morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-23
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

August 23, Sore FeetIt's still cold! Today was a little more bearable than yesterday but I am growing more and more nervous by the hour that it is not going to warm up. There's a section hiker here tonight from Maine and he said it was freezing temps on Mt. Washington and there were frost advisories on Katahdin. Oye.Anyway...I got up this morning and moved quickly to the shelter before the rain started. I actually ate breakfast and then got back in my sleeping bag to wait out the rain. It was so cozy. But, we started hiking at 9:10 a.m. and it was fine. It was a humid day so it felt a bit warmer than yesterday. I was actually feeling pretty good today so I didn't get off in Bennington which I am pretty glad about. The section of trail this morning was quite nice and I only really got slowed down when coming down the gigantic downhill before Route 9. There were rock steps almost the whole way down but they were all wet and slick which is so scary so I was walking super slow.I made it down and then back up on the other side of the road and met Ronin at the shelter a little after noon. The three of us were there for a while eating lunch and watching some brave chipmunks carry whole chocolate bars around. What entertainment!The next eight miles were full of climbing which brought us to Goddard Shelter (Jen, thinking of you because I know this was your maiden name). This place is creeping me out though. It reminds me of the Smokies right before Clingmans Dome - alpine, foggy, and cool. I don't like it one bit.But we got here early and had dinner - I had loaded baked potatoes which are the first ones I've had since Hot Springs - and I am already in my tent at 8 p.m. which is fantastic. Many times during the day I fantasize about being in my sleeping bag - so nice. Only 567.8 miles to go! - Sound of pots clanking at the shelter, Ziploc bags in Melk's tent. Otherwise, very quiet.Post Trail Thoughts:I don't remember much about this beyond what I wrote here but I do remember being extremely happy that I felt well enough to keep hiking past the road crossing at Bennington, VT. I wouldn't say all of my energy was back but it was certainly on its way.The shelter area that night on Glastenbury Mtn. was eerie - the fog that was adundant in the mountains always had a way of creeping me out.Lots of stairs on the trail this day. And one last thing - Talker Man had begun to spread the word about the AT Debriefing his wife would be hosting at their home in Maine in October. He left flyers in many of the shelter registers. It was very neat.
Date: 2007-08-24
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Campsite near Deerfield River
Miles today: 12.6

August 24, Hot Dogs The day turned out much prettier than it was this morning. When I got up, everything was wet just from the fog saturating it all. It was a creepy morning and I just wanted to get the heck away from that shelter. So, I headed up to the shelter for breakfast and to pack up.We hit the trail around 7:30 a.m. which I was really glad about - I'm sick of getting started late. The remainder of the climb up Glastenbury Mtn. was gorgeous. Pine trees, bright green moss, pine needles lining the trail, and other greens everywhere. I got to the top quickly and then enjoyed the descent as well. It was really very nice but I was wishing it wasn't so foggy.I kept hiking and we met at Kid Gore Shelter around 9:30 a.m. It had a great view but, best of all, it was exposed to the newly shining sun. I laid out all of my wet clothes to dry as we had a snack.We left there around 10:15 a.m. and headed for Story Spring Shelter. More beautiful trail that passed quickly as well as another pond with a beaver dam - quite amazing to see. I got to Story Spring around 12:30 p.m. and finished off my hummus and flatbread. Amazing.We were planning on hiking to Stratton Pond Shelter but somewhere along the last 3.7 miles, I started to feel very bad. I felt like I was either going to pass out or get sick. Luckily, Melk and Ronin were stopped at a road crossing so I conferred with them on what to do. We decided to hike until we found a campsite and just stay there. As it turned out, we didn't have to hike far. As soon as we entered the woods, Ronin saw a spot and we dropped our packs.Then I had an idea - since we were near a road, we should get a ride to town for some hot dogs and marshmallows! So Melk and I ran to the parking lot and asked the first person we saw for a ride. Turns out he was just getting out to start a hike. So we talked for a bit and he decided to take us to the store and then hike. Score!His name was Jack and he was a very nice man. His car was filled with gear for every outdoor sport you could think of and he told us stories and tidbits about places he knows of as he drove us. We really lucked out finding such a great ride.So, Jack brought us to the store and we bought provisions for hot dogs and s'mores. When we got back, Ronin started a fire and we were cooking in no time. I really enjoyed it - felt like real camping! It sure was nice to have a relaxing evening on the trail.- Sound of water from the stream, a car in the distance, Melk making noises, some critter frolicking about.Post Trail Thoughts:Amazingly, I felt fine after we stopped hiking that night. We had a good time making hot dogs and s'mores too - something we definitely didn't do enough of! We also got really lucky that Jack was so willing to take us to the store and was such a nice man. Looking back, we may have been a little overzealous about a ride at that point!
Date: 2007-08-26
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

August 26, Manchester Center ZeroWoke up late and had breakfast at Up for Breakfast. Yum. We spent most of the day walking too much in order to accomplish all of our errands. Outfitter, laundry, resupply, hardware store - you name it, we did it.Manchester Center is an interesting place - full of outlet stores and fancy people. These trail towns sure are different than they were down south. I bought some new shoes today as my fifth pair has slowly worn away. These are a new kind, Montrail Hardrocks, and I had to get a different typeof insole this time too, Soles. Here's hoping they work out.- No sounds come to mind.Post Trail Thoughts:I can't believe I didn't mention that Melk bought the same pair of shoes I did and they both happened to be the same style of shoe that Ronin had been wearing for months. I had tried the Hardrocks on before my hike and they just felt too cushionly above my big toe but they felt great that day and I didn't have many other options so I went with them. They treated me well...all the way up Katahdin. How cute, hiking buddies with matching shoes.
Date: 2007-08-27
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

August 27, Adios, Manchester Center!I think we might have hit a record for the best miles we've done coming out of town today!We went to breakfast at Up for Breakfast and I had another delicious round of yogurt, fruit and granola paired with a morning glory muffin - I wish every morning could start like that. Then we headed back to Suttons Place and packed up and called for a taxi. The taxi took us to the post office and quite a while later to the trail.Our taxi driver was hilarious! His name was Philippo (my dad's name) and his Italian accent was so thick I bet even my dad would have a hard time understanding. I asked him what part of Italy he was from and when he said Milano I told him I have family there. He was so excited. When he lifted my pack he kept saying "wow" but that I am Italian so of course I could carry it. We were all standing around talking when he dropped us off and he was slapping my arm saying "she's strong, she's Italian"! Ha! He kept speaking to me in Italian too. The whole thing was great - and so Italian.Anyway, we didn't start hiking until about ten to noon. Immediately we started the climb up Bromley Mtn. It was a nice hike and I was enjoying my new shoes. We made it to the top a little after 1 p.m. and had lunch. The summit had a warming hut, a fire tower, and a chair lift for the Bromley Ski Area. We sat for a bit with Luna and Lazy Legs and enjoyed.Around 2 p.m., we started walking again. We had two hills to climb and seven miles to walk before our next break. The trail was very nice though and the alpine scenery was great.I got to Peru Peak Shelter at 5:15 p.m. and loaded up on water. My feet were killing me but we proceeded on the five-ish miles to Lost Pond Shelter. As it turns out, the shelter actually burned down in November but the tent area is still here. We had to do a bit of night hiking but we made it - glad we did a full day out of town.I'm tired but I felt really good all day and am really enjoying Vermont. 523 to go!- Sound of stream nearby, Melk snoring.Post Trail Thoughts:The Peru Peak area of Vermont was absolutely beautiful - especially as we were crossing at sunset. I remember talking to Free Bird at that spot about all of the thru-hiking he's done, which was a ton. I told him he was crazy and he said I would want to do it again. At that time I thought that statement would never apply to me. Now? I'm not totally sure anymore!
Date: 2007-08-28
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: clear sky

August 28, 504 Miles to go!Today was a good day - one of the best I've had recently. I got up at 6 a.m. and got ready. Had to make two trips to the water source because my water tank spilled. I was worried about the omen this may spell for my day but it got brighter from there.I started walking at 7:30 a.m. and the trail was pretty easy for the next five miles. A bit rocky but not bad. There was a lot of water around and a suspension bridge with a one person weight limit. There was also a pond called Little Rock Pond. It was completely still and looked like glass. There were great reflections of the clouds and the colorful trees. It was here that I decided I really loved Vermont. Great trail here. Just beautiful.So I got to Little Rock Pond Shelter for a break and a snack. It went by quickly and we started hiking again by 10:45. Then came more that made me love Vermont even more...We climed White Rocks Mtn. and it was beautiful - full of pine just the way I like. And then you summit and the entire summit area was full of hundreds of various little cairns. It was as if little elves had come out of the woods each night to build them. They bordered on sculptures - and there were so many. It actually made me laugh out loud. I loved it! I took so many pictures it might've been a bit much.So then the climb down was a bit steep and we had lunch at Bully Brook. The hiking resumed around 1:45 p.m. and we went up and over Bear Mtn. (yes, another Bear Mtn.) It was a tough climb especially since the profile forgot to include it. It actually felt like TN again - dozens of switchbacks and very steep. On the way up I ran into Spock, a guy I hiked near in TN, who had flip-flopped. It really is very exciting to see familiar faces.We stopped for a break at Minerva Hinchey Shelter and then made the final push to the shelter. The climb out of VT 103 was treacherous - not fun at the end of the day. It was straight up on rocks. Took me almost a half hour to go half of a mile. Argh. I was tired when I got here.We are here with a handful of southbounders which is pretty odd. I keep hoping we'll magically stumble upon familiar faces. But, alas, most everyone around is a SOBO or a section hiker. Most of the folks we know are ahead or behind.Thinking of Mike and Katie since the shelter name is Clarendon.- Sound of something crunching around outside of my tent, crickets, cars from a distance.Post Trail Thoughts:The summit full of cairns made my day - maybe even made my whole time spent in Vermont. I just loved that people had enough of a sense of humor to sit up on that mountain and do something like that. It was the most surreal piece of artwork I'd ever seen. To me, it was more interesting than some of the most notable works of art.When we arrived at the shelter that night, Bunkers was there and she shared some candy she had received in her mail drop. She took off after a few minutes and we were left with lots of SOBOs. It was interesting to watch them knowing they still had so far to go. A beautiful day.
Date: 2007-08-30
From: The Inn at Long Trail, Rutland, VT

To: Inn at Long Trail, VT
Miles today: 0.0

August 30, Day of ProgressMy biggest fear for the rest of this hike is the weather. Every flip-flopper or southbounder I've run into has war stories about hiking some mountain or another in 90 MPH winds, hail, dense fog that hides blazes and cairns, and bitter cold. Sigh. So, here is my plea - does someone have a climate controlled bubble suit I can borrow for five weeks? I'm willing to risk harrassment....Had a great breakfast of blueberry pancakes and then headed into Rutland for resupply and a trip to the library to use the internet. I ordered some rain gear since mine has slowly deteriorated. And I've spent a good deal of the day trying to get some details together so that I can soon order some wedding invitations. Luckily I have the information I need now.We are here with Bigby and Lazy Legs, just enjoying this great establishment. Read excerpts from "Trail Magic" which seemed motivating. There was a pretty gross storm this evening so I am pretty thankful to be here.Can't believe I could be in New Hampshire in three days. I'm speechless. Overall, this place has made me more calm and motivated.- Sound of the fan.Post Trail Thoughts:The Inn at Long Trail. Oh The Inn at Long Trail, how I loved the Inn at Long Trail! This place was fabulous, just fabulous. It was wonderfully relaxing and took care of all the needs of the hiker. We had rooms which were about 100 steps from the bar and restaurant inside the Inn. It was glorious. The food was amazing and the beer tasted great. We watched some baseball, I read a bit, and I felt better about my ongoing wedding plans. It was a very helpful stop. It made me warm from the inside out and I would love to go back there!Melk, Ronin and Bigby all went to the barber shop to get buzzed that day - fun to watch.
Date: 2007-08-31
From: Inn at Long Trail, VT

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

August 31, Last Day of AugustI'm so bad at getting started late. If I don't get up and go right away, I lose all motivation. We got up and went to breakfast and then finished packing up. And then we just sort of sat around in the game room at the inn. Melk and I played a wooden game of baseball and everyone was entertained with other games. We had lunch and finally Ronin and I decided we needed to leave. Melk is headed to a lakehouse in New Hampshire to celebrate Labor Day so we had to say farewell for a few days.Ronin and I started hiking together but it felt all wrong because I knew I was slowing him down - he's usually about 20 minutes ahead of me - so that didn't last very long. We were climbing a lot of feet in not a lot of miles and it was pretty tough. I was dragging a bit.We got to the shelter at 6 p.m. and are here with Streak, a SOBOer and a section hiker. I think I just heard G and BirdStar arrive too.Not really much to speak of today. Still worrying about the weather coming up.- Sound of a bug under my fly, shifting in the shelter.Post Trail Thoughts:It was hard to get me to leave the beloved Inn at Long Trail, especially in the misty cool weather outside. I was jealous that Melk got to take a break (although now I am glad I didn't). Ronin and I had never hiked alone together before and when he suggested we stick together since there was only two of us, I knew that wasn't going to work. Ronin was always much faster than me and I didn't like feeling like I was slowing him down. It lasted about ten minutes. Ronin also told me at that point that his wife and maybe his sister would be in Hanover to meet him - lots of excitement.
Date: 2007-09-02
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

September 2, New Hampshire!Today is the earliest I've started yet on the trail - hiking by 6:45 a.m., not bad. Ronin and I were booking it to Hanover to meet his wife, Michelle, around lunch time.So, the first five miles were okay - hilly but they went fast. There was a great overlook that was filled in with fog that looked like clouds hanging off the mountains. Someone had cleverly put an Adirondack chair in the middle of it all so you could sit and watch. Very neat.I met Ronin at the road and we did the road walk into West Hartford together. We stopped at the West Hartford General Store for some breakfast - a delicious breakfast burrito - and then were on our merry way.We outsmarted the system today by walking the road a bit further to avoid a seemingly unnecessary climb in the woods. Then, back in the woods, we hiked for a couple of miles to the William Tucker Trail and took that into Norwich. I didn't feel bad because the trail included a lot of roadwalking today. We met back up with the AT past a convenience store in Norwich and followed it into NEW HAMPSHIRE! (Here I will pause to mention the fall I snuck in just under the wire before we left Vermont. There was no grace in this one. My sticks flailed into oncoming traffic and I landed on my side with a big hole in my pant leg. We were on sidewalk for goodness sake!)So we made it to New Hampshire! Twelve states down, two to go! Today was quite warm down here in town and I told Ronin I would remember that as I freeze through the Whites. We stopped on the bridge over the Connecticut River to take our photos and as we did that, Michelle drove by.She took us to lunch and then to a few outfitters before we settled in for the evening. The three of us just went to an Indian restaurant for dinner and Ben and Jerry's for dessert - I could dig this. Hanover is a neat little college town with Dartmouth right in the center of it all.Well, New Hampshire. Don't know how I got here since I fall about a dozen times a week but I made it. Here's hoping the weather treats me okay and I see Maine in a couple of weeks. Glad to be here. Nervous about what lies ahead.- Sound of a car outside, the light of my PocketMail buzzing.Post Trail Thoughts:It's impressive to me how worried I was about being cold in NH and ME. While readers at home probably thought I had some sort of unjustified obsession, I knew differently. Every time we stopped hiking, I was cold. I just wanted to keep moving to stay warm. I hated that I could never be comfortable during breaks. Alas, I suppose it all evened itself out.The views that morning, while a little creepy with the cool fog hovering, were gorgeous. A final goodbye from the lovely Vermont.And I have to mention the wonderful sign on one of the barns we passed - a marriage proposal for all to see. How sweet. What a great state, that Vermont.
Date: 2007-09-03
From: Three Mile Road

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 2.6
Weather: clear sky

September 3, Live Free or DieHappy birthday, Scribe!That's right folks, 2.6 miles. Not really any town chores were accomplished yesterday so that left quite a lot to do today.Ronin, Michelle and I went to breakfast at Lou's which was really great - yogurt/granola/fruit mixture with a morning glory muffin, mmm - then to the outfitter where I picked up another set of long underwear for hiking. Back at the hotel, we packed up and then Ronin and I ran to resupply and then to EMS.We didn't leave the hotel until sometime around 2 p.m. and we still had to eat lunch. That's when we made the decision to have Michelle drop us off a few miles up the trail - we still had to meet Melk so we had to get to Moose Mtn. Shelter. We ran into Baltimore Jack in Hanover and he downloaded his thoughts on the rest of the trail. We started using his advice immediately and headed to Ramunto's to claim our free slices of cheese pizza. See what happens when you walk from Georgia to Hanover, NH? People give you a free slice of pizza! Though the pizza was good, I'm not sure if the walking is worth it.We started hiking at 4:30 p.m. and made it to the shelter by quarter to 6 p.m. Melk greeted me with a gigantic hug. She was here with three SOBOers - Scratch, Coconuts, and Cat. We had a nice night with them complaining about the trail and swapping stories. Good times.It was nice to get here so early and have time to just hang out. My pack is getting heavier by the day as I add more warm clothes.- Very quiet. Sound of wind through the trees occasionally. Post Trail Thoughts:A little hop, skip, and jump up the trail - no problem. Made the day much more relaxing. Moose Mountain Shelter was a cool place - and I loved the signs posted along the trail by the Dartmouth Outing Club. They had the best signs! We met a father and young daughter that evening who hiked in just to bring jugs of water to leave at the shelter because there was no good source there. A true illustration of wonderful people passing on wonderful things to their children. I really enjoyed hanging out with this crew of SOBOs and, to this day, Melk and I still say we wish they had been NOBOs. A fun group. I didn't mention previously but the three of us kept being told that we were some of the coolest NOBOs the SOBOs had met. They owed that to our being much farther behind the pack - they said we were obviously much more laid back and not into the mileage monster. Well, I guess that might have been true. It was nice being liked anyway.