morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-06-02
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Churchill Scott Shelter 
Miles today: 14.8

Woke up early and got on the trail by 7. The privy was breathtaking. The climb started immediately on the approach to Killington out of the shelter. It dropped down to a stream and I changed into my crocs to ford it. My feet haven't been properly dry since I got on the Long Trail. Killington is a 3000 ft ascent up another ski slope (like Bromely). It had a few harder ups and really fun tree root ledges at the higher elevation running across the side of the mountain. I felt like I was running over the trail instead of on it at times. There's still plenty of rain water and runoff streams flooding sections of the trail. I've been tiptoeing across rocks the past week trying to keep my feet dry with mixed results, but my legs are noticeably stronger on the elevation.I took lunch on top of Killington climb at the shelter. Very friendly chipmunk lives there. I decided not to do the .2 side trail up to the summit because the rain started as I was eating. I actually stayed pretty dry on the way down. The rain was lightly scattered and made the descent enjoyably cool. It also got rid of the bugs!  I stepped wrong on a log a half mile from camp and took a harder fall than usual. Scraped my knee and landed on my right side. My ankle and knee hurt on the way to camp but don't feel like anything serious.  I'll find out in the morning on the 1.9 miles into town for a much needed shower and Nero (plus Zero!) at the Yellow Deli Hostel. So excited for my toes not to be brown and to have clean laundry and wear dry shoes and FOOD!I need to stop stepping on wet trees and roots... there's never any grip. When is Altra going to put cork on these shoes!?Hopefully I'll get a hitch... I look pretty rusticLeviP.S. Under 500 miles left!
Date: 2019-06-03
From: Churchill Scott Shelter 

To: Yellow Deli at Rutland, VT
Miles today: 1.9

It was cold this morning! I didn't get out of bed till 8.Nice easy miles today. I actually wore my jacket, hat, and pants into town. It was pretty trail and a clear day that reminded me of Fall.My hitch to Yellow Deli was perfect. I was out for maybe two minutes before a great ride came and took me all the way. She was a traveler herself and really enjoys the Yellow Deli.I was given a Mat© when I walked in along with a little basket on my bed with soap, an energy bar, and tea.  I got the longest shower ever. It was wonderful. So great I'm taking another one before I leave. I borrowed some loaner clothes and did laundry along with fluffing my sleeping bag and jacket. I went for chinese food, then resupplied at Walmart (notice how I ate before shopping), and still paid way too much for a simple 3 days of food. There was a barber shop across the street and I paid $12 for a cut, beard trim, AND straight razor shave! With the loaner clothes I looked like a normal person (except for the crocs and baggy shirt). All this was within a half block of the hostel.  The college group from the LT was here when I got back. It really was good to see them again before the trail split. We had dinner together and had a good time with Reddy (country traveler) who was also at the hostel. Ash from the 12 Tribes came to hang out with us for awhile and I got to talk with him a bit about the group (more on that later). I ate home cooked fish chowder from one of the members with smoked herring in it. Really hit the spot! Ordered replacement Altras from REI because mine tore out on the inside of the shoe in less than 30 days. Im hoping it falls under warranty but we'll see. If they don't replace them I'll have paid $120 for a pair of shoes that got me just over 200 miles. Also had to file a claim with the darntuff socks I just got. I'll be sending those off once I get my thicker pair back for the Whites.There's construction happening as the hostel is expanding to accommodate more people. As a result their work crew was hammering past 11pm last night until I went out to explain we hikers try to sleep during those hours. Thankfully they understood (or at least stopped hammering). Levi
Date: 2019-06-05
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: light rain

I'm not exactly sure why I planned things this way. Maybe it was just to see if I could do it. The rain lasted all night. We woke up to two inches of water surrounding the campsite and had to walk through ankle deep water to get to the privy.I didn't leave camp till 8:30. It was muddy and overcast, but the sun came out after awhile and it turned into a great day. I almost forgot it was spring! The trail cut in and out of meadows and farmland, with a bunch of elevation gain and loss going across the mountains instead of in line with the range. There were some great views and plenty of wildflowers. I saw three morel mushrooms but decided not to pick them. I did a total of 6,500 ft elevation gain and 6,000 ft of decent over 22 miles. It was a very long day and took a lot out of me mentally and physically. I felt against the clock all day and had to push to make it to camp by 6:30. It's hard to put the mental aspect on paper. It's only walking with a backpack, but at a certain point in the day there's nothing you can do about the pain and fatigue each step brings. After about 4,500 ft of ascent and decent and 16 miles I hit a wall. My legs were telling my brain to stop walking and my brain was forcing my legs to keep climbing. I used muscles I didn't know I had and hiked farther than I thought I could. Believing I could helped immensely. Made a call home after dinner. Sounded and felt very tired, but I think everything is planned for this coming week.  Took some ibuprofen and fell asleep fast. The mosquitoes were plentiful and I covered up as best I could to avoid bites, but still managed three new bites by morning. Levi
Date: 2019-06-06
From: Yellow Deli at Rutland, VT

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: moderate rain

Breakfast was great (again). Bob, Recon, Stephan, and I caught the 9:15 bus behind the deli back to the trail. The twelve tribes people asked me if I wanted to stay longer, but I managed to slip out the back. A mile into the trail I got a love note from the college group at the AT/LT split. I'm definitely going to miss them. It was a quick few miles to the shelter. Thundering Falls was okay. It was nice to see a handicap accessible section with such a nice water feature. I got to the shelter early afternoon. It took effort to wait for dinner. I tried taking a nap but was woken by three other hikers coming in. Managed to wait till 5 for dinner then went to bed around 7. Fell asleep to rain on the shelter roof.Levi
Date: 2019-06-07
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 14.6

I'm in New Hampshire!Early morning sun came into the shelter and I was up and gone by 7:20. The privy was an interesting octagon shape and had 360 views of the forest. Nothing too hard today, but I am still dragging from yesterday. I noticed it the most on the uphill, like I have nothing left in the tank. I know I was moving fast today, but it felt like I was walking through jello. More farmland today and some road walking into town. The streets in Hanover are busy because it's graduation weekend for Dartmouth. Stopped at the post office for a replacement pair of shoes and returned the old ones that wore out and tore in under a month. Hopefully REI will replace, otherwise I'm going to switch shoe brands again. I won't pay $120 for a pair of shoes that lasts under 250 miles!Went to the Brick and Brew pizza shop and got my free slice along with a large pizza. I ate half and will carry the other half for dinner tonight. Still need to stop at the grocery store before heading out of town. I'm going to try for the small shelter just out of town but might end up camped behind the ball fields. I'm really looking forward to a shorter mileage day tomorrow. I feel entirely spent.Levi
Date: 2019-06-08
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.5

I didn't get out of camp till 11:30 this morning. The mosquitoes are relentless. They don't even stop at night. I woke up with a bite on my eyelid which was through the knit hat I was wearing pulled over my face. I wear earplugs to fall asleep just so I don't hear them buzzing. A guy named Maverick came into the shelter at 9:30 and was up past 11. We then hung around in the morning and I'm sure he didn't leave before noon. I hope he doesn't do the same thing tonight. So far New Hampshire is uneventful. Besides having to wear my bug net round the clock there's not much difference. Looking forward to seeing the Whites soon! I'm glad I planned an easy few days again. I felt good for the second half of the day but it's still clear to me how much I overtaxed myself the past two days.  Ran into a group of section hikers from North Dakota. Looks like we have the same schedule the next 3 days so I'll be getting to know them. They're just setting up their tents and I'm in bed. I hate staying up late because I get hungry again. Today I hit my halfway point! When I started this year I had 868 miles to go and today I hit 434 miles to Katahdin! I could really go for some ice cream. Pretty sure I've killed close to 40 mosquitoes today. Still not enough to stop them buzzing in my ear the whole time I'm writing this. At least the weather is nice! Levi
Date: 2019-06-09
From: Moose Mountain Shelter

To: Fire Wardens Cabin
Miles today: 12.4

New Hampshire delivers.Early morning sun came into the shelter, almost like the sunrise at Riga Shelter, except without as clear of a view. There was a nice bench and the shelter was spacious for just Maverick and I. The privy had no walls. I caught up with the group of 4 sections hikers from North Dakota but they were on a break and all facing me. I thought I had gotten turned around again and was headed south until they said they had left at sunrise (which I went back to sleep for). They were supposed to be heading for this shelter, but I still dont see them yet.New Hampshire doesn't mess around with it's elevation. If it's up, expect to be going near vertical (at increasing intervals) to get there. The first two days have been a more physical challenge and I find myself questioning why I'm doing this hike and why I'm not in shape. I guess one could answer the other, but I really have been struggling to recover since the 22 mile day. I saw a peregrine falcon at the rookery on top of Holts Ledge. Nice views up there.I waded into Grant Brook early afternoon before starting my climb up Smart's Mountain. I was planning on jumping in because it had a nice deep pool, but it was freezing cold. My legs were numb by the time I got out.Ran into FANTASTIC trail magic right before Smart's Mountain! Granite State ('16) and his wife provided an awesome welcome with V8, soda, Gatorade, cookies, sandwiches, and cheetos. Also loaded up with granola bars and M&Ms. It was so well timed for me and I ate everything they offered. I ran a little light on my food bag last resupply but now I'm back in the positive calories! I felt much better after running into them and spent an hour at the road crossing talking and eating.The climb up Smart's was uphill. It really paid off on views and I felt like the effort was well spent. I like the steeper slopes but I still need to find my pace. Everything I've tried so far leaves me out of breath.I climbed the fire tower at the top, went to the cabin (and finally took off my bug net!), grabbed water, and brought my dinner back to the fire tower to eat and call home. I've been at the top of this tower the past two hours watching the sun go down. The wind is blowing a cool breeze through the open windows and I can see for 50 miles in all directions. There aren't any bugs up here. I'm so glad I caught this on a good day. I'm very excited to see what more New Hampshire has to offer. It's beginning to feel like summer. Levi
Date: 2019-06-10
From: Fire Wardens Cabin

To: Ore Hill Campsite
Miles today: 12.4

No one joined me last night so I hope those 4 section hikers are okay. Kinda wish they were here at the campsite now, but looks like I'll be alone again.I slept in today. The cabin was so nice I didn't want to leave. I think I finally started out by 9am. The privy there is missing part of it's roof.Easy downhill started the day. It was warm already but I enjoyed a few miles of moving faster than the bugs. I saw a tail-less snake. I wish I knew how to read omens. I've also seen enough moose dropping to make a moose, but still have yet to see one.Took a morning dip in South Jacobs Brook before climbing up to Eastman Ledges and Mt. Cube which was a phenomenal section for views. I even hiked the side trail to the north summit and caught my first view of Moosilauke! I'll be hiking it Wednesday and the weather looks good!There was a group called the Champagne Hikers up at the top. It's an outdoor hiking group for retirees who meet once a week. On Monday's they do more challenging hikes (and I have to give them a lot of credit for the climb they did). There were maybe 15 in the group and we shared the summit for a good while before they started heading down. Really can't put words to the views here. I am so thankful for these two days of perfect weather.I caught up with the group near halfway down and kinda flip flopped with them when I stopped for water. Talked with a few from the group and ended up keeping pace the last mile or so to the road. They told me about heavy rain tonight and one offered to make some calls. "I'll be in a hotel tomorrow" I said. They were getting in their cars and finding ice cream before dispersing. Any other day I would have jumped in with them, but my parents will be here tomorrow so I'll save the magic for the next hiker they meet. I had two miles to go to my campsite. The trail through here is in sad shape. Even with 3 days of sun the trail was a complete swamp. I took my time and kept my shoes looking nice for one more day. As I was tiptoeing through the forest what did I hear but a bear just 25 yards off the path! I wasn't sure what it was through the trees till I started talking to it. It turned around and looked at me a few seconds before walking deeper into the trees. Probably for the best. I didn't know what to say to a bear anyways.So now I'm here at my tentsite wishing it was still a shelter (burned down in 2011) not half a mile from that bear. The bugs were an absolute cloud around me as I setup my tent. I haven't left since I got it set up. I ate dinner, got limited cell service, and keep imagining I hear a bear when it's just the chipmunks. The rain is due to start any minute. I hope I picked a dry site. Could really go for the cabin last night right about now. Can't win them all. Still a pretty awesome day for hiking!Levi
Date: 2019-06-11
From: Ore Hill Campsite

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 7.2

So it rained... a lot.I slept through the night wearing ear plugs but in the morning I woke up to a pond around my tent. The rain came in the tent from the bottom and my sleeping pad became a life raft. Luckily my sleeping bag stayed dry.I should have slept in the privy. It was big enough to sleep in, didn't smell, and was dry. I didn't know all this till morning so instead I packed up wet gear in the rain. My pack weighed an extra five pounds with all the water weight. I made a bad decision and didn't wear my arm sleeves or bandana (which means no bug net). I made the assumption the mosquitoes wouldn't be out in the downpour. I was wrong. I tried hiking faster than they could fly. I couldn't. Every step sideways or into mud that slowed me for a moment cost another bite. The trail was a complete swamp. At one point I was up past my calf in mud and water. I didn't stop all morning. I flat out hiked the whole distance without breaks or snacks. I was really pissed at the whole experience. I got to the hostel well before noon. After a really wonderful hot shower I set about washing the mud off my stuff and getting it dry. Some of this was with the drier and some was with the sun (which came out a few hours later).I ate snacks from the hostel and hung out with Maverick and Stephan for the afternoon. My parents arrived around 4. We made a wrong turn out of the hostel and turned around to find a bear on the road. Five minutes and they see a bear! It took me over a month.Halfway to the hotel we stop again. This time it's a moose. YUP. A moose. I saw a moose and a bear within an hour of each other. My Dad is thinking about starting a safari company. I feel like I've been doing something wrong by hiking to find wildlife. I should have just jumped in the car. Dinner was really good! We went to Thai 9 in Lincoln. We packed our bag for the morning and organized some new gear once we got to the hotel. The bed was wonderful. I haven't slept that comfortable since I left. Next up, Moosilauke!Levi
Date: 2019-06-12
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.5

I slackpacked Moosilauke with my Dad and it was FANTASTIC!The day was perfect. We hit it south bound which was a lot more enjoyable. It was steep heading up but it followed a waterfall and had really nice steps that were dry and bug free.The views were great! We could see for at least 50 miles. Stephan joined us for the day and acted as photographer for our hike. We even went out to the South peak for bonus miles and more views.Great day for hiking! We got done around 5 and went for an awesome dinner to celebrate my birthday a little ahead of time. I had a 20 ounce steak with blue cheese and it was perfect.The hotel bed was soooooo comfortable. We got our bags ready for the next two days and got some great sleep.Levi
Date: 2019-06-13
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 8.5

Today was hard.We got a late start because I was trying to plan out the Whites. My Mom dropped off a mail drop at one of the visitors centers for me after she dropped us off at the trail. We started around 10.The day was cold and windy and raining. Again, New Hampshire trail went strait up with rocks and streams coming down the mountain. It was not an easy place to start backpacking.We made it to the top of Mt. Wolf but there was nothing to see. My raingear was soaked through and I was really cold. The wind wasn't helping.I didn't take many pictures at all. My hands weren't working well and there wasn't mich to photograph except steep rocky trail.Just as we got off the mountain and hit the flat stretch before the shelter the sun came out. It was very unexpected and I was thankful for the warmth. We were joined by Brave Heart and 6 Wheel at the shelter. They had a similarly terrible day heading south and told us about how rough the trail was we would hit tomorrow.The shelter site was pretty and the shelter itself was spotless and well built. Looking forward to the rest of the Whites!Levi
Date: 2019-06-14
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 8.8

Today was the hardest trail I've done to this point and my Dad did it anyways.We started around 9. I think getting out of a sleeping bag is just way harder the day after a cold, rainy, day.The trail up was rocky and full of water again. The weather was mostly overcast in the morning but the wind was calm. The trail going up was steep! There were a lot of parts where we had to use our hands to pull ourselves up or step down.Up on the top we actually caught half a view! It was unexpected and really cool to see a cloud blowing across the ridge in front of us like a wall of fog, then dissipating into a sunny view of the town below. I took a lot of pictures, but settled on the action shot of my Dad conquering the steep trail because that was definitely the highlight of these two days.It was seriously hard trail. All the other hikers I've talked with agree this has been the most difficult, technical section in the last 1,800 miles. The rocks were slick from all the rain, plus the streams coming down the middle of the trail. We crossed 3 or 4 "rivers" as my Dad called them by doing some careful rock hopping. Our feet stayed mostly dry.The rain was on and off in the afternoon but never turned into anything serious. We stopped in one of the AMC huts to check it out and I got free coffee cake and lasagna! Those places are awesome! Super friendly croo. I'll be trying to stay at the huts as much as possible.My Mom picked us up on the side of a very busy highway just before the state trooper "gave us a courtesy ride". I dropped my stuff off at the hostel and went out for chinese before saying goodbye.It was great having my parents out for the week! I wish it was an easier introduction to the hiking life, but my Dad never complained. He had a few hard falls and left some blood on the trail but enjoyed it all the same. I was so glad to have his company and we definitely had a shared experience.I'm at the hostel now staying up late getting my laundry done and catching up on posts. I hooe I have reception but otherwise I'll still be heading north tomorrow.Levi
Date: 2019-06-15
From: Franconia Notch

To: Geefield Ridge campsite
Miles today: 10.3

Limited service through here so I'll make it short.Busy trail! Climbed Lincoln, Laffayette, and Garfield. Amazing weather, crystal clear. Saw 100+ people.Hiked with Stephan in the morning along with Turkish for the day. Good pace for starting at 10. Got into camp by 4. Hiked 5200 vertical feet and 2000 decent. Sore knees. Lots of pictures. Ate a snowball.On a private bench at the shelter on a boulder overlooking the mountains where I found service. Wow! You guys should check this place out.Levi
Date: 2019-06-16
From: Geefield Ridge campsite

To: Zealand Falls Hut
Miles today: 9.7

Rainy night. I didn't sleep well at the shelter. I got started around 9.Quick downhill with a stream running down the trail for the first mile.I stopped in Galehead Hut but they didnt have any food. I had a snack and chatted with some section hikers.Nothing to see on top of South Twin. I caught half a view going over Guyot. Ran into Stephan and hiked with him for the remainder of the day to Zealand Falls Hut. Really easy trail and I got there at 3:30. Thankfully they took me gor a work for stay early.I hung out on the porch till after dinner. Listened to a talk by the croo memeber about how they pack gear in and what they pack out. Saw the packboard they use to carry gear and supplies up to the hut.Pretty location! Runs off of hydroelectric.Dinner was great! Stuffed shells with meat sauce, salad, and bread. There was a tray of zucchini bread for desert. All you can eat!It was an okay croo. Pretty young group. I scraped out the freezer as my chore which took about an hour. Pancho and Fair Forecaster joined me in the work for stay.The dining area was small but I was able to find a place out of the way. Thankfully the guests went to bed at 9:30. Unfortunately, the croo decided to throw a midnight party in the kitchen. Pretty sure another croo had night hiked in. They were pretty roudy and woke us up.We were woken again at 5 and had to pack up and get out of the dining area. I got about 4 hours of sleep. I decided to hike out with Fair Forecaster instead of waiting till 9 for breakfast scraps.Levi