morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-07-18
From: Mt. Wilcox South 

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

July 18, 2004 ¢ Mt. Wilcox South to Upper Goose Pond Cabin ¢ 15.8 miles        I got a good start this morning and was over the highest peak for the day by 8:30. Nothing particularly exciting today. I saw one southbound hiker, met two new nobos, 30-30 and Giggles and saw two trail maintainers. I saw them at my lunch break and they gave me some fig newtons. I think I might end up just passing through Dalton on Tuesday so I was really looking forward to a swim in the pond since a shower will probably have to wait until Wednesday night at Bascom Lodge. The water was cold but felt great. All the clothes I had on are thoroughly rinsed and I stayed in until my fingers got pruny. The Roman Noodles are here. It¢s good to see them again. Should be a nice lazy afternoon and evening.
Date: 2004-07-19
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

July 19, 2004 ¢ Goose Pond to Dalton, Massachusetts ¢20.6 miles        A rainy morning made bright by breakfast served by the caretakers. We had blueberry pancakes. I had six. It was a hard place to leave, walking out into the rain. Got going about 8:30. Walking was pretty easy today. Hit the next shelter 8.8 miles out by 12:30. The next 8.8 looked flatter on the profile so I started thinking about heading all the way into Dalton. Only 3 miles further than I¢d planned. My afternoon was fueled by two trail magic spots. Crossed a road to find a bucket full of goodies and I had two oatmeal pies. The next major road crossing had a cooler with sodas, grapes, snickers, etc. I had a Pepsi and hiked on. I got to the trail to the next shelter at 4:30. I called the Inn in Dalton to make sure they had a room available and headed for town. I left a note for the Roman Noodles and 30-30 and Giggles to let them know what I was doing. Just before town I had to stop and wait for a train to go by. It was kind of neat to have to sit in the edge of the woods and watch it go by. I stopped at the Cumberland Farms store and got some crisp M&Ms, a root beer and a lottery ticket. Had a rice and bean burrito from my food for dinner. Tomorrow morning I¢ll do laundry and get my mail drop at the post office. Right now I¢m just glad to be finally clean.
Date: 2004-07-20
From: Dalton, MA

To: Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 8.8

July 20, 2004 ¢ Dalton to Cheshire ¢ 8.8 miles        Hiked from the Shamrock Inn to the Hostel at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church. Had breakfast with the Roman Noodles this morning at a local coffee shop. Went to the post office, had a long walk to the Laundromat. Washed my sleeping bag. It was great to pull it out of the dryer all warm and clean and fluffy. Mmm. Got a ride to the Pharmacy from Tom, a local Dalton trail angel. It would have been a long walk otherwise. Got my gear together, had a sub, chips and root beer for lunch at the local sub shop and bought a whoopee pie for an afternoon snack. Started back to the trail with the Noodles about 1:00. It was a nice day and a fairly easy trail. Had a thousand foot climb but over several miles. It actually got quite warm this afternoon with the sun shining. Got to the next town, Cheshire, about 5 and decided to stay at the church hostel instead of hiking another 4+ miles to the next shelter. The Noodles, 30-30, Giggles and Ranger Jim are here too. It was good to see Ranger Jim again after so long. He¢d been off the trail for a while for a family wedding and is just catching back up. Tomorrow is the climb up and over Mt. Greylock, almost a thousand feet higher than Mt. Everett a few days ago. We¢re really getting back into the mountains now. I¢m hoping the weather will be nice and we¢ll have some views.
Date: 2004-07-21
From: Cheshire, MA

To: Sherman Brode Campsite
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

July 21, 2004 ¢ Cheshire, MA to Sherman Brode Campsite ¢ 16.1 miles        It was very foggy this morning, so I woke up a bit late. Slept better on the floor at the church than I did the night before at the motel in a bed. Headed out about 8. Had a long steady climb up Mt. Greylock. It¢s the highest mountain in Massachusetts and our first time back over 3000 feet in months. It was hazy so the views weren¢t very good. Might have to go back and check them out on a clearer day. Had lunch at Bascom Lodge: fish & chips and a root beer. Filled my water bottle from the spigot. Saw Bear Behind and Aussie. Took pictures of the war memorial and one of the quotes engraved on a rock. There were a few quotes by Thoreau, one by Bascom, and a few others engraved in the rocks around the summit ¢ pretty neat. Went over Mt. Williams and Mt. Prospect. Would have been a great view without the haze. There was a nice grassy spot and I had a break and a quick nap. Hiked through North Adams and up to the campsite. Ranger Jim, Aussie and Bear Behind are all camped nearby. Ranger Jim hiked in a six pack of beer from North Adams and let me have one. Less than 600 miles to go and only 2.5 to the Vermont border!
Date: 2004-07-22
From: Sherman Brode Campsite

To: VT Route 9
Miles today: 16.8

July 22, 2004 ¢ Sherman Brook to VT Route 9 ¢ 16.8 miles        Got up early and was moving by 7. There wasn¢t a ¢Welcome to Vermont¢ sign, but there was a ¢Welcome to the Green Mountain National Forest¢ sign, so I took a picture of that. Saw 2 sets of southbounders and a group of camp lads. Had no views on this stretch and the highest peak we went over didn¢t even have a name. Excitement for the day was slogging through the mud. Tiring and messy. Had my lunch on Consultation Peak. Tailwind came by while I was there and we chatted for a minute. I wrote notes in the trail registers at the VT line, Congdon Shelter, and Harmon Hill letting folks know my plans for the next 10 days. My brother picked me up at Route 9 at the end of the day and drove me to our family summer place in NH. I got to see my grandmother and mom, went for a swim and had a shower, not to mention eating them out of house and home! Tomorrow will be a zero day. Saturday my brother and I drive to North Woodstock and Sunday we¢ll head into the Whites at Franconia Notch. I¢ll be helping at the AMC huts for three nights as volunteer croo and then finishing the Presidentials. I¢ll have one more zero day at the lake and should be back on the trail in Bennington by August 1st. A bit of a detour, but it will be great to spend a few days in the mountains with friends. It also means I don¢t have to carry as much gear or food ?. Tomorrow I¢ll sort and clean gear and rest. I know my feet will enjoy the break.
Date: 2004-07-23
From: VT Route 9

To: Lake Massasecum - Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

July 23, 2004 ¢ Zero Day ¢ Lake Massasecum, Bradford, New Hampshire        Got to hear the loons calling this morning. They were trying to put a duck in his place. Did laundry up in Bradford while wearing some clothes of my mom¢s. Went through my food box and set aside stuff for the days between Bennington and Manchester Center. Separated my gear for the hut trip from my full pack. Helped with a puzzle, napped, ate and watched Law& Order reruns.
Date: 2004-07-24
From: Lake Massasecum

To: North Woodstock, NH - Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

July 24, 2004 ¢ Zero Day ¢ Lake Massasecum, Bradford, New Hampshire        Slept late, packed food (just a few snacks) for my week in the Whites. My sister, brother-in-law and nephew came for a visit. We had a mid-day dinner and my brother and I left about 4:00 to drive to North Woodstock. We checked into the Three Rivers House and had dinner at a local tavern and headed to bed.
Date: 2004-07-25
From: Franconia Notch

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

July 25, 2004 ¢ Franconia Notch to Galehead Hut ¢ 13.0 miles        My brother dropped me at the parking lot for the White House and Liberty Springs Trail about 7 am. It was about a mile hike to intersect with the AT. From there I went up past the Liberty Springs Tentsites to the Franconia Ridge ¢ up over 4000 feet for the first time in months. There were a few low clouds blowing through but I got some good views. I had lunch on Mt. Lafayette ¢ 5260 feet. I would rather have had two climbs than the descent from Lafayette and Garfield. My knees complained about the steepness and all the rain in the past few weeks made the trail a creek in places. I hit the hut about 3:00 and caught up with the rest of the volunteer croo. We had help from an old Hut Master (OH) and his daughter who were hiking through as well. Saw a few thru-hikers, one who I¢d met before, Pony Express. We served dinner ¢ stuffed shells, soup, bread, salad, veggies and cake. Alex, the OH, did dinner talk and introduced me as a thru-hiker in addition to being a volunteer croo. After I had something to eat, I spent about an hour on the front porch talking to interested guests about my experiences on the trail. They seemed to enjoy it. I¢ll be sleeping in the ¢Poop¢ ¢ where they store dry goods in the attic above the kitchen and the bathrooms ¢ on a mattress and with blankets and a pillow I snagged from one of the bunk rooms.
Date: 2004-07-26
From: Galehead Hut

To: Galehead Hut - Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

July 26, 2004 ¢ Zero Day - Galehead Hut         Matt was flipping pancakes when I got up. Jack, Quimby and Beth were drinking coffee and doing breakfast prep. Mike, Anna, David (Beth¢s son) and Jason (Matt¢s son) got up later. Alex and his daughter helped too. We had oatmeal, fruit, pancakes and bacon. Mike organized the morning skit, a take-off on Monty Python¢s Bridge of Death, to remind guests to fold blankets, pack out trash, and tip the crew. We cleared tables, did dishes, and started on dinner. Met two of the shelter/tentsite caretakers and a park ranger. I wrote in my journal and read part of a book about Northern Forests and fir waves. Dinner was ham, potatoes, soup, salad, bread (always made fresh daily), mixed veggies and applesauce cake. Met thru-hikers Northern Harrier and Simian, guests at Galehead . They helped me with the after dinner talk.
Date: 2004-07-27
From: Galehead Hut

To: Zealand Hut
Miles today: 7.0

July 27, 2004 ¢ Galehead to Zealand ¢ 7.0 miles        I helped a little with breakfast prep but left at 7:00 to relieve the crew at Zealand. I got there about 10:30. Had some good views along the way, but it was a bit camp. I met three of the Zealand crew and got a brief update on the hut, systems, menu, etc. Shortly after I got there my dad walked in. What a great surprise! He speng the afternoon and helped me get everything ready for dinner. I made some extra corn bread, marinated the beef and made apple-blueberry crisp for dessert. Dick Cunningham and his grandson Cameron came in mid-afternoon. Beth and David, Mike, Jack and Quimby, Matt and Allison (his daughter) rolled in later. About 2/3 of the guests at Zealand had been with us at Galehead the night before. Not sure if they think that¢s good or bad. I helped set out breakfast stuff and went to bed.
Date: 2004-07-28
From: Zealand Hut

To: Mispah Springs 
Miles today: 14.1

July 28, 2004 ¢Zealand to Mispah Springs ¢ 14.1 miles        Helped with breakfast and left about 8 when the guests headed out. I¢s snagged three pancakes, 2 sausages, and some juice for breakfast ¢ standing in the kitchen. It was a very easy walk along the Ethan Pond Trail to Crawford Notch. Had a little bit of a view down the valley and got a picture with Northern Harrier in it. When I said the walk was easy, I mean like walking around my neighborhood at home. I did the 8 miles in 2 12 hours! The next 6 miles were tougher ¢ up over Webster Cliff, Webster Mountain, and Mt. Jackson. On top of Webster, I met David and Annalea Pierce, day hikers, and we fed the Canadian Jays. At Mispah I worked on my journal, catching up from the last few days, looked at maps and guidebooks for tomorrow and talked with some of the other guests ¢ some of the group from Zealand last night, Northern Harrier, and I even got assigned to the same bunk room. I¢m looking forward to watching a real croo in action and making a pig of myself at dinner.
Date: 2004-07-29
From: Mispah Springs 

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 11.8

July 29, 2004 ¢ Mispah to Madison ¢ 11.8 miles        Pancakes and bacon for breakfast, as well as oatmeal. I got packed up before breakfast and left about 7:30, just after the BFD (the instructional skit ¢ can¢t remember what it stands for ¢ something about funny duds). There was a light rain when I started, but it thinned to mist and then just the inside of a cloud as I climbed. The AT follows the Crawford Path from Mispah to Washington. Visibility was about 50 feet, so I saw nothing from Mt. Clinton, Franklin, or Washington. I stopped at Lakes (Lakes of the Clouds hut) for a break and to put on warmer clothes before I went up Washington. Had some leftover coffee cake and raspberry squares too. Had a bowl of clam chowder and a root beer at the Summit House. I had a tourist take my picture next to a sign showing the Presidentials. From Washington the AT descends to meet the Gulfside Trail by a connector and then follows the Gulfside Trail over to Madison. I crossed the Cog Railway tracks just before the train and stopped to take a picture. A few hours after I left Washington the cloud ceiling lifted and we started to get a few views into the valleys. I had a nice view from Edmonds Col where I stopped for a break. Clouds continued to drift through the passes between the mountains but I got glimpses of blue sky the rest of the hike. Because of my volunteer work and Madison being full tonight, I¢d made arrangements with the AMC huts manager to stay as a croo guest/helper tonight. When I arrived, they¢d had 3 cancellations so I¢m in a regular bunk and though they don¢t think they¢ll need me, I¢ve put myself at the croo¢s disposal. I washed my face and hands, changed into my cleaner clothes and have found a sunny spot in the dining room to write in my journal.
Date: 2004-07-30
From: Madison Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: broken clouds

July 30, 2004 ¢ Madison to Pinkham Notch ¢ 7.8 miles        Had a good dinner last night and went to bed about 8:00. Maybe a half hour later I woke up to something bumping my shoulder. I thought someone was trying to get my attention. When I opened my eyes I saw a creature about the size of a chipmunk, all gray, furry tail. I startled and it ran down my bunk and up the ladder. In the morning I asked the hut naturalist what it might have been and we concluded that it was a flying squirrel. Had breakfast and left the hut. I went up over Mt. Madison ¢ had great views, but not much a camera could do justice to. I did take a picture of the hut from the shoulder of Madison. From the top of Mt. Madison, it was mostly down hill. Down about 3300 feet! 2000 of which were in one linear mile. VERY steep. Mom picked me up in Pinkham Notch at noon. We drove to Intervale and stopped at Ragged Mountain Outfitters so I could get a new pair of shoes. I¢ve worn through the soles on the others. We had lunch at the Scarecrow Pub & Grill across the parking lot ¢ the baked haddock was wonderful! We took the scenic back way home and got back to the lake in time for a visit with some cousins and dinner - and a swim too
Date: 2004-07-31
From: Lake Massasecum

To: Lake Massasecum - Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

July 31, 2004 ¢ Zero Day ¢ Lake Massasecum, Bradford, New Hampshire        Woke up early, very early for the lake, 6 am. Sorted laundry, had breakfast and worked on a jigsaw puzzle. Want to the Laundromat in Bradford about 10 and then to the library with mom. Fund raising pledges are over $6,000 now. Only $1,500 to go to reach my goal. I know jumping ahead and doing the Whites has made keeping track of my progress and mileage a bit difficult. Give me 2 weeks and I¢ll be back on track. Lounged on the beach a bit. Visited with Lake friends, and packed up my gear. Had leftovers and other things scrounged from the fridge to eat (e.g. crab dip). I¢ll be hitting the trail very well rested and well fed.
Date: 2004-08-01
From: VT Route 9

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

August 1, 2004 ¢ VT Route 9 to Story Spring Shelter ¢ 19.0 miles        Mom woke me about 6. We¢d had thunderstorms most of the night. The kind that shake the house. I¢m glad I had my earplugs in, but the storms still woke me occasionally. It was still dark and raining when we left for Bennington. I got on the trail about 8:30. My new shoes were instantly muddy. Slogged through mud all day. Shoes, socks and insoles are all wet and my feet are still pruny. Met 3 NOBOs today ¢ Rail, Badger and Papa Bear. Saw a bunch of weekenders and a group of boy scouts. Sharing the shelter with a SOBO named Combat. It was cloudy and dark and dreary under the trees most of the day though it¢s started to clear now. I stopped a bunch of times while I was hiking today to try to clean out some of the water bars so the water would drain off the trail. There is only so much you can do with hiking poles or a stick and there are too many places that need water bars and drainages that don¢t have them. Heard it doesn¢t get better until after Killington. Right now I wish I had my waterproof leather boots. I could slop through most of the quagmire without getting wet feet. Oh well. The few views we might have had today were all clouds. I hope the long term forecast holds and it¢s fairly dry this week. I had wanted to tent tonight, but there isn¢t a bit of dry ground to be found.
Date: 2004-08-02
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Spruce Peak
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: few clouds

August 2, 2004 ¢ Story Spring Shelter to Spruce Peak ¢ 18.3 miles        Only 2.8 more miles to town. Even if I¢d shortened up my breaks I don¢t think I would have made the post office in time to go through my box. Decided to stop here and go through town (Manchester) in the morning. Really nice shelter ¢ windows, a door, wood stove, picnic tables inside and out, big covered front porch. It will be another cushy night if I can ignore the mice.Didn¢t sleep as well as I¢d hoped last night. A hiker came in about 9:30. Even with ear plugs in he was noisy and I didn¢t appreciate the head lamp in the eyes. Combat was up and packing before it even got light. Fairly easy hiking today. The only significant climb was up over Stratton Mountain. Had a hazy view from the fire tower. I met two women from Tennessee who are day/section hiking the trail. They¢ve done Georgia to here and the Whites just like me. I talked with them on Stratton Mountain and again at Stratton Pond. I had a great long lunch break there. My socks and towel dried out some. I almost had a nap. Thought about a swim, but then I¢d have to dry my clothes too. Met a couple from Hiawassee, Georgia who are day hiking in the area. They¢ve done sections of the trail all along its length but not the whole thing. I think there was a little less mud today than yesterday. I¢m surprised I¢ve made such good time and big miles with all the detours around, particularly deep spots. Feet don¢t like tiptoeing across on rocks (when there are any). I like the new sock liners I got in Intervale. They seem to stay put pretty well and the seams don¢t rub my toes. Got a little sponge bath in the creek here so I can put on my pjs/long johns without making them instantly dirty from the mud caked on my legs. Have I mentioned I¢m wearing a pair of socks inside my shorts? I put one over each hip to add some padding between me and my hip belt. Slack packing last week let the bruises and abrasions heal. I¢d like to keep it that way.
Date: 2004-08-03
From: Spruce Peak

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: few clouds

August 3, 2004 ¢ Spruce Peak to Lost Pond Shelter ¢ 17.6 miles        Was joined by two south bounders last night. Little Bump and Flounder. Talked to them for a while this morning. Exchanged tidbits and info on the trail ahead. Hit Route 11 about 8:40 and got a ride within 10 minutes. Rudy is an 80-year-old tennis and handicapped downhill ski instructor. He picked me up and dropped me at the post office. His grandson was the @2 high school Nordic skier in the country this year. Beat by a kid from Colorado.   We discussed the merits of individual sports and lifelong activity. I got my package and sorted through it. Mailed some stuff back and mailed off a letter. I walked back up to the main road and got a root beer, sandwich and lottery ticket at the convenience store and then headed back out on the road to the trail. I got picked up by Cindy, an equestrian in a Subaru wagon. She thinks I¢m very brave to be hiking the trail. I was back on the trail by 10 am. Met Baby Stepper and Farther Al on Mt. Bromley. There was an observation tower there and a warming hut (for the ski area). Baby Stepper and Farther Al are day hiking the AT. They have about 400 miles done. They took my root beer bottle for me. At Mad Tom Notch Road there was trail magic ¢ a cooler with sodas and fig newtons. I had two Mud root beers. Thanks to ¢Doogie Lama¢. Had good views on Baker Peak but didn¢t stop because I could see and hear T-boomers coming. At Lost Pond Shelter I met Mouse and Ponderer, both whom I met on the trail before. ¢5 Beers¢ is tented nearby ¢ I hadn¢t seen him since the Blueberry Patch in Georgia. We¢ve been joined by two SOBOs ¢ L¢awin and Wet Tap.
Date: 2004-08-04
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: clear sky

August 4, 2004 ¢ Lost Pond to Clarendon Shelter ¢ 18.6 miles        We did get some storms last night so I was glad not to have to pack up a wet tent, but on the other hand, I didn¢t sleep great. It was my first time in months sleeping in a full shelter and I think I woke up every time I rolled over. Ponderer was up with the sun and Mouse soon afterward so I was actually on the trail by 6:30. Mailman would be proud. Now I know how he hikes so fast. He starts really early and hikes all day. I¢d gone my 18.6 miles by 3:30! Now I¢m feeling really lazy. I wanted to go on, but I heard from a slack packer, Palm Tree, that it¢s supposed to rain all night tonight and tomorrow. I didn¢t have another shelter in range so it was here or a tent. Right now I¢m second guessing myself and thinking I should have done some more miles today to make tomorrow shorter. Oh well. Palm Tree is from Miami but his family has vacationed in Vermont for about 10 years. That¢s where he started seeing hikers and got the bug himself. He retired in November and hit the trail March 21st. Had my lunch next to Bully Brook ¢ mosquitoes weren¢t too bad. Crossed VT 140 and headed straight up. Turns out there was a reroute several years ago that hasn¢t been updated on the elevation profiles. Luckily my guide book made mention of Bear Mountain and the elevation 2240¢ so I knew I was still on track. Had another steep climb up from VT 103. Hit the shelter and started my internal debate. I think my feet tipped the scales ¢ they are sore. Oh, there was a rock garden on top of White Rocks Mountain. Had a bit of a view from the Clarendon Lookout back at Mill River and the Gorge. Saw several day hikers and a few ¢weekenders¢ (even though it¢s a week day, they only look like they¢ve been or are going to be out for a few days). I¢ve been joined at the shelter by Snowman. He¢s hiking the Vermont Long Trail (LT). He¢s not to be confused with the Snowman I met who¢s hiking the AT. We¢ve been chatting about the weather, shelters, bugs, the normal hiker conversation staples. He¢s hiked the LT several times the last few years. It¢s his vacation. Here¢s hoping for a quiet night and an early start. MC and Willow have come in. Last time I saw them was just south of Delaware Water Gap. The local who keeps an eye on this shelter came by on his 4-wheeler. This shelter has an easement but is still on private property. He (the local) is self-appointed ¢ trims the grass, keeps a woodpile, cuts brush, picks up trash. Apparently the Green Mountain Club isn¢t too fond of his work. It was fun to chat with him.