morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-20
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 14.7

I slept well last night for the most part, but was still borderline cold. My summer bag is really only adequate to about 45 degrees and even that specification is conservative. I will be heading to a hostel in Glencliff, NH today where I will spend the night and pick up a package from Kathy containing my winter sleeping bag and some warmer clothes. Glencliff is the jump off point into the White Mtns.It was a cool morning but the sun was shining, as I left the shelter and climbed to the south summit of Cube Mtn. (2911 ft.). The view to the south was quite beautiful, and I got a good look at what I have been hiking over for the last week. I can see the terrain transitioning to the type of terrain typical of the White Mtns. which has increased my enthusiasm for what is ahead for the next week and a half.The rest of the day was uneventful, and I took my time over some relatively easy terrain. I counted about 4-5 southbound thru hikers. It seems kind of late for them to still be passing through. When I ask them what their estimated time is to reach Georgia, they usually say, around Thanksgiving.I arrived at NH Rt. 25 at around 3:45 and walked the short distance to the Welcome Hiker Hostel. I dropped my pack there and walked across the street to the post office. Unfortunately my package has not arrived here yet. Hopefully it will be here by tomorrow or it could be a zero day at the hostel.The hostel, like most hostels I have stayed at, is basically a very laid back kind of place run on the honor system. You fill out a tab, adding items as you go, and pay the tab when you leave. I was able to catch a shuttle to nearby Warren, NH to pick up some supplies and some dinner to cook on the gas grill here at the hostel. I should have a good night sleep on a soft mattress inside tonight.
Date: 2007-08-21
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 0.0

I walked over to the post office this morniing, hoping my package was there, but was disappointed the learn it had not arrived in the morning delivery. I'm sure something went wrong, since Kathy sent it priority mail, early last week. So I'm resigned to taking a zero day here at he hostel and hopefully the package will be here tomorrow or I will follow plan B, which is to have the post office forward the package ahead of me. I'll need to purchase a fleece jacket here, and hike out, trying to stay as warm as I can with the summer bag. I sent an email to Kathy asking for the priority routing number for the package, so I can investigate where it might be.Of course taking a zero day is always a good thing because it allows the body to rest, and recuperate some. While I was at the post office today, someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was Gypsy Spirit and Tumbleweed, who I last saw in Cheshire, MA after they had completed their marathon 40+ mile hike. It was great to see them. Unfortunately I had to tell Gypsy Spirit she just missed Speaks Little, who left the hostel this morning. I spent the afternoon, sitting in the sun trying to warm up, journaling, and of course eating.Not a bad day off the trail.
Date: 2007-08-22
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: few clouds

I woke up to a chilly morning at the hostel, and put on my rain jacket and knit cap to try and warm up. The hostel is not heated, so the temperature inside in the morning is sometimes cooler then the outside temperature. I was drinking coffee, and checking email on the hostel computer and read an email from Kathy which included the priority mail routing number for my package. I made an inquiry on the UPS web site, and found out that the package had been misdirected by UPS. That was not encouraging and I thought I'd have to go to plan B today. Just then Gypsy Spirit came through the front door exclaiming, "Easy Strider, I just saw your mail drop at the post office!". That was good news to my ears, what a relief!By the time I finished using the computer and packing my gear, I realized that I would need to wait until 2pm to get my package since the post office closes at 11am and reopens at 2pm. I was not too concerned since I was only hiking 8 miles today and ended up going into town for lunch with Moose, Gypsy Spirit and Tumbleweed. I picked up the package later, and repacked my backpack with the new items. I'd be taking on some extra weight, but it would be worth it to stay warm.I finally got hiking around 2:30pm and hiked with Gypsy Spirit. The distance was only 8 miles but about 4 would be a long steady hike up Mount Moosilauke (4208 ft.) the first mountain I'd encounter in the Whites. The climb up Moosilauke just never seemed to end but when we reached the summit it was worth it. In every direction I looked there were spectacular views. I had not seen vistas such as these since the Smoky Mtns. Standing on a mountain summit in the Whites can be quite an experience. The Whites are rugged and the power of nature is certainly something to be in awe of and respected here. The wind was starting to pick up so we dropped our packs and put on some warmer clothes. I thought it would be wise to just take a few pictures and then head down quickly. Once we were clear of the summit, we were sheltered from the wind by the stunted spruce trees along the trail.From here it was only another 2 miles to the shelter. It's a full house at the shelter tonight. Eight northbound and southbound thru hikers in the shelter, and about 5 tenting nearby. We were quite thrilled that we were now in the Whites and had experienced a good first day.
Date: 2007-08-23
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Well I was snug as a bug and toasty warm all night in my winter sleeping bag. Thanks Kath! As a result, I slept very well. It was downhill right from the start this morning, and I do mean downhill! It was basically a steep rock scramble for about 2 miles all the way to NH Rt. 112, Kinsmans Notch. This was probably the most treacherous descent I've seen on the AT and in combination with the light misting precipitation, it was slippery stepping from rock to rock. The local trail club has done an excellent job providing help by installing wedge steps on some of the long flat sections of rock slab, bannisters made from re-bar and rope, and hand and footholds chiseled into the rock. This distance may normally have taken me about 50 minutes to cover, but today it took an hour and a half, plus a couple of ibuprofen to sooth my aching knees. I could almost hear the mountains whispering, "Welcome to the Whites, Easy Strider".I took a long break at Kinsmans Notch and then continued hiking. Of course, hiking out of the notch it was all uphill, but the climbing was not too bad. I just took my time and moved along at a pace dictated by the trail here. I will definitely not be covering 18-20 miles a day here in the Whites. This terrain just won't allow it. The trail is much more rugged here and it takes a lot more work to cover short distances. I would say if I'm lucky I may be able to hike 10-12 miles a day.My plan is to hike to Eliza Brook Shelter this afternoon and evaluate wether I should continue further. I stopped at a few outlooks this afternoon, but the views were obscured by clouds. By the time I arrived at the shelter it was only 3pm. I could have pushed on another 4 miles to Kinsman Pond tentsite, but would have to climb Kinsman Mountain. I decided I was content with the 9 hard miles today, and would tackle Kinsman Mountain in the morning.I was the first to arrive at the shelter, but soon after a thru hiking couple arrived, followed by Moose, Cheeks, Steps Little, and Mojo. Later in the evening a group of freshman students from MIT showed up on an orientation backpacking trip, and set up tents. It was good to end the day early for a change and have some time to relax and have conversation with other thru hikers. Looks like rain a coming tonight.A good second day in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Date: 2007-08-24
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Liberty Springs Tentsite
Miles today: 11.4

Last night the rain came with a vengeance. It seemed to pour for hours pounding on the metal roof of the shelter. I was very happy to be in the shelter, dry and not worrying about packing up a wet tent in the morning. The temperatures rose a bit last night and I found myself folding over the top of my sleeping bag to cool off (figures, as soon as I get my winter bag the weather gets warmer).Going up South Kinsman and North Kinsman Mountains this morning involved some serious rock scrambling, in which I found myself stowing my poles and climbing with two hands. You can't just hike through the Whites, you have to climb these mountains with 4 limbs. The descent off the Kinsmans was just as tricky in some spots as it was coming down Mosilauke yesterday, however there were no man made aids, and I just had to do the best I could.Just a little past lunch time I arrived at the AMC (Apalachian Mountain Club) Lonesome Lake Hut. The AMC has a network of huts set up in the White Mountains in which paying guests can spend the night in rustic accomodations and be fed dinner and breakfast all for about 70.00. Each hut is run by a group of college students called the "Croo", and thru hikers are sometimes allowed to sleep on the floor and have dinner and breakfast for free in exchange for helping the croo by performing an hour of work. Another nice feature of most of the huts, is that they offer "all you can eat" soup and bread for 3.00 in the afternoon. I was able to take advanage of this at Lonsome Lake Hut.By the time I got on the trail again, I was stuffed, and it was slow going for a while. I hiked on another 3.5 miles until I reached I-93, Franconia Notch. The trail goes under I-93. I took a break here before the last big climb to Liberty Springs campsite. This campsite which is basically close to the Franconia Ridge, consists of wooden tent platforms and is watched over by an AMC caretaker. I needed to figure out how to set up my tent on a platform since I had never done this before, but once I learned the basics it was easy. I am enjoying a peaceful evening way up on the ridge tonight.
Date: 2007-08-26
From: AMC Zealand Falls Hut

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: fog

One drawback to a "work for stay" arrangement at an AMC hut is, there are rules to follow which may not agree with the hiker daily schedule. Since a thru hiker is not a paying guest the only option for sleeping is on the floor, which is basically no different then the shelter floors, however you must wait until all the guests have gone to bed before you can roll out your sleeping bag. The dilemna is that most thru hikers are asleep by 8pm whereas the hut guests want to stay up and read, play cards, etc. You get the picture.So the food is good at the huts but a good night sleep is lacking. Compounding the sleep problem are my increasingly aching knees which seem to really throb when I lie down. I guess the Ibuprofen will be an important factor as I proceed on to Maine.It was an easy 7 mile hike today over some level, rock and root free trail, a rarity so far in New Hampshire. I made it to Crawford Notch, NH Rt. 302, by 1pm. The plan is to stay overnight at a campground 3 miles down the road. Peter, another thru hiker I met at Zealand Falls Hut last night, is also staying there and had arrived at the road before me. He called the campground owner for a ride, so fortunately I won't have to hitch there. The Crawford Notch Campground and General Store caters mostly to car campers but has a very clean and comfortable bunk house which sleeps 12, and is used primarily by thru hikers. Peter opted to rent a small cabin here, so I have the bunk house to myself. The campground store stocks quite a few items and has just about everything I will need for the next 4 day leg until I reach Gorham, NH. I'm looking forward to a much needed quiet and restful night of sleep here.
Date: 2007-08-28
From: AMC Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Osgood Tentsite
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

I only hiked 10 miles today, but it has to rank up there with some of the most difficult mileage on the trail. I decided not to wait around the hut for breakfast this morning, but instead I got an early start on hiking up to the summit of Mount Washington. Once there, I could have breakfast at the snack bar on the summit. The Lake of the Clouds Hut sits on the side of Mount Washington at an elevation of 5040 ft. Mount Washington at 6288 ft. is the highest mountain in the Whites and the summit is about 1.5 trail miles distance from the hut. This creates a substantial heart pounding climb. I reached the summit at about 8:30am and what a sight to behold. It sort of reminded me of a cross between a science fiction movie and a new Disneyworld attraction. There is a funny mix of scientific work and tourism that goes on here. Mount Washington is said to have some of the worst weather in the world and weather patterns are studied and monitored here constantly. There is a road that allows tourists to drive up to the summit and also an old railroad engine pushes a passenger car slowly up to the summit. Now of course, there has to be a snack bar, restrooms, and gift store if there are tourists, and I made use of the restroom and snack bar while I was there. The weather today was basically a repeat of yesterday's weather, and I walked comfortably around the summit in a t-shirt and shorts. This mild weather is rare here. I asked someone to take my picture by the summit sign and then I started walking north.Just about all of the days hike (about 6 miles) was above tree line and the weather was outstanding. I had to work at the hiking, scrambling from rock to rock most of the way, but there were views non-stop the whole day. The trail passed Mount Clay and Mount Adams but did not go over them. By the time I reached the Madison Spring Hut, I was definitely in need of a break. I stayed at the hut for about 45 minutes drinking cold lemonade.I still needed to hike another 3 miles, so I left the hut and immediately started the long and very steep climb up Mount Madison (5363 ft.). The only way to do this is to take your time and carefully choose every step wisely to plot out the most efficient, energy conserving route. Unlike a woods trail, this kind of trail which traverses over a jumble of rocks and boulders, is only identifiable by man made piles of rocks called cairns and an ocassional white blaze. Climbing and then descending Madison, was a nerve wracking, knee straining ordeal and I was happy once the trail went below tree line once again. After what seemed like a very long time, I finally arrived at the Osgood tent site and set up my tent on one of the wood platforms. Big Shanty is here also and Moose joined us soon after. I am sharing the platform with Moose. He is a few years older than I am and has hiked the AT 3 previous times! He is an interesting individual and I enjoyed our conversation as we made dinner.It was a hard day on the trail but the beauty seen today was worth all the effort.
Date: 2007-08-29
From: Osgood Tentsite

To: Carter Notch - stealth campsite
Miles today: 10.7

Big Shanty and Moose were both out on the trail and hiking before I was this morning. I was content to just pack up slowly and enjoy a cup of coffee I had brewed. The morning hike would not be too difficult and would be 5 miles down to Pinkham Notch, Rt. 16. I met Rebel and Snack Break on the way out. I had not seen them since the day I ran into them at the Long Trail Inn. We all hiked to Pinkham Notch crossing paths numerous times. The trail followed the West Branch of the Peabody River and many streams crossed the AT at different locations.Upon reaching Pinkham Notch at about 11:30, I went in to the AMC Visitor Center, a tourist attraction and education center which offers cafeteria services. I met Moose there and ordered a turkey sub. Rebel and Snack Break came in later and we all sat down and spent time eating lunch and talking. I noticed Moose was reluctant to get going and grumbled something about the climb up Wildcat. He eventualy did leave and said he would meet me at the tent sites at Carter Notch, a 6 mile hike from Pinkham Notch. When I finally started hiking again (after about an hour and a half break) I understood why Moose was procrastinating. The climb out of Pinkham Notch up Wildcat Mtn. was quite steep and straight up. It was also the kind of climb in which you basically had to step up to one rock after another, a strenuous heart pounding process. As I slowly and methodically climbed I could not help but notice every now and then a tree root in just the right location, which served as a perfect handhold to pull me up a steep rock. All of these roots looked smoothed and polished, which I guessed had happened from the many sweaty hands of hikers that had passed here before me. I couldn't help but feel a connection to all of those hikers as I touched each of these roots.Eventually I reached the first peak (4041 ft.) of Wildcat where there is a ski gondola that is in operation during the summer months. When I came out of the woods there was a young family waiting there for a ride down on the gondola. They looked at me and asked if I had walked up to the top. When I said that I had, they could not believe it, and when I said I had walked over 1800 miles to get there, they looked at me in disbelief. They knew nothing about the AT, and I spent some time explaining to them what that was.I continued on, hiking over peak C (4270 ft.), peak B (4270 ft.), and peak A (4380 ft.) of Wilcat Mtn. which stretched out over 2 miles. It was a bit of a steep descent down to Carter Notch, but I made it around 6pm. Moose had already been there for a while. I set up my tent quickly, had dinner and was off to sleep after an afternoon of hard hiking.
Date: 2007-08-30
From: Carter Notch - stealth campsite

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

The reference "Notch" here in the White Mtns. is basically another word for "Gap" or simply the low point between mountains. So since I was camped in Carter Notch last night, one can only surmise the first thing I was faced with this morning was... yes you guessed it, a long climb out of the notch to the ridge again.The climb this morninng was quite steep and hard, with about a 1500 ft. elevation gain in just a little over one mile. That is a lot of climbing first thing in the morning. That effort got me to Carter Dome (4832 ft.) an open, rocky mountain summit with some great views.Once I was on the ridge, the rest of the morning consisted of a series of up and down climbs as I went up and over Mt. Hight (4675 ft.), South Carter Mtn. (4458 ft.), Middle Carter Mtn. (4600 ft.), and North Carter Mtn. (4530 ft.). I decended the ridge slightly, reaching Imp shelter and campsite which was 500 ft. off the trail. I usually will not hike to a shelter that far off the trail for a lunch break, but this was my only option for water the next 4 miles, and I needed water. I met Sven, Ufda, and Torpedo at the shelter, and we all had lunch together.Aside from a climb up Middle Moriah Mtn., the rest of the afternoon was basically a downhill run to Gorham, NH where I plan to re-supply and spend the night at a hostel called "The Barn". About 3 miles from Gorham I could here thunder in the distance but was not too worried since I was down off the ridge out of danger. The storm arrived rather quickly but only dumped a small amount of rain on me. I was safe, but I did worry about a few thru hikers I know who were slack packing over the ridge right about now.The last 3 miles of trail to Rt. 2, were smooth sailing and a real pleasure to hike after the last few days of rugged, rough trail. it didn't take too long to hitch a ride the 4 miles into Gorham, and I am here, showered, in clean clothes, geting ready to go to dinner with a few other thru hikers here.
Date: 2007-08-31
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

When I arrived at The Barn yesterday, there was a southbound section hiker there already, by the name of "One Hung Low" who provided me with the lowdown on the hostel operation. "One Hung Low" is a retired Marine Corp Aviator who came up with his trail name from a close call he had when he was flying, and only half (one wheel) of his landing gear was operational. Somehow the problem was fixed and he landed the aircraft safely. He came into Gorham yesterday with a younger soutbound section hiker named Woodstock (owns all the music from every band that performed at Woodstock), who was finishing a section he missed on his 2006 thru hike.Fortunately Woodstock has a car and was able to shuttle "One Hung Low" and I around Gorham so we could complete all our in town hiker errands. We both appreciated this trail magic offered by Woodstock. After completing all my errands in Gorham, I decided to take a zero day since the weather was not good for hiking, but more importantly I needed some down time to let my legs recover some, after coming through the Whites. It felt good to just sleep, eat, and do some reading.Not much else to report on today. I'll be heading out early tomorrow and hopefully will enter Maine the last state in this long journey.
Date: 2007-09-01
From: Gorham, NH

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: few clouds

Yesterday "One Hung Low" had arranged for a shuttle to the trail for both of us this morning. We were both up early to gather up our gear and walk across the street for coffee and a microwave breakfast sandwich (I'll be so happy to eat real food after this trip). Our shuttle arrived at The Barn right on time and drove us the 3 miles east to the trail head. I said goodbye to "One Hung Low" as he headed south, and I hiked north.I planned to try and hike 17 miles today so that I could reach the Maine border, which will be a real milestone for me on this trip. I have not hiked this far in a while and was hoping the terrain would not be too bad. As I sarted, the weather was cool to the point of being cold, and it took me some time to warm up.For about the first half mile the trail followed some local back roads and went over the Andoscroggin River eventually enering the woods. There was a gradual and steady climb for about 3 miles until I reached Mount Hayes. By now the sun was shining and it looked like another good hiking day.For the rest of the morning I hiked through some pleasant and scenic terrain. I had heard that the trail in Maine passes some beautiful secluded ponds and lakes. I was fortunate to hike passed 3 this morning (Page Pond, Dream Lake, and Moss Pond) and I had not yet entered Maine. I really enjoy seeing a secluded body of water surrounded by woodland. This scene is so peaceful and pleasing to the senses. Seeing these ponds made me long for paddling the flatwater in my kayak.I eventually stopped at Gentian Pond Shelter for lunch, after hiking 12 miles. This shelter has a beautiful view and it would have been nice to stay for the night, but I have 5 more miles to go. I met Mojo, Splendora, Rebel, and Snack Break, also taking a lunch break here.There was one big climb this afternoon over Mount Success (3565 ft.), the last mountain to climb in New Hampshire. After that it was downhill to the Maine border. At first I thought I might have missed the sign, but later I heard voices ahead and when I came around the bend I saw Mojo and Splendora and an inconspicuous sign identifying the passing from New Hampshire into the state of Maine. It was a small plank of wood nailed to a tree, painted blue. In white letters it stated "Welcome to Maine, the Way Life Should Be". What a moment that was for me. For the first time, the full impact of what I have done, really hit me. I have walked close to 1900 miles to arrive at this place. The 3 of us were ecstatic to be here and took pictures of each other, by the sign. Mojo and Splendor hiked on. I savored the moment a bit longer until Rebel and Snack Break showed up. I took their picture by the sign and Rebel pulled a bottle of Jim Beam from his pack. We all took a good shot to toast the occasion. I hiked just another half mile to Carlo Col Shelter and called it a day. A very good day at that!