morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-19
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Bromley Mt.
Miles today: 13.6

At 5:30 Rickster¢s watch alarm went off and Sandy got up and started packing up. I could have slept longer, but I decided not to fight it and got up also. After the warm breakfast and getting into my damp hiking clothes, I headed out. It was overcast and quite cool, meaning great hiking weather and no bugs.        As I walked along Stratton Pond, I though I saw something swimming toward me, so I stopped to watch. As it got closer and saw me, it stuck its head up and I could see its long gray and black neck and pointed tail. An otter! He kind of hummed and made a sucking sound like he was grasping for air. He hesitated to come ashore and swam around, sticking his head up every now and then to look at me. I finally decided to leave so he could get to shore.        The hike to Routes 11/30 was pretty easy with gradual ups and downs. I made it there by 11:30 and after crossing the road and brook, stopped for a break and to eat some lunch. I was tempted to hitch into Manchester for lunch, but I got over it.        Then the 3 mile climb up Bromley Mt. They have eliminated the tenting area by Bromley Brook and last year constructed a new shelter and tenting area about 2 miles from the road. They have also relocated the trail in this area, lengthening it by about 0.3 miles. The new shelter is off this relocation and is very nice with a big overhang, benches, and table. Woods Woman was there trying to take an afternoon siesta. I hiked down some distance to the water supply to fill up.        The hike to the top of Bromley was pretty steep in the relocated section, then leveled out some before joining a ski trail which became quite steep at the top. Once on top, I climbed the observation tower to get the full panoramic view. Pretty impressive. I could even see Killington to the north where I¢m to be in 3 days. It seems a long way off, but then Stratton Mt. is quite a distance too, and I was there this morning. I tired the warming hut door, but it was locked, so I pitched my tent right between the observation tower and the quad chair lift, right next to a bed of spring beauty. What a beautiful spot. The Green Mt. Club does maintain a privy up here, but there is no water, so I¢ll make do with what I have until tomorrow. The skies are clear and there is a nice breeze blowing, so I¢m hoping for a beautiful starry night.
Date: 2004-05-20
From: Bromley Mt.

To: Big Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a beautiful starry night. The one time I got out of the tent, the skies were sparkling all over and you could pick out all the constellations. It was also a hood night; it got cold enough that I put the hood of my sleeping bag over my head. But, once the sun camp up and hit my tent, it warmed right up.        Woods Woman arrived as I was taking down the tent. She said a woman she met at the shelter told her the warming hut was open and the phone working. So, I tried the door again and it opened right pl. It must have been stuck yesterday. So, I could have entered and stayed there, but I probably got a better night¢s sleep in the tent. Anyway, I called home to let Nancy know I might finish a day early. I had planned to stay at the Inn at Long Trail Sunday night and pick up my mail drop on Monday morning, but the Inn isn¢t open yet and friends are coming to hike with me on Saturday and will bring my food box. So those two short days I had planned might be combined into one.        Once on the trail, there was a short climb over the north summit of Bromley, then down to Mad Tom Notch. Then there was a pretty quick hike up Styles Peak with a nice viewpoint, then over Peru Peak and down to the shelter. Apparently Rickster will be staying there tonight. He had to hike back down to his car at RT 11/30 to get a gas canister he forgot.        From there it¢s a short hike to Griffith Lake, a beautiful spot with a tenting area and then the final climb of the day over Baker Peak, with a fun rock scramble over open ledges to the top. From here there was a nice view down to the Rt. 7 corridor.         Much of this section of the trail was filled with blow-down, and a lot of it at just the wrong height, making it difficult to get over or under. There is still a lot of moose poop and fresh tracks, but I have yet to see a VT moose¢¦just a lot of toads, a newt and a couple of snakes on the trail today.        As I hiked the last 112 miles to the shelter, I could hear the growing roar of Big Branch. Then, what a beautiful sight: huge boulders with rushing waterfalls and inviting pools. After crossing on the suspension bridge and reaching the shelter, I took off my boots, put on my sandals, grabbed the soap and headed down to the water. I stripped down, washed clothes and myself, including my hair. The water was really cold, but does it ever feel good to be clean again!
Date: 2004-05-21
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept with Katie last night. That¢s Woodswoman¢s dog. Once I got into my bag, she came over and lay down right against me. She was hurting last night when she got to the shelter, not wanting to use one of her back legs. Woods Woman plans to carry Katie¢s pack today and leave it at the food cache she had left at USFS 10. That¢s only 1.3 miles from the shelter, so that would determine whether or not Katie can continue. When I got to the road, I learned that Katie was doing fine and was chasing after squirrels and chipmunks on all fours with her new found freedom.        From the road it was a gentle climb up to Little Rock Pond, a beautiful little pond with an island. Tenting sites and shelters have been moved back from the water to protect this fragile site.        Next came the climb up White Rocks Mt. It was hard to know when you had reached the summit until you got there. There was a regular rock sculpture garden, with all kinds of sculptures constructed by hikers form the rocks in the area. They varied from very small gatherings of a few stones to an arch and a fairly tall monument. I enjoyed looking at everything but didn¢t want to disturb anything.         On the descent to VT 140 I took a break by a beautiful rushing stream with a long waterfall, but the mosquitoes soon drove me to move on. From VT 140 it was a long climb up over Bear Mt. before descending to the shelter. The beginning of the climb was beautiful, through open woods covered with ferns. But the trail soon began to ascend more steeply through numerous switchbacks, again keeping me in suspense as to when I had reached the top. But once over the top, it was an easy 11/2 miles to the shelter. The shelter, though open in the front, has windows on the sides, a platform for sleeping, table inside for cooking, and lawn chairs for sitting around outside¢a great spot.        I took a little hike down to a nearby pond and found a small cabin there that looked like it was used frequently. Further down the woods road there was a gate leading to an open meadow and the Spring Lake Outing Club facilities, a beautiful spot.        Not much wildlife again today, just a lot of newts though I did see Lady Slippers and Jack-in-the-Pulpit.        Tomorrow I tackle Killington.
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Pico Camp

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

I rained nearly all night, sometimes very hard and sometimes with thunder and lightning. I don¢t know how much total rain there was, but there must have been a few inches. This morning there were brooks going down both sides of the shelter where there were none before, as well as one under the shelter. I was so glad to be in a tight, dry and cozy Pico Camp, well protected from the elements. I wasn¢t able to get much sleep from all the noise, including what sounded like a branch periodically hitting the side of the shelter. I did get a couple hours in after 4:00 am when things began to settle down.Even though it hasn¢t rained today, it is very damp, everything is wet, and as one can imagine, the trail is a series of brooks and puddles. No need to think my boots might dry out from yesterday. So after breakfast, it was into all the damp hiking gear then quickly packing up and starting down the trail to get warm. Once down to Route 4 and heading back up hill on the other side, I got pretty warm, so took off my rain jacket and hiked in tee shirt and shorts the rest of the day.When I reached Maine Junction, I left the Long Trail and started heading east toward Hanover. The trail went through Gifford Woods State Park where it looked like there was only one camping space occupied. Then across Route 100 and around Kent Pond. Kent Brook was flowing full with water as it cascaded down toward the pond. I met a couple of SoBo¢s heading from Hanover to Massachusetts. One of them had his boots off and looked like he was putting plastic bags on his feet. I think they¢re going to be in Rutland tonight. Anyway, I soon found out the problem when I came to a stream so full you couldn¢t cross it without your feet in the water. I had just managed to cross a much larger stream yesterday with many stepping stones under water. I can imagine it must be almost impassable today.I also met a couple of volunteer maintainers who were clearing blowdowns, most of them caused by beaver activity near the pond. I met them again over on River Road as we both headed up Quimby Mountain. After leaving them, it was a fairly steep steady climb to the top and what seemed like endless ups and downs to the real summit. Once down the other side I came to the shelter and decided to stay. I had contemplated doing another 9 miles to the next shelter, but was too cold, wet and tired to go on. So I unpacked, changed into my semi-dry clothes, brewed myself a cup of hot tea and crawled into my sleeping bag to warm up. And the rain begins again.
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: VT 12, Woodstock
Miles today: 13.7

The strong thunderstorms started rumbling through at about 10:00. At midnight I realized the roof of the shelter was leaking, so I got up and moved everything, only having to do it again about an hour later as another leak developed. I had set my watch alarm for 5:30, planning a 21 mile day. When it went off, I rolled over and pulled the hood over my head. At 6:30 it was still raining, but I got up to get my food bag and eat a couple of granola bars. Still in bed, I decided I¢d wait until 8:00, and if it hadn¢t stopped raining by then, I¢d pack up and leave anyway. Now I¢m thinking I¢ll hike out to VT 12 and hitch a ride into Woodstock where I can dry out in a motel. At 7:30 it seemed like the rain was letting up, so I pulled on my wet hiking clothes, packed up, walked across the lake now surrounding the shelter and headed up the brook. That¢s about what the trail was today, a brook connecting a series of lakes.The first challenge came when I got to Stony Brook where I had gotten water the day before, and the stepping stones for the trail crossing were now under water. I managed to get across without the water topping my boots and headed on. When I got down to Mink Brook, I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw a bridge crossing the roaring brook. That relief was quickly dashed when over the next rise I came to another branch of Mink Brook without a bridge and without a visible was to cross. I took off my pack and attempted putting branches and logs across the swollen stream, but most of them were swept downstream. Some of them caught on a log a little further downstream, so I kept adding to that bridge. I finally decided to attempt a crossing. I made it to the middle of the stream and then had to step sideways far enough out on a log that I could reach a partially submerged rock. With my poles being pushed downstream every time I tried to plant them, I finally made that last leap for the other side, and with a little help, I made it. My feet are wet, but my gaiters did a pretty good job of keeping a lot of water out of my boots.With visions of me and/or my pack being swept downstream now out of my mind, I put my mind to hiking. And I hiked with purpose and determination for the next 13 miles, with only one stop to drink some water, but still not sitting down. When I made it to the Lookout and Winturri Shelter I didn¢t bother to go the short distance off the trail to these sites. I went straight to VT 12 then started hitching into Woodstock. Finally a woman realtor picked me up and took me right to the Shire Motel, where I got the room without the view. Now I¢m trying to dry things out and plan for a final day of hiking tomorrow, probably in the rain.
Date: 2004-08-28
To: Leaving again tomorrow
Miles today: 0.0

Tomorrow I begin my final section on the AT, from Hanover, NH, to Mt. Katahdin. As always, there is some apprehension about my ability to complete the 440 miles remaining, particularly given the terrain ahead. The White Mtns. certainly have the reputation as being very difficult with potentially severe weather. But some of the hikers who have done it say it is really no different than other sections of the trail. You just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and you will get through them with no problem. That¢s exactly what I¢m anticipating. And I¢m also expecting some nice weather for that walk above treeline. We¢ve certainly had our share of lousy weather this summer, so I expect September will be nice.For all those who have supported me along this journey, I give you sincere thanks and ask for your continued prayers and good thoughts for the last big push. I particularly thanks my wife, Nancy, for her continuing support, keeping the homefront in shape, feeding the dog, paying the bills and sending me food. Also my daughter Laurel for posting my journals and photos, and hopefully joining me for that final climb up the big K. And for all those who have gone ahead, giving me inspiration and good advice on the trail ahead.
Date: 2004-08-31
From: Smarts Mt. Cabin 

To: Ore Mt. Shelter 
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: scattered clouds

9/1/04 Day 3 Start: Smarts Mt. Cabin @ 7:45. Stop: Ore Mt. Shelter @ 1:30Mileage: On trail: 12.6; Cum. 36.5. Off trail: 0.5; Cum: 0.6Weather: Cloudy, beaming sun, breezy, coolMajor Landmarks: Mt. Cube        It rained most of the night. A couple of hikers came into the shelter late, just as it was starting to really pour. They cooked out on the porch and were pretty quiet. Earlier a couple that was tenting came over to cook on the porch. It was her birthday, so he attempted to bake her a Ghiardelli chocolate cake on his stove. It turned out to be a pudding cake which they shared with us. And did it ever taste good. A great way to end the day.        By morning, the rain had let up. The bad news was that all that rain had left the trail pretty muddy. The good news was the water supplies were all running full. It took about 1 12 hours to do the 4 miles down off Smarts Mt. to the South Branch of Jacob¢s Creek, where I filled up with water. Then began the hike up Mt. Cube. I stopped at Eastern Ledges for a break. Everything was in clouds, but as I watched, the wind blew the clouds out and I could see some sun on the hills off in the distance. Below, there was also a touch of color appearing in some of the trees. On the way up, I hiked up the 0.2 miles to Hexacuba Shelter, a unique 6-dided shelter with a 5-dided porta-privy. From there it was pretty much a rock scramble with miniature boulders to begin to prepare us for the Whites. Then it was ledge walking to what appeared to be the top, but was just another false summit. When I finally made the top, I ate some lunch, laid down on the rocks to catch a few Z¢s. When the wind finally blew my hat off, I got up and headed down the mountain. Once I reached Rte.25C, I began the last 2.5 miles to the shelter. Although it was pretty easy hiking, my legs were tired and my energy was waning, so I was glad to reach the shelter.        Tomorrow my itinerary has a 16 mile day, including the long climb over 4,800¢ Mt. Moosilauke. I have no idea why I did that. I guess things look easier when you¢re sitting out the computer planning your hike. So, I may stop at the hiker hostel in Glencliff for a shower and laundry and then tackle Moosilauke the next day. I¢ll certainly be able to make up the miles in the Whites. Yeah, right.(photos: #8-- The porta-privy at Hexacuba Shelter. #9¢Hexacuba Shelter.#10¢Smarts Mountain from Mt. Cube)
Date: 2004-09-01
From: Ore Mt. Shelter 

To: Glencliff, NH 
Miles today: 7.4

9/2/04 Day 4 Start: Ore hill Shelter @ 8:30. Stop: Glencliff, NH @ 12:15Mileage: On trail: 7.4; Cum. 43.9. Off trail: 0.4; Cum: 1.0Weather: partly sunnyMajor Milestones: Happy Birthday, Laurel        A pretty easy day, but I¢m still feeling it. Still don¢t have my uphill legs and my energy seems low. I know I¢m not eating enough, but I still don¢t have an appetite. Hopefully that will change soon.        The hike into Glencliff was relatively easy with two climbs which on a normal day would be nothing. But today I still had to take a lot of breaks. There was a nice viewpoint looking down on Wachipauka Pond with Mt. Moosilauke in the background. It certainly was a good look at the 3,800¢, six mile climb ahead tomorrow. There is a shelter on the other side of Moosilauke, about an 8 mile hike, but I¢m hoping I can do at least 10 miles, which would take me down into and up out of Kingman Notch, a pretty steep climb but only about 12 mile. If I could do that, I might be able to get into North Woodstock the following day, another 15 miles with some pretty good climbs. We¢ll seewhat plays out. For today, it¢s rest my legs in preparation for tomorrow¢s big climb. Mt. Moosilauke is the first mountain above tree-line for Northbounders, a taste of things to come.        I¢m spending the night at the Hiker¢s Welcome Hostel, an old house surrounded by many tent structures, one of which houses the laundry, shower and toilet. In another, there are mattresses on the floor where I¢ll be spending the night. Oh, the comfort of a mattress. Hopefully I¢ll get a good night¢s sleep. In the ¢office¢, there is a fridge loaded with cold soda, candy bars, pizza, etc. all on the honor system, plus hiker box, fuel, internet access and tons of movies for hikers to watch. They have pretty much everything a hiker would want at reasonable rates.        Time to head for the post office. They close from 10-2 for lunch¢they must be as hungry as hikers.
Date: 2004-09-03
From: Gordon Pond 

To: N. Woodstock, NH 
Miles today: 13.0

9/3/04 ¢Day 6 Start: Gordon Pond @ 7:30; Stop: N. Woodstock, NH @ 4:30Mileage: On Trail:13.0   Cum: 69.7   Off Trail: 0.3   Cum: 1.8Weather: Warm, clear, beautifulMajor Landmarks: Kinsman Mt.Major Milestones:It was a cool night, but I stayed nice & toasty in my bag. I got up once to a brilliant starry sky with waning moonlight. By morning the tent was covered with heavy dew, so I had to pack up a nice wet tent. After eating breakfast cutting on a rock by the pond, I headed back up to the AT. The first climb was over Mt. Wolf which I could see from the pond. Then after a 2 mile decent, it was a longer climb up South Kinsman Mt. then N. Kinsman Mt. Not as long a climb and certainly not as interesting summits as Mt. Moosilauke, which was good, because I was trying to make it into N. Woodstock before the P.O. closed.I passed the first hut in the Whites hut system, Lonesome Lake Hut. On a real hot day this would be a great stop for a swim in the lake. I finally made it down to Franconia Notch and got a pretty quick hitch into town. First stop, the PO., and my food & clothing box was there. Also got some stamped envelopes to mails tuff home. Very friendly. The woman asked where I was going and I said ¢Katahdin.¢ She thought I would be there in a week, but I told her I hoped to be in Gorham by then, which she thought might take 3 days. A little different perspective when you drive the valleys. Next to the Laundromat where they had a bathroom I could change clothes in. While they were washing, I laid out my tent in the sun next to the building. It also happened to be near the dryer exhaust, so it was dry in about 5 min. Finally, I got a room at the Woodstock Inn, a rather pricey B&B, but not as bad as the Woodstock Inn in VT and it does include breakfast.Tomorrow I face the biggest climb yet, Mt. Lafayette, the first 5,000 footer. It looks formidable, but after tackling Moosilauke, I¢m sure I can do it.
Date: 2004-09-04
From: N. Woodstock, NH 

To: Garfield Ridge campsite 
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: scattered clouds

9/4/04 ¢Day 7 Start: N. Woodstock, NH @ 8:00; Stop: Garfield Ridge campsite @ 4:30Mileage: On Trail:10.3   Cum: 80.0   Off Trail: 2.9   Cum: 4.7Weather: Cool, windy, cloudy, clearingMajor Landmarks: Mt. Lafayette, Mt. GarfieldMajor Milestones: completed over 1800 miles of ATLast night I stayed up and watched the Red Sox game at the Woodstock Inn. Pedro won #15, the Sox are only 2 12 behind. Go Sox! But after the game I couldn¢t get to sleep because of the band playing at the local pub below my window, people using the dumpster and someone pushing what sounded like a Big Wheel up the street. I finally closed the window & turned on the AC to drown out the noise & got some sleep.After a huge breakfast I started hitching up Rt 3. Not very successful on an early Saturday morning. I got a short hitch, about 12 mile, then walked some more. After a couple of miles of walking a guy finally picked me up, anlther hiker who had seen me as he drove by the other way. He brought me right to the trailhead. From there it was another 0.9 mi. to the AT, and I was finally on my way up the Liberty Springs Trail. It was a tough steady climb to the tent site and a final 0.3 to the ridge. Things leveled out for awhile until the final steep climb up Little Haystack Mt. when the trail emerged above treeline. Then there was about a 3 mile ridge walk above treeline over Mt. Lincoln & Mt. Lafayette. This section was like a sunny afternoon in Central Park.   There were people everywhere speaking all kinds of languages. The peaks themselves were packed with people. As I approached Lafayette it was still in the clouds. In fact there was a low cloud cover everywhere. But by the time I reached the top (5244¢) it had cleared out and you could see forever. I took a couple of breaks along the ridge to enjoy the views & refuel. When I left Lafayette, I was by myself again. Once I got below treeline I caught up with another hiker and we hiked together for some distance. He¢s from NYC and is doing another section of the AT. He started in 2002 and plans to finish this year. Having someone to talke with made the time go by more easily.We reached Garfield Pond, a point at which I had considered stopping, but I decided to continue on over Garfield, so it was another steep climb to an open summit with a nice view back toward Lafayette. When we got to Garfiled Ridge Campsite on the other side, I decided to check it out, so we parted ways. The caretaker took me to a tent platform site & squeezed me in between two other tents, so tonight I¢ll have my first experience on a tent platform.Today was a great taste of ridge walking above treeline and I look forward to more. I¢m not going to do big miles thru here, but it should be enjoyable as long as the weather holds.