morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-07-02
From: Moose Mountain Shelter

To: Brackett Brook
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was clear this morning for the first time in ages. It started getting light in the shelter soon after 4:00, but I waited till just before 6:00 to get up because I didn't want to wake up everybody in the shelter. I was on the trail by 6:30. The day had a lot of long steep climbs in store for us, almost as if it is preparing us for the Whites.I walked for a while, then stopped at Trapper John's Shelter for a midmorning snack. It looked as if there used to be a stone building here a long time ago, there was a chimney that was still standing that hikers used for cooking. The privy was quite interesting as well, it looked like a privy fit for a king on his throne. The New Hampshire people must have a thing for humorous privies. It seems like they put their energy into privies instead of trail maintenance and markings.I stopped and chatted with Bill Ackerly (the ice cream man) when I got to his house. He is a wonderful old man in his late seventies who invites hikers to sit on his porch and chat, or play a game of croquet with him as you eat an ice cream bar. These are the kind of people who make this trail special. I think I want to retire by the trail someday when I can no longer hike.Today was the first day it didn't rain at least some of the day for a long, long time. The trail was still very muddy and the creeks are still running strong. When I went to cross one of those high creeks, I slipped on a rock and ended up falling into the creek. l bruised my thigh, but managed to keep my backpack dry. My pole went flying and I had to fish it out a bit further downstream.I met up with MacGyver again at the top of Mount Cube. We sat on the huge rock face and had a snack as we watched the late afternoon sun light up the rows and rows of mountain ridges going off into distance.As we made our way down the mountain we met two more southbound thru hikers, that makes 4 southbounders I met so far. I expect to run into a lot of them in the coming weeks.
Date: 2015-07-03
From: Brackett Brook

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

I woke up this morning at first light and left camp before MacGyver was out of his tent. I had planned to meet Arwen at noon and was going into town to eat and resupply with her. Whenever there is a town stop planned I usually seem to get an early start...it's the food.Arwen got to the trailhead just a short time before I did, and was a few tenths off the trailhead on the trail to meet me. I was glad to see her and also very grateful that my Mom sent some of my favorite cookies.
Date: 2015-07-04
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: moderate rain

The start of the White Mountains. A 4000 ft ascent to the summit of Mt. Moosilauke. And yet surprisingly more difficult, the sharp 3000 ft descent. The downhill was at such a grade at times that going backwards was necessary. The trail maintenance people were kind enough to have provided rebar hand and foot holds on some of the straight verticals, and on a few sections there were even wooden steps staked directly into the boulders. For almost a mile of the descent, the trail followed alongside an impressive cascading waterfall. Very beautiful, but also adding to the anxiety of watching your footing on the slippery rocks.Happy Independence Day!-Arwen
Date: 2015-07-05
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: scattered clouds

We were very lucky with shuttle service this morning around 7. The agenda for the day included 2 significant climbs over 17 miles, so having started much later may have created daylight issues towards the end of the hike... Had we not started trail running : )The climbs today were very challenging and fun, an incredible grade, gaining elevation very quickly, almost rock climbing. We proceeded upward finding roots and footholds and me getting a few boosts. It was mentally engaging as well as physically difficult. The top of Mount Kinsman offered an open view of the Whites. The weather was perfect, so you could see the shadows of clouds moving across the sunlit ridges in the distance. There were more beautiful waterfalls, and one spot with a deep pool underneath. I was unable to convince Proudfoot to go swimming, but the breeze by the waterfall was wonderful. The descent was equally engaging. Switching gears into downhill picking took a few minutes of transition, but after the initial warm-up, it seemed to go fairly smoothly.I was starting to drag coming into the last 3 miles of the day, after covering 7000 ft of climbing in the last 2 days. By way of perking up my mindset, we somehow decided to overcome weariness by trail running. I have fallen in love with trail running over the past few months, and being able to do so with Proudfoot was exhilarating. The added bonus was that with his 30 lb. backpack, it was the first, and probably only time when I will run confidently ahead of him. We ran past confused day hikers and southbounders all the way down to the trailhead, where my car was waiting for us. We finished around 7:30. A full, challenging, and adrenalin-filled day of hiking.Oh. And I fell 2 or 4 times while hiking downhill... My laughter (and profanity) got louder with each graceful slide and missed step. I have only a few bruises to keep as souvenirs from having started the Whites with Proudfoot.His endurance and grit is still amazing to me. -Arwen
Date: 2015-07-06
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: light rain

Arwen and I ate breakfast at a small cafe, then I topped off my groceries with enough food to last 5 days. We took her car up to the summit of Mount Washington to look at the view from the tallest peak in the Whites. The view was spectacular! I have been to this summit before, but this was Arwen's first time on this peak. It may have sparked some interest for Arwen to enter in the annual run to the top running race they put on.Arwen dropped me off again at Franconia Notch when we got back from the Mount Washington trip, then drove back home and left me here to finish my journey. It was a pleasant few days with her as a hiking partner, especially so in the White Mountains where resupplying isn't very easy.I changed out my shoes for a new pair, and added my down jacket, gloves, and a beanie to my pack. The weather in these mountains can turn nasty and cold in a very short time, so now I feel ready for the higher elevations.I climbed slowly out of Franconia Notch. Mr. Maroon was heavier than he has been for a long time, and I had to climb almost 4000' to get to the summit of Mount Garfield. There was a few other peaks that I had to go up over then drop down below the tree line again before I was rewarded with the final peak. The weather was nice, but cold and windy above the tree line. I was able to see Mount Washington in the distance.I dropped down to Garfield Ridge Campsites where I tented on one of their wooden platforms for the night. The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) runs the huts and the campsites here in the White Mountains. They charge $8.00 per person to stay at a shelter or campsite. A lot of thru hikers view them as a rich person's hiking club and try to avoid their sites and their fees. It is not uncommon to pay that amount to park your car in a parking garage in the city, so I don't see it as terribly overpriced. Besides, the privies and the shelters are usually cleaner than normal.
Date: 2015-07-07
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite

To: Ethan Pond Campsite
Miles today: 14.3

I woke up to the morning light illuminating the top of my tent. It was cold last night, and I slept exceptionally well on the tent platform.After I got started the trail did a short series of up and downs before it climbed in earnest. There was about 1500' of serious climbing, some of it was hand over hand over large boulders, before I was rewarded with the summit of South Twin Mountain. There was no view at the top because it was enveloped in fog. I was up above the tree line for a short while and ended up going down the wrong trail for a little while before I realized my error and had to backtrack.The weather forecast had possible thunderstorms in for this afternoon and I wanted to make Ethan Pond before it rained. Once I got down to Zealand Fall Hut the trail leveled off and I was able to make good time for about for miles before I got to my destination. There was already 5 people in the shelter so I decided to tent on the wood tent platforms. I got my tent set up around 5:00, and it wasn't a moment too soon. As soon as I got my fly set up it started raining. It was still early so I inflated my sleep pad and put my stuff inside the tent vestibule and stretched out in my tent. As the steady rain drummed on my tent I fell asleep fully dressed. I woke up and saw that it was 6:30, and it took a while in my befuddled state to realize that it was evening and not morning. The rain had let up a bit, so I got my water and made dinner before properly retiring for the night.This steep terrain is a lot of fun to hike on, but it is taking a toll on my feet. I suspect I will have to keep my daily mileage under 20 as I go through the whites.
Date: 2015-07-08
From: Ethan Pond Campsite

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up to the sound of frogs croaking and rain on my tent, it was a light, relaxing kind of rain. I waited till 6:00 and it seemed to almost stop, so I broke down my camp. When everything was packed up it started raining lightly again. I seemed to have timed it perfectly.I was on the trail before 7:00, my pack cover was keeping my pack dry, but it was warm enough that I didn't bother wearing rain gear. Besides, it was a light rain, and it looked like it was almost over. The trail dropped down almost 1500' before it started it's 4000' climb to the Lake of the Clouds Hut. As I made my way up over the Webster Cliffs, I encountered what was probably the most sketchy climbing I did on the AT. The rocks were slick and steep, I tried not to think about where I would end up if I slid down over the edge. The wind was blowing so hard I took my hat and stowed it inside my pack for safekeeping. The view was spectacular though, and at one point, for a short time, there was a brilliant rainbow to spice up my climb. I kept seeing Mount Washington in the distance and kept going towards it. The trail actually went around Mount Eisenhower and Mount Monroe. It was almost as if the trail designers forgot their policy to go to the top of every peak in the vicinity. I arrived at the Lake of the Clouds Hut around 4:00 and asked if they have any work for stay spots open. They said I was the first one in for the day, so I got to sleep on the dining room floor and eat dinner leftovers in return for helping out in the morning after breakfast. I wanted to experience at least one work for stay at the AMC's White Mountain huts, and what better place than the popular Lake of the Clouds Hut.There was about a dozen thru hikers doing work for stay, most of them SOBOs. We all slept on the dining room floor after the paying guests went to bed. I had plans to get outside during the night to look at the night sky with no light pollution, but never woke up to actually get out.
Date: 2015-07-09
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Wildcat Ridge Trail
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: few clouds

Mornings at the Lake in the Clouds Hut start at 6:00. All the thru hikers who were camped out on the floor were packed up by 6:30, then the croo set the tables in preperation for all the paying guests. Breakfast started at 7:00 and we all just sat back in the corner and waited till we were given instructions on what to do. After everyone was finished eating we were offered the chance to eat the leftovers. There was a HUGE pile of pancakes and some eggs leftover, and we were told to eat till it hurts. That is exactly what we did.After the guests had pretty well cleared out we were asked to sweep the bunkroom, dining room, and common room floors. It took our crew of work-for-stay hikers less than 10 minutes to do the job. It was 9:00 and I headed for the summit of Mount Washington.Toad, whom I hadn't seen for days, showed up just as I was getting started. We made the 1000' climb to the top in short order. It was a perfect day to climb to 6200'; no clouds to block the view, and very little wind. I arrived at the snack bar just as they were putting out some freshly baked cookies to sell. I purchased four of them and a Coke. I plugged in my phone and was surprised to see that I had service. I was able to eat cookies and do my online chores while visiting with Toad.I finally left around noon and wanted to make it to Pinkham Notch by evening and take a shower at the AMC center. I was warned by southbound thru hikers that it would be entirely too much climbing and descending to make it o the Notch by evening. However, it turned out to be quite an easy and enjoyable jaunt. It seems the description of the upcoming terrain is alway described as much worse by SOBOs than us NOBOs think of it. I guess they only went a bit over 300 miles so far, and everything seems harder for them than it does to us. It was probably the most fun 1o miles on the entire trail.As I was coming down the mountain I stopped and talked to an elderly couple that was hiking south. It turns out that they are doing their third thru hike in six years. They are called the honeymoon hikers.I grabbed a snack at Pinkham Notch when I got there, then took a long hot shower and did my laundry cowboy style. I moved on for a mile or so more and tented beside the trail.
Date: 2015-07-10
From: Wildcat Ridge Trail

To: Rattle River Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: few clouds

I got up at the crack of dawn and hit the trail before 6:30. The first thing I had to do was climb 2000' up Wildcat Mountain. There seems to be so many peaks at Wildcat, they don't give them names. They have the peaks labeled with letters, Perhaps they could name them after hikers, like Proudfoot Peak. Hmm...who does give the mountains their names?I was almost at the observation tower when I heard something off to my right. Lo and behold, it was 10-speed, breaking camp! We greeted each other and decided to walk together the entire day. It was good to catch up on all the trail stories since I last hiked with him in Virginia. He had Guardia and spent almost 10 days off the trail as a result of that. The day was spent climbing and descending 1000s of feet as we made our way to Rattle River Shelter. We discovered that my native PA Dutch and his native Swiss German language is similar enough that we can communicate quite well without using English or German, so now we can speak to each other without having other hikers understanding anything we are saying. We found out from the SOBOs that are staying with us that MacGyver and the twins are only a few hours ahead of us and went into the town of Gorham. We also plan to get up early and head for town for a resupply and laundry tomorrow, it should be a grand reunion.I stopped in at the last AMC Hut in the whites for water, the Carter Notch Hut. I will miss the AMC huts, I like the huts and the club. They may have the reputation of being overpriced, but they do a great job of educating people about environmental damage and climate change that humans are responsible for. I also like their professional staff that they have at all the huts.We are now almost out of sight of Mount Washington and the presidential range, I will sorely miss not being able to see those majestic mountain peaks. The white mountains have been fantastic!
Date: 2015-07-11
From: Rattle River Shelter

To: Gorham
Miles today: 1.9
Weather: overcast clouds

The two SOBOs that shared our shelter were up and on the trail before we were. We walked an easy little walk to the road and went a few tenths on the road and called it a day. We checked in at the White Mountain Hostel and looked forward to an easy day.White Mountain Hostel offers shuttles to hikers and was just heading out and asked if we wanted a ride into town. 10-Speed and I jumped at the chance, and a few minutes later we were seated at Welsh's Restaurant. MacGyver and the twins were in town, so I texted them and told them to join us. A little while later the five of us were seated around the table, stuffing our faces and catching up on the past week's adventures. We all got separated through the Whites, and all had different experiences. After we were almost finished, Danger came into the restaurant. We waved him over, and now we had six hikers swapping stories. These random restaurant meet-ups are truly one of the most memorable moments of the trail. I am at the part of my journey where I tend to have mixed feelings about the end. Part of me wants to get this thing done and get back to normal life; a life with regular showers and proper food. Another part of me wants this to go on forever; new sights to see and new people to meet, and an end to push towards, on every day I wake up. The conclusion is still weeks away, but I am already having hugely conflicted emotions about finishing. I can only imagine that they will be more strongly felt as I approach Katahdin.10-Speed, MacGyver, and I are making tentative plans to reach Katahdin in two weeks. We are acutely aware that that will mean some long and hard days through Maine. We know that we should slow down and enjoy the last state and wring as much pleasure as we can out of the remaining days. However, the urge to push hard is strong, and we decided not to ignore it. We can opt out of the plan to do it in two weeks whenever we want to. We have no deadlines to meet, but we seemed to be programmed to drive hard to the finish.MacGyver and the twins were done with their town chores by noon and decided to head out today get a jump start on me and 10-Speed. It sounds as if the twins are going to hook up to the Maine Train as well.I hear that cell phone coverage is poor through Maine. I will update my journal when I can, but it may go several days at a time with no updates.
Date: 2015-07-12
From: Gorham

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: clear sky

Mornings at White Mountain Hostel means plenty of food for all. We were told that breakfast will be ready at 7:00. There was no wake up call, the smells of the kitchen coming upstairs into the bedrooms got everyone out of bed in short order.After breakfast we were packed up and ready to go, still chatting with Werewolf and Brother Louie, we talked about the fact that we may never see each other again. We took some photos together, said our goodbyes, and headed out. The trail has a way of putting people in places where you meet up again, but with only a few hundred more miles, that isn't going to happen as often anymore. The first order of business was climbing 2000'. We climbed and descended almost the entire day. The 30 - 40 miles out of Gorham is rumored to be the toughest stretch on the trail. It goes up and down on steep slabs of rock, there are lots of places where metal bars have been placed on the rock for handholds. It isn't too bad when the rock is dry, but it would be much harder and much more treacherous with wet rock.It was a dollar day, and I only have three more dollars left to place on the trail. 10-Speed and I crossed into Maine around midday, it seems unreal that we are finally in Maine. We seemed to be fueled by the adrenaline of crossing into the last state for the rest of the day. We have now officially walked from Georgia to Maine. I seems hard to grasp.When we got closer to Full Goose Shelter we decided that it would work better to do the Mahoosuc Notch in the morning. When we rolled into the shelter, MacGyver and the twins were set up for the night. We discussed our plans, and are going back and forth about rushing through Maine or slowing down and enjoying it. We will see.
Date: 2015-07-13
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Surplus Pond
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: few clouds

This morning the twins alarm went off just before 5:00, they always like to get started early. Today was going to be a big day, so everybody in the shelter got up shortly afterwards. We were all on the trail by soon after 6:00.The first order of business was to go to the Mahoosuc Notch, which started about 1.5 miles from the shelter. The Mahoosuc Notch is billed as the toughest mile on the AT. It is simply a valley that is filled in with huge boulders that fell from the mountains on each side eons ago. Some boulders are the size of school busses. There are some white blazes that show you the way, but for the most part you just pick your way through the valley however you can. We kept hearing from SOBOs that it would take an hour or more to go the mile. However we all got through it in around 45 minutes or just a little more. It was a fun mile. I wouldn't say it was very hard, but it was interesting. There was even some leftover snow and ice down below the boulders in some areas.The climbs up Mahoosuc Arm, and the east and west peak of Bald pate Mountain was much, much harder than the Mahoosuc Notch in my opinion, it was also much more beautiful. Maine is so beautiful and so remote, it takes my breath away. Crawling up over huge slanted slabs of rock above the tree line has been the norm the past few days. We also only crossed over two roads since we left Gorham, NH.Soon after lunch, 10-Speed and I were out ahead, and it didn't seem like MacGyver and the twins were going to make the mileage we were planning on.We finally set up camp by a pond soon after 7:00 tonight. It was a long, hard day, but 10-Speed and I both thought we can do a lot more days like this. Some people consider the stretch of trail from Gorham to Grafton Notch the toughest section of the AT, and since we got around 22 miles a day done the last two days in that section, I am optimistic about continuing our push. We pushed each other during the long and hard hours the past few days. The competitive side of me is loving this little push we are putting on.Onward to Katahdin!
Date: 2015-07-14
From: Surplus Pond

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean To
Miles today: 25.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Surplus Pond to Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to 25.2 milesLast night at some point I heard 10-Speed open the zipper in his tent and saw his light flashing around, then I heard a few soft thus in the dirt. I called out and asked if he was OK, and he said he heard a mouse chewing on the handles of his poles that were leaning against the tree so he stabbed them into the dirt.We started out the morning by pushing our way through trees and grasses that grew in over the trail. It seems as if the trail maintenance in Maine is a lot less frequent than in New Hampshire. However, at least they have it well blazed so far. In New Hampshire the trails are well maintained, but a lot less blazed.There are very few roads in Maine so far, but we still see a surprising amount of section hikers and SOBOs.The mountains in southern Maine are very similar to the White Mountains in New Hampshire. They are not quite as tall, but they are still incredibly beautiful. There seems to be many more huge sheets of tilted rock slabs that you have to climb over, more that anything we did up till now. There was sections of trail that had iron bars mounted into the rock in other states, but we saw more of that in Maine than we saw up till now.The shelters are now called Lean Tos, and lots of them are located beside huge bodies of water called ponds. Even though Maine is described as rocks, roots, and mud, it is very beautiful.