morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-08-25
From: Mile 1777.4

To: Jeffers Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.7

An exhausting day covering lots of miles over relatively nice ground. The weather is too perfect to last. Lots of day hikers out along with more groups of backpacking students. Met NOBO Tapioca and leapfrogged Pepper several times. Rock Hopper and her dog Daisy provided some Gaitoraid at a road crossing, I've seen them almost everyday for a week as they provide support for a NOBO who always seems to be just ahead of me. The hard work today got me to the base of Mt. Moosilauke and sets me up well to get up and over it safely tomorrow. Dave sent a message from back home warning me that the terrain on the other side is very difficult: good intel Dave, thanks!Time to rest my weary bones...
Date: 2018-08-26
From: Jeffers Brook Shelter

To: Mile 1801.9
Miles today: 8.8

Wow, what a difficult day. Getting up and over Mt. Moosilauki was as difficult as Dave said it would be. Thanks to his warning I hiked further yesterday so I could take my time today on the treacherous descent. It was the trickiest piece of trail so far requiring sustained mental effort to see several steps ahead, planning where to put my feet on and amongst the slippery rocks like blocks in a game of Tetris.The weather was nice and there were lots of hikers out and about. I saw Fishears, Roadrunner and her dog Daisy and finally ran into Route 66 (the hiker Roadrunner is supporting).I also met two women participating in an LLBean sponsored thru hike relay. They are Gogo (Zulu for Grandma, I'm told) and Naddy and are equipped with matching purple packs and other gear courtesy of the Bean. They're taking video, maybe some of it is, or will be, up on the corporate site. From the top of the mountain today I could see the next challenge, The White Mountains, off in the distance. They sure look big, best get my beauty sleep. Onward tomorrow...
Date: 2018-08-27
From: Mile 1801.9

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 11.2

Another very difficult day, even more so than yesterday. I was mistaken when I mentioned looking ahead to the White Mountains, these ARE the White Mountains. They kinda snuck up on me!Anyhows, did I mention that it was a tough day? Can't say it enough, if the last two mountains had been in Georgia I'd have gone home the first week. As I was clambering through the boulders and mud on today's endless 4000 footer I realized that other than occasional knee pain my legs don't complain at all, they just keep doing whatever I ask them to do. The problem is that it takes more and more willpower every day to ask them to do it.It occurs to me that even with a bad shoulder I'm in the best shape of my life. A pretty bold statement at age 55 but it's true. I'm also sure that I'll never be in this good a shape again so I'd best keep going. Any other me, past or future, could never ever put in this effort day after day so it's now or never.On a lighter note I ran into another group of hiking students singing Taylor Swift. This group didn't stop singing when they saw me. I told them about the other group and said (jokingly as we passed), "Kids these days don't even know good music, get off of my trail!" Some of them got it. Most of the hikers I saw today were slack packing this section. They chose...wisely. Four more trail names for you: Maxi, Mountaingoat, Gutpunch, and Squirrel.I'm almost out of food so a trip into Lincoln, NH tomorrow is in order. I'll likely stay the night and might ZERO to rest the shoulder. We'll see...
Date: 2018-08-28
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter 

To: Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 4.9

I took my sweet time coming down off the mountain today and am now relaxing in a hotel in Lincoln, NH. Getting a ride into town from the trail (6 miles) was a bit tricky. The highly advertised Appalachian Mountain Club Shuttle turned out to be completely useless: "The afternoon shuttle doesn't go to Lincoln"...what? It's the only town here! Three shuttle and taxi companies didn't answer my call, the fourth suggested Uber. After an hour of trying an Uber driver responded and came for me: he's the only Uber driver in Lincoln and had just got off from his day job. I think most of the other hikers hitched but I just don't feel right doing that, tried once before with no success. Once in town I got cleaned up and walked to an outfitter to buy a new water filter, my old one is getting slow. Then I went to a restaurant for a beer and a burger. On the way back from there I went to another restaurant for another beer and a salad. I'm full now. And sleepy. While still on the trail this morning I met a SOBO flip-flop hiker from Phoenix named Woody. He hiked from Harpers Ferry to Georgia on his first leg and is now headed from Maine back to Harpers Ferry. He seemed familiar, I think met him down south. We shared info on trail conditions and wished each other luck. I'm a bit dinged up so I'm taking a zero tomorrow. I'll be at high altitudes for the next week without much chance for rest. Good night...
Date: 2018-08-29
To: Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 0.0

It was hot today, a good day to be off the trail. Got my shopping done and I'm all ready to go. I went to the movies for some mindless entertainment: The Meg. Did you ever wonder if they play a movie when nobody comes? They do. I walked in just as the movie was starting and was the only person there, got a great seat. With help from the hotel front desk I was able to arrange for a ride back to the trail in the morning so I won't have to hitch. It's up, up and up into the realy big mountains tomorrow...one step at a time...Note: I very much appreciate the comments left on the message board here. I check it all the time and get a kick when there's a new one. I decided not to use social media for my daily updates and started this journal so I could easily send one way updates, like post cards, to my family and friends. I'm really surprised that so many people are following along. It makes me very happy, thank you!
Date: 2018-08-30
From: Liberty Springs parking area @ Rt 93

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 10.0

Holy cows, yet another day where it got more difficult! How many more can there be? I was dropped off in the morning rain with a 3800ft climb ahead of me in the 6 miles to the top of 5260ft Mt. Lafayette. Then it would be another 4 miles of ups and downs until the campsite. The rain soon stopped and Mr. Sun shone for a bit as I climbed into the clouds. By the time I got to the top visibly was about 100ft with 30-40mph winds and higher gusts. It was chilly and the wind drove the moisture like rain. I took a few quick pictures and some video then put the phone away to keep it dry. The wind knocked me off balance a few times, once I stumbled into a jagged rock tearing a small hole in one of my my new shoes. Occasionally the trail wound through boulders which blocked the wind and I stopped to snack and rest.It went on that way for hours until I got back down below tree line where the terrain got very difficult on Mt. Garfield. I made it to camp and set up just as it got dark. It's cold tonight. More of the same tomorrow as I approach Mt. Washington. Just keep movin my feets...
Date: 2018-08-31
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite

To: Goyot Campsite
Miles today: 5.6

The weather was excellent today, cool and clear with great views of distant peaks including Mt. Washington. Unfortunately my energy level was very low. I recognized early on that forcing miles would not be good for body or spirit so I walked slowly and stopped often to take in the beauty.I'm at an official campsite about a mile off the trail tonight. The camps here in the White Mountains are operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). They charge a small fee to cover the cost of maintenance and staffing. Some thru hikers scoff at the idea of paying to camp but I don't mind paying for bear proof food storage, convenient access to water, and a privy. It's worth noting though that these things are available for free along most of the AT, why it's not the case here is a mystery to me. The AMC also maintains a series of "Huts" that offer meals, lodging, and nice bathrooms. You need reservations to stay overnight there and the cost is over $100 a night. Thru hikers can eat leftovers and sleep on the floor by doing chores, it's called "work for stay" and is only available for 2 or 3 each night. I payed to join the AMC to give myself the option of staying in the expensive Huts if I needed to - I need all the help I can get. Unfortunately my timing is bad and they are all booked for Labor Day Weekend. I did stop at the Galehead Hut this afternoon for a $1 cup of coffee and sat on the porch for well over an hour enjoying the view. While there I chatted and shared trail info with several passing hikers including "127" (SOBO). I came across chicken sized bird standing in the middle of the trail. It just stood there looking at me, like chickens do, and only moved to avoid getting stepped on. As you know, I left my Field Guide to North American Birds at home (too heavy) so I can't identify it. I'll call it a Trail Chicken. Hopefully I'll have more energy tomorrow. I'm getting close to Mt. Washington and I'd like to tackle that challenge before this spell of good weather passes. Fast or slow, on we go...
Date: 2018-09-01
From: Goyot Campsite

To: Ethan Pond Shelter
Miles today: 9.0

September. When I started this I figured I'd be near the finish line by now. Sorry Joyce, I'm doing the best I can. Cloudy but cool today, a good day for walking. The mountains are crowded with weekend hikers. I must have passed over a hundred people, no kidding. It's weird but I've been outside inthe clean air so long I can smell them coming. So many people use Tide! I didn't see anyone who looked like a thru hiker all day. I did see a pair of Trail Chickens. Same as yesterday they just stood there...looking at me. I think they're up to something. I stopped mid-day at Zealand Falls Hut for a bowl of soup, coffee, and some snacks to beef up my food bag. It was a flurry of activity there with overnight guests leaving for and returning from short hikes on the many trails crisscrossing the area. Hoping for a very early start tomorrow I arrived at this camp and retired before sunset to get plenty of sleep. Unfortunately a large and loud group of Dartmouth students are camped nearby. Oh well, they're just having a good time. At least they're not singing Taylor Swift. Yet...
Date: 2018-09-02
From: Ethan Pond Shelter

To: Nauman Campsite 
Miles today: 9.3

Goal achieved: hit the trail at 7am and arrived here at 4pm. Set up, ate, and got things organized for another early start tomorrow. I'll need it as it's at least 12 miles to the next stop with towering Mt. Washington in the way. This morning at a road crossing I got some great Magic from Stitches (NOBO class of 1999). She had soda, doughnuts, and a bag of baby carrots (I so miss baby carrots). She also shared info on conditions ahead and suggested I consider flipping up to Katahdan soon and hiking south to finish up. I'm glad she brought it up as it's something I've got to consider. For those who don't know: the top of Mt. Katahdan, the tallest peak in Maine, is the official end of the AT. The mountaintop is normally snowed in by mid to late October but some years winter arrives in late September. When that happens thru hikers have to wait at the base of the mountain, sometimes for a week or more, hoping for a break in the weather so they can sprint up the last 6 miles to the finish line. I've always imagined finishing my adventure there but at my current pace I won't get there for over a month. I'd be a shame if I got all the way to the base of Katahdan only to have Snow Miser slam the door in my face...he's too much. Something to think about while I walk. Today's cool trail names are Thumper and Tuffy, both NOBO. Tomorrow I cross Mt. Washington. They claim it's the place with the worst, most dangerous weather on earth. The forecast looks good so let's continue...
Date: 2018-09-03
From: Nauman Campsite 

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.8

Wow. What a day! I was up at 5am and on the trail at 6:45. Yeah, it takes me a long time to get going. I've given up trying to figure out why...just is. By 8:00 I was over Mt. Pierce and Above tree line where I remained for the rest of the day. By 9:00 I was in the clouds, it was windy and damp and got wetter as I climbed.  I stopped at Lake of the Clouds Hut at 10:00 for a bowl of soup, a brownie, and a cup of tea. I was mindful to eat something at least every hour all day to keep my energy level up, I would need it. At noon I arrived at the top of Mt. Washington. Visibility was less than 100ft and the place was mobbed with tourists who had driven or taken the train up. It was bizarre being amongst so many people so suddenly. There was a line of perhaps 50 people waiting to take a picture in front of a sign right outside the gift shop marking the summit. I went to the cafeteria for pizza and chili and answered random questions from several people about my hike (I'm a rock star, a smelly rock star). Then I headed back out into the fog, took some pictures, and wandered around looking for the trail: it was behind the gift shop and I had to cut through the picture line to continue my journey. Then just like that I was alone again in the cloud.In a few hundred yards I came to the train tracks. The grade is so steep that the train runs up a set of cogs between the rails. I could hear one coming so I waited to take a picture. As it emerged from the fog the conductor pointed at me and everybody waved and took MY picture (rock star). I've heard that it is customary for thru hikers to moon the train as it passes. It goes by so slow though...there must be some awfully cold butts and long awkward moments...just waiting for it to be over. The terrain on the descent was awful. Soul and sole wearing jagged rocks, at least they were rough enough so that traction was not a problem. Oh, did I say "descent"? It was thousands of feet down then UP again time after time over the same rugged rocks all afternoon. I did eventually come down out of the cloud and the views were spectacular. Some rain came through and I spotted a rainbow alongside Mt. Adams, got a great picture! My plan was to get below tree line on the other side of Mt. Madison. Yesterday Stitches had warned me not to underestimate the difficulty of that particular section so my intention was to find a camping spot when I got into the woods and finish going down in the morning. Another option would be to stop early and try to get an expensive bunk at The Madison Springs Hut which is 1.5 miles above tree line. About 5:00, as I was nearing the Hut, I heard thunder and could see a storm approaching across the mountains. I kicked it into high gear and got to the Hut just before the wind, lightning, and downpour arrived. So that decided it. I'm here tonight, they say it's the first night since June that they have open bunks - sold to capacity all summer. Lucky me! My stay includes a great dinner and breakfast in the morning. Then I'm off again...
Date: 2018-09-04
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: Joe Dodge Lodge
Miles today: 7.8

Boy am I glad I stopped at that Hut last night, not that I had much choice. A few other hikers went on into the storm figuring that the weather would improve below tree line. It did not and they spent an uncomfortable, if not dangerous night in the storm (I saw them today and they're ok). I was in my expensive bunk looking out as the storm lashed the mountain with 70mph winds - worth every penny. By morning all was calm and the sun came out providing incredible views back to Mt. Washington and into the valley below. Most of today's hike involved a very steep hike over Mt. Madison and down into Pinkham Knotch where I'm staying tonight. My knees are in bad shape after all the rough trail recently. I bought enough food for 3 days and have 21 miles to the next stop. The mountains ahead are smaller but just as rugged as those I just got through. Just put one foot in front of the other...
Date: 2018-09-05
From: Joe Dodge Lodge

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 5.9

As advertised the trail is very difficult here but the weather is absolutely perfect...for now.My sore knees want to take another zero but I cant loose momentum right now so I'll cut the miles down for a few days instead. The views back towards Mt. Washington as I climbed out of Pinkham Notch were awesome. I can't believe I was just walking around way up there.For much of the day I leapfrogged Thumper and two NOBO couples: Bunny Tracks, Bear, Sassy, and Easily Forgotten. I sat with them all a couple of times to rest and enjoy the company and good conversation. We are all about the same age and seem to be moving at the same pace so I hope to see more of them in the coming days. I stopped at the Carter Notch Hut for another fairly expensive night. Thumper is here too but the others stopped to camp at a stealth site nearby. Getting dinner and breakfast here will save my food supply in case I can't get to the next stop before the weekend. Because of the rocky terrain it's especially important now to pay close attention to my knees and restrict the miles as needed. A group of SOBO hikers told me over dinner that the trail doesn't really get much easier for a few hundred miles. It's gonna be a tough slog but I got this, I think...all I can do is all I can do!
Date: 2018-09-06
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: Imp Campsite 
Miles today: 7.1

Another knee wrecking day of scrambling over and through the steep, wet, and rocky terrain. Thunderstorms rolled through before noon and the mountains were enveloped in clouds the rest of the day. Thumper and Bo-Diesel (great name) have moved ahead but I spent break times with Bunny Tracks, Sassy, Bear, Easily Forgotten, and Claudia. All of them are also camped nearby as is a group of 20 or so high school sophomores. Tomorrow I'm headed to a Hostel for shower, shopping, and laundry. The others are likely doing the same. On we go...
Date: 2018-09-07
From: Imp Campsite 

To: Rattle River Hostel 
Miles today: 8.2

It was cold this morning, a reminder that pleasant hiking days are numbered. The mountains have me pretty beat up and I reluctantly concluded that a zero is necessary - just had to coax my sore knees over one more set of peaks then down to the Rattle River Hostel, right on the trail, for food and rest. I wisely called ahead early to reserve a bunk, others did not and had to find their way 5 miles down Rt. 2 into the town of Gorham for accommodations.On the trail I met several people including SOBOs "Mexican Maynor(sp?) and Tommy. Tommy provided some good info regarding my potential flip to Katahdin. Today's leapfroggers were Bo-diesel, Stryder, Bunny Tracks, Sassy, Bear, Easily Forgotten, and Claudia.Easily Forgotten is suffering from a badly pulled quad muscle which makes going downhill very painful, if not impossible. I wish I'd thought of it earlier but late in the day I remembered I had an ace bandage that the hospital gave me to control the swelling after my snake bite. I'd never used it so I dug it out and gave it to him to wrap his leg. It worked! He made it down and my pack is 3oz lighter, everybody wins. I got to the hostel at 5:00 to see several familiar faces. Some, including Jingles (NOBO from CA), zeroed today and are heading onward in the morning. I showered, changed into some "loaner" clothes, left my laundry in the bin to be washed overnight, then caught the 6:00 shuttle to Walmart where I bought food for dinner and lunch tomorrow (breakfast is provided). It was a pleasure working in the kitchen as we all prepared our individual feasts. After eating I sat in a very comfy chair to compose this while episodes of  "The Office" played on TV. Tomorrow I'll rest, take inventory, then catch another shuttle to Walmart to buy food for the next leg. Zzzzzzzzz...
Date: 2018-09-09
From: Rattle River Hostel 

To: Gentian Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 11.7

Had a restful zero yesterday, it was needed. After breakfast I hit the trail with a spring in my step. Predictably the spring lost some of its temper on the first of several long rugged climbs but I powered through with the help of candy bars. I got a mental boost passing the 1900 mile mark, 290 to go!The woods here are very thick and feel more wild and remote than any part of the trail so far. I passed by a few beaver ponds that moose are said to frequent. Didn't see beavers or moose but I did see people: Autumn and One Foot! They, along with Bunny Tracks, Bear, Sassy, and Easily Forgotten (whose leg is much better after a day of rest), are nearby tonight. Rain is coming in tomorrow afternoon to wet things down as we leave New Hampshire and enter Maine. Most of us are planning 9.6 miles tomorrow to get positioned for a tough scramble through piles of boulders at Mahoosuc Notch on Tuesday. The Notch is reported to be the most difficult mile on the entire trail. Great. Let's continue...
Date: 2018-09-10
From: Gentian Pond Shelter 

To: Full Goose Shelter 
Miles today: 9.6

It just keeps getting harder, with much more to come. It's tough to keep the negativity at bay when the miles are so difficult. Whenever I check the GPS trail guide my progress is disappointing...I feel like I'm 8 years old asking my parents over and over, "Are we there yet?"..."No."Nonetheless: I got another boost today by crossing into Maine, that was nice...and there was another Trail Chicken. Or is it the same one following me? Hmmmm...Pretty much the same group are here at the shelter area tonight. There's talk of not hiking at all tomorrow due to the weather. Its absolutely dreadful out tonight with a cold wind driving the rain sideways. There was no room in the shelter when I arrived so I'm hanging between the sturdiest trees I could find. Still, as they bend in the wind my hammock bounces up and down, it's gonna be a long night and maybe a long day tomorrow waiting out the storm. On we go...but maybe not till Wednesday...
Date: 2018-09-11
From: Full Goose Shelter 

To: Full Goose Shelter 
Miles today: 0.0

There were almost 20 people holed up in and around the shelter last night. By noon the rain ended and most everyone left to tackle famously difficult Mahoosuc Notch. I decided to wait until tomorrow to give myself all day to get through as did Bunny Tracks, Bear, Sassy, and Easily Forgotten (it seems they'll be around for a while so I'll call them the Fantastic 4, or maybe the 4 Amigos, or Horsemen. I don't know, something will click). This is the first time I've zeroed on the trail, it was really nice, had a super long afternoon nap and ate well. I've got enough food so as not to worry, in fact I've been carrying too much food since I made the error of not eating enough back NJ/NY. Now my pack is too heavy. It's always something.
Date: 2018-09-12
From: Full Goose Shelter 

To: Speck Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 5.1

Today's 5.1 miles took almost 8 hours. Because of yesterday's rest I'm not too tired or beat up, that's nice! The most difficult single mile of the whole AT proved to be just that. It took almost 3 hours to get over, under, and through the jumble of boulders at Mahoosuc Notch. I actually enjoyed the challenge of spotting the safest and most efficient way through: a pleasant change from the straight up drudgery of the past few weeks.After conquering The Notch I tackled one of the steepest climbs on the entire trail up Mahoosuc Arm then went down again to the shelter. The 4 Amigos were with me most of the day and the 5 of us have made reservations at a hostel tomorrow. The plan is to use the hostel as a base to *slack pack for at least 3 days to ease the strain of getting through the tough mountains ahead - we're all about the same age and 1900 miles has taken a toll!It's a short hike to our arainged pick up at Grafton Notch tomorrow. I've not yet hiked as part of a group and I'm looking forward to the company. Let's continue...*"Slack packing": getting dropped off at a trailhead, hiking all day carrying only minimal supplies, then getting picked up in the evening, in this case to be taken back to the same hostel.