morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-13
From: Minerva Hinckley Shelter

To: Gov Clement Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

2. Report. When I unloaded my backpack last nite, if it wasn't double ziplock bagged, then I was probably all soaked. I hung everything out to dry, did a little map reading and turned in to bed. I think I was asleep before the last zipper teeth engagedOn last report it was unclear what today's agenda would be. After my map reading my plan was to take a zero today if was raining or heavy threatening, which was the forecast and what I was expecting. Or, I could hike downtown the road and have breakfast at the Whistlestop and divert to town if necessary. Or hike about a mile to the next shelter. Or press on another 6 miles to the next shelter. Or if I was really wound up, add another 4.3 mi and 2000 ft to another shelter. I got up to heavy overcast but no rain. Since he Whistlestop is closed on Mon, I wanted to give it a try since I heard so many good things about. The hike thru Clarendon Gorge was pretty. I had only 2 minor slips on the rocks, with one technically resulting in a very minor fall.  I had breakfast at Whistlestop and still no rain. Hiked on  to Clarendon Shelter and still no rain. Continued on to Gov Clement Shelter. It has a very bad reputation, being close to roads and ATV trails. Also one sign said it was closed. The road has been blocked to prevent nearby vehicle traffic. I was most impressed when I arrived. It is he oldest shelter on the LT/At, built in 1929. It has an "indoor" fireplace and has been recently renovated. It was perfect. I set my gear and quickly got a fire started I was soon joined by Snow Flea and BP, then Andy, then Mom/Son couple and then Sweeper so far. I met Sweeper and King at the Whistlestop.  I had seen several fresh boot prints on the trail, probably Coach's. Noticed several slips there.  So, hope some is hiking in those new 5 toe sandals. Otherwise I might have sighted signs of Suashquatch.  That's about all for this reportMilestone. Less than 500 mi to Katahdin!6. Whistlestop Cafe,  Clarendon VT. 5 GREASY SPOONS!!  I had the sausage, onion, mushroom, cheese omellet which was outstanding and reasonably priced. It came with whole wheat toast and home fries, which were cooked with onions and green herby stuff. I then had anorser of blueberry pancakes, with 2 mini-pitchers of real VT maple syrup. And here were 2 waitresses who kept my coffee cup filled. Ifthe home fries had jalape±o peppers it would have received a perfect score. None the less, it easily earned the rare and coveted 5 spoon ratingLife is Great!
Date: 2010-06-14
From: Gov Clement Shelter

To: Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 10.1

2. Report. Last nights sleep was fair. I got up once and was pleased to see stars. I got up again about 0400 and was still awake at 0430, so I decided to go ahead and start my day. Inwas hiking by 0530 and Sweeper wasn't that far behind me. The rest of the shelter was sound asleep.  The climb up Killington wasn't really that bad for just over 2000 ft.  What was bad was all tree damage on the S side of the peak.  The trail crews have really been busy in this area. I got to the top and stopped briefly at the Cooper Lodge Shelter. It's in pretty bad shape. I took a photo for Odie and was talking to Libra Lady when I was attacked by a swarm of black flies. I have had previous experiences with these pests, but none like this am. I cut off my talk with  LL and stated hiking down the hill.  After getting a good bi away I called LL again. This time the wind started picking up and I got cold quickly. In fact I think I'm trying to come down with a chest cold as it is. I wasn't feeling all that great and decided to take the Sherburne Pass which leads directly to the Inn at the Long Trail.  I saw the smallest bird in my memory  it looked to have a white breast, blue wings and black head and back  but this little guy was tiny  i took a rest break and was eating some cheese crackers  after neing in the pack a couple of days the crackers are ptetty well smashed to small crumbs  a good part was lost and fell to the ground ba chipmonk came ojt and stared at me, insinuating i should be leaving now so that he could clean yp the crumbs  i also saw a pretty good size sinkhole in the trail  thos waa near a sprin that had naturall dug out a similar hole I  planned to checkin the Inn, do laundry and a little R&R. QThere I saw Dave, who has the trail name Coach now. Also met his Dad and saw BJ again, who's off the trail with a leg injury.  Later Odie and Miss Mo came by for a visit. Getting ready for bed nowLife is Great!
Date: 2010-06-15
From: Inn at Long Trail

To: Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 0.0

2. Report. Last night was very restful but still sligh sign of a cold. I went downstairs for some coffee and was going to read paper/ watch news  However the hiking gang entered for breakfast at 0730 and I joined in. That's all except Andy who prefers to sleep in late and a SOBO LT. I then caught the shuttle for a ride into Rutland. It was a very clear day, probably best hiking day in last 2 weeks. I realy enjoyed seeing the local mountain ridges and seeing where I had recently hiked. I checked into library only to find it closed until 1130. Then went to WalMart for minor resupply, mocha and paper at local coffee house, got my glasses repaired then library for some Internet updatinge. I got a call from Andy about meeting at movie house and really enjoyed Iron Man 2. Then stopped at Rutland Restaurant for some heavy eating. I made a PO stop and took photo of FUMC and then caught a bus back to the Inn. I'll do my packing to return to trail tomorrow and probably watch NBA finals game 6 tonite someone around here needs to root for the Lakers. Overall a very good restful day, mentally and physically.  Happy Trails Coach!6 Inn at Long Trail. 4 Greasy Spoons. The bar food is very good, but they do not serve "heavy meals". I had a unique turkey, bacon, cheddar, apple sandwich on Irish sioda bread with apple butter. The breakfast was very good and is advertised as a "Hiker Breakfast". Well it must be for the LT hikers because an AT hiker would find the portions rather lacking ( as an aside, I had 2 breakfastes at the Whistlestop and the two GAMEers had 3 breakfastes each)Rutland Restaurant, 3 Greasy Spoons. Old time diner- restaurant. Andy and I  arrived around 1530. The salad was fair and a complimentary plate of pasta was provided. The steak was large (16oz), and cooked to order. The fries and onion rings were also worthy. Very good meal and fairlypricedLife is Great!
Date: 2010-06-16
From: Inn at Long Trail

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: overcast clouds

8.6. Stony Brook Shelter2. Report last nite wasn't very restful. I stayed a little and watched the first half of the Lakers-Celtics NBA finals game. Sure enough, I wa so Laker fan. The game was pretty much decided b halftime and I went up to get my backpack ready. I has one Guiness and a bag of pretzels which seemed to keep me up most ifthe nite. I went down to the lobby for some coffee before breakfast. I was t a tha tconscious and noticed a Heinz Ketchup shirt on the table. I looked around and saw a man sitting on the couch wearin a similar shirt and then recognized him as "Catch-Up". We had shared a shelter some time back and he was SOBO at that time. I recall Coach saying he had seen Catch-Up NOBO.  We we to have breakfast and I was surprised Andy soon joined us, as he usually sleeps in late.  Catch-Up said he saw Miss Stepand Cheddar Bob when they were trying to find me.  The breakfast service was extremely slow this am and I didn't get back to hiking on the trail until after 0900. I had met several hikimg groups today.  One even shared an apple and an orange.  Surprisingly, i saw these groups prarily hiking on the roads, vice the trails  After awhile Andy caught up with me and we hiked to the Stony Brook Shelter, arriving mid afternoon.  The wx reports have been all over the place. A few days ago the near- term forecast was rain on Wed, rest of the week clear. Today rain was forecasted at 100% carrying over to tomorrow.  The wx channel and Internet also had rain forecated for today. It had been threatening to rain all day and we did get several sprinkles. I decided to take a 15 min nap at the shelter and then decide whether to shut down for the day or continue on. After my little siesta, it started sprinkling and I decided to stay at the shelter. I started a fire and fixed dinner. Getting ready to start preparations for tonite and tomorrow.  It hasn't rained a drop since Life is Great!
Date: 2010-06-17
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

2. Report. The big dogs are barking tonite. When I filled last nite's report I was at the shelter waiting out the rain that never came. This really effected my near term planning. When I left the Inn at the Long Trail, my goal was to get to Norwich before Sat noon for a mail drop. This would entail 3 moderate and 1 easy day. With yesterday being a very light day, the remaining  moderates now became long. The latest forecast per Andy's radio was lingering showers thru the night and early am and then clearing up. I decided to. Wait it out if was raining hard in the am, or hike thru it if wasn't raining too hard. A late hiker arrived just at dark and the rains finally came. This was a hikers rain, as it stopped in he early morning. I wa sup and out hiking by 0600. And the trails were in fairl god shape. I came across an aluminum ladder at one very steep section. My goal toady was to hike tio at least VT 12, about 14 miles and everything after that was a bonus. I got there about 1400 and found oranges and juice packs left by a trail angels. I took one of each and hiked on. Today's hike had a good number of up and down climbs. I didn't keep track o my. Watch but here was at least 8 " peaks". I so think I got my first glimpse of Mt Washington. It was a huge mtn with the peak up in the clouds. After reaching VT 12 I just kept pressing I wanted to make the Thisle Hill shelter which would really be a stretch. I pulled out all the stops. Ate everything I could get my hands on, including the emergency Snickers bar. Turned the iPhone music on loud and played David Allen Coe. I think I ate about a lb of sunflower seeds. I arrived at the shelter near 2000, sharing it with Uncle Tom. Fixed dinner and getting ready for bed in the dark. May even make Norwich a day early nowMilestone.  Daily mileage record. 21.5.  Wahoooooo!Life is Great!
Date: 2010-06-19
From: Norwich VT

To: Norwich, VT
Miles today: 0.0

2. Report Today was a typical zero day for me. I got up and Short and Sweet fixed a great breakfast: French toast, ham and coffee. I then went to Norwich PO for some pickups: medication refills, SD card returns and BIL Doug¢s coat, which I bounced back home to him. Then hiked over to the next state, NH , which is only a couple of miles over. Hiked by Dartmouth which was a treat. My primary goal was to look for a fuel stove. My alcohol stove has not been performing at 100% and I didn¢t want to enter the White Mtns on a problematic stove. Went to 3 places and only stoves here were 2 Jetboils. These are nice stoves but not what I wanted. I want a Snow Peak like JP uses. So, I got some more denatured alcohol for my old stove. I hiked back to Norwich and saw Short and Sweet working at the Summer Solstice festival site. I ended up helping prepare facemask blanks for the kids, then doing some manual labor attaching flags to poles and then setting the poles in the ground. A quick break to clean up, do some phone business and then back to enjoy the festival. It was a very entertaining, small town, old time festival. I enjoyed it very much. Also saw a couple of NOBOers, Big Sky and Little Buddha, who is hiking the eastern intercontinental trail. Sorry to report that Plain Ol Andy had to get off the trail ¢ take care of yourself my friend.6. Village Store, West Hartford, 4 Greasy Spoons. Uncle Tom and I got there about 1000. I didn¢t know whether to order breakfast or lunch. I thought if I ordered lunch, then I¢d want a beer, and if I had a beer I probably wouldn¢t want to hike the reaming 8 ( which became 12 or 13) miles. So I ordered breakfast: a 2 egg, sausage, cheese, bagel sandwich, with dark roast coffee, topped off with a large hot fudge maple walnut sundae. Uncle Tom had lunch which was a huge hamburger on a fresh roll.Ramunto¢s Pizza, Hanover, NH 3 Greasy Spoons. Very good pizza with a free cheese slice for thru-hikers. Pretty good beer selection and reasonable pricesLife is Great!
Date: 2010-06-20
From: Norwich, VT

To: Moose Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: few clouds

1. CPR. While I was in Hanover yesterday , the locals were complaining about the wx. It was supposed to break a 53 Yr old record and get up to 91. And I think the humidity was supposed to be up near 85%. They should come down to Houston for awhile. Also, it's clear now that I didn't see Mt Washington as previously reported. It was probably only Mt Ascutney 2. Report. I went to bed and slept hard last night. Got up early and got my backpack all loaded up. Short n Sweet fixed another wonderful breakfast. We even saw an indigo bunting while eating breakfast on the patio.  SnS and GreyBeard then gave me a life to Hanover and I was back on the trail. It was your typical start after a day in town - full pack and a lot of uphill. One stretch had a knotted rope to assist the hikers. Along the trail I saw Little Buddha, Capt Blue, Little Tractor 88. LB set up his tent along a stream. CB, LT88 were at the Moose Mtn Shelter when I arrived, along with Used To Be, his daughter Kelly and bear bait dog, Chick Magnet. Nap Time and 2 other thru hikers came and set up at a tentsite.  Fixed dinner, watered up and getting ready for tomorrow5 POD. Happy Fathers Day to all us Fathers. I feel so blessed with B2, Trish and the 2 princesses! Milestone: VT is in the rearview mirrorVermont. Neglecting the wx, I really enjoyed hiking the AT. This is where the AT and the older LT were conceived.  The shelters were very nice. Successfully completed my first river fording. Saw several ski lodges. The trail angels have been magnificent. And I realy enjoyed the Solstice Festival in NorwichLife is Great!
Date: 2010-06-21
From: Moose Mtn Shelter

To: Firewarden's Cabin
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: broken clouds

Note:  There are a number of new readers, so let me explain my journal a bit. This journal began as a very simple log, but has really become a major endeavor. I now have 6 sections. Section 1 is "CPR", corrections to previous report. Section 2 is "Report". This is my daily report. I tryto compose it every night after hiking. Posting it is a function of cell service and may be delayed as much as a day or two. Section 3 is "WOD". Word of the Day. This section is not curently being used.  AT unique names can be found in several sources. Section 4 is "QOD". Question of the Day where I answer questions from my guest book. Section 5 is POD, Person of the Day.  I am not currently recognizing people each day, but will occassionally recognize someone. Section6 is my new feature, where I provide my Greasy Spoon ratings for hiker eateries.  Note on the side is a guest book where ou can write me. If you leave your email Address I'll send you a reply. And also note Hess is a photo link. There is at least a one month delay in photo taking and journal posting due to all the logistics involved. Also, I think I must have made a bad setting somewhere because the default photo is one of the earlier images. I'll try to get this corrected. For now, just select "Last" and you can the. Cycle backwards thru the images2  Report  Little Tractor was up early and I followed him shortly. We had an easy 1000 ft climb and then a not so easy 2400 ft climb.  Little Buddha caught me and we stopped a house near the AT which offers water, ice cream and soft drinks. There was a scale inthe porch and I weighed my pack. It was a huge surprise - 52 lbs. That's FIFTY TWO POUNDS!!!  My pack should be at least 10 lbs lighter. The trail is veneraly invery good shape. But I was surprised how much is still wet and muddy. The wx is almost perfect: cool, light wind and relatively dry.  One section had a log ladder and iron bars in the rocks for toe holds.  On one of the bald spots I met a day hiker. I said he looked very familiar. Turned out he was Long Shot who had hiked ME with Stokes last year.  I shared a shelter with them, TNT and then Fluffy Bunny, now Miss Step.  Saw my first SOBOers from Katahdin, Hit and Miss. Got to the firewardens cabin and Plain Tim was settled in. Big Sky arrived next, followed by Capt Blue and then Used To Could and daughter Major, n©e Kelly. Fixed dinner and getting ready for bed and tomorow's hike. Will be leaving shortly to climb the fire tower for some sunset photographyLife is Great!
Date: 2010-06-22
From: Firewarden's Cabin

To: Ore Hill Shelter
Miles today: 12.6

1. CPR. Yesterday was the Summer Solstice and there is a particular tradition for thru- hikers on this day. Rather than describe, I'll provide a picture which is worth a 1000 words. 2. Report I spen sunset and sunrise in the firewarden tower. The nite photos were fair, but morning shots were super. One problem though is a jet leaving contrails across the sky. Just Tim was up early and was leaving as I was heading for the tower. He was gone when I returned and heard my sleeping bag calling me desperately  I went back to the bag and was asleep instantly. Later, Used To Could and Major got up and started moving around. Capt Blue came by looking for another lost item and was soon off hiking. I followed him shortly thereafter. The wx has still been very good and he trails are a out the same.  It started with a long graceful downhill and then a surprising uphill. I think I passed 3 or 4 false peaks on my way to Mt Cube before I saw the peak, still a good way off. It was neat to be able to see the firewarden tower on the little hill way over yonder behind me.  I was feeling strong and hiking well until about the last hour. There it seemed the gnats would swarm all around me. The bad part is when the would come up to your eye and then have an eyelash whip one under your eyelid. If I was lucky, I would be able toexpel the entire body in one evacuation. Otherwise it was pieceparts.  I also swallowed a couple and this is a lot better than inhaling one of these little buggers. I have a headnet which I may get out and start usingI was thinking about trying to stretch today and make town and a hostel. But I'm tired and shut down at this shelter. Shortly I was joined by Stilletto, Shimmee and BAM (Bad A Mom). Later UTC, Major and Bear Bait arrived. I started a fire and fixed dinner he 3 ladies shared some salad and now we're going to roast some marshmellowsLife is Great!
Date: 2010-06-23
From: Ore Hill Shelter

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

2. Report.   We started with a hikers rain last night. It began around 2200 and stopped about 0530. This was a planned short day, so I decided to sleep in a bit. Good thing, because it started raining again and continued until about 0900. I left after the last blast and started hiking for the hostel. The trails were in fair to poor shape, a few slips, but no falls. The hike was generally pleasant. I arrived at the hostel early pm and saw Capt Blue just before he left. The place is/has been full recently with section hikers. Used To Could and Major arrived shortly, followed by BAM, Stilletto and Shimmee. I showered and then rinsed and hung out my clothes. UTC, Major and I then went to North Haverly for dinner at Shiloh¢s and minor resupply. I saved some steak for Bear Bait, who I am now his best friend. On the way back to the hostel, we passed a small ice cream shop which served some very large treats. We also were able to see Mt Moosilauke, although the peak was covered in clouds. This is a 4800 ft mtn, which we will slack pack tomorrow.Water - after the day¢s hike, I usually refill my supplies with 4 liters. I¢ll drink 1 liter before dinner, have 1 dinner for dinner and breakfast, and then 2 liters to start the next am. The water supply at the last 3 shelters have been rather sporty. I try to avoid beaver ponds and livestock runoff streams. But at the shelters, you have no choice. At Moose Mtn, the stream was the ¢highest¢, but had a large mass of tadpole eggs in the middle of the stream. At the Firewarden¢s Cabin, the water was standing and you needed a filter to really obtain water. And then on the return I noticed 2 privies just uphill of the spring. And the spring at Ore Hill was the smallest. I was only able to get 3 liters and drank quite a bit last night. I was concerned about starting a little short on water this am. However, before returning to the sleeping bag this am, I left my nalgene open under the shelter roof and it filled my bottleMilestone - Less than 400 miles to Katahdin - 398.5!Life is Great!
Date: 2010-06-24
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel

To: Hiker's Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

2. Report Last night was a fair sleep. The bunks in the house were occupied asnd I was out in the quonset hut with a full house. There were 2 shuttles leaving this morning for Kinsman Notch and I was on the0 500 early bird. We went and had a good breakfast at Peg¢s Restaurant, then picked up a turkey sub sandwich and as 12 pack of Long Trail Ale to motivate Used To Could. My shuttle mates were family who were NOBO and I was the only SOBO slack packer. The late shuttle would slack pack the rest of the hostel hikers. I started the long hike up Moosilauke Mtn. The first 1700 ft elevation climb was straight up, I don¢t think I took one level step. And most of this part of the trail was rocks, bald rocks, wet bald rocks, slippery wet bald rocks, slippery wet bald rocks most all on an climb. Several of the areas had 12x12¢ blocks cut on a 45 deg angle that were anchored into the rocks. When I started to look how to climb some of these places, I then noticed re-bar handdolds were nearby. I got to the shelter and was able to visit with Capr Blue, who was getting ready to hike NOBO. Little Tractor 88 was taking a zero there. As I was preparing to leave, it started raining hard and I decided to wait it out. LT88 and I discussed the meaning of life and other trivia. As the rain slowed down, Lucky and Go PSU arrived and I then continued hiking up the mtn. At about 4300 feet it was a total whiteout. I met Stilletto just below the summit. Visibility was 50 feet and winds were 30 knots, gusting to 50. We went to the top and took several pictures. She returned to wait for BAM and Shimmee and I started the descent. Rain started again. Later, Stilletto caught up with me and we hiked down, fording a stream just before reaching the hostel. Right now, we¢re getting clothes and boots dried out, preparing for dinner tonight and planning for the next near-term sectionMilestone. My Dick Tracy wristwatch has an accumulation reading for ascent and it read 100,000 today, starting from Harpers Ferry   How do I apply for astronaut wings?Life is Great!