morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-13
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is Sampson's birthday, and I started the day with no clue where he, or any of the boys were. I assumed they had stayed near the top of the mountain. Today was beautiful with splendid views. I moved well but it was with great focus and an great deal of energy that I was able to cruise through NH mountains. I lost the trail briefly, and reminded myself I needed to stay focused. I stopped to dig phantom sticks out of my shoes, finding only mud clumped socks. The miles fell slowly but provided many breath taking views. It felt good to be here.I ended the day back at Chet's house, sad not to see the boys, especially Sampson on his birthday. Then, all of a sudden there he was! He had done 18+ miles!!! We celebrated with pizza and birthday beer. Somehow birthdays on the trail feel extra special. They are cheaper anyway- that is a good thing for a load of people without jobs.Happy Birthday Sampson.
Date: 2008-08-14
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: scattered clouds

New game. Have you ever had your buttocks handed to you on a platter? After experiencing anything 1800 you would think you would have some clue. I was shocked today. Over and over again. We were blessed with a beautiful day. The sun shone, the sky glimmered its best blues and the clouds flexed their best forms. Then we got to Franconia Ridge. Never before have I been so awestruck. I was surrounded by giants and allowed to walk among them. The ridge gave 360 views. Look left, look back, look up there, look right! Sampson and I spent the morning swathed in exclamation points. Thank you Katahdin. Thank you.A day hiker asked us where the most beautiful and best hiking had been on the trail. "Right here" He was delighted, he had only ever hiked in the Whites. Lucky man.The whites were also harder than we had thought. Maybe it was the gawking, maybe it was the straight down descents (slower going than the hardest climb), but it took us 8 hours to cover today's miles. Phew! There was not any option to push on further as there were no options for shelter or tenting in the fragile Alpine zone. We gladly called it a day, ate dinner and I raced Sampson to sleep. I feel like I will have no trouble winning this contest.
Date: 2008-08-15
From: Garfield Ridge Shelter

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

Today I had a mission. I needed to be at Crawford Notch today and after yesterday's piss-poor mileage it looked bleak. But there was hope. I woke early and watched the sun rise. The cold air delayed my departure a bit but once I got rolling it was all systems go. We stopped at Galehead hut for day old baked goods and left over pancakes- all you can eat-$2 perfect! The sun was shining its brightest and the views persisted all day.At four we reached Zealand falls hut, just in time to catch some sprinkles of rain. Sampson called it a day and got work for stay at the hut (a $89 value) and I pushed an additional 7.7 miles. I arrived gleefully at the parking lot and awaited Michael's arrival. We were off to a wedding this weekend. Weddings equal friends, love, and beauty, but also frequent showers, hotel rooms and food!!I was excited to say the least. Plus just because I play a dirty hiker doesn't mean a girl doesn't like gussying up.
Date: 2008-08-16
From: Crawford Notch

To: the Flick Wedding
Miles today: 0.0

We woke in Killington (trail town (tt), drove through Hanover (tt), Rutland (tt), Manchester (tt) and Bennington (tt). How sweet to know each town by prior walking tours. I could call out gas stations and drug stores before they came into view. We rolled through Manchester and stopped into the outlet malls I had only oggled before, heck I needed a pair of shoes for the wedding. The shoes I bought were 1 1/2 sizes bigger than the shoes I wore prior to the hike. This is bad news for my shoes for me, good news for my size 8 1/2 friends.We dallied and had breakfast but then hustled off to the wedding. It was wonderful and touching and honest. Perfect. She looked beautiful, he was charming, and everyone was pleased.The food was awesome and the dancing was sweaty!
Date: 2008-08-17
From: Crawford Notch

To: Mizpah Springs Hut
Miles today: 6.4

It was sad to say goodbye to the real world again, it always is for me, not that weddings and shopping and hotel rooms are the real world anyway. I got back on the trail in the afternoon and in true AT style started to go promptly straight up. It was hard work but do-able. I met Icarus and Mike (no trail name? We shall see) and had my sights set on Lakes of the Clouds, a hut in the AMC system. It was slow going and I had nearly 5 miles to go by about 5pm. Normally this might be okay but all of those 5 are up hill and all of them above treeline. Oh and they were predicting thunder and lightning storms.So I stayed. The crew at Mizpah were wonderful and we laughed and ate together. I got to sleep in the library and visit with day trippers. It felt like staying put was a good choice. If the trail has taught me anything it is that plans are made to be altered.
Date: 2008-08-18
From: Mizpah Springs Hut

To: Madison Springs Hut
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: scattered clouds

30-13-85---hut!I managed to be up and out by 6:15. The views of yesterday were gone and a cool mist hung densely in the air. The mist turned to rain and then to heavy rain. The trail turned into a river and the winds picked up. My pace quickened with each elemental change. I was sincerely nervous about the pickle I had gotten myself into. I had a plan though. I needed to get to the hut, there there would be shelter, warm drinks and a place to get changed. Once dry I would be okay, but there were still two miles left. Two miles in 70-100 feet visibility, uphill, above the tree line, wading in the trail, need I go on.I decided to dump my water. I was not stopping to drink it, and it was only weighing me down. Before I dumped it I paused to think- is this a rational choice or the choice of a hypothermic person. Not hypothermic, just ounce savvy. Just one thing, my hands were to cold to operate smoothly. With some difficulty I dumped the water and hastened forward.I made it to Lakes of the Clouds and needed BusDriver to undo my pack clips. I changed and quickly dried off. I sat, shivered, ate and warmed.No views, but a smile in the end. Next was Mt. Washington, but I waited until I stopped shaking.(today was so HUGE that events will be continued on the 8/19 entry!!! Its huge-tempting death twice in a day!!!)
Date: 2008-08-19
From: Madison Springs Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: fog

... Actually a continuation of 8/18 better known as the day I didn't die twice. At Lakes of the Clouds hut Icarus, Super Chunk and Bus Driver Followed Mike out into the winds. It had stopped raining at least but while they dressed we watched many people go out, then come right back in. They left and I readied myself.Then they came back. Icarus got lost, I don't know what happened to Bus Driver but Super Chunk got nervous. He didn't want to be out there alone, and he wouldn't wish the same on me either.The four of us struck out together. Whooping and screaming with the wind! We made it to Mt. Washington and into the observatory where Mike was waiting. After a cup of high dollar coffee and chili we thought to write some letters. Let me tell you, this got cut rather short.-over the PA "attention hikers... The temperature is currently 36 degrees and falling. Wind gusts are measured between 65-85 mph. Conditions are only going to worsen. We encourage a prompt departure and descent. When they think the weather on the mountain is bad, you better listen to them. We decided to stick together and all wiggle toward Madison in a group. As we stepped outside the severity of the situation grew more apparent. We turned to the rangers "you can't stay here, but i wouldn't go out there". We went out.Hats and ponchos where ripped off, pack covers were futile. We were buffeted around like leaves on a fall day. Slow as it was we all made it. No injuries, no hypothermia, no loss of gear. Madison hut was full because of the weather but they kindly took us in. Even with nearly 100 bodies it remained cold. We slept on tables in the dinning room, named Mike Cashmire and watched frost form and thaw on the windows. We waited out the morning, hoping the sun would prevail and the winds would fail. It was past ten when we went outside to climb Madison- above tree line- and be bopped around once more. As we started the long descent to the valley the temperatures climbed, the wind dropped and the layers were peeled off. I headed into town to resupply and wait for some of the blood in my knees to be reabsorbed (tough, rocky descents).With a blanket over me and another supper salad filling my belly I say goodnight (plus a frozen burrito)xoxo
Date: 2008-08-20
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: fog

On the red carpet of the trail- "Lady Cluck, what are you wearing? Who's the designer? What's in your pack?" flash flash of the camera....What is in my pack. Last base weight weigh in was in Harpers Ferry- summer gear- 17 lbs. Now with fall/full gear- just under 20 lbs.What makes up the twenty pounds?Pack + 1800 miles of sweatTent plus poles, plus 4 steaks no ground clothSocks- two pairWinter hat and visorTank top, short sleeve shirt, sports bra, long sleeve shirtWind jacketLong johns, shortsCrocs, montrails2 bandanasIodineGaitors2 water bottles (1 liter and 20 oz) #1 plasticOne plastic water bottle for fuelGlasses in their hard caseContact lens case, small 1/2 empty bottle of solution and 1 contact for each eyeBear rope 25 feet2 aaa batteriesHeadlampGlide body stick (don't leave home in the heat without it)Pocket knifeChap stickEarplugsGuide bookGlovesTp and hand sanitizerPlastic bag acting as wallet- credit card, cash etc.PenSmall note bookPot, alcohol stove, lighter, windscreenFood bagGarbage disposal bag as linerPack coverPepcid, Tylenol, vitamins, aleveToothbrush (1/2) tooth powder, dental floss, comb, small bottle of shampoo, six qtips, 2 hair elastics, I hair clipWatchSolar panel and connecting chargeriPhone, iPod, ear buds and chargerSpoonEnvelopes, stamps, addresses, magazine to read/book1st aid kit (4 bandaides, steri-strips, superglue, neosporin, flagyl, fingernail clippers, tweezers, wound cover)Sleeping bag (new one!!! Down 20 degrees 2lbs 4oz!!! Warm!!Sleeping pad- closed cell, trimmed downButt pad- closed cell, trimmed downturquoise- to put on Katahdin (small loop off)Assorted plastic zip lock bags to hold above itemsYup- I think that is everything- so you can go light and not be without...
Date: 2008-08-21
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

I left SuperChunk and BusDriver in Gorham but found some long lost friends (too long gone)!!! Today was tough going. It was nice to start out with Peanut and Wrongway, it had been too long since I had seen them but too soon the climb started and too soon the chit chat had to stop. And so did I. I might have been waiting for Sampson, I might not have wanted to be out of breath, I might have felt lazy. Yup lazy. And it was hard! No great climax summits, and tough footing... Finally I made it to the shelter and heard the sweet tones of Butters and Rocksteady!!! Hugs hugs hugs. Then came Sampson and Bondi!!! Hugs hugs and so much laughter! Re-united and it feels so good... It had been since Delaware Water Gap that I had seen these goof balls.I was happy, it felt great. Plus the shelter site was beautiful.Sampson had some complaints of pain but the issues looked like it could wait until town as we dealt with it best we could in the woods.Cross your fingers... Tomorrow Maine!
Date: 2008-08-22
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Goose Eye Mt.
Miles today: 10.1

New Hampshire/ Maine- Boom-a-rang!By the way, yesterday I got to splash my toes in dream lake.A morning filled with jocularity, it felt good to be home. A morning filled with slow miles, it was tough to be humbled. Sampson was feeling subpar to say the least and I was reminded how fast Rocksteady and Butters could hike. We took two hour breaks like old times and all coalesced to cross into Maine together. There were nine of us there and it felt just right. The southbounders hadn't lied, southern Maine is HARD. We directly started rock scrambles and a steep descent. Sampson slipped fell and slid causing him so much pain he cried out to all the trees in New England. We all stopped and waited. He could walk but was in a lot of pain. I stayed with him and we planned to find a stealth spot and camp. After surveying the damage, seeing his continued pain and considering the difficult miles that lay between Sampson and care we turned to plan B. Plan B involved my favorite thing, my sister Kate, and one of my least favorite things, night hiking. We would hike forward to a side trail, then out to a network of dirt roads while my sister drove over two hours from Portland Maine to take Samp to the Emergency Department. Once again props and promo to iPhone for making this possible in the slightest. Biggest hero award goes to my sister in her no holds barred love. The hike was slow because of pain but uneventful. We passed a sign indicating that we were leaving Maine and entering New Hampshire (sigh). Four miles after starting our journey we popped out on an unmarked dirt road. We turned left, we listened for cars, we were glad it wasn't raining. We reached a dead end and instead of being discouraged we were glad to rule that route out. We walked, Kate drove and then we got lucky. Sampson and I were approaching a cross road and we saw headlights, I called my sister -- no dice--we hustled-- I called again-- we reached the road just as the car passed, and continued out of sight. We were crest fallen and as Sampson hung his head he noted another set of lights... It was Kate! We were home, sort of, in a in the woods for five months sort of way. Kate took us to the ED and we waited for Sampson and visited. Some hours later we grabbed sandwiches at a convenience store and a hotel room and went straight to bed. Sampson entered a dream state filled with a fever, antibiotics and pain killers.Hello Maine goodbye Maine. Thank goodness for my family.
Date: 2008-08-23
From: Goose Eye Mt.

To: Berlin, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Sampson rested all day. It was arduous for him to walk to the bathroom so I felt reassured in choosing to come off the trail. My sister and I visited, the cold I picked up in the Whites accelerated and for someone without a TV at home I learned to adeptly maneuver the remote.Tomorrow Sampson would see a surgeon for a recheck and essentially determine the fate of this trek. Kate and I giggled and goofed off as only sisters can but there was unrest in the air.Ps- the only hotel in Berlin is pretty sparse. No alarm clock, no bible, no free pen- but it was home. It was also right next to the grocery store which was good too!
Date: 2008-08-24
From: Berlin, NH

To: Berlin, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Sampson went to the surgeon today. Boy I wish that was the start of a joke. She thinks it is a trip to the OR or the end of his hike. We agreed. Hesitantly. Sigh. Kate headed home. We ate burritos before she left and hugged a big farewell. Samp and I renewed a hotel (rather THE only hotel) and went and wallowed in the news. We watched too much tv, caught the Olympic wrap up, two Harry Potter movies and some of each of the Lord of the Rings movies. It was a sad day for these vegetables. I was unable to arrange a ride back to the trail for less than $60 so tomorrow I will have to wing my departure. This makes me anxious.My gut aches for Sampson. The scrolling buttons on our remote don't work so when commercials come on it gets really loud and we have to find a channel with an active show. Maybe life is easier on the trail.
Date: 2008-08-25
From: Fulling Mill Mt.

To: Speck Bond Shelter
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today I reached an impending challenge of the Appalachian Trail- The Mahoosic Notch. It is one mile of fairly flat trail that is rated the most difficult miles of the AT. How is that? Rocks! Big ones, slanted ones, toppled ones, ones you squeeze between and ones you scrabble under. They say bring a friend.Reaching the notch proved to be fairly difficult on its own. I walked a mile in town, shared a partial ride with Sampson then walked down a dirt road for eight miles, then caught a hitch the last two, then hiked 2.5 to the AT so 11.5 miles of non-trail hiking before I could even start my day. Sampson was off to meet with the Surgeon to sort out logistics.Not 5 minutes into the notch I ran into Bones so we hiked together. It had been so long since we had seen one another that we just chatted and conversed and before we knew it we had finished the notch. It had been more like a fun puzzle then anything. In the notch last year a moose had fallen and then later died, his bones and prayer flags remained.We climbed up the Mahoosic arm (this was tough!) and into the shelter. It was chilly and the weather noted potential snow- it is August people!!!SuperChunk and BusDriver pulled in before dark, it was nice to see so many friendly faces.
Date: 2008-08-26
From: Speck Bond Shelter

To: Frye Notch Lean to
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We woke with fear of frost, but instead our breath held momentarily in the air before falling, unfrozen into to surrounds. No frost, but wicked cold nonetheless. That is how things are in Maine, wicked. Wicked rocky, wicked steep, wicked cold, wicked muddy, wicked beautiful etc etc etc. It is ideal for us hikers who live our lives in the extremes. We are always soooo something. So when in Rome soo is wicked.It was wicked windy up on the mountains today, but also beautiful. We climbed Baldplate and it was breath taking in many ways. We can see the lakes and mountains looming in the distance and calling to us.Today Sampson told me he was going home to North Carolina to sort things out medically.Today I hike at a loss.
Date: 2008-08-27
From: Frye Notch Lean to

To: Hall Mt. Lean to
Miles today: 10.5

Andover hard hitch collegesLast night the boys headed into town. I was feeling a bit under the weather and fairly clean so I thought I would just catch up with them in the morning. I got to lay in bed (ie sleeping bag) and listen to a group of kids out on a freshman orientation that only a Maine college could offer. It was fun, it felt so long ago that I too was on freshman orientation. But the excitement and sweet getting to know you enthusiasm was similar to so many nights on the trail, so many new adventures, all the new faces. Beautiful.I hiked quickly toward the road into Andover. A more difficult hitch I haven't known. It was nine miles I wasn't walking and at a certain point, when still no cars had past I drew the line. If no ride in an hour I would move on for the day. I had enough food to get me to the next road anyway.At the hour a car drove by and pulled over. The woman apologized, they only where going a mile down the road and not into town. I smiled and accepted though I was simultaneously noting that the plates read "Savior". They did not forsake me, but took pity on my humble state and took me into town. Within moments I found friends, food, and fuel. Within a handful of hours we arranged a ride out and started the trudge uphill.It was a beautiful day really and we called it early and took it all in. Maine has not been subtle with its topographical changes and our weary bodies note it.
Date: 2008-08-28
From: Hall Mt. Lean to

To: Beamis Mountain Stream
Miles today: 16.6

Let's review- it is August 28th correct? So why then are we in every layer including hats and gloves. Coldest August ever! Worse than being cold I hate being overdressed while hiking. This leaves me stripping down to tank top and shorts just prior to departure then bolting out of camp, longing for the sweat and heat to come. Recently there has been three times when hiking alone could not sustain warmth. It always involves wind and often precipitation.Today I dragged myself up Old Blue Mt. I didn't have the drive, motivation or yearning to see the summit that one often needs for a 2500+ elevation gain. I stopped often, ate lunch and listened to an episode of "This American Life" on the way up. A productive climb in all fields but climbing. At the top I caught up with Super Chunk. The shelter was some distance and two climbs away. I decided to lay it all out on the table. Hiking became chaos control and error correction. We made great time to the shelter but my feet felt like over tenderized meat. We had time to push another three miles and found ourselves at a beautiful campsite by a stream. We ate with our heads in our bowls and silence fell to sleep by 8:30.Coldest states- Maine and Georgia
Date: 2008-08-29
From: Beamis Mountain Stream

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

In New England they have ponds the size of lakes! We met a couple from England who marveled at one such pond, muttering that a pond in the UK rests in the green at the center of town. Hardly room for ducks let alone islands.Today we moved well. The terrain was the kindest it has been in some time. I mentioned the chaos control that has now become standard practice. Let's say you are hiking and you slip. You don't have time to make a decision, decisiveness is not a factor. It is ACTION all action. Move it or fail. If you slipped on one rock you scramble to another, snag your foot on a root you better plant that other one pretty darn quick! This isn't hiking this is action. Action with a pack.We got into the town of Rangeley and ran into the owner of a hostel in town. It was a sign. Quickly we showered and headed out to the grocery and to eat. We drank sodas and beer like fish (do they drink?) and ate pizzas the size of our torsos. Then back to the hostel to catch the sunset on the pond (lake really) and relax in the hammock.Ah pillows and beds and showers and sheets. Dreamy.
Date: 2008-08-30
From: Rangeley, ME

To: a calm place of reflection
Miles today: 0.0

We got up in a timely manner this morning and packed up. My feet felt like they had been done twice over from all the rocks and roots but I expected that to ease up. We breakfasted in bed, me fluff-a-nutters (wanted to share those with everyone and get them in while in Maine) and the bid each had entire boxes of cereal. We were ready to go at a very reasonable hour, packs and poles by the door but we needed to wait. The post office didn't open until 9:30 and Bus Driver and I both were expecting things of importance. As we waited I caught the weather then went to sit by the lake while Mouse, BusDriver and SuperChunk watched football.As I sat in the hammock I looked to the lake and sky and the mountains beyond. I imagined I could see the clouds that would carry the afternoon thunderstorms looming over the treeless tops of our big climbs. I considered the memory... "Remember that time we were on that beautiful lake in those comfy beds with a grill at hand and a gracious host? And remember how we left and it rained on us as we hiked on the bare rocks and we all slipped and fell?"... That did not seem like a fond or particularly special memory especially when compared to...."Remember when we took that surprise zero in Rangeley and we went swimming, kayaking, grilled steaks, watched movies, and rested our feet. Then the next day we climbed the mountains in beautiful weather?"I perferred that memory, and it did rain, and the rest was perfect! Ah memories