morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-08-12
From: NH 112, Kinsman Notch

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 9.5

"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~ Frank A. ClarkAugust 12, 2010 ¢ Day 130 - ThursdayI was up with the sun waiting with excitement for today's hike. Part of the reason for staying on the trail for so long, hot and miserably wet from sweating, was for the moments I was about to appreciate this morning.9:00 AM found Red and I are climbing the steep north side of Mt. Moosilauke. I remembered there were falling cascades along the trail that I noticed on my way down in '04. This time the view was completely different. I didn't have to turn around to look at the falling water. It was right there in front of me as I pushed upward. I would stop and gaze at the different cascades falling into different size pools. The sounds of water rushing down rock face and tumbling over multiple waterfalls of various sizes was dazzling my mind. What was even greater was the fact I was in day hiker mode and could stop and enjoy the sights and sounds of mother nature without the thought of miles needed to be completed today or, how much daylight I had left. The morning went quickly by as I walked up the rocky mountainside towards the summit at 4802 ft.A sign placed along the trail just before reaching the summit informed the hiker they were about to enter the ALPINE ZONE. (I thought to myself this sounds like an episode from the Twilight Zone).The weather was perfect for the summit. A sunny day accompanied by a cool wind. And, at the top a spectacular 360 degree panoramic view of purple mountains. I really enjoyed my extended stay on the mountain. The little boy in me came out as I jump and skipped from boulder to boulder.The hike down the south side was not as steep. I was glad for my direction of travel (SoBo) as the NoBo descent on the north side would have been tedious. The rest of the day buzzed by me as I walked through the forest with thoughts of water, clouds and mountain vistas dancing in my head.If not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-08-14
From: Mt. Cube

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

August 14, 2010 ¢ Day 132 - SaturdayMy night on Mt. Cube was full of brilliant stars. I fell asleep on the rock face looking up into the heavens. I woke up sometime during the night and went to my sleeping nest I made under a small christmas tree.Red and I left the mountain and continued our SoBo journey. I stopped at the Fire Wardens Cabin on Smarts Mountain to see if there were any changes. The cabin has further deteriorated but still a good shelter. Tourists were hiking up the mountain to get views from the abandoned fire tower. Only two people at a time could climb the tower and there was a line to go up. I wasn't going to wait in a line with tourists so I continued on.Red was having trouble staying up with me. She said she was tired and actually took an 1 1/2 hour nap by a brook. I think there maybe be a problem with Red and will address it with her if it continues. Her symptoms(sp) are very similar to Steve when he got Lyme Disease.Red and I spent the night with other hikers at a shelter that use to be a cabin. All that remained was the fireplace. I sat in thought wondering what it was like when it was occupied and if it was a trapper's place.If not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-08-15
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hanover
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: broken clouds

August 15, 2010 ¢ Day 133 - SundayRed and I left the shelter for our last day hiking southbound. We could not wait to get back to Glencliff and once again be NoBo's.Throughout the day Red would constantly slow down. It seemed her energy levels were dropping. Towards the end of the day's hike I asked Red what was up. She told me for the last several days she felt weak, had no energy. I asked her if she still had the rash on her hip that she told me about. Red said yes then told me about picking off a tick in the same area about 2 weeks ago. I felt that Red may have contracted Lyme Disease and should go to a medical facility.As soon as we got to Hanover I contacted Luna, a girl I hiked with in 2004 and asked if she could drive us to the emergency room. Luna picked us up and off we went to the hospital.Several hours later Red is diagnosed with Lyme Disease and given a month's supply of antibotics. Luna picked us up, drove us to the store for resupply and by 9:00 pm the three of us were back at the Hikers Welcome at Glencliff.The weather forecast for tomorrow was not looking promising, rain. I had rain from the first hurricane in '04 while hiking the Kinsman Mountains and I really was not interested in doing it again. However, we are in the mountains and they say if you don't like the weather wait 5 minutes it will change.If not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-08-16
From: Hanover

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

August 16, 2010 - Day 134 ¢ MondayThroughout the night the rain pelted my tent. When I woke up in the morning the rain was still coming down. I told Red today was a zero day to get plenty of rest. Red did and slept most of the day in the hostel.Bag of Trixs was at the hostel along with Baltimore Jack and the Dude. I spent most of the day with them watching movies. Captain Slick joined us along with several other hikers for an easy relaxing day.If not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-08-17
From: NH 112, Kinsman Notch

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

August 17, 2010 ¢ Day 135 - TuesdayTrix and Baltimore Jack took Red and I out to breakfast in North Woodstock and then to the trailhead. Red was feeling much better after the rest at the hostel yesterday.The weather was sunny and cool for hike up the Kinsman Ridge Trail. By the time we were on trail it was 10:30 so our day would be low mileage to see how Red handled the ups of the trail. The first climb was out of the notch and didn¢t seem to affect Red that much. However the second climb over Mt. Wolf really tired her out and by the time we reached the shelter I do not think she could go on any further. Captain Slick and Black and Tan came in to spend the night.There was still daylight left so I rock hopped Eliza Brook up stream. I found so many beautiful pools to swim in. I finally found the perfect pool and was going to go in. I put my hand in the water and couldn't believe how numbing cold the water was. I did not need a bath that badly so I rock hopped back to the shelter. I love exploring the wonders of nature and often think what it was like for the Native Americans to live here. Eliza Brook was one of those moments.If not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-08-18
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Franconia Notch US Rt. 3
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: overcast clouds

August 18, 2010 ¢ Day 136 - Wednesday"In hope of reaching the moon, men fail to see flowers that blossom at their feet." ~Albert SchweitzerAugust 18, 2010 ¢ Day 136 - WednesdayWoke up early to get a cool morning start on the South and North Kinsman Mountain. These mountains for me in '04 were covered in clouds and rain. It was a hard climb up South Kinsman where the summit was in an alpine zone. I didn't have a difficult time going up North Kinsman and was glad to be at the summit. I think it was easy because I knew the first hut of the Appalachian Mountain Club, Lonesome Lake Hut was coming up, and that meant hut food.I got to the hut first and made friends with the day's cook who happened to also be the hut master. Red, Black and Tan and Captain Slick came in and the food feast was on. We had oatmeal, pasta salad and leftover turkey. It tasted so good.The rest of the afternoon was a nice walk to US 3 and Franconia Notch. From the hut and all the way down to the notch we could see the Presidential Range looming in front of us. Red was getting really tired and lacked energy. I told her she must be in good condition if committing to hiking the Franconia Ridge trail.Up and down the trail everyone was talking about Chet's, a hostel one cannot miss. We hitched a ride from a search and rescue member from the area and he, too, knew about Chet's and took us there. The garage was converted to a bunkroom very well laid out and clean.Red, Captain Slick and I went into town to resupply. I told everyone if they chipped in I would cook dinner. I BBQ¢d a small pork loin, peas and corn on the cob. Talk about satisfying hiker's hunger.Chet said the weather looked good for the next 3-4 days and a great time to hike over the Presidential. Tomorrow starts the OH MY GOD! Look at those mountains¢¦.If not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-08-19
From: US 3 Lincoln, NH

To: Garfield Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

August 19, 2010 ¢ Day 137 ¢ ThursdayRed was having difficulty deciding on whether to stay or go with Captain Slick and I to tackle Liberty Springs Trail. Red gets weak very quickly because of the Lyme disease and the medicine. I explained to her that she needed the rest and should not be going into the back country of the White Mts. in her condition. A decision was made in the late morning when Red said she was going and went to change into her hiking clothes. When she came out she was tired by just the effort of changing. Capt Slick and I said good-bye and took a taxi back to the trailhead.12:30 pm and Captain Slick and I are humping up Liberty Springs Trail. The long hike up to Franconia Ridge was strenuous. The higher up we got the trail became more difficult. The trail got easier pass Liberty Springs Campsite and at Little Haystack Mountain the trail opened up to a vast sunlit mountain scenery. We were now on Franconia Ridge climbing Little Haystack and pushing on to Mt. Lincoln. The views were breath taking incredible.If not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-08-20
From: Garfield Ridge Shelter

To: Ethan Pond Campsite
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

August 20, 2010 ¢ Day 138 ¢ FridayDuring the night I had a running battle with a persistent mouse trying to get into my food bag. It all started out with the mouse waking me up by the sounds of chewing on my food bag. Every time I moved the bag to a new location the mouse would find it within minutes. Finally I had to get up and make a hanger off one of the roof beams; solution found and sleep.Woke up to a cold and foggy morning. Reverend Nate Dog, Captain Slick and I left the shelter and hiked most of the morning in a soup that was devoid of mountain views. The steep descent off of Garfield Ridge was intense. Climbing down 8 foot rock face, large boulders and assorted rocks and tree roots took us 30 minutes to travel 1/2 mile. Mid-morning found the three of us are at Galehead Hut sipping coffee to warm up and get out of the wind. The sun began to break through the swirling fog as we left the hut. By the time I reached South Twin Mountain summit the sky was clear and great views of the Presidential Range could be seen. The blue sky, clear crisp air and great views made the hike to Zealand Hut a pleasant walk, except for fall number 17¢¦ About a mile past the trail junction to Mt. Guyot I was walking on flat land. All of a sudden, one minute I am walking and the next minute I am in a prone position looking up at the sky laying in mud. My left leg is hurting and when I look down is covered with blood and scraps of skin torn from the trail rocks. I laid there for several minutes checking other body parts for injury. Except for the leg all is good. After further review of what happened I realized what occurred. My right foot tripped on a root sticking up on the trail. As I stepped with my left foot, it too hit a root. I fell off balance and rolled on my right side. My left leg hit a rock sticking up causing my injury. I stood up looked to see if any hikers saw the incident (none), brushed off the mud, washed up the different scrapes from my knee to my ankle and continued northward.Zealand Hut was full of guests walking the nearby trails and laying on the rocks of the brook. I ate lunch and then continued on to Ethan Pond Campsite for the night's stay.If not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-08-22
From: Mizpah Springs Hut

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: fog

August 22, 2010 ¢ Day 140 - SundayIt was so good to wake up to the sounds of the rain hitting the roof instead of the roof of my tent. The weather forecast got uglier and the croo told the guests at breakfast to expect the worst - high winds, heavy rains and flash flooding. I love it when a plan comes together.Nate Dog, Capt. Slick and I left the hut after helping the croo cleanup after breakfast. The rain was coming down pretty hard when we left the hut. A small stream of water flowed down the trail as we climbed Mt. Pierce. The intensity of the rains slowed down to a drizzle. The winds were steadily picking up and a blanket of fog was getting thicker.South of Mt. Franklin we could see the Lake of the Clouds Hut but in order to get to it we had to climb around Mt. Franklin and Mt. Monroe. In the distance a dark grey cloud was approaching. I was hiking with Q Tip and told him to put a move on because a storm was about to overtake us and I wanted to be up and over the exposed mountain. Within minutes we were covered in pea soup fog and light rain with strong winds. Stepping over rocks became difficult because the wind would blow you off balance as you stepped down. Visibility was down to about 30 feet.Nate Dog, Captain Slick and I arrived at the Lake of the Clouds Hut. The family who told us about the available space in the hut were there and gave each of us a spot as a guest.The three of us are staying in a room with two families. They are fun loving and a blast to be with. Stephan brought homemade martinis, his girlfriend ? will update) slipped and fell during their hike to the hut and injured her shoulder. It might be broken. With Stephan and (? will update) are her two children Dennis a bouncer in Boston and Julie, a beautiful and funny young lady. We were the guest of Gary and (? will update) and their two daughters Jess and (? will update). All three girls are dancers and each gorgeous. We spent about an hour asking each other questions about life, family and of course the AT. I walked into the room at a later time and found the three of them doing the same thing with Captain Slick. I was impressed with the girls and Dennis and ? are great ambassadors for their families.The weather steadily got worse with fog and heavy winds. The meal was great, Turkey soup, salad, homemade bread, stuff shells, green peas and ginger bread for dessert. It was fabulous. When it was time for bed the winds were over 45 mph with gust exceeding 50 mph. As it turned out this was one of the best decisions I have made. Captain Slick and I are trying to decide what we are going to do tomorrow for our summit on Mt. Washington, it doesn't look good.if not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-08-23
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Rt 16 Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

August 23, 2010 ¢ Day 141 - MondayThroughout the night the wind howled. I got up around 4:00 am and looked outside. The fog lifted but it was still raining. I looked at the wind gauge and it was a steady 50 to 60 mph with higher gusts.In the morning the croo fixed a great breakfast and gave the expected weather forecast. Gary decided the whole family would make the 1.2 mile climb up Mt. Washington to walk with Kim and all ride the cog train down. Out of all the options this was the safest.Nate Dog, Captain Slick and I went with the families to Mt. Washington, safety in numbers. I stepped outside and was blasted by rain and cold wind. The temperature was 39 degrees. The group was spread out going up the mountain. Everybody had a partner. The rain clouds would come and go revealing mountain scenery and the Lakes of the Clouds hut below. It was a scary yet exciting feeling to be walking in the weather. The force of the wind would blow me off balance, and when it hit me in the face would take my breath away. The rain constantly pelted my rain gear that almost hurt as it hit. Believe it or not it is moments like this that make you feel alive.Everybody made it safely to the visitor center on top of the mountain. Several thru hikers were there as well. We all got together and talked about options. We also talked to several rangers and they advised taking alternate routes because the wind was so high along the ridge.Nate Dog, Captain Slick and I decided to take the Nelson Crag Trail from Mt. Washington to Pinkham Notch.The black smoke from the cog train could be seen which meant we had to say a sad goodbye to our new friends. The girls have adopted me as their grandfather. I was truly touched.As the train smoked its way down the hill, the three of us stepped into the weather again and headed off the mountain. The first couple of miles was navigating through the returning fog rock cairn by rock cairn at a time. The remainder of the trail was slick from the rain and we finally made it down to Pinkham Notch. Hikers were coming down from Mt. Washington any way they could. One of the hikers coming out of a shuttle looked familiar. It was Red. She left Lincoln the day after Captain Slick and I and caught up with us because of the weather.Nate Dog called another hiker Smokestack who just summitted Kahtadin and was in Gorham, NH. Smokestack and his wife Panda came out, picked us up and in the late afternoon took us to town to dry out.If not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-08-24
From: Rt 16 Pinkham Notch

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: fog

"It ain't a fit night for man or beast" ~ WC FieldsAugust 24, 2010 ¢ Day 142 - TuesdayThe rain and wind that I was in for the last two days disappeared by morning. The sun was out and blue skies surrounded the mountains. A look up towards Mt. Washington found the summit shrouded in clouds. Weather reports indicated the summit with 30 mph winds, 40 degree temps and light rain.SmokeStack and Panda ran everyone around town for breakfast, resupply, laundry and back to the trailhead. The weather was going to be good for a 24 hour window and I wanted clear weather for the Wildcat Mountains. Left the trailhead and followed around a pond until once again the trail followed up a steep climb up the mountain. Stopped at the ski lift for lunch sitting on rocks and soaking up the sunlight.Carter Notch Hut sits at the bottom of the notch next to two lakes. This is the most remote hut on the AT and is one of my favorite places to stay. The whole area reminds me of sections of the Lake Tahoe Trail. When I arrived at the hut Captain Slick arranged work for stay for everyone. There were 7 hikers staying at the hut compared to only 4 guests. Therefore, we all got to stay in a bunkroom and had plenty of food to eat. Two of the hikers were a couple that are SoBo¢s and came to Travel Country Outdoors to be outfitted. I told them I would see them somewhere in the New England states.The weather took another turn for the worse. Another low pressure system was coming in with more cold rain and wind. The rain started early in the evening and the clouds blocked out the full moon. At least for the moment, it felt good to be in a dry environment listening to the rain.If not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-08-25
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: US Route 2
Miles today: 14.5

August 25, 2010 ¢ Day 143 - WednesdayWoke up to a steady rain. After breakfast we did cleanup for work for stay. We weren't done until 10:00am. Nate Dog, Captain Slick, Red, Q-tip and I left the shelter in full rain gear and headed up towards Carter Dome. Throughout the day the steady rain continued. The trail became a stream of water that didn't help with the foot placement. Rocks were slicker than snot and the worst part were the puddles. It got to the point that boots and socks were soaking wet I just walked straight through.Red got really cold and everyone headed for Imp Campsite and shelter. Red got her wet clothes off and warmed up-in her sleeping bag. The shelter was full of about 12 college students from Brown University. Everybody was in a sour mood and we all decided to push on into Gorham to be dry and warm. The hike down Zeta Pass, Carter Mountain and Mt. Moriah was treacherous footing. Everyone was slipping, sliding and falling down steep boulders and rock face. Footing was so bad I had to crab-crawl down the rock face. Small streams were gaining water volume. The hutmaster told us to be careful because flash floods were posted. Tired, exhausted and soaked to the bone we all made it safely across the Rattle River. By 10:00 PM we are walking through Gorham heading for Hikers Paradise. It was an effort for everyone to push but I bet when we wake up dry there will be some mighty happy hikers.If not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-08-27
From: US Route 2

To: Trident Col Tentsite
Miles today: 6.9

Captain Slick and NateDog left town early in the morning. I still had gear that was still wet and I wanted it dry before heading out of town. Red had to re-supply so she stayed behind too.Red and I hitched out of town and got a ride from the hutmaster of Lakes of the Clouds. Sara remembered me from my stay at the hut and few days ago and we talked about how bad the weather conditions were. Sara, a veteran of the Whites said we made the proper decision not continuing past Mt. Washington. By the time we were on trail it was afternoon. We climbed Mt. Hayes and Cascade Mountain. It was too late in the day to make it to Gentian Pond Shelter where Natedog and Captain Slick planned to stop. Red and I decided to spend the night at Trident Col Campsite. We found the ground saturated with water making it difficult for Red and I to pick our tent sites. We found a small area of grass for the tents but the ground was still wet. The temperature was dropping and with the dampness surrounding us it was going to be a cold, wet night. Adding to our misfortune, the sounds of the night were not natural. It was amazing to look out of my tent door and see the tranquil mountain forest with my headlamp, yet hear the clanging and belching sounds of civilization in the town of Berlin below piercing the mountain silence. I take each day as it comes and my saving grace for tonite was knowing tomorrow will take me deeper into the mountains and further away from the distractions of mankind. if not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe