morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-07-31
From: Ore Hill campsite 

To: The Notch Hostel
Miles today: 16.6

Nice cool night with a wonderful breeze flowing through my tent last night.So peaceful and quiet.  Nice misty morning .Trail crossed some really great streams early on.Water flows so clear and clean here.So clear sometimes you can see way down into deep spots like there is no water at all.And the sounds of the water flowing is so relaxing.Could easily get trapped and just watch it flow forever and go deep into thoughts. Big challenging climb up Mt Moosilauke.I have climbed this mtn before in winter.Much harder now over rocks and routes.On the way up I hiked with 19 year old Pebbles most of the way.Really like this kid.He has got it together and very motivated and is full of life.He pushed me hard up to the top to the summit.He said I crushed it.Honestly though I was all pasty and sweaty and almost seeing double from crushing it.It does feel good to put yourself to your limits sometimes just to see what you can do.  Had a nice lunch on top and many dayhikers asked about the trip.Virws were spectacular .When I did it in the winter I could barely stand because of high winds and ice.Today was really calm and breezy.Hung out with Pebbles for a bit but then he found some young girls to chat with.Happy for him!  The climb down Moosilauke is seriously steep.Follows waterfalls most of the way down.Really big ones that just trap you with their beauty.Hit 1800 miles on the way down!!A great feeling.Steep,steep and more steep all the way down.Whites are no joke.Made it down to Kinsman notch parking area where a trail angel names Stitches was doing trail magic.Super nice lady who is pretty much living in her van this summer traveling.She thru hiked in 96.She has some health issues and can¢t hike anymore but helps thru hikers out.So nice!We decided to stay at the Notch Hostel close by and she offered to give us a ride there. The Notch Hostel I have been to before and I really love it there.Old farmhouse with lots of character.Owners are super cool people too.Greenland,blonde ET,Stretch and others were there.Always a great place to socialize with others.Numb and I rode bikes into N Woodstock to get subs and beer.Waynes makes the best subs. Great time talking with a S African guy and a nice girl from N Carolina and all the thru hikers tonight.The workers here are really good to talk with too.Gotta catch some zzzzzs.Tomorrow will be a tough hike
Date: 2018-08-01
From: The Notch Hostel

To: The Notch Hostel
Miles today: 16.3

The Notch brought us back to Kinsman Notch trailhead.We will be staying at the Notch again tonight so I am excited about it.Always a great time there.  Pretty rugged early on today.Ihave done the Kinsmans (where I am headed today)before on a really crappy day.Really excited to see the views if the weather holds up today.  After a long climb made it to S Kinsman.Really nice views with the threat of deep and dark clouds all around.Nice Little Rock throne on top to take a break on.For some reason I have always loved really puffy cloudy days on the mountains compared to bright blue skies.Just gives everything more perspective and more powerful looking to me.Really nice view of N Kinsman from S Kinsman.  Pretty steep up and down over to N Kinsman.Just about at the top of N Kinsman is a great view back to S. Kinsman.Captured a really cool moment of clouds rolling over S Kinsman straight towards where I was on N Kinsman.Clouds slowly erased everything in sight into a thick white blanket.Really so thankful to be able to see this kind of thing.I think most people just don¢t get simple and natural beauty.I don¢t think I can live without it after this trail.  Another steep climb down N Kinsman .Clouds just kind of disappeared on the way down opening up some great views.Lonesome lake hit is at the bottom.Didnt stop in there but spent some time and Lonesome lake.Cant even describe this spot.Kind of took my breath away.Glacial lake surrounded by steep mountains.I will go back and spend a day and night at that hut sometime to really enjoy it.  Made our way down to the Flume visitors center where we made arrangements for the Notch hostel to pick us up.Lots of dayhikers there.I find it funny how people look at me now.Almost like they are afraid or not sure what to make of me.I am still me,look ragged as hell but very improved on the inside.Serena,the owner of the Notch picked us up.She is such a super nice and cool person.Really easy to talk to and fun to be around.She said she had to pick up another hiker on the way back.It was Wayward!Really like this guy from Zimbabwe.  Numb and I went back to Wayne¢s to grab another sub and beer.We walked back almost a mile in pouring rain when Serena showed up and brought us back.Just a nice thing she didn¢t have to do.Had another great night at the Notch with Wayward and others.A very cool worker at the Notch ¢Bookie¢ showed me some really cool pics of her hiking adventures in the whites.I really can¢t wait to come back here this winter and hang out again.  Franconia ridge tomorrow!!!Wooohoooo.One of my favorite spots on Earth
Date: 2018-08-02
From: The Notch Hostel

To: Garfield ridge campsite 
Miles today: 10.8

¢Bookie ¢brought us back to the trail around 10 am.We chose a late start to get a little extra rest.The shuttle van broke down on the way which we all thought was funny.Weather was really cloudy so I was kind of glad for the delay,was supposed to clear up later.Serena showed up within minutes and got us to our destination.  Saw many hikers coming down who were saying there were no views,all clouded in.Really bummed me out because I know how beautiful it is up on Franconia ridge.I have done it in summer and winter.Just a heavenly place to me.Little Haystack is the first mountain and I was so happy to see clouds separating right above my head and blue showing.Saw Mt Lafayette clearly ahead.Was cloudy but they were blowing over the top very fast and leaving huge shadows on the mtn..If you are reading this it probably sounds so boring but to see it in person is just hard to explain.For me it brings a sense of true happiness and excitement.Just get out and try it!  By the time we summited Lincoln it was just perfect.Nice puffy clouds and vivid colored mtns  and always the sparkling rocks here.Like little diamonds when the sun hits them the right way.You can trace the trail with your eyes all the way over the ridge line to Lafayette.This section is one of my most favorite hikes anywhere.Just all open and feels like you are on top of the world.Stunning views to the west of the Kinsmans and Cannon mtns.To the east Owls head and the Bonds.   The trail down from Lafayette is all open and just as nice.So happy to be back in NH and absorb all of this again.NH just does something to me.Lots of great memories here and just a peaceful feeling.  Next climb was up to Mt Garfield.Another steep climb .Met 3 really nice day hikers here and chatted for a while.Garfield summit has an old fire tower foundation on top .Been here before with some of my favorite people.Was kind of sad they weren¢t with me this time.But great memories.Really great view from up here today.Feel so blessed and lucky with all this good weather after all of the rain for sooo long in Va and Vt.. Decided to stay at Garfield campsite tonight.It is absolutely mobbed.Boy scouts,Girl Scouts,southbounders and a few of us northbounders.The caretaker let us tent in a restricted spot because there are so many here.62 people,crazy!Met some new people we haven¢t come across.Thumper,another Comfortably Numb,Songbird and more.Very nice down to earth people.Greenland and Stretch are here also.Not a big fan of super crowded places ,so I am going to have a little smoke and drift off into my tent into sleep and this crazy loud owl above my tent
Date: 2018-08-04
From: Crawford notch

To: My Liberty cabins
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Had a really great night when Beth got here last night.She is my tasty little friend.Still can¢t believe she drove out here that late to see me.Love her for it  We had reservations for a cabin but couldn¢t check in until later.So we resupplied our food first.Beth thought it was really funny how people look at me and react to how I look now.They either try to avoid me,look disgusted a little,or look like they know what I am doing.I just smile at them all.I am still me,just looking a little ragged.We also went to breakfast .We were all starving and the service was so slow.I was ready to start eating the tablecloth.Beth and I never complain about slow service.We just can¢t be mean people.Was really good when we got it,gone on seconds. Cabin was really nice on a river with rapids behind.Got settled in and had some greatly needed alone time over and over and over.Thanks Bethie!!We also went to Woodstock Inn.One of my favorite places I have been to many times and had a nice dinner.Then a little shopping in town.Just a really nice time with my Bethie. Went back to the cabin and sat by the river and talked for a while.Visited with Numb a little and had some laughs.Next came bed.More alone time.Great things happened that night!Was really great to have Bethie next to me all night.Really miss sleeping next to someone I love.
Date: 2018-08-07
From: Pinkham notch to Rattle river hostel

To: Gorham back to Rattle river hostel
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

Slept really great.Woke early to get ready for the long day ahead.Wondering what I got myself into even thinking about doing 21 miles over this next section that I have done before,so know how hard it¢s going to be. Hostel gave us a ride back to the trail head.Inside out and Pitboss opted to go for this long hike also. Wildcats are the first series of mountains today.Trail ascended very steeply over mostly rock slabs and faces right above Pinkham Notch and the road.Feels like you are hanging right over the road way down below.Really excellent view of the notch today.You go over 4 Wildcats.Very rugged hike.At the last one you can see way down into Carter notch and see Carter hut.Looks so tiny 1000 feet below.Steep climb down Wildcat to a beautiful pond and then a long steep climb up to Carter dome.Was really wishing I didn¢t have so many beers last night right around here.And wondering why?Why did I choose to do 21 miles today?Summited Carter dome and then went on to Mt Hight.This is a really nice one with a rocky and open summit with great views of the Presidential range I did the day before.We didn¢t stay long because we still had a long ways to go.Middle Carter and North Carter came next.Very rugged,rocky and sometimes deeply muddy trail to get there.Not complaining about any of this hike .Its seriously beautiful,but you really have to work for it for sure!.Descending off the Carters is really steep and wet.Then a pretty good climb again up to Mt Moriah.Another really pretty summit on this nice day.More steep descending off of Moriah.Down a ways you follow the Tattle river for miles until you hit Gotham.Really wish I had more time to go swimming in some deep holes along the way down.They were so inviting and clear and clean.It got like nighttime dark outside and started raining so swimming didn¢t really matter much.Last 2 miles was easy and takes you right back to the hostel.We werevery happy to get through this tough section in about 11 hours. Back at the hostel we got cleaned up and ordered some take out food.I gave Wayward some money earlier to get me some beers for tonight and he came through.Sally Forth and Pancakes asked us all about the hike and how it went.Really nice ladies.Sally Forth made tacos and said we could have all of what she didn¢t eat.Was SO good!Rambo Juice,Stretch,and Savage are all staying here tonight too.Thought they were way ahead of us.Had a great talk and laughs with Wayward mostly tonight.Really cool guy. Kind of excited because I  am going to sleep in a bit tomorrow after this super long day.I really need it!
Date: 2018-08-08
From: Gorham back to Rattle river hostel

To: NH/Maine border
Miles today: 16.5

Had a really great night.Rattle river hostel is a great place to stay.Was nice to sleep in a little too. Not sure what the deal is today ,just seriously not into or feeling this hike.Thinking for the first time I have hiker burnout.Couldnt get any rhythm going.Saw Rambo Juice and Stretch and they said it¢s normal on long hikes.Its not like I want to quit,just feeling like it¢s a job almost to get through the day.I felt like once I left the Whites it was going to get easy.Not the case at all.Very rugged all day with lots of climbs up and long steep descents.  Towards afternoon things started feeling better.Passed some really nice ponds.Dream lake was a magnificent spot.Its named perfect.Its so pretty it doesn¢t look real ,like a dream.There is a sign there that says a man put his sons and wife¢s ashes there to be at peace.Some places put off lots of energy for me.This lake had plenty of it.  Another cool thing was hitting 1900 miles today!Felt very emotional about it.If I reach Katharine I will probably cry like a little baby.My Success was a hard climb but had some great views .We thought about staying up there but were so close to the Maine border decided to push on.Hitting the border was another great feeling.Its still a long way to the finish ,but I am here,in the last state I really never knew if I would make it to.Did it!!  There are a few tent sites and we were lucky enough to get them before anyone else.Kind of cool ,I can say I slept in NH and Maine at the same time.Rambo Juice,Stretch and Savage all made it to the border too.There was no room for them to stay,I felt bad but was too tired to give up my spot.  Very peaceful spot and had time to do some thinking about how lucky I am to be here.Just gotta push through the burnt out feelings when they hit ¢Woke up this mornin and I felt around for my shoes,that¢s when I knew I had them ole walk-in blues.Woke up this mornin felt around for my shoes.Thats when I knew I had them mean old walk-in blues.Woke up this morning and what I had was gone.Mean old lonesome walkin blues¢-Grateful Dead
Date: 2018-08-10
From: Grafton notch to Hyperlite party

To: Bethel Maine- zero day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Woke to the smell of bacon .The Hyperlite crew made us all breakfast and it was so good.Blueberry pancakes,yummmmmm.We needed to resupply and decided to take a zero inBethel.A really seeet girl that works at Hyperlite gave us a ride into the town which was about 20 miles away.The owner of Hyperlite told her to give us a little parting gift which I won¢t tell you what,but pure awesomeness!  We stayed at the Chapman Inn.Really nice old place.Owner is a seeethart.Re supplied our food and later went to a great new brewery that just opened up.Talked to a nice young family with three little ones.Really missed my kids just then.Where does the time go?Would do anything to slow down time and have my kids be that young again  I had big plans to stay up late and have fun in town.I payed down for a minute I thought and next thing I knew it was 3am.Was a great restful zero though
Date: 2018-08-11
From: Bethel Maine- zero day

To: Wyman Mtn ledges
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had another great breakfast here at the Chapman Inn.Mushroom omelette was delightful.Hash browns and fresh fruits.Nice way to start the day instead of a protein bar or instant breakfast shake.Owner is so nice and helpful here.She tried to find us a cheap ride back to the trail.  Arrived back at the trailhead and it was mobbed with dayhikers.Beautiful day so I don¢t blame them for wanting to get outside..Pretty much whenever you leave a town on the AT you can just expect a big climb out of it.Feeling really good today though and wanted the challenge.Climb was up Baldplate mtns..So far this is my favorite spots in Maine.Trail takes you above tree line to some really cool views.Baldplate West peak is first with Baldplate East straight ahead.Really cool because it¢s all open and you can see where the trail goes over to it.Going up the East peak was so fun.All wide open rock face and steep.Such great views looking back.Could have sat there in the sun forever soaking it all in..The summit was even nicer.Had a beer up there and took a sweet little break.Pretty steep again going down.Wonderful views stretched for miles.Next stop was Frye brook lean to where I met Grinch and Paintsplash.Grinch is hiking just Maine and Paintsplash flip flopped from Harpers Ferry up to Maine And is going south now.I met her somewhere way back in NC.She is a true hippy .I had a smoke with her and a talk.She is permanently out in space ,but I love talking to people like that.Ee talked mostly about how it¢s good to be our age because we have been through things and are a bit wiser now.  Pretty rugged climbing after this up and down to Dunn notch and east 8 rd..At the road saw Wayward at a car and he called us over.Was cool to see him again,caught up on some things and had a beer with some other southbound hikers.Wayward decided to go to a hostel nearby.Really wanted to join him but we just took a day off yesterday so not a good idea.Hope to see him again soon.  We decided to push on up to Wyman mtn and find a spot to crash for the night.No rain in the forecast so thought it would be cool.Passsed a beautiful pond on the way.And blueberry bushes were everywhere.I couldn¢t stop myself from eating their seeet and wet freshness.Made it up to the top of Wyman and saw on my map there was a nice view a little way s ahead.It was worth it.All rock face looking down into some deep valleys below surrounded by really big mtns.My tent isn¢t free standing so I am cowboy camping tonight.Hard to explain how nice this spot is.Like a scene from a great movie,kind of place you never think you will see in person.The stars are beautiful and brilliant.Wish I could explain it better,but it¢s not explainable  ¢Stars above me are shining down.Nothing ever gonna hurt me now.And I slip away,happy as a clam.Stars above are smiling now.Ever since you put me down.And I close my eyes,and I can¢t see your face.Stars above are shining down¢-The Toadies
Date: 2018-08-12
From: Wyman Mtn ledges

To: Bemis mtn stealth
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Didn¢t sleep too much last night.Had my head out of the side of my tent stargazing forever.Wish I could see this every night.  Woke early because I knew I was facing directly east over the ledge.I have to say this morning was the best sunrise on the trail.Was really cool because just before it happened clouds rolled in between the mountains.Sun rose and turned them all pink and all the mountains had a glow of red.Really nice way to start the day.I was eating blueberries the whole time I watched this too.  Trail started steeply down Wyman first thing.My brain has had a hard time waking up lately so I try to be really careful.Climbs steeply up to Moody mtn next.Then down steep again.Then up to Old Blue mtn..This was another long and steep climb.Summit was really cool though covered in stunted old pine trees everywhere.Smelled so good.Crossed lots of clear streams on the way down.Maine water is the best I¢ve tasted on this trail.Always nice and cold too.Pushed on up to Bemis mtn. where we decided to call it a day.Took a while to find anything close to flat to put up our tents.I chose a spot a ways off the trail.There were all kinds of signs of moose in there.Mostly poop every 10 feet or so.Really hoping to see one here in Maine. So I guess today wasn¢t the most exciting day.I am really living Maine thoroughly though.Feeling like I am truly in deep wilderness more than ever before
Date: 2018-08-13
From: Bemis mtn stealth

To: Rangely
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was one of the most quiet nights I remember,ever.Woke up to the sound of just nothing a few times.No birds,wind,rain ,little critters,nothing.Its so weird to be in complete silence.  Today was a much easier day of hiking.Less climbing and nicer trail.Passed a couple of really beautiful ponds.Moxie was the first one.Wanted to jump in so bad but it was quite a bit cooler today than it¢s been lately.Sabbath day pond was another great spot.Canoes are left there for anyone to use.I really wanted to stay right there for the day and float on the lake.Was thinking about sleeping in the canoe for the night.Was just too early in the day though.Hopefully I will get a chance to do it somewhere else on the trail.  Passed a lot of southbound hikers today.Was pretty cool because they all were congratulating us for being almost done.Not sure it has really sunk in yet that this whole thing is really almost over. We needed to go into Rangel to resupply food.When we got to the road there was a young guy doing trail magic from Australia.Really nice guy.He just finished his thru hike and can¢t get a plane ride home for a few days.He Have is a beer and told us what to expect ahead.  We got to the road and had to hitch to get to Rangey 9 miles away.Took a while.All the out of state cars passed us by.(not many)Numb stuck his thumb out and a really nice lady from Maine picked us up.Gave us a ride to the Saddleback hotel.We decided to stay in town because we¢ve been making really good Tim in the trail.Made me happy because I was craving beers big time!  Did our resupply and went to a nice restaurant and had a great pizza and more beer.Was fun.Back at the hotel had a long conversation with my Bethie about many things.I really felt like talking alit for some strange reason tonight.Just a good night to open up everything and learn things.And to think in a different way.Its really late so I need to get this crazy mind to sleep
Date: 2018-08-14
From: Rangely

To: Rangely sick day
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up this morning and just felt really off.Stomach is trashed.Dizzy and chills too.No choice but to take a zero for me.Told Numb to go on and I would catch him in a few days.He wouldn¢t go though.  Something really great did come from today though.Was able to talk with a really great person who helped me talk through and feel better about something that¢s been bothering me for many,many years.You know who you are and I can never thank you enough!  Went back to sleep and woke up at 3pm.I have never slept that late in my life.I must¢ve needed it thought.Felt like I was out for minutes.  I must feel better now because I am eating everything in sight.Starving,can¢t get it in fast enough.Really looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow