morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-27
From: Dalton, MA

To: Mark Noepel Lean-To, MA
Miles today: 13.5

After a quick trip to the Dalton General store with Trail Magician Tom, "Owl" (late 20's college grad from Charleston), "Alden" (20 something from Pacific Coast who has already completed both Pacific Rim Trail and Continental Divide Trail) and "Mr. Wiffle" (a southbounder who carries a wiffle bat and ball) joined us for breakfast. I hit the trail with sights set on Mt. Greylock, which represents a new altitude high at 3490 feet. After a few small climbs and a meatball sub at "The Twist" (the only food place in Cheshire, MA) the ascend started. Up and up the trail went and although it felt like I was hiking at the pace of a slow, loaded tractor trailer going up Reesers Summit I was making good time.It is difficult to convey the energy required to carry around this 35 lb pack for days on end. Perhaps if someone loaded a laundry basket with books and went up and down steps for just fifteen minutes they might get the idea. To really make the experience authentic, that person would probably want to visit the local IMAX theater and do the same laundry basket drill while a movie with a title like "The AT Experience" is playing.After pulling into this shelter for a quick break and hanging out briefly with "Uncle Tom" the thought of just setting up camp came to mind. A very short walk to the beautiful spring that was flowing icy cold clean water like the jets on a whirlpool tub compelled me to shift into relaxing mode and make my bunk in the shelter.Mt. Greylock will be here tomorrow.
Date: 2007-07-28
From: Mark Noepel Lean-To, MA

To: Seth Warner Shelter, VT
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: moderate rain

The quest to summit Mt. Greylock was accomplished early, but a passing rain squall stole the views and turned a big chunk of the trail into a fast-flowing stream making the 1500 foot descent a tough go. In fact, a section hiker named Jerry slipped and a sharp rock that his hip landed on saved him from serious danger.Jerry is not the only casualty of the trail. A hiker with a huge bulls-eye rash on his thigh was shuttled from Upper Goose Pond cabin to the doctor for possible Lyme disease a few days ago. Another hiker announced just yesterday that the bordom/fatigue factor had gotten the best of her and she had decided to throw her poles in and leave the trail.A quick detour to Price Chopper for lunch for the following:3 chicken thighsone side mash potatoes/gravyone quart chocolate milkone quart OJOne "Take Five"candy barThere should be no dietary concerns as the milk was low fat and the candy bar was saved for the uphill climb into Vermont. Crossing into Vermont means hiking "The Long Trail" which is the AT for the first 105 miles.After tent set-up/water filtering duties were completed I settled down for a good night's sleep. I dreamed of a trail party. I dreamed that a super size made-to-order Brats and beer stand was set up at the camp. Along with chips and fancy mexican dip, the feast was washed down with a 5 liter keg of Dortmunder beer. This dream turned a bit fuzzy but a trail guy named "Paddy-O" kicked the visit up after dinner by introducing "Trail Bombs"--an after dinner drink that had all hikers present toasting in unison.Interestingly enough, this dream was ever so similar to what "Uncle Tom" had been talking about the whole day.The trail is a place where very interesting things happen. Some things are dreamed, some are real.
Date: 2007-07-29
From: Seth Warner Shelter, VT

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: few clouds

Slowing the pace up a bit to check out these little New England towns with greater detail. The run in, do laundry, buy food, eat food, get on line, get out is too much like, well, like work. One of the by products of this adventure is to get to know the people around my space and in turn perhaps get to know myself better. So I find myself lounging at "The South Street Cafe" in Bennington (it's Monday). This is an old coffee shop with two tall, creaky, swinging screen doors where Genevieve serves up happy doses of smiles and coffee. Sitting on an old gold period style sofa, Lucinda Williams in the background singing a song about a guy wanting to jump off Lake Charles Bridge. The Sunday hike to get here was easy. Except for the last downhill to Rt 9 Vermont. It was so steep that the trail was wet and slippery stone steps (actually, I think they are wet because we are in Vermont and EVERYTHING is wet) but half way down the steps I could've sworn I heard Johnny Cash blaring from the trail head. It was Cash. The guy in my dream named "Paddy-O" had reappeared. This time he was heating up calzones for hikers with tired feet. I could write a book about Paddy-O but for now I'll just say the term "unconditional kindness and genorosity" fits. "Uncle Tom" and I are, not by design, both running at the same speed and I believe his "slow and steady" pace is contagious. We copped a room at "The Autumn Inn," a cheap little joint that relies on the browns, golds, and yellow fall hues to make its bank green. We had food, beers and conversation at the "Madison Brewing Company" and learned about Bennington history from our exceptionally polite and efficient server. The Tigers were on ESPN Sunday night but the Angels were putting on a batting clinic, and the clicker somehow landed on an old Tom Hanks movie. I drifted away not thinking about where the next water spring was and not where I would be tomorrow. I was watching Hanks trying to lift the spirits of an alcoholic, down-and-out disabled vet who had both legs blown off in Nam. The last words I recalled were "stupid is as stupid does."
Date: 2007-07-30
From: Bennington, VT

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: light rain

I said my good byes to the staff at South Street Cafe in Bennington around 10 AM and headed to the library to get on-line.The library stay was slightly abridged however as at precisely the same time the aid was explaining their on-line protocal I had noticed a rapidly expanding puddle of water breaching the carpet from the bottom of my pack. After telling the librarian that a bladder hose had been pinched (which was sending a mist like spray just like the fancy produce departments) and I would clean up the water in quick order, she abruptly told me that 1) there would be no file sending today, 2) my half hour limit on the computer clock had already started, and 3) she asked me if hikers ever take showers.So - sorry about delay in photos. Later this week.Sometimes the little things can brighten things up though. I started thumbing back to the trail head right outside the library and three vehicles imediately pulled over. I quickly decided that the oldest, most run down car would be able to relate to me and smelly gear the best, so off I went back to the trail head with a guy named Rich. I had to climb in the back gate of his old station wagon as the back seat was folded down, which I thought was to give more space for his collie who was along for the ride. But as I would soon find out, that was Rich's bedroom. Rich, his collie, and his house drove me right to the trailhead.This was a much better hitching experience than that hot and humid hitch back in Vernon, NJ. After walking for more than a mile on a sunbaked road, a truck pulled over a bit in front of me. After running full speed with pack on to acknowledge what I thought was a ride turned out to be misused energy as the driver was now in front of the truck scraping a badly decayed possum into a metal drum. She had no intention of picking me up.Today's walk was excellent though. Gradual uphills took me to the top of Glastenbury Mountain (3750 ft) and the old firetower provided a 360 view of everything. Everything except civilization. Nary a sign of anything man made for miles. As dusk approaches I am sitting with a nearly due east view and have sights set on a picture perfect sunrise. I just hope my sleeping bag dries out before then.
Date: 2007-07-31
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter, VT
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

The nearly 2000 foot climb to Stratton Mountain took only ninety minutes, but my clothes were soaked. Soaked from sweat after lugging my pack up the nearly four mile trail, despite being in the shade the entire trip up. However, the prize at the top was worth the effort--another 360 degree panaramic view from an old firetower. Jean, who lives in a historic hut atop Stratton Mountain and is employed by the GMC (Green Mountain Club), informed me that the plethora of ski slopes to the north were Killingon Peak. She then said that on less hazy fall days a hiker could see the fruits of 230 miles of north-bound hiking--Mt. Wasington in New Hampshire. That's several weeks in hiking speed.But Killington Peak is 45 miles as the crow flies. It's a very solid 55 up-and-down miles on the AT. I hope to have walked there by week's end.Today's charge was to hike back down the mountain and stay at the Stratton Pond Shelter . . . a bunk house-type structure, sans the blueberry pancakes. Dinner tonight is a Lipton side noodle dish with an extra hunk of cheese stirred in and topped with crumbled crackers. Tomorrow I'll hike a quick ten miles in to Manchester Center to reload, regroup, and meet a few local folk.
Date: 2007-08-01
From: Stratton Pond Shelter, VT

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: few clouds

Whenever the day's destination is a town, my hiking pace seems to speed up. That, coupled with a relatively level grade hike of only 10 miles and a quick 5 mile hitch, enabled me to hit Manchester Center by 11:30 AM.I was fortunate to have reserved a room at "Sutton's Place" as every lodging joint in town was booked due to an equestrian festival. Showered and cleaned up I headed out to eat lots of food and observe the people and places of yet another New England town.Manchester Pizza House, McDonalds, Price Chopper, Spiral Press Cafe, and Maxwells Tavern were all on the list.No internet again as the library had a waiting list but I'll be treating myself to some comfort in Killington in a few days as the halfway mark of the hike will be attained. 500 miles hiked is no small task at all but most of my fellow hikers have racked up nearly 1700 so far miles in their Georgia to Maine trek. We all have a common goal now--Mt. Katahdin.HITCH PROFILE: "Louie" middle-aged, very nice. Dropped me right off at Sutton's Place and gave me town tips.
Date: 2007-08-02
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Little Rock Pond Tenting Area, VT
Miles today: 20.0

Got out of "Sutton's Place" early, but perhaps I was subconsciously trying to delay the big day ahead. Early AM stop for a bagel, then another stop for doughnuts made it 7 AM before I started hitching back to the trail. Jess, a young girl with several piercings driving a Jeep Cheroke, pulled over and when I opened the back door to throw my pack in I quickly learned that she had a tiny infant--a baby boy born Friday, July 13th, 2007. She did not know where the trail head was but she didn't care. She was going to take me wherever I wanted to go. After telling about her baby she reached into the back seat and handed me a bag of doughnuts.The most eventful part of today's walk was the ending, along picturesque Little Rock Pond. After I pitched my tent I asked Ian, who was the Green Mountain Club's local caretaker, if I might be able to use his canoe that was beckoning me to row it out to the other side of the pond, where I could try my hand at jumping in from the platform outcrop. He cheerfully obliged conditioned on bringing it back by 7:30 PM which was his fishing time.After swimming and exploring the gigantic beaver den and just drifting enough to stay out of the coolness of invasive evening shadows, I tied the canoe back up, went to my tent, and crashed hard. Twenty miles of hiking and two hours of canoing had emptied me and I went down like a log.
Date: 2007-08-03
From: Little Rock Pond Tenting Area, VT

To: Swan Song Shelter (secret shelter), VT
Miles today: 20.0

Secret shelter refers to a place for hikers to stay for free with no strings attached. This was a three-sided building near a brook--a brook that had sodas in a net for hikers to quench their thirst. Past thru-hikers named Swansong and River Dog hosted this shelter and while I have not met them personally, I know that they are remarkable people. Trail magic, I am finding, comes in all shapes and sizes.Natural places are not trail magic, they are the reason for the trail. One natural wonder is Clarendon Gorge. The AT crosses some 50 feet above it on a wobbly suspension bridge with stern warnings that it only withstands the weight of one hiker at a time. I passed over top of the gorge but stopped in my tracks in awe of the gleaming white water reflecting like a diamond off the hot blue sun filled sky. Now was the time to turn around, take my pack off and check out the water. Refreshing only begins to say how relaxed my body was. An hour later feeling anew I was back on the bridge heading north.With two back-to-back "20's" under my belt I am eager for a short 10 mile walk tomorrow which will incorporate both the 2000 foot climb to Killington Peak and a chance to rest my dogs at the hiker famous "Inn at Long Trail."
Date: 2007-08-04
From: Swan Song Shelter (secret shelter), VT

To: Inn at Long Trail, VT
Miles today: 12.0

Sometimes a good thing just keeps on getting better. The rain that was supposed to happen yesterday headed in a different direction and, after some early morning fog teased me on the way up to Killington Peak, the sun came out full throttle enabling a view of mighty Mt. Washington, the crown jewel of the Presidentials, which soared high in the sky despite being 160 trail miles away. The Adirondacks were way to the west and the gondola and snack shop were a few hundred feet to the south. But these good views were more than earned as on the way up the trail passed through "Jungle Junction," a true scramble through blown down trees from generations past and present. These mighty evergreens had lost the battle when they collided with gale force winds spreading roots and stumps about and since the trail straddles the ridge, there is no place to go but up and around these natural obstacles.And all is shaping up here at the Inn. My laundry is done, I sat in the shower for nearly half an hour, and now am catching up with the locals. There is a shamrock on top of my "half and half" and my Guiness Stew is on the way.
Date: 2007-08-05
From: Inn at Long Trail, VT

To: Happy Birthday, Dad!
Miles today: 0.0

Happy Birthday Dad!!!From opening day at Tiger Stadium to going to Bethany Beach, from cutting the big lawn on Gilbert Lake Road to playing "army" on Hopkins Road. from the picnics on Second Street with you and Myretta and everyone to just hanging out - we've had some great times.Don't forget about the crabcakes! Love, Bob*********NEW PHOTOS HAVE BEEN ADDED**********
Date: 2007-08-05
From: Happy Birthday, Dad!

To: Winturri Shelter, VT
Miles today: 19.9

After blueberry pancakes and a few cups of java at the Long Trail Inn, I walked a mile down to the trail head and started the day's walk. Lots of little ups and downs made the trek seem longer than it was since there were no significant climbs. But the hike offered some comforts, like Mountain Meadows Lodge which is on Kent Pond where the AT passes through. When asked if I could buy some time on their computer the response was that "time" was not for sale but I was free to use the computer for free.The hiking portion of the day did not end until just after 8 PM and, after quickly heating some food and setting up tent, I was asleep by 9.
Date: 2007-08-07
From: West Hartford, VT

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light rain

An easy ten mile hike into Hanover, home of Dartmouth College. A mini State College type town except that the average vehicle has a street value of $30,000.I am staying at the Sunset Inn, which is several miles out of town, and preparing for the White Mountains. Ann has mailed up colder weather gear and maps as the biggest challenge of the hike is coming up now.
Date: 2007-08-08
From: Hanover, NH

To: Etna Road, NH
Miles today: 6.2

An early morning "slack pack" (hiking without back pack) today with Fire Marshal. Another hiker's wife had dropped us off at a trail head six miles out of town and we hiked back.Entries may be intermittent as the Whites approach.Target completion in still mid-September with the next three weeks being the most challenging weather and terrain on the entire trail.
Date: 2007-08-09
From: Etna Road, NH

To: Firewardens Cabin, NH
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today marked the first full day of New Hampshire hiking and consisted of a total of 5000 feet of climbing. Moose Mountain (2250 ft), Holt's Ledge (2100 ft.) and Smart Mountain (3220 ft.) were all summited and I stayed at the old Firemans Cabin, which is adjacent to the firetower. It was another great weather day and I hiked with "Fire Marshal" the first half of the day. He decided to break for the day at the 11 mile mark so I trekked on solo after that.The hike up Smart Mountain was straight up a rock scree for the last 1000 feet and was quite a challenge since the entire day was full of ups and downs.
Date: 2007-08-10
From: Firewardens Cabin, NH

To: Hiker's Welcome Hostel, Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 20.0

A huge 20 mile day was on tap and started with an immediate descent off of Smart Mountain, then pulled sharply up Cube Mountain (2900 ft.) in near perfect weather with excellent views in multiple directions. Near perfect also in the temperature as the morning temps in the 50's prompted me to wear a base layer and wool hat and to keep gloves near the top of my pack.Arrival at the hostel finally happened near 6 PM and the abode for the night was a commercial type tent with a plywood floor, an outdoor shower and commode, and a fridge full of soda and other quick hiker conveniences. It was a "for profit" run by some guys who knew what they were doing--offering some space at a cheap price then everyone parts ways.I crashed good and felt confident that I was ready for the Whites tomorrow.
Date: 2007-08-11
From: Hiker's Welcome Hostel, Glencliff, NH

To: Chet Place Hostel, Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was White Mountain entry day and after less than two miles the 3800 foot ascent started up Mt. Moosilauke (4800 ft). The subalpine zone was reached at 4500 feet and offered a close-up view of the summit. The alpine zone is the altitude where the landscape transitions from a sea of larger conifers to patchy areas of very small evergreen trees that at sometimes appear stunted.After a nice break in the alpine zone I summited Moosilauke and stashed my pack in the corner of the structural remnants of an old lodge that mysterically burned down nearly 50 years ago. The steep descent down the north face had the trail running parallel to Beaver Brook--a dynamic, rapidly descending brook with several water falls some twenty feet wide dropping 75 feet at a time at full force. The Dartmouth Outing Club had installed rebar into several boulders to assist hikers down and to lower the possibility of injury due to slipping.The 9.5 mile hike was loaded with exactly what I had anticipated in the Whites--difficult trails with huge rewards. The miles per day will slow down not only becuase of the difficulty factor but also to allow more time to take in the surroundings. The daily pace will go from the 16 mile range to the 13 mile range. The extended weather forecast is good and I'll hike to the Lonesome Lake Hut tomorrow.Tonight though, it's relaxing time at the hostel. Chet, the owner has invited hikers to his house that is equipped with an addition on the back that holds six bunks and a few sofas. Chet is another display of the outpouring that I've experienced throughout the trail. While Chet is someone who I'm sure has given all his life, he is now giving his all to hikers. He gets something in return for his giving too. Around the year 2000 as Chet was preparing for his own hike and testing his equipment, a cook stove blew up and subsequently started a fire in his home. After the fire was finally put out Chet was overcome with flames that caused severe internal burning and he was put into a drug induced coma for three months. Unfortunatly, he now has permanent nerve damage to parts of his body including his legs. He will walk again someday. He says this with wit, confidence and tact in a way that you just know he will. But for now we'll bring the trail to him. Take note Mr. Manly: trail magic does exist.
Date: 2007-08-12
From: Chet Place Hostel, Lincoln, NH

To: Lonesome Lake Hut, NH
Miles today: 13.4

A group of five hikers split the $35 fare charged by "The Hiker Shuttle Connection" to get back to the trailhead. "Couch," a 24-year-old thru-hiking, free-thinking U Mass grad with a degree in enviromental Sciences was running the same pace and had the same destination objective as me so we paced fairly close together.The weather was another winner today. Historically speaking, it was warmer than normal but the sun was not hot enough to steal our first vista from Mt. Wolf at 3500 ft. The climb up was exactly what I expected--very little soft gradual grade trail and a hearty mix of scrambles and boulder climbs. I was constantly shifting the hiking poles around to free up a spare hand to grab onto a limb, root or rock, and pulling or whirling my body around just to get to the next rock. This is what brings hikers of all types to the Whites over and over. The vistas are breathtaking and come with the cost of climbing the peaks. And the entertainment along the way is worth the effort all on its own as the trail paralleled Eliza Brook on the way up to both north and south Kinsman Peak, which both hover in the 4300 foot range.It was a long walk today with plenty of breaks and an error in map reading had us arriving at the Lonesome Lake hut at 7:30 PM as we mistakenly thought we were on the north peak of Kinsman Mountain when we were actually on the south peak. We took a extended break on the south peak thinking our final leg was shorter. But it all ended well as the hut crew agreed to feed us and allowed us to sleep on the oversized picnic style eating tables in exchange for cleaning out the coffin freezer, scrubbing the bread pans, and sweeping out the two bunk houses that were housing some 35 other hikers and sightseers.After eating an excellent dinner of unlimited chicken vegetable soup, homemade bread, garlic pasta with sauce and homebaked cookies, Couch and I went down to the lake and watched a sky show for a bit then I headed up to turn in. I was reading a story in the book "Not Without Peril" about a hiker who had met his fate on August 24, 1986 by freezing after misjudging the weather and I remember telling myself to always respect these mountains, then drifted to sleep around 11 PM with visions of the free case of beer being offered up by L&N Beverage in Harrisburg (thank you!!!).A loud banging around 1 AM caught me by surprise and my initial thoughts that a raccoon had entered the hut were proved wrong when it was discovered that the hut master from neighboring Galehead Hut had invaded this hut with a few of her "crew" and stole all signs and memorabilia that decorated the wall. The hut crews have a frat-like attitude and are constantly playing pranks on one another.