morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-08-18
From: Hanover N.H.

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: light rain

Today is for Rosie, Wille and all the McCormack family, Galboola. Early breakfast with Fr. Kevin, nice coffee, toast, bananas and yogurt. The morning is bright as I head out of town. I cover the same ground I walked yesterday and head into the woods. I barely get there in time. Nature calls and luckily I reach the cover of the woods. The terrain is similar to that of Vermont with many steep ¢Ups¢ and ¢Downs¢. After four miles I stop for some food. Leap Year passes by. I soon meet him again as we stop for water at a little stream. I wander on and then decided its time to eat. Our time on the Trail is Walking punctuated by Eating. A long climb to Moose Mountain where I sat and enjoyed the magnificent view and ate my lunch. Then a long downhill to Goose Pond Road. I filled up with water at the river and decided to have a nice easy evening. Only 2.5 miles to go to the Shelter on a fine evening, what could be easier ? But as happens on the Trail, when you expect the going to be easy, just watch out. The climb up to Holts Ledge (2100 ft) was crazy. Leap Year passed me on the climb but even he was hot under the collar. But I am now a ¢professional¢ and took things nice and easy. The view from the top was just reward for the climb. It was a dander down to ¢Trapper John Shelter¢. Leap Year was already there and had decided to call it a day. I went for water and as I returned to the shelter, the rain came down. Leap Year and I were very happy to be done for the day and were delighted with our timing. The rain lasted only about 30 mins. but we had no notion of moving on. A father and daughter from Texas arrived and gave us some extra food they were carrying. They were finishing up next day so we had the shelter to ourselves. One interesting feature of this shelter was the ¢Privy¢. The toilet seat was a high throne and the seat was a night rocking chair. Of course someone had cut a hole in the seat!! You sat looking out on the world as you ¢downloaded your file¢!! 16.7 miles today and feeling good. The sun and good weather makes all the difference.
Date: 2003-08-19
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Ore Hill Shelter
Miles today: 19.3

Today is for Liam Cahill, his wife Florrie and all his family. All early risers at the Shelter. Leap Year was away first. He takes no breakfast but hikes for about 2 hours before eating. I left as usual about 6.30. The morning was bright and clear. It seems that the rain yesterday is the final flurry. This morning was all uphill and mostly on granite rock. I was making slow but exciting progress. I sat atop some rocks in the sunshine and loaded up with raisins, peanut butter, cheese and bread. The big climb up to the Firewardens Cabin would require some extra energy. I heard someone shout ¢Tipperary¢ . For one horrible moment I thought it might be a Kilkenny fan. It was Homer whom I hadn¢t seen for ages. He goes like billyo. The climb was rough and it was 11.30 before I reached the summit. The view was fantastique. Homer and I ate lunch together. The water source was nearly 12 miles downhill. 12.30, I was on my way, a long slow downhill where the knees feel the pinch. Homer passed in a blur. He was the only hiker I would meet all day. The climb up to Mount Cube (2911 ft.) was very enjoyable. It was sheer rock and mostly above tree line. It was training for the ¢Whites¢. Standing alone on the summit one couldn¢t help but sing the Praises of God, the Creator. It was 4.30. Could I make it to the next Shelter? A long torturous downhill. Somehow the downhills are more scary and the risk of falling greater. I reached the road around 6 and the last 1.8 miles were the killer. I thought the Shelter would never come. Then I heard the welcome sound of laughter and talk. I was near home. Sean O , Sassafras and her husband, LeapYear, Oopala, Vagabond and Homer were all there. I was greeted with ¢It¢s a long way to Tipperary¢. I had covered over 19 miles today. A big feed of Pasta and I was ready for the chat and banter. There was on 75 year old lady ¢Pokie Dot¢, who was completing the Trail at Hanover. She has hiked the entire trail over the past ten years, a wonderful character. She walks about 7 miles a day and was telling us her stories. A lively night around the campfire before heading for the comfort of the sleeping bag at 8.30
Date: 2003-08-20
From: Ore Hill Shelter

To: Jeffers Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Today is for Tom Casey, Mick Fogarty, Mick Brien Danny Dwyer and all the good friends in Golden. A great nights sleep after yesterday¢s long hike. The first rays of daylight seem to act as an alarm clock. Ore Hill Shelter was alive and getting ready by 5.30. I had breakfast and was ready to leave by 6.30. Vagabond commented, ¢ last into camp, first out again¢. A beautiful morning as I climbed Mist Mountain (2200 ft.). Homer passed in a hurry. Oopala came along and we walked together into Glencliff. There was a nice hostel there where most of the hikers were going to hang out for the day. I wasn¢t sure what to do. I needed food for the journey. I got a ride to Walmarts which is a massive store in the US. The trouble is that they have such a selection that I end up buying far too much, milk, orange juice, bananas and all the things I crave when on the Trail. I needed film for the Whites. I rang John McLaughlin and he will send on the boots to Gorham. He was anxious to meet with me , but it would be nearly impossible to predict my whereabouts over the next few days. The ¢Whites¢ will be different from anything that has gone before. I wrote a birthday card to Mary and posted it at Glencliff P.O. Then I decided to head back again into the woods. The hostel was really crowded and hot, so I felt I¢d get a better nights sleep in the Shelter. Only one mile to Jeffers Brook and it was a really beautiful place with a fabulous river for bathing nearby. Siesta and Fizz were already there, Starbuck, Jason and Trout Lilly arrived soon after. They also decided to leave the hostel. I cooked a big supper of Lasagne after a good wash in the river. It was a beautiful evening as we chatted away the hours till darkness and people spoke of the ¢Awesome¢ climb (there I go again, Mary) that lay ahead on the morrow. Now the fun really begins as the first of the big climbs Mt. Moosilauke (4,802 ) stands in our way. This is what I have been waiting for and I¢m happy that the weather is good. I really have no plan for the ¢Whites¢ but somehow, I think they will impose the rhythm. Fizz, who calls me Father is 47 and hails from Nashville, Tennessee. He hikes fast but arrives ¢dead¢ into camp. He began at Harpers Ferry on June 29th, the very day I arrived at the Half Way Stage. He claims the 3.6 mile climb will take less than 2 hours. I¢m budgeting for something like three hours. With these thoughts, I sleep
Date: 2003-08-21
From: Jeffers Brook Shelter

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is for Andy & Karen Brennan, Lagos and their baby. The sun was peeping through the trees at an early hour. Fizz and I were the early risers. I was on the road by 6.20 having completed breakfast and the usual morning chores. There was no introduction, just straight up. I took it nice and easy and was feeling good. These climbs are so much easier in the early morning. Fizz passed and was gone. Nice streams crossed the Trail, so water was not a problem. After about I hour, I stopped for a rest, food and drink. It was slow but not as tough as I anticipated. By 8.30, I was above ¢Tree-Line¢ and the walk along the ridge for .8 miles was just unbelievable. It was like walking ¢on top of the world¢ with the surrounding mountains and clouds all around and mostly below me. At 9.15 I reach the summit and Fizz was there. A Southbound couple, Goosebump and Rainbow Stream were there. I sat there and drank in the beauty of the scene. I ate some food and took some ¢snaps¢. But the camera can never capture these magic moments. I could catch a glimpse of Mount Washington in the far distance. It was such a perfectly clear morning, one of the highlights, definitely, of the trip. The SOBOS said there would be many more such moments through the White Mountains. The weather is crucial both for hiking and seeing this unbelievable region at its best. A little after 10, I started down. I was not prepared for the steep, rocky wet and dangerous hike down the other side of Moosilauke. In fact, while it was magnificent as the Trail went alongside the longest waterfall I have ever seen, it took me over three hours to get down to the road. My knees were tender and my legs like jelly after my ordeal. 7.6 miles to the Shelter. It seemed an easy task at 1.30 as I sat eating lunch. Vagabond arrived and said it was not a difficult stretch. It was horrendous. I walked and climbed, walked and climbed for 2 12 hours to discover I had travelled just 3 miles. The maps were wrong , the elevation profile all wrong. At 4.30 I came to a sign and my heart skipped a beat. I¢m nearly there, I thought. Not on your nanny, 4.4 miles to go. Nothing to do but grin and bear it. I began to push a little harder. The last 2 miles were not so bad. I walked into camp at 7.15. Vagabond was worried about me. He arrived 30 mins earlier, staggering, he said. Fizz was already lying down. He was out for the count, ran out of water and had generally pushed too hard. Starbuck came in about 20 mins. later. He hikes at much the same pace as I do. Leap Year came stumbling to the Shelter at 9.30. Everyone had the same story, Mt. Moosilauke was easy, what came after was the killer. 15.9 miles today, far too much in New Hampshire and The Whites. They would soon tame us !!. Sean O, Sassafras, Bump, her husband and Oopala had slackpacked today over the mountain. They took the wiser option. But I prefer to continue my Northbound Journey.
Date: 2003-08-22
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Lonesome Lake Hut
Miles today: 6.3

Today is for all the members of the Sean Treacy Pipe Band, living and Living in the Lord. A wonderful sleep after the long walk yesterday. But there was to be no respite. Straight away, it was uphill. I left camp around 7 feeling fine but soon the legs were feeling the pinch. It began to rain. I prayed for it to stop. My prayers were answered on the spot. The climb up South Kinsman Mountain (4,358 ft.) was cruel. It was rock climbing, pulling myself up and over, sometimes using the poles, at times hanging on to roots of trees or whatever. ¢Walk through the woods, my arse¢. Four hours to get to the top, which was less than three miles. The view was fantastic as I sat and devoured some calories at the top. I began to realise that things were going to be slow for the next week or so. Easy Step and Buddist Monk, two young ladies who had tented at the Eliza Brook Shelter came along. We hiked and chatted our way over more rock roads till we came to Lonesome Lake Hut at around 14.00. The Hut system which operates in the Whites is costly. $70 for the night. Thru-Hikers sometimes can work for stay. I tried my luck and was accepted. Leap Year and I helped a little and had good food and lodgings. While dinner was being served, we went for a swim and wash in the lake. I was happy to take things easy, move slowly through the mountains and enjoy the experience. I decided that this would be my ¢holidays¢ as I moved from Hut to Hut. Hopefully the weather would be good. I had heard so many stories of hikers who had injured themselves on these rocks. The Hut was full with ¢paying guests¢and Leap Year and I were asked to share a little about our Journey on the A.T. The people were really interested and we were the main attraction. They all wanted to give us extra food, but we could not carry the extra weight. Most were family groups from Boston and New Hampshire. The lights were worked from Solar panels. The food is simple but good. We sat with the ¢croo¢ and ate our fill. Lights out at nine, Leap Year and I could put our mats on the kitchen floor. Troutlilly, Jason and Starbuck all passed on . They were going into town. This was a nice restful day, a mere 6.3 miles but in this rough and rocky country its nothing to be scoffed at. Its 6.3 miles closer to Maine and bringing me that little bit nearer Katahdin.
Date: 2003-08-23
From: Lonesome Lake Hut

To: Greenleaf Hut, Mt. Lafayette
Miles today: 9.3

Today is for Jack & Ned Lambe, and all the Lambe and Fanning families including my good friends Joe & Teresa. Rising early to help with breakfast, Leap Year and I ate a good breakfast and helped clean up. It was 8.30 before I got on the road but that suited me fine. I was determined to take things easy and enjoy these magnificent mountains. A lovely three mile walk down to the road. The Trail went alongside a lovely stream for most of the way. The morning was crisp but sunny, an ideal day for hiking. When I hit the road it was uphill again for about 2 hours, rising to 3,800 ft. at Liberty Summit. I stopped for food and was joined by a young man who had Thru-Hiked last year. He cautioned me to go easy through the rest of NH and the first 30-40 miles in Maine. Oopala came along and we walked together. Soon we were above tree-line and the views were breathtaking. Little Haystack was the first peak and you could see for miles. It was my first clear view of Mt. Washington in the distance. We were now up on the ridge and could see the Trail winding up Mt. Lincoln to Mt. Lafayette. It was cold but while you kept walking it was nice. Near the top of Mt. Lafayette, I met a Clareman from Killaloe, Dick Edmonds. A compulsory stop while he gave me all the GAA news. Photos taken, Oopala and I headed down to Greenleaf Hut (5,249 ft.) which was 1 mile off the Trail. Again we were well received, the Irish accent is a definite plus. I got Leap Year and Oopala in as well. Again the place was packed, this time with a family group from Boston. They had ferried booze in to beat the band. Three brothers from Texas, SouthBounders, were also there. They had come early and had no trouble getting in. We called them ¢The Dalton Brothers¢. The night was savage cold and the crowd had no notion of obeying the 9 o¢clock lights out deadline. They offered us some of their drink. I had a nice single malt and slept through the late night revelry. I was tired. This rock climbing is really something else. It was down to freezing point and the sleeping bad plus all the clothes I could wear kept me nice and warm. Some of the other hikers couldn¢t get to sleep and were a bit pissed off. The Dalton Brothers joined the party and were pissed drunk. I went to sleep and slept like a baby. This walking is a fantastic sleeping pill. 9.3 miles today but it was definitely one of the best days on the Long Walk. The weather is such a blessing and is making the tough hike through the Whites and Presidential Range so memorable. Oopala and I are in awe of the splendour and majesty of the 360* view. One sad note, ¢The Old Man of the Mountain¢, the symbol of New Hampshire, fell from his lofty perch early this year.
Date: 2003-08-24
From: Greenleaf Hut, Mt. Lafayette

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: clear sky

Today is for Matt & Sandra and all the Purcell Family. Rising early on the kitchen floor. The ¢Dalton Brothers¢ were snoring and emitting other sounds. It was just above freezing point and the cloud movements over the peaks of Lafayette were beautiful. More importantly, the sun was shining. We helped with the breakfast and then devoured a hefty one ourselves. It was 8.30 before we began the long Mile back to the Trail. Oopala and I walked together. It was bitterly cold. I had no fleece or gloves. The wind was gusting at 50 mph. When we reached the summit, it nearly blew us over. ¢LeapYear¢ came up and as we warmed ourselves in the shelter of some big rocks, we decided to stick together as we crossed the open expanse of Ridge that lay before us. It was an unforgettable hike in the wind and cold. We learned afterwards that the winds were closer to 70-80 mph. Was I glad to get down below tree-line again? There it was warm but we were back again in the Green Tunnel. We stopped at a shady spot for grub and were joined by Jason and Trout Lilly. She was shaking after the Ridge experience. We went down for ages and then it was up Mt. Garfield (4488 ft.). It was another spectacular view. The air was crystal clear, the sun was shining but the breeze would not allow you hang around for too long. We could see the mountains we had to travel with Mount Washington in the distance. We could also see Galehead Hut 2.7 miles where Oopala and I were headed for. But we were warned that the road down off Garfield was steep, slippery and very dangerous. As usual, when you get all these warnings, its was not all that bad. Maybe, because I was feeling so good, the weather was fine, the views spectacular and the Hut within easy distance. I was really enjoying this part of the Trail. Oopala went ahead and I took my time on the rocks as I slowly but surely made my way up the side of Galehead Mountain. The Hut was packed with people. Would there be a place?. Earlier in the day, 3 hikers had passed. We stepped aside and with our hiking poles raised we gave them a Guard of Honour. One of these hikers was the Caretaker and received Oopala and myself with great friendship. Sometime later Seabees arrived. Many hikers were refused and had to find a place to camp, not that easy at these heights. Oopala gave his spot to Seabees and we worked for stay. Very good food and a nice bunk. I enjoyed the ¢Guests¢. They were all people who worked in the Huts in former years. One man had worked there before the War (2nd. World War) and told some great stories. Another 75 year old lady had hiked her way to the meeting. The party went on till the late hours but I was asleep in the Top Bunk with real woollen blankets to keep me warm.
Date: 2003-08-25
From: Galehead Hut

To: Ethan Pond Campsite
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is for Stella and Breda Quinn , the Quinn family and all my old friends at Bennys .A good nights sleep in the Top Bunk. Slept like a log on a bitterly cold night. In the morning, we helped with the breakfast and at 8.30 we were ready to hike. I was told to take some wine left over after last night¢s party. So, instead of putting water in my Nalgein Bottle, I carried 1 litre up the mountain. Seabees and Siesta went ahead, Oopala and I walked behind. Another steep, rocky climb starting at the front door. There is no let up here. The morning was crisp and bright and the views when were went above tree-line were ¢prayer-inducing¢ (now there¢s a new one, Mary). Around 11.30 we stopped for a well earned break and some food. I produced the wine and there was great delightas we toasted the ¢Whites¢ and the beauty all around. Another case of Water turned into Wine !!. In good spirits, we crossed the summit of Mt. Guyot (4560 ft.) and then the long , slow decent to Zealand Falls Hut. Troutlilly and Jason were there. So, also, was Leap Year. We had some coffee and decided to move on even though there was room ¢at the Inn¢. 4.8 miles to Ethan Pond Campsite and would you believe it, the road was easy. We walked the distance in 2 hours. The rain was threatening but held off. $8 to camp, but it was a lovely site and a chance to air my tent. Dutch caught up with us and stayed the night. He is covering big miles and in a hurry to finish the Trail. A large group of Uni. Students from Providence, Rhode Island were camped nearby and we all cooked under the same shelter. They had tons of food and were obviously new to the hiking game.. Two other young couples, who were doing a four day hike and would be going to Mount Washington, gave us some extra food. We chatted until it was time to return to our tents with the last remaining minutes of daylight. 11.8 miles today which is no joke in this sort of country. I keep saying that these days are my ¢holidays¢. But it is really survival tactics. I just could not do more miles without injury and certainly not be able to enjoy the surroundings. The views are so spectacular that it would be a pity to rush through without taking time to drink the special sweetness of the White Mountains and the Presidential Range. I doubt if I will ever pass this way again, so I intend to savour the moment.
Date: 2003-08-26
From: Ethan Pond Campsite

To: Mizpah Spring Hut, Nauman Tentsite
Miles today: 9.3

Today is for Seamie Ryan, Rathmanna. Slight rain during the night. I stuffed a wet tent into the bag and was ready to walk around seven. Seabees and I walked together. It would be an easy nine miles today. How often have we made the same mistake !! A lovely three miles downhill to Crawford Notch. A delightful meeting with ¢Family Man¢, someone I had hiked with just after the ¢Smokies¢. He recognised me instantly and we stopped and chatted. He walked to Harpers Ferry and then ¢Flip-flopped¢ to Maine. It was like meeting a long lost friend. He commented on how much weight I had lost. In fact, I have lost very little since you were here, John. I keep stuffing myself with all kinds of junk. Just as we reached the road at Crawford Notch US 302, I was busy looking for the White Blaze, so busy, that I missed a large notice pinned to a tree with Tipperary in bold black print. Luckily, Seabees saw the notice. It was a message from Mountain Mamma, who is now living in New Hampshire. Her brother has a house near here and she wants me to have dinner and bring my friends, wonderful news. The day is crisp and sunny as we head for the big climb of the day, Mt. Webster (3910). We had been warmed that this was one of the toughest. Oopala came along as we were eating and the three of us continued together, ¢Oopala¢ in front, then ¢Seabees¢ and I bringing up the rear. We reached the ¢Cliffs¢ and thought we were at the summit. But that was the ¢rock¢ we perished on. The fun was only just beginning. It was tough hand over hand rock climbing and just when you thought you were on the final peak, there was another one beyond. On the bright side, the weather was great and the views spectacular. This was no ¢Walk in the woods¢. A mile here took for ages. Around 1.45 we eventually reached the top. We could see Mizpah Spring Hut away in the distance. But we had to go down again and climb Mount Jackson before we reached our destination for the day. Seabees and I worked for stay and had a lovely bunkhouse to ourselves. The food was excellent and we both devoured ham by the ton. Only 9.3 miles today but they were some of the toughest on the Trail. Tomorrow, we hope to walk the Big One, Mount Washington (6288). It has been calling us for the past few days as we see it rise majestically in the distance. Now it is very near.