morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-08-21
From: Flagstaff Lake Campsite 2013.8

To: Pierce Pond Lean To 2029.0
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a much easier hiking than yesterday, even though it was longer than what we've been hiking lately. We started out with a six hundred foot ascent then hiked on the flat trail, past west Carry Pond Lean To at six miles, then on to the sand beach at east Carry Pond, where we ate lunch. While we were eating, Flint came by, on his way to catch the ferry across the Kennebeck River. He needed to hike nine miles in three hours in order to reach the ferry crossing by the time it closed today. We hoped he made it. (Random note: We didn't think we could have.)Soon Duffer and Chicken Feathers came in, then the Lionkillers and Hot Shot. We all decided we could easily make it to Pierce Pond Lean To, since it was only noon. We made it by 2:45...two miles per hour..a nice change from the pace of the last few weeks. On the way to the shelter we passed Mulligan, a flip flopper who started in Georgia, hiked to Harpers Ferry and was now hiking back to Harpers Ferry from Katahdin. Once we arrived at Pierce Pond Shelter, we learned that this is the pond where a 20 year old hiker, Parkside, drowned June 15 of this year. There was a nice wooden memorial by the pond, and a photo of Parkside along with a letter to hikers from his family. I took some photos, then read the log, which had many touching comments from other hikers, both those knew him and those who didn't. We did not know him, but empathized with his parents. This shelter was on Pierce Pond, a very pretty pond, complete with loons. We filled our water bladders at a stream at the end of a blue blazed trail, then Tim Harrison and his dog Tudi came by and told us more about the Parkside tragedy, then invited us to eat a breakfast of pancakes and eggs or oatmeal at his lodge the next morning at 7:00 am. Life is great on the AT, but bittersweet knowing that a fellow thru hiker drowned when swimming at a pond.
Date: 2012-08-22
From: Pierce Pond Lean To 2029.0

To: Sterling Inn, Caratunk, ME 2033.0
Miles today: 4.0

We were up at the usual 5:30, and on the trail at 6:30, headed for breakfast at Harrison's Pierce Pond Sporting Camp, where you can get pancakes, or, in my case, oatmeal, eggs, and sausage, all prepared and served by Tim Harrison. (Random note: I am gluten free, so couldn't partake of pancakes.) The oatmeal and pancakes were nicely spiced and had fruit. Even Gary was excited about the pancakes, and he normally doesn't care one way or another about them. Our compliments to the chef, server, and lodge owner, Tim Harrison. We sadly left by 7:45 in order to make the canoe ferry across the Kennebec River, three miles further on the trail. The canoe, paddled by David "Hillbilly" Corrigan, for Fletcher Outfitters, had a white blaze in its bottom, and was the official way to get across the river. (Random note: Hillbilly told us that this was the last human powered ferry in the country.) Once the four of us were safely across the river, we walked up a hill, across a highway, and into Caratunk, Maine. We walked to the post office, where we called the Sterling Inn, our destination. They picked us up and brought us back to unpack and get our mail drops. While we were waiting for our ride we checked out the hiker box outside of the post office. I found a couple of Mountain Dews, which made me REAL happy! Duffer's wife had mailed us our resupply groceries, since Caratunk didn't have long term resupply. Thanks, Carol! We got our ride to the Sterling Inn, then, once we had cleaned up and started wash, Cheryl shuttled us, plus Hot Shot, to the NOC Tavern for lunch, a few miles down the road, and picked us up afterwards. By then it was time to relax before dinner, then get the shuttle back again to the NOC Tavern for dinner. This time, Eric, the owner of the Sterling Inn, did the honors of the shuttle. Thanks, Eric! Life is great on the AT when you can get town food, a canoe ride, and stay in a beautiful inn, with great hospitality, on a nero day!
Date: 2012-08-23
From: Sterling Inn, Caratunk, ME 2033.0

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean to 2047.7
Miles today: 14.7

After a nice breakfast at the Sterling Inn, Eric shuttled us back to the AT. We climbed eight hundred feet in a little under six miles to the Pleasant Pond Lean To, where we had a snack, then started the twelve hundred foot climb in a little over a mile to Pleasant Pond Mountain, where we had lunch with Chicken Feathers and Duffer. On the way up, we met Sharkey, who was Yo-yo-ing, and Hercules, a flip flopper. (Random note: Sharkey had hiked from Springer Mountain to Mount Katahdin with his girlfriend, and was now hiking back to Springer, as planned. This kind of hike is known as a yo-yo.) The climb up Pleasant Pond Mountain was steep, but the view was worth it. From there we descended to Moxie Pond, then came to a stream crossing. We thought we might get our feet, wet but a family we saw hiking south managed to cross it by rock hopping, so we decided to give it a try. We followed where they had gone, and made it across with dry feet! The trail from the stream to the lean to was pretty easy, so we made it in just ninety minutes. Yeah! We'd thought about going on, but were ready to be done after 14.7 miles. Besides, it immediately started raining...hard. Duffer and Chicken Feathers came in, then Lady Sherpa, and Koozie, a very quick northbounder, Mange, and several others. It stopped raining after an hour or so we finished our chores and ate dinner. Life is great on the AT when you make it to the shelter just before a rainstorm starts!
Date: 2012-08-24
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean to 2047.7

To: Shaws Lodging, Monson, Maine 2066.4
Miles today: 18.7

It was misty but not rainy when we started hiking at 6:45, up the twelve hundred feet, to the summit of Moxie Bald Mountain. It was beautiful at the top...a slab, but not slippery. As we looked out from the the summit, two young men from last night, Mange and "Mmrf" arrived. We went back to the AT sign, then continued walking over the slab and down the other side. On the way down we met Birdman, who started February 23 at Springer, and is hiking at a self described "Party Rate." He had hiked from Springer to Port Clinton, was now hiking from Katahdin back to Port Clinton. When we got near the first shelter, Mange and "Mmrf" were stopped for a snack. we passed them, then they passed us again. We hiked through a swamp, passing a southbound hiker with a Chesapeake Bay Retriever wearing a pack. Soon we came upon Duffer and Chicken Feathers, eating lunch. We chatted for a minute, then hiked on to the first ford of the day. It was up to Gary's knees, and slightly higher on me, the deepest ford we had yet crossed. There was a nylon rope across, but the water was shallow enough that it wasn't necessary to use this aid. I tried out using my water sandals to cross this ford, and was happy having dry shoes afterwards. Once across, we ate lunch, and soon Duffer and Chicken Feathers came along. We determined to meet after the second ford, six miles north on the trail. So... we hiked past the next shelter three miles north, along a trail that undulated along a river. The terrain was good so we were able to hike the six miles in under three hours...something we haven't done since Hanover. The second ford was even shallower...mid calf on me, and ankle deep on Gary...and not swift. Gary crossed this stream in his Crocs, and I in my sandals. We refilled our platys and decided we would like to push for Monson, if Duffer and Chicken Feathers were amenable. They were, so we hiked the three miles to the turnoff, Gary leading the way. At the turnoff we hiked to the parking lot, then Duffer called for lodging. He found a vacant room at Shaw's, a classic lodging house along the Appalachian Trail. They even shuttled us to their hostel in the town of Monson! Once settled into our room, we walked to the Lakeshore Pub, where we were planning to stay tomorrow and the next day, for dinner. Yum. They had huge burgers, and even gluten free bread for me! Along the way to dinner, we located the post office for tomorrow, which, which would open at 7:30 am. Life is great on the AT when you can hike 20 miles easily and end up with a soft bed and great town food.
Date: 2012-08-25
From: Shaws Lodging, Monson, Maine 2066.4

To: Lakeshore House, Monson, Maine 2066.4
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

We got up early, even though we were going to enjoy a zero day, in order to get a shower and coffee/tea before breakfast at 7:00 am. We visited with Raspberry Mojo, a section hiker who we had met a few days ago at Horns Pond Lean To, when she was hiking with Lady Sherpa. The breakfast was the Shaws' classic. (Random note: For the Shaws' breakfast, you order one, two, three, or four pancakes, eggs cooked to order, sausage, and bacon, plus hashbrowns. The only rule is you eat what you order. And, yes, they allowed me to skip the pancakes, since I am gluten intolerant.) Then it was a walk to the post office to mail a package home, and to pick up my bounce box, mailed from Caratunk, then to the Lakeshore House, where we were staying the next two days, then back to Shaws to settle up and finish our laundry, then back to the Lakeshore House. It was a good thing that everything in Monson was within a quarter mile. In the afternoon, when I was checking on a resupply shuttle, "Santa's Helper," a hiker and trail angel extraordinaire (and who we had met back in Vermont the day we hiked up Killington Mountain, when he was doing trail magic there) offered to drive us to the next town, 14 miles away, to resupply. He wouldn't take a donation for gas. We accepted gratefully, did our resupply, and on the way back Santa's Helper picked up another hiker hitching into Monson. After we were resupplied, we relaxed the rest of the afternoon at the Lakeshore House, reading, then eating dinner. Life is great in an Appalachian Trail town, especially when a trail angel gives you a ride 14 miles each way to resupply.
Date: 2012-08-26
From: Lakeshore House, Monson, Maine 2066.4

To: Lakeshore House, Monson, Maine 2066.4
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We were up and out the door of the Lakeshore House at 6:30 so we could be prompt for breakfast at Shaw's, then back to the Lakeshore House to figure out what food we needed to put in our 100 mile wilderness food drops. (Random note: These drops, one at 30 miles and three days out from Monson, in the "Hundred Mile Wilderness" and the other at about 60 miles out, would allow us to carry much lighter loads in our packs. Now we just had to pack the food resupply bags. Soon Duffer's son Russell, who was joining us for the rest of the hike, arrived. Once the resupply bags were packed and delivered, we made a car rental reservation for after we finished our thru hike, the relaxed until it was time for dinner, enjoying naps, reading, and an outdoor concert at the Lakeshore. Life is great in Monson on our last zero day of our thru hike.
Date: 2012-08-28
From: Wilson Shelter 2080.1

To: Chairback Gap Lean To 2095.7
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

We started out ahead of Russell, Duffer, and Chicken Feathers, as Duffer had a sore foot in addition to his ongoing knee trouble. They asked us to please do whatever it took to hike the 15.6 miles to Chairback Gap Lean To so we could pick up the resupply tub at Katahdin Iron Works road tomorrow morning, so we hiked up the first mountain as fast as we could. We thought about waiting at the stream ford, four miles up the trail, but decided we needed the whole day to get to the shelter. The trail was covered with roots, and was rocky, but the ford was only to my knees, and the rocks were not too slippery. At the ford we filled our regular platys and also the extra one. (Random note: Since both large platys have leaks at the top, Gary had been making due with the fourth platy, which is only 0.8 liters, as the one he drank from, and used one of the leaky ones, filled half full, to refill the others during the day.) We climbed up to the first lean to, then started the steep climb up Barren Mountain without stopping. We ate lunch on top, next to an old fire tower. (Random note: We found Kristy's socks there. They were, in fact, wonderful socks, in new condition, though wet. Thanks, Kristy! I'll remember you when I wear them.) We passed a second lean to (0.4 miles off trail, so we didn't actually see it, but we saw the sign and blue blazed trail leading to it), and crossed a pretty bog on bog bridges, with pitcher plants (insectivorous plants which are rare), then a sign asking people to respect the bog plants. As we climbed Fourth Mountain we passed several flip floppers, but didn't chat long, as we still had a long ways to go, and more mountains. After Fourth Mountain, we went ascended Columbus Mountain, then hiked down to Chairback Lean To. We passed more southbound flip floppers, but just said hello...(Random note: Everyone seemed in a hurry today, between the tough terrain, mountains, and distance. One northbounder passed us quickly. I don't know when he started, but he was planning to climb Mount Katahdin September 1, three days before we planned to!) Once at the shelter, I had to hike a long way down to a not too great water hole. Oh well...At least I found it, after ten minutes of searching. When I finally returned to the shelter, Gary was blowing up my air mattress. I was so grateful, especially since I was EXHAUSTED. Life is great on the AT, especially when you succeed in completing a long, tough day.
Date: 2012-08-29
From: Chairback Gap Lean To 2095.7

To: Campsite just past Katahdin Iron Works Rd. 2100.1
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We realized today that we had less than 100 miles to hike! We had 88.0 miles to be exact. We were hiking at 7:20 and hiked the 4.4 miles to Katahdin Ironworks road. Once we found our resupply bucket, we waited for Duffer, Chicken Feathers, and Russell, who had not made it to the shelter last night. While we waited, Audrey, the local ridge runner, came by, and chatted with us for a couple of hours. She had thru hiked in 2008. Johnny Walker Black also came through, got his resupply, and also visited for half an hour or so. He was a northbounder who started April 11. After lunch, I took a nap, and we refilled our platys from a nearby brook. About 4:00 pm, Russell came to the road. He got the food from their resupply bucket, then Gary returned it to where it had been hidden for them. Russell told us the plan: we would camp near the ford, half a mile north. The three of us hiked there, we set up our tent, and, since it was early, I had time to mend the holes in Gary's outer pack pockets with a needle and white dental floss, so he now had "Frankinpockets." They were unique looking, to say the least, but would hopefully keep his water bladder and snacks from falling out for the remainder of our thru hike. (Random note: They did, in fact, work so well that he will still be able to use his pack on our next adventure.) An hour or so later, Duffer came down to our campsite, so we made a plan to call Shaws to reschedule the second resupply to a closer road, and for later in the day, since someone is meeting us with it. We were hoping we have cell coverage from Gulf Hagas Mountain or White Cap the next day. Life is great on the Appalachian Trail when you meet up again with your trail family, and can make a plan...at least for a few days!
Date: 2012-08-30
From: Campsite just past Katahdin Iron Works Rd. 2100.1

To: Logan Brook Lean To 2112.8
Miles today: 12.7

We were up early, and hiking at 6:30 am, and immediately forded the west branch of the Pleasant River. We saw Rainbow and MaMaw B on the far side of the ford, and soon Duffer, Chicken Feathers, and Russell appeared, and crossed as well. We started up Gulf Hagas Mountain along a stream. At the top we tried to call Shaw's to change our resupply time and place, but had no luck. Russell caught up and tried as well. He had no luck either. Hippity Hop passed us. She was a young woman who could really hike FAST! We continued descending the other side of Gulf Hagas Mountain, then hiked up and over West Peak, then up Hay Mountain, where we passed Amish, who was resting in his hammock. Soon he passed us while we were stopped on Hay Mountain eating lunch. We noticed that he was hiking in Crocs, with insoles. He said several others were hiking in Crocs as well. He had started from Springer wearing hiking boots, but once the first pair wore out, the second pair weren't comfortable, so he started hiking in his Crocs more and more, until he got rid of the hiking boots altogether! After he went by, we continued down Hay Mountain, then ascended White Cap Mountain. I tried to call Shaw's, and eventually got through. We changed our resupply and found out that Russell had also gotten through. It was good to have it done, and better to have both of us get through, then neither of us. While we were on top of White Cap, Skinny Rambo and Rocket arrived. They, too, needed to use their phones, as White Cap was the last place in the Hundred Mile Wilderness that has coverage until the top of Mount Katahdin, I had been told. We followed the white blazes around White Cap until Mount Katahdin came into view. WOW! Skinny Rambo caught up, passed us, and we all hiked together and chatted a bit, until Rocket caught up. Skinny Rambo and Rocket had both started alone in March from Springer Mountain, and had hiked north to Grafton Notch, when they realized they needed to jump ahead to Monson in order to reach Mount Katahdin before they needed to be finished. After they summit Katahdin September 4, Skinny Rambo planned to fly home to Seattle, and Rocket planned to return to finish her Master of Fine Arts degree in media arts. By the way, Rocket said she had a blog: www.alpinezonefilm.com. Check it out. I knew I would, once we finished our thru hike. Soon Rocket caught up. They hiked ahead to the shelter, and were taking a break when we caught them. After their break, they went on, planning to eat dinner at the next shelter, then camp a few miles later. MaMaw B and Rainbow came in next, and were staying at the shelter with us tonight. We went down the hill for water, and found that it was at a lovely waterfall. Life is great on the Appalachian Trail when you are able to make an important phone call from the trail, and when water is close and clear, and the company congenial!
Date: 2012-08-31
From: Logan Brook Lean To

To: Cooper Falls Lean to 2124.5
Miles today: 11.7

We started hiking at 6:30, on the trail trending downwards. Four miles out we rock hopped the East Branch of the Pleasant River. It was nice not to have to ford it. (Random note: the rivers and streams were low this August, since there hadn't been much rain. This was a huge relief for us, since the fords earlier this summer had been waist deep for the most part and some had been even deeper. Most were knee deep when we crossed them in August, but others could be rock hopped, especially by the tall and agile young men.) We continued past Mountain View Pond, then ascended Boardman Mountain, then down to the road where we were getting a resupply, Kokadjo-B-Pond Road. We made it in four hours...not bad for eight miles of hiking, but indicative of the easy trail. Soon the lady from Shaw's came by...but not for us. We visited with her for awhile, since Zephyr, who the resupply was actually for, didn't show up for his planned resupply. She told us that once she had cell coverage, she would try to get our food drop moved to an earlier time, since we were so early. After she left, Russell heated water for tea and coffee, then Duffer and Chicken Feathers arrived. We got our resupply at 1:30, repacked the food, and left a few minutes later. The three and a quarter mile hike from the road to the Cooper Brook Falls Lean To was super easy: flat, with hiker friendly footing. Moody 9, Bear Spray, and Mountain Goat, section hikers, were already at the shelter, as was Lamb Chop. Soon Russell came in and set up his tent, then Chicken Feathers and Duffer and set up their tents. Water was in a beautiful, though not leech free, stream, with a waterfall right in front of this shelter. Life is great on the AT, especially when the hiking is really easy for a change, the resupply goes smoothly, and you get the last two spots in a shelter full of congenial people. (Random note: We were both amazed at how strong we were both feeling these days. We thought it was a combination of extra zero days and easier terrain the last two days. It felt GREAT to be finishing strong.)
Date: 2012-09-01
From: Cooper Falls Lean to 2124.5

To: Nahmakanta Lake 2143.4
Miles today: 18.9

We were on the trail at 6:45 on this cool, sunny morning. The trail was almost flat, undulating past numerous ponds. We looked for moose, but didn't see any. The only wildlife we saw was one toad and a few squirrels. The trail was also so smooth that we hiked the first 7.9 miles in three hours flat. We hiked for another half hour, then took a break on a pond beach. We had a snack and enjoyed the minnows and fresh water clam shells. We looked for moose but still did not see any. Soon we caught up with some future thru hikers and their wonderful golden retriever, Bambi, and chatted for awhile. They mentioned that they were going to have pork loin for dinner, which sounded better than our instant mashed potatoes. We hiked ahead, and stopped at the next shelter for lunch, and were soon joined by the couple and their dog again. They took our picture and we took theirs, before they put their packs back on to go look for a campsite. After lunch we continued hiking to the Nahmakanta Stream Campsite, our planned destination for the night. We explored it, then came back out to the sign, filled our platys, and sat down to wait for the others. Soon Russell showed up, saying that Chicken Feathers would be there soon. When they arrived, Duffer suggested that we continue another three miles to the Nahmakanta Lake Campground. Since it was early, and we weren't tired, we jumped at the idea, so we continued on. After a couple of miles, a hiker headed south said there was a cow moose on the other side of the stream, a quarter of a mile ahead. So...we got to see our first moose! She stood there for at least ten minutes while we photographed her, then ambled off into the bushes. Just after she left our view, a southbounder came by, disappointed that he didn't see her. Soon we were at the lake. We found a beautiful campsite with a picnic table and privy as well as a lake view! We talked about how we had been so lucky with the weather this week! We had hiked in sunny or partly sunny weather (and not rain) every day, in an area that usually had rain! Life is great on the Appalachian Trail when you have nice, easy terrain, with great weather, AND a moose sighting, with only 40.8 miles to go!