morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-07-17
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night it thunderstormed VERY close by our camp site and there was an incredible amount of flashing and light in the sky, most of it without thunder. Almost like flash bulbs going off. So I didn't sleep much. And that made today a real slog. But luckily I had my new buddy!I hiked another day with Radar and we're definitely operating on a similar wavelength. It has been great. Neither of us like to get up super early, we both enjoy complaining to each other and laugh at each other when we slip and fall. We riff off each other's humor well elaborate scenarios of nonsense. This could work out between us.Vermont is officially the mud pit of the universe. It's really, really muddy. And I know I've mentioned this before, but the bugs are also uniquely persevering and irritating and on days where it doesn't rain, you're covered in never-ending sweat. I hate Vermont. And then, suddenly, there's a magnificent view that makes it *mostly* worth it. Ha! No, honestly it has been both very nasty and equally beautiful, but I am ready for cold weather again. I'm sick of sweating so much salt into my clothes that it irritates the skin. New Hampshire is only a few days off.Passed by two rock gardens today, where people stack rocks up in great numbers. Also coming down Bear Mountain there was a view of the Rutland Airport. Pretty neat. Radar wants to get his pilots license after the AT and fly rescue or fire missions. Pretty cool aspiration! I envy his certainty!Ended up at the shelter, with a nice fire, with Radar, Conductor, Shoe, Aquaman (Long Trail), Sampson & Critter (Long Trail), Shiver (Long Trail), New Hampshire Bob and a southbounder whose name I can't recall but he hiked with a stuffed Pikachu.Radar gave me some melatonin so I am hoping l'll sleep tonight. Goodnight!Today was also the first time a random person took a picture with me just because I'm a thru hiker. How strange it is!
Date: 2016-07-20
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: stream
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

In the morning, I talked with some of the weekenders and found out that they are from Charlotte, NC. Furthermore, that one of them, Paul Smith (actual name) taught Geographic Information Systems to Elizabeth Nelson, who taught it to me when I was attending the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I had found the teacher of my teacher! What? What!? Small world.We climbed two ladders today. The first one was a typical aluminum ladder that was roped to a steep rock drop-off. The second was "The Lookout", a tall wooden one built into the side of a cabin with a crow's nest at the top. Juan Durer was up there playing his ukulele when we approached. Radar and I had lunch up there while Juan continued playing. Beautiful panoramic views. I had the idea to take a panoramic picture but block the shot with your face as you pan the phone, but I think phones recognize it as too close and it won't go. No crazy distorted, elongated face shots for us.Hiking down to a place that supposedly had put, we both ran out of water. Whoops, we sure sweat and drink a lot.We reached On the Edge Farm, where we both bought fullsized pies, a quart of milk, a soda and a few other goodies. I got a tomato to slice into my rice dinner. We both excitedly drank our sodas and our quarts of milk along with half of our pies. We just couldn't anymore. They were heavy pies. We went from loving pies to hating pies so quickly. We talked to Rocky & Crash a while before Juan Durer showed up. We were happy to give him pie.We had heard that miss Janet, the trail angel, was down the road house sitting for someone, so on our way back to the trail we went to the house, met her, gave her what was left of our pies for her or other hikers passing through. She was very nice. It was cool to finally meet her.We hiked in our pie comas about 2 miles farther then set up a stealth camp by a stream. We nursed our pie babies.
Date: 2016-07-21
From: stream

To: happy hill shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Hiked with Radar and Juan for most of the day today. Passed through several small fields today and a few maple taps.We got to the top of a hill, sat down and recorded Hiker Hunger Blues. A bunch of Southbounders came by and enjoyed the jam sesh. I know I'm not a fantastic singer, and a ukulele isn't the most robust instrument but any music out here is valued.Just before we climbed down to VT 14, we crossed a bridge over the White River. Apparently this is a river where people jump off all the time for fun. I'm not a heights guy so it only took me one look to know that I'd document their descents rather than partake in my own. Maybe someday I'll regret not jumping and leaving my comfort zone, which is part of what this trip is about, even farther. But for now... I'm good. I'm real good. Haha.Right after the bridge Linda Hart has a house where she invites hikers over for sodas and chips and hot dogs and to stay the night if they want. So we went over there and hung out on her porch with another northbounder, Ranger. She used to be a Park Ranger. Anyway we all had a nice free meal thanks to Linda's hospitality.On the way out of town and back into the woods and up into the mountains, me, Radar and Juan had good deep conversations about things we've done and seen and what we want to do next. Juan has done a lot in his 51 years, and seen a lot as well. And he remembers it all in great detail, so his stories are full, like his Ayahuasca experience in Peru.It has been a good few days with these guys. New Hampshire well see you tomorrow! We'll be in you! Hiking!My wife says it seems like I'm hiking from one ice cream source to the next. Yeah. That is a pretty good summation of the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2016-07-23
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Bill Ackerly's Yard 
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Today wasn't the most eventful day. I barely slept last night due to the heat. I've never laid there that long just sweating in the dark. So today, I was dragging. We hit a cooler of trail magic in the morning. I helped myself to a small ginger ale and a lemonade. We past The Professor and caught up to Crasher and Rocky on Moose Mountain South Peak.After heading down, we hit a large trail magic gathering with two couples of trail angels from New Hampshire. There were a few Southbounders as well. Got a hotdog with New England buns, an apple, Gatorade, snickers, oatmeal pie and fritos. Awesomeness!After that, Radar and I were on Holts Ledge when a storm really broke out around us. Lightning and very strong wind. We jogged down the mountain, avoiding most of the terrible rain but watching as big branches were falling around us and trees off in the distance were crashing. Pretty intense but pretty fun!We arrived at Bill Ackerly's property. It's a nice house with prayer clothes and a free ice cream out back. Unfortunately Mr. Ackerly passed away earlier this year, but his family is carrying on the tradition for one more year. It feels a little odd tenting in this yard when no one really even lives here anymore, but he'd want it this way. There's even a little croquet course where Big Stick and Hamwise played for a bit.And now my exhaustion has reached critical mass and I must sleep!
Date: 2016-07-24
From: Bill Ackerly's Yard 

To: Bracket Brook 
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

I slept so well last night that I felt like a human being again today! It was a beautiful day with blue skies and a little bit of cool wind. Can't ask for much better. Except maybe a bit cooler and less humid, but you can't ask for that. Wait, why can't I?Did a lot of elevation gain today due to the fact that we went up and over two seperate mountains. Usually, we make the best time when we "jack into the matrix" or "go under", which is our slang for putting audio (music, audio books or podcasts) on. Poor Radar bought an audio book that he hates. So now he feels obligated to listen to the rest of the book. He still has 20 hours left. Haha! But it does help to distract yourself from the pain by disconnecting from reality. It really seems to help climbing mountains feel less like you're climbing mountains.We passed two hikers from New Hampshire who gave us orange and blueberry bread. Snowy and Tracy were their names. We just accept food from everyone and haven't even been poisoned once!The climb up Smart Mountain today was rocky and steep. Radar said it was sort of like someone took rock steps and then pulled and lever to turn them into a flat rockside. Like a cartoon trap. And you know what? He was right. It was like that.We went up the firetower at the top of the mountain and had incredible 360 panoramas of New Hampshire. We could see what looked like the Whites to the northeast, which is pretty wild. Things are about to get more intense and beautiful than anything yet. We are ready. We are hungry for it.Then we went up Cube Mountain and met the southbounder "Snacks" and the former thru-hiker "Carpenter" at the top.cl Crasher and Rocky showed up and we all decided we would stealth camp down a few miles farther by a brook. Well, they planned on that and Radar and I liked the plan and copied it. We've decided that they make good plans and we will just follow and copy them for a few days, ha!As we slipped and slid down the sweating quartz rocks, we came to the brook and set up camp. We all sat in a circle and had a nice dinner. Crasher and Rocky told us more about seasonal work down in Antarctica. Interesting stuff!Tomorrow is the last day before the Whites. Wow. This is all really happening. We're so screwed! Ha!
Date: 2016-07-25
From: Bracket Brook 

To: Jeffers Brook Shelter 
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: broken clouds

Radar and I packed up our tents this morning, wondering out loud where Juan Durer got off to. A few minutes later, as we're finishing our morning chores, a figure emerges from the forest, and sure enough it is Juan Durer coming down the steps to our camp area. The PITS (Pebbles in the shoe) were reunited!We hiked in a tight formation today, and we all talked about our pasts and futures and even how some cultures don't have tenses for time other than the present. Good stories were shared. We sweated together and walked at a comfortable pace, as we knew it was a slightly shorter day.We saw Doc, and leapfrogged with our married friends, Rocky and Crasher, also known to Radar as Rocky and Bullwinkle and known to me as Crash and Bandicoot. We ate lunch together by the road and met Ninjahoops as she came by.It's interesting, how I wasn't sure I wanted a group earlier in this hike. You can be so sure of a thing until you experience an alternative that makes so much sense you don't question it. When it works, it works. Don't mess it up. Juan and Radar are awesome, interesting people, and I'm grateful to be a part of this little group. After all, we're starting the Whites tomorrow with Moosilauke, and I heard it's much better and safer in a group.Heck, we're coming up on Maine. Coming up on the end of our journey. Faster than I had anticipated. It felt like it would last forever. It's so hard and so far, and then suddenly you're through it and it's over. It's beginning to feel that way. So I'll really enjoy the time that's left. Not only because of the good company and the magnificent views, but because I know I have to. Whatever comes next in my life, this is the only time I'll be doing this. This is it. This.We got to NH 25 and walked a quarter mile up the road to the Hikers Welcome Hostel run by Legion, who has done the PCT. The three of us had some ice cream, chips, pizzas, and loaded up on one day of pop tarts, chips and ramen to get us over Moosilauke. We'll resupply on the other side. This place had an amazing DVD collection, and Juan and I had been telling Radar about "The Jerk", so we popped that in and watched it. The scene where Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters walk on the beach at night while he plays ukulele and sings "Tonight You Belong To Me" rekindled my love for that song and for the ukulele. I had memorized it a year or two ago and could play and sing it. I miss that.Some southbounders came by, one with a bass ukulele, one with a cigar box 3 string steel guitar and a lady with a plastic trumpet. Everyone messed around together for awhile. I felt like I needed a harmonica or something!After that, we hiked about one mile up the base of Moosilauke for a strong start tomorrow. It's going to be a hell of an uphill battle. I've been fearing this elevation profile since the beginning of the hike. Here we go!
Date: 2016-07-27
From: The Notch Hostel 

To: The Notch Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zerooooo day. I'm not sure anyone really knows the meaning of lazy unless they've been a thruhiker and had a zero day. I wouldn't even breathe if I didn't have to. Ha! It's really nice to relax, but I get really sleepy on my zeroes, accentuating my laziness.We did ride hostel bikes a few miles to town today. Juan took the lead. I noticed he was ducking down and gradually pulling ahead. He's done multiple iron man so I guess he's pretty good at this stuff. I was just trying to remember how to ride a bike. I guess it's as easy as riding a bike.We went to McDonalds and had tons of breakfast biscuits, then went to the movie theater and watched Star Trek Beyond. I enjoyed it a lot. Very in your face action and not a lot of intellectual positing or heady material, but other than that there wasn't too much not to like. Definitely better than the second one.We ate a six pack of Klondike bars and resupplied at the Price Chopper. Radar and I really hit a food wall. Just getting the same stuff over and over and over. I'm pretty over Knorr Sides and tortillas and pepperoni and all that stuff. And there aren't really a lot of viable alternatives. We were moping around in there.I came back to the hostel with an 8 piece fried chicken for dinner and ate and lounged around for the remainder of the day. Took a shower, met some nice Southbounders and now it's bedtime! Juan, Radar and I are slackpacking tomorrow up and over Kinsman Mountain. They convinced me with very little difficulty. So we'll do 16 miles tomorrow but have another night in the hostel. Good times!
Date: 2016-07-28
From: The Notch Hostel

To: The Notch Hostel
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

The PITS (Juan Durer, Radar and myself) all slackpacked today, so they were carrying tiny day packs and I emptied my backpack of some of its weight and of course used it. We actually felt strong for once, and something that is normally so difficult was only moderately difficult. These ups and downs in the Whites are pretty mind-blowingly difficult. But the views are undeniable. Still lots more to do in The Whites, too.There was some major mud today. At one spot Radar stuck the majority of his pole into the mud. Probably 4 feet deep.There was a beautiful pond on the way up, nestled into the mountain. That's not something I'm used to seeing - water at elevation.Then views from the top of South Kinsman mountain are some of the best yet. There is also a cool rock cairn chair at the top that made for some goofy photos.We got to the Lonesome Lake Hut, and hung out inside for a bit. They offered me some leftover tuna Mac and I voraciously ate it out of the giant metal bowl. Thank you! The hut and people inside it seemed nice.Just as we left the sky opened up for about two minutes and then just drizzled.We jogged the last 3 miles down the moderate decline to Franconia Notch.Upon returning to the hostel, Radar and I ordered Chinese food and SpongeBob showed up!Stephanie, who works at the hostel interviewed us 3 for her work on Humans of the Whites. Had a good conversation.I know this updated has been a dry info dump but I'm so tired I can't even make jokes, ha! Goodnight!
Date: 2016-07-29
From: The Notch Hostel

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: scattered clouds

So we packed up this morning and regretfully left behind what was probably the greatest hostel on the trail.The trail was immediately difficult and we sweated a bunch going uphill. These very steep up and downhills are strewn with small boulders and are very taxing on the knees. It can be a real slog. Until you break above tree line. Then it's all worth it. Franconia Ridge was pretty breathtaking and we all (Radar, Juan Durer, Crasher, Rocky and me) took a lunch break on Mt Lincoln.Juan Durer was extending one of his trekking poles by flinging it open, and the bottom half of his pole flew through the air and off the mountain. He exclaimed in vulgar horror as he realized what happened. And then we all realized and began laughing. We helped him look but couldn't find it.Only did around 10 miles today but it was one of the toughest days. It's really nice to have a good group for the Whites. Pain shared is pain divided, and joy shared is joy multiplied. Just heard that today.After hiking over Mt Lafayette, we went down until we got Garfield Pond. Then there was a climb up Mt Garfield.Tonight at the campsite we all shared two platforms. We ended up jamming with the caretaker, who had a guitar. She wrote and played a song about Garfield Ridge that she wrote and it was excellent. Radar is tired of meeting great musicians and wants to learn his ukulele in peace. Nah I'm kidding he had fun. Crasher gave us two harmonicas she didn't want. I'm sure our camp platform neighbors were happy to be near two brand new harmonica players.Just before bed Juan Durer accidentally put his clothes bag in the bear box and his food in his tent. When he realized it we all had a good laugh. He had it walk back.Walking is so inefficient, people. Ha!It's a clear night tonight so I'm leaving my rainfly off. There is a great view of the sky and I've already seen two meteors go by.
Date: 2016-07-30
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite

To: Ethan Pond Campsite 
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: moderate rain

I forgot about dew, and how dew works. Under an open sky, I woke up in the middle of the night and my sleeping bag was wet (no I didn't have an accident). I was a little chilly because my sleeping bag is down, and down doesn't function when wet. I got up and put the rainfly 0n my tent. That would just end up being another wet thing in the morning.Radar and I were the last out of our platform tenting area. We just know that's how it is going to be. The trail immediately took us steeply down a rocky path, which is coincidentally also where a creek wanted to go. So we carefully descending the wet stones.We arrived at the Galehead Hut, where we went in and had some delicious pumpkin chocolate chip bread for 1 buck. Then woman there offered us free leftover breakfast, which we kindly accepted. It was scrambled eggs and porridge. Then she brought out some mustard based sauce chicken from the night before, and bow tie pasta. We were very pleased. Very kind of her to do just because we're thru hikers. And in a way, magicians. We can make food disappear.After the steep hike up South Twin, we ran into Juan Durer who again, mysteriously, had two poles again. Turns out Bigfoot only wanted one and traded Juan. Well, that worked out well.Rocky and Crasher were waiting at the summit, and we all sat around and dried our tents and things.There have been lots of pretty Gray Jays up here, and we scared some grouse into a tree earlier in the day.We all chatted, had some gorgeous views and hiked to Zealand Hut, where we had potato and chives soup with bread for 3 bucks each.After this break, we proceeded to have the easiest and flattest 4 miles since... a long time ago. That was great.At camp tonight, I sat and caught the trail end of a beautiful pink sunset over Ethan Pond. I thought about my wife as my phone displayed no signal. Couldn't share it with her in any form. Welp, this one is just for me, I told myself. Sitting alone at the shore of a rippling pond, the sky on fire, the quiet and wind and water and bullfrogs all filling my ears. I felt very small in the scheme of things, but I also feel very capable. I truly believe I can do just about anything after this hike.
Date: 2016-08-01
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Osgood Tent Site
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: moderate rain

We were up early this morning and off to climb the final stretch to Mt Washington before 7.We got up or the summit in about an hour, and all took our pictures by the sign about the same time that clouds banks began to roll in. The park Rangers opened the main building so we could get in and get warm, but food wasn't available for an hour. So we hung around and waited eagerly for breakfast. It was a neat structure, with a video showing the extreme weather, a museum (too bad it wasn't free) a gift shop and Cafe.When the hour came around, they opened up the eatery, but there was no breakfast. The grill didn't open until 11 so it was just like snack bars, refrigerated odds and ends and things like that. I bought a muffin, some chocolate almond milk and some pasta salad. Lots of other people ended up getting nachos and cheese just because it was hot. Nothing says good morning like nachos for breakfast.We left after eating and watched the Cog railway car go right past and up the hill. The AT crossed right over the tracks.Then it started raining. We walked through rain and fog for hours. Up and down these seemingly endless boulder fields that made it seem like we were on the moon. It got very cold.After many hours we reached the Madison Spring Hut. This would become our respite for a few hours as we call changed into dry clothes, had hot soup, cocoa and lunches and tried dry out and warm up. More and more hikers filtered in from the bad weather. Many we had seen at Lake of the Clouds Hut and Washington. Croc with the nose ring, Deuces with the purple beanie, Lost and Found from Charlotte and Strider with the killer hiking pace.After several hours of trying to dry out and warm up, we put our wet rain coats and shoes back on and went back out. Down down down in the rain we went. Steep, slippery rocks as the rain came and went. The climb getting more treacherous as we grew more and more exhausted. We were all slipping, rolling ankles, swearing and taking our time.Juan kicked us off with some games to occupy our minds. We played word chain, name the states, name tree species, name Native American tribes, name rivers, name countries in alphabetical order... Anything we could to keep our minds on something other than pure misery. In the end we only made 3 miles in about 3 hours. Instead of pushing to Gorham, we all decided to stop early at this camp site and get into our tents and get our wet socks off. I will sleep like the dead tonight. And it will probably keep raining on and off.This was a... Character building day.
Date: 2016-08-02
From: Osgood Tent Site

To: Royalty Inn
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Packing up wet things never goes from being horrible to being better. But, when you're doing it in clear weather it is better than when you're doing it in a thunderstorm. This morning the sky was blue.The 5 of us were very excited about getting into town. A total 180 from yesterday's low morale.We hiked the relatively easy 5 miles out to Pinkham's Notch and called a shuttle to town.We checked in at the Royalty Inn and then went to eat breakfast at Welsh's. Great food.On the way out, we ran into Conductor! He is a few days ahead right now, but it was good to catch up. He's good people.We all put our things out front of our hotel room to dry in the sun. Tents, jackets, shoes, sleeping bags and everything else that was wet. All hail the amazing quick drying power of solar radiation!We resupplied at the convenience store down the road. Not the greatest selection but being forced to be creative also means I'll be eating new things, and that's always good.Later the 5 of us had dinner at Mr Pizza and sat with Bigfoot, Lost & Found, Croc, Couscous, and Hessia. Had lots of laughs. It was a good nearo.