morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-08-04
From: VT 103 - Whistle Stop Restaurant 

To: Pico Camp
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: few clouds

Despite that it was mostly uphill today, it just keeps getting better. We started out today at 860 feet elevation and climbed to the summit of Killington Mountain at 4,200 feet. It was another perfect weather day for hiking. The day started with a great breakfast at the Whistle Stop Restaurant. Vicky, the proprietor, is very hiker friendly. Right away the hike began with two 500 foot climbs in half a mile. The trail then transversed through a pine forest with a soft pine needle trail. Then began a long 2,800 foot climb up Killington Mountain, including a very steep side trail to the summit where the views were spectacular. The climb became increasingly difficult the higher I climbed. At the summit I mosyed over to the lodge on the summit at 4 pm for a sandwich, chips and an IPA for $23. There is an operating gondola to the Killington base camp below, but I heard that it costs $25 and closes at 5 pm anyway. All through Vermont we have been meeting southbound thru-hikers and we exchange information about the trail ahead for each other. Us northbounders are interested in first hand information about what hiking through the White Mountains is like. A few days ago one SOBO told me that she experienced 30 degree wind chills above the tree line at the end of July. Another told me that the views were spectacular along with 20 minutes of terror each day. Others told me that when they fell, they slid about ten feet before coming to a stop. Needless to say there is much anticipation about what the Whites will be like once we get there. I reached another milestone today, I am now less than 500 miles to Katahdin. 492 to be exact.
Date: 2015-08-05
From: Pico Camp

To: Kent Pond 
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I hiked two miles off trail in addition to the 7.7 trail miles. I had originally planned to stay at the Cooper Shelter last night, then hike to and along the Sherburne Pass Trail and stop at the Inn on the Long Trail for lunch. The original AT and Long Trail followed the Sherburne Pass Trail but was rerouted about 15 years ago. The rerouted trail is two miles longer than the original trail that passed in front of the Inn on the Long Trail (which coincidently is no longer on the Long Trail). Following an original section of the AT is called retro blazing. However I did not stay at the Cooper Shelter because it was going to be cold on top of Killington Mountain last night, so I descended yesterday and went to the Pico Camp Shelter, on the Sherburne Pass Trail a half mile off the AT. That put me only 2.5 miles from the Inn on the Long Trail if I continued to follow the Sherburne Pass Trail, and they are not open for breakfast. Also I awoke this morning with a guilty conscious about not following the rerouted AT. I had purchased a 2189 mile oval sticker for my car and I would forever think 2187 if did not go back and complete the rerouted AT section. So I hiked a half mile back to where I left the AT and followed the rerouted section, which took me to the north side of the Sherburne Pass Trail where it intersects with the AT at lunch time. From that point, the Inn on the Long Trail is a half mile from the AT. But I mistakingly took the wrong turn, following the Dearlook Trail to an overlook, a 0.6 mile round trip back to the AT. Then I took the Sherburne Pass Trail to the Inn on the Long Trail, had lunch, and hiked back to the AT, which was a one mile round trip. At least I had a nice view of Killington Mountain and base camp from the overlook and a nice lunch of beef stew, baked potato with cheddar cheese, and an ale. After all that I continued on the AT to Kent Pond about mid-afternoon. Mountain Meadows Lodge is located right on Kent Pond and the AT crosses over its property. For a hiker rate of $59, this place is unbelievably scenic. I wish I had zeroed here instead of Manchester Center. An outfitter is a 0.4 mile walk where I resupplied and bought a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, which I ate on the dock on Kent Pond watching the kayakers and ducks, and taking in the sun and breeze. I passed the 1,700 mile point today with 484 miles remaining to Katahdin. As this number gets smaller, the realization is setting in that there is actually an end to this journey. An AT thru-hike is an adventure of a lifetime which I am truly enjoying, but I wouldn't do it again because it's a long time away from the family.
Date: 2015-08-06
From: Kent Pond 

To: The Lookout Cabin 
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

I wish I could have stayed another day at the Mountain Meadows Lodge but I have to be in Hanover on Saturday. Breakfast was included, after which I hit the trail. This morning was a steep 1,300 foot climb in one mile, therein after all the climbs and descents today were very steep. The highlight of the day was my destination, the Lookout Cabin. It is located on a mountain peak and is privately owned, but the owners allow hikers to shelter overnight inside, which is barren of any furnishings. But the attraction is the widows nest on the roof that provides 360 degree views for a hundred miles. (See pics) This is a special place. I got here around 4 pm and decided to stay, not to continue on to a regular shelter. There are about ten hikers here tonight. Maybe I'll be able to see the Milky Way tonight. 471 miles to Katahdin.
Date: 2015-08-07
From: The Lookout Cabin 

To: Thistle Hill Shelter 
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: light rain

I awoke at 1 am to the reflected light of a bright moon shining through the windows of the Lookout Cabin, and went outside to see the Milky Way and a shooting star. Later I got up at 5:30 to watch the sunrise from atop the Lookout Cabin. (See pics). After a six mile descent to VT 12, I stopped at the On The Edge Farm store, a 0.2 mile road walk, and spent $23 on a large tomato and basil quesch pie, a quart of milk, both of which I ate there, and a banana and chuck of smoked cheddar cheese for later. I was stuffed leaving that place, which was immediately followed by six very steep climbs and descents. By 1 pm I was yawning due to getting up so early. I had to take a 30 minute break after climbing 600 feet in 0.4 miles from Pomfret Road. I met more SOBO thru-hikers upon arriving at Thistle Hill Shelter where I am tenting and got more intel on hiking through the White Mountains. 457 miles to Katahdin.
Date: 2015-08-08
From: Thistle Hill Shelter 

To: Hanover, NH 
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

It has been a long time since I've been the beneficiary of trail magic, but it came today five times. Five miles into the hike today I heard a bell as I was I was crossing the White River Bridge to VT 14 and saw some other hikers at a picnic table. The Hart family provided sodas and pancakes with sausage to AT thru-hikers, and have been doing so for years, which was a surprise as it is not listed in the AT guide book. I met Mellow there, whom I haven't seen since Virginia. He is doing a flip-flop, jumping from Harpers Ferry to Katahdin to hike south back to Harpers Ferry. Seven miles later two houses on Elm Street in Norwich had coolers out for thru-hikers, one with Cokes and the other with baked goods. The fourth occurrence of trail magic was at Ramuntos Brick Oven Pizza in Hanover, who gives thru-hikers a free slice of pizza. As I needed something to drink, I bought a 22 oz IPA. Lastly, my Aunt Becky and Uncle Ray picked me up at the Co-op Foodstore and brought me back to their house to feed me, which is where I'm spending the night. Beside the awesome trail magic, the other highlight of the day was crossing the Connecticut River into New Hampshire, the 13th state of this thru-hike. Of course that means that the White Mountains are just a few days hike away! I've really enjoyed the 12 days hike through Vermont because of the beautiful scenery and sites, great weather where I was only rained on twice for short periods each time, my feet were dry all but one day, I managed not to step in any ankle deep mud, and there were only a few mosquitoes. 441 miles to Katahdin.
Date: 2015-08-09
From: Hanover, NH 

To: Hanover, NH 
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a zero day as I rode with my Aunt Becky and Uncle Ray to Connecticut for the annual family reunion at my cousin Ben's house. It was good to see everyone, especially my mother, sister and one of my brothers. And of course the food was great and plentiful, of which I indulged.
Date: 2015-08-10
From: Hanover, NH 

To: Lamberts Ridge
Miles today: 20.5

My Aunt Becky made a delicious breakfast for me of fruit and yogurt, french toast, and scrambled eggs. Then with Uncle Ray, they drove me back to the trailhead at the Co-op Foodstore where I hit the trail at 7:45 am. I hiked three climbs of over 1,000 feet each, Moose Mountain, Holts Ledge and Lamberts Ridge. The forecast is rain all day tomorrow so I was motivated to get in as many miles as possible. I am tenting half way up Smarts Mountain and still have another 1,000 feet to the summit. I'm not looking forward to doing that in the rain. Before the 3rd 1,000 foot climb today, I stopped at Bill Ackerly's house, which is close to the AT. He is a retired Harvard professor and gives each thru-hiker who stops by an ice cream. I chatted with him on his porch. NOBO and SOBO thru-hikers sign his register, and he's had over 1,000 thru-hikers stop by this year. I was the 16th NOBO today, although I only saw one on the trail, and there were 24 NOBOs yesterday and 27 the day before. I didn't realize there were that many NOBO thru-hikers in my bubble. This indicates there will be a lot of competition for limited work-for-stay opportunities at the huts in the White Mountains. 421 miles to Katahdin.
Date: 2015-08-11
From: Lamberts Ridge

To: Ore Hill Campsite 
Miles today: 14.9

Today was a miserable day. I woke up at 5:30 and hit the trail at 6:40 hoping to climb 1,000 ft to the summit of Smarts Mountain before the rain began. It started sprinkling soon after I started, then turned to steady rain after the summit and rained all day long. It doesn't take much rain for the trail to become a muddy mess and it was a mess. It was particularly challenging as the trail is so rugged, steep and rocky. Climbing over Smarts Mountain and Mt Cube was mainly rock climbing with rebar in the rocks. (See pics). Altogether I climbed about 3,500 feet and descended about 3,800 feet, all in the rain holding my umbrella in one hand and a hiking pole in the other. The rain swelled the brooks and streams. At one point I had to ford a brook in my bare feet as knee high water rushed by. The rain was most intense as I was summitting Mt Cube. An updraft was blowing my rain poncho up like Marilyn Monroe's skirt as rain was hitting me sideways. I had fall #7 of this thru-hike as the wind literally knocked me down near the summit of Mt Cube. In the late afternoon I had to take off my shoes again to walk through water that totally overwhelmed the trail. As the rain tapered off at the end of the day the mosquitoes came out and they were hungry. 406 miles to Katahdin.
Date: 2015-08-12
From: Ore Hill Campsite 

To: NH 25
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: few clouds

Short day today to Hikers Welcome Hostel in Glencliff, NH where my maildrop was waiting with my winter gear. I got here at 11:30, in time to mail back home my summer down quilt and lightweight clothes as the post office across the street is only open from 12 to 2 pm. I'm fortunate to be at a hostel the day after a major rain storm in order to wash and dry my rain soaked clothes, and dry out my tent. There's nothing worse than hiking in wet socks and shoes. I'm now less than 400 miles from Katahdin, 399 to be exact, but the White Mountains and Maine are major challenges ahead. Tomorrow will be the first day in the Whites, beginning with Mt Moosilauke.
Date: 2015-08-13
From: NH 25

To: NH 112
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I survived my first day in the White Mountains. Today we did a slack pack southbound over Mt Moosilauke. Legion, the operator of the hostel, shuttled us to the trailhead on NH 112 where we started out with day packs with snacks for lunch and my rain coat. The north face of Mt Moosilauke is very steep with wood blocks bolted into the rock to step on and rebar to hold on to. There was a long waterfall adjacent to the trail all along the north face. Climbing up the north face of Mt Moosilauke southbound is safer than climbing down northbound. Above the tree line, the wind was whipping and I had to put on my rain coat for wind protection. I wish I had packed my gloves in the day pack as my fingers were cold. There were lots of hikers at the summit where we took a break to eat. The clouds were starting to break when we got to the summit and there were some nice views through the breaks in the clouds. The climb from NH 112 to the summit was nearly 3,000 feet over four miles. The descent down the south face was a little easier, descending nearly 3,800 feet over 5.5 miles. Back at the hostel, Airlock and Uncle D arrived among other hikers. They are one day behind me. 389 miles to Katahdin.
Date: 2015-08-14
From: NH 112

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning I could hardly close the top of my 60 liter backpack with my winter gear and five days of food inside. Our shuttle took us back to NH 112, this time continuing north. I soon passed 1,800 miles on the AT. The weather was perfect today with no fog around the mountains like we experienced yesterday. It took 4.5 hours to hike the first six miles today. It is hard to describe how difficult the White Mountains are. I've used terms such as steep, tree roots, rocky and muddy to describe AT previously, and the section today was all of that but 2 to 3 times more difficult than anything else I've experienced on the AT to date. It was an obstacle course with 30 pounds on my back. At one point I stuck my hiking pole into the wet mud to avoid stepping into it and it was two feet deep. The AT then passed Harrington Pond in marshy ground. There were planks to keep your feet out of the water, but sometimes they were underwater. Stepping on the marshy soil result in sinking into muck. There was no way to avoid it and my shoes and socks were wet the rest of the day. However even that was nothing compared to the climb up Kinsman Mountain. The entire climb was a rock scramble up and down, many parts of it at a 45 degree slope. I am not exaggerating! I had to use my hands many times to grab a rock or a tree to hoist myself up. It took 8.5 hours to hike 11.5 miles today. This was by far the most difficult terrain I have ever experienced. However I did have a tremendous view at to summit of Kinsman Mountain. When the terrain is this difficult and you work so hard climbing it, there is a moment of exhilaration when you finally reach the summit and are rewarded with such a view. I'm tenting tonight at Kinsman Pond Shelter with No Worries and Good Enough. The terrain is so rugged that I'm on a tent platform. We had to pay $8 each at this site. It is very chilly here, I'm glad I have my 15 degree sleeping bag now. 378 miles to Katahdin.
Date: 2015-08-15
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter 

To: Stealth campsite in White Mountains 
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I awoke at 5:30 and hit the trail at 7:30. No Worries and Good Enough left earlier as they had a short day to get to the Notch Hostel and resupply in Lincoln, NH. I decided to continue onward as I had enough food in my pack. Upon leaving the campsite, I took the wrong trail and came back to where I started 20 minutes later. There are multiple trails at certain junctions, so I need to read the trail signs more carefully. At 9:30 I reached the Lonesome Lake Hut. I asked if they had any leftover food and I was offered lasagna, turkey and mashed potatoes. The Hut crew have to pack out any leftover food, so thru-hikers are doing them a favor by consuming the leftovers so they don't have to pack it out. The lasagna filled a 16 once container and I asked if I could finish it. They said please do. I dumped the lasagna on a plate and it looked like a mountain I had climbed. I added turkey and mashed potatoes to the plate, and when I finished that I went for more turkey and mashed potatoes. This filled me up and fueled me for most of the day. From where I tented last night to Franconia Notch, I descended 2,300 feet. Then I climbed 3,800 feet to the summit of Mt Lafayette at 5,291 feet elevation. It was another strenuous climb, scrambling up rocks hand over hand. At about 4,500 feet, I ascended above the tree line, summitting Little Haystack Mountain and Mt Lincoln on the way to Mt Lafayette. The ridge line between these peaks is like a moon scape but with fabulous views (see pics). By the time I reached Mt Lafayette it was around 5 pm and the clouds were starting to cover the summit. I descended about 1,000 feet and found a stealth site below the tree line to set up my tent. What a great day! 365 miles to Katahdin.
Date: 2015-08-16
From: Stealth campsite in White Mountains 

To: Stealth campsite near trail to Zeacliff Pond 
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

Today was a very hard day. The morning was highlighted by a very steep boulder climb and descent from Mt Garfield. A one point in the descent, the trail sloped at 60 degrees and had a stream running down the middle of it. It would have been very dangerous if it were raining. But it was a picture perfect day. The 360 degree views on top of Mt Garfield were incredible. (See pics). It took 5 hours to hike the 5 miles from where I tented last night to the Galehead Hut. I was exhausted by the time I arrived at the Galehead Hut at 1 pm. I asked if they had any leftover food that needed to be consumed. The person in charge said they had pancakes left over from breakfast if I was willing to do some work. I was given a broom and dustpan and I gladly seeped the floor. Then I had a plateful of blueberry pancakes with no syrup, oatmeal with no milk, and oat biscuits with cranberries and chocolate chips, and I was happy to get it. I finished that and then ate a second plateful of the same. Then I had a big bowl of lentil soup. That filled me up but somehow I didn't feel it gave me much energy. Immediately after leaving the Galehead Hut I had to climb 1,600 feet up to the summit of South Twin Mountain, another boulder climb. It took over an hour for the 0.8 mile climb as I kept stopping along the way. The summit was another tremendous 360 degree view. Even though it was mostly downhill from the summit of South Twin Mountain to my stealth camp near the side trail to Zeacliff Pond, it took another five hours to hike the second five miles today. The White Mountains are tough. It would be miserable if it were raining, which I hope I can get through the Whites before the weather changes. 355 miles to Katahdin.
Date: 2015-08-17
From: Stealth campsite near trail to Zeacliff Pond 

To: Webster Cliffs 
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning I was 1.5 miles from Zealand Falls Hut, which I arrived at 9 am and asked if they had any leftover food that needed to be consumed. Immediately I was given a big serving bowl of scrambled eggs and another serving bowl of oatmeal. I finished off the eggs and half of the oatmeal until I could eat no more. I then volunteered to wash the dishes. Back on the trail at 10:30, the next 8 miles were easy, relatively flat until the descent to Crawford Notch. It resembled the AT in Virginia and I was able to hike at a fast pace. At Crawford Notch I hitched a ride in 10 minutes from a couple who are former thru-hikers. They drove me the 3.5 miles to the door of the AMC Highland Center where I got a bowl of chili, a roast beef sandwich and chips, and some snacks to go. Also there I met Two Bad Dogs, an older couple who I hadn't seen since North Carolina. After a 1.5 hour break there, I caught a hitch within 5 minutes from a lady who drove me back to the trailhead. There ended the easy part of the day. I climbed a steep, rocky, gravelly 2,100 feet to Webster Cliffs, an open rock outcropping with an expansive view of Crawford Notch below and the mountains on the other side. There is a good stealth campsite just behind Webster Cliffs where I set up my tent, then watched the sun go down behind a mountain peak. Tomorrow the trail continues to go up and up until I get to the top of Mt Washington. 343 miles to Katahdin. Posted 8/21 from Gorham, NH due to no cell service for the past five days.
Date: 2015-08-18
From: Webster Cliffs 

To: Stealth camp on Sphinx Trail 
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

Although it is hard to imagine, the degree of difficulty increased today. From my stealth campsite at Webster Cliffs the climb up Mt Webster was serious rock climbing. It made the big climb out of Palmerton, PA look like childs play. From the summit of Mt Webster I could see the famous Brenton Woods Hotel below. Next I summited Mt Jackson at 4,052 feet elevation. It took 3 hours to hike the 4 miles from Webster Cliffs to the Mizpah Spring Hut. About ten minutes before getting to the Hut I ran into Hands and Mouth. I first met him at Lance Creek in Georgia and last saw him at the Standing Bear Farm in Tennessee. After that he was behind me and got off the AT in Carlisle, PA to fly to Maine and flip-flop from Katahdin back to Carlisle. I was so surprised to see him that I didn't think to get a picture until we departed. At the Mizpah Spring Hut I asked if they had any leftover food that needed to be consumed. I ate 10 pancakes with syrup and a bowl of oatmeal with syrup. Next up was summitting Mt Pierce and Mt Franklin while the AT skirted the summits of Mt Eisenhower and Mt Monroe. From these points I could see the summit of Mt Washington as i hiked closer to it. About a half mile before reaching the Lake of the Clouds Hut I was surprised to meet Richard Fitzgerald on the trail. I knew him through work as he started up an organization to save the ex-USS John F Kennedy (CV 67) as a ship museum. He drove from Portland, ME up the Mt Washington auto road and walked south on the AT to find me, having an idea of where I was from this trail journal. We hiked up to the Lake of the Clouds Hut (5,106 feet) where I had two bowls of Cream of Tomato soup which cost me $3. As it was only 2:30, too early for Work for Stay, I decided to keep going to the summit of Mt Washington (6,288 feet) as it was just one mile further and another 1,000 feet up, and it was still good weather with cloudy skies. Richard and I hiked to the rocky summit where he was parked. This is a tourist destination with the auto road, cog railway, museum, concession stand and gift shop. Richard was kind enough to buy my slice of pizza, hot dog, soda, and grinder to eat later. Thanks Richard! While the summit of Mt Washington is touristy, the surrounding landscape is what is interesting as it is above the tree line and looks like a moon scape. At 4:45 we said our goodbyes and I hiked down the north side of Mt Washington for 2 miles, tenting at a stealth site on the Sphinx Trail just off the AT based on a tip I got at one of the huts. I'm still above the tree line but it looks to be a clear night. 331 miles to Katahdin. Posted on 8/21 from Gorham, NH.