morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-12
From: West Carry 

To: Avery Memorial campstie
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Awesome day, left at 6:30. Joel was out earlier, hes a cool guy, fast...he hiked the pacific crest trail two years ago. Caught up with more SOBO's that left before me. They were at a lean-to just about to leave and I had already hiked 7 miles. I went on to the base of the bigelow twin peaks and had a seat. You litterally look straight up and can see the first peak, quite intimidating. Juicebox and Swing caught up to me and I told them were the water source was. Juicebox said he swam across the kennebec at 2am, backpack in one hand and flashlight in mouth. With that story I loaded up my pack and was back on the trail. It headed straight into the mountain and took and immediate right behind a big rock. I turned and shouted, "oh theres an elevator," then headed up. The view was worth every step...you could see Katadin 170 miles away! There are platforms for tenting between the peaks so I set up my tent and headed up to catch the sunset. Clouds came whipping up one side and right back the other and I only caught a glimpse of the sunset so I decided to get up at 4 and try and see the sunrise. Caught a glimpse of that due to clouds..so a little disappointing.
Date: 2008-07-13
From: Avery Memorial campstie

To: Stratton ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

All downhill, rough on the knees. Now I'm at the hostel I bought a block of cheese a butter finger an apple and a six pack for lunch...ha may zero..its sunday and I don't think my mail drop will get here till tuesday. Heres whos with me... Joel, Swing, Juicebox, Finding peace, calamity jane, cheezewiz, warraghiyagy, vonfrick. In another group its Achuckmuck, Sunnybrown, Wyrm, Pounce and Wheeler. Dan and Dave just rolled into town as well. All southbounders...the way I like it. HA
Date: 2008-07-14
From: Stratton ME

To: zero
Miles today: 0.0

So I left a shirt in a lean-to and lost my hat...things I can afford to loose, and at least I'm loosing weight ha. But now I want a sweet hat. Can't wait for a bigger town to shop for the perfect one. Send links if you find an appropriate one. Thinking about a zero...either in town or off trail we'll feel it out. Zero, planning the next miles. I'm going to slow it down and stop pushing 15+ miles. The next section is beautiful I hear so I'm going to take 3 days into Rangely where I sent a bounce box. Then I'll not stop till Gorham NH. I'll take me an estimated 10 or more days. So if you send a package by Wednesday it should reach gorham in time heres how you address the package.Austin BorgGeneral DeliveryGorham NH 03581Hold for AT Hiker 7/24I'm looking for a good book, lightweight (paperback) maybe something concerning nature or adventure if anyone has a good one. Any food is also appreciated, anything thats not dehydrated or freeze dried haha. Thanks for the support. When I asked my dad if hes been reading the trail journal he said "ya but its hard since theres so many spelling errors and such." Sorry but I rush it cause I have limited time on the comp.
Date: 2008-07-15
To: Carrabasset River
Miles today: 0.0

2 4k ft peaks w/o views to start...kinda disappointing we kept on to the Carrabasset river and stealth camped next to it. Caught up to a group that left the day before...guess they were partying too much the night before and it took them 2 days to go the 8 miles we did today. I'm hiking with Juicebox and Swing to try and slow down. Not that they are slow hikers they just stop at every pond to swing and hit every side trail which is good. We joked about Jacob a local we met in Stratton who had the gift of gab. He started the convo by telling us everyone in his family had names that started with J. Then proceeded to list every family member, he has a large family by the way. He told us how he was so interested in "you hikers and your stories." Then without taking a breath jumped from family to survival to chuck norris for the next hour. By the time he left I was so exhausted I went straight to bed.
Date: 2008-07-16
From: Carrabasset River

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

My normal routine was be up by 5-530 out by 6, by noon I would have at least 10 miles behind me. Today we woke up at 9 and by 1 we had only hiked 3 miles...ha We took the side trail to Sugarloaf mountain which was well worth it. Took some pictures on the chair lifts but periodically they would move a couple feet so that made things interesting. Once we arrived at the shelter I checked the log to see Nick and Joanie had passed through today. Juicebox announced a nap was in order so I pushed on to catch up with Nick and Joanie. Rolled into Poplar ridge to find them along with Dan and Dave and Calamity Jane, a few others tenting in the area as well. I started a fire and we all had good conversation and laughs. Joanie shared a embarrassing story with us and I dubbed her with the trail name "Squat" so you can figure out the rest.
Date: 2008-07-17
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

To: Riff Raff I was takin a bath
Miles today: 11.0

Great views on Saddelback, you hit the horn and its just a bald rock walk 1 mile to the next peak which is awesome, veiws the whole way. Got some amazing photos...I will post soon hopefully. Juicebox aired out his tent and Swing got his tent and did the same. Juicebox then said, "you slept in the shelter why is your tent even dry." "Its not," replied swing, "but this is sure fun like flying a kite." and he started running around the peak with his tent blowing in the wind. After a bite to eat and a nap it was downhill to the road. Approaching a town I usually charge when I got to piazza rock lean-to I signed the register and was flying out When Warraghiyagey met me at a trail intersection. "have you seen the rock?" ..what rock?...*sigh* "follow me" he said. We climbed up a short trail to this huge rock jetting out 50 or more feet balancing on two rocks. Dangled my legs over the side for a safety meeting with Warraghiyagey and then took a bunch of pics. Awesome Awesome place...Piazza rock...check it, its 2 miles in from RT 4. Out to the road, got a hitch into town and called the newly formed Riff Raff friendly, "this is a friendly not a hostel, this means we like to be loud and have a good time with hikers" Ha formed by a few former thru-hikers they take donations and are very cool, very hospitable people. They struck up a poker game and said no one has beat the house yet...I reluctantly bought in 5 dollars and hours later it was only Juicebox and me at the table. Juicebox snapped a photo of me with my large pile of chips holding the cash and sleep was instant. Don't worry most of the winnings are going into the donation box, only fair for the hospitality is priceless.
Date: 2008-07-19
To: rt 17
Miles today: 13.1

We were out the door of Riff Raff with our packs, about to jump into cars and go cliff jumping. The plan was to drop us off at the trail head on the way back. Superman came out and said "wait what are you doing, you're not leaving, why don't you slack pack." (slack packing is hiking w/o your full backpack and just a day pack) He returned with 3 day packs and we rushed to reorganize and were off to smalls falls. This place was a natural water park with cliff jumps of all sizes and natural water slides. Some of the jumps were a little scary cause they are quite high and you are jumping into a really narrow spot that doesn't look deep enough. Juice and Swing jumped from a 50 footer which was quite intense. Squirrel, Big Un and Superman dropped us off at the trail head at 2:30 for a 13.1 mile trip and we were to hitch back to the house. Swing forgot his shirt in the car and decided to loose his shorts as well, so we made him hike in the back. Passed Slot Machine whos face was priceless. We then Caught up to the group that left in the morning and they all had a chuckle at Swing who came out into the clearing in his birthday suit. We had about 2-3 miles left when we came to a small sandy beach where a bunch of hikers were gathered. Trail angels Patty and Victor, who have a camp on long pond, were having a cook out with sodas/beers, hot dogs, tuna steak and smores! A boy scout troop had just rolled through and there was little food left and 1 beer left..those bastards! But Victor disappeared in the boat and returned with fruit and a handle of rum and vodka. It was getting dark and we realized we should probably hit trail soon, seeing as I was the only one that packed a headlamp. We continued on and I decided that it was a good time to hike naked so onwards to the road 1 naked guy with a headlamp and two in tail. When it was pitch black I started a rugby song and Swing and Juice followed with their own. We made it out to the desolate road and realized we would not get a hitch at 10:30 at night especially with swing not having a shirt on. It began to rain and again I was the only one to bring a rain jacket. We sat under a tree by the side of the road and I would run out and point my headlamp at my outstretched thumb whenever a car approached...we saw 3 in an hour. Luckily Juice got cell service and called Megan of Riff Raff and she came and picked us up. She informed us that we officially hold the record for taking the longest on a slack pack. Excellent
Date: 2008-07-20
From: rt 17

To: Bemis Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a late start and decided to just do a short day. 4.6 miles into Bemis lean-to, with heavy packs since we were carrying food to get to Gorham. We reached the shelter and discovered it had a leaky roof. On top of that we were squeezing 9 people in an 8 person lean-to. I kept looking over at Swing who was dipping his finger into his peanut butter jar and slowly it was becoming empty. I raised the issue of him not having lunches for the next couple days and Warraghiyagy spoke up. "you guys should just go into Andover, there are 2 really nice slack packing sections coming up." That was all we needed we dove into our food bags and started eating all we could.Now originally I planned not to slack pack, I felt it was cheating. But the trail is not about seeing how fast you can hike it with a full pack, its about enjoying every step. We have been running into NOBO's for weeks now that we call "Katarded" They don't talk, they ignore side trails to cool things like viewpoints or piazza rock and they have turned hiking into their job. Isn't the reason for hiking to get away from that? YES it is. They just wake up early and hike all day then sleep and repeat until they hit their goal Katadin...hence the term "Katarded." Slack packing you cruise along, can hit all the side trails, chill on mountain tops longer and your knees don't hurt at the end of the day. Besides this is the most beautiful part of the trail, I can throw down 25 mile days once I'm into Mass. So the plan is to enjoy every step till then.
Date: 2008-07-21
From: Bemis Mountain Lean-to

To: Andover
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Leaky roof last night, 9 people in an 8 person shelter..so 2 peps got wet. Out early met Finding Peace on the summit. Said she met a lady who offered her a ride into town, I hiked down with her while juice and swing chilled. We caught up to her and she said, "oh your going to beat me to the bottom so here are my keys, meet me at the bottom in an hour or so." and handed Finding Peace her keys. A few yards later and I said, "are you kidding me?" ha anywho down to the parking lot and a brand new Honda Element is awaiting us. We wound up at the Andover guest house, which I recommend over the other place that charges too much for shuttles and turns away hikers in the rainy night. Joel is in charge and Mr. Natural takes care of the rest, great people...stay there.
Date: 2008-07-22
From: Andover

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Slackpack...Joel dropped us off and said "the car will be waiting at the other side at 2." Immediately Juicebox, Swing and I thought, "man we're going to have to rush" while Slot machine "wow that is a long time." But Slot machine never hiked with juicebox and swing...An immediate river crossing right at the road and we sat down to hang out ha. Then up a short climb to a little viewpoint where we sat down and chilled again. Met a few hikers who we offered gifts as we were slackpacking and brought gifts for such occasions. Met Stretch, hes 18 and came solo but has been hiking with No Car, who he met at the bus station. The point of slackpacks is so you can hike miles faster, we averaged 4 miles in 4 hours and had 30 minutes to hike 1.9 miles. Made it and there was a party at the car. We ended up fitting 11 people in a station wagon with packs on the roof rack...funny sight, thank goodness there were no speed bumps. Back at the house the crew got a toga party started on the balcony, I wrote some postcards and organized my pack for tomorrow..knowing the shuttle was early. Had a drink with the togas and to sleep at 12.
Date: 2008-07-23
From: Andover

To: Baldplate lean-to
Miles today: 0.0

Out by 11..not early by any means. The toga crew were all organizing their packs and were going to take a later shuttle. Baldplate was crazy, 30-40 mph winds very misty and light rain. The bald rock was covered in tiny moss and the wind would just move you feet across in, sliding on your "heavily gripped soles." I should have eaten more in town, the wind was thrashing me around. Easily the most difficult hiking so far and a large group stayed at the first shelter to try for better conditions tomorrow. Met No Car and Slow-mo, Stretch was here also. Chatted them up and decided to follow their plan for tomorrow.
Date: 2008-07-24
From: Baldplate lean-to

To: Speck Pond lean-to
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Up 5:45 for a change and out by 6. 2.5 miles down followed by a long up with many false peaks. I'd hit a peak, go down for a while turn a corner and go straight up again. Blasted by light rains and mist again, not nearly as bad and made it to the shelter at 10:30. It started raining soon after, its been raining 11 out of the past 13 days. Walking in streams and puddles at best, it makes putting on wet shoes, socks, shorts and shirt hard in the morning. We decided to sleep here tonight and hope for a clear day for mahousac notch. I heard lots about it and wanted to take lots of pictures...its rumored to be the toughest mile of the trail. "Over, Under, around and through." A 1 mile boulder scramble that they say has snow in the summer. Can't wait to take pictures.
Date: 2008-07-25
From: Speck Pond lean-to

To: Gentian Pond lean-to
Miles today: 0.0

Stretch, No car and Slow-mo out early. I laid in bed for a little and was out by 7. mahousac arm was straight down slippery exposed rock. Pretty tough down had to take it slow. Once I reached the bottom I heard a noise 15 feet in front of me so bent down to see who it was. Legs...moose legs, I went for my camera and it must have heard me it bolted loudly into the woods. I continued on and shortly could hear it tromping above me, walked on quietly. Then I could hear it coming towards me so got my camera out and zoomed in all the way...couldn't see anything for a long time then a large head and antler rack 20 feet in front of me. I started to zoom out and it continued towards me. I whistled...it stopped and looked both ways and I raised the camera. It kept coming and was now 10 feet in front of me so I yelled, "Hey." It ignored me and continued now within 10 feet so I turned to book it and as I did it did the same. Down to the start of the notch and there is just high standing water...I look left for a way around and then right...water. Guess I'm going through it, it kept getting deeper and reached up to my waist. When I finally reached the other side I was freezing. This notch has snow and ice year round in it and the water runs beneath it..you could imagine how cold it was. It was cool looking up...steep mountains on each side, very narrow and just filled with boulders. It was a frickin playground, I loved every minute of it. I spotted snow a short ways in and chucked the pack, grabbed my camera and went into the cave. After a photo shoot I made several snowballs and headed back up. I waited 20 minutes for someone to come through so I could ambush them but gave up and continued on. I then came to a moose skeleton, where someone had hung prayer flags. I heard it got stuck in the notch with a broken leg and died a few years ago. Then straight up to Goose mountain which reminded me of saddelback with the ridge walking. Stopped to pick some raspberries and into Gentian Pond lean-to, rumored to have the best sunset on trail. (mediocre) Nick and Jonni who are now Blackberry and Squat were there with Chapstick, arch support, meg and jo. I was immediately called a trail whore since I started with them, then jumped in with Juicebox and Swing and was now Hiking with No Car, Stretch and Slo-mo. They planned to take a 3.5 mile blue blaze to trail which sounded tempting till No Car said, "don't let that blue blaze devil get you." I was just worried about getting to the post office by 12...closes at 12 on Saturday and not open on Sunday.
Date: 2008-07-26
From: Gentian Pond lean-to

To: Gorham
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Out by 5:45, determined to do the 11.8 miles into town before the post office closed. I ran all the flat parts...ate shit hard 3 times and one time I had to go back for my knife which fell out when I did a head first superman into the dirt which sent my pack flying over my head. The other bad wreck was slipped onto a log bridge and racked my shin on the end of it...pack and legs into the mud. I made it to the road by 10:15 and a truck immediately pulled up and asked if I wanted a ride. I was beaming because the crew that left the same time I did was going 3.5 miles to catch a shuttle at 10 and I had just hiked 11.8 in 4 hours, so I figured I beat them into town. 3 Packages! thanks trail angels! Straight to McDonalds..first town with fast food! Printed some photos at rite aid and stuck out my thumb to get a ride to the campground/hostel. 2nd car pulled over...i liked Gorham. Met stretch there we showered, washed clothes and headed back to town. This time we got picked up by Footmachine who was off trail for a few days to visit his mother, it was her birthday. He dropped us off at BK and slipped us 5 bucks to, "get some sandwiches"... ya payed to hitch hike. Back at white birches Stretch and I hiked a trail to a sweet swimming hole with a 15 cliff jump...sweet end to a good day.
Date: 2008-07-27
From: Gorham

To: there and back
Miles today: 0.0

Hitch into town with a Japanese couple to Micky Ds. Met Juicebox and Swing who just got in and were about to attempt the dollar menu challange. Order and eat one of everything on the dollar menu. I headed off to the flea market in town when I eyed some NOBOs hopping onto a mini-bus that was gassing up...I ran towards it and pulled the driver over before he got out of the lot. Jumped on and my day started a little earlier than expected. I was aiming for a 1.6 to a shelter just out of town. We call this a "nero" (near zero) I sat on the shelter and listened to this NOBO bragging to some elderly folks about how he did 20's all through the whites. I felt like saying "wow too bad you only saw your feet." But bite my tongue and watched as he took his shirt off and started doing push ups in front of them. He also wrote in the shelter log, "Southbound? what the hell is south?" Hasn't he seen all the signs, stickers and trail propaganda? Anyways he continued doing push ups and strange poses for long periods of time while making awkward small talk. I couldn't take this katarded guy and hiked on..walked a mile more and pitched tent...then noticed the metal rod that is my backpacks frame busted out the bottom of my bag. I took a nap then packed up and headed back to the shelter...which was now full so pitched tent again and headed back the 1.6 to try and get Gregorys number. Finally got it and then hiked the 1.6 back in the dark. doh so much for my nero
Date: 2008-07-28
From: Gorham

To: Imp lean-to
Miles today: 0.0

Back the same trail to town, hitched to walmart...oh yea my treking pole broke ...sweet gear luck. Called Gregory and couldn't get a hold of them so I just duct tapped it and headed back to the trail. The duct tape held a few miles and when I got to imp I sewed it in with dental floss and was able to get a signal to find out gregory was going to send me a Triconi...I arranged them to send it to Lincoln a few days ahead. Talked with Heidi who I have been running into a lot...she is leading a camp group around and they keep intersecting with us. $8 for shelter..bummer but Twix was cool so I paid her.
Date: 2008-07-29
From: Imp lean-to

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Stopped in Cater Notch Hut around 9 and asked if they knew Heidi who used to work in the huts...they said yes we do and No Car said, "well she told us we can't give you a bullshit sob story but to say hi and ask if you have any leftovers." Soon we had Veggie Quiche, piles of cornbread, pineapple, juice and a large piece of cake in front of us. We polished it, said thank you and off we were. We popped out on top of Wildcat Ski Mountain and I heard someone say, "oh look thru-hikers" and point a camera at us. Ran into Meg and Jo and her rents...I've passed them a few times but they keep yellow blazing (following the yellow lines on the road, hitchin) and blue blazing (blue short side trails) and get ahead of me. Their was a lift going to bring tourists up to the top and I joked "oh I bet you'll take that to the bottom." which they did. I think they are just trying to see how many different modes of transportation they can use on this hike...um I guess its no longer hiking. Hiked onto the AMC vistors center and paid too much for a dry sandwich. Inquired about their $60 per night bunk room and onto the road to hitch back to Whitebirches in Gorham for a $13 bunk. Met Mouth who has a very appropriate name. "I'M MIZZOUTH FROM THE SIZZOUTH WOOOO YAA I'M SICK OF THIS ****** TRAIL I'M SO DONE WITH THIS" and so on so on son osoidnfaodinfaodi....around him listening were Peg leg and Chef who were quite cool, said they blue blazed off of Mt. Washington on a real steep trail.Went to dinner and onto the town green were a band was playing and met, Buns and Roses, Twiggy, Spoc, Tupperware and hearts. They didn't want to pay for a hostel and planned to sleep in a dugout in town. We chilled in the dugout with them for some time then had a long walk back in the dark.
Date: 2008-07-30
From: AMC vistor Center

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 0.0

We heard you had to get to huts between 4 and 5 so we slept in and were out by 9. We sat at the visitors center and wasted time in the gift shop and weighed our packs. No Car - 27lbs Me - 32 lbs Stretch - 37 lbs...he carries a lot of snacks. Soon a weekend couple came up with large packs, the wifes was 47 and his was 57 lbs! We had a laugh and hit the trail, laxed and flat for a while then straight up Madison. Awesome view above tree line..just rocks and you could see a large above tree line walk to Mt. Washington. 5,600 ft and we chilled on the top unti 3:30 then headed down to the hut. Heidi was in the kitchen and said "these guys are cool" as we asked for work for stay...thanks heidi! She also gave us a note to carry to Mizpah to make sure we got to stay...haha trail magic. No Car had a big smile on his face when she handed it to him. We hung outside while the guests ate then headed in for leftovers, which there weren't much of. But they made extra pesto pasta which was amazing. Thanks Madison Croo..tried to chat them up but they kept giving one word answers and turning their backs or walking away so we took the hint and kept to ourselves.