morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-08-03
From: little rock pond

To: VT103 Rutland
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: overcast clouds

8.3.13 Saturday - day 125Little rock pond shelter - VT103 Rutland12.8 miles - 6.5 hoursRude awakening early morning 3am when tapping of rain hits my tent, ran out & pulled my clothes off line and into tent. Laid back down, didn't really fall asleep after that, rain continued until 7am, off we go, beautiful mist over pond. As we climb overcast skies give way to blue sky. Lots of mud puddles on trail. Lots of white round rocks. Timber, Ambassador & Little Engine slack packing south. Sherwin & Fire Hazard stealth camping near stream. Rock cairns to the left and right of the trail, some small and simple, others larger more elaborate. Really interesting to see so many densely populating a flat area off to the left. All different shapes and sizes, truly a work of art. Thankful to be here in the morning, as the sun shines from across the trail and illuminates one side of the cairns, casting shadows on the other side, amazing. Descent down the falls and to the road. Fire Hazard shares her pickled beets with us, it was trail magic stashed for her behind a log by her mom earlier that morning. Uphill climb under the tall trees, morning dew giving way for clear afternoon skies, can see sap falling from trees in the sunlight. Ferns galore. Hike down around north side of the mountain, can see Rutland Airport from a rock ledge in a tree clearing. Down further to the Clarendon gorge after clearing boulder area. Get on bridge, below the water roars by, people in their swimming gear play and sun bathe along side the water on the flat smooth rocks. Over the bride, Barbarosa and Trail Angel driver Rock Ocean at trail head parking lot. Done hiking for today as planned, early start gave us an early finish, somewhat of a nero day. Get a ride to the EMS outfitter, I swap out my worn out light boots for better ones, these new ones will hopefully be the ones I use to summit Mount Katahdin. Rutland nice downtown area with boutique shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs. We went to Yellow Deli after hearing rave reviews, closed an hour before since its Saturday. Griffin pub had great cheeseburger with Curious Traveler summer shandy from Burlington, VT and Long Trail amber ale from Bridgewater, VT. Birthplace John Deere. Downtown sidewalk sale was finishing as we arrived. Nice looking main street well kept. Mountain ridges in all directions, pleasant visit here. Walmart in town not so good for resupply, the selection is limited and portion sizes are too big. Grocery store in strip mall next to it is much better, actually cheaper too. What a day, got to see some familiar faces, rock cairn gardens, full pack, full stomach, new boots, clean clothes and afternoon and night not carrying around a pack. Nice restful recharging day in Rutland, get to sleep on a bed tonight, tomorrow back to the trail...
Date: 2013-08-05
From: killington

To: killington
Miles today: 0.0

8.5.13 Monday - day 127Mountain Meadow LodgeZero dayAt very last minute, team decided on unplanned zero day. Fine with me its been a while. Later walked around animal pen, into forest, past outfitter, along the road to lunch at Killington deli, had excellent corned beef / pastrami sandwich. Bought a few Vermont brewed beers there too:Wolavers Organic IPA, the Shed Mountain ale brown from Stowe, Otter Creek summer seasonal Vermont Lager. No dinner at lodge tonight so i ordered carry out Cobb Hill maple frozen yogurt, Capicola, provolone, pepperoni, ham super Italian sub. Walking back to lodge pass Greenbriar inn, snow mobile tour office, ski outfitter, base camp outfitter, cross country ski office, must be a very big winter sport area. I can look up and around and easily imagine these green mountains covered in the white of snow during the winter months. In forest is disk golf course and snow shoe trails. Passed the beautiful sunny cool afternoon writing journal by the lake, talking to my aiga on the phone while siting in hot tub, watching pony & goats play in pen, reading, listening podcast. Hiker Steady arrives, he is cool retiree from Cool, CA. Started trail with wife who dropped out early due to injury. We have dinner with Steady then watch Field of Dreams in movie room which has huge collection of mostly VHS tapes. I really liked movie, unbelievably my first time seeing it, great cast, acting & story. So relaxing to sit & do nothing but enjoy movie. Maple frozen yogurt excellent, not overly sweet, nice subtle Vermont maple syrup taste. Fun relaxing day. Early to bed.
Date: 2013-08-06
From: killington

To: VT12
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: broken clouds

8.6.13 Tuesday - day 128Mountain meadow lodge - VT1219.4 miles - 10 hoursGreat breakfast @ lodge, in dining room have embroidered artwork with great quote from Isaiah 55:12. Said goodbyes then of into cool sunny morn to thunder falls, nice pic of falls from below the patio. Beyond nice boardwalk in wetlands then switchback climb 1k feet, rocks roots not so bad. Down to shelter for lunch, Double d & his dog pass by. After lunch we pass them as they eat by stream. Nice forest stroll in afternoon, we pass Doc & son Nory, up to cabin & The Lookout tower, there we meet sobo Maverick who tells us what to expect in NH + ME. Up & down thru pine fern forest. No more blueberries but plenty clintonia everywhere to tease us. Steady, Doc, Nory stealth camp on pine needle floor at top of Ascutney mountain. We push on thru wild berry bushes down to VT12, aster crossing bridge, walk road side ready to go up n down 2 miles to next stream. White truck pulls up hunks horn, about 5 hikers in it, tell us of white house 100 yards behind. It is home of Daniel Quinn who opens barn & yard for hikers for past 20 years, on route VT12, white house next to bridge over stream. Trail goes on bridge & in front of house. Popular stop for Sobo to zero, not in guide all word of mouth on the trail and social media, we were in right place right time. We tent on lawn, eat dinner on porch while Creedence Clearwater plays on exterior speakers. Allows use of kitchen & bathroom. Chat with sobos Chimp & Blue Sky. Sectioner Kedeema builds fire. Dan chats with us as we eat. After dinner sat at fire talking with Sumo, Kedeema& Blue sky. Off to bed in tent, others sit around fire, clear night sky above, can hear Johnny singing playing harmonica into the night. Nice sound of stream water as i sleep on my back, over the soft grass lawn.
Date: 2013-08-07
From: VT12

To: happy hill shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

8.7.13 Wednesday - day 129VT12 - happy hill shelter17 miles - 10 hoursSteve's maple whoopie pie for breakfast. Left the AT house before most were awake. Roller coaster climb descent all morning. Alot of stream crossings. Some walking on private grassy fields. New darker green canoe leaf shaped ferns. At cloudland road was cooler of trail magic! Pbj sandwich, chips, cookies, & brownies, water too, thanks! Dried out tents as we ate. I walked over to cloud land market, saw 2 horses white & brown on farm. got some Vermont sodas, maple, root beer, raspberry rhubarb & Cola. my fav was maple soda, looked at ingredients, only carbonated water and Vermont maple syrup, so simple so good. Downhill hike to reach road over to west Hartford, as we cross bridge, sobo girl standing in the center of the bridge outside the guardrail, she tells us she wants to jump down into river which flows maybe 3 stories down, her friend & local guy cheering her on from the beach below. I cross bridge, turn left onto street and go to deli & have Wilcox maple walnut ice cream, employees were really nice local teens. From our window seat we see the girl walking off bridge to deli. She enters to jeering friends & employees, said she chickened out & will be taunted by mates for remainder of trail. I dont blame her, I dont know if I'd be comfortable jumping off either. We passed homes in town, turned right under the overpass then up hill, I meet sobos Lost, copilot, wood butcher, funk, Bojangles, Stella, and Hungry, have fun! have dinner with sobos Lost & crew, sat around camp fire, exchanged notes on upcoming trail . Warm tent night under tall pine trees which block out most moonlight.
Date: 2013-08-08
From: happy hill shelter

To: Hanover
Miles today: 6.6

8.8.13 Thursday - day 130Happy hill shelter - Hanover6.6 miles - 2.5 hoursSteve's black raspberry whoopie pie for breakfast, these things are so sugary and sweet, I dont dare look at the nutrition label on it, good thing I'm burning so many calories per day to help cancel out the effect. Early start again. Gradual slow downhill amongst the pine trees, we pass Steady. Coca-Cola trail magic when we arrive at road into Norwich, last night sobo Lost told us this would be here. We enjoy cold Coke with Steady. Two blocks downhill another trail magic of Oreos & banana bread in front of past thru hiker turned trail angel home of Bill & Betsy. Thanks! Walk past nice homes on way to historic Norwich, turn right pass churches, Subaru dealer later on right, hats off to those guys working there, really cool dudes . Arrive at Connecticut river, at low point of bridge is stone decorative pillars with globes on top, left side pillar has VT / NH border marker at base. New Hampshire!!!! 2nd to last state on the AT. We take pics with it then continue on to skinny tree at corner on NH side, i give it un besito then move on into Hanover town & Dartmouth campus (freshman orientation parents tour going on), nice green quad on left, trail to right thru store lined street, breakfast at Cowboy cafe, look around campus then i meet up with old friend who moved here. Cross paths with Funky Town at grocery & in town. Also, freebies across town for thru hikers, check the guide to see what n where, donut, Snickers, etc., Hanover is like a hub for nobos & sobos crossing paths at this time. List of trail angels at Dartmouth outdoor club who will shuttle and house you, really cool, friendly locals. Alot of energy on campus, still summer but you can feel school year not far. Really cool to be here, Dartmouth being a well renowned prestigious university, nice to see it in person. Resupply & lunch after taking bus into west Lebanon, laundry, dinner, sleep. Clean clothes, well fed, well rested, full pack, fun productive nero day, ready for tomorrow, first full day in the great state of New Hampshire. Live Free or Die!
Date: 2013-08-09
From: Hanover

To: trapper John shelter
Miles today: 15.9

8.9.13 Friday - day 131Hanover - Trapper John shelter15.9 miles - 9 hoursDropped off in from of post office, hike side walk out of town to football & baseball stadium turn left into forest hills. Light rain, mostly protected by leaves. Two trail magic coolers both empty from yesterday. Passed by the magical cemetery that has cell phone coverage. Greetings to trail angel Kinnickinic, thanks for checking in, all is well. Up to Moose Mountain shelter for a quick snack break, opened up my new Cabot tomato basil brick of cheese and apples from town. A bit windy, temperature is low enough to make goosebumps on damp skin as we sit and cool down. Down to Goose Pond Road. Thru wetland foot bridges between swamp grasses then turn up to the Ledges in the rain, no view but white fog when you toe up to edge and look straight down, fairly certain this would be scarier on a clear day. Wet tree leaves sag onto the trail, hikers are like a wick for the water to grab onto. Off to Trapper John shelter, former log cabin only chimney remains. Fire pit in front, log shelter opposite side, resident chipmunk hustles around. Deon & 5 year old son Buddy Backpacker are there, finally we meet after hearing about him. Really smart well behaved & enjoying trail. Listens to educational music & plays lesson games on iPad. Waiting for mom Adriana to hike up to shelter after parking car. really amazing little guy, very social with everyone too. Just turned 5, will be the youngest thru hiker once he finishes. Goodfella passes by for short snack break, I notice he is now carrying a full size SLR camera, really nice luxury to have but very big, bulky and heavy for trail life not to mention fragile. He is hustling to get near Lincoln to meet up with family. Kokopelli shows up, sits on the floor edge and plays a tune on his hand carved wood eagle flute. From the corner, the curious Buddy Backpacker watches, listens and even plays the flute a bit too under Kokopelli's instruction. A very cool moment to have 2 of the most well known thru hikers this year cross paths and hang out, seeing them talk and interact, one would think they are extreme opposites and might have nothing in common to talk about but somehow the magic of the trail makes it happen. Very cool to witness. Booboo, Sky Pilot arrive set up tents in rain. Cash arrives, asks if anybody dropped this? Holds out my small Deep Woods Off sprayer, it must have fallen from pocket on wetlands. Early dinner, rain stops, sun shines few minutes then cloudy again. Light mist when we go to sleep under the dark night sky.
Date: 2013-08-10
From: trapper John shelter

To: ore hill camp
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: scattered clouds

8.10.13 Saturday - day 132Trapper John shelter - Orr Hill campsite21.5 miles - 12 hoursClear morning, Kokopelli up early eating breakfast in near dark, i join him, have Trader Joe pop tart and honey bun. pack bag, rain cover on, begin descent thru wet leaves & mud puddles. At bottom is home of Bill Ackerly, trail angel lives trail side, flamingo sign leads hikers to porch. Greets me with long firm handshake, i introduce myself as Subaru, he points to his Subaru Outback in driveway. Sign his log book he gives ice cream bar. Todays local paper has article of local young man finished trail 110 days!! Started few days before me finished couple weeks ago, amazing, only 6 zero days, hiked sick, averaged 19 miles per day! Congrats to him what an accomplishment. Bills porch decorated with Himalayan prayer flags, AT stickers. Kokopelli here already, Double D sleep here last night, said AWOL visited last night, when i signed log book, i was after AWOL. Vagabond, strong female senior hiker here overnight too. Saw her leave with Double D. Bill talked with us for a while, he needed to head into town for business but once we told him Buddy Backpacker was with us last night and would be coming down the hill this morning, he wanted to hang around until they arrived. I said thank you, got another handshake, said our goodbyes then down the driveway and to the left back onto trail. Uphill pleasant climb, nice view Lambert ridge. Rock face climb, one section with rebar foot holds in steep smooth slick rock. Met Double D at Smart mountain summit tower, beautiful panoramic views above tree tops. Gradual descent then climb up Mount Cube, lots of rock to climb, summit view just stunning. Off to Ore Hill camp for dinner & rest.
Date: 2013-08-11
From: ore hill shelter

To: glencliff
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: few clouds

8.11.13 Sunday - day 133Ore hill camp - Welcome hiker hostel5.3 miles - 2 hoursLittle sleep last night, sobo arrives after dark sets tent next to mine, has inflatable mattress, sounds like crumbling paper every time she move around which was frequently. Really important to get enough sleep, seems to bring you down all day when you lack it. Luckily today will be a shorter day. Down to viewpoint, can see neighboring ridge & pond below. Wind sways trees as i sit looking out, enjoying a new Zealand jazz apple, my favorite kind. Can hear whining dog off to left, hear man calling out for dog way down at bottom. Dog eventually finds way down, we hear happy reunion from viewpoint. Further down pass some sobos, then a sign reading distance to road, someone sharpied in an arrow pointing northbound & "400 miles to go!" on sign. What a big milestone, so fortunate to make it this far, really has not sunk in yet. Going one hundred miles at the start felt like an eternity, now its very routine. Pass by pond then to road, right turn to Hiker Welcome hostel, residence on left, right is common area with dining table, microwave, fridge, tv & huge dvd collection. Upstairs are bunks, outside are big tents with more bunks, yard for camping, covered picnic tables, grill, fenced in laundry, toilet & shower. Berkham & Legion are caretakers tonight. Sobos Crunk, Potato Shaker & Chicory are there resting. Berkham says there's free sauteed veggies & rice & beans in fridge. Local campsite donated a bunch free food too. We make cold cut sandwiches for lunch, share gallon Wilcox coffee ice cream dessert. Crunk throws in cool Led Zepplin concert dvd, never seen guitar played with violin bow until now, Jimmy page very awesome. outdoor shower behind curtain, stones on ground to drain water. Shared washer dryer other hikers. Read some articles about car accident back at trail days, glad to find out Rainbow Bright wasn't seriously injured & back on trail. Adriana gives us ride to Tedeschi store to get snacks. Upon return, Kokopelli, Professor, Steady, Ambassador, Timber, Little engine, Cash & others arrive. Later Buddy Backpacker & Deion arrive. Free dinner of grilled hot dogs, full hostel tonight. Miss Janet brought a bunch hikers here, she cooking pasta n brownies in kitchen. Lots of familiar faces here tonight, like a reunion. Has been a nice fun stay at Hikers Welcome hostel.
Date: 2013-08-12
From: glencliff

To: Lincoln
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: overcast clouds

8.12.13 monday - day 134Glencliff - Lincoln9.3 miles - 6 hoursSlack pack day. Up beautiful Mt Moosilauke on perfect day. Long gradual climb up over tree line, superb views on the way up & from top, hid behind stone wall block wind while eat lunch. What perfect weather! Cash & I hung around summit breathing in mountain air & taking on the sun. fantastic scenery no matter the direction your facing. Cool ground cover all around, red, green, white, beige. Begin descent on opposite side, following cairns down rock face slopes. Zig zagging way down, we stop again right where tree line begins to eat more. Toes numb from alot of pointing down & touching boot front. Down past alot of weekend hikers in the woods, stepping over rocks roots. Trail parallels water fall, some steep sections with wood foot holds, ladders, root trunk grab. Really pretty falls, at one point trail is feet away from water. We pass Forest Gump Winter Flower. Some muddy slick spots on steep angle, i slide but remain up. Finally trail turns away from falls ground flattens out. We get ride from day hikers to Lincoln, he drops us off at colorful house which is actually artist studio, we mistook it for Chets house, a private unlisted residence of a trail angel who allows thru hikers to stay, Barbarosa was walking down street, he joins us on way to Chet house. Sobo Hover Job is on bike, approaches, introduces himself the shows us to house which he arrived at earlier. Ranch style home, garage for is open, there are mattresses, in there with hiker gear on them, behind there is a row of wooden bunks, couches, books, desk, sliding door to porch in back. Carbon is there, did a bunch of zero days to allow group to catch up. Chet comes out, he is wheel chair bound after gas stove accident during hiking camp. He chats for a while, cool guy, hiker friendly. We shower & laundry on basement. Forest Gump, Winter Flower, Little Engine, Timber, Ambassador arrive. Lunch Gypsy Cafe, outfitter, resupply, post office back to house to organize then dinner at Chinese restaurant. On way back got ice cream at Udderly Delicious, maple walnut & moose tracks, my weight has been plummeting trying to put it back on , more calories. Back to house for much needed sleep. Buddy Back packer, Deion, Adriana are there tenting backyard.
Date: 2013-08-13
From: Lincoln

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: moderate rain

8.13.13 tuesday - day 135Lincoln - Lincoln 17 miles - 12 hoursLast night HJ went out drinking, came back drunk after 2am, woke 3am pissed on floor & spare sleeping bag, woke everyone up, he went for smoke outside. Ambassador took sleeping bag outside wrapped in towel, checked on HJ, handled situation very well. Took while for everyone settle down & back to sleep, morning comes, only couple hours sleep in the bank. Hitch from local botanist Michelle to Kinsman notch. Weather turns grey overcast during climb up. Light rain, put on rain gear, slippery rocks, lots of quick climbs descents, slow pace to ensure good footing. At shelter Kokopelli is there wringing out socks, forest Gump Winter Flower escape rain too, Engine, Timber, Ambassador enter as we exit. Steady rain. Summit is foggy. Long descent, some dangerous rock descents even when dry, we go super slow there, safety first. Getting really muddy n slick. P was going slow all day, sleepless night causing exhaustion, going even slower now, even on flat parts, i go ahead then have to wait, ahead then wait again, real exercise in patience, frustrating knowing you can descend and be done much faster but are held up forced to wait for group. Break at shelter, down to Lonesome Lake hut, down to brook, bridge washed away last year, we cross over on stones at temporary crossing. Wooden sign at trail junction points to AT trail to the road and a side trail, but is misaligned, arrow doesn't point to obvious path. We see white blaze going to brook, we follow path down alongside brook. Blazes are light blue at first, white further down then stop, no more blazes. Getting dark. Look around but no more blazes. Decide to go back up half mile our so to junction sign where we look at other path, further down is white blaze. Both paths had white blazes! First path is not right, maybe old reroute from bridge washout or something but path next to river should have no white blazes, later i found out others made same mistake on earlier days, this area needs making correction. Slightly worrisome since getting dark, rainy cold, no tent or much food since slack packing, no headlamp either. Luckily made way down to road.Shuttle took forever to arrive, we reach Chet house at 9pm, hungry as ever, picked up belongings & left, didn't want to stay there after last night fiasco, Chet is great, HJ really ruined it for all, off to comfort inn, no vacancy, many tourists vacationers in town, cabbie drives us back near trail head near state park to small motel last vacant room, 10pm when we arrive, cab ride doubles in price due to back forth several stops. Drag wet pack into room, get soda from vending, no open restaurants around, ate granola bars, then slept. Really frustrating complicated day.
Date: 2013-08-14
From: Franconia Notch

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

8.14.13 wednesday - day 136Lincoln - LincolnZero dayNot much sleep last 2 nights, long late day yesterday, woke up late today, Octagon suggested zero day to rest regroup. Breakfast@ Dad's across street, scrambled eggs with lobster meat, included coffee juice pastries breads, very good. Laundry, walked around then lunch at Italian place, spaghetti meatballs. Can see kids at waterpark across street down slide. Rain rolls in fast, kids leave. We bring food inside. Can see notch & ridge top have dark skies & clouds, would've gotten rained on had we hiked. Back to motel organize clothes, food. Dinner again at Dads, had crab cake sandwich, excellent. Good rest day, back to work tomorrow.