morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-28
From: Manchester, VT

To: Manchester, VT
Miles today: 0.0

Slept in till 11:00! yes, very tired. lots of miles last few days. It's rainy and supposed to be severe thunderstorms. I got fuel, a sleeping bag liner, a marmot jacket and map from the Mountain Goat. I moved to Sutton's Place and now I'm at the Cafe eating lunch and checking email. They have lentil soup and key lime pie! Stopped by Friendly's for a shake and got my laundry done. There's a photo place here where I made CDs to mail home. Dinner at The Sirloin Place, where I forgot my hat. Oh well, it was getting pretty worn out anyway. They had a great salmon, potatoes and mudslide. Saw Fred of the Fred and Richard from Hot Springs, and Jay, Angela, and ____. Oh, I'll probably be spending my birthday at Rangeley, Maine. Send birthday cards to:Attn: Hold for hikerJeannie ZortmanGeneral DeliveryRangeley, ME 04970
Date: 2006-07-29
From: Manchester, VT

To: Lulu Tye Shelter
Miles today: 19.5

Still didn't want to get up! Zero's are a bad idea! I better get moving before I lose all my muscle tone! Grabbed a yogurt and gatorade at Price Choppers and hitched out from the donut shop in a truck. Met Jessica from the outfitters as she was dropping off Jay's crew. It's foggy. Stopped at Bromley where there was a cool shelter with walls and electricity. Took a break on some rocks and ate my sub sandwich. Another break at Peru Peak Shelter. Hiked with Wild Bill for a bit, and met up with Park Bench and Yogi at Lulu Tye Shelter. I was going to go on to the campground at Daicy Pond, but there were no cars! It started raining again. A beaver had built a dam and the resulting pond was flooding the trail about a foot deep. More moose droppings. I really want to see a moose. I wrote that in the log and a few friends, lets say shall we, uh, took liberties with my journal entries. The journals continued throughout the day with hikers chasing moose and hikers chasing SWFs chasing moose and SWFs escaping from hikers chasing SWFs chasing moose. Anyways, still no moose. I know I'm gonna see one before I finish the trail. It's buggy again.
Date: 2006-07-30
From: Lulu Tye Shelter

To: VT 103, E. Clarendon, VT
Miles today: 12.9

The bugs were bad last night, so I spread my hammock netting over my head. Anyways, I got up early and got hiking. The best day yet! At the gorge, there were kids swimming in the water. I backed up across the suspension bridge and rock climbed down to the water. Then jumped in the rapids and went under water for a few minutes and drifted back to shore. Of course I had to do it over and over! Then I sat and dried out on the hot rocks and watched as the other hikers and locals followed my example. It was really a nice break from all the heat and bugs. I'm feeling better about being on the trail. I think it's Vermont. The mountains are like Oregon. The smell of pine. I'm still hoping to see a moose. I got a hitch to the grocery store for another day's food supply, then a hitch to the Country Squire Inn. The nicest lady runs the place. She did laundry for $2.00 and her daughter and law gave us a ride to the Whistle Stop Restaurant for dinner. They had really good meatloaf, mashed potatoes and peas. Then of course a vanilla milkshake too! Wild Bill and Bare Bear are in town. Yogi decided to get off trail, but we all had a beer and watched Murder at Wellesby for the evening's entertainment.
Date: 2006-07-31
From: VT 103, E. Clarendon, VT

To: US4/ Killington, VT
Miles today: 17.4

We had to walk two miles to get back to the trail. No hitch. Oh well. So really it was a 19.4 mile day. And it was up and over like 3 mountains. Killington Peak was cool though. Bare Bear and I went to the summit, had a 20 oz gatorade for $3.50. and rode the gondola down and back for free! I climbed up the fire tower, but couldn't make out which ones were the white mountains. Then back down the trail. I crossed paths with Blind Monkey on his SOBO journey and met Stampede. They said NH is a ridge walk, but Maine is tough! Anyways, I made it to the Inn at the Long Trail for Alfredo Primavera and Guiness Stout. A shower and laundry. Always nice!
Date: 2006-08-01
From: US4/ Killington, VT

To: Rutland, VT
Miles today: 0.0

RABBIT, RABBIT! It's August! and it was pouring down rain this morning. Ate breakfast. They had really good blueberry pancakes! Then took the bus to Rutland. It's another heat advisory day, so I think I'll zero at the hostel in town here. Went to walmart for another photo card. Got 3 day food supply to get to Hanover, NH. Mailed home souvenirs, and went here to the library for internet. I'm doing fine, looking forward to the White Mountains and starting to have fun again. Just hope it cools off! A nice lady from the library, Louise, gave us a ride to the Comfort Inn since there's no air conditioning at the hostel. Swam in the pool and went to South Station Lounge for a cool mudslide and emptied all their snack bowls. KFC for dinner.
Date: 2006-08-02
From: Rutland, VT

To: Rutland, VT
Miles today: 0.0

Took another zero! It was a concensus vote since the heat avisory is still in effect with a heat index like 115! Too humid! So instead, I took the bus to see the Wilson Castle. Lance would have loved it! It was neat, but very, very hot. No air conditioning. Hitched back with other tourists. Think I'll go for a swim in the pool. They have a great breakfast here at the comfort inn and internet! (No, I didn't drink the waffle batter this time!) I did that once, I thought it was eggnog. Anyways, it's supposed to cool off tomorrow, so I'll be headed for Hanover, NH.
Date: 2006-08-03
From: Rutland, VT

To: Lookout Farm Cabin
Miles today: 17.5

Wow, I'm finally moving again! the heat has abated a little bit. After another great breakfast at the Comfort Inn, I love their waffles! Louise gave us a ride back to the trail. A few hikers went past us during our zero. Shasta and H-bomb, Johnny Appleseed, Miss Parkay, Wild Bill, Energizer Bunny, Hot Springs and Low Gear. It didn't rain all day. I'm still hiking with Bare Bear. Hope his feet are better after a day's rest. We have left the Long Trail now and passed the sign that said 469 miles to Katahdin. That's encouraging! I also enjoyed the rivers and waterfalls today and even the pot bellied pig that came down to see if we had anything to eat! Saw Low Gear again at one of the Shelters and a SOBO. Her parents were hiding in a tent behind the shelter to avoid the mosquitos. We moved on to the Lookout Farm Cabin. What a great view from the roof! It rained during the night so I hung up my hammock inside! I was glad to be in the cabin, but it leaks. Stay on the west side!
Date: 2006-08-04
From: Lookout Farm Cabin

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Another nice hiking day. No rain, and somewhat cooler than before. Met Chardonay just leaving a shelter. Then lost her as the blueberries were irresistable. Stopped in South Pomfret for a turkey grinder. I guess there's something in turkey like triptofane that makes you sleepy. I yawned all afternoon. I just wanted to lay down on the ground and go to sleep. Easy hitches both ways. Well, the hitch back we kinda worked. Mom brought a truck by to pick up her son who's car had broke down. We helped them push his car off into a parking spot. How could they turn us down? Wanted to stop at Cloudland Farm for ice cream, but a note said it was closed this afternoon. At the shelter, Johnny Appleseed showed up to get water and went on. Hung up hammock in shelter, no one else there at the time. Met Texas. Lumps and Two-Steps were camped behind the shelter. Two others came in late. I want to say it was Park Bench and Yogi, but I'm not sure, I thought they were nobos. The privy is a screened gazebo! Oh, and heet is a poor substitute for denatured alcohol. Bare Bear tried 3 times to cook his dinner and it makes a real mess too!
Date: 2006-08-05
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: few clouds

Hiking at 6:30, but even though it was an easy day, and beautiful hike, I knew I wouldn't make the post office. I could see the White River from the hillside where Bisbee and I had waded across last year to do a 9 mile section. We had jumped out of the truck and caught it again in Norwich. Anyways, I stopped at Happy Hill where Bisbee and I had met a group of college students when we hiked from I-89 to I-91 last year. Bare Bear and I shared our last hike together as we headed into New Hampshire. I'm going to miss him a lot, but at the same time, I'm looking forward to hiking my own rhythm again too! We ate a cheese burger, ice cream and soda in Norwich, VT, then crossed the bridge of great big balls into New Hamshire. 13th state of the AT! Live Free or Die! Went to the back door of the PO and got my mail. Picked up my tent and a surprise package from AT Hugger! Wow, Thanks for the encouragement!!! I handed out candybars to my friends and watched the Anheiser Busch Clydesdales parade through Hanover. Left my pack at the DOC and I'm just hanging out for the weekend! There was a bunch of hikers: Shasta, H-bomb, Jangles, Baro, Mouse, Donkey (Love), Hot springs, Dirt, Johnny Appleseed, Dirt, The Jersey Boys, Parkbench, and a sobo, Laces. Stopped at the outfitters and bought a new hat. My mohawk is not town friendly! They had fuel as well. Ate a free slice of pizza at Ramunto's and then got food at the co-op. Ate dinner at the table behind the gas station. Set up my tent on the soccer field. Tried to find a shower, but wasn't having much luck. For all the amenities in town, a hostel sure would do well here! All the motel rooms were full due to the Bush wedding.
Date: 2006-08-06
From: Hanover, NH

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Dryed out my tent after camping in the soccer field. Very dewey. Had a wonderful breakfast at Lou's. Fruit bowl with yogurt and granola. But it was packed. Standing in line to be seated was very tight with packs on! Made photo cds at CVS and tried to get internet, but the library was closed. Used the computer at DOC, then got a shuttle to Sunset Motel. Finally, a shower and clean clothes. Now, I'm ready to get out of town and on to the Whites!
Date: 2006-08-07
From: Hanover, NH

To: Firewarden's Cabin
Miles today: 23.4
Weather: light rain

Great breakfast at Sunset Motel. But missed the bus. So we hitched into town. Mailed home my tent and photo cds. One last ice cream sandwich and then back on the trail. I'm hiking my own hike again. A trail angel gave me gatorade and met Karuna Miel. It was very tempting to stop at Moose Mt Shelter, there were lots of hikers hanging out playing cards. Miss Parkay, Johnny, Leprechan, Yukon and others I didn't know. I went on. I passed Trapper Shelter even, thinking I could make the Firewarden's Cabin before the storm broke loose. I did make it before the storm, but not before dark. There were 5 other hikers in the cabin, most were asleep, so I quickly got ready for bed and skipped dinner.
Date: 2006-08-08
From: Firewarden's Cabin

To: Hiker's Welcome Hostel 
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

What good weather! Barely rained last night, but a nice breeze blew all day and blue skys. Great views from Mt. Cube. Met new hikers at the shelter this morning. O2beehiking, Fuzzy ___, Sumo, Lush, Gayle and Anne. Passed three groups of kids. They looked like they were having fun. Or were they? Sumo took my photo on Mt. cube. Stopped at Hexacuba shelter to pump water and eat ramen. There was a guy sleeping in a hammock inside and another reading a book, but he never said a word! My pump is getting real hard to pump. Stayed at the Hiker's Welcome Hostel in Glencliff, NH hosted by Phat Chapp, and Pack Rat. Shower, laundry, food, internet!!! On to the Whites! A hiker feed by a 2004 thru-hiker had made the most delicious blueberrie fruit mix in like cream or something, along with pasta salad and other goodies. Met Paul with Bunyans. Grey Fox is here, and watched a crazy weird movie with puppets about terrorism.
Date: 2006-08-09
From: West Glencliff

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

The Whites Begin!!! Had a very comfortable night's sleep at the Hiker's Welcome Hostel. Ate my poptarts and leftover pasta salad. I sent a couple quick emails, and was on trail at 8:45. The trail is poorly marked. Nearly got lost trying to get out of town. I started up the wrong trail, saw no blazes after 1/4 mile so I turned around. Then I found an arrow made of sticks that was a little messed up. Found one white blaze and started up the mountain. The 3 mile long stair master mountain Mt. Moosilauke. I had a map and the whole way up I was praying that I was on the AT and not the other trail that would have been very discouraging to have to hike back down and up the correct trail. You can imagine my relief to finally find the sign at the top of the ridge! The weather was great, mostly sunny yet cool enough to hike/climb comfortably, but then on the ridge I met the Windy Mountains. My first time above treeline on the AT. Mt. Moosilauke was cold and windy. Then there was the steep stair master climb down Beaver Brook with a caution sign that also attested to the difficultness and dangers of that particular section of trail. It follows a never ending waterfall for maybe a mile or more downhill with wooden blocks pegged to the rock in places. Made it in to Eliza Brook Shelter where there were several boyscouts, BP, a flip flop, Sanford, Greyfox, and a couple sobos. So this is the Whites!
Date: 2006-08-10
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I spooked a moose as I left the shelter this morning. All I could see was brown moving through the trees. More rock scrambles up and down Mt. Kinsman, took photo of Gale and Anne beside a beautiful waterfall. Stopped at my first Hut. Lonesome Lake Hut. Ate free leftover pancakes, then paid 2.00 for a bottomless bowl of Mushroom Soup. The croo gave us last nights leftovers of dressing and corn salad too. I added it to the soup! Hiked out to Franconian Notch when Tortise and Greyfox joined me to hitch into town. A guy named Joe made room for us, though he was actually going the other way. He said his dad had hiked the trail and he'd say hi for us. Bare Bear called to say he was in Rangely with Mummy Toes. The Carriage Motel was not exactly happy to have hikers! Apparently they have had trouble getting them out of the rooms on time and leaving huge messes. Anyways, I was glad to be indoors since while I was doing laundry, the rain started. And it poured! What a strange room! I had like a wall between the beds with a huge hole cut out in it. I could see the TV through it. The shower and sink were in a separate room from the toilet. Weird. Got a sandwich for dinner and watched TV.
Date: 2006-08-11
From: Franconia Notch

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It took an hour to get a hitch this morning, but I finally got a ride to "The Plume" then hiked another 0.9 miles on a blue blaze to get to where I left off on the AT. (Still the purist, gotta do every mile!) anyways, climbed another 3 mile stairmaster to get to the Franconian Ridge. It was very windy and I had to put on my jacket for the first time since Virginia! Then I put on my fleece and hat and was wishing I had gloves too! There were lots of day hikers. The views are awesome! The fog was just lifting off of Mt. Lafayette as I arrived. So nice to be above treeline, well, except for the cold wind. Mostly had the range to myself. Took a lot of self portraits. Continued on to Galehead hut and was able to work for stay. Met Shayla, then I listened to the green program about energy conservation and waste management, then sat on the porch with 4 sobos; Lemon Lime, Bonefish, Grazer, and North wind. They were very sociable. It was fun to have hikers to visit with again. We huddled on the porch while the paying customers ate dinner. Freezing in the cold wind. They got out a sleeping bag to huddle under. I felt like a trail mouse waiting for scraps. At 7:30 I went in and had delicious mashed potatoes, bean and rice soup, bread, and lots of Chicken Pot Pie!!! well worth the little effort to scape the ice out of the refridgerators and sweep out the bunkrooms in the morning. The huts are not heated but I was happy to sleep indoors on the tables out of the wind and at least 15 degrees warmer just from the body heat and kitchen. Cleatus another southbounder hiked in late with very sore feet.
Date: 2006-08-12
From: Galehead Hut

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: fog

The tables are hard to sleep on. I don't think I slept well, but it could have been the altitude too. The croo was very entertaining. They woke up the hikers with an accordian thing. They also are very efficient at serving 48 hikers all at the same time. They put on a skit about folding blankets to strengthen arms and tipping the croo by repeatedly folding and depositing $20 dollar bills into the tip box. Two new jr naturalist were dubbed so after a very long pledge begining with "I, state your name, ..." while raising their right hand and lifting their left foot. It was quite amusing. The other hikers and I waited on the benches (inside this time) like mice again, for leftover breakfast scraps. It sounds horrible, but actually, Shayla made a very nice breakfast tray of pancakes, oatmeal, peaches, walnuts, and brown sugar for me. I ate heartily. Then I waited patiently for the guests to get their gear together and head out into the foggy world. I swept out the bunkrooms and the dining room and waited for the fog to lift before heading out myself. One of the guests gave us all granola bars, another gave me a banana! Thanks guys! The fog cleared off at 9:38 and I was on the trail. Beautiful day again! Took side trips to Mt. Zealand, Zeacliff Veiw (Very awesome), and Zeacliff Pond. Zealand Hut was out of soup Hiked on past Ethan Pond where I saw the largest moose print. It was as long as my foot! Then hitched in to Crawford Notch Campground and Cabins to the most friendly people I've met since the south! My ride was 3 hikers that had just hiked out sobo. They belong to a hiking club nearby. Had the hostel cabin all to myself. It was not heated but it was lovely to be out of the cold wind. Got laundry done. Cooked ramen, and bought some resupplies.
Date: 2006-08-13
From: Crawford Notch

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It's true. I have to adjust my mileage estimates downward! The cabin was awesome. The owners gave me a summit weather report and a shuttle back to the trail. There was a trace of snow recorded on Mt. Washington and the windchill is in the teens! Yikes, I definately picked the best and the worst day of hiking to the mountain where the world's worst weather was ever recorded! The first thing on the trail today was a freshly stocked cooler of sodas, candies, crackers, fruit, and "Thru-hiker Brownies" with a cute sticker on them provided courtesy of Rick and Sue Kipphut, "Cruiser" and "Puddles". Good encouragement for my hike into the Presidential Range. Great views of Mt. Washington in and out of the clouds. At Mizpah hut, I stopped for hot black bean soup, cocoa, and cinnamon rolls. All you can eat for $4.00. Met Ron and Margaret while eating lunch, yet still hiking solo. At Lake of the "Crowds" hut, I was able to work for stay once more with two southbounders. Dinner was stuffed shells, mixed vegetables, bread, and bean soup. Swept the dining room after dinner and waited again like mice on the benches for lights out at 9:30 to go sleep on the tables. This time I got a pair of earplugs from one of the sobos and managed to sleep quite well.
Date: 2006-08-14
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Pinkham Notch Camp
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up to a great veiw of Mt. Washington with a lenticular cloud blowing over and reforming over the summit. Sunrise lit the cloud a faint orange. I'm sure glad I was indoors. I would have frozen! Even indoors it was so cold, I kept my sleeping bag wrapped around me while waiting for the breakfast scraps. The croo was very entertaining again. One girl had to carry the other on her back on a backboard with a bench tied to it while giving messages last night. And, this morning they had a western skit to save the pretty flowers from trash and trampling by the bandit. Ending, of course, with a repentant bandit folding blankets and tipping the croo, repeatedly. The flower ran off with the old man who mined for titanium, uranium, or any other kind of "Anium"! Ate leftover oatmeal, peaches, and pancakes. The 2 sobos bugged out after sweeping the dining room, but I stayed and swept out all the bunkrooms. It's amazing how much trash can be left behind! I got another banana left by a hiker! Thank you! Then headed up to the summit of Mt. Washington. Took self portraits, then took refuge in the cafeteria to watch the train and eat a grinder. Mailed home souvenirs and toured the museum. Ate more food, Pizza and Broccoli soup, then bought a patch. Toured the Hilltop House, then got another summit photo from a tourist. The weather was cold and windy, but beautiful. Bright blue skies with white clouds against the presidential mountains. Hiked to Madison Hut for corn chowder and bread. Found Mike and Zan heading out. The first familiar nobos I had seen since Mt. Moose Shelter just out of Hanover. Made the long hike down to Pinkham Notch Camp just before dark to get a very expensive bunk and breakfast. Met Josilyn and Denise, my bunkmates, got a shower, bought a sticker from the trading post, watched part of movie about migrating birds, then turned in for the night.
Date: 2006-08-15
From: Pinkham Notch Camp

To: Rattle River Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: fog

Last day in the Whites. Don't be encouraged by the miles though. They were a hard 19.3. and I didn't make it to the shelter till after dark. I had a great breakfast at Camp Dodge with pancakes, eggs, potatoes, sausage, fruit, granola, and yogurt. Milk and Juice. Very good! Mike and Zan were outside. I think they didn't make it in last night. 5 or 6 other nobos were at breakfast but I didn't recognize anyone but Dirt. I hiked out at 7:50 still solo. I'm guessing everyone is in their own rhythm and the trail families are all grouped up for the final assult on Mt. Katahdin. The trail was steep and rocky as it has been. Stopped for cocoa at Carter Notch Hut and proceeded on. Stopped at Imp shelter and proceeded on. The last section from there to Rattle River shelter had awesome views and the sunlight played through the clouds. It started to rain and got dark before I reached the shelter. I was the only one there so I was glad I didn't have to disturb anyone. Cooked ramen, cleaned up and went to bed. So ends the Whites!
Date: 2006-08-16
From: Rattle River Shelter

To: Trident Col Campsite
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked to US2 and got an easy hitch to Gorham. The first car no less! Got a shower, laundry, photo CDs, mailed home junk, and now enjoying the internet at the community center. Crake, Waterwings, Lunchbox, Cash, Lifesaver are in town. My plan was going to be Andover by Friday, Rangely by Monday, but It's already 1:00 and I'm thinking about eating lunch here. Ok, Lunchbox, Lifesaver, Cash, and I hitched out in the back of a lawn service truck (almost missed a mile of roadwalk, but decided I had hiked too far to end up half a mile short in the end, so I had the driver take me back to the original trailhead. He said it was good to meet a woman of integrity and it made me really feel good that I can honestly say I have hiked all the miles!) Anyways, enough purist talk, It was real close to dark when I set up my hammock, got water, and made oodles of noodles. Slept well listening to coyotes!