morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-08-02
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter 
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked from Trapper John Shelter to Hexacube Shelter. 12 miles plus the .3 tenth out of Trapper John .3 tenth up to Hexacube shelter. Stopped at Bill the icecream guy's house. He had some Popsicles for those of us who don't eat eat icecream . Had a Mtn Dew too. Glad I did.  The hike up Lamberts Ridge was not real fun. Lots of stops to get my breath. The views from the ridge were great. When I started down from Lamberts ridge I thought I'd missed Smart Mtn Shelter. It took just about 4 hours to get Smart Mtn Shelter. It was 6 miles from Bill's. So with stops it looks like I was averaging just over 1.5 miles per hour with the breaks thrown in. Stayed at Smart Mtn Shelter for about an hour and a half. It was a little over 4 miles down Smart Mtn. That didn't take long. Got down in under 2 hours. Then it was a climb up Eastman Ledges. Vertical rize of 500 feet in less than .5 miles. Not fun either. Lots of rest stops. So goes the routine in NH. They also put an up and down between Eastmans Ledge and the trail to Hexacube shelter. Not on the ATC map profile. Plus a nice up hill to the shelter that was supposedly .2 tenths. It's more like half a mile.  That's all for now. Time to eat dinner
Date: 2014-08-03
From: Hexacuba Shelter 

To: Hikers Wwelcome Hostel Glencliff NH
Miles today: 14.6

Hiked from Hexacuba Shelter to Hikers Welcome Hostel in Glencliff, NH. Hiked 14.6 miles. Again nice views and a lot of work to see them. Sheltered with 5 SoBos last night. All youngish. They had done their first 16 mile day yesterday since starting. They had come in from Jeffers Brook Shelter.  Everyone was raving about the Ore Hill privy. Since it was close to my lunch time I stopped in there for lunch. You could sort of call it a throne room, literally. Pictures to follow at some point. Not much else to say about today. Hill climbs, great views, and the body aches.  Meet a number of people at the hostel today, Rocketman, KeyLime, Raleigh, Shortsto, Blacksmith, Bamboops ... That's about it; night all.
Date: 2014-08-04
From: Hikers Wwelcome Hostel Glencliff NH

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Slack pack Moosilauke today North to South. Glad I did. Was a tough climb in both directions. We got dropped of and started about 8:00 am. Felt like it was going to take forever to get to the top. When I did it seemed like it was going to take forever to get down.  Blacksmith did a slack pack South to North. He passed by me before I got to the summit. Which was 2.5 hours for him to cover 6 ish miles. Then next came Bamboops. Crossed paths with him on the way down off the summit. He was hiking with a full pack.Would have liked to slack pack some more but it would be too many miles
Date: 2014-08-05
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.5

Hiked from Rt 112 to Eliza Brook Shelter, real short day today. Started at 8:30 this morning; it took me 5 hours to hike the 7.5 miles to the shelter. I'm feeling really old today. Started hiking with Bucket List. I'm sure he hiked right by the shelter. I'll probably catch up to him tomorrow, maybe. Think I'll do another short day tomorrow. Might go into Lincoln. I need to loose some weight out of my pack. Think I'll be sending the iPad home and some other stuff. Just not sure yet. Need to see if I can pick up a piece of equipment in Lincoln. Bunch of young people at the shelter for the night. Rocketman is here too. He is only going to go 4 miles tomorrow.  The shelter is full now. It's probably an 8 person shelter but it looks like there are only 7.
Date: 2014-08-06
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Franconia Notch, Chets Place
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked from Eliza Brook Shelter to Franconia Notch. A whole 8.8 miles. South Kinsman and North Kinsman were butt kicking Mtns. both up and down. Sooner Or Later was at Eliza Brook Shelter last night. He left about a half hour ahead of me. I caught up to him just before the top of South Kinsman. We left together but he flew down the trail. Don't remember when I caught up to him the second time but then we hiked to route 3 together. Got a ride to Lincoln from Jordan, a young lady who just moved into Lincoln recently. She was out looking for a trail that I don't remember the name of. She dropped Sooner Or Later at the ice cream place then took me over to Chet's Hostel. Met up with Heartfire there. She had just gotten back from Lunch. I cleaned up, did laundry, and then got lunch. The restaurant had a black bean burger and good beer on tap.  After lunch I went back and rested for a bit the. Heartfire and I went out for dinner at Thai 9. Went back to the hostel. Sat and chatted with Chet and other hikers for a bit. Tigger showed up a little after nine. Chet shut the light out around 9:30; but I had hit the sack around nine. We are going to try and get an early start tomorrow.
Date: 2014-08-07
From: Franconia Notch, Chets Place

To: Greenleaf Hut
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked a whole 6.5 trail miles today plus 1.1 blue blaze miles to Greenleaf Hut. Started the day with breakfast at Flapjacks Pancake places in Lincoln. I had home fry potatoes and fried vegetables. All of it was soaked in generous quantities of EVOO. Was at Chet's Hostel last night with Heartfire and Tigger. We went to breakfast together and then got the shuttle to the trail. Today was Tiggers first day back on the trail after having been off for quite awhile. I went out ahead and felt pretty good going up hill today. Not sure if it was because I was taking more breaks or the trail was easier, or maybe I'm getting my trail legs back. As I was getting up the trail I passed Cowboy. She is a young girl from Germany. I stopped for water and a break at Liberty Springs Campstie. She stopped there too. We headed up the trail together after the break. As we were heading up Little Haystack Mtn a thunderstorm started to move through. It was off to west so we kept moving. At one point we took cover behind a large rock ledge that sheltered us from the wind and rain. Some day hikers were there who were totally unprepared for bad weather. After the wind died down some we moved on up the Mt Lincoln. The wind picked up again was a little tough hiking. The wind was gusting to 50+ MPH.  When we got to Mt Lafayette where Greenleaf trail goes down to the Hut we decided to head down to Greenleaf Hut to get out of the weather, warm up some and dry out. Plus take a chance at Work For Stay. We were in luck. There were only three AT Hikers at the hut. Kimball the Hut Master offered Work For Stay. Had to clean the Stove grills and do some dishes.         We were fed after all the hut guests finished. Well, Kimball did give us a bowl of soup while the guests were seated and eating their soup. Everyone has cleared out to the common room now so I can wrap this up and hit the sleeping bag for the night. We have to be up early before the hut guests get up. Shouldn't be a problem. I wake up around 4:30/5:00 am anyway. Forgot to mention, Bucketlist here too.
Date: 2014-08-08
From: Greenleaf Hut

To: Guyot Shelter and Campsite
Miles today: 9.5

Hiked from Greenleaf Hut to Guyot Shelter and campsite. Hiked 9.5 AT miles and 1.1 blue trail miles out of Greenleaf Hut. Plus one mile to get to Guyot campsite. Should have just kept going on the AT and stealth camped. Water may have been an issue though. Hiked over Mt Garfield and South Twins.  Cowboy was not feeling well and went down to Lincoln today. Hiked alone today. Passed Heartfire and Tigger on the way over Mt Garfield. They were not very happy with the trail. I'm not real pleased either. It is kicking my butt. I'm on a tent platform real close to the edge. Should be an interesting night. Real close to two other tents too.Not much else to say about today except it was not a lot of fun. Oh, I did finally get a decent view today on South Twin.Night, it's 7:30, I'm going to read a little then try to sleep.
Date: 2014-08-09
From: Guyot Shelter and Campsite

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 11.8

Hiked from Guyot campsite and shelter to Crawford Notch.  Hiked a whole 11.8 AT miles plus 1 mile out of the campsite. Got back up to the trail at 7:11 arrived at Crawford Notch at 14:00. Stopped at Zealand Hut for lunch. Spent about an hour there. All the Huts are nice. Zealand is the smallest. The hike today wasn't too bad. There were some steep sections. Running into a number of SoBos.  Tried to hitch to the AMC Highland Center. Probably 50 cars passed me. There was a woman picking up her son and husband, there just getting ready to leave and I asked them if I could catch a ride to the center. They gave me a ride. Good thing because I don't think anyone else would have stopped to given me ride. Got to the A H C, they did not have any rooms or bunks. After I got my mail drop I got a beer and started calling other hotels. The second one I called had a room. I took it. Was way too much money considering I also had to get a shuttle to the place. It is one expense night. I should have just hiked up to Mizpah Hut and hoped for work for stay. Turns out I could have camped, there is also a campsite right at the hut too.Met some nice people at the hotel. Went and sat by their fire by the creek behind the hotel. Getting to sleep tonight, started watching a show on SyFy, turns out I've seen so I'm going to bed. No reading tonight.
Date: 2014-08-10
From: Crawford Notch

To: Lakes Of The Clouds Hut
Miles today: 7.3

Only hiked 7.3 miles today. Started at 8:00 and got to Lake of The Clouds Hut by 12:50. Hiked from Crawford Notch to Lake Of The Clouds Hut. Got another chance at work for stay. Not sure what I'm going to be doing today. Ran into Crispy again. He was at the AHC yesterday when I got there. Also ran in to Raliegh again today. He came into AHC while I was waiting for the shuttle to the hotel. He also just came in to this hut a few minutes ago. He didn't see me yet. Went right to his bunk, probably getting into some cleaner clothes.  Work for Stay can be a little uncomfortable. You sit around a lot waiting for the dinner service to finish. Then they call you into the kitchen area for leftovers. Since I don't eat animal the choices are not a lot. Tonight they had bow tie pasta and green peas. They also had some lentil soup. I mixed it all together. Also ate one of my meals over top of the bow tie pasta and peas. All the salad was gone before they called us to the kitchen. There were four of us tonight, putter, Hansom, saytor, and me. I got a bit of reading done today. Lot of sitting around waiting. You have to wait till most of the people clear the common room before you can roll out your mattress and sleeping bag. They turn lights out at 9:30. That is when I go lay down and try to go to sleep. Most of the time people stay in the common room playing cards via head lamps and talking. I just put ear plugs in and most of the time I can get to sleep. Now is that time. Night
Date: 2014-08-11
From: Lakes Of The Clouds Hut

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 7.1

Hiked from Lakes of the Clouds Hut to Madison Spring Hut today.  Another big miles day today, 7.1 mile. I was going to hike 15 to Pinkham Notch, but the trail provided. Traildog and Jerny got off the trail today. They told me I could use their reservations at Madison Spring Hut, Joe Dodge Lodge and Carter Notch Hut. So here I am tonight in a bunk not having to wait around for everyone to finish. Also don't have to worry about doing work for stay in the morning like I did today. Because I got morning work today I did not leave till 9:00. Summited Mt Washington 9:59, well that is when I took a picture of a sign at the top. I think it was a little earlier than that. Messed around at the summit for about an hour. As I was hiking down the cog was on the way up. Got a couple of pictures of it. The distance from Mt Washington to Madison Spring Hut is 5.7 miles. It took 3.5 hours to hike it.  Sitting in the common room right now. People are starting to check in. Some are coming from Lakes of the Clouds Hut some are coming up from Pinkham Notch. This place has interesting bunk rooms. The one I'm in hold 22 people. There are two that size and one that holds ten. So this hut holds 54 guests. They reserve two bunks at this hut. That way if bad weather comes in there are bunks people can pay for. After dinner I talked to a few people for a bit then went to my bunk and finished a book I had been reading. There was a little excitement this evening. A young couple took a wrong turn and did not get to the hut until about 8:30 or 9:00.
Date: 2014-08-12
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 8.2

Hiked from Madison Spring Hut to Pinkham Notch. Hiked 8.2 miles. Was probably some of the toughest miles I've hiked with a pack on. The climb up Mt Madison was not long, it was just real steep. Going across the top of Madison was real interesting. You could barely see 40 feet in front of you. It was real difficult to find the cairns. Took 3 hours to hike from Madison Spring Hut to Osgood cut off. Works out to 1 mile an hour. Took another 2.5 hours to get the last five miles. I was too early to check in so sat around a bit in the common area in the lodge. Checked out the dining area and just puttered around a bit. Once I  checked in  I got right to the job of getting cleaned up. Bucketlist showed  up before dinner, so did Krispy. We went over to dinner together. Dinner and breakfast are part of the cost of the bunk at Jos Dodge Lodge. They had a vegan option of curried Tofu, seitan, and vegetables. Was really good. Also dirty mash potatoes with out any dairy in them, green beans too. So, getting enough to eat was not a problem. Started getting tired so going to bed early, 21:30.
Date: 2014-08-13
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 0.0

Today is a zero day. We went into Gorham NH to get a room. Now at the Top Notch Inn. We had to wait till 14:00 to get in. Sat in Micky D's for a number of hours till the rooms were cleaned. Didn't do much today but laundry and eat. Bucketlist did a resupply. I still have 3+ days of food left.
Date: 2014-08-14
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 5.9

Hiked from Pinkham Notch to Carter Notch. Yet another big mileage day, 5.9 miles. For the first mile or so it was fairly flat hiking. The the next 2 were basically straight up. Got some nice pictures at a couple spots. After the first three it just rolled and went generally up. The last mile was straight down to the hut. Started about 8:30; got into the hut at about 13:30. Took a couple of Cliff bar breaks and a break at the view spot before you descend to the hut.  They had a lot of food I could eat. Black bean burgers, rice, corn, pepper, onion dish, and a vegan dessert.It's about 21:00, will read for a little bit then lights out.
Date: 2014-08-15
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: U.S. 2 White Mountains Lodge and Hostel
Miles today: 16.0

Hiked from Carter Notch Hut to White Mountain Lodge and Hostel. It was the longest day I've done since I started this year, 16 mile. Hiked over Carter Dome, South Carter Mtn, Middle Cater Mtn, North Carter Mtn and Mt Moriah. Lots of ups and downs today. Some of the downs were sit on your butt and slide and hope you stop. Made a lot better time than I thought I would. Did it in 8 hours.  I'm sure I'll pay for it tomorrow. At the hostel right now, been here since 16:30. Ate two of my dinners since I really didn't stop for lunch. Think tomorrow is only going to be a twelve mile day. Next shelter option is a 17 mile day. Not ready for another long day. I'll be in Maine in a day or two, Wooo Hooo.
Date: 2014-08-16
From: U.S. 2 White Mountains Lodge and Hostel

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 12.0

Hiked from White Mtn Lodge & Hostel to Gentian Shelter. Was about 12 miles. It seemed like every hill climb today had a rock scramble. Had to sit down a couple of times to get down. Just another day on the Appalachian Trail. Lots of rocks, mud, hills , and valleys. What more could you ask for? Lots of people at the campsite tonight. Shelter is basically full. Didn't think I'd see this so far North this time of year, thought I was either ahead of or behind the bubble.  Time to read for a bit. It's only 19:45, may be to sleep early tonight.
Date: 2014-08-17
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6

Hiked from Gentian Pond Shelter to Full Goose Shelter. It was one long, tough 9.6 miles. A lot of the climbs were hand over hand; so were the descents. In places they had wooden ladders and rebar in the stone so you could climb up the rocks. They did not have enough as far as I'm concered. Went over lots of hills today, starting with Mt Success. Followed by Mt Carlo, Goose Eye(east peak), Goose Eye(north peak). Crossed a couple of milestones today. Crossed  1900 miles at 8:12 and finished New Hampshire - Maine border at 10:54. One state left to finish, 276.9 miles to go. Right now I'm the only one in the shelter. I don't know how many of the other folks from last night are going to come here I was back at the trail at 7:20 this morning. Took 7.5 hours to cover 9.6 miles. I think Monolog was coming here today. Maybe Bucketlist. Bucketlist got in just before dark yesterday. Today's terrain was a bit tougher I think. Kind of hoping he stopped at the first shelter. I had lunch here. Going to fix dinner in a little while. I was going to stop at the first shelter for lunch but it was too far off the trail, so I just kept moving. Ate all the trail bars. Was getting hungry again just as I got to the shelter.
Date: 2014-08-18
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 9.2

Hiked from Full Goose Shelter to Rt 26, Grafton Notch. Stayed at Mahoosuc Mountain Lodge. What a great place. Had the whole place to myself. Two bunk rooms that sleep 6 people each. Full kitchen, nice living/common room. Laundry was expensive. but what the heck. Yet another big mile day, 9.2 miles. But they were tough miles. It included the Mahoosuc Notch and Mahoosuc Arm. Everyone makes a big deal about the notch. Personally I think the Arm is a whole lot tougher than the Notch. I got through the Notch in less than 1.5 hours and I think it took me longer to hike up the Arm. Hiking up the Arm is like walking up the Stairway to Heaven without the stairs...
Date: 2014-08-19
From: Grafton Notch

To: East B Hill Road, Andover ME
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked from Grafton Notch to East B Hill Road. Hiked 10.3 miles today. As usual started with a big climb. Only difference was the MATC put a lot of work into putting steps a lot of the way up Bald Plate Mtn. west peak. Really wasn't a view there at the sign, a little farther up there was. The real view was on Bald Plate Mtn east peak. It was a really interesting climb up to the East peak. You are walking up solid rock. Not climbing over boulders. Took all morning to hike 6 miles then the last 4.3 took less than 2 hours. Of course there were some snack and view breaks in there.  I'm going to zero tomorrow in Andover then probably do a couple of slack pack days. Starting this year from Hanover NH. has been tough. Everyday has been a hill climb, multiple of them. I may have my trail legs now. It's hard to tell because of all the big hills. It seems like it takes forever to hike a mile when it's all up hill.
Date: 2014-08-20
From: East B Hill Road, Andover ME

To: Andover ME
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a zero day. Raleigh stopped in and asked if I'd help him out. He wanted to slack pack from rt 26 to East B Hill road. So, I drove him back to Grafton Notch so he could hike North to Andover ME. Andover was where he needed to get to finish his hike of the AT.  I was to pick him up at East B Hill Road at 19:30 I was there early. He did not show up till after dark and he did not have a head lamp. He turned down the wrong trail before the road. Thought I was going to have to call out search and rescue.  Aside from that not much happened today. Mailed some stuff home that I didn't need. Then mailed 1/2 my food ahead. It was 7+ pounds. Now I'll leave here with a day or so of food and the pack won't be too heavy.  Tomorrow and the next day will be slack pack days.
Date: 2014-08-22
From: South Arm Road

To: East B Hill Road, Andover ME
Miles today: 10.0

Hiked from South Arm Road to East B Hill Road. It was another slack pack day and was a 10 mile day. A bit tough though. Had to hike up over Moody Mtn then down to Sawyer Notch then up Hall Mtn then up Wyman Mtn then down to East B Hill Road. I had called from Wyman Mtn and left messages on their cell and business line, letting them know I was going to be two hours early. I was actually 2.5 hours early. When I got to the road I waited till 13:00. When they didn't show up to shuttle me back to the hostel I hitched back. There were two cars. The second one gave me a ride. I was lucky.  There is very little traffic on the road. Saved myself the shuttle fee.
Date: 2014-08-23
From: ME 17

To: ME 4, Rangeley ME
Miles today: 13.0

Hiked from ME 17 to ME 4. Was a 13 mile day. Was actually a relatively easy day compared to the last couple. Mostly level ground and kind of good trail for most of it. Made fairly good time. Started up the trail at 7:30 and finished at 14:00. I had bounced half my mail drop ahead to The Hiker Hut which is 0.3 from the trail. Nice place, no electricity, no running water. They do have a portajohn. Used the stream to wash up. They sort of dug out a pool. You take Dr. Bonners soap and a towel, get in your birthday suit, and wash up. Water wasn't real cold so it wasn't too bad. At least I didn't go to bed all sweaty.  They have a sort of makeshift kitchen with a propane gas stove. Used water up stream from where you wash up. They made a large salad with lots of good stuff in it. Then they had some lentil and vegetable stew. Kathryn sort of catered to my eating style. She cooked up some sausage on the side for the people who aren't vegans. If you're hiking near ME 4 take the opportunity to stay there.
Date: 2014-08-24
From: ME 4, Rangeley ME

To: Poplar Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

Hiked from ME 4 to Poplar Ridge Lean To/Shelter. It was a short but tough day, only 10.7 miles. Lots of climbing today. Hiked up over Saddleback Mtn, The Horn, and Saddleback Junior. Great views from the top of all of them. Coming down from the top of Saddleback Junior was the toughest. It was a lot steeper for longer than between Saddleback Mtn and The Horn.  The last couple days have been starting the day hiking with Bucketlist and we end the day in the same place. Nice to have a familiar face around each day.
Date: 2014-08-25
From: Poplar Ridge Shelter

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 14.2

Hiked from Poplar Ridge Lean-to/Shelter to Crooker Cirque Campsite. Hiked 14.2 mile. I now have less than 200 miles to Katahdin. Was a long day. Started at 7:30 and finished 17:20. Stopped at Spaulding Mtn Shelter for lunch spent about an hour there. Made fairly good time to that shelter, it was 8 miles and it took less than four hours. Big down hill and up hill in between the shelters. Met Red Light and Green Light. They are section hikers. One wears a red shirt and the other wears a green shirt. Also met a couple at the Spaulding Mtn Shelter that sectioned hiked and finished within the last year or so. They are back doing the section from Straaton ME to Rangeley ME. They are renting a cabin on the lake when they get to Rangeley. Stopped at a campsite near South Branch Carrabassett River after coming down off Sugar Loaf Mtn. It was a tough climb down needed to rest before I hiked the mile to the campsite I'm at now. Met Rain and Growler there. They were stopping for the night. I asked them to let Bucketlist know I moved on to the official campsite if he got there today. It's now 20:00 time to maybe read for a bit then hit the sack. Will be in Stratton ME tomorrow. Less than 8 miles to hike tomorrow. As usual there is a big hill to go over, South Crocker and North Crocker Mtns.