morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-08
From: Hanover NH

To: Trapper John's shelter
Miles today: 16.6

7/8 I woke early and was the only one awake. Warren and his wife were also asleep. I didn't get the chance to meet her because I went to bed around 10 and she got home later. I spent some time on his back porch working on my journal. There is an excellent view of the Mountains from the porch and the rain had ended so it made a nice place to spend some morning time. Top O was awake now and we decided to pack up and re walk the 3 miles of road. We left around 8 and hitched a ride. She dropped us off at the food coop. Top O and I took turns walking back to the place we turned around the night before so we didn't skip a section. We got some food and breakfast at the coop and were hiking by 9. I knew we had 2 climbs near the end of the day and thunderstorms predicted. The air was really humid again and the temperature was to be near 90. I guess I thought the weather would be cooler up here. We passed sodas on the trail without stopping. Apparently, the humidity and bugs go up together. The velvet rocks section was so pretty and the morning went by pretty quick and we had lunch at Three Mile Rd just before the climbs and near a stream where we got water. The climbs were considerable and the sweat constantly dripped from my arms and nose. After Moose Mountain, we went back down and along a beaver pond and then right back up to Holts ledge. We took a nice long break there and were only 0.9 miles from Trapper John's shelter. We headed down steep to the shelter and were there in 15 minutes. Survivor Man, Chef and several others were there. I think 10 total and half set up tents and the others stayed in the shelter. The water here is a nice stream just 100 ft away and big enough to bathe in. There were conversation about the weather, the next few days and about Top O's departure tomorrow. Even though the weather was not very favorable, it was a good day and thunder never turned to rain where we were. I am grateful today for all the people that make this experience so amazing.
Date: 2014-07-09
From: Trapper John's shelter

To: Stealth camp
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

Day 100 I woke to the sound of heavy rain. I tucked my shoes a little farther under the shelter and went back to sleep. The next time I woke Top O was getting his stove ready for coffee. I looked ad it was 5:30 I am usually on my first cup by that time. We were on the trail by 6:40. The rains made the trail a stream at times and a mud hole other times. We had a 2300 ft climb followed by a 1400 ft climb for today and it would also be the day that Top. O would be getting off trail for a week to spend with his wife and sons. The air was a little cooler than we have had lately so the first climb was a little easier. There was also a nice breeze this morning. We ate first lunch on Smarts Mountain and Chef joined us. I had some Vermont cheese and turkey sausage on flat bread and some Fritos. The trip down Smart mountain was steep and slippery. Top O and Chef both took a fall today without injury. We climbed Mt. Cube next. I was feeling a bit tired on the way up but the views were amazing. I encountered one southbound hiker today. I expected more. Top O was in a bit of a hurry so we left after a few pictures and headed down to the road where he would hitch to town and be waiting on his family. Chef said he would catch us and he did at a stream where I was filtering water just less than a mile from where he was getting off. It seemed like half a mile where we said goodbye. I will miss him, but I will also be able to slow down and enjoy the White Mountains and Main at an easy pace. I am 16 days ahead of where I thought I would be so there is plenty of time for me to do so. Chef and I continued on and I told him I was going to stealth camp alone tonight. A mile later we crossed a stream and Chef said he was going to have dinner there. I looked for my spot and set up my tent as the Thunder started. I went for water and got in my tent as the rain began. We have had rain all 3 days since we entered NH and 5 days in VT. I made 4 servings of instant mashed ptotatoes and added the rest of the turkey sausage, some corn and some bacon bits. I ate dinner as I typed up my TJ on my phone. There is no service here so I will try to post tomorrow. End chapter 9 with a 17.5 mile day. Today i am grateful that I was able to hike so much of the trail with Top O
Date: 2014-07-10
From: Stealth camp

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: few clouds

Again, I woke to the sound of rain. 4 days in NH and 4 days of rain. I went back to sleep. At 4:40 I woke again and started to make my morning coffee only to find my water bag had fallen into my stove and opened the fule valve. It was empty. I had planned just the right amount of fule to get me through the Whites. Oh well, at least I can get more in two days. I left with my wet tent at 5:30 and began my 9.5 mile day to the Hikers Welcome hostel at the base of Mt Moosilauke. It was another wet muddy day. I saw lots of moose droppings, but no moose. By 11, I was at the at the hostel. I showered, did my laundry, dried my tent, shoes and sleeping bag and went on the run to the gas station for a deli sandwich and a few snacks. I was back by 2 and planned to rest my ankle that has been bothering me for the last few days. Tomorrow, Moosilauke! As the afternoon went on, the hostel filled up. I knew most everyone but made a couple new friends. I ordered a pizza from the Italian restaurant down the road and ate most of it saving two pieces for tomorrow's breakfast. I went to bed at 8 . Just another day to be grateful for.
Date: 2014-07-11
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: light rain

This morning I woke to the sound of a couple of hikers in the hostel packing. 12 of the 15 in the hostel were taking a shuttle to hike Moosilauke south back to the hostel. This gives us another day of food without carrying it. It also gave us all another day together. I left on the first shuttle at 6. We were on the trail at 6:45. The weather was near perfect with 60 degree temperature and a crystal clear sky. The hike was as good as it gets but quite steep. I hiked to the summit alone but met most of our group shortly after. Stretch and I spent a couple hours on the summit and then hiked down together and made plans to hike together the following day. Later we went to the store and I got ice cream.. The rest of the day was spent lazily hanging around the hostel. I am so used to seeing some of these people, they are like family. Today was what we dream of. Perfect.
Date: 2014-07-12
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

7/12. This morning I woke at 4:40 and made coffee and ate pop tarts for breakfast. We had a shuttle to take us back to the trail at 6. I rode back to the trail with Dino, Lady Moose, DiVinci and Bean Dip. The weather was perfect again. The second day in NH without rain. The hike started steep uphill at 6:30 and continued uphill until we made the top of Mt. Wolf where we dropped back down 1000 ft to Eliza Brook. The trail followed this beautiful brook for an hour or so to head waters of the brook. The trail began to get really steep. I think it was the Steepest section I have done on the AT so far. An hour later I was one of the prettiest places I have seen in months. Harrington pond. Dinosaur was stopped looking at the pond when I arrived. We continued the steep ascent of Kinsman Mountain to the South summit where I had lunch with Dino, DiVinci and Lady Moose. We then went down and back up to the North summit. The rest of the afternoon was spent going downhill to Franconia Notch. I must have passed 50 day hikers. I think they were all going to Lonesome Lake. I saw 8 Southbound hikers today and 8 section hikers. When i made my way to highway U.S. 3 I hitched into Lincoln NH for food. The second car stopped. Flossie and Grey Squirrel were inside. They were heading a mile away from where I was going. I bought fule for my stove, pasta and candy. I had left my pack at Chets, who allows hikers to sleep in his garage. I ate at the pizza place and went back to Chets. He had loaned me a bicycle to get around easier. There were so many hikers there I knew. I repacked my pack and claimed a spot. More hikers came in as it got later. Today, I am grateful for a blue sky. Tomorrow they say 4 more days of rain. I am leaving early.
Date: 2014-07-13
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield Ridge shelter
Miles today: 10.3

7/13 Last night at Chets place some people were talking about staying another night and spending the day relaxing or swimming. There was also a bit of beer drinking going on as well. I, on the other hand, was good. The strongest thing I had to drink was lemonade and I was in bed by 9.. I was taking the Whites and the forecast seriously. I woke just after 5 and quietly packed up and left by 5:45. I walked the 1/2 mile to McDonald's only to find them not open yet. I went to Dunkin donuts and got some breakfast and coffee. I hitched a ride back to the trail pretty easily and was heading up towards Franconia ridge by 6:45 I had thought the climb up to Mt. Lincoln was going to be harder than it was. I took my time and there was a cool breeze most of the morning. I passed 6 southbound hikers today. I also met, another northbound hiker,Texaco's father. The wind was really strong today on Franconia ridge. The clouds were low and blowing over the ridge. Sometimes the sun would break through and I was above the low clouds. Most of the low clouds had burned off by the time I made it to Mt. Lafayette, but the high clouds were building so I didn't linger too long. On my way down I stopped for lunch and met some section hikers. We chatted for a while and I headed north. I still had one more Mtn to climb and wanted to be at the shelter before the rain began. The 600 ft. Up Mt Garfield seem like more and the rain looked like it was near. I made it to the Garfield Ridge shelter and got my water before the rains came. Survivor Man showed up an hour later wet and cold. A few others have come, but there just us two Northbound through hikers. Today I am grateful to be able to be in one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
Date: 2014-07-14
From: Garfield Ridge shelter

To: Stealth camp
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

7/14 I made my coffee as usual and had blueberry pop tarts for breakfast. I slipped quietly out of the Garfield shelter at 6:20. The rain had passed and the sky was blue. I knew the rains would return around 3 so I wasted no time. The descent off Mt. Garfield was steep and the rocks were slick from the rain so I was carefull as I climbed down. Twice I tossed my hikin poles down the rocks because I needed both hands. Two hours later and only 2.7 miles away from my start I came to the Galehead Hut. I entered and ask if there was any breakfast left for a through hiker. I was given oatmeal and pancakes for which I, in return, washed dishes for 20 minutes. My second breakfast held me up and over the 4900 ft south Twin Mountain and 4 more miles where I stopped for lunch. Peperoni, cheese and bread with some dried fruit and a hand full of m&ms. I later stopped at the Zeeland Falls hut for water and met 4 southbound hikers from east TN. That makes 7 in 3 days from TN and a total of 7 today. I had planned to stealth camp alone tonight and it was nearing thunderstorm time so I began looking for a spot. Just after 3 I found a nice spot 100 yds from a good size stream. I set up my camp and bathed in the stream. The clouds were building so I hurried back and cooked dinner. My pot coozie keeps my food hot for almost 2 hours so I finished setting up my camp just as it began to sprinkle. I made notes for the day and ate my pasta while working on my journal. I am enjoying the White Mountains although they are quite challenging at times. Tomorrow I will descend to 1200 ft. at Crawford Notch and then begin my ascent of the highest of the Whites, Mt Washington. Today was another beautiful day here and I am grateful for the creek near my camp where I bathed and got water for my morning coffee.
Date: 2014-07-15
From: Stealth camp

To: Nauman camp
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: moderate rain

Today as I drank my morning coffee, I thought about all the people I have met since I started this journey 4 months ago. All these people have one thing in common. They all want to hike the AT. There are so many different hikes, yet they are all the same trail. There are older hikers that are retired. Some of them stay in bed & breakfasts several nights a Week and eat nice places. Some camp most nights and stay in the hostels and eat whatever they can find at the markets. Some of the hikers are young and have a debit card from their parents. They may stay in town more and take days off to party. I have known some that have taken time out to go to music festivals, the beach, NYC, Atlantic City, DC or just home for a few days. Some of the hikers have a set schedule and miss much of the sights hurrying by to catch up. Some are out here trying to complete the trail faster than one of their friends and some see the whole experience as a party and don't take it serious at all jumping off and back on the trail whenever and where ever they choose. There are also a few people that are pretending to be through hikers and hang out with the hikers when they are at hostels or in town. Some think there is only one correct way to hike the AT and others say " hike your own hike". I do know it is much more than a party and it is not just a extended vacation. It's an experience of a lifetime and I am grateful to be part of it.I am doing exactly as my mentors have instructed. I have slowed down and I am enjoying the White Mountains. I have been hiking slowly and taking in the sight, sounds and smells. I spent an hour or more having lunch and watching the clouds from Mt . Jackson today. I stopped and had conversation with southbound hikers several times today as well. I knew I had an easy day and I enjoyed every minute of it. Even putting my tent up in the rain. My camp is at 3800 ft. tonight and bad storms are supposed to be here. As long as my tent holds, I will enjoy them as well. Oh, one more thing. I went to the Mizpah hut near Nauman camp at 7:45 after the guests had finished eating dinner and ask for leftovers. I was treated to lasagna, salad, broccoli and a brownies. I had seconds. What a great day!
Date: 2014-07-16
From: Nauman camp

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning I woke to my 7th day. Of rain since I entered NH only to find my tent doesn't work on a tent platform. Pretty much everything I have was wet with the exception of my clothes bag. I used the 4 cords I have to tie down my tent for the coming storms. Since I didn't guy the sides, it leaked there and I have no idea why the floor leaked. So I as I listened to the rain, I tried to keep my sleeping bag from getting wetter. I made my coffee and had my pop tarts and then walked to the hut to ask for leftovers from breakfast. I was told to come back after 8:30. I went back to pack up and saw that my sleeping bag had been getting dripped on and was wet now also. I really didn't want to cross this scenic section of the Whites in rain and fog so I decided to use the zero day I had planned for Gorham in 4 days. Tomorrow is supposed to be dry and clearer. I booked a bunk at Mizpah hut where I spent a lazy day drying out my gear and resting. I watched 4 of my fellow hikers pass and I saw thin mint who I have not seen for 2 months. It's nice to be on the inside looking out for once. I eat when they do and I get as much as I want. Tomorrow, I cross Mt. Washington and the presidential range in nicer weather. Today I am grateful for the bunk in a room with 6 strangers
Date: 2014-07-17
From: Mizpah Hut

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

Today was such an awesome day. It started with coffee that I didn't have to make followed by breakfast of oatmeal, western style eggs, donuts and peaches. I left the hut right after breakfast at 7:30. The sky was clearing and the clouds were lifting. I headed towards Mt Washington. Along the way, I passed Lake of the Clouds Hut and stopped in to get water. I saw the 2 section hikers that did work for stay at Mizpah the night before. They had managed to get the leftovers from the previous nights dinner. When they saw me, one of them said "Grasshopper, grab a plate" I did and had peas, mashed potatoes, peaches and roast pork for lunch. It was much better than what I had planned. I continued on to Mt. Washington. I found an outlet and plugged in my phone and chatted with Lady Moose and Bean Dip. I stayed for an hour and my phone was 80% charged. Then I headed north on the AT towards Mt. Jefferson. The wind was gusting so hard at times I almost fell. The temperature is supposed to drop into the 30's in the high mountains tonight and only reach 50 today so it was cold enough for me to pull out my fleece and hat. The sun spent most of the day hiding behind the clouds but they were high and the visibility was 15 miles or so. I am so glad I waited for this weather to do this section of the Whites. I continued towards Mt. Madison and then Madison Springs Hut. I knew the camping area was 0.6 mi. away, but wanted to stop at the hut to see if there was anyone I knew there. It was just before 5 when I walked in and recognized 4 other hikers setting in the dinning hall. I ask one if they were doing work for stay. They said no and that I should ask. I did and was accepted. Awesome! Not only do I get a nice dinner, I get to sleep on the dining room floor where it is warmer and I don't have to hike back down below the treeline to camp. Again, I washed dishes but this time I had roast beef, salad, falafel, corn, rice and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. You may think this is an odd thing to do while hiking the AT, but it is actually coveted among through hikers. I will not ask again to be fair to the other hikers. After 11.8 miles it was a perfect ending along with watching the sun set from inside a nice warm room. Today I am grateful for a couple of days without rain. Today was the 5th rain free day of July.
Date: 2014-07-18
From: Madison Springs Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: light rain

Waking up on a bench in the dining hall of Madison Springs Hut was quite an experience. Spending so much time alone changes ones perspective. The crew at the hut are incredible and one has to get the kitchen up and running each morning around 5. Coffee is made for the early risers and cooking begins. At 6:30, the crew had a guitar and mandolin and sang Going to Carolina to wake the rest of the guests. Mozy, his daughter in law and I had finished packing our beds and moved to the corner table while the crew set the tables for breakfast. After everyone had finished and the crew cleaned up after the guests, the guests began to pack and leave. The crew eats after the everyone is finished and some are gone. We were invited to join them for oatmeal and pancakes. Those were the best pancakes I have had on this trip. The weather was 40 degrees and 50 mph. winds on Mt Washington that morning so we were in no hurry. We washed the dishes and swept the floors before heading out at 9:15 or so. After leaving the hut, the AT climbs Mt. Madison. At almost 5400 ft, The weather was quite cold with with the wind. I found a spot out of the wind to sit back and enjoy the views. It is pretty in this part of the country. After Madison, there was a long, steep downhill to 2300 ft and into the Great Gulf Wilderness. As much as I enjoy being above the treeline, I prefer the forest. The sound of rushing water and the smell of pine and flowers are not there above the trees. Shortly after 3, I found myself at Pinkham Notch. I went to the visitors center and bought an orange soda. I walked out to NH 16 and hitched into Gorham to resuply and spend the weekend resting and licking my wounds. I will spend the weekend just relaxing and acting like the other tourists here except I will hitch to the store for supplies. I am grateful to be able to rest and relax for two days at the foot of Mt Washington.
Date: 2014-07-21
From: Pinkham Notch

To: U.S. 2 Gorham NH White Mountain Hostel
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

After 2 days of R&R and nursing an injury, I decided to get back on the the trail today. Since I hitched into town, I had to get a shuttle back to the trail and could only arrange a 7:30 ride. I was back at Pinkham Notch. The trail would consist of 5 climbs over a distance of 21 miles. The biggest of which is Carter Dome. The trail offered multiple side trail that would allow me to escape back to town if I felt like I needed to. The air was cool at my 8:00 start. Good thing because it started with a 2,000 ft. climb to the first of 4 Wildcat peaks then a 900 ft descent to nineteen mile brook and then back up 2,000 ft to Carter Dome. The next 7 miles was mostly down hill. The last climb was 850 ft and offered one of the best views in the Whites. I spent 15 minutes just admiring the view of the presidential Mountains. The final 8 miles were almost all down hill. Just two mile short of the highway, I passed Rattle River shelter. As I neared the shelter, I heard someone yell Grasshopper. . It was Top O. We chatted for a bit and I moved on. I would be seeing him again in a few days. I went on to the Hostel and caught the shuttle into Gorham. I went to the first restaurant open and ordered food and a beer. I talked to a guy next to me about the trail as I ate and had a couple more beers. The shuttle driver text me and said he was on his way so I ask for my bill. When i got the bill the man next to my grabbed it and ask if it was OK if he picked it up because he enjoyed the conversation. I said thank you and told him about trail magic. I returned to the White Mountain Hostel to a crowd of mostly hikers I know. I drank a couple of beers while talking to them and went to bed by 9. Today I am grateful to be back on the trail.