morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-08-08
From: Stealth Campsite on Carter Mountail

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 9.8

Hiked to the top of Mount Hight which offered a 360 degree view. Took a long break at the summit behind a rock that blocked the wind. Soaked up some solar energy and enjoyed the view. Hiked to the peak of Carter Dome then descended Carter Notch and stopped in at the Hut. Scored some cold pancakes and oatmeal. A steep climb out of the notch brought me to the peak of Wildcat Mountain. Followed the ridgeline to the top of the Wildcat ski area. The gondola was running and I spent 10 minutes debating on taking the gondola to the bottom or hiking down Pinkham Notch. I decided to hike. It is a 2000 ft elevation drop over a relatively short distance. I got to the point where the trail seemed to go over a cliff, with a very iffy route down. I tossed my poles to the bottom of the 25 ft. drop and began to descend. I got about 5 ft. down when my spider senses told me that this could not possibly be the trail. I was able to climb back up and then noticed a small ledge at the top of the cliff. I followed this ledge to a much safer route down. (A well placed white blaze would have saved me a lot of anguish!!) Now to rescue my poles, which I was able to do successfully. A lot more down, followed by a one mile hike parallel to Highway 16 brought me to the Pinkham Notch Visitors Centre. I had insufficient cell signal so I could not call for a shuttle back to Gorham. However the first person I asked in the parking lot volunteered to drive me to The Barn (hostel).
Date: 2016-08-09
From: The Barn - Gorham

To: The Barn - Gorham
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Took a day off. Needed to buy new shoes. Picked up a pair of blue Merrels at the hardware store / outfitter in Gorham. Making a run to Wal-Mart for resupply and will be back on the trail tomorrow. Met a hiker (Rolling) staying at The Barn that was waiting for the delivery of his new tent. Seems he destroyed the poles of his old tent while climbing down a cliff on Pinkham Notch. Anybody got some white paint?
Date: 2016-08-11
From: Osgoode Tent Site

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Long steep climb up Mount Madison. Stopped at Madison Spring Hut, met Beaver. Long trek above tree line. Summited Mount Washington at 7 p.m. The parking lot was deserted and everything was closed up. Got to hut at 8:30 p.m. Got work for stay. Ate my fill of leftovers.
Date: 2016-08-12
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Webster Cliffs 
Miles today: 9.2

Made good time to Mizpah Hut. Had lunch with Journey. Waited out a rain storm. Got bogged down with ups, technical sections. Began a huge climb down into Crawford Notch. Very heavy rain as I was climbing down. Camped near lookout. Got even more rain overnight.
Date: 2016-08-13
From: Webster Cliffs 

To: Zeacliff
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

Finally got to the bottom of Crawford Notch. Climbed other side. Took a lunch break at the shelter and met Nome. Got back on the trail and met Casper. Tried work for stay at Zealand Hut. No dice but did eat leftover chicken couscous and pasta ties. Hiked uphill about 1 mile and stealth camped near lookout with Casper.
Date: 2016-08-15
From: Galehead Hut

To: Liberty Springs Campground 
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a good breakfast of leftovers. Swept out bunk rooms. Left after 10:00 a.m. Foggy, cleared up while I took a lunch break on the peak of Garfield Mountain. Hiked the Franconia Ridge with clear views. Very cool. Made it to Liberty Springs campsite just before dark.
Date: 2016-08-16
From: Liberty Springs Campground 

To: The Notch Hostel - Woodstock
Miles today: 2.6
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked down from Liberty Springs Campground to the Flume Visitors Center. Had some fries and a coke at the restaurant while I waited for he shuttle to the hostel. The hostel was exceptionally clean and well organized. Met lots of hikers, ate food and relaxed.
Date: 2016-08-17
From: The Notch Hostel - Woodstock

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: light rain

Left the Notch Hostel to resupply in town. Stopped at the outfitter and went to Price Chopper for food. Had lunch at Subway then caught a shuttle to the Liberty Springs Trailhead. Had some trouble crossing a stream that was running heavy with recent rain. Managed to get across with dry feet, only to slip on a rock on the far side, completely immersing my left foot. Stopped in at the Lonesome Lake Hut for a break. One of the croo was in the kitchen playing guitar and singing. I enjoyed the music. Arrived at the shelter at 5:00 pm where I visited with Old Hiker (60 yrs) and Crow (72 yrs).
Date: 2016-08-18
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter

To: Stealth Site on Mount Wolf
Miles today: 8.4

The highlight of my day was finding out, via my cell phone, that Erica Wiebe won Olympic Wrestling gold in Rio. I hiked a tough up and down of Kinsmen Mountain. There were flooded bog bridges where I had no choice but to get my feet wet. It was slow going. I hiked till 7:15 when I found a stealth site on Mount Wolf.
Date: 2016-08-19
From: Stealth Site on Mount Wolf

To: Jeffer's Brook Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Hiked down from Mount Wolf to a road with a large parking lot, a privy and a picnic table. Had an early lunch at the picnic table then began the long trek up Mount Moosilauke. The ascent was very long and steep following Beaver Brook up the mountain. Recent rains resulted in a spectacular, perpetual waterfall along the side of the trail all the way up to Beaver Brook shelter where I stopped for a break. Exchanged intel with a couple of NOBOs at the shelter. More climbing followed until a broke through the tree line to the site of a spectacularly large alpine meadow. Stopped for a few pics and headed down the other side. A long, mostly gradual descent followed. I pushed late (8:15) to Jeffers Brook Shelter where I tented for the night.
Date: 2016-08-20
From: Jeffer's Brook Shelter

To: Side of Cube Mountain
Miles today: 13.2

Followed a nice dirt path most of the day. Ran into Greg doing trail magic. He cooked omelettes for hikers with juice, cookies, muffins and bananas. I ate so much that I skipped supper. When I heard from another hiker that the shelter ahead was full I pulled off the trail and stealth camped on the side of Cube Mountain.
Date: 2016-08-21
From: Side of Cube Mountain

To: Firewarden's Cabin - Smart Mountain
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: light rain

Low energy today. Was aiming for 15 miles but came up short. Took a nap for about an hour on the side of the trail. Stopped at the Firewarden's cabin on the peak of Smarts Mountain. Casper showed up a couple of hours later.
Date: 2016-08-22
From: Firewarden's Cabin - Smart Mountain

To: Mink Brook
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: few clouds

It rained hard most of the night. Glad to be inside a dry cabin. There were ups and downs and some hard, slippery quartz rock but lots of dirt pathway made for faster hiking. Stopped hiking at 7 pm making my longest daily distance so far, over 15 miles.
Date: 2016-08-23
From: Mink Brook

To: St Barnabus Episcopal Church - Nowich Vermont
Miles today: 9.8

Lots of dirt pathway, road crossings and a little trail magic from Neon. Stepped out of the woods into the city of Hanover. Stopped at the Co-op store for chocolate milk, coke and some chips. Made our way through town picking up alcohol for the stove and food resupply. Stopped for a free slice of pizza. Ended up ordering a whole pizza and drinking coke. Walked across a bridge over the Connecticut River, moving into my 3rd state (Vermont). Kept walking to St Barnabus Episcopal Church where we stayed for the night.
Date: 2016-08-27
From: Chateauguay Road

To: Yellow Deli - Rutland, US Route 4
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

Trail is getting easier. But still lots of ups and downs. Hitched in to Rutland with Casper. Resupplied at Walmart and Price Chopper. Stayed at the Yellow Deli Hostel.
Date: 2016-08-28
From: Yellow Deli - Rutland, US Route 4

To: Yellow Deli - Rutland, Vermont Route 103
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: light rain

Took local bus to trail head. Began slack pack at about 10:00 a.m. Along relatively easy climb up Mount Killington. Took the side trail with a crazy rock climb to the summit. Hung out at ski lodge too long as Casper flirted with girls. Pushed hard for the rest of the day. Finished just after 8:00 p.m. in the dark. Got a ride from Honey Bear to McDonald's and back to the hostel.
Date: 2016-08-29
From: Yellow Deli - Rutland, Vermont Route 103

To: Gooderham, ON
Miles today: 0.0

Travelled by bus to Hanover on August 29th. Rode Greyhound from Hanover to Montreal and then Ottawa. My lovely wife picked me up in Ottawa. Spent a relaxing two weeks reconnecting at home and moving my daughter into her college dorm.
Date: 2016-09-12
From: Rutland-Road 103

To: Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Stayed at a motel in Rutland last night. Tried to sort out phone issues this morning. The sim card in my US phone malfunctioned and I need a replacement. I'm having a new card sent to the Red Sled Motel in Manchester Centre. The AWOL guide says that they are hiker friendly. Didn't get on trail until 1 p.m. Hiked until 7 p.m. Lost my trail legs, wondering how long until they come back. Had a rough night, headache and chills. Bundled up in my new down sleeping bag only to wake in the middle of the night sweating buckets. Seems the new bag is much warmer than the old one. Shared the shelter with 3 section hikers.
Date: 2016-09-13
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Got a late start, slept in after a rough night. Came upon 2 rock gardens. Not really sure why people would take the time to stack so many rocks. Hike your own hike I guess. Stopped just after 6 p.m. Legs were tired, no trail legs yet. Stayed at the Lost Pond Shelter with 3 section hikers.
Date: 2016-09-14
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Red Sled Motel - Manchester Centre
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

On trail by 8 a.m. Legs getting stronger. Met numerous hikers, mostly Long Trail and section hikers. At the Peru Peak Shelter I chatted with some women who were section hiking. They told me about a hiker who had died of a heart attack at that shelter recently. As I was hiking I finally allowed myself to do the mental math. Really need to start cranking out the miles. New goal, 18 miles per day. Met 2 late NOBOs as I took a break and got water at the Bromley Shelter. When I reached VT Route 11 I hitched a ride to the Red Sled Motel, arriving just after 6 p.m. Received a cold reception from the woman at the front desk. Long story short: my package arrived earlier, delivery was refused, SIM card was returned to sender. Didn't learn the whole story until I was manipulated into paying $90 cash for a room. Worst customer service experience of my life. I was able to contact the phone company using WiFi and they agreed to send another SIM card General Delivery to the post office in North Adams MA. I resigned myself to being without phone service for several more days. The man who owned the motel did offer me a free ride to town for resupply. We made arrangements to go in the morning.
Date: 2016-09-15
From: Red Sled Motel - Manchester Centre

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Got a ride from the motel owner into town at 9:00 am. Had breakfast at McDonald's and resupplied at the Price Chopper. Got picked up at 11:00 and drove back to the trail. Began hiking at 11:22 a.m. Legs are getting stronger. Took a break at a very nice shelter, Spruce Peak Shelter. It was an enclosed cabin with a wood stove. Picked up two dehydrated meals that someone left behind. I love trail magic. Stopped at Stratton Pond shelter just before sunset. Spent a cold night in the shelter with 4 section hikers. Will try for long day tomorrow.
Date: 2016-09-16
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

Awake at 6:20 a.m. Back on the trail by 7:45 p.m. Made good time up Stratton Mountain, and down the other side. I chickened out at the tower. Got up the first flight of stairs and when I turned the corner saw nothing but sky. Turned around and came back down. As the day wore on my legs got tired, took a couple of extra breaks to rest them. The terrain got rougher and slowed me down. Stopped 1 shelter short of my goal. Must do more miles in the future, but 15 miles today was OK.
Date: 2016-09-17
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Congden Shelter
Miles today: 18.7

The Kid Gore Shelter faces directly east. From the shelter I was able to watch the full moon rise last night and the watch the sunrise this morning (red sky). Was on the trail before 8 a.m. Came across another fire tower at the top of Glatstenbury Mountain. I was determined this time not to chicken out. I stared at my feet the whole way up and was able to make it to the top. The railing at the top was rather low so I crawled around on my knees up there and took pictures of the 360 degree view. Made it down OK by staring at my feet again. No need to climb any more towers, I've proven I can do it. Met 2Taps (SOBO) at a shelter while I was taking a break. Pushed into the darkness until 7 p.m. and was able to make my 18 mile goal. My longest day yet. Stayed in Congden shelter with 2-Taps and 4 Long Trail hikers. They fed us a fancy dessert. One of those guys was the greatest virtuoso of flatulence that I have ever heard.
Date: 2016-09-18
From: Congden Shelter

To: Williamstown Motel
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: light rain

It rained all night and into the morning. Mostly smooth trail with healthy doses of Vermont mud. Entered my 4th state, Massachusetts at the start / end of the Long Trail. Will be staying in Williamstown and heading into North Adams tomorrow to go to post office. Hopefully I will be able to pick the new SIM card and get my phone working. Shared a room with 2-Taps. Had a great burrito for supper at Desperados (mexican restaurant) across from the motel.
Date: 2016-09-19
From: Williamstown Motel

To: Mark Noepel Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: moderate rain

Had the continental breakfast at the motel. Got a shuttle from the motel owner to the trail but had to hitch from there to the post office in North Adams. The result, no card. Apparently the shipper did not write General Delivery on the package and therefore it was likely returned to sender. I left a change of address at the post office just in case the package showed up. In the process of moving from place to place I managed to lose my glasses. Went to the Verizon store but was unable to use my phone on their network. Finally I took a bus to Walmart to purchase a cheap phone. I was losing way too much time and energy trying to replace a SIM card. Rode a return bus back to North Adams then another bus back to the trail. Summited Mount Greylock at 6 p.m. hiking through rain. Night hiked through the fog reaching the empty Mark Noepel shelter at 8 pm.
Date: 2016-09-20
From: Mark Noppel Shelter

To: Tom Levardi's Yard
Miles today: 14.1

The trail was smooth easy today. Sat on a bench in at an intersection in "downtown" Chesire and ate lunch. Called the North Adams post office about my glasses. They found them and sent them to the Dalton post office. Observed a very small, agressive snake on the trail. It struck at my hiking pole every time it put it close. Not sure if it was poisonous or not. Had a great view from the top of Cheshire Cobble. Got to the Dalton post office just before 5 pm. unfortunately, the post office closed at 4:30. Once more logistical issues were cutting into my mileage. Tented in Tom Levardi's (trail angel) yard in Dalton, so I could go to the post office in the morning. Thru-hikers Cricket and Robie Dobie were also tenting in Tom's back yard.
Date: 2016-09-21
From: Tom Levardi's Yard

To: October Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

There was a very heavy dew last night. Went to the post office and picked up my glasses! Got a late start as I spent some time drying out my tent in the warm morning sun. More smooth, easy trail. Stopped on top of Warner Hill with a good view of Mount Greylock. Spent some time online and on the phone trying to get it to directly dial international calls. The app wasn't working. Resigned myself to use indirect dialing in the future. I did eventually call home. Stopped at October Mountain shelter at 5:30 p.m.
Date: 2016-09-22
From: October Mountain Shelter

To: North Mountain Wilcox Shelter
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: broken clouds

Got rolling at 9:00 a.m. Good cruising trail in the morning. Saw a bluebird in a meadow. A highlight for me as I've only seen a handful of these birds in my lifetime. Stopped and bought a couple of sodas at an honour stand at a road crossing. Pushed on after dark, I was determined to make big miles today. In the darkness I encountered a skunk on the trail. I stopped at a safe distance and waited patiently as he slowly moved off into the forest. I reached the North Mountain Wilcox Shelter at 10:30 pm. I tried to be as quiet as possible so that I didn't disturb the three existing occupants of the shelter.
Date: 2016-09-23
From: North Mountain Wilcox Shelter

To: Great Barrington Community Centre
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Got started at 9:15 a.m. Slow start...feeling tired and sore from the long miles yesterday. Experienced ups, downs, rocks, interesting ridges and hollows. Very dry, but did filter some questionable water from Dewer Pond outlet. Ran out of water, having none for the last 6 miles. Hitched into Great Barrington at 5:30 p.m. Had McDonald's for supper and resupplied at the Price Chopper. Paid for a shower at the Community Centre. Tented for free on a tent platform in the forest behind the Community Centre.
Date: 2016-09-24
From: Great Barrington Community Centre

To: Riga Shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: light rain

Back to McDonald's for breakfast. Hitched a ride to trailhead. Turned out that my ride was actually a shuttle that was taking Charles Bronson back to the trail. He was heading southbound too. I hiked and talked with Charles Bronson for most of the day. He is a lawyer from Hawaii and a very interesting guy. He gave me some very good ginger candies, Chimes Ginger Chews. There were some very rocky sections and more ups and downs than I had expected. Entered my 5th state, Connecticut. Unfortunately Charles Bronson did not want to hike as far as me. He pulled off at a campsite and we went our separate ways. The ascent of Bear Mountain turned into a short cliff climb. Hiked the last 1/2 hour in the dark arriving at the Riga Shelter at about 7:45 pm. Shared the shelter with Cricket and 2 brothers from New York.
Date: 2016-09-25
From: Riga Shelter

To: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

Watched an amazing sunrise from inside the shelter. The NY brothers gave me a big Hershey chocolate bar. Pretty easy trail today. There was a long road walk through Falls Village, past a power plant and high school. Filled up my water bottles from jugs that trail angels had left at a trailhead. Did a small amount of night hiking and caught up to Cricket at the Pine Swamp Brook Shelter.
Date: 2016-09-26
From: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter

To: Mount Algo Shelter
Miles today: 17.3

I enjoyed the long walk along the Housatonic River today. Lots of flat trail and I love looking at water. Saw several groups of Common Mergansers. At one point one bird caught a large fish. His "buddies" chased him up and down the river. Not sure which one got to eat the fish in the end. Hiked the last hour in the dark, with a bit of a nasty, rocky assent to the Mount Algo Shelter. Shared the shelter with Bean (flip flopper who I met in Gorham, NH in Aug.), her partner and a section hiker from Pembrooke, Ontario. It was Bean's birthday. Her partner was slack packing her with a vehicle. Apparently I just missed leftover filet mignon and stuffed mushrooms. The guy from Pembrooke had finished them off. Bummer.
Date: 2016-09-27
From: Mount Algo Shelter

To: Tony's Deli
Miles today: 18.1

Got going by 8 a.m. It was a slow walk this morning but I got moving faster through the afternoon. I saw a total of 8 deer. Entered another new state, New York. Had to hike 0.5 miles along a busy highway arriving at Tony's Deli just before dark. Tented in their yard and pigged out at the deli; cheese steak and fries with gravy. Also was able to resupply.
Date: 2016-09-28
From: Tony's Deli

To: RalphÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Peak Hikers Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 19.9

French toast and Coca-Cola for breakfast. The weather was cool and windy. Cranked out the miles today. Saw an extremely large oak tree at a road crossing. Arrived at the Ralph¢s Peak Hikers Cabin Shelter shelter just before dark. Just missed out on the pizza that the other 4 guys staying at the shelter had delivered. Mac and cheese for me.
Date: 2016-09-29
From: RalphÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Peak Hikers Cabin Shelter

To: Graymoor Monastery
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: clear sky

Got a late start this morning. I was laying in my sleeping bag waiting for the rain to stop. Turns out it wasn't raining. I was hearing the sound of traffic on the nearby interstate and mistaking it for rain on the shelter roof. Dum dum. For a couple of hours in the middle of the day I heard lots of gunfire, perhaps even artillery. There must have been a military range nearby. Arrived at the Graymoor Monastery pavilion at 8:30 pm. It had electricity (even lights) and running water and I had it all to myself.
Date: 2016-09-30
From: Graymoor Monastery

To: William Brien Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: light rain

Went to the Appalachian Trail Market for a breakfast bacon, egg, cheese hero. Got a partial resupply. Hiked in the rain. Missed a turn and lost time following the wrong trail. Probably did two or three extra miles. Crossed the Hudson River on the Bear Mountain Bridge, which was very high, windy, and rainy. Saw my first bears on the trail, at the Trailside Zoo. Crossed the busy Palisades Interstate Parkway on foot. The northbound section was very busy on a Friday evening. It had to wait a long time for a gap in traffic large enough to run across to the wooded median. The southbound section was less busy and much easier to cross. I arrived at the shelter at 8 p.m. after an annoying night hike in the rain. The William Brien Memorial Shelter is a stone shelter built into a rock ledge. Water runs down the back wall when it rains. Probably the worst shelter I have been in.
Date: 2016-10-01
From: William Brien Memorial Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Met SOBO Lemon Lyme this morning. He was sleeping when I arrived at the shelter last night. The trail was rocky, with some technical ups and downs. Received some awesome trail magic by Paddyo (bagels, cream cheese, cookies, and chocolate milk). Went through the Lemon Squeezer which was mostly just annoying. Saw a doe and fawn in the morning, a buck and another doe in the evening. I arrived at the Wildcat Shelter at 8:30 p.m.
Date: 2016-10-02
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Stealth Tent Site
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a late start this morning. Seemed like the trail went over every possible pile of rocks even when there were smoother more sensible routes. Hiked through rain and fog resulting in no views. Lost some time on a blue blaze trail that I thought went around one of these rock piles. It didn't and I had to double back. Left New York and entered another new state, New Jersey. The trail in NJ has been easier so far. Stopped as darkness fell and stealth camped 1.9 miles short of NJ Route 94 . Planned to hike to road in the morning, hitch into Vernon NJ for a resupply, and then continue along the trail.