morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-07-25
From: Little Wilsons Falls

To: Monson
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: few clouds

I woke up this morning with mixed emotions. On the one hand I was going to be in town by noon and get to reset and resupplied for the next five days. I am excited that I am moving forward and doing so well. On the other hand I am sad to be leaving this magical land. It has been one of the best weeks of my life so in a lot of ways I wish it would never end. Everything just went my way. The weather, the people, the campsites, the amazing terrain and landscapes. I thought it would be good, but had no idea how good. So I was up at 5:30am. I said good bye to Jay, Wendy and Wendy. I am going to miss them. It would not surprise me if they all end up doing this whole trail at some point in the future. I left camp at 7:00am and made it out of the 100 mile wilderness and to the major road at 10:30am. I decided to hike the next three miles to another road where you can get into Monson. I have been told by some of the NOBO's some of the hikers skip this three mile section, but I really would like to do all the miles so there will be no skipping for me. I reached the road at noon and went to call the free shuttle that would come get me if I stayed at their hostel. The only problem was there was no cell service. I had hiked pretty hard so I could get into town early. I was bummed. It was a back dirt road with hardly any traffic. I had 1.7 miles to walk into town. It was hot and road walking is very hard on the feet compared to the trail. So I headed down the road towards Monson. I walked for 15 minutes and no cars. Finally a car came from behind headed towards town. The cars travel slowly on this road so I kind of stepped into to road and waved the car down. He stopped and I asked him for a ride. I practically forced him to stop. He was really nice and gave me a ride. His name is Tom and he is from the area. I was so appreciative. I got dropped off at the Lake House hostel. I decided to get a private room and it ended up facing the lake with two big windows. It is really nice. It also has a tv in the room with cable and I am watching the Red Sox right now as I write this. I did hiker chores this afternoon and I have been out to eat twice. I also brought my trekking poles to the other hiker hostel in town called Shaws and the guy there fixed my poles by giving me a new bottom section on one of my poles which had snapped in half and I also had both of my broken tips replaced. He was awesome and so helpful. So I am good to go with all my equipment in tack now. My plan is to head out in the morning after getting a big town breakfast. I am feeling great and looking forward to all the days ahead and to all the new people I will meet.
Date: 2016-07-26
From: Monson

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 18.7

The Lake House hostel I stayed at last night was perfect for me. It was super quiet and I slept great. It was nice to wake up to the lake breeze coming in the windows. I had breakfast at Pete's Place next door. It was really good. I ordered blueberry pancakes and they were huge. They were so big I could not finish the two that I got. After I ate the folks who run the hostel brought me back to the trailhead. The morning hike was peaceful as I only saw a few people. You could tell I was out of the 100 mile wilderness. I kind of miss Jay, Wendy and Wendy. I thought about them and how nice they were. I wish we would have exchanged information so I could contact them. I told Wendy about my journal so maybe she will leave a comment when she reads it. So back to the hike today. It was mostly flat terrain and I noticed a few more bugs early on, but as the day went on they seemed to disappear. I met up with Beaver in the afternoon and we pretty much hiked together the rest of the day. We reached the first shelter which was on a lake at 3:30pm. My original plan was to stay there. The lake was all weeds and the water had a lot of debris in it. I was low on water and did not like the way the water looked. We decided to hike up and over Moxie Bald to the next shelter area which was four miles away. It was about a 1000 foot climb, but we were rewarded around the top with loads of wild blueberries. We kept stopping and picking and eating them by the handfuls. They were so freaking good. The top of Moxie Bald offered stunning views and a nice breeze which felt amazing. It was a pretty warm day today with temperatures in the eighties. We eventually headed down the mountain to our campsite. We got hear a little after 7:00pm. There was just enough time to set up my tent, collect water, and then make dinner. There is a couple from England hear tonight and it is there one year anniversary. There names are Chris and Hannah. They are really nice. There is also a NOBO, Clean Skittle. We ate together and exchanged trail information before we all headed to bed. I hiked 18.7 miles today. Tomorrow should be a lighter day and then on Wednesday I will cross the Kennebec River on a ferry. It should be a fun few days.
Date: 2016-07-27
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: Caratunk
Miles today: 14.7

I was up and out of camp around 7:30am after another good night sleep. The nights have been really comfortable which is nice. I remember the freezing cold nights in April down south. I hated them. This is much better. I had a short day planned and it turned out to be another fantastic day up here in Maine. I made good time hiking up Pleasant Mountain. I hit the jackpot on a bunch of blueberry bushes again today and again I spent around 45 minutes picking and eating them. So good! The summit was nice and I had lunch up on it. I made my way down to the shelter around 2:30pm. The shelter and the area gave me a bad feeling so I was unsure weather to stay or not. There was a lake beach about a quarter mile away and it was pretty warm today. There were two people at the shelter, both SOBO's. Lee and Eastwood who I had met earlier on the trail. They watched my pack and I went to the lake to take a dip. It felt great to jump in. The lake was big, but was surrounded by houses. We are not in the 100 Mile Wilderness anymore. I made my way back to the shelter and looked around some more. I made a stop at the Privy and it was the grossest one I have seen yet. It was full to the top and there were big spiders in their as well. After that I knew I had to go so I packed up my stuff and said good bye to Lee and Eastwood and headed south on the trail. It was only six miles to Caratunk and there is a hostel there. Right after that is the ferry crossing of the Kennebec River. It only runs until 2:00pm so Caratunk is as far as I could go. I looked for a good stealth spot along the way but never found anything so I went to the hostel. Turns out it was full, but the guy let me tent in the back, which was really nice of him. I took a shower and then I ate a big Cheeseburger he made me. After dinner I spent an hour talking to a couple who were thru hiking north. Zin Master and Pants. They were so nice and they gave me a lot of good information and we exchanged trail stories. Pants hip is really hurting her. I hope it gets better. They are so close to finishing. This place turned out great. I plan on getting to the river crossing first thing in the morning.
Date: 2016-07-28
From: Caratunk

To: West Carry Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 14.0

The Caratunk House B&B hostel turned out to be a great decision. I was up early and had a nice cup of coffee and relaxed in the living room and kitchen before breakfast was served. The owner Paul was a great guy and we ended up talking quite a bit. I sat in the kitchen with him to eat because the dining room table was full. The food was excellent. I stayed until about 8:45am because the ferry accross the Kennebec River did not start until 9:00am. Lee showed up at the Hostel a little after 8:00am and Paul gave her a big plate of breakfast left overs. It was not a fancy place, but I really liked it. It had a ton of character. I eventually did head down to the ferry and made it accoss quickly. It was a later start then usual. I hiked to the first shelter and had a quick break before heading back on the trail. The trail followed a swift moving stream/river. It had some waterfalls and it was just nice to look at while hiking. I made my way by another lake. It had a nice beach and if storms were not in the forcast I would have gone for a swim. It was probably the hottest and humidest day so far. I wanted to get to the next shelter and set up before any rain and storms came through. I barely made it as it started raining just as I arrived. I got my tent up quickly and got all my stuff inside. The rain did not last very long which was nice. This shelter is right on a big lake. After I collected my water for the night I went swimming to clean all the slime off my body. As usual it felt awesome. I met a new SOBO named Charles. Lee is also here but she went to her tent very early. I also spent much of the time talking with a few section hikers, Mary and Spiraea. They are mother and daughter and were fun to chat with. There is also a large group of kids here. They are from Camp Kieve. I hope they are not up late and being loud. It was a nice atmosphere at the shelter area. We did get a group of NOBO's stop by for a bit and wait out the second good rain shower. This one lasted a bit longer. Tomorrow I have some bigger climbs. The rest of Maine will be more big mountains and spectacular views then what I have been doing. I am excited, but it is going to be physically tough.
Date: 2016-07-29
From: West Carry Pond Lean-To

To: Avery Campsite
Miles today: 15.0

Last night was a very active night outside my tent. The Loons were singing much of the night. The Squirrels and Chipmunks were rustling around my tent and something large on four legs ran past my tent at a very fast pace. Needless to say I did not sleep very well. It was also the warmest night so far, almost too warm. I said good bye to Mary and Spirea, who are both super nice and then I hit the trail. I had two small climbs and two large climbs on the day. I also hiked along Flagstaff Lake. It was really beautiful. I did pretty good with the ups and downs. I met a NOBO at the lake. Her name is Just Right. She had just finished swimming. We chatted for a while before I headed for the Bigelows. The Bigelows are a mountain range with some big beautiful mountains. I went up Little Bigelow without any problems. It was another three miles to Avery Peak. This was a two mile climb and almost two thousand feet of climbing. The mountain itself is over 4000 feet. I slowly made my way up. It was a tough climb but I made it up in less then two hours. The views were the best so far. I can not believe this state just gets better and better! The views looking down on Flaggstaff lake were out of this world. I stayed at the summit for about an hour and I was the only one there for a good 45 minutes. I loved it. I then made my way down a few hundred feet to Avery Campsite. The campsite is 3800 feet up and it is much cooler up here. I got here around 6:30pm and I set up and made dinner. I got cold eating. It is going to be a chilly night, thankfully I have some cold weather gear with me. I will be in Stratton tomorrow. I have to pick up my food drop. I was going to stay in town but apparently the band Foreigner is in the area and the hotels are all booked up. I am not sure what I will do. I will see how I feel and see what feels right and that is what I will do.
Date: 2016-07-30
From: Avery Campsite

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

I woke this morning and I thought I was in Georgia in March. It was cold. Temperatures dropped into the low forties. I was nice a toasty under my quilt, but I did not want to get out from under it. Tenting at 3800 feet was not the best idea. Eventually I did get up and I moved fast to get packed up and moving. Eastwood showed up after dark last night and he left at the same time as I did. I had a quick hike up Bigelow Mountain West Peak and then up South Horn. The views were great, but it was really windy and cool. I made my way down out of the mountain range to the roadside around noon. I tried hitching into town and was having no luck. I then saw a car pulling out of the trailhead. I waved him over and talked him into giving me a ride Stratton where my food drop was. I got dropped off at the Motel Hostel in town. l and met about eight SOBO's which was good. Possible company on the trail in the near future. Everyone seemed nice and I gave away some items I did not need to some of them. I resupplied and then headed out to get lunch. I had some pizza and Gatorade before easily getting a hitch back to the trail. I hiked up North Crocker and South Crocker Mountains. South Crocker was five miles long and almost 3000 feet of elevation gain. The Mountain itself stood at over 4200 feet. It was sad when I got to the top though because all it was was a pile of rocks surrounded by hemlock trees. No views. Bummer. I made my way to the Crocker Cirque Campsite around 7:00pm. I ate my dinner with a NOBO named Clothesline. There are a bunch of others here but they are all keeping to themselves. It is the start of the big mountains in Maine. It is going to be pretty tough from now until I get out of New Hampshire. It is around 200 miles of big mountain and big climbs and descents. The good thing is there are massive rewards with incredible views and landscapes. I am excited. I just have to take one mountain at a time.
Date: 2016-07-31
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: Readington Stream Campsite
Miles today: 16.9

Another day in paradise. Oh, and also a massive amount of sweat and heavy breathing. All worth it though. The views today from a top Saddleback Junior were insane! I was on the summit at 5:00pm and no one else was there. I stayed for about 45 minutes in total awe of the 360 degree views of mountains upon mountains and a few lakes to boot. It was hard up and down hiking today. Everyday seems to get tougher. It feels good though. Several times today I just stopped in the forest and listened to nothing and deeply breathed the fresh mountain air in and out. The forest was so still and peaceful. I love quiet. Later in the day I ran into Echo on the trail today. I last saw her in Tennessee at the Mountain Laurel Hostel and B&B. At least that is what I think it was called. We were in a four bed bunk room. She was doing 25 plus mile days back then and I was not. I remember it being very pleasant talking with her back then. She remembered me and we chatted for ten minutes or so. She slowed dramatically once she hit the whites and she still has not picked back up her pace. I can not believe how fast she got up here. She is the first one that I have known that I have run into. Rucker is only a few days from me. I hope I get to see her when we cross each other. I ended up hiking about 17 miles today. I am pretty happy with that considering the terrain. I seem to have gotten my hiking legs back and my energy level has been real good the past few days. Let's hope it keeps up.
Date: 2016-08-01
From: Readington Stream Campsite

To: Farmhouse Hostel (Rangeley)
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I am glad I am heading south as the last few nights have had hint of fall. Getting out of my quilt is taking a bit longer because I am so comfortable and warm in it, but when I do get up I am moving more quickly to get everything together and get moving on the trail. It takes no time to warm up especially with this terrain in Maine. It is hard but I am loving it. Such rewards for all the sweat. Today I climbed up The Horn and Then Saddleback. Once again I was all by myself on top with gorgeous views in all directions. It was so incredibly peaceful and beautiful. I also ridge hiked above tree line for several miles which is the best! It was a short 8 mile hike though and I was in Rangeley by noon for my resupply. I am staying at the Farmhouse Hostel. This is a nice town right on a huge lake with a nice small downtown. I had lunch in town and bought my dinner for tonight. I did all my chores. I think this is as bad as I have ever smelled because everyday is a sweat fest. At this point I am use to putting on my damp sweat filled smelly clothes every morning. I have been doing it for so long now. It is just all part of it. And yes, it is totally worth it. There is a bunch of other hikers here. I have only talked to a few of them. I just feel like keeping to myself tonight. I picked a good night to stay at a hostel as it has been raining for hours. Hopefully it will get the springs and streams running. It has been so dry that they have been drying up. I have also had to drink some questionable water lately, which I hate. Again, that is all part of this. It happens. I still can not get over how incredible this state has been so far. I have sixty more very physically demanding miles left before New Hampshire. I like the way I have been approaching things lately, which is one day at a time. I do not look too far ahead. Each day is unique and has so much to offer and I just want to enjoy the moments within them. This is where I am suppose to be and I know that.
Date: 2016-08-02
From: Farmhouse Hostel(Rangeley)

To: Unnamed Gap mile 242.4
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: broken clouds

It was a beautiful bright sunny and dry day today. I slept good at the hostel and it was nice to wake up and have a view of Rangeley Lake right from my bed. I was dropped off at the trailhead at 6:45am. This is to be my last day of moderate hiking probably until I get all the way out of New Hampshire. I hiked my first and only twenty mile day in Maine. Twenty two to be exact. I reached a shelter at mile 17.6 at 5:00pm. Nobody was there. I made my dinner and ate and then I decided it was so nice out that I would hike up and over Bemis Mountain. The views were great and then I finally ran into Rucker later in the afternoon. She is the brightest light out here on the trail and just a super person. We hiked and camped on and off for a few hundred miles in Virginia in May. We chatted for maybe ten minutes and then went our own direction. It was awesome to see her. She only has a few hundred miles left. She made great time getting up here. I made it over Bemis Mountain and down to a camp spot near a stream. I am camping with a couple, Cinderella and Water Boy. They are SOBO's and seem very nice. Tomorrow is a big day. A lot of ups and down. It will be a lot less miles that is for sure.
Date: 2016-08-03
From: Unnamed Gap mile 242.4

To: East B Hill Road Campsite
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

Today was the hardest day of hiking I have had on the entire trail. I only hiked 14.5 miles, but it was straight up, straight down, then straight up, then straight down, then straight up, and finally a gradual down to end the day. All of this while maneuvering around huge rocks, boulders, and roots. All the climbs and descents were between 600 and 2000 feet. There were not many viewpoints either, which stunk. All and all a rough day on the trail. The weather continues to be stellar, which is a big plus. I ran into a NOBO named Suchi who I remember from down south we had a break together for about a half hour. It was nice because in the last few days I have not had a lot of interaction with other hikers. Tonight I am in a great spot next the a good stream, but I kind of wish there were other people here to converse with. It is kind of funny because when I started in Georgia I wanted to be away from people and it was impossible because there were so many, now I wish a had people, and there are far fewer. Today I only saw a handful of hikers. I will be in the Whites soon and I am sure there will be too many people there. So maybe that will be good for me. Tonight I jumped in this freezing cold brook where there was a big pool and then made dinner listening to George Straights last concert. Tomorrow is another day of big climbs, but it should come with a lot great views. It should be a good one.
Date: 2016-08-04
From: East B Hill Road Campsite

To: Mahoosuc Notch Campsite
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It was another gorgeous day with blue skies and a lot of outstanding views. Those views did come with a price though as I hiked up and over East and West Baldpate Mountain and then way down to Grafton Notch to then climb back up Old Speck Mountain which is over 4000 feet high. I hiked over 4200 feet in elevation today between both mountain ranges. Like I noted, the views were great and Mount Washington loomed in the distance. I huffed and puffed most of the day and sweated what seemed like gallons. I drank over five liters of water. I stopped a lot and took in the views and enjoyed the quiet a top the mountains. Again today, I had both mountains all to myself. As I made my way down Old Speck I ran into a NOBO who said the Speck Pond Shelter and Campsite was full. That was my original stopping point for the day. As I arrived there it was only 5:30pm. I decided to eat my lunch on the other side of the pond, which was gorgeous, and then head down the daunted Mahoosuc Arm. This trail is a mile straight down and a lot of it is on sheet granite. It is very treacherous. I took extreme care in each step and made it down without incident. It was late when I got to camp, but all I had to do was get my tent up and get in because I had already ate my dinner. It was a a hard day, but a good day. I met NOBO Not Chris on the trail today who I met down south while hiking. I also ran into Pepper and Mint who are also NOBO's. I hiked and took several long breaks with them down south and they both remembered me. It is pretty cool how excited they were to see me. If I could have stayed on the trail this is about where I would have been if I would have stayed northbound. I am sure I will continue to run into people I met early in my hike from down south. I like it, but I only get to see them once and the we are off in separate directions. Tomorrow I will enter the Mahoosuc Notch, which is the famous one mile stretch of trail which you go over and under huge boulders for a full mile. It should be fun and then by day's end I should reach the New Hampshire state line. Wow, how did that happen so quick.
Date: 2016-08-05
From: Mahosuc Notch Campsite

To: Gentian Pond Shelter and Campsite
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: light rain

Today did not start off too great. I entered the Mahoosuc Notch, which is known to be the hardest mile on the whole trail. I preceded to have a fall five minutes into it. I severely bent one of my trekking poles and scraped up my leg. This one mile stretch took me two hours. It was not my thing. Most people seem to like it. It was wet and slick and not much fun for me. The rest of the day I could not get my engine going. There were a steady diet of more straight ups and straight downs, some pretty treacherous. There were nice rewards at the top of Goose Eyes North, West, and East Peak, along with Mount Carlo and Mount Success. It has been exciting to see Mount Washington get bigger and bigger as I approach it. Today was a very hard day of hiking, but once again the weather was very pleasant and sunny. It did seem to warm up a bit more today and with the lack of rain the water sources continue to dry up and some others are questionable. I hope these filters are as good as they say they are. I am camping at Gentian Pond Shelter and Campsite. There is a group of boys here camped right next to me. Boys are loud. I think they will settle down in a bit. It is only 9:00pm now. I did see my first moose tonight when I went to get my water. We had a stare off and I decided he could win and I moved on. Of course my phone/camera was at my tent so I did not get a picture. I also hiked out of Maine and into New Hampshire this afternoon. Tomorrow I will hike into Gorham. I should take a day off, but it is hard with the weather being so nice. I will see how I feel and decide tomorrow. I am very tired and feeling a worn down from the last three days. I loved Maine though. It was awesome.