morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-08-14
From: Dorchester Road

To: Hexacuba Shelter 
Miles today: 11.1

I got an email from Truck last night warning me about the climb up Smarts Mountain. I checked my guide to see when I would be climbing Smarts. It was on the agenda for today. I wasn't really sure what to expect, and I was hiking particularly slow this morning. So slow that my hiking partner insisted I try listening to his music with his headphones so I would be distracted. I don't know what happened but I practically ran up the mountain and had unbelievable energy. I skipped and hopped over wet rocks that normally would have caused me to come to a complete stop and contemplate my next steps. Part of the climb involved climbing up steel rebar which was very helpful as it was straight up and the rocks were wet and slick. At the top was a fire warden's tower but was shut down for repair.The day was long and we barely made it to the shelter before dark. We walked over Eastman Ledges at dusk which offered more great views. My stomach isn't feeling very good and I skipped dinner tonight. This was steepest climb off trail to a shelter. It is a six sided shelter which is pretty cool looking. I am going to have to download music onto my phone and buy some headphones. Maybe they will help me in The Whites.
Date: 2015-08-15
From: Hexacuba Shelter 

To: NH 25A
Miles today: 5.0

I'm still not feeling well today so it was a short 5 mile day that was arduous for me. Climbed up and over Mt. Cube was steep snd rocky but had gorgeous panoramic views with clear skies. The boulder size rocks at the top were perfect resting spots. I could barely make out the fire tower at the top of Smarts Mountain I had already climbed. It lpoked so far away. The forest is still thick with pines and smells of Christmas fill the air. We planned on doing 26 miles today to get to the Welcome Hiker Hostel in Glencliff, but I felt so bad we got off the trail at the nearest highway and got a ride into Plymouth 25 miles away. My hiking buddy has a doctor's appointment in town Monday so we plan on staying a few days at The Common Man Inn & Spa. We had met two sisters hiking with two daughters and their dog for a week. Her husband met them at the road crossing with pizza and he lived in Plymouth so he gave us a ride. The timing was perfect and so appreciated.
Date: 2015-08-16
From: NH 25A

To: The Common Man Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I've got some kind of stomach bug and am recuperating at this lovely Inn with great food that I can barely eat for a change. The Inn is a converted wood mill that used to make popsicle sticks and a few other essential items. It has a spa and yoga room, but I unfortunately I don't think I will be up for that on this town stop.
Date: 2015-08-17
From: The Common Man Inn

To: The Common Man Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Not much activity today. Just laying around this beautiful place reading and resting. Still not feeling quite right and want to be ready for The Whites. Feeling a little bummed because I'm in hotel again not feeling well but know how lucky I am because I've heard so many stories of thru-hikers injuries that have taken them off the trail. I keep hearing so many people talk about the beauty of The Whites and the untamed wilderness of Maine. I can't wait.
Date: 2015-08-18
From: The Common Man Inn

To: The Common Man Inn
Miles today: 0.0

This is my first town stop that I have not gotten outside and explored the town. It is a small college town that I hear is a great place. I went to Walmart to resupply for The Whites and will be carrying more food than normal. I sent my stove ahead and going to go stoveless to hopefully reduce my pack weight for a bit. Not sure how it's going to work as everything feels heavier but I want to give it a try. I've also forwarded some personal items and cooler clothes to save weight but also gained a fleece, cap and gloves. The weather can drastically change at any moment in The White's and can snow any day of the year at Mt. Washington. Tomorrow morning Legion is picking us up and driving us to Welcome Hikers hostel 10 miles north of where we left off. We plan to slackpacking Mt. Moosilauke and the 10 mile stretch we missed.
Date: 2015-08-19
From: The Common Man Inn

To: Happy Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Legion picked us up and drive us from Plymouth to Glencliff to the Welcome Hikers Hostel. We each claimed a bunk bed and made plans to slackpacking Mt. Moosilauke tomorrow from south to north back to the hostel. It is supposed to be quite steep and our first big mountain to climb. I had been very nervous about it as I had it mixed up with the most difficult mile on the AT which also starts with an "M". I just found out that is not for another 100 miles or so in Maine.Legion and Bag of Tricks have been so helpful with information on how to prepare for The Whites. I had my new trail runners delivered here from Salomon and opted to go with the larger size to help prevent my toes banging into the toe box on the steep downclimbs. The post office is right across from the hostel so I will mail back the second pair I purchased. There is a large group of thru-hikers here and some of them are building a bonfire in the fire pit. Many are tenting in the back. It's going to be a restful night thinking about Mt. Moosilauke in the morning.
Date: 2015-08-20
From: Happy Hiker Hostel

To: Kinsman Notch 
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: light rain

Today was a big day. Mt. Moosilauke was built up to be more challenging than it actually was for me. I stayed up most of the night worrying about it. Yes, it took me a long time and it was very steep and rocky but my imagination had it much worse. There were 15 hikers who were being slackpacked from the hostel south to north. It was cool and misty when Bag of Tricks dropped us off at Kinsman Notch. It did not appear as though today would be great for views but at least it did not rain. The first mile and a half was very steep going up and had steel rebar and wooden steps going up. His was a great help and probably impossible for me without it. The trail had a sign saying that it was an extremely difficult trail and not to attempt without experience. It took us along Beaver Brook with beautiful waterfalls. It made the trail wet and slippery though which added to the difficulty. Still, I kept waiting for the really hard part and was shocked when I realized I had completed that section. I somehow missed the sign to the shelter where I was planning on getting water. I only realized it when I saw a sign and was half mile past the shelter. I turned around to go back which was very steep going down and then back up. I was not happy about having to do an extra mile when I was worried about making it back to the hostel before dark, but I did not want to be dehydrated on this mountain. I have finally learned my lessons about not drinking enough water. The climb to the top was very steep and turned cold and windy close to the top. The summit was 4,802 feet and is in a fragile alpine environment with very little trees. I felt like I was in the clouds at the top with all the mist and wind whipping around. I could barely stand up to have my picture taken and was the only person without a jacket on for some reason. It was breathtaking at the top and I felt like I was in a different world. The trail was rocks and marked with rock cairns. It was too cold to stay at the top long and I felt like I didn't have time to waste to get back to the hostel. Rain had originally been in the forecast and I didn't know what to expect with the terrain going down. It was very steep and rocky which really slows me down. My hiking buddy waited for me and we were the last ones to finish. To my embarrassment we received a standing ovation. My feet and knees are sore, but I am feeling pretty good with the day. This was the gateway to The Whites and I made it through. Tomorrow is expected to rain.
Date: 2015-08-21
From: Kinsman Notch 

To: Welcome Hikers Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0

It stormed all night and continued throughout the day. Lots and lots of rain. We made the decision to stay in the hostel all day and not hike as did all the other hikers except 2 or 3 brave souls. I think there are at least 30 of us hanging out today. It was a lazy day of going through gear again and schedules again. Glencliff is a very tiny town and doesn't even have a drug store. Legion made a few runs to the local restaurant for dinner for those who wanted it.
Date: 2015-08-22
From: Welcome Hikers Hostel 

To: Welcome Hikers Hostel 
Miles today: 9.8

We had Bag of Tricks drive us 10 miles south of the hostel to do the section we missed when I wasn't feeling well and went to the Inn in Plymouth for a few days. Funny how it ended up being the easiest 10 miles of the trail since I started almost 800 miles ago. It was beautiful and carpeted in pines. The best part of the day was spotting a mama moose. She was beautiful and regal. T feel complete now that I have seen two bears and a Moose on this trip. Yeah! The last two miles we took a blue blaze to visit a spectacular mountain lake. It w as so worth the extra steps. Unfortunately I left my reading glasses there and can barely see. I took them out to inspect the damage to my camera after I dropped it on a rock when I stopped for 20 minutes in silence because I thought another Moose was nearby. It turned out to be squirrels knocking pine comes from trees. They sure do make a lot of racket for ltitle creatures. My camera is still working but squeaks when zoom in and out. My hiking buddy has been telling me for 3 months that a need to strap for it before I drop it. We are going to catch a ride to the local band and restaurant for food and a drink and to listen to a mountain band that will be playing. It was a short day of hiking. What a difference easy terrain makes. I think it was a trail gift for my feet today. Thank you!
Date: 2015-08-23
From: Welcome Hikers Hostel 

To: Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up feeling extra tired and lazy today and decided not to hike. It was very cold this morning from all the rain today and I didn't want to get out if bed. Last night the Greenleaf Restaurant and Bar had the the most phenomenal band The Stone pipe Mountain Band. It was amazing and thoroughly enjoyable. Some of the best music I have heard in a long time. Again, an experience of small town America I experienced because of this hike. People and places I will always remember and treasure. It was being carried off to another space in time. We even got a ride back to the hostel from two women and their husbands, a farmer and doctor, who were tearing up the dance floor. I will be purchasing some of this band's music from their website. It was a gloomy day and many other hikers decided to have another zero day as well. We decided to go to the town of Lincoln and get a hotel room instead of staying at the hostel again. Neema who is putting together a hiker yearbook for the second year gave us a ride. She thru-hiked in 2013 and gave us her input on The Whites. Everyone says it is the most difficult but favorite.
Date: 2015-08-24
From: Lincoln, NH

To: Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Still staying at the Comfort Inn at Lincoln to try and recuperate my body some more. My knees and feet are still really feeling it. Every step down even on the stairs to get into the hotel is painful, and I walk sideways on the stairs going up and down.Today I get the idiot hiker award. I got my new Salomon trail runners a size larger and am loving the extra room in the toe box so far. The color is bright blue and clashes with my purple hiking dress but that color was on sale. I have been wearing super feet insoles and thought I would try just wearing the insoles that came with the shoe and see if my feet were less sore. They didn't feel any better on my last day of hiking and my feet felt even funnier, and kept saying it felt like one foot was higher than the other. As it turned out I thought I had lost one of my super feet because I couldn't find it. Today after walking around town feeling like one foot is higher I took out one of the insoles and found one super feet underneath. This was the only foot that didn't hurt so I am now trying both insoles in each foot and so far I feel more cushioning. Hopefully my stupid mistake will lead to more foot comfort.
Date: 2015-08-26
From: Lincoln, NH

To: Eliza Brook Shelter 
Miles today: 7.5

The trail was very steep, wet, rocky, rooty and muddy...all very challenging for me. I started out feeling really good the first mile and a half and optimistic I could get I decent miles today. It was straight up and rocky but I can handle this. The trail immediately changed into bigger boulders with steep faces to climb over and then down. They felt like they were slicked with oil from all the rain and I had great difficulty finding the right spots to place my hands and feet. The short length of my legs and weak wrists did not help. I was frightened almost the whole way and fell many times throughout the day. The trail turned very muddy and swampy at sections. It was often difficult to navigate when I couldn't find rocks or roots to hop across. At one point my trekking pole went all the way down the mud up to my hand. I couldn't believe how deeply and quickly it sunk. That could have been my leg, and I would have been up to my neck in mud. Within five minutes I fell on the mud, and my foot got stuck in the mud twisting my ankle and already sore knee. The pain was so intense and I couldn't get up at first. I just sat in the mud and thought I was so injured that my hike was over. I hobbled even slower to the shelter and am just happy I made it here before dark. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.
Date: 2015-08-27
From: Eliza Brook Shelter 

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Mount Kinsman was a beast for me today and it wounded my body and soul. I am not a climber and I fear the Whites require more climbing than hiking. It took me over 8 hours to make it four pathetic miles under the weight of a full pack. My fear of falling is compounded daily and I was in panic and terror mode all day. After some terrifying climbs up steep ledges in which I was fearful if losing my balance and falling down a cliff I became frightened of falLing over rocks I normally would hop across. I know it is irrational but today was a nightmare and if I could have taken a helicopter off Mt. Kinsman I would have.Every time I made it over something that felt death defying I would meet another one to conquer 10 feet later and it went on and on all day. In the meantime other hikers and kids passed me by and made it look so easy I wanted to cry.I made it to this beautiful shelter where it is freezing cold and walked the short distance to this gorgeous mountain lake. I am surrounded by incredible beauty and feel safe at the moment and hope to warm up soon. It will dip into the low 40's tonight. I'm glad I have my winter gear.
Date: 2015-08-28
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter 

To: Franconia Notch 
Miles today: 5.2

Last night got very cold and it was cold and foggy when I awoke. I was not in very good spirits today and had a restless night. My body is aching and the trail was still rough on me today. The first mile in particular was difficult with the hand over hand climbing again. My wrists ache but are holding up to remarkably from my surgeries last year. I have so much doubt about my capabilities on these rocks.We made it to our first hut in the White's and it was situated in a gorgeous spot. The Lonesome Lake Hut was appropriately named as it looked over a pristine mountain lake surrounded by tall trees mainly the fir spruce that is everywhere. The White Mountains beckoned in the distance surrounding the lake. They are so close and I could see them lined up and the exposed ridge lines I would have to walk across. They are so close yet feel so far away for me. I'm not sure if I can conquer them.The trail got easier after this and we made it to the highway crossing and walked to the state park at Franconia Notch. It was busy with tourists enjoying the spectacular mountains at the very end of summer breaks. We took a shuttle rude to the Woodward Resort in Lincoln again. I have some decisions to make tomorrow.
Date: 2015-08-29
From: Franconia Notch 

To: Franconia Notch 
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday when I got off the trail I decided I couldn't tackle the Whites with the way my body felt, and I had decided to go home and finish section hiking one day. I have already done Georgia, North Carolina and most of Tennessee while section hiking so that would leave NH, Maine and Virginia. I am way behind schedule and my dream of thru-hiking feels elusive right now. My observation is that section hikers have more fun and enjoy and see much more than thru-hikers. I have been hiking that way and enjoying so much more than the typical thru-hikers but it has made completion within my six month goal impossible, and I can't fathom hiking in snow and freezing temperatures. Most of the thru-hikers I see are miserable and can't wait to finish. They are in pain but still marching on. Maybe that is what it is supposed to be, but that is clearly not why I wanted to thru-hike the AT. I have heard so many times that the real challenge with thru-hiking the AT is mental, not physical. For me it is completely opposite. I have no problem with the mental aspects but am very challenged by the physical climbing aspects and what I consider to be scary and dangerous. So many times I come to a part of the trail and cannot believe this is a trail and can't imagine how I am going to get up or down. I am no couch potatoe and considered myself much more active than most people. I have done numerous triathlons which requires rigorous training and physical demands and nothing compares to this. I don't remember ever having these kinds of difficulties section hikin in the south. I am still floored by the fear I have of these technical obstacles and how slow I am hiking.I am not okay with quitting and my hiking partner saw this and with his encouragement and support I decided this morning I am going to give it my best attempt to get through NH and Maine and go from there. It has been an emotional last few days, but I am hopeful I can conquer these fears. We will be starting out in the morning and will continue slowly through The Whites. For me, one step and one day at a time.
Date: 2015-08-30
From: Franconia Notch 

To: Liberty Springs Campsite 
Miles today: 2.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I am feeling great today and am so happy I decided to continue this hike. We took a side trail for a mile to get on the AT which does not count in mileage. We went a short 2.7 to the Liberty Springs Campsite. It was straight up the entire way and was just short of the summit of Mount Liberty. I felt confident and strong today and enjoyed the strenuous climb. Nice weather was also a factor and the rocks were dry. The Whites have limited camping and many regulations so our mileage is going to be lower based on where we can stay. We are also finding it difficult to know how challenging the trail will be day to day. I am no longer going to ask a young person about the terrain and rock scrambles ahead. They all tell me it is good. This campsite consists of 10 wooden platforms for tents and costs $8 per person and includes a caretaker. The caretaker cleans the privy and educates hikers on regulations, etc. This caretak er is one of the friendliest and most helpful so far. He told me South Kinsma, the mountain that almost did me in is the most difficult in The Whites. So maybe there is hope. Part of his job is breaking up what he called illegal campsites which are those within 200 yards of the trail. He said there are heavy fines and are strictly enforced. I don't plan of breaking the law but am worried about making my mileage and getting stuck in The Whites with no place to camp. The huts are $125 per night and only 2 thru-hikers are offered work for stay and you have to arrive by a certain time. I hope to get some leftover food every once on awhile but will not make the work for stays I am sure.I am looking forward to tomorrow and the good weather that is forecast for the week.
Date: 2015-08-31
From: Liberty Springs Campsite 

To: Garfield Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 7.6

Today was another big day for me. We broke camp and left early in the morning and on our way out saw the caretaker post the daily weather report on a post.  He told us to be careful on the ridge because winds were expected to get up to 45-60 miles per hour. Really? Isn't this tropical storm strength?It was cold when we started out and I had my rain jacket on for warmth. Within 10 minutes of climbing I was so hot I had to take it off. My legs felt pretty good from the yoga I did yesterday on one of the wooden tent platforms and a piece of tyvek. We climbed four mountains today, the first being Mount Lincoln and then Little Haystack Mountain. We were above treeline for two miles and this is where the wind was really whipping. I have no no way of knowing how fast the wind blew but I had trouble staying upright at times. It got quite cold and a little eerie. The views were long reaching and magnificent even though the mountains were obscured by the clouds most of the time. I felt like I was on top of the universe. It was so cool to see Franconia Notch from so high up. The trail was very rocky which is expected in The Whites. I had to do some hand climbing at parts and some butt blazing, but the rocks were dry and by now I have been through worse. Mount Lafayette was next and was colder and more windy. We finally went back into the forest and warmed up some before sumitting Mt. Garfield. The views were spectacular and I could see the mountains I had just climbed today. They looked so distant it didn't seem possible to have made it over all of them in one day.It was a long day for me and I'm just not up to all the high mileage days most thru-hikers do in a day. The shelter is crowded tonight and very noisy. There is a big group of college kids staying here that are doing an orientation as a way of meeting other students. Very cool but they are up late and very loud. A lot of talk about taking gap years and avoiding working in the real world for as long as possible. Very interesting conversations.   Someone even got a scholarship for his gap year to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. I've never heard of such a thing.It was a fantastic day for me.