morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-08-10
From: Hanover, New Hampshire

To: Smarts Mountain Fire Tower
Miles today: 23.4

We got a ride from the hotel to Hanover from "Old Hiker" a thru hiker that had a rental car. Today's hike was uneventful we covered miles easily.We ended the day at Smarts' Fire Tower where close by there were a couple stealth sites.I hung my food from one of the beams of the fire tower. It rained during the night.
Date: 2016-08-11
From: Smarts Mountain Fire Tower

To: New Hampshire Highway 25
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: light rain

Today was a really hot day. Today's temps were in the mid nineties. We had a big climb up Mt. Cube.About midday Achilles and I parted company. He needs to be on his own and I need to go at my own pace. I stopped for a break at a water cache and he continued on.Once on my own I slowed to a comfortable pace and about 4 pm I took a half mile detour on Lake Tarleton Road to a restaurant. There I had a nice dinner and conversed with the locals. After being refueled I hiked another 4.5 miles to New Hampshire Highway 25. From there a half mile walk to the Welcome Hiker Hostel. A lot of hikers there including Achilles.Tomorrow the White Mountains where I was told by several hikers I would not be able to do 20 miles. We'll see.
Date: 2016-08-12
From: New Hampshire Highway 25

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: clear sky

Well people should not have told me I couldn't do 20 miles in a day in the Whites. I did. What people should have told me was I shouldn't do 20 miles in the Whites because I shouldn't have.I left the hostel at 5:30 am. I had an enormous climb up Moosilauke Mountain this was a challenge it was very steep a 4,000' climb over 6 miles. The climb was exhausting but it didn't break me.The way down Moosilauke was steep dangerous and scary this did not break me. I had 11 miles of my desired 20 miles. I took a break.Next on the agenda was Wolf Mountain, it did not break me. The next Mountain was South Kinsman. This Mountain hurt me bad! The trail up this mountain had several rock climbs that seemed to go on for ever followed by more and more rock climbs. The rocks were slippery making the climbs dangerous. I thought that I was going to break mentally. I was not having fun. I could have cried! I barely kept it together.I finally reached the top of the Mountain. The ascent up North Kinsman was not as tough but South Kinsman had done it's job I was "gentled down!"I got my 20 miles in finally coming to the Kinsman Pond Shelter. I paid $10 and set up my tent on a wooden tent pad. The fun did not end for me. That night it rained over 1".
Date: 2016-08-13
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter 

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: clear sky

My Tarptent did its job keeping me dry during the torrential downpour. I woke up and packed up as the storm was ending. After about 5 miles I came to a brook crossing where it was running like a river. I made some jumps that I'm glad didn't go wrong.As I crossed the brook a couple hikers watched to make sure I made it across safely. The two hikers were Sean and Sarah, two ultra distance runners on a weekend hike. We hiked to their car together.They gave me a ride into town where we had lunch together at a pub. They then dropped me off at a grocery store. That night I spent the night at another hostel.
Date: 2016-08-14
From: Franconia Notch

To: Mile 1830.8
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

Took a taxi from town to trail to Franconia Notch with the Joker and Change. Taxi driver could not get us to trail because illegal to drop off on freeway so we had to walk an extra mile.Started day with new attitude. I decided not to be so aggressive in my hiking and slow down. My goal was to climb without sweating. I would walk to an objective I could see and take a rest. The going was slow but enjoyable.I ended up playing leap frog with various hikers, some of them were McLovin, Tarzan, Sideways, and Moss Man.Moss Man and I stealth camped after a final day's climb up Twin Mountain.
Date: 2016-08-15
From: Mile 1830.8

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Kept same positive attitude. My good karma was rewarded with great views from Webster Cliffs. I really enjoyed the day. Moss Man caught up to me while I was enjoying a view. We hiked to Mizpah Hut together.Mizpah Hut is a lodge that you rent for a $135 a night. They let about 3 thru hikers stay and eat for free if they work at dinner and breakfast. Moss Man and I thought we arrived to late but we were the only thru hikers that made it there that day. So we were hired!Had to do dishes, it was fun and easy. Dinner was awesome with vegetarian chilly, falafel, marinated beef, rice, and broccoli.Good day. Feel great being at midslope of Mount Washington. Tomorrow only 6 miles to the top.
Date: 2016-08-16
From: Mizpah Hut

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Summited Mount Washington at 11 am. It was very touristy at the top. I took advantage charging my phone.The next 6 miles to Madison Spring Hut were challenging. I had heard a storm was on its way with winds expected to be 75 mph plus.I got to Madison Hut at 1:30. The sky looked very ominous and I was unwilling to chance it. I did another work for stay to avoid weather. Good decision. It stormed hard!
Date: 2016-08-17
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: scattered clouds

It rained so hard last night. The wind blew even harder, I was so glad to be inside the lodge. I woke up at about 5:30 am and the rain and wind had seemed to die down. The paying guests were also getting up and they were greeted by about 15 thru hikers sleeping on the floor not seeming in a hurry to make room for them. I felt pressured to get going. It was my own self made pressure of feeling uncomfortable even though I was one of the few hikers that worked to stay there. In fact the two other hikers that worked with me also felt uncomfortable and were preparing to leave also.I left the Hut first. Shortly after I left I realized it was going to be a major and dangerous challenge going over Mt. Madison. The higher I went up the mountain the harder the wind blew and the light rain felt like little daggers of needles as the drops hit my face. The trail is not a trail it is a marked route over a very steep pile of wet slippery rocks. I slipped many times cussing the rocks, wind, rain, and my worn shoes.I reached the summit and conditions worsened. The wind blew me backwards and sideways many times. My pack often acted as a sail taking me where I didn't want to go. Thankfully there were many cairns well placed that kept me traveling the correct course. Above the treeline for about two miles I battled the wind for about two hours. A hour and a half into it I was passed by Moss Man who once ahead of me constantly looked back to see if I was okay.I finally was below the treeline in the safety of the trees. I wanted to scream for joy but I realized Moss Man might think I was injured so I restrained myself from screaming. About 2 minutes later I heard a scream behind me. I was pretty sure it sounded joyful but I waited anyway to confirm that. Sure enough it was McLovin who came down the trail with a big smile on his face and confirmed he was so happy to be out of the wind.We caught up to Moss Man and all three of us hiked together to Pinkham Notch. We all agreed that this morning was the most dangerous day that any of us had faced on the trail. I told McLovin that I knew the winds had to be over 80 mph. This was confirmed by the weather report we received at Pinkham's Notch. I had a good bruise on my right shoulder and a sore right hip from falling into the rocks. I also tore a huge hole in my backpack form sliding down the rocks.At Pinkham Notch, Moss Man continued on. McLovin and I met a wonderful couple, Birdy and Pilot, that along with their Christian Service Group were providing trail magic. Well about four quesadillas three hotdogs, and two sodas later I felt good. McLovin and I marveled that only three hours before we were on top of Madison fighting rain and wind and now we were with great people eating to our heart's content. Pilot and Birdy gave us a ride to Gorham where we got a hotel room. Nice to be safe!
Date: 2016-08-18
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Rattle River Shelter
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: broken clouds

I took a bus back to the trail head. The bus route goes from Gorham to Boston. McLovin was also on the bus going to a family reunion in Boston. We were the only two on the bus, I was the first stop.Today was the last of the White Mountains. There were more steep ascents and descents up the peaks of Wildcat Mountain but nothing above the treeline. About halfway I passed the side trail to Carter Notch Hut I decided to resist the temptation of another work for stay and continued on without stopping in.Just before dark I reached the Rattle River Shelter about 5 tents were pitched around it. I looked for a flat spot and found only one right next to a couple's tent. I didn't ask if they minded because I didn't care and I pitched my tent about 5' from theirs. I heard a few comments but ignored them.I slept well!
Date: 2016-08-19
From: Rattle River Shelter

To: Carlo Col Campsite and Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: few clouds

I got up early and was on my way before I had to hear any more complaining from my nearby tentsite companions. Ha ha. I had a real easy two miles of hiking before I came upon US HWY 2. I passed a hostel where I stopped in asking if I could buy into breakfast. The answer was no so I continued on.I climbed Cascade Mountain. I have really gotten better at climbing these granite slabs. A definite help is the new shoes I got a couple days ago in Gorham, the traction they provide is great and has increased my confidence in going up and down the slippery rock slabs. Near the end of day I crossed the New Hampshire and Maine Border. That night I camped at the Carlo Col Shelter and Campsite. Achilles was also camping there. He mentioned that it wasn't wise to hike the Mahoosic Notch alone. My first thought was it wasn't wise for him to hike it alone because for me heights and tight places are not an issue. But being a nice guy I agreed to hike with him tomorrow.I slept well.
Date: 2016-08-20
From: Carlo Col Campsite and Shelter

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 14.1

We had a big climb up Goose Eye Mountain first thing in the morning. It had great views from the summit. Pace, another Nobo had caught us and was hiking with us. After 6 miles of hiking we entered the Mahoosic Notch.The notch is a jumble of huge boulders stretching a little over 1 mile down a ravine. It takes most hikers at least 2 hours to climb and crawl though it. We met hikers that had taken 4 to 5 hours to do it.As we entered the notch it was evident early that Pace and I were very comfortable with overcoming the obstacles of the notch. For Achilles and a section hiker it was nerve-racking and a chore. I stayed back as Pace went on so I could coach Achilles and the section hiker on what paths to take, hand holds, and how to maneuver through the tight spaces. I really was in my element, I jumped from boulder to Boulder without fear and crawled through small tunnels the same. Being in the fire service for 32 years has made heights and confined spaces as natural to me as breathing air. All three of us made it through the notch in 90 minutes well below the 2 hours that it typically takes. Now you might think I'm exaggerating or have no sense of reality but I tell you with 100% certainty I could have easily done it under an hour.After the notch, Pace, Achilles, and I hiked together up a steep mountain. Pace dropped back to enjoy the view and read a book. At the top of the mountain we met a wonderful young woman named Sam that said she would take us into the town of Bethel to resupply.So Sam took Achilles and I into town. First though I bought dinner at a pub for all of us including Alvaro a hiker that hiked with Sam that day. Sam then took us to a grocery store for supplies. Her generosity did not stop she ended up inviting us to her house to take showers and spend the the night. She is the best!
Date: 2016-08-21
From: Grafton Notch

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Sam cooked us breakfast. Wow!! She then took us to the trailhead. Achilles took off. The last time I'll see him, probably not.I hiked well continuing to climb well. I keep looking to see a moose. There are plenty of ponds and lakes I pass by but a moose sighting remains elusive for me.I reached my goal of getting to a campsite at the South Arm Road before the forecasted rain came. Another hiker named Pirate and I had the campground to ourselves. We had dinner together. The rain came but I was warm, dry, and happy as I read my book until I became tired and fell asleep.
Date: 2016-08-22
From: South Arm Road

To: Little Swift River Pond Campsite
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: moderate rain

Packed up my wet tent and was on my way. Trail was very muddy and rocks were slippery. First part of day I felt like I was hiking well but I had covered only 6 Mikes in 3 hours. I was covering a lot of distance going serpentine jumping from dry spot to dry spot avoiding getting my shoes wet. As the day went on I travelled faster. 12 miles in I was surprised at a dirt road crossing with some trail magic. Lenny and Bruce had tables and lawn chairs put out for thru hikers with a feast of hamburgers, hotdogs, fruit, soda. and beans. Only one other female thru hiker named Rookie was there. I ate my fill.I ended up giving Lenny a hiking pole that wasn't working correctly, it collapsed without warning. I didn't want to carry it anymore. I also had found out I hike faster in steep terrain with only one pole because my free hand is available to grab trees and rocks. Lenny was happy to have a top of the line Leki pole that could be repaired.I told them I knew that there would probably be another thru hiker named Pirate that would show up. I said thanks and continued on.4 1/2 miles later as I hiked I thought to myself I feel great physically and mentally at that moment my backpack's right shoulder strap broke. For the next hour I used my free hand to hold the strap in place. I finally realized I couldn't do this forever I would have to make a repair. I stopped and used what little thread I had left to make a few stitches to secure the strap, I reinforced my sewing with a safety pin. It works, question is how long? I reached my desired campsite. As I studied the guidebook I decided I needed to go into a town to repair my pack, catch up on journal entries and to get mentally ready to make the final push to Katahdin.
Date: 2016-08-23
From: Little Swift River Pond Campsite

To: Rangeley
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: broken clouds

Slept in until 7 am because I knew I had only a five mile hike to the highway. Once I awoke I made a phone call to reserve a private room at the Farm House Hostel. There are two hostels to choose from in Rangeley. I had heard good things about the Farm House plus I heard the other option did not have good wi-fi. After I broke camp I hiked the five miles to Maine Highway 4. I had an easy hitch getting a ride after about 5 minutes with my thumb out.Once at the hostel, I was very happy with the room I would be sleeping in. I did my normal town chores such as washing my clothes though I did not do my journal entries as I usually do. After cleaning up I got a ride into town where I had lunch at a restaurant then I shopped for food. I then returned to the hostel.At the hostel I met several hikers that were taking advantage of slack packing services provided by the hostel. It was tempting to think about slack packing though my thought process was I had gone this far without slack packing so I might as well finish the AT without doing it.Pirate showed up in the late afternoon at the hostel. He thanked me for telling the people providing trail magic yesterday to wait for him. He said they told him if wasn't for me they wouldn't have waited. I returned to town for dinner and ate BBQ. I signed up for the earliest shuttle tomorrow to return to the trail.
Date: 2016-08-24
From: Rangeley

To: Mile 1988.9
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: clear sky

I was on the 7:30 shuttle from the hostel to head back to the trail head on HWY 4. As I was getting out my pack out of the van at the trail head the shoulder strap broke once again. I said goodbye to the hostel owner and then set down and spent the next hour sewing my shoulder strap back to the pack. I reinforced it with a safety pin and some duct tape. I hope the pack can last another 200 miles. This poor pack will have over 4,000 miles on it if it can make it to the end.After I finished sewing, I crossed the highway followed by going over a footbridge that crossed the Sandy River. I passed a few section hikers going up Saddle Back Mountain. This was a good climb going up about 2,500' over 6 miles. Though after recently tackling the Whites it is hard to complain about any climb or feel that it is that difficult. Once at the top, I sat down and enjoyed the view along with some food.I spent too much time taking a break, because I had good cell reception, I made several phone calls to family. The next few miles of hiking was above the treeline until I reach Saddle Back Junior Mountain where a steep descent over 2 miles long started.Today as I walked I decided I will finish this hike either September 3rd or 4th. After about 18 miles I came to Spaulding Mountain Shelter. I looked around at the tent sites and found nothing to my liking. There was actually not much to choose from, there were only two sites. So I continued on for another 2 miles until I came upon another hiker going southbound. I asked him if there were any campsites ahead, he said no. I had just passed a spot where I thought I could pitch my tarp. I went back about 100 yards and pitched my tarp. I had ended the day fairly early so I read a few chapters of the "Monkey Wrench Gang," then went to sleep.
Date: 2016-08-25
From: Mile 1988.9

To: Avery Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I reached the 2000 mile mark. So I guess I should give an assessment of where I'm at, not only mileage wise, but also where I'm at physically, mentally, and equipment wise. Physically I'm in good shape except for my left arch which I hyper-extended in the White Mountains. Because of my injured left arch I can't reach my top hiking speed of about 4 1/2 mph, I'm limited to a top speed of about 3 mph, other then that my body feels fine and my endurance is great. My body weight is about 140 lbs.Mentally I'm good. I'm in a state of mind that I will finish this hike and I want to finish it there is no chance of me quitting unless I get a serious injury. Some hikers don't want their hike to end, I'm not like that, at this point I want to see my family and get back home.My pack is falling apart. My tarp tent is in good shape, the only problem I've had with my tarp tent is the zipper which I tore because of my carelessness. I fixed it with another bad sewing job. My sewing kit has been invaluable to me on this hike. My 40 degree sleeping bag is just barely keeping me warm, as the nights have become colder. I've compensated by wearing long johns and socks at night.A mile after passing the 2,000 mile mark I came upon Maine HWY 27. There at the trail head was some trail magic! A nice man, that was waiting for his wife/hiker, had a cooler full of gator aide, fruit, and cookies. He also had lawn chairs. I sat down and enjoyed the drink and food. He told me that his wife was an accomplished hiker but he was worried because this was the same section where the hiker "Inchworm" had gotten lost in 2013. He said Inchworm's husband had been waiting for her at this exact same spot and that she had never shown up. She was later found dead two years later. This was really spooky and sad. Just as I was ready to leave, Achilles arrived. We talked some. He was going to hitch into Stratton.I continued on. After I left the trail head I decided I was going to finish this trail before Achilles. My body said, "No way, he is way younger and faster then you." My mind said, "Yes that is true but you have more experience and have great endurance." Yes, I decided I will finish before Achilles because the irony of me finishing before him after he decided to leave me because I was slowing him down was too much for me to resist.More climbing. As I climbed up towards the Bigelow Mountains I came upon a Sobo hiker. He was from the area, he pointed at the mountains that I would have to climb over the next few days. The mountains looked intimidating. I continued climbing reaching the summits of North Horn, South Horn, and the West peak of Bigelow Mountain. I camped at Avery Memorial Campsite with two other young hikers that were going to summit Avery tomorrow. Both hikers had thru hiked the AT last year. They were nice and shared some food with me. Before I went to bed I had drank the last of my water. I would have to go to a close by spring tomorrow. Hopefully it won't be dry.
Date: 2016-08-27
From: Harrison's Pierce Camp

To: Moxie Bald Shelter
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: light rain

Hikers started arriving early for the pancake breakfast. I was the only hiker that spent last night at Harrison's Pierce Camp, the other hikers spent the night at campsites and a shelter nearby. Tim, the owner, really takes care of thru hikers. I would recommend his place to anyone. In fact I'm sure I'll return for a fishing trip. The breakfast did not disappoint. I was well fed and though I had limited supplies I felt I now had enough calories to safely skip the next town of Caratunk. After breakfast, it was kind of a race for the hikers that had breakfast to get to the canoe ferry at Kennebec River. The ferry was 3 1/2 miles away. The ferry is a canoe and can only take two hikers at a time. I did not want to wait in a line so I moved well. When I came upon the river bank there were already two hikers there that had spent the night close by. So I was on the second trip across the river. In the afternoon I ran into a AT Ridge Runner that said there was a new system in place for summiting Katahdin. The first step in the system was registering with the AT Conservancy in the town of Monson where you sign up for a summit date. Good information.One of the things I wanted to accomplish this trip was to see a moose. I have yet to do that and there is not much trail left. This is suppose to be moose country but I don't like my chances. I have seen over my hiking experiences a wide variety of animals including mountain lions, big horn sheep, Mexican wolf, javelinas, bobcats, elk, antelope, Gila monsters, dessert tortoise, bears, and many more. I've been in moose country in Yellowstone, Colorado, and now New Hampshire and Maine but I can never find one! Me spotting a moose seems as likely as me winning the lottery. As you can tell this bothers me. Ha!Terrain has been easy. I put in mileage with little effort. I had another early day.