morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-08-06
From: Spruce Pine Shelter

To: Green Mountain House
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Interesting day. I woke a bit earlier than usual and lay there listening to the birds singing. The wrens with their flute-like song is so pretty.I wanted to make it into town early for breakfast so I got up and out pretty quickly. Not a bad walk but enough up that I did break a sweat. The traffic was light that early so it took me about 10 minutes to get a hitch. Nice guy, lives in Danbury, has a second home here and is up for a week or so with his two daughters. I ended up having a bagel with peanut butter cause there didn't appear to be too many options for real breakfast. Then I walked down the street and had two donuts. I spent most of the morning catching up on email, sending pics to G and being a bum. I certainly looked the part especially since this town, Manchester Center, is built around outlet stores and is a bit of a Mecca. Too funny....in another time I would have been thrilled. All I cared about today was food and relaxing. I checked out the outfitters - EMS and Mountain Goat. The assistant manager, Dave, at EMS, was good enough to try to find a leak int NeoAir. He didn't find one which made me glad I didn't buy the repair kit. Not sure why it loses air. Anyway, I didn't buy anything at either place. Ops, not true, I bought snacks at EMS.I had lunch at The Lawyer and Baker; cute eclectic place. I had a cup of gazpacho and a pesto, tomato, mozzarella panini. Both were good. The cocomit macaroon with half dipped in dark chocolate was divine. I enjoyed it all afternoon while doing TJ updates.After lunch I ran into Handstand, Pink Floyd and Larb. Jack Ranbit was at the clinic; later they told me the doc thinks he has giardia and gave him an antibiotic without testing him. Not good!That crowd now has a girl with them, Sundance (I think); she was calling around trying to find rooms for 6 people.I went to Price Chopper to resupply then called Jeff to pick me up.What a great place. Basically he has converted his original home into a hostel and he is living in the carriage house. 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths; 1/2 bath downstairs with laundry, kitchen and common living space. Just like home. I was told he also has an overflow space in the barn.The place is immaculate and very well provisioned. Everything is included, including a pint of B&J.I was the first to arrive do I got showered, did laundry and the did my TJ updates. More folks arrived all afternoon, full house. I went to Mass! yes, 3 other folks were going so I tagged along. It wad very nice. First time I've been in a church for 4 months. We sang Amazing Grace - how appropriate since I feel so blessed by this opportunity.Hot Sauce is here. No one else I know. Flame as a res for tomorrow.It's raining so I'm grateful to be inside and dry. Praying it stops my morning.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-08-07
From: Green Mountain House

To: Campsite by Big Branch
Miles today: 16.3

4 months on the Trail today and, in 2 days, I'll be under 500 miles left.My tummy wad a bit unsettled last night. I didn't eat my ice cream. I should have had it for breakfast! I enjoyed what I did have: a banana, bagel with butter and cinnamon sugar with a cup of tea; then Greek yogurt with a nectarine and granola. The market didn't have chocolate milk or I would have had that, too!The rain did stop by thisoeming however it was very cloudy, 94% humidity with temps in the mid 70s. Not really bad. I ended up putting my pack cover on cause it was so wet between the hi-humidity and rain on the trees dripping. It did drizzle a liitle but not much.Got a rather late start, about 9:45 so I stopped at the first shelter, just 2 mikes in, for a snack. A couple I met 2 days ago was there - just chilling. They had spent the night and weren't interested in hiking on in the rain. HYOHBromley Mountain climb was no problem. I wasn't crazy about the final .6 miles in the ski slope - like walking on those grassy balds - not my thing. Met a guy from NJ who was out for a day hike, we went into the Ski Patrol warming hut to dry off; he told me he is hiking in the Whites next week with his Dad who is 72 and a colon-cancer survivor. Neat young guy. No view because of the clouds - was suppose to be a view of 5 states; oh well.I had lunch on the summit is Styles Peak. The sine was trying to come out and there was a partial view of distant mountains.Pseru Peak had the first real view of the mountain ranges and a nice breeze!Griffith Lake looked pretty. I was getting ready to find a spot to take a picture when I fell on one of the board walks. They are everywhere in 'Vermudd' and the boards are slippery. I twisted my right ankle, fell on my left knee and skidded with that foot bent under me. Pretty site I'm sure! Lol I knew it was just a matter of time before I took that spill; so happy it didn't happen over the swampy water.Still haven't seen a moose. I saw a dead porcupine. Right by the Trail, very sad.Steep rocky climb up Baker Peak - those rocks that are like knife edges. Terrific view of mountains, many layers.I met 3 SoBo ers: Foorwork, Mace and Double D.Met up with Pink Floyd and the gang - I ended up walking to this campsite, which is at the Old Job Trail, with Larb and Jack Rabbit. We are all camped beside the Big Branch. Nice to hear the water.Today I'm grateful foreseeing more of those beautiful dragonflies on Styles Peak while I was eating lunch.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-08-08
From: Campsite by Big Branch

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: broken clouds

Last night ended with a thunderstorm. Thought I heard thunder in the distance, with the roar of the river it was hard to tell. Then the lightening came and, much as I prayed differently, a hard storm. So, wet tent to deal with today. Also I slept about 30 minutes later this morning which is unusual for me but I did hike later last night.It was cloudy, misty and just plain wet when got going this morning around 7. I knew I wasn't doing big miles today so inwasn't in a rush. Thar was good cause the going was slow. Every rock and board and root was slippery. More mud than before. Yuck! First thing this morning, while tieing my boots, SoBo Shiloh stopped to talk - nice guy, very encouraging.A nice surpass this morning, a nice privy by the parking lot for Little Rock Pond Trailhead - just when I needed it. And...it had TP! You know that's when it's meant for the public.When I got to the Pond the wind was blowing the clouds, couldn't see a thing - took some pics anyway. By the time I walked to the other end most of the clouds had blown off - it was a pretty pond. It's very true about the weather in VT changing; by lunch time it. Was mostly sunny and the afternoon was absolutely beautiful with cool temps and really nice breezes which I was grateful on my climb up Bear Mountain - it had some steep sections; mainly it is a long climb.Met two more SoBos before lunch: J Tree and Whiskey, really cute couple from IL.I went to Grenwall Shelter for lunch and dried my tent. The long break was nice.The climb up to White Rocks Cliff was pretty; went into the evergreens - smells so good! It was a quiet steep decent. My knees can really tell they've been pounded today.The other great thing about Bear Mountain was the lack of rocks. Bless the hearts, hands and feet of the crew who removed those rocks. The hike was so nice and it was the first time in a while I could look around at the beautiful VT woods, without stopping, instead of where I was putting my feet. Yea!Busy tonight at the Mi erva Hinchey Shelter. Just about 22 miles from the AT/LT split. There will be a lot less people in another 2 days.Tomorrow I'll definitely cross the T-500 lie mark. That will be soon after I havebreakfast at Whistle Stop. That's the whole reason I did short milage today - breakfast there tomorrow. They are not open on Mondays or I might have done dinner tonight, too.Neat thing in 2 different places today - cairns built by hikers. I tried to get pics, we'll see how they come out.Tonight I'm thankful for the sunshine after the rain.I sure will be glad when this humid dickey weather is done.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-08-09
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Pico Camp Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

What a day. Started early - I was hiking by 6 am. Wanted to get to Whistle Stop for breakfast and back on the AT at a decent time. I had mentioned it to Mr. Burns, Fund Raiser and Crunch; they all wanted to go as well. Mr. Burns was up and going when was and I told shims I would wait for him to have breakfast. I walked slowly, took about a 10 minute breK at the road and then wait got to Whistle Stop and he was shortly behind. Really nice guy, works for the government as a professor at the Defense Acquisition University, interesting. Anyway, he bought me breakfast. I'm sending him a BIG Thank you! Pre-birthday celebration with cinnamon apple pancakes that were delicious.It was an amazing walk this morning - absolutely beautiful blue skies, cool and breezy. I had a great view of the mountains with clouds stuck in them - took pics.I saw 3 deer very son after starting out. Still no moose.With my birthday coming up and crossing the 500 miles to go mark today my emotions, mental state and physical desires are running high. I remember how amazing it was to have walked 100 miles, then 500 miles; then 1000 miles and now I have only 500 left - so few.I can definitely feel the pull of Katahdin. That Type - A, finish the project personality, kicking in.At the sometime I don't want it it be over. Physically I want to walk and keep wLking cause it is so exciting to be so close. I'm not able to do that as I proved today.There are the hikers who think 500 miles is still so far to go.Jeff, at the Green Mountain House, said this is when the younger hikers, who came out to 'find' themselves slow down cause they realize they haven't found anything.I can also feel that desire to slow down and savor these last weeks.I met a bunch of folks today: SoBo - Bullwinkle, Jonsey, Avalanche and Turtle; touch of witticism and a girl with him; NoBo - Aces, Trump and SpiceToday I'm thankful for birthday treats like breakfast - thanks!When I get to heaven will it be my idea of heaven? A deep pine forest.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-08-10
From: Pico Camp Shelter

To: Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 5.7

Yep, it's a Nero day. I'm at the Inn at Long Trail. Originally inwas going to get the bus into Rutland, do my resupoly and hike out this afternoon. After last night I decided I needed a bit of a break. I should say after yesterday.Now that 8'm a day removed from the situation I can be more objective - I got lost on Killington. For some reason I had it in my mind that the Trail did not go by the shelter so I wandered down other trails trying to find the AT - I saw all the new catwalks on Killington, 2 ski lifts and finally wandered back and found the Blaze - going right by the shelter. Ugh!The weather was getting bad - very windy, cloudy and getting dark. I was beaded down that mountain quick as I could without falling and breaking something. Thank You, Lord, for protecting fools like me. I got to the blue blaze trail for the Pico Camp, this shelter is .5 off the AT, and I really wanted to go the 3 mes to the next shelter. It started to spit rain, I started toward the next shelter, got about 10 steps and said out loud, 'don't be stupid'; turned around and went to Pico. It's a small fully enclosed shelter with bunks for 4; 3 guys were there - sleeping at -9:17 - with the door latched. They let me in and said they were happy I woke them so they could eat dinner.To be continued...
Date: 2011-08-11
From: Inn at Long Trail

To: Winturri Shelter
Miles today: 18.0

I've been told the mountains in Western NH are tough; the mountains in Eastern V5 are getting me ready. Yikes! There were some steep ups today. Quimby Mountain was a real heart thumper: over 1000' in 1.4 miles. That was followed by at least 3 more, not as long, but still steep climbs. Definitely giving those leg and butt muscles a workout.Thankfully it wasn't as damp and muddy today Fternoon a full day of sunshine yesterday. Still rocky but not as many and there was a nice long stretch that was wide and rock free - I felt lime running it was so nice. That's also where the local club has been working on building water bar/runoffs; someone found a roak that looks like a shark fin and have positioned it in a runoff pit. Should get a lot of laughs and I'm sure it is just a matter of time before it has a face with teeth!I had breakfast with Mr. Burns, Crunch and Fund Raiser. We all hiked out together and said our good-byes at the AT/LT split. No more Long Trail folks. I said good-bye to Mr. Burns at the Kent Pond Hotel. He had a mail drop there and I hiked on. I enjoyed the company of all 3 gentleman.At Kent Pond I heard and saw my first loon. I was wondering when they might show up. Such an interesting song, tugs at your heart.I highly recommend staying at the Inn. Nibs people, good food and fun bar. They serve a nice breakfast, too, which is included in the price. Comfortable and reasonably priced.I passed Thundering Falls today, got a glimpse. I mistakenly thought there would be a view from below....oops!Gorgeous day, mostly sunny with cool breezes and temps around 70. I'll be happy to get my long sleeve shirt back. It's chilly this evening so I have on my rain jacket.Met SoBo Twisted Turtle; started 30 June.Had lunch at the Stony Brook Shelter where I met Old Crow and I'm in for the night in my tent at the Winturri Shelter. It is down in a hollow - lots of bugs. Glad to be in my tent.Tonight I'm thankful for being able to do those 18 miles today.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-08-12
From: Winturri Shelter

To: West Hartford, VT; shed behind sign company
Miles today: 16.6

Happy Birthday to me!Great day! It was chilly this morning - like cool enough that I was wearing my jacket when I started hiking. Mark Trail was at the shelter when I got out of my tent this morning. That was a surprise and the day was full of them...We were hiking along, beautiful day - cool temps - get to VT 12 and I see a van by the road and say, 'oh, maybe it's Trail Magic'. Low and behold, it is Trail Magic, and not just any. It's Santa's Helper and he has a birthday cake with my name on it! What a sweet, fun surprise he and Mark Trail set up. We probably spent close to an hour talking and sort of waiting for Spit Walker whose birthday is also today. He didn't show so we eventually hiked on.We were planing to stop at the deli at the next road crossing but it was too early so we wnt on to the next option, Cloudland Market. Oh my goodness! They sell fresh meat from their farm along with local cheese and ice cream. And, on Thursday and Friday nights, they do farm table dinners. MT first asked about lunch options, like sandwiches, which they don't do. Then he asked if there was anything left from the previous nights dinner. The chef went to check, came back and said there was succotash. He fixed us each a big bowl: 2 kinds of potatoes, green beans, yellow beans, yellow squash, corn, pepper and butter. It was so good! I just knew they grew all hose veggies and probably picked them Tuesday afternoon or early Wednesday for the Thursday night supper. They also had local made soft drinks:'I had a Raspberry Ruhbarb Ramble and wr had a pint of Chocolate Almond and a pint of Cinnamon ice cream. Delicious! The chef didn't chRge us for the succotash and MT paid for mine - thanks for that birthday treat!We sat on the porch with SoBo Cheap. Had a nice time. We still needed to hike almost 7 miles to be within walking distance of Hanover on Saturday to make it to the PO by noon. Met SoBo, Bob White and a guy whose name I can not recall. Took another great break to enjoy the mountain view late in the afternoon. At least these steep climbs are giving some views.Made it it West Hartford, VT where there is a great market - bought BBQ sandwiches and Long Trail Bluebeary Beer; sat in the gazebo to eat/drink cause that is the only legal place to drink outside. We then walked down the street to camp in the backyard if Steve and Kathy who own the sign shop. They also have a shed which they said we could sleep in. By this time Old Crow had shown up so the 3 of us settled into the shed for the night. Steve and Kathy came out and started a fire in the pit so Old Crow and MT joined them. I was really chilled and am happy to be in dry clothes, in my bag, in the shed!Very nice birthday! I received lots of Fb birthday wishes - thanks to everyone for making the day so special.Thank You, Lord, for blessing me today!Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-08-13
From: West Hartford, VT; shed behind sign company

To: Sunset Motor Lodge - Hanover
Miles today: 9.6

Happy Birthday, Rippet!So, I spent my birthday night in a shed! Very funny. Steve and Kathy are very nice. We talked to them this morning about their sign business, Hartford Sign Compang; and their antique cars.I slept ok. These cool, damp nights are not something I'm use to sleeping thru. It's definitely chilly and with the bag liner feeling damp it feels cooler.Anyway, I woke about moral time, lay there listening to the birds, then read till about 7 when all of a sudden everyone was awake and ready to go to breakfast. We went back to the West Hartford Village Store, where we got the BBQ sandwiches and beers last night. I had a good breakfast sandwich, chocolate donut, chocolate milk, banana and coffee. Then we wnt back down to the sign shop to load the car and drive to Hanover. The drive was quick. Certainly makes me wonder why it takes so much longer to hike. We dropped off Old Crow's pack, got chased off by the police, picked up our mail at the PO, walked thru the outfitters and finally found a place to leave the car for the day. Then we hitched back to West Hartford. Actually got a hitch fairly quickly. Nice local guy, George. Big Thanks! I gathered my stuff and hiked out fairly soon after we got back. My tolerance for messing around was depleted. It was only 10 miles to hike but I didn't want to get in late.Very pretty walk. Weather was great. Terrain was about the same as the past 2 days - a couple of steep ups/downs. Beautiful woods - tall trees, little ground cover so long views. I saw a couple of chipmunks, first I've seen in days.I made decent time, was having a beer by 16:15. I called the Sunset Lodge and had them pick menup at the CVS. Not many choices in Hanover. Had Mexican for dinner, gelato for dessert, picked up a few things I needed at CVS and a long sleeve shirt at North Face that was on sale.Updated Trail Journals and sent pics to G when ingot back from dinner.Not certain where I'm headed tomorrow - just that it's New Hampshire - Yippee!!Today I'm thankful for Trail Angels Kathy, Steve and GeorgeIt's a full moon tonight.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-08-14
From: Sunset Motor Lodge - Hanover

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

New Hampshire - Whew!Felt like a long day. Not sure exactly what time I got out of Hanover - not early - it was close to 19:30 when I got to Trapper John Shelter. I was able to get in the mileage.I slept ok last night. Woke up around 5:30 and decided to get my TJ updates done and send G all the rest of my pictures. By 8 I was more than ready to go; I had to wait for the motel guy to g e me a shuttle back to town. Last night he told me 8 am; this morning he said it would have to be after 8 because he was the only one at the motel. He gave me a ride at 8:15.I was going to the bagel place for breakfast but ended up at Lou's Bakery. I had a blueberry scone, heated and a big bowl of fruit with plain yogurt and house made granola, chocolatemilk and coffee. I thought I was really hungry and ended up being really stuffed. I would highly recommend eating hereThe hike out of Hanover is a walk all the way through town and right past the co-op grocery so, of course, I had to go in. Great place! I bought honey and nuts. Just what I needed - more pack weight, I'm not sure how my pack got so heavy. I'll definitely be sending stuff home from Glencliff.I saw 2 deer this morning. Continue to see those small, thumbnail sized frogs. Also saw a large very green caterpillar today.The climb out was steep. I was thinking if it's all like this I'll never make it to Maine. It had it's moments but wasn't any worse than VA - up, up, up and still more UP.Pretty woods. Changed several times from a high-canopy hardwood with little undergrowth to dense and lush then again to evergreen with little undergrowth to evergreen with ferns. All pretty. All rocky. The granite state.I'm in the shelter tonight because it is sprinling and is suppose to rain. 4 guys in here, too.I'm grateful for the mileage today.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-08-15
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Fire Wardens Cabin
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: moderate rain

15:00Well, well, well; isn't this special?It rained hard most of the night. So glad I was in a shelter. I slept till about 6 am; still raining so I wasn't in a hurry to get out in it. I did finally decide to venture out. The rain had quit, or I thought it had, just dripping from the trees. It was not nearly over. I walked for about 30 minutes with my rain jacket because it was cool. Of course, I started sweating and decided to take it off. Then the rain began in earnest and I figured it would better to have the jacket to put on later. My error was in lazziness. I tied the jacket around my waist instead of stowing it where it wouldn't get soaked. By 11 I was drenched and high up on Lamberts Ridge heading up Smart Mountain and getting chilled. I put the jacket back on but it wasn't much help. I was getting a bit concerned cause I was wet and chilled. I did work up a bit of warmth climbing up Smarts and finally made it to the Fire Warden Cabin which is now a shelter shortly before Noon. Thankfully it is fully enclosed. I got my pad and bag out and changed into dry clothes. So, so thankful I bought this long sleeve top in Hanover. I had some lunch and have been napping, reading and talking to Scrubs and Manx, two NoBos, who spent last night here. This weather is wild. Still raining hard and really blowing. Grateful and thankful to be in his cabin with enough food. Also thankful I had enough smarts to get out of the rain! Thank You, Lord!I guess I have to count this as an unplanned nero...if I could have gone another mile it would be over 7 but the next shelter is 5.3, it is all downhill but it's still not happening today.I won't be in Glencliff tomorrow either. Not a big deal. Wednesday is fine. There is no deadline. Scrubs has been keeping an hourly log. Pretty funny. He said seeing me come in soaked pretty much nailed it as a zero for them. Smart guys!Tuesday. 7amWoke a bit after 5 am - still darker than usual but not raining so I dozed for a bit. By 6 it was raining again and it's still raining. I REALLY do not want to be wet and cold again. I was hoping it would at least have stopped raining and I might make the 20 into Glencliff.Yesterday was a lazy day. I had been wanting a day to spend laying around and reading my book. I should have been more specific that I wanted a nice, dry environment with all the amenities. Not that I'm not thrilled to be in this cabin. Which also adds to the difficult in leaving...there won't be a cabin like this at the end of the day.What to do? I'll give till 9 and then make a decision on whether to...Hike on!Scribbles