morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-28
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: US 302, Crawford Notch
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: fog

From Jay: Most exciting, interesting, fun, just plain best day so far on the trail. I'll try to hit the highlights as it would take me all night to write in detail. We got started from the hut already above the treeline for the six mile walk to Mt. Washington in great weather and with awesome views of the Presidentials. We cruised by Mts. Adams, Jefferson & Clay before the final push up Mt Washington, whose summit we reached about 10:30 a.m. The summit was our 24th state highpoint...and a frickin' zoo. Kids and parents running around parking lots screaming, the train coming to the summit blowing its whistle, motorcycle groups cruising up the road, madness. It was also our first highpoint with a snack bar on top. We got out of there after an hour and decided to push for US 302 and our Mt. Washington Hotel stay/wedding present.The rest of the day had more big views and fairly easy trail (damn good combination in my book). We got to the road around 6:00 p.m. and were able to get a shuttle to the hotel. That is when we entered Bizarro World. To explain, the Mt. Washington Hotel is this posh resort that happens to be managed by one of Mary's family's close friends. Our wedding gift was two night's stay at the hotel and meals!So these two foul smelling hikers are being treated like royalty while finely dressed gentlemen and ladies stare in bewilderment. Yesterday Mary and I were begging day-old baked goods from college kids running huts, tonight our suite has a bottle of chardonay on ice next to chocolate covered strawberries and truffles. Last night I slept on a table and was grateful for it. Tonight our king-sized bed is definitely not constructed of plywood. A thru-hiker could get used to this.
Date: 2008-07-29
From: US 302, Crawford Notch

To: Mt. Washington Hotel
Miles today: 0.0

From Mary: Today was a glorious rest day. The day included an amazing breakfast, massages, a jacuzzi tub, chilled chardonay, chocolate truffles, a nap, ice cream, and a movie. (Okay, so those are just some of the highlights.) I want to spend the rest of this entry relaying some facts and figures from the trip thus far. I hope to revisit this list later on down the trail to see how things have changed.--Number of zero days: 3 -favorite zero day - Mt. Washington Hotel--Number of near-0 days: (definition of a near zero day: a day when few miles are hiked into a town and the rest of the day taken off) 3-favorite near zero day: Monson, ME - our first day out of the 100 mile wilderness.--Days spent getting very wet: 2--Times I've thought about quitting the hike: 3--Times poison berries/mushrooms looked like a good way out: 2--Micro brews sampled: 12 --Favorite brew: Ripogenus red out of Caratunk, ME (with a close second to Carabasset out of Portland, ME)--Worst brew: Long Trail Ale, VT (someone recommended this one and we were sorely disappointed)--Days Mary and Jay have argued: 30 (yes, there's usually a "heated discussion" daily)--Days hiking felt more like a job than a vacation: all of them.--ah ha moments where I realize why I am out here: 2-- Number of blue-blaze hikes: 0
Date: 2008-07-30
From: Mt. Washington Hotel

To: Stealth Camp Near Galehead Hut
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

From Jay:Well, back to reality. After anoher obsurdly delicious and magnificent breakfast buffet at the hotel, Barbara dropped us off back at the trailhead. the day's hike was fairly uneventful with some nice flats that helped us make up for the late start.We had hoped to stay at the Galehead Hut but we were basically shoved off the premises like stray cats by the characteristically unwelcoming hut "croo." So as the rain began and thunder began we left the hut area and found a "stealth" campsite.The lightning and thunder are really putting on a show as I write this and ponder just how we we'll end up tomorrow.
Date: 2008-07-31
From: Stealth Camp Near Galehead Hut

To: Lonesome Lake Hut
Miles today: 15.6

From Jay:We got all sorts of wet today, but the day ended happily anyway. The majority of the day involved going up and over the Franconia Ridge, a series of summits above the treeline known for their great views. Unfortunately, our views were confined to the rocks within 50 feet of us in the blowing mist. The thunder we heard was rather unnerving as well with the exposure of above-treeline trekking.The remainder of the day was just a plain 'ol slog through the mud and muck. We strongly considered heading into North Woodstock, but held to our original plan of heading to Lonesome Lake Hut. Turns out, this was a dang good decision. The croo there was very friendly and offered an easy work-for-stay. We ate several helpings of their very tasty chili and are drying out our gear/selves nicely. This is our last hut and we'll be out of the pay sites of the Whites tomorrow.
Date: 2008-08-01
From: Lonesome Lake Hut

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

From Mary:After a somewhat restful night, (with minor attacks of daddy long legs, spiders, and random loud CB radio transmissions) we had an early breakfast from our own stash in the hut. We were on the trail early to complete our final full day in the White Mountains. Kinsmen Mountain was our first of the day, followed by Wolf Mountain. I don't know what it was about today, but I really felt I was lacking energy. I don't know if Jay was feeling the same, but we did end up taking a break for a second breakfast, eleven-ses (see Fellowship of the Ring) and then lunch to refuel. The best energizer of the day turned out to be the mini-reunion that happened over lunch. It started with our friend, Grits showing up, followed by Gash & Dank, then lo and behold our long lost friend, Joel stepped out of the trees. Our friends had all met up in the nearby town of Lincoln (that we opted not to visit) and were slack-packing for the day.Against much persuasion we decided to stick to our plan to spend the night in a hut (1.5 miles closer to Glencliff) rather than join our friends in Lincoln (which sounds like a pretty neat town, with lots of hiker services although hardly mentioned in the guidebooks). Our decision to push on turned out to be a good one. We enjoyed the climb to the shelter, met some great people, learned to make a raco-roll pillow, and will have an easy time getting into Glencliff tomorrow before the post office closes. Our happy mood of the evening was also added to by a short hike down US-112 to visit a tourist trap that included a picture of a fork on the map. (Thanks Jay for your studious map reading.) Turns out they had a little cafeteria. We loaded up with hot dogs, cheesburgers, cokes and two ice cream sandwiches before heading to the hut. (I think taht would be something like supper, because we had dinner at the hut.)P.S. We saw a Neal look-alike today. He was coming down a 2,000 foot cliff in flip-flops (so Neal). We miss you Neal!
Date: 2008-08-02
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: Ore Hill Shelter
Miles today: 15.3

From MaryWe awoke this morning to a beautiful sunrise. From where we were laying in the shelter we were looking out at the White Mountains, and without more than lifting your head you could enjoy the many reds and oragnes of the early morning. (By far my favorite shelter wake-up so far.) The first half of the day was spent completing our last big mountian in the Whites, Mt. Moosilauke. It was an easy hike up (since we had done the 2,000 ft ascent the night before to reach the shelter) and the down was rather gentle. We reached the Glencliff post office by 11:00 a.m. It closed at 1:00 p.m. because it was Saturday. At the post office we were slightly disappointed to find our care packages that we forwarded did not make it. Our drop box would be enough for us to "get by" but we were a little tight in the food department for the first time in our hike...that was until the following happened. The only other building Glencliff was having a hiker feed. They fired up the grill early on our behalf and we were able to grab some burgers and hot dogs and fruit salad before hiking our 1.5 mile trek out of town. (One meal saved.) A phone call made to Jay's dad also added another prospective saved meal as he would be in the area on business and we planned to meet up the next night for dinner, showers, laundry (all the hiker essentials) and a night in a hotel. The hike after lunch was very pleasureable. It was like someone turned a switch and all the rocks from the mountains were gone. Of course the beautful trail was accompanied by a very still, almost oppressive, heat. Then with a crash of thunder, the stillness broke and the rain began to fall. We were about a mile from the shelter when it really started coming down, and despite running with a quarter mile left, we still managed to get quite wet. Luckily the shelter was not full and we were able to get dry and comfortable for the night. The plinking of the rain on the metal roof put me to sleep after a two course meal of mac n cheese and polynesian chicken of course.Meal of the day: Jay's lunch = 2.5 burgers, 1 hot dog and 3 cans of mountain dew. Mary's: 1.5 burgers, 1 hot dog, pasta salad, fruit salad, orange soda.
Date: 2008-08-03
From: Ore Hill Shelter

To: Lyme-Dorchester Road
Miles today: 16.4

From Jay Today we woke up hoping that at the end of the day we would be in a hotel compliments of my Dad. As has been the pattern lately, we were wet right off the bat. The trail was completely waterlogged, with last night's & this morning's storms only adding to the muck. After lunch the weather cleared and we made decent time up the increasingly shorter and less steep mountains. Both Mary and I managed to have some pretty stellar spills into the mud. I particularly liked the one where Mary fell off both sides of a low wooden walkway over a bog. She ended up with both legs knee-deep and quite sticky mud. She wanted help getting out of the mess. I wanted the camera to capture the moment.Anyway, after a decent slog we popped out of the woods and met up with my Dad, which has been a big morale boost. A huge bed, steak dinner, ice cream, home made brownies, laundry, showers, and a chance to get our gear from sodden to damp. Sure helped us at a time when patience was running thin. Thanks Dad! Quote of the day: "The trail is really wet back this way." 18 different day-hikers to us today. Thanks for the heads up guys!!
Date: 2008-08-04
From: Lyme-Dorchester Road

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

From Jay: Dad dropped us off on the trail where we picked up last night, significantly cheerier than when picked up. At the risk of becoming a broken record,the trail is still ankle to neck deep in the brown stuff (which is mostly not moose poop, mostly). Anyway, the terrain is still so much better that we did basically 20 miles with a later start and an earlier than normal finish. Good times. We are staying tinight in the basement of a frat house at Dartmouth College which takes in a few thru-hikers a night. The trail comes out of the woods and goes right through Hanover and Dartmouth before heading over the Connecticut River into Vermont. Of course, it passes two pizza joints, a Ben&Jerry's and a few bars. Pretty tough to bypass this place as a thru-hiker without gaining back a few pounds! Tomorrow I'll be picking up my new phone from Sprint and re-entering the 21st Century. We will also knock out a few other errands before heading into Vermont for a short day and hopefully meeting up with dad again. Tonight could be interesting as one of the frat kids is building a beer pong table in the next room and blaring country music. Last song played: "I Love the Rainy Nights." That John Denver guy is full of crap.
Date: 2008-08-05
From: Hanover, NH

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: scattered clouds

From Jay We ended up spending WAAAAYYY more time in Hanover than expected, which really shortened our hiking day. However, the positive side is we did get quite a bit accomplished, even if it wasn't as smoothly as we hoped. Long story short, our new cell phone we were supposed to pick up at the post office this morning wasn't there. The Sprint folks had sent it to the UPS facility across the river in Vermont. This, after having the not-so-American Sprint person repeat back to me three times the correct USPS address. Oh well, such is life.Since the UPS folks had the envious hours of 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. (I wonder if they're hiring), we had some waiting to do. I bought new and lighter boots since my original pair had tears in the sides that would put the Titanic to shame. We ate Ben & Jerry's and even more pizza. Once we had the new cell in hand, we finally got out of town around 4:30 p.m. We've stopped for the night at the first shelter out of town with hopes of a much bigger day tomorrow. Huge shout out to Shawn from the Phi Tau fraternity at Dartmouth, who twice drove us to the UPS place after hearing our dilemma. If you are reading this, thanks again for the awesome trail magic.Ben & Jerry's flavor of the day: Triple caramel chunk
Date: 2008-08-06
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Winturi Shelter
Miles today: 20.4

From Mary: The day started and ended with rain. We had two much enjoyed side stops today. The first was for a second breakfast at a deli convenience store that the trail runs right in front of. This store appeared after we had been hiking in the rain for 5 miles, so it was very welcome. The rain fell on and off all day and of course it abated again as we stopped at a farmer's market for some homemade apple pie and ice cream (dinner). Then the biggest storm of the day hit while we were about two miles from the shelter. There was room for us in the shelter, but we were pretty cramped for space because of all the NOBOs we've been running into lately. I got a great night's sleep on the inflatable therma-rest Jay purchased in Hanover. I am now on quest to buy another and ditch the 2-lite pad I've been carrying. We didn't think we would be spending this much time in shelters, sleeping on wood floors but as Jay stated so eloquently, "We have felt threatened by rain every night lately." Quote of the day yesterday: "One liter box of wine - $10, Cheese and bread as we left Norwich, Vt - $10, Wine and Cheese Party at Happy Hill Shelter....PRICELESS."
Date: 2008-08-07
From: Winturi Shelter

To: Us-4/Rutland, VT
Miles today: 19.9

From Jay: Another good, solid day on the trail with some interesting happenings toward the end. The beginning of the day, was unremarkable other that it wasn't raining, which was rather disorienting. The terrain was mostly long fairly flat sections with the occasional small, but steep, up's and down's. Toward the end of the day we experienced some incredible trail magic. While the trail cut through a small campsite in a State Park, we were flagged down by an older couple camping right near the trail. The husband, Slow Stepper, had finished his last section of the AT after 25 years. They offered us hot dogs, chips, and soda, which we enjoyed immensely as we shared trail experiences. As we headed off to finish our last three miles of the day we said our good-byes and thanked them for the great break and eats. However, when Mary and I reached US-4 to finish our hiking and begin hitching, there they were waiting to drive us to town. Awesome! Tonight we're staying at the Twelve Tribes Hostel in Rutland. This is definitely the most "interesting" hostel we've run into because its very clean, we just "worked for stay" (free food and accomodations) and it's run by a religious cult. They are a very friendly cult, and they run a really neat restaurant downstairs where we worked off our visit. I'd say they are more the types to off themselves with poison Kool-Aid instead of unleashing nerve gas into a subway system. Think of a mix between evangelical Christians and hippies like Jerry Falwell crossed with the Greatful Dead. Anyway, they are dang nice and make damn good salad dressing. This trip is getting a bit surreal. Movie of the Day: "The Princess Bride" Work of the day: cutting tofu.
Date: 2008-08-08
From: Us-4/Rutland, VT

To: Swansong Shelter
Miles today: 11.6

From Mary: We did a half day today. This morning we woke well rested from our separate (men and women) dormitories, and had free breakfast served at the cafe downstairs. Breakfast included eggs and since Jay and the consistancy of eggs don't mix, we hit up a dunkin' donuts for a second breakfast. We checked a couple of outfitters in Rutland for a therma-rest, but had no luck. I did however decide to join Jay in a Gor-tex free shoe hike by purchasing some new trail runner type shoes. As far as the hike went we spent the day hiking up and down Killington Mountain. It rained on and off. The craziest bit of weather today was hearing rolling thunder as sunshine was coming through the trees. Killington Mountain had some rocks and roots and I wouldn't go as far as one hiker we passed who called it "vicious." It did remind me a bit of Maine, but that was only a 1/4 mile section of the downhill. Tonight we are packed in a "secret shelter" on someone's private property just a little ways off the trail. I thoroughly enjoyed the outhouse of the east book that they keep in the privy. Song of the day (in my head): Telluride by Tim McGraw
Date: 2008-08-09
From: Swansong Shelter

To: Big Branch Shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: light rain

From Jay: Our biggest day yet mileage-wise. The highlight was definitely the lack of rain. Although the weather threatened, nothing ever came from it. Besides that it was a fairly easy day over the mostly rolling countryside. I'm having trouble with my feet from the new shoes I bought back in Hanover. They have turned out to be too small and my heels are getting pretty bashed up from the impact. I'll trade them out in Manchester Center. Tonight Mary and I have the shelter to ourselves for the first time on the trail, and it feels almost lonely here.
Date: 2008-08-10
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: Vermont 11/30 Manchester Center
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: scattered clouds

From Jay: I'm writing this entry from the Green Mountain hostel in Manchester Center, which is the swankiest hostel we've stayed in by far. Today was a bit of a blur, with us covering miles at a good clip in spite of my bum feet. We reached the road to hitch into town before 3:00 p.m., so we have a little longer rest tonight. The day was beautiful weather otherwise until lunch, when a massive thunderstorm cell snuck up on us and began unleashing some monster bolts of lightning, including the couple that struck within a quarter mile. It was intense!
Date: 2008-08-11
From: Vermont 11/30 Manchester Center

To: Manchester Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

From Mary: Reasons for taking a zero day:1. Time for new shoes. The shoes Jay purchased in Hanover are killing his feet, and he has been limping ofr the past 50 miles.2. The Olympics have started. Enough said. (Actually you could say our very first dates were spent watching Olympics in 2004.)3. Mary has a burning desire to cook. (And no, cooking ramen over the jetboil doesn't count.)4. To rest the old dogs. Big miles with wet feet=lots of sore spots and rubs. Because of Jay's shoe issues he is especially in need.5. This hostel rocks. Green Mountain House. We called from Rutland and made our reservation as we heard it was news, clean, filled up fast, and had a great hiker kitchen, internet, TV, washer and dryer. What we didn't know was we would have room to ourselves and all this for the cost of...a donation.6. Outfitter and amenities in Manchester. We have heard outfitters in town are good. There are many restaurants and grocery stores and of course Ben & Jerry's (we are in Vermont after all). All within close proximity of each other.7. We haven't seen another southbounder since Hanover and taking a day off should help some of our hiking buddies catch up.Reason not to take a rest today: 1. We are behind schedule. When I said the trail would take us four months I was really pushing it. Most folks take 5 -6. I have kind of adjusted my expectations and to get the most enjoyment and still make decent time I am officially not going to stress about a finishing date. We'll be done before Thanksgiving that's for sure.
Date: 2008-08-12
From: Manchester Center

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: moderate rain

From Jay: Back to reality after our very pleasant stay at the Green Mountain House. Apparently the Trail didn't receive its memo to dry up a bit for us, as the story again today was more mud. Vermont and New England in general have been receiving nothing but record rain this summer, with no end in sight. I guess we'd better hustle our buts south then!P.S. The rest day paid off, Jay's feet are feeling better in his new Kicks.P.S.S. The shoes he bought (Northface) already have a one inch tear from the first day out - grrrr.
Date: 2008-08-13
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Vermont 9/Stealth Site
Miles today: 19.0

From Jay: It is a miracle! The sun decided to remake our acquaintance and bless us with blue skies throughout our hike all day. The trail is still soup, but hey, it is a start. We had some decent views from the observation tower on Mt. Glastenbury, including some of Mt. Greylock in Massachusetts. We're staying in a camp spot right near a trailhead parking lot next to Vermont 9.
Date: 2008-08-14
From: Vermont 9/Stealth Site

To: MA2/North Adams/Williamston
Miles today: 18.4

From Mary:We headed out this morning carrying a wet tent again (thanks to the thunderstorm that visited us last night.) More of the same trail conditions today, but thanks to an early start we made good time. Jay and I were the straws that broke the "camel's back" at the Cogden shelter. (The camel in this case was an already very unsteady picnic table.) Thanks to the NOBO's for the heads up. We hit the road (MASS 2) into North Adams at about three, before schedule. Aftr a short walk we were able to catch a hitch into Williamstown to make it to the post office before it closed at 4:30. We picked up a drop-box we had sent to ourselves before we left, a book from Lynn, (thanks darling!) and a long awaited care package from my parents. They had originally sent it to Andover, ME where we forwarded it to Gorham, NH but beat it there. We forwarded it again from Gorham to Glencliff, NH and again beat it there so finally had it sent to MA. Oh, and we crossed another state line today and it was amazing how the mud disappeared, like someone flipped a switch. We spent the night, cash consciously, behind the outfitter in Williamstown. We ate at the Water Street Grill for dinner. (Half-off appetizers) Followed by ice cream from the Lickity Split. Williamstown is the home of Williams College and was very nice. Ice Cream Flavor of the day: Cake batter fudge
Date: 2008-08-15
From: MA2/North Adams/Williamston

To: Mark Noepel Lean-to
Miles today: 8.4

From Jay: Since we desire greatly to stay in Dalton to shower and do laundrey (apparently I smell like "decaying fish"), we're doing two short days to get there at a reasonable time. Today's hike revolved around Mt. Greylock, Massachusetts' highest point, which lies right outside Willamstown/North Adams. It was a nice little climb up in the rain (as if we climb any other way) and we reached the summit around lunch time. The summit is normally open by road, but as that is closed for construction, it is currently a "hiker-only" peak. Mt. Greylock was #25 on the state high-point list for Mary and I. Halfway there! So we reached the shleter early and dried ourselves out and got warmed up. We read our books and generally "vegged" for the rest of the evening. Dalton tomorrow.Song of the day: Sweet Baby James