morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-31
From: In Great Barrington

To: Side Trip to Great Barrington
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

We only hiked 8 miles today and we found ourselves quite pooped by the time we reached a shelter to get water. The heat of the day and yesterday's steep climbs seemed to be taking their toll. The water, unfortunately, was down a steep and I mean steep hill about 1/2 mile away. I told my hiking friends when I returned from the water, that the trip to the water just took 5 miles off my day. And so as we sat and pondered how exhausted we were, we plotted to go into the town of Great Barrington just three miles away.I was just coming out of the woods when I saw my friends had already secured a hitch into town. So in we hopped with Larry and his daughter who were heading to town. We enjoyed a nice conversation and before we knew it we were dropped off in the middle of a thriving upscale town! It was a bit of culture shock to be truthful!!! And so we just sat down for a few minutes before springing into action and securing some shelter for the night. It took us some time to find a payphone in the town, and once we did many conversations on the phone later still didn't bring their prices down. And so we do what hikers do best, when they don't know what to do next, we waited. As you can imagine four hikers in an upscale town such as this can attract some attention. So as we were sitting on the curb trying to figure out what to do next, a family approached us and asked if we needed a place to stay. The woman said that she thought her brother could put us up. And so after much discussion, John DeKadt, a local musician decided to take 4 grubby hikers home to Lee, MA. I tell you there is kindness in the world that doesn't get printed in the newspapers, but surely it is there.So nice dry shelter tonight and back on the trail tomorrow to find a group of Girl Scouts from Freedom Valley Girl Scouts. We have coordinated to hike with a summer camp group from there for a few days. It sounds like fun. A long day is planned for tomorrow...wish us luck!
Date: 2003-08-01
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: The Braidy Bunch is alive and well
Miles today: 19.1

A long hiking day in the rain today and we arrived at the most picturesque cabin possible. A fire burning in the fireplace greeted our soaking and shivering bodies and there were even rumors that the caretakers make pancakes for the hikers in the morning. Best of all we found the Girl Scouts of Freedom Valley already settled into their campsite and the reunion took place there. It was great to see some familiar faces from years past - one of the counselors (Spacey) was a camper of Guana's (aka Turtle at camp), and I recognized several of the other campers as well. The girls and counselors all braided their hair for the trip so the group name is the Braidy Bunch!It was raining and it was cold, but it was exciting. We are looking forward to spending the next few days with the ladies. They have a challenging itinerary, and if all goes well, their trip will end on Mt. Greylock - the highest summit on the trail in Mass!
Date: 2003-08-02
From: October Mountain Lean To

To: October Mountain Lean To
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: haze

Our first full day with the Girl Scouts! We decided to stay in the cabin last night - couldn't pass up the warm, dry place to stay afer a long day yesterday. The girls on the other hand, braved the elements on their first night and started out completely soaked. The spirits were high despite the weather and around 11:30 we started out from the cabin. 8.8 miles for the first day was a long one for them, because you also have to add on the 1/2 mile from the cabin to the trail!We enjoyed chit-chatting and getting to know the girls as we hiked. They got to hear our stories and we got the updates on camp and "real life". It rained again, and we arrived at the shelter around 7 pm. Decided that it will be MUCH easier to get the group started earlier and finish the day earlier - one thing that Sonic and I have learned - it is much easier to get the miles done in the morning. Motivation goes downhill as the day goes on...8.8 seems like an easy day for 2 thru-hikers, but we were pretty beat by the end of the day!
Date: 2003-08-03
From: Kay Wood Lean To

To: Kay Wood Lean To
Miles today: 8.8

Getting an early start is key! We all got going around 8:30 this morning, and it made the day much easier. The girls are getting the routine down now - it reminds Sonic and I of our early days when we were still learning new things every day, and it has been great to hike with these guys and share all that we have learned. The terrain today was much easier and we got to the shelter in the early afternoon - lots of time for playing and getting settled before the rain began again. Yes, that would be rain again. Pretty much every day you can count on it, but today we at least didn't have to hike in it!The shelter is named for a local woman in her 80's who is a big AT advocate - she hiked the trail when she was in her 70's! Great motivation for us all...
Date: 2003-08-04
From: Crystal Mountain Campsite

To: Crystal Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

Sonic and I headed out a little earlier than the girls today because we were heading into Dalton, and we had a few more errands to run than they did. we decided to meet them at the laundromat - a huge necessity for us (it's been 8 days, much to stinky), and they needed to dry out their things. Everything was still wet from day one and as you can imagine, gear is MUCH heavier when it is wet!Sonic and I arrived in town and headed to "Shell Station Rob"'s house - a trail angel who, you guessed it, works at the Shell Station, and puts up hikers. not only were we in desperate need of laundry, but showers were a big priority. it is sooooo nice to have these kind of people along the way to help out. We were able to get showers and laundry done at his house and met up with the girls at the laundromat just in time. In time for what? The conclusion of our "pack party". Last night we went through some of their packs and helped them to scale down a bit, and when we arrived at the laundromat, we pulled all kinds of extra things out of their packs and stashed them at the laundromat where they could pick them up in a few days. All together, i think we left at least 50 pounds of extra food and equipment!!!With lighter loads and bellies full of pizza, the spirits were back up and we all headed back to the trail!Another day of dodging raindrops, and once again we were successful in beating out the rain! It is like a little challenge we have, and we are winning!
Date: 2003-08-05
From: Mark Noepel Lean To

To: Mark Noepel Lean To
Miles today: 9.0

Today was another challenging terrain day, complete with another stop in town for us. Sonic and I had to pick up our mail in Cheshire, so we headed out early again. It was another town where the trail goes right through town, which is extremely convenient, so we were able to get our chores done fairly quickly.As we finished making phone calls, the girls started up the hill ahead of us - starting our initial approach to Mt. Greylock. They are getting it down now, and we did not catch them until we arrived at the shelter!Yet another day of beating the rain - we got set up as the rain came down. So much for the dry gear...Hopefully things will clear up tomorrow for our summit on Greylock! The girls are excited about finishing up, and we are gonna miss them!
Date: 2003-08-06
From: Mt. Greylock Summit

To: Mt. Greylock Summit
Miles today: 3.3

We got an early start, and did the 3.3 miles before noon with the girls - trekked up the last part of the mountain with ease and it was so awesome to share the experience with the girls. They worked so hard and had many challenges along the way, and it was great to see the smiles on their faces and high-five them as the arrived at the summit. The clouds cleared out somewhat and we managed to get some great 360-degree views of the mountains that we had climbed and the ones that were yet to come for Sonic and I. For the first time in a long time, we are now above 3,000 feet and are feeling like we are heading back into true wilderness again. Many big mountains are in front of us still, but we are super excited about getting this far.It was hard to say goodbye to the girls today. It was a great experience for them and for us. Looking forward to getting the pictures back soon and getting them up on the site too! They did and awesome job and I am so proud of them. Thanks for hiking with us, ladies!!!
Date: 2003-08-07
From: Roaring Branch Campsite

To: Beavers 
Miles today: 16.2

Hooking up with Fly & Smoothie again, we decided to put in a big mile day! We again found an alternate path to the white blaze to save our knee joints the steep descent that the white blaze had in store for us. We followed the path until it hooked up with the AT and went on into the evening hiking it. Our path led us near a Beaver made pond with a campsite so beautiful, that we decided to stop at 16 miles for the day. The pond had been created by the beavers' dam and I never have seen such big trees cut down by these creatures' sharp teeth. We threw up our tents and darkness fell soon. We fell asleep to the sounds of the beavers kerplunking into the pond beside us...
Date: 2003-08-08
From: Glastenbury Lookout

To: Moose Tracks - Not the Ice Cream Kind
Miles today: 16.7

Morning on the pond was beautiful, it's glassy surface reflecting the surrounding scenery. All day today, we kept encountering Moose droppings and Moose tracks, but no Moose. We pushed on through the day and into the night until we decided that our feet hurt. Fly & Smoothie pushed on to the Goddard Shelter to celebrate their 1600 mark while 'Guana and I camped in Glastenbury Lookout, just 2 miles behind. We are in Vermont now - a state that we have been looking forward to getting to!! I have dreamed of lush, green forests, and hadn't really thought about how it gets to be so lush. Rain, lots of it, is the answer. No one tells you about the mud and swampy areas in this state, but there is lots of it!! Despite the mud, we are excited and looking forward to another state. 11 states down, only 3 to go!!
Date: 2003-08-09
From: Bourn Pond

To: Bourn Again
Miles today: 21.5

The ranger at Mt. Greylock, had given us a blueprint to an alternate route to Manchester, VT where we had a maildrop waiting. Since it was the old AT some years ago and since our adventuresome spirit has extended beyond the white blaze, we decided to take it. Our route took us through some of the swampiest area we've been on and we forded nearly 20 rivers and streams, but we made it to Bourn Pond before nightfall and enjoyed yet another mystical evening listening to the cry of the coyotes in the distance.
Date: 2003-08-10
From: Manchester, VT

To: Manchester, VT
Miles today: 10.5

Swampy, wet and swampy territory took us into Manchester and we landed just 2 miles from town. A mulch truck pulled over and gave us all a ride in the last 1/2 mile. We gladly took it and began the hunt for shelter and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. We've landed at Casablanca Hotel just 2 miles outside of the town's center and are enjoying being dry for a change.
Date: 2003-08-11
From: Zero in Manchester, VT - Ah, dry feet

To: Rain, Rain Go Away
Miles today: 0.0

Decided to wait out the rain and get some serious chores done today. All the town stuff we have to get done on foot. Have discovered some free local transport, so we'll get laundry, shopping and post office done today. Yes, this can take us all day just to accomplish those three things. Especially when one is on foot in a town that really demands a car. :) I'm not complaining, I am going to stay dry today :)
Date: 2003-08-12
From: One More Day for Sanity's Sake

To: One More Day for Sanity's Sake
Miles today: 0.0

So we said we'd hike today....so we are not....so what? We just couldn't bear the thought of getting soaked on the first day out when they are predicting good weather in these parts starting tomorrow. Besides, one does need time to catch up on the internet journal, eh??? Okay, but really, we are hiking out of the town tomorrow...where a really big mountain awaits us and the people say it is sloppy messy swampy hiking between here and Killington, VT. But I am not complaining...just enjoying one more day I am dry :)
Date: 2003-08-13
From: Manchester

To: Bromley Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: light rain

We finally escaped the gravity of town yet again, after a few relaxing days off. We got started around noon and didn't get too far hiking again before we were sidetracked yet again!!! We made it up to Bromley Mountain, which is a ski resort, complete with a ski patrol warming lodge where hikers can stay. The last part of the climb to the shelter was actually on a ski slope - felt like a black diamond to me!!The beautiful, fully enclosed shelter, complete with observation tower and 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains was enticing enough on its own, but the other big draw was an alpine slide which was located halfway down the other side of the mountain (the non-trail side). We walked down a black diamond ski slope to the top of the ride, where they let us take some sleds down the nearly mile long ride to the base of the mountain. It was a great ride, and we hung out at the little amusement-type park before riding the ski lift back to the halfway point again. We trudged back up to the shelter and enjoyed a beautiful night, sleeping under the stars on the observation tower. Looking forward to the sunrise in the morning!
Date: 2003-08-15
From: Little Rock Pond

To: Clarendon Gorge
Miles today: 11.4

Wonderful weather day and we took full advantage. Had a great lunch spot at a peaceful shelter and arrived shortly after at the Clarendon Gorge - a popular swimming hole, and we jumped right in! It was the first time in a while that we have had a great spot to swim and it couldn't have come at a better time. Laundry and shower all in one!We enjoyed the rest of the afternoon at the swimming hole and then grabbed dinner at a nearby diner, where we got in touch with a local trail angel to slackpack us tomorrow over Killington (another big climb). We are camping near the gorge, enjoying the sound of the rushing water as we fall asleep.
Date: 2003-08-16
From: Clarendon Gorge

To: The Inn at the Long Trail - Killington
Miles today: 17.5

Amen for slackpacks! We accomplished over 17 miles today, over a huge mountain, mostly because we were traveling a little lighter. We arrived to the peak of Killington as the raindrops began to fall, so no wonderful views for us from this one, but we did catch a few good sights on the way down, as we once again crossed over some ski slopes.At the bottom of the hill was the infamous Inn at the Long Trail, a great Irish pub to satisfy our appetites, and we tented across the street. Early bed time again tonight - it was a long day!
Date: 2003-08-18
From: Past Stoney Brook Shelter

To: Cloudland Shelter
Miles today: 16.0

Mother Nature was not shining on us today. At least between the hours of 3 and 4, when we got completely drenched in a random shower, Cold, wet soaking rain, and only 2 miles before our side trip to a dry country store. So much for dry clothes and boots! Mother Nature wasn't on our side, but someone was looking out for us though - a man picked us up - completely dripping wet - and gave us a ride to the store where we met back up with Fly and Smoothie (who escaped the rain).After a little drying out (except for the boots), we headed back out to the now sunny trail and enjoyed the second half of the day. We walked by a cow field, where we encountered some strange cows that were acting like dogs! They chased us the entire length of the fence, and when they couldn't chase anymore, they stopped and one growled at us! We laughed and wondered if someone had been training them...Camping in some beautiful pines tonight and making the big push into Hanover, New Hampshire tomorrow. Another state down!!P.S. - HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!
Date: 2003-08-19
From: Goodbye Vermud! Hello New Hampshire

To: Goodbye Vermud! Hello New Hampshire
Miles today: 16.9

Goodbye Vermud!!! er.....Vermont.....well, it's new nickname is Vermud because never have we walked through such a muddy and mucky state. Unbelievably that mud is on top of the moutains ....high mountains. Vermud does have a mud season which usually ends in April. Well, they needed to extend it this year!!! And so today we hiked the last 15 miles of Vermont (10 of it without our packs since a gentleman was kind enough to take our packs for us.) Our adventures today included a jump off the West Hartford Bridge, compliments of FLY and a swim in the White River. The bridge also had a great rope swing and great rapids to float down. We enjoyed sunning ourselves on the rocks and trying to dry our boots too.And now we are in Hanover, NH. The only state that stands between us and Maine. We hear that it will prove challenging as we enter the White Mountains. So keep us in your thoughts and send us some good energy, okay?
Date: 2003-08-20
From: From College to earning a degree in Mountaineering

To: From College to a Degree in Mountaineering
Miles today: 1.5

Got a hotel last night, in Vermud no less and had to cross the border again this morning. A thru hiker from 2002 named Lady Godiva, was gracious enough to give us a ride last night to the hotel and picked us up this morning after checking out of the hotel. We managed to get a bath (which we seem to be able to get to only once a week lately - pu) and get some laundry done. Laundry, although "cleaning our clothes" doesn't seem to do much for the stink factor of the clothing. Such is life on the trail. Today we are picking up our food and planning our walk for the next week. We have received our maps and are sorting through our things here at the Dartmouth Outdoor Club in Dartmouth College. They allow us to hang out and use their internet, bathrooms, etc. The building even has a blue blaze on the wall! Later we will venture down the street where the only Ben & Jerry's on the Appalachian Trail is and then we are off to the mountains.We are about to earn out degree in Mountain Climbing. The map we just received for climbing the White Mountains is like no other topographical map we have received. WOW!!! We are hurting just from looking at it. All I can say is we shall also be in the best shape of our lives should we survive it, ha, ha. Now we play the game, when do we call in our reinforcements...that is our winter gear. Little pieces of long underwear are starting to come in the mail, but all of us are waiting until we are freezing until we call for our fleeces, gloves and winter hats. Off we go to our New Hampshire Adventure, next stop North Woodstock!
Date: 2003-08-21
From: Any Moose on Moose Mountain?

To: Any Moose on Moose Mountain?
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

The humidity is back today as our mountain climbs get increasingly difficult. Somehow we managed to put in 16 miles which ended at Trapper John Shelter. No, Trapper John MD was nowhere to be found...ha, ha. We could've used a doctor we were so tired. We arrived to a full house in the shelter and tents strewn everywhere. The only place left for us to pitch our tents was near the outhouse. Not my idea of a fun location but amazingly this outhouse did not smell. For me, with my midnight potty runs, it was convenient. Right on and Brown dog hiked with us today along with Fly & Smoothie. (Brown dog is a brown dog hiking the AT. She's brought her owner along, Right On, for the ride. :))
Date: 2003-08-22
From: Too Beautiful a Spot to pass up

To: Too Beautiful a Spot to Pass Up
Miles today: 10.6

Another humid day and the Climb up Smarts Mountain wiped us all out. 'Guana was feeling ill, so we stopped early today and we were blessed to find a beautiful spot by South Jacob's Brook after some bushwacking. It was great to spend time by this brook, swimming was in order and naps for all who needed them. Right On & Brown Dog join us in our rest as well as Matt & Laura. Hoping 'Guana feels better tomorrow.
Date: 2003-08-23
From: Of Road Walks and Blue Blazes

To: Of Road Walks and Blue Blazes
Miles today: 16.1

Today was a smorgasborg day...did I spell that right? Anyway, it was a mix of every type of transportation. 'Guana is still not feeling well, looks like a bad cold or residual effects of heat exhaustion. So we will road walk about Mount Cube today, so she can breathe better. Fly, Smoothie, Matt & Laura join us in our quest. We ended up passing our turn off since we were enchanted by the brook and so decided we should hitch back to where we needed to be. Matt & Laura got the first car. Fly, Smoothie and us took the next. A great lady, named Caroline Flowers picked us up and offered to take us to Warren for breakfast. We jumped at the chance and spent a nice time eating at the Garlic Clove. She dropped us back at the trail head and we continued our walk on the AT. We walked by a beautiful pond and ended the day by arriving into Glencliff where one of the last few hostels in the North is found.
Date: 2003-08-25
From: A Mountain with A Moose In It

To: A Mountain with a Moose In It
Miles today: 9.5

'Guana said she was up to it, though I doubted her, still off we set to Mount Moosilauke. It was a grueling climb, we headed from North to South so we could end at the hostel again. We had to take our time as 'Guana had difficulty breathing again. The climb took us to the top at over 4000 feet and we were above the tree line. That means total exposure to the elements and the wind was whipping around us. We were the only ones on the top of the mountain at the time though we encountered several hikers along the way. The view of the White Mountains was impressive, but we only stayed a short time as we were freezing. We enjoyed a leisurely day and too 7 hours to go 9 miles. Back at the ranch...er...hostel...'Guana agreed to see the doctor. We got her in the door at the last minute and the doctor was very helpful. She loaded 'Guana up with antibiotics, cough syrup, etc. and good advice. So we sleep at the hostel again tonight and see what the morning will bring.
Date: 2003-08-26
From: Woodstock Lives on in New Hampshire

To: Woodstock Lives on in New Hampshire
Miles today: 0.0

'Guana is feeling about the same so we get Packrat to shuttle us to North Woodstock to have the rest of her prescription filled and we find Fly & Smoothie there. They had hiked out the previous day and were waiting for packages and for us in N. Woodstock. So we decided to split a hotel room with them and rested another day. North Woodstock is a cute town and we took full advantage of 1/2 price appetizers at the Woodstock Inn which served as dinner. Back to the hotel for rest. And see what tomorrow brings.