morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-24
From: Lee, MA (Becket)

To: Woods outside of Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

20 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1566.8On the way back to the trail at 6:30am, Joe stopped by the convience store to pick up my order of pancakes, breakfast burrito and coffee. I ate the most of it on the way, but saved half the burrito for later. Well, the yellow brick road ended. After all the rain we had last night, there was alot of mud, as well as rock and slippery tree roots. Some areas had boards to walk on over the mud, but most did not. I got tired of mud pretty quickly but the sun was out, humidity low, and cool temps, so not so bad. I also didn't have to wear my head net AT ALL - not sure where the annoying bugs went. I saw Big Up and Captain Rico today, we talked a bit before they shot off. The trail goes through Dalton, MA, so I hurried to get there. When I got to Dalton, I stopped at Sweet Peas to have some ice cream. A nice older couple run it and I enjoyed talking with them. They told me of a hair dresser near by, so I went to get a much-needed hair cut. As I was walking out of town I saw Miss Janet in her van,who for a fee,will slackpack hikers. She had some of her slack packers with her. She also told me that Running Nose just got into town as was slack packing as well. I bid her farewell and hiked just out of town to camp for the night. My warbler friend is singing his melody tonight as I journal - it's very nice. Good night from my hammock. -Hoyt
Date: 2014-07-25
From: Woods outside of Dalton, MA

To: Wilber Clearing Shelter
Miles today: 19.5

19.5 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1586.3The morning was cool, which was good as I started climbing. The new LEKI tips with carbide pins in the bottom are like having four wheel drive. My old tips lasted a long time, but once the pins get pushed up into the shaft you're just using the plastic ends. They wear down quickly in this terrain and don't give the same traction. Today, I climbed MA's Highest peak, Mt. Greylock. On the way to the top, I missed a turn at a viewing area and, while trying to find the trail, went back the way I came. It was heavily wooded and all looked the same going back. I came upon Real Talk, and he informed me of my mistake. I had gone south about a mile, so I turned around. Sure glad I saw him early, or I might have gone to Georgia! Mt. Greylock was a good climb. Once on top, there's a lodge where you can buy food & drink. Today I met Nubbins. She's 69 yrs old, weighs 105 lbs, and is pretty small-framed. She was slack packing and climbing Mt. Greylock. I think that would be quite a challenge as it's a rough climb. Running Nose slack-packed today too. I saw him eating at the lodge on top. Near dusk Joe came to the shelter. He's the old hiking partner of Running Nose. There's a youth group here tonight too - they are pretty noisy. That won't matter though as I'm pretty tired. I forgot the trail went through Cheshire, MA. While there I stopped at the Shell station and ate my lunch. I also filled my water bag at the soda dispenser with ice water. Tomorrow I'll be in VT, getting closer step by step. An older couple came in at twilight. I heard her mumbling to her self, "two things I can't stand, dogs and kids". Funny. I guess she'll have one more to had to her list: Hoyt, the early riser, as her tent was near mine. Joe, the German fellow, I would say is in his 50's. He is tall, cheerful, and has a pack that hangs low on his back, as it has a torn shoulder strap. His pack isn't light either. I don't know how he hikes like that. Joe said, using trekking poles and bounce boxes, is the same as slack packing! Funny fellow. So ends another installment from "Tales From The Hammock". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-07-26
From: Wilber Clearing Shelter (MA)

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter (VT)
Miles today: 23.0

23.0 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1609.3I was hiking by 6:50am. It was another nice day, cool and partly cloudy. I was in Vermont by 9:30am. eastern time. I worked for my miles today. Climbs, rocks, roots and mud. I went through a small MA town early. The trail went right up a driveway of a home. The woman who lived there was outside, so we talked for several minutes. She keeps a hose out for hikers and I used it to refill my bag. She also gave me a can of cold of seltzer water. I saw five south bounders (SOBO) today and a few section hikers. I stopped at a shelter about 3pm and met a young fella there. He was hiking Vermont to Canada and his packed weighed 48 lbs! I told him he would enjoy it more if he lightened his pack. Running Nose caught up with me at the shelter. We then hiked together to VA 9 where Neon's mom was doing Trail Magic. She had snacks, fruit,and drinks. I ate way too much. We then had a pretty good climb to get to the shelter. There were several guys already there, having some lively conservation. Now for a health update. I don't currently have any blisters, but I've had some good ones. I clean them, and then cut them open. I then walk on them until they heal. It's painful, but it works. My knees are my worry. At night, if I wake up and straighten my left leg, my knee feels like the old door sounds in a horror movie. It's not bad to hike on though. I haven't felt bad one day, except for the rabies vaccine period. The end is near reaching my 12th state today felt good! Well, that's all from "Tales From The Hammock". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-07-27
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter (VT)

To: Stratton Mountain (VT)
Miles today: 24.8

24.8 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1634.1I was hiking by 5:30am this morning. Running Nose, who tried to sleep in the shelter but couldn't sleep soon followed me. We almost made it to a shelter before the clouds burst. It poured for about half an hour. When it stopped, we resumed hiking. The trail was a muddy mess. Every low spot, even in the mountains, holds water. Over time, these spots being trampled by so many feet, have turned into quagmires. It was really a wet, muddy, slippery day. We stopped to eat lunch at Story Spring Shelter, but we only stayed 20 minutes. Neon's mom was doing Trail Magic again at a road crossing 3.6 miles away, so we hotfooted over there. Speaking of Trail Magic I thought maybe at the first road crossing after entering Vermont, some Trail Angel would have pancakes and maple syrup. But no! Well, the afternoon rain went the other way, so we got to enjoy our Trail Magic in the sunshine. About 5pm, Running Nose decided to hike on to the next shelter, about six miles away. I stayed behind to camp closer. At 5:30pm I decided to hike up Stratton Mountain to find a camping spot. Stratton Mountain is where Benton MacKaye conceived the idea for the AT. Well, it took me 90 minutes of nonstop hiking to reach the top. I think Benton must have had a shortcut! On top is a small caretakers' cabin where an older couple live for the summer. Jean came out to greet me. She was very nice but explained that there was no camping allowed on the mountain top but I could camp a little farther from the top. She also said to be off the trail by dark as moose like to use it. I found a small clearing not far from the top, complete with old moose droppings. It is supposed to rain again tonight. I hope it stops before morning. Another cool night - I can't wear my rainwear to sleep in as they are wet and muddy. If I get cold I don't get much quality sleep. I need to order an underquilt. So ends another installment from "Tales from the Hammock". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-07-28
From: Stratton Mountain (VT)

To: HWY VT 11 & 30, Manchester, VT
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

13.7 (nero) miles hiked, Mile Marker 1647.8I didn't get cold last night, as the temps didn't drop much. There was some light rain near morning, but it stopped. I was hiking by 6am. I had on my raingear, and at 6:30am, it started raining once again. It started light, then got harder. It wasn't rain like the one that floated Noah's ark, but it was pretty heavy. Soon, the A.T. was either a stream or a mudhole, depending on where you were hiking. I find it tiring always trying to work around the mud and water. Some of the stream crossings were interesting too. It stopped raining at 9:30am. I came to a hard-packed backroad the trail used for a bit. It was nice to be on terra firma. When I got back in the woods, it was more of the same until I got to the highway at 12:30pm. The highway was a four lane on a blind curve; it was a scary crossing as the cars were flying. Neon's mom was doing Trail Magic again, but this time she had coffee along with the usual treats - I had three cups. While I was trying to figure out how to get into town, Jeff, the owner of Green Mountain Hostel, drove up. I paid for a private room there and got cleaned up.The stay included sodas and one pint of Ben&Jerrys icecream. Then Jeff took me into town where I exchanged yet another pack (my second one as my first one failed before I hit the trail). A broken zipper was the problem. My new pack with resupply and 2L of water was 33lbs. Normally I don't stay in hostels but this was an extremely nice one. There are some other hikers here as well. I saw some SOBOs and NOBOs today. The weather is supposed to be better tomorrow. I can only hope. Through the miles of mud, I told myself, "well, at least you have dry feet". That ended when water topped my lower lace area one too many times. These boots are two weeks old as my third replacement pair. Gore-Tex may be great for jackets, but not in footwear. I've had problems with it in some of my hunting boots in the past. I won't waste my money buying Gore-Tex in footwear anymore. REI has been very good trying to remedy this problem, but now, I'll continue to put the boot wax on them and hope for the best. Back to Neon's mom, I told her, her Trail Angel name should be Neona. I thought it was great! She was not as enthusiastic about it as I was though. Still hoping to come upon a Ttrail Angel here, dressed in her finest L.L. Bean, making pancakes for us thru hikers. Wouldn't that be a hoot! That ends this "Tales From The Hostel". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-07-29
From: HWY VT 11 & 30, Manchester, VT

To: Little Rock Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: broken clouds

19.8 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1667.6Jeff had me back to the trail by 8:40am. I had some left over mud to deal with, but the sun was out and the temps were cool. Today I climbed Bromley Mountain, Styles Peak, Peru Peak and Baker Peak. I also saw more SOBOs and other hikers. I like to camp by 6pm, but I didn't care for the shelter area I had reached, so I pushed on. I finally got to the next shelter by 6:45pm. It was on a nice lake and a number of people were camping there as well. Earlier today, I was hiking over a wet and muddy area. As my right foot stepped on a rock, it slipped. My left foot reached for a rock, but slipped too, causing me to do a half spin backward. I would like to say my cat like reflexes saved me, but it was my trekking pole. They have kept me from hitting the ground many times. I'm surprised how well I'm doing, because I'm so skinny. I can't wait to finish my trek and gain my weight back. So ends another "Tales From The Hammock". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-07-30
From: Little Rock Pond Shelter

To: Governor Clement Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: overcast clouds

19.4 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1687.0I was hiking by 6am. Today was a tough day. I had some big climbs, rocks, mud and some good trail. It was yet another beautiful day for hiking. About mid morning, the forest became more open, so that I could see a lot father. It's been a green tunnel for a long time. At one point, the forest was large conifers and very open. Here, hikers had made rock art on and around several boulders. Stones were stacked everywhere; it was an interesting display. At the hostel the other night, there was a section hiker that I met. Today, we hiked together for awhile. When we got to the shelter at 6pm, the tenting areas were full, so I had to find a place in the woods to hammock. Later in the evening, I went up to the shelter. I was surprised to see Banjo there, as I thought he would be much further ahead. He said that he stopped to get his new shoes, and that he got tired of the rain and took a day off. It was good to see him again, and we talked while he made his dinner. I saw a lot of SOBOs today. I always wish them well on there journey. I am not sure how long I can continue to do 20 mile days. The mountains are getting to be more work. I am tired. "Tales From The Hammock" -Hoyt
Date: 2014-07-31
From: Governor Clement Shelter

To: Stony Brook Shelter (VT)
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

20.6 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1707.6Out by 6:00am. I had a long climb right away. It was rocky and with tree roots, but it side lined the mountain so the climb was gradual. Banjo came along and passed me near the top. I hiked a long way side lining the mountain tops. Along the way, slack packing, I saw Runny Nose, Neon, Happy Feet, and Misery. I talked with each one a bit. Runny Nose said I'm too fast for him. That's only because he doesn't use trekking poles. If he did, I wouldn't be able to keep up with that 64 year old German! The hike off the mountain took a long time. At the bottom was Trail Magic! A cooler of drinks and snacks. I ate lunch there at the Trail Head parking lot. Afterwards, I ran into Banjo taking a break. He said five more miles to the shelter and started off. That last five miles included Quimby Mountain which kicked my butt. I got to the shelter at 6:00pm, but was very tired. I ate with Banjo and the others and went to bed. So ends another "Tale From The Hammock". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-08-01
From: Stony Brook Shelter (VT)

To: VT 12 HWY
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: light rain

13.3 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1720.9I didn't get quite as cold last night, and was hiking by 6:00am. As I passed Banjo's tent, I gave it a shake, and told him it was time to make the donuts. Another cool and beautiful day. The trail today wasn't too bad either. Some stretches were very easy. I saw a couple of SoBos and section hikers. One section hiker was coming down a hill in front of me. He must have had beans recently and was being 'musical'. I told him I thought I'd heard a moose! He seemed to get a kick out of that. When I got to VT 12, I thumbed into Woodstock, VT. Tourist town and lodging is too expensive. Pearl said that Michael J. Fox has a home here. It is pretty upscale here. I got a good deli sandwich, a chocolate milk, a Coke and a Ben & Jerry's. I sat outside the deli in this nice town, looking kind of ratty. But a few people sitting nearby started a conversation with me about hiking. I then thumbed back and got dropped off just past the Trail head at "On The Edge Farms" store. There I bought a Mountain Dew and a box of blueberries. I ate half and saved half. There's a basic barn sleepover nearby. They have an upper room for hikers. I will hammock here tonight if I don't hear back from another hostel I called. Tomorrow they said for gas money they would take me into Norwich, VT so I can pick up my mail drops - I won't make it on my own before Sunday. I only have 465 miles to go! I think I can slow down a bit now as my batteries are really drained. I need a "zero" day to recharge. Well, I never heard back from the hostel I called so I slept in the small barn loft in my hammock. The property is owned by Daniel Q and kind of him to offer this. The barn is four feet off of a busy two lane, so it's noisy. Tomorrow I will get my ride to pick up the mail drop and then try hike to Hanover, NH for a real night off the trail. The first installment from "Tales From The Barn". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-08-02
From: VT 12 HWY

To: Thistle Hill Shelter (VT)
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

8.2 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1729.1I got up about 6:30am, after getting some sleep. I was sitting on the house porch swing waiting for Tamara to give me my Post Office ride at 10:00, when Daniel and Travis came out and invited me to breakfast. We went down the road to a neat country store where they served food too. Then a few of Daniel's friends showed up. It was a good time. I ate breakfast twice, sooooo hungry. Then back to the house for my ride. Tamara took me to Norwich, VT to get my mail drop. Norwich is a nice town. Tamara stopped by the grocery, so I got a pint of Ben & Jerry's and a Mountain Dew. Then back to the house where I packed my resupply and said goodbye. Daniel, Travis and Tamara really helped me along on my journey, they're good people. Thanks also to Randy in West Hartford for giving Pearl the information about Daniel's place a few days back. As I was leaving, I saw the section hiker coming from the Farm store. He said he had just eaten. We hit the trail and had a big climb right away. He's a pretty stout guy and a good hiker, but not today. He quickly fell behind only because he was full I am sure. There were a few good climbs today but it was a nice day and the trail was pretty good. It was mostly soft dirt covered in pine straws and last fall's leaves made even smaller by many pairs of hiking boots. On the top of one mountain I found some big sweet raspberries and had quite a few. There are several campers here tonight; a few section hikers and several thru-hikers. Travis, the 20-something from Daniel's place thru-hiked as a SoBo in 2009. He said that moose in ME may force you off the trail now and then. Today, I had Trail Magic twice. Cokes left in a stream and big great chocolate chip cookies at another. Also, this will be the first night with my underquilt that my wonderful Pearl ordered for me. Many thanks to Austin at Hammock Gear for getting it out so quickly - I hope to finally have a warm night's sleep. I'll let you know how it goes. Earlier in my hike, after the temps warmed a bit, I sent home my cold weather sleeping gear to save weight. Big mistake, as I have had a lot of cold nights since then in the mountains. No fun shivering in your hammock.  Along with my resupply, my mother and my great sister-in-law sent me some treats to fatten me up! I need to put some weight back on. So ends another "Tales From The Hammock" this time with an underquilt! -Hoyt
Date: 2014-08-03
From: Thistle Hill Shelter (VT)

To: Hanover (NH)
Miles today: 14.7

14.7 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1743.8I was out by usual 6:00am. Yet, another nice day. Last night wasn't as cold as it has been, but my underquilt felt great. I really like not having a pad to slide around inside the hammock. I'm now considering an overquilt. As I move into the Whites, it's going to get colder - they say the 30's. I had one good climb this morning, but most of today hasn't been bad. Except for a hilltop here in VT. It had some good raspberries that I ate, but they had completely overgrown the trail and there was no trail maintenance it appeared. I saw a few SoBos and section hikers today. I reached state 13 today! Katahdin just a few weeks away. On the outskirts of Hanover there was Trail Magic two different times. Cokes, cherries, watermelon pieces and Oreo cookies at the first and Oreos at the second. Once in Hanover NH, I saw Dartmouth College and ran into Running Nose. We did some eating together and talked about taking a "zero" day. Here, there is a list of people who will take hikers home to shower, wash clothes and spend the night. Running Nose was getting picked up at 7pm and a retired woman named Sally was picking me up at 5pm. I got Running Nose's phone # so we could meet up tomorrow. It was odd being in a busy college town on a Sunday all dirty and such. Once at Sally's nice condo I got cleaned up and washed my clothes. We then talked while I studied my hiker book. There's a free bus service here that I will take back to Hanover in the morning to get breakfast and call Running Nose. Thus ends "Tales from Sally's Condo". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-08-04
From: Hanover (NH)

To: Hanover (NH)
Miles today: 0.0

"Zero" day in Hanover, NHI caught the free A.T. Transit system at 6:38am near the condo. I went back to downtown Hanover to the Dirt Cowboy for coffee and eats. I shot Running Nose a text and we planned to meet at the P.O. at 9am. I met up with Running Nose and we went to the bakery where I ate again - this time pancakes. We then sent some things home at the P.O. and went to store my pack on campus. A lot of hikers came in town today; I gleaned information from SoBos about the upcoming Whites and the Hundred Mile Wilderness in Maine. They said that the mosquitoes were pretty bad now, but might be better by the time I get there. Running Nose and I spent a lot of the day being "fat cats": eating and sitting in the campus green. It feels funny not to be on the trail, but also good after pushing so hard to get this far quickly. I truly needed a zero day, but do feel a little guilty when I take one. My wonderful wife Pearl really helped me today to get my overquilt ordered to ensure I receive it before I get into the Whites and freeze my skinny butt off! Many thanks to Hammock Gear for getting the right quilt out to me so quickly. I tried to get a room at a modestly priced motel but all rooms were filled. I then called the numbers for Trail Magic overnights but no one answered my calls. Running Nose called his Trail Magic family and they kindly agreed to take me in for the night. We then got lunch on campus. The campus and town are well integrated so you can easily go between them. We then spent yet even more down time sitting on a bench in the shade, again as 'fat cats'. After chewing the fat for awhile we went for milk shakes and more hanging out. People are all around and about; it's really a busy place, I guess with school starting again in a few weeks. As the afternoon moved on, we walked down for some pizza and beer. As we were about to finish eating, I realized that we had missed the bus to get back to our stay for the night. I called our Trail Angel (Bill) and he agreed to pick us up. The family has several air mattresses in their lower level for hikers. They do this because their son, who thru-hiked in 2007, got a very deep blister that needed medical attention and he had to take time off the trail. Long story short, a family in TN took him and his buddy in for several weeks until he could hike again. This inspired them to pay it forward and help other hikers. For me, it does feel a little funny to intrude on this family's evening, but it's nice to have a place to sleep. As hard as the trail can sometimes be, I have to say I'm ready to get back to it. It's in my blood now. All the SoBos I meet keep telling me, "the best is yet to come." I am looking foward to my first glimpse of Mt. Katahdin. This well rested hiker ends another "Tales From The Home Of Trail Angels". -Hoyt