morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-17
From: Back Home Again Hostel and Restaurant, Rutland, VT

To: Chateauquay Rd
Miles today: 14.7

Start: Rutland - 1686.0End: Chateauquay Rd - 1700.7The trail through this section has a lot of steep climbs and is tougher than the southern part of Vermont. Leaving town with a full load of food is always tougher than normal. We tented on the edge of a dirt road next to a stream.Birdlegs, Splendora, Snackbreak, and crew are slackpacking through this section of Vermont with Bad Influence who is providing support.
Date: 2007-08-18
From: Chateauquay Rd

To: Cloudland Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

Start: Chateauquay Road - 1700.7End: Cloudland Shelter - 1715.4My oldest daughter Jessica came to visit us on the trail today and brought us trail magic in the form of meatballs, beer, cookies, and snickers bars. It was a nice lunch break at South Pomfret, VT and it was great to see her and Shawn. Unfortunately they did not bring my grandson William who I had hoped to see.Thanks Jess & Shawn!They dropped us back at the trail @ 4:30 and we pushed on to Cloudland and arrived there at dark.
Date: 2007-08-19
From: Cloudland Shelter

To: Elm St, Schults Home 
Miles today: 14.4

Start: Cloudland - 1715.4End: Elm St, Schults Home - 1729.8We had a nice meal at the newly re-opened general store in West Hartford, VT. There were still quite a few steep climbs today. Just after we hit the road walk in Norwich, VT we found trail magic next to a mailbox. The owner Betsy came out and said "Today is your lucky day." Betsy is the mother of thru-hiker "The Brain" who was a 2007 thru-hiker who started in February and summited in June. They were having a celebration dinner that night and were roasting a turkey on the grill. We were invited to spend the night with the family and guests complete with hot showers, laundry, and beds. Now that is trail magic. Thanks Betsy and Bill for a wonderful night!!
Date: 2007-08-20
From: Elm St, Schults Home 

To: Moose Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: clear sky

Start: Elm Street - Schults - 1729.8End: Moose Mtn Shelter - 1743.1Breakfast @ Lou's in Hanover, NH. Another state down and only 2 to go. I stopped at Bank of America to get cash with my new ATM card and the PIN did not work. Luckily it was close to 9:00 am and the bank was able to reset my PIN when they opened. Then it was on for resupply at the Dartmouth COOP and then up Velvet Ledges where I had to wait for a call back from Gregory about my failing pack. They are rushing me another new loaner in Glencliff and then will send me a new pack in my model once the new design (they fixed the strap problem) is in stock. Despite the pack issues Gregory has been 110% on customer support.
Date: 2007-08-21
From: Moose Mtn Shelter

To: South Jacobs Brooks
Miles today: 16.3

Start: Moose Mtn Shelter - 1743.1End: South Jacobs Brooks - 1759.4We traversed a part of the trail that I had day hiked with the family 2 years ago and stopped for a free ice cream and water from a retired doctor near the Dartmouth Skiway. We camped just past the creek on the side of a fire road. The nights are in the low 40's and high 30's and it is already snowing on Mount Washington. They canceled the bike race there this past weekend due to 70 mph winds.
Date: 2007-08-22
From: South Jacobs Brooks

To: Glencliff
Miles today: 16.1

Start: South Jacobs Brook - 1759.4End: Glencliff - 1755.5Hiked into Glencliff to pick up our winter gear and another replacement pack. Buffalo Bobby's knee was hurting badly and we need the extra time to swap equipment and update my journal so decided to zero here tomorrow.
Date: 2007-08-23
From: Glencliff

To: Glencliff
Miles today: 0.0

Zero DayRest, resupply, swap out equipment.In order to save weight for the Whites and Maine which is probably the hardest part of the trail I decided to send home the pocketmail among other things. So, this may be my last journal update until I summit sometime in the next 30 days. Cell coverage will be non-existant soon but I will try to update when I can. Keep me in your thoughts as I make the final push for Katahdin.Bless all that have been following my journey.The Iceman.
Date: 2007-08-24
From: Glencliff

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Start: Glencliff - 1755.5End: Beaver Brook Shelter - 1783.9 A late start after breakfast in town. The hostel (Hikers Welcome) was quite expensive since they charged for every little item ($3.50 for laundry, $2.50 for a towel, etc.) and they did not seem very hiker friendly. I had to walk to a pay phone to call an 800 number to get my pack picked up by FEDEX to be sent back for repair. The saving grace was that Baltimore Jack showed up and we chipped in for a mini hiker feed. Jack went out for burgers and came back with steaks! Our first day in the White Mountains began with a 4 mile climb over Mount Mousilauke - elevation 4,802 feet. 50% chance of rain in the forecast for tonight.
Date: 2007-08-25
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

Start: Beaver Brook Shelter - 1783.4End: Eliza Brook Shelter - 1792.5 Today was probably the hardest 9 miles of trail so far. Hiker entries in the log said things like "today kicked my butt"; "The hardest 9 miles of the entire trail"; "I fell 50 times today."; etc. Buffalo Bobby had a bad fall as well. He has a large bruise filled with fluid hanging on his right arm and is covered with mud from head to toe. We got to the shelter and there was a trail crew there from Tufts with an AMC person in charge. The AMC person said there was heavy rain and possible hail in the forecast for tonight. We got in early enough to secure spots in the shelter, but Buffalo Bobby decided to tent since there were hikers in the shelter playing music. At 6:30 it was so dark in the shelter you needed a headlight to see. Then the storms hit in waves at 6:30, 8:00, 10:30, and then again at 1:00 am. The thunder and lightning was amazing and the rain came down by the bucket load.
Date: 2007-08-26
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Start: Eliza Brook Shelter - 1792.5End: Lincoln, NH - 1801.3 A shorter day today as we headed into town for resupply and to do chores. We are staying at Chet's Place who is a local hiker who was injured in a stove explosion and has opened his home to thru-hikers. This place is such a bonus after the hardest few days on the trail.
Date: 2007-08-27
From: Lincoln, NH

To: Garfield Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

Start: Lincoln, NH 1801.3End: Garfield Ridge Shelter - 1811.6 We got a ride out of town with the B and B next door where Starvin Marvin and Pearls were staying. Having passed the 1,800 mile mark, we climbed out of Franconia Notch today. We climbed with Marvin and Pearls and also ran into many old friends on the trail.The climb was much easier than I remembered. After the climb, we walked about 3 miles along the ridge above tree line with perfect weather and magnificent views. Today was one of the best days on the trail for all out beauty, however the descent into Garfield Camp was steep and dangerous and we arrived late.
Date: 2007-08-28
From: Garfield Ridge Shelter

To: Zealand Hut
Miles today: 9.7

Start: Garfield Ridge - 1811.6End: Zealand Hut - 1821.3 We had good weather and great views again today, although last night was cold. We stopped at Galehead Hut for Soup and then hiked on to Zealand Hut where we did work for stay. The huts are hit or miss on how they treat hikers. Galehead said they turned them away even after dark because it was a "nice" night and told them to "stealth" camp. The Zealand crew welcomed us with open arms. The trail was pretty good but slow going. The climbs have been much easier than the descents.
Date: 2007-08-29
From: Zealand Hut

To: Mizpah/Nauhiem Tent Platforms 
Miles today: 14.1

Start: Zealand Hut - 1821.3End: Mizpah/Nauhiem Tent Platforms - 1835.4 A great day today across to Ethan Pond, through Crawford Notch, and then up Webster Cliffs. The climb was not as bad as the last time I did it, but the climb just goes on and on after you reach the first summit. It was hot and I ran out of water even though I had left the bottom with 2.5 liters. We stayed on the tent platforms tonight and paid $8.00 each to the AMC. The caretaker Joanne was really great!
Date: 2007-08-30
From: Mizpah/Nauhiem Tent Platforms 

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 11.8

Start: Mizpah - 1835.4End: Madison Hut - 1847.2 We got up early and headed for Lakes of the Clouds Hut so we would be the first ones and get a place to stay. Huts are supposed to take in hikers on a first come first served basis. When I arrived at 10:15 am I asked if I could stay at the hut. The answer from the crew member was "yes" but then the crew leader said, "No, it is too early." I asked; "Is it first come first serve?" Answer "Yes" "Am I the first?" "Yes" "Then I can stay" "No it is too early" "Then it is not first come first serve. Can I pay?" "No it is too early. There are 10 hours of daylight you need to keep hiking." "There are thunder and lightning storms forecast for this afternoon." "You need to keep hiking." "My friend is coming in with a bad leg and he cannot go on." "You don't have a bad leg so keep hiking." So I left the hut and summitted Washington and checked in at the weather station. They said the storms had moved north and the radar was currently clear but they still expected thunder storms to pop up possibly within the next 2 hours. I headed out to Madison Hut as quickly as possible and got to just above Edmond's Col when all hell broke loose. Forked lightning, thunder, hail, 30-35 mph winds. I squatted on a rubber mat for 2 hours while the storm raged on but began to get hypothermic with the sudden drop in temperature even though I had all my warm shirts and jacket on. I needed to move or die. The storms were not clearing and it was going to be dark soon. I timed the lightning to thunder gaps which were around a second apart at the worst part of the storm. When the gap got up to 7 seconds I made a run for it since I had to cross two more high summits above the tree line. When I hit the last summit the gap was down to less than 2 seconds. Twice I was blown down by the wind and fell a dozen other times trying to run over the wet rocks. I arrived at Madison Hut just as they were serving dinner. Some of the other hikers that had gone over earlier had warned the crew I had been caught above tree line. Vinnie came to welcome me and tried a joke by saying the hut was full and I had to keep hiking. I was not ready for humor and replied "You better call the rangers because I weigh more than I look and I do not think you can throw me out." He quickly replied it was a joke and I was more than welcome to stay and to get out of my wet things. The crew was just great as were the guests. What a change from Lakes of the Clouds and their irresponsible behavior. By the way, Buffalo Bobby took my advice and waited until after I left, then put on a pathetic look and limped over and asked to stay and they let him but made him sleep in the dungeon which the last crew had closed for health reasons.
Date: 2007-08-31
From: Madison Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: fog

Start: Madison Hut - 1847.2End: Pinkham Notch - 1855.0 Left Madison Hut after 9:00 after sweeping out the dining and bunk rooms as works for stay. It started raining and continued to rain all the way down through the Great Gulf area. All of my clothes were soaked as well as my socks so I decided to hitch into Gorham and stay at the newly opened and great hostel at the White Birches campsite.
Date: 2007-09-01
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Imp Campsite
Miles today: 13.1

Start: Pink ham - 1855.0End: Imp Campsite - 1868.1 I hiked ahead while Buffalo Bobby is planning on coming off the mountain and taking a zero. It was a tough climb over the multiple peaks - Wildcats - then down through Carter Notch (another unfriendly hut) and then up the other side. I did not get out of Pinkham until 10:15 after hitching out of town and didn't get into Imp Tent site until 8:30 pm after several falls coming down the ledges from North Carter and also cracking open my nose on a partially removed blow down on the rock stairs climbing out of Carter Notch. Many thru-hikers have opted to skip this tough 21 miles section but hitch into Gorham on Route 16 and out of Gorham to the trail on Route 2.
Date: 2007-09-02
From: Imp Campsite

To: Route 2, Gorham, NH
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: few clouds

Start: Imp Tent site - 1868.1End: Route 2, Gorham, NH - 1876.1A short day back into Gorham to find Buffalo Bobby who decided to skip the Wildcats and take a zero day to rest. I found Bobby at the Hiker's Paradise Hostel which is downtown so I stayed there this time. Queen Diva (Lori) from Bear's Den Hostel tracked us down and paid us a visit so we took her out to dinner at Crabby Jack's to celebrate her birthday. On the last bite of my hamburger I bit into a piece of bone and broke a molar in half.
Date: 2007-09-03
From: Route 2, Gorham, NH

To: Gentian Pond
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Start: Gorham - 1876.1End: Gentian Pond - 1887.9 Queen Diva dropped me back on Route 2 at the trail head while Buffalo Bobby opted to take a "shortcut" trail out of town that intersected with the AT at the top of Mount Hayes. Laurie has sensed the division between Buffalo Bobby and I. I confess that I feel he may never leave town today. His proposed "shortcut" was no real shortcut and the trail has been closed for at least a year. I sense we have hiked our last day together. I hit the trail with a heavy heart. When I got to the summit I waited 15 minutes for Bobby then decided that he must have already gone by. At the next peak with a view I ran into Shadow, Numbtoes, and Rhode Island Red taking a break so I spent another 15 minutes with them. At Trident Col Tent Sites we took an hour break for lunch and still no Bobby. At this point I was convinced that he is definately ahead of me. After lunch I passed a South Bounder that said she had not passed anyone all day. I figured somehow she must have missed Bobby. Then I ran into Barking Spider and Plodder who where slacking South bound and were positive that Bobby was not ahead or in camp. I tried calling his cell phone and no answer. I stopped at the Gentian Pond camp site where we had planned to meet and waited out the rest of the day. I check my voice mail and called and could not get an answer. I am very concerned as other hikers cmme into camp and no one had seen Bobby. Speaks Little and Gypsy Spirit had come up the same trail after Bobby and never saw him and Band Aid Kid came up the AT afterwards and did not see him. I pray he is okay.
Date: 2007-09-04
From: Gentian Pond

To: Full Goose Shelter 
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

Start: Gentian Pond - 1887.9End: Full Goose Shelter - 1897.5 I did not get any voicemail from Buffalo Bobby last night and I am quite concerned. I tried again from a peak this morning and finally got a message and then was able to get him on the telephone. It turns out he had gotten lost on the shortcut trail and spent several hours wandering through the woods without water. He finally found the trail and made it onto the AT and to the summit of Mount Hayes but was so dehydrated he was laying on a rock resting and was in really bad shape.Barking Spider and Plodder found him and rescued him. They gave him water and energy bars and carried his pack and helped him back into Gorham. Buffalo Bobby has decided to throw in the towel and skip ahead past the Mahoosucs and finish the trail by slack packing with Plodder and Barking Spider.  I am now without a hiking partner and it was bitter sweet as I approached the Maine state line. Our final state and I was now alone with no one to take my picture at the sign. However, when I got to the line I found Lightweight, Popeye, JB, and Band Aid Kid were there. After a small celebration and pictures we continued on through the very rugged and beautiful Mahoosucs.
Date: 2007-09-05
From: Full Goose Shelter 

To: Bladpate Lean-to
Miles today: 8.0

Start: Full Goose Shelter - 1897.5End: Bladpate Lean-to - 1909.5 Today was my 5th month anniversary on the trail. It was a very difficult day from a mental stand point being alone and the terrain was very rough. We went through Mahoosuc Notch (supposedly the hardest mile of the trail) which was just plain fun but the climbs on either side were very hard. By Grafton Notch I was fighting depression. I was having thoughts of going home. Sometimes you just bottom out out here and today was just a bad day. I was thinking I had already hiked this section all the way to Katahdin - I was a 2,000 miler when I crossed the Hudson River, why am I doing this? When I got to the parking lot other thru-hikers were there and there was a cooler of cold soda which lifted my spirits. Then we walked across the road and hit the trail maintained by the Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC) and left the AMC area - What a difference in trail. There was actually trail rebuilding being done. There were switch backs in place and blow downs were cleared completely from the trail. What a treat. I flew up the last 2.5 miles of trail feeling whole again and found we crossed the 1,900 mile mark today.
Date: 2007-09-06
From: Bladpate Lean-to

To: Andover
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Start: Baldpate - 1909.5End: Andover: 1917.5 A short day and pleasant day today on the best trail in weeks. The MATC actually does trail work and trail rebuilding. We went into "The Cabin" hostel which is famous in this area of the trail for great food, warm hospitality, and resupply. Now that I am without a partner I have regrouped and hope to get to Monson by the 15th or 16th for the WhiteBlaze hiker feed.
Date: 2007-09-07
From: Andover, ME (The Cabin) ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 1917.5

To: South Arm Road ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 1927.6
Miles today: 10.1

After a typical late start leaving the hostel we began our climb over Wyman Mountain. My plan was to get over Old Blue (3,600¢) today but the temperature is around 80 and the humidity is around 90%. By 10:00 am sweat was pouring off of me like I just stepped out of a pool and with it all of my energy. I was dragging on the climbs and did not even try to keep up with JB or the Band-Aid Kid instead I just went into ¢Zombie Mode¢. Today would not be about miles but about hours. How long can I walk and where will the closest water be when I run out of gas. Popeye & Lightweight had stayed at Pine Ellis last night and they passed me in the morning. We all gathered at Hall Mountain Shelter for lunch but I made a point of leaving on my own. I need to set my own pace right now. I want to hike how I feel. I guess for the first time this trip I may just be ¢Hiking my Own Hike¢.We were all surprised by the incredibly steep Moody Mountain which no one had mentioned to us. It came late in the afternoon with stone stairs and iron bars as ladders. As I cursed my way up it I realized I was done for the day. I needed a major attitude adjustment and Old Blue would have to wait until tomorrow. I decided to camp at the tent sites at South Arm Road. Band-Aid Kid and I arrived about the same time and found good spots but the stream looked a little sketchy. JB, Popeye, and Lightweight all rolled in behind us and then Kilgore Trout came in. Kilgore was slack packing and Bear from The Cabin was picking him up across the stream. Popeye and I set off for a spring 0.3 miles down the road to get everyone water. As we crossed the stream Bear pulled up with a cooler of cold drinks and bottles of fresh water. We filled our bottles and hitched a ride down to the spring to refill the bottles Bear had brought so we would have plenty of water and there would be enough for other hikers.
Date: 2007-09-09
From: Sabbath Day Pond Shelter ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 1944.6

To: Piazza Rock Shelter ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 1955.8
Miles today: 11.2

Today is a re-supply day and there is rain in the forecast. Popeye and Lightweight need to stay over in Rangeley because Popeye has a replacement pack at the Post Office. JB & Band-Aid Kid are probably going to stay over as well. I plan to do an ¢in & out¢ rather than waste time and money hanging around town. The Big K is calling.I was the first one out of camp and managed to make it to the road before it started raining. Band-Aid Kid caught up to me before the road and we were hoping that a local trail angel would be there to give us a ride. No such luck. We did meet Shadow, Numtoe, and RI Red who had just gotten dropped at the trailhead after spending the night in town. Band-Aid Kid wanted to wait for JB but I stuck out my thumb and got a ride right off. The woman who picked me up dropped me at the IGA just outside of town where I was able to re-supply. Never shop when you are hungry! Food weighs a ton and I dread having to pack the 12 pounds of junk I bought. When I go out it is pouring rain and I huddle under the roof line eating the cold cuts and cheese followed by dough nuts. I am just getting ready to attack the pint of ice cream when another woman approaches me and offers me a ride back to the trail. The trail gods are smiling on me today despite the rain.I am back on the trail in short order and make it the 2 miles to the lean-to. Saddleback Range is ahead and there are warnings about crossing it in bad weather since it is all above tree-line. I met a south bounder who warns me not to venture over today so I headed to the shelter for the night. Here I find Shadow, Numbtoe, and RI Red who have also decided to wait on Saddleback. Marco Solo is here as well and a south bounder arrives late. It is good to be in a shelter on a night like this.
Date: 2007-09-11
From: Spaulding Mountain Shelter ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 1972.7

To: Stratton, ME ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 1986.2
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

I hiked with Shadow, Numbtoe, and RI Red again today. They have adopted me into their group which is really great. They really look out for one another and are doing the kind of miles I want to do right now.However, I am struggling a bit with a difference in hiking styles. I am a plodder. I go at a steady pace and do not stop very often throughout the day. I just keep moving, one foot in front of the other. If I stop for more than a few minutes my joints stiffen and it seems to take me 15 minutes to get my pace back. These guys like to fast and rest often which I cannot seem to adjust to. Shadow likes to put me out front to set the pace so we can stay together but I find myself practically running because I feel I am slowing the group down. This has led to a few falls on my part from going too fast. I probably need to hike alone and maybe meet for lunch and camp with them.We climbed over Spaulding Mountain, the shoulder of Sugarloaf and then dropped into the Carrabassett Valley. It is a cold and cloudy day so we built a fire at the stream and had lunch there. Then it was about a 2,200¢ climb up over the two peaks of Crocker Mountain then the 5 mile descent down to Highway 27. We are heading into town to re-supply and stay at the Stratton Hotel/Hostel and get in out of the cold rain forecast for tonight. Darkness comes quickly now and we are trying to get to the road before dark so we can hitch in to town.We were about a mile from the road when we heard a huge boom that echoed up the valley. My guess was that a transformer blew and sure enough, when we got to the road a power truck was cruising looking for the outage.We lucked out and had a cell signal so Shadow tried calling Sue at the Stratton to pick us up. No answer, darn. We tried hitching but no luck. It is suicidal at the speed these guys go and darkness and the cold are creeping in fast. Finally we go a hold of Sue and she came out to get us. The whole town was in a blackout from the blown transformer. We lucked out as the power came back on as we entered town so we were able to get some burgers and beer and of course a HOT shower