morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-29
From: Bennington, VT

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

Day of missing Ted. Feeling a bit disoriented.Snapped a few photos in town (moose was pretty cool too see in photos). Caught the bus to the trailhead. The driver had a good radio station on (Albany) so at least I was preoccupied on the 10 minute ride. Started the mandatory up from a town. The streams were really flowing after 2 days of rain. Crossed Hell Hollow Brook on the closed bridge which seemed safer than trying to get across the water. Felt like I was going up all day. Stopped for a quick lunch then pressed on. I planned on going to the next shelter but decided that my heavy heart had enough hiking for the day and stopped a bit after 3. I have not strung up my hammock in a long time and figured I might need a while to get it up correctly. I looks OK but the real test is when I climb in to sleep. Cool day and cloudy. Hope I stay warm in all my layers.So what did I do on my zero day? Saw Ted off on his multi bus trip journey, picked up my box from the PO, stopped on the way out of town at a bakery and had a scone, stopped at the deli near the hotel and bought lunch and resupply, the watched all of the Godfather movies and the last half of Gravity.
Date: 2014-07-30
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Stratton Pond shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: overcast clouds

My longest backpacking day ever. Slept OK. Some shivering so I thrashed about in my 20 degree bag and resettled myself in the hammock. The gentle swaying after moving lulled me back to sleep. Decided I was going for big miles so skipped the Glastonbury fire tower and busied myself trying to stay out of the muck. Not supposed to walk outside the trail but at points that was the only option the mud was so deep. Made it to the base of Stratton Mt at 2:30 feeling pretty strong. Put my music on; a mix of Carla and Adam's wedding songs, Billy Joel, Abba and Ace of Base. The climb was 3.6 miles and 1700' gain. After about 1 and 3/4 hours I was ready for the blue skies that appeared after each turn to be the summit. It got steeper and rockier, my breathing heavier and my stops more frequent to sip my electrolyte drink. Then the summit. Hikers resting there convinced me the view was well worth the extra 55 feet. I don't like heights but I dallied just a little up there, the view was amazing. The down was easy, a non muddy woods trail. At the shelter called the hotel to make a reservation and confirm my mail drop had arrived. They could not locate the box and I panicked. They did call back after I went to sleep saying they had received it. Today's acrobatics: back flip into a foot deep wet mud puddle. I was livid, muddy and scraped my elbow. Then after struggling out and restarting came to a tranquil beaver pond and my furry disappeared. Ahh, it's the little things.
Date: 2014-07-31
From: Stratton Pond shelter

To: Peru, VT
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

Early start. A fellow at the shelter offered to drive me to the hotel. He wanted to start at 6. I usually wake early but start slowly as my muscles warm up. About 7 other hikers were in the double decker shelter so I tried to be as quick and quiet as possible. Had to stop for water at the spring by the pond and of course the photo. We hiked nonstop for 3 hours then the other hiker who was getting a ride caught up. He seemed to be going at half speed while the driver and I were pushing ourselves. It never ever ceases to impress me how some make this hiking look so effortless. Reached the parking lot a little after noon. He drove me to the hotel and made sure all was well. All this from someone I met less than 12 hours ago. Checked in, did laundry, got a ride to a good local restaurant and grocery from one of the hotel employees. People are what makes this journey.
Date: 2014-08-01
From: Peru, VT

To: Peru Peak shelter
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: clear sky

First day alone I have enjoyed. Dry (must have used a ream of paper in my boots to dry them), clean, fed and hydrated. Hiked my own hike. My 19 mile day was too fast, I saw nothing except the fire tower. Yesterday was too fast to get to the road on someone else's schedule. Slept like a baby. Breakfast was perfect, a view of the mountains and coffee from a real mug. I could have just sat there all day long. Shuttled to the PO to mail my box then to the trail. The trailhead sign on the kiosk stated the water pump 5 miles away was out of order and no plans to fix it so plan accordingly. I had my sipping water in my reservoir and figured there would be plenty of water opportunities. The 3.5 miles up to the ski lift summit was weird. I could see the lift from my hotel room and fantasized I could just ride it to the top. The day's second up was a bit steeper than I thought it would be. Stopped on the way up to get some water from an intermittent spring. Yummy. At the shelter early. Yesterday my middle left toe was red and swollen. Today when I was hiking I hardly noticed it until the last half mule. Well it is now slightly infected. Sterilized it, lanced it, put antibiotic on it and bandaged it. Hope it heals. The hiker I hiked and chatted with for the last 3 miles had to take a zero for the same problem. Sitting here in the shelter listening to the brook and debating if a book entitled The Conservative Papers would hold my interest. Smurf the caretaker came by to register those at the shelter and collect the $5 fee. Debating tomorrow on how far to go since today went well and was a short day (6 hours of hiking). Some thru hikers had stopped around 5pm and said they had to get going as they had another 9 miles to do today. Amazing!
Date: 2014-08-02
From: Peru Peak shelter

To: Little Rock Pond shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Scenic walk today! Rock scramble to summit of Baker Peak. Well worth it. Clouds low in the valley and yet quite an expansive view. Munched on the few blueberries on the bushes and enjoyed the vista. Next was the new suspension bridge over Big Branch. Boots off lunched at the waterside. Lastly was Little Rock Pond. Quiet and peaceful. Around the lake others were perched on the rocks as I was. I had done my day so just chilled for a few hours lakeside basking in the sun. Leapfrogged all day with the scout troop. It almost became comical that when they rested I would pass then they would all speed ahead of me not 5 minutes later.Wildlife "sightings": a large brown bird took of from a nearby tree and flew into the woods. When it took off its wings made a deep whoop sound. I think it was an owl. Other sighting; moose poo on the trail.
Date: 2014-08-03
From: Little Rock Pond shelter

To: Clarendon shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: broken clouds

Lots to look at today. Stopped at White Rocks to admire the stone work then took the .2 mile side trail to the overlook. Good view. Boots off lunch at Roaring Brook. Airport Lookout had 2 resin chairs so of course I sat down and made a call to family while taking in the view. Clouds were forming. One can only see the sky sporadically when hiking the AT. Next was the swaying suspension bridge over Mill River in Clarendon Gorge.I had planned a 10 mile day but it was too early to stop (2:30) so continued on to the next shelter. I knew there was a sharp but short up and a boulder field to cross. Little did I know there were a series of stone steps up to the boulders. When I reached the shelter I was ready for my day to end. Thunder in the distance as I type this. Once again I am in the shelter. Hoping for a rather big (15+) mile day tomorrow assuming the weather holds, basically a 10 mile up and 5 mile down. I have no plans to take the .2 mile side trail to Killington Peak. Right now everyone is around the fire talking favorite foods. Be still my rumbling stomach.
Date: 2014-08-04
From: Clarendon shelter

To: Churchill Scott
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night on the trail. The pressure sores on my back (more mundane than an infected toe) have worn me down. The pack is 1: too heavy and 2: too big-it hits my boney spine and rubs mercilessly. I fell twice trying to walk hunched over to relieve the pain. I am no longer having fun. Time to end for the time being. The day started early: on the trail by 6:30. Standard walk to the road detour since a bridge was out. The roads were compacted dirt and clearly marked. I had promised myself my music after the detour to help with the remaining 3 1/2 miles up Killington, for a total of 2,000' elevation gain from the shelter. All was a gradual woods walk until the reroute about a mile and a half from the summit. That was a narrow very rooty path recently carved into the hillside. Damp roots are slippery and there was no room for a right foot to slide. Needless to say I walked gingerly and slowly, happy even to see a false summit.Lunched at the Cooper Lodge shelter near the summit. I did not go the extra .2 to the summit especially when a hiker who did said he waited for the clouds to clear but no luck. I watered up with the best cold spring wager yet, put on my rain pants since the skies were looking greyer and the ridgerunner said the chance of thunderstorms was 50%. Of course the sun came back out in 20 minutes. On the opposite end of the spectrum a day hiker in shorts and tank top passed me as the sun was beating down on my black plastic pants. Called Ted from the trail and he will come get me tomorrow. Feeling down that I did not reach NH but if I continue I fear I may injure myself. As Jesse said there still is plenty of hiking time left. So, I need a better fitting lighter pack. I should take my sore skinny self to the outfitter and get a pack that feels good now. Also need to lighten my load, perhaps a quilt vs sleeping bag, a 1 person tent instead of the hammock since I sleep so cold, smaller cookset and carry less food. Overall glad I have been able to have this adventure, meet the wonderful people on and of the trail and have kept my desire to hike on intact.
Date: 2015-05-27
From: home

To: Yellow Deli Rutland VT
Miles today: 0.0

Long travel day. Three train rides, a 2 1/2 hour delay from Penn Station, creeping along due to downed trees on the track and stopping and waiting for other trains to leave the towns stations all make for a lengthy day. On the positive side I did see 2 herons, a swimming beaver and sunset on the Hudson River. Arrived in Rutland over 3 hours late. Tomorrow I hike.
Date: 2015-05-28
From: Yellow Deli Rutland VT

To: Stony Brook campsite
Miles today: 8.1

Tough first day. Mt. Quimby kicked my butt: 1330' ascent. On the bright side I had some pleasant chats with some nice people today. Delightful lunch at Thundering Falls. I think I figured out what was freshly disturbing the leaves on trail; a moose. A pile of moose poo and then no more tracks. Saw a 2nd pile shortly before the shelter. Skies are overcast so here's hoping for dry weather tonight.
Date: 2015-05-29
From: Stony Brook campsite

To: Winturri shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: broken clouds

Last night was interesting. Around midnight I awoke when a large animal rubbed against the rainfly. It was huffing lowly. I turned on my headlamp on and off as quickly as possible, the animal moved. A few minutes later I heard the huffing again and I his time startled the beast with my light flashing. Those were some thumping footsteps. I then lay still, one hand on my headlamp the other clutching my whistle. In the morning the ground was divotted where it took off. My food bag hanging in the shelter was untouched. Moose.Today I climbed 2 ladders. The first was a metal one down a 12' drop. The second was when I had lunch at the Lookout, a cabin built with a 360 view from the roof deck. Yes I was very careful when climbing up and down.Relaxing at the shelter. Tent is drying from the overnight dew, socks are drying from the accidental stream washing, hair is drying from the sweat. One fall today on damp downhill rocks. The pack absorbed 99% of the fall, near my elbow took the rest. I had a visit from a snowshoe hare while sitting near the fire pit quietly reading a book that was in the shelter. The hare was about a foot tall, had long rear legs and huge white back feet. It looked at me then slowly loped under the shelter. Another fine day.
Date: 2015-05-30
From: Winturri shelter

To: Thistle Hill shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

Last evening a couple arrived about 7pm. They were gone at 5am. Amazing! Got wet crossing Pomfret Brook. Just 1 step away from the bank and as I shifted my weight onto a rock it moved, my ankle went where the rock was and I put my other foot in for balance. Water calf deep. Bummer. Wrung out my socks, put on dry and plodded along. I walked the .2 miles to Cloudland Market. They were closing early to go to a wedding so I got my Vermont root beer, thoroughly enjoyed it outside and went on my way. Timing is everything. It may rain tonight so here's hoping the tent keeps me dry. My socks are ever so slowly drying as I keep moving them to the sunny spots.
Date: 2015-05-31
From: Thistle Hill shelter

To: Happy Hill shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

Thunder and lightning on top of me. A few I could hear the lightning crackle and then the reverberating rumbles. Then came the rain. Packed up a wet tent and dry me and off into the mist and dripping vegetation. A few field walks so pants wet up to my thighs. A couple of showers but thankfully I was in the woods so didn't get automatically soaked. Stopped at my destination early. Made some hot chocolate and changed into dry clothes. Wrung out my drenched clothes, aired the tent and fly and relaxed. Set up the tent in the stone shelter for convenience. Short day into town tomorrow.
Date: 2015-06-01
From: Happy Hill shelter

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 6.0

Ahhh. Woke to pounding rain so I did what I love best, pulled the sleeping bag over my head and went back to sleep. Short easy hike through the mist and light rain to Hanover. Coming down Elm Street into the quaint town of Norwich were the friendliest people, saying hi, waving and putting out trail magic. I had a slice of watermelon from one cooler and a sesame bar from another. Thanks! Breakfasted at Lou's (recommend by some Dartmouth students). Very yummy and a free donut to boot. Staying in White River Junction where hotels are a bit more reasonably priced. Clean me, clean laundry and dry gear, ready for my next section.
Date: 2015-06-04
From: Hanover, NH

To: Moose Mt. shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Quiet walk. Three thru-hikers passed me by amiably talking striding uphill while I was gasping. Amazing! So why is there a view? Sometimes it is not due all to nature. 1968 a plane crashed on the south side of Moose Mountain. The top was bulldozed for a helicopter landing area. Then caterpillars killed off some more trees, all this created the opening for a view. A few section hikers at the shelter, they are all doing long sections. We were all amused by the privy.
Date: 2015-06-05
From: Moose Mt. shelter

To: Trapper John shelter
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: light rain

Short day. Decided to leave the steep summit to Smarts Mt. for earlier tomorrow instead of ending my day pathetically trudging up. Not even close to hiking shape. By passed the side trail to Holt's Ledge with its "precipitous drop off" which is also a peregrine falcon rookery. One interesting sign near a road was to please not shoot the tracking collared bears. Hoping for some sun to dry my wet and muddy boots.
Date: 2015-06-06
From: Trapper John shelter

To: Hexacuba shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

My how the weather can change. Started in a cool dampness and occasionally dripped on by last night's rain that clung on to the leaves. Walked through tall wet grass soaking boots and pants. Then up to Smarts Mt. complete with fire warden cabin and fire tower. Sign posted at the base of the mountain said tower closed because it is unsafe and needing repair. So one less decision I had to make. Stopped part way up to put on my rain jacket as it had started to sprinkle and was windy. My thermometer reads 40. Brrrr. Sure glad I was going up the slick rocks and not down.Ate lunch in the cabin and headed down. Not 10 minutes later the sun started to peak through, the wind abated and the temp rose. I did not go back up for the view. It was an easy woods walk down. One scary moment was when I stepped on some new wood planks laid over a boggy area. Surprise, they were just floating! The 2nd board tipped on my first step on it and so did I. Instinctively I went to plant my trekking pole for balance. It went 2 feet deep without any resistance into the mire before I knew it. As I tried to wriggle it free and stay upright the pole seemed to be continuously sucked down. I gave one mighty tug and up it came and I hurried as gingerly as possible to the end of the 6 foot boards. Turns out another hiker who I spoke with later at the hostel had sunk thigh deep.Lots of muck, moose poo and downed limbs and trees. Met The Forest Grump who helps maintain the Trapper John shelter. He and a couple out for a day hike were very friendly and mentioned a few local hikes. Drying out at the spacious shelter. There is a frost warning for tonight so I have put the tent up in the shelter. Beautiful clear blue sky above.
Date: 2015-06-07
From: Hexacuba shelter

To: NH 25
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

What a day. Woke to a glorious sunny morning. Onto the trail at 7:15 with a .3 mile downhill warmup from the shelter. Summited rocky Mt. Cube within the hour. Spectacular. Vistas and even a hot air balloon slowly rising in the distance. Wandered around just a bit on the rocks looking for the 1st cairn down or sight of the trail or a hint of many foot steps worn on the rocks to lead the way. A few false starts into dead end woods paths, then back to the top to scope a new potential route and then right down at my feet an angled white blaze pointing me in the right direction down into the fir trees.Lunch by Ore Hill Brook about 10 miles into my day. Then a big oops. I was bushwhacking around yet another recently downed tree following where others had when my ankle caught on something and down I went but my ankle stayed put. Hope of hope as I hiked downhill that the pain would ease were dashed as I adjusted my stride putting more pressure on my knees. By the time I reached the road I knew I had hiked my last day for a while. Surprisingly I was not as upset as in years past when I had to quit. Perhaps I am getting used to these disappointments, maybe almost expecting them.At the hostel I was greeted by Legion the caretaker who offered encouragement and ice. I called Ted and once again he calmed me and left to come to rescue me. Nice dinner and conversation with Hoot and Sundance who had thoroughly enjoyed their 9.5 mile Mt. Moosilauke slackpack. They left the next morning, that afternoon Piece of Cake (who I had hiked with a few days earlier) and several other hikers arrived.As always my appreciation of the kindness of strangers was renewed, life became simple and routine and the feeling that each day was a minor goal achieved a soothing one. Don't know when I will pack pack again but a few lessons learned. Expect cold weather and carry a better sleeping bag. I was cold in my 45 degree bag plus liner. Tote less food (will I ever?), pack the weight a little lower in my pack and most importantly day hike with full pack myself into better shape.
Date: 2015-03-31
From: 2013 journal (2012, 2013, 2014)

To: Massie Gap / Grayson Highlands
Miles today: 556.0
Weather: clear sky

This is the day before starting my 2015 journal. Didn't know quite what I was doing with previous journal labelled "2013". It actually included 2012, 2013 and 2014. I'm only doing this to try to carry over my miles from the first three years.
Date: 2015-04-01
From: Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands S.P. 

To: Fox Creek / VA 603
Miles today: 9.0

First day of a 43 mile section hike to help connect my dots on the AT. Heading north on a beautiful sunny spring day, I had a very peaceful hike. There were no wild flowers, blossoms, or even ground cover growth, yet the forest was still quite magical. It was just me surrounded by rocks, trees, and last Fall's leaves. I only saw 2 hikers. One was ahead of me pulling away. The other was "Little Debbie", a thru hiker that I spoke to briefly before he zoomed ahead. My wish to see the wild ponies came true. I was up close to 5 of them and saw 6 others. The only other wildlife that I saw was a good size deer.   "Trail Caddy", alias Pete, met me at Fox Creek for a shuttle back to Marion where we spent the night.
Date: 2015-04-02
From: Mt. Rogers Visitor Center / VA 16

To: Atkins, Va. (VA 683, US 11, I81)
Miles today: 11.5

Another perfect weather day for hiking. I jumped ahead to the last section of my 43 miles due to upcoming weather and terrain considerations. I'll hike the middle sections in the next few days. Today's miles were easy except for one steep climb. For me though it was a really tough day due to left knee pain that started at the end of yesterday's hike. During one of my many stops, I soaked my feet in a creek and aired out my socks. That was heaven! While I was blocking the trail across the creek, along came Wallace, the only person I saw all day on the trail. He said I was the only hiker he had seen. I enjoyed passing through rhododendron forests and listening to the babbling creeks. Trail Caddy / Pete arrived early at our pick up point, so hiked in a mile to surprise me with his company. Afterwards we ate at The Barn Restaurant, a hiker favorite right by the trail. We saw Wallace and Little Debbie in there, the only 2 hikers I met in 2 days.
Date: 2015-04-03
From: Atkins, Va. (VA 683, US 11, I81)

To: Marion, VA. near Atkins
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day in Marion....... No miles hiked. Rain and thunderstorms forecast for the day gave me an extra excuse to stay off the trail and let my knee heal up a bit. Pete and I checked out a few neighboring towns including Damascus, where I stayed in a hostel last year. Great memories! Enjoyed some good restaurant food and each other's company. Plan B starts tomorrow.
Date: 2015-04-04
From: VA 670

To: Mt. Rogers Visitor Center
Miles today: 7.9

Relatively easy day today, over mostly soft forest floor. There were just a few climbs. Most of the trail was well drained after yesterday's storms. Hiking several ridges, I had some nice views of the green farmlands and homes down below. Saw lots more rhododendrons, but still no blossoms anywhere. I met Ridge Rambler, a thru hiker recently graduated from Georgia Tech. He moved along quick after our conversation trying to click off big miles to finish in Maine by mid July. Trail Caddy, Pete, hiked out the last mile to meet me. On our way back, we talked to Flat Lander, a section hiker from Nebraska.
Date: 2015-04-05
From: Dickey Gap / VA 650

To: Fox Creek / VA 603
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

I did this section southbound to reduce the downhills for the sake of my knee. I had a long, steeper uphill though. The Comers Creek cascades were beautiful, as were the several streams along the way. Had a great rest stop at the top of Hurricane Mt. (Sunshine, shoes off, snacks, cool water, meditation). Saw 12 hikers and a hiker dog moving northbound on the AT. Had time to talk to Good Night from Berea, Ohio (30 min. from my home), Zipper & Long Horn ( father and son from Texas), K2 from Rhode Island, Froto & his 2 friends (forgot their trail names) from Cape Cod, and Lumaca, a section hiker from N. Carolina. My knee is improving, so should be no problem hiking tomorrow.