morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-08-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.5

I stopped short of my original objective today. The full pack was heavy. It had started to rain. I was sweating heavily due to the high humidity causing my wet hiking shorts to rub my legs raw. When I saw a nice camping spot next to a water source I decided to stop and regroup. I will hope for more energy tomorrow. I topped 1700 miles today so I do have something to cheer about. Perhaps part of my difficulty was loosing Rita's support as she took me to the trailhead and then headed home. I am back to camp living. Multi- days in wet clothes, sleeping on the ground and dehydrated suppers. Ah, how bad can it be? After 1700 miles, pretty bad. SL
Date: 2009-08-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.5

Today's hike was a struggle again but I started early and gutted-out almost 15 miles. I do not know if it is me or the terrain which is very up and down over 1500 ft hills. It felt like I was doing steep ups all day. I did land in a good spot, Cloudland Farm. They are letting me tent free next to the barn and they have a little shop with ice cream and sodas. I ate a pint of vanilla and 2 Kickin Cow Colas. It is Vermont. All organic of course. It feels great to be reasonably clean, in my tent and anticipating a long sleep. The cows were mowing earlier but seem to have settled now that darkness has descended. SL
Date: 2009-08-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.9

I found my legs today and hiked 17 miles into a new state. New Hampshire. This is the state most talk about when describing the best trail views. I hope they are right. Vermont was good and there were very few bugs. That alone made is a success following Massachusetts. The cows woke me up this morning, but at an appropriate time. I hiked with no break until lunch at a surprise country deli on the White River in West Hartford. The sandwich was great and sent me away in good spirits determined to make it to NH. I had approached the day skeptially given the struggles over the past 2 days. My hike ended on the beautiful Dartmouth campus. After taking a few pictures, I made it to a local pizza restaurant. Many, perhaps 15, of my companion northbounders are in town. Some made it by the pizza shop. Some are hanging out at Ben and Jerry's. From there I taxied to my cheap motel to clean myself and my clothes of the dirt from the last 3 days. Cheap never felt so good as it does on the Trail. SL
Date: 2009-08-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.0

I had a good day considering I did not leave Hanover until 1300. I made maximum use of my motel room and MackyDees next door. With my plan established for the next week and my belly full of burgers, I had a final 20 oz pepsi and hit the Trail. I had good legs again. If I can maintain this, I will finish with enough margin to really enjoy what I am doing. I have scheduled myself to do 10 miles/day average. Partly because it is harder and partly because I do not want to work as hard. Does one day establish a trend? I am still modifying my routine 1700 miles into the trip. I am now routinely rigging a clothes line inside my tent to dry my hiking clothes. It works to a point and is better than draping them or leaving them outside for possible rain. My coffee jar latrine is standard now. I love the idea of being in my little mosquito proof space with no reason to exit until daybreak. Come to think of it, it is just like home. What am I saying? It is home! I have water, food, clean clothes, a bathroom, a book, a bed and even a computer. All in my tent. Sometimes it is just great to be out here. SL
Date: 2009-08-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.4

Today was a tough but satisfying day. The final hours were climbing up 2300 ft. to the top of Smarts Mtn. I have my own idea on why they call it "smarts". I am staying on top in an abandoned fire ranger cabin with two other hikers, Miles and Wobbler. I watched the sunset from the fire tower. The view may be the best of my hike to date. The view was 360 degrees for miles with almost no development. I snacked on almonds and dried apricots and just tried to take it in. Later at supper Wobbler gave us brownies from his sister who lives in Nowich, VT. A nice way to end the day. SL
Date: 2009-08-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.4

I arose early enough to climb up the fire tower to watch the sun rise. Pretty awesome when you meditate on the clockwork of the universe. I also read a few verses of scripture. The setting called for it. The Trail was tough again. I guess that is standard now. I am surviving so far and look forward to the end of each day. I met the same hiker going south for the second straight day. With no shirt, which is rather unusual, he was easy to recognize. Rather odd I thought so I inquired. His name is Car Hop. His is a most unique strategy. He is going north by using two cars as shuttles. He drives one car north, spends the night and then hikes south to the second waiting car. He drives this second car farther north and repeats. He never camps in the woods but rather stays in motels where he does daily work by computer. He is taking his office with him while moving north by hiking south. Pretty good. I had never heard of this one. SL
Date: 2009-08-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 7.5

I walked mostly down hill today to a hostel in Glencliff, NH. My idea is to take the afternoon and rest for the hike up Moosilauke tomorrow. I needed a shower and needed to wash clothes also. All is well. I met Mama Llama and Juice, a nice couple from Plano, TX. Gator and Tiger, old friends, came in later. We all have the same idea about Moosilauke. With a hitch from one of the "permanent" hikers 5 miles to the deli, I purchased sandwiches and beer for this crew. We had good adult conversation. The 20 somethings are great as 1's or 2's. More than that and I do not exist. It was good to express the feelings and difficulties honestly with these folks. The hostel is simple with outside shower, flush toilet and washer/dryer. Everything is good except it is hot. How can it be? Rita has shipped my winter gear to the next town, North Woodstock, and it is the hottest day of my trip. Oh well. I bet it changes soon. SL
Date: 2009-08-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.5

I may not have the superlatives to describe today's hike over Moosilauke. It was awesome and then some. I hit the Trail at 0700 followed shortly thereafter by last nights hikers. We were all anxious to get to the top. It is the first White and we have been reading about it and hearing from others all along the Trail. The "permanent" hikers at the hostel also pumped our enthusiasm. I had a reason to hike today. I wanted to show myself that I could maintain an energetic pace for the 5.5 miles and an elevation change of 3,800 ft. I wanted to show my new and old friends that I can hike. I wanted to get to the top. I established the mentality of a long half marathon. Maybe 80 percent effort or so and bumping above that now and then. I just started at the bottom and I walked to the top. I forgot everything else except my breathing and heart beat and frequent sips of water. I was also hopeful of outpacing my friends. Two sailboats on the water are always racing even if they say they are not. The same is true especially the way our ascent up Moosilauke was happening. I was hearing Chariots of Fire. I was thinking of John Henry driving steel. I knew I had the wind and legs to get to the top shortly into the hike. Bronco passed me in the early flat and then stopped briefly so I passed him. Later when I heard the clink, clink, clink of metal poles on rocks from behind, I added some pace. The clinking sound ceased as I added distance. It was a great feeling. Everything was working. 1780 miles of effort and grit were coming to the fore. And I wanted to get there. First. I did not stop to rest. I did not need to. By the time I reached near summit and the grade was becoming near flat I was jogging I was so excited. I was moving through a corridor of perfect 8 ft tall Christmas trees. Then they went away and I could see the rocky top .5 miles away going up more steeply. I slowed and enjoyed the final yards feeling fully the cool breeze on my wet shirt. I arrived at the top, alone, 2hr and 45min after I had started. It was awesome and my motor did not even feel it significantly tested. The view was not so great because of the haze from the warm weather. But the spot was spectacular. Only grass. Little white flowers. An old foundation. A weather battered sign supported by a pile of rocks. I sat in the corner of the foundation with the rocks forming a low chair. The breeze was cooling my head and shoulders. The morning sun was on my face. My shoes were off and I had snacks for a celebration. This could turn out to be the high point of my hike. I hope there is more to come. If not, I will take it and go ho¤e happy. SL
Date: 2009-08-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.5

Today's hike was physically demanding. It took me 10 hours to cover the 11.5 miles. Going up South Kinsman Mtn was often a hands and feet exercise for 2.5 miles. It took me 2 hours to do this section. There were nice views. At one point I got a broadside view of the range containing Lincoln and Lafayette. I hike there tomorrow. I am camping at 3800 ft near a lake. It is chilly. The long sleeve shirt and socks inside the sleeping bag are comfortable. I feel good now that the day is done. However today's hike was so tough I think if it had been my first day I would have joined Bill Bryson and toured the AT by car. SL
Date: 2009-08-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.7

Today was exhausting but very gratifying. I first had a pretty steep down for 5 miles to the I-93 crossing. This was when the day began. An ascent out of Franconia Notch to Franconia Ridge and Lafayette at 5260 ft. I climbed and climbed and eventually stopped for lunch and water at Liberty Springs tentsite. I was exhausted and even considered staying, but I wanted to top Lafayette on a good day. Tomorrow may be raining. The caretaker told me there was a stealth camp area a mile or so down from the summit of Lafayette. This fit my situation as I did not think I could make the additional 3 miles over Garfield and a shelter. I prepared 3 liters of water for this was my last source until the Garfield shelter. With water a hiker has all he needs to stop for the night. Franconia Ridge was awesome and scarry. It appears to be on top of the world. I went over Haystack, Lincoln and then Lafayette. The best I know I was the only person on the Ridge while I traversed it. On Haystack it was wow and a lot of pictures. These mountains are all above treeline and connected by a narrow and sometimes scarry ridge path. By the time I topped Lafayette the wind was blowing, I was beyond tired and I just wanted down. It was feeling like a dangerous place. The clouds were beginning to roll in, the wind was getting stronger and I had no reserve strength to deal with the unexpected. I wanted the protection of the trees and a place to lay my head. After getting below treeline, I soon found a little divot among scrubby trees that offererd protection from the wind and was out of sight from the trail. I went through my normal routine including a good dinner. It feels cozy in my tent. The wind is coming in waves at tree top level. That is all I hear. Sleep will come quickly. SL
Date: 2009-08-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 7.9

I am camping at 4600 ft and just below treeline on the south side of rainy Mt Guyot. The terrain is harder the last 3 days than any others I have experienced during 1800 miles. I am consistently missing my target by a couple miles. Views are plentiful and stunning. But you have to work like the devil to see them. I struggled to Galehead Hut and stopped for lunch. The morning was cloudy and drippy. Pretty disagreable. Sadly I had to leave the warmth of the Hut and as I was topping South Twin Mtn, a storm rolled in dumping lots of rain. I was caught on top of an exposed peak in a thunderstorm. Yikes! No cloud to ground strikes so far. Just cloud to cloud. But dummy you are in the clouds. I topped the mountain and quickly read the sign to get the right trail down. Then a pretty close strike. I moved down the trail quickly but not totally certain it was the right way. Going the wrong way this late in the day could be real trouble. I bravely went back to the top to read the sign again. I had been right. A few moments later a really close boom that travelled from right to left like a screaming fighter jet. This was no place to be. The rain was hard and my shoes had filled with water. The path turned into a swollen creek and I waded in water for the next 2 miles. Not wanting to go over another peak I found a place to camp along the trail. I was able to create a comfortable day space in which to sleep and recover from my scare and drenched condition. How thankful I was for my gear. A warm meal and rest is what I needed. I even decided to brew some Chamomile tea to make things seem more like home. I am hoping for better terrain tomorrow. I need to make 12 miles to resupply food. Only 1 day of supply remains in my pack. I must get off this mountain tomorrow. SL
Date: 2009-08-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.9

The walk was easy today. All down hill and no strewn bolders to block the way after the first couple of miles. One section, on an old rail bed, was delightful following all the "climb-overs" the last 3 days. I had learned while underway from local hikers that resupply in Crawford Notch would be difficult. There is no town. No close stores. I was concerned about getting food for the trip up the Presidentials. It appeared I would need multiple hitches to get food and then back to a campground. I did not have the time. Magically Rock Dancer from MA had a trail angel station at the trailhead. I sat down for a beer, apple, chips and a cold cut sandwich. He knew the area and where to resupply. And, wow, he would take me there in his car and then back to a bunkhouse. Is this magic or what. All my worries just vanished. I relaxed. We talked and enjoyed each others trail stories. Eventially, after getting supplied, I checked into the Crawford Notch Lodge in the bunk house. I had a great dinner and breakfast will be provided tomorrow. Most of the folks here are on vacation and enjoy talking to a real thru hiker. I am set to assault the next range of the Whites tomorrow. I am excited all over again. SL
Date: 2009-08-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.1

Today was an awesome day of hiking. I started at 1300 ft and went to 5000 ft at the Lakes of the Cloud Hut. After passing a few non-seasoned hikers a north bounder came up behind me. It was Alabama Grits. Not to be confused with Georgia Grits who I have mentioned several times. We challenged each other in a friendly manner up the hill and talked about many things. I was hoping to cover the 11 miles to the Hut quickly as I am a full paying guest tonight and supper was to be served at 1800. Grits is a strong hiker, but I kept up with him. We stopped at the Mizpah Hut to replinish water and have some terrible soup. It was raining as we left with 4.5 miles to cover. The higher we went the windier and cloudier it became. There were essentially no views. I was thankful for the unspoken partnership of Grits. The Trail is rocky and not well marked. It is easy to get disoriented in the fog. I feel very accomplished to have covered the trip today in 7 hour and 15 min. I was feeling celebratory when we arrived at the Lakes Hut. It was a strong performance thanks to Grits. The supper was great. The Hut is warm and dry. A great place to be in this foggy, rainy night above treeline. SL
Date: 2009-08-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 7.1

Today was shorter than I had planned due to windy and rainy conditions on the Presidential range. I took my time leaving Lakes of the Clouds to hopefully get the predicted improving weather and take an early Lunch on Mt Washington. I missed the rain going up Mt Washington and felt pretty smart. The chile was good in the cafe. My hiker friends, AL and GA Grits, Nature, Mama Llama, Juice, Wingo, Featherfoot were there as well. I tarried until some blue sky could be seen. It appeared the weather was breaking and I expected to make my campsite well below treeline. Well the weather changed fast. Wind and rain created dangerous conditions. Four miles from Washington I began to slip and make foot placement mistakes. I was getting cold. I needed to stop as I was becoming unsafe. So I did, at the Madison Hut. My friends except AL Grits stopped as well. I am doing a work/stay. I have morning blanket folding duty in exchange for a roof and the left over food after the paying guests eat. A good exchange on a wet windy night in the Presidentials. SL
Date: 2009-08-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.7

I walked 7.8 miles today. The entry is to get the cumulative to be correct. It was a bright morning at Madison Spring Hut at 4800 ft. Quite a change from yesterday. After my morning work, which turned out to be compost duty, Zipper and I began our trip down the mountain to Pinkham Notch together as we had the same rendezvous. Zipper told me about a hiker angel and former 2000 miler named MandM who liked to overnight thru hikers in her condo in North Conway, NH. She said I would be welcome. Sounded perfect. She would shuttle us to the trail, food, shower, laundry, drinks. We climbed over Madison the first thing. It is a rocky and pointy summit and offered great views of Washington. It was clear and sunny and we could see all around. Zipper is a school teacher and I asked to talke about the geology as we descended. It was good conversation. We hustled as MandM had given us a time for her shuttle pick-up. It was a fast hike down and we arrived with 20 minutes to spare. I had 2 hot dogs while waiting at the AMC Center right on the Trail in the Notch. The journey over the last 3 days is amazing. From survival concerns (at least a little) to the pampered atmosphere at MandM's. From huge physical effort going up to the Lakes of the Cloud Hut to relaxing with a SmuttyNose local brew. From being a guest at a hut to shoveling the smelly compost at another. It has been and up and down experience in many ways. SL
Date: 2009-08-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.1

I was too tired to write last night. The 13 miles up and over the peaks of Wildcat Mtn were all I could do. The terrain was very steep up and down. Today was a mostly up day. I needed to make the mileage to get to Katahdin on time. I also needed to do it to demonstrate I can get through these mountains in some kind of reasonable fashion. It is hard to overstate the difficulty. It was physically brutal. My legs were like rubber when I finally arrived at the camp site. There was only a brief shower on top of one of the peaks. The temperature started to drop toward evening. The wind blew all day but I was mostly protected just below treeline. It was beginning to feel cold as I arrived in camp. I quickly set up my tent, got my supply of water, ate a hot meal and went to sleep listening to the strong wind blow in the tree tops. I had the same feeling one has on a cold rainy or snowy evening when the wind is whistling around the eaves of the house. There is a shiver and a thanks for shelter. This morning it is cold. I am taking my time before shedding my warm sleeping bag. I am enjoying a cup of hot coffee. I feel recovered and am ready to walk down this mountain into the town of Gorham which is 8 miles away. SL
Date: 2009-08-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.0

I only had 8 miles to go today and most of that was down. I did have one early up of about 800 ft to the the top of Mt Moriah. It is a series of rock domes on top so there are many views. The Presidentials to the west were stunning on this cool and crisp day. I took many pictures as I was so taken with the view. After Moriah it was down. Steep and difficult at first but the path gradually became an easy woodland walk. What a difference compared to those rocky treeless tops. The next task was to get into town. Gorham is 4 miles from the trailhead. No thru hiker wants to walk these miles. Usually a ride comes pretty quickly. Today it did not. No prospects in the trailhead lot. After 20 minutes no one would pick me up on hwy 2 which leads to town. A little dejected I started walking toward town. I stopped after about a half mile at a roadside BandB. Not my intended stop but I thought I might get the owner to include a shuttle ride to town for supplies if I stayed for the evening. She had no interest but offered that her father might give me a lift. Bill was nice and took me to McDonalds for a late and great lunch. The next task was to resupply my food. The in-town grocery listed in my book recently closed because of a super Walmart 4 miles from town center. Now what? I really was tired of walking. A woman gave me a cheerful hello as I crossed my motel parking lot with a newly purchased fuel canister from a local hardware store. She asked how I was doing. I did my best yogi. I said I would be fine if I could just catch a ride to Walmart and quickly explained my dilema. Beverly is from NC and upon hearing my southern voice could not resist giving me a ride in her Lexus to Walmart. Okay! Usually getting a ride from the grocery back to town is easy. With plastic bags in hand I got a few no's but pretty quickly a young man said, "Yes, if you are willing to ride in my truck with a pit bull. How do you feel about the breed." It may be the biggest lie I have ever told. "I love them" I said. Ace was all over me. He seemed playful but being nose to nose with a pit bull felt more dangerous than a bad weather day on Mt.Washington. I had a tight hold on Ace's collar in my left hand and was rubbing his neck and head with my right acting the part of a pit bull lover. Dan seemed convinced and without incident other than a few licks we bid each other a cheerful goodbye. With the tough logistical tasks completed I evaluated my schedule and physical condition and decided to take a zero tomorrow. I am not hurting anywhere, but it has been my policy to rest now and then to allow some healing. I have not had a zero since 8/7. 20 days. It is time. SL
Date: 2009-08-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have taken 2 zeros the last 2 days. The first because I needed the rest. The second because it was an all day steady rain day in the northeast. It is one thing to be in the woods when it starts to rain. It is quite another to leave dry environs and walk into a cold rain. I chose not to. I now have a daily schedule to Katahdin. All along the walk I have had an intermediate goal.like NYC as an example. The intermediate goal was my focus. Well now my goal is Katahdin. There is no goal in between. I will be in Maine after 15 miles of hiking. I talked to a Maine thru hiker yesterday who was playing racquetball. Maine sounds like another wild ride. Here we go. The final push. SL
Date: 2009-08-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.8

Today was a relatively easy and sunny day. It would habe been a much different experience yesterday in the rain. A good decision to zero. I hiked with and am camping with Grits (GA) and 10 or so first year students from Tufts out on an orientation trip. They are a very entrhusiastic group eventhough they were out in the rain yesterday. I was pleased with my energy today under the burden of a full pack. I hope I can maintain this. One day down toward Katahdin. SL
Date: 2009-08-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.5

I am in Maine. YEA! And WOW! And 1901 miles. The hiking was hard today. Mountain climbing would be a better description for many of the places I passed through. It makes the pace slow. It took me 9.5 hrs to cover 9.5 miles. I celebrated crossing into Maine while on the phone with Rita. I was having lunch while looking at the Maine sign. It said "where life is as it should be". She suggested I walk over the line while on the phone so I did. Maine started rugged and I think this will continue having heard from the southbounders. It was sunny today but the high wind made it quite cold. I am using all my winter gear already. And a month to go. And further north. Brrrr. SL