morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-08-23
From: Safford Notch Campsites

To: Horns Pond Lean-tos
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: scattered clouds

There are 2 leantos at Horns Pond. We got one of them. Other hikers including Tricycle, who had just finished his thru hike Aug 19, stayed in the other. We met Jeff the Horns Pond ATC Caretaker. He told us that we had just missed Dave to Ridge Runner we had met at Abol Bridge. Dave had told Jeff about us being from the same area in NY. The hike over Avery and West Peak was steep, rocky and slow. Only made 5.3 miles for the day. Nice views at the top. At the top, Michael, a nice guy we met on the trail gave us blackberry muffins which he had made himself from his own blackberries. Great trail magic! They were good.
Date: 2006-08-24
From: Horns Pond Lean-tos

To: Stratton Hotel Hostel, Stratton, Me
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We took a short day to Hwy 27, stuck our thumbs out and Don from the motel stopped and told us he was onhis way to a meeting in the opposite direction but to make ourselves at home at the hostel. A few minutes later a guy who works at Sugar Loaf Mtn ski center stopped and picked us up on his way home for lunch. He told us he frequently gave hikers rides.
Date: 2006-08-25
From: Stratton Hotel Hostel, Stratton, Me

To: Spaulding Mtn Lean-to
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I (46er) got stung by a hornet about 3 miles in from the road. There was a hornet nest in a log laying on the trail. The lean-to had a bunch of Beaudoin College Outing Club students camping around it that night.
Date: 2006-08-27
From: Eddy Pond

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We stopped at Piazza Lean-to for breakfast. Bates College students had camped there and were breaking camp while we were there. There was a cold rain while we were hiking in the afternoon that continued through the night. We saw a big bull moose near the Sabbath Day Pond the next morning. Got a great photo.
Date: 2006-08-29
From: Beamis Mtn Leanto

To: The Cabin Hostel, Andover via South Arm Rd
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We hiked over Beamis Mtn and Old Blue Mtn. The descent down the south side of Old Blue was very steep and muddy from the rain. The whole trail was wet and slippery. We couldnt go very fast. There was a hostel shuttle waiting at the road for someone else so we decided to go to the hostel too. They have great breakfasts and dinners. It is run by Honey and Bear (Margie and Earl Towne). We may stay a while and slack pack from here. Aqua & Rambunny, the shuttle drivers, told us they could arrange slack packing from South Arm Rd through Mahoosuc Notch. So we did.
Date: 2006-08-31
From: West End of Mahoosuc Notch

To: The Cabin Hostel via ME Hwy 26 (Grafton Notch)
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: broken clouds

We hiked this section northbound. We were dropped off at the Mahoosuc Notch blue trail on Success Pond Rd by Aqua from The Cabin Hostel. We slack packed up the 2.5 mile blue trail then through Mahoosuc Notch and over Mahoosuc Arm and Old Spec Mtn to Grafton Notch Hwy 26. It was a sunny day and much easier to do this trail without a full pack. Mahoosuc Notch has many large boulders that you have to climb over, under and around. It took us 2.5 hours to do the 1.1 mile notch with day packs.
Date: 2006-09-01
From: Grafton Notch ME Hwy 26

To: The Cabin Hostel via East B Hill Rd
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we slack packed from Grafton Notch Hwy 26 over Baldpate Mtn to East B Hill Rd. It was warm and sunny and views were nice. The day went quickly slack packing. We will be at the Cabin Hostel again tonight then have to get back on the trail tomorrow and head south from the Mahoosuc Notch Trail. We have only 6.4 miles left to do in ME. Rain from tropical storm Earnesto is predicted for Sunday so we want to make sure we are under cover Sat night.
Date: 2006-09-03
From: The Cabin Hostel

To: The Cabin Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We zeroed at the hostel again. We went to the Calvary Bible church in the morning with a few other hikers. It was nice to get to church. Only the 2nd time we have had the opportunity to go to church since being on the trail. We will be getting back on the trail tomorrow. It is raining here today.
Date: 2006-09-04
From: Mahoosuc Notch (west end)

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: mist

We were dropped off at the blue trail trailhead on Success Pond Road, by Aqua, and hiked in to the west end of the notch. Then we continued south on the AT. The trail was very rough, so we didn't make it to the Gentian Pond Shelter like we hoped. We were passed by about 20 nobo thru hikers including Librarian who were heading for the Full Goose Lean-to.There were two older ladies tenting at the blue trail trailhead who needed a ride to Gorham. We found out later when we saw Aqua on the trail that they had taken 8 hours to get through Mahoosuc Notch. They appeared to be lost when we saw them. He drove them to Gorham.
Date: 2006-09-05
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: broken clouds

The trail was very slippery after it rained. There were quite a few areas of exposed slick rock. We just couldn't make good milage. Today we crossed the state line into New Hampshire. About an hour past the state line we met Jo Cro, a thru hiker from Tennessee, who is a friend of my cousin Jerry in Oak Ridge. He was hiking with Catskill Eagle who is from Cooperstown, NY and had worked in a town neighboring the one I grew up in. We camped with Old Drum and Bounty Hunter at the shelter. Old Drum is a great storyteller.
Date: 2006-09-06
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: The Barn Hostel, Gorham, NH via Rte2
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

When we got to Route 2 it took us about 1/2 hour to get a hitch. Robert, another sobo thru hiker got a ride with us. We got to town just in time to ge to the post office to get our packages. We stayed at the Barn Hostel, which is attached to the Libby House B&B. The Barn was closer to the P.O. We bunked in the barn's hay loft. We met Rapunzel, also staying there.
Date: 2006-09-07
From: Pinkham

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: mist

Took a bus from Gorham to Pinkham Notch. Hiked north over the Wildcats to Carter Notch Hut. The hut gave us work-for-stay; our work was to talk to school kids from Waynflete School, Portland, ME about our thru-hiking experience. The Hutmaster, Sally was very nice. She gave us soup and a bunk in the bunkhouse since they were not very full that night.
Date: 2006-09-09
From: Rattle River Shelter

To: The Barn Hostel via Rte 2 Gorham
Miles today: 1.9
Weather: clear sky

We neroed and hitched into Gorham. Stayed at the Barn Hostel again. Went shopping for a new pair of boots for Ann. We met Second Chance and D.C. Turtle. Second Chance offered to drive us to the EMS in North Conway to buy the boots. Fire came by the hostel in the afternoon after just getting off the trail. Her parents had helped shuttle us around when we first arrived in Maine (thanks again) and we had hiked with her in VA and PA. Second CHance picked us up in the evening and we went out to dinner with him, DC Turtle and Fire. Fire made us pancakes the next morning at the Hikers Paradise Hostel where she was staying.
Date: 2006-09-10
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: broken clouds

Perfectly clear day. We took the bus to Pinkham Noth again and hiked over Madison to Madison Spring Hut. Mt Madison was steep and rocky. We saw Redcoat and Miss D while climbing Madison. Our work for stay at the hut was folding blankets.
Date: 2006-09-11
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: few clouds

Perfect view from Mt Washington. 100 mile visibility. We saw Mousehat on the trail to Washington and at the Hut we saw John Peterson, Righty and Tinman. We got to catch up with John who we hadnt seen for a few weeks. The trail wasnt too bad. Some loose rocks. Our work for stay at the hut was washing the walls, ceilings and bunks of 2 bunk rooms. There were great views out the dining area windows. At night you could see the stars through the windows.
Date: 2006-09-12
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Ethan Pond Campsite Lean-to
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: scattered clouds

The trail was generally good except for Webster Cliffs which was steep, rocky and much loose rock. It tooks us 12.5 hrs to get to Ethan Pond. We got there in the dark at 9 PM. Before leaving the next morning we saw a female moose walk across the pond. Got some great pictures.
Date: 2006-09-13
From: Ethan Pond Campsite Lean-to

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

It took 10.5 hours to get to Galehead Hut but we got an early start so we were there by 5. We saw Riceburner on the way. Since we were the only thru hikers there at dinner time we got to eat with the paying guests. We had a turkey dinner. We gave a thru hiker talk for our work for stay. Later after it had started raining more thru hikers came in out of the dark soaked, including Rabbit, Bobcat and Frankenfoot.
Date: 2006-09-14
From: Galehead Hut

To: Greenleaf Hut
Miles today: 6.6

On the trail we saw Pork Chop & Jackson, Hightec, Pace and Danger Zone (Danny) hiking north. We had a short reunion on the trail. It was good to see them. We thought we might miss them. We got a short view of Lafayette from the top of Garfield through the clouds. When we got to the top of Lafayette it was raining lightly and the wind was blowing. We decided to go down the 1 mile and 1000 feet to Greenleaf Hut and get out of the rain rather than continue. At the Hut we washed the walls of the bathrooms for our work for stay. They fed us very well. Two paying guest left early so they allowed us to eat breakfast with the guests. Since the bunk rooms had lots of room we got to sleep in bunks instead of on the floor. It was nice to be inside out of the rain.
Date: 2006-09-15
From: Greenleaf Hut

To: Home, New London via Franconia Notch
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

After breakfast we climbed to the top of Lafayette Peak for the 2nd time. The Peak was above the clouds and warm. Other peaks were sticking up out of the clouds. We could hear military jets flying below the clouds between the peaks while we were on top. We never saw one though. Looking down on the cloud layer was like we were up in an airplane. There was a light rain for a short time while we hiked down through the clouds to the notch. We stopped at Liberty Springs campground and talked with Anthony (aka Caveman, ME > PA '04) the AMC caretaker for a few minutes. When we were about a 1.5 mile from the notch we saw Mash (John) on the trail just starting up the mountain. We hiked down the bike path to the Flume Visitor Center and got something to eat.About an hour later our son Nate arrived to pick us up and take us home. We are taking a break from the trail to vacation on the Maine seashore for a week with Ann's mother and sister. We had made reservations a year ago and a happy to be done with Maine and the Presidentials. We know colder weather is coming. We will be zeroing at home and then at Ogunquit, ME and Old Orchard Beach, ME
Date: 2006-09-25
From: Franconia Notch

To: Kinsman Pond Campsite Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: overcast clouds

After taking 10 days off the trail for a family reunion/vacation we drove from the Maine shore back to Fraconia Notch and were back on the trail at 2:30 PM. We stopped at Lonesome Lake Hut for some good turkey soup. We got to the shelter just as it got dark at 7 PM. Another hiker, Woodstock, came in just after us.
Date: 2006-09-26
From: Kinsman Pond Campsite Shelter

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: broken clouds

We did not go over the Kinsmans very fast so we stopped early at Eliza Brook. The next shelter was not reasonable for us to reach before dark. Later in the afternoon another thru hiker, Chewy, arrived at the shelter. He is NOBO but planning to flipflop to Maine.
Date: 2006-09-27
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

The climb up Beaver Brook Trail (north side of Moosilauke) was very steep but lots of steps made it easier. Being dry made it easier too. I wouldnt have liked doing it in a rain. The view of the Franconias from Beaver Brook Shelter was great too.
Date: 2006-09-28
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel, Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: overcast clouds

We hiked over Mt Moosilauke in a fog. No view. Stayed at Hikers Welcome Hostel in Glencliff. Got a shuttle back to Franconia Notch to pick up our car.The south side of Moosilauke was much easier than the north side.
Date: 2006-09-30
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel, Glencliff, NH

To: Smarts Mtn Fire Wardens Cabin
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

While hiking we passed a bunch of Dartmouth students who were doing a 24 hour, 50 mile hike over night from Hanover over Moosilauke. They were tired when we saw them. We pushed to get to the old ranger cabin for the night. We arrived at 8 PM hiking over an hour in the dark. We knew rain was coming the next day and wanted to be inside 4 walls. We found to SOBO thru hikers, Ellipse and Little Engine asleep when we got there.
Date: 2006-10-03
From: Moose Mtn Shelter

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

We got to Hanover at about 12:30. The trail was easy. The Food Coop is great. Wish we had one back home. We stayed at the Sunset Motor Inn for the night. I used a Dartmouth Outing Club Computer to do updates.
Date: 2006-10-06
From: The Lookout

To: 12 Tribes Hostel, Rutland, VT via Rte 100
Miles today: 14.3

Took a bus from Route 100 into Rutland and stayed at the 12 Tribes Hostel. We went to the 12 Tribes Feast of Booths celebration and were fed pizza after the meeting. "Easy Feelin" and "Mac" also went.
Date: 2006-10-10
From: Greenwell Shelter Junction

To: Peru Peak Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

After an hour on the trail we met a couple that had been lost in the woods all night. We gave them water and food. and sent them down the trail in the direction there car was parked. Later we met the search party that was out looking for them (VSP, Ranger, EMT). We told them where we saw them last. At the shelter we met "Trek" who had done the AT 4 times along with the Long Trail.
Date: 2006-10-11
From: Peru Peak Shleter

To: Avalanche Motel, Manchester via VT Rte 11
Miles today: 10.1

Hiked over Bromley Mtn. Stopped at the warming hut on the mtn to use the phone. The temperature was about 45°F on the mtn. Staying at the Avalanche Motel in Manchester for the night. "Plans too much" drove us to Hanover to get our car moved forward to Manchester.
Date: 2006-10-17
From: Wilbur Clearing Leanto

To: Catholic Church Parish Hall, Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 11.7

Hiked over Mt Graylock which was completly clouded in and it started raining. It was so foggy you could barely see the top of the tower. Stopped in Cheshire and stayed at the Catholic Church Parish hall for the night. We took a bus to and from Adams to get food.
Date: 2006-10-19
From: Pittsfield, Rd

To: Fireman's Pavilion, Tyringham, MA
Miles today: 18.0

Camped in the Fireman's Pavilion. We had planned on going to the Shaker Campsite but when we heard it was going to rain during the night we decided to check out the pavilion. We ere picked up by a fireman who drove us to the firehouse and the chief was there and he allowed us to camp in the pavilion. It was warm that night and great to be out of the rain. We slept on the picnic tables.
Date: 2006-10-21
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to

To: The Hemlocks Lean-to
Miles today: 14.4

Very nice day. A lot of field walking. Easy trail until we reached Jug End Rd and then had a steep climb up Jug End to the Lean-to. We camped with a very nice boy scout troup from Madison, CT. They made a great fire and gave us hot chocolate. Thanks for the trail magic.
Date: 2006-10-22
From: The Hemlocks Lean-to

To: Home, New London, CT via CT Route 41
Miles today: 13.4

Hiked over Mt Everett, Race and Bear. Everett was steep. There were great water falls in Sages Ravine. Bear Mtn was crowded. Our son Jon picked us up at Rt 41 and drove us to North Adams to get our car which we left at the trail head a week ago. We had dinner at a diner then drove home for the night.
Date: 2006-10-27
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Socks' Home via NY Rt 301
Miles today: 16.0

It was a frosty morning. We were met by Socks (GA>ME '05) at the RPH Shelter who took our packs so we could slack pack the rest of the day. Later she met us at Long Hill Rd with snacks. At this point we had a little celebration of passing our 2000 miles point on the trail too. At Rt 301 she picked us up and took us home so we didnt have to camp in the rain that night. Thanks for the trail magic Socks & Randy.
Date: 2006-10-29
From: Rt301, Fahnestock State Park

To: Bear Mtn Bridge motel, Fort Montgomery via NY 9W
Miles today: 18.2

Stayed at Bear Mtn Bridge motel; there was a 1.5 mile hike into town. Sunday was a windy hike, but the wind was not as bad as Saturday. Crossed the bridge in the dark; the winds had been gusting upwards of 50mph but had died down.
Date: 2006-10-30
From: NY 9W, Fort Montgomery

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

Hiked over Bear Mtn. Had to hike around the closed museum that the trail goes right through during normal hours. The tower on Bear Mtn was closed for renovations but one of the workers was kind enough to give us a personal tour. The tower was filled with scenes made with tiles. Crossed the Palisades Interstate Parkway.
Date: 2006-11-04
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Temp was in the 20's when we started out today. My water hoze froze up and the top inch of my water bottle was also frozen. We stopped at the Joe to Go deli and got breakfast sandwiches, coffee and tea. When we got to the Mohican Outdoor Center it was full. There were no bunks available. It was Saturday night again they were filled to capacity with church groups. We were told that since we were through hiker we could tent for free. Then we were offered the Interpretive Center building to sleep in. No heat or electricity but it was out of the cold wind. It was below freezing again that night.
Date: 2006-11-06
From: Little Gap, Blue Mtn Rd.

To: Travel Inn, Wind Gap
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

We slack packed this section thanks to Barb from Little Gap to Wind Gap. The ridge top was flat but rocky. We had stopped at Little Gap on July 30 and hitched to DWG when Ann was sick. The fluipflopped soon after. Now we have returned to finish PA.
Date: 2006-11-07
From: Wind Gap

To: PA 611 Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we finally finished Pennsylvania. We stayed at the Presbyterian Church of the Mountain Hostel. Easy Feelin and Jaws were also there that night. Barb slack packed us again.All we have left to do is 12 miles in CT which we saved so we could finish our through hike in our home state with our sons.
Date: 2006-11-08
From: PA 611 Delaware Water Gap

To: Home, New London CT
Miles today: 0.0

We ate breakfast at the Delaware Water Gap Diner with Easy Feelin & Jaws. Socks picked us up about noon and drove us back to her place in CT where our car was parked. Socks is a great trail angel. We drove home from there. We were glad we didnt have to hike since it rained hard all day.
Date: 2006-11-18
From: NY/CT State Line, Hoyt Rd, NY

To: CT 341, Kent, CT
Miles today: 11.5

We are all done. We hiked our last 11.5 miles of the trail today from Hoyt Rd to Kent. We started out slow after being at home for a week and a half. We started a little after 9 and finished a little before 5 just as it was getting dark. There were a few hikers including a boy scout troop from Fairfield on the trail.
Date: 2006-01-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 136.4

Alright, apparently you don't have to post three entries before the journal appears so I have deleted my last page and have decided to post a brief thought as it is late, and I am tired!!! Where to hike this year??? My plan is to stick to finishing NC outside of the Smokies this year. Aside from that if I can hook up with someone, preferably No Worries, then it will be Maine this summer, but that all depends on when football starts next summer, if I have to hike in June, then my plans go up in the air. Maybe the Long Trail or the JMT, or maybe I will just jump to where some thru's are at and hike along with them for the month of June. I'm not big on planning as it just gets in the way. Many will find that plans get shot to krap after the first couple of days on the trail, so why bother messing with them, other than a basic outline of what you want to accomplish. Going with the flow seems to be the best policy for avoiding injury and having a good time. Anyways, I'll get into it a little more tomorrow, but for now it's time for little boys to go to bed, before this one's wife gets up looking for him.
Date: 2006-01-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I am getting ready to head out to the NOC for the Southern Ruck this year. It should be a great time as a lot of fine hiker trash should be attending. I am still debating whether I will go hiking Saturday morning with the groups or whether I will just hang out and be a bum. Right now I am leaning towards the bum as I am not in the best of hiking shape at the moment. Currently I will be staying in the fine bunkrooms that the NOC has available, so even though I will be indoors I will be sleeping in one of my sleeping bags, but can't beat $14 a night, besides I'm not going there to sleep but rather to hang out and meet people. Thinking about this summer if I don't hike in Maine with Worries then I think I will be hiking with the April Thu hikers in Virginia, although i could go hike up in Vermont and New Hampshire, June shouldn't be too bad, but I am so trying to avoid the blackflies of the north. Anyways, I thought I would chime in quick, I will be sure to bring back pictures to post. Bye!