morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-11
From: Mt. Washington

To: Pinkham Notch 
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: fog

We left early today before breakfast was served and hiked up Mt. Washington in heavy fog. Mt. Washington - 6288' - is the highest peak in New England. When we arrived at the summit, we couldn't see anything because of the whole area being fogged in and nothing had opened up yet (Hut, restaurants and observation towers). We continued hiking in the cold and damp air with poor visibility.Towards early afternoon we stopped at Madison Spring Hut and were able to get leftover soup for lunch.We spent the night at Pinkham Notch Hostel which is run by the local trail maintenance crew. We arrived too late for supper at the Hostel but were able to cook food from our packs.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-12
From: Pinkham Notch 

To: US Route 2, Maine
Miles today: 21.1

We hiked and caught Carter Notch Hut which was nestled by the side of Big Carter Lake and Little Carter Lake. It was not a full-service Hut, so no meals. We were able to heat water in a small kitchen at the Hut and make our own lunch.The weather is cooling down and this is much appreciated. We had many good climbs and descents, starting at 2050' from Pinkham Notch and ascending to Peak A of Wildcat Mountain at 4380'. We continued hiking up and down going between 3000' and 5000' the rest of the day.We tented on the north side of Mt. Moriah.I received a couple packages today full of goodies. Aubrey and Brynn, thank you for the nice notes. Tyler, thank you for the picture you colored and the note on the back "Grandpa, you're my best friend". Kimberly and Todd, and kids, thank you for the bottled water, gatorade and other candies and goodies and for your note about Grace and that she might be walking by the time I get home for her 1st birthday celebration on September 11. Courtney, Jason and Jonann, thanks for your cute cards and the goodies.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-13
From: US Route 2, Maine

To: Trident Col Campsite
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: few clouds

Today we hiked past the Rattle River Shelter, crossed the Androscoggin River on Leadmine Bridge, climbed Mt. Hayes and Cascade Mountain.We arrived at Tirdent Col Tentsite and set up camp. There was no water available here so we cooked our meal with the water we had left from today's hiking.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-14
From: Trident Col Campsite

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: light rain

When we got up this morning, it was raining lightly but not enough to keep us from hiking. We headed out past Dream Lake and Moss Pond and went to Mt. Success which entailed a 1500' climb from where we had camped.We stopped to have lunch at a shelter with on again-off again rain. We did manage to take in some great views off the front of the shelter looking down into a valley with trees on the other side.Shortly after that we crossed into Maine, leaving New Hampshire behind us. It feels great to hit the last state (#14). We took pictures by the sign for entering Maine. Miss Wiggy found a can of coke nearby and put it in her pants pocket. As we were hiking through the rocks later, she managed to lose it. We got into more rain as the day wore on and decided to spend the night at Carlo Col Shelter. It was a good decision because right after reaching the shelter, we got a really heavy downpour and it continued raining the rest of the evening.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-15
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Grafton Notch, Maine
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: light rain

The highlight of today was going through Mahoosuc Notch with Miss Wiggy, T2 and Roadie. Mahoosuc Notch is a mile long boulder field and very treacherous. The boulders have been described as being the size of a house. Roadie did not want to go through the Notch himself, so he and I teamed together. I made it through in an hour and 20 minutes, Roadie in an hour and 40 minutes and Miss Wiggy and T2 in about 2 hours. Glad I don't have to do that again. In the process, I managed to lose one of my trekking poles as it fell about 20 feet into one of the caverns and then slid out of sight.Coming out of Mahoosuc Notch, we then immediately climbed 1600' through the Mahoosuc Arm. Later we found a decent campsite for the night.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-16
From: Grafton Notch, Maine

To: East B Hill Road, Maine
Miles today: 10.6

We had several ascents and descents today but nothing spectacular.We stayed at a cabin in Andover, Maine which is actually a hostel run by Honey and Bear. The cabin had a unique bunk room on the lower level and the owners feed you well. We had lasagna and salad for dinner with 3 kinds of ice cream over blueberry cobbler for dessert.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-17
From: East B Hill Road, Maine

To: Black Brook, South Arm Road
Miles today: 10.2

This was an easy day of hiking (day-hiking) as we were shuttled to the Trailhead this morning by Bear and then shuttled back to the cabin this evening. Also, at the cabin tonight were 12 young trail maintainers. They were not staying for the night but were having supper.Honey and Bear are an older couple, both on second marriages. Both have children and are very warm and hospitable and really make you feel at home. They run the best hostel I've seen yet when talking friendliness and what they do for you.A relative of Honey and Bear's drove from the coast of Maine and brought live lobsters for supper. I ate my first lobster and then my second one as there were plenty left. Much to my surprise I was still hungry. I thought all the lobsters were gone then, but Bear said there was one more and asked me if I would like it. He didn't have to twist my arm too much. We also had potato salad with our meal and 3 kinds of ice cream over chocolate brownies for dessert.Off to bed, so until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-18
From: Black Brook, South Arm Road

To: Maine Route 17
Miles today: 13.5

This morning we had a good climb of 2200' to get to the summit of Old Blue Mountain. After that we summited several peaks of Bemis Mountain. From the second peak, I thought I saw Mt. Katahdin and pointed it out to the rest of my hiking group. The others agreed that we were looking at our final destination mountain. Katahdin means "greatest mountain". Since the day was so clear, we were able to take several pictures.We stopped at a state campground for the night. I wound up spending the night in my sleeping bag on a picnic table as the ground was too rocky for the tent.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-19
From: Maine Route 17

To: Maine Route 4
Miles today: 13.1

We hiked past several ponds today - Moxie Pond, South Pond, Sabbath Day Pond, Little Swift River Pond and Long Pond. Tiger Lil went for a swim in Long Pond and then bathed and shampooed her hair. All five ponds were very picturesque and enjoyable to look at. We had a fairly easy day of hiking since we did not have a lot of elevation changes.Loon is back on the Trail and hiking with us to Mt. Katahdin. He shuttled us into Rangely to have supper at the Red Onion and then shuttled us back to the Trail for tent camping.Courtney, Jason and Jonann, thank you for the cards and goodies again this week.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-20
From: Maine Route 4

To: Logging Road
Miles today: 0.0

We passed Eddy Pond on the way to Saddleback Mountain. Saddleback Mountain has good elevations and normally good views of Mt. Katahdin, but it was socked in with fog and rain all day long. We passed Oberton Stream and had trouble picking up the Trail for awhile but did manage to find it again.Loon came out and met us. He had set up a tarp and built a fire. He boiled water to give us hot coffee, cider or hot chocolate. Thanks Loon.From where we had met Loon, it was about 1-1/2 miles back to where we tent camped for the night.Miss Wiggy received a box of cookies from her mother-in-law and shared them with all of us.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-21
From: Logging Road

To: Maine Route 27
Miles today: 16.8

During the day we climbed several mountains including South Crocker and North Crocker, both at elevations above 4,000'. We forded a stream and hiked in rain most of the day and were pretty wet when we got in.We stayed at the Wolf Inn in Stratton, Maine, a popular place for hikers. It was good to get a chance to shower, do laundry and get rid of our wet clothes.Loon and his friend, Lori, got buffalo burgers for us before the Inn closed. They had those waiting for us when we got off the Trail.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-22
From: Maine Route 27

To: Flagstaff Lake, Bog Brook Road
Miles today: 16.9

We did some climbs to get up into the Bigelow Mountain Range which took most of the morning. Shortly after lunch we hit the Bigelow Mountain West Peak at an elevation of 4145'. From here we had a view looking down on Flagstaff Lake which we all agreed was probably the single most scenic spot we have seen on the Trail so far. On the other side of the mountain from Flagstaff Lake is Sugarloaf Ski Resort and a golf course cut out of the side of a mountain. Today marked the end of what is considered the 17-day tough stretch of hiking.We camped at Bog Brook Road which was part of the Flagstaff Lake inlet. Down by the beach, Andy Brown, a local Mainer, brought out hot dogs, Gatorade and Snicker bars for a night of Trail Magic. He tent camped with us for the night.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-23
From: Flagstaff Lake, Bog Brook Road

To: Pierce Pond Logging Road
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

We started out passing a number of streams and ponds for an easy day of hiking. Before Andy Brown ledt for home today, he dropped off Trail Magic in two spots consisting of Gatorade and soft drinks.We spent the night at Pierce Pond and tent camped.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-24
From: Pierce Pond Logging Road

To: Moxie Pond
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We got up and had a 3.3 mile hike to the Kennebec River which is a wide river controlled by a dam. It's automatic and the dam can cut loose anytime but is triggered by water elevations. More water can be released once the river reaches a certain level. The local Trail Maintenance group provides a free service where they will ferry you across the river in a canoe for the safety of thru-hikers. We elected to take the ferry across as well as did most hikers we encountered that day. The service is provided because a hiker had gotten swept up by the dam releasing in the process of his crossing and he wound up drowning. I did some clowning around in the canoe as we approached the other side of the river. Look for the photo in future editions of the journal.We passed Moxie, Bald Mountain, and Moxie Bald Lean-To on the edge of Bald Mountain Pond. It was very scenic.We set up tents at Moxie Pond.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-25
From: Moxie Pond

To: Maine Route 15
Miles today: 24.8

Started out for a long 24.8 miles hike which would allow us to take a zero day tomorrow in Monson, Maine. We left at 6:30 am and hiked until 10:00 pm. It was very muddy and difficult to hike in the dark.During the day we had 2 river fordings (East Branch of the Piscataquis River and the West Branch) which we managed ok. We wound up taking our socks off and going over in our shoes and then putting our dry socks on when we reached the other side.We've been crisscrossing with Method Man and Sowega (short for Southwest Georgia). We saw them at the first stream crossing in addition to crossing paths with them the past 4 days. For the benefit of my Georgia cousins, Sowega is from Bainbridge, Georgia. We now have a Georgia boy hiking the Trail. That should make the Georgia clan happy.We stayed at the Lake Shore House Lodge in Monson.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-26
From: Maine Route 15

To: Monson, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a much needed zero day to give us a chance to rest up before we head into the 100-Mile Wilderness. The 100-Mile Wilderness is considered by many to be the most remote area along the Trail. A sign at the Trailhead suggests hikers carry a 10-day supply of food but most thru-hikers make it through this area in less than 10-days. There aren't any real supply opportunities along the way.We slept in, did laundry, did a little grocery shopping, took an afternoon nap and went to the library to use the internet.The Monson General Store has a fish fry tonight and we're all planning to go there for supper.This will be my last journal entry until after we summit Mt. Katahdin on either September 3 or 4. Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-27
From: Monson, Maine

To: Long Pond Stream Logging Road
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

After a zero day in Monson where we enjoyed a fish fry and live entertainment at the local country store, we headed back to the Trail about 6 am today. About a mile into the hike, I managed to take my second fall of the journey while walking across wet shale rock. I probably hiked about 1,500 miles since the first fall, so there was a long time in between.We passed a large number of water sources including the North Pond Outlet, Mud Pond, James Brook, Little Wilson Falls, Little Wilson Stream and Beaver Dam. The AT crosses most of these including a ford at Little Wilson Stream. Later in the day, we had another ford at the Big Wilson Stream. At each ford, I removed my socks to keep them dry and went across in my shoes. I then dried my shoes as much as possible on the other side and proceeded to put on dry socks. This is important in preventing blisters as wet socks cause a large percentage of blisters. The day was fairly easy for hiking as overall we lost only about 100' in elevation the entire day. The thing of note for today was the large number of water sources we crossed and that we had no real ups and downs. We cooked dinner and tent camped by an old logging road.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-28
From: Long Pond Stream Logging Road

To: West Branch, Pleasant River
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

For the first three miles today, we passed a large number of streams and brooks. We had to ford one of the streams and we then stopped at Slugundy Gorge which was just off the Trail. It was a great opportunity to take an early lunch as the gorge was beautiful and had a large rocky area above. We were able to climb above the gorge and sit on isolated rocks and dangle our feet in the cool water of Long Pond Stream while eating lunch. The hikers stopping for lunch here were Thumper, T2, Miss Wiggy, Loon, Tiger Lil, Red Rocket and myself. Because of the terrain, most of us hiked at our own pace and usually met up at shelters for snacks and lunches.We passed a number of other streams that crossed the AT but no fording was required. The streams were low and we rock-hopped across.I stopped for a snack at Cloud Pond Lean-To which had a pond close by. I was able to relax a few minutes and enjoy the view.Over a long time period today, we did manage to climb about 1000' to Chairback Mountain and we took a side trail .2 mile to East Chairback Pond to enjoy the view and have another snack.We spent the night camping near the West Branch of Pleasant River.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-29
From: West Branch, Pleasant River

To: B Inlet Brook
Miles today: 14.8

We started the day by fording the West Branch of the Pleasant River. Once again I took my socks off and waded across and put my socks back on on the other side. This was a wide river but it never got higher than where the top of my socks would have been. The stream was at 639' elevation and we spent the day ascending until we hit Whitecap Mountain with an elevation of 3654'. It is said there is a view of Mt. Katahdin from Whitecap Mountain, however, there was no view today as I could barely see 20' in front of me. It rained steadily all day from the stream fording first thing this morning til after the climb to Whitecap Mountain.Once on top of Whitecap Mountain, I couldn't wait to get down as it was very windy, the rains were steady and the fog was thick. I had planned to have a snack on top of the mountain but decided to wait until I descended where I had shelter from the driving rain and wind. The remaining four miles for today were hiked in continuing rain and strong winds. I passed a good stream where I could have taken on water if I needed it, but I had plenty and kept hiking.I tent camped with the other hikers at B Inlet Brook.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-30
From: B Inlet Brook

To: Jo-Mary Road
Miles today: 13.8

I started the day hiking with Loon and we met up with T2, Miss Wiggy, Tiger Lil and Red Rocket at one of the shelters.Today I did a 13.8 mile hike with rain most of the day. I had one planned ford at the East Branch of the Pleasant River and one late in the day that was not planned but because of the continued rains one of the streams that doesn't normally need to be forded had a lot of water and required fording.We tent camped at Jo-Mary Road at Cooper Brook. Because it was a damp, wet, rainy day, we all decided to cook soup before setting up camp and settling in for the night.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-08-31
From: Jo-Mary Road

To: Pollywog Stream
Miles today: 23.5

Loon and I were the last to head out of camp this morning about 6:30 am. We hiked in the rain off and on all morning. We stopped at some of the ponds Loon thought were the prettiest on the Trail and some of these were Cooper Pond, Mud Pond and Lower Jo-Mary Lake. We delayed stopping for a snack because of the cold and rain when we came to what Loon called the cleanest and nicest-smelling (no odor at all) privy on the Trail. This privy is about four times the size of a normal one with windows that had curtains and a sink inside the building. We stopped at the privy to have a snack and get out of the rain for a few minutes.We stopped for lunch at Potaywadjo Spring Lean-To where we met up with T2, Miss Wiggy, Red Rocket, Tiger Lil and four other hikers. After lunch and about three miles down the Trail, we had to ford the Nahmakanta Stream which was extremely high because of all the rain. After another 5 miles we came to Nahmakanta Lake at the south end and we paused to take photos.We passed Wadleigh Stream which was a difficult crossing but not a ford. The stream passes right in front of the Wadleigh Stream Lean-To. After making sure that Red Rocket got safely across, I headed out on my own and she dropped behind me. I knew this was a long 23.5 mile hike and I wanted to get in before dark.Looking across Nahmakanta Lake, I saw a mountain which resembled Mt. Katahdin in shape but after thinking about it, I realized it was Nesuntabunt Mountain which I knew I had to climb later in the day. This was an elevation change of almost 1000' from where I started this morning. It was a tough climb because of the elevation and the time of day and the fact that the Trail had running water flowing down from the mountain. I had an excellent view of a moose standing at the water's edge grazing but couldn't get a picture since I had bagged my camera and put it deep inside my pack to keep it dry.I arrived at the planned campsite at Pollywog Stream around 6:30 pm, Red Rocket came in at 8:00 with Tiger Lil following close behind. Loon came in after I had turned in for the night. T2 and Miss Wiggy stopped about a mile short of camp and set up their tents by the side of the Trail and made it in the next morning. It continued to rain throughout the night and everything I owned got wet including my sleeping bag.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-09-01
From: Pollywog Stream

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: broken clouds

Tiger Lil left camp earlier than the rest this morning and Red Rocket and I left about 40 minutes later. We hiked about three miles and caught up with Tiger Lil and continued to hike with her the rest of the day. We hiked to the south end of Rainbow Lake at an elevation of 1000' which is said to have a view of Mt. Katahdin. The weather was overcast and the views were limited, so we did not see Mt. Katahdin. We continued hiking around Rainbow Lake enjoying the views of the lake and also Rainbow Mountain.We also passed a trail to Little/Big Beaver Ponds that led to Rainbow Ledges and a view of Mt. Katahdin. Because of the overcast weather, we didn't even bother to go look. After a couple miles, we came to the Hurd Brook Lean-To where we had two stream crossings immediately in front of the shelter. We knew these crossings were coming as we had talked to a southbound hiker and she had told us to be ready for the streams which were high because of all the rain. After crossing the streams, Tiger Lil went to the right and Red Rocket and I took a route to the left. We met at the shelter. There we tended to our wet feet and I swapped my wet socks for a pair of dry socks knowing there were no more streams to cross the rest of the day. At the end of the day, we came to Abol Bridge and stopped at the camp store on the other side of the bridge. From there, we got a ride to Millinocket, Maine to get a motel for the night and to dry out some of our equipment. We all enjoyed our last night in a motel while hiking the Trail. Most of us got together for Chinese dinner and did laundry and dried out our gear.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-09-02
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a light day with only 10 miles to cover. I waited to hike until the arrival of Judy, my wife, my two daughters, Jonann and Courtney, and son-in-law and Courtney's husband, Jason. They had all come to Maine to share the final moments with me. Jason had planned to hike with me the last two days so I briefed him on what gear to bring and what gear I had that we could share. Most of the other hikers had left before Jason, Loon and I hit the Trail. Loon left about 3:00 pm with plans to meet Jason and I at Daicey Pond. Jason and I said goodbye to the girls and headed out at 3:30. We met Bull, a section hiker, at the Information Board with the reservation sheets where the northbounders sign up as thru-hikers. Bull and I knew each other from a town stop in Hot Springs, North Carolina. He had hiked part of the Trail through Georgia and North Carolina. Here at the northern terminus of the AT in Baxter State Park, Bull is a Trail Runner who monitors the condition of the Trail. Jason and I continued on as we knew it would be dark shortly after 7:30 and we had started at 3:30 and had 10 miles to cover in four hours. We had several stream crossings and then came to Daicey Pond where we met Loon and Andy. Loon and Andy decided to take a canoe ride on the pond, but Jason and I declined because we knew we wanted to hit camp before dark. Loon left his camera with me so I could take pictures of him and Andy canoeing across the lake. After leaving Loon and Andy, Jason and I passed three other ponds on the way to Katahdin Stream Campground. It was here at the campground that I signed in at the Ranger Station to complete the mandatory signing in as a thru-hiker for summiting Mt. Katahdin and to receive weather information for the following day. Since the weather information was good according to the Ranger, we continued with our plan to summit Mt. Katahdin the next morning, Saturday, September 3. We met the other hikers at the campsite just before 7:30. Red Rocket, Tiger Lil, Coops, Huggy Bear, Andy, T2 and Miss Wiggy were there and spent the night with us. Loon came in about a half hour later.Until tomorrow.....