morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-12
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 7.0

This morning the weather outside continued to look disgusting. We were all wondering how we would make it over Washington to even Madison Hut. After finishing my work for stay a little before 9am, I headed out into the blowing rain. It wasn¢t a good start to the day since I couldn¢t find the trail after the first cairn and then I stepped into 2 12 feet of water.About 34 of the way up Washington, I could tell where the sun was in the sky and I was thinking to myself: ¢The sun is fighting another losing battle with the clouds.¢ However, in the span of about five minutes the clouds blew away and it was a beautiful sunny day with blue skies.At the peak of Washington, we could see for miles. Never in my wldest dreams could I have predicted this. I was fully prepared for a washout with viewless, windy and cold summits. I was absolutely and completely blown away. This day was incredible!!!! I found it ironic that Mt. Washington claims to have the worst weather, but this was clearly the best weather we had seen in the Whites.Going over the Presidential Range, we could see Mt. Washington from every angle. There was actually a little bit of snow in the crevices. The Presidentials were breathtaking. A beautiful day for the most beautiful section.When we got into Madison, it was still early (about 1:30pm). However, Taco realy wanted to experience the huts, Pa Bert¢s knees hurt and I had a migraine. We were able to work out a way to stay (If you are the third person , try offering an amount of money just to sleep on the table). The hut ¢croos¢ seem to be really nice and accommodating. It is absolutely an advantage to hit the huts during the off-season.We spent the afternoon with a troop of Boy Scouts coming up for a 3-day trip. They had left at 7:45am from Pinkham Notch. Most of them arrived at about 3pm or so, but two of their leaders didn¢t show up until after 7pm. It was amazing that they made it up over 2500 feet at the age of 70. Tomorrow they are going to leave before breakfast as to not hold up the rest of the troop. Soon, the cozy hut was inundated with 44 people including more than two dozen 7th and 8th graders on a school trip. It certainly was interesting.In the evening I watched the sunset from a pile of rocks near the hut while Taco climbed up Mt. Madison. The beautiful orange and red sun fading away over the mountains was just a perfect ending to a perfect day.
Date: 2006-06-13
From: Madison Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: mist

This morning Pa Bert and I made the decision to go to Pinkham Notch. The trails were extremely confusing. After summiting Madison, I began going down a trail to the left until I realized that there was a trail following the ridgeline. I yelled up to a hiker on top of the ridge to ask which of the trails was the AT. He was able to direct me to the right one. Later on, the AT came to and unmarked intersection. Over the next several miles there were trails after trails that intersected or branched off the AT. Taco was ahead of Pa Bert and I, yet we weren¢t sure that he was on the right trail since we didn¢t see his tracks in the mud. However at Pinkham Notch, we saw that Taco had signed the register.Arriving at the notch at only 1pm, Pa Bert decided to go on. I was going to follow him, but I weighed the costs and benefits. The only other place to go was Carter Notch Hut. I knew that I was going to be the third thru-hiker and didn¢t want to ask for work-for-stay when the hut system had been so nice to me before. I would have had to pay $25 just for a roof over my head. At Pinkham Notch, $51 gives you a bed with sheets, breakfast, dinner, and a shower with a towel. This really is a great deal. The dinner especially was awesome ¢ four courses of pure delight.The Joe Dodge Lodge was nearly perfect except for one little thing. As I was packing my bag, my shoulders began to itch And then my legs and chest. Soon, my whole body was itching. Welts were all over me. I ran to the shower. After several minutes of hot water and soap, the itching subsided. Back in the room, I realized that it was these tiny bugs biting me. I killed one and it could actually fit on the blue line on a piece of lined paper. I quickly closed my window. The rate of bites went down. Jumping under the sheets, it was OK (though I was burning up). Other than this, Pinkham Notch was great.
Date: 2006-06-14
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Gorham
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

Since I packed my bag last night, I was able to wake up at 6:20 for the 6:30 AYCE breakfast. Last night we ate dinner with about a dozen people, but as the breakfast buffet opened only Rubadubdub and I were there. I would have thought that hikers would want to eat an early breakfast so that thy could get an early start on the trail.After eating my fill and then some, I wasn¢t able to leave until about 8am. The morning climb up the Wildcats was not too bad because I was fresh and full of eggs, yogurt, and fruit. I knew that the five Wildcat peaks were part of a ski resort, but except for one lift that came right next to the trail, I couldn¢t even tell I was near a ski area.The drop into Carter Notch was especially steep, but the view was incredible. Stop by the hut for a great view of the lake and steep notch mountainside. When I was there, the hutmaster said that Pa Bert, Taco and Mr. Pizza had planned to meet at Mr. Pizza at 7pm. It was at this point that I got thinking: ¢It¢s only noon now; Gorham is just 15 miles away! I can make it to Gorham by 7pm.¢ Once I had this idea of a large pizza and hiker company in my head, nothing was going to stop me.I raced up and down the Carters quickly admiring the great scenery. I decided to go to Imp Campsite because I needed water. However, it is about 14 mile off the trail, not the 500 feet Wingfoot says. The shelter was really nice though. It had double bunks and even a nice carved wooden seat.I left Imp at about 3:30pm and I knew that it would be close in getting to the road by about 6:45pm. What made it even more difficult was the fact that there were dozens of huge nearly impassable blowdowns. One, I had to lay flat on my stomach and just wiggle through.Towards the end of the hike, my knees were really starting to kill me, so I was taking it slow. However, as I got around Rattle River Shelter, the swarms of bugs began to eat me alive. Somehow my body overrode the knee pain and I just booked the last mile to the road. It was 6:50pm when I got there, but it wasn¢t until a couple of minutes after 7pm, that I got a ride from this nice gentleman who was on his way to a book club meeting. Though he was running late, he dropped me off right at Mr. Pizza.At the restaurant I looked around but couldn¢t find my friends. At 7:15 I just gave up and decided to eat on my own. Later I found out that Taco had been given a gift certificate to J¢s, and everyone had decided to eat there.At Hiker¢s Paradise hostel we had Taco, Running Bear, and Tom (a dayhiker/mountain climber). Pa Bert had to stay at the Barn because his package was sent there.
Date: 2006-06-15
From: Gorham

To: Gorham
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a really nice, relaxing and fun zero day. Taco and Running Bear decided to spend another day at Hiker¢s Paradise also.    In the morning we slept fairly late. Section-hiker Tom dropped us at the library and we were able to check our email for $1 per half hour. Next I got to the post office to get my packages.    After chugging down several burgers at Burger King, I headed back to the hostel where we all hung out for the rest of the afternoon. There was laundry at the hostel and I ordered in pizza/pasta from Mr. Pizza.   Now, we are about to watch one of the basketball finals games. The TV along with kitchen, couch and table are in a room next to the hostel.
Date: 2006-06-16
From: Gorham

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: few clouds

This morning, I ate breakfast downstairs in the hotel. Guests get 20% off the regular breakfast price. So, I was able to get steak with eggs, homefries, and coffee for less than $7. As the hostel owners brought us back to the trail, they commented that it was nice to have such well behaved guests, and I was thinking to myself that the whole hostel situation is mutually beneficial.   We made very good time this morning. It took us less than five hours to get to Gentian Pond Shelter which has an awesome rock ledge with a great view of the valley. It was at this point that Taco and I decided to go all the way to Full Goose Shelter.   However, the afternoon proved a little more difficult. The terrain was really rugged. The views though were extremely impressive. Many of the summits had 360° views.Late in the afternoon Taco and I celebrated at the Maine border. We were full of thoughts and feelings: Did the AT save the best for last? What will it be like when our journey ends? It was both exciting and sad as we realized there are only a couple of weeks left.   As we were coming toward Full Goose, sunset was less than an hour off. We had grand plans to climb up a peak and watch the colors, however, we were so tired that sitting in the shelter is all we did.   Tomorrow we will tackle the Mahoosuc Notch.
Date: 2006-06-17
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Baldpate lean-to
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Taco and I left at the same time this morning so that we could help each other through the Mahoosuc Notch. We entered with excitement, yet I was a little bit intimidated. I wasn¢t quite sure what to expect. The notch turned out to be really fun. The temperature was in the upper thirties/lower forties due to the year-round ice. It was really nice on such a hot day. The notch had many rock hops, climbs, and tunnel-type crawls. It was really very enjoyable. However, it only took 1 14 hours, not the three hours I was told it would take.      Actually, the hardest part of the day was the Mahoosuc Arm. This climb really took it out of me. When I got to Speck Pond just five miles into the day, I was dead tired. I decided to go on to the next shelter so that I could have a shorter day into Andover tomorrow.   At the shelter were three weekend hikers. Two were from Chicago and one was from Maine. Though they were only out for one night just two miles from the road, they had pounds upon pounds of food, including a quart of pancake syrup. Luckily, they were polite and let me go to bed early.
Date: 2006-06-18
From: Baldpate lean-to

To: East B Hill Rd.
Miles today: 8.0

Those weekend hikers were crazy this morning. After cooking up their food, they realized that they had pounds upon pounds of supplies left. Instead of hiking the stuff back a mere two miles, they decided to dig a big hole and start burying their supplies. In went the pancake syrup, eggbeaters, gorp, and waffle mix. They really didn¢t want to listen to my advice that they should just pack the stuff out and take less next time.    Out of the shelter, I began a climb up to Baldpate Mountain. Maine continues to impress with it¢s large granite mountains with absolutely impressive views in every direction. I was particularly impressed with East Baldpate Mountain. The AT climbed up on the open granite side. There were no plants or soil. All there was were lichens on granite. The alpine environment is something that I really love. I really believe that the SOBOs are getting spoiled with great views at every mountain.   Reading great reports about The Cabin, I decided to stay there. If you call them ahead and tell them that you are coming, they can arrange a free shuttle to their hostel. I had arranged a 1:20pm shuttle. Though I arrived at 12:40, they were there by 1pm (they don¢t like hikers to have to wait). I would have to say that this is one of the nicest hostels on the trail. It has everything that a hiker needs: laundry, a full kitchen with a stove, oven, microwave, coffee maker, toaster and full-size refrigerator, a nice bunkroom with linens and a central area with couches and a TV with VCR/DVD player. For $17.50 more, you can get AYCE family style dinner and breakfast. The meals were homemade and plentiful. They will not let you leave the table until you are absolutely stuffed.   The hostel was as nice especially because of all the hiker company. There were the two section-hikers Feathers and Noggin, two SOBO thru-hikers, and one other hiker. We talked for a while as we sat on the comfy couches and then watched Bruce Almighty.
Date: 2004-12-23
To: First Entery
Miles today: 0.0

Was browsing around trailjournals and decided to create an account for my 2006 thru hike. I started a hike in 2003 but never finished. Did from springer to Smokey Mtns, then had to go back to New Jersey for personal reasons. I already have a trail name from my 2003 hike, which is 'Sunshine'. In 2006 I plan on going with my friends Matt and Kelly. I'm not totally positive if they are comeing, but I am definitly going. I know it's over a year away, but last year went very quickly and I'm hoping the next fiveteen months will go just as quick. I can't wait to be back on the trail. Sunshine.
Date: 2005-02-04
To: Doing some planning
Miles today: 0.0

So I've been doing a lot of thinking about hiking. It's a little over a year until I'll be leaving, but still it's always on my mind. I'm looking at some new gear. I made the decision to leave the tent at home and get a hamock. I'll probably be ordering it before spring break so I can try it out on a short trip I'll be taking in VA. Once I get the hamock I'm going to go to the outfitter and see if everything will fit in a Gregory G pack. It's a pretty small pack, but it's so light! I also ordered a GPS unit to bring along the trail.   I know what some of you must be thinking, why the hell would I bring a GPS unit on the trail, but I have my reasons. This time when I hike I'm going to be getting credit through my community college for it. One of my projects is going to be GPSing the trail and taking different plant/animal servey's to make maps from. It's something I'm pretty interested in and I think it won't be too bad taking a little extra time while hiking to take the serveys and the GPS positions. Well that's about it for now. Springer Fever is hitting me hard. One year can't go by quick enough.Ray
Date: 2005-11-05
To: It's coming closer
Miles today: 0.0

Ok...So the start date is about three and a half months away. March 3rd. I can't wait. I still got some gear issues to work out. Really don't know what shelter I will be starting with. My friends are definitly coming, which is a blast. Kelly already has a journal on this site somewhere. I keep telling them i am not doing the approach trail again, once is enough. Have a feeling I will end up doing it again anyway.I am so ready to begin hiking, i should probably trying getting in a little bit better shape before we leave, but I didn't last time, and everything went fine. We'll see what happens. Can't wait to get hikingRay
Date: 2005-11-27
To: Oops Looks like I messed up my journal already
Miles today: 0.0

Looks like I messed up my journal already. Thanks to the people who signed my guest book notifying me of my erros. Must of been a long night.   I edited the entry, but to clarify. I am definiltly starting the trail on march 2nd or 3rd. It's still a bit unclear as to the exact date. I imagine we will be a bit eager to set out and actually start on the second.I hung out this weekend with my buddy rob (aka. Bliss) who hiked the trail in 03. He was one of the guys I started with. Him and his girlfriend Elanie (aka Chunky) and I talked a lot about the hike. They gave me some good tips, and some gear choices i hadn't thought about. Pretty soon I think i'll put up my gear list on this site. Right now I'm still working out the details of some of my equpiment. Hopefully by the end of the month i'll have a good idea of what I am starting with.Ray
Date: 2005-12-24
To: Christmas Eve
Miles today: 0.0

It's Christmas Eve, and I wanna hike. I don't really have much to report on other than that. I finished the fall semester. Besides the American Literature class I will be getting credit for while hiking, I'm done. This is very relieving, it was a long semester and now all I have to focus on is preparing for the hike. My first order of business is to get a job. I got about half the funds that I want to have before leaving. So come monday the 26th the job hunt begins. I hope I find something fast, but it's not the best time of year to get a job. Oh well. I'll figure something out. My dad is going to buy me a new tent for christmas. We are probably going to order it next week. I think I'm going to start the hike with a tarp tent. I know in a previous post I said hammock, but because of the cool weather in the beginning of the hike I'm going to put of the hammock until warmer weather. Well that's all I've got for right now. Merry Christmas, and Happy Trails.Sunshine
Date: 2005-12-29
To: The oddest things
Miles today: 0.0

I got a job.I was sitting at home reading a book. I was thinking to myself, "after this chapter, I need to go find a job." At that moment my phone rings. It's a friend I know from my old job. He's calling to ask if I need work. I say yes, but I'm leaving in March. He says that's fine. Problems solved. Up untill I leave I will be working as a tile installer. I little preemptive trail magic I think. Hope everyone has a happy new years.Ray
Date: 2006-01-25
To: Almost there...
Miles today: 0.0

Just about a month to go. I can't wait to start hiking. I've got my gear all sorted out. It's nice to be finially settled on all of that, I think I'll be happy with what I got. Probably change it around a little while hiking, everyone always does. Work is going well, putting away some cash for the trail always feels good. I am taking a couple days off next week to visit some friends in VA and help work on a cabin with them. My sister is going to meet me down there and hang out for a day or so, it should be a good time.I bet everyone who is starting there hike in march is getting as excited as I am right now. In a couple days when someone asks when I'm leaving I'll be able to reply "next month." I'm sure that will bring a big smile to my face. I hope everyone else is doing as good as I am right now. See you on the trail.Ray
Date: 2006-02-13
To: Oh just 16 days
Miles today: 0.0

So just fifteen short days to go now. How quickly the time does go by. I've been making all the final preparations around my house. Organizing and cleaning all my stuff, and trying to get rid of what I don't need. All my gear is ready to go, and so am I. I am starting to feel a bit odd about leaving because I will be spending very little time around this area ever again. After my hike I am moving to Oregon to go to school. As you all might know, that is a fair bit away from New Jersey. It is no matter though, I am ready for the change. A friend just questioned me about something I wrote in my journal earlier, so I thought it best to clarify now.   I decided not to start with a hammock in the beginning. It is just too much of a hassle for me to deal with keeping warm. Most likely at trail days I will pick one up.   Hopefully there will be a few other like minded hikers who will make a group purchase with me and we can work out some sort of group discount. I hope everyone is well, and I will see all you other early march hikers soon. I guess it's time to start using the very popular closing.Happy TrailsRay
Date: 2006-03-02
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Springer MTN. Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Started the approach trail today around 8:45AM or so. Before the approach we had breakfast with Kelly's (who is now known as Kurly) parents who dropped us off at the visitor's center afterwords. The approach trail is not as bas as I remembered it. We met Kurly's parents at the falls which was about one mile up on the approach trail. I was very surprised Kurly's mom didn't cry at there parting. We stopped for lunch at the Black Gap Shelter which is 7.3 miles up on the approach. We left Black Gap around 1:00 with a 1.5 mile uphill to the summit of Springer. ARound 2ish we reached the summit. The weather was a foggy drizzle all day, but the wind really picked up and got real wet on the summit. Even with the less than desirable weather reaching the summit of Springer again was absolutely amazing. After a few pictures we said maybe we should stay at Apringer Mtn. shelter .2 miles north on the AT. Very near to the first white blaze of the AT Matt(aka Swanson's) took a hard digger, ripping his pants and cutting his leg pretty good. That decided it, we where staying at Springer. WE got into the shelter and claimed our shelter spots. There was no one else there. After we had been there a while we where joined by Tofurkey. She's a real cool girl, originally from NY, but now living in Hot Springs. We all got along good from the start and chatted for a good hour or so before making dinner. I was really happy with they way my stove worked out. I was really worried till now, but it worked just great. While we where cooking and eating a maintainer named Rodger stopped by and chatted with us, taking our info and giving us a quick guid to "leave no trace" practices. We also had two other visitors, one a previous thru-hiker and his buddy just stopping by to check it out. We took a walk back to the summit to watch the sunset. It was beautifull because by now the clouds where gone and the skies where blue. It was really nice. It feels so good to be out in the woods again. I've been waiting for this for a while and it is just as perfect as I imagined it. The other three are thrying to build a frie right now but they are not having any luck. Nothing better than a night in the woods with a fire and some friends.
Date: 2006-03-03
From: Springer MTN. Shelter

To: Hawk Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.8

Last night was pretty cold. Somewhere around 33 degrees. I slept real good. Once the fire got going we sat around it to keep warm and once the coals got hot enough we boiled some water for tea. The tea makes you all warm inside and really gets you ready for bed. About 1/2 an hour after we all laid down some section hikers rolled in, looking like aliens with their head lamps. They took the top of the shelter and we all made some jokes and lauged for an hour or so before all falling asleep. I woke up first but my movement quickly woke everyone up. It was pretty cold so we all ate breakfast wrapped up in our sleeping bags. I was the last of our group to leave the shelter, I wanted to hike alone. Not because I don't enjoy everyones company, but because I like to wander in my thoughts while hiking. I call it "hikertating." Our first stop was at long creek falls about 4.9 miles from springer. Swanson, Kurly, and Tofurkey thought it would be fun to swim in the falls. Swanson and Tofurkey where the only two that actually made it in. Only Swanson got completely wet, Tofurkey only went in up to her knees. We stayed at the falls for over an hour, I stayed the longest reading my book while the others left. I caught up with Tofurkey about a mile north. She was listening to some Bob Dylan with a big grin on her face. She said her knee was bothering her a little but it was no big deal. I passed her an did a decent uphill, pretty much the only one for the day. When the up hill leveled off I found a nice tree to sit under and read another chapter of my book waiting for Tofurkey to make sure she was ok. She was and I let her pass, finishing the chapter in my book. I rolled into Hawk MTN. Shelter a few minitues after Tofurkey. It was early but we all had some hot spots so decided to stay the night. It actually ended up to be a pretty crowded shelter. Pinky, a hiker out for four months came in with her paretns. Chief and Christmas, who I met at the lodge, are also here tonight. Also there are two guys out for a week. They are doing big miles so I most likely won't see them again. (Side note.. They ended up hiking with us till Hiawassee) I gave Brett, who is also here one of my dinners and stove setup to cook it. He seemed to really enjoy the hot food. Right now I am sitting in front of the fire, boiling my second cup of tea. Oh how great it is to be back on the AT.