morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-09-20
From: Stealth site near Scott Rd

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 13.5

Day One Hundred Ninety Six - (13.5) Stealth site near Scott Rd to Pleasant Pond Lean-toWe woke up early so we could make it in time to take the morning ferry across the Kennebec. Canadian Bacon and I left with Melkie and within minutes Melkie was chasing a moose through the woods. It was scary! All we could hear was loud crashing noises near us and we kept thinking the moose was going to come out to the trail and trample us! All of a sudden it got quiet and then Melkie appeared and shook himself as if nothing just happened. Later we found out that Zenmaster who was behind us saw a bull moose and Hawkeye who was ahead saw a moma moose and a baby. We saw nothing and feared for our lives thanks to my dog. The trail was great and followed the river to where we needed to cross. The Kennebec used to be a river hikers had to ford but a hiker drown in the 80's and since then the ATC has hired a ferryman to help hikers across the river. Our ferryman arrived in a bright red canoe with a white blaze inside on the floor. He made us sign liability forms and then Zenmaster, Melkie and I crossed first and Canadian Bacon came second. I think Melkie was unsure of the whole canoe thing because when he went back to get Canadian Bacon Melkie wanted to swim back across to saver her. A few minutes after our canoe ride we were walking into Caratunk! Eric from the Sterling Inn picked us up so that we could resupply at the Inn. We weren't sure what to expect when we got there because some of the smaller towns we have been in haven't had the food items we have needed but this place was great! It had everything a hiker could possibly want and he sold pizza, pop and ice cream! We bought the pop and pizza and that saved us a whole other stop! We actually made it out of town in less than three hours and only had six more miles to go! The pizza came back to haunt me though, apparently six slices of pizza and two cans of coke were too much! The next few hours of hiking were a little uncomfortable and I vowed to never eat pizza again. We talked about going swimming when we arrived at the lean-to so when I got to the shelter and didn't see anyone I headed straight for the beach. No one was there but that didn't stop me from going in for a swim and swishing around trying to wash my clothes like like an agitator. Hawkeye was behind me and was laughing but I didn't care tomorrow morning I will put on clothes that don't smell quite as bad as everyone else's. Now everyone else is in their tents and I am the only one left out here in the cold. Only 145.5 miles left! Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-09-21
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-to

To: West Branch of Piscataquis
Miles today: 19.0

Day One Hundred Ninety Seven - (19) Pleasant Pond Lean-to to West Branch of Piscataquis RiverCanadian Bacon had set her alarm for 5:30am and an hour later we were heading up the first mountain of the day and I hate to say it but the up was easier than the down. There was another water crossing today that according to the guide I would need to ford but when I got there someone had placed a log across on rocks and I was able to rock hop and log walk my way across. We had lunch by a brook with Pee Wee German and he is planning on finishing the same day we want to finish. I hope he does, I'm sure he will have something hilarious planned for on the summit. After lunch we climbed another mountain and this one had an awesome view. The rest of the day looked like it would be down for flat so we thought we would cruise through the rest of the day. We came to a stream that must have been higher than usual because there was no mention of a fording it but that's exactly what we had to do. It didn't look too deep or too scary but I was surprised by how strong the current was when I got to the middle. I wish the AT Guide had a rating system for the trail because we spent several miles walking a slimy river bed and not a trail. I wonder why the ATC considers that a footpath, it was nothing but frustrating! At one point I stepped off the trail to avoid a big muddy mess and stepped on a wasp's nest. I screamed and ran as I got stung multiple times. I just wanted the day to end! Everything hurt! I only got stung on the backs if my legs and my arms but my feet, ankles and knees were killing me too and we still had a few more miles to go. We decided to stop when we came to a good water source load up on water and then stop at the next stealth spot we could find. We had just set up before it got dark and the last of our chores were done with a headlamp. Good night world!Troublr
Date: 2013-09-22
From: West Branch of Piscataquis

To: Monson
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Day One Hundred Ninety Eight - (12) West Branch of Piscataquis River to MonsonI woke up wishing I could just sleep more but today is a town day and I shouldn't waste it sleeping. We packed up and forded the river. This time there was a rope to hang on to across the river. The water was shallow and the current was weak so it turned out to be the easiest ford yet. We stopped for a break on the trail at the side trail to the next shelter not even bothering to walk the two hundred yards to the shelter. Partly because it was a town day but mostly because we are in too much pain to walk any extra steps. Every single step hurts now, my feet hurt, my heels, my ankles, knees and even my back hurts. I seriously wonder how I am going to get through the last hundred miles but I've made it this far and I will finish. We had to cross the river again and again it was an easy ford, the ice cold water felt so good on my sore feet! It seemed to take us a long time to get to town because we kept stopping for much needed breaks but we managed to get the twelve miles in before 2pm and then we just crashed on the ground waiting for our ride to The Lakeshore House to arrive. Guess who came to pick us up? It was Miss Janet in her Bounce Box! It was good to see her again but she looked just as tired as we were. She brought us to The Lakehouse where Rebekah introduced herself and we had something to eat before going up to the hostel to shower. Priorities! We did as many chores as we could before going to bed. Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-09-23
From: Monson

To: Monson
Miles today: 13.6

Day One Hundred Ninety Nine - (13.6) MonsonI woke up after a rough night in a bed, I am so used to sleeping in a hammock that I just can't sleep right in a bed or maybe it's that I was inside. Anyway we headed over to Shaws a hostel a couple of blocks away that offers an all you can eat breakfast for $8. It was excellent! Rebekah took us (Zenmaster, Canadian Bacon, Predator,RV, Pee Wee German and I) over to an amazing cottage where we will be staying tonight but we were just there to drop our packs off and then it was back to the trail. She drove us using privately owned roads into the hundred mile wilderness and dropped us off fourteen trail miles in. We had to take a side trail to get to the AT and then head south. It felt a little counter productive to be heading away from Katahdin and not towards it but it was a great way to get the miles in on a rainy day but still have somewhere warm and dry to go at the end of the day. Besides it felt great not to have a pack on! I should have done this more often! It felt so good almost like I was flying down the trail without the extra weight! It was raining so everything was muddy and all of the rocks were slippery but it was still a good day! There were a few times where I thought about how dangerous it was walking down wet rock that was really far too steep to walk down but I just told myself that I wasn't going to get hurt because there is a mountain about a hundred miles away that I still need to climb. It worked kind of, I only fell twice today! There were several fords today but they all turned out to be easy even with the rain. The hike today was nice, it felt more like a day hike without my pack and it kind of reminded me of Roan Mountain. Like I was in an enchanted forest of pines with big moss covered rocks. The trail wasn't as nice as Roan though, I think Bob Peoples should move up north and teach everyone what good trail looks like. Towards the end of the day I was tired and was happy to arrive at the road leading to Monson. Zenmaster stuck out his thumb and the first vehicle stopped to give us a ride. It turns out the driver is going to hike Katahdin next weekend, we might even see him there! Thanks for the ride! We walked into the bar at The Lakehouse and everyone cheered that we had arrived, it felt like a Cheers episode. We ordered food and I snuck upstairs for a quick shower. I'm glad I did because it was hiker's midnight by the time we were dropped off at our cottage and now I just want sleep! Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-09-24
From: Monson

To: East Chairback Pond
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Day Two Hundred - (15) Monson to East Chairback PondI woke up this morning to the smell of Canadian Bacon making breakfast in the kitchen. I checked the time and realized I only had forty minutes until Rebekah would pick us up to take us back to the trail. I put my hiking clothes back on and packed up before heading to the kitchen for breakfast. Rebekah pulled up just as I was moving my pack out to the porch, she brought coffee! After downing a cup we piled into the van and headed back to the trail. Thanks Rebekah for everything! We took the side trail back to the AT and headed north. We hadn't gone far when we came across Pathfinder and Double Dare doing the same slack we did yesterday but they hadn't learned about the shortcut to the AT and had to take the longer side trail up a steep hill to get to it. We said goodbye to them and soon we caught up to Salsa, Twix and Bella taking a break. It's funny how some days we hike and see no one and other days we see people we haven't seen in weeks. We climbed to the top of Fourth Mountain and when I saw the sign I said "I wonder if this is the fourth last mountain and then Third Mountain and then White Cap and then Katahdin"? It sounded good and if correct will mean only a few more mountains! We actually did a lot of climbing today and I am exhausted. I makes it hard to keep a journal when I am this worn out. During the day all sorts of things happen and I think to myself I will write about this but when night comes I am so tired and forgetful. I stopped at a stream for more water today and it had lots of tannins in it. It makes the water a gold colour so for the rest of the day I drank liquid gold. Canadian Bacon and Zenmaster gave me their Aqua Mira drops about a week ago and are insisting that I treat my water for the rest of the trip. I have made it this far without treating water except for a few sketchy areas in Virginia or if I had to take water from a bad source but we have seen a lot of moose poop on the trail and there is water everywhere here so I guess it's not worth the risk. It makes the otherwise perfect spring water taste funny though. We are camping at the 2100 milestone and are happy to only have 85.9 miles left! Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-09-25
From: East Chairback Pond

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 14.5

Day Two Hundred and One - (14.5) East Chairman Pond to Logan Brook Lean-toI woke up and started to pack up but then it started rain and Canadian Bacon told me to get back in my hammock. It was really just misting and after about twenty minutes I got up and finished packing up. I left when I was ready knowing that they would soon catch up. They caught up just as I was approaching another water crossing but it was the easiest ford we have had to make so far. The water was shallow and the current was gentle. The trail was awesome today and we had a pretty gentle grade for the first thousand feet or so before it got steeper. There were four peaks the final one being White Cap Mountain where Zenmaster yelled out "Next stop Katahdin"! Of course I was far behind him and found out about it later. When I was on top it was raining and so windy and cold that the rain froze on the side of my face that was facing the wind. It was horrible! This was supposed to be my first chance of a view of Katahdin but today I could barely see twenty feet, it was disappointing and I couldn't get off of the top fast enough. I was so cold that I was sluggish. It was like my brain was telling me to move faster but my body was responding in slow motion. I finally got back into the cover of the trees and rubbed the last of the ice of off my face. I hope it's not like this on Katahdin! The trail down was impressive, someone had spent a lot of time making rock stairs (it almost makes me feel bad about the Bob Peoples comment the other day). I rushed down the side of the mountain as fast as I could trying to warm up and trying to catch up to Zenmaster and Canadian Bacon so that we could make it to the second shelter before dark. I found them at the first shelter and we decided to stay and get warm. I used my tarp to block most of the open side of the shelter and then started to unpack. Canadian Bacon made us cafe mochas and I was soon warm in all of my dry clothes and under my down bag. We spent the evening eating and talking about what our next adventure might be. Seventy one miles left! Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-09-26
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 19.6

Day Two Hundred and Two - (19.6) Logan Brook Lean-to to Antlers CampsiteIt was still so cold when we woke up! We moved so slowly not wanting have to put our cold, wet clothes on until every single other chore was done. When we left we had a great trail the whole way down the mountain making us wish we had have hiked down last night. Canadian Bacon saw a moose this morning but Melkie chased it away before she could take a picture. This was repeated again later in the day. At lunch time we made it to our secret stash of food hidden in the woods and everything was as it should be (thanks for taking care of us Rebekah). We packed up our food for the next few days and put all of our trash in the container and placed it back in the secret location to be picked up. After lunch we hiked around ponds and overs brooks rock hopping to get across. Most of the leaves have changed colours and are falling all over the trail making everything pretty. But to be honest this is more about a countdown to the end now. We are all in so much pain that we just want it to be done. We want to wake up and not have to hike anymore. It's too bad because everything was beautiful today I just know that I don't have the same appreciation for it right now. We set up camp overlooking a lake but my feet, ankles and knees hurt too much for me to walk to the waters edge tonight (maybe in the morning). It's getting dark now so early that I ended up eating and cleaning up in the dark. 51.8 miles left!Trouble
Date: 2013-09-27
From: Antlers Campsite

To: Stealth site near Polywog Stream
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: few clouds

Day Two Hundred and Three - (19.2) Antlers Campsite to Stealth site near Pollywog StreamI woke up to a gorgeous sunrise over the lake this morning. We packed up and hiked out in a lot less pain than when we hiked in, it's amazing what a nights sleep can do! We stopped for our first break at a lake that had a perfect view of Katahdin! It looks so close! I can't believe I will be there in a few days! We left the lake all excited about finishing and I'm sure it made us hike faster. By lunch all of the pain had returned but we still had to hike another ten miles. We had one big climb today and several small ups and downs. Most of the hundred mile wilderness has felt like home. I could just as easily be hiking anywhere in northern Ontario. We hike around lakes and across streams and through woods that have the same trees I would see at home, even the sounds are the same. We hear loons an see moose but the big climb today was as if we were in a different part of the world. We hiked up between rocky ledges that were entirely covered in every kind of moss and had fully grown pines on top. What was amazing was that there seemed to be no soil so the roots of the trees came down the sides of the rock in some places over thirty feet to find the ground. It was so cool that I didn't even mind the climb. The climb down hurt though and I couldn't wait to set up camp and get in my hammock for the night. Again I ended up using my headlamp to finish up chore before bed but only 32.6 miles left! Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-09-29
From: Abol Bridge

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

Day Two Hundred and Five - (10) Abol Bridge to Katahdin Stream CampgroundSince we had only planned on a leisurely ten mile hike today we took our time this morning and went out for breakfast before buying subs to pack out with us for lunch. Michael dropped us off back at Abol Bridge where we saw a bunch of hikers we will probably be finishing with tomorrow! We headed up the trail with Lionel very aware that this was the second last day. The trail was gorgeous and followed streams most of the way. We had two fords and I fell in at one if them but I didn't have a heavy pack on and it was warm and sunny out so I didn't care! After the second ford we stopped for lunch and soon Predator and RV joined us. Lionel had brought extra snacks and gave me an apple (fruit is a treat out in the woods), thanks! Canadian Bacon and I took the lead in the afternoon and arrived at the ranger station to sign in and pick up day packs to use to hike Katahdin tomorrow. I was number 567 to sign in and I got to sign Melkie in as well! Michael came to pick us up and that's when we found out that we might have a problem trying to get back here in the morning. We were told that we might have a chance if we were at the gate waiting at 5:30am but other than for the first few cars there would be no parking. We decided to just look into a shuttle when we got back to town. Ole Man from The Appalachian Trail Lodge is going to shuttle us in the morning to Baxter State Park. After a few chores and dinner I was totally exhausted and got a little impatient when we had to wait to pay for our meals before heading back to the cabin. I am already in bed and hope I sleep well. Tomorrow is going to be an awesome day! Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-03-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Only 18 days until I begin my thru hike of the Appilachian Trail. I have been planning this for over a year and a half now, and I can't beleive it is finally almost here. I left my job a few weeks ago and have been focused on preparing for the trail. I have all of my gear and most of my food except for a few snack items that I still need to purchase. With 4 days of food and water, my pack weighs about 26 pounds. Although I lived in North Carolina until a few weeks ago, I moved back to Indiana to stay with my parents so I could visit with family and friends before I start the trail. My parents will also be watching my dog and cat for me while I'm on the trail, which makes me feel so much better becasue I know they will be well loved and taken care of. It's been great to be home but the training opportunities in Indiana are not great. Yesterday, however, my mom and I went to Pokagon State Park and got a good 8 mile hike in with some elevation change. It's nothing like the mountains but it wasn't bad for the flat state of Indiana. I've also read every book I could find and watched every documentary I could get ahold of in order to help me mentally prepare for the trek. It's kind of a strange feeling that the thing I have been absolutely obsessed with for the last year and a half is almost here. Although I know that the journey will take me places physically and mentally that I could never imagine, I am so excited for the journey and for the people I will meet along the way.
Date: 2013-03-18
To: Going away party
Miles today: 0.0

St. Patricks day makes for a pretty good going away party/weekend. I had such a great time with friends and feel so lucky to have so many supportive people in my life. Only 3 more days until I leave to begin my adventure. I am also very excited to have a few amazing people starting the trail with me and hiking with me for about 1.5 days before they turn around and head back to the car and I keep heading north. Thanks Mom, Angie, and Whitney for joining in this adventure! I can't believe how quickly this has come up. I am so happy that I got to spend so much time with friends and family before I leave, and I hope to do you all proud and complete the 2,185 miles to Maine. I'll do my best to keep my journal updated at least every week or so but hopefully a little more often. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this point and to those who will be helping me along my journey.
Date: 2013-03-18
To: Gear
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Here is a picture of all of my gear that I will be taking with me. I feel pretty good about the gear I chose, but I'm sure I will be making some changes along the way. My pack weighs about 26 pounds with 4 days of food and 2 liters of water. I'm sure I'm starting out with a little too much food but I would rather have too much and make adjustments at my first resupply than worry about food. Most of my gear is either in stuff sacks or ziplock backs which helps me keep everything organized and protects my stuff from the rain since I won't have a pack cover. My pack is already very water resistant and I keep most of my stuff in a trash compactor bag inside my pack that I tie up. It's worked well on hikes in the rain for a couple hours but I haven't tried it out yet in all day rain. Hopefully it is enough to keep the rain out but if I find out that it's not, I will make adjustments. I think the only thing that I forgot to add to the picture are my shoes, which are La Sportiva trailrunners, and the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned.
Date: 2013-03-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Only 2 days until I leave for the trail and 3 days until I begin the AT, and I am so excited. I have almost everything marked off my to do list but have a few things that I still have to get in order. My crazy anxiety dreams have actually decreased over the last week or so which has been nice because they were getting very strange. As it gets closer, I am feeling less nervous and more excited and prepared to undertake this challenge. I've also been cuddling with my dog and cat as much as possible becasue I know it is going to be very strange to be without them for the next 5-6 months. Today I am having my last goodbye lunch with one of my best friends and then a packing party tonight so that my Mom, Angie, and Whitney can figure out how they are going to split up their stuff. For me it will be more of a go through all my stuff one more time and make sure I'm not taking anything I don't need. I've told my Mom that she can't let me second guess my gear decisions so far and add anything to my pack, which I always tend to do while packing. After tonight everything will be ready to go and then I will just have to make it through one more day and night before we leave for Georgia at 3am on Thursday morning, which also happens to be my Mom's birthday. I can't believe this is really happening! So excited!