morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-12
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Manchester Center Vermont
Miles today: 10.7

It was an easy hike today with only ten miles. I walked with "Java Man" and we passed the time talking about coffee and jobs and things that bring people onto the trail. When we stopped to take a short break we met up with this father and son that stayed with us at the last shelter. In Vermont the AT joins the Long Trail for a while and then takes a sharp turn east towards Hanover, New Hampshire. These hikers had planned on hiking the two hundred some miles of the Long Trail but because of rainy weather and some equipment problems they are calling it quits and going home. I often wonder why a thru hiker continue on day after day no matter what the trail throws at you and why some people go home as soon as it get a little hard. There really is a unique quality in all of the thru hikers I know on the trail especially as we get closer and closer to Katahdin. My stay at the Green Mountain house is quite good. I bought one of those rotisserie chickens and some pasta salad for dinner at the Price Chopper grocery store. I was almost able to eat the whole chicken by myself but I wanted to leave room for my Ben & Jerry Boston Cream Pie ice cream for dessert. So I shared my left over chicken with the other hikers at the hostel.
Date: 2013-07-13
From: Manchester Center Vermont

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

Today I hiked with "ET". We have a very similar pace and he is a very interesting person to talk to. He is from San Diego but is originally from London. We enjoyed the cool temperatures today and the bugs were not as bad. The anticipation of the White Mountains has us talking about how we are going to lower our pack weight. My pack is around thirty five pounds with a full resupply and I want to get it down to less than thirty. I'm getting a new pack, The Granite Gear Crown V.C., which will lower my pack weight by three pounds. I also plan on cutting all of my extra comfort items and going bare bones. I will try and give more details as I make more decisions of what to keep or not. Our hike today had some nice views which are a welcome reward for climbing up mountains again. Today¢s peaks included Bromley Mountain, a 3260 foot peak, and three others: Stiles Peak, Peru Peak, and Baker Peak. I am glad they are here because I need the confidence that I still have the strength to go into the Whites soon. Lost Pond shelter is a busy place tonight with lots of weekend hikers. It is a lovely week here in Vermont and guess this is a pretty popular place.
Date: 2013-07-14
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

Today's hike was very relaxing and enjoyable. For most of the day were small ups and downs except for Bear Mountain which was a 2000 foot climb up and over. I really don't mind the climbs but it would be nice if there was a view. Hikers call these mountains, "Puds", which means Pointless Up and Downs. "ET" and I had a nice lunch at a rather large brook. It was more like a fast moving stream with a very pretty rushing waterfall. We soaked our feet as we eat our lunch. We arrived pretty early to the shelter and "ET" was tempted to go but he jammed his toe on a sharp root that was sticking up, so he decided to stay and let his toe rest. We have a nice evening chatting over dinner; our main conversation was on the looming "White Mountains". I'm sure they won't be as treacherous as our imaginations are leading us to believe, but I know they will be the most challenging of this adventure.
Date: 2013-07-15
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up late this morning and was not rushing because I have a low mileage day planned, only 13.8 miles. However the terrain warrants such a decision as the trail is mostly up all day. "ET" leaves early than me but says he is going to take it easy so I will be able to catch up. It takes me about four miles to catch him and I am taking a break at the Claritin shelter when he shows up. He actually got a little lost and stumbled on to shelter from a forest road nearby. The trail in Vermont it not clearly marked in some places. We came across a detour for the trail that the owner of the Green Mountain hostel had told up about. The trail was damaged by hurricane Irene but I decided to stay on the tail which turned out to be okay. There were lots of downed trees but other than that the trial was not bad. One bridge was completely wiped out but a tree lays over the rushing stream so I was able to cross it quite easily. On this part of the trail we reach the only "500 miles to go to Katahdin" sign, which was very rewarding. The last four miles of today's hike was up Mount Killington which is 3928 feet. Mount Killington is the second highest mountain in Vermont. The trail is rough because of the damage caused by the hurricane. The weather today is very hot but with all of the rain we have been getting the springs are flowing well. "ET" and I stopped a few times to get water as we climbed the mountain. The shelter and tenting area is not at the very top, you have to climb another .2 miles to get to the top but it was worth it. The 360 degree view was awesome and I saw another great sunset. I'm looking forward to the future climbs in New Hampshire and Maine. It does not seem real that I have already hiked almost 1700 miles, only 500 more miles to go to Katahdin.
Date: 2013-07-16
From: Cooper Lodge Shelter

To: Sherburne Pass Trail
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: few clouds

I've been sleeping in my tent most days now for a few reasons. Most importantly is to get away from the bugs but the other reason is I'm usually more comfortable on the ground. Believe it or not the ground can be much softer than a shelter floor. Another reason is the SNORING; oh boy, do some people snore. I'm been known to saw a few logs but these noises are indescribable. Unfortunately last night I slept in my tent because the shelter was kind of old and creepy. So I settled for the tent which I had to set up on a bumpy grassy area. It was not very comfortable at all. Today I'm excited because I will meet up with an old friend, Deirdre, from Italy. We were both stationed in the Vicenza, Italy with our husbands. This was in 1995 thru 1998. She lives in Maine now and I'm so glad that she could come and spend some time with me. We are going to Boston tomorrow and then to her house in Lebanon, Maine. I will be able to take a well-deserved break off the trail. I have not had a zero day since Pennsylvania. I hope the rest will do me well for the last 500 miles of this hike. I will be making some gear changes to lighten my load. It is amazing how 1700 miles of experience determines what is important to carry and what is not!
Date: 2013-07-24
From: Zero Day - Boston

To: Stony brook Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light rain

Deirdre and her son drove me back to Vermont to return to the trail where I left off only a week ago. In that week I have traveled more miles than I have walked in a 146 days on the trail. A sobering thought of how amazing this long walk is that I am on. Deirdre and Devon accompanied me up the side trail back to the AT and once again I am on my own on my journey north. I am happy and sad at the same time. Soon I am walking back in my walking rhythm and my focus is again toward my goal of going north. I go a short 8.1 miles today with my late start and the end my day at a nice tent spot under some green leaves of the trees around me. I talk with some section hikers from New Jersey and go to bed early to get an early start the next day. I look forward to a good night sleep back in my tent with the sound of the forest around me.
Date: 2013-07-25
From: Stony brook Shelter

To: Barnyard Brook
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

My second day back is a pretty day. This Vermont portion of the trail is relatively easy as the trail is smooth and there are rolling hills that just seem to keep the trail interesting. I feel well rested and enjoy my relaxed pace. I took a side trail to look out from a private cabin that allows hikers to stay. I only stayed for a snack and visited with a group of hikers who were from Connecticut. The cabin had a huge ladder that took you up to the roof. The view was fantastic; I could see for miles.! This is something that I haven't been able to do for many months. Later on I realize I am too far from reaching any official campsite on the trail. I resort to finding a nice stealth site. I'm lucky to find a spot near a stream and setup my tent. I'm surprised with my comfort level with camping alone. I make dinner and go right to sleep.
Date: 2013-07-26
From: Barnyard Brook

To: Elms Street (Trail Magics "Short and Sweet" house}
Miles today: 18.5

The day start off great, I slept very well in my stealth site. I felt very good with my plan to finish my journey by my birthday on August 31st. This plan means I need to hike an average of 12.8 per day. I enjoy the rolling hills and basically smooth trail. Around noon I find myself on top of a hill that is covered with raspberry bushes. They were perfectly ripe and just falling into my hands. Just as I was enjoying these sweet treats I received an email from "Short and Sweet" saying that she will be out of town tomorrow. I did not want to miss her again so I decided since the trail was accommodating I would stretch my mileage to get to her house tonight. That will be an 18 mile day. But this will help be with my 12.8 goal as the Whites in New Hampshire will diffidently cut my mileage down to 10 to 12 miles per day. So I step out and make it to her house around 6:00 PM. We have a great dinner and good conversation at the table with a family friend who also stopped by. "Short and Sweet" and her husband "Gray Bread" are wonderful trail angles who open their house to hikers. And since their house is right on the trail that makes it even better.
Date: 2013-07-27
From: Elms Street (Trail Magics 

To: Moose Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 13.4

Today I crossed the boarder of my thirteenth state: New Hampshire. The state line is across the White River in the town of Hanover, which is where Dartmouth College is. The town is pretty fancy with some restaurants and shops. I got a free donuts from Lou's Bakery. The terrain is differently changing and my legs are feeling the difference however I do feel strong and do not seem to mind. I make it to the Moose Mountain summit unfortunately without seeing a moose. The water source is kind of nasty looking but I succeed in find a place in the spring that the water was very nice. I am basically the only one here except for a family doing a section hike.
Date: 2013-07-28
From: Moose Mountain Campsite

To: Smarts Mountain
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The mountains are definitely getting tougher. Today's climb up Smarts Mountain included some areas that trail maintainers have added iron tie rods handles to the rocks as a way to get over some pretty tough boulders. I'm glad not to be doing this section in the rain but clouds are looming so I'm trying to get to my destination as quickly as possible. At one point a small burst of hail came down but it did not last. Just be I reached the summit the rain began as a light drizzle. I'm glad there is another hiker at the cabin, he was a north bounder. The cabin wasn't that bad but it just felt better that someone else was there. The night was cool and wet so I was very glad to be inside. Although I did hear many little mice moving around in the cabin so I didn't get the best night sleep.
Date: 2013-07-29
From: Smarts Mountain

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: few clouds

Since I stayed at the summit of Smarts last night my day started off going down the North side of the mountain. Which was slightly less steep as the South. The challenge was then followed by a mountain called Cube. I suppose the name comes from all of the huge granite boulders that a very cube like. This was another tough climb of up and downs. At some point I have to fold up my poles so I will have the use of my hands and also can sit easily to slide down some of the bigger rocks. My pack is pretty light so I can maneuver very well. Today I will end my day in a valley which sets me up for hiking Moosilauke tomorrow. The Hikers Welcome Hostel is very nice. I order food for delivery and also there are a few hikers there i know. I sleep well and I am ready for my hike tomorrow.
Date: 2013-07-30
From: Smarts Mountain

To: NH 112 Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: clear sky

Today's hike starts with a stream crossing. With all of the rain we have been having the stream was flowing very fast. I had to take off my boots and walk across we my Crocs. I wasn't that deep but I didn't want to start the day off with wet feet. 3,747 foot hike up to Mount Moosilauke Summit is about five miles with a 3700 foot elevation gain. The trail in New Hampshire isn't really a trail it is more like a ladder of boulders. The reward of the view at the top was magnificent. The first flat spot puts you on this ridge where the trail is in a short forest of trees. It was like a long hallway and then when you reached the end of the ridge you can see the summit. There are these huge cairns that guide you up the trail. At the top there are windbreaks someone made out of rocks. At first it was pretty nice at the top but soon the wind began to blow. I eat my lunch hiding in a wind break with some weekend hikers who are enjoying watching this falcon flying in the wind. The falcon was diving up and down in the current. The sun continues to shine and creates beautiful colors on grasses but soon I get cold enough to start putting on a few extra layers including my gloves and start packing up to go. I meet "Firehands" and "Peaches" who came up to summit after me and we sat down and eat lunch together. They tell me about a hiker who had a heart attack in his tent and died at a shelter. It was tragic to hear about someone dying and for those hikers who found him. "Peaches" said the hiker who found him had to go into town and report that they had found the body. Everyone is about upset about this event on the trail and I pass my condolences on to the family of this hiker.
Date: 2013-08-01
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Flume Parking Area/Chet's House Hostel
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Our Second day on the trail we climb South Kinsman, North Kinsman, and Mount Wolf which are four thousand foot mountains. I learned that there are forty eight of these mountains that are all over four thousand feet or higher. During our hike of the White Mountains we meet up with many different kinds of hikers. Some days, weekenders, and some longer section hikers. We even met up with a group of summer campers. Unfortunately our time together for hiking came to an end after today. After to getting to Lonesome Lake Hut and not getting work for stay and had to walk down the mountain in the rain, poor Devin had had enough and decided he could not keep hiking. Luckily at the Hut I saw "Chickadee" and "Tugboat" who were being slacked packed by "Shepard". So I ask "Chickadee" to give "Shepard" my number, because I did not have cell service, to pick us up at the parking lot. I was so happy to have cell service when we came down the mountain and "Shepard" was able to come through and pick us up. I offered to buy him a pizza dinner because we were so happy that he was able to help us out. We went to a great restaurant in Lincoln, New Hampshire. When we finally get to Chet's House it is so crowded we were not sure that we would have a place to sleep; but we end up finding room. I had to sleep on this very dirty couch. I covered it was a sheet so I just had to put it out of my mind what I might be sleeping on.
Date: 2013-08-04
From: South Twin/Zealand Falls

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I did not sleep well last night. Doing work for stay is a good deal but it is not the best way to spend the night. Hikers have to sleep in the dining room on the floor. Which isn't so bad, but the bathroom is across the hall from the dining room so all the guest have to walk through the dining room to get to the bathroom. And this happens all through the night. Anyways, I get up early to set the tables so I can get a free breakfast. After breakfast I hike down to route 302 still going north on the AT. But all the while I can't stop thinking about my missed miles. I start to find a plan to get me back to South Twin. Then I have a great idea. If I called Deirdre to come hike with me again she can get to hike a few four thousand footers and I can make up those miles. Another aspect of my plan I learned hiking up Katahdin on my birthday, August 31, isn't the best idea because it falls on Labor Day. I'm am told that it is very crowded and not the best day to end this hike. So when I reach 302 I have made the decision to go back and make up these miles no matter what. But it would be great if Deirdre can come with me. So I call her when I get cell service and she says she can come. Once again the trail seems to find a way to solve many of my dilemmas. I am able to yogi a ride to "Doc" and "Lamas" house, trail angles, that let you stay at their house where Deirdre is going to pick me up tomorrow. I went to the Warring Grill for dinner and had the best steak dinner I have ever had and chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert.
Date: 2013-08-05
From: Crawford Notch

To: Zealand Fall Hut
Miles today: 6.0

Deirdre picked me up at "Doc" and "Lamas" house by nine o'clock. We grabbed a few Subway sandwiches for lunch and headed back too Zealand trail. Our plan is to hike out to South Twin and hike the Bonds; they are four thousand foot mountain. I'm told there are forty eight of these in New Hampshire. On the way up I cross paths with "Bearbell". He is headed down to Zealand Falls Hut, but asks me when I am going to do Crawford Notch. I tell him probably in two days because of my mistake. He tells me about how his hiking partner is ahead and he would like it if I could hike with him through the Whites. This is great news for me because I would be hiking alone through the toughest part of the AT otherwise.   I'm very pleased that everything is falling into place. The rest of the day hiking with Deirdre is great. We see fantastic views of Mount Washington and all the other peaks. The only bad thing is the campground is full and we now have to backtrack to find a stealth site to camp that night. We do find one and are able to sleep well.
Date: 2013-08-06
From: Zealand Fall Hut

To: Zero Days with Deirdre
Miles today: 0.0

Today¢s miles are not AT miles but they are fun. It was kind of different hiking off the AT. It felt like I was taking a break from the constant drive to be going north. I'm not sure if many other hikers hike on a zero day. More Deirdre knees were not cooperating for her so we decided not to push so many miles and get back to the car. She takes me back to the trail after a quick dinner at Mount Washington restaurant.
Date: 2013-08-08
From: Gulf Side Trail

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 5.3

I was very surprised how well I slept considering the tent site wasn't the best. But when we woke up "Bearbell" and I dreaded the climb we had ahead of us. We hoped the climb up would not take as long as the climb down, but it did. Two hours later we arrived at the top. We were truly amazed that we climbed down this steep ravine without a serious injury. When we get to the trailhead we see two hikers heading towards us. They are local people, a father and son, and they ask us where we came from. When "Bearbell" told them we just climbed out of this ravine; the father was shocked. He said he has always wanted to do that trail but never had the guts. So with this nightmare over with we simply put on our packs and continue on to our next destination; which is Madison Spring Hut. This time we were pretty skeptical about our chances for work for stay. We still try to keep our hopes up that we will be lucky. We climb Mount Jefferson on the way. Although it seemed like we had hiked a long way our actual AT miles was only 5.3 miles. When we get to the hut, Steve the manager ask us where we came from and we tell him our story. He was also very surprised what we had just done and said that we could have work for stay. "Bearbell" was so happy we give each other a big bear hug. Now we can relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Our works for stay job were pretty easy. I had to wipe down some shelves with bleach water and "Bearbell" cleaned out the grease drain of the stove. We also washed a few dishes but the reward was a great steak and potatoes and bean soup dinner and brownies for dessert. We then laid out our sleeping bags when everyone else went to bed. The stars were shinny through the window where I was sleeping. I woke up during the night to hear the rain falling. I was so glad to be inside; dry and warm.
Date: 2013-08-09
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: broken clouds

We decide to skip breakfast because we want to get an early start. The forecast is for rain and the last few days we have not made the mileage we hoped for. Our climb up Madison Mountain is quick but the clouds roll in just as we start our descent. It continues to rain the rest of the day. The one thing that I am glad is the temperature is not bad so I don't really feel cold just wet. Because there has been so much rain lately the streams are very full. We had many rushing streams to cross today. "Bearbell" seems to be able to leap across with no problem but I do not have that skill perfected. So I had a few times where my boots were soaked completely. The trail was not too bad but we were so wet when we got to the AMC Visitor Center at Pinkham Notch we decided that was enough for the day. We eat lunch and tried to figure out the best option for the night. We called the White Mountain hostel but they were booked. We ended up getting a shuttle to Gorham and staying at the Northern Peaks Hotel. Because of the extreme descent into the Great Gulf Wilderness two days ago the tips of my hiking poles were completely worn off. Not bad for 1800 miles but now I needed new ones. Luckily the hardware store in Gorham had replacements. I always think that being in town would be a nice break from hiking but mostly you end up walking all over town to do things and those miles can really tire you out. We decided to go back to hotel and order take-out food for dinner.
Date: 2013-08-12
From: Zero Day - White Mountain Hostel

To: Gentian
Miles today: 11.8

We leave Gorham with full packs and somewhat clear plan of what is going to take to get to Katahdin. Of course our packs are heavy so there is much complaining about that, especially after a zero day. Today's hike wasn't anything different than most days; we ran into a few hikers we met from the hostel. We end our day at a shelter with a beautiful view of a pond. Ponds in this area are more like lakes. This one had a beaver lodge that we could see from the trail. While I'm looking around to decide if I should tent or sleep in the shelter, I find "Hawkeye" already eating his dinner. He is truly amazing. He is sixty three years old and is going strong. We talk a little about some of the issue between the ATC and the needs of thru hikers, which is always a topic of debate. I decide the shelter is the best option and start to unpack. As I do, a few hikers arrive. Soon there are five of us there just before the sun went down and rewarded us with a beautiful sunset.