morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-08-14
From: Homes Road

To: Upper Goose Pond
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: broken clouds

Another day slackpacking. I am beginning to really like this slackpacking. We met Low Rider in the evening and he hiked in the last couple of miles to Upper Goose Pond. A very cool pond, which I had more time to explore the area. Everybody was pretty tired so we ended up camping just short of the shelter as it had been a long day and we night hiked the last couple of miles. We found out the next morning that had we gone to the shelter, which the turn off was only 1/4 mile up the trail and then another 1/2 mile to the cabin, the caretaker cooks a pancake breakfast. Now they tell us. Some of the shelters and camp area have a hired caretaker that oversees the area. Most are former thru-hikers.
Date: 2010-08-15
From: Upper Goose Pond

To: Kay Wood Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This was Low Rider's last day. So after saying good-bye to Low Rider it was back to hiking with the full packs. Towards the end of the day it started raining. Because it was summertime, I really wasnt carrying much in the way of raingear. Just a cheap poncho from Wal-Mart. At one point when I looked at the guide book it said the shelter was about 3 miles away and it was the longest 3 miles of the trip, it seemed more like 5. According to the book, the shelter side trail was .10 miles from the power lines, yeah right, it was at least 1/2 mile if not more. I love it when the guide book is not even close makes for a very long day. When I made it to the shelter it was dark and had to hike the last bit in the rain by headlamp. That was not fun. When I got there, two hikers was already asleep in the shelter, more on this tomorrow. Around 5 pm, we crossed a road. Just down from the trail crossing is the "The Cookie Lady". She bakes cookies for the hikers. When you purchase a Coke she gives you cookies. Sweet. Fresh baked cookies. They also have a Pick-Your-Own Blueberry Farm. Of course, we stopped and got us some blueberries.
Date: 2010-08-16
From: Kay Wood Shelter

To: Cheshire
Miles today: 12.0

Hike the final three miles into Dalton, MA. Right before town we ran into some great trail magic, sodas. I ran into LB (Last on the Bus), who I started my hike with way back in Georgia. He said that Gonzo, who I also started my hike with in Georgia, and Bear Blaze (formerly H2) were the hikers asleep in the shelter when I arrived last night. If I had only known. It would have been great to catch up with both of them, but they were still alseep when we left. We stopped for breakfast and picked up a sandwich to carry with us for lunch. We left Dalton to head over to Cheshire, were we had mail drops waiting for us. As I was pass by The Cobbles Outcroppings the heavens opened up and I got drenched. If it keeps raining, I am going to have to get some rain gear. In Cheshire, we ended up staying at the Mason Hill Hostel. It is a converted barn. A very nice place to stay and the owner is just wonderful. Even had a chance to seam seal my tent. The only down fall of the area, there are no place within walking distance to resupply.Chilli and Pepper weare also staying at the hostel. They had taken a zero. Chilli is an eleven year old boy thru-hiking with his father. The started the same day I did. Chilli is a very mature boy, but at times he is a typical eleven year old. I am really beginning to wonder if anybody has proofread my guidebook or if the author has actually hiked the trail. Today, according to the guidebook, the campsite we targeted to have lunch was listed as 1 mile from the power lines. When we got to the campsite, we could still see the power lines. It at best was only .10 mile. While having lunch, Bea and 1.0 stop and had lunch with us. They are a father/daughter team hiking a section of the trail. 1.0 got his trail name as that is his pace, he hikes 1 mile per hour.
Date: 2010-08-17
From: Cheshire

To: Sherman Brook Campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

We left Cheshire and started the climb over Mt. Greylock, the highest point in MA at 3,491 ft. They have a real nice monument at the top and a lodge. I guess these northern states likes to build tall monuments since their mountains are so short. We decided not to resupply in Cheshire, not that there was a grocery store close, because we didnt want to carry the food over the mountain. So we had to do a quick resupply in North Adams. The grocery store was only 1/2 mile off trail. But the bad side, I did not arrive at camp until after 9 pm. I met Power Nap and Cerveza.As I hiked into North Adams, I saw a hiker get out of a car. It was The Food Network. He had just come back from the grocery store. I had not seen him seen Pearisburg, VA. He was very surprised to see as he heard that I was off the trail.I hike part of the morning with Bea and 1.0. As we hiked up the mountain Bea and I slowly pulled away from 1.0. As we approached Mark Neopel Lean-to, Bea was a few yards ahead of me, she let out a big "shaddup". Her step mother had hiked down from the top of Mt. Greylock to surpise them. She flew in from Texas yesterday. Before 1.0 caught up with us, we decided to hike down to the shelter and hide his wife in the shelter, so we could really surprise him. Bea was going to hang back by the trail intersection and wait for him then race to the shelter to warn us he was arriving. When he arrived at the shelter, 1.0's wife spoke to him and it took him almost a minute to realize that his wife was in the shelter. The look on 1.0's face was priceless. Bea and 1.0 was leaving the trail at Mt. Greylock to go to a music fesival. Bea was then going to jump ahead to Hanover, NH and hike to Katahdin without her father.
Date: 2010-08-18
From: Sherman Brook Campsite

To:  VT-9
Miles today: 16.0

A long day. We finished MA and started Vermont. Another state bites the dust. Vermont's nickname is Vermud and they are right. There are alot of mud in Vermont. At the MA/VT border starts The Long Trail, which follows along with the AT for about 105 miles. The Long Trail is a 273 mile trail through Vermont from the MA border to the Canadian border. We had a very long and hard 1,000 ft downhill at the end of the day. Basically, it was a series of steep rock steps down the side of Harman Hill. It was very hard and I had to do it by headlamp. By the botom of the hill, I was totally beat and my knees were very sore. Instead of going to the 2 miles to the shelter to catch up with UPS and Sideways, I decide to camp beside the road, not the safest thing to do, but there were other hikers camping there, so it was ok.
Date: 2010-08-19
From:  VT-9

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Another typical day on the AT if there is such a thing. Even though I started only 2 miles behind them, I was still not able to catch up with UPS and Sideways. A couple of times I was told by other hikers that I was within about 30 minutes behind them, but never caught them. I stopped for lunch at the Goddard Shelter with Chili and Pepper. Chili, who is hiking with his dad, started the trail at the ripe old age of 10. He is now 11 and still going strong. At the Goddard Shelter, there was a hummingbird feeding on the flowers beside the shelter. They are so cool to watch.
Date: 2010-08-20
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: William Douglas Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

A long day, but an easy 20 mile day. We did have to climb Stratton Mountain. It was a 1,700 foot climb but was very nicely graded and ended up being a very easy climb. At top of the mountain is a fire tower and believe this or not, a caretaker camps in a small cabin at the top even through thru-hikers are not allowed to camp there. At the base of the north side of the mountain is Stratton Pond. I guess the area is a real tourist area, therefore you have to pay to stay at the shelter. The first of the trip. They even had a caretaker that camps in the are during the season. I am not sure what they do or why they spend the money to hire someone to stay there. If nothing else I would think the caretaker would at least do trail maintenance. They don't, I guess I am just asking for to much. Even through I did 20 miles today, I still wasnt able to catch UPS and Sideways. I have been hiking one and off with Power Nap and Cerveza the last couple of days.
Date: 2010-08-21
From: William Douglas Shelter

To: Manchester Center
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It is Saturday and another mad dash to town to get to the post office before it closes. I made it. It seems like I am picking up all of my mail drops on Saturday, which creates headaches trying to get to town before the Post Office closes. In order to make it to town in time, I ended up taking a side trail to town. I finally caught up with UPS and Sideways. It was Sideways' birthday and we had planned on taking him to a movie, but the movies at the local threater were less then appealling. So we scraped that idea, at least for now. UPS and Sideways got a hotel room a few miles outside of town. I ended up staying at Green Mountain House, which is a nice hostel. It is the owner's family ski home and he opens it up a couple of months of the year to use as a hostel. He even gives hikers a free pint of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. Power Nap, Cerveza, Chilli, Pepper, a couple of section hikers and a few southbounders were all staying at the hostel. When I made my reservation a couple of days ago, I knew that there was a full kitchen at the hostel. I was planning on getting a steak or something good to cook. When I went to the store, I forgot all about my plans and ended up buying a frozen pizza for dinner. Pepper got some streak and chicken to cook out on the grill at the hostel for him and Chilli. I wish I would have remembered my originial plans. The grilled streak looked really good. I guess some days I am just stupid. Ripple made it to CT so Low Rider picked up Ripple and brought her up here to meet up with us. She is concerned that she will not be able to make Katahdin before it closes for the season so she is jumping ahead to hike with us. After finishing Katahdin she will return and hike the section she missed. I didnt see them as they went out to UPS and Sideways' hotel room. I will see them tomorrow.
Date: 2010-08-22
From: Manchester Center

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

The weather forecast predicted 1-3 inches of rain over the next couple of days. Not good especially since I was not carry much in the line of rain gear and the hostel was full for the night. I either had to hike or find somewhere else to stay. I decided to hike since that is why I am here. The hiker box at the hostel had a very nice large poncho. One large enough to go over me and my backpack. This is important as I was not carrying a pack rain cover. I also knew that I had several options of places to stay. The warming hut at Bromley Ski Area in 2 miles and shelters at 10 and 15 miles. I made it to Peru Peak Shelter and stopped for lunch. By mid-afternoon the shelter was almost full of hikers waiting out the rain. I felt good and continued hiking after my eating my lunch. I passed a couple of southbounders going to Peru Shelter. That is going to be one full shelter for the night. I made it to Lost Pond Shelter before dark. It is a new shelter build recently. I ended up having the whole shelter to myself, which was a good thing. The strong wind was blowing the rain into the shelter. I had to sleep length wise against the back wall to keep dry. It was a very strong storm. I listened to the wind howling up the ravine. At times it sounded like a freight train. A couple of times during the night I heard trees being blown down. The poncho I found in the hiker box work prefectly. Me and my gear both stayed dry. It is amazing what you can find in hikers boxes. I got a text message from UPS. They ended up staying in town.
Date: 2010-08-23
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I was still raining when I woke up. I didnt make the miles today that I really want to hike. But with the weather, I guess I shouldn't complain. The wind the night before blew down so many leaves that at times it looked like green snow. The bridge over Lake Brook was being rebuild. There was a 3 mile detour around the contruction. All of the hikers I talked to, including myself, just forded the river and didn't miss a beat. In fact, one of the person working on rebuilding the bridge pointed out a safe place to cross.
Date: 2010-08-24
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: Governor Clement Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The sun is out today. Had a very nice hike. Hiked through the Clarendon Gorge and over the Mill River Suspension bridge. Stopped for lunch at the Whistle Stop Restaurant. It was a decent place to eat and only a 1/2 mile from the trail. Real food always a great thing. As I was eating lunch one of the other customers offered me a ride back to the trailhead. Trail magic is always a good thing. The best part of lunch is being able to take off my boots and socks and lay them in the sun as I ate. They were almost dry by the time I put them back on. For most of the day, the hike went through a pine forest. I love hiking in this type of terrain. The ground is so soft and easy on the knees. We hiked through a section of trail where hikes built 100's of rock cairns. So I stopped and built a small one of my own. The day ended by starting the 2,000 foot climb of Killington Mountain. Governor Clement Shelter is basically surrounded by several back country roads, which makes it a party place. During hiking season the local authorities gated the roads so the hikers can use the shelters in peace. This was another shelter with a fireplace.
Date: 2010-08-25
From: Governor Clement Shelter

To: Inn at Long Mountain Trail
Miles today: 14.0

Got up and finished the climb over Killington Mountain in wet and foggy conditions. I hiked the way up with a section hiker. At the top of the mountain is the ski resort and a shelter. At the shelter was a group of kids on their freshman orientation from Dartmouth College. They were all bundled up and I was wearing shorts and a tee shirt. One of us was not properly dressed. Now I have to figure out who. I ate lunch at the shelter and chatted with the kids for a while. It was entertaining, especially when telling jokes and nearly impossible to answer questions. They spent the night there last night and I don't think they were going to go anywhere today due to the weather. I made it down to the road and decided to stay at the Inn at Long Trail. From the MA/VT border, the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail are the one in the same. The Inn at the Long Trail is where The Long Trail breaks off and goes to the Canadian border and the AT goes to NH. The bar of the hotel is craved into the rock, kindof like a cave. There were several hikers staying at the hotel. For a hotel that caters to hikers, they could do a better job. No soda machine, no snack machine, no internet. However, the room was reasonable price and breakfast is included in the room cost. It was a good breakfast.
Date: 2010-08-26
From: Inn at Long Mountain Trail

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Right outside the hotel I caught the bus to to Killington. I had to do a small resupply to get me to Hanover and my regular mail drop. I stopped by the post office and forward my mail drop. I will admit the small time post office along the trail are the most friendly in the world. They are not afraid to help hikers and for the most part know what we need even if we dont know it. I wish all of the Post Office were like small town's post offices. I stopped by the Outfitters to look around and ran into UPS, Sideways and Ripple. They are several days behind me. UPS had gotten sick and they got a ride into Rutland, VT to take a couple of days off. The caught the bus from Rutland to pick up there mail drops from the Outfitters and purchase some winter gear.Yogi the AT Cat was found in VA. He was found in Virgina and only weighed a few ounces when found. He was adopted and now is on his way to Katahdin riding on the top of a backpack. He does walk about 1 mile a day. There are some pictures of Yogi as a kitten under the photos section. The trail went by Kent Pond and before a 1,400 foot climb over Quimby Mountain to the shelter. The nights are getting colder and my cold winter gear waiting for me in Hanover. Still hiking with Power Nap and Cerveza.
Date: 2010-08-27
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Stealth Camp
Miles today: 16.0

The trail today was manly PUD's (pointless up and downs). According to the trail book, the trail down to the road was all downhill. Well I wonder if the author even hike this section of trail, there were many uphill climbs that were not on the map. How frustrating. I heard from many South bounders that there was going to be a cookout at the road. When I made it to the road, I could not find the cookout, major disappointment. I later found out from Power Nap that had I stayed around a few more minutes I would have found it, but I started hiking to soon. I found out that they went to a local lake for some relaxation and came back about 10 minutes after I left. I did make it down to the local store right at closing time and was able to get some ice cream and a soda.I met a family (mother, father and two kids) going SOBO doing a 100 mile section of the AT. I think is great that a family backpacks together. I ended up camping on top of a climb that wasnt on the map. The night was fine, except, there was a coyote howling. Every time he howled, a pack of something started yelping. I later decided that it was just the dogs from a nearby farm.My backpack does not make a good pillow.
Date: 2010-08-28
From: Stealth Camp

To: West Hartford
Miles today: 11.0

Today hiked through a section that resembled an old road. It even had a old stone wall beside it. I wonder if it was an old road from colonial days. As I was hiking along, I jumped something big. I never did see it, but it did bend over a tree. I made it to West Hartford and got something to eat at the country store. Town food is always the best on the trail. As I was eating Llano came in for her dinner. She told me that she was camping just up the street in the backyard behind West Hartford Sign Company. Since it was getting late and the shelter supposely had no water and was a party site on the weekend, I decide to stay and camp in town also. Steve and Karen the owners of West Hartford Sign Company allows people to camp in their backyard and they have an outside spigot for hikers to use. They even came out and built a fire in their fire pit. We all enjoyed the fire and each others company. Steve is an old hippie in every since of the word.
Date: 2010-08-29
From: West Hartford

To: Hanover
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up with alot of condinsation in my tent this morning. Not sure why, it has never before happen. Hope this is not a trend. My plan today was to get to Hanover, NH pick up my winter gear and food resupply and move on. Very hot day today. The last 3 miles into Hanover, NH were a road walk and it was hot in the direct sun. For some reason, there are no convenience stores in the north. A cold drink would have been great. Today was the day of the area's half mathathon. As I was walking towards town, I passed a couple of the runners and they gave me their meal tickets, which I used. I love free food. It seemed a bit odd to be standing in the meal line at a marthaton wearing a backpack while all the runners were in shorts and a t-shirt. Oh well, the things I do for food. When I crossed the Connecticut River I crossed the VT/NH border. Another state bites the dusk, I am finished with Vermont and now in New Hampshire. I went by the local pizza place and got my free slice of pizza. Talk about a bunch of hiker friendly people. They let myself and a couple of other hikers just hang out and watch the football game. Since the library was closed, they even allowed me to use their computer to check my emails. It sunny and 85 degrees or more and I am sitting on the sidewalk packing up my winter gear and getting ready to send my summer gear home. Something seems wrong with the picture. While I was sending my gear home, I ran into a mother and daughter from Richmond. The daughter was up here to go to Dartmouth University. They were quite surprised when I told them that I had walked here. There are no hostels in town and the hotels are expenive. The hikers camp just outside of town in the woods just beyond the Dartmouth College soccer fields. Again, I couldn't get out of town. I ended up camping with the other hikers.
Date: 2010-08-30
From: Hanover

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

I took the local bus service down to the next town to replace some worn out gear at Eastern Mountain Sports. I will admit they have a great bus service in this area. And it was free.It was another hot day. At one point during the day, we had to use a rope to pull us up a steep section of trail. And at another point we had to climb down a ladder to get down from the top of a rock. Interesting.   At least they are giving us tools to use to make our hike safer. When we got to Moose Mountain, the sign said the elevation was 2,222 ft, however the guidebook said the elevation was 2,290. I wonder if either was right. I stayed at the shelter with Bob - Trail Name 151. I met him at The Hiker Hostel in GA when I first started. He ended up getting sick and never made it on the trail. He is out here updating this section of the trail for his hiking guide book. (Not the one I use). A very nice guy. I also ran into Gypcgirl. I haven't seen her since Franklin, NC when she was laid-up with a broken foot. She is Aussie and her VISA is up in a few days. She headed to Gorham, NH before heading home. As it stands now, she is coming back next year. She isn't going to started in Gorham she is starting at Springer Mountain, GA again. She wants to be a thru-hiker. It was another very hot day. They water at the shelter was the worst water so far on the trail. Very nasty. Once it was filtered it wasn't bad. Hope this is the sign of things to come.
Date: 2010-08-31
From: Moose Mountain Shelter

To: Fire Warden Cabin
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Another hot day and had a 2,200 ft climb to the top of Smart Mountain and home for the night. I met a local who hikes the mountain alot and it takes him just a couple of hours to get up and down the mountain. At one point I hike up a ridge line and saw my final designation. Can see the fire tower on top the mountain, on the left side? It was not a pleasant sight since it was already 6 p.m. and I still had a long way to go, in distance and elevation. I did make it to the shelter before dark. The shelter on top of Smart Mountain is the old fire wardens cabin. Nothing fancy, just 4 walls and roof. But it was still home for the night. As we started up Smart Mountain, there was a sign that stated there was no water at the cabin. So I filled up an extra 4 liters of water to carry. When I got to the top, the spring was fine. I was so mad at carrying all that extra weight. On the way up Smart Mountain, the trail maintainers had to use rebar as step in some very steep sections.Today, the AT passed near Lyme, NH. This is where lyme disease was discovered.
Date: 2010-09-01
From: Fire Warden Cabin

To: Ore Hill Shelter
Miles today: 13.0

Not a very exciting day other then the 1,500 ft climb to the summit of Mt. Cube. The water at the shelter was poor and stagnant, but drinkable once it was filters. Fresh and Dutch also camped at the shelter. When they went to get water, they came back with water that looked like semi-weak coffee. Since they treat their water with chemicals I let a couple them use my filter. The water came out of my filter crystal clear.