morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-01
From: Green Mountain Hiker Hostel,

To: Big Branch Shelter, VT
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: light rain

Woke up early and got a ride from Gary back to the trailhead where I started a nice climb. The weather has been really great and today is cool. I was expecting rain but it never arrived.Called Silver Fox from the summit of Bromley Mtn (3,260') which has a warming hut and observation tower. However, it was misty and the cloud cover prevented any panoramic views from being seen.It was a bit of a climb up so when I got to Big Branch Shelter I stopped for the night. This shelter - built in 1963, was really clean but still lots of mice. I set out 2 mouse traps with p-nut butter. Those crafty little rodents were able to delicately nibble off the p-nut butter without snapping the spring. I reset the 2 traps 4x. Each time the mice had a snack on me.
Date: 2010-07-02
From: Big Branch Shelter, VT

To: field by picnic area -near Whistle Stop cafe
Miles today: 15.9

I left Big Branch Shelter about 7AM and started into the beautiful Vermont woods. The trail here has greatly improved since Manchester Center. I have noticed more trail maintenance crews out working. I had thoughts of having breakfast food at around 5PM so I walked down VT 103 to check out this spot. My main reason was to fins some more water. After talking with the restaurant owner she said I could camp in a field next to a picnic area. It is 8PM now and this looks like where I'll camp for tonight. I hope it works out and that I can sleep. This could be not such a great location but it's too late to hike back up into the woods now. Time to sleep....
Date: 2010-07-03
To: Tucker Johnson Shelter, VT
Miles today: 18.4

I ended up having a very good nights sleep in the field. Had breakfast at the restaurant then headed back up to the trail. I walked up Killington and met a very nice family who was visiting the area from Connecticut.At the ski lodge I got a free thru-hiker ride on the gondola. Met a guy, Clair, who showed me a note about some trail magic on down the trail, however it was too late in the day when I got to the location. I went to an Irish Pub & Restaurant to get my water bottles filled and was told, "Go do that outside."I was in no mood for the music in the pub after this so just got back on the trail. Hiked until late and camped near Tucker Johnson Shelter. Around 10pm I could hear fireworks. For some strange reason there were no bugs sitting here at my camp site in the woods. I do feel lonely tonight. Ate 2 Knorr meals. I was that hungry. I'll plan to get an early start Sunday morning. Time to Sleep..Missed a call from FORST this morning. He was calling from the summit ofKillington Peak at 3,870' elevation. Said the weather was lovely, clear and views from the top were beautiful as far as the eye could see.FROST remembered that I had taken skiing lessons as a kid at Killington Ski Areawaaaaay back in the 70s. Back then the ski instructors were using the Graduated Length Method(GLM) for teaching beginners how to ski. Start on short stubby skis and each day use skis that are a bit longer. It worked! I still know how to ski.Killington Peak is just south of the fork in the trail where the AT bears east and no longer shares the path with THE LONG TRAIL.FROST wondered if I was going to the annual Handy family 4th of JULY potluck/ picnic and BAR-B-Q. He mentioned that he had no plans, so he thought he'd go for a hike on the 4th of JULY!
Date: 2010-07-04
From: Tucker Johnson Shelter, VT

To: Wintturi Shelter - nearby
Miles today: 20.1

HAPPY 4th OF JULY EVERYONE!!Woke this morning at 5AM and thought I'd get up and going early. I headed out past the lodge at Kent Pond. Stopped there for a 4th of July breakfast. It was simple but tasted good. I have been wanting to up my miles a bit so I pushed past Wintturri Shelter one more mile. Getting real tired so I moved off the trail to find a level spot. Then I found an even better site and moved a little farther away and set up my ground cloth and bug net. I slept soundly until 5:30 in the morning. I wanted to get another early start. However, I could not find the trail!!! I must have gotten turned around - somehow?? and got my sense of direction all mixed up. Using my compass I walked west, BUT knowing the trail does not always run North to South. I know that at some point I would eventually cross the AT. Well - after 1 and 1/4 hours I finally crossed the trail. WHEW!! That certainly gave me the real sense of being LOST for awhile! Lesson learned!!Always mark your departure from the trail location and do what Hansel and Gretel did, but not with crumbs!
Date: 2010-07-05
From: Wintturi Shelter nearby

To:  campsite near Podunk Brook
Miles today: 17.5

I slept soundly until 5:30 this morning. I wanted to get another early start. However, I could not find the trail. I must have gotten turned around - somehow?? and got my sense of direction all mixed up. Using my compass I walked west, BUT knowing the trail does not always run North to South. I knew that at some point I would eventually cross the AT. Well - after 1 and 1/4 hours I finally crossed the trail. WHEW!! That certainly gave me the real sense of being LOST for awhile! Lesson learned!!Always mark your departure from the trail location and do what Hansel and Gretel did, mark the side trip off the trail --but not with crumbs! I am going to start 3 QT intake per day of Gatorade and drink at least 5 QT water. I must keep a good count of my liquid in take. Today is was 93 degrees.I have noticed my mental state changing in only 2 days. I met these 2 ladies who were asking me about the trail and I just did not really want to talk to them about it. That is not like me at all. I've felt sort of down just the past 2 days. I will double my water and sports drink intake and see how I feel. Tonight I set up my bug net under some big trees near Podunk Brook camp site.This time I do have a marker pointing towards the trail. I really have it easy compared to all the old mountain men and women who used to be out here in the woods. There are miles and miles of old stone walls around here and old foundations as well.Got a very short cell call from FROST this morning.He said it already 85 degrees F at 9:00 this morning there. I saw on the weather report that the east coast is going to have some triple digit temps this week UGH!! FROST said he was nearing Vermont state highway #12 at 1,712 miles from Springer Mtn. Then his cell connection was lost -PHOOEY!!With that information I can see from the AT handbook that FROST is 24 miles from HANOVER, New Hampshire and 466 miles from Mount Katahdin!
Date: 2010-07-06
From: Bunker Hill campsite

To: Tigger's Treehouse-Hanover, NH
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: clear sky

I'm at Tigger's Treehouse Hostel tonight. I started today by getting up at 6AM. The idea was to get to W. Hartford for coffee. A beautiful day to start. It was nice and cool in the morning. I got to W. Hartford at 10AM and decided to walk on to Hanover. W. Hartford is a very friendly town. In Hanover, I headed to an all-you-can-eat thai food restaurant for lunch. Wow-what a treat! About 2PM I was back on the trail with a full stomach. I hiked to Etna, NH where Karen came and picked me up at the General Store and took me to her home-Tigger's Treehouse. I am staying in her RV camper. She has 3 dogs that I offered to take for a walk, but did not have much success with that. I hope to head out early tomorrow morning with my next re-supply in Glencliff. There will be some decent hills in the next 3 days and I think I'll be ready for them.FROST had a great cell connection today from beautiful northeast town of Norwich, Vermont. As I write this he is crossing over the Connecticut River and making his way into Hanover, NH home of Dartmouth College.WOW!! That's 12 states down - sets him at 1,737.3 miles hiked and 2 more states and 441.8 miles to go through NH and MAINE. AMAZING!!It was 9:00 in the morning and already 85 degrees. He was REALLY looking forward toa shower! EVERYTHING is sticky, stinky and damp. Nothing dries out over night. Woke up this morning and his clothes were damp from sweating through the night!Talk about hot & humid! But never a complaint. Just says, I'm telling you how it is and that this is all part of the AT adventure. Bugs too are swarming and follow in huge clouds!!Next big town is Glencliff where his winter gloves, hat and new hiking pole tips I sent are waiting at the post office. How ironic is THAT!! But he'll be prepared, for any possible change in the weather when he heads up into The White Mountains.Lots of friendly people in Norwich this morning - cheerily greeting FROST as they head off to work after the long holiday weekend.FROST was either going to stay in a Dartmouth College dorm or at Tigger's Tree House hostel near Etna, NH.
Date: 2010-07-07
From: Tigger's Treehouse-Hanover, NH

To: Firewarden's Cabin
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: clear sky

Boy. did I have a workout today! Up and down, up and down, with 90 degree or more temp and the ever present bugs. The last climb was up Smarts Mtn. This mountain was much steeper than expected. I made it to the top about 6:00 in the evening. There is a fire tower here which I climbed up into and I've decided to spend ther night in the tower. It's about 200 feet up and a 10'X10' floor.Today was about 19 miles. I drank as often as I could and also used Gatorade. I think I will really sleep well tonight as long as there are no thunder storms.If there is I'll climb down to the ground. There should be a great sunrise visible from up here tomorrow morning.
Date: 2010-07-08
From: Firewarden's Cabin

To: Hiker Hostel, Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 19.9

Woke early this morning with thoughts of walking all the way to the hostel about 20 miles distance. I met up with NEFUS a NOBO hiker who I met earlier. We hiked together until lunch when I decided to cut my day short because of the 90F heat.I have stopped here at Ore Hill Shelter. However, after a rest I have decided to push on-7 more miles- to the hostel in Glencliff. I was really dragging. I felt like I was making good time, but my watch was telling me otherwise.Here at the hostel is REDMAN, who I have not seen since back in Daleville. REDMAN got sick and got off the trail for a week and is back now. It is good to get away from the bugs here inside the hostel. I stayed up to watch the news and also study my map of The White Mtns until nearly 10PM. Tomorrow I will take a zero here.
Date: 2010-07-09
From: Hiker Hostel, Glencliff, NH

To: Hiker Hostel, Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 0.0

The day started much cooler with a nice breeze blowing. Here in Glencliff there is not much more then a P.O. and the hostel. There were 4 hikers here that are "slack packing". That is when someone drives you to the top of a hill and you walk down without your backpack or any variation of that. It always involves a car and driver.Today I pulled the best looking bike I could find out of a pile of bicycles and rode it into Warren, NH for breakfast and a look around. This weekend isthe Home Days Celebration. There is a fair, games and fireworks tonight. While in town I bought food for my hike through The White Mtns. The weather report is calling for storms with 1-3 inches of rain possible. Should I stay or should I go? It really feels good to stay, rest and relax but I am itching to hike. Right now I am here in the park in Warren watching the fair. Think I'll head back to the hostel now.FROST called from Glencliff, NH this morning to say he MIGHT stay the weekend there in the hiker hostel. He said the heat really is taking it's toll on his stamina. He is thinking he will possibly leave Glencliff and head into The White mountains on Sunday morning, July 11....
Date: 2010-07-10
From: Glencliff, NH Hiker Hostel

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: moderate rain

I slept really well last night. Even slept in a bit listening to the sound of the rain falling. Got up finally and made coffee. About 9:00 AM I decided not to take another zero, and instead get back on the trail. I walked back to the trail head along a road that had a 100 mile-Century Bike Ride going by. They were all very friendly as they pedaled past me. It was very pleasant hiking in the rain, cooler, 65 degrees, no bugs, plenty of water but just no views today.I did climb Mt. Moosilauke(4802') with no problem. There were lots of day hikers and SOBO thru-hikers today. No question, today was the most hikers I've seen in one day. Today was a very easy hike - only 8 miles here to Beaver Brook Shelter.That's ok, at least I am moving forward. Today I hiked a bit with a mother and daughter doing their last 400 mile section hike. I may run into WEBS and M&M tomorrow. I am listening to A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION which is a tradition for me on Saturday nights. I am getting excited about my next section through the White Mtns. I do hope I have at least a few days of views.   FROST called to let me know he's decided to head out this morning, SAT, July 10 into THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. The first mountain to go over today will be Mt. Moosilauke - 4,802 feet at the summit. It's raining - so he's going to take it slow and easy. Does not want to slip, fall and sustain an injury.Keep FROST in your thoughts and prayers for continued safety.
Date: 2010-07-11
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: AMC-Lonesome Lake Hut
Miles today: 15.0

Woke this morning to blue skies and sunshine!! Headed out from Beaver Brook Shelter early and made it here to Lonesome Lake Hut.Now let me tell you that South Kinsman was really a challenge. But now as a seasoned AT thru-hiker there was no problems, just very steep and rock scramble.For this I just slow my pace way down. The weather was cool and there were plenty of streams for water re-supply. Kinsman Pond is beautiful. I almost stayed there but wanted totry out a hut. It took me forever to get to Lonesome Lake Hut. I went in asn asked to work for stay and food left over from paying hiker guests. The hut employees were happy to put me to work cleaning the greasy cast iron stove and organizing the library. For dinner I had couscous, cake, salad and a 16" quesadilla. After eating I went straight to sleep and slept soundly.Only covered 15 miles today. The downhills are quite steep and I took my time coming down.Did a work for stay at Lonesome Lake Hut.Helped with several chores which included cleaning the greasy cast iron stoveand tidy up the library here. Being Sunday night(end of the weekend crowd) there are not many guests tonight. This worked out well. I was able to sleep on a bunk bed, not the floor. I also had a delicious meal of salad, couscous and a 16" veggie quesadilla. I could not eat the whole quesadilla and will save half of it for lunch on Monday. I have added/updated FROST'S personal journal entries from June 26 through July 5. Looks like the temps have cooled down about 10 degrees back east after all the rain yesterday.What a relief for everyone!
Date: 2010-07-12
From: AMC-Lonesome Lake Hut

To: AMC-Galehead Hut
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: few clouds

Woke this morning about 5:30AM and fixed myself coffe and cereal, then headed north. But first I walked around the lake. It's another beautiful day to hike the Franconia Ridge. Today was great with lots of climbing. First Mt. Lafayette(5,429'), then Mt.Garfield(4,488')and then down to Galehead Hut. I ran into NOBO hiker NATURE and we hiked together about half the day. At Galehead Hut I asked again for work for stay and food. I was put to work cleaning the stove and the 12V freezer. I had a good meal of garlic mashed potatoes, soup, veggie burgers and chocolate cake. It is 10:30 PM - time to sleep....FROST put in close to 16 miles today making it to Galehead Hut where the staff let him do work for stay. They put him to work cleaning the cast iron stove detail --again, he's going to have that project aced! The Galehead Hut is fullwith paying guests so Frost slept on the floor. He enjoyed a delicious dinner.There are 2 other NOBO hikers - NATURE and he could not recall the other hikerstrail name.
Date: 2010-07-13
From: AMC-Galehead Hut

To: Ethan Pond campsite
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke this morning after not such a great nights sleep. I slept in the hut on 2 benches pushed together and just could not get comfortable. The hike today started out with a long uphill which ended above the tree line. Then it was a fairly easy down which took us to Zealand Hut. There is a very beautiful river and waterfalls at Zealand Hut right next to the hut.. I met up with HARD ROCK, a section hiker from Atlanta, GA. After a rest we continued on to Ethan Pond campsite. After eating dinner we sat by the pond waiting to see a moose which the caretaker told us shows up about 90% of the time. A thunder storm came up and drove us into our sleeping bags, so we never got to see the moose. Time to sleep...FROST called at 9:30 this morning(6:30 am PCT). He was on the summit of SOUTH TWIN MTN with a good cell phone connection. After a breakfast of quiche at the Galehead Hut(work for stay) and help to clean up he headed out with 2 other NOBO hikers.His goal is to make it to Ethan Pond Campsite today-Tuesday, July 13.Then he wants to stay at Lakes of the Clouds Hut for Wed., July 14.AT hikers nickname for this hut is Lakes of the CROWDS. This hut can sleep 90 guests!!Frost is hoping for clear weather on THURSDAY, July 15 for his summit of MT. WASHINGTON (6,288' elev)I'm going on vacation and will not be home until next week so there will not be any more journal entries to FROST's TJ page until I return.(Silver Fox)
Date: 2010-07-14
From: Ethan Pond campsite

To: AMC-Lake of the Clouds Hut, NH
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: fog

Woke up this morning at Ethan Pond campsite and headed out early. I have heard that a thru-hiker can often get a bowl of soup at the AMC-Mizpah Spring Hut.Most of the hiking through The White Mtns has been slow and tough on the knees.After a fairly long day of just over 14 miles, NATURE and me walked into Lake of the Clouds Hut. We were both able to get work for stay and food. Tonight the hut is full with 93 paying hiker guests and 5 thru-hikers working for stay. Tomorrow morning it is 1.75 miles to the summit of Mt. Washington. It should be a nice weather day. Today was overcast and low fog. I think tomorrow will be a nice day, but we shall see. I'm here with HARD ROCK now and we are ready for our meal of food left over from the paying hiker guest's dinner. Hmm, I wonder what we'll get tonight?This is Frost's wife(Silver Fox). Just got home, Monday night, July 19 from my vacation to Estes Park, Colorado. Rocky Mountian National Park, the reunion and the elk were awesome!! I got a call from FROST Sunday morning, July 18. He has made it through The White Mountains and he was taking 2 zero days in GORHAM, NH. FROST plans to head back onto the AT today, Monday, July 19. If he can hike over 17 miles he will leave New Hampshire(13th state) today and cross into the 14th and final state - MAINE!! That will put FROST at 281.4 miles from Mount Katahdin!FROST also said that he and NATURE on and off hiked together through most of the Whites. A wise thing to have a hiker buddy. Apparently one day last week NATURE got off onto some side trail(possibly a downhill ski run?) and ended up totally losing the AT and hitchhiked to get back to the AT. FROST was concerned as to why NATURE never caught up with him at several rest stops he made that day. But was quite relieved to see NATURE at the point further down the AT where NATURE got the ride back to get on the AT.As soon as more of FROST'S trail journals arrive I will update his entries withhis details.
Date: 2010-07-15
From: AMC-Lake of the Clouds Hut, NH

To: AMC-Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: fog

Sitting here in the Madison Spring Hut. The staff accepted 6 of us thru-hikers to do work for stay tonight. Plus there are over 100 paying guests, including lots of kids. The hut is FULL!! Today was an easy day coming here from Lake of the Clouds Hut. Did not get an early start as I would have hoped to, due to the work for stay job of cleaning up after the paying guests finished breakfast-but that'salright. The weather was good all day. But alas, as I got to the summit of Mount Washington the clouds had already started moving in over the summit.Tomorrow I will head for Carter Hut. The weather here in The Whites sure has everything to do with how things go for a hiker. As I see it so far if the weather is dry there are no problems. However, the problems begin when it rainsand the rocks turn wet and slick. This really slows one down. It was the same back in The Smoky Mtns. Nice weather and the trail was sweet. Add a few feet of snow and problems arise. Well, it might not be as simple as that, but sometimes it is.
Date: 2010-07-16
From: AMC-Madison Spring Hut

To: AMC-Carter Hut
Miles today: 13.7

This morning I was up early at the Madison Spring Hut. The weather today was fantastic! It was a big climb for the first 2 hours. NATURE and I are still hiking together. However, today she was hiking alone and somehow got off on a wrong trail. At my rest stops I began to wonder where she might be when she would not catch up. It sure is good to have a hiking buddy through this section of The Whites. It hike alone would be dangerous. Anyway, when I got down to Pinkham Notch there I found NATURE. A true trail angel was there with some much appreciated trail magic!! THANK YOU HYDRO for the trail magic. It's you folks who do make for some of the great memories of hiking the AT.The hike today to Carter Hut was not an easy one. It rained for most of the day. The rocks were very slick and made for some slow and careful progress. It's more isolated in this stretch so if you fell and injured yourself it could be a day before anyone came along. Carter Hut has proved to be another cool place to stay for thru-hikers. It seems as though we are hiking in this space of few AT - NOBO thru-hikers. From the news on the trail it sounds like there is quite a crowd of hikers south of us making their way north. The Whites weather has been mostly in the 70s during the day and most days have been clear(except when I summited Mt. Washington)I had no problem being accepted to do work for stay at all the huts. This is my last night sleeping in a hut in The Whites. Today hiking up and over Wildcat Peaks E, D, C, B, and A was wet and slick, but no problems and all is good. I am very tired and time to sleep....
Date: 2010-07-17
From: AMC-Carter Hut

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

After finishing my work for stay of cleaning up after breakfast we headed out. Still hiking with NATURE. Started with a good climb from 3,390' up to the summit of Carter Dome at 4,832' - a 1,542 climb in about 1.3 miles. Then there was South, Middle and North Carter Mtn peaks and last was Moriah Mtn. Glad for the clear and cool weather today. NATURE's uncle met us on US HWAY 2 and took us into Gorham, NH. We 3 split a hotel room. My plan is to stay in Gorham until Monday, July 19. I've got all my laundry done and re-supply of food purchased for the next leg.
Date: 2010-07-18
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

Having a good zero day of R&R in Gorham. Called Silver Fox who is on vacation in Colorado. Sounded like she had a great time in Estes Park at the YMCA of the Rockies for the reunion. I feel good and rested, ready to begin hiking again in the morning.
Date: 2010-07-19
From: Gorham, NH

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Got up early this morning to get back on the trail. NATURE's uncle, Cliff, drove us back to the trailhead. THANKS Cliff! It began to rain not long after we startedhiking. The rain kept up for several hours. All the rain made the rocks slick and trail turned muddy. The slick rocks sure slow me down. What a day!! I am SO TIRED!Just had a really hard day of hiking. The big news of today is I left New Hampshire behind and entered into Maine. Staying in the shelter tonight is CRASH, NEFUS, NATURE, SILVER, LINT and FIRST MAN.