morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-09-04
From: Moose Mountain Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: broken clouds

September 4, Early Riser Got up and after the day today, I was feeling pretty good. I had some morning chatter with Scratch, Coconuts, and Cat - fun folks! Coconuts was actually kind enough to pack out my old trail runners, bring them to Hanover, and from there, send them to Africa. How great is that? Thank you, Coconuts.At 7:30 a.m., with no sign of movement from Melk or Ronin, I decided to start hiking. I left them a note about my plans for the day and was on my way. I hated to leave but I also didn't want to sit around losing precious hiking time.I took a break at Holts Ledge, where there is a peregrine falcon rookery. I saw two birds fly over the trees - in my head they were falcons. After about 45 minutes, I got moving again. I passed the next shelter but left Melk and Ronin a note.Then the climb up Smarts Mtn. began. It was fine for a while and didn't get too bad until after I stopped for lunch. Then it got steep and long. I made it to the summit around 3:30 p.m. and hung out at the cabin on top for about an hour to see if Melk and Ronin would show. I would've waited longer but I didn't want to hike in the dark so I left around 4:30 p.m.Four miles of downhill, and two steep climbs later, I arrived at Hexacuba Shelter. I am here with Eden Express, a SOBOer. It's already 8:30 p.m. and dark so I don't think Melk or Ronin will show up here tonight. That's too bad. I didn't mean to split us up.Glad I'm not here alone tonight.- Sound of Eden Express writing.Post Trail Thoughts:This was the closest I ever came to spending a night alone on the trail. It's interesting to me that I never did. I don't really mind that one way or the other.So I left that morning thinking it would be like most of the other mornings when I left before Melk and Ronin got up - I would meet them a short way down the trail. I left a number of notes and never ran into them all day. Though I was mildly frustrated, something about this day sticks out in my head as a decent one. After all, it was a lovely day. The climb up Smarts was lovely - until it got less lovely - and the views were to die for. I ran into Bunkers and her friend at the cabin on Smarts Mtn. and later near a river as the sun began to go down. She asked me if Ronin and Melk were behind me and I think she could sense my frustration when I told her I didn't know. I didn't like that it was getting dark out and I was still out hiking. I was frustrated that I'd spent so much time that day waiting for Melk and Ronin to catch up. I finally got to the shelter and was pleased to see one other person there - and not even a scary, grizzly looking man. A nice woman. We had some nice conversation before bed and then it was off to dreamland.On a side note, Hexacuba Shelter was actually in the shape of a hectagon!
Date: 2007-09-05
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: NH 25, Glenciff, NH
Miles today: 14.7

September 5, GlencliffWell, Melk and Ronin never showed so I got up this morning and moved on, leaving them a note to let them know I'd wait in Glencliff for them. I hit the trail at 7:45 a.m., climbed Mt. Cube and just tried to pound out the miles. I wanted to just get to the hostel and relax. The trail was very nice today and I was able to set a good pace. I barely saw anyone all day - just one big group and another guy who was just out for the day. The trail has really thinned out lately.But my point is that it felt odd not to talk all day.I reached NH 25 at a little before 3:30 p.m. and headed straight to the PO. There, I picked up an amazing box of goodness from my cousins - morning glory muffins, delicious no-bake cookies, and a nice card. The box was such a nice treat. Thank you, Jen and Derek! After the PO, I headed to the Hikers Welcome Hostel and got situated. It's a pretty cool place with bunks, tenting, and all sorts of other things. Melk and Ronin called around 5 p.m. as they'd gotten a ride to Warren. I hopped a shuttle and met them for dinner. I was glad to have my friends back.Tired now. Must get lots of rest before Moosilauke tomorrow.- Sound of people outside.Post Trail Thoughts:It was a wonderful day on the trail. I thorougly enjoyed the scenery that day and the weather was perfect. It was really nice to take the day as it came and however I wanted to design it. I was thrilled to find some nice people at the hostel and a wonderful surprise at the post office. The package from my cousins almost brought me to tears - a great gift for the weary and lonely hiker.
Date: 2007-09-06
From: NH 25, Glenciff, NH

To: Glencliff
Miles today: 0.0

September 6, Glencliff ZeroI got up this morning and got ready for our slackpack even though the sky looked like it wasn't going to be a pretty day. Downstairs in the hostel, we turned on the Weather Channel to see what was going to happen. All forecasts called for a cloudy day but the radar showed a giant blob of precpitation headed our way. Ronin and Melk came in and we had a group decision to make. It was pretty chilly out too so that was definitely swaying my vote. About five minutes after we decided to take a zero, the sky let loose so I felt better about our choice. We would have been climbing Mt. Moosilauke today which, as I'm told, has rebar and lots of other potentially dangerous-when-wet things. So, we went to breakfast at Calamity Jane's in Warren and then headed back here to relax. I spent a good deal of time on the internet looking up stuff for wedding invitations and then we watched "When Harry Met Sally". A little later on, we turned on "Wedding Crashers" but didn't watch the whole thing. Melk's friends from college came to pick us up around 6 p.m. and took us back to her college town, Plymouth, which was only about thirty minutes away. We visited the house she used to live in and ate tomatoes from the garden and then headed to dinner at Lucky Dog.I was pretty tired and we didn't get back to the hostel until 11:30 p.m.- Sound of people talking outside.Post Trail Thoughts:This was the kind of day that made me feel so lucky to be inside, warm, and dry. I was so happy to not hike that day. We had a nice, relaxing day and a good trip out to Plymouth. I loved the tomatoes there.
Date: 2007-09-09
From: North Woodstock, NH

To: North Woodstock, NH
Miles today: 0.0

September 9, Rainy SundayWe woke up today to rain that looked like it could last for weeks. A zero was in order. Good idea because it lasted ALL day.We headed to meet Melk's parents for breakfast at the Woodstock Inn. It was delicious and enjoyable but then we had to get down to business - laundry, resupply, and the outfitter. I had to get a new bladder for my water and some Aqua Mira to treat it until I can figure out how to get my SteriPen fixed. Grr. I also purchased some Ace bandages to wrap my shins. What a complete mess I have become. That all accomplished, we headed back to the motel to relax for a bit before heading back to the Woodstock Inn for lunch. The rest of the day was pretty relaxing which was very appreciated. What made me a little less relaxed was the news Melk's dad broke...The highest high forecasted for next week is 38 degrees. I can picture it now... I'm standing atop Mt. Washington above treeline in 90 MPH winds and it's snowing. Ahhhh! The moment I've been dreading since I left the Smokies. This will be one of the hardest parts of the trip for sure. Not only will these gigantic mountains slow us down to the point that eight miles is a good day again but the weather will definitely try my patience. I just have to remind myself that in five weeks, I can sit in a sweatshirt under blankets all day if I need to. Oh boy.Time for rest. - Sound of a car driving by, the TV, the fan.Post Trail Thoughts:As I write this, I am wearing a cozy teal colored fleece and snuggling in a cozy down blanket. The heat is set for 72 degrees in my apartment and I remember how much I longed for this amidst the Whites last year. I was so thankful to zero on this day - such a cozy day to sit at a bar all day and eat! I feel strange saying I wish I could do that now!
Date: 2007-09-10
From: Franconia Notch/Lafayette Campground

To: Stealth site near Garfield Pond
Miles today: 9.2

September 10, Franconia FogDay 3 of the Whites and it feels like it. Today was hard.When we got up today it was still raining. We had breakfast with Melk's parents and then we had to bite the bullet and go hiking. Just imagine the whining.Anyway, Melk's dad dropped us off at the Falling Waters Trail at Lafayette Campground and we took that up to Little Haystack to catch the ridge. It was a hard trail - took us three hours to go three miles. It was kicking my butt. This is the first day out with all my my cold weather gear again and, man, was I feeling it. But we made it to the summit of Little Haystack at 1:15 p.m. and had lunch. There was a group from Dartmouth College trying to intercept a freshman orientation group with a bake sale. How funny.We started down the ridge and made our way over to Lincoln and then Lafayette. The whole area was socked in with fog so we really didn't have any views which was unfortunate. Our hiking was slow today and we were aiming for the shelter or Galehead Hut. We stopped at neither. Instead, we stopped short of the Garfield Summit at a stealth site we found before it got dark.The day was long and I think we only hiked like eight miles. It took us all day. I felt lucky that it didn't rain and didn't mind the tradeoff of the fog. Hopefully we'll get views at some point though.Glad the hiking is over today.Post Trail Thoughts:I bet the views along the Presidentials this day would have been glorious if I could see them. The place we chose to camp that night was pretty neat - cushiony ground and space. We had early dinner and I stayed warm in my tent until bedtime. It was a damp and cool night - exhausting.
Date: 2007-09-11
From: Stealth site near Garfield Pond

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: overcast clouds

September 11, Galehead HutI woke to everything wet this morning. We left camp at 8:15 a.m. headed straight up Garfield Mtn. There were no views on top, it was completely socked in with fog again.Once we got over that, we had to come down. The trail was all rocks. Wet rocks. The trail was a stream at times. It was slow going. Then the trail was bumpy until we got to the hut. And when I say bumpy, I mean that we went straight up and straight down a few times. I'm finding myself pretty disenchanted with the Whites. All of the spectacular views I was promised have been hidden behind walls of fog so really all of the treacherous climbing is just for fun. But it's not really my idea of fun at this point in the game. I'm sure it's lovely here. I just can't see anything.So we got to the hut at noon to find Sunshine and Google here waiting for soup. We had our soup and watched as the rain started to come down and the wind picked up. It was quite a bit cooler outside today so we decided cold, wet, and windy was not how we wanted to spend our day. So we spent the day at the hut playing Monopoly.Now, let me be clear. This hut does not have heat so while I am thankful to be inside, we are still working for warmth. We did get to do work-for-stay though and eat dinner leftovers. Worried about tomorrow's weather, glad today went okay.- Sound of Melk talking and rustling in her sleeping bag for her sock, Ronin pulling his sleeping bag out and mumbling, the wind howling outside.Post Trail Thoughts:It's clear that I would do anything I could to find comfort along the trail. I was amazed this day when Sunshine and Google found it deep within themselves to hike out of Galehead Hut with the wind whipping through the area and the rain coming down - all while it was quite cold out. I was impressed. And, of course, this was followed by a feeling of guilt. There was a lot of guilt along the trail - zeroes equaled guilt at times. We had a nice time at the hut playing Monopoly and talking with the other hikers. A large college orientation group came in later that night. I slept on one of the dining hall tables, my gear all spread out to dry overnight.
Date: 2007-09-14
From: Mizpah Springs Hut

To: The Perch Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

September 14, Mt. WashingtonThe day sort of began around 4:30 a.m. when I got up to go to the bathroom. It was the day I would climb Mt. Washington - the mountain that's instilled awe and fear in me since before this hike began. The worst weather in the world. The highest recorded wind speed on Earth. I thought about it right away.I fell back asleep until one of the Hut Croo started singing to wake people up. Then I woke up again when they rang the breakfast bell and then again when the forecast was being relayed over the croo radio. We sort of lazed about because we had to wait to eat the leftovers as part of our work-for-stay deal. When they finally came to get us we feasted on cinnamon rolls, oatmeal, applesauce and bacon. Mmm.Then we swept the hut down for our work-for-stay. We left at 9 a.m.The climb up Pierce/Clinton was tough but not bad and then we were on the ridgeline for the rest of the day. The ridge was mostly above treeline and, amazingly, we had quite a clear and nice morning so I really enjoyed it. The climbs along the way weren't bad at all and even the climb up Washington was enjoyable.We stopped for a snack at Lakes of the Clouds Hut and then had about a mile and a half to the Mt. Washington summit. The weather was actually pretty decent. Sunny at times, temperatures in the fifties, but strong fierce winds. It was as close to ideal as I could've hoped for on the day I'd go up Washington.The climb was fairly easy and it was good to get out of the wind once we made it to the top. We unloaded our packs in the backpacker room and then grabbed some lunch. Other than that, it was pretty unremarkable. The summit was teeming with tourists - people in miniskirts and leather boots, bikers, people in flip-flops. While we were up there, the whole summit became socked in with fog and clouds... no real views.We headed back out after 3 p.m. aiming for Madison Hut. The hiking was slow going from there. Nothing but rocks lined the trail, slowing us down considerably. We came to a trail around 6:30 p.m. that could take us one mile to a shelter. We all decided that would be smarter than hiking to the hut in the dark. So, here we are at the Perch shelter.The first part of the day was quite nice but, for some reason, I couldn't enjoy the hiking after Mt. Washington. Maybe it was all of the rocks. Maybe it was the bad weather that's supposed to roll in tonight. But I was in no mood to hike. I can't wait to get out of the Whites. I know most people love it here but I just find it frustrating. I feel like I have no control over my speed and how many miles I accomplish in a day. Argh.- Sound of the wind, Melk breathing through her mouth. Post Trail Thoughts:The morning felt like a dream to me. Of all mornings to wake up to weather reports, this was the one. It was poetic. But it all went well and Mt. Washington was much less eventful than I imagined - which was okay by me. I was bummed to stop short and so far off the trail but it seemed the safest decision at the time - the greatest dismay would come the next day...
Date: 2007-09-15
From: The Perch Shelter

To: The Perch Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

September 15, Norwood FiresAs expected, the weather today was pretty miserable when we got up. We were planning to hike to town to get out of it but the longer we sat, the more the plan changed. Melk wanted to zero at the shelter and hike tomorrow, I wanted to hike to town and Ronin kept changing his mind. In the end, we stayed here. Norwood Fires. I was pretty foul about it for a while because I felt like it was a lost day when I could be in town doing laundry (it's been a while) and making other progress.I slept pretty well last night until I heard a mouse milling about. I shined my lamp on it and watched it scurry away. Ew.It's been a very lazy day - lazy to the point of sheer boredom. We spent about an hour talking about how we'll finish our hike by October 15, an hour just laying there, an hour staring at the shelter ceiling creating shapes and faces out of the notches in the wood, and an hour going through our food bags and eating lunch. Norwood Fires. We've discussed chicken pox, the pattern of flatulence among mammals, the merits of the Great White shark among other Shark Bite fruit snacks, the difference between a Triscuit and a Wheat Thin, and other fabulously trivial things.It's been between 37-40 degrees all day, rainy and windy so I've spent most of it in my sleeping bag. I told Melk and Ronin this is like torture. I've read the signs in here so many times I could recite them with rhyme. In fact, there is a sign that said "No Wood Fires" but someone added an R between the first two words. I read it aloud now each time I spot it. Norwood Fires.I'm glad we didn't hike in this but, man, did it get rough at times. Norwood Fires. We have three more hours to kill before bedtime. Norwooood Fiiires!- Sound of the wind, Melk talking about getting injured.Post Trail Thoughts:If you really want to see a hiker go crazy, stick her in a cold, wet shelter all day. Fill it mice. Decorate the shelter with gramatically incorrect signs. And then sit back and enjoy. This day annoyed me to the core. I hated being cold. I hated being wet. I tried to make phone calls from the privy just for something to do. Torture, torture I tell you! Norwood Fires.
Date: 2007-09-17
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

September 17, Another Visit to the ERI tried to sleep in as late as I could today but that turned out to be only 7 a.m.We headed to breakfast and then wandered around town searching for the medical clinic that was allegedly on the main street. Turns out they had no availability today or tomorrow so Melk and I had to get a taxi to Berlin. We needed to have our stings looked at. My right hand had blown up overnight and Melk's dozen stings were driving her nuts.So, we made it to the hospital and Melk and I were treated as a pair. Everyone there was really nice and the doctor prescribed lots of medicine to each of us. I'm getting to be quite the sting expert.We headed back to Gorham and accomplished next to nothing for the rest of the day. Melk decided she needs another day here and, frankly, I have more things to do as well.So we just had our Ben & Jerry's pints, courtesy of Pat Philbin's coupon and generous donation. Thank you, Pat!- Sound of the TV.Post Trail Thoughts:Nothing was ever easy in a trail town. When you think about going to the doctor in the real world, you think: a) call and schedule an appointment, b) drive to appointment, c) drive home. Rather, in the wonderful world of foot travel and always being new to town, it goes more like this: a) ask someone where a doctor's office might be located, b) walk there (passing the office a few times), c) wait for receptionist to tell you the doctor is unavailable today, d) ask for referral and receive a recommendation for the emergency room instead, e) walk over a mile back to hotel to order a cab, f) wait 30 minutes for cab, g) go to hospital, h) return to hotel in cab, i) walk to pharmacy, j) drop off script and wait 30 minutes for it to be filled, k) decide to buy groceries for the week while you're there, l) walk home with three bags of groceries and meds, stopping for dinner along the way.
Date: 2007-09-18
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

September 18, GorhamSo, another zero went by with lots of town chores and walking what felt like dozens of miles around this long town. Because there was no breakfast place to be found anywhere, we walked around for about half an hour until we finally ended up at the same place we went yesterday for a bagel.After that, I went to the library and battled the computer nazis. I was there to order wedding invitations, which I've been trying to accomplish for weeks. Two older women who took their jobs too seriously rushed me the whole time and kicked me off of the computer just as I was completing my order. Luckily, the order went through but I'm sure more could have been done and I could've paid closer attention.After that, we had lunch at an Italian market - a heavenly sandwich and some heavenly pizzeles (so not as good as my grandma's) - and then resupplied at Rite Aid.I feel like I've walked too much today. I came back and iced my shins and haven't done much else. This is my last chance at real relaxation before the final sprint to the finish.- Sound of the train outside. Post Trail Thoughts:I think I will always remember ordering my wedding invitations at the Gorham, NH public library, crossing my fingers that I'd entered the right times and names and things. Alas, I did and all turned out well. I'm impressed with how much I was able to do while on the trail to plan for my wedding. I owe this to the previous three years I spent doing logistics and planning events for a living.
Date: 2007-09-19
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

September 19, Evil ClutchesWe meant to leave today. We really did. But we had to wait for the outfitter to open so Melk could have her trekking pole fixed. That took until about 11:30 a.m. Then we called the shuttle guy to arrange a ride back to the trail. He said it'd be about a half hour so we headed to the Italian market for lunch. I felt pretty lethargic at that point.The shuttle guy came halfway through our meal and told us he'd come back.So we sat there and got way too comfortable. And it spelled disaster. But we got some relaxation time.- Don't recall the sounds.Post Trail Thoughts:Oops. A lost day in a disheartening string of lost days. And yet, I do not mind.
Date: 2007-09-20
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

September 30, Stupid Yellow JacketsStupid yellow jackets. So, we got a ride to the trail today and even hiked for 45 minutes. We were on our way up a 2,000-foot climb. Melk was leading and Ronin was behind me. I started to get really tired and I had to stop and catch my breath. I told Ronin to just pass me. Only when I stopped did I realize how dizzy I felt. I felt like I was going to pass out. I sat down on a rock and started getting clammy. I had to flail the buckles off of my pack and I called up to Melk and Ronin to stop. I really thought I was going to pass out in the middle of the trail. I moved off of the rock I was on to make sure I didn't fall over. We sat there for about 20 minutes and I still felt lightheaded and weak. Then I remembered I am taking steroids and antibiotics for my stings. I read the labels for them and they both cause dizziness. I suspected it was the antibiotics doing it to me since the steriods were okay the last time I was stung. I sat there and weighed my options...We wouldn't have a road crossing for several days so it didn't seem smart to me to hike on. I decided to go back to town, stop taking the antibiotics (since they were prescribed as more of a preventative medicine), let it get out of my system and try again tomorrow.I called the nurse who treated me the other day and, although she couldn't tell me to stop the meds, she seemed agreeable to my plan.I felt pretty bad. I didn't do a lot for the rest of the day - just tried to take it easy. One of these days we'll get to Maine. Here's hoping tomorrow goes better.- Sound of Seinfeld, Ronin and Melk laughing, a car outside. Post Trail Thoughts:At this point, we were checked in for Round Two at our second hotel in Gorham. I think we ran into Keymaster upon arrival back to the hotel. I was frustrated about this and felt like we'd never get moving again. We watched the Top Chef marathon all day and were officially addicted by the end of the day....<.i>