morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-07-15
From: Baldpate Lean-to

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Long day indeed. So long Maine. That is what kept me going, to leave Maine. Some big climbs today. Not getting easier. Nice observation tower on Old Speck Mtn. Campsite was full. Needed to sleep in shelter. Good thing, it rained over night. I believe I saw 2 bobcats today cross the trail? It was such a surprise and so fast, am not sure. But they were cat like.
Date: 2012-07-16
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Dream Lake
Miles today: 11.7

What a crazy day. Need a break bad. Got into NH, not much easier so far. Had a major rain fall in the afternoon for about 20 minutes. Flew kite in NH today on Success Mtn. Closer and closer to hostel. Pizza, beer, Burger King, Fruit, Ice Cream, Subway, Bath, Donuts, More Junk food, Milk. Going to need a couple of days to recover from food overdose.
Date: 2012-07-17
From: Dream Lake

To: White Mtn Lodge and Hostel
Miles today: 9.7

Actually had a mostly pleasant hike into the hostel. My feet knew they would be getting a break, so they starting hurting. Coming down the last big desent, you can start hearing the cars and trucks from the road. That makes you move a little faster to get there. After hitting the gravel road, you still had about .7 miles of road hiking to make it to the hostel. Got in about 12:30 soaking wet from the rain most of the day earlier. Shower, food, rest. Repaet tomorrow. Maybe not the shower?
Date: 2012-07-20
From: White Mtn Lodge and Hostel

To: Imp Campsite
Miles today: 8.0

Back on the trail again. Slow going, feet and knees sore. Stopped at Imp Campsite for the day. Had a great break/lunch on top of Mt. Moriah with a couple from Boston on a day trip. Stopped about 330 for the day to rest. Saw the summit of Mt. Washington, pretty cool. About 8pm, I was laying in my hammock and heard a noise to my left. I turn to see who is coming and it is a Moose and a calf walking up the hill. We scared each other and they stopped and stared at my for moment. They were less then 20 feet away from the platform. Amazing. Went to go tell the caretaker of the campsite and he said I was the second person to see a moose there. Then saw probably the best sunset ever. I do not see many sunsets as I a sleep by 730.
Date: 2012-07-21
From: Imp Campsite

To: Stealth - Wildcat MT., near peak D
Miles today: 9.5

Talk about a good day, bad day. One of my poles broke today. Got stuck in a root and I took a header forward. Did the 7.2 miles to Carter Notch Hut by 1, after not starting til 730. Did not want to stop for the day at 1, so I ate left over pancakes (a lot of pancakes) and took a nap on a bench for about 20 mins. Pushed on about 2.5 more miles. Still no rain, maybe rain for the next 2 days? Feet feel better today. Knees hurt at end of day. Vitamin I is good.
Date: 2012-07-22
From: Stealth - Wildcat MT., near peak D

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

Well, what a full day. Hopefully I remember everything? Alarm did not go off again. Woke up a little before 6. Still got out at a good time. Finished the Wild Cats and had a good steep section down to the visitor center. Spend some time at visitor center, getting souvenirs and snacks. Great Chocolate milk and ginger cookie. Saw Geri and Mandi (from White House Hostel) outside of Visitor Center. Great surprise. First couple miles to Mtn Madison were great. Crossed auto road. Climb up was long but not as hard. Got above tree line and was windy. Tried kite, but was to windy. Last mile and half were some of the hardest boulder hooping ever. Made it to Madison Hut. Replacement crew is there, so work for stay maybe more difficult. Sat outside until 730 and finally got leftover food. Slept in dining room. Actually thankful to be inside, was windy, cold and some rain in the morning. 2 NOBOs were also doing work for stay, Yoda and Straydog.
Date: 2012-07-23
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: fog

After a late late start due to doing work in the work at the hut. Still made it to Mtn. Washington before 2. Weather was looking pretty iffy all day. Sun came out more and more as I got closer to the summit. Flew kite at base of Washington. Hiked with a few people from the hut to the summit. Gorged on food at the snack bar. Hot dog, pizza, chips, pudding, cookies, chocolate milk and a soda. Raced down to Lakes of the Clouds hut before 4. No problem getting work for stay, but still a lot of sitting around. Probably done with huts. After waiting 3 hours, finally did some work. Bused and wiped off tables and cleaned the fridges. Amazing thunder storm came up valley. Great lighting show. May have really bad weather tomorrow? One other SOBO did work for stay also, Shake.
Date: 2012-07-24
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Ethan Pond Campsite
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: shower rain

Balls to the wall, rock and fucking roll, all hail to Iris.. Woke up, looked out window and it was pure white. Waited for weather report at 7. Winds were going to get worse as the day goes on. Shake and I decided to leave. Great amount of wind and clouds going over Mtn. Eisenhower. Made it to next hut by 10. Rested and had coffee cake and hot chocolate. Shake going to wait for friends, I am pushing on. Sun came out as I hit the cliffs. Go walk down. Started raining again and made it to the shelter by 545. 6 of us in shelter.
Date: 2012-07-25
From: Ethan Pond Campsite

To: Stealth near Garfield Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.3

So cold and windy in the morning, nobody was moving. It was 8 by the time anyone got out of sleeping bags. I hit the trail by 915. The hike to next hut was flat and fast. 4.8 miles in one and half hours. Can't wait for more trail like that. Knees started to hurt again today. Was able to fly kite again today. Stealth camped with Shake. About 20 NOBO's today.
Date: 2012-07-26
From: Stealth near Garfield Ridge Shelter

To: Lincoin, NH
Miles today: 3.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Up early and packed before any rain started. Left before Shake to get head start. Slow going day. Little energy. Rain on and off. Made it to Mt. Lafayette, clouds and wind picking up above tree line. Tried to continue but weather got to bad very fast. Had to double back to a side trail and go down Mtn. Got to the trail head and ended up going North instead of South. Had no idea where I was. Hitched to the Flume Visitor Center (was picked up by Jon, a local hiker and was great to talk too for the short drive), where I had box to pick up. Then got a ride to Lincoin and the hostel. Of course Shake was already there. He hitched in earlier. Did laundry in town and hung out at Internet Cafe for a few. Went and saw the Dark Knight movie that night with a few other hikers. Weird to be on top of a Mtn. in the morning then in a movie theater in the evening.
Date: 2012-07-27
From: Lincoin, NH

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light rain

Relaxed in the morning at the hostel. Went to breakfast and Post Office. Finally left about 12. Hiked 5 miles to Kinsman Shelter. Another hard day to get going after leaving town. Was done hiking about 415. Busy shelter for animals. Saw a crazy red squirrel, that was all up in your stuff. A hug Jack Rabbit that would just stare at you. And what we think was a fox?
Date: 2012-07-28
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter

To: Stealth
Miles today: 12.8

What a fun day. Let me tell you about it. It is currently about 530 and I sitting in my hammock in a rain storm. It is amazing how much water comes down the hills into the valley. Got a nice early start, before 7. A couple medium peaks to start out and then some nice small ups and downs. Trail was nice and fast. Made it to road (notch) by 230. The Lost River Gorge Attraction Area was just down the road where we can get food. I had a Cheese Burger, chips, big pickle, Chocolate Milk, juice, Reeses Pieces and 2 Ice Creams. It started to rain, actually down pour. The nice lady that worked there (knowing that we were hikers) told us that it is going to rain a hours. So, finished snacks and got rain gear out and went to first place to make camp. As I was setting things up, 2 Moose came running down the hill and stopped when they saw Shake and I. They were about 30 feet away.
Date: 2012-07-29
From: Stealth

To: Hiker Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: light rain

Big day going over Mt. Moosilauke. The last 4000 foot peak and unofficial finish to The Whites. Very slippery and wet going up. Made the top and it was a little cloudy and not enough wind for kite. Nice fast terrain going down. Ran some of it. Got to road and decided to go to hostel. Relax and celebrate The Whites.
Date: 2012-07-30
From: Hiker Welcome Hostel

To: Stealth - South Jacobs Brook
Miles today: 16.2

Up early at hostel. About a dozen people here. The trail was great again today. Was able to run on the trail, how much fun. Stopped about 430. Will make Hanover on Wed. About 10 NOBOs today and first African American hiker today.
Date: 2012-07-31
From: Stealth - South Jacobs Brook

To: Moose Mountian Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: clear sky

Can you say trail magic? 20 minutes after leaving camp, Longshot (s local hiker) was handing out homemade coconut chocolate bars. Nice way to start the day. Good hike up Smart Mtn. to fire tower. And guess who, Doug was there. WOW. He was with Bootermen. His knee and arm are in bad shape. Today is his last day. Hiker with him for a little bit to the ice cream man. Bill (a very weonderful person) gives out free ice cream bars to every hiker that stops by. He has a log book of all the hikers that have stopped by this year. I was number 479. Hung out on his porch for about a hour drinking Mountain Dew. I had 3. Longshot came back around and handing out more bars, WOW. As we were getting ready to leave, Bill gave everyone a shot of Bourbon. So much fun. Got to shelter before 6. Wanted a few more miles, so tired. Up early to go to Hanover. P.S., Longshot also hauled up 2.5 gallons of water to shelter, because water source is bad. What a given person.
Date: 2012-08-01
From: Moose Mountian Shelter

To: Hanover
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Up and out early at 627. Hauld ass to town. Done with first 5 miles at 815. Shake hitched into town early. I kept hiking and was in town by 1040. Went to Co-op first and got fruit. Found Shake at a Pizza place. We went to other pizza place where they give free slices to hikers. Ate and had a beer. Went to Massage studio to make an appointment, stopped at Post Office and then the D.O.C. to drop off pack. Went to Rec Center to take a shower and then back to Massage Studio for massage. Could not find a free place to stay in town, so ending up going to Sixth South Street Hotel. They have a nice hiker rate. Got back together with Shake and his buddy and started bar hopping. Booterman meet up with us and we hit a couple more bars. Hanover is a fun town. Salt Hill Pub is one of the best pubs I have ever been in. Hanover has a nice small Farmers Market on Wednesdays in The Green. Out on the town to late, up early for breakfast.
Date: 2012-08-02
From: Hanover

To: West Hartford Sign Company, W. Hartford, VT.
Miles today: 9.6

After being spoiled in a nice hotel bed, got up early to go to QVC and get some Epsom Salt for a morning bath. Meet Shake and Joe for breakfast at 730. Back to room to reorganize stuff. Checked out of hotel about 1030 and dropped off boxes at Post Office and started walking out of town. Hung out at Dan and Whit's for a few. Shakes buddy left us there. Said bye to Bootermen, who was taking a zero with family. Slow walk with heavy pack and full belly. Pushed pass shelter and road to West Hartford. Stayed in Steve and Kathy's backyard. They let people camp, get water and chill. Very amazing people. They were flooded from Hurricane Irene last year and had six feet of water in the house and four feet in the work shed. It was still hard for him to talk about it. Untold to us, their is a train track behind their yard and at 7pm, 3am and 4am a train going hauling by. Amazing full moon that night also.
Date: 2012-08-03
From: West Hartford Sign Company, W. Hartford, VT.

To: Stealth
Miles today: 10.8

Got to sleep in until 6. Breakfast did not start until 7. Another big breakfast at the Full Belly Deli. Watched a NOBO jump off the bridge into the river. Pretty cool. Started on trail about 830. Hot hot hot day inthe upper 80's and humid. Another slow moving day. Stopped at shelter for a extended break. Heard about a local business that sells soda and ice cream. Made a root beer float, how yummy. Hung out there until 3 and ended up hiking in the heat until 530 until we found a place near water. Also, wild blackberry fields everywhere today. SO GOOD. Saw about 20 NOBO's/.
Date: 2012-08-04
From: Stealth

To: Stealth
Miles today: 11.2

Such high hopes for today. Another hot day. Slow up hills, but not too bad. Went to Lookout, a cabin with a deck on roof. Waited for Shake, did not show. I pushed on. Storm came in about 230. Debated to make camp or go to shelter. I stopped and made camp near and brook and gravel road. Sun came out about 6, unreal. Was no need to stop at all. Going to be hard to make up lost time. Hopefully Cheshire in 7 days?
Date: 2012-08-05
From: Stealth

To: Cooper Shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

20.8 20.8 20.8First over 20 mile day. Went 7 to 7. Stopped at State Park for lunch. Started raining in the afternoon. Made it to the shelter, set up hammock. Maybe a mistake, more rain tonight. Was cold, windy and rainy all night. Everything got wet. The trail is completely unforgivable. Gives you one good moment, then takes it away. 2 detours today from the washout last year. First trail magic also. Banana's and Orange's.
Date: 2012-08-06
From: Cooper Shelter

To: Stealth - Bear Mtn. 
Miles today: 15.8

Still very rainy and windy in the morning. To cold to leave sleeping bag. Got out of sleeping bag about 630. Packed up everything wet. Felt like crap and left about 8 and went down to next shelter. Took a hour and half to dry everything out. Good easy hike/trail for most of the day. Started feeling better. More trail magic, water this time. Most NOBO's so far in one day. 30-40.Also hit the 500 mile mark today
Date: 2012-08-09
From: Green Mtn. House

To: Stealth - Stratton Mtn.
Miles today: 13.6

Slept pretty well in the bed. 3 others in the room. Out of bed a little after 6. My shuttle time back to the trail was at 9. Had 3 bowls of cereal for breakfast. A bowl of Lucky Charms, one of Frosted Flakes and one of Raisin Bran. With some OJ of course. Got everything packed and weighed it. At 38 pounds with water and 5 days of food. Happy about that. Weighed myself, at 157. Not sure about that. Getting low. On trail and going by 945. Again, good pace. Did first 10.7 to shelter in under 4.5 hours. Went mostly up Stratton Mtn. before stopping. No camping on the summit. Hoping to get up early for a nice sunrise.
Date: 2012-08-10
From: Stealth - Stratton Mtn.

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: thunderstorm

Rain Rain Rain Rain. Well, got up early but was socked in with clouds. No view at all. Back to bed then. Got back up at 530 and hiking by 7. Got to summit and was completely in the clouds. Talked to the caretakers (Hugh and Jean) for a while. They have been caretakers on Strattin Mtn for 44 years from May to Oct. Rained on and off most of the day. 6 others staying in shelter. Saw about 25 people today.
Date: 2012-08-11
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: light rain

How to sum up this day? UP and out early, 645. Had the best/fastest 89.5 miles yet. About 3.5 hours. Went another 1.5 miles to road and checked phone. Talked to some friends. Then a man came up to me, Jeff, and asked if I was a Thru Hiker? Yes, I said. He said they were doing a picnic in the parking lot for hikers. Trail Magic. They had Chicken Stir Fry, Homemade cookies, brownies, chips, fruit, beer and soda. How wonderful. It started raining so a good time to take a break. Was there about 2 hours. Waited for a break in the rain and left. When the 4.4 to the next shelter in the rain and had to stop. Hope for better weather tomorrow. 2nd night in shelter, no fun.
Date: 2012-08-12
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Mark Noepel Shelter
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: few clouds

UP early again. No rain over night. Sleeping the shelters sucks. Left about 645. Last section in VT. Made it to MASS by late morning. Trail came into town. Had lunch at grocery store. Had a couple big climbs before MT. Greylock. Tried to hurry to get there before it was to late. It was Sunday and the visitor center will probably close early? Got there with time to spare. Had some Strawberry Sorbet and a beer. Not windy enough to fly kite. Was hoping to find a stealth site on the other side but no luck. Had to go to shelter. But was in hammock this time.
Date: 2012-08-13
From: Mark Noepel Shelter

To: Kay Wood Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: broken clouds

2 towns in 1 day. Almost ran into Cheshire to get resupply. Box from Linda, Paula and Brad was great. Brownies, Peanut Butter and trail mix. On to Dalton and General Store. Nothing special. Took my time in town, no rush, trail is "easy". Got to shelter about 530. No one else there. NOBO's are getting thin. Not nearly as many. Hope to get up at 3am for meteor shower. Cookie Lady tomorrow (and blueberries).
Date: 2012-08-14
From: Kay Wood Shelter

To: Upper Goose Pond Shelter
Miles today: 17.6

Cookies, Blueberries, a Cabin, oh my. Did not get up at 3 for meteor shower. Actually slept in and started at 7. At Cookie Lady about 10. Hung out and picked Blueberries until 11. Chance of rain and on and off sprinkles. Glad I went to Cabin and did the extra half mile. Bunks with pads, and indoor fireplace, beach, canoes, and pancakes in the morning. About 15 other people, no sign of other SOBO's.
Date: 2012-08-15
From: Upper Goose Pond Shelter

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: light rain

What an amazing thunder storm last night. Glad I was in the cabin. Not a super exciting day. A couple of climbs, no towns. Done by 645. Of course did not leave the cabin until a little later (815), after the pancakes. Caught up with some SOBO's, Dreamcatcher and Spartan.
Date: 2012-08-16
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Stealth - Mt. Bushnell
Miles today: 12.2

A nice productive day, I think? As soon as I packed up, it started raining. SO unpacked tarp and set it up. Set me a little behind for the day. Spartan and Dreamcatcher left early. Caught up to them on the road as they were taking a break. Nice wind by the field, so I was able to fly kite. Hiked to the next road with Spartan and Dreamcatcher. A NOBO, Puma, meetup with us at the road. Their was a cooler of soda and water. Love Trail Magic. Went into Great Barrington with Puma and had lunch. Probably the best burger I ever had. Only went a few more miles after getting back to trail. Belly to full to hike.
Date: 2012-08-17
From: Stealth - Mt. Bushnell

To: Stealth
Miles today: 18.3

It is very late at night (819) and its raining. Made it into CT today. Some nice views to start out and almost enough wind to fly kite again. Caught up to Coolrunning. A section hiker out for a couple of months. We leapfrogged back and forth during the day. Salisbury is a nice town. Wish I had more time to spend there. Saw a deer and a group of turkeys. Was able to finally see some the meteor shower last night.
Date: 2012-08-18
From: Stealth

To: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: broken clouds

Rained most the night. Did not want to get up. Had to get going anyway and make it to the Post Office. Did not leave until after 8. Made it to Falls Village about 1030. Got resupply, the world is good. I did drop and break my Steripen today. Huge bummer. Now need to go into Kent and get a new one. May even spend night in town? Need a break, been out here to long. Almost stepped on a rattle snake today. Laying in the middle of the trail. Got pics and video. Hit the 700 mile mark today.
Date: 2012-08-19
From: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter

To: Mt. Algo Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Much better day today. Got up and going and a good time. Caught up to Spartan and Dreamcatcher again. We have been leapfrogging also. Hiked the rest of the day with them. A group of ladies were on top of Calebs Peak celebratingf a Birthday. We got cherries from them. How cool. Went into Kent, thought their was a train to NY, but not anymore. Outfitter did not have a Steripen, what ever. Had to get drops. Hope I don't have to use them much. Had lunch, 2 sloppy joes and a ice cream cone.
Date: 2012-08-20
From: Mt. Algo Shelter

To: Native Garden Center
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: scattered clouds

New York New York. It is now my 2 months anniversary on the trail. What a fun day. Made it into New York state, hiked with Dreamcatcher and Spartan some more, flew kite in another field. Got to Garden Center as they were closing. Got permission to sleep on land. Setup Hammock between a busy Highway and train tracks. Noise all night long. Was actually fun. It's all about the Journey.
Date: 2012-08-21
From: Native Garden Center

To: Stealth
Miles today: 21.2

Slept well between the traffic and train all night. Out by 730 in the fog. Still a faster terrain on trail, it is great. Got to a lake and took a hour and half break. Washed cloths and took a bath. Felt great. Pushed pass the shelter to get to town tomorrow night and rest.
Date: 2012-08-22
From: Stealth

To: Fort Montgomery
Miles today: 23.1

Started earlier then normal to try and get to town before the Post Office closed. SO ups and downs and a little hotter today slowed me down some. By 230, was not able to reach town by 5, so slowed down a little. Got to hotel around 6. Local bar was having 35 cent Wings, you know were I went for dinner.
Date: 2012-08-24
From: Fort Montgomery

To: Stealth
Miles today: 11.3

First, thank you to everyone for the guestbook entries. Glad to know that people are actually reading the entries. I have not had access to a computer for a while. Hopefully I can get caught up with all the days by this weekend?Slept a little better the second night in a bed. Up again at 6 for breakfast. Did not eat as much today, since I will be heading back on the trail. Left hotel about 8. The zoo did not open until 9, so waited around until then, so i could go the lowest part of the AT. Actually caught up to Spartan and Dreamcatcher. They have been going slow the last few days. Dreamcatcher had the first ticks we have seen the whole trip. Could almost see New York City from the mountain top, to hazy.Started hanging food while stealthing now. Getting more into bear country. Saw no NOBO's today.
Date: 2012-08-25
From: Stealth

To: Stealth
Miles today: 17.1

Another hot tiring day. stayed in hammock until about 630. Heard something snorting at us. Was a buck deer on top of the hill. A little scary. Finally started hiking about 8. Left Spartan and Dreamcatcher, they need to nero again and wait for Post Office on Monday. Then caught up to Speed Demon and Trainwreck. Have not seen them since NH. They also need to nero and wait for Post Office on Monday. Trail was a lot of ups and downs today, got tired of it. Not a lot of water in NY. Had 4 trail magics of water so made it thru the day. 3 coolers full of water and one man driving by on the road stopped and gave me a bottle of water. Pretty cool.
Date: 2012-08-26
From: Stealth

To: Stealth
Miles today: 20.2

Yet again, hot and in the mid 80's. Very little breeze. The terrian leaving NY was still tiring. Rocks, rocks, rocks and some cliff ridges. Was almost as glad to leave NY as ME. The shelters are gross, bad water. Trail magic was better, so that helped. Also the blazes in NY were terrible. Locals are saying bears are out, so hang food.
Date: 2012-08-27
From: Stealth

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: light rain

Had a late start of almost 8. Earlier finish of 515. Sores on the hips are getting worse. Alot of sweat does not help. Nicer day for hiker. Mid 80's again. Some open fields today, so spent more time in the sun. Actually had 3 NOBO's at shelter. They are carrying 50-65+ pound packs. No wonder they are not going fast.