morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-07
From: Bennington, Vermont

To: Zero Day In Bennington
Miles today: 0.0

I was up early this morning, not having slept all that well. There's an old German saying that, roughly translated (and not spelled right, I'm sure, but my German is really rusty), fit my mood - "Ein guttes gevisson ist ein sanftess ruhkisson" Translation:a clear conscience is a soft pillow....I made an estimate of the earliest that Break might be up, and a conservative estimate of how long it would take her to hike the 4 miles down to the road. I then got a ride from the motel owner up to the trailhead, arriving about 8:30AM. Two hours later I was rewarded by the welcome sight of Break coming down the trail to the road! I told her how happy I was to see her, and gave her the bad news - which had not occurred to her - that it was Sunday. Meaning, of course, that she was not going to be getting her box from the post office until tomorrow. But - no problem: we will just take a zero and get the box first thing tomorrow morning. She wasn't too disappointed about having to overnight after all, since she hadn't had a shower and clean clothes for more that a week!I told her how I was feeling about having abandoned her, but she said I shouldn't feel that way. She said she would not have wanted me to hold up MY hike just because of her. If coming up with a new plan is what we need to do, fine, we'll work on it. She said "All right!" and gave me a high-five. I started to feel a little less guilty, and felt even better when I was able to yoggie a ride into town for us from a hiker couple just about to pull out of the parking lot. I'm typing this from the Autumn Inn Motel while Break is getting a shower, after which I intend to enjoy a zero day - and, I suspect, a better night's sleep tonight.Tomorrow, it's back to the trailStay tuned, Longhaul------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-08-08
From: Bennington, Vermont

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

After my zero day yesterday, I was more than ready to hit the trail again. While I enjoy the time off, lazing about and watching TV, I tend to eat too much, which sort of defeats one of my goals for this little walk in the woods!We waited until the post office opened this morning, and then headed downtown. Break's bounce box had not arrived yet, so she made arrangements to have it forwarded, and we retuned to the Autumn Inn to pack up. Along the way, we stopped at a book store for more reading material (Break always carries at least a couple of books with her) and a mini-mart to top up our food bags.By 11:30 we were at the trail head and ready to go. As always, the trail was uphill for the first couple of miles, but we're used to that. It was hot, but not as bad as that awful week in Virginia, and we just took it slow and drank lots of water.After that, the trail wasn't bad at all. Good exercise, but not too taxing. Break led the way, so I didn't even have to look for blazes, and was able to just let my mind wander. Mostly I thought about all the neat things I plan to do over the next feww years - after I finish this little adventure. I am especially looking forward to finding a place in the country, somehere along the southern half of the AT (New England is beautiful, but I am NOT a fan of long, cold winters!), where I can grow things, and then cook and "put up" what I grow. I want to learn to make jams and jellies, for example,and to bake really good breads.With my mind on future good times, the hike went fast, and we arrived at Goddard shelter around 5:30. We have begun to encounter south-bounders on the trail, 2-3 a day, and there were two more at the shelter tonight - Moon Dog and his wife, Sarah. In addition to Swinger, a NOBO, there was also a 9 person trail crew camping near the shelter. Starting tomorrow, they will tear down the old Goddard Shelter and then construct a new one. I did my usual campfire and stayed up until 9PM staring into the flames before rolling into my tent for the night. Another great day on the trail. Life is good!Today's hike is dedicated to all of the volunteers who build and maintain both the trail itself and the shelters along the AT. Their work is greatly appreciated.Stay tuned, LonghaulSent via PocketMailEmailAnywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-08-09
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Story Spring 
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: light rain

This was a relatively short day, so we took it pretty easy. We did the first four miles to Kid Gore shelter where we hung out for a couple of hours while Break rested her foot.After lunch we did another 5 to Story Spring shelter. The highlight of the afternoon was running into Stumpknocker, a good friend of (Jan) Liteshoe, who I had heard was doing his fourth through-hike, going south-bound. I was hoping to meet him, but didn't expect to find him this far south so soon. I told him to give Jan my regards, and we wished each other well before moving on. I would liked to have had a chance to overnight at a shelter with him, as he has some good sories of the trail, and is an excellent journalist as well. Oh well, maybe next time.The shelter was empty when we arrived - which was fairly early, but before long a number of other hikers started showing up. Most were south-bounders, some doing the AT, and some the Vermont Long Trail which parallels the AT for the first 75 miles going north.So far there are nine other hikers here, including Food Dude, Pus Gut, Red Headed Step Child, Solar, Bum Foot and D-spo, Pokey the Trail Turtle, Subway and Snorer Jones. I collected wood and got a nice fire going, so I'm pretty much a happy camper. Life is good!Today's hike is dedicated to all of the south-bound AT hikers who are now passing through Vermont. Goodluck, and Godspeed.Stay tuned, Longhaul------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-08-11
From: Stratton/Arlington Road

To: Stratton Pond Camp Site
Miles today: 7.0

I was the first one up, and was happy to have a chance to do another campfire. By the time everyone else was up, I had a pretty good fire going to warm people up and for heating the water for hot chocolate. By 11AM everyone had had breakfast and we'd loaded up their van. They gave Break and I a ride back to the trailhead where everyone got out to give us a group hug! Break and I, feeling really good about the chance to spend time with such special people, headed up the trail.Our goal for the day was only 7 miles in - to Stratton Pond - leaving us an 11 mile day on Friday to get into Manchester where we would resupply.Between us and Stratton Pond was a 1,700 foot climb up Stratton Mountain, butit wasn't all that bad a hike. And, when we got to the top we were rewarded with great views - a 360 degree panorama - provided one is prepared to climb the ladder up to the top of a 55 foot high fire tower. Given my fear of heights, I would normally have taken a pass, but I think this hike is beginning to affect my confidence level as, before I knew it, I was standing on the platform next to Break admiring the view.After a lunch break and nap at the summit, it was on to the pond where we set up our tents near the shore and went for a swim.After dinner, I did my usual campfire and heard, for the first time, the call of a Loon. Very cool!We were joined by 3 high school students doing the long trail, and an AT through-hiker (Rag Man) who had flip-flopped up to Katahdin and was now hiking south.Tommorow, it's into town - showers, clean clothes, civilzation! Today's hike is dedicated to all of the creatures of the north woods - the Loon, the Moose, and the Beaver, especially. I'm beginning to get used to being up here, and it is wonderful. Another fabulous day on the trail! Stay tuned, Longhaul------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-08-13
From: Manchester Center

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: few clouds

I was up at my usual time this morning, despite the late night, and was pleased that Cuppa Joe was also an early riser. Living up to his trail name, he had a pot of coffee ready, so I drank coffee and worked on my journal until others started to arouse. Cuppa Joe then proceeded to take breakfast orders, and was soon cranking out platters of bacon, sausage, pancakes, french toast, and eggs cooked to order. Outstanding! After breakfast, Souleman drove me back to the trailhead and by 9:30 I was hiking up the first of two major hills. Before leaving the cabin, I had told Brownie how much the stay at their cabin had meant to me, as I had really missed seeing all my old, original hiking friends from M Company. It really was a terrific get togeher.I was hoping that I might run ino Break early on in my hike, assuming she had beat me to the trail, but I soon determined by talking with south-bounders, that she was not ahead of me.I was moving at a fairly good clip - 2 mph up hill and 2.5 or better on level ground or downhill, except for the really rocky or really steep parts. In fact, I finished the 14.5 miles in under 8 hours, including rest stops, so I got into Lost Pond shelter a bit after 5PM.For some reason, I was thinking there was a nice pond here where I could get in a swim, but I gather they really did lose it (get it? You know, the LOST...POND...is really lost? Oh, never mind...) So no swimming for old Longhaul today. There are a number of people at the shelter tonight, mostly south-bounders, including Steiner, Rooster, Hee Haw and Bouie. But, sadly, no Breakaleg. Since it is now after dark, I have to assume she's not coming. Bummer. At the same time, Freeze Dried (Mike Shine), who she stayed with last night at Sutton's Place, didn't show up either. He is a super fast hiker, so even if he got a late start out of Manchester, he should have passed me earlier today, but never did. Which makes me wonder if maybe they both decided to take a zero day in town, or perhaps decided to hike together but got such a late start they ended up staying one shelter back - about 4 miles behind me. Whatever the case, all I know for sure is that I miss her and wish she were here at Lost Pond tonight. Her foot didn't seem to be troubling her that much, and my sense was that she was absolutely determined, as I am, to complete the trail this year, so I can only hope that she is still in the game. Maybe I'll learn something tomorrow via the hiker grape vine. Hope so. Today's hike is dedicated to my good friend, Cuppa Joe for the morning coffee and the great breakfast he prepared, as well as for letting me know of the chance to get together with old friends. Thanks, man, you are something special!Stay tuned, Longhaul------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-08-14
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: light rain

Another fabulous day on the trail!I was up and on the trail at 6:30, which was a good thing since I was going to go for my longest day since leaving Virginia two weeks ago - 18.6 milesFortunately there was only one pretty good climb, with the rest of the trail not too bad. I got off to a good start, averaging 2.5 mph for the first 5 hours or so, but the climb up Bear Mountain dropped my average for the first 17.5 miles to about 2 mph. It really was kind of a bear!This was a good day in terms of meeting north-bounders, especially those who's shelter register entries I've been following but had not met in person. These included Chuckles and Gotta Go, as well as Africa and Easty. I also ran into May Fly, who I met for the first tme on Friday in Manchester.One of my goals for the day was to reach the trail junction with Vt. 103, where there is a restaurant just half a mile west. My plan, which worked out perfectly, was to get there before they closed, have a good dinner, fill my water bags for tomorrow, and then hike the final one mile from the road crossing up to Clarendon shelter.I reached the road at about 4PM, and hiked the half mile down to the Whistle Stop Cafe. I had the seafood platter (nothing to write home about, but filling), with corn, mashed potatoes, a garden salad, and an ice cream cone for desert, along with a lemonade, a Pepsi, and a hot tea. Burp....Before I was finished, Africa arrived, along with his son and a friend of the son, who had driven up to meet him. After they finished, they gave me a ride back to the trail head.The skies, which had been cloudy all day, and had let loose with a couple of short rains during the afternoon, totally opened up just as I was getting my pack on. C'est la vie - it is, afer all, what nature is al about.I knew the climb up would be steep, about 500 feet over the mile to the shelter, but the entire elevation gain came in the first 4/10's of that mile, in the form of a really, really steep rock scramble. In the pouring rain, no less. That's when you just have to suck it up and "get 'er done." You take your time, to avoid a disasterous fall, and you just keep telling yourself - it's only water, you'll dry out at the shelter, and it is only a total of one mile. And repeat, it's only water, you'll dry out...Sure enough, I arrived at the shelter where I could hang some stuff up to dry, and when the rain stopped, I set up my tent. There was a guy here doing trail magic, Piper, and I got a cold soda and some hot coffee, which - on top of my full tummy - made me a pretty happy camper. I should be able to make it an early night tonight, which is a good thing, as I'm going for almost 20 miles tomorrow, including the 2,50 ft. climb up Mount Killington!Today's hike is dedicated to all those who go out of there way to deliver trail magic to through-hikers. It is VERY much appreciated!Stay tuned, Longhaul------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-08-15
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Gifford Woods State Park
Miles today: 19.8

Another fabulous day on the trail!I didn't get as early of a start as I'd hoped, as my sleep was interrupted by snoring and other disturbances coming from the shelter near where my tent was, and thus I overslept a bit. I had a six mile hike before reaching the foot of Killington Mountain, and the beginning of a 2,500 foot climb. That took me about 3 hours, while the 3 miles up and over Killington took another 3 hours. After that, it was just the usual ups and downs, and another 11 miles to my destination for the evening - Gifford Woods State Park. I was pretty bushed by the time I reached the park registration office, but a cold Pepsi from the vending machine and 15 minutes sitting at a picnic table helped revive me.I signed up for the $4 through-hiker special camp site, which was right behind the office, and began getting organized for the night. In addition to the soda machine, and real rest rooms, they also have a pay phone, which I used to send/receive email and to call home.After dinner, one of the new Park Rangers came up to talk with me about the AT, as he is planning his own through-hike next spring. By 8:30 I was in my tent and ready for bed - too tired to do much with my journal. Unfortunately, my camp site was very near the highway entrance to the park, and at the top of a hill, so all of the traffic (read: 18 wheelers), kept me up half the night. Future reference- not a recommended overnight spot!Still, it was a good day, and another 20 miles closer to Katahdin. Life is good.Today's hike is, once again, dedicated to She-who-knows-me-best, but-still- loves-me. I miss you a LOT, Babe. Talk to you again from Hanover. Stay tuned, Longhaul------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-08-16
From: Gifford Woods State Park

To: Wintturi Shelter
Miles today: 17.3

I started the day with two destination options - a 17 mile day to Winntturi Shelter, or 21 miles to an informal hostel in a barn along a road that the trail crosses. From trail registers, I knew that Mouth and his group of six would probably be staying at the Barn, but wasn't sure if I could do another 20+ day today.The morning's hike was pretty strenuous with a couple of hills that took some work to get over. I had pretty much decided to stop at Winntturi, and possibly catch up with the group tomorrow, or at least by Thursday in Hanover.Late in the day, however, I caught up with one of that group, Gypsy Lulu, who had taken a longer break to read an extra chapter in her book and was dashing off in the direction of the barn.I thought again about the barn, but concluded that my knees could not take 3.8 more miles of downhill jarring. There was no one else at the shelter when I arrived, but before I finished dinner, Cuppa Joe showed up. I was really glad to see him, and asked if he'd heard anything about Breakaleg and where she was. He said he'd heard that she had taken a zero day in Manchester on Saturday, but had resupplied and was, presumably, back on the trail by now.As the sun went down it started to get cool, and I was thinking how glad I was to have had my winter gear sent to Hanover- just not looking forward to the extra weight in my pack, though. Life is just filled with trade-offs....Today's hike is dedicated to hiking smart - including not giving in to the "Mileage Monster" and trying to go further than one should, no matter how tempting it may be!Stay tuned, Longhaul------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-08-17
From: Wintturi Shelter

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: scattered clouds

This was a very long day - but fabulous, nonetheless.I was up early, and did the 3.8 miles down to the barn before some of the gang of six had started out. By the time they took their first break, I caught up with the whole gang. We then spent most of the day playing leap frog. All of us will make it into Hannover tomorrow, but I wasn't sure if I could do a 20 to the same shelter thay were aiming for. My original plan was for a 16 to a small town where there was a small grocery store and snack bar, where I thought I'd have dinner, and where you could findout who in town would permit you to tent in their yard. So much for THAT plan. When I reached the road, the store was closed! So I sucked it up and did the extra 3.4 uphill to the Happy Hill Shelter and ,no, I wasn't. It was a tough climb in places, 1500 feet up at the end of a 20+ mile day, but I distracted myself by thinking about what to have for dinner - the cup of soup meal or the Lipton side. I finally decided to eat them both, what luxury! Then I pondered the aspect of saving time by mixing and cooking them together.In the end, it turned out to be moot. The water source, a neccessary step in reconstituting my freeae dried gourmet banquet, had dried up. No matter. Not only had I caught up with more good friends, I was now only 6 miles from Hanover, and could get into town early enough in the morning to get a really good breakfast. So I ate "cold" - some left-over day snacks, and crawled into my sleeping bag. It's a litle cooler than last ight, autumn is definitely here in northen Vermont. Tomorrow - New Hampshire!Stay tuned, Longhaul------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-08-18
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Hanover, New Hampshire
Miles today: 5.9

I was the first one out of the shelter this morning, and the first one from the shelter into New Hampshire. I said goodbye to Vermont in the middle of the bridge over the Connecticut River, another state behind me! I climbed the hill up from the river into the college town of Hanover (Dartmouth), and followed white blazes through campus to Main Street and Lou's Bakery and Restaurant where we had agreed to meet for breakfast.I had a fabulous meal and I was really ready for it. Homemade corned beef hash with three eggs, hash browns, rye toast, orange juice and coffee. Yummmm.Cupppa Joe, who had camped just south of the shelter had actually gotten there first, and before long other hikers began straggling in.We agreed to share a room at a local motel, and I set off to find an outfitter to get my poles repaired. I've been pretty hard on them, using them like crutches to keep the weight off my knees, and the tips were shot. I got luckly at the EMS store, then hit the grocery store, and headed to the motel where I had a package waiting for me (thanks, Babe!) with my winter gear.I spent the afternoon cleaning gear and reorganizing my pack. This evening, we all went to a super restaurant that had a fajita bar- all you can eat for $6.99 and the food was really good. We celebrated three birthdays - Linex's, whose was today, mine on Saturday, and Cuppa Joe's on Monday. Then back to the motel and an early evening. Another fabulous day on the trail!Today's hike is dedicated to birthday boys - may we all live to be 100!Stay tuned, Longhaul------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com
Date: 2005-08-19
From: Hanover, New Hampshire

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Another fabulous day on the trail!I was up at 6:30 and worked on emails and journal entries until 8AM when the motel's continental breakfast opened up. After that I packed my gear, bemoaning the weight of my pack, which once again contains my winter gear... and five days of food... and a full load of water. UGH!I packed my summer gear into the box that my winter gear had arrived in, attaching the mailing label my wife had kindly enclosed, and left it with the front desk as UPS was scheduled to take it back home.I called home for a chat with my wife, after which it was time to head out the door and get back on the trail - which was back in Hanover.Just at that time, Clearwater's parents showed up to spend the day with him, bringing trail magic for the rest of us the form of sandwiches, a fabulous marble cheese cake, and a shuttle into Hanover! Nice how things work out, eh?I said goodbye to my friends, most of whom were planning to take a zero day - staying in town until late afternoon and then hiking to the first shelter, about two miles out of town. I started hiking about 11:30, with only 11 miles to do, and only one major hill to climb. Along the way, I finally ran into Patch, whose entries in the trail registers include the number of miles left to Katahdin. Glad I met him, really nice guy. I also met Neva Knievil, a young lady from Akron, Ohio, who, like me, took time off the trail in July for Scout camp. In her case, it was a Venture Crew trip to Philmont.All three of us made it to the shelter about the same time, and shared various foods and equipment as we cooked. I gave Patch some cheese, he gave me some fresh squash. I got some matches from Neivil, then shared my peanut M&Ms with her.A rain storm is threatening, and the wind is picking up as I lie here in my tent, snug in my winter bag, working on my journal. Life is good! Today's hike is dedicated to all of the new friends I'm meeting out here on the trail. It's good to be back amongst the herd of NOBO's (north-bounders) who started out at Springer Mountain, Georgia about the same time I did.Stay tuned, Longhaul------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com