morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-27
From: Riga Shelter

To: Jug End Road 
Miles today: 13.5

Monday was an extremely tough hike;5.7. There were a lot of rocks and bolders to cross on this leg of the hike. We hiked up 700 feet in .7 of a mile; it was very tough but we made it! We started the day thinking it was going to be a not so difficult day but we were wrong. We ran into some trail magic with Rob. Gatorade and fruit- just what we needed as the weather was hot and humid. Thank you Rob! Trail magic is always appreciated! We stayed the night in a hostel/private home called Jess Treat. She picked us up and drove us into town. Got a shower and we were able to wash clothes. Had a nice dinner and a bed to sleep in; we will slack pack Tuesday and stay here again Tuesday night.
Date: 2016-06-28
From: Jug End Road 

To: Jess Treat Hostel, Sheffield Mass
Miles today: 18.5

Tuesday was about a 4.3; not too bad. We were able to slack pack for the day. We had a stretch of 5 miles that were flat thru fields and open area. It was supposed to rain Tuesday but just a little drizzle during the day; mostly overcast which was nice for hiking. The attached is the Lime Squeeze that we went thru a few days ago. We stayed at Jess Treat hostel again last night. Had a great burger at the market cafe for supper. Not a bad day and closer to the ultimate goal!
Date: 2016-06-29
From: Jess Treat Hostel, Sheffield Mass

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a good day. I would rate the hike a 4.3. There was a lot of marshy - mushy areas but not too bad. Made it to Upper Goose Cabin which is really nice; fully enclosed with bunk beds and free to hikers. There are about 20 hikers here tonight. Rip Tide from Kentucky playing the piccolo on the big porch. A very nice evening. I went swimming in the pond - it was awesome! Very refreshing. Skinny dipping or not...hmmmm.... The laurel is beginning to bloom and we are seeing more birch trees. The mosquitos are very large; slapped one dead on my leg and the blood from the mosquito on my leg. They say the mosquitos get larger as we hike north to Maine; we shall see.....
Date: 2016-06-30
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Tully Mountain
Miles today: 14.9

Thursday was about a 4.2. Not a bad hike; a lot of flat land however a lot of roots and not terrain to make up miles on; have to take it a little slower than normally on flat land. Went by Miss Mary's better known as the 'cookie lady'. She has cookies and other items for the hikers; thank you Miss Mary- it was a great stop. We also went over US 20. As I was going over it, the Zac Brown song Highway 20 Ride came into my mind. All I could think about was being on Interstate 20 headed home to Georgia! Sunday we will be down to less than 600 miles left to hike- Hooshr and I got this! We camped at Tully Mountain very close to the trial. Around 2 in the morning, I heard a loud snorting and sniffing; it woke me up. I woke up Hooshr but we did not hear it again; whoooo...not sure what kind of animal it was but it was a bit too close! Once I felt sure it was gone, I decided to mark my territory so I peed all around my tent! Ha!
Date: 2016-07-01
From: Tully Mountain

To: cheshire, Mass
Miles today: 14.5

Friday July 1st was a good hiking day. Still a lot of roots in the ground that make it a little difficult; 4.5. You have to be careful not to trip but you also have to be careful in how you step on the roots. My feet are more sore from walking across them for several days now. We went into the town of Dalton, Mass. The hike goes right thru the town. Had lunch at a place called Jacobs; recommended for hikers; good food and friendly to hikers. Later on the hike we came to a ledge that looked like a good place to take a break. So I sat on the ledge and started to scoot over more around the corner of the ledge and whoops! Look what was looking back at me - face to face.....Mr snake in the picture. So I just scooted back to where I was and went on about my business!
Date: 2016-07-02
From: cheshire, Mass

To: Williamstown, Mass
Miles today: 14.4

Update for July 2 & 3. We hiked 8+ miles Saturday and 6+ on Sunday. We had 2 great days of hiking. Both days were not too bad, 4.5. A storm on Saturday but we were indoors at the time. We walked to the town of Cheshire, Mass. A co worker of Hooshr called and he and his wife who now live in Mass wanted to come see us. They have been following Hooshr's journal. They are retired and live about 2 hours away. John and Lenay came and picked us up, took us to lunch and to the store. We wanted to buy their lunch but they insisted on buying our lunch; wow! Trail magic again - it is wonderful and greatly appreciated. Thank you so much John and Lenay. You are awesome. We were planning on hiking more on Saturday but we learned of the Bascom Lodge; bunk bed with sheets and a pillow, a hot shower and small breakfast for $40 per person. We decided to stay and take advantage of the opportunity; very nice place and recommend it to the hikers. We left Sunday morning headed to Williamstown, Mass. We plan to stay Sunday night and Monday night at the Williamstown Motel. They will pick you up, just give them a call. They are very nice and the room is very clean and nice. Recommend it to the hikers! There is a parade July 4th at 11 then BBQ. Later in the day we will go to the college baseball game; fireworks are after the game. Needless to say we will take a zero day on the 4th. As we were talking to some folks Sunday in Williamstown that were very intrigued by our hike from Georgia to Maine, we learned they were going to a concert about 45 minutes away to see James Taylor. Well, they had 2 extra tickets and invited us to go with them. They have 2 cars going and are giving us a ride; once again awesome trail magic! They would not allow us to pay for our tickets. Very excited to go to the concert! A lot of great friends made and memories made on this adventure.
Date: 2016-07-04
From: Williamstown, Mass

To: Williamstown, Mass
Miles today: 0.0

The concert Sunday night with James Taylor was great. An outdoor ampitheater; great venue. July 4th we took a zero day. Got a ride to the grocery store about a mile away. Stocked up for a few days then walked back to the hotel. Washed clothes and watched Jaws; always on TV on the 4th. We needed a little change of pace and this town and motel was perfect. We got a ride to North Adams, Mass and attended a baseball game with fireworks afterwards. What a great country we live in and thanks to all of the military men and women for your service. We will be up and back to the business of hiking on Tuesday. 596 miles left on this adventure!
Date: 2016-07-05
From: Williamstown, Mass

To: Congdon Shelter, Vermont
Miles today: 14.2

Tuesday we were up early and back to the trail after taking a zero day on the 4th of July. The hike was about a 4.3, not too tough but a few climbs however the weather was very humid; not terribly hot but soaking wet from the humidity. We made it into Vermont and are past the 1600 mile mark; 3 states left- Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine! The sign on the picture is about The Long Trail; it goes about 273 miles into Canada and of course part of the AT goes along the trail. We met several folks hiking the Long Trail up into Canada. We are getting into moose country. I hope to have the opportunity to see moose along the hike; it is part of the adventure. I am still strong but my feet are very sore. But now that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I am more encouraged to complete the AT. Thanks for all of the text and emails and phone calls; the encouragement helps me mentally get through each day. 582 miles to reach the goal!
Date: 2016-07-06
From: Congdon Shelter, Vermont

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Wednesday was another good hiking day. I would rate it about a 4.8. There were long climbs and long going down hills with a lot of steps; which sometimes are not easy and a bit dangerous. We crossed over the City Stream River in Bennington, VT. It is very crowded in this part of the hike. There are a lot of day hikers and people doing section hiking for several days so more campers. The shelter and camping area was very full. We ran into a couple taking a group of 10 kids out for a section hike. What a great experience for those kids. I ran into several hikers I haven't seen in a while. It is interesting how you separate from different hikers then meet up at different places along the trail.
Date: 2016-07-08
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Green Mountain House, Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 30.4
Weather: few clouds

Update for 2 days. Thursday we walked about 19 miles. We were heading into Manchester Center to the Green Mountain Hostel on Friday and wanted some time to stock up get a haircut and relax a little. So 19 miles Thursday and 11+ on Friday. Thursday was about a 5.0 and Friday was a 4.0. Hooshr hiked about a mile further on Thursday so he could stay in the shelter. I prefer to stay in my tent so I stopped when I found a good place. Tents were not allowed at the shelter. Pat came up as I was setting up my tent and decided to camp there as well. I made my 11+ miles by noon on Friday which was nice. We had to hitch hike into town which was very easy and quick; the locals know we are hikers and need a ride. We went to McDonalds and had a double quarter pounder cheese burger and 2 double cheese burgers and a large fries and a co-cola (southern folks know what that is)! We went into a barber shop for a hair cut and met Jim Kaat a retired professional baseball pitcher with the Twins. We did a little shopping to restock on supplies then we called the Green Mountain House and they came and picked us up. It is a very nice place. You get one free co-cola (coke) and a free pint of ice cream! It was a good day to restock, wash clothes and get a little extra rest. We will head out around 8:30am on Saturday. 538.4 left on this adventure.
Date: 2016-07-10
From: Green Mountain House, Manchester Center, VT

To: Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: light rain

2 days to update. Not much cell service the last 2 days. The weather has been rainy and cold. Friday night slept in thunderstorms in my tent. Saturday walked 10 miles and stayed at the Peru Peak Shelter. Today, Sunday, walked 14+ miles and we are staying at the Greenwall Shelter. Saturday and Sunday were not too tough of a terrain however the colder weather and rain made it challenging. Today, Sunday, walked 14+ miles in water all day; feet very wet. See the pictures of the water. It was like this the entire day. The shelters are very full. I don't normally stay in a shelter but the weather changed my mind tonight. 513 miles left on the adventure.
Date: 2016-07-11
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: Governor Clement Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Monday was not too tough, a 4.4. We were able to walk 15 miles. Tortelia camped and walked with us on Monday. We have run into a lot of hikers we met from the start in Georgia and all along the trail; folks that started between March 1st to the 20th. Seems like we have all gotten to this area around the same time; the group that will make it to the end! The weather is getting cooler. It is in the low 50s in the mornings which makes it nice for hiking. It will get even cooler as we move north. We stopped at the Whistle Stop and had eggs, sausage, pancakes and maple syrup; very, very good. Recommend it to the hikers to stop for a meal. My heavier sleeping bag along with long pants, long shirt, wool shirt and long johns are on the way up north. I will pick them up on Friday and send the light weight items back south. July 10th was my 4 month anniversary on the trail. I am still ahead of my original finish date. I feel confident that I am going to finish this adventure! Less than 500 miles to go! The picture was made on Sunday when we had so much rain. The entire trail was covered in water all day.
Date: 2016-07-12
From: Governor Clement Shelter

To: Killington, VT
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Started out early Tuesday and hiked almost 14 miles. The hike was about a 5. Immediately climbed up Killington Mountain which was tough but better to hike it early in the morning while the weather is cooler and my legs are stronger. It is one of the highest mountains in Vermont. We stayed at the Killington Motel which was a nice place for hikers. The owner came and picked us up from the highway. Nice to have a warm bed and shower after being wet from the rain for a few days. Had pizza for supper with a couple of other hikers - the young guys in the picture. The motel owner cooked an awesome breakfast; omelet, pancakes, sausage- a great way to start the day. Recommend this place to hikers.
Date: 2016-07-13
From: Killington, VT

To: Mile 1718.2 - the cabin at The Lookout
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

Wednesday July 13th was a very tough day. I would rate it a 6. One of the hardest days in a while. Glad we had a good breakfast at the Killington Motel this morning! Even the younger hikers had a hard time today. We hiked straight up about 2 miles. The weather today turned hot and humid again; where did our cooler air go.....there were a lot of ups today. We are staying in a cabin that is not occupied by anyone. The hikers can stay for free. There are about 8 of us here tonight. This picture is the view tonight as the sun is setting; pretty awesome! 470 miles to go!!!
Date: 2016-07-14
From: Mile 1718.2 - the cabin at The Lookout

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Hiked 14 miles today. It was another tough day; a 5.9. A lot of ups and downs however the trail was in good shape; less rocks and roots. It probably was the best trail we have had to hike on since we left Springer Mountain in Georgia. We stopped at On the Edge Farm this morning waiting on the rain to stop. We bought a whole blueberry/peach pie and split it 4 ways. Had a quart of chocolate milk to boot! We passed a lot of maple trees that had plastic tubing to drain the sap to make into Vermont Maple Syrup. It takes 40 gallons to make one gallon of syrup. An interesting process. We stopped at the Cloudland Market for sandwiches. Not long after we left the rain and storms started. Needless to say we all got soaking wet. I slipped and fell pretty hard on my knee today but I am ok. Hooshr is inside the shelter but it is very full. I am in my tent outside the shelter. I like it better than being so tight inside with so many people. We will hike 13 miles on Friday into Norwich, VT. We are staying in a hotel Friday and Saturday night. We are taking a zero day on Saturday to prepare for the last leg of this adventure; the White Mountains, the 100 mile wilderness and the last five miles straight up to Katahdin. 456 miles left!
Date: 2016-07-15
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Norwich, VT
Miles today: 13.0

Friday was one of the best hiking days on the trail. It was fairly easy, 3.9. There was a lot of activity whcih was nice to break up the day. Stared out early and walked about 5 miles into West Hartford, VT to the Hart Family House. A wonderful home providing trail magic. She provided a great breakfast at no cost but of course we left a donation for her generosity. She also offers cold cokes and beer. I had eggs with sausage and 3 cups of coffee. There were about 10 of us there on the front porch eating. As you go to West Hartford you cross the White River. It is a tradition for the hikers to jump off the bridge into the river. They even have the best place to jump marked on the bridge. Hooshr and I with our elderly wisdom made the decision not to follow that tradition! We did not jump. Tortellia, the young hiker, made the leap. He survived but did scrape his toes a little but he is fine. As the trail goes thru the town, we came to another place to eat, Nazys. There we had fried tacos. They were awesome! We continued on the trail towards Norwich. There are warnings about bee holes in the ground along the trail. Well, yep, I found one of them and got were hard to see even when you are looking for them. I will survive the sting! We made it to the trail head in Nirwich and as we were walking towards our hotel, The Hat Lady, drove by and stopped to ask if we were Forrest and Hooshr. She has been following our trail journal and knew we would be coming thru. She offered us a snickers bar. We had amazing trail magic all along the hike today. A great way to end the day was our arrival to the Norwich Inn. It is a wonderful, beautiful Inn. Very old but very updated. Their rates are high but they give hikers a great rate. Too nice of a place for hikers but they let us in the door and were very nice and welcoming. Saturday we are getting a ride into Hanover to stock up and do some shopping for the last leg of the hike.
Date: 2016-07-16
From: Norwich, VT

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Saturday was a nice relaxing day. We were able to get a ride from Ms Hunter into Hanover. Hanover is a good size town and they have an outfitters store. I needed a few items to prepare for the cooler weather we have ahead of us over the next 5 to 6 weeks. Enjoyed watching the British Open Saturday morning and afternoon; haven't seen much TV or golf in a while. There is a general store, Dan & Whits, next to the hotel; a great place. They offer thru hikers free day old sandwiches that are the best we have had along the trail. Had a breakfast sandwich in the morning then we bought burgers there for supper. Hikers should stop by this general store. we will be up early and back on the trail by 6:30am Sunday. This is the last section of the hike; 443 miles to Katahdin.
Date: 2016-07-17
From: Hanover, NH

To: Goose Pond Road
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

Sunday wasn't too bad just hot and humid. I would rate it a 4.4. The mountains in this area remind me of the mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee. Climbing Moose Mountain was a bit of a challenge; it was slippery so we had to take it a little slow. We are running into a lot of southbound hikers now. These folks start at Katahdin and end at Springer Mountain. It is taking the south bounders anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to get to the point where we are now on the trail. So if my body keeps holding up (I have a swollen ankle that is tender but I think it is ok) we are on track to finish about the 3rd week of August; 21st to 25th; but we shall see- still a lot of mountains to climb! We stayed at the trail head last night which was beside the road but a good place to stop. There was trail magic there- hot dogs and cold drinks and chips. It is awesome how the people all along the trail come out to help the hikers. Keep sending positive thoughts my way - Hooshr and I need all the support we can get to finish this last section; 428 miles!
Date: 2016-07-19
From: Goose Pond Road

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 29.7
Weather: broken clouds

This is a 2 day update. There has been very little cell and Internet service the past few days and I think it may be that way for a while. Monday July 18 was a tough day; a 5.8. There were a lot of up hill climbs and they were tough; it was a very tiring hiking day however we did make 15 miles. We are getting into the granite which is hard to hike on, especially when it is wet from rain. Monday night we were at the Hexacuba Shelter but it was pretty full. I slept in my tent. I started hearing thunder so I got up and covered my tent with the rain cover; wow- a good decision. We had a very bad storm; a lot of rain and lightening with very heavy winds. But, I survived and up early Tuesday morning to take off hiking again. Another 15 miles hiked and it was a bit easier; a 4.4. We hiked up Mt Cube first thing and had some wonderful views; see the pictures in the picture file. This was our first taste of the White Mountains. The trail was a bit more dangerous with the granite stones. The rain from the night before made the hike very muddy and slippery. There were a lot of places on the trail where it was flooded. There were several tress across the trail that no doubt came down the night before in the big storm. We had to make a way to go around the trees. We made it to the Hikers Welcome Hostel in Glenncliff, NH. Bunk bed, shower and a place to wash clothes; nice! We will get a ride north Wednesday morning and slack pack south back to this hostel and stay another night. My ankle is still swollen but holding up and my bee sting on the eye is better but still a little swollen. 398 miles to go!
Date: 2016-07-20
From: Bee Sting

To: Daily Cliff Trail
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday was a 10 mile hike south. We got a ride from the Hikers Welcome Hostel 10 miles north and slack packed back to the hostel to stay another night. It was not a bad hike; walking up 4000 feet was a little tough but not bad. It was very cold and windy at the top. I had to put on my heavy coat. This was our highest mountain before getting into the White Mountains which is in just a few days away. Going down the trail we saw our first moose! It was right at the trail so we had to be a bit careful going by. We are taking it a bit easy Thursday and Friday hiking into North Woodstock, NH. We have about 16 miles to get there in 2 days but we need to stock up and prepare for the hike into the White Mountains. We will arrive early Friday and have time to do laundry, shop, repack and plan out the hike in the Whites. A big challenge but I am ready for it! 388 miles left....
Date: 2016-07-21
From: Daily Cliff Trail

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Thursday was very tough. I feel like it was the toughest day I have had on the entire trail. So much for taking it fairly easy Thursday and Friday! Whoo! I would rate it a 7.9. We hiked up to 3750 feet and it was climbing rocks and bolders. We normally average 2 mph but it took us an hour or more just to make a mile. But- the good news is we made our goal; just took a little longer. The views are beautiful! Making it into North Woodstock, NH Friday early to prepare for the next phase into the White Mountains. And we will stay in a hotel with a bed and sheets and a hot shower!!!!! The picture is a young man we met - Stuffy from Thomasville, Ga! UGA graduate - Go Dawgs! The wonderful story about Stuffy is he had leukemia but look at him now out on the trail! Way to go Stuffy.
Date: 2016-07-22
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: North Woodstock, NH 
Miles today: 4.2

Friday was a much better hiking experience; a 4.4. Much easier than Thursday. Downhill for most of the hike. A short hike into North Woodstock, NH. We are staying at the Autum Breeze; another great place. A very nice lady owns and operates the 5 bedroom Lodge. She picked us up from the parking lot off the trail, washed our clothes and had a co-cola and Gatorade in the frig for us. All for a very reasonable cost for hikers; $30 per person. We will stock up on supplies, have supper and get a good nights sleep tonight. Plan is to get up early and head out on Saturday but there might be some weather issues; we will have to see in the morning. It will be a 5 mile hike up to the top of the mountain; if it is storming we don't want to be at the top with no place to go for shelter. 378 miles to go!
Date: 2016-07-23
From: North Woodstock, NH 

To: Garfield Ridge Shelter 
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: broken clouds

Wow! The White Mountains are living up to their reputation; tough. I would rate the hike on Saturday a 7.1. We made it 10 miles to the Garfiled Ridge Shelter. I normally don't stay in the shelter but we had rain and lightening so I went inside for the night. We were at the top of the mountain when it started storming; not a good place to be with lightening! I was hoping to make it to the end with my shoes but not going to happen. I am ordering a new pair to be shipped overnight. At this point you do what you have to do to reach Katahdin! 362 miles to go!