morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-08-05
From: Hanover (NH)

To: Trapper John Shelter (NH)
Miles today: 16.6

16.6 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1760.4We got up later today at 6am and got ready. Some homemade cake/bread was left out for us near our packs. Our Trail Angel, Bill, came out about 7am and took us into Hanover as the A.T. goes right through downtown. We walked to Lou's Bakery for some blueberry pancakes and coffee. Then back to the trail. The trail today was a mix of terrain. Easy, muddy, rocky...a little bit of everything. It had rained yesterday so the tree roots were very slippery. My belief is that after a rain the forest gnomes come out and use their gnome soap to coat the roots knowing hikers will be along soon. Then they "he-he-he" behind moss-covered rocks as we slip and slide along the roots! I met a stout thirty-something wearing a kilt today. His name is 19. He said he was in need of conversation, so we hiked together for awhile. There were also quite a few section hikers and several SoBos today. As Running Nose and I neared the shelter we had a pretty good climb to make. I asked him if he would like one of my trekking poles, He replied in with his German accent "There is no need". I told him he was either a stubborn German or a good hiker. I told him it was the latter as I headed up the mountain. It had become overcast so when I reached the shelter I quickly set up my hammock. I heard the thunder in the distance but the storm moved out. Running Nose soon reached Trapper John as well as 19 and several others. It felt good to drop down on miles today. I reached the shelter at 4pm instead of the usual 6-6:30pm. There may still be days when I will have no choice but to go long. There are times the shelters are too close together or the water may not be good so I have to move on. My warbler friend is singing for me to night; I am really enjoying his song. This ends another chapter from "Tales From The Hammock". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-08-06
From: Trapper John Shelter (NH)

To: Dancing Bones Intentional Community
Miles today: 18.8

18.8 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1779.2, Dancing Bones Intentional Community, Cape Moonshine Road.I was on the trail by 6:15am. Running Nose was just getting up and needed more time to get ready. I like to hike with others but enjoy solo as well and have company at the end of the day. I saw several section and SoBos again today. One robust thirty-something, who was leading a group of section hikers, told me he did the trail in 2004. This morning, I passed a sign on the field edge, nicely painted, offering ice cream and water to all thru hikers. It was too early for me to knock on his door so I missed that Trail Magic. The first climb today was Lambert Ridge, then Smart Mountain. Smart was a obstacle course, of mud, tree roots and rock. Coming down wasn't bad and I made good time. There was a fire tower on top; I climbed up and had a great view. Today was beautiful once the fog burned off. It was four miles to the bottom of Smart. Mount Cube was also a big climb today, but it had some boulder climbs as well as the rest. The 3.3 mile hike to the bottom was difficult until you got low on the mountain. The next shelter was too far so I thought I would camp in the forest. I kept hiking but couldn't find a camping spot. When I came to Cape Moonshine Road my AT guide said there was a hiker-friendly place 1.4 miles east. It was getting late so I went. I got there at 6pm. A couple in their 30's owned the property. They let me camp there and had hot showers around back. The shower felt great; there was no charge but I gave them a donation. On his way to work in the morning, he will drop me at the trail. I'm not sure where Running Nose ended. Maybe I'll see him tomorrow. Back to the hammock. For those of you who aren't familiar with an underquilt, it fits under my hammock like a hotdog bun, and I am the hotdog when I get in the hammock. It is nice to sleep warm again! So ends another "Tales from The Hammock" -Hoyt
Date: 2014-08-09
From: Eliza Brook Shelter (NH)

To: Campsite near Franconia Ridge
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

11.7 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1814.7 (1815.7)As I was leaving camp at 6:20am, Running Nose was getting up. He said his wrist was swollen from his fall yesterday. I asked if he needed help with his tent, but he said no. You can tell by my miles that this was another day of rough terrain and climbs. I knew it had to be a Saturday by all the weekenders I was seeing. I was surprised to see a few women who had to be in their seventies in this very rough terrain. Lonesome Lake Hut is on the trail, so I stopped there at noon to have my lunch. Another NoBo came in, and then came Running Nose. I was amazed that he had made it there so quickly with the condition of his wrist. He said he was going into town to have it looked at. After lunch, I climbed to Franconia Ridge. On the way up were four young people I stopped to talk to. They asked me if I was from the south based on my accent. They were surprised to learn that I'm from Missouri. I found this amusing. It was another nice, cool, sunny day. Tonight, I'm camping on this ridge alone. I was told about a bear in the area, so I'll be I'm hanging my food. So far, my overquilt is nice and toasty. As far as my leaking Asolos, the Nixwax REI suggested and that I soaked them with, seems to be working. I haven't been in a lot of rain lately but when I cross streams any accidental dunking just beads up. I've been meaning to mention something about birchbark trees. When they fall to the ground they remind me of big bones scattered about the forest. "Tales from the WARM Hammock." -Hoyt
Date: 2014-08-10
From: Campsite near Franconia Ridge

To: Camped in woods near Guyot Shelter
Miles today: 12.3

12.3 miles hiked, Mile Marker ~1826I was hiking by 6:20AM. I passed Turtle at his camp, who looks like my nephew Paul, only a lot bigger (NOTE Paul is not small!) I also passed at his camp, Worldly, an under-25yr old I met earlier. At 6:45am, I came upon a mountain grouse in the trail. It wasn't afraid of me at all. When I got within 3 feet, it started circling me. I took a picture and left him to his patch of ground. Turtle caught up to me as I was getting above treeline on Franconia Ridge. The views were outstanding, mountains everywhere. This was the reward for all the work. The trail above treeline was easy, so I enjoyed the views. I summited Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Lafayette and Mt. Garfield before dropping below treeline. As you approach treeline, the balsams get smaller, like little Christmas trees. When I was on the last summit, who appears but Running Nose with his wrist in a wrap. He'd gone to town, came back, and at 10pm, camped just below me. He is some hiker - his name should be Mountain Goat! I left Running Nose on top and went below treeline. The hike to Galehead Hut was about 3.5 miles where I planned to each lunch. This far north on the trail they have huts instead of shelters. These miles felt twice as long because of the terrain. At the Hut I bought some soup to go with my tuna wrap and a chocolate cookie. Soon Running Nose came in and ate too. I resumed my hike, topping South Twin Mountain. There were several NoBos sitting on top. It was getting late in the afternoon so I hiked on to find a spot in the forest to camp. Worldly soon caught up to me and we started talking. He had questions about hammocks and hunting. He's from Chicago, so not any hunting experience. At 4:40pm, I spied a great spot to camp with my hammock, so I bid him farewell. As I was setting up, Running Nose came by and I offered him to camp here as well. He did, and proceeded to setup his tent. It wasn't supposed to rain for several more days, but by 4:00pm, we were hearing thunder. You can never be sure about weather in the mountains. About 6:30pm, the rain started - not a gully washer, but enough to get everything damp. At 8:00 pm, it started raining hard. I hope Running Nose doesn't get water under his tent. So far, I'm dry as always in my hammock. "Tales From The Hammock" to be continued. Life is a dry hammock. -Hoyt
Date: 2014-08-11
From: Camped in woods near Guyot Shelter

To: Mizpah Spring Hut (NH)
Miles today: 19.9

19.9 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1846.9It rained really hard last night and some of Running Nose's gear unfortunately got wet. I left for the trail about 6:00am. I came to a turn in the trail near treeline. I saw the white blaze on a rock and headed that way. After a short distance, I came upon a wet, sickly looking tent. I heard someone mumbling inside, so I said "good morning". The voice that came back was Charlie T's, the Floridian. He said when he came through last night, the lighting was bad. In his haste, he broke a trekking pole and a tent support. He asked if I was on the A.T. as he hadn't seen a blaze last evening. I hadn't seen one in a while either, so I went back maybe a quarter mile to make sure. There I met Running Nose, and yes, I was right all along. Wasted steps! Oh well, better safe than sorry. As I passed Charlie T in his tent for the second time, I assured him we were on the AT. I told Running Nose to go ahead and I fell back to hike alone. We were going to Zealand Hut to dry his gear and my rainfly. It was a beautiful sunny day, and while the gear was drying, we had free chocolate chip pancakes. The huts are staffed by young folks. They take turns carrying 50lb packs of food twice a week to feed the guests and hikers who work for stay. So I decided to have Heron, one of the staff, radio ahead to Mizpah Spring Hut to reserve me a spot. It was about 15 miles from Zealand Falls Hut, but she said the first 7 miles were not bad. I left Running Nose and headed off. The first several miles were very easy. It made me realize that if all the A.T. were like this it would be a pretty boring 5 months. Well, it started getting busy soon: mud, roots, and rocks, but no big climbs. I saw a day hiker with a little dog. I told her if she dyed him black, he would look just like Toto, and I hummed the music when the Witch was on her bike. She got a kick out of it. As I left, I said his trail name was Toto. Then a big descent to US302. From there, it was 5.7 miles of of climbing and hard work. At one point, I had to let my poles dangle, while I climbed a 20 foot wall hand and foot. On the way, I saw a large patch of hail in the woods left over from the previous storm. A few of the hail were still as big as marbles. I was trying to get to the hut in time for dinner. Pushing hard, I only stopped once for 10 minutes but made it to the hut just as dinner was being served. I got checked in and sat at one of the long tables with the other guests. I did get a few stares, as I was sweaty and my pants muddy. But soon, all was well. We talked and I ate a lot of food as I was starving. After dinner, some other hikers came in and we talked awhile. Lights are out here at 9:30pm so I went to room #6 to get ready for bed. There were 9 bunks in this very small room stacked 3 high; I had one of the top bunks. I fell asleep briefly but soon awoke hot. I grabbed my pants, pillow and 3 heavy blankets and went to sleep on the dining area floor with the hikers who did work for stay. Not a very sound night's sleep. "Tales from the Mizpah Hut". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-08-12
From: Mizpah Srping Hut (NH)

To: Madison Spring Hut (NH)
Miles today: 11.8

11.8 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1858.7I hardly got any sleep last night. At 6am, I looked to my left and across the floor, who do I see but Running Nose! He said he got here at 9:30pm after going the wrong way for two hours. He came through a tough trail in the dark. There was a moon, but I'm telling ya, this guy with his right hand wrapped and swollen, can hike circles around me. After breakfast, I headed for Mount Washington. The trail up, while rocky, wasn't bad. The fog was thick, so there weren't any views. The wind was at times, blowing pretty hard, pushing me a little sideways. Once on top, there were plenty of tourists that came up on the cog railway. There were several of us thru hikers on the trail today. Sometimes I would hike with Running Nose for a bit. As we descended Mount Washington, the fog cleared enough to give us some great views. The entire hike was on rock of some sort, but coming down was really hard on my feet and knees. After we got to the hut, the three young guys and Running Nose decided to push on another 8 miles to NH 16 into Gorham. I just didn't have it in me to continue - hiking all over the rock was hard on me. The weather had turned very foggy too. The Madison Spring Hut has bigger bunk rooms so I hopefully will get some sleep, at least better than last night at Mizpah. I hope I made the right decision to stay. That's all for now and ending "Tales from Madison Spring Hut". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-08-14
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

"Zero" mile day in Gorham, NH, remain at Mile Marker 1866.5Day one in Gorham. I walked down main street to a restaurant for breakfast. They really give you a lot of food here for your dollar. I was enjoying a cup of coffee, when I saw Running Nose walking by. I went out to talk to him. He said the day he left Madison Hut the wind was hard for him too, and that he didn't arrive in Gorham until after dark. He was slack packing today and asked me to join him. I reminded him that I don't slack pack and declined his offer. I may not see him anymore. I got here earlier than expected, and now have to wait for my mail drop. I'm hoping to get back on the trail tomorrow. I found a spot to get a pint of Ben & Jerry's. I'll have to stop this when I get home. I saw Worldly and his buddies on the street and we talked a bit. I bought a new pack cover and more waterproofing for my boots too. Otherwise, just sitting around being a fat cat, resting up. I want to wrap this adventure up and get back to my life and Pearl, but this terrain makes that difficult. It's supposed to be dry for a bit so I'm hoping to get some miles on before it gets slippery again. One plus about being in the mountains is that I haven't had to wear my head net for awhile now. That ends "Tales From Gorham NH". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-08-15
From: Gorham, NH

To: Carter Notch Hut Camp Area
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: broken clouds

8.2 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1872.7I got up at 5:30am, showered and went to the lobby for coffee to go with my leftover pancakes. I then went to wait for the Gorham PO to open so as to hopefully get my mail drop and head back to make miles. Every mile I make is one step closer to getting back to my life. It's been a great adventure, but I'm really ready to get back home. The rain reinforces those feelings. As I wait in the motel room, time is dripping by so slowly. I envision my fellow hikers moving ahead, while I sit. But my equipment is dry and my clothes are clean. I've had to have Pearl get my cold weather gear back to me, as well as adding the over and underquilt. As a result my resupply pack weight I'm sure will be about 35lbs. That amount of weight doesn't feel that heavy to me, but I know I could move faster if my pack was lighter. The weight will lessen as I eat my way through my resupply. I like a certain degree of comfort, but I pay for that in pack weight. More weight leads to the possibility of more injury as well. I just don't seem to be able to cut down on any more gear. When the PO opened my drop was there as well as another package from my brother, niece and nephew! A great surprise! I repacked and called for a shuttle. As my ride pulled in Running Nose was going by so we gave him a ride to his hitch hike point. I thought I had left off at Pinkham Notch but when we got there it wasn't the spot. There was a visitor center there so I went in to figure it out. It turned out the day I was so soaked and anxious to get into town, I had gotten off the trail about 2 miles south of Pinkham Notch,on the Auto road.So now I had to hike back to cover the trail I missed. The terrain at least wasn't bad. Upon my return to the visitor's center, I had lunch before starting again. After lunch, I crossed NH16 and the climb started. It was a long rocky ascent, that, as always, never seemed to end. After climbing several small peaks, I came to the gondola area. I met a SoBo there, and asked her questions about Maine. It was the afternoon, so I attempted to kick it up when the terrain would permit it. After a very steep and long descent, I arrived at the hut. This hut is pretty small. The guests sleep in cabins set nearby. I wanted to pay a little to sleep on the floor, but instead went a quarter mile and camped with Freeman and others. Freeman said he once camped all winter out in a national forest, I couldn't do that. I hope I can make good miles tomorrow. That's it from "Tales From The Hammock". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-08-16
From: Carter Notch Hut Camp Area

To: White Mountains Hostel (Conway, NH)
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

14.9 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1887.6I left Carter Notch Camp at 6:30am. The trail was very hard as usual. I say very hard, at least for me. All variables: my age, my weight loss, knees hurting and my pack too heavy now that I have my winter gear back. I'm usually an optimist, but lately I'm been a little negative about the trail. I mentioned awhile back how the forest had opened up and it was nice to finally see again. That didn't last long though; in the mountains the trees are tightly spaced and you only see in viewing areas. This as well as how difficult the trail is here in NH has taken a toll on me. While I have enjoyed hiking alone, now it would be nice to have a Bud to hike with. I think if my knees weren't hurting so much on the downhills I would have a better attitude. The deeper my knees have to bend, the more pain. So today was a rough one again. I decided to go to Rattle River Shelter. On the way, I met a young NoBo hiker who was slower than I as she was being very careful not to fall. She asked if I was headed to the White Mountains Hostel. I said I wasn't certain but later thought it may be a good idea. As I got closer to the shelter the trail flattened out for the most part and became surprisingly easy. I made great time getting to the hostel which was right off the trail on NH2. I bought a Ben & Jerry's from the hiker fridge and enjoyed it before my dinner. Great place! Steve and Marni really make one feel at home. There are just over 20 hikers here tonight. In the morning we'll get a hearty breakfast. You pay of course, but they even wash your clothes! They've only been open a year. Their son did the A.T. in 2013, so they decided to buy this hostel and help hikers. It's a nice older house converted into a hostel. They live in a cottage out back. When the hiker season is over, they go back home to MN. Tonight I'm in a bunkroom with others, but tomorrow (I've decided to take a zero because of incoming rain) I'll be in a 2-bed room. So ends another installment, this time "Tales From White Mtn Hostel". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-08-17
From: White Mountains Hostel (Conway, NH)

To: White Mountains Hostel (Conway, NH)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

"Zero" day at White Mountain HostelI got up at 5:00am and went downstairs to start the coffee. It appeared to have rained last night and there's a 40% chance today. My knees need a zero whether it rains today or not. But the chance of rain today is the main reason for taking the zero mile day. The rest of the week is supposed to be nice. I had a very good breakfast and it was time to be a fat cat. After eating,we were driven to  Walmart to shop. While in town, I saw Chase, one of the boys from our early group. He's hiking south so I guess he will finish the trail. He said he'd run into Banjo recently in Maine. It was really good to see him again. Back at the hostel, it was filling up again with hikers. I had my Ben & Jerry's while watching a funny movie with the other hikers. One fat cat from "Tales From White Mountains Hostel". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-08-18
From: White Moutains Hostel (Conway, NH)

To: Carlo Col Shelter Side Trail (ME)
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

17.0 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1904.6. State 14 of 14!Several of us were taken to the Gorham PO. After we got back, I headed for the trail - it was 9:15am. The first part of the trail wasn't too bad. I met a few SoBos and a guy named Busy. He did the trail last year and is now section hiking giving out mini Snickers or a shot of whiskey. I took the Snickers. When I got to the last shelter in NH at 4pm, Hawksbill, a fellow about my age, arrived as well and decided to stay. I went on to hike the 5.2 miles to the next shelter which was in Maine. I wanted to sleep in Maine tonight. These next miles were pretty hard. I was trying to hurry to get there before dark, but the terrain was making that difficult. It started with a big climb and many false summits, but she threw everything else at me as well. I crossed into Maine at 6:45pm and knew the shelter was still .4 miles ahead. A very hard downhill came next consisting of huge slabs and boulders. I had a pretty difficult time with that. When I got to the shelter sign I had .3 miles to go. That trail was pretty nasty as well. At the shelter I met a Canadian who was already tucked in. His name was Pilgrim and he is 68 years old. After I got settled, I made my dinner in the shelter and Pilgrim and I talked for awhile. After dark who comes in but Freeman with his long white beard. I asked him "how did you get through that bad descent in the dark?" He said he had to use a rope to lower his pack and then himself. After eating I got into my hammock and was very warm on this cold night. I have done the rain and pain and now I am in Maine! So ends another "Tales from the Hammock". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-08-19
From: Carlo Col Shelter Side Trail (ME)

To: Full Goose Shelter (ME)
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: light rain

4.4 miles hiked, Mile Marker 1909.0I decided to take an easy day after last night. I got up later and then spent time talking with Pilgrim and Freeman. It seems Freeman just hikes the A.T. He hikes sections he likes and takes other trails for sections he doesn't like (The Notch). He has thru-hiked several times, so he can pick and choose now. It was nice to take a slow day. I even stopped on a mountain with a view for lunch. The sun was really out and it was a beautiful day. You don't get too much sun through the canopy high up as the forest is tightly packed with small trees. It would be hard to walk through also. I hear ravens sometimes but not other types of birds. I haven't heard my bird friend in sometime. I did see a rabbit today and there are small red squirrels here too. Pilgrim told me about a couple of bogs where the board crossings had rotted away. He said to go around these or I will sink up to my waist. I met several SoBos today, one of which was Tom Turtle. He told me when I get to The Notch to put my trekking poles away as I won't need them. This is a large boulder hand climb; Tom Turtle advised for me to just have fun with it. We'll see what happens. The Mahoosuc Notch is about a mile long and I don't know the terrain afterwards. So I decided to cut the day short and stay at Full Goose Shelter. I've never had such a slow, short hiking day but it felt good. Nineteen caught up with me before the shelter. We hiked together briefly and talked. He's doing The Notch today. Once at the shelter, hikers started rolling in. One hiker who stopped briefly before heading for The Notch said he had slipped off a board with one leg earlier today, sinking up to his thigh in the black muck. He washed his pants and himself in a stream. The shelter has wooden tent platforms; I was able to string my hammock between two trees above one of the platforms. It's nice to have a dry non-dirt area to camp. When I sit for awhile, my feet and knees get stiff like an old man's. I hope when I get home, some real R&R will take care of all of that. As the sun gets lower, so does the temperature. It's been pretty cool here. Tomorrow the work begins, but today was great for my spirit and morale. Good night from "Tales From The Hammock". -Hoyt