morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-29
From: Prospect Rock

To: Green Mountain House Hostel
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: light rain

Might be one of the best tent spots on the trail so far, and the morning views, even though facing west, were just as pretty looking down to Manchester Center, VT. Pretty much a short day hiking and downhill for the next 5 miles, the trick was getting into the town 5.5 miles away from the trail head. I'm still not quite comfortable with hitch hiking, but these trail towns seem to know the ordeal. I walked about a half a mile before a ride appeared and took me to EMS in this little downtown tourist destination. EMS for those of you in the south is a major outdoor outfitter like REI is. It just opened as I walked in at 10am. I needed my waist belt fixed and some new shoe laces. I ended up getting a new harness as well for Osprey, even though I'm not 100% thrilled with my pack replaces stuff for free for thru-hikers. So basically with my new and smaller waist belt and my new harness, I got a pretty new backpack! Of course with the mice chews still there.I ran into Steve's son just outside the store, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. He gave me a ride to a breakfast place that was recommended and couldn't be anymore of a nicer guy. This very warm morning was spent waiting about 30 minutes outside for breakfast at a place called "Up for Breakfast" Now the food I ate was excellent, and there was a lot of it! Called the hiker special with everything you can imagine on the plate, and of course I ate the whole thing. The service was great, but the employee moral seemed lacking. The power kept coming on and off and they were complaining about the owner in front of customers. Not good.After a short walk to Shaw's, a supermarket for resupply, I ran into a nice gentleman who recognized me as a hiker, either by my crazy beard or my retched smell and offered me a ride to the Green Mountain House Hostel. I arrived at 1pm to a fairly newly renovated house just used for hikers. Just about anything and everything you need in a nero with the exception of close proximity to anything. A full kitchen, comfortable living space with cable, computer and internet access, laundry, shower, bed with linens, just perfect. I chilled on the chair in front of the tv for a while, poured myself a diet coke and sat in the AC and watched golf. Until I dozed off that is, and by the time I received consciousness again 2 more hikers that I shared a hostel with in Vernon, NJ showed up, Fresh and Stretch. Over the next few hours several more people showed up, mostly section hikers, and the whole place was full.I made some rigatoni for the hikers, and eventually dozed off in front of the computer trying to type up some journals. Overall a great relaxing Sunday.SOTD, Already Gone, Eagles
Date: 2014-07-02
From: Rutland, VT, Yellow Deli Hostel

To: Rutland VT, Yellow Deli Hostel
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The Yellow Deli Hostel in Rutland makes it very easy to slack pack due to the 2 different road entries into the town. For those that forgot what a slack pack is, it's when you only take what you definitely need for the day and leave the rest of your stuff behind or with someone else when you get done for the day. I only took water, food, and the all important toilet paper with me on the 18 mile trek up Mt Killington. Mt. Killington is not the hardest climb we have on the AT, but it is a very long and constant climb of 3000' in 10 miles. Most of the big climbs are shorter but steeper, this one can last uphill for over 4 hours. The day was hot and humid with the climb, but changed for the remainder of the 8 miles downhill to VT4. The decline consisted of cloudy and breezy type weather with a good chance of rain coming. Just before the road a blue cooler was in sight and trail magic possible. I stopped a while ago having high hopes when I saw these mirages due to some of them being depleted. But this one wasn't and was full of Rolling Rock canned beers. As usual, it's one for me now, and one for the road later. I called a trail angel who gives rides into town 8 miles away, but he was busy and couldn't come. He did however gave me a hush-hush secret about the free bus stop up the hill from the trail head only about a quarter of a mile to Pico ski resort. I was able to grab the last stop of the day at 6:20 and headed into town to another nights stay at the Yellow Deli.I arrived to a very full bunkroom, but my stuff was still on the lower bunk with a window view. I showered and changed clothes and headed to Kilwins Restaurant a block away for an IPA and some food. I ordered the fish taco and the very nice lady behind the bar informed me that it wasn't your typical taco for it was enclosed in a style of a burrito. I will say this was one of the best dinners I had on the trail and this fish whatever it was, was just fantastic! Highly recommended. Back to the hostel and into my first class window bunk and crashed again early with everyone else still out on the town somewhere. I need to still do shopping, but I will do that in the morn. For now another very good day in Vermont.SOTD, Never Gonna Give you up, -Rick Astley, I was Rick-rolled all day!
Date: 2014-07-04
From: Gifford Woods State Park

To: The Lookout tower and cabin
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: moderate rain

The rain in the morning kept on and on and on, which makes it great to sleep in. When the rain did stop the hot weather broke and cool temps replaced it. Yes!I didn't leave till about 10am, but most of my stuff was drier and it felt like a fresh start to hit the trail. Nice temps made the hike pleasant especially with the reduction of bugs, but the clouds of the day reduced the views. I finally realized I could download audio books to my phone and listen to them on airplane mode, which tremendously saves battery life. Only took 1700 miles to figure that out. So I downloaded the Amity Shales "Coolidge" biography book, the whole unabridged 19 hours of it. I love non-fiction history books and this one is no different. Listening makes the hikes seem more enjoyable and my brain doesn't go off on some tangent like it always does. A nice break. Plus my first download was free, so I couldn't beat the price.I came up to The Lookout hoping maybe I could see some fireworks from the top. This is a private cabin but they let hikers use it, and it's four sided and enclosed! Sweet! Wooden stairs to the top of the roof were steep and not at all safe, but not being afraid of heights I climbed up it to take a look. 360 views everywhere. As I climbed down I hear a voice from inside say "Figgy! Is that Figgy?" I couldn't see inside, but out on the porch came Stretch. I walked in and Fresh was also camped in along with 2 SOBO's, a very young guy and girl. Today is also the 1st time I have ran into SOBO's as the first ones started at Katahdin on May 30th when it opened are finally in Vermont. It was still kinda early, but it was Independence Day and this place seemed like it would be great to witness some far off fireworks. I made my last Mountain House dehydrated dinner and chatted a bit with the SOBOs, then headed to the top again for a sunset. This time it was very cold, not chilly, and I had my down jacket on for the 1st time in a while. The wind didn't help much as it was blasting sustains gust. The sunset was worth it though, as the 2 SOBSs Stretch and I saw the clouds slowly dissipate as the sun was just about 10 minutes away from setting. As far as you can see into New York and way up to northern Vermont, range after range, 7 deep of peaks. The sight was grand but the wind was crazy as the lookout was getting wobbly a bit. I headed down and back into the cabin and set up shop for the night.My mattress is slowly leaking again as it did before the Smokys in what seems to be years ago now, but I'm hoping it will just last till the end. I wrapped myself up in my silk liner along with the 10 degree bag that I still had and never sent home. We could hear fireworks, but all decided to bunker down and get some sleep in this unseasonably cold night. SOTD, America the Beautiful, -Ray Charles
Date: 2014-07-07
From: Norwich, VT

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 3.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Not much going on today. I left Warren and Toni's and walked a good 2 miles on highway and roads to Hanover, NH. Hanover is a small, quiet, college town home to Ivy League Dartmouth College. I stopped by Dunkin Donuts to get coffee and my usual old fashioned type donut, but this is a gas station type store with only one guy behind the counter working with a big line behind me. I decided only to get the 6 donuts and walk back over for my second Starbucks in as many days. Today was library day as I spent most of the afternoon in this nice, unlimited time, library to get some work done. I'm glad I did for another big yet quick storm came through and pummeled the area. 2 slices of Ramuntos Pizza later I head back to the trail and get to the very close shelter. Sticky, humid, and very buggy I sent up my tent and went to sleep quickly. SOTD, What a Fool Believes, - Doobie Brothers
Date: 2014-07-08
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Fire Wardens Cabin
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: light rain

Motivated and excited to start New Hampshire, I was up early and packed before the mosquitoes were. I bought a couple of smaller audio books that were ok, but then bought and started listening to "One of a Kind" The Stu Ungar Story. With almost 10 hours of time, it should keep me busy for awhile. My cheap headphones that I bought in Rutland is already messed up as on of the ear plugs is missing. That didn't last too long. The trail to begin New Hampshire is simple and muddy as it didnt just stop once we left Vermont. Not only are the rocks and roots slippery, but so are some, not all of the boardwalks. You have to pay attention to which ones are...... I was daydreaming. I was making a slight right and planted my left foot on a board walk at a good speed when, blam! It slipped down into the mud that the board was trying to help me prevent and I couldn't recover with my right foot or my poles. My right foot also went into the muck and I had no other option but to fall backwards. When all was said and done my butt to my head was on one side of the board and the rest was either hovering over it or stuck in the mud. Ever see a turtle on it's back with it's feet flailing trying to flip around? That was me, with my pack as my shell. It took me a good 3-4 minutes to get back on my feet and vertical again, and if it wasn't for my trekking poles still attached to my hands I'm not sure if I was ever getting up. The sight of it was probably hilarious. The climbs were not terrible though, and did get a fantastic view on top of Lambert's Ridge. (Pic above)I hiked on and on without running into a lot of people today, but it was getting late. The weather was just too nice to stop. I misjudged the distance to the fire tower which has a cabin to stay in. However, at dusk I found a nice cozy stealth with my name on it. (Not literally)SOTD, Jump, -Criss Cross .....a daddy mac will make ya.....
Date: 2014-07-09
From: Fire Wardens Cabin

To: Mt Cube Sugar Farm
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

I couldn't get up. I didn't want to get up either. I actually didn't move till almost 8am! My body and mind said "Stay in bed!" and I obeyed. A great spot last night on a ridge up high but a big thunderstorm hit about an hour before I snuggled into my bag. I'm not too terribly afraid of lightning, afterall I would be struck before I knew what hit me, but widow makers..... little worried about to be honest. But seriously, what are the chances?By the time I woke from my amazing slumber, I hiked the first 4 miles on a steady downhill grade, but the 3 miles after that was a decent 1500' climb up to Mt. Cube with a view. I was leap-frogging a guy named Mosey On. An almost retired 6th grade teacher from the Black Hills of South Dakota. I met him back in Vermont briefly, but couldn't remember when. He is doing a flip-flop as he started at Mt Greylock in northern Massachusetts and is heading north to Katahdin. Then will flip back to Massachusetts and head southbound all the way to Georgia. After Mt Cube was another 4 mile down grade, although very tough to NH 25a. I arrived at the same time as Mosey On along with 2 other NOBO females. Mother Moose and DaVinci. They were getting a hitch into Mt. Cube Sugar Farm Hostel the same as Mosey and I. We were in luck! Girls hitching is so much easier than guys, and within a couple of cars a very nice lady in a Chevy pickup stick-shift stopped and took us the 2 miles to our destination. We jumped out of our truck and Maple Jim came out of his make shift motor home and welcomed us to the free hostel. What a cool place this is. Nothing fancy mind you, as most free hostels aren't, but it's perfect. A roof, electricity, kitchen, and a free ride to the 'Where everybody knows your name' gas station/grocery/deli. Maple Jim even hooked up what he calls his 'Redneck outdoor shower" with hot water and all. 2 other girls showed up later, Dino and Butter Bean.This place might be the 1st hostel ever. The owner of the Farm, Mr. Thomson, shown here with Maple Jim is holding up a picture of Grandma Gatewood, the first female thru-hiker back in 1955. Supposedly, she just walked up to the door, introduced herself, then simply asked, "What's for dinner?" Ever since then they have hosted hikers to their maple farm.It was pretty warm inside the building so I opened the door to let some air in, but the girls objected as they were bundled up in their bags like it was freezing. Eventually I went outside to get some air and decided to put a mat on the porch and sleep outside. A good decision on my part. SOTD Whisky River, -Willie Nelson
Date: 2014-07-10
From: Mt Cube Sugar Farm

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: light rain

Maple Jim gave us a ride back to the trailhead, but not before DaVinci woke up early this morning and made pancakes with some fresh New Hampshire maple syrup. Yummy! What a day weather wise, low humidity and bright blue skies, also what a day of hiking, our first real climb of NH. The above tree line summit of Mt Moosilauke near 4000'. Again Mosey On and I leap-frogged each other. Im a little faster but take more breaks so he catches up as he plods along. We also leap-frogged the 4 females we stayed with last night until they broke off to the next hostel only 10 miles from Mt Cube. The climb to Moosilauke didn't seem to end. You think you see the light of day and the summit, but then switch back and see another mountain to scale. Haven't seen anything like this since NC/TN. Eventually the trail levels out and the trees once towering are no taller that 4' tall. Then, no trees at all. Above tree line! Yay! Oops. I forgot. High altitude, plus exposed trail equals windy and COLD! Out comes the down jacket, along with the camera and the GoPro that won't do any of this justice. Blue skies and endless 360 veiws. Tears in the eyes....caused by the wind of course. It didnt take long for the air to warm once I got back to tree lined trail and started downhill to my eventual days end destination. I knew the shelter that I was gunning for was going to be pretty full so I was trying to get there to secure a tent spot, but my keen eye is sharp when it comes to stealth and found a perfect spot just shy of the hiker mob. Mosey came by about 10 minutes later and I offered him a spot if he wanted and he took it. I made my Spanish rice with chicken from a pouch and was proud of my 17.2 mile day.SOTD, Never My Love, -The Association :p
Date: 2014-07-11
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: few clouds

9 miles.9 miles!9 miles?What? That's it? I felt like I did at least 15. Took me a while to wrap my head around the fact that 9 was all I did in 8 hours. But, the rocks slow down the ole mph, even though it seems it didn't. I guess I just fail to realize how many 6-8' boulders I scaled in one day. This is why they say the mileage dips once you get into the Whites. Did I tell you that it's my 1st day in the Whites? Did I tell you I only went 9 miles? Ok, 9.4.The beginning of the day heading downhill was fantastic. Mosey On left before me, but I eventually caught up to witness the continuous falls that followed the trail to the bottom. Crisp, clear rushing water slamming against rocks making that wonderful waterfall sound. Hit NH 112 at Kinsman Notch and was surrounded around a bowl of green beauty mixed with a few exposed high grey rocks. Against the blue clear sky made the contrast ever so perfect. The easy fun ceased though as some of the toughest boulder climbs came as I scaled Mt Wolf. Going down isn't at all easier. Every little step has to be precise in order not to slip and end your journey with a bad fall. Don't want that now. Can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm at the point now where equipment is starting to fail and not be as sharp as the tag-still-on newness when I was in Georgia. My shoes, my Salomons are beginning to have small holes in the top and of course still the issue of my porcupine chewed laces. Maybe I can use this duct tape afterall. My sleeping mat, my second one, is starting to slowly leak again. Do I call the manufacturer to get a new one..... again? My clothes are beyond the point of ever being clean or smell good again, and my phone..... my poor Samsung Galaxy 3. Hanging by a thread, screen just cracked to pieces, can I make it to October? I think I'm just gonna hold on to what I got and see if I can take it the final 400. Did I mention I only did 9 miles today?SOTD, 99 Luft balloons, -NinaMovie of the day, Ferris Beullers Day Off. "9 times"
Date: 2014-07-12
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Woodstock Inn, N Woodstock, NH
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: scattered clouds

When I climbed out of my tent at 5 am there were way more tents around me as there were before I went to bed. But I was the 1st one up ready to tackle the day. I'm trying to get into town for resupply, as I am down to the felt when it comes to food. The bright side is, my bag is light. On the trail at 5:30, I head up 2000' to Kinsman Mountain for an early morning speechless view. I down the rest of my iced coffee as i gazed out on the tree less summit, but didn't want to leave. Fantastic! Down the mountain I go. Every step cautiously taken, I get to my first 'Hut' of the White Mountains. Lonesome Lake Hut. These things are scattered all about kinda like hotels but rustic. Tourist can stay at these places for a good amount of money, but they also have spots for thru-hikers that cost way less or WFS. WFS, short for Work For Stay, is a way thru-hikers can do some chores around the place to stay for free. Maybe do dishes or stock shelves, clean up maybe, nothing too strenuous or long. I was here in the morning however and to my delight they had leftover pancakes for free! The price was right so I downed a few and filled up my already filtered bottle of water and continued. At NH 112 I made it to the parking lot which was full being a Saturday and started to walk to town with my thumb out trying to get a hitch. A mile later a nice couple in a pick-up truck stopped, put on the reverse lights and came back towards me. Nothing can bring I bigger smile to the face, considering it was almost 5 miles into town. Mosey On reserved a room at the Woodstock Inn for the both of us. This place is very touristy but the beer and food was great as I chowed down waiting for Mosey to arrive. Mosey On is a pretty cool dude. I asked him what half the room cost and he said $30. Ya right. No way this place was any less than $100, I put the cash on his bed and he, in turn gave it back. I insisted, but he refused. We both spent time shopping for food and updating journals. He has been asked to write an article for his local newspaper once a week about his AT journey, he seems to me to be pressured a bit.The stay was relaxing and much needed. The bed, by the way, was the most comfortable thing I slept in since Harper's Ferry. Gonna be a good sleep.SOTD, Running on Empty, Jackson Browne
Date: 2014-07-14
From: Thoreau Falls Stealth

To: Mt. Pierce
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

It rained all night. Everything I had was in my tent and it smelled bad....Real bad. I have not done laundry since Vermont and only my sleeping shirt is dry. (I put it in a baggie)I slept right next to falls right off the trail on a different trail. The water however has a copper type color, and even with the filter I just didn't feel like drinking this, but the steep running falls was quite peaceful to sit and eat a pop tart for breakfast and get ready for the day. The weather broke and the sun was out and I stuck a pair of my socks to my bag to dry. It actually worked.At the bottom is Crawford Notch at 1277' and for the next 12.5 miles it is all uphill towards Mt Washington at 6288', but I'm not getting there today. This is the beginning of the Presidential Mountain Range, something I have been looking forward to since the start. My legs are still trying to used to the climbing, but my breathing is just pitiful. Panting and heaving all the way up. Figured I would be used to it by now, but maybe I have a slight case of asthma. Others don't seem to have the problem I do.Very quiet today. Haven't seen many thru-hikers at all. I stopped at Mizpah Hut to check it out. I asked if they had any work-for-stay available, and the kid looked at me like I was crazy. There was about 30 kids sitting at the tables eating dinner at this time, and I really didn't have the patience to deal with it anyway. I did fill up all my water bottles and kept heading up the hill to look for a spot. I found one deep in the trees at the top of Mt. Pierce. Franklin Pierce a pre civil war Democrat president, very anti-Lincoln, is the only president born in New Hampshire, so he gets a peak in the mountain range. It was named Mt. Clinton after DeWitt Clinton former Governor of New York, not the impeached president, but recently decided to change the name to the one-term local president. I set up my tent and went to the tree less peak to enjoy the sunset with my cheap Swisher Sweet cigar. A cool night should be perfect for a good nights sleep, for tomorrow is Mt. Washington Day!SOTD, You're My Home, -Billy Joel