morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-04
From: Greg Anderson Shelter

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 20.1

Hiked past High Point in New Jersey today (highest point in NJ). Then ended up staying at the mayor's house in Unionville, NY. Awesome place!!! Everything was free....laundry, t.v., internet, dinner, breakfast, and quarter beers. Can't beat that! The mayor was a really cool dude! We (my fellow hikers) sat around drinking some beers with the mayor and his cool friends while watching fireworks. It was awesome!!!! Even saw the beautiful High Point Memorial all lit up on top of the mountain. It looked a lot like the Washington Monument in D.C.
Date: 2008-07-07
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: William Brien Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Ahhh yes the Lemon Squeezer! I almost got stuck climbing through that thing. It was pretty cool though! After getting through that thing, hiked onto to Lake Tiorati. Bondi and myself went for a swim in the lake. It felt soooo good after all the heat and humidity we've been having.
Date: 2008-07-11
From: Pawling, NY

To: Mt. Algo Lean-to
Miles today: 20.4

What an awesome day! The weather was great and got in some good mileage. Crossed into Connecticut this morning....another state down...ahhhh yeah!!! Hiked along the Ten Mile River and then up some pretty tough mountains. Arrived at the shelter and was greeted by Mr. Miserable with some trail magic...beer, cheeseburgers, cake, chicken, and other goodies! Pretty cool and comical dude!
Date: 2008-07-14
From: Falls Village, CT

To: Glen Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 21.7

Hiked over the Lion's Head and Bear Mountain (Connecticut's highest peak)today. Had a pretty tough climb up Mt. Everet (no not Mt. Everest). Crossed into Massachusetts after Mt. Everet into the Sages Ravine. Sages Ravine is an awesome place!!! Also passed the 1500 mile mark.
Date: 2008-07-15
From: Glen Brook Lean-to

To: Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: clear sky

Had a pretty boring day today. However, I did pass the Shay's Rebellion Monument coming into town. Great Barrington was strange but pretty cool little town. It was almost like a big city in a small town with all the people running around everywhere. It was cool to see a movie theater, although, I didn't see a movie.
Date: 2008-07-16
From: Great Barrington, MA

To: Mt. Wilcox North Lean-to
Miles today: 13.5

Today sucked!!! What the hell is the AMC's problem!?!? Got lost twice today which cost me about 4 hours due to poor blazing. The only good thing about the day was seeing Benedict Pond and the Ledges. I will try my best to keep the AMC from getting any of my money when I get further north.
Date: 2008-07-17
From: Mt. Wilcox North Lean-to

To: Upper Goose Pond
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Today kinda sucked as well. Not having a good time hiking through Mass. The mosquitos suck and the deer flies here are terrible! Once I saw the Upper Goose Pond in 90 degree weather, I just had to take a break and go for a swim. The water was clear and cool. I decided to stay at the cabin where I heard that there was caretaker there that fed pancakes to hikers in the mornings. Upon arriving at the cabin, I later found out that they have a canoe and a dock to swim around near the cabin. Turned out to be a refreshing day of swimming and keeping cool.
Date: 2008-07-18
From: Upper Goose Pond

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

After eating pancakes for breakfast, hiked on to Dalton. Just before Dalton, I was greeted with some trail magic just before going into town. Found Tom Lavardo's house and saw the rest of my crew there...so I decided to stay the night and zero the next day.
Date: 2008-07-22
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The trail is very muddy and slippery here in VT. I was out of camp fuel so I decided to stop into Bennington and pick some up. Sofa King and I got a ride into town by a young girl who had been hiking and was from Burlington, VT. I loaded up on fuel at the outfitters and decided to stay the night since thunderstorms were rolling in. The outfitters referred us to guy named Chris that runs a hostel behind his house. We got there afterwards and met Chris. Chris is a really cool hippie like dude with long white hair and has an awesome house full of artwork and drums. Chris plays drums and also plays a lot of primitive musical instruments. He introduced me to the Bull Roar, which I've gotta get one now after playing with that thing! We had a good time in his hostel in the back playing pool and drinking some beers with three southbound section hikers. Chris' son, Josh, is really good at pool...so if you're ever there, prepared to get beat! I whooped Sofa King at darts 218-0. Good times on the AT. Later that night, Chris broke out his bongos and drums and played for us. He's pretty darn good. Good times with good people on the AT!!!!
Date: 2008-07-23
From: Bennington, VT

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well, the storms rolled in and caused us all to zero and spend another awesome day and night at Chris' house. Another night of partying, good music, and drinking a few beers with Chris. Awesome guy! He has plans like me, sell the house and live on a sailboat while cruising the Caribbean. Like I said...good times on the AT!!! Nothing like it!
Date: 2008-07-25
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Winhall River
Miles today: 24.2

Another long day of hiking. The weather was perfect, the sky clear, and a light cool breeze. After leaving the Goddard Shelter, hiked the rest of the way up Glastenbury Mtn. to the fire tower early in the morning. Got an awesome 360 degree view of Vermont during sunrise. Afterwards, hiked a long day to Stratton Mtn. After finally reaching the top, climbed another fire tower and got the best view I've seen since TN/NC! It was awesome! Mt. Greylock could be seen in distant south. It was pretty cool looking north to see all the mountains coming up soon in my little walkabout. I tried to see if I could see Mt. Washington, but I doubt I saw it. After spending some time up on Stratton Mtn. hiked on down to Stratton Pond. Took a time out to watch the sunset over the water while drinking a few beers with some cool college kids who were weekend hiking. Afterwards, hiked on until dark. Reached the Winhall River and stealth camped next the raging waters. Slept like a rock under the stars!
Date: 2008-07-26
From: Winhall River

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked on to Manchester Center, VT. This town reminds of a miniature version of Gatlinburg. There are all kinds of little expensive shops and rich people running all over. Got a ride from Jeff which runs the Green Mountain House. It's basically a brand new house built just for hikers by Jeff and Regina. This has to be the best hostel I've seen on the trail! Brand new house, bedrooms with ceiling fans, bunks, shower, laundry, flat screen t.v., computer, movies, and sodas in the fridge. Awesome place 4 sure!!!!! It's all free but accepts donations! It's also set out in the country with beautiful mountains surrounding the valley. This is a miracle to have run into a place like this, especially after all the bad weather we've been having.
Date: 2008-07-27
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Peru Peak Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: broken clouds

Stopped on the top of Bromley Mtn. today to check out the ski lift and the ski building. Next to the building, there was a pretty cool observation tower with some pretty cool views to the south. Everything to the north was cloudy. The Peru Peak Shelter is a pay shelter, unfortunately. It is beyond me that the GMC would want someone to pay $5 to stay in a piece of crap shelter. I ended up paying anyways. I thought I had made it to the shelter late enough so the caretaker wouldn't come around. She arrived 10 minutes after I did to collect the bill. Crap!!!
Date: 2008-07-28
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a good coffee break with Mala, Durrday Feet, and Sofa King today. Mala brought some of his good stuff and made us all a cup. Not a bad day of hiking afterwards. Saw some really cool cairns that people had put up at the White Rocks Vista just before the shelter.
Date: 2008-07-29
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: U.S. 4
Miles today: 25.2

What a killer day!!! Today I hiked 25 miles with Site and Bondi. Our mission was to make to the Inn at the Long Trail on U.S. 4 for some good food and beers. We hiked all day! Even went over Killington Peak. We took a side trail to the top where we were met with the best view yet since being in the north. To the northeast, we could see the Whites looming. My first sighting of the dreaded Whites! We also passed the under 500 mile mark from Katahdin! Very good day! After leaving Killington, we night hiked to the Inn, where they fed us some beef stew and we sipped on some Guinness and Long Trail Ale. We decided to go in on a room and crash for the night.
Date: 2008-07-30
From: U.S. 4

To: Rutland, VT
Miles today: 0.0

Caught a ride into Rutland in the morning. Had to go in for resupply and take a zero at the Twelve Tribes. Not a bad place! They were really nice to us hikers. They fed us lunch, dinner, and breakfast. I even did my first work for stay. A southbounder and myself took an hour to bag bread for the restaurant. It was a sinch! Not a bad hostel!
Date: 2008-08-01
From: Wintturi Shelter

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: light rain

Another boring day hiking through eastern Vermont. I did take a break at the Cloundland Farm store for some ice cream and Vermont soda. The root beer was the best! At the shelter, drank some wine and ate some good ole hot dogs courtesy of some other cool nobo hikers I've recently met.
Date: 2008-08-02
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: scattered clouds

An exciting day today!!! Crossed over the Connecticut River into New Hampshire! Only 2 states left on this journey! I'm so excited! Upon arriving into Hanover, I explored part of the Dartmouth campus! After getting into Hanover, the town was having some kind of celebration with a parade. Some of us hikers stuck around and watched the parade. We even saw one of the clowns in the parade run into a van in the parade on his bicycle. He was a little hurt, but nothing serious. I was a little disappointed in the outfitters here in Hanover as they couldn't fix my trekking pole tips. Looks like I'll have to buy a whole new set. Another strange thing that I saw today....my first porcupine. Wrongway decided to chase one back at the shelter. Guess he was gonna try and catch it. I've heard he picks up snakes and stuff. It was pretty cool seeing one in the wild. I didn't know that they could get so big and move so fast. Pretty awesome day!
Date: 2008-08-06
From: Firewarden's Cabin

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Hiked all day with Sofa King, Chowdah, and Buddy. We had to cross a couple of fords today in the rain. Finally made it to the shelter only to find it crowded by some southbounders and an old man that likes to piss in his titanium cooking pot at night. This shelter sucks! I wouldn't recommend it!
Date: 2008-08-09
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: light rain

Crossed a rediculous stream by the highway after saying our goodbyes at the hostel. We actually made it up to Mt. Mooselauke today. The first of the White Mountains baby!!! woohoooo! It was very cloudy and rainy with a few slight chances of views! When we reached the shelter, we could see Franconia Ridge in the distance along with Mt. Washington! Awesome views!!!
Date: 2008-08-18
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut 

To: Osgood Tentsite
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: fog

Hiked up the summit of Mt. Washington today (known as the world's worst weather spot and NH's highest point). It was very windy and cloudy and cold! Made it to the summit finally and was greeted by all kinds of tourists who drove up or rode the cog train up. After summitting, we climbed down only to look back up Washington and see that the clouds had cleared off and the top was having big views! Damn my luck!! Oh well... continued my hike through the Whites and crossed over Mt. Madison, which was very cool and rocky!
Date: 2008-08-22
From: Gentian Pond Campsite

To: Full Goose Pond Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Made it into Maine today! The final state! It was an exciting day when we got to the state line! We (Peanut, Wrongway, Site, Sofa King, and myself) made it to the Maine state line. We all took pictures and hiked on to the Carlo Col Shelter to grab some water. There, we fed some Gray Jays who would fly down and land on our hands. Pretty awesome! The hike has really been hard with some tough terrain. Seems like the AMC doesn't like to help thru-hikers by setting up some ladders where some sections are treacherous.
Date: 2008-08-23
From: Full Goose Pond Shelter

To: Baldpate Lean-to
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

Holy crap!!! Today we hit Mahoosuc Notch, which is supposed to be the hardest mile on the trail. It wasn't too bad. I actually took my time crawling through all the rocks and holes. It took me almost 2 hours to complete it. I would have completed it faster, but I accidentally dropped my camera bag down into a crack about 7 feet deep. A small skinny thru-hiker had to crawl down into it to retrieve it for me (Thank God!) At the beginning there were some moose bones that we kept hearing about and some prayer flags that someone had strung up. Pretty cool seeing that. After Mahoosuc Notch, we climbed up Mahoosuc Arm which kicked everyone's butt!!! It absolutely sucked! Hope I don't have to climb anything else like that in Maine. The views were pretty rewarding though! Also passed the 1900 mile mark.
Date: 2008-08-24
From: Baldpate Lean-to

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: few clouds

Had an awesome view of the mountains above the clouds from Baldpate Mtn this morning. I have to admit, Maine has been absolutely beautiful, even though the terrain is tough. I almost think that Maine is the best kept secret of the country. This state is absolutely gorgeous and remote. Also crossed the Dunn Notch Falls today. Plan on staying at the Pine Ellis hostel.
Date: 2008-08-25
From: Andover, ME

To: Sawyer Brook 
Miles today: 7.4

A bunch of us planned on hiking pretty far today, but things changed. Found a cool camping spot right next to Sawyer Brook that had a picnic table so we decided to all stealth camp. Had a great night sitting around the campfire with Sofa King, Butters, Site, Rocksteady, Bondi, Peanut, and Wrongway.
Date: 2008-08-26
From: Sawyer Brook 

To: Sabbath Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a big day of hiking today. Finally hitting big miles in Maine again. The terrain was fairly easy. Climbed up Moody Mtn. and Old Blue Mtn. Tented at the lean-to next to a pond. Saw some loons for the first time. They sound pretty cool and really cool at night. Also saw some leeches swimming around in the water.
Date: 2008-08-29
From: Piazza Rock Lean-to

To: Spaulding Mtn. Lean-to
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a wonderful day hiking up Saddleback Mtn. The view was spectacular. ME looked like a sea of clouds with mountaintops looking like islands. It was windy, but awesome! Also climbed over the Horn, Saddleback Junior, and Lone Mtn. today. Had a tough one with Saddleback Junior and Lone Mtn. They were pretty hard. At the end of the day, I had a huge blister on the sole of my foot from all the steep inlcines. Hopefully, it will get better real fast! I'm truly falling in love with Maine! This place is awesome!!!
Date: 2008-08-30
From: Spaulding Mtn. Lean-to

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Passed the rock that memoralized the last link of the AT being completed on Spaulding Mtn. Had a pretty tough day hiking over South and North Crocker Mtn. in cloudy weather. Didn't really care for those two mountains. Afterwards, I hiked into town. Ate a big burger at White Wolf and checked into the Stratton Motel for the night. A much needed rest and shower.
Date: 2008-08-31
From: Stratton, ME

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: few clouds

Site and I hauled butt over the Bigelows today! AWESOME mountain range in perfect weather! Hiked over South Horn, West Peak, Avery Peak, and Little Bigelow. I even stopped and posed like the ATC poster girl for a picture on top of Avery Peak at the sign. It will be interesting to compare my picture to the theirs (It's the picture of the girl standing next to the sign and looking off into the distance). The wind was pretty fierce on the Bigelows. Almost got blown down a few times.
Date: 2008-09-01
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

Things have changed for the better! The last of the big mountain ranges is over now! Looking forward to getting to Katahdin now! Today's terrain was flat and had an easy day of hiking. Stopped and hung out with Sherlock, Gumby, and Site at a little beach on the East Carry Pond. The weather was beautiful! Not a cloud in the sky! Maine has become one of my favorite places! It's so remote with beautiful views! The people are really nice as well. It's kinda like the south of the New England. During our hike today, we came across a big bull moose in a swampy area. Couldn't believe how big it was! That thing moved right through all the thick woods like it was nothing. AWESOME DAY!!!! I LOVE MAINE!!!
Date: 2008-09-02
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Moxie Bald Lean-to
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up to a beautiful morning today on the lake. Loons were calling all around. After a night of talking to Rhino and some cool section hiker with dreadlocks, a few of us northbounders decided to take a stop at Harrisons for a 12 pancake breakfast. After slamming an awesome breakfast, Site and I took off on the trail toward the Kennebec River. We were hauling after all the calories. We made it to the Kennebec River around 9 AM. We hiked 3 miles in 45 minutes. Afterwards, we met up with Dave, the guy that ferries hikers across the Kennebec River in his canoe. Dave was a really neat Grizzly Adams looking dudethat was pretty comical. He had that strong Maine accent, which I thought was really cool. He gave Site and myself some trail magic once we reached across the river. Dave handed us two Budweisers! Yeah baby!!! Not bad for a day....12 pancakes and two Buds. After slamming the Buds, we said our goodbyes to Dave and took off, hiking past Caratunk. Later that day, we climbed Moxie Bald Mountain. It was here that we first saw Katahdin way off in the distance. It was little and it was apparent that we still had a long way to go.
Date: 2008-09-03
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: few clouds

Today's hike was very easy. Mostly small ups and downs. We had our first river ford at the West Branch Piscataquis River. Had to take off my shoes to cross which sucked! I almost fell a couple of times. Once we crossed, we saw a note that read "Check for leeches." No leeches thankfully. We put on our shoes and boogied on into the small town of Monson. Looking forward to staying at the famous Shaw's in town.
Date: 2008-09-04
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zeroed in town today. Last night, Site and I stayed at Shaw's, but we had such a good time at the Lakeshore House that we decided to stay the next night there. Plus, Rebecca, the owner, was really wonderful to all the hikers. She let me use her car to go pick up some other hikers from the trail.
Date: 2008-09-06
From: Monson, ME

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Here we go! The last stretch. After being dropped off at the trail from Monson, we were immediately met with a sign warning us of the 100 Mile Wilderness. It basically said that there was no more resupply for the next 100 miles. Pretty intimidating. Headed on into the wilderness on an overcast and rainy day. The hike started off really easy until I hit Barren Mountain. The mountain wasn't a big mountain, but for some reason, it was a major pain in the a**!!! I hated that climb. It seemed to have a lot of fake tops. After finally reaching the REAL top, I hiked on into the Cloud Pond Lean-to. It was there that I met up with everyone and also this cute vagrant girl named Mazy. Talked to her for a while. She was pretty interesting having already travelled to Africa, Europe, and parts of Africa, as well as already thru-hiked the A.T. by the age of 24.
Date: 2008-09-07
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to

To: Sidney Tappan Campsite
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a pretty simple hiking day. Passed the Katahdin Iron Works Logging Road. If I'm not mistaking, it was the same place where Bill Bryson quit the trail in his book. I could be wrong, but I still had the thought that Bill Bryson was really a wus. Reminds of Baltimore Jack's t shirt that reads "Bill Bryson is a candy-ass." Anyways, after crossing the logging road, ran into another river ford. I need water, so I dipped my Nalgene in to get some. When I brought it back up with water, I was surprised to see a leech that was attached to my bottle. The thing was attacking my bottle like something I've never seen. It kept slamming it's ugly head against the bottle trying to get a bite I guess. I flicked it off and moved on across the river. Camped out at the base of White Cap Mountain with Site. We're hoping to have a good day the following day. White Cap is supposed to be the first good view of Katahdin.
Date: 2008-09-08
From: Sidney Tappan Campsite

To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked up White Cap Mountain in the morning, but the weather was overcast and foggy. Unfortunately, no views of Katahdin from the summit. We did, however, get a chance to see the base of Katahdin while on our way down White Cap. The terrain got pretty flat after White Cap. The woods were really cool looking with all the moss over everything. We arrived at Antlers Campsite which was right on a gorgeous lake. Only one problem with the place....it was ate up with no-see-ums which ate us up! They were vicious. Had a peaceful night in my tent though, listening to the loons.
Date: 2008-09-09
From: Antlers Campsite

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: moderate rain

What a rainy day! We hiked all day in the cold and rain. Site and I both decided previously that we were gonna summit Katahdin on Friday the 12th. However, at lunch, we found out from Rhody and Pod that it was 50% chance of rain on Friday. Therefore, we decided to push our summit to Thursday the 11th since it was supposed to be a nice day. When we arrived to the Rainbow Stream Lean-to, I recognized it from the movie Southbounders. It was the same shelter where they shot a scene from. I also saw the totem pole that's right next to it. Pretty cool seeing the place after seeing the movie. We spent the night trying to dry out, but to no avail.