morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-08-18
From: Hexucuba Shelter

To: NH 25; Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 15.5

Off to another day on the trail at 8:00. Started with a 900 ft. climb to the top of Mt. Cube with excellent views back to where we were yesterday and of Mt. Mist where we were headed today. Of course after a climb you must go back down! This time it was 2000 ft. down to NH 25A. It seemed to go on forever. Then it was back up 1000 ft. to the top of Ore Hill, backdown 400 ft to NH 25 C, up 700 ft. to Mt. Mist, then finally down 1100 ft. to NH 25. It was a 0.5 mile road walk to the Hikers Welcome Hostel. We arrived at the hostel at 5:30. Drank 2 sodas and ate a snickers. Sleepy the Arab and Kutsa and her husband are here. We haven't seen Kutsa since the James River in VA. She had gotten off the trail a few times (once for illness) so we were able to catch up with her. Her husband, The Original Montreal, is now hiking with her and they are doing shorter mileage and plan on finishing in late September. There are several other hikers here, but I do not know them. Got a shuttle to Warren, NH to buy dinner- larger roast beef sandwich and a half gallon of milk. Otter got a sandwich, potato chips, gatorade, and a small steak (which he cooked back at the hostel). Trying to rest up for the 4000 ft. climb tomorrow. Less than 400 miles to go!
Date: 2006-08-19
From: NH 25; Glencliff, NH

To: NH 112, Kinsman Notch 
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Left the hostel at 8:00 and walked the 0.5 mile down the road to the trail. The first couple of miles were gradual up 300 ft. then the real climb began. It was 3500 feet up in 4 miles to the top of Mt. Moosilauke. It was our first climb above treeline. I stopped for a 30 minute break at 3700 ft after about 2 hours. From there it was another 1100 ft. to the top. There were a lot of day hikers there. The views were terrific. We started down the N side at 12:00. We missed the right turn about a mile from the top and ended up hiking down 1900 ft on the wrong trail. Of course we had to hike back up! By this time we were out of water. It was almost 2 miles to a shelter where we could get water. The trail was very steep. Soon after we left the shelter, the trail got even steeper. There were warning sings to not go down the trail in icy or wet weather. Of course it has started drizzling! There were wooden steps rebared to the rocks and rebar handles beside some of them. It was like going down Albert Mtn. for over 2 hours! The trail dropped over 2000 ft. in 1.25 miles. We got to NH 112 at 6:00 - 3 hours behind schedule because of our little side trip. We caught a ride to N Woodstock, NH but were not able to get a motel room. We reprovisioned and ate dinner at a small convience store then used The Shuttle Connection to get a ride back to the trail. We found suitable tentsites about 9:45 - way passed our bedtime. It's starting to rain a bit and there is an 80% chance of rain tomorrow. It is not going to be fun 13.5 mile today! The sternum strap on my pack broke. I hope I can jury-rig it tomorrow as it is not very comfortable without it.Good night!
Date: 2006-08-20
From: NH 112, Kinsman Notch 

To: Eliza Brook Shelter 
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light rain

Pretty much had a slow rain all night. We did not start hiking until 9:00 - slow moving because of the rain and getting to bed until almost 11:00. The first 4.5 miles were a 1660 ft climb up Mt. Wolf. The going was very slow with the wet rocks. Many times we had to hold on to trees to go up and down large bare rock faces. Coming down the mountain was even harder. We made it to the shelter at 3:00 having hiked in a steady drizzle all day. It was fairly windy most of the day with temperatures in the 50's. Decided to cut the day short as we were wet and cold. We reworked the schedule for the next 3 days and will still get to Crawford Notch on Wednesday, just a bit later in the day. Whisper came into the shelter soon after we arrived. He is a SOBO and son of a friend of Elaine's. He is also from Raleigh. I have been looking for him for several days since his mother left a note on my Trail Journals guest book. We are all staying in the shelter - no one else had come by. Whisper gave us some good information where to stay, etc on the rest of our journey. Thanks Whisper and good luck on your journey!
Date: 2006-08-21
From: Eliza Brook Shelter 

To: Liberty Springs Tentsite
Miles today: 11.4

It rained all night, hard at times. It was only a light drizzle when we got up at 7:00. The temperature is in the low 50's, but feels much colder with the damp air. Started hiking at 8:45. The first 2.5 mile was a 1850 climb up Kinsman Mtn. The going was rough. The rocks are wet and the trail is very steep. We were constantly climbing up sheer rocks holding on to trees. It helps to have some basic rock climbing skills to prevent serious falls. Of course we were in the clouds all morning and had no views from the top of Kinsman Mtn. We then went down 1500 ft. very steeply to Lonesome Lake Hut where we got lunch - all you could eat potato soup and muffins for $2.00. I had 2 large bowls of soup and 6 muffins. It would have been nice to stay there but we needed to go on. We left the hut at 2:45 and continued down another 1300 feet for 3 miles on a much easier trail. From I -93 it was only 2.6 miles to the tentsite - 2400 feet up. The first mile only went up about 500 feet leaving the remaining 1900 ft climb for 1.5 mile. It was rather steep but did not have any boulder scramblilng - just lots and lots of steps. We made it to the tentsite at 6:15, paid the $8.00 per person, and set up our already wet tents on a wooden platform. I had to drive the stakes between the boards with a rock to keep the vestibule away from the tent. Cooked dinner in the vestibule while getting warm in my sleeping bag. It is 55 degrees and faily breezy. I have completed 1804.5 miles - only 370.1 miles to go! The clouds seem to have broken up. I see a few stars! Mybe some views tomorrow??
Date: 2006-08-22
From: Liberty Springs Tentsite

To: Gale Head Hut
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

The rain stopped sometime during the night. I slept well. The tent is still wet when we packed up. We got on the trail at 8:20. We started with a 1000 ft. climb up Little Haystack Mtn. Wonderful views from above the treeline. We could see Lonesome Lake Hut across the valley. Really odd to see a small lake so high up in the mountains. From there we walked the Franconia Ridge up and over Mt. Lincoln (5089 feet) and Mt. Lafayette (5249 feet). It is the first time we have been over 5000 feet elevation since Mt. Rogers, VA in early May. Got some pictures - hope they do justice to what we saw. Did not spend too much time on top as it was very windy and fairly chilly. We did use the wind to dry our tents. It was then 1400 feet down to Garfield Pond where we took a short break before climbing 800 feet over Mt. Garfield and 1000 feet down the other side - all in about 1.5 mile. Needless to say the trail was very steep. Our feet and knees are starting to suffer from the steep trail. We arrived at Gale Head Hut at 4:30 and were able to get "work for stay". We were given the dinner left overs: lasagna, green beans, bread, and soup. We'll get breakfast tomorrow then have to clean up, etc. Planning on 15 miles to Crawford Notch for a zero day. The trail is suppose to be much easier most of the way!
Date: 2006-08-23
From: Gale Head Hut

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: fog

We were allowed to sleep on the floor of the dining area after all the paying guest went to bed at 9:30 - again way passed hiker midnight. They woke us up at 6:00 to get out of the way for breakfast. After the guest had eaten we were givben oatmeal for breakfast. the guest had eaten all the eggs! Otter had to sweep up, River Weasel scraped the ice out of the freezer, and I had to clean the windows. All were simple menial tasks. We were back on the trail at 9:00. Again it was 1100 feet at 0.75 miles - steep climb for first thing in the morning. Then it was 200-300 ft. ups and downs for 4 miles before another steep 1500 ft. down to Zealand Falls Hut where we bought lunch: chicken noodle soup and lemonade. The trail was basically flat for 5 miles, following an old railraod bed for 2 miles. The last 2 miles were a steep 1600 ft. downhill to Crawford Notch. The last 2 miles was a good trail - no large steps, etc. We caught a ride to the AMC's (Appalachian Mountain Club) Highland Center where we picked up our mail drop. Then it was another ride to Twin Mountain to the motel. Saw Little Wing at the Highland Center. She was going to the doctor to check out her right leg which was very painful. It would be a shame if she had to get off now after 1800+ miles. We are staying at the Shakespear Inn, a very hiker friendly motel. They gave us a ride to a convience store to get junk food for dinner. Felt so good to get a shower after 7 days on the trail.
Date: 2006-08-24
From: Crawford Notch

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Had an excellent breakfast at a small restaurant next door - pancakes, eggs, bacon, homefries, toast, and coffee. A motel employee shuttled us to Gorham, NH so Otter could get his hiking poles repaired and buy some long underwear. The temperature on Mt. Washington has dropped below 40 degrees at night and we will be there in 2 days. Washed our stinky clothes at the laundermat across the street. Reprovisioned from our mail drops and watched TV-relaxing all afternoon. We had a nice dinner at the Shakespear Inn Restaurant - clam chowder, salad, jerk chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and wine. Owner said he would shuttle us to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2006-08-25
From: Crawford Notch

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: fog

We got a shuttle to the trail after a breakfast at Morroe's Restaurant. I had pancaks, eggs, sausage, home fries, toast, and coffee. We started hiking at 8:30. The first 3.3 mile was a 2600 feet climb over Webster Cliffs to Mt. Webster. Quite a view of Crawford Notch below. From Mt. Webster it was a relative level walk over boulders to Mt. Jackson and on to Mizpah Hut where we ate lunch. Then it was a 500 ft . climb over Mt. Pierce (also called Mt. Clinton). The next 2.5 miles was down a bit then up 900 ft. over Mt. Franklin. The last 1.5 miles was a short 300 ft. climb to Lakes of the Clouds Hut where we were able to get "work for stay" along with 2 other NOBOs, Pinata & Light Weight. We only had to sweep up in the morning. It was the largest of the huts. There were about 80 paying guests there. It was only 45 degrees when we got to the hut. We were at 5000 feet, just 1.5 miles below Mt. Washington. The "CROO" at the hut were very friendly and accomodating.
Date: 2006-08-26
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Osgood Tent sites 
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: mist

We were up at 6:30, chores done, breakfast eaten and back on the trail by 8:45. We climbed 1300 feet in 1.5 miles to the summit of Mt. Washington. There is a weather station on top at 6288 feet. It was like being on top of the world with outstanding views in all directions. There is a road one can drive to the top and a cog railway that tourists ride up. We could see the trail leading around thee Great Gulf Wilderness and crossing over Mt. Clay, Mt. Jefferson, Edmands Col, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Quincy Adams. The trail actually skirted the summits of most of them. Side trails lead to the tops which we did not take. The trail was all above treeline and mostly steep ups and downs over boulder fields. We could only average a little over 1 mile an hour. We stopped at Madison Spring Hut for lunch - all you could eat mushroom soup for $2.00. We had planned on 14.8 miles today, but because of the rough terrain, we were only able to do 10.0 miles by 5:30. So we decided to tent at Osgood tentsite and try to make up the mileage over the next 2 days. The last 3 miles consisted of a 0.5 uphill of 500 feet, 0.5 mile 500 ft. down, then downhill 2300 feet in 2 miles- very steep. Our feet were pretty tired and sore from all of the boulder scrampling. Looking forward to a restful night. Pinata and Light Weight as well as several section hikers are here.
Date: 2006-08-27
From: Osgood Tent sites 

To: Wildcat Mtn.
Miles today: 7.8

Started hiking at 8:00. The trail was fairly nice to Pinkham Notch, 4.8 miles. I got 2 hot dogs for an early lunch just as the man behind the counter set out a large bowl with leftover breakfast: sausage, home fries, and pancakes. It was for the work crew but they did not want it so he gave it to us. Pinata and Light Weight helped us eat almost all of it - leaving only a few home fries. Got back on the trail with intentions of going 5.9 miles to Carter Notch Hut. We made it to the Peak E of Wildcat Mtn where there was a warming hut at the top of a ski slope. We decided to stay there because the weather turned for the worse. It had started to rain as we climbed 2000 feet. We had to scramble up large rock slopes which were getting very slippery. The temperature had dropped below 50 and the wind was blowing about 30 mph. We were pretty cold and wet by the time we reached the warming hut. Idenity Crisis, Rush Hour, and Tree House were in the hut but decided to go the 3 miles to Carter Notch Hut. I hope they made it okay as they were wet and cold and there was a 1000 ft. steep, rocky downhill to the Notch. The temperature is about 40 degrees with 30 mph wind making the wind chill somewhere in the 20's. With a little luck the weather will be better in the morning when we have to get back on the trail.
Date: 2006-08-28
From: Wildcat Mtn.

To: Imp Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: fog

The storm broke during the night. It was still foggy when we started hiking at 8:00. The trail continued to be rocky with steep slopes. The SOBOs have told us that the trail is the same for 40-50 miles into ME. Not looking forward to it. Will just have to do shorter days as it is hard to do more than 10-12 miles a day over the rocks and boulders. The downhill this morning included a 1000 ft. in 0.5 mile to Carter Notch Hut. There was a cullinary school there on a retreat and they gave us all of their leftover breakfast. We did miss the dinner they provided last night - we always seem to be 1 day late for such things. Fom the hut it was a 1500 feet climb in the next mile. It was a pretty tough climb. The next 5 miles included ups and down bouldering which seemed bad enough until we started the 1500 ft. downhill to Imp Shelter. The first 0.3 mile ddropped almost 800 ft. with many scrambles down large rock faces, same as long as 30 ft. A slip would be very dangerous. Only 8 miles to Gorham, NH. Tomorrow and a dday off to vrest my eary legs. Frank Daniels IV from Raleigh!
Date: 2006-08-29
From: Imp Shelter

To: US 2; Gorham, NH
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: mist

Light rain fell overnight. I was on the trail by 8:00 today. The trail included a lot of bare rock ups and downs, but the rock was mostly sandstone and had good friction making it not too bad. It was only 800 ft. up to the top of Mt. Moriah. The downhill was rather steep but the trail had been improved with many stone steps in the steepest places. The last 1500 ft down to US 2 was very easy, almost flat in places. We made it to the road by 12:30 and caught a ride in a Lay's delivery van. We are staying at the Royalty Inn. There are probably 15-20 hikers in town, many we haven't seen for a week or more. Several were leaving out today. Have only 298 miles to go!
Date: 2006-08-30
From: US 2; Gorham, NH

To: US 2; Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We had a nice breakfast buffet at the restaurant next door to the motel. Purchased a few odds and ends to complete our resupply and spent the rest of the day lounging around and preparing a bounce box for our next mail drop. I am actually looking forward to getting back on the trail tomorrow to knock out the last 300 miles.
Date: 2006-08-31
From: US 2; Gorham, NH

To: Mt. Success
Miles today: 14.6

I ate breakfast at Burger King, checked out of the motel, caught a ride to the trail and started hiking at 8:30. The first 0.75 miles was flat. The next 3 miles was a 2000 foot climb up Mt. Hayes. It was graded very nicely with only a few boulder walks and steep sections. The next 2 miles went down 600 feet and then up 600 feet to Cascade Mtn. Then we went down 800 feet and back up 900 feet to Wocket Ledge in 2.5 miles passing Page Pond on the way. The trail was fairly level over the next 2.5 miles crossing several bogs on bog bridges. The final 3.5 miles went down 500 feet to Bentian Pond Campsite/ shelter where we ate dinner then over a 300 foot "bump" before the final 1300 foot climb to the top of Mt. Success. We found a nice tent site just off the trail. It is a bit breezy up here. The temp tonight is suppose to drop to the 30's in Gorham at 800 feet. I suspect it will be in the 20's up here at 3500 feet. It is only 1.9 miles to the Maine state line! Looking at a shorter day tomorrow since we have to go through Mahossic Notch, the most difficult mile on the AT.
Date: 2006-09-01
From: Mt. Success

To: Mahoosic Notch East End
Miles today: 9.4

Well, it only got down to 45 degrees last night. The clouds came in and kept the temp bareable. Of course our tents got very wet. We were able to dry them pretty well as the sun came out when we got up at 6:00. We crossed into Maine at 9:45. This is the last state to go! I have been very tired the last 2 days and hiking slow. The trail has been very steep. I have only been able to average 1.5 miles and hour. It was 8 miles to Mahoosic Notch which we started through at 5:00. We were concerned that we would not make it through before dark but we did it in 1 hour 45 minutes. It was tough. We had to take our packs off 2 times to get through a couple of narrow "caves". I took my camera off my shoulder strap and put it in my pack so as to not loose or damage it, so I did not get any pictures. We are tenting beside a creek about 0.1 miles past the notch. It was not as difficult as we feared, but we are glad it is over. We still have a lot of steep ups and downs left to do. Passed the 1900 mile mark today!
Date: 2006-09-02
From: Mahoosic Notch East End

To: Frye Notch Lean-To
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a much better day today. Did not feel nearly as tired as the last 2 days. The day was full of ups and downs. The climbs were 1600 ft, 500 ft, 2100 ft, 400 ft. The downhills were 350 ft, 2600 ft, 300 ft, 1500 ft. The first climb was up Mahossic Arm, very steep. We passed Speck Pond at 3500 feet elevation. It is really amazing to see these ponds after climbing up the mountains. We got trail magic at ME. 26, Graftin Notch. Old Fart provided bologna sandwiches and sodas. They really hit the spot after the 2600 ft descent of Old Speck Mtn. I hung around at Graftin Notch until 2:30. Otter left about 2:00. It was 5.8 mile to the shelter with 2500 ft of uphill and 1500 ft down. It included a 400 ft cllimb up the east peak of Baldplate Mtn that was bare rock. It was a great climb, a bit windy and cool, but a lot of fun. A lot of the trail today was much better than the last several days - much better grade and fewer "deadly" verticle sections. Only 261 miles to go!
Date: 2006-09-03
From: Frye Notch Lean-To

To: Hall Mtn, Lean-To
Miles today: 10.5

It only rained a little last night even though it sounded worse on the shelter roof. We didn't get up until 7:00 as it was still fairly dark with the clouds all around. We started hiking at 8:30 in a light rain and a strong breeze. Of course we were soaked within an hour. The trail was much easier - less steep and we only had 2100 ft of climbing with most of it over a 5 mile stretch. Made it over Surplus Mtn. and down to Dunn Notch for a break at 10:45. The rest of the day was spent climbing Wyman Mtn in the cold, wet rain. The temp was about 50 degrees with a steady 10-15 mph wind. Hurricane Ernesto has arrived . We did hear that the Whites south of us had pretty much taken the wind out of Ernesto's sails. It was still a pretty miserable day to hike. We were planning on a 14.6 mile day but decided to hold up in Hall Mtn Lean-to because of the weather. Maybe Ernesto will be gone by tomorrow morning - hope so. I saw the first evidence of fall today- yellow leaves. Some trees are already losing their leaves. Thirty miles to our next resupply and a zero day! Only 250.5 miles to go!
Date: 2006-09-04
From: Hall Mtn, Lean-To

To: Bermis Mtn. Lean-To
Miles today: 12.8

The rain was off and on most of the night, but stopped by the time we got up at 6:30. For the first time in a while we started hiking downhill. It was 1600 ft down to Sawyer Notch where we had to ford Sawyer Brook. After the rain, the rocks were just barely above the water and we made it across dry. The next 2.7 mile was up 1400 ft. over Moody Mtn and down 1000 ft to South Arm Road where we had to ford another large brook, Black Brook. Of course after you cross a road or brook you have to climb again. This time it was 2200 ft up Old Blue Mtn. It was very steep in places. There were wooden ladders, steel rungs in rocks, and steel handrails in several places. There were spots that could have used some sort of assists but we used trees and roots instead. After Old Blue Mtn. it was a couple of 500 ft. bumps and Elephant Mtn. and Bermis Mtn. left to do before the Lean - to. There were a lot of muddy sections, most with bog bridges between Old Blue and the Lean- to. The mud really slows us down. Lightweight, Carbomb, Lichen, Jersey, and Cosmic Punchlline here tonight. Would be nice if tomorrow was sunny and the temperature above 55. Have done 18,800 feet of climbing in Maine.
Date: 2006-09-05
From: Bermis Mtn. Lean-To

To: ME 4; Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Once again we started hiking downhill, so to speak. The first 2.5 mile was down hill 300 ft but did include several short steep uphills over second and first peaks of Bermis Mtn. range. We then went down 800 ft and back up 800 ft. in the next 2 miles over very steep trail. From there it was 13 miles of relatively easy trail with several 200 to 500 ft. bumps. I ate lunch at Sabbath Day Pond Lean-To before leaving at 1:45 to finish the last 9.6 miles to ME 4. I made it to ME 4 at 6:05 after taking a 15 minute break at Little Swift River Pond campsite. Didn't know I still had it in me as I have been struggling on the trail, especially the climbs, since the Whites. Caught a ride to Rangeley fairly quickly. Ran into River Weasel and FDR in town and was treated to a nice cold beer. Otter who had booked on ahead of me this morning soon came into the bar. He had already checked into the Gull Pond Lodge, a very nice hostel just outside of town. Bob, the owner of the hostel came by later to shuttle us back to the hostel. We had bounced a box to the Maine Road house hostel. The address for the hostel was listed to be in Rangeley but it seems to be in Stratton. They say that it is not there. Hope we can find it as it has some needed stuff, especially our trail maps. Taking a zero tomorrow. Jersey, Light- weight, Burner, and Fung Shui are here also.
Date: 2006-09-06
From: ME 4; Rangeley, ME

To: ME 4; Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

ZERO today. Plan on washing clothes (it has been six days - whew!) , finding our bounce box, picking up my mail drop from Elaine at the PO, and visit the outfitters. I may take a second zero. Will decide later today. ---Decided to do only 1 zero and head out tomorrow. Picked up my mail drop. The PO in Rangeley had our bounce box. For some reason the Maine Roadhouse uses a Rangeley address even though it is almost in Stratton. There is no mail delivery here - all mail is picked up at the PO and The Maine Roadhouse had not picked up their mail. Anyway we are glad to have the box. Went to the grocery store to complete our reprovisions. Ate dinner at Sarge's Bar before going back to Gull Pond Lodge for the evening.