morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-08-09
From: Green Mountain House Hostel

To: Peru Peak Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: moderate rain

Day One Hundred and Fifty Four - (10.1) Manchester Center to Peru Peak ShelterCanadian Bacon made us Bacon and eggs this morning for breakfast and we packed up slowly not wanting to leave such a great place. It's too bad we couldn't zero here! Jeff gave us a ride back to the trail and we started out with a big climb. I stopped to talked to River Song and Quiver. River Song has Lyme Disease and will be taking it easy until the meds kick in. Next I met Maverick a section hiker who has already hiked Springer and Katahdin and is just filling in the missing sections. By this time I knew I was way behind everyone else so I took it easy the rest of the way up Bromley Mountain (yes I am hiking a ski hill). At the top I found everyone waiting for me and we took a few pictures on a deserted ski lift before heading down the hill. I know there must be at least a dozen well graded paths down the mountain but the Appalachian Trail was not one of them. The trail was treacherous! We slipped and slid on the wet rocks and roots most of the way down, it wasn't raining the humidity was just so high that everything was wet. At the bottom we took a break at an old water pump and Canadian Bacon said she just felt like sleeping but we still had another big climb to do so off we went. This mountain was brutal! It was a lot steeper than Bromley and I had to stop several times to try to get my heart rate down. Canadian Bacon really wasn't feeling well and I am sure this climb didn't help. We took our time and when we reached the top there was a giant rock to sit on for lunch. Animal and Scarecrow, Thunderfoot and Oatmeal, Two Socks and Zenmaster were already there eating and soon after we arrived Stallion and a group of southbounders joined us.I haven't seen this many thruhikers on a mountaintop since Virginia. Canadian Bacon still wasn't feeling well and we started talking about shortening our day, we had to at least hike to the next shelter and by the time we got there I was pretty sure the day was over. I know that Canadian Bacon didn't want to be the one to slow us down and she said she would try to make it to the next shelter but there was water here, a shelter, a privy, a tent pad and an awesome spot to hang a hammock right by the water. Why not stay? I don't think Two Socks was happy with the new plan but if it were the other way around I'm sure he would have wanted us to stick around as well. I set up my hammock and should have started working on the journal right away but this shelter was right along the trail and most hikers who passed by stopped to chat. I can't believe that we are still meeting new northbounders. Oh I almost forgot, we are now more than 75% of the way!Trouble
Date: 2013-08-10
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Peru Peak Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day One Hundred and Fifty Five - Peru Peak ShelterI woke up to rain this morning and it turns out there were actually flash flood warnings for most of the day. Canadian Bacon still wasn't feeling well so it was an easy decision to stay put and enjoy a day off in the woods. I kept the hammock up but moved over to the shelter where I spent the day eating, sleeping and talking to everyone who stopped by. A Long Trail hiker (Greg) decided to zero here as well and made me some hot chocolate! Megan (trailname Teranada a 2012 thuhiker) and her dad (Robin) stopped for lunch and stayed to chat for a bit. Olive Oyl stopped for a meal so did Honeysuckle and Gravy and later Salsa, Twix, Bluegrass and Bella stopped by. A few section hikers arrived and we spent most of the night talking to them about the trail, I bet they thruhike someday.Trouble
Date: 2013-08-11
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

Day One Hundred and Fifty Six -(19.6) Peru Peak Shelter to Minerva Hinchey Shelter Canadian Bacon was feeling better so we started hiking bright and early and we hiked by babbling brooks and a pond. On Baker's Peak I gave my knife away to a Long Trail hiker who had lost his, so far the only thing I have used it for is to cut summer sausage and cheese. I'm pretty sure I can live without it. We stopped at the first shelter for a break and found Honeysuckle and Gravy in the tiniest shelter I've seen. We continued up the trail and stopped at the next shelter just long enough to read the register to see who had been there, I don't even think any of us signed it. Lunch was at Little Rock Pond (it's really a lake) and it was beautiful! We found Olive Oyl sitting on a log in a sunny spot and joined her. Melkie jumped in the lake before I even had the chance to take off his pack and soon he was shaking and getting us all wet. After lunch we just relaxed for a bit before putting out packs back on again. This afternoon we had two climbs and the first one was harder than we thought but at the top we found a whole bunch of inukshuks in the middle of a pine forest. It was cool so we had to stop and take pictures. At the bottom we knew we only had one more big climb and even though it was bigger than the first one and we had already put big miles in it didn't seem as bad as the first one. I did stop several times to get my heart rate down but we all made it to the top and had one last break before the last down of the day. At the shelter we quickly found places to set up camp and Two Socks put up his new tent for the first time. He switched from his hammock because he thought that he might not be able to hang in the whites and was worried about being cold. I'm going to take my chances, I know that other hikers have successfully hammocked through the Whites. Anyway, his tent is pretty cool and if I ever become a ground dweller again it is probably the tent I would buy but for now I will remain a tree dweller! Olive Oyl is here and is set up close to us and we can all talk to each other from inside our beds. She took a picture of Melkie and I in our hammock but I don't think will turn out. Trouble
Date: 2013-08-12
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Day One Hundred and Fifty Seven - (13.8) Minerva Hinchey Shelter to Cooper Lodge ShelterI have less than five hundred miles to go! We packed up a little late and headed out for our day of up. Seriously most of the hike was up today. The first climb was made tolerable by the fact that we were hitching to a store that might have food. Sure enough we were still in the back of the pick up when Canadian Bacon read the sign that said "Now serving breakfast". We all let out a cheer, thanked our driver and headed straight for the breakfast! After eating and resupplying Zenmaster secured us a ride back to the trail in the next pick up that pulled in. Once back on the trail, you guessed it another big up. This one was brutal! We had just bought more food so our packs were at the heaviest, our stomachs were full and the hill was steep! There was a section that was a cross between a rock climb and a rock scramble. I made it but just barely! At one point I lost my balance and almost fell backwards off a huge rock. When we got almost to the top there were suddenly switchbacks, where were they earlier when we needed them? Was this some trail maintainers idea of a joke? At the top we stopped for a break and then we had a very short hike down before climbing up again. There was a detour that we were supposed to take but a southbounder had told us that the trail was passable so we stuck to the white blazes. The trail went through a beautiful pine forest and followed a stream for a long time. There were two sketchy water crossings and I chose to cross on blown down trees both times and made it safe and dry both times. We crossed a road and started looking for a five hundred miles left sign and started cheering when we saw it. Canadian Bacon did like Melkie does when he is happy and rolled on her back with her arms and feet flailing in the air. We dropped our packs and took pictures and then hiked more up. When we reached the next shelter we realized just how much more up we still had left and started to reconsider moving on. While we were loading up on water the caretaker told us the hike up wasn't that bad so we kept on going. It didn't start out too bad but soon my heart was racing and it just kept getting steeper. I made countless stops especially when the trail turned into a narrow ledge walk that was all muddy and full of tree roots. Finally the trail became more manageable and at the top it was a really nice walk. By the time I arrived at the shelter Zenmaster and Canadian Bacon's tent was already set up near Olive Oyl's and Saint's. I found two trees close by and set up camp. It is cold here! I have two layers of thermals on and my down jacket, I wish I had a belaclava and a pair of mitts. I hope it doesn't get too much colder than this. Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-08-14
From: Mountain Meadows Lodge

To: Mountain Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 0.0

Day One Hundred and Fifty Nine - Mountain Meadows LodgeWe woke up excited about the coffee and food that would be awaiting us downstairs and at breakfast we briefly joked about staying another day. It was supposed to rain today so although we packed up and got ready to go we had decided to wait out the rain. When we saw ET and Promise running towards the Lodge soaked we decided that it was time to secure our room for another night. We made the right decision! It poured all day long and I can just imagine how muddy the trail would be. I took Melkie for a short walk down the trail and almost slid off the duelling boards of death into a swamp and I hadn't even gone a tenth of a mile! The rest of the day was spent relaxing and having showers (not because I was dirty but just because there was hot water available so why not). I think the water bill might go up when I get home. Two Socks walked to the nearest store in the rain and brought us back treats and later after an excellent dinner we all hung out at the hot tub before calling it a day. Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-08-15
From: Mountain Meadows Lodge

To: Winturri Shelter
Miles today: 16.0

Day One Hundred and Sixty - (16) Mountain Meadows Lodge to Winturri ShelterWe slept in knowing that it was the last chance for awhile and that breakfast wasn't served until 8am. After another great meal we packed up and left, Melkie was so excited to be leaving this place (he wasn't allowed in with us) and must have rolled on the trail at least twenty times. We had fun meeting all the southbounders as they crossed our path. There were seven just in the first two hours and one of them was Bartender! We had been looking out for him because his family had given us awesome trail magic back in Pennsylvania. It was good to finally meet him. After meeting Bartender we had a steep up that made me wonder why I wanted to do this. I got over it but I still can't believe how hard it is! It should be easier by now and the Whites will be even harder! We made to a shelter for lunch and while we were there it started raining. Not hard and it only lasted maybe fifteen minutes but I was glad we were in the shelter and not getting wet. Canadian Bacon turned her iPod on as we started out after lunch and we hiked up the next mountain to the beat of the music. We stopped for a mid afternoon break and then I lost everyone when I stopped at a stream for more water. The next up was harder without the music and seemed to go on forever. I finally caught up when Zenmaster and Canadian Bacon stopped to check out the lookout and a cabin that was on top. I saw where they had dropped their packs and did the same. Two Sticks (who I hadn't seen since just after Harpers Ferry) hiked up from behind me and we spent the rest of the hike to the shelter chatting away and telling our trail magic stories. We arrived at the shelter and set up camp. Soon there were NOBO's, SOBO's and even a 2012 thru hiker here. Two Sticks pulled out his bottle of bourbon and shared with everyone and soon we were having a great time telling trail stories and listening to the advise about the trail ahead. It was really cold though so it wasn't long before I headed to the warmth of my hammock. Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-08-16
From: Winturri Shelter

To: West Hartford
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Day One Hundred and Sixty One - (16.8) Winturri Shelter to West HartfordToday's hike was absolutely beautiful! We hiked over several smaller pine covered hills this morning and the rays of sunshine looked magical in the dark forest. Then the trail left the forest and we were walking through a field in full sunshine. I can't remember the last time the trail went though a field but we went though several fields today an the contrast was nice. We stopped on a bridge before we came to a road crossing and as we were pulling our snacks out for our second breakfasts ET came down the road and relayed the message that the owner of the house down the street had invited us in for coffee. It's amazing how fast we moved over to that house! Daniel Quinn has been inviting hikers in for twenty years and allows hikers to sleep in his barn. It was nice to have a real coffee break and while we were there we talked to several SOBO's about the trail ahead. Thanks Daniel! We hiked out and at the trailhead we met Nomad. He had started a thru hike last year but had to get off because of a family emergency so now he is out getting another section done. We hiked up a steep hill and I ended up at the back of the pack again but had the chance to talk to Nomad so I didn't mind. I caught up when the rest of them stopped for another mid morning break (Zenmaster calls this Elevenses like the hobbits and I like it). Soon we were going up an even steeper hill, it was so bad that when we got to the top and stopped for lunch that I had to lie down and relax before I could eat anything. It was a cool place to stop though, there was an awesome view and right on the trail so several hikers stopped to hang out. They obviously don't know how to relax though because they all moved on way too quickly and we were left all alone on the top of a mountain overlooking all of the mountains we have hiked this past week. When we couldn't delay any longer we hiked up to the next peek and then down through a really pretty section to come out at trail magic! Someone had left us bananas, cheese, brownies, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips and bottles of ice water! It was awesome thank you! Unfortunately we had a big up next that seemed to go on forever and our full bellies didn't help the situation. We finally made it to the top but the down had so many smaller ups that it didn't feel like we were going down and by this time the chaffing from the pack on my back was making every step hurt. I just wanted the day to be over! Finally we made it to West Hartford and walked over a bridge that you can dive into the river from (too bad it's so cold). And then we saw it, the deli! We all gave a big cheer, dropped our packs at a picnic table and the feast began! I am so full hours later as I write this. After dinner we headed four doors down to a house where they allow hikers to camp in their extremely well manicured yard. I am hung between two apple trees right now with the sound of the surrounding stream and waterfall making me sleepy. Good night world!Troublebr>
Date: 2013-08-18
From: Hanover

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Day One Hundred and Sixty Three - (10.9)Hanover to Moose Mountain ShelterWe slept in a little bit and woke up to breakfast being made for us. Betsy made us scrambled eggs and bagels and of course coffee! Thanks! We packed up and Betsy dropped us off at the post office where Zenmaster appealed one last time to check on a missing package. The postmaster couldn't find it but allowed Zenmaster to check for himself and luckily he found it. The package had all of their winter gear and will be needed in the Whites. After one last stop at Subway for drinks we hiked out of town and back into the woods. I still can't believe we made it out of town that easily, there were so many restaurants! We hiked through pines again today and even though we were all grumbling because our packs are at the heaviest they have been since hiking into the Smokey's, it was a beautiful hike. We did have to make several extra pack off breaks today because of the heavy packs but it broke up the day and made everything more enjoyable. At a water source I was happy to see that the water is still crystal clear like it was in Vermont and filled up. I'm glad that I did because the water source where we are camped tonight looks like a mud puddle. We will be rationing our water until we can find a better source tomorrow. Even though we set up camp early I am so tired. Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-08-19
From: Moose Mountain Shelter

To: Stealth Camp at Sout Jacob's Brook
Miles today: 16.3

Day One Hundred and Sixty Four - (16.3) Moose Mountain Shelter to Stealth Camp at South Jacobs BrookWe all heard footsteps during the night and each of us thought it was just one of us but it wasn't! Hmmm. We packed up, put the heavy packs back on and hit the trail. We actually started with a down (after a short climb up) but way too soon we were trudging up the next mountain and it was steep. We were all so tired the only thing keeping us moving forward was the thought of the Ice Cream Man's house ahead. Bill Ackerly has a sign on the trail inviting hikers to hang out at his place and enjoy free ice cream and fifty cent sodas. When we got there he wasn't home but left a note for us to help ourselves and instructions for wifi and recharging phones. How thoughtful! We ended up on his patio for a few hours relaxing and eating lunch. While we were there River Song arrived and said that she had walked by our camp late last night, another mystery solved. When we couldn't delay any longer we hiked on and came to the dreaded hill. It was long and steep and we had been told that it would give us an idea of what the Whites are like. I seriously hope that they aren't anything like that mountain because it kicked my ass! Within ten minutes I was stopping for a break. As a group we usually stop every two hours to take our packs off but on this hill it was every half hour. When we got to a view it was beautiful but we were so exhausted that it wasn't enjoyable. The next view was even worse because it made us realize just how much we still had to climb. It was crazy steep! We finally made it to the top but instead of enjoying the views from the fire tower (they say you can see into Maine on a clear day and today would have been perfect), we were panicking over the lack of water. The unreliable spring was nothing but mud and it was already 6pm. The next water source was 3.9 miles away and the shelter was even farther. We had to leave right away in order to make it before dark. We hiked away from the Fire Wardens Cabin and Tower without checking anything out and I had been hoping to sleep in the fire tower! The trek down to the brook was painful! We were in a rush, our feet hurt and I have chaffing in all sorts of places now. I think I hobbled the last half mile to the brook and I was determined that we would find stealth spots to camp instead of having to hike up the next mountain to a shelter in the dark. Luckily Canadian Bacon had the same thoughts and as I arrived she was scoping out possible spots. The water here is full of iron just like in New York so I asked Zenmaster to filter a bottle for me. We found a spot to camp near the brook and a little stream is right next to my hammock and guess what, the stream water is crystal clear with no iron. Perfect! We are all sore tonight and everyone is already in their beds. Two Socks made me a cup of hot chocolate before I went to bed and it was just what I needed to relax. Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-08-20
From: Stealth Camp at Sout Jacob's Brook

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 11.6

Day One Hundred and Sixty Five - (11.6) South Jacob's Brook to Hikers Welcome HostelWe all slept in this morning and took our time getting packed up, I even had a coffee! We were going to take it easy today but that conflicted with the giant mountain that was right in front of us. We took extra breaks and Mt. Cube turned out to be way better than Smarts Mountain with an awesome view at the top and trail magic! We met Stone (a 2002 thru hiker) who had brought a group from a family camp up to the top and promised them that they would get to meet thru hikers. They gave us oranges, apples, snicker bars and pretty much all of their extra snacks. Thank you so much and sorry for Melkie trying to steal your sandwich! We started down the mountain but that's where the trail turned into an obstacle course with rocks, roots, blow downs and mud all competing with one another. It took so long just to do two miles that we wondered if the milage in the AT Guide was wrong. We had already called Hikers Welcome Hostel and then Miss Janet and made plans to be picked up at a road crossing but we had no idea it would take so long to get off that mountain and no cell reception to change our plans. We would have to hurry! Of course by this time we were exhausted and just wanted to stop, luckily the next hill wasn't that bad and at one point I had enough cell service to send a text asking for an extra half hour. We were almost done for the day when we saw Sondriven coming towards us. Last I heard he was getting off the trail but he decided to flip flop (get a ride ahead to Maine and start hiking south) instead. Good for him! We finished our hike with a down and arrived at the road ten minutes before our ride was to arrive. Perfect! Miss Janet pulled up and the first thing I noticed was a new AT logo on the front of her "Bounce Box" that is what she calls her van and upon closer inspection she had also picked up several new bumper stickers. She made a pit stop at the only store around so that we could grab something to BBQ for dinner. Thank you Miss Janet! The hostel is really laid back and has everything we need but there are other homes nearby and one of the neighbours is playing music too loud, I hope it stops soon. Sparky and Orange Peel are here along with several southbounders and its fun to exchange trail info and learn about the best places to stay in the upcoming towns. It is after hiker midnight and I can hear someone playing a ukelele by the fire (the neighbours music has stopped) and I am about to drift off to sleep. Good night world!Trouble