morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-31
From: RPH Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneer Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: clear sky

Another scorcher today. Short miles but it seemed longer because of the heat. 5 miles into the trail we walked to another deli 0.3 miles off the trail. It was definitely worth it, food was good and we were also able to get some Gatorade and hydrate some more. After a while Teddy and I decided to take a swim in a creek the trail crossed over which was super refreshing. Nothing too spectacular on the trail today though. However, the shelter we are at is 10 miles from the CT boarder! We'll knock out another state tomorrow morning which is exciting. Making good progress and the heat is supposed to subside a bit over the next 10 day period.
Date: 2011-06-01
From: Telephone Pioneer Shelter

To: Mt. Algo Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: few clouds

Today wasn't too much fun for some reason... My guess would be the heat, combined with the humidity. It was so muggy today, I was completely drenched the whole day and had to drink a ton of water. Teddy and I took another dip in a creek that we crossed over which was super refreshing. Also another state down today! Passed into CT about halfway through our 21 mile day. Feels good to be making progress, and we'll be in MA in just a few days. CT is real short. Biggest concern right now is ticks. We are in serious tick and Lyme disease country right now. Been careful to check for ticks often and apply bug spray to hopefully deter them a little bit. I texted Face (who is about 90 miles back) to see how he, Sensei and Spam are doing and apparently Sensei may have Lyme disease =\ I hope it's a false alarm or he gets the antibiotics quick and can stay on the trail!
Date: 2011-06-02
From: Mt. Algo Shelter

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was excellent, weather was so much better. Basically felt like a fall day, nice and cool with a good breeze. We walked the 0.3 miles down to the road and then walked 0.8 miles into Kent, CT. Kent is a nice little town with lots of good restaurants and a decent resupply. We got in early and had a nice breakfast. Then resupplied and checked out the outfitter, which was a real let down unfortunately. Then stopped at a coffee place, library, and a used book store. I grabbed another Steinbeck book, Tortilla Flat. We ate lunch and finally headed out of Kent around 2PM. Was a relatively easy 7 miles to the next shelter out of town. One steep and sketchy decent down St. Johns Ledges. Would have been real dangerous in the rain. Then a nice walk along a trail following the Housatonic River.
Date: 2011-06-03
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter

To: Falls Village CT
Miles today: 18.2

Really beautiful day today. Weather was fantastic and the trail was real nice. Lots of short and steep ups and downs  but they weren't bad. The trail went through a nice combination of pine and deciduous forests. Got into Falls Village earlyish and setup our tents at a little cafe in town that allows hikers to camp there. We ordered pizza from a nearby delivery place and had a nice dinner. Another hiker named Squash has been with us last night and tonight. He said he's 'just doing a section' from Damascus to Main, which is a pretty substantial section... Into Massachusetts tomorrow! A few serious climbs though. Looking forward to another state!
Date: 2011-06-04
From: Falls Village CT

To: The Hemlocks Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Probably one of my favorite days on the trail today. Beautiful weather, the trail was great and into Massachusetts. Real leisurely day despite the 21 miles. We took lots of breaks and enjoyed the weather. Day started off great with a breakfast at Toymaker's Cafe. I had an amazing veggie omelet. Super fresh veggies and the coffee was great too. Trail had lots of decent climbs today but none of them seemed too bad. We had lots of great views. The best was from Bear Mountain, right on the CT/MA boarder. Once in MA we walked along this great stretch of trail along a nice stream. Lots of hemlocks around and the forest floor was red with needles, real pretty. Up in a loft in Hemlocks Shelter tonight. Looking forward to the rest of the trail!
Date: 2011-06-05
From: The Hemlocks Shelter

To: Mt. Wilcox South Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: broken clouds

Another good day today. Trail continued to have lots of climbs but nothing too bad. Resupplied in Great Barrington, MA today. Were able to hitch in pretty easily and got out real quick too. The guy who gave us a ride out was real cool. He yelled out the window going the opposite direction and asked if we needed anything. Then turned around and gave us a ride back. Never thought a guy driving an Audi A4 would give 4 hikers a ride! Still with Dart and the Bears (Teddy and Kodiak, not sure if I ever specified the two earlier in my journal). Squash is hiking on and off with us, too. Short day tomorrow and I think staying at a cabin/shelter near a lake where supposedly the caretaker will cook pancakes in the morning. We'll see! Oh, and I think maybe some canoeing on the lake, too?
Date: 2011-06-06
From: Mt. Wilcox South Shelter

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: broken clouds

Pretty good day today. Beautiful weather again. Trail is real Bice still. Lots of up and down, and a lot of pine forests which I really like. Upper Goose Pond is a real nice area. We are in the second floor of a cabin that has some bunks. There's a canoe that you can take out to a little island and a dock you can swim off of. Kodiak and I swam (it's pretty cool, low 70s. While Squash decided to inflate his Ridgerest NeoAir and get pulled around behind the canoe out on the pond, haha. Into Dalton tomorrow, we may or may not be taking a zero there.
Date: 2011-06-07
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

Pretty straightforward day today . Trail was pretty flat and not too much to see. In the morning the caretaker at Goose Pond Cabin did make us some pancakes and coffee, real nice way to start the day. We made it into Dalton relatively early and went to Tom Levardi's place. He offers his house and yard to hikers and is super friendly. He let us sleep inside and cooked a dinner for us and even made us some ice cream for dessert! Amazing hospitality.
Date: 2011-06-08
From: Dalton, MA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Decided to take a zero today and stay out of the heat and humidity today. Breakfast at a local diner was great and a nice lunch as well. Then Tom took us to a nearby mall and supermarket to resupply. Went to see a movie during the day too! Saw Hangover 2 which was pretty funny. Also the mall had an EMS so guys could get fuel and whatever else they need. Tom's hospitality is amazing. Picked us up from the mall later as well. Now having some half priced pizza at a place nearby. Back on the trail tomorrow, another scorcher and apparently worse humidity.
Date: 2011-06-09
From: Dalton MA

To: Mark Noepel Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

Pretty easy day today. Went to breakfast at a little diner with Tom and the Bears and Dart. Got another veggie omelet which was good but just doesn't compare to that one at Toymaker's Cafe. We thanked Tom after breakfast and then headed out. Can't say enough about how nice Tom is and how great the zero was. Trail wasn't bad. We passed through Cheshire, MA after about 10 miles or so and ate lunch at a gas station. Only 4 or so miles after that to the shelter. About 2 miles out a serious storm started rolling in. It got so dark that it literally looked like 9 PM. Absolutely poured for a while with lots of thunder and lightning. Got to the shelter soaked. It was so hot though that I didn't mind it too much though. Into VT tomorrow! Greylock Mtn. should have a nice view, hopefully the best in quite a while.
Date: 2011-06-10
From: Mark Noepel Shelter

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: few clouds

Longest day we have had in a while, but not too bad. Probably the biggest elevation gain/loss as well. Unfortunately, the view from Greylock was completely blocked out by fog =( There was a nice tower on top that would have had a great view. Oh well. Two pretty big milestones today though! We made it into Vermont, so only 3 more states and also we are under 600 miles left now. Currently sitting at 582 miles left! Apparently Dart and some people who are hiking the Long Trail actually saw a moose today, which is pretty cool. I only saw a beaver... But anyway, should be plenty of fantastic trail left. Everyone has talked about how gorgeous Maine is, so really looking forward to that. Also really looking forward to the White Mountains. I've heard service is real spotty in VT so updates may become a little less frequent but I'll try to get them up as quickly as possible!
Date: 2011-06-11
From: Congdon Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well today was a waste of a day! I woke up to the sound of rain on my tent and a cold chill in the air. My tent and sleeping bag were feeling exceptionally warm and cozy, and I was feeling exceptionally lazy. Decided to lay around a while and then drifted back to sleep. Ended up taking a zero in my tent with plans to hike through the night tonight and catch the Bears and Dart the next day. So I napped off and on all day listening to the rain on my tent fly and the roar of the nearby creek growing louder and louder. Read my book a good bit (Cannery Row by Steinbeck) and snacked all day. Occasionally listened to my iPod as well. Planning to hit the trail at 11PM and we'll see if I can catch them by morning. One thing I really like about the trail is the freedom it allows. I didn't feel like getting out of my bag today....so I didn't! I'm sure I'll be back on track soon enough, but for now back to sleep in my puffy, warm sleeping bag =)
Date: 2011-06-12
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Manchester Center VT
Miles today: 44.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Long long day today! Woke up real early and hiked pretty much nonstop till town. Not much to say about the trail other than: blah! Super muddy, greasy roots and rocks, or a flowing stream. Would have had some beautiful views on Glastenbury Mtn and Stratton Mtn but it was foggy and misting all day. Got a real lucky hitch at 9PM from a couple who had a family member thru hike in 2009. Caught back up to the Bears and Dart in town, we're staying in Green Mountain House Hostel.  Apparently i made a good decision to zero in my tent because the hiking that day was miserable they said. Low 50s, rain and wind. But anyway, the hostel is super nice from what I can tell. Made it in late so I'll talk to the owner tomorrow. Super tired...need sleep.
Date: 2011-06-13
From: Manchester Center VT

To: Lost Pond Selter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

Got my resupply this morning and got a hitch back to the trail. Luckily didn't rain today although it was threatening all day. Had some pretty good views today but I pulled out my camera and found the screen was messed up =( Not cracked or anything but it's white and has lines on it, ugh. Need to try to get a replacement before the Whites. I see why they call the mountains The Green Mountains. The forest is super lush around here. Really thick spruce forests, lots of ferns, and moss covering all the rocks and roots. I love walking on a cushy bed of needles with the smell of spruce on the air. Managed to keep my shoes dry today somehow. Supposed to rain tomorrow though so I'm sure they won't be dry for long.
Date: 2011-06-14
From: Lost Pond Selter

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

This morning was nothing short of miserable. It seemed like all forces of nature were against us.  A steady rain started right as we were leaving the shelter. The webs of tree roots in the trail were glistening with wetness and laughed at you as you clumsily ice skated your way across them. The rocks in the trail polished themselves over night in preparation for our passing and were impossibly devoid of traction. Mud pits absorbed extra rain and magically smoothed themselves over, consealing the 8 inch deep footprints of hikers before. They tempted you to step there saying , "yeah it's solid ground". But of course seconds later you found yourself ankle deep with black cold mud oozing into the top of your shoe. Alright so it's slightly exaggerated but the morning sucked. And because we were all so set in our misery the fact that it cleared up in the afternoon and the trail became more pleasant just made us more miserable because we couldn't continue to complain about the weather. Looking forward to warmth and sunshine hopefully sooner rather than later.
Date: 2011-06-15
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: The Inn at the Long Trail
Miles today: 18.3

Such an improvement over yesterday! Beautiful weather and the trail was excellent as well. Highlight would have to be Killington peak. We were told how tough of a climb it was to find out that it really wasn't bad at all. Steep and rooty and rocky at the end but not bad. We did the 0.2 mile side trail to the view from the top and had an excellent view. We then took a side trail later and went to The Inn at the Long Trail. It has a little Irish Pub in it and allows hikers to tent across the street for free (which is what we did). Played some darts and hung out there for a while. Short day tomorrow with a resupply in Rutland VT.
Date: 2011-06-16
From: The Inn at the Long Trail

To: Mountain Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 3.6

Fantastic day today. Got up early and did the short miles to where we're staying. They have a great hiker rate! We're basically the only ones at the lodge currently which is awesome. They have a pool, hot tub, horse shoes, etc. We did our resupply in Rutland first. Took a bus in from nearby. It just so happened to be ride for free day which was an awesome surprise. Ate lunch and resupplied in Rutland. Then came back and enjoyed the pool and other activities. We also cooked out on a grill that the owner let us use for free. Into Hanover NH in 2 days!
Date: 2011-06-17
From: Mountain Meadows Lodge

To: Wintturi Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

Not a bad day today. The trail wasn't too spectacular. Lots of up and downs. We left the lodge late after having a pretty good breakfast and leisurely morning. I caught some of the PGA US Open that morning as well. We got on the trail around 10 AM. I decided to try hiking in my Tevas because I have an open sore on my foot from hiking in wet shoes and socks and wanted to try to let that heal. Really enjoyed hiking in the Tevas actually. Around noon it started pouring though. Hiked 4 or 5 hours in the rain which sucked. Really getting sick of rain. It quit by the time we got to the shelter though. Into NH in 2 days! Looking forward to the Whites.
Date: 2011-06-18
From: Wintturi Shelter

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

Absurd amounts of up and down today. I don't think there was any flat. Today was much more than a "roller coaster" than the one in VA. The sore on my foot felt a bit better but it was just annoying all day. Did go through some nice sections of trail though. Lots of beautiful pine forests and some nice meadows which we haven't gone through in VT yet. The trail did go by a deli towards the end of the day, too. Got a buffalo chicken sub and a coke. At the shelter there were some section hikers who gave us some s'mores too! Plus we got some oranges and homemade bread from a couple at a road crossing. Not a bad day. Into NH and Hanover tomorrow.
Date: 2011-06-19
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Hanover NH
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: clear sky

Into NH today! Only 2 states left! =) Real easy and short day descending to Hanover. Unluckily got in on a Sunday so laundry and showers will have to wait till tomorrow morning. We planned on just doing them as passing through, oh well. Not much to say. Just enjoyed the beautiful day in town. Had a good lunch and dinner. Got some coffee and also saw the movie Super 8. Checked out the outfitters and managed to leave only buying some more AquaMira and a fuel canister. We are camping on the edge of town and will do laundry and shower at a REC center for cheap tomorrow. Then 10 miles out of town and into the mountains the next day. 441.8 miles left!!
Date: 2011-06-20
From: Hanover NH

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Not a bad day today. Slept in a bit and then we got breakfast downtown at a nice little diner. They claimed to have the best milkshake in town, so clearly we had to make sure it was truly the best. Chocolate milkshakes for breakfast are great! Milkshake lived up to it's title. Then we all did laundry and got a shower at a local community center for cheap. Resupplied after that and then got lunch before heading out. I hiked in my sandals one more day to let my foot sore air out more, it's definitely looking better. Trail was pleasant, did a shorter day due to the errands in the morning. Unfortunately my camera didn't come in time =( I'll get it some time but it may be later in the Whites which I'm really bummed about. Hopefully I can figure something out. Dart has his camera so I'll just get his pictures after, at least.
Date: 2011-06-21
From: Moose Mountain Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Beautiful day today. We're approaching the Whites but not into anything too rough yet. Took a leisurely day today. Slept in a bit and took my time hiking and enjoyed the trail. Tomorrow is going to be a lot rougher. Doing a pretty long day and we're going over our first big mountain in a while, Mt. Moosilauke. Looks real rough on the elevation profile but it's supposed to be another nice day so it should be a great view.
Date: 2011-06-22
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Real good day today. Weather was perfect until right after I got into the shelter. Trail leading up to Mt. Moosilauke wasn't bad. Pretty gentle ups and downs. Moosilauke wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be but it was definitely a climb. We went up 3500ish feet over 3 miles to the top. At the top we were above treelike and there was a pretty good view. We could see the Whites in the distance. We're definitely into some 'real' mountains now. Weather forecast looks horrible for the Whites by the way...1 day of sun over the next 10 days supposedly... Also yesterday I meant to say Happy Birthday to my Dad in my journal but totally forgot, so I'll say it now! Happy Bday Dad!
Date: 2011-06-23
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: Lonesome Lake Hut
Miles today: 14.9

Really eventful day today! At times it was great and at other times it was bad. We descended the rest of the way off of the mountain today to Kinsman Notch. The first "official" notch in the White Mountains I suppose. Got an interesting hitch from a guy in a mini van who gunned it all the way to town. Once there we did our resupply and then happened to meet up with a section hiker/trail angel at the store. His name was Santas Helper. He drove us around to an outfitter and McDs and even back to the trail. Really great guy! From there we went deeper into the Whites and they are rough! Really rough! Almost definitely the hardest terrain I've ever hiked. Also it rained a good bit today. The terrain was extremely steep and extremely rocky and rooty. the woods around were super dense, lots of spruce, and moss covering everything. Big climb up Mt. Kinsman. Way tougher and steeper than the day before. Basically going up boulders and rock slabs with huge 3-4 foot steps and climbs everywhere. Real slow going. Finally we made it to our first hut. We were able to do work-for-stay there. For those who don't know the huts are basically like a lodge with a small staff, bunks and meals. We did dishes and also talked about our trail experience to the other(paying) guests at the hut. The staff is super friendly and we talked to them for a while after dinner. A great, but exhausting day!
Date: 2011-06-24
From: Lonesome Lake Hut

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Exhausting but super enjoyable day today. Without a doubt the hardest 16 miles I've done so far. Started out with us getting some great breakfast at the hut before heading out. Beginning of the day was mostly downhill but so rough. The terrain of the Whites is unbelievably difficult. Highlight of the day was our first above tree line, alpine zone. Weather was rough all day but really rough in the alpine zone. Must have been lower 40s with 35+ MPH winds. Fog was really dense so no view but it was a great experience. One other mountain called Mt. Garfield was steep too. The backside of it we were literally going down an insanely steep, flowing waterfall.  Doing work for stay at another hut tonight. I don't think it can top last nights hospitality but a dry, warm room feels great. Good to get out of the rain and cold! Loving the Whites despite how brutal they are. Lots of hard work but amazing payoff.
Date: 2011-06-25
From: Galehead Hut

To: Ethan Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: fog

Another excellent day in the Whites today. Weather decided to cooperate a bit more, sunnier and warmer today. Terrain wasn't nearly as bad as yesterday either, although certainly not easy. Went over 3 peaks today: Guyot, South Twin and Zealand. Guyot was above tree line for a bit, but still no views. We went through Zealand Falls Hut around lunch and stopped through for a break. Teddy and I got some fresh bread and butter too, which was nice. At a shelter tonight. Tough day tomorrow up to Lakes of the Clouds Hut, 3800 feet of climbing overall I think. Then up to Mount Washington the day after, weather is supposed to be beautiful that day. BIG section above tree line that day too, should be great.
Date: 2011-06-26
From: Ethan Pond Shelter

To: Lakes of the Clouds
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Another amazing day today. The Whites are fantastic. The morning wasn't too exciting. A real big climb out of Crawford Notch. After that climb we were on a fantastic ridge above tree line until the hut. Rain held off until we got to the hut, too. Currently waiting for the guests to eat dinner and then hopefully grab some leftovers. More work for stay tonight.
Date: 2011-06-27
From: Lakes of the Clouds

To: Osgood Tentsite
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: fog

Probably our best day in the Whites so far. Amazing weather finally! Which was perfect because almost the whole day was above tree line. Day started off with a bit of work at the hut, just cleaning some, and them pancakes for breakfast. Then we hiked up to Mt. Washington, at 6288 feet it's the highest peak in the north on the AT. Unbelievable view from there; 100 mile visibility was reported. We ate lunch at the snack bar on the summit and then headed down the rest of the Presidential Range. Went over several peaks as we descended from Washington, all above tree line and all with great views. We stopped in at Madison Hut along the way and rested there. It's a brand new hut, opened beginning of June. Then descended to where we're camping, finally back below tree line. Fantastic day, but really rough despite the short miles, pretty much all rock/boulder hopping.
Date: 2011-06-28
From: Osgood Tentsite

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: fog

Basically our last true day in the Whites. We'll be into Gorham tomorrow afternoon. The day was great but still really rough. First half of the day wasn't bad, we stopped after 5 miles at the Pinkham Notch Visitors Center and had a good lunch there and just relaxed. We didn't want to get to the hut too early. After that Teddy and I found an ice cold stream to jump into before the brutal ascent of Wildcat Mtn. Not too long but it was really steep. Plus it's a ski resort, so after climbing all the way up it we had to walk past groups of people who cruised up the mountain on a gondola... Finally had a crazy steep descent of 1100 feet over 0.9 miles to our last hut. It's a lot smaller but we got work for stay again. Waiting for the 2 guests to finish dinner and then we'll eat the rest! =)