morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-07-22
From: NH 2

To: NH 2 (Gorham)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

start: NH 2finish: NH 2 (Gorham) miles: 0.0day: 137I went to J's for breakfast this morning. They only serve breakfast Thursday through Sunday, but it's as good or better than Welsh's ever used to be. I went back and paid my motel bill and browsed the internet for a bit, including reading Stumpknocker's journal. I especially enjoy the parts where he insults me I was hanging around Gorham hoping he'd get here before I left, but I guess he can't hike that fast. He is getting kind of old.I'm just layin' around catching up on email now, but pretty soon I have to go to the grocery store and resupply, and get some lunch.[later...]I easily hitched a ride the mile to the grocery store. I didn't need too much, as I'll get more food in Andover and I have that sub still in the fridge. I wasn't in the store very long but when I came out it was stormy and raining. I waited for the worst of the storm to pass, then walked back to the motel, stopping at KFC along the way for a snack.Later, as I was heading out of the room to get some dinner, I heard someone calling "Moosie!". It turned out to be Rescue. He, Search, OPa, and Senator are in town staying a couple of rooms down. It's good to see them, and to see that Search is feeling better and is able to hike. No more high jumps for him. Hikers can't jump, or run. They're hiking tomorrow from Pinkham, planning 2 days for the Wildcats and Carters. So it looks like I'll be in a nobo hiker void, with them 2 days behind and Goldilocks, Chairman, Dad's Grin, English Bob, Biscuit, Snowdog and The B's a day or two ahead.I just noticed my eyes are burning and my throat hurts. I think I'm getting a cold! Dang. Hope it passes fast.The plan is to hike tomorrow, taking 2-1/2 days to get to Andover, pick up my food drop and some groceries there and continue on to Rangeley, where I'll probably stay at Gull Pond Lodge.
Date: 2005-07-23
From: NH 2

To: Stealth camp just north of summit Mt. Success
Miles today: 14.8

start: NH 2finish: Stealth camp just north of summit Mt. Success miles: 14.8day: 138I slept well last night and took my time getting out of the motel room this morning, showering and repacking my food. After checking a few things on the internet I headed over for some breakfast before hitching out of town. It's a beautiful day, and hopefully I'll be camping in Maine tonight. Woohoo![evening...]Well, I'm not quite in Maine. First thing in the morning. I enjoyed my climb up Mt. Success and it was windy and cool on top. Shortly after starting the descent I spied a perfect little stealth spot hidden in the fir trees. It was after 7:30 so I pounced on it. Now I've cooked and eaten my dinner, and any other loose food I could rationalize eating, and I'm snug in my quilt. The wind is blowing pretty steady at 20-30 mph. It feels like it'll get cold tonight. Good sleeping weather, but I hope I'm warm enough in the quilt!Shortly after beginning to hike this morning I ran into Tomcat, a nobo who's always been behind me and I've never met. We hiked up Mt. Hayes together and rested a bit on top. He went on ahead and I caught him again at Trident Col. We ate lunch there. My sub was finally eaten - it was great!Going up Mt. Hayes I broke a Leki tip. Drat! I'm really relying on my poles in these rocky stretches, like Mahoosuc Notch tomorrow. A southbound section hiker let me use his cell phone to leave a message for Mrs. Moosie to send a tip to Rangeley. I'll just have to make do until then.Later in the afternoon I ran into a lightweight southbound hiker named Garrity. I think he said he hiked the AT and PCT twice each. We had some interesting conversation for a while, then went our separate ways.Tomorrow is a big day. There are a fair amount of large climbs, and I have to navigate Mahoosuc Notch, which isn't that hard, but it's draining and a very slow mile.
Date: 2005-07-24
From: Stealth camp just north of summit Mt. Success

To: Stealth camp near Grafton Notch
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: few clouds

start: Stealth camp just north of summit Mt. Successfinish: Stealth camp near Grafton Notch miles: 16.2day: 139I didn't freeze my ass off last night, but it did get pretty cold. I think as long as I lay still and don't lift the sides of the quilt it must be good to about 40 degrees. Pretty good for less than 1/2 inch of Primaloft.I was low on water and hoped that I'd run across some early. I finally came to some at 1:00 pm. Boy was I thirsty by then!I ran into Stumpknocker heading southbound in the morning. I was on the flat south of Goose Eye and saw a hiker way in the distance on one of the other Goose Eye peaks, heading this way. The timing was right, and he looked pretty decrepit, so I figured it must be him. I hustled to the top and was waiting for him when he finally got there We talked and ate some food. I guess he didn't see me eyeing his full water bottle. Eventually we decided we had miles to cover and moved on. I'll probably see him when he comes through Connecticut, but Goldilocks likely won't see him until he reaches North Carolina somewhere. Have a good hike Stumpy!I finally met Stealth and Ninja in Mahoosuc Notch. I've been hiking near them for a couple of months at least. The notch went smoothly - about an hour for the traverse. But the climb up Mahoosuc Arm blew me out. This is I think the very first climb since beginning in Georgia that I've had to stop in the middle of due to lack of energy. It's a bitch of a climb - never ending slab heading straight up - and I hadn't eaten enough food throughout the day, partly because I had so little water. So I rested, ate, and talked to Jaybird who I saw heading south. I've never met him until now, but chased him all the way north, and now he's doing a yo-yo back to Georgia. I also ran into Superfeet, part of Team Dumber that I'd never met, hiking to Damascus.After the hard climb, I had a nice refreshing swim in Speck Pond with my clothes on (to wash them). It feels so much better without salty sweat all over everything. I got some water and climbed Old Speck with the idea of sleeping on the observation platform, but it was so cold and windy I knew I'd freeze. So I headed down the 3.5 miles to Grafton Notch and found a nice flat spot to camp.
Date: 2005-07-25
From: Stealth camp near Grafton Notch

To: East B Hill Road (Andover)
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: moderate rain

start: Stealth camp near Grafton Notchfinish: East B Hill Rd. (Andover)miles: 10.4day: 140I had a really good spot to sleep last night. Nice and leafy and flat, and it got cool - prime sleeping weather. I started hiking and realized I was only a tenth or so from the road. I stood there a few minutes updating my journal and stuck my thumb out at a passing car.They stopped! I was whisked 17 miles away to a diner where I had breakfast. Before hitching back to the trail I called The Cabin and left a message reserving a room for the night, and hopefully a pickup at the trailhead. It turned out to be a hard hitch requiring 4 rides to get back to the trail. The last ride was from the guy whose house I stood out in front of for almost an hour with my thumb out. Not much traffic on this road. I asked to use his phone to call The Cabin and change the pickup time, as I spent so much time hitching I was going to be late. But he offered me a ride and I left the time as it was, figuring I could just hurry a bit.As it was I was up and over Baldpate, and down at the trailhead a few minutes before Bear arrived in his old red truck. This is the third time I've hiked Baldpate, and I've never had a view. It was socked in, with high winds. Visibility was so low it was difficult to make out the next cairn on the steep rock slabs. Pretty cool, but don't slip! I passed Stealth and Ninja on the way up - they had gotten ahead when I was in town.On the ride to the hostel a moose stepped right out in front of us on the road. The first sighting on this trip! He appeared unconcerned and just ambled into the stream near the road.The Cabin is a very relaxing place, and the food is great. Cheeseburgers, salads, corn on the cob, cake and ice cream for dessert. Tomcat was here, and OPa, who is resting for a few days - highly "medicated" I might add. Comfortably numb. Also a couple of sobos John and Amy, and Phoenix, who is working here for a while.We all watched Chevy Chase in Vacation until I needed to go to bed.
Date: 2005-07-26
From: East B Hill Road

To: South Arm Road (Andover)
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

start: East B Hill Rd.finish: South Arm Rd. (Andover) miles: 10.1day: 141Gawd they get up early here. Breakfast is at 6:00 am! I went upstairs looking for tea, found one lonely tea bag, and had that and some breakfast. It was fun to talk to Stewie, a nobo I've not met until today, who, with Teach, came in late last night. They're doing the AT in something like 100 days. Stewie's appetite showed - a 6 egg omelette, many, many pancakes, butter, honey, syrup, fruit, etc. I wasn't overly hungry after pigging out the night before and doing small miles.Bear fixed my broken Leki tip and took Tomcat and I out to East B Hill Rd. I to do 10 and return tonight, and Tomcat to hike 18. It was an easy hike, and Tomcat and I chatted our way up the first mountain without my realizing it.It turns out that Tomcat is an Eagle Scout. That makes 7 that I know of on the trail around me this year, along with Running Moon, Jukebox, Colonel Forbin, Captain Crunch, Chairman, and Goldilocks. Pretty amazing that I get to hike in such good company.Today's hike was easy and I finished early, and played in Black Brook while waiting for Bear to arrive. I found a lovely spot with a sandy bottom where I could immerse myself up to my neck. Like having my own personal refrigerator. One drawback was that I noticed a big fat leech on my foot when I got out. Yummy.I spoke to a sobo named Sean who spent last night with Goldilocks, Biscuit, Chairman, and perhaps others, at Bemis Mountain Lean-to. So Goldilocks is a day and a half ahead now.Bear arrived and persuaded Tomcat to return for another night. Resistance is futile.Back at the hostel was ... Tea Break! He's at the same place on the trail so I guess we'll hike around each other tomorrow. I was feeling quite strong today, and figure I will again tomorrow, so will hopefully bang out 22+ to near Rangeley, and go in there for breakfast and resupply Thursday morning.
Date: 2005-07-27
From: South Arm Road

To: ME 17 (Rangeley)
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: overcast clouds

start: South Arm Rd.finish: ME 17 (Rangeley) miles: 13.3day: 142Tea Break, Tomcat and I hiked together today, starting with a steep 2200 ft. climb up Old Blue. It was raining lightly when Bear dropped us off at the trailhead, and continued that way until we got ready to leave Bemis Mountain Shelter after a food break. Then it started raining pretty hard.I'm not sure what happened, but shortly after lunch I felt very lightheaded for about 1/2 hour. I didn't feel sick, just very spacey, and I was afraid I'd fall on the wet rock slabs. I guess it was something to do with food and my metabolism, but I ate only canned meat and candy bars, and drank some water. Eventually I felt better.We had originally planned to do 23 miles today, but the miles came slowly and it was cold and very wet. Tea Break and I decided to go into Rangeley via rt. 17 instead of rt. 4, 13 miles and a day earlier. We would have liked to do a few more miles but couldn't do the whole 26 by tomorrow morning and we needed more food. Plus we wanted to be dry. Tomcat hiked on 4 miles to the next shelter.Our hitch into town was interesting. We had to stand on the opposite side of the road so cars could see us, and even then it was hard because of the wind, rain, and fog. We finally got a ride into Oquossoc where we called Bob at Gull Pond Lodge to come pick us up.Dad's Grin and a former thru-hiker named Walking Man are also here tonight. We cleaned up and went out to the Red Onion for dinner. After our meal, we came back to the hostel, watched a bit of TV, and I went to bed.
Date: 2005-07-28
From: ME 17 

To: Stealth camp between The Horn and Saddleback Jr.
Miles today: 21.6

start: ME 17finish: Stealth camp between The Horn and Saddleback Jr.miles: 21.6day: 143All the hikers had a good breakfast at Bob's place, and then Tea Break and got shuttled to Oquossoc, where we said our goodbyes and went in to the grocery to buy some food for the next couple of days. After that, we hitched a ride to the trailhead 9 miles away from some nice people that pointed out each lake and mountain along the way. We got hiking around 10 am.The terrain for the first 13 miles, to rt. 4, was rolling and easy. Lots of rocks and roots, of course, but we were still able to make good time. I even swam in one of the ponds.We had decided we were shooting for a big day and were not going into Rangeley for lunch via rt. 4. As we got closer to the road though, that decision bothered us. So we decided to stick our thumbs out to one car only, and if that first car stopped we'd go back into town, and probably not be able to get over the Saddleback range today.A very nice lady named Sarah drove that first car. She was on her way to pick up one of her kids at camp and stopped. I can't tell if we have a gift or a curse. She wasn't going all the way into town, but decided to take us in, wait for us to buy sodas, etc. and drive us back to the trail. Amazing. Saddleback may still be possible.We saw Tomcat at the grocery store, and I met Montana, a nobo who'd been following me for a long while.I wanted to buy a rotisserie chicken (they looked so-o-o good) and eat it at the trailhead, but Tea Break wasn't interested in splitting it and it was too big for me to eat alone. I may never let him forget this We got back to the trail and began the long climb up Saddleback, and then over to The Horn in the fading light. We were resigned to some night hiking over Saddleback Junior, but came upon several nice stealth sites shortly before dark. Easier to do those miles in the morning light.
Date: 2005-07-29
From: Stealth camp between The Horn and Saddleback Jr.

To: ME 27 (Stratton)
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: scattered clouds

start: Stealth camp between The Horn and Saddleback Jr.finish: ME 27 (Stratton) miles: 23.7day: 144Camping at 3200 feet in Maine was pretty chilly. I was just barely warm enough under the quilt. Great sleeping weather, on a nice flat leafy spot.I've covered today's terrain several times, always southbound, and remembered it as difficult. Well, it's hard northbound too. The day was cool, in the 70s, low humidity, and crisp blue skies with a few white puffy clouds. The descent into the Carrabassett valley and subsequent ascent of South Crocker is just nasty, steeply sloped with lots of scree and boulders.Tea Break and I waded and bathed in a very cold pool mid-day, washing the sweat off and cooling down nicely. Swimming in cold water is never something I want to do, but it always feels worth it afterward. The swim especially helped with my recent chafing problems, which have developed since I bought the new shorts in Lincoln, NH.I've been massively hungry lately, and today I ate all the food in my pack and wanted lots more. I had a dinner left but instead was pushing the miles to get to the White Wolf in Stratton, a great little restaurant.As we hurried down the final 5 mile descent into town, with Tea Break in the lead, I saw him stop dead and heard some crashing in the woods. He and a big bull moose had just surprised each other on the trail.We got to the road just in time to hitch before dark, and the best part was a cooler with cold root beers in it near the trailhead. Thanks Don!We each got a room at the Wolf and ordered dinner just before the kitchen closed. They were really nice, saying we didn't have to rush or anything. The salad bar is great here, including whole pickled eggs and other good stuff. Steak, baked potato, strawberry shortcake. And a 22 oz. Sam Adams. I wasn't long for the world after that, but fortunately I just had one flight of stairs up to the room, and then instantly fell asleep.
Date: 2005-07-30
From: ME 27

To: ME 27 (Stratton)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

start: ME 27finish: ME 27 (Stratton) miles: 0.0day: 145The past two days' mileage felt good, kind of like the "old days" a few months ago, but the foot pain is back because of it. I woke several times during the night with sore feet and this morning they're swollen. Fortunately I had planned to zero here today.Now's the time I have to plan for the end of the trip. I want to summit with Goldilocks, and it's difficult to impossible to hitch around and skip a couple of days of trail near the end because of the 100 mile wilderness. So today I need to run through my options, call about possible shuttles, and talk to Mrs. Moosie. It's always easier to just keep hiking...Walking over to the diner this morning I stopped by the Stratton Motel and introduced myself to Don, the owner. He's recently taken over the place and is making it very hiker friendly. I'm staying at the White Wolf today, but may shift over there for tonight, to spread the business around. Plus, he's got internet available. While I'm talking to Don Cotton Joe walks out of the hostel. I haven't seen him since his stay at the Moosie Hostel. He's still planning to continue north from Katahdin and hike the IAT, and he's trying to get all the information he needs. He came to breakfast with Tea Break and me. Breakfast was good, but I'm still really hungry, so I ordered another round. Life is good.I've decided my feet hurt enough that I'll zero here again tomorrow. Also, I have plenty of time since I have to hook up with Goldilocks. So I got my boxes from the PO and will mail my bounce box back out Monday morning. I'll also mail my new Montrails home that I've been kicking ahead, as they fit horribly compared to the NB 806s. I bought some shoe goo and am applying that to the huge separations in the sides of the NBs, the shoes that I started in Georgia with and that now have about 1000 miles on them.Later in the day I saw Dad's Grin at the hostel, and Tomcat in town for lunch and resupply.Since I'm zeroing today and most others aren't, I'll probably never see them again on this hike. You never know, but it's unlikely. The friendships developed out here are strange: we bond easily because of the shared hardships, even if we didn't share them together, and we all have the same basic goal, but relationships are best moderated with detachment, as it's impossible to tell which day is the last time you'll see each other. And now, for me as I near the end of my hike, I am ready to be home with family, but already feeling the impending separation from the trail I've come to call home.
Date: 2005-07-31
From: ME 27 (Stratton)

To: ME 27 (Stratton)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

start: ME 27finish: ME 27 (Stratton)miles: 0.0day: 146I slept in pretty late today - 8:00 I think I finally got up and went across the street for breakfast. There was no one else in town today, except for Snail, who came in for lunch and went out again. We had Wolfburgers.The plan is that I'll hike out tomorrow and take 4-1/2 days to get to Monson, arriving on the 5th, then attempt to hitch from there to Abol Bridge. I also spoke to Pie Lady and she's willing to shuttle me there, but I'm trying to save money. It's about 90 miles, and not very direct, so it could involve lots of intermediate rides. But I don't have to be there until the morning of the 7th. At that point I'll hike into Baxter, sign in for The Birches, and camp near the mountain with Goldilocks and crew, and assault big K the morning of the 8th.
Date: 2005-08-01
From: ME 27

To: Stealth camp north of Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 16.0

start: ME 27finish: Stealth camp north of Little Bigelow Lean-tomiles: 16.0day: 147It rained last night, but I didn't hear it because I was in a nice comfy motel, but things were dripping when I got up. I wasn't in a hurry to get out this morning. I felt like hiking, but I only have to go to Monson and have lots of time to cover the distance.I went to the diner for breakfast and a cup of tea, then bought some groceries. I returned to the room, packed up, and checked out. Don, the motel owner, kindly dropped me at the post office so I could mail some stuff out. Since I shoe-gooed my shoes, I'm mailing the Montrails home, possibly to be returned. They've been mailed around a lot, but never worn. Also, the bounce box got mailed home. Kind of sad, as this means the trip's almost over.I hitched out and started hiking at 10:40. With only 16 miles to do today I took my time. I ran into Coco Bean on the first climb. I last saw her briefly in Gorham. She said Stealth and Ninja are a bit ahead, but no other nobos are around. We climbed to Horns Pond shelter and had lunch, and then shortly after I left her to hike alone, as we hike at different paces.It rained a bit after I summited the major peaks and was on my way to Little Bigelow. I had forgotten the false tops and roller coaster topography on the way to this last peak. I expected to run into Stealth and Ninja, but perhaps they're at Little Bigelow shelter - I passed it by in search of a stealth spot further on.I'm camped in a nice leafy spot near a stream. The mosquitoes are busy, but not many are getting into the tarp. Hopefully the temperature will drop enough to send them all home.
Date: 2005-08-03
From: Stealth camp south of Big Wilson Rd.

To: Stealth camp West Branch Pleasant River
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: scattered clouds

start: Stealth camp south of Big Wilson Rd.finish: Stealth camp West Branch Pleasant Rivermiles: 22.1day: 149I got a fairly early start today - 7:30. Well, that seems to be the best I can do, or else I don't get enough sleep. The day was beautiful, breezy and cool, with blue skies and crisp white clouds. From my ridge campsite I could see some clouds in the nearby valleys below.I went for my daily bath in Vaughn Brook - very cold! Shortly after I ran into Fishin' Fred and Gatorade.The ridge today, from Barren to Chairback, is very rough. One minute you're walking in the forest, the next you're rock climbing. Fourth Mountain especially kicked my butt.I met a southbounder at Chairback Gap shelter who told me that Goldilocks was only 1-1/2 hours ahead, and that he was going to the next shelter tonight. I'm getting closer! I can't close the gap today, as I'm worn out. But I may get an early start and catch him that way.I'm pleased with today's mileage - made up for yesterday, and I'm back on target over hard terrain. I'm camped near a nice babbling stream.
Date: 2005-08-04
From: Stealth camp West Branch Pleasant River

To: Campsite near Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: overcast clouds

start: Stealth camp West Branch Pleasant Riverfinish: Campsite near Cooper Brook Falls Lean-tomiles: 24.8day: 150Great camping last night and the day began with an almost immediate ford of a wide, shallow river. I've been just fording with my shoes on and walking them dry. Much easier with all the streams in Maine.Today I climb Whitecap, and the 2 or 3 lesser peaks in front of it. I remembered 2, it turned out to be 3. Oh well. At Sidney Tappan campsite I followed the side trail down to a really nice spring. Good, tasty water.I caught Goldilocks, Chairman and English Bob on Whitecap! We sat there eating lunch while looking out at the fantastic view of Katahdin. Big mountain.The trail gets real easy north of Whitecap, so I took advantage of it, going all the way to Cooper Brook, enabling earlier arrival at White House Landing tomorrow. Just north of Logan Brook shelter was another good spring, piped this time. Sweet. And to make it sweeter, Goldilocks gave me some of his lemonade powder.I considered stopping before the shelter, as I don't stay in them anyway, and passed some nice stealth sites. But I really wanted to end the day with a nice cool swim, and the swimming is good at the bottom of Cooper Brook Falls. So I went, and swam, and rinsed out my clothes.Now I'm in my tarp, away from the shelter, listening to the waterfall nearby. My legs are tired after a long day.