morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-08-27
From: The Challenge of the White Mountains

To: The Challenge of the White Mountains
Miles today: 0.0

I awoke early this morning to take advantage of the internet service at a coffee house. So I am not sure what today holds, but I think 'Guana should rest another day and let the medicine take hold. There are no easy mountains between here and Mount Katahdin, the finish. We can expect to do only 10-12 miles a day in this type of terrain which takes us over high mountains and asks us to walk on rock faces or do rock climbing. All this with not so many towns to stop in for food, so our packs are heavier. We have picked up our winter gear, thanks to Anne :) and are ready to face the cold here. Yes, they have had ice and snow in the Whites in August, believe it or not. They say that though you have walked 80% of the miles, you still have 50% of the work to do in the next 2 states and looking at our topographical profile, I believe it. Still, it is refreshing the challenge, the change in the weather!I welcome winter hiking again and the changes it will bring. We are all remembering our hikes in the Smokies and what it was like as we don our winter gear piece by piece. Our muscles remember pushing up those hills and will undoubtedly be called to service again in the Whites. Even some muscles we haven't used before, will find use in these great mountains.So we take it day by day and we'll see what today holds.
Date: 2003-08-28
From: North Woodstock

To: Garfield Pond
Miles today: 9.3

Well...we took off - a slow start into the Whites, but gonna take this nice and slow to help me recover from this nasty chest infection. We managed to get 9.3 miles in today, over some challenging terrain. Only the beginning of what is to come, but so far it is blowing us away, how beautiful the scenery is! I have heard everyone talk about how beautiful this area is, but words cannot even begin to describe it. We climbed up to the first ridge today and hit our first President in the Presidential range (Lincoln) - an exposed ridge walk for several miles that was absolutely gorgeous, over Liberty, Little Haystack (not so little), Lincoln and Lafayette mountains, ending at Garfield pond, where we have found a cute little campsite just off the trail. Bundling up for the drastic change in weather - so hard to believe that it is August and we are wearing winter hats!! Send us some warm thoughts....
Date: 2003-08-29
From: Garfield Pond

To: near Zealand Falls
Miles today: 10.0

Another tough one, but we are trudging through. More jaw-dropping scenery and beautiful ridge walking. The clouds started to roll in this afternoon, so our last climb up to South Twin Mountain was in the clouds and fog, and we had a few drops of rain this evening, but looks like it will clear out just in time to hike tomorrow morning!!
Date: 2003-08-30
From: near Zealand Falls

To: Webster Cliffs
Miles today: 10.5

The hike after Zealand falls was a treat - several miles of FLAT terrain, but still with great views!!! We hiked down to Crawford Notch, where we had a spontaneous rendevous with Donna and Karen (aka Jinx and Windy) from Guana's Girl Scout camp. Great to see familiar faces so far from home! These crazy people are going to hike with us for the next 24 hours. Seriously tough terrain, but they are troopers. The views will be well worth it. Tonight we are staying just at the start of Webster Cliffs, a great little spot, but the cold wind is whipping and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw snow!!Tomorrow on to Mizpah Hut with the girls, where they will take a side trail back to the car, and we will inch closer to Mount Washington - the biggest summit (over 6,000 feet), since Tennessee!
Date: 2003-08-31
From: Webster Cliffs

To: base of Mount Franklin
Miles today: 7.3

Not high on the mileage today, but we really enjoyed the trek today. It was great to share this scenery with 2 friends. It was a lot of ups and downs, very challenging, but they hung in there (and so did we), and we are camping at the base of Mount Franklin tonight, with views of Mount Washington for tomorrow. It was another great day for hiking, couldn't ask for better weather for the big climb tomorrow.
Date: 2003-09-01
From: base of Mount Franklin

To: Edmonds Col
Miles today: 6.6

Wow! Words cannot describe today's adventures! The climb up to Mount Washington was not too bad, and it was very strange to go from complete wilderness to total tourist area! It is Labor Day, and so it was very busy up there. There is a road for cars to drive up and also a train that goes to the summit, which is complete with a lodge, museum/snack bar, etc. Has that ski lodge feeling, along with the ski-type weather! The temperature at the summit when we arrived at 12:30 pm was 37 degrees, with gusts of wind at 50 mph and wind chills at 26!!! talk about winter! The clouds were in and out and we did get some grea views from the summit. The views got better still as we started down from the summit and got a peek at the ridge ahead of us - our terrain for the next several days all in view! This upcoming section is the northern Presidential range - a tough area, but very rewarding. Camping out in a lower area tonight (still over 5,000 feet though!), and heading on tomorrow. I am feeling much better - still coughing a lot, but the antibiotics were a great help!
Date: 2003-09-02
From: Edmonds Col

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What a way to end the Presidential range today!! Our last climb was over Mount Madison, which was a steep but short climb to the summit - followed by excrutiatingly painful rocky ridge walking for several miles. It took us a verrrry long time to make it down, but we were extremely happy to make it safely and soundly to the notch by dinner. An all-you-can-eat dinner at the visitor center, and we are happy (but tired) campers.
Date: 2003-09-03
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: broken clouds

Yipppeeee! It is very exciting to be here in Gorham. We took a side trail down to beat the incoming weather, and are staying dry in a hotel tonight - taking a much needed break after an incredible week in the Whites. The clouds are rolling in and we are thankful to be here....Met up with Fly and Smoothie again - after being apart for a few days - and are hanging out with them here in town!
Date: 2003-09-04
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

Can you say ZERO day?? The thunder was incredible last night and hikers that came into town today said that it was pretty bad up there last night. Sooooo glad that we got into town.It was still raining hard this morning and they are calling for rain off and on today with more thunderstorms, so we are gonna relax and finish up errands and head out first thing tomorrow morning. Only 16 miles to the Maine border!!!
Date: 2003-09-05
From: Back on the Trail

To: Back on the Trail
Miles today: 17.0

Our creative blue blazing out of Gorham has taken us an equivalent of 17 miles on the Appalachian Trail and into a new state. Yes, we have finally made it into Maine today!!!! Yeah!!!! We pitch our tents not far after the border at Carlo Col Campsite arriving there just shortly before dark. The days are growing shorter quickly and the amount of hiking hours in the day are shrinking fast. Ah, MAINE - WE ARE HERE!
Date: 2003-09-06
From: The toughest terrain yet!

To: The toughest terrain yet!
Miles today: 7.1

Today we got a whole 7 miles covered as we encountered the toughest mile known on the A.T. - Mahoosuc Notch. Picture jagged huge bolders on top of jagged huge bolders and nothing but bolders as far as the eye can see. Then imagine that between these bolders you can see to the center of the earth. Okay, not the center, but let's just say that there are dark holes between these bolders that no one wants to know what lives in there. Now imagine that you really can't find the faded trail blazes so you have to try this way and that way to find the best way or the right way. Okay, now this is the kicker - you are carrying a 40 pound backpack! Believe me, any hiker you talk to will remember this place because you feel your mortality. Sometimes leaps of faith are required, but mostly crawling, scrambling, scraping, sliding, dragging, straddling, heaving and hoisting are involved. IT TOOK US 3 HOURS TO GO 1 MILE! Fly, Smoothie and us stuck together helping each other over the rocks and sometimes helping Right On, Brown Dog and a friend who were struggling through as we were. Yes, some sick people decided that an AT hiker must accomplish this feat. Finally exhausted to go any further we conquered the notch and pitched our tents at a random campsite where undoubtedly other exhausted hikers had spent the night.
Date: 2003-09-07
From: And we go over to Andover

To: And we go over to Andover
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: broken clouds

The day started later than usual - yes, we slept in until 7:00 AM this morning. 'Guana and I felt like we had been slammed against a brick wall a few times...everything ached. The rest of the group was slow moving too. As if the Notch was not enough - we now have a difficult climb up Mahoosuc Arm, a steep up. Thank goodness it wasn't nearly as challenging as the notch, but in our aching state it didn't help the knees and the feet to be climbing rock face which was at a 45 degree angle. Whew - those certainly make the calves burn! Old Speck Pond was beautiful and definitely a place that I want to go back and visit - as long as I don't have to go through the notch again...ha, ha. On we went and discussion started amongst Fly, Smoothie and us about a tentative date to summit Mt. Katahdin. As it stands - we hope that we will summit between the 20th and the 23rd of September. We both have engagements around September 26th and are figuring out how we can make it to Katahdin and back to these events at home on time. So we decide that we will pull into Andover, ME today and talk about some scenarios. We can see that the leaves in Maine are already turning and people tell us that Katahdin is already getting 40 degree weather. As it turns out, we encountered some hikers who were there last weekend and who also gave us a ride into Andover. In Andover, a town of one block, we find housing at the Andover Guest House and some ice cream just down the street. Tomorrow we think we will go to Oquossoc and get on the trail there to allow us some cushion of time for weather conditions and the slow travel through the Moohosuc Mountain range. Soon we will be in the 100 mile wilderness - which we are all looking forward to. Once we hit Monson we will be 100 miles to Katahdin. Between here and there are lots of streams to ford as our book indicates. We're getting creative on our footwear for this part of the journey.
Date: 2003-09-08
From: What Lies Beyond

To: What Lies Beyond
Miles today: 0.0

So it occurs to us that we have been on our quest to complete the Appalachian Trail for over 6 months now! Wow! And what a journey so far. 'Guana and I look forward to the time in Maine and also the 320 we have to do in Virginia. Lots of friends and family will join us in Virginia if all works out. Fly & Smoothie too want to come join us for a weekend or two since they will have completed their journey. As the budget shrinks and the end of the journey is in sight we begin to turn our minds to what lies beyond the trail. On occasion finding an idol computer, 'Guana and I have started to poke around the internet for jobs, etc. We don't know for sure where we'll land but friends and family in North Carolina have been very welcoming of us and since we both like North Carolina (and our friends and family) we will most likely be there. Where exactly, I could not tell you. We'll probably go where the jobs are - taking on temporary work until the end of the year. Regardless, it will be a rough transition from walking all the time to having to drive and awake to an alarm again. You'll probably find us doing weird things like: wanting to sleep in our tent in the middle of winter, or use our travel toothbrushes. We'll undoubtedly want to drag some of you to parts of the trail that we have found most beautiful.We are scheduled to go to St. Thomas, USVI again. Yep, 'Guana's sister, Marybeth, is playing in the Paradise Jam basketball tournament this year and we promised to go to support her. Of course, we get to visit with friends there as well and see the beautiful beaches of St. Thomas again. So temporary jobs are the ticket for now. Whew! Yesterday we made some quick but decisive moves. Due to a family camping trip on Sept. 26th and a wedding at the same time, our foursome has decided to jump up the trail a total of 80 miles so that we can get to Katahdin in time to join our family and friends for their celebrations. So we jumped up to Stratton and hit the woods today. While at the Oquossoc post office a couple of people out moose hunting struck up a conversation with us and they were headed Stratton way and were happy to take us. Oquossoc was such a friendly little town we had to turn down rides. So off we went and we got to go with them while they scouted out a few dirt roads for moose. Apparently they issue tickets to kill only so many moose a year and they have a time frame to do this. Of course, this is to keep the moose population down we are told. So normally I wouldn't go driving down a dirt road with strangers who have guns in the car, but there were four of us and we had talked to the people at length. Some calls definitely are situational. So they dropped us at the trail in Stratton and we hiked 5.1 miles to the Horns Pond Lean-Tos. They call shelters lean-tos in these parts. We spent the night tenting near a beautiful pond and in the shadow of our climb for tomorrow up the Big Horn Mountain.
Date: 2003-09-09
From: Jump up for Love

To: Maine Beaches
Miles today: 14.0

We hit the beach today for lunch and sunned ourselves. It was surreal as we emerged from the woods to a sandy beach on a Maine pond. Four other hikers joined us in our quest for sun. Despite our lollygagging, we put in a 14 mile day finding a tentsite in the woods near Long Falls Dam Road.
Date: 2003-09-10
From: Jump up for Love

To: Crossing the Kennebec into Caratunk
Miles today: 17.5

Another big mile day for us took us into Caratunk. The terrain is getting a little more hiker friendly, so onward we went until we came to the Kennebec River. The Kennebec is a river that cannot be forded - you must be ferried across as they make unscheduled dam releases throughout the day. The river is too wide to cross before being swept away in such releases. Lucky for us, the park has provided the ferry free of charge - in this case it is a canoe! The canoer who picked us up allowed us to paddle while she rode cargo with our backpacks. 'Guana was especially happy to paddle and I too enjoyed it. It gave us an upper body workout paddling against the current. It didn't occur to me until we were almost across the river that if we tipped the canoe, our backpacks would sink like two rocks and along with it our homes. So I was careful not to rock the boat. Once across we made our way to the wee town of Caratunk, ME. The hostel there was full up so we ended up tenting. Nonetheless we got to enjoy the luxuries of town by going to dinner. Tomorrow we pick up our mail drop and head back to the trail.
Date: 2003-09-12
From: Jump up for Love

To: Birthday for Smoothie
Miles today: 18.7

So once we knew where we were, we knew where we had to get to to properly celebrate Smoothie's Birthday. So a big day was planned, but none of us was sure that we would make it all the way to Monson, ME. The terrain had gotten somewhat easier, but by the river the terrain marched us unceasingly up and down hill. It was tiring, but we decided to go for it and made it the 18.7 miles into Monson. We were able to get rooms at the hostel there. In fact we had a little house across the street from the hostel to ourselves. We celebrated Smoothie's birthday with half-cooked brownies, television, and some beers. A hiker's heaven. At the end of it all a real bed!
Date: 2003-09-13
From: Jump up for Love

To: I just need a nap
Miles today: 4.0

Hello everyone!We have arrived in Monson, Maine and are anxiously ready for our last stretch! We arrived here Friday and are leaving today, entering the 100 mile wilderness...sounds luxurious, no?We both feel really great and appreciate our friends, family, fellow hikers', and trail angels' support during this journey. Things are going along schedule now and we will update in more detail closer to our summit of Mt. Katahdin. We expect to reach the top of Katahdin on September 23rd!!! It's hard to believe we're nearing the end of the AT...Our love to all...and off we go...'Guana and Sonic (This entry was written by our support person - Anne Mayher since we were nowhere near a computer - Thanks Anne! Below is my journal entry.) Although eager to start the 100 mile wilderness, we all just wanted a low mile day. We started the day by getting our maildrops, sorting through food, phone calls and putting our affairs in order. This can be exhausting. For me, I had not slept well and was cranky. All I needed was a nap I conceeded and said this repeatedly to my cohorts. So we decided to tent in the woods when we found a good nap spot. I was ready to sleep at mile #1, but nowhere in site. Not the second mile, nor the third. So we went 4 miles before settling on a beautiful campsite on a pond. Ah.....finally, my nap!
Date: 2003-09-14
From: Jump up for Love

To: Tenting by the River
Miles today: 11.0

Beautiful tenting river site, rough terrain so 11 miles is enough today. Got all the way to the shelter to find out it had no water. So we had to go back down the hill we just came up and decided to tent by the river. Our food is running short this time so we have to start rationing ourselves.
Date: 2003-09-15
From: Jump up for Love

To: Bathing with Dr. Bronner
Miles today: 15.3

Finally a river we can bathe in. Another beautiful day in the 100 mile wilderness. We all agree Maine is the most beautiful of states we have hiked. So we take advantage of easy terrain to put 15 miles in and still stop by 4 PM so we can bath ourselves in the river. Tomorrow, we hope to go over Whitecap Mountain. It is supposed to have a good view of Mt. Katahdin. Life is getting exciting.
Date: 2003-09-16
From: I can't stand the rain

To: I can't stand the rain
Miles today: 5.5

The day started off as any other, beautiful woods and a beautiful waterfall with a funny name - Screw Auger Falls. We trod along uphill on our way to Whitecap mountain. It was the last of four mountaintops we would have to climb today. Around mid-morning the rain began falling - a steady drizzle and by 11 AM we pulled into the last shelter before climbing the mountains. We decided to have an early lunch and wait out the rain. By 2 PM it still hadn't stopped and we had all decided that we had had enough of the rain, so today we would not get wet. We settled in to the shelter and four other hikers and two hiking dogs made the same decision. We passed the day playing Scrabble and Pass the Pigs. We would hike White Cap with it's slick rock faces tomorrow and hope the rain would stop by then!
Date: 2003-09-17
From: View of Katahdin

To: View of Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: clear sky

Cooper Brook Falls was our destination for the day a big 18.9 mile day to make up for our rain day. The weather cooperated and we had beatiful views from the mountaintops we climbed. The most significant view was had from Whitecap - the view of Mt. Katahdin - for what would be the end of the journey for Fly & Smoothie. We enjoyed finally seeing Katahdin from afar and it quickened our pace to get to it. Whitecap was too windy to stay on top of for too long, so we took a few pictures and headed down it. It was a long day of hiking but we made it to our goal- Cooper Brook Falls - pitching our tents near the river.
Date: 2003-09-18
From: Life is busy making other plans

To: The Oasis in the 100 miles Wilderness
Miles today: 13.7

Today we go to a hostel in the middle of the 100 mile wilderness. It's called "White House Landing." You follow a maze of blue blazes about a mile off the Appalachian Trail to a boat dock. There you find a horn to blow so that the owner of the hostel can come get you in his boat. We didn't have to wait long and soon we were zooming across the river in a powerboat to where we would stay for the night. The hostel offered bunks for $15/person and homemade pizza and burgers for the hungry hiker. We endulged in both and learned to wash our clothes on an old manual wringer. The sun was shining and we took time to lay out on the dock. After dinner we decided to go out on a moose hunt with the help of a canoe. It was a beautiful evening and though we saw loons and a wonderful sunset which included another view of Katahdin, no moose were to be found. Back at the house, we settled into our bunks for a good night's sleep, knowing that a hearty breakfast awaited us in the morning.
Date: 2003-09-19
From: Have You Seen an Emu?

To: Back to the Trail Via Boat
Miles today: 15.9

In the morning, after a hearty breakfast, we were shuttled by boat to a blue blazed trail that led back to the AT. We hiked a fair amount of miles, but it didn't take us long being so flat and we camped near Rainbow Stream lean to next to a beautiful waterfall. Could Maine be any prettier? I don't think so!
Date: 2003-09-20
From: Have You Seen an Emu?

To: The Base Camp before the Base Camp
Miles today: 15.0

Another 15 mile day leads us to just where we wanted to be, Abol Campground. A drizzling rain ushered us into the campground, but it soon cleared. Abol Campground is just 9.9 miles from Katahdin Stream Campsite - the base camp to Katahdin. We enjoyed the hike, taking our time at Niagara Falls, both little and big Niagara. We wanted to get to Abol, but also wanted to enjoy our time pre-Katahdin. Once at Abol campground we took full advantage of the campstore and it is here that we picked up a Moose ring....a ring whose purpose would later come clear! We rented a campsite that Fly, Smoothie, 'Guana and I tented at and enjoyed the evening light reflected across the water on the shadows of Mount Katahdin. Night fell and we grew anxious for the light of the next day to take us to the base camp.
Date: 2003-09-21
From: Have You Seen an Emu?

To: Base Camp for Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We started at a laisurely hour this morning and took our time dawdling at Daicey Pond. Even taking time to rent a canoe so we could take some pictures of us and Mt. Katahdin from the water. Again, the day flew, and no matter how slow we walked we seemed to arrive so soon to Katahdin Stream Camp - the place where all the hikers bunk the night before summitting Katahdin. We registered at the ranger station as we are supposed to do and passed the night in anxiety with 9 other thru hikers who were summitting the next day. The weather looked promising and spirits were high as we all headed off early to bed. Something told me, we wouldn't get much sleep tonight. Finally the mountain we have all been dreaming about was before us and the challenge of climbing and descending 4000 feet in the same day was real.
Date: 2003-09-23
From: Have You Seen an Emu?

To: From Maine to Keuka Lake in 14 Hours
Miles today: 0.0

We were fortunate to get a ride from Fly's parents who drove up from NY to drive Fly & Smoothie and us all the way to their home in Keuka Lake, NY (otherwise known as Hammonsport). We were grateful for the ride and the conversation was pleasant, but I must say it was the most painful 14 hours I have had in a car. That is no fault to the driver or company, it's just that after hiking everyday to keep your knees bent in that position of sitting for that long wreaks pain in the knees and feet. So between Fly, Smoothie, 'Guana and I we took turns stretching our legs out across each other trying to endure this new type of pain.