a small puddle. I'd not taken anything out of the waterproofing, so my sleeping bag and clothes were dryMessage from Howard (Trail Dog) and Tina. They are in front of me doing SOBO day hikes from Abol Bridge.
Date: 2015-08-27
From: Jo-Mary Road

To: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite
Miles today: 12.0

This morning Mount Katahdin was visible from the Jo-Mary Lake, so I've finally got to see it. It is majestic. I was supposed to meet Happy Warrior and Phantom at the campground office at 7:30 and get a ride back to the trail, but there was no sign of them, so I hitched back to the trailhead. A trail maintainer stopped and picked me up before I could even stick out my thumb. We talked for a while until his crew arrived to work on the trail boundary.The promised resupply from Phil was right where he said it would be. I grabbed a soda and Little Debbie cake from the free side of the box.I stopped and had lunch a Antlers Campsite which has a very nice sandy beach and is on the far side of Jo-Mary Lake. There were several more river fordings today. I've sworn to keep my boots dry at all costs, and so far, so good. One crossing was a log walk that almost ended with me in the river. The other, the Nahmakanta Stream, was a fairly shallow crossing with a metal stairway at the far side. It was easy.There was another view of Katahdin from the shore of Pemadumcook Lake.I'm at the Nahmakanta Stream Campsite and blissfully alone for a change. I can't believe I'm so close to the end of the trail!
Date: 2015-08-28
From: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 13.9

I was so excited about being so near to the finish line that I could not sleep. I got up at 2:30 and, with nothing else to do, started a campfire. After eating breakfast, I did the camp tear down and, with headlight on, was out by 5:00 AM. As the day dawned, there was a nice mist over the river as I walked along it.I stopped briefly at a beach on Nahmakanta Lake to get water. When Wadleigh Stream Lean-to was reached, I walked right on by. On Nesuntabunt Mountain there was a fantastic view of Katahdin 16 miles away with Rainbow Lake in the foreground.At the Pollywog Gorge side trail I dropped my pack and headed down the trail to view it. It was mostly a view of the trees below, but at least it wasn't much out of the way.I reached the Rainbow Stream Lean-to at 5:00 PM. Here I met northbounders Chat Cat, England, and Hoss. There were several southbounders, but they tented and I didn't get their names.
Date: 2015-08-29
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge/Golden Road
Miles today: 15.1

I'm not sure what time I started hiking this morning, but by 6:30 I'd covered the two miles to Rainbow Lake, which is a great start for me. There is quite a bit of pain in my left knee, but I'm trying to ignore it and keep moving. I stink to high heaven and don't care at all. I'm so focused on finishing this journey.To pass the time I'm trying to recount the names of the shelters I've stayed at over the years. That done, I try to recall the names of the people and hostels I've stayed at. Really I'm reminiscing about this journey. What a fantastic adventure it has been.From Rainbow Ledges there was a great view of Katahdin. I sent a text to my daughters, not thinking that it was Saturday and I could have called them.I then forded Hurd Brook and signed the last shelter ledger on the AT at the lean-to¢¦When I reached Golden Road, it was so cool! I'd seen this place on Google Earth for years and I was stunned to actually be standing there. I knew what to expect of the view from Abol Bridge and was not disappointed. There beyond the Penobscot River was the famous view of the trail's end.It was great to see so many hikers I know at the restaurant on Golden Road. Mouse and Sunflower, Chat Cat, England, and Hoss were all there. I had dinner with England and Moss. Chat Cat stopped by too.At the campground I decided to set up my tent to allow it to dry out. I then decided I may as well tent for the night. This, as it turned out was a good decision, as there are no-seeums here.Tomorrow - Baxter Park!
Date: 2015-08-30
From: Abol Bridge/Golden Road

To: The Birches
Miles today: 10.0

Too excited to sleep late, I got up with the sun. Hoss and England were over at the shelter and packing up to leave.I met them again at the camp store. England said he figured there were at least 7 of us lined up to sign in for staying at The Birches; Mouse, Sunflower, Chat Cat, the three of us and one other. I mentioned that two others came into the campground last night and seemed to have moved on, making for total of nine.Why I mention this is that only the first 12 hikers get to stay in the park.In the camp store a young women came in and said there were two others with her back at the last shelter and several others on the way.We all sort of panicked and started a dash for the sign-in sheet,0.9 miles down the trail. When I got to the kiosk, Hoss and England were there. We signed in, took photos of the list, and moved on for our last stretch on the trail before Katahdin.I forded, without trouble, the Nesowadnehunk Streams. Near lunchtime, there was a beautiful waterfall. A glance at the guidebook tells me it is Big Niagara Falls. I again met up with Mouse, Sunflower, Hoss and England at the ranger station. We all got water there and then moved on to The Birches shelters.Chat Cat started a fire and we all sat around it. Two young women, Briar and Nettle , came in and set up a tent. Stretch and her husband Backtrack came in and set up in a shelter with Mouse and Sunflower. The shelters here are supposed to hold six, but with Hoss, England, Mountain Man, and myself in one, there really was no room for a fifth, let alone a sixth. Our sleeping pads were almost touching, so Chat Cat, Briar and Nettle setting up tents was best.Just before dark, the ranger showed up and collected my fee. Sadly, there were two hikers who apparently were not on the sign-up sheet. The ranger escorted them out of the site, and presumably, out of the park.When the ranger left, I said goodnight to all and soon was asleep. Wow. My last night on the trail. I can't really grasp it.