morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-28
From: Stratton ME

To: Avery Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 95.0
Weather: clear sky

We had a party in my room last night. I had a mess in the morning. I got up, took a shower and went for breakfast at the diner across the street. Then I reorganized my things and went to the grocery for resupply. I returned and went to the post office and the ATM on the way back to the trail with Monkey and Cocoa. Sue, the Stratton Motel owner, gave me a hiking pole so I mailed my broken one home, along with my down vest, a short sleeved shirt and my journals. I am very happy to have another hiking pole, I feel off balance with only one. I reenter the forest and we walk together with Cocoa setting the pace. The trail is nice, the forest beautiful. The day is warm with a dark blue sky, another perfect "10." Soon the trail does its steep turn and we grind our way up reaching the Horns Pond area where we break by the pond, watching and talking to a couple of fishermen at the pond. We got a late start and decided to head for the Avery Campsite. The trail goes up aggressively to the North Horn, then the South Horn, then up a rocky summit with absolutely stunning view. I am moved. I get emotional and spend some time gathering myself before joining Cocoa and Monkey on the summit. I can see far and we think we see Katahdin in the distance. There are countless peaks and mountains as fas as I can see in every direction. Closer range I can see many poinds and a very large lake which seems to go all over the valley below. The peak is above treeline with open unobstructed views. The breeze is cool and I feel chilled. We decide to move on and descend to Avery, which is between the west peak of Bigelow Mtn and Avery Peak to be climbed tomorrow. We arrive and pick our sites, then enjoy dinner together with pleasant conversation. I think about how nice it is to be hiking with them and how much I missed companionship. I feel my time alone hiking solo was very important and should be a part of a thru hike but I like being with people. We are close to the finish and we make plans for the next couple of weeks. It really seems feasible that I can finish on the 10th or 11th of September. I am in my tent again. I saw an owl moments ago, but the site is quiet with no signs of wind. I heard sometihng walking around in the area but could not decide what it was. My large food bag is hung in a tree and I am ready to sleep. Tomorrow will be a big day. We'll split the distance to Carratunk into two days. Tomorrow I pass the 2000 mile point. I hear a night bird and red squirrel chirping. Something is up in the forest tonight. I will be in dreamland soon, I am happy.
Date: 2007-08-29
From: Avery Memorial Campsite

To: West Carry Pond Leanto
Miles today: 0.0

Last night I heard an owl fly inches over my tent, then I heard it nail a small animal, probably a mouse, then I heard the crunch down on it and the owl ate it, then flew away. This morning is another beautiful morning and we hike out at a good time heading up to Avery Peak. The views today are wonderful. We can see what we think is Ktahdin way in the distance. There's a nice bronze placque to honor Avery on the peak. We came down, then up to the Little Bigelow Peak then we rolled through changing terrain past Flagstaff Lake where I took a nice swim. We hiked on down and were rolling at a good pace reaching the West Carry Pond Leanto and then decided to stay for the night. The lake is beautiful and there are loons singing their looney tunes. I make a BWhacker fire and we all kick back. Monkey is working on a plan to get me into town on schedule. It is strenuous and will be a challenge. I am tired and living on borrowed Ibuprofen. It's a warm night with the sound of a crackling fire to help us enter dream world.
Date: 2007-08-30
From: West Carry Pond Leanto 

To: Caratunk ME
Miles today: 36.2

We were up and going early. We had to plan on making the ferry schedule to cross the Kennebec River. The forecast is for thunderstorms this afternoon so it would be nice to make it before the rain comes. The hike is through a forest that has moderate elevation changes. We go through a swampy or boggy area on planks. It feels like I am walking across a pond on boards. Monkey and Cocoa see a moose but I am behind and miss it. At the Pierce Pond Leanto we take a break, get some water from a brook and I go in for a swim to get cleaned up and to cool down. It's a hot day and we begin to hear thunder closing in on us. It gets dark and begins to rain so we put on our pack covers and then decide to put on our rain jackets. When the rain comes it is cold, and it hails, then the wind blows. I am saying we should be careful for widowmakers when a large pine tree breaks in the wind and falls feet from where we are standing. Monkey and I watch it and Cocoa runs. We are lucky the tree misses us, it is about 1.5 feet in diameter and brings down several smaller trees with it. We get going and it is a good thunderstorm. The roots and rocks become slippery and we use caution as we hike on. Eventually the storm passes and we arrive at the Kennebec River at about 1:30. Three hikers are already waiting for the canoe ferry. At 2pm the ferry comes across and we paddle across the river. On the other side we hike to the road, then a mile to Steve's Place where we resupply to get us to Monson. Steve rides us to the Northern Outdoors Resort where I get a room, dinner, drink, shower, and laundry. I am drying my pack and boots and getting ready for tomorrow's hike. We will get a shuttle back to the trail and hike on. I hope the weather improves and my boots dry. I am in a room and miss my tent and bag. It feels stuffy inside without a breeze and the sounds of the forest.
Date: 2007-09-01
From: Caratunk ME

To: Monson Maine
Miles today: 37.7

I leave early and it is another great day to hike. Overall the trail goes through a forest that rolls up and down with no major climbs. The climbs keep me puffing and warm and on the whole it is good hiking. There are muddy sections with a few rocks to rock hop on but I have to watch my step and it takes all of my mud/water hazard skills to navigate through. There is a ford across a river with no way to keep my boots dry. I just plunge in and march across. Some of my steps are on small rocks but it is a wet ford. It could have been worse. I am glad the river is relatively low. I should have taken the time to change into my crocs but I am in a hurry. Monson is pulling me to its town pleasantries. I bypass the Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to and press on. When I reach Shirley Blanchard Road I stop to figure out where I am and a car pulls up to ask if I need anything. It¢s Rebekah from the Lake Shore House Lodging in Monson. She asks if I am going to Monson and offers a ride. It is hard to refuse a ride but I do, and start to hike. Rebekah backs up and says, ¢Do you want me to take your pack?¢ I think for one-half second and decide to fly into Monson pack less and at top speed, arriving at about 1pm. I stop by Shaw¢s to say hello to the thru hikers there. I walk to Lake Shore House and find my home. The place is great with a pub, good food, and much entertainment. Everyone has a great time, it is Saturday night, and there is karaoke and a bonfire lit and burning in a metal container floating on the lake. I stay up late and watch the patrons leave when the pub closes. Everyone that has had too much to drink is cared for and driven home. It is great to see people caring for each other and keeping roads safe. These are great people. I am humbled and envious of the community of friends. This is a special place. I wish I could stay another day, but I am on a mission and I have an appointment with Katahdin next week. My stuff is clean and my food bag is very heavy. Leaving tomorrow will be with a burden, a beast on my back. I will have to eat until my pack becomes comfortable again. That will probably take about 5 days to happen. Tomorrow I start hiking in the 100 mile wilderness. This is the moment I¢ve dreamt about.
Date: 2007-09-02
From: Monson Maine

To: Long Pond Stream
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I enjoy one more shower before getting ready to head into the 100 mile wilderness, then a great breakfast and a shuttle to the trailhead. I enter the forest and hike all day alone. My solitude was interrupted a few times by a few hiking families with children. It was nice seeing the little ones running around and being curious. I guess the beginning of the wilderness isn¢t all that wild after all. The trail passes ponds on the left and ponds on the right, brooks, streams, falls, beaver dams, many roots, rocks, mud, planks, logs, boulders, trees, and all that the forest of Maine can throw at me. I feel like I¢ve been on a rocky roller coaster. It¢s an ibuprofen night. Every night is, really. I get to camp late. There¢s just enough light to pitch my tent. I brought some leftover pizza and a sandwich out of town and that was dinner. I¢m in the tent with headlamp on writing. I think I should conserve my batteries so I¢m ending here. Good night.
Date: 2007-09-03
From: Long Pond Stream

To: Pleasant River
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today I am up and packed and getting a later start, about 7:45am. It¢s cool out and I look forward to the warm-up, which happens on the first mountain, Barren Mountain. Then I climb Fourth Mountain, then Third Mountain, Columbus Mountain and Chairback Mountain. No wonder I¢m so beat up. I had a rough day, my knees, shins, thighs, ankles, feet, toes, everything is sore. I had times today when I didn¢t think I could keep going. In the middle of the day, I stop by a stream, drink some water and take ibuprofen. Anyway, I made it over the last Mountain and began my long steep descent to where I am now. I¢m in my tent again. I have 84 more miles to Katahdin. That¢s a long way to hike in Maine. The beginning of the 100 mile wilderness is pretty damn challenging. It looks better on a profile map than when I put my feet on the rocks. Today I walked across a bog on planks and saw some rare plants including pitcher plants. Maine appears unspoiled and the people, when I can find one, are friendly and happy. It¢s no wonder, they live in paradise. I have to go now. It¢s late and I¢m ready to go to dream world again. The soundscape is streamside and the stream is lively. I can hear small animals, probably red squirrels and little field mice, running around looking for scraps of food. Good night.
Date: 2007-09-04
From: Pleasant River

To: East Branch Lean To
Miles today: 0.0

This morning I wake with aching knees. Last night they woke me up at 3am and I took some more ibuprofen. They are still sore this morning. The last two days have been hard and I am paying. I hope they can get me the rest of the way. The wind is blowing and the noise in the treetops is competing with the stream for top sound. Today I will start out by fording the stream so I will wear my crocs and put my boots on after I cross. It¢s 7am already and I am slow starting. Today I have some climbing to do to get over Gulf Hagas Mountain, West Peak and White Cap Mountain. I better get packed and going. It¢s cool out and the river is cooler. I walk carefully, selecting my foot placement very slowly. The water gets deeper to over knee level. I am chilled. When I get to the other side, I find a good sitting rock and dry my legs and feet, then put on my socks and boots. Then it is pack on and I begin the hike. My feet take forever to warm up. The trail is a nice easy up for warming up. It¢s a perfect start. The trail is nicely graded and before I know it I am on Gulf Hagas Mountain, then West Peak, Hay Mountain, and finally White Cap Mountain. From the summit I can see Katahdin, front and center. It is huge and between me and its peak is very flat looking terrain. Wow! Now I must go down to the flat land. The trail is very nice. Going up and down White Cap Mountain is made easier by many rock steps lovingly placed by trail angels, the wonderful MATC trail maintainers. Maine ATC, thank you so much for this beautiful trail. This has been the highlight of the whole through hike up to now and all that¢s left is MATC. I can¢t lose. It¢s a beautiful thing and I am walking to the end. That¢s the part that will ache for a long time. I can¢t get into it completely because I am just now beginning to change. Bush Whacker must make some adjustments to leave Trail World and my place in a sort of Edge City and return to the land of many homes. Tonight it is cold and I am comfortable in my wonderfully warm and luxurious sleeping bag. I hear the soft sound of a creek cascading lively over many rocks. I can¢t and haven¢t seen the creek but can visualize from the sound what the creek looks like. Other than that sound the forest is richly quiet. There¢s no wind and no clouds. I can tell it will be cold, it is to be. All is so peaceful. Good night.
Date: 2007-09-05
From: East Branch LeanTo

To: White House Landing Camp
Miles today: 68.0

Last night the mice went nuts. They were running all around my tent. They ran across the top of the tent and went underneath the tent floor. They were a bother, then they left, or I fell asleep. This morning it is cool. I want to have a big day today so I am hiking early and find the trail wonderful. I can actually walk rather nicely since the terrain has become more welcoming. I pass ponds and walk through bogs on bridges. I hike across beaver dams. I hike through forests that seem enchanted. I stop at the Cooper Brook Lean-to for a break. It¢s a great location with a nice big waterfall and a big deep swimming hole. It¢s too cold to swim and I am on a mission so I cut my visit here short. I am making good time and the trail is so nice today. I pass beautiful ponds with sandy beaches. It¢s windy and the beach has waves lapping on the shore. I pass the Antlers Campsite on a beautiful pond and visit Fort Relief, a unique privy with windows and curtains. I hike on, passing the Polaywadjo Spring Lean-to and decide to try to make it to Whitehouse for dinner. It¢s a race to the finish and I am moving as fast as my legs will go. I pass the three dirt roads turning right, finding a small sign and follow a path to a small dock on the pond. I walked in with Caveman of Ohio and Rio. Rio blows the air horn once and a boat leaves the dock across the pond and heads over to us. We load our packs in the back and sit in the front as Bill, our host, the owner of Whitehouse Landing, takes us to our new home for the night. After selecting my room I wash my clothes in a tub with a washboard and put them through a wringer that I hand crank. I forgot to rinse them off but I don¢t care because I have not washed them very well. I hang them on the line and go to dinner, eating a one pound cheese burger and a half pizza. I am full! I then take a shower and return to the cabin where I work on my journal and get ready for bed. But first I will go to the pond¢s edge and look at the stars. They are bright, the Milky Way is clear. The stars are reflected in the pond. The whole scene is framed by tall fir trees and mountains in the distance. Paradise.
Date: 2007-09-07
From: Rainbow Spring Campsite

To: Abol Bridge Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I wake and listen to the songbirds. The loons call out a special morning song. They get loud and sound excited. Then there¢s the lone loon calling a mournful, flutelike call that echoes across the pond. I hear a gull like bird in the distance take flight. I am still in my tent and ready to rise. I hear a noisy hiker shake out his tent in the distance and announce there are blue skies for anyone to hear. I am hidden in the forest by large boulders and unseen by him. It¢s time to get packing and begin one of my last days on the trail. I plan on walking to Abol Bridge, a short day. The day begins cool but heats up. I¢m glad I am only hiking 13 miles today over good trail. I can take my time and enjoy one of my last days on the trail. I hike past more beautiful ponds, beaver dams and lush Maine forests. I stop at Pollywog Gorge to enjoy the view and press on. I pass the Rainbow Stream Lean-to and Rainbow Lake. There¢s a couple canoeing and it looks like a perfect Maine scene. I cherish it and hike on, eventually reaching the Abol Bridge where I get a close up view of Katahdin. Then I reach the campground where I find Monkey, Cocoa, Lucky and Packrat, Hemlock, Rio, Habitual Hiker, Umbrella Lady and Caveman of Ohio. I get a site and shower, wash my clothes in a sink, hanging them in the sun on my bear line. Later, Sleeper and DaBear pull up and we greet and celebrate our reunion. We then drive into Millinocket to do some magic. We return with a huge amount of food for everyone. The others have a great fire going for our feast of cheeseburgers with bacon, tomato, lettuce and all the fixings. We have much beer and all dig in for a big meal and much drinking. We celebrate like it¢s the end of our thru hike, which of course, it is. It¢s a late night. Sleeper and DaBear cowboy camp by the fire near the stream. I am in my tent feeling like a kid on Christmas Eve. Tomorrow and the next day will be beyond words and emotions that I know. I am psyched. I am also over my limit of beers and such.
Date: 2007-09-08
From: Abol Bridge Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

This is the day before my summit. It is a cakewalk along a stream, actually several streams. I walk along with most of the other thru hikers. Sleeper and DaBear allow me to set the pace. The Ridgerunner, Bluebearee, walks with us as we march along and take a break at the stream, where there¢s a nice water fall. The rocks are like two slides dropping into deep pools that resemble a washing machine or whirl pool. Some of the more adventurous hikers slide down the rocks into the pools. I am cautious and don¢t want my hike to end here even though I know it would be fun to take the slide/plunge. We reach the Katahdin Stream Campground and Sleeper and DaBear and I part company with the others. Most are staying at the Birches, where 12 thru hikers can stay the night before the summit. We walk out getting a hitch out of the park and get dropped off at a remote Maine road where we can¢t get picked up. We need to get back to Sleeper¢s truck and he is planning on taking a dirt road short cut back to Abol Bridge where his truck is parked. I try my cell, and get Lynne to rescue us. She is in Millinocket where we spend the night. I talk to Lady Green and Sir Wounded Knee who summited a day ago. They want to summit again with me tomorrow and we plan on meeting at 4:15am. Tonight will be short plus I am too keyed up to sleep. I can¢t stop thinking about tomorrow. It is the eve of a special event. The day of my final exam. I am nervous about the climb up Katahdin.
Date: 2006-09-27
To: Work
Miles today: 0.0

Welcome to the exploits of the infamous Duo Butch and Sundance. Outlaws, explorers, adventurers, and Legends. In our own mind at least. The idea for this adventure came from my Son early this year. He had joined me for a few days in SNP during my 2005 Thruhike and of course he caught the fever. After 8 years as a hard charging Marine The Kid is ready for a break to recover reflect, and time clear his head and think. No better place than the AT.   The great thing is he asked me to go with him. I had not planned to do the Trail again but would never pass up a chance to spend 6 months with my best friend doing something I love to do. I am sure that he will always be waiting on me in camp or town because I am not a strong hiker, the only reason I made it last time is I am just to stubborn to quit. The Sundance Kid is in no Hurry and we will have a great time. I plan for this to be his Hike as to how we do it and how fast we go. I only took 5 Zero days in 05 but we will probably take more this trip. We are also open to adding new gang members along the way as we plunder the trail northward. Breaking the hearts of Kith and Kin leaving home duties to loved ones, living the life of nomads. Stealing moments of laughter, quiet reflection, shared hardships and good times with our trail family. With the help of the Sundance Kid I hope to make this Journal a little more interesting for people who take the time to visit here, Come along on this harmless escapade if only in the virtual world. Butch
Date: 2006-09-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello and Welcome,    Butch Cassidy here; In preparation for the hike we are moving along well. I have all my gear and have updated a lot from last year. I am doing a few short hikes and some running to improve the cardio-vascular. Last week I did about 3 miles, up the East side of Lehigh Gap (nice climb) then out and back down on the winter trail. There is a nice spring on the winter trail , but it requires a short blue blaze which we are not going to do on our Thruhike. Wed. 27 Sept. I did a short trail in Bald Eagle State Park, just out of State College Pa.. I had hoped to see a bear since I didn't see one in 05 and I did but it was on the front porch of a home on the way back to the airport in State College. How would you like to go out for the morning paper and meet that nose to nose?   On the Trail we plan to move fairly quickly until we get out of Georgia, then we expect to slow up a little. On a Shakedown hike in July we did 30 miles of the Pinhoti in Alabama in two days. It was 95 degrees with about 60 % humidity and a dry section(Potters Gap to the Blue Mountain Shelter. It did let me know how much out of shape I had gotten since this time last year! I hope to get Sundance to add to the entries to give a younger perspective on things We'll see? See Ya up Trail, Butch
Date: 2006-09-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Good Morning AT people, and a fine morning it is. Weather here in Northern Pa. is cool crisp and perfect for hiking. I wish that I could break away for a couple days but not this week. The leaves are starting to turn and the Pa mountains are about 2 weeks or so away from great color. Flying over it this time of year you could forget how harsh it will be in Jan. I really don't like cold weather. One might ask why do a winter hike Starting in Feb? Since you asked, We believe its better to be just ahead of the rush. You have the social life of the trail family but no trouble getting in Hostel,shelters and huts. cooler weather in the Mid Atlantic states later on and hopefully more water along the trail. I will post a partial gear list below and will add more info as we pass the next 5 months. PACK- Vapor Trail -------------------------------------------2 lbs BAG-- Moonstone 800 lucid(20 degree Winter)------------------2 lbs      Western Mountaineering(35 degree Summer)---------------1+ 3 oz PAD-- Thermarest Prolite 3   --------------------------------- 11 oz TENT--Big Agnes Seedhouse 2SL(Shared)--My part---------------1+ 9 oz STOVE-Prius cannister----------------------------------------   3 oz POT---Antigravity gear with cozy-----------------------------   5 oz POLES-REI PEAK UL--------------------------------------------   12oz CLOTHING- JACKET-- Western Mt. Flight (insulated down)-------   11oz         Base layer- Patagonia lightweight thermals---------   6oz         Pants- Convertable---------------------------------   8oz         Shoes- NB 806s trail runners-----------------------   22oz         Socks-- Thorlo hikers------------------------------   5oz         Shirt-- North Face nylon---------------------------   5oz         Rain-- Frog togg jacket no pants------------------   5oz         Watch cap------------------------------------------   3oz Light-- Petzl tika-----------------------------------------   3ozNot a complete list but my total Winter Pack weight is less than25 lbs.   See ya up trail   Butch