morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-21
From: Griffith Lake Tenting Area

To: Keiffer Road
Miles today: 25.2

The morning, for a change, dawned absolutely perfectly clear and calm. So I was worried. It's been cloudy for the last several perfect hiking days and I didn't welcome the change. Sure enough, we got thunderstorms in the afternoon.The trail has been great, we're making good time. The only drawback was an encounter with a naked hiker who should not be naked--put me off my feed.We set up a fast camp to sit out the storm, since we're up on a ridge. I took the time to sew on the button at my pants waist for the second time, and to work on a crossword puzzle.The storm passed, we hiked for an hour, then another severe cell came up. That's the first time I've seen that happen Se we set up another quick camp. Pickle said it's starting to feel like drill day, get that tent set up in two minutes, maggot!Finally it all cleared out and we hiked until dark for a pretty good day. The tent and clothes are all wet, but all our insulation is dry. We'll be at the Inn at Long Trail tomorrow. We're getting an early start in case there are more storms like today. We need to climb Killington Mt, a pretty high one for this area.Lots of section and day hikers out this morning in the beautiful weather, but they all went away in the rain.With just over 500 miles to Katahdin, it's starting to seem like a reality. We're starting to talk about it now.
Date: 2008-06-22
From: Keiffer Road

To: Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 14.0

Today is a very welcome rest day and roof. Around 1000 it started raining heavily and hasn't stopped yet. We made it to the Inn by noon, a very welcome sight. There's not much else to do up here, so we'll just eat and sleep. We plan on walking into the small town of Killington tomorrow to get groceries for the next 40+ miles to Hanover, NH.I haven't seen a computer since Salisbury, CT, so I'm mailing hand-written journal entries home to my lovely wife for her to decode and transcribe.Speaking of GreasePot, I found her signature in an old log book here from 2002. On the same page were Weathercarrot, Princess of Darkness, Trainwreck, Wu Li, all people I've met or hiked with. It was touching to see Wu Li's signature, since he just died earlier this year.
Date: 2008-06-23
From: Inn at Long Trail

To: Winturri Shelter area
Miles today: 19.9

We left the Long Trail and all its hikers today. We'd been following it for about 100 miles and there are lots of hikers on it. The AT seems quiet by comparison. It's also Monday, too.The Inn sure was wonderful. I even had my first beer on the AT, a half pint of Guinness served at the correct Irish temperature, while watching a European soccer match on the telly.As we headed east today, it became apparent that we are now heading "across the grain" of the hills. We had lots of short and steep climbs and descents and river crossings.We woke to heavy rain all morning, again thankful for the Inn. We only had a few short showers out on the Trail.We resupplied with a few groceries and had a delicious soup and sandwich lunch in Killington town. The soup was butternut squash. I am craving the dark colored veggies.Oh yes, we also met up again with Sleepwalker and Longstepper who we'd hiked with last week. But, alas, they are getting off trail for a few days tomorrow, so we'll likely not see them again.With the lunch and the long rest, the climbs went well and we're feeling pretty good. We may even try for Hanover tomorrow if the trail is good to us.
Date: 2008-06-24
From: Winturri Shelter area

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 26.2
Weather: clear sky

Well, we made it into Hanover and into our second-to-last state today. But I think I pushed it a little too hard for the wet and muddy conditions. I got the same skin problem I had back in NJ, raw and painful patches high on the heel. I also have a painful spot on my lower back where the pack sits. I'm extremely tired now, but clean and laundered in the Sunset Motel with a great view over the Connecticut River. I'm tired mainly because of a very rude cell phone user at the shelter last night. We camped as far away from the shelter as we could, which wasn't very far. At nine pm, in the very quiet night, as I was drifting off to sleep, this rude hiker made a call to his parents to chat in a very loud voice until I shouted at him to shut up, we're trying to sleep. I couldn't believe it.We made it to town too late to do our errands and pick up our last resupply, which is new shoes and a sleeping pad a few other expendables. We'll do that on our way out of town tomorrow.Our last day in VT went well. The climbing eased and the trail got excellent, with about 3 miles of road walking into town.I still can't believe we're in New Hampshire!
Date: 2008-06-25
From: Hanover, NH

To: Hewes Brook
Miles today: 13.7

We ran our errands in town today, got our third and last mail drop (mainly for shoes and some cold-weather clothing for the Whites) got some groceries (way too much at the great health food coop in town), had lunch.Man, was it nice throwing away the old shoes. They'd been wet for so long, they were really nasty. And it was extra nice having a dry day and mostly dry trail to hike today. We're going to put dry shoes on tomorrow!The sore skin on my feet and back did well today, they healed some overnight, and I bought some plain cloth athletic tape to protect the areas when I hike. It seemed to work well on this short (and dry) day.The hiker I yelled at the other night to hang up his cell phone in camp just walked by, sulking, ignoring us. I tried to talk to him. The kid has some growing up to do, maybe this is part of it. Don't we all.It was a good rest at the Sunset Motel last night, very peaceful. We hope for another good long rest tonight. We'll need it. The Whites are approaching.
Date: 2008-06-26
From: Hewes Brook

To: Past Ore Hill Shelter
Miles today: 22.8

We did a lot of climbing today, over a mile, and we feel pretty good. Pickle says he was concerned yesterday, that he had very little energy. But we both did well today.Tomorrow comes Moosilauke! And the real beginning of the Whites, above treeline stuff. There I'll be in my element. I'm really looking forward to it.We both slipped and fell today on wet smooth granite. The stone here is amazing. No harm done either time. Some hikers jokingly call this "National Scenic Trail" a "National Social Trail" instead, because of all the people you can meet out here. I think you can also call it a "National Sociological Tail". We've seen so many different types of people too - from deep rural South to snobby New England.We received some wonderful trail magic today from Bill the ice cream guy. He was on his porch, just off the trail with a sign pointing to his house, "Free water". He also had ice cream, and Pickle even scored a cup of coffee, and the use of a toilet, (I don't drink coffee on the trail, which may be why I didn't need the toilet).We met Solo, the second SOBO of the season so far.We're happy with our progress today. Despite the smaller mileage for a full day of walking. If we can keep this pace comfortably over the next 10 days or so, we'll be very happy.We had light rain most of the afternoon, no thunder or wind, very low energy stuff for a change. It did make the smooth granite slick though.The feet stayed mostly dry, no immersion at least. The skin issues were fine again today.We're camped off trail in deep soft leaf duff.
Date: 2008-06-27
From: past ore hill shelter

To: Kinsman Ridge
Miles today: 18.4

Moosilauke was tough! The elevation doesn't tell the story - the descent down the north side is strenuous! And we added two more substantial climbs for a total of over a vertical mile, 5300 ft or so.So we stopped early around 5:00, when we saw a good enough campsite. I was starting to drag. And it looks like there's a small thunderstorm coming. We'll get up at 0500 tomorrow to finish this climb over Kinsman ridge to Franconia Notch to resupply.It feels so good to be here in real mountains - what an energizing day! Pickle said this is where the serious hikers start to really have fun - I couldn't agree more.It was cloudy most of the day and we had a decent but very hazy view from the summit. It was warm and calm enough to take a long break up there. We really needed it for that downclimb.The terrain down the north side was simply breathtaking. The AT follows a cascade much of the way, with steps and handrails in slick spots. Before you picture a staircase, the typical step was at least 2 feet, very tough on the knees after about 3000 feet of it.Despite the shorter mileage today, we're both pleased with our progress. We got a difficult climb done, had fun doing it, we're happy to be out here. No slips or falls today. No injuries or pain, and we're ready for more.
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Kingsman Ridge

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was supposed to be a quick walk out to the road and a long rest day in town. But the AT didn't cooperate. Wolf mt. got in the way. What a muddy rocky brushy mess. But it got better for Kinsman Mt and out to the road. It stayed cloudy all day, so no views, but no rain either, just a brief shower last night.I took a fall and scraped my wrist, my first injury. Pickle took a minor fall too. Then I took another and landed softly but on my keens in the mud, so I was filthly.We called for a paid shuttle to N. Woodstock and are staying at The Wildernest B&B - nice place.We did laundry, groceries and dinner here in town. We'll head back out tomorrow, though the weather appears to be worsening. Oh well, I wish we had good weather for the Whites, but maybe it'll be memorable this way.We made resupply plans based on 18 mile days for a while. It's been tough enough doing that with these rocky, muddy, brushy hillsides. This isn't really a trail anymore, it's more like a route.
Date: 2008-06-29
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield ridge shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We awoke to the heavy drumming of rain on the roof of the inn. A look out the window confirmed a flash flood-type of rain, we're glad for the roof. We left in clearing weather mid-morning and had great weather for our climb over the first of the Presidential Range.I felt wonderful today - we had a fantastic above-treeline traverse of the Franconia Ridge.But the trail was tedious below treeline and very wet and muddy. We're happy with our progress to this shelter on this half day.We're staying in our first shelter with other people. We'll see how this goes. They seem like serious hikers and maybe quiet. But I somehow doubt we'll sleep well. We just couldn't find a tent site out here today, and a storm came in this evening.Tomorrow we'll try to make it down to Crawford notch and that will be the Triple Crown for me.I don't have enough superlatives for today's hike. We could see Mt. Washington too, coming up. Our timing was great today weather-wise, under roofs for two major storms.
Date: 2008-06-30
From: Garfield ridge shelter

To: Mizpah Spring Hut
Miles today: 23.8

Triple Crown! Wow, what a day! Exhiliarating and exhausting at the same time. Great weather, mostly decent trail, high ridges and views, not to mention attaining the Triple Crown!At 1700 hrs after making our goal at Crawford Notch, we didn't like the camping there and made the irrational through-hiker decision to climb up Webster Cliffs and try to get to Mizpah Springs Hut. We made it just before dark after a fast evening walk up 2,800 feet and 6 miles. We wanted to pay for a piece of floor, which we heard was possible. They didn't want to do that here, so they had us scrub the stove as a partial sort of work-for-stay.We met NOBO hiker Time Traveler, whom we've been following for weeks. We got to sleep in the library, exhausted and very content.
Date: 2008-07-01
From: Mizpah Springs Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: fog

I forgot to mention yesterday that for the second time on this trip, we hiked most of the day with other hikers, Cookie and Kirby. Cookie is a retired firefighter with 32 years experience. I enjoyed trading stories with him and just listening (I'm a volunteer FF in my town). Pickle seemed to enjoy Kirby's company--he's a surprisingly mature teenager. Pickle seems to enjoy young people in general.The last couple of days we've been heavily supplementing our food bags with hut meals and free leftovers. But I found out that hikers shouldn't expect food from the huts, they simply might run out feeding the paying guests. But this morning, at the Lakes of the Clouds Hut, there were heaps of scrambled eggs left over because they were colored green. It sounds like a prank.It was a great day of hiking but a poor one of logistics at the end of the day. We'd hoped to buy a meal at the AMC visitor center at Pinkham Notch, do a small resupply in the store there, take a shower, then camp nearby. Well, we didn't get there until after the cafeteria closed, the store only sold candy, the camping really sucked, and I didn't even have time for a shower there. We're camped in the ferns and roots at a buggy pond. We plan to walk back 1/2 mile for breakfast tomorrow, then really hope we can get lunch at Carter Notch Hut. Otherwise, I have barely enough food for the next 21 miles. Pickle's in better shape. Oh well, it's gone fairly well so far, can't complain over one small setback.The above-treeline traverse of the Presidential Range was fantastic. We had some clouds at the summits, no view on Washington. But it was mostly good weather. The climbing on the rough rocky trail went well--I'm used to scree and talus in Colorado. The trail was busy with hikers, but we didn't see any through hikers. We left Cookie and Kirby at Crawford Notch yesterday--they'd had enough for the day and didn't have the adrenaline burst I did.
Date: 2008-07-02
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Mt Moriah descent--flash flood
Miles today: 17.2

Some advice from a brand new Triple Crown hiker--never assume you've seen it all. Today we added a new experience to our lives--a flash flood. Right now we're safely camped in the middle of the Trail just below a good water bar, at a raging creek we cannot safely ford, despite all our combined experience with spring flood in the Sierra Nevada on the PCT.We actually predicted a bad weather day when we saw alto-cirrus clouds (mare's tails) as we began our climb of Wildcat Ridge this morning. We both recognized these clouds as harbingers of bad weather. But we've made it through tons of bad weather before.We had it as a secondary goal to make it all the way to US 2, 21 miles, if the climbing went well and we had decent trail, which we doubted. When we reached our primary goal of The Imp campsite at 1600 hrs, we decided to push on, despite worsening weather (rain and thunder).Just as we crested Mt Moriah, the flood gates opened, literally. I was soaked through my rain coat in a minute or so, and the trail flooded soon after. I was amazed at how quickly the trail drainage was overwhelmed. As we descended, the Trail became an overflowing gutter. The grade was very steep and the water fast enough to worry about footing--it was really a cascade. When we forded the first real creek a few hundred feet down, we stopped to make plans--this is a dangerous situation, we can't ford too many of those at this grade and water velocity. Pickle's first idea was to climb back up, always the best bet in a flash flood. Mine was to continue down and look for the first possible campsite, on trail if needed. Since through hikers really hate to backtrack, and rarely make rational decisions anyway, the second plan prevailed. We soon saw some high dry ground, but decided to push on until we could no longer ford safely. We were close to the latest turnaround time to get back to that spot (yes, it was late evening, too) when we got to this place at a raging wall of water, where the AT is just wide enough for us.We're hoping this will subside overnight and we can continue our descent on the AT. We're quite concerned about trail, road, and town conditions below us. Hopefully there's no major damage.We started this morning as planned with breakfast and I got my shower, so we didn't get on the trail until 0700. Then we stopped for a fine trail lunch of barley soup, bread, and cheese at Carter Notch Hut. These two meals made it possible for me to eat in "camp" tonight, since I was quite low on food.The climb and traverse of the Wildcats was going great until the flood. We would easily have made it to the road otherwise. It'll be interesting to see how we get out of this little bind we're in now.
Date: 2008-07-03
From: Mt Moriah descent--flash flood

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 3.9
Weather: fog

Whew. After a couple of attention-getting fast water fords of the Rattle River, we made it safely out to US 2 this morning. We checked in to Bruno's Colonial Fort Inn by 0900.The mid-Trail campsite worked out surprisingly well, and we both slept fine. The raging wall of water in the little side creek here was a pussy cat boulder hop this morning. We knew the main river lay ahead somewhere (this is the first time I really wish I had a map) and were still apprehensive about that. But those two fords, while swift and knee deep, were safe enough.I kept expecting to see the governor's helicopter overhead, surveying the disaster scene. But as we approached US 2 we heard traffic, so we knew the highway at least was intact. Turns out there were flash flood warnings issued, but our little gully was about the only area really affected, it seems. Life in town continues as normal.As we apprehensively hiked out this morning, we discussed that yesterday's experience is one of the reasons we and probably many hikers go out there. There's a real exhiliaration about pushing one's comfort zone and gaining new experiences. This is one we'll remember and relate as long as we live.
Date: 2008-07-04
From: Gorham, NH

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Tough day, but we got into Maine! We left town mid-morning after I ate two breakfasts. We got a ride from triple-crowner Kevin who was staying at the same motel--it was nice to trade a few stories on the way back to the trail.The trail got tough as we got away from town, like a Mahoosuc Notch warm-up, which we will see tomorrow.We got to the shelter and there was no place to pitch our tents, except on platforms. We haven't pitched the tarptents on platforms yet, and it was getting dark. Pickle figured it out quickly, but I didn't even try. The shelter had five serious-looking hikers in it, already sacking out at 8 pm, so I just joined them.We made it into Maine in three months!
Date: 2008-07-05
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Frye Notch
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: few clouds

We did "The Notch" and managed to tally nearly 20 miles. Great day, tough day, we're tired.We walked on snow pack from last winter in the Notch. I was wondering if we'd get to do that before it all melted. Cool.We also saw the infamous dead moose in there. Someone had tied up prayer flags and scratched the name "Ernie" on the rock above. Pickle joked that someone must have seen two maggots fighting in dead earnest.We leap-frogged with Hit and Miss today. They hike much faster than we do, but take more breaks. We've been following them for weeks. It was great to finally meet them.Blue skies and warm the last two days, but the trail is still muddy. We ended today with dry feet and that feels nice. We found areas with about 18" of mud, and Pickle stepped into one of them. We were wondering if there was a bottom, and Pickle found out.Lots of tough scrambling today, including the horizontal mile of bouldering in the Mahoosuc Notch. We did well and kept our footing until we each had a stupid slip at the end of the day. By the way, our time in "The Notch" was less than an hour, about 55 minutes.The great weather led to fantastic views from our many summits, most notably from Baldpate at the end of the day. It must've been over 50 miles visibility.I woke up today smiling, thinking, "I'm in Maine!" Lots of hikers out on this nice holiday weekend, and many of them congratulated us. We even got a round of applause from a small group. That's really nice.
Date: 2008-07-06
From: Frye Notch

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I got the best sleep in a while last night. We were finally able to find some dirt to set up camp on, not a platform floor. I was in such a good mood I made a smiley face out of moose droppings on the trail, a moose-turd emoticon. Hit and Miss left the shelter behind us and told us they appreciated the gesture.We gave the rest of our food, which wasn't much, to Hit and Miss. They were pretty low for their hike to Rangeley. It was a different trail today, much easier. We could actually walk most of the day. We made good time and got an easy hitch into town from South Arm Road. And we heard a pileated woodpecker today, for the first time in a week or so. So we've heard or seen this bird in every state on the AT. So what, I hear you say, but we think it's pretty cool.We're going to resupply for the next 80 miles or so to Stratton, skipping Rangeley.Near the end of the day, we met up with German Tourist, a PCT and CDT cohort, who is SOBO on the AT this year, also going for her Triple Crown. We had dinner with her, giving her a little encouragement. The AT is not quite what she expected and is having a bit of a challenge with it, mainly mental. We wish her the best on her journey south, and hope she grows to love the AT as I have.
Date: 2008-07-07
From: Andover, ME

To: Sabbath Day Pond
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

It's wonderful to walk on trail again, after the rocky mess of the Mahoosucs. Pickle was dragging a little today, but I felt great, really enjoying the trail and being in Maine. We're in pond country now, more mosquitos and still a little muddy. It got a little hot, in the 80s, but a nice day.We had breakfast with German Tourist, and she says she's feeling better abou the AT after talking with us last night.I just realized the significance of a small gesture I saw yesterday. We hitched into town in the back of a pickup. We were back there, feeling good, smiling, and we passed a guy crossing the road to go fishing. He waved, took a second look, saw two older guys wearing bandannas, holding packs, grinning, and gave us a "thumbs up" as if to say, "You guys must have it all figured out--way to go."I saw a couple of grouse cocks today, strutting their stuff, puffing out their throats. I heard lots of thrush all day, too. We're seeing a lot of flowers now too, including a form of mountain laurel, much smaller than down south.I hope Pickle rests well and has more energy tomorrow. It sure is nice here, but you need strength to enjoy the trail.
Date: 2008-07-08
From: Sabbath Day Pond

To: Poplar Ridge
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: light rain

Saddleback Mountain nearly broke my back--figuratively, that is. It was a long series of hard climbs, it seemed. Pickle had more energy today, but we both dragged into our planned campsite with no desire to do any more. It didn't help that we ran out of water up there.Highlights of the day were some free food! Some very nice day hikers shared their food with us for a very welcome variation, some chips and nuts. And "Jukebox and Brian" left a magical cooler with fruit (including berries!), drinks, and candy.We had a heavy afternoon rain shower, otherwise it was pretty hot and calm today, high 80s, not much cooler at the summits. Like I said, we ran out of water on the high traverse, but found an excellent spring on the descent.We're beat now and face a similar day tomorrow on Crocker. But the good news is that these seemingly endless summits are about to end. It's kind of a shame that I see these great mountains as an impediment of sorts to a goal, but I think most AT hikers have thoughts like this more often than I do.