morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-07-28
From: Garfield Ridge Shelter/Campsite 

To: Guyot Shelter
Miles today: 5.5

2018 Miles: 496.2I spent a sleepless night in a packed shelter unable to get comfortable and concerned about my painful right knee. I was unsure if I would be able to hike today. The shelter emptied out early as many hikers were wanting to go big miles today. I got up and tried to do morning chores normally. My knee continued to be painful. I took 2 Advil and Glider lent me a knee brace - he has two. The first part of the hike was to finish the impossible to describe descent from Mount Garfield. My knee handled that ok as I could keep it fairly straight most of the time. Then an up and down hike across the distance to Galehead Hut where we stopped in for a bowl of soup and a pastry and coffee.  My knee seemed to handle that fine and I suspect that once it loosens up it is ok but when I am still it gets stiff.  I may have strained something on the inside side of the right knee joint. I was concerned I might have to stop but so far today is encouraging.  Hope it doesn¢t stiffen up again tonight.  The next concern was a 1500+ foot climb up South Twin Mountain. That was tough but went ok and the descent was more of the same brutal pounding but God answered my prayers and I continued to hike here to Guyot Shelter for the night. We only went 5.5 miles today to give me a chance to work my knee. I am pleased with the way it went. Probably no road crossing until day after tomorrow, with a long day tomorrow to the road a possibility depending on how the day goes.  I tried again for over an hour to get a message to Marlene but no service or service too weak for a text to go. She¢s probably worried - no messages for a couple of days. Goodnight Sweetheart
Date: 2018-07-29
From: Guyot Shelter

To: Crawford Notch 
Miles today: 11.9

2018 Miles: 508.1Successful day back to civilization. I am pleased that my knee served me well on a long hike. It was mostly a downhill trip today. The shelter last night was located about a mile off the trail and down a steep rocky side trail. The return to the Appalachian Trail was one of the bigger climbs for the day - back up to the main trail and then the completion of the hike to the summit of Mount Guyot. Then a long descent about 4 miles to Zealand Falls Hut where I got a nice hot bowl of soup, plus all the free cold oatmeal leftover from breakfast that I wanted. Our original plan was to get to Ethan Pond Campsite to spend the night and then on to Crawford Notch in the morning to resupply. My knee did great today and the downhill hiking was going well so we just kept going and got out to the highway at Crawford Notch. We hitchhiked to a convenience store to resupply. Then we got a room and it felt so good to clean up and do laundry. Tomorrow we will continue north by climbing and hiking over Mount Webster and Mount Jackson to a campsite. Then the approach to Mount Washington the following day, finishing about 1.5 miles short of and about 1200 feet below the summit. That will set us to climb the big mountain first thing the following morning, with a long traverse above treeline that must be crossed before the end of the day.  I can still feel tenderness in my knee when I do certain movements but the action of hiking seems to go fine as long as I keep it from getting stiff. Lying in a sleeping bag in cramped quarters is the worst. These big mountains have a steepness and ruggedness that is hard to describe. Sometimes I think that if Marlene actually saw them and the almost ridiculous trail sometimes she would tell me to come home.  But I have to take it one step at a time and concentrate. It¢s the only way to finish this up. So pray for each step of the way. Phone service is virtually nonexistent so I¢m not sure when I will update again or even get a message out. We talked this evening and that was nice. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-07-30
From: Crawford Notch 

To: Mizpah Springs Hut
Miles today: 6.4

2018 Miles: 514.5We were resupplied and ready to go last evening after hitching a ride to the Irving Store for hiking food and pizza by the slice and subs for supper. A young man in the parking lot drove us to the hotel.  So good to get a shower and do laundry after four wet days in the mountains - I could hardly stand myself.  Microwaved sandwiches for breakfast, then out to the road to get a hitch. We got a ride half way with a local man hiking today with a friend to the same location as us - Mizpah Hut.  He hiked up by a shorter local trail. After that first ride we were later picked up by the AMC Shuttle guy and we were quickly at the trailhead in Crawford Notch.  The climb up to Webster Cliffs, then Mount Webster, then Mount Jackson totaled 2800 feet pretty much straight up. We were surprised at how quickly we made it to the views at Webster Cliffs. I got a video and some pictures looking back down to NH Route 302 and the route of our resupply and overnight travels. It was straight down below us a long steep way. Then we got to Mount Webster by lunch where I was able to send texts and videos to Marlene. It then seemed to take a long time to reach the summit of Mount Jackson, followed by a couple more miles to the Mizpah Hut where we intended to set up tents for the night. The Croo guy offered us work-for-stay and we accepted both for tonight and tomorrow morning¢s breakfast. Basically we can sleep in the dining room tonight in exchange for doing chores after the paying guests finish their meals tonight and at breakfast. We also get to eat both meals with the Croo. I think every hiker should try that at least once, so it worked out well. It will be especially nice if we are indoors tonight if the weather gets wet. I will update with the details of this adventure once we finish up our duties later. So we are within clear sight of huge Mount Washington and have seen it most of the day.  Many times in the clouds but also sometimes clear at the summit.  We can see the long route over there to near the summit for tomorrow¢s hike, then the long route across the Washington summit and the other peaks. All are above tree line and all must be cleared before we can stop for the night on Wednesday. Weather tomorrow looks fine so far but Wednesday may not be good. Must wait and see. Goodnight Sweetheart. Work for stay update: Five of us got work for stay. Glider and I did dishes and kitchen cleanup in the evening and this morning. Mine was to clean the gas stove burners, drip pans and all cast iron pots and pans last night and I washed breakfast dishes this morning.  We got free meals all you can eat and we slept on the floor in the dining room after lights out last night using our pads and sleeping bags. We were on our way by 9:30 this morning. Relatively short day planned for today so that was fine.  It was fun and a good experience.
Date: 2018-07-31
From: Mizpah Springs Hut

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 4.6

2018 Miles: 519.1After our work for stay chores we loaded up right away and 10 feet from the back of the hut began the long climb up Mount Pierce. Soon the trail approached the alpine region again with many exposed humps between the major peaks above tree line with the dips between bordered by scrub pines. I like hiking above tree line where you can see the trail route ahead and what¢s coming up. Today¢s named peaks included Mounts Pierce, Eisenhower, Franklin and Monroe.  With the exception of some significant dips between peaks the route was all uphill as we approach the granddaddy of them all - Mount Washington.  So it was a boulder climbing day.  I am at Lakes of the Clouds Hut, an AMC Hut sitting on a saddle about 1200 feet below the summit of Mount Washington. They offer a basement room called ¢the dungeon¢ where 6 thru hikers can pay to stay in a basic stone room under the foundation of the hut on 2x4 and plywood bunks. Pretty dank and dark but out of the weather. The forecast for tomorrow does not look especially good. We thought the morning would be nicer but the outlook changes and we are unsure. We are still planning to leave as early as we can and will make final decisions at the time. It is a long and difficult exposed ridgeline walk for about 10 miles to a tent site with no bail-out points. So this is the one we¢ve been waiting for. Please pray for it to go well. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-08-02
From: Madison Springs Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 7.8

2018 Miles: 534.1After yesterday it¢s hard to imagine a bigger day but climbing Mount Madison is not for sissies. Really the climb itself was just 500 or 600 feet up a pile of boulders like the other climbs. But this mountain can lead you on in that you keep climbing over higher and higher ¢summits¢ along an extended ridge line. Still though you can see what¢s coming and it¢s fun to see the progress, especially on fresh morning legs. Craig was in the lead and I would catch him or see him ahead unless hidden by the next hump going up or descending. Glider was similarly spaced behind. But, similar to yesterday, the descent goes on forever. Just as the ridge line on the way up had repeating climbs the descent had a long long ridge of repeating humps descending, sometimes so formidable in their own right that they hid each other from view. Many of the descents were very technical. My pace was slowed to a crawl all morning just planning each step down the face of the steep drop offs. Below tree line the scrub pines closed in on the edge of the trail causing me and my equipment to catch and scrape - my legs are almost raw below the knee. But it is so good to have the Presidential Range complete. Hikers have short memories. We came to the road and got picked up by the Rattle River Hostel. I am cleaned up, resupplied, and have gone thru everything to see what food and gear I can leave behind tomorrow as we go out again trying to complete the Wildcats in two days. We plan to tent tomorrow night about midway thru that range and hike back to the hostel the next day. I plan to take a zero day then. Rest and resupply will be sorely needed - literally.  It¢s almost hard to believe that the end of New Hampshire is within grasp.  Marlene and I talked this evening and I think I have her up to date with pictures and videos. That was a nice time to catch up even if briefly.  So good to have her there and keeping tabs on me each step of the way. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-08-03
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Stealth Campsite - Mile 1881.7
Miles today: 10.2

2018 Miles: 544.3I was on the 7:00 shuttle to Pinkham Notch to start into the Carter-Moriah Range (and Wildcats). We were planning to hike about half of the 21 miles back to Gorham, NH and the Rattle River Hostel and tent somewhere in the woods tonight, finishing up on Saturday by hiking the remaining miles back to the hostel and taking a zero day to rest and plan the next section. That went fairly well and we are set up in a rain-soaked stealth site along the trail ready to get some sleep and anticipating getting back into wet hiking gear in the morning to make the long trek back. Today was a tough hike up the peaks of Wildcat Mountain - peaks E, D, C, and A. I guess peak B must not be on the AT. As we made our way on the first big climb we could see Mount Washington, sometimes clear and often clouded in, and we could sort of compare our ascent against the height of that mountain. Wildcat Peak A was about a 2400 foot climb, followed by an 1100 foot descent, before a 1500 foot climb up Carter Dome. Rain threatened most of the day. We got wet in the afternoon and all the way to the camp site for the night. I hear heavy raindrops now as I write. Mid morning I took a fall. Trying to avoid planting my face on a rock when both feet slipped out from beneath me, I arched my back. That worked to protect my face and teeth but I took the upper body blow to the chest, knocking the wind out. I think I have pulled a muscle on my right chest. Two Advil helped. When my feet gave way on the wet rock both shins hit hard on the sharp corner of the rock, causing yet more skin to be scraped away and probably some bruising of the muscle and shin bones. Around lunch time we were at the Carter Notch Hut and the Croo person brought out the first aid kit to clean my ¢wounds¢ and put bandages on with Neosporin. That was nice but the rain and my sweat made them fall off during the afternoon hike. I am a real mess. So I am listening to the pounding of the rain as darkness sets in. I will be very happy to finish the Wildcats tomorrow. Then plans begin to get to Maine. It sounds like southern Maine is a continuation of the ruggedness of the White Mountains, maybe worse. Not a happy prospect after the tough day today, but right now rest is so sweet. No service on this remote mountainside. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-08-07
From: Gorham NH - Rattle River Hostel

To: Gentian Pond Shelter/Campsite 
Miles today: 11.8

2018 Miles: 567.0Today was the day to try out my legs again. I knew right away yesterday that it was the right decision to take another day to rest as I was stumbling around in the hiker hobble. We had a full day planned for today. When 5:00 came I was down in the hostel kitchen to make myself pancakes and coffee, along with the OJ and fruit from Walmart on last evening¢s shuttle run. I bandaged my ¢wounds ¢ as best I could to protect my scabby legs, and put the brace on my knee. For some reason both ankles were swollen yesterday and that continued today, sore but no overt injuries I know of.  I was ready to go by 7:00 as I checked in with Glider, then left. The AT goes right by the hostel and down a couple of side roads before entering the woods in about 3/4 mile. That was a good warmup on pavement and later gravel.  Then the climb to Mount Hayes of about 1800 feet. Much of the trail today was less steep than the Wildcats were the other day. The absence of a rushing stream of runoff helped as well. It¢s always a little extra work to get going after a zero day, but it went well. I hiked steadily until lunch time then took a half hour to eat and rest. Then right back at it. The day was full of both climbs and descents of 500 to 1000 feet. The trail was rocky and muddy but not wet. There were many areas of significant blow down damage from a storm with much of it having been cleared, with logs and piles of branches everywhere.  I passed by Page Pond, Dream Lake, and finally came to Gentian Pond to this shelter and campsite. Glider came in about an hour later. I had not seen him since this morning at the hostel. As I was setting up and getting water the thunder rumbled. The rain soon came. I am in my tent early as there is little else to do when it rains. My body seems to have handled the day fine. I did notice that the swelling in both ankles has gone down but the inside of the left ankle has a big bruise showing purple. Not sure what caused that or anything I can do about it. They both now look normal size. There were few views today and little of note except that around 11:45 I passed the 1900 mile point from Georgia. If tomorrow goes well I will cross into Maine. I need to sleep well tonight. No phone service here. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-08-08
From: Gentian Pond Shelter/Campsite 

To: Full Goose Shelter and Campsite 
Miles today: 9.6

2018 Miles: 576.6Out early to climb Mount Success. It can either signify successfully finishing New Hampshire or getting into Maine. I¢ll take both. Around 11:30 this morning I was at the state line sign. So good to be in the last state. Got pictures and sent them to Marlene. After that I climbed Mount Carlo and the West, East, and North peaks of Goose Eye Mountain. Some say the hiking in Maine is harder than the White Mountains was, and so far I agree, seeing no relief at all. Very difficult trail all day. I feel beat up and tired tonight so I will only summarize the day.  I¢m camped in my tent at the Full Goose Shelter and Campsite. Need rest. Tomorrow the ¢hardest mile on the trail¢ - Mahoosic Notch. That¢s followed by a huge climb up Mahoosic Arm. I will describe more in detail tomorrow.  I was worried about the sores on my shins and the bruising on the right shin especially.  I prayed for help if it was needed and in walks a southbound thru hiker named of all things ¢Nurse¢. He is a VA nurse.  He saw my sores and pulled out a med kit to dress them and put on antibiotic cream.  Gave me instructions what to do tomorrow when I get to camp.  So God answers prayer.  As I think about getting to Maine, there still seems so much to do. It is a huge trail through wild and ever more remote country. However, while crossing a state line is a great milestone every time, it¢s almost like a person is standing there to hand you an envelope with the number of miles in that new state written on a slip inside. You¢ve just finished 150 miles in Vermont, now here¢s 160 miles to do in New Hampshire.  This time the end point is Katahdin right here in Maine. So I count down the Maine miles and nothing will change. It¢s a funny but also a great feeling. Nothing will move the goal post this time. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-08-09
From: Full Goose Shelter and Campsite 

To: Speck Pond Shelter & Campsite 
Miles today: 5.1

2018 Miles: 581.7Two notable obstacles were on the menu for today - Mahoosic Notch and Mahoosic Arm. First I had to do a 500 foot climb up Fulling Mill Mountain, then a 1000 foot descent to the south end of Mahoosic Notch. Two mountains stand nearly side by side with a deep and steep V-shaped ravine between them. You can see the Cliffs straight up where the house and dump truck-sized boulders broke off and fell into the ravine. The Notch is a mile long. The trip through is reputed to be both the toughest and slowest mile on the entire trail. Hikers all know about it and look forward to their time in ¢the Notch¢. We took about 2 1/2 hours to get thru. I have some pictures but none do it justice. We did it in the rain today, making it extra treacherous. It is a mile of climbing around and over and under these huge rocks just flung into the narrow passage. Half a dozen times we had to go thru tunnels under the pile and many times we drug our packs behind us or pushed them through the passages ahead of us. There is a stream beneath the rocks and there is snow and ice too as it does not melt due to lack of sunlight. Knowing that it¢s coming made us relax and not worry about speed and distance today and it was a fun time. We got a few scrapes but nothing serious. When we finished we stopped for lunch before the climb up Mahoosic Arm which is a notable steep climb and a real punch in the gut when paired with the Notch.  Then after one of the steepest 1700 foot climbs I¢ve ever done I had a steep descent to Speck Pond and the shelter and campsite for the night. So today will be memorable, as every hiker remembers their time in Mahoosic Notch.  I¢m tenting near this beautiful alpine pond. There are mountains all around so no phone service today or tonight. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-08-10
From: Speck Pond Shelter & Campsite 

To: Grafton Notch, Maine Highway 26 Trailhead 
Miles today: 4.6

2018 Miles: 586.3Short day planned to get to Grafton Notch and the Pine Ellis Hostel near Andover, Maine.  I left before 7:00 for the climb to the summit of Old Speck, a high sharp-topped mountain. The day was windy and the mountain was shrouded in blowing clouds with near zero visibility. The climb went surprisingly well. Just before the sharp summit is a shoulder of bare rock, exposed and void of vegetation. As I approached the wind nearly blew me off the mountain but also appeared to be creating gaps in the clouds. I quickly retrieved my phone and got a great video looking back toward Speck Pond and the whole mountainside was bathed in golden sunshine with a great view. The wind continued strong and interfered with my narration but I got a nice shot of the mountains of southern Maine. Shortly I reached the side trail to the actual summit and the steep and sometimes gradual and pleasant descent to Grafton Notch began. Part of the hike down ran beside a stream with a solid rock stream bed causing the water to tumble over drop offs creating cascading waterfalls. Finally at the parking lot and trailhead I was greeted by some 2016 thru hikers doing trail magic. They had an awning set up and were serving hot dogs, burgers, chips and soft drinks. Glider came in and got the same treatment. We waited about an hour for the hostel shuttle to get us but the hiker feed made it seem mere minutes. We are at the Pine Ellis Hostel. They offer as many as 4 days of slackpacking possibilities that we are looking at. Slackpacking is when you carry a light pack with just the day¢s essentials and are dropped off at a point along the trail and either hike back to the hostel or to an agreed upon pick up point. It offers a chance to make some progress but without the heavy pack. In light of my present beat up condition after the White Mountains and the Mahoosics I hope to take advantage of this time to recover a little. We will work out the specifics as we go. So I have showered, retrieved my resupply box and am doing Hiker town chores. It¢s slow, but I am making my way into the mountains of southern Maine. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-08-11
From: Grafton Notch, Maine Highway 26 Trailhead 

To: East B Hill Road
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: broken clouds

2018 Miles: 596.6Slackpacked today. We were dropped of at Grafton Notch this morning and had a steep 2100 foot climb up to the West Peak of Baldpate Mountain. It had a smaller open area of bare rock surrounded by some scrub vegetation including ripe wild blueberries. I got some of those. There is a great view to the East Peak of Baldpate Mountain showing the deep dip between them in bare rock mostly and the steep ledges of bare rock to climb back up to the higher summit of the East Peak. It was a long scramble to the summit but I really like climbing in the open and on the barren rock ledges so it was fun. I got a video from there. The descent down the back was nearly a straight drop off. We had lunch and got water at the Frye Notch Lean-To. After a 500 foot climb the trail took an easier turn for the afternoon with about 4 miles of more pleasant terrain including some nice streams and waterfalls in a pleasant forest. We are back at the hostel and ready to do a similar hike tomorrow. Moving across Maine slowly. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-08-12
From: East B Hill Road

To: South Arm Road - Mile 1944.1
Miles today: 10.1

2018 Miles: 606.7Today I hiked again with a light pack from South Arm Road back to East B Hill Road and was picked up by the shuttle back to Pine Ellis Hostel. (Note: Progress above shows todays hiking as if done northbound) We hiked this section from the north end, hiking south. Doing that allowed us to face the tough stuff on fresh morning legs. First a 1400 foot climb up to Moody Mountain followed by a steep drop into Sawyer Notch, Sawyer Road, and Sawyer Brook. Then abruptly back up again 1500 feet to have lunch on the shoulder of Wyman Mountain at the shelter named Hall Mountain Lean-To. After filtering water for the afternoon I finished the climb to the summit of Wyman Mountain. The remaining 5 miles were generally downhill to the road in pleasant woods with some rocky and rooty sections and many mud pits. It was a successful day moving across Maine. I am back at the hostel planning to do the next section north tomorrow. Great making some progress while also trying to rest and recover from carrying the heavy pack over rugged terrain. Talked with Marlene this Sunday morning - always so good to hear her voice and have that time. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-08-13
From: Maine Highway 17 Crossing

To: Maine Highway 4 Crossing, Rangeley, Maine 
Miles today: 13.2

2018 Miles: 633.1Quick update for today. Fairly easy trail with many small mountains of about 400 feet to climb and descend all day. Pretty steady rain today so the trail was muddy and slippery. Hostel is ¢off the grid¢ literally with no electricity so only charging devices while in town, and no phone service at all.  Making plans for next several days but may be hard to communicate. Moving ahead farther into Maine. Goodnight Sweetheart.