morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-18
From: Griffith Lake Campsite

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: light rain

Woke up with it raining and were therefore a little slow to get going. Woke the Dans up and we all left around 8:30. Rain did not help the muddy conditions and the going was slow but we were aided by the ginger cookies we received in the mail drop the day before. Past a bunch of shelters and had lunch at one about 10 miles into the day. After lunch we passed a lake that looked great for swimming but the cold rain and wind deterred us. The Dans pushed ahead as WD-40's sister was planning to meet them at the next road. We plodded along ultimately going 9 miles past that road. We finished the day with a huge up through a ravine over slippery boulders. Got to the shelter and were glad to see that there was room for us to sleep inside. Talked to the section hiker named commander joe, cooked dinner, and crashed late again.VT birds: 5 VT list: 55
Date: 2009-06-19
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: VT Rt. 4
Miles today: 16.4

Got going fairly early, thankful that the rain had stopped. It was still overcast as we started climbing Killington. Early on Birdman decided to trip off a water bar into deep mud and then fall over a log onto his pole snapping it into 3 pieces. I gave him mine as we can't have him falling all day and now I'm back to the one pole gig...oh well. Stopped at the first shelter which was dank and depressing so we didn't stay long. My boots were soaking wet at the start of the day so tromping through uncut wet grass didn't help. The boots weighed about twice as much as usual and the blisters came on fast but we kept climbing. Three thousand feet to the highest point in Vermont where because of the weather we got no view and a misting rain. We did get to check out the top of the k2 gondola where we have often skied in the past. Had lunch at a stone shelter near the top that had lots of leaks. We then hurried the last 6 miles down to Rt.4 where we were being picked up by a good friend. Tomorrow we will be off the trail for my uncle's (pops brother in law) funeral. Our friend is taking us back down to Lancaster, PA for the service and will bring us back. Got off the trail around 3pm replaced the broken pole (under warranty) and got on our way south.VT birds: 5 VT list: 55
Date: 2009-06-20
From: VT Rt. 4

To: Brackney, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Had breakfast with my sister and our friend rich before going to the funeral home for my uncle's service. The service was a nice way to say good bye and we felt lucky to be there. After everything was finished we were driven half of the way back to the trail. We spent the night at Camp Susquehannock and got to catch up with all our friends there. Also got to spend time with mom and the grandparents. Tomorrow morning Its up to Vermont to hit the trail.
Date: 2009-06-21
From: Brackney, PA

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Had a good father's day breakfast with pop and his pop. After breakfast we said good bye to friends and family and got back in the car with our good friend Rich and headed for Vermont. We made two fast food stops on the way and were at the trailhead by 2:30. We got all packed up and said good bye and thank you to Rich. Just as we got on the trail it welcomed us back with a quick rain storm and a steep uphill. It got sunny a little later on and we went past a place called Kent Pond that had a lodge with amenities such as a hot tub. We were very tempted to call it quits there but we figured we didn't deserve another night in a bed. We went on another 6 miles to the shelter. We found a thru-hiker we've been behind the whole time named Montana Mac. He was very nice and we had a good time chatting before early bed. VT birds: 7 New species: 1 Spotted Sandpiper VT list: 62 Trip list: 143
Date: 2009-06-22
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Cloudland Farm
Miles today: 19.2

Left around 7:30am with a long day that included picking up a mail drop. A typical day in Vermont, we started with two steep ups and downs that afforded no views. On the third mountain though, there was a side trail that led to a private cabin with a platform on the roof! There was a great view from there and a neat place to stay if it wasn't ten in the morning. At the first shelter we stopped to have lunch and as we were sitting there a couple came in. They both had russian accents and were thrilled to meet thru-hikers. The man introduced himself as Leo and then gave us candys. As he was talking to us (very hard to understand) he looks at Birdman's posture and shows apparent disgust. He explains that he is "pheesical therapist" and with permission he would like to help. He worked on birdman's neck shoulders and lower back and at the end you could tell from pop's reaction that Leo had done a good job. He then adjusted my posture and balance and left us with some gifts in airline bottles. He reccommended that we stop at the farmstand on the next road so when we got there we went over to the store. Got some snacks and then tried to get a hitch to Barnard VT post office. A nice woman picked us up after getting something at the store, she took us to the post office, the store, and back to the farm stand. When we got back we found Postman, Gumby, and Mowgli there. As we were getting our mail drop packed up the dans rolled in. The woman was about to close and she gave us all her fresh breads because she wouldn't be able to sell them the next day. With a big foccacia loaf we set off again. There were four major climbs at the end of the day and we stopped at the cloudland farm which the book said allowed people to stay. No one was home but we were so tired that we left a note and set up the tent down by the indoor horse ring.VT birds: 8 VT list: 69
Date: 2009-06-24
From: Hanover, NH

To: Moose Man Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

Got up pretty early at the house in Bradford, Vermont. Left with our host on his way to work at 7:45. Once back into town we picked a breakfast place and met the dans there. While sitting there we had an amazing encounter. Pop and looked over and at the same time said"wow that woman looks familiar. It was a friend of ours from church and Episcopal who was bringingtwo of her children up for summer camp. We had a great time catching up with them. After breakfast we had to return to the Jewel of India because pop and I both left our hats and he left his binos there the night before. Thankfully we were able to recover the items as Birdman might have had a mental breakdown. We went grocery shopping with the dans and then followed the trail out of town along the socceer fields. It was hot, sunny, and muggy so with short miles today we were in no hurry. So while birdman set off birding, squeak and I played soccer and 40 took some good pictures. At around noon we left. We caught up to Birdman after a short while and had lunch on a boardwalk in a swamp. The hiking after that was pretty easy and we finished the day with a good up to the shelter. The mosquitos were bad so we had a fire while making dinner. Big Boots joined the four of us and we all chatted until it got late (9:30) and went to bed.NH birds: 33 NH list: 33
Date: 2009-06-25
From: Moose Man Mt. Shelter

To: Smarts Mt. Firetower
Miles today: 12.4

Got up early but left late. It is hot and humid today so its lucky that we have a short day planned. We started off downhill and then had a long steep climb up to Holts Ledges. We took a break there with the Dans and got to see an active Perigrine Falcon rookery. They made incredibly obnoxious noises, but also provided us with an impressive aereal display. We then came down from the ledges to a road where the book said we could find an ice cream lady. Much like the cookie lady, this trail angel welcomes people to her home and gives them free goodies. The heat and our appetites got us very excited leading to a huge letdown when she was not home. At this point it was lunchtime so we decided to use the picnic table and water by her house. They also had about 15 birdhouses that kept pop entertained for over an hour. The best part of our lunch was using the garden sprayer to take a shower of sorts. It was 2:30 before we left. We had another big climb to where we would be staying for the evening. We got up to the shelter on top of Smarts Mt. And encountered our first black flies. They are small but heartless as they swarm and feast on you. Just getting water from a nearby spring drove the four of us mad, so we looked for a solution. There was a firetower on top that afforded great 360 degree views and was high enough above the trees to be bug free. The little room at the top was enclosed with windows and we decided that we could fit up there. We all cooked dinner on the tower while watching the sunset. Then we crammed in and shut the trap door. With sleeping pads out there was overlap between them and we were literally shoulder to shoulder. The other issue was that some of the windows were broken so that if it decided to rain it would have turned into an unpleasant experience. We were fortunate that only fog not rain came and we had a cozy nights sleep.NH birds: 11 New species: 1 Perigrine FalconNH list: 44 Trip list: 144
Date: 2009-06-26
From: Smarts Mt. Firetower

To: NH 25
Miles today: 19.9

Got up for sunrise and then promptly went back to sleep. Left later after doing all our packing on the tower. The bugs were still bad so we booked down the mountain. We found a bench by a dirt road and since it was hot and muggy again we took a long break that resulted in the four of us napping. We then started up Cube mountain which had big rock faces that afforded us nice views back to the tower where we slept. It was a long down off the other side and we reached NH 25a at around noon. We read that there was a lake a little ways down the road with a beach so we went there to eat lunch. Unfortunately it started to rain making swimming seem unappealing. Our lunch went down without having an affect on our hunger. We heard that there was a good convenience store down the roiad four miles more so we tried to hitch. The second car was a pickup and he loaded us all into the back. At the store we had a bunch of snacks and brushed up on the news. We were sorry to hear about Michael Jackson but glad to learn that Episcopal's Gerald Henderson got drafted 12th in the NBA by the Charlotte Bobcats. We talked to an old man sitting outside and he offered us a ride back to the trail. By the time we were on the way back it was sunny again so we returned to the beach and went swimming. Around 5pm as we were preparing to hit the trail a fisherman came over and gave us a 2 and a half pound Bass. Squeak carried it in his pack and we figured we'd grill it at the next shelter. The next shelter was full with no tentsites so we headed another 4 miles to a spring near a pond. The plan was to water up (fill everything) and then camp by the pond for more swimming. The Dans went ahead just as it was getting dark to find a spot. We then could not find them and backtracked all around the pond to find them. Eventually around 9pm we gave up finding them and hiked on in a foul mood to find a campsite. For two miles in the dark there was nothing but then we saw a fire through the trees and realized it was the Dans! We all laughed about the lack of camping places and how angry we had gotten. We cooked the big fish around 11pm and were in bed by midnight.NH birds: 3 NH list: 47
Date: 2009-06-27
From: NH 25

To: NH 112 Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: light rain

Birdman got up early but I knew that we had a short day in front of us so I stayed in bed. While sleeping pop went down the road to a hostel and arranged a ride to a good breakfast place. The dans and I woke up for that news and broke camp around 9am. Calamity Jane's was delicious although incredibly slow. We hitched back to the trail by about 11:30 and started hiking. About a mile in we came to a shelter and decided to play a little frisbee (squeak carries one!). We also went down to the stream and used a big smooth rock waterfall as a slide. Finally started hiking up Mount Moosilauke which is the first 4000 footer we've done since Apple Orchard Mt. Virginia. As it was a long way up we took another break partway. It was here that after Birdman headed on, the Dans and I decided to knock down a tree. It was a rotten old birch and so squeak started pushing on it. I quickly realized my seating location was near the eventual fall location and moved promptly. With 40 video taping we felled the tree with a huge crash and an explosion of rotten wood. It was an incredibly exhilirating experience owing to the fact that the tree broke over the rock I'd been sitting on. We started hiking again and went through a short but heavy rain shower before getting above treeline for the first time. The sun was nice enough to come out for lunch on top and we had great views. We started down and took a break at a shelter. It was after this break that the trail dropped off precipitously. It went down a ravine along a series of impressive waterfalls. There were many times where the steepness of the slippery rock made steps and iron handles a necessity. I fell twice and although I was unscathed the bottom section of my pole was not. Bent at a 45 degree angle I realized I would need to act on the lifetime warranty again. We made the 1.6 miles from the shelter to the road in a grueling 3 hours but were lucky to get a hitch from a pickup headed the other way. The four of us got dropped off in North Woodstock and got ice cream while watching a rainbow. We then decided to walk the mile to Lincoln to get food and meet our friends there after 9pm. Grinders at a pizza place were nice and we hit another ice cream place before getting picked up by our friends the Stolpers. The dans are joining us for two zeros (there first two) on Squam Lake. We got to the house, took showers, chatted, watched a kids movie, and went to bed around 2am.NH birds: 6 New species: 1 Ruby-crowned KingletNH list: 53 Trip list: 145
Date: 2009-06-28
From: NH 112 Kinsman Notch

To: Squam Lake
Miles today: 0.0

Slept well in comfy beds. Got up to a great pancake breakfast. After that we helped open up the summer house as it was our friends first time up for the season. As we were putting the float docks in place, the sun came out and so after finishing we went swimming. Then we ate a quick lunch and jumped in the car. We wanted to see the big soccer match between Brazil and the US. It was a great first half but an unfortunate 3-2 loss. We used the time in the car as an opportunity to go grocery shopping. Got lots of food for dinner and drove around the lake giving the dans a little tour. When we got back we jumped in the boat and did a tour that way too. Got to see this years bald eagle fledglings. We got back a little before dinner. The food was great and afterword we watched movies and played some pool.NH birda: 4 New species: 1 Common MerganserNH list: 57 Trip list: 146
Date: 2009-06-29
From: Squam Lake

To: Squam Lake
Miles today: 0.0

Another good nights sleep but this time breakfast was delicious omelettes to order. There was a small disaster when Birdman turned and knocked my newly made omelette on to the floor. Luckily there was plenty more so I didn't have to kill him. After breakfast we went out in the boat again this time to go over to our little cottage across the lake. We met the renters who were very nice and inspected some repairs that had been done. We also sat down and talked to our cousins Mary and Goldy who live on Squam. Once back at the Stolpers we had lunch while watching movies. In the afternoon the Dans and I spent a good time jumping on the trampoline like 5 year olds. The weather had been rainy all day so when there were some clear skies we decided it was time to all get in "Big Brown" the 1928 ChrisCraft. We had just left the cove and fired her up when she jumped out of our gears. Out in the main waters it took us 40 minutes to return home in reverse. The good news is it didn't rain. We made reservations but had two hours until dinner so we took the other boat out and Birdman drove the Dans and I water skiing. It was a blast and my first time getting up successfully. Going out to dinner was a lot of fun and the food was great as usual. Watched a movie when we got back which I mostly slept through and then got to sleep.
Date: 2009-06-30
From: Squam Lake

To: Lonesome Lake Hut
Miles today: 13.4

For the next few entries all the adjectives I use should be put in the context of the whites. This is with out a doubt the toughest section of the whole trail. That being said we woke up and packed to leave early. Got in the car by 8:30 and went for breakfast at Dunkin Donuts. We then made quick stops at the grocery store and the outfitter (to replace the broken section of pole) we also stopped at the post office to send the bounce box and pick up a package for squeak. Unfortunately his new shoes still didn't arrive. We hit the trail around 10:30am and went straight up 2000 feet to the top of Wolfe Mountain. On the way up we were passed by a thru named James who was moving too fast to have a trail name. Coming down from Wolfe we came to a powerline where the sun was shining down on some rocks and decided to have lunch. The Chicago Sisters and Canada were there as well. After a nice lunch we started up south Kinsman. Stopped at the shelter and took little cat naps before continuing on. This was another 2500+ climb that was very steep in sections. There were some decent views at the top and we took the 1800 mile picture. We then started down the mountain into Franconia Notch to Lonesome Lake. Got there around 7:15 and the hutmaster was nice enough to give the four of us work for stay. We sat outside during the guests dinner and then came in to enjoy amazing lasagna. James was there as well and he joined the dans and I after dinner to do work. We moved firewood into the basement so that it could dry for the winter. At around 9:30 the lights went out and we were able to move into the dining area and set up our sleeping stuff on the floor. Fell asleep pretty quick after a tough day.NH birds: 1 New species: 1 Boreal ChickadeeNH list: 58 Trip list: 147
Date: 2009-07-01
From: Lonesome Lake Hut

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Had to get up early to vacate the dining area and then we sat outside while the guests ate breakfast. Went down to check out the lake and the dans went skinny dipping. At around 8:30 we got to go in and have a pancake breakfast that was great. After breakfast we did a little more of our work for stay by sweeping out the bunkhouses and folding the blankets. We left by about 9:45 and that's when the problems started for Squeak. His pack zipper broke as he was packing and then it started to rain early on and he had to unpack it again to get his cover. On top of that he had a sore ankle and slipped into a stream getting his feet soaked. We all climbed up to a high ridge and had lunch around noon. Then it was time to go above treeline for a while summiting Mt. Lafayette. It was very foggy and the dans pushed ahead but we did get some glimpses of Franconoa Notch as gaps in the clouds blew over. We caught up around 4:30 and made some gear calls. Then we pressed on to go steeply up to the summit of Mount Garfield. For whatever reason the dans and I all developed rashes along our waistlines where the packs rubed today. It was particulary uncomfortable as we struggled down Garfield and did a long not so eazy 4 miles to Galehead Hut. Arrived around 7:45pm and got water from the staff to cook our food. It was at this point that Squeak realized that he had left his pot, stove, and spork where he had unpacked 14 miles back. Truly a bad day he then spilled boiling water that the staff had given him for his meal. We found a bunch of thrus at the hut; Spokes, Hot Wheels, All Good, Tobasco, and a new woman named Carolina. We all were given some form of work for stay and were allowed to sleep on the floor in the dining room which was very nice as they usually only allow two.NH birds: 3 New species: 2 (Gray Jay, Bicknell's Thrush)Bicknell's Thrush is a life bird for birdman!NH list: 61 Trip list: 149
Date: 2009-07-02
From: Galehead Hut

To: 302 Crawford Notch
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: fog

Woken up early again to vacate the dining room. This time we were lucky that we got to hang out in an extra room because it was cold outside. After the guests had finished eating we enjoyed stuffing ourselves and sweeping the bunkrooms. We left around 8:30 and started with rain jackets to block the wind. The first hike of the day was up the side of South Twin and it was so steep we were hot enough to remove the jackets pretty quick. Then we got up near the top and it started to rain. At the summit the wind and rain were so hard we had to run (in our teeshirts for cover. Unfortunately 40 was in the lead and went the wrong way so we had to turn around and run back over the sunnit to get back to the trail. Nearly hypothermic we decided it was a good time to put the rain jackets on.it continued to pour the whole morning as we ridge ran and then slowly descended to Zealand Falls Hut around noon. Soaked to the bone including our boots. We stripped down most of our layers and sat there eating bottomless bowls of soup. So good were the amenities that Squeak decided to stay. Around 1:45 40, pop, and I headed out to get down to the highland center.the trail for the next 7 miles was under a good six inches of water. We slogged through swamps, bogs, and what seemed like lakes before reaching the road around 4:30. Amazingly enough the tenth car stopped to pick us up. The man driving was either very kind or very stupid. We lugged our soaking wet and dirty selves into his nice truck with leather seats and went 4 miles down the road. We got there to find that the cheaper bunkhouse was full and had to pay a ridiculous price to stay. We showered and got dry clothes on for dinner. After dinner 40 and I played an intense 5 game match of ping pong in the basement. We then hit the hay early as usual in a very smelly room full of items hanging but not drying.