morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-09-02
From: Crawford Notch

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

Slow start this morning. My knees hurt. Got coffee and breakfast sandwich at the store, then Richard (the owner) drove us to the Trailhead. Got started about 9:05 AM. Nice hike to start, then it got rocky and steep. A lot of climb today. I hiked with K1 and Medium Rare.It is a beautiful day. Stopped at Mizrah Hut for lunch.Hiked on up and over lots of rocks. Got to Lake of the Clouds Hut about 5:45 PM. Asked about work-for-stay and staff said yes. In fact, there are some 11 throughhikers here tonight and they let us all do work-for-stay. (There were another 4 throughhikers who paid for stay - there is space in the crawlspace of the Hut where hikers can camp, called the Dungeon. The pay-for-stay includes supper and breakfast and stay in the crawlspace) We got to clean the bunkrooms in one section of the Hut. We really worked hard and stripped the bunks and scrubbed them, cleaned under all the bunks, washed down the walls with bleach water and swept the floors.   We felt like we had earned our supper.Lake of the Clouds Hut is tucked into a little protected area part way up Mt. Washington. It is probably the largest and most well known of the Huts in the White Mountains. From the front door (or dining room) there is an excellent view of the top of Mt. Washington.When it came time for dinner, there were no leftovers from the regular dinner. So, the cooks had prepared a macaroni-like dish and lots of it for us. With soup, green beans and lemonade, it all tasted good to us.I got to sleep about 10:00 on a table in the Dining Room. I had a beautiful view of Mt. Washington and the night sky from the huge windows in the Dining Room. It was a clear night and the stars were spectacular.
Date: 2008-09-03
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Osgood Camping Site
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

Today was one of the most dramatic hikes of the entire throughhike!After hanging around the Hut and having breakfast (and coffee), K1 and I and several other hikers got started up to the top of Mt. Washington. Mt. Washington is some 6288 feet high, is the tallest mountain in New England (a good bit higher than any others around) and is reputed to have the worst weather in the U.S.A. Some 127 people have died on the mountain, many due to weather. The weather at the base of the mountain can be beautiful, and it can be stormy and cold with high winds at the top at the same time.Anyway, we started the hike up Mt. Washington about 9:00 AM. The temperature was about 60 degrees, the sky was clear and the winds were calm. Amazing. Climbed up the final 1200 feet in the 1.2 miles to the top. Got to the top about 9:45 and the views from the top are spectacular!! A group of us hung out there, ate in the snack bar and then hung out some more. It was clear and beautiful and it struck me that we were on top of this formidable mountain, sitting on a bench in short sleeve shirts, in the sun. It is remarkable to have a clear warm day on Mt. Washington. I finally left the summit about Noon. It was a long, rocky hike down Mt. Washington. Went up and down several smaller mountains. Got to Madison Hut about 3:30 PM and had a snack. Decided, along with K1, to hike on to the Osgood Camp Sites, about 3 miles away. That did not seem very far, but in retrospect, it was a long tough hike. First, we had to climb up over Mt. Madison, a steep rocky climb up about 1200 feet. However, after Madison was the tough part. There were some five ridges, all of rock, that we had to climb up and then down.   It requires constant attention, picking your next step down rock to rock. After the 5 ridges, there was a steep descent of about 3000 vertical feet to get to the camp sites. I got to the Osgood Camp Sites about 7:00 PM (which meant I had gone 1 mile per hour since Madison Hut). Medium Rare, Bone Lady, Slayer and Wild Oats were camped on one tent platform. I went to the next one. I had supper and set up. Snow Plow arrived and set up as well. I was tired, but exhilarated after going over Mt. Washington.
Date: 2008-09-04
From: Osgood Camping Site

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: fog

I awoke very tired and feeling quite stodgy after a hard day yesterday. I got on the Trail about 8:00 and immediately started out badly. There were two ways to go out of the camping area, left or straight. I did not read the signs carefully enough and went left. In New Hampshire, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) likes to give the local trail name, such as Lost Pond Trail, and sometimes, not always, puts AT in parentheses. They don't seem to want to recognize the great Appalachian Trail. There are also few white blazes on the AT in New Hampshire. So, I turned left when I should have gone straight. I hiked downhill 8/10 of a mile before I came to another sign and realized my mistake. I trudged back 8/10 mile uphill, reread the signs and took the right one. The extra 1.6 miles that I hiked is not included in my daily miles.I hiked on to Pinkham Notch. There, I saw Bigglesworth, a throughhiker, and Snow Plow. Bigglesworth said that her sister was coming to pick her up for a visit and would give Snow Plow, and me, if I wanted, a ride into Gorham to a hostel. My objective today was to hike some ten miles. I was tired, though, and an afternoon of rest and sleeping in a hostel was appealing. So, I got a ride in with them, and got to the Hiker Heaven Hostel in Gorham about 3:30 PM. I took a nap and then got up and wandered around town. I got a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream (flavor: Everything but the...) and sat on a bench in the park and ate it. I went to the library and checked my e-mail, but did not have time to update my journal. I had a relaxing afternoon and evening and got to bed at about usual time (9:00 PM).
Date: 2008-09-05
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Middle Carter Mountain
Miles today: 0.0

Got up and had breakfast at Welsh's restaurant with Kirk, another throughhiker.Got a ride back to the Trailhead with the very interesting folks, Just a Few Steps and Tortoise, that I had met back in Hanover, NH. They are section-hiking the White Mountains and I saw them several times in the Whites including at Lake of the Clouds Hut and Madison Hut. They gave me, and Snow Plow, a ride to Pinkham Notch Trailhead.I got on the Trail about 9:15 AM. This section of the White Mountains, sometimes called the Wildcats, and sometimes the Carter Group, is reputed to be tough. K1, who had lived in New Hampshire for 30 years, said that there were four tough sections of the Whites, 1) Moosalauke, Wolf and Kinsman Mountains; 2) Little Haystack, Lafayette, Lincoln and Garfield; 3) the big "Presidentials", Mt Washington and Madison; and 4) the Carter Range. Since I had gone through the first three okay, I figured I could do the fourth okay. So, I started out with a positive attitude, to not only hike, but enjoy the Carter Range.And, I did. There was a lot of climb but it was not bad. I felt like I was hitting my stride. I hiked up Wildcat Mountain and over several peaks. I got to Carter Notch Hut aboutg 2:00 PM and got water and had some brownies and chocolate cake.In the afternoon, I hiked over the Carter Mountains, first South Carter Mountain and then up and over Middle Carter Mountain. Again, these were substantial ups, and downs, but good hiking. As I started down Middle Carter Mountain, I found a small flat spot beside the Trail and decided to camp there. It was about 7:00 PM, which is about my maximum stopping time. It was windy, but not cold up on the mountain. I had a cold supper, since I had only a small amount of water, and did not have enough to cook. Snow Plow came by; she was headed to the next camping area. She was out of water and was night hiking.It was a windy, not cold, and beautiful clear night. I was the only one there.
Date: 2008-09-07
From: Gorham, New Hampshire

To: Decatur, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

Today, I traveled from Gorham, NH to Decatur, Georgia, because my wife, Nancy, had been admitted to the hospital.I met the Concord Bus Lines driver at 6:45 AM at the lobby of the Royalty Motel. He left from there to start his run to Boston. The bus left the first official place, Berlin, at 7:45 AM. It was a smooth bus ride, stopping in some 8 places, and getting to Logan Airport at 12:35 PM. I slept most of the way.Chloe had made me a reservation on a 3:55 Airtran flight from Boston to Atlanta. I hung out at the airport and caught the flight, although I was a bit worried about the condition of my checked backpack.Anyway, flight arrived in Atlanta about 6:30 PM and I retrieved my backpack and took MARTA to the Decatur Station. There, Chloe picked me up and took me to Emory Hospital. Nancy had a room in the Cardiac Unit. She was better, but groggy and hooked up to lots of monitors. I spent the night there in a fold out chair in her room.
Date: 2008-09-08
From: Decatur, Georgia

To: Decatur, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

The good news is that Nancy is much better, although weak, and they released her from the hospital this afternoon. The doctors are still not sure what happened, but it appears to be a drug reaction to an antibiotic and some herbal supplements, coupled with her low blood pressure and sometimes erratic heart beat. It was actually more serious than it may sound.We got home about 5:00 PM and she is resting and recovering. She will not return to work until she has recovered.I don't know what this means for my throughhike. She and I discussed this and decided not to make any decisions until she is better/recovered. If she gets well soon, I may continue my hike, possibly even flip-flopping and going to Mt. Katahdin and hiking South. If she has more episodes, or does not recover well, I won't go back. Time will tell.
Date: 2008-09-16
From: Decatur, Georgia

To: Decatur, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

Thanks to all of you that have read my journal and expressed concern about my wife, Nancy's, health. Today, she (with me there) saw her Internist and came away with favorable information. The Doctor affirmed that it appears that her trip to the emergency room was precipitated by a reaction to an antibiotic and herbal supplements. Fortunately, there do not appear to be any longer term impact and Nancy plans to return to work tomorrow. She is getting stronger each day.Now, we are trying to determine if I should complete the Hike, this year.
Date: 2008-09-17
From: Decatur, Georgia

To: Decatur, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

My wife, Nancy, returned to work today; she is doing pretty well. I am contemplating what I would have to do to complete the hike. Physically, I still feel strong, although Southern Maine has a formidable reputation for being tough. Some people believe that the White Mountains of New Hampshire are the toughest section of the entire AT, but some others believe that Southern Maine is even tougher, with lots of up and down and lots of rocks. However, I've done the White Mountains and they are tough, but doable, with persistence and sometimes patience (climbing up or down rocks). In fact, my knees are still a bit sore from stepping down so many rocks. In the last section of the Whites that I did, the Carter Range (also known as the Wildcats), I decided that I would enjoy them (not consider them just some place that I had to get past) and I did. They were challenging, but also beautiful.   I feel the same way about Maine - the hike may be tough, but it will be a section to enjoy; I might have to go more slowly than I would like.I dreamed several dreams last night about hiking on the AT. Most were about hiking a section of trail or other hikers on the AT. One of them was about a dilemma - I got back to the Trail and had left my rain jacket at home and pondered how to deal with rain in Maine. (hm, wonder what this means?).
Date: 2008-09-20
From: Decatur, Georgia

To: Decatur, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

Back to the TrailNancy and I had a long discussion yesterday and I'm returning to the Trail. Tomorrow, Sept 21.I'm going to fly from Atlanta to Boston in the morning and then take a bus back to Gorham, New Hampshire. This is a reversal of the trip I took to get home. I'll stay in Gorham tomorrow night, then leave on Monday morning. I'm planning to start where I left off, where the Appalachian Trail crosses Massachusetts Route 2 near Gorham. I'm going to hike North into Maine and ultimately to Mt. Katahdin. I really want to finish the hike by climbing up Mt. Katahdin. This is a bit risky, as I will have only 24 days before Baxter State Park closes on October 15th, but it has a strong attraction as a way to complete this long hike.
Date: 2008-09-21
From: Decatur, Georgia

To: Gorham, New Hampshire
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I returned today to Gorham, New Hampshire, to get back on the AT where I left off, and complete my hike. I left home with a heavy heart as I parted from my wife for an anticipated 3 1/2 weeks.I flew from Atlanta to Boston, waited a few hours and caught the Concord Bus Lines bus from the airport back to Gorham. This was a reversal of the trip I took to go home.Got into Gorham about 9:30 and checked into the Royalty Motel, which is where I stayed before. I even had the same room, # 123.Back to the Trail tomorrow!
Date: 2008-09-22
From: Gorham, New Hampshire

To: Mahoosuc Notch
Miles today: 8.0

Got up before 7:00 AM and went down to Welsh's Restaurant and had a great breakfast. There, I met David, a section hiker from Vermont. We talked about the Trail and he was heading out from the same place I was (about 3.6 miles east of Gorham). After I went back and packed my pack, he gave me a ride to the Trailhead.I got started on the Trail about 9:00 AM. It was overcast, but clearing up fast.   I was a bit apprehensive about getting back on the Trail, but I headed off. After a road walk of about a mile, the AT turned north and headed up Hayes Mountain. It was a wonderful Trail, very scenic. And, my pack felt good on my back. So, the hike was going very well.When I had hiked about 8 miles (up and over Hayes Mountain), I was going down the mountain and it struck me that I needed to be home with my wife.   I realized that I wanted two incompatible things, to be at home with my wife (to help her further recover) and to finish the Through Hike this year. And, being home with her was more important.I turned around and hiked back up to the top of Hayes Mountain. I called my wife and told her of my decision (she was pleased). It was a beautiful sunny day and I sat on the rock base and had lunch in the sunshine. I sat there for about 2 hours just appreciating the day, the mountain and the hike. Before I left, I said goodbye to the AT, shed a few tears and hiked down a blue-blazed trail back into Gorham. My hike is over, at least for this year.
Date: 2009-07-26
To: Decatur, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

Preparing to Return to the TrailThis is my first entry for my 2009 hike, that is, the completion of my hike of the Appalachian Trail.I hiked most of the AT in 2008, from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Gorham, New Hampshire. From March 16th to September 6th, 2008. I left the Trail and came home because my wife got sick. Fortunately, she recovered just fine. But, I did not get to finish in 2008.So, I've been planning to return this year and complete the hike. My original plan was to go up to Gorham on May 30th, with Nancy (after school got out) and that she and I would complete the hike together. However, she had worse and worse shoulder pain, and on June 1st, has surgery to remove a bone spur. She has recovered fairly well. My backup plan was then to go up on August 1st and complete the hike myself (she is already back at work). Despite several complications, i.e., getting my daughter moved to Boston, some back pain after moving my daughter's things, and getting a condo rented, it looks like the Hike is going to happen.I've been going to the gym and riding my bicycle a good bit, but haven't done much hiking. So, starting in Gorham, and then going into Maine (which is reputed to be very tough) may be challenging. I will probably go slow to begin with. What the heck, maybe the entire way.I've been reading Trail Journals for the last few days and I'm really anxious to get on the Trail. I talked to my friend Retread, last Thursday. Retread hiked much of the AT in 2008, but got off in New York. He went back on June 13th and is cranking along. He was at Mountain Meadows Lodge in Vermont last Thursday, a place I had stayed and enjoyed. I may see him and hike with him in Maine, but I'm not sure.I've also decided to do this remainder of the hike as a fund raiser for Fonkoze Atlanta, an affiliate of Fonkoze USA (www. Fonkoze.org) that does wonderful work in Haiti, providing microcredit, savings, money remittance and transfer, education and other services to the rural poor. They are making a real difference in Haiti and I would like to help. If you would like details on this, please e-mail me.I believe that I am mentally and physically ready for the hike. I am a bit apprehensive about getting started, but I am preparing to fully enjoy this remainder of the hike!
Date: 2009-08-01
From: Preparing for Return to Trail

To: Boston, MA
Miles today: 0.0

This is the day that I start to return to the Trail. I've packed just about all my stuff, worrying about what I may be taking that I don't need, and worrying about what I haven't packed that I may need.I'm flying to Boston today and will stay at my daughter's apartment tonight. Then, on to Gorham. I have packed my backpack, and am concerned that Delta my object to its size or the fact that it has my stove in it. There is absolutely no fuel in the stove or in my backpack, but that might not matter to security.My back is still stiff but better than it was. I'm hoping that adrenaline or something will kick in and I will be more concerned about climbing mountains than my back pain.I'm not looking forward to being away from my wife and family, friends and home, but I am looking forward to being on the Trail. Last year, I was so focused on getting a number of miles done each day. For the completion, I will walk a good number of miles each day, but plan to enjoy each step.I am also doing this hike as a benefit for microcredit services in Haiti, through Fonkoze (www.Fonkoze.com). I am grateful to all of you that pledged/contributed money for this effort.
Date: 2009-08-02
From: Boston, MA

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today, I traveled from Boston, MA to Gorham NH.I got up at 8:15 AM. Shannon, Kirsten and Jo Ann were still asleep. I walked down to Dunkin Donuts (they seem to be everywhere in Boston) and had coffee and breakfast. I went back and packed up, said goodbye, and then went to meet Tom Adams, Nancy's cousin. He drove me up to Gorham, NH. We had a very enjoyable ride up and talked about hiking, cycling and a bunch of other things. We got to Gorham about 2:15 PMThere, I checked in at the Royalty Inn and shortly afterward, Sal (my Mother-in-Law) and Sarah (my Sister-in-Law) arrived. We all went to lunch.   We had a grand time at my 'Farewell Party'.Afterwards, Tom headed back to Newburyport and Sal, Sarah and I drove to the Trailhead where I will be starting tomorrow. with Tom Adams. We looked around, took some pictures and then headed back. Sal and Sarah said goodbye and headed back to Shelburne.At that point, I felt quite alone. Gorham seemed familiar and the same time, not. It has been a month less than a year that I was there, and left the Trail to go home when Nancy got sick. Now, I'm back here, ready to start, or rather re-start, the Hike and the adventure.I did some shopping for some last minute food items and walked around town. I saw several hikers from a distance on the streets, but did not have a chance to talk to them.Had supper at Crabby Joe's restaurant, next door to Royalty Inn, and reflected on the hike ahead. As I returned to my room, it started raining, reminiscent of the night that I spent in the same motel on September 6, 2008, the day that Nancy fell ill and I was going home the next day.Tomorrow, the adventure starts again!
Date: 2009-08-03
From: Gorham, NH

To: Trident Col Campsite
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

Jump Off Day - Back on the AT!!Today, on my Hiking and Haiti initiative, is Nancy C. day. I walked the first two miles starting off (which is often the hardest) in her honor. Thanks, Nancy for your pledge.It was a beautiful, clear morning in Gorham, about 70 degrees. I got up at 7:20 AM and went and had coffee in the Royalty Inn Lobby. My back is hurting a little, but I'm hoping that it will ease up as I move about.I am anxious to get started, but since I only have 6.9 miles today (I would later regret thinking 'only 6.9 miles), so I planned a slow morning then to get on the Trail about 11:00. I went down to Welsh's Restaurant and had an excellent breakfast, got white-gas fuel for my stove at the hardware store and went back to the motel. I went to Walgreens for a couple of last minute snack items.At about 10:15, I left to head back to the Trail. I walked down the road to just in front of the Barn Hostel and tried to hitchhike to the Trail. I am impatient and after about 30 minutes with no luck, I called Golden Waldo, the trailname of a local guy who shuttles hikers to/from the Trail. He came right away and took me to where I had left off last year.After a few minutes of contemplation, I started out about 11:30 AM on finishing my hike. It felt good to be back on the Trail again. The Trail was not terribly difficult, but I could tell that I'm not in hiking shape. The Trail is very wet and muddy and my shoes got soaked. About two miles in, I slipped on some wet rock and fell. I thought, 'uh-oh, this is not a good omen, this early in my hike'.The trail was good for about the first 4 miles. After that, it got tough, with steep ups and downs. I was at the 4 mile mark at 2:30 PM with 3 miles to go. It took me until 4:30 to cover those miles and get to Trident Col Campsite. There is no one else here. I was very tired from my 'only 6.9 miles'. I got water, set up my tent and sleeping pad and bag and crawled in my tent. I slept for about an hour.I got up and cooked supper about 6:30 PM. I had a pleasant time sitting there on a log, eating dinner and listening to all the crows (there were a lot of them) and the frogs, down the mountain. The weight of the pack did not make my back hurt and I was grateful for that.I went to bed at 8:00, glad to be back, after my first full day back on the Trail.
Date: 2009-08-04
From: Trident Col Campsite

To: Carlo Co Campsite
Miles today: 10.0

Today, on my Hiking and Haiti initiative, is Lois W. day. I walked the first three miles starting off in her honor. Thanks, Lois for your pledge.I'll fill in more later.I got up about 6:45 and on the Trail about 8:00 AM. Felt pretty good after a good night's sleep.I saw SOBO hiker, Safari, from Australia, the first hiker that I've met on the Trail this time. Passed several small lakes or ponds in the morning. I stopped at Gentian Pond Shelter for lunch. There was a hiker there that didn't seem very friendly; he was a NOBO throughhiker (Several weeks later, I would get to know him and hike/camp with him. He wasn't unfriendly, just introverted).The afternoon was tough up one particular mountain; Mt. Success, I believe. Going uphill, there was lot's of rocks, roots and mud. About 5:00 PM, I got to the NH-Maine border, a milestone! I took several pictures and even sent them to several people using my I-phone!Got to Carlo Col Campsite about 5:30. There I met a section hiker (I think, section), named Wildcat and the Caretaker, Sally. She oversaw Carlo Col Campsite and also Trident Col Campsite, where I stayed last night.Did not feel like having a hot supper (my appetite has decreased), so had a nourishing supper of beef jerky, a foil packet of salmon with a packet of mayonnaise and chocolate squares!I am very tired, but not exhausted. Went to bed about 8:00 PM.