morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-06-28
From: Great Barrington

To: Great Barrington
Miles today: 0.0

Heavy rain, heavy legs helped the decision to take a zero here in G.B.. Jinx was coming in today so we could regroup if we stayed. So we went to resupply after breakfast, then packed up and had to clear out of the hotel room until Jinx came into town and then we crashed in his room. The hotel had a pool so we lounged and swam until the rain started to come down heavy. Definitely the right decision to zero, there were flood warnings out it was coming down so fast. Mexican food for dinner, then back to hotel for cards and sleep.
Date: 2018-06-29
From: Great Barrington

To: Shaker Campsite
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: clear sky

It always seems to hurt more after zeroing. I should feel rested but actually you stay up later and don't sleep as well in a hotel room as in your tent so I always seem to be tired when leaving town. This section of Mass has two bigger climbs of around 1000' then flat to down to the campsite. It felt like it would never end. Temps are going up this week and that could be factoring into it. Some pretty sections but not too much for views today. I surprised a porcupine on trail and he scurried up a tree while I was trying to get my camera out, so no pic- he was a youngster so kinda cute in a prickly way.Got settled in camp, everybody but Jinx made it in, he camped back 4 miles or so, l think he doesn't want to finish before end of Aug, so will maybe continue to take lower mileage days. The trail tends to bring people back together so there is a good chance we will see him again.
Date: 2018-06-30
From: Shaker Campsite

To: October Mountain shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It has been so hot, everyday would be a nice day for a swim! This part of Mass is dotted with ponds, some are pretty weedy, swampy but the Upper Goose pond is more like a lake - we are heading there for lunch and a swim, unfortunately it is .5 miles off trail (1 mile round trip) but worth it. Water was beautiful. There was a fishing derby going on and some guys landed a 4 lb small mouth bass right in front of us! The shelter here is huge and has a caretaker who makes coffee and pancakes every morning. There are canoes you can take for a paddle, awesome! Unfortunately we timed things wrong and are continuing to October Mountain to complete the day. Sooo we headed out into high 80's temps to leave the water and get to October Mountain. On the way we found trail magic left by Commander (thanks so much!) - ice cold Gatorade and cereal bars, fantastic. Glad to get to camp around 5 today, setup, ate and crashed - sleeping hard these days, from 730 right through to 5 when the birds wake me up. We have been starting early to try to beat some of the heat, so another early morning tomorrow.
Date: 2018-07-01
From: October Mountain shelter

To: Crystal Mountain campsite
Miles today: 16.0

Today is Canada Day 151 years old, so everyone up north will be celebrating with live music and fireworks, I am sorry to be missing it. I will be here for the July 4 celebrations so that should be cool to see.Huge heat today (everywear up and down the northeast is overheating with 95F temps.) We started by 6 again but heat was already building. We walked 12 miles over mostly flat terrain until a final big climb and descent took us into Dalton MA - the trail goes right through town. We stopped from about 1130 until about 4 in air conditioned restaurants before making the final 4 Mile climb to our Campsite. It was so hot I could literally wring the sweat out of all clothing I was wearing. This has us a bit worried about tomorrow which is supposed to be hotter and also has the highest mountain in MA (Mt Greylock).Jinx caught up to us in Dalton, but is going to camp in town tonight. Seven and Amber will be coming up the hill to join us tonight. Ugh everything is so hot and sticky, could be a tough night for sleeping. Dinner was easy though, we packed out Angelina's subs, yum!
Date: 2018-07-02
From: Crystal Mountain campsite

To: Wilbur Clearing shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

It is Kenya's turn to take some time for a visit with friends so he is leaving ahead of us and will hike longer today, aiming to get to Bennington VT on Jul 3 to meet up with friends and watch the UK football game. So with Jinx behind, Kenya ahead, the bouge unit is short handed. Today we are tackling Mt Greylock the highest peak in MA at 3491, it will be a climb of 2500' and it is still cooking hot, so we are going to take our time and drink lots. There is a road up the mountain and a lodge on top so looking forward to cold drinks and burgers as a reward for the climb. On top of the mouth is this monument to the people who serve in the forces. There is also a relief map of the surrounding mountains where you can see where the AT comes from and goes to - that is really cool because there are sooo freaking many mountains it is hard to keep them straight and the relief map really makes it clear.Campsite is downhill from the peak but we still had to climb one more mountain (Williams) before getting to it. Had to sleep on a tent platform at the site which I don't like as I can't get my tent set properly. New York stopped in - he is a guy I met on day 1 at the airport and have seen on and off all along the trail.Near the end of MA now, VT on the horizon.
Date: 2018-07-03
From: Wilbur Clearing shelter

To: Stealth site near Congdon shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: broken clouds

Ugh, I hate putting on a complete set of soaking wet clothes. Nothing dries overnight in this humidity, this has been 3-4 days straight of wet underwear, socks , pants shirt shoes and it hasn't rained a drop, it's all sweat - gross.Another day hiking without Kenya. Gravity and I headed downtown the highway then walked .5 off trail to get to a stop and shop store to resupply - it was a great store and we got fresh coffee and turnovers, mmmmm. With full food packs we then had to climb 2200', crossing into Vermont. The Vermont long trail runs for 105 miles of the AT then cuts away to go up to Canada. The long trail predates the AT and was part of the inspiration for the AT.As we were hiking today, there were more and more through hikers catching up and all heading for the same shelter. We also came across a couple of large groups hiking the LT heading for the same shelter so we decided to stop early, avoid that shelter and stealth camp. Got a beautiful spot by a brook where you could take a nice sponge bath and get cleaned up, or a least as much as you can without soap. It was a good day but this heat thing is really wearing thin, everything soaked again, so you know what that means for tomorrow morning....wet everything, again!
Date: 2018-07-04
From: Stealth site near Congdon shelter

To: Kid Gore shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: clear sky

Todays hike passed right through the shelter that we had originally been aiming for and since we had started early everyone was still there and it looked like as Max described, a refugee camp, so glad we steered clear.Next surprise was 4 miles in when we crossed the highway and brother Recon/Tom had set up a tent for trail magic. It was really great to see him, we had hiked together on and off for much of the trail up to Harper's Ferry. VT is his home and he is nursing a fracture before getting back on trail. Thanks very much to Recon and his support crew for the banana bread, muffins, bananas and chance to catch up, here's wishing you a speedy recovery!After this break we had to go into climbing mode and I had very low energy making the day a real bear. It was hot, I hadn't got enough water and had to conserve over an 8 mile stretch which really sucks. Part of the reason for not having enough is that might Sawyer mini is painfully slow so I always put it off, I'm getting the larger filter when I get into town.Got to Goddard shelter by 2 for lunch and some deliciously cold spring water - here's something you can try at home, try going 4-5 hours without anything to drink, then go to your tap pour a drink into a bottle and sit with it for 10 minutes as if you had to filter it before drinking - it is painful. Filtering water us easily my least favorite camp chore.Finally got to Kid Gore shelter (who thinks up the names for these places!). It had few good campsites which were a long way from the shelter and picnic table. No service, no energy, time for bed.Hey thanks to all who have been sending email, texts and signing into the guest book, your messages continue to provide a much needed boost, I have had a rough few weeks trying to stay motivated and these messages really help, so thanks! Blake, it was great to hear from you, sorry we couldn't work out a time for you and the poker crew to get down for a Nascar weekend when I was in the South. MP thanks for the timely reminder of why I am on trail, that came at a great time to giive me a boost - I am still working on the last item so will need to keep you posted.
Date: 2018-07-05
From: Kid Gore shelter

To: Spruce Peak shelter
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: clear sky

Ok so someone can turn down the thermostat any day now, another hot sticky wet one in store today. We have a good sized climb up and over Stratton mountain today, around 1800'. A firetower on top provides a fantastic 360 view of the Green Mountains, including a number of the Vermont ski areas (Killington, Snow, Stratton). It was a tough ascent due to the heat bit we were looking forward to getting to Stratton pond which was down the other side of the mountain to go swimming. It was beautiful and we stayed in for almost 30 minutes. Gravity skipped the swim and is going to add another 3 miles to today's hike to go into town tonight instead of tomorrow. We will camp at Spruce and have a short hike to the highway and into town for resupply tomorrow. We are about 1/3 through VT with around 100 miles to NH (about a week away).
Date: 2018-07-06
From: Spruce Peak shelter

To: Bromley
Miles today: 4.8

It rained overnight with huge thunderstorm at 445 am with massive lightning and thunder - glad it was over quick, but still managed to soak through the floor of my tent - boo. A short 2.8 to the highway and hitch into town. Quick resupply - we are getting good at this! There is an outfitter in town so picked up new socks - completely destroyed my other socks - they have no heels now. Also picked up a Sawyer squeeze to replace my mini and the gear guy there glued the broken handle on my trekking pole. Going to have lunch and some beer while watching soccer this aft then head back on trail. Gravity, Kenya and cheesehead (a VT long trail hiker) will share a room and watch the England game in the morning and then catch me up on trail - I am heading out with Seven and Double tap.Change of plan, Seven and Amber got some trail magic of an offer to shower and stay in town. Met up with June bug at the Bromley site, she is section hiking and just on her first day out. Turned cold in the evening and overnight as the heat has finally broken.
Date: 2018-07-07
From: Bromley

To: Little Rock Pond
Miles today: 17.7

Cell service has turned spotty for me again with service only near tops of mountains. Todays hike had a climb to the top of the bromley ski resort and a couple of other peaks - Styles and Peru - but then the trail flattened out quite a bit so the afternoon was an easier hike. The day warmed up but had to start with my fleece on it was so cool (not complaining!). Met up with a fellow Canadian from PEI named Laugh and Hero from Alabama and hiked half the day with them. They are moving faster, started two weeks later than me and have passed me. Laugh is planning on doing 25 days if 25 miles to finish the trail. Everyone seems to be more focused on the finish now. It is too bad because the hiking is still really enjoyable with lots to see but the trail seems to be wearing people down.I got to little Rock pond around 5 and went for a swim right away - it is so nice to be in water and floating! This site is a rare spot on the trail where you need to pay $5 for the night. There is a full time caretaker who looks after the area. Since my cell service has been poor, I haven't found out what is happening with the guys behind me, they were only going to get a half day of hiking in so not sure where they landed.
Date: 2018-07-08
From: Little Rock Pond

To: Governor Clement shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

Started a little earlier than usual, still traveling without the rest of the bouge unit. Little Rock pond had mist rising from it as the sun was rising, it was a very inspiring moment reminding me that this is why I am hiking. The rest of the morning was great, made steady progress in the cool. The day warmed up though and by midday was into the 80's. Took my time on the inevitable big climbs (thanks Bear mountain for that 1000 foot climb to no view and immediate descent!). There was also a tough rock scramble where you had to put poles aside to get to the top of beacon Hill and a view to the airport. A suspension bridge over Mill river was cool and there were spots to swim, but I had a longer hiking day in mind so didn't stop ( bad choice, should have gone). Hiked all day without seeing any northbounders until the very end, it was a quiet day on the trail.Got to camp and set up by 430 and was the only tent in the area. A group of ATV'ers showed up wanting to party at the shelter but moved on. Rampage and family rolled in around 730 after putting in a long day. Hipcat also arrived, I haven't seen him since Russ and Mike were down and I was hiking south in NJ. We made plans to head into Killington together tomorrow.
Date: 2018-07-09
From: Governor Clement shelter

To: Gifford State park
Miles today: 13.7

Early start just before 6, nice and cool. Hiked up and over Shrewsbury peak and the pick/ Killington peak then down down down to the highway that runs into Killington and Rutland VT. We set up camp at the state park which had showers, yeah! The short day felt great. Hipcat and I walked back to the highway to a deli and expensive resupply. Kept it light so will be stretched to make things last until Thursday afternoon when we will get into Hanover in NH.Passed Mile 1700 today, less than 500 to go but some of the hardest climbing is coming in the White mountains in NH.
Date: 2018-07-10
From: Gifford State park

To: Wintturi Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: clear sky

For any Simpson fans out there, today I went up and over (Mayor) Quimby mountain, around 1300'. Day was cool to start which made the climb a bit easier. Heat increased as day went on but we were in camp and set up by 330. A good thing too as an unexpected rain storm started and continued all evening. We were in tents by 545 listening to a huge thunderstorm. The bouge unit arrived unexpectedly around 630 and had to set up in the rain. I was already in bed so didn't actually get to see them but caught up a bit with some between tents conversation. They are going into Woodstock tomorrow for the england game, so we will part company again until Hanover on Thursday.
Date: 2018-07-11
From: Wintturi Shelter

To: Happy Hill shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Hipcat and I headed out early today as we knew it was going to be a longish day. A nice cool and overcast start which allowed for a good pace. Vermont has some of the best woodland trails and today, while we had the usual up and downs, we had lots of nice smooth walking through pines and sugar maple forest, broken up by open field area. This really kept the hike interesting. Got some trail magic by mile 6ish - soda at a stream crossing! At the same road we went off trail to a former thru hikers house that sold trails treats - ice cream, candy bars, gatorade,etc. We met a couple of SOBO (south bound hikers) there and they gave us the low down on what was ahead in NH.Stopped again later at cloudland market and got a zucchini salad, an actual healthy food! One last stop late afternoon near white river where Linda and Dennis open their house to thru-hikers- cold drinks coffee, food, awesome trail magic. Finished the day with the 4 Mile climb up happy Hill. On the way, hiking with my head down I can across Eric of the hills - he was dressed all in white so I didn't really see him standing there, plus I was in my own world of thought- as I approached he raised his arm and pointed down the trail to indicate which way to go and scared the s&@t out of me - ha, it reminded me of the scarecrow in wizard of Oz. We hiked together till I turned off at happy Hill. Last night to sleep in VT, but I would love to come back to this state for some downhill skiing!
Date: 2018-07-12
From: Happy Hill shelter

To: Velvet Springs shelter
Miles today: 7.3

On trail by 6ish again this morning - town day plus we cross into NH this morning! Only 6 miles to Hanover on mostly rolling pine forest trails, very nice. Hip Cat was up front and surprised a mom and cubs a ways down the trail, we watched as they ambled off and one of the cubs climbed a tree. Mom waited around until the cub climbed back down then they cleared out - very cool things to see in the early morning light. Hanover is a nice hiker friendly town and the trail goes right through it. Our first stop was Dartmouth College where we thought we could get showers but we were re-directed from there and continued our walk downtown where Lou's bakery gave us a free doughnut. We went in and had a big breakfast (got into town about 8:20) so I guess their marketing strategy is paying off as they know no hiker is going to stop eating at just one doughnut. Next off was the post office where I had mailed all my cold weather stuff from Waynesboro - funny to be getting all that back but it can get cold in the nights in the Whites. I swapped out my light summer liner for the heavier liner and took back my longjohns, but loaded up the box with abunch of other stuff I wasn't using and mailed it all forward to Millinocket ME, the last stop on the trip. I might have added a pound after all the swapping.I am writing this in the town library at about 11 am - we are now going to a community centre to get a shower and do laundry, then resupply, then back on the trail for another stretch.Loaded up, clean clothes and a shower, originally wanted to go for about 10 miles but we are later and heavier than expected (we are carrying water as the shelter doesn't have any) so stopped at the first shelter just outside Hanover.
Date: 2018-07-13
From: Velvet Springs shelter

To: Smarts Mountain
Miles today: 21.8

Originally planned for trapper John cabin at 15 miles but got there early afternoon so decided to tackle smarts Mountain -2200'. But we had to load up on water about 4miles out as the campsite was at top of the mountain.needless to say it was a brutal climb with 4 litres of water weight.Beautiful view from campsite but overnight the clouds came in and woke to a wall of fog.
Date: 2018-07-14
From: Smarts Mountain

To: Jeffers Brook
Miles today: 21.1

Another long day as the shelter s are awkwardly placed. This site will be right at base of Mt Mooselauke so we can climb early morning.Terrain in NH is definitely tougher right away, with steeper upsa and downs and really rugged broken rock and roots.Well NH really rocked the trail magic today! Four road crossing points and 4 trail magic spots! First was a cooler with ice cold soda, garorade and apples! Next was Carl the Omelette guy who sets up a tent and cooks amadeto order omelette - and they are huge! Also coffee juice bananas, you name it! Next was Deb and Granite State who had all the sweets you could ask for plus iced coffee I missed the last one, but heard they had hotdogs. Fantastic, no need for supper today!Forgot to mention that Hip Cat saw a moose on trail this morning.
Date: 2018-07-15
From: Jeffers Brook

To: Eliza Brook
Miles today: 15.9

Havent had service in 3 days, so several updates added, still need to load up pictures but will do that next town stop. I am writing this on top of mt Kinsmen.Today was a brutal hike. This was the first real big climb of the white mtns. While the rugged trail was scenic, the 3500' climb to the top of mt Mooselauke was really tough. In some places it was hand over hand climbing and it just kept going upupup. Pace was slowed to just over 1 mph, even slower on the descent. Unfortunately we got socked in with clouds again, so after that brutal climb, there was no view :-( The trip down was hair raising, with wet rocks that ran alongside a waterfall. It took almost 3 hours to get down, with intense concentration required for every step or risk falling or sliding.So Mooselauke took about 6 hours to get up and over but we still had about 7 miles to go to finish to get to Eliza. Total for the day was supposed to be an "easy" 16 miles but it took longer than most 20+ mile hikes on easier terrain. Got into camp exhausted after 6.We have decided to keep mileage around 10 per day through the whites.
Date: 2018-07-16
From: Eliza Brook

To: Franconia notch
Miles today: 8.0

Had a goal to hike about 11 miles today but after reaching the top of Mt Kinsmen with a pace no faster than yesterday decided to revisit the goal. I finally got some signal on top and checked the weather which has a major electrical storm coming through on Tues so we decided to head to Woodstock to ride it out. Knowing that today was going to be shorter made for a more relaxed hike but this terrain is really challenging and you have to concentrate constantly. We got to our first "hut" which are nice spots for paying guests to stay with full room and board. Through hikers can work for stay at these places, sleeping on the floor. We just stopped to check it out, have lunch and move on. On the way down hill we crossed a mountain stream with a nice hole for swimming so stripped down to underwear and jumped in, very cold but felt great. Staying in town tonight and zeroing tomorrow to ride out the rain and rest exhausted legs and feet. My shoes are at the end of their rope (got them in boiling springs PA) but no out fitter until another 50 or so miles.Hey Genny and Jaimie thanks for your notes about getting together in Maine. Right now I'm not sure how long /when I will be there as these whites are really messing with pace.after a few more days of them I should be able to get a better guess. Thanks MP, T, Tom, Rob, Trevor, G-bolt, for your encouragement!
Date: 2018-07-17
From: Franconia notch

To: Franconia notch
Miles today: 0.0

Lazy rainy day. Slept in till 715, imagine that! On trail rise and shine has been 515ish when the light and birds wake you up. Laundry day, laze in the bed in this motel (Inn32) and watch TV movies - the shining and pulp fiction. Then Greek food which I have been craving for a number of weeks and ice cream. Now early to bed for an early shuttle back to the trail tomorrow - we have almost a 4000' climb to start the day so in hoping my legs are well rested! Rain has continued into the evening but is supposed to clear overnight so hopefully it won't be too slippery tomorrow.Thanks for the fun facts MP, I will astound my hiking mates with my deep knowledge of the granite State.