morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-08-09
From: Spruce Peak shelter

To: Peru Peak shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

We hiked a ride 5.5 miles into the town of Manchester Center today. Fresh fruit at the grocery store and stove fuel, laundry and back on the trail! We climbed to the top of Bromley Mountain at 3260' where we saw ski lifts. Amazing pines continue to fill the country around us!
Date: 2006-08-10
From: Peru Peak shelter

To: Minerva Hinchey shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: few clouds

Nice day of hiking. Storm clouds rolled in just as we were getting to the shelter area. We put up out tent just as rain started to fall. We went over to the shelter to cook and eat with the others, including, Too Much and Enough, their son, Bryon, Berkenstock, Yellow Belly, Birdman & MIM.
Date: 2006-08-11
From: Minerva Hinchey shelter

To: Churchill Scott shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

The day started with rain turning to overcast then cleared off for great views at the top of Killington Peak 4000'. We could see five states, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, & Maine and the southern provinces of Canada. Vermont means green mountain in French, and we sure had green mountains around us! Mid 60s during the day and 40s at night. The days were getting shorter and cooler. We caught back up with Old Drum.      I woke to the sound of a mouse chewing on Xenon's back pack, which was left on the ground, so I hung it on a peg and went back to sleep! The chewing stopped!
Date: 2006-08-12
From: Churchill Scott shelter

To: Wintturi shelter
Miles today: 21.8

We climbed to the top of Quimby Mountain at 2620' today and over the Continental Divide at 2320'. The Long trail branched off the A.T. today, so our friend Pilgrin would be breaking off of the trail with us. We met Phillip at the shelter today. He came up to us and asked if we remembered him from the first shelter of the A.T. back on April 2nd! We didn't remeber him, but he was mentioned in our journal. He said he looked a bit different having lost 20 lbs or so! He didn't have a trail name back then, but now was called, Rock Chalk. We are looking forward to the Whites!
Date: 2006-08-13
From: Wintturi shelter

To: Happy Hill shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: broken clouds

Several lines of maple taps on the trees and hoses sloping downhill. This is the land of the famous Vermont maple syrup! Golden rod in full color and the monarch caterpillars getting fat on milkweek. There was a bridge over the White River at 405'. We watched several kayakers paddling downstream. We are at this shelter with Bird Man, Rock Chalk and two section hikers.
Date: 2006-08-14
From: Happy Hill shelter

To: Velvet Rocks shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

Early this morning, we woke to the amazing sounds of two barred owls "yelling" at each other! They sounded like monkeys screaming at eachother. Bird man explained that they were very territorial and were verbally trying to settle who's area this was! We crossed the Connecticut River, the boundary line into New Hampshire, our thirteenth state mile 1,732! The trail took us into the town of Dartmouth, with its Outdoor Club building, where we stopped for a break. We used their internet, drinking fountain and restrooms.   Wiggy, Kentucky & Berkenstock were there with us. Afterward, we had heard that a fraternity allowed hikers to use their showers and we found them and cleaned up. Next we took the shuttle bus to the laundromat. On the street, we met Moe, Ponch and their friend, Jessica.   We picked up our food box and more fuel. The pizza parlor offered a free slice of pizza for thru hikers and we stopped in! We also had to try a Ben and Jerry's ice cream and stopped in at the grocery store for cheese and tortillas to add to our food cash. Then, back on the trail! nice and quite out of town.
Date: 2006-08-15
From: Velvet Rocks shelter

To: Trapper John shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Rain in the night, but we were dry in the shelter. The rain tappered off by 6 a.m. and cleared to a beautiful blue sky. Great airy views from Holts Ledge at 2100' and the Connecticut River now far below. Made it to the shelter by 4 p.m. Also in the shelter area was Rock Chalk, Kentucky, Burkenstock and a south bounder.
Date: 2006-08-17
From: Ore Hill shelter

To: Beaver Brook shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

Up on top of Mount Moosilauke, 4802' today, which is above tree line for the first time on this hike. It was a magnificent 360 degree view - awesome! On top we re met Identity Crises, Rusch Hour, & Nick - now Treehouse. On the back side of the mountain, the trail became very steep and we slowed our pace to only one mile per hour! The view from the shelter was stunning, with a look at three layers of mountains on the horizon. Jessica, Moe, Ponch, Paul, Rising Sun, Burner and Feng Shui all camped out here too.
Date: 2006-08-18
From: Beaver Brook shelter

To: White Mts. AMC Lonesome Lake Hut 
Miles today: 15.0

At first light, 5:45 a.m., we were on the trail picking our way down the steep trail the rest of the way down Moosilauke going from 3600' to 1815'. Later, after lunch, we met a south bounder, Marta, who had given us our first hitch hike back in North Carolina into Franklin! She told us she had past Southern Comfort, who had also hitched with us, and he was almost to Katahdin!    This was the first day into the White Mountains, where the hut system starts. We arrived at our first AMC hut, Lonesome Lake around 4:50 p.m. after 11 hours of hiking and only 15 miles! Our pace slowed in this terrain. Rock Chalk joined us at the hut asking to do work for stay. The workers at the hut said we could. This meant we could wash dishes in exchange for a place to sleep, on the floor of the dining room, and earn dinner and breakfast! The paying guests had reservations for the bunks months in advance. The terrain was such, that these huts were the best places to camp in the rocky, exposed white mountains. This hut held thirty guests and it was full.   We were glad to be able to work for our stay. Part of our "work" was to talk to the guests about our through hike. They were very interested in our Pepsi can alcohol stove, which we lit up for them.
Date: 2006-08-19
From: White Mts. AMC Lonesome Lake Hut 

To: Whites Greenleaf Hut
Miles today: 8.7

Town day today into North Woodstock. The hitch was a hard one. No one seemed to be going our way! Finally, we asked a nice lady in a motel parking lot if she would be going into town. When she understood our need to get to the post office for our food drop before it closed at nooon (it was Sat.), she and her daughter jumped into their car and not only gave us a ride there, they waited for us and drove us back up to the trail! nice!    We climbed to the top of Franconia Ridge, 4250', which was spectacular! The weather was changing and the clouds coming toward us and piling up, black in color. Up to Little Haystack Mountain at 4760' and then to North Peak of Mt. Lafayette, 5080'. We hurried down the side trail to Greenleaf Hut with wind and rain at our backs. The staff worker at the hut said they already had enough work for stay hikers, but we could camp in a grassy, flat area behind the hut. Cool Hand, Jessica & Tecumseh were already camped there. We found a place and enjoyed the quiet of the woods, rather than the buzz of the hut. The worker did invite us to come for pancakes in the morning.
Date: 2006-08-20
From: Whites Greenleaf Hut

To: Whites: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: light rain

There were lots of free pancakes for the hikers in the morning! We took advantage of snaging a few! Back on top of the ridge we faced 50 mph winds! But after the windy mile, we descended below the tree line where we were out of the wind. We hiked to the top of Mt. Garfield, 4488' with a foggy view and made it to Galehead hut by 3:30. We enjoyed warming up in their diningroom at the picnic tables. We ate a snack and played a game of cribbage. Rain hit the windows and we smiled, glad to be inside.   Cool Hand, Kentucky, Burkenstock, Boofus, Libouski, three south bounders, & Lightweight all were thru hikers at this hut. We were all allowed to stay and sleep on the floor. We did dishes with Lightweight to earn dinner too. There actually was enough dinner leftover to feed all the other hikers as well.
Date: 2006-08-21
From: Whites: Galehead Hut

To: Ethan Pond campsite
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: fog

The weather cleared off and we had a great day of hiking. Zealand Falls hut for lunch with bottomless soup, potato w/ dill. Onto Ethan pond by 4 p.m. We enjoyed the stay by the quiet pond. No noisy hut tonight, which was very nice!
Date: 2006-08-22
From: Ethan Pond campsite

To: Whites: Lake of the Clouds hut
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

Out on the trail by 6:30 a.m., into sunshine and lifting fog. Good trail and excellent day of hiking. We made it to Mizpah Spring hut by 12:30 to find leftover pancakes for the thru hikers. Clouds rolled in again toward the end of the day and we were climbing part way up Mt. Washington to the Lake of the Clouds hut, which holds 90 guests! With temperatures dropping, we were glad to roll into the hut by 3:40 p.m. We had a great time warming up in the enclosed four walled hut. We sat at the picnic tables in the dining room and played cribbage. We were liking the Presidential range of mountains that we were in. Today we hiked over Mt. Webster 3910', Mt. Jackson 4052', Mt. Pierce 4310', Mt. Eisenhower 4450', and Mt. Franklin 5004'. At this hut, we were only 1.4 miles from the top of Mt. Washington, which hold the record for strongest wind ever recorded in the U.S., at 231mph -then the measuring device broke, so it could have been even more!    Lots of thru hikers joined us at this hut, Moe, Ponch, Carbomb, Lichen, Burkenstock, Kentucky, Cool Hand, Brain Freeze, Rock Chalk, two southbounders and two section hikers. We all were allowed to work for stay! Our "work" was to give another talk on thru hiking, after dinner!
Date: 2006-08-23
From: Whites: Lake of the Clouds hut

To: Whites: USFS Osgood tent site
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: fog

We summitted Mt. Washington in the fog and wind this morning. The fog did lift as we were coming down. At the summit house observatory, we joined several other hikers at the restaurant for snacks and watched the cog railway puff up the mountain bringing more visitors. We headed north to Madison hut by 4:00, which was only three miles down to Osgood site. We decided we could easily make it. Turned out that those three miles are tough! It took us till 7:30 p.m. We had to carefull climb over huge bolders and down steep, steep trail. It was good to do this part when the sun was out and the rocks were dry and no fog.
Date: 2006-08-24
From: Whites: USFS Osgood tent site

To: Whites: .3 before Carter Notch hut
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: broken clouds

Pinkham Notch visitors center by noon. We enjoyed a restaurant meal and shower! Our last shower was 10 days ago! Then off to the Wildcat Peaks, which were amazingly beautiful! The pines surrounded us and their wonderful aroma filled the air. We enjoyed the quiet of the trail. When we saw some flat ground three tenths of a mile before Carter Notch hut, we took it. We did hike over to the hut to say "Hi" to Bama and saw Baldy Locks,Professor and Jesse James again. We met Snickers too. Brain Freeze camped near us and we talked with her as we ate out dinner.
Date: 2006-08-25
From: Whites: .3 before Carter Notch hut

To: Rattle River shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: fog

Up, up, up to the top of Carter Mountain 4600' then down, down, down to the Rattle River today at 1260'. We are now out of the White Mountain, which we really enjoyed. Lots of rock walls in this area.
Date: 2006-08-26
From: Rattle River shelter

To: Gentian pond camp area
Miles today: 13.3

Town day with a hitch into Gorham, 3.6 miles from the trail. We did our laundry. Rock Chalk was at the laundromat as well as Brian Freeze. After bouncing the town, we headed north again on the trail to the top of Mt. Hayes at 2555' with beautiful views! Next we climbed up Cascade Mountain at 2630' to Gentian pond shelter area. There were two moose and two babies in the pond eating. We watch and watch them! Numb was at the shelter, we hadn't seen him since Deleward Water Gap. We set up our tent on a tent platform and cooked up dinner, alseep by 9!
Date: 2006-08-27
From: Gentian pond camp area

To: Full Goose shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Cold and windy today. We crossed into Maine! Only 281 more miles of this trail, which we don't want to end!! But, the days are getting colder, so I expect by the end, we will take our memories, satified for the incredible experience. We arrived at Full Goose shelter by 2p.m., cold are ready to warm up. Numb was already in the shleter and we soon were playing cribbage with him. It was smart that we stayed at the shelter because rain came in by 3 o'clock. In the morning we would be heading into Mahoosuc Notch, named as the hardest mile of the whole trail. There would be an obstacle course of bolders to negotiate. It should be fun!
Date: 2006-08-28
From: Full Goose shelter

To: Baldplate Lean-to
Miles today: 12.0

The rain stopped and we headed into the notch at 8a.m. with Numb, who had done this section before. On the way, we heard a moose crashing through the underbrush just off the trail from us. He was only a blur as he torn down the hill away from us. In the notch we liked the obstacle course over, under and around the bolders. We took our packs off three times and made it through the mile in just under two hours. The Notch was at 2480' and after that, we headed up hill climbing the Mahoosuc Arm to 3765', which was very rocky and steep. We made it to Speck pond shelter by lunch time. great morning and we were feeling fine having gotten thru the notch and up the arm so well. Then it was down, down, down to Grafton Notch at 1498', then a little further to Baldplate Lean-to back up to 2645'.
Date: 2006-08-29
From: Baldplate Lean-to

To: Hall Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 14.0

Early start to the day as we were headed into town, Andover. We hiked with Numb up the west peak of Baldpate Mountain, 3662' and then east peak of Baldpate 3540'. Misty view to start then the sky cleared. We crossed two streams by just rock hopping. Hard hitch off East B Hill road due to very little traffic. In twenty minutes, the fith vehicle to past us picked us up. Riding in the back of the pick-up we rolled down the eight miles to town. We said good-bye to Numb, as he was taking a zero. We bought denatured fuel and picked up our drop box and headed back to the trail.
Date: 2006-08-30
From: Hall Mountain Lean-to

To: Bemis Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: overcast clouds

We climbed over three mountains today, Moody 2380', Old Blue 3600' and Bemis 3592'. It was a day of straight ups and straight downs! In several places on the steep trail, rock steps had been put into place! Excellent views from the tops, looking out over the many ponds in Maine. Also, several iron ladders bolted into the rocks to climb today. Sun came out for the first time in four days. We saw a few hikers on the trail, but no north bounders for the past two days and we have the shelter to ourselves.
Date: 2006-08-31
From: Bemis Mountain Lean-to

To: Piazza Rock Lean-to
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: broken clouds

We crossed the Bemis Mountain range in the morning and had an easier rolling hill terrain in the afternoon. There were lots of bog boards for us to balance across. Sabbath Day pond at lunch time was nice with two loons swimming low in the sparkling water. There eerie calls at night are worth listening for. Good long day of hiking. In the shelter by 6:45pm. and asleep by 8:15!
Date: 2006-09-01
From: Piazza Rock Lean-to

To: above the Carabassett River
Miles today: 22.0

Above tree line again today to the top of Saddleback Mountain 4120'. At lunch time we were at Poplar Ridge Lean-to with Pumpkin! It was great to see a familiar hiker again. We had last seen him in Pearisburg, VA! We moved on after lunch and climbed Lone Mountain at 3280' and then to Spaulding Mountain Lean-to by 5 p.m. We hoped to get the next six miles in before dark as we were needing to pick up food in Stratton. If we didn't pick it up Sat. a.m., the post office would be closed till Tuesday, due to Labor Day on Monday. By the time we made it to just above the Carabassett River, it was dark and we didn't want to cross the river at night, so we tented at the top of the hill. In a very small flat spot.   Tomorrow morning we would have 8.4 miles to the road leading to town and the hitch.
Date: 2006-09-02
From: above the Carabassett River

To: White Wolf Inn, Stratton
Miles today: 8.4

A six inch board and a large boulder helped us cross the Carabassett River. Next, we climbed south Crocker Mountain 4010' and north Crocker Mountain at 4228'. The mist burned away and the sunshine came on strong. Another moose ran through the trees to get away from us. By 9:45 we made it to the road and the hitch worked out well, with a wife dropping off Doc and Stairmaster just as we hiked into the parking lot. They took us directly to the post office, it was 11:30 a.m. when we arrived. We decided to relax the rest of the day in town, did laundry and showered at the White Wolf Inn and stayed the night!
Date: 2006-09-03
From: White Wolf Inn, Stratton

To: Horns Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Sunday morning with dark clouds building in the sky. Grey Fox had caught back up with us and was also at the road with thumbs out hoping for a lift. The traffic was almost none. After 25 minutes, two men in their pickup let us take a ride with them back to the trail. We reached the first shelter of the day and rain started to fall. The temperature dropped and we put on our warm clothes and decided to stay a while and eat lunch. Instead of heading out in the weather and up onto Bigelow mountain, we stayed where we were and drank soup and stayed warm in the shelter. Pumpkin caught up with us and Paul, a section hiker.
Date: 2006-09-04
From: Horns Pond Lean-to

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

No rain this morning, a much better way to climb over the mountain. We finished the Bigelow range at the summit of south Horn 3805' and then Avery Peak 4088'. We crossed a road today and someone had painted a big 2,000 on it for our trail mileage! Pumpkin camped in this same area tonight as well as an orientation college group.
Date: 2006-09-05
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

There was a beautiful pink sky this morning. Pumpkin headed out before us, but we caught up to him by lunch at East Carry Pond in the sunshine! After lunch, as we crossed a bog board, Pumpkin exclaimed, "Look over to your left!" and there was a moose not 20 feet from us eating away. We looked and took pictures and enjoyed her very much. She didn't seem to worry about us. Loons calling to each other this evening at Pierce Pond, a lovely sound.
Date: 2006-09-06
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 18.7

It rained hard in the night and we were glad we slept in the shelter and had a dry tent to carry. We hiked the three miles to the Kennebec River by 9 a.m. Dirt was there waiting for the ferry as well as Pumpkin. The ferryman, Steve paddled across to us in his canoe. The crossing went well. We had heard tht Number 2 had crossed this river as he had back before ferrymen and it had taken him two hours in chest deep water! We said good-bye to Pumpkin as he was headed into the town of Caratunk for resupply. We hiked onto Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to and had the place to ourselves til Dirt rolled in at dusk.
Date: 2006-09-07
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: 3 miles past Horseshoe Canyon
Miles today: 16.0

Moxie pond this morning for a.m. snack, which was a beautiful spot. More loons to watch on the water. We had to ford the west branch of the Piscataquis River, only up to our knees. Also, a rock hop across the east branch of the Piscataquis. For our evening tent site, we chose the nice pine duff in a flat pine forest just three miles past Horseshoe Canyon. It was very comfortable. We are headed to Monson, our last town tomorrow.
Date: 2006-09-08
From: 3 miles past Horseshoe Canyon

To: Little Wilson Falls (100 mile wilderness)
Miles today: 12.6

The town of Monson was busy with thru hikers resupplying. We found hikers in the grocery, laundromat, post office, hostel and on the street! It was like old home week! At the Shaw's Hiker Hostel, where we took showers, we found Grey Fox, Dinosaur, Hellbender, Texas, Hannah, and Yukon. They were all planning to summit Katahdin on the 15th, which would be seven days through the 100 mile wilderness. We didn't pin point our summit time, we liked to let things flow and unfold.   After our shower, resupply, laundry washing, we headed back to the street for a hitch back to the trail. We were picked up by a man who liked talking about the trail. As he dropped us off, he asked if we happened to know where Grey Fox might be. We told him that he was on the couch at Shaw's! The man could not believe Grey Fox was in town and he said we was going to turn around and look him up, they were friends, who had hiked part of the trail last year together.    We hiked along enjoying every moment, knowing we were winding up the trail and wanting it to last as long as possible. The water falls at Wilson Creek were beautiful and we found a grassy area to camp a bit away from the water.
Date: 2006-09-09
From: Little Wilson Falls (100 mile wilderness)

To: Cloud Pond Lean- to
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Up and on the trail by 7 a.m. and to the ford at Big Wilson Stream, 560' by 9:30 a.m. The water came up to our knees. Rain at lunch time at Long Pond Stream Lean-to and we played a game of cribbage while the rain pounded on the roof. After an hour, the storm blew over and we hiked on to Barren Mountain at 2672'and then to the Cloud Pond Lean-to, a half mile off the trail! But, it was a beautiful side trail and the water was brilliant.
Date: 2006-09-10
From: Cloud Pond Lean- to

To: Sidney Tappen campsite
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: broken clouds

Beautiful, clear day of hiking up Fourth Mountain 2383', Third Mountain 2065', Columbus Mountain 2326' to Chairback Gap Lean-to for lunch. Then down to the west branch of the Pleasant River 630' for another ford. This time the water was only mid shin. We finished the day hiking up hill to the Sidney Tappen campsite where we met Spoonman, a thru hiker from last year, who had gotten all the way to the summit of Katahdin when hurrican Katrina blew in and he was not able to finish his thru hike! He was back this year to hike the 100 mile wilderness with other thru hikers and summit this time!
Date: 2006-09-11
From: Sidney Tappen campsite

To: Cooper Brook Falls campsite
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: few clouds

We headed up West Peak 3178' and Hay Mountain 3245' and then White Cap Mountain 3654', where we go a great view of Mt. Katahdin! The air was clean, crisp and clear. We were only about 73 miles from the summit! We rock hoped across the East Branch of the Pleasant River and to Copper Brook Falls by 5 p.m.
Date: 2006-09-12
From: Cooper Brook Falls campsite

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

The first nine miles of the trail were actually flat today! The sun was out and we enjoyed a break at Jo-Mary Lake. Thru hikers were around us and we all were buzzing about finishing this hike and how great it had been. Some section hikers talked with us and wished us well and gave us some snacks! nice day!
Date: 2006-09-13
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Another crystal clear day and we were on the trail by 7 a.m. We saw a moose at Rainbow Steam Lake. At the top of Rainbow ledges was an outstanding view of Katahdin, only 20 miles away. Then down to Hurd Brook at 710'. We decided to stay and enjoy the quiet of this camp area for our next to the last night on the trail.