morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-07-09
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Wintturi Shelter
Miles today: 9.9

2018 Miles: 384.4I left early to hike ahead to a higher elevation so I could call Marlene to talk about sending a package to Hanover, NH. I got service and we got everything set up and as I hiked away there was a tall aluminum ladder on the trail leaning against the high rock I was on so that I could get down the other side. Did not realize until then that I was up on a high rock cliff. I will summarize for today. Mostly the same terrain with many ups and downs. Around lunch time I was at a side trail .1 mile to the top of a high knob where there is a privately owned cabin/Shelter that hikers can use. It has a small deck on the roof that is accessible via a steep stairs/ladder. The view is great - 360 degrees and clear to many near and distant ridges. The place is called The Lookout - well named. Glider and I hiked ahead to the Wintturi Shelter for the night. Working our way to the New Hampshire border. Same weak phone service so minimal communication today. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-07-10
From: Wintturi Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter 
Miles today: 12.3

2018 Miles: 396.7The elevation chart for today¢s terrain looks like a sawtooth section up-down-up-down all day.  For some reason I was in the zone and was able to set a pace that I could maintain for the climbs and then fairly steady on the descents.  It went well for most of the day on a steady slog to the Thistle Hill Shelter. Also rare for Vermont are road crossings but today I crossed many gravel and even paved roads regularly.  Near one of the gravel roads a note was posted that 2016 thru hiker Firefly and her husband bought property 200 yards down the road and welcomed hikers to their ¢Back Porch¢. I visited them and had a boiled egg, drink, and fruit. For a couple of dollars I had real food and an early lunch to power me up the next mountain. They are a nice couple with a baby and just love the trail and hikers. I suspect a hostel at their property is in their future. I finished up today at this shelter just an hour before the predicted rain showered down so I decided to sleep in the shelter instead of my tent. I usually prefer my tent for privacy and bug proof living but just decided to avoid wet gear in the morning.  I¢ll see how that turns out versus a crowded shelter. PS. A few minutes later and the woods exploded with a torrential downpour and I am dry in the shelter listening to the rain banging and rattling the metal roof - cozy. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-07-11
From: Thistle Hill Shelter 

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 14.7

2018 Miles: 411.4My original plan for the day was to hike to the Happy Hill Shelter and then have a short hike into town tomorrow. We were planning to try and stay with some local folks who volunteer to help hikers by taking them into their homes for a night but my (our) town chores require another day. Glider and I agreed to get a room and share the cost so we decided to be in town Wednesday and Thursday nights, avoiding weekend rates at these pricey resort town places. So we hiked into Hanover NH today - another state completed. The hike today was more typical Vermont sawtooth terrain but we made good time and crossed the Connecticut River between Norwich, VT and Hanover NH at 3:00 pm. That always feels so good to cross another border. I have a package from Marlene at the Post Office to pick up and we are also planning our trip between here and the southern end of the storied White Mountains of New Hampshire. We will resupply for about 4 days and plan another resupply before we enter that section.  Nice to get a shower and can¢t wait to sit down to real food tonight.  Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-07-12
From: Hanover, NH

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a day in town to resupply, take care of prescriptions, do laundry, clean up, and get a little extra rest. All went well until we went to the restaurant for evening meal. As an afterthought I ordered some Italian garlic bread, trying to pack in as many calories as possible while my appetite and the availability of food were highest. I bit into the bread and felt a tooth break. Not just any tooth. In the early 1970¢s I had much dental work done. That included bridges where I had lost molars as a teenager on the middle bottom each side. As I understand a bridge, a tooth is fashioned to fill the gap and dental structures are attached to the neighbor teeth, front and back, to support the filler tooth, bridging the gap. The part of the tooth behind the bridge where the support is attached broke away. My dentist and I have been watching these for many years. So far they have been solid - he said some of the best work he¢s ever seen. One bite and it was gone. The actual bridge is still in place and the best I can do is avoid using it and hope it remains in place until I get back to Birmingham. Tough to do with the kind of food I eat out on the trail. What will I do if another incident occurs and the entire structure of the bridge gives way?  It¢s not the kind of thing I¢d like to do on the road with a strange Dentist in a faraway place with insurance questions and my regular dentist not involved. I have no pain. So far I have been able to function by just being careful. It¢s a hard place to have to be careful though. I have over 400 miles left to hike.  If I leave the trail to have this work done in Birmingham I doubt I¢d ever come back out. Too far and too much involved for me and everyone to think about a third attempt to finish. There are other things to do with my life and now is a great time where finishing the hike fits in as well as it ever will. So I am leaving it in the Lord¢s hands. I would like to finish now while I¢m here. I am continuing on as best I can and trusting that He will show me/us the way to go. Only I need to know His will in this clearly. He can protect my tooth and I am trusting for that and a clear leading for each step of the way. I know Marlene has informed many of you of the situation. Thank you for praying for me. Please keep on and pray me to Katahdin if that is God¢s will. If not I will accept that as well. To God be the glory.
Date: 2018-07-13
From: Hanover, NH

To: Moose Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 10.9

2018 Miles: 422.3First full day into New Hampshire. We had a hotel room in West Lebanon, NH since rooms in Hanover were pretty pricey. We used Uber to travel back and forth. The trail comes up the hill from the Connecticut River crossing and onto the Dartmouth University campus in Hanover and winds it¢s way thru town and the campus for a couple of miles before entering the woods at the back of one of the athletic practice fields. The terrain is much like Vermont with a hint of the big granite boulders to come. It is dry here with many streams dried up and water more scarce. I am at the shelter for the evening with minimal water for tonight and over 6 miles hiking in the morning to the nearest source. I am at Moose Mountain Shelter near the summit of Moose Mountain - no moose spotted yet. I got a video from the south peak of Moose Mountain as I passed and will send to Marlene - nice view. I am settling in for the night. Nothing new to report on my dental situation. Thanks everyone who is praying for me.  We continue to plan and modify plans for the approaching White Mountains.  Just have to do them. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-07-14
From: Moose Mountain Shelter 

To: Fire Wardens Cabin - Smarts Mountain 
Miles today: 12.4

2018 Miles: 434.7I was up and gone early, wanting to hike the six miles to the next shelter and it¢s water source while the day was cool since the overnight shelter was dry.  A couple of miles ahead I came to a small flowing stream not mentioned in the guide and was happy to get water for the day and drink my fill. That made a side trip to the Trapper John Shelter unnecessary.  I tried to message Glider about the water source but had no phone service so was unable to let him know.  Next was a big climb to Holts Ledge where I got a video from the cliff side overlook and sent it to Marlene. Then lunch at Grant Brook and I filled every bottle with water to cover getting here today, evening meal, breakfast, and getting off this mountain in the morning because the water source here at the old Fire Warden Cabin on Smarts Mountain is noted as unreliable. Turns out there is a weak trickle down there but I¢m set. But it made for a heavy pack for this afternoons climb. It was over 3000 feet elevation gain, some of it hand over hand steep. One of the hardest climbs I¢ve ever done. Got here around 4. There is a fire tower at the summit, shrouded in clouds. It is very windy and cold on this mountain. I hope to climb the tower in the morning to see the view of many of the major peaks in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and back to Vermont. Hope to get a video as well. A thunder storm is forecast and we¢ve already had a few showers but with no thunder or lightning so far. Nearly time to bundle up and settle in for the night. The old wardens Cabin has a door and window panes so we should be able to keep the wind at bay. Hope to sleep well. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-07-15
From: Fire Wardens Cabin - Smarts Mountain 

To: Ore Hill Campsite 
Miles today: 12.8

2018 Miles: 447.5We had hikers packed in at the Fire Wardens Cabin on Smarts Mountain as we were shrouded in thick clouds. The wind was fierce at times. Bags, a 23 year old young lady, and I were the first up and we took our gear outside to pack and then went to the base of the fire tower to eat breakfast. We had a good time talking and climbed the tower a couple of times but stopped half way up when the clouds eliminated any view. After she left I tried again and was able to get so-so video but with most distant mountains invisible or dim in the mist. Then I left for the long and punishing descent from Smarts Mountain, a little over 4 miles steeply down over wet rocky trail. At the bottom I started right away up the side of Mount Cube, about 1500 feet gain, again steep and rocky. New Hampshire is going to be like that. At the summit I sat on exposed rock slabs to have a quick lunch, followed by another harrowing descent.  Then one final 1100 foot climb to Ore Hill and the Ore Hill Campsite - former shelter site but I guess the shelter burned down. About a mile before we got to this campsite we ran into Omelette Man, a trail angel who fried me a big slice of fresh ham for a ham/bagel sandwich, and gave me a cold drink. That hit the spot. Today it seemed hot and humid and I think I filtered and drank more water today than I ever have in one day - stopped at virtually every stream. Some streams are dry and shelters and campsites seem to have unreliable water sources. Phone service is spotty in this area so I will send pictures and videos and update my journal when I can. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-07-16
From: Ore Hill Campsite 

To: HikerÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Welcome Hostel 
Miles today: 7.3

2018 Miles: 454.8I thought I heard the hiker who came in last night to set up a hammock shooing a bear away at about 5:00 this morning. Later when I got out and went over his direction he was packed and gone so I guess it was all ok. Quickly broke camp and was away to hike in the early morning woods - my favorite time. My destination, The Hikers Welcome Hostel, lay over 7 miles away with Mist Mountain and a couple of hills between. I was on a mission and barely stopped the whole way. I am here at the hostel and have showered and done laundry. But most importantly I got my resupply box from Marlene (3 cheers) and am set to start into the White Mountains. Mount Moosilauke is the first big mountain we hit, the first that rises above treeline. The weather for tomorrow calls for heavy rain and thunderstorms so we have a decision to make as the hostel folks recommend not trying to climb and cross the mountain in such conditions. Weather predictions being what they are we will decide in the morning - not an exact science at all.  The next hundred miles or so have similar terrain and similar decisions along the way. More weak phone service so I will update when I can. I¢m learning not to expect too much in the way of communication. Marlene and I tried to talk awhile ago but gave up with the bad connection. The next section I just have to take it as it comes on all sides. Thanks to all who are following along and praying for me. I appreciate it very much. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-07-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The forecast this morning was none better so we decided to stay put at the hostel instead of trying to climb and cross Moosilauke. All but one hiker I know of decided the same.  Shortly after breakfast the rains came. It was much better to watch it from under a roof than to be out in it on the mountain. Hikers who overnighted south of here came in either solo or in pairs all morning completely drenched. Dripping wet they were so happy to reach the hostel and get a shower and do chores. The plan is to shuttle out at 7:30 tomorrow and climb and descend Moosilauke and come back here for another night before hiking north with our full, heavy resupplied packs. The rest and real food should help me do this first of the monster mountains in the Whites. Very poor phone service so I will update this and the daily journal when I can. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-07-18
From: HikerÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Welcome Hostel 

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.3

2018 Miiles: 464.1Today I climbed the first mountain in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We shuttled North and hiked back to the hostel carrying basic gear and supplies. The climb up the north slope was beautiful, following a cascading waterfall much of the way. Very steep path with high rocks to climb and wood beam steps and rebar hand holds fitted onto the rocks. Finally I hit the open grassy summit area and left the shelter of the trees. The wind was probably 50 mph and the temp was about 50 as well. At the rocky summit we got pictures and hung out in the shelter of a pile of boulders to block the wind. Then we gingerly started out on the descent, anticipating the shelter of the trees ahead. A fairly steep and rocky descent for most of the way with a little leveling off nearer the end. So it was a great start to this section. Back at the hostel Next Step walks in. Every year I choose about half a dozen hiker journals to follow on trailjournals.com and one this year was Next Step and his wife Which Way. She is injured and off trail but he has continued on. I knew he was in the area and it was so nice to meet and we hit it off well last evening. Then Daddy Longlegs walks in - a hiker I knew well last year who also got seriously injured, ending his hike too. We had a great time catching up and comparing notes. So Glider and I have put together our plan for the next 10 days and will go out in the morning heading north. Most likely plans will change but we will be flexible as needed. It is very cold here now, 47 degrees. Better for hiking but concerning for being at high elevation. We will see. Communication has been very weak and not expected to improve.  Marlene and I have traded a few texts and I have gotten the occasional pictures thru. Virtually no videos have successfully made it. Precious times. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-07-19
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.5

2018 Miles: 475.6Wow! What a day. We shuttled out to Kinsman Notch and began a long climb right from the road to the summit of Mount Wolf. Then a long descent to Eliza Brook Shelter for lunch. Then the tough stuff began. Possibly the hardest and steepest I¢ve ever done. For about a mile the trail ran nearly beside Eliza Brook coming down the huge steep ravine coming down from South Kinsman Mountain. After that the trail wandered off away from the brook towards the summit. A very long steep slope. So steep that this 69-year-old¢s neck could not bend enough to see the trail running above me. A continuous rock and boulder scramble up the side in never ending succession. The hardest climb I¢ve ever done. Finally mounting the summit of South Kinsman I got a video and talked with two young hikers who thought that North Kinsman Mountain was that little rise a few hundred yards away. Turns out it was a significant dip then a climb to a pretty prominent peak a mile away. So I did that and then a steep descent to the Kinsman Pond and Kinsman Pond Shelter. I was exhausted but very happy to be here. Filtered water and had evening meal as a crowd of about a dozen hikers showed up. There is a caretaker here who is with the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and she collects $10 per Hiker for the night. Welcome to the White Mountains.  I hope to sleep well tonight as I am exhausted and have many aches and pains. No phone service so I continue to collect journal entries, photos and videos. Hope to talk to Marlene soon. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-07-20
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 4.8

2018 Miles: 480.4During the night a helicopter made a couple of runs around our area and over the pond. We were wondering if there was a rescue somewhere. This morning the caretaker told me the National Guard likes to use the area for practice because of the terrain. She was not thrilled though because apparently they buzzed so close to her tent area that her equipment and quarters blew and vibrated. I was up first and packed and went to the path to the pond to eat breakfast where it was absolutely quiet. As others came by they all commented on the quiet in hushed tones. The pond was placid, reflecting the mountainside bathed in sunlight at the peak. I loaded up to hike to Lonesome Lake and the Lonesome Lake Hut, about two miles away. Lonesome Lake is the body of water I showed in the video I sent to Marlene from atop the mountain. The trail down was steep and rocky. Very technical in places and would be treacherous in wet conditions.  The huts are reservation only places to stay throughout the White Mountains. Thru hikers can sometimes get work-for-stay spots. The ¢Croo¢ at the huts will select a couple of hikers in the late afternoon to do chores mostly related to meals for the paying guests in exchange for sleeping on the floor and all the food they want after the guests have eaten. I may get to do that at a hut further north. Also, if you time it right like this morning they let thru hikers eat all leftover food because they have to pack it out if it¢s not eaten. Hiking in only, no road access. All perishable supplies also carried in via pack by the Croo. Very expensive place and spartan conditions. I got free scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit and coffee - all I wanted. Then about three more miles down to Franconia Notch. Along the way I met two guys from the shelter last night who were ending their short hiking trip and had come down a different side trail. One had a pickup at the parking area about a mile from the Notch and offered me, Glider, and another hiker named Craig a ride into Lincoln. We learned that the weather for the next several days is expected to be bad because of a tropical storm. Many inches of rain and high winds are predicted. The next several days at the high elevations north of us do not look good for hiking. The weather is a major topic for the whole east and northeast. We are unsure how the next few days will go. We may have to hold up to see when things change.  The three of us have a room for the night. Craig is taking a few days off in Boston to let a foot injury heal. Glider and I are unsure at this point. The next section is about a three day commitment for us once we climb out of Franconia Notch. We are looking for a window and will play it by ear. These steep mountainsides are dangerous when it¢s raining. I hope to talk with Marlene by phone tomorrow. It¢s been a long time without much communication. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-07-26
From: Franconia Notch

To: Liberty Springs Campsite 
Miles today: 2.7

2018 Miles: 483.1It rained all night in Lincoln, NH, heavily.  I was concerned the forecast for the high elevations would change back to the bad stuff.  We were ready to go at 9 and loaded up to get to the trailhead. It was a wet and sloppy morning on the road. That was nothing compared to the woods. We had about a mile to walk to get to the Appalachian Trail but the side trail was a muddy slippery mess. Runoff streams crossing and running down the path. Our shoes were soaked in a few minutes. Then you don¢t worry about it anymore.  There is a footbridge where we left off. The other day it was a nice quiet stream. Today it was a howling roaring torrent undulating up and down as it crashed thru the stream bed, now twice as wide as the other day.  So it was a nearly 3 mile climb straight up the side to the shoulder of Franconia Ridge from Franconia Notch. Climbing a rock pile with every step up a distance to make you strain and pull. Feet soaked by the running water from nearly a week of drenching rain with no place else to go. That¢s why we wanted to knock out this climb so we could tackle the ridge and Little Haystack Mountain, Mount Lincoln, Mount Lafayette, and Mount Garfield tomorrow without the added strain of getting up here. So that has gone well. Our packs are full and heavy but the rest and just the pull to get going again powered us up the mountain. We got here and set up tents, then spent nearly the rest of the daylight hours in a rain storm. It is nearly dark but we can see what we hope is the beginning of clearing in the west and above us. If so, tomorrow will be hard but also beautiful. So nice to make progress again. I was able to get a cryptic message out to Marlene that I am here and well. I hope to get some pics and videos tomorrow. Unsure when I will be able to send any. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-07-27
From: Liberty Springs Campsite 

To: Garfield Ridge Shelter/Campsite 
Miles today: 7.6

2018 Miles: 490.7Our plan for today worked out well enough. I was up early and ready to leave by 6:30.  A steep climb up to Franconia Ridge and a round about route to get to the bottom of Little Haystack (don¢t let the ¢little¢ fool you). At the summit I entered the alpine zone, above tree line. Scant vegetation on an open summit with lots of piles of rocks and huge stacks of boulders. I could see for miles, both along the ridge and the route over the summits of the line of peaks ahead and the distant views to ridges and mountains both those I had already hiked over and some north coming up.  I crossed Little Haystack and then Lincoln. Then Lafayette rose up ahead to challenge me. It was a tough series of progressively higher boulder piles to a windswept summit. Then the descent. It will be hard to use new language to describe the trip down the back of Lafayette. I won¢t try. It was very hard and long. Ahead the last mountain of the day rose up - Mount Garfield. It took a long difficult hike just to get to the beginning of the Garfield climb.  Then 750 feet straight up. I began to hear thunder. Only one clap hit close above me. Never in danger.  It began to rain on the climb and continued as I hit the summit and began the descent to the shelter area. On the way down the very high step ups continued and I hurt my right knee stepping down from about a 4 foot high rock. Concerned, but not sure how it will do tomorrow. There is a nasty descent to finish off Garfield and then both the climb and descent of South Twin Mountain right away in the morning. I will see how that goes.  It is not a good location for a knee injury. Many miles to the nearest road. So we are packed into the shelter with the rain coming down.  Just have to make it work. No phone reception at this remote location. Goodnight Sweetheart