morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-09
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Minerva Henchley Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Today's hike:19.6/1666.8 Peru Peak to Minerva Hinchley ShelterToday's Wx:Sunny all day and warm with 80s all day and 78 when I reached the shelter. At 9PM we had rain begin, so our fire is not going to warm much water tonight!In the office at 7:30 and at the shelter at 7:15.Today's hike was pretty fun-we stopped at almost every shelter: Lost Pond, Big Branch (wow-right beside an awesome rushing river), Lula Tye, and Little Rock Pond. But the best part was my decision to "knock off" the thru hiker training for Yogi and take a swim in the 84 degree weather in Lost Pond-man was that a winner!!We climbed three hills: Baker Peak- which had great views and neat rock scrambles (we also took pictures); White Rocks had interesting rock pagodas at the turn for the trail to the cliffs; and the final 1000' ascent up Bear Mountain which had the best switchbacks for a climb that I've seen on the AT. Also, it goes up to an entirely pine forest which smelled great and was soft on the feet.A fun part of the day was our descent off the White Rocks. You go by the site of an old saw mill and the river nearby has a pretty waterfall.I saw several fast garter snakes today, but I managed to catch one baby-all of 6 inches! We calmed him down, took pictures, and we both held the little tyke for awhile before we shooed him off into the leaves!Still can't believe I saw my first MOOSE yesterday in Vermont! WOW!! That was really a surprise and quite a treat.Tomorrow is the climb up Killington Peak for the main event, then a descent into US 4 where I may stay at a cheap hotel. But for fun, we will eat breakfast at the Whistle Stop on VT 103-the we is Yogi and I, as he is hiking the Long Trail which runs with the AT from the Vermont border through the Killington area. So tomorrow evening he'll go his way and I'll continue north to Katahdin! This hike is dedicated to REI, Recreational Equipment Incorporated, where I purchased many clothing items for my hike-pants,shirts, shorts, and gaiters.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVT 05
Date: 2005-06-10
From: Minerva Henchley Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: few clouds

Today's hike:13.8/1680.6 Minerva Henchley Shelter to Cooper LodgeMoney spent:$16.82-The Whistle Stop Today's Wx:Sunny-the 3Hs-hazy, humid, hot-80s. At 5PM the T-storm began at 500' below the summit of Little Killington, with light rain and a lot of rumbling, but few bolts.A quick 1.25 hour hike across the Clarendon gorge suspension bridge with great photo ops. Then a left down around the corner to the eatery!The Efts were really everywhere-an amazing amount of them. My readers may have noticed that I really have a fascination with all reptiles, I always have. We also saw several striped, speedsters (young garter snakes) and couldn't catch the little suckers! In the office at 7:15 and at the Cooper Lodge at 5:45. Original goal was to summit Killington and then go the 4 miles down to Churchill Scott Shelter. However, the rain, fog, and continued thunderstorm activity made the decision to stay on top at the lodge. Cooper Lodge is an enclosed building with open windows and cobblestone flooring, with 4 large bunks and a friendly chipmunk who sneaks in under the door. We have peanuts for it and a mousetrap for the "other" rodents!Visited Clarendon and Governor Clement Shelters today. Clarendon is a beautiful site in the pines with a babbling brook just beside it-a very nicely constructed building-overall a great shelter to include in your overnight planning. Clement is right on the trail, just prior to the ascent to Killington. It is a rock shelter, with a big alcove with a fireplace, but it may be dark and damp. A great water source is close-a brook for swimming and water, so that's a good bonus!The climb up Killington is 2000' from Clement Shelter and is rugged at times, but kind of a fun challenge. Today was a "heat management" climb versus a "out of breath/tired legs" because it was humid and hot (80), so we were dripping and wiping all the way. Above 3500' the trail is really pretty-a nice forest walk-which would be more fun on a better day-but that's hiking! This hike is dedicated to Wendy at the Whistle Stop-great food, great service.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVT 05
Date: 2005-06-11
From: Cooper Lodge

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: broken clouds

Today's hike:16.3/1696.9 Cooper Lodge to Stony Brook ShelterMoney spent:$1.50-Mtn Dew at Gifford Woods State ParkToday's Wx:Sunny, with the 3Hs, T-storm at 5:30.In the office at 7:45 and at the shelter at 4:45. The day was shortened by, once again, a thunderstorm!It is ironic that when you STOP for the day for T-storms, it hardly rains or generates much lightning-it is even clearing now at 7PM!I visited the Churchill Scott Shelter today after leaving a sleeping Yogi back at Cooper Lodge. I hope the rest of his LT trek goes well-good hiking. The shelter is very new and is nicely situated.Had a good rest stop at Gifford Woods State Park. Enjoyed the friendly staff, washed up a bit, drank a Mountain Dew, had lunch, and re-stocked water before heading across Vt 100 toward Kent Pond. The Mountain Meadows Lodge is situated next to the pond. I really wished I'd already hiked a good number of miles or that the afternoon T-storms had hit, so that I could've stayed there-it sure looked nice!!Originally, I planned to go a little further today, but I keep getting zapped by the daily (it seems) thunderstorm along with all the rain.So I am happy to get 16 miles and stop early so I can continue reading my book, Tom Clancy's Power Plays (Bio-Strike).Excited about reaching Hanover, New Hampshire on Monday-may even take a zero day there to prepare for the White Mountains. I will mail home all the equipment and medicines I no longer need and am planning to not take my cookset and dishes, but will mail then ahead to Gorham-we'll see. At the shelter with four gals who've just graduated from Norwich College and are celebrating by hiking the Vermont AT section-good hiking to you all-Keegan, Hillary, Jean, and Alicia.This hike is dedicated to Mountain Hardware-the outdoor equipment company. I use their gaiters and a manufacturer's logo hat.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVT 05
Date: 2005-06-13
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover NH
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: haze

It is so wonderful to be in New Hampshire-one of the fifty best places on earth!New Hampshire is the 13th state on my AT trek.Today's hike:14.6/1733 Thistle Hill to Hanover NHMtG:442!Money spent:I'm sure it will be a lot!Today's Wx:The 3Hs with light rain all morning, with a clear, hazy afternoon.In the office at 7:00 and crossing the river bridge into Hanover at 14:00.Overnight temps the last few days have been 70s. It is amazing that I can still be in my sleeping bag and not be too hot!While I was eating a poptart for breakfast and dropped a small piece. Sitting there a chipmunk comes along sniffing for treats and scores my fragment and then scoots away.Up this morning at 5:30 to a cool breeze and a curious sky for what I can see through the canopy.Verbog instead of Vermont-the state was all a wet mire the whole way AND then it rained!Syrup-They have all these tubes all over the hills to link the trees into a large collection network. It is not the cup under the drip anymore!Base Coach-The way I was slapping at the mosquitoes today, I could have made an unbelievable base coach "masking" the bunt and steal commands!I saw two turkeys take wing as I was coming into a clearing this morning-cool!This hike had a lot of meadows with tall, itchy, and wet grass-that badly needs a haircut!Visited Happy Hill Shelter-nice rock work and loft, but way too many mosquitoes!This hike is dedicated to Dartmouth Outing Club who let me use their facilities and computer to update this journal.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GANH 05
Date: 2005-06-14
From: Hanover

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: moderate rain

To my readers-I have been stuck in the 20th Century for weeks since leaving Manchester Center NH!!No computer availability until Gorham NH and then I got there on the weekend, so NO ONE had a compter anywhere in town!!I'm updating this here at the Cabin in Andover Maine and the dial-up is on a drugged snail's speed. The text may take me 4 hours to update and I'm not even going to try the pics, but they are awesome, especially the White Mountains.Hopefully, in Stratton ME, I can get back to the 21st Century!!Today's hike:11/1744 Hanover to Moose Mountain ShelterMoney spent:$144.24-Sunset Motor Inn lodging 65.80, Murphy's on the Green dinner 44.42, Lou's Bakery 7.35, Co-Op 12.48, Shell 4.49, PO 7.70, cokes 2.00Today's Wx:It started to rain when I came out of the Co-Op and continued all day. Temps fell drastically from 70s to low 50s.In the office at 12:00 and at the shelter at 5:45.Leaving Hanover, the AT goes down Lebanon St, which begins at the post office. Going along the street you pass the Ben and Jerry's ice creamery-don't forget to ask for the "White Blaze" which locals tell me means a free choc shake! Just past this shop, I stopped and ate a chocolate donut from Lou's and had the pleasure of meeting Bill Swatzbaugh, Dartmouth Class of 1945, who was attending the reunion activities that weekend. Continuing down the street you arrive at the food Co-Op-WOW-great food selection, nice service, and good prices. Just across the street is a Mobile gas station, which you go around the right side and pass beside an athletic field to continue on the AT.Today I was "Blue Riding Hood" as I wrapped my PreCip jacket around my head and draped the jacket over the back of my pack. This kept me warm, dry, and bug free from continual buzzing all day.Items from Hanover:Robinson Hall Dartmouth Outing Club-Very helpful especially Laura. They allow 24-hour Internet access (on IMacs).Sunset Motor Inn-Arlene and Chuch are super to hikers with hiker box, laundry, shuttles to town and trail, AYCE light breakfast-all for $60.Murphy's on the Green-Good food and drink-a good place to watch a ball game.Lou's Bakery-Delighful and tasty!Co-Op-I wish I'd had more time for this. Great food selection with good prices.I visited Velvet Rocks Shelter and it was a mosquito mosh pit! I doused myself in DEET and said, "Come on you biotches!" but they couldn't hack it.The sluice, I mean the trail!, was a water-logged bog today. However, the mosquitoes chickened out and the air-cooled hikers became temperature controlled by a water jacket today!I arrived at the shelter to find two section hikers all ensconced in the very leaky, worst shelter I've seen on the AT AND in acute hypothermia conditions-wet, windy, and cool (56 degrees). Right now at 9 PM, it is 51 which is 20 degrees colder than my last two overnight temps on trail.This hike is dedicated to Juno who I met next to the iron bridge over the Housatonic, near Falls Village in CT, and ran into again at the Sunset Inn.  What a surprise and thanks for the ride into town!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GANH 05
Date: 2005-06-15
From: Moose Mountain Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: moderate rain

Today ends my 16th week on the AT.Today's hike:17.7/1761.7 Moose Mountain to Hexacuba ShelterMtG: 413Today's Wx:No bugs but overcast, rainy, cold (40s).In the office at 7:45 and at the shelter at 6:00.I met Tim, Erica, and Paula (Podunk) at Firewarden's Cabin on Smarts Mountain and returned Podunk's bugtent which she'd lost on trail.This item was found by John and Jim, two sectioners, who gave it to me at Moose Mtn, hoping I could reach the trio and return the item. I was rewarded with many thanks and a chocolate bar and a fruit bar-sweet!The main event was the climb up Smarts Mtn preceeded by the pop up and down at Holts Ledge.This hiker is like a VW-air cooled-so when it is cool, I go go go and a water jacket (light rain) is even better because the bugs go away!The "Cube" shelter is pretty neat. We had a cold night with rain and bedtime temps of 47. We had to get Podunk warmed up, as she exhibited hyporthermia symptoms, by a change of clothes, warm food and drink, rubbing, and Erica warmed her-it was pretty close to a disaster!This hike is dedicated to Timex-the makers of my most used trail gadget, my Helix watch. With it, I always know how high I am!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GANH 05
Date: 2005-06-16
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: NH 25
Miles today: 14.7

Today's hike:14.7/1776.4 Hexacuba Shelter to NH 25 (Glencliff)MtG:398.5Money spent:49.23-Hostel 15.00, Warren Market 27.43, PO 6.80Today's Wx:Morning wake up temp was 44 degrees, when just on Monday it was 70! Today continued overcast, mist, fog, windy, and light rain with temps in the 40s. Arriving at NH25, I was surprised that it had warmed to 55!In the office at 9:45 and at NH 25 at 5:45 and at the hostel 10 minutes later.I met Jan and Carolyn today leaving the Ore Hill Shelter for the third day this week (Yesterday, I saw Jan at Smarts Mtn firetower and I saw them both on Tuesday).  They hail from Michigan and I will see then again in the Whites.The main event today was the scale of Mt Cube (2911'), a climb of 1100' followed by Mt Mist (2200').  All climbs today were gradual and easy.The only real difficulty was the amount of water everywhere from all the rain. This made the trail gushy and flooded.This hike is dedicated to Hiker Welcome Hostel-special thanks to Phatt Chapp and Packrat for making my stay comfortable.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GANH 05
Date: 2005-06-17
From: NH 25

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's hike:17/1793.4 NH 25 to Eliza Brook ShelterMoney spent:$49.23-hostel 15.00, Warren Market 27.43, PO 6.80Today's Wx:Overcast, cool (50s) with light rain on and off all day. The SUN actually came out at 7:15 PM for the first time in what must be over a week.In the office at 9:30 and at the shelter at 8:30.Today was planned as my longest hike in the Whites. The main event was the summit of Mt Moosilauke (4802') and the actual 3500 feet of climb today. Right off NH 25, I crossed a high, fast flowing Jeffers Creek which I'd have forded except for a convenient fallen tree that literally spanned the water. So I eased over the creek without getting wet.The climb was pretty easy, but made more difficult by the wet conditions with the puddles and bogs. The last half mile the trail is above treeline and becomes a rock path. There was no vista today due to fog and rain, along with windy conditions. At the summit, I met several alums from Dartmouth out climbing the mountain as part of their reunion week activities. Also, I met Jan Hollander for the 4th day in a row! His wife Carolyn didn't hike today.The descent was not physically tough, but nerve racking due to the extremely slippery conditions and it seemed to take forever! A great bonus was that you descend right beside Beaver Brook for over a 1000' and today it was a loud, raging cascade!The hike from Kinsman Notch to Eliza Brook (7.5 miles) I thought would be pretty routine and take maybe an easy 4 hours. Boy was that wrong! It was, without a doubt, the worst hike section I've done. It was literally a flood zone filled with pointless up and downs, with meandering ridgeruns. To top it all off, I had some difficulty getting to the shelter, as I thought I'd actually missed the shelter turn because it took so long to walk any distance today. I set my pack down on the trail and walked BACKWARDS for about a half mile just to ensure I hadn't missed the turn; but finally, after checking my map and profile sketch, I convinced myself that I just needed to go a little further along the trail! But after a long tiring day, right at nightfall, this was not fun!I'm writing this at 8 AM Saturday morning after an all night rain that is continuing. Today's hike plan was to get to Mt Lafayette and stay at Greenleaf Hut, but the hut is a mile off the trail and DOWNHILL! There are no other reachable campsites about 12 to 19 miles away and the mountains I'd have to climb between are too many. So I am going to either stay at Lonesome Lake Hut-a pathetic 5.9 mile hike OR go into North Woodstock and stay at the Lafayette Campground. I'm not too excited about any tenting option in this rainy environment, so I may even go to town.I'm here tonight with Crow and Frank, who started at Springer on March 7th, but have skipped a few sections to arrive here.This hike is dedicated to Thermarest the self-inflating sleeping pad makers. My pad works great and is very comfortable.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GANH 05
Date: 2005-06-18
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Lonesome Lake Hut
Miles today: 5.9

Today's hike:5.9/1799.3 Eliza Brook Shelter to Lonesome Lake HutToday's Wx: Foggy, misty, and rainy-temps in the 50s.In the office at 10:45 and at the shelter at 3:45.I found out the Greenleaf Hut was too far downhill and the weather continued to rain, so I decided to take an easy day and enjoy the short hike to Lonesome Lake.The first challenge was just crossing Eliza Brook from Eliza Shelter! The water was a raging torrent, that I knew I'd have to ford and get soaked right off!  The climb up South Kinsman Mountain (4350') from 2400' at Eliza was tough just for terrain, but throw in water and rain, well it was NOT fun. At Harrington Pond, the boardwalk was totally flooded under about 7" of water-the boards were floating!Atop the ridge between the South and North Peaks, the sun would poke out for a minute then sneak away! This section was a pretty nice trail.Have not been able to see ANY vistas for 5 days now due to rain and clouds.I visited the Kinsman Pond Campsite area. There are tent platforms and a large shelter, along with a bear box-the first one I've seen in a long while.The two mile stretch from Kinsman to the hut shows a remarkable degree of trail maintenance-new boardwalks, stairways over rock faces, stairsteps in the rocks, and a lot of cuts on blowdowns. The AMC is making access to Kinsman a priority which supports its hut program.I was quite delighted by the wonderful people who I met at the hut. A special group was the six guys from the Boston area who came up with dads for Father's Day-three brothers-Dick, Steven, and Dan, one son-Chris (Dick's), and two friends Sean and Mickey. They shared meat, cheese, crackers, and a fine adult Scotch beverage with this hiker.The croo asked me to give a presentation on the AT and thru hiking for the evening entertainment program, which I was pleased to do. The audience seemed to really be interested in my observations as the "AT" takes on a mystical appeal to many folks who live here next to it. So they are avid listeners who enjoy asking questions. I enjoyed this evening session very much.This hike is dedicated to the Lonesome Lake Croo-Justin, Heidi, Charles, Heather, Tessa, and especially Holly who cooked the dinner! Thanks to you all for making my first night at a hut such an enjoyable experience.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GANH 05
Date: 2005-06-19
From: Lonesome Lake Hut

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Happy Father's DayToday's hike:15.9/1815.2 Lonesome Lake to Galehead HutToday's Wx: All you needed was sunglasses and sunblock! Finally, a beautiful SUNNY day with puffy clouds and 50s!In the office at 8:30 and at the hut at 7:15.Today's main event was the climb up Franconia Ridge and the summit of Mt Lafayette (5249'). This day's hike was just a whole lot of fun-the scenery, the gorgeous weather, and fun people made this a very special day!!The trail from Lonesome Lake descends to Franconia Notch (US3) and crosses Cascade Brook several times with two fords today-yeah, wet boots and socks in the morning! At the highway you cross under the two overpasses along the river and then begin your climb.The climb is a 3500' ascent to the alpine zone, but once you reach about the 4400' ridgeline and make the left turn to enter the Franconia Ridge, it becomes an awesomely easy, smooth trail up to Little Haystack Mountain, followed by Mt Lincoln (5089'). From Haystack, Lafayette looms in the near distance and the scenic Greenleaf Hut beckons hikers down to it's retreat, a mere 1000' and a mile below Lafayette!Pushing onward, I entered the Garfield Trail to follow many ups and downs until going just beside Garfield's summit (I did walk up to the ruins of the old watch tower). Carrying on, you begin a series of puds into Galehead, but they do ease up a bit until last 150' and you arrive at the hut, which has stunning vistas!My croo job at Galehead was to straighten up the library and to sweep the floor.Did I mention that the SUN came out today!!Honorable mention to the Galehead Croo-Brittany, Eric, John, and Angel.Thanks for everything and the food was wonderful!This hike is dedicated to fathers. Remember to thank them and tell them you love them while you can.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GANH 05
Date: 2005-06-20
From: Galehead Hut

To: Zealand Falls Hut
Miles today: 7.0

The Hut Hustle 05 continues!Today's hike:7/1822.2 Galehead to Zealand Falls HutToday's Wx:Sunny, 50s.In the office at 8:45 and at the hut at 2:00. A very short day to attempt to nurse my failing boots a few more miles until Gorham and not have to go into town within the next 8 miles.The main event for today began right out of the hut with the 1100' climb up the South Twin Mountain (4905'), followed by the descending trail to Mt Guyot (4500'). The miles were not clicking off the way I'd like to see them go today-very frustrating with the severe downhill rock scrambles.Additionally, my boots are dying and the decision to go to Crawford Notch and get into town for new shoes was tough.When I arrived at Zealand Hut, they had some rubber cement and one guy was going to town for mail and will try to get me something-we'll see.Anyway, the falls are fun, cool, and beautiful, and have made this an enjoyable day of relaxing.My croo job for today was to turn and sift the compost pile-just like being at home-as we garden with composting in Las Vegas.At the hut tonight are a few groups I've met earlier: the Okays from Galehead and the Hollanders from the four days out of Hanover. This hike is dedicated to the Zealand Falls croo-Chris, Tristan, Caitlin, and McKenzie-thanks gang for everything!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GANH 05
Date: 2005-06-21
From: Zealand Falls Hut

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Today's hike:18.9/1841.1 Zealand Falls to Lakes of the Clouds HutMoney spent:$2.00 Mizpah Hut lunchToday's Wx:Sunny with temps in the low 70sIn the office at 7:30 and at the hut at 7:15.The main event for today was the 2600' climb out of Crawford Notch, US 302, up to Mt Webster (4910'), followed by the traverse across the Presidential Range, edging the steep terrain of Oakes Gulf, to arrive at the "hidden" hut.Leaving Zealand, you go down a steep slope, rock scramble until you reach a right turn; then you can "put the pedal to the metal" and rocket down a perfectly smooth trail-a zoomer for 2.5 miles to the river bridge. The next leg is a rocky upslope, with many boardwalks, up to Ethan Pond. Finally, the downhill to US 302 is easy, not too steep, and finishes with a road walk down from the upper parking area.I left Crawford Notch at 11:15 and marched pretty easily up the mountain, arriving at Mt Webster at 1:30 and eventually, Mizpah Hut for a lunch break at 3:15. The day was absolutely perfect-sunny, warm, with light breezes, until the last mile or so when the westerly winds brought in cloudiness and gusting winds all night.Tonight we have Crow and Frank, Groucho, and my first SOBO-Ryan in the hut.My croo job was washing off the dish racks and washing dishes in the morning.This hike is dedicated to the Lakes of the Cloud croo-John, Beth, Phil, Erin, Melissa, Michelle,and Dan-thanks for the stayover.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GANH 05