morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-07-03
From: Imp Shelter

To: White Mountain Lodge and Hostel
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: scattered clouds

July 3, 2016Imp Shelter north to White Mountain Hostel   7.8 miles hikedI slept well despite the packed shelter. I got up early and was hiking by 6:15. One climb up Mt. Moriah. I took the .1 mile spur to the summit and was rewarded with a magnificent view. The wind was still whipping today, just fine with me! The trail down became very nice and I zipped back to the Hostel, I was back ¢home¢ at 10:15. Marnie gave me a full breakfast left over from the morning crowd. I washed dishes in appreciation for that kindness. It was another serving of breakfast lasagna and croissant which I really did APPRECIATE! I had the whole rest of the day to relax, talk to family, eat and try not to worry about hiking the Whites. Tesla (Chris), White Walker, Jellybean, Peanut Butter, Pyro, Alex (Librarian), Mission, Grizzly (has a long red beard that is impossible not to notice), Camomile, and a few others are here tonight. I hiked these 4000 footers in the last 2 days:Wildcat D, Wildcat Mountain, Carter Dome, Mt. Hight, South Carter, Mid-Carter, North Carter and Mount Moriah. WOW!Thinking about carrying my heavy pack makes me sad now.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-07-04
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: clear sky

July 4, 2016Pinkham Notch to Madison Spring Hut mile 327.2    7.8 miles hikedclimb of 3336 feet to Mount MadisonSuper excited about today¢s hike! Up and ready to go before breakfast, everything is packed. Marnie served awesome blueberry pancakes this morning which I inhaled. I love this place and am sad to leave but I am going to Georgia! Can¢t linger too long in one place. Be like a Rolling Stone. I soon learn that In the Whites you definitely DO NOT want to be a rolling stone. I forgot that the Presidential Range is a bunch of jumbled boulders piled on each other up to and beyond 5000 feet! So, No, no rolling stones thank you! I got on the morning shuttle with Pyro, Jelly bean and Peanut Butter to continue hiking south. The trail was generally nice up to the Osgood Tent site. I stopped there for a breather, Pyro took out his pepperoni or jerky? and discovered that it had gotten moldy. I¢ve never seen that happen to processed meat. Weird. I hung out with these 3 for a while. It was a nice sunny day and they decided to stay at the tent site. I was tempted but decided to press on and try for ¢work for stay ¢ at Madison Hut. The huts are posh/ rustic/ swanky bunk houses scattered throughout the Whites. They all have big dining rooms, toilet facilities with running water, gourmet dinners and breakfasts and bunk rooms. You can hike the Whites and go from hut to hut with just a day pack. The huts are too expensive for my budget. I do like them because if the timing is right you can stop and eat the leftovers. Any left over food needs to be packed out by staff, so they are happy to give it or sell it to passing thru hikers. Ugh, it took me all day to make it up Mount Madison, hiking on jumbled rocks on a steep pitch requires a great deal of concentration. I had to stop and admire the view quite often because this was some hard hiking. Most of the day was above tree line, that was fantastic. I got to the hut at 3:30 and asked to do work for stay, I was a little early but the hut person said I could do dishes after dinner. This meant that I could have left overs for dinner, do a little work and sleep on the dining room floor. I hung out at the hut and got into an interesting conversation with one of the guests. It was a little awkward later when he got to go in for dinner and I had to stay outside. I had a pre-dinner from my food bag. These people eat late! I never got my gourmet meal until 7:30!!! Chicken, rice, saut©ed veggies and corn bread. Fabulous. I did my dishes and then had to wait until 10:00 for lights out to set up my sleeping bag. Some of the guests stayed up after lights out and played cards by the light of their headlamps. Ho-Hum!!! I am used to turning in at 8:00 at the latest. Maybe I will call it ¢Wait-for-Stay¢Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-07-05
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: Nauman Tent Site
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

July 5, 2016Nauman Tent Site  mile 339.0   hiked 11.8 milesAn incredible day. I am so happy that I can be a thru hiker. I got up before the sun came over Mount Madison. I had breakfast in the dark outside the hut and was on my way. I didn¢t know when these people would be finished eating breakfast but I was sure I didn¢t want to wait till mid morning. The sun popped dramatically and suddenly over Mount Madison and boom! Everything lit up with color. Awesome. I was above the trees all day. Sunny with spectacular views all around. It is impossible to hurry because of the terrain, so I found a pace that I could relax and enjoy. Today I went up Mount Washington, a 6288 foot peak. It was hard work getting there, I heard the Cog Train as I ascended and saw it come slowly up the mountain. I was close enough to it as it crossed the trail to wave and see the faces of the passengers. I noticed many were pointing AT me. Up at the summit WOW, what a zoo of people, flowing out of cars, the train, just everywhere. There was a line to take a picture of the summit sign for goodness sake! I found an empty adirondack chair outside of the snack bar and settled down with a cup of coffee to people watch for a while. A lady and her husband strode up to me and said ¢You made it!¢ ¢We were watching you from the train!¢ they were incredulous that anyone would hike up this mountain and I don¢t think they believed me that I started in Maine. I hoofed down to Lake of the Clouds Hut and had lunch, they gave me some left over corn bread, delicious. Then on to the Nauman Tent Site near the Mittzpah Spring Hut. Again the place is crowded. I got a spot on a tent platform BARELY. There were 3 tents on this one platform. I shared space with 2 Northbound hikers and a Dad and son out for a vacation hike. Everyone was respectful of each other¢s space and it all worked out. People were quiet by 8:00, Nice!I watched a Northbounder make his dinner in a ziplock freezer bag. He didn¢t have to clean his pot. I looked down at my icky grey water and thought, he is a smart guy. Maybe I will try that. Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-07-06
From: Nauman Tent Site

To: Stealth near Zealand Hut
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: few clouds

July 6, 2016Stealth spot near Zealand Hut  mile 352.7   13.7 miles hikedOutstanding day! I am going to need a thesaurus soon for more adjectives to describe my hiking days in the Whites. Early rise again, I noticed the other thru hikers were up and out early too. I had a beautiful day ahead. I had no firm destination. I have lost my fear of the Whites with regard to camping spots. There are enough water sources, stealth areas, work for stay and pay shelters around so I have relaxed about finding a place to sleep. Today I went over Mount Jackson, Mount Webster with the long ridge that follows and descended down treacherous Webster Cliffs (SCAREY!) to NH route 302 also known as Crawford Notch. The views never quit. It was a slow descent to Crawford Notch for sure, then a slow 2000 foot ascent up to Ethan Pond shelter where I enjoyed lunch and a nap in the sun. I met Voyageur, a long distance backpacker who was leaving in a few days to hike the Pacific Crest Trail - again. He was day hiking and taking pictures of all the trail signs for his hiking club. After Ethan Pond, the trail flattened out and I enjoyed looking out over a deep valley beyond which is the Pemigewasset Wilderness area (Franconia Ridge) I could see Mount Guyot and Zealand Mountain. I motored right along and just before the demarcation of Zealand Hut ¢no camping¢ area I spotted a good camp spot off the trail with a good water source. It was a big area and I had the place to myself. For some reason I had trouble with my bear hang. The trees were tall and the branches seemed to be just beyond my ability to throw. It took a half hour! Finally I snagged a skinny branch and hoped it would hold the weight of my food bag. It dipped quite a bit but held up very well once I hoisted the bag all the way up. I got a little sunburned today. Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-07-07
From: Stealth near Zealand Hut

To: Stealth spot near Garfied Pond 
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: moderate rain

July 7, 2017Stealth near Garfield Pond    mile 363.6    10.9 miles hikedNo one came to my stealthy spot! I was up at 5:00, cooking a good breakfast and humming to myself - because I could. I got underway at 6:00 and quietly hiked to the Zealand Hut. I could hear the Croo singing to the guests ¢Here comes the Sun, Little Darlin¢ to wake them up on this fine morning. I went up an 1800 foot ascent to the Zealand Mountain spur trail, dropped off my pack and took a quick trip to Zealand summit. - It is a 4000 footer, what can I say? Next over Mount Guyot, with great views of Mt. Bond and South Twin. I hung out a bit and line of hikers were coming down from Mt. Bond, singing at the top of their lungs! I love that! Now over South Twin Mountain and moving onto Galehead Hut for some lunch. I sat inside and had a peanut butter and m-nm wrap from my bear bag and got some left over blond brownies from the hut. Score! Slipping Jake - now called Funk Train, Honeybun and their friend Steeley came in when I was eating. It¢s been a while since I saw them. They are really goofy. I don¢t know how they get miles done, they REALLY LIKE towns. It was good to catch up a bit, they weren't sure what their afternoon plans were, I didn¢t share mine because I wasn¢t sure either. I decided to get up and over Mt. Garfield today. It¢s not a big climb but its steep and basically a waterfall. I enjoyed a long break on top, remembering when I backpacked here with Sharon. Well, I ended up hiking on and set myself up across from Garfield pond in a nice hidden tent spot. Had a great dinner, and was cozy in my tent early. Then I hear them, Funk Train and friends! They found my spot!! of course they ask politely if I mind sharing, no I don¢t. They set up their hammocks and later share whiskey, and yep, it turns into a rather loud night. God, they are big goofs!!!!! Steeley was singing along with Beyonce at one point. Not a horrible evening, just a bit lively, like watching an Appalachian Trail Reality Show starring Funk and Friends!Excited about hiking the Franconia Ridge tomorrow, a miles long above tree line walk. Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-07-08
From: Stealth spot near Garfied Pond 

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

July 8, 2016Kinsman Pond Shelter  mile 377.9    14.3 miles hikedI did it! The entire Franconia Ridge and mostly couldn¢t see a thing!! The clouds were in and out but mostly swirling around my head all day. This was so cool!! I know I was missing a day of astonishing views, however I got to see big blobs of enormous cairns or rock walls looming in the blurred clouds, sometimes I saw just nothing but white, occasionally the clouds lifted right up and I saw forever for a few seconds. I witness banks of clouds rolling toward me and right through me, like waves on the ocean. It was a superb day for hiking the ridge. It was so beautiful I cried a little. I went over Mt. Lafayette, Mount Lincoln, Little Haystack Mountain, and took the spur to Mt. Liberty. I am really raking in the 4000 footers! I had my lunch (Yes, peanut butter and m-n-m wrap) at Liberty Springs Tent site, chatted with the caretaker. The White Mountains are very popular so the AMC has caretakers at the shelters and tent sites, there is a fee to stay. The money helps to keep camping areas/ water sources/ privies from getting ruined by the sheer number of people who hike the Whites. Caretakers also do a lot of educating people about the ecosystem and leave no trace principles. After lunch I hiked down to I 93 which is Franconia Notch and began a climb of 2335 feet up to Kinsman Pond shelter. Half way up I stopped at Lonesome Lake Hut for a snack, sat on a bench on the porch and enjoyed the view and listened to people. I also enjoyed the sitting, it¢s not every day I get to sit on a real piece of furniture. It is very restful. There was a group of well dressed people enjoying wine and discussing politics and organic food preparation. Not the politics of organic farming but somehow they moved back and forth between the two subjects. No one looked my way, I think I looked a little too organic! I slipped off and finished the 1000 feet up to my shelter for the night. I elected for the shelter because I am expecting rain overnight and possibly all day tomorrow. So, I happily shelled out my 8 bucks and had a nice dry spot to sleep in. Nice crowd in the shelter and for once I was not old enough to be everyone¢s mother! A group out for a short backpacking trip, sad about the rain but what can you do? I had my hot dinner, tuna and rice with cheese, yummy! and splurged with an extra cup of hot tea. A satisfying day on the trail. No bear bagging, the shelter has a big old bear box!Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-07-09
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter

To: NH route 112, Kinsman Notch. the Notch Hostel
Miles today: 11.5

July 9, 2016The Notch Hostel, Route 112   mile 389.4   miles hiked 11.5This was not my plan this morning or even my plan when I reached Route 112. I got the best kind of Trail Magic today!!! It rained overnight and was drizzly and rainy all day. I don¢t mind the rain so I had my hot breakfast and hot tea and planned on hiking the Kinsmans, down to Kinsman Notch (Rt. 112) and up 1800 feet to the Beaver Brook shelter. It¢s chilly so I actually put on my rain gear and start out. These Kinsman are crazy hard! North Kinsman and South Kinsman, you are BAD! difficult butt sliding kind of hiking up and down. Really slow going. After South Kinsman, the trail is really just a series of waterfalls, great more water!! I rested briefly at the Eliza Brook Shelter and had some hot tea and snacks. I had to get over Wolf Mountain and finally have an insane steep descent to the road. Jeekers!!! I cross the road to a parking lot where the trail continues as it goes up a steep trail to the Beaver Brook shelter. A young man is hanging in the parking lot, packing up some stuff into his car. He introduces himself as Tugboat, a former thru hiker who was doing trail magic, making grilled cheese sandwiches for hikers. Just standing around talking with him I feel a chill sneak under my skin. I ask him if I get a spot at the hostel down the road, would he? - he says ¢of course!, give them a call and I¢ll wait. I can get you to a hostel if this one is full¢. Many thanks to Tugboat! Thanks to him, within minutes I was checking into the Notch Hostel! Out of the cold and wet! I decide to take today¢s nero and a zero tomorrow. This is a swanky place with very comfortable bunks, sheets, showers, laundry, resupply, kitchen, the works. I am in!Jelly Bean, Pyro, Peanut Butter and Mission, Cammomile, are here as well as a large group of Northbounders and section hikers. You never know how a day will end!Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-07-10
From: NH route 112, Kinsman Notch. the Notch Hostel

To: No Where
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

July 10, 2016The Notch Hostel   mile 389.4     0 miles hikedSuper comfortable bed, make your own pancakes in the morning, never ending coffee. It¢s nice here. I did some figuring for milages in order to be able to meet Sharon in Hanover soon. Borrowed a bike and rode to town for food and a little resupply, did laundry and ate. That¢s about it. It¢s raining so I am very happy to be here. There are a lot of North Bound thru hikers here. I listened to them trying to glean some information about successful thru hikes. This group (of young men) was mostly worried about going through the Whites and discouraged about the nosedive their daily mileage has taken and sick of the rain. There is no judgement here, I wonder if I will go through these same discouraged feelings when I am at mile 1700 or so. I did learn that I have just a couple of mountains to climb in New Hampshire and that they are easier that what I have been doing so far. Well, THAT¢s good intel! I asked Peanut butter if I should buy a little deodorant before I meet Sharon and he said ¢Yes, definitely¢. Hmmm, well you don't smell that great either Peanut Butter. Relaxed and ready to hike.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-07-11
From: Kinsman Notch Road, Route 112

To: Wachipauka Pond
Miles today: 11.5

July 11, 2016Wachipauka Pond  mile 400.5     11.5 miles hikedThe sun is back and it feels glorious! What a great day to hike Mt. Moosilauke. I got up early to get the first shuttle to the trailhead. I made a bunch of pancakes for myself and anyone else. A couple of people headed north dug in and I hope my pancakes did a little bit to get their spirits up to ¢crush the miles¢. The climb up is steep but it is beautiful, most of the time it runs next to Beaver Brook so its refreshing, lots of cascades and waterfalls. The water was gushing today. Pretty soon I am on a grassy broad treeless expanse of a summit. This is so GREAT!, The wind was doing its thing of course, making waves in the tall grass, kind of mesmerizing. Beautiful. I hung out up top, there were a handful of day hikers out and I chatted with a couple who were snacking on brownies. I didn¢t score. After a time, I moved on, wow, the summit goes on forever!! I took the side trail to Moosilauke South Peak (4000 footer!) after a mile of open hiking, incredible! Then a slow gradual hike down to NH route 25, Hiker¢s Welcome Hostel is just down the road but I decide not to tough it out and stay on the trail. (just kidding, I had no intention of hosteling it today). I continue on and decide to try to find a camp spot on Wachipauka pond, I see it on my map and it looks promising. I find a trail heading towards the pond and eventually land in a perfect camping spot, a small clearing right on the rocky shore! No one is here yet. I set up my tent, hang my bag and relax and swim. A loon visits. It¢s awesome. Eventually 2 overnighters arrive and set up pretty far from my tent. 2 guys out for a couple days, they come over to get water from my spot because their shoreline is mucky. They are pleasant enough, ask a lot of questions about the Appalachian Trail. One of them has a Huge revolver on a holster on his belt. It has a white fancy handle and looks like it belongs in a western movie. So I am kind of weirded out about that. I am glad when they go back to their camp. I go back to my zen. Hooch and Heavy D? arrive toward evening and I am secretly glad to have them here because of the, you know, Gun, down the way. I heard crashing in the pond after dark, I am sure I missed seeing a moose.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-07-12
From: Wachipauka Pond

To: Hexicuba Shelter 
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: broken clouds

July 12, 2016Hexicuba Shelter mile 413.5   12.6 miles hikedLast night, I left my rain fly off. Every time I opened my eyes I saw amazing stars. Great time at the pond. Sad to leave. First, a climb up Mount Mist which wasn't bad and then flattish trail for the next 6 miles!I got a good pace going and enjoyed my surroundings. When I crossed Cape Moonshine Road (No, I am not making up names) I looked to my left and a bear was just stepping onto the road a comfortable distance away. We looked at each other, like 2 commuters nodding hello at a stop sign. The bear continued on his day as did I. My first Bear!!! I climbed up Mt. Cube and ¢¦Trail Magic! Oreos, Watermelon, Cheese and Red Pepper Slices! What an odd combination of goodies but who cares? Thank you Trail Magic Person! Beautiful view from Cube, I got so very excited because I recognized Camel¢s Hump and Mount Mansfield in the distance. These are two of my favorite mountains in Vermont. I see them from the west from my kitchen window, and they look the same from the east on Mount Cube. Ahhh, homesick again, but happy. I will be seeing family and friends soon! I hung out on Mount Cube for a couple of hours, Hooch, Heavy D and 2 others came and went. I finally pushed on down to Hexacuba shelter. Its built in the shape of a hexagon, its huge! A large group of NOBOs were arriving, I had to hurry up and scout out a good spot for my tent. The spaces were going fast! I¢d say there were 25 people camped here. I was the only SOBO. One guy was wearing a full length cotton skirt, he said it was really comfortable to hike in. It was kind of cute! Most people were interested in stealthy spots to camp in the Whites and how to resupply. When they asked, I told them my experience and a couple took notes! Mostly I said, not to worry, and take your time to enjoy, the Whites go by so quickly! I saw VERMONT! My favorite state.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-07-13
From: Hexicuba Shelter 

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

July 13, 2016Trapper John shelter  mile 425.2    12 miles hikedKind of a warm day today, I carried extra water this morning because there is no reliable source for a 9 mile stretch. I am excited about getting to Hanover in the next couple of days. I am eating through my food bag and really need a resupply soon. AND Sharon is meeting me there!! First stop was an incredible view area, the Eastman Ledges. A family was there enjoying the sights- they gave me some fresh fruit!!! grapes and a large slice of cantaloup. Oh, Thank You Eastman Ledge Family, fresh fruit is always welcome. Always! Hooch, Heavy D and 2 others came and hung out. I listened to some mild mileage bragging and then the group took off. I was off to the view from the Smarts Mountain fire tower, the climb up the mountain was not bad, I am wondering if I am getting real trail legs. If I am, Wonderful!! I had more tantalizing views of the terrain to come from the tower. It looks flattish for a while. I noted a sign for Bill Ackerly¢s house, he passed away earlier this year. He was known as ¢The Ice Cream Man¢. His house is located just steps from the trail and he always kept ice cream for hikers. He really opened up his heart and house. He invited hikers to play croquet, take an outdoor shower, tent, relax on his porch, charge up phones- the works. He is greatly missed by the hiking community. His family has kept up his tradition for this hiking season. Thank You to Bill Ackerly¢s Family. I spent a restful couple of hours sitting on his porch, in a chair (so appreciated!). Hooch and friends unfortunately had come earlier and gobbled up all the ice-cream that was in the outdoor cooler- bummer. Anyway, I chatted with a family from California who spend every summer on a trail. They have had lots of adventures all over the country. It was the first time I heard an experienced backpacker remark how extraordinarily difficult the terrain in the northeast is. I know it¢s difficult, I am glad this is where cut my hiking legs, because although its hard hiking, I am used to it and the trail conditions do not surprise me or discourage me. To make the day perfect, I was able to talk to Sharon on the phone. Finally, I walked the .9 miles to the she shelter and to my surprise, no one was here yet. I set up my tent on soft pine needles on perfectly flat ground. I found a little stream with moving water. Now will I have, tuna and instant potatoes OR tuna and instant potatoes for dinner? Definitely, tuna and instant potatoes for dinner.Insect SOBO 2016