morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-08-10
From: Campsite by Trescott Rd

To: Smart's Mountain
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: few clouds

Lots of climbing on a warm and humid day. Didn't get a view from Moose Mt because of clouds. The sun ended up coming out and I was able to dry out my wet tent. Holt's Ledge was a pretty good climb with outstanding views from the top. I stopped at the Ice Cream Man's house at the base of Smart's Mt for ice cream before the big climb. He's a really nice elderly gentleman. One of the many people you meet on the trail with a heart of gold. The climb up Smart's was for real. There were hazy views from the firetower on top but you could see Mt Cube and Moosilauke in the distance. I camped with Thunder Chicken and Lightning Duck (gotta love those trail names), San Gabriel, Lady Bird, and a whole bunch of Boy Scouts.
Date: 2010-08-11
From: Smart's Mountain

To: Ore Hill Shelter
Miles today: 12.4

It rained during the night but cleared up by morning time. I went back up to the firetower on Smart's Mountain for a much better view than yesterday. It was my first good, clear view of the White Mountains. I'm almost there and it's pretty crazy when I think about it. The one climb today was up Mt Cube. After coming down, I hung out at a lake off of NH 25A just wasting time because I want the rest of the crew to catch up. I camped out solo tonight and am going to do a low mileage day tomorrow.
Date: 2010-08-12
From: Ore Hill Shelter

To: Jeffers Brook
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Easy climb up Mt Mist then hung out at the hostel in Glencliff until everyone showed up. All is right in the world again. Hiked a couple more miles to the shelter at the bottom of Moosilauke. The crew had met a couple of people who had promised to leave them a surprise at the shelter. When we got there there was a box full of snacks and beer. We had a party! I'm officially in the Whites now.
Date: 2010-08-13
From: Jeffers Brook

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: light rain

Today we all climbed up Mt Moosilauke. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was a long climb but it was pretty gradual. The last bit of the climb is above treeline which is a first for this hike. There were a lot of people on the summit because it is a pretty popular hiking destination. I was speechless once at the summit. It's hard to describe what the view looks like so I won't even try. The downhill was excruciating. Very steep and slick because the trail goes alongside a waterfall. It's so steep you feel like your kneecap is going to pop out of your knee. Once at the bottom we came to a road and me and Yahtzee got a ride into town from a taxi. We are all staying at Chet's who is a local who puts up hikers.
Date: 2010-08-14
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night some of us went out in town to have some fun. We were all wearing ridiculous looking clothes that we borrowed from Chet. Tree's pants were way too small for him, mine were so big that I had to hold them up all night. Hotfoot was wearing sweatpants and sunglasses at night. I sang karaoke at a pizza restaurant and we had the time of our lives. I met T-Funk who is from Florence, AL and Strider who did a very good rendition of "Billie Jean" and "I Believe I can Fly". Today me, Yahtzee, Tree, Hotfoot, and Kumquat slackpacked over the Kinsmans. Stretcher and Skippy are carrying full packs and hopefully we will catch up to them at some point. Kinsman was a pretty ridiculous climb. You have to pull yourself up most of the way to the top. It isn't a very long climb but it is pretty intense. The rest of the day was pretty mild. When we got to Franconia Notch we managed to get a hitch from the Interstate. Turns out that the interstate doesn't go into Lincoln. We were supposed to be hitching from the access road next to the interstate. Luckily the French guy who picked us up knew that. Now we are back in Lincoln, NH where we are staying with Chet again.
Date: 2010-08-15
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield Pond
Miles today: 9.2

The climb up to Franconia Ridge wasn't all that bad. We had a perfect weather day for the ridgewalk. This is one of the places on the trail that everyone looks forward to. I'm so pumped that we have had a perfect day. It's one of those places that you have to see for yourself, I'm not good enough at describing it. The entire ridge is above treeline so you have views on both sides. From here we can see Mount Washington and the Presidential Range. When I got to Garfield Pond everyone had their tents already set up so I decided to set up too even though it was early. It was an excellent camping spot and there's no reason to rush through and I want to stay with this group.
Date: 2010-08-16
From: Garfield Pond

To: Zealand Falls Hut
Miles today: 10.8

Had some rain last night and all the views today were socked in. Kumquat had a rodent visit her in her tent. I love the way she describes it. I won't complain about the obstructed views because I've had good weather and views since Springer. I climbed Mt Garfield and the Twins today. I got rained on for maybe 5 minutes right before I got to Galehead Hut where I took a break to dry out a bit. Mt Guyot wasn't much of a climb and from there it was all downhill to Zealand Falls Hut. Really nice hut next to a cool waterfall. I talked to the Hut Croo about work-for-stay which they granted. Kumquat and Hotfoot got there a little early and were initially denied but Hotfoot asked again later and they ended up giving it to them. They let us sleep on the dinner tables and eat in exchange for helping with some of their chores.
Date: 2010-08-17
From: Zealand Falls Hut

To: Mizpah Spring Hut
Miles today: 14.1

The hut croo here is a little weird. They put on skits for the paying customers that are just downright strange. The hike from Zealand to Crawford Notch is pretty easy. There is a 5 mile stretch that is completely flat that is kind of the family friendly trail in the Whites. When I got to the notch, Trinket and Hotfoot were there and it looked like there was some trail magic at the parking lot. Trinket asked me who I thought one of the ladies in the parking lot looked like so I took a look at her and I'll be damned if she didn't look just like Kumquat. So I told him and they all told me to be quiet because it was Kumquat's mom and dad and they wanted to surprise her. Kumquat was only a couple of minutes behind and when she got to the parking lot we were all waiting in anticipation for the look on her face. Well, she gets down there kind of looks around for what seems like forever before she does a double-take and then proclaims "Oh my God!" They had brought some snacks and little odds and ends for everyone then took us to a store so that we could get some supplies. It totally made me homesick to see someone with their parents. So we get back to the parking lot and all say our goodbyes and I am now forever grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Kumquat. The climb out of Crawford Notch wasn't all that bad. Hotfoot was the first to make it to Mizpah and ended up getting work-for-stay whereas me and Kumquat had to tent out and pay the fee.
Date: 2010-08-18
From: Mizpah Spring Hut

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: fog

Climbed up Mount Washington and skirted several other summits in the Presidential Range today. Washington was in and out of the clouds all day but it cleared up enough for me to take some pictures from the summit. There is a road that goes to the top and a restaurant and museum along with a weather station. The climb up Washington wasn't all that steep but it is up a big pile of rocks which makes it pretty tricky. We stayed at the summit for a while before heading off to Madison Spring Hut. The wind picked up a bit while we were climbing up to Thunderstorm Junction which made it tough to rock-hop because we were getting blown all over the place. Hotfoot isn't feeling good and may be coming down with something. When we got to the hut Kumquat, Sleepy, Eatmore, and Snowfox got work-for-stay and me and Hotfoot had to walk a half-mile down Mt Madison to stay at the tentsites. I felt so rejected.
Date: 2010-08-19
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: few clouds

Did the half-mile back up to the hut then got a work-for-food from the hut croo. I thought that the Zealand Falls croo put on strange skits but the breakfast skit this bunch did was crazy. Didn't get out of the hut until almost 10:00 because me, Sleepy, Eatmore, and Kumquat were sweeping and mopping floors. Wouldn't have been so bad but the hut croo was listening to Lady GaGa which for some reason Eatmore knows the words to all her songs. He says it's because his sister listens to it all the time but I think he's a closet fan. Mt Madison isn't so much a mountain as it is just a big pile of rocks so the climb up was slow and tedious. The descent was downright treacherous. Somehow we all survived. We had prearranged to stay with M&M who we had met at the Inn at the Long Trail and lives in the area. She met us at the Visitor Center at Pinkham Notch and Kumquat, Hotfoot, and I are staying at her condo tonight. She hiked the trail in 2007 and hiked with Grasshopper that year who lives in the same town that I live in. Small world. She let us take her car out so that we could do our resupply which is only for two days to Gorham, NH where we plan to take a zero before crossing into Maine. Me and Hotfoot also ordered a lobster and took it back to M&M's to eat for dinner. I can't believe that Maine is in the context of what is next. It's starting to sink in that this will be over soon. You would think that I would be happy but I'm having so much fun right now that I don't want it to end.
Date: 2010-08-20
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Imp Campsite
Miles today: 13.1

I've finally caught up on nearly 2 weeks of journal entries last night. Didn't get done until midnight. They are pretty skimpy on details because I haven't been keeping notes. We got up early this morning so that M&M could give us a ride to the trail on her way to work. I really enjoyed staying at her condo. It was like being at home. She dropped us off at the Visitor's Center at Pinkham Notch which has an all-you-can-eat breakfast that I couldn't resist.I think the hiking today was probably the most difficult day yet. The climb out of the notch was as tough as I expected then there were 4 more peaks in the Wildcat Range that surprised me. After that was a steep downhill to Carter Notch followed by a straight up climb up to Carter Dome followed by several more peaks in the Carter Range. The descent off North Carter Mountain to Imp Campsite didn't look all that bad on the elevation profile but it proved to be an extremely steep downhill with several sections that you had to sit down and slide down solid rock. It was a nightmare and I fell a couple of times. Once, I landed on my back so hard that I bounced right back to my feet. Luckily my pack saved me from any injury as it protects my back.I had planned on going past Imp Shelter because I am too cheap to pay the fee but I was too tired to go any further plus it was getting late. Kumquat planned on going on but fell right past the turnoff to the shelter and opted to go back to stay in the shelter. Hotfoot went on past the shelter a little ways and Kumquat and Lodestone are the only other thru-hikers here although there are many section hikers here. There's a group of 5-6 middle-aged ladies here who brought a bunch of wine and got drunk. They are my evening entertainment as I watch the sunset. This is the first shelter that I've stayed in since Partnership which was like 1,300 miles ago. I'm looking forward to a day off in Gorham because I'm pretty banged up right now.
Date: 2010-08-21
From: Imp Campsite

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

It was a pretty good climb over Mt Moriah this morning before a pretty gentle downhill into Gorham. Me and Kumquat stopped at a swimming hole before town and jumped into the freezing cold Rattle Run River. I don't know what I was thinking, I guess since Kumquat did it I had to do it too. Once at the road, we got a ride from a guy who had just bought a Bed and Breakfast at the trail crossing and he took us to The Barn which is a hostel in town. Hotfoot showed up right after we arrived and we will all be taking a zero tomorrow. We're hoping Stretcher, Yahtzee, Heads Up, and a few others will catch up. Looks like Tree is long gone.
Date: 2010-08-23
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I would have hiked today if I could have just found one person willing to hike out. It is sprinkling rain today which doesn't really bother me as long as it isn't pouring but apparently nobody else wants to hike in it. I went down to one of the hotels in town to check out who all was in town and saw Hedgehog who I haven't seen since Waynesboro, VA. And I saw 2 Rings and So Far who I haven't seen since Hanover, NH. That's what I love about hiking this trail!But since there are 2 road crossings that take you into Gorham they are at the one further back so they're still a ways back as far as the trail goes. I went to the Chinese buffet at the end of town and found Stretcher, Eric the Red, Heads Up, and Rock n Roll eating there. They said they were staying at M&M's for the night. It has been a while since I have seen all of them so going back to M&M's sounded pretty appealing. I called her to make sure it was OK then we waited for Yahtzee to drive over to pick us up in M&M's car. It was about a 20 mile drive back to North Conway. Once there, we all got cleaned up and started a load of laundry. Heads Up, Stretcher, and Rock n Roll all went to resupply at Walmart wearing nothing but a t-shirt, towel, and flip-flops. Would have loved to have tagged along on that trip. Heads Up cooked us biscuits with white gravy and an egg caserole. Didn't realize he was such a good cook. Then we all stayed up late watching movies. Thank you once again M&M for your hospitality. Looking forward to hiking tomorrow.
Date: 2010-08-24
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gentian Pond Campsite/Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Yahtzee drove me, Rock n Roll, and Cowgirl to the trailhead this morning in M&M's car. Yahtzee, Eric the Red, Heads Up, and Stretcher are probably going to take a zero. The climb from town wasn't all that bad even though it was nearly 2,000 ft. After that the terrain got a little more difficult. Lots of little ups and downs that were real steep that you had to sit there and think about how you were going to get up or down them. I got to the shelter pretty early but didn't really feel like moving on because I was beat. I slept in the shelter which had a view and was right by Gentian Pond. Staying here tonight is Hotfoot, Kumquat, Bloodhound, King Krawler, and Butterfly Man who is going to Katahdin which will complete his final section hike of the AT.
Date: 2010-08-25
From: Gentian Pond Campsite/Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter and Campsite
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: moderate rain

The most intense and difficult day of hiking to date. It was raining and windy all day which made an already tough section of trail even more difficult. It started with a tough climb up Mt Success with multiple ups and downs. The highlight of the day was at the bottom of Mt Success where I crossed the state line into Maine. Then there were several climbs over Mt Carlo and many peaks of Goose Eye Mountain. What made the climbs particularly difficult besides the conditions and steepness of the trail was the fact that many times you would have to climb down cliffs on the way up the mountains or climb up cliffs on the way down the mountain. At each cliff, you would have to stop and think just how you were going to get up or down it. Usually it was a combination of grabbing hold of a rock, root, or tree to safely navigate your way around. I lost count of how many times I slipped and fell and there were a few times it could have been real bad. Above treeline, the winds blew you off the trail and the rain hit you so hard it felt like hail. There are bog bridges on the trail to help you over the bottomless mudpits but unfortunately they are underwater.I passed a large group of college students on their freshman orientation and one of the girls in the group has probably broken her ankle. Don't know how they're going to get her to a road as we are in the middle of nowhere and there is no easy way out. I got to the shelter around 3:00 with no intention of doing Mahoosuc Notch today. If I had enough food I'd probably stay at the shelter tomorrow to let the trail dry out. As expected the shelter was full. Safari, Rabid, Rock n Roll, and Cowgirl only did a 4.5 mile day from the last shelter to here and nobody could blame them. Otherwise, it was me, Hotfoot, King Krawler, Kumquat and a whole bunch of section hikers.
Date: 2010-08-26
From: Full Goose Shelter and Campsite

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: scattered clouds

It quit raining during the night but the trail is still wet today. I didn't get going until 9:00 because I was procrastinating putting on my wet clothes. I also must admit that I was actually scared to hike today after yesterdays experience. After a climb over Fulling Mill Mt I descended into the infamous Mahoosuc Notch known as the toughest mile on the trail. It took nearly 2 hrs to work my way over, under, and around wet, house-sized boulders. After which you are supposed to the climb up Mahoosuc Arm where the trail is wet, steep, solid bedrock for 1.5 miles up to the summit. The clouds had cleared by the time I got to the top so I was treated to my 1st view in Maine. Then it was nearly straight down to Speck Pond then straight back up to Old Speck Mountain. I was dreading the downhill to Grafton Notch but it turned out to be relatively easy. Maine is an extremely rugged place but at the same time it is magically beautiful. I camped in the notch right next to a parking lot with Kumquat and a section hiker.
Date: 2010-08-27
From: Grafton Notch

To: East B Hill Rd - Andover, Maine
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up early for a change this morning. I tend to do that on days that I'm headed to town. The climb up Baldplate Mountain was pretty tough but it was the most awesome thing I've ever done. Straight up a mountain of solid rock where you have to use your hands to climb in many places. It was slick in a few places and I fell a couple of times. Falling has become a daily occurance and usually happens on more than one occasion. The trick is to land on your back so that your pack protects you. Great views from the top of Baldplate but the winds were pretty high today so I had to layer up so that I could stick around on the summit for a while. I can see lakes (they call them ponds up here) all around and steep, rugged, rocky mountains in all directions.Going down Baldplate was also a little tricky. I only fell once and it was in a spot that wasn't all that tricky. Those are the places that get you because you're not as careful. There was one more little climb after coming down Baldplate then it was gradually downhill all the way to Dunn Notch where there is a really cool waterfall in a ravine. After that it was a mile to the road where I had to hitch solo for the first time ever. Wouldn't you know it, the first car that came by gave me a hitch. It took less than 2 minutes and it was a pick-up truck which is always the most fun way to ride. It is an 8 mile ride into Andover where the guy dropped me off at the General Store where I had my second lunch of the day. I called the hostel here in town and the guy who owns it came by to pick me up to take me to my home for the night. Kumquat and Hotfoot are the only ones from the group I've been hiking with since Dalton that are still around and they were talking about moving on. Hotfoot ended up hitching back to the trail but I was glad to see Kumquat when she showed up at the hostel. Rabid and Safari are here as well.
Date: 2010-08-28
From: East B Hill Rd - Andover, Maine

To: Black Brook Campsite
Miles today: 10.1

After breakfast we got dropped off at the trailhead and started hiking by 9:30. Relatively easy climb from the road. Passed a pond with a cabin on the bank then there was a really tough climb up Moody Mountain on a recently re-routed trail. Decided to call it a day at the bottom of Moody because I don't want to climb Old Blue today. I camped at Black Brook with Kentucky, Pacer, and 3 Southbounders.
Date: 2010-08-29
From: Black Brook Campsite

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

The initial climb up Old Blue was straight up then it mellowed out a little towards the top. Maine is in the midst of a heat wave so it has been hot and humid. After Old Blue, you walk Bemis Ridge for several miles. It is a beautiful trail that is relatively flat. I saw a bull moose past Moxie Pond but was unable to get a good picture of it. Had lots of views of lakes and mountains. Towards the end of the day, I took a swim at Long Pond where there is a sand beach. Then hiked on to Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to where I cowboy camped out on one of the tent platforms. I'm here with Rabid, Safari, King Krawler, a SOBO, and a section hiker who interviewed me with his camera for his wife and kids. I feel like such a celebrity sometimes.
Date: 2010-08-30
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to

To: Saddleback Mountain
Miles today: 15.1

The call of the Loon. What a magical sound! We have Loons in Alabama but they come down there after mating season so I've never heard a Loon call before. Their are two distinctly different calls that they have. One is sort of a laughing sound and the other is a kind of eerie sounding call. Last night was almost like an out of body experience as I laid down and listened. I can't believe I'm in Maine, cowboy camped next to a beautiful Maine pond, under a sky so clear you can see stars you've never seen before, listening to Loon calls. As I was leaving the shelter this morning, I saw a momma moose with her baby right on the trail. The trail was pretty easy all the way to the road where I got a hitch into Rangeley. I planned on staying in town but couldn't reach the owner of the hostel so I ate lunch, resupplied, and hitched back out to the trail. I saw 2 more moose at Ethel Pond before the big climb up Saddleback. I decided that since it was a hot day that tonight wouldn't be a bad night to camp above treeline. I would try to catch the sunset and cowboy camp on top of Saddleback Mountain. On the way up Saddleback I run into Compass who I haven't seen since PA. He's carrying a fishing pole and caught a frickin' trout in some pond and is also headed up to Saddleback to cook his trout. The climb up is your typical Maine climb but it's so awesome climbing these mountains you don't even think about how hard it is. Once at the top I saw the most beautiful sunset I've ever seen as the sun set right over Rangeley Lake. It was extremely windy on the summit so I set up my sleeping pad on the side of the mountain that wasn't windy. I walked over to the windy side of the mountain and the updraft was so strong you could lean forward at a 45 degree angle and not fall forward. I walked down that side of the mountain a little ways then turned around and walked back up and the wind was so strong on my back it felt like I was floating back up the mountain. I get chills as I write these words that describe the day I've had today. Nothing like it ever in my life. I don't want this to end! San Gabriel and Ladybird were also camped up there with me and Compass and Southern went on.