morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-08-08
From: Starton Pond Shelter

To: Manchester Center, VT/Green Mtn. House
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Going with the flow of the trail.   I had a nice, easy 11-mile hike this morning, extrea enjoyable because I listened to the first few chapters of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver. It's SUCH a fantastic book!   I got to the road around 12:30, but had an adventure getting to town. I tried to hitch with Canoe for a while, but to no avail. Meanwhile, Furnace and Little Big Wind, a couple of SOBOs, 'Yogied' a ride from some hikers in the parking lot. There was plenty of room, so we grabbed our gear and hopped in the truck bed. About a mile down the 5 mile drive, I realized that I didn't have my wallet. When we got to town, I searched more and found that I definitely didn't have it. Luckily, the couple that drove us was making a special trip and was headed right back up the mountain. I threw my pack back in and headed right back to the trail. Thankfully, Hitch had already picked it up where I had dropped it in the grass, so I got it back immediately, but I felt like a big idiot as I waited for two other pairs to hitch down before MJFox and I hitched.   A little while later, I was finally in town. Delicious pizza, a couple items at the outfitter, and groceries for cooking at the hostel, then I called Jeff at the Green Mountain House for pickup. Within minutes of entering this paradise, it was clear that I need to zero here. There's no room in the hostel for tomorrow night, but there's a bunk available in the barn. It has been a great afternoon and evening of doing laundry, enjoying Ben & Jerry's (a pint free with stay), and chatting with other hikers!
Date: 2010-08-09
From: Manchester Center, VT/Green Mtn. House

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a wonderful zero!   Maildrops and bookstores         and finishing journals.   Movies and ice cream          and meeting new NOBOs   (think "Sound of Music")   I got maildrops this morning, both from home (Thank you, Mom & Dad!) and from Persistent. She sent an amazing package of goodies and even treated me to a huge 2-scoop waffle cone at Ben & Jerry's this afternoon. Thank you, Persistent!!   I hung out at the wonderful bookstore in town, and then went to the tiny two-screen theater and paid $5 to go see Inception by myself. It was a fantastic movie and a great way to relax. After Ben & Jerry's, Jeff picked me up and brought me back to the hostel, where I've met a whole new group of fun NOBOs. It definitely made me feel a little slow that a whole group of folks I've never met have caught me, but I'm also happy to meet new friends. We're all sitting around watching Stand By Me now, and it feels like home. Tomorrow, I head further north.
Date: 2010-08-11
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

8:00 AM -    I have been on the trail for 5 months. It will probably take another 6 weeks to finish the remaining 523 miles (which include, of course, the slow-pace-inducing White Mountains). It is so peaceful waking in a shelter all alone that I can't seem to coax myself out of my sleeping bag. I went to sleep during a glorious thunderstorm last night and awoke to blue skies and a rich green forest that just had its thirst thoroughly quenched. While I have eaten breakfast, looked at the day ahead and pulled out all of my lunch and snacks for the day, I have also just laid around and read this morning.   Yesterday, I decided that I wanted to up my daily mileage and try to just get to the end. This all sounded great, until I looked at the days ahead and realized that the mileages and cool/fun things work out far better if I stick to 14s and 15s for the next couple of days. Oh well. I may still speed up after that, but for now, it makes much more sense if I stick to the shorter days. I still (no shock here) REALLY want to be home, but I also want to enjoy these remaining miles, too. Guess I better get up and moving now.   8:20 PM   I would have sworn before looking at my watch that it was later, but I forget how nice the evenings are when I get in before 6. I was just thinking on what to write and came up with, "It has been a nice, leisurely day. I have stopped and hiked on as I please. I saw beautiful things and talked with interesting people.   What a great day on the trail!" The thing is, however, that this morning I did not feel this way. I dwelled on the days that lie ahead and how long 6 weeks can seem when on wants to stop hiking and go home. My feet hurt (they still hurt now, in fact), and I was no longer sobbing, but certainly not quite happy. Hiking is funny that way. After reaching my evening destination, I feel relaxed and accomplished, and the woes of this morning are a distant memory. A smarter person would remember this at each day's beginning, and just stop fretting and enjoy it. Maybe I'll get this skill mastered in the next 508 miles.    Big thanks today for the plethora of spontaneous trail magic at both Little Rick Pond and here at the shelter! I have certainly met some amazing people out here in the woods!
Date: 2010-08-12
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

Less than 500 miles to go! Today. has been a hard, satisfying, fun day. I started off with a good attitude and went through some great thought processes this morning as I hiked. I have found myself with great determination for the remainder of my journey. As I hiked this morning, I composed a long, philosophical journal entry, but now no longer feel the drive to write it. Here are the Cliff Notes: Throughout my life, I have developed a great skill of justifying giving up on anything I don't want to do. Sometimes this serves me well, and I have given up some things that really need giving up on, and thus live a very happy life. Often, however, I have given up on things that left me with huge regrets. The trail for me is an opportunity to atone for these things and hit the "reset" button on this part of my personality. It is a quest, and a pilgrimage, not for traditional spiritual reasons, but for my sense of self. It occurred to me today that when I was on the phone crying to my mother on Tuesday, I think I was really waiting for her to say, "no, honey, you won't be a quitter or a failure. You've hiked a long way already. Why don't you just come on home?" Because she knows me well and is an incredible mother, she didn't. I am so glad!   So yes, today has been a really good day, with lots of introspection. The hike up Killington was really tough, but also quite satisfying. I got up at 3:50 and hiked the incredibly steep .2 mile trail to the summit. I met Nuthatch there and we hiked down to the restaurant. It had closed 10 minutes earlier. (Sad Loosie.) While my dreams of a burger were dashed, we were able to take the gondola down the the base lodge. I purchased a very overpriced, but DELICIOUS ice cream sandwich from a Vermont company. It was amazing! Just before 5, we took the gondola back up and slowly made our way back to Cooper Lodge (not really a lodge, but an enclosed shelter). I was pretty interested in hiking on 4 1/2 more miles, but then I realized that I would need to end tomorrow at the same spot either way, so I decide to stay. It's a fun group here tonight, and we're all hoping that the clouds will clear so that we can watch the Perseid Meteor shower. Fingers crossed!!
Date: 2010-08-13
From: Cooper Lodge

To: Mountain Meadows Lodge/Kent Pond
Miles today: 10.3

What a heavenly day! One of the things I love (and sometimes hate, I admit) about thru-hiking is that when I wake up in the morning, I never know what the day will hold. This one has led me to a truly extraordinary place. Instead of continuing in prose today, I'll list all of the things that led to today's pure perfection:   - Beautiful trail   - The Inn at Long Trail   - Salad with amazing blue cheese dressing   - Guinness stew with Irish soda bread   - Long Trail Ale with a Guinness cap   - Long conversations with Mom, Dad & Braids   - New boots on the way (thanks, Merrell!)   - a spontaneous decision   - Mountain Meadows Lodge   - Kayaing with loons (one resurfaced 5 FEET off the bow of my boat!)   - Trail dinner on my balcony with a glass of wine   - Clean laundry   - Bananagrams   - Perseid Meteor shower       (saw one 'fireball' while on the phone with Braids)   - A little TV in a comfy bed   Today has been truly incredible! I heard loons for the first time last fall in Minnesota, but did not see them. Today, one of them did its call only 30 or 40 feet from me. I floated nearby the two I saw, and they started diving for snails. They slip noiselessly from the surface and sometimes dive for a minute or more. It was fun each time to watch for where they might resurface, but when one popped up directly in front of me, only 5 feet away, it gave me goose bumps.   I'll definitely have to come back here someday.
Date: 2010-08-14
From: Mountain Meadows Lodge/Kent Pond

To: Wintturi Shelter
Miles today: 15.9

I awoke this morning to the sounds of loons. It just had to be a good day from there. I was up early enough to get a cup of tea and sit in the hot tub reading my book. Also a lovely way to start the day! This was followed by packing and then a delicious breakfast. It was wonderful, but lightly frustrating, for one reason - HUNGER. Earlier in my hike, I loved being so hungry - eating absolutely as much as I wanted and still losing weight. Now, however, it's just annoying. Don't get me wrong, I still love food. It's just that I'm tried of this insatiable hunger. It just keeps getting worse. Even when I feel full sometimes, I still feel hungry simultaneously. I know that sounds impossible, but I'm sure any past or present thru-hikers know what I'm talking about. I just can't get enough! I'm learning a lot about my body's thresholds, too, because I'm not even all that skinny. I figured I'd be a stick-figure before I felt this way, but I don't think 'stick-figure' is possible for my body. Anyway.....   I left late (9:40) but still made my 16 miles by 6:15. The trail was lots of ups and downs, and I understand tomorrow will be more of the same, but I enjoyed it. It was just very constant, no surprises. I surpassed the 1700 mile mark! Tomorrow I will attempt my first 20-mile day since Delaware Water Gap. I am surprisingly nervous and plan to try to get out early. So here's the coolest thing that hit me today - it now really feels like Katahdin gets closer and closer every day. Of course, this has been the case all along, but it hasn't actually FELT that way until now. Now, the end is truly tangible!
Date: 2010-08-15
From: Wintturi Shelter

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

First of all, I'd like to send out "big thanks to my parents" (though I think primarily Dad) for transcribing the last month of journals among a million other things that are keeping me on the trail! I truly don't know what I'd do without you guys. (In so many ways!) This Last month of transcribed journals (I'll finish up the last few when I get home.) will be taken care of by my dear friend Dan, who has known med since I was a toddler. [ed: She sat on my lap with wet panties.] Dan, thank you so much in advance for your contribution to my hike!   Today was a loooong day! I did my first 20 since Pennsylvania. I am whooped! I left this morning at 0715 and didn't get to the shelter until 7:30 this evening. I also didn't have as many snacks as I should, so I basically spent all day hungry and trying to ration my food. About 4:00 that all ended. I arrived at the most delightful oasis, the West Hartford store. I arrived there completely pre-occupied with hunger, threw my pack down outside and practically ran inside. After a giant cheese steak, chips and a Diet Coke, an ice cream sundae and snacks and breakfast for tomorrow, I was feeling much better. What a wonderful place! I finally left just before 6 to hike the remaining 4 uphill miles to the shelter. Although I really dragged much of the day there were several lovely views as well as fresh apples and tons of blackberries for the picking. Yum!Less than 450 miles to go.
Date: 2010-08-16
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Etna-Hanover Center Rd/Tigger's Tree House
Miles today: 11.7

I have now officially hiked from Georgia to New Hampshire! It doesn't have quite the same ring as "Georgia to Maine," but give me 154 more miles. I hiked for a while this morning with Power Pack and our group kept growing. As we hit the beginning of a few mile road walk through Norwich, VT and into Hanover, NH we met Butter, Six Toes, and Hitch. Soon we added Buttons to the group. We got awesome trail magic (watermelon and banana bread) from the Brain, AT class of '07, who lives right along said road walk. As we crossed the Connecticut River into NH, we met Stucco, Scatters and Deetz. Soon we added Buttons to the group. It was a blast hiking into the cool college town of Hanover with such a big, fun group. In town I split off and did my own thing. I ran errands, but also sat on a bench with a Diet Coke chocolate croissant and talked to my mother. I visited the headquarters of the Dartmouth Outing Club, the country's oldest outdoor pursuit organization. This was surprisingly unexciting, but hey, I was there. I had an amazing lunch at Ramuntos which gives all thruhikers a free slice of some of the best cheese pizza I've ever had. I got a very large draft beer and set that and my other stuff at my table. As I walked back with my slice of garlic knot pizza and one of honey bbq, someone remarked that surely I must have someone joining me to finish all that. It was a brief moment of joy when I replied, "Nope, just me!" Around 2:30 I hiked out of town and did the 5 or so miles to Etna-Hanover Center Rd. Those miles were beautiful.The first bit right out of town was forest hemlocks and huge mossy rocks. Hitting it right after a rain made it almost mystical, as though elves should be peeking out from behind the rocks. Right as I got to the road around 4:45 a car began to pull away from the gravel pullout. He quickly stopped when he saw my thumb in his rearview and kindly gave me a ride to the general store. I met Wizard from Oz and Tripper, an Australian couple who were also staying at Tigger's Treehouse. I picked up a few things, we called Karen at Tiggers to come get us. On the ride there I asked if there were any other hikers there for the night. She dodged my questions but I assumed there was some frustrating story behind that and I didn't think anything else of it. I was wrong. When we pulled up to the house, sitting out front was none other than Red Hat! Both she and Karen were delighted that I was surprised and I was delighted to be able to catch up with Red Hat. We had a wonderful evening at this great place watching NCIS and talking about the last several days. Karen and Ralph are incredibly generous! I had a great shower, washed all my clothes, had a cup of ice cream and am not sitting out in the tiny pup up camper that have all to myself. I love this place and these kind people. Twelve states down, only to more to go.
Date: 2010-08-17
From: Etna-Hanover Center Rd/Tigger's Tree House

To: Smart Mountain Tent Site
Miles today: 17.4

No wonder I'm so completely exhausted. I just looked at the elevation profile on my map and I estimated that I climbed over 5500' total today. This may be the most difficult 17 I've done so far. Every bit of the day kicked my butt, and of course the longest, hardest climb was right at the end of the day. I feel like I practically stumbled the last bit of the way up here. It also occurred to me that my physical struggle may have something to do with me only getting about 5 hours sleep last night. Oh well, I made it and no one can take those miles back. When we left this morning I gave Karen a very modest $10 donation for my stay, shower, laundry, shuttle to and from the trail, TV and ice cream. When I gave her the money she very sweetly and graciously asked If I was sure. She was simply good-hearted and wonderful! Today was also full of magic in various forms..........a soda, cupcake and water from HDMama's husband Rick; gatorade packets from Boss and ice cream and a wonderful break from Bill "The ice cream man." Bill's house is right on the trail and for 4 years he has provided water and an ice cream bar for each hiker who stops by. He is one of the kindest, most jovial people I've ever met. What a great stop. I'm now up on top of Smarts Mountain with HDMama, Boss, Stucco and Bird. The wind is whipping delightfully and the sky turned beautiful colors at sunset. Today was incredibly tough and wore me out but the rewards are sweet.
Date: 2010-08-18
From: Smart Mountain Tent Site

To: About 1.5 miles north of NH 25C
Miles today: 16.6

I am in a "stealth" (ie, non-established) campsite in the middle of the woods and thus do not have a clear sunset view, but the sky I see through trees is a brilliant pink. Today has been a good day. My minimum goal was only 13 miles so this prompted me to take my time and enjoy the trail.I began my day with a beautiful view from the Smart Mountain fire tower. Wait, let's back up. I began my day with gratitude that the tree holding the head end of my hammock did not snap during the night. My options were fairly slim when setting up my hang, so I ended up on an evergreen of some sort that was a bit flimsier than my liking. The wind was whipping fiercely and everytime we got a good gust that tree would shake, taking my hammock and me along for the ride. Thankfully it held. I was quite proud of my little tree. The only major climb of the day was up Mt. Cube. The map elevation profile show this as a vicious angle but I was shocked by the eases with which Trooper and I both flew up it. Hopefully this bodes well for the Whites. It was beautiful up top and definitely a confidence booster. The afternoon was highlighted by an unplanned fun side trip. When Trooper and I got the NH25A we both decided on a whim to try to hitch off trail. He was headed for the small town of Wentworth with the goal of getting a Dr. Pepper. I was trying to hitch in the opposite direction for Mt. Cube Sugar House, a fruit stand with tons of home made maple products. Trooper, who still had 10 miles to hike, gave up quickly but I had plenty of time to keep trying. When he had just put on his pack a car came by headed toward the Sugar House but turned around and pulled over. She was going to Wentworth and had passed Trooper but changed her mind. Thanks Nicki! As we were loading up Bird came out of the woods also going to Wentworth. When Nicki offered a ride to Wentworth I thought, "Why not?" and gave up on the Sugar House. This little adventure led us to Shawnee's General Store where I got a fresh pulled pork sandwich, chips and a Diet Coke. I also finally got cell service for the first time in a couple of days and decided to listen to my smart family. I called the moosilauke Medical Center in Warren and made an appointment for tomorrow afternoon to get my itchy rash/hives checked out. It actually seems slightly less widespread tonight but we'll see how it looks in the morning.I eventually got back on trail and hiked for a few more hours. I wanted to get closer to town than Ore Hill shelter so I continued on, got water at NH25C and then stopped at the first decent spot I saw to camp. I think I only have about 3.5 miles to Glencliff in the morning. This is all I will hike tomorrow so I can take care of the doctor and, errands and rest up for the Whites.
Date: 2010-08-19
From: About 1.5 miles north of NH 25C

To: Glencliff,NH
Miles today: 3.4

I am here in Hiker's Welcome Hostel in the truly tiny town of Glencliff, consisting of the hostel, post office and a few houses. That's it. Really. Oh wait, no that's not all. There's also a gigantic almost unreal mountain looming over it. While I have seen bigger mountains in my lifetime I have never looked up at one that big with intentions of climbing it. The experience is both scary and exhilerating. I know it's going to be very hard but I am also only asking 8 miles of myself tomorrow. Just a little ol' 8. Surely I can handle that. I'm so excited for the Whites!!!   Today has been full of adventure. I got in early and got on getting my mail, a shower and laundry going. The washer was taking forever and it wasn't finished by the time I needed to work on hitching to Warren (5 miles)for my 1:20 doctor's appointment. Luckily, Gator, whose laundry was in with mine, volunteered to take care of it. As it turns out I left it with him all day. Thank you so much Gator!   I hitched to Warren and got lunch before going over to the doctor to check on the crazy, itchy rash. I've had for a about a week and a half. The wonderful doctor confirmed that it is hives. Since I told her I'v had some funky side effects from Prednisone (an oral steroid) she prescribed a topical steroid cream and told me to take OTC Zyrtec during the day and Benadryl at night. I can't wait for the itching to end! Of course we hve no idea what caused the hives in the first place.   In order to get the meds I needed I had to hitch to Plymouth 20 miles away. It took 15 minutes or so but I got a hitch all the way in. Hurray! I got my meds, a few other needed items, wings and a drink at Wal Mart and then sat out front having a lovely chat with Mom before hitching back. There is no cell service in Glencliff or Warren but it's great in Plymouth. While I was still on the phone Deetz, Powerpack and Miles pulled up with their friend Gillian. They had a space open in the car so I waited with my good friends Ben and Jerry while they shopped. (Tip...the key lime pie flavor is amazing!) The ride back with windows all open to today's fabulous weather was great. Thanks Gillian!   Though I didn't think this day could get any better I got back to find Red Hat at the grill. She was cooking tons of strip steaks for all the guys working at and on the hostel. Renovations are in progress. And one other guest......little ole me. I had an incredibly unexpected steak, baked potato and corn for dinner. Red Hat, you are amazing and made my fantastic day even better !!!! Thank you.
Date: 2010-08-20
From: Glencliff,NH

To: Kingmans Notch
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

Mt. Moosilauke is one of the most incredible places I have ever been. Red Hat and I have had a wonderful day slackpacking (Which I am so thankful she convinced me to do). When I came out above tree line up top I couldn't think of anything to say other than "Holy Shit" and "Oh my God." so I just kept repeating thee two phrases as though they were the only two phrases I know. It was simply stunning. If you ever have a chance to hike about tree line in the Whites, DO IT! I cannot wait for more.   It wasn't just the peak, though the whole hike was beautiful. The terrain was hard but the rebar and wooden steps have been put in, it was fine. We sat for a while and had lunch in a little nook protected from the strong winds on top of Moosilauke. There was a large group of thru hikers there and I was happy to share this first of the Whites with others. It was especially great to do it carrying almost nothing. Red Hat evens pared a Hostess cupcake on top of the mountain.   We finished the hike in about 6.5 hours. I have so enjoyed all the great guys at Hiker's Welcome ---PackRat, Fat Chap, Uncle Walt, Bag of Tricks.We had breakfast at Peg's this morning on the way to the trail and this evening lots of us ordered in and watched The Big Lebowski. I've never seen this 'new classic', but lost interest part way through. Regardless it was a fun evening. All in all a fabulous day on the trail!!!