morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-08-17
From: Rt. 4 Killington, Vt.

To: The Lookout
Miles today: 17.3

Another gorgeous day! The sun peeked in and out of the clouds and the temperature stayed in the 70s. We left the Inn at Long Trail after having a wonderful breakfast. A number of us left including: Stripe, Pace, Kodiak, Constant Motion, Mellow Yellow, Hepcat, Fly and Smoothie.The trail was soft but had lots of roots and rocks again today. We saw more moose poop than ever, and I kept my camera ready, but I didn't see any moose to go with it.We all stopped for lunch at the Stony Brook Shelter. The mosquitos and flies were really bad, the worst we've had since Mass. After lunch, I continued along the trail to the water source; Stony Brook. It was one of the most beautiful areas of water that I've ever seen. The water was as crystal clear as the water in your bathtub and the sun was shining on the falls. I took a picture but doubt if it will do the brook justice.We had a series of climbs today, big climbs. My pack has 4 days of food in it, but I was surprised at the ease in which I got through the day. Since we've been climbing again all day, I can feel myself getting stronger and I can tell you, it feels very good!After taking a short break at the Chateauguay Road crossing with everyone, I was off on the last 2+ miles to tonight's destination. At that point in the day, my feet are so sore that I would just like my hike to be over so I can get the boots off and my feet up.What a nice surprise to get to The Lookout. It is a cabin on top of the mountain that is owned by Lookout Farm, down below. They graciously allow hikers to use the building. There is a ladder to the roof and a wooden lookout. You can see 360* for miles amd miles. It looked like a water color with well defined mountains in the foreground, then less defined mountains farther behind, and finally just a washed out horizon of even more mountains.I watched the sun set from the lookout with Stripe and Pace. Just before it set Fly and Smoothie arrived and joined us. The wind chill up there had to be in the 30s. I think tomorrow will be the first morning that we'll be cold when we awaken.We talked about how much we will miss this adventure when it is over, up there on what seemed like the top of the world, but I have this journal and my pictures, and I'll always have the wonderful friendships that I've made along the way.
Date: 2003-08-18
From: The Lookout

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

It was a long, difficult day of many ups and downs. The 14 miles today seemed like 24 on my feet.The day was warm and humid until about 3pm when the sky darkened, the wind picked up and then the rain began to fall. I stopped and put the pack cover on, and put a long sleeved shirt on myself. It only rained for a half hour or so, and I was almost dry when I reached the shelter at 4:00.I removed my boots before taking my pack off and attempted to rub the pain and agony, that I have come to know at the end of the day, away.After taking ibuprofen and resting for a bit I made dinner then hit the sheets. I'm tired, I'm sore and I have 14.6 more miles to do into Hanover tomorrow.
Date: 2003-08-19
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

My hike started at 7am today. While I walked, I thought about how enjoyable the company at the shelter was last evening. Dutch came in at dusk, as did Mothman, and while they cooked and ate, we chatted. Patches, Right On and Brown Dog, and I were already in our sleeping bags, and Pace was just finishing his dinner. The conversation was light and fun. I'm going to miss this aspect of my trip. At home I usually go to bed with the cats and dogs. They're great listeners, but don't add much to the conversation.Last night I had decided to take ibuprofen for my foot discomfort instead of the Celebrex that I had been taking for a week. With the Celebrex, my night time pains had gone away, but the all daytime discomfort from the pounding has been hard to take. I didn't want to take both medications, and there weren't any hikers with medical backgrounds in the shelter, so I just took 800mg. of ibuprofen and skipped the Celebrex. This morning I took another 800mg. before heading onto the trail. Today's 14 miles were much easier for me.I opened my 5th and last box of Aqua Mira today. When Jack and I were in Manchester Center last week waiting for the EMS store to open, we met a nice hiker by the name of Trail Trooper. He had just bought a water filter and offered me his Aqua Mira. So when I opened it, I thought of him.At 9am I arrived at VT Rt. 12 after crossing the White River. There's a great country store that has a snack bar, so I stopped and had a real early lunch; Italian sub and onion rings, washed down with a Mountain Dew.My next stop was Happy Hill Shelter, a beautiful shelter that looked like a doll house. I was joined by Mothman, Patches, and Patches friend Gray Wolf. I re-filled my water bottle, read and signed the shelter register, then headed out. It was only 5+ miles to Hanover.I soon arrived in Norwich, Vt. and started my road walk through Norwich and across the Connecticut River. Halfway across the river I slipped into the next state; New Hampshire. Wow, 12 down, 2 to go!My last trip to Hanover was in 1978. Jack and I took our son Jeff, who was 1 at the time, and my sister Sandy (great baby sitter, and always tops in Jeff's eyes) to Winter Carnival at Dartmouth. I fell in love with it then and wanted to take a zero day while I was here, but can't afford the time off right now, so I'm going to take the morning off and hike out in the afternoon.My first stop in town was to the Dartmouth Outdoor Club. They helped me find a reasonable place to stay, close to downtown. I'm sharing a room with Constant Motion tonight.I'm caught up on my journal entries, showered, fed, and re-supplied (thanks to John and Kat Kat). I'm about to start on my pocketmail, answering e-mails and writing to everyone who has signed my guestbook since the last town stop.Jack didn't think it was funny that I said he wouldn't know what to do about the annoying beeps from the burglar alarm, so I'm taking that back. Forget that I ever said it :)
Date: 2003-08-21
From: Hanover, NH

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Yesterday I enjoyed a quiet day off. In the morning I watched tv and iced my feet. Around noon I rode the free bus into downtown Hanover and went to the Dartmouth Outdoor Club. There I used the computer and phone, talked with Lion King who is also in town, and saw Fly and Smoothie along with Right On and Chocolate Dog.I walked across the green, browsed through some shops, and got lunch at Lou's. The movies didn't start until 4pm so I skipped that for now. I haven't seen a movie since February.After catching the bus back to The Sunset, I spent the afternoon watching the Animal Channel and continued to ice my dawgs until going to sleep around 9.I awakened at 6:15am today and caught the 7:35 bus into Hanover, causing me to miss the continental breakfast that started at 8am at the motel. The driver left me off at the P.O. where the trail goes out of town. I had a road walk for about 4 blocks before the trail turned and headed out of town and into the woods.My first climb of the day came immediately after the trail left the road. I stopped for my 1st break after crossing Trescott Road at the 5 mile mark. I had gone the 5 mile in 2 hours, a good pace for the terrain.I intended to go to the Moose Mt. Shelter for lunch after climbing Moose Mt. but when I got to the trail junction, the sign said that it was .3 off the trail; too far for lunch if you don't need water, and I didn't. I planted my bottom at the trail junction in a nice clearing and ate my lunch of whole wheat crackers and squirt cheese while I started today's journal entry.A half hour into my break I was joined by Stretch whom I had originally met at the 501 Shelter. We chatted for a minute when he confirmed that I was indeed Journey. He had a message for me that he had been carrying for 2 weeks from my old friends Nick and Norm. Jack and I had met them back in the Shenandoah's when doing trail magic and we've kept in touch. They were hiking in southern Vermont and apparently I had just missed them. Sorry I missed you guys!Kodiak came up next and we headed out together but Kodiak quickly pulled away. Stretch and I hiked together chatting until the base of Holts Ledge. I climbed from 920' to 2100'and was treated with a beautiful view of the White Mts. off in the distance. I really am looking forward to the Whites and seeing my old friend Plugger who started the same day as my group.With me tonight at the shelter are: Kodiak, Hepcat, Radar (GA-ME, 2002), Mellow Yellow, M, Green Turtle, Cornpatch, Fly and Smoothie, Right On and Brown Dog, Timber, and several others. It's a crowded shelter and surrounding tent sites tonight!
Date: 2003-08-22
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Because of the weather report calling for thunderstorms late this afternoon, I headed out early to hike the 12 miles to Hexacuba Shelter.I was shocked when it took me 4 hours to go from Trapper John Shelter to the Fire tower on Smarts Mountain, a mere 5.6 miles! I climbed the 2100' slowly and diligently, stopping occasionally to get a drink of water.The Firewarden's Cabin was immediately after the tower, so it was there that I stopped for lunch. Bryson, a south bounding hound dog was there with his 2 people. I shared my squirt cheese with him as it was his favorite. Bryson reminded me of an old family dog we had named Stacy. Minus the gimp.My destination shelter was only 5.3 more miles, but I felt like I had already done a full day.When I came upon moose poop and then fresh moose tracks in the mud, I was sure that I'd get to see my moose today, but my moose sighting didn't come to pass. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.I came to a road crossing at South Jacobs Brook, and a sign told me that I had only 1.3 miles left to go. Unfortunately it was mostly uphill.Boy, I was beat when I finally got to the shelter. Only 12 miles and 6+ hours and I was whipped!I made dinner, set up my bed, and could have gone to sleep at 4pm.With me at the shelter are: Radar, Cornpatch, and section hikers Ham and BJ.Tomorrow, I have 14.7 miles to go into Glencliff. I'll do laundry, re-supply, and probably spend the night. I have my balaclava but would like to get a hat and gloves before getting into the Whites.
Date: 2003-08-23
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 14.7

At 5:30am a south bounder's alarm awakened me. It sounded again at 5:35 and 5:45. At 6:45am as I was leaving the shelter, the hiker who's alarm had gotten me up was just rolling out of his bag. I don't have many pet peeves, but that is one of them. It was cool and clear this morning, the rain and damaging winds that had been predicted never arrived last night, but the drop in temperature did. I started my hike with a long sleeved shirt to ward off the morning chill. I hiked alone today, listening to my radio and singing along to the tunes on the oldies station. The 14.7 miles went quickly and easily and by 3pm I had arrived at the Hikers Welcome Hostel on Rt. 25 in Glencliff. The Hostel is owned by former thru-hiker, Packrat who supplies beds, shower, snacks, shuttles to dinner and market and shuttles for slack packing. It was a good place to spend the night. There were 10 of us inside and another 10-12 tented outside. I arranged to get a ride to NH Rt. 112 first thing in the morning, then I would hike south over Mt. Moosilauke and back to the hostel. Tomorrow is supposed to be another magnificent day. I have no complaints.
Date: 2003-08-25
From: Rt. 112, Kinsman Notch

To: Plugger's House
Miles today: 0.0

This morning I awakened in Wakefield, New Hampshire, near the Maine boarder. Plugger, who had started his thru-hike on the same day as I, and his wife Bobbi had come to the hostel last night to take me home for a day. I had liked Plugger from the get-go and after he left the trail at Hiawassee we had kept in touch through e-mail. He had promised trail magic when I got into his neck of the woods and I was looking forward to seeing him and meeting his wife. They arrived at the hostel after an hour and a half ride through the New Hampshire countryside. We had a good ride back, catching up on our lives and the people that we knew from the trail. It was after midnight when I finally got to sleep last night, and I was up by 6:30 this morning. Their dog Riley is adorable and gives me a chance to have my animal deprived hands on a pup for a while. There's also a cockatiel just like home so I enjoyed talking with Murphy too. Today we went to Kittery Trading Post on Rt. 1 in Maine and I got a polypro hat, some new gloves, and a few Mountain House meals. The store is huge and I could have spent hours there browsing through the camping and backpacking equipment. We stopped for lunch and I had New England clam chowder, one of my favorites. As we ate, we watched the lobstermen check their pots in the water by the restaurant. This evening Plugger and I sat at the kitchen table and tried to map out a plan for the next week of hiking. Plugger and Bobbi will be helping me through the Whites by picking me up every 2-3 days to re-supply so that I don't have to carry much weight through the difficult sections. As we ate the delicious dinner Bobbi had prepared, we talked about how difficult it is for the one left at home "holding down the fort". I thought about Jack, at home for the 22nd weekend, alone again, and was proud that he has supported me in this endeavor, appreciating the sacrifice he's making to make this trip possible for me. Boy, do I have good people in my life, or what? Tomorrow morning Plugger will drop me off at Kinsman Notch and I'll continue north on the AT.
Date: 2003-08-26
From: Rt. 112, Kinsman Notch

To: Kinsman Pond Campsite
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Our day started at 5am. I took a shower, a wonderful, hot shower and dressed before re-packing my pack for the next leg of my White Mountain journey. Bobbi had to work today so Plugger and their corgy, Reily took me back to the trail. We left the house at 6am, stopped at Dunkin Donuts for breakfast, and arrived at the trailhead by 8am after a beautiful drive from Wakefield.Soon after we arrived, Packrat, from the Hikers Welcome Hostel, drove up with Gray Jay, Right On and Brown Dog, and Groovy, who were all hiking north today. I introduced Plugger to everyone and Reily introduced himself to Brown Dog.I said my goodbyes to Riley and Plugger, thanked Plugger again for a great day yesterday, and headed north.Groovy caught up to me later and said what a nice conversation he had had with Plugger in the parking lot.The trail started up immediately, reaching toward the sky and the top Mt. Wolf.It was a great day for hiking; partly cloudy, slight breeze, and temps in the 60s. I kept my Patagonia shirt on all day.Right before lunch I met up with Sheepstuff and we hiked together for the rest of the day. We talked about friends and family, our homes, and how the trail has changed us.We stopped for lunch at the Eliza Brook Shelter and it was there we met 3 southbound brothers from Texas. They told us where to find the stealth campsites in the Whites. After an hour we were back on the trail headed to the Kinsman Pond Campsite.Finally at 6:10pm we reached the campsite. The caretaker here tonight is Eric and he must be paid $8.00 for use of shelter space. This is the first paid shelter in the White Mountains. Eric went to his tent and brought me a bird book so I could identify a wonderful bird that Gordon, Sheepstuff and I had seen on the top of the mountain. It turned out to be a male Spruce Grouse, a beautiful bird that showed no fear of us at all.With Sheepstuff and me tonight in the shelter are a group of girls from Brown University. They are wonderful company and I've enjoyed them immensely. They are funny, serious, full of life and a great example of the young women of today.I'm tired tonight, but it's a good tired, from a long and difficult day of climbing.
Date: 2003-08-28
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

My hike out of Franconia Notch began at 8am after Plugger and I drove the hour from his house, and of course stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast.The sun was shining for the ride and I mentioned that it would be a sunscreen day for me, but by the time we got to the notch it was overcast and chilly.I climbed from 1450' to Liberty Spring Tentsite where I ducked into the privy to change out of my skirt and into tights and a heavier shirt to go with my fleece. I was starting to get cold even though I was climbing almost straight up.From there I climbed Little Haystack Mountain, Mt. Lincoln and had started climbing Mt. Lafayette when I came to a place where the trail seemed to dead end. I looked right and saw nothing but trees, straight ahead, trees, to the left a 10' rock wall.....with a white blaze on it! There was a crack in it which allowed me to stick my foot in and I was able to get up with the aid of some hemlock roots. Reaching the top, I turned and looked behind me and was so overwhelmed by what I saw that I had to sit down. There before me was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. Overcome with emotion, the tears welled in my eyes and spilled down my cheeks. As I watched, the sun peeked in and out of the clouds that blew over my head and swirled up and down the sides of the mountains in the distance. I felt exalted in that tiny pocket of serenity there on the quiet side of the mountain. Behind me the wind roared, and had I known what I was in for, would have sat for just a little while longer.When the sun went behind the clouds for good and I started to get chilled, I moved off the rock and up the trail, getting closer and closer to being above tree line and the exposed trail that would last for the next few miles.The trees get shorter and shorter as you reach the exposed top of Mt. Lafayette. Then they just stop altogether. While still in the trees, I stopped to put on my rain/wind pants, rain jacket, hat and gloves. It was only 50 degrees and the winds were 40-50 mph!I've always loved the wind, and off I went right into the thick of it. I climbed to the summit of Mt. Lafayette at over 5,000'. There were quite a few people up there, probably staying at the surrounding huts. I plodded on, like a drunk, swaying back and forth with the wind, slowly making my way along the exposed ridge-line. It took me quite awhile to make the exhausting hike back into the tree line and the calm and quiet of the woods.Realizing that I hadn't gotten a picture of myself up on top, I stopped on the trail and did a self portrait on what was to be the best day yet of the entire trail.I arrived at Garfield Campsite around 4:00, cold and very tired from my exciting day. Sheepstuff and I were the only ones in the shelter, but the tent sites were packed with some real nice kids from Bates College in Maine.I was in my sleeping bag by 6:30 and dead to the world before 8pm.
Date: 2003-08-29
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite

To: Zealand Falls Hut
Miles today: 9.8

Slept in: Hut (which I guess is a hotel since it cost me $72.00!)Today was my original target date for my summit of Katahdin. Wow, was I off! I think about this a lot. I went in to my hike concerned about my back because I've had back problems from time to time. Never did I worry about my feet! I originally expected to walk 15 miles per day starting in NC, with one day off every week to 10 days, then do a number of 20 mile days in Virginia. How was I to know that I couldn't walk 15 miles every day for days on end? I had never even tried it. The most I had ever walked was 9 miles. I rode my bike 37 miles once on a Bed, Breakfast and Bike weekend, but I only had to do it one day and I was finished.Today I was going to try to go to Ethan Pond Campsite, 4.8 miles past the hut, but after spending an hour and a half at the Galehead Hut early this morning eating cornbread, spice bread, mushroom barley soup and drinking tea, and falling twice today on the trail, twisting my right knee into a "funny" position and wrenching my hip, I decided that I had had enough for today.The hut had an open bunk and I took it. I've been dragging all afternoon and I don't know if it's from my falls or left over from yesterday's exhausting hike. Everyday now is a real workout. A measly 10 miles feels like 20 on my feet and body. It's easier to keep going rather than take breaks because starting back up is so painful to my knees and feet. My knees have done so well until now. A thousand times a day I lift my knee to my chin and climb up or down. After a while, they get cranky.I'm resting in my bunk, in a bunkroom where the beds are three high, the top one being about 10 feet off the ground. My knees and feet are raised up on the Army style blankets that are provided by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) along with a pillow for my $72.00. They have announced that a turkey dinner (included) will be served by 6pm. Tomorrow morning, breakfast (also included) will be at 7am.In the morning I'll hike the 7.7 miles to Crawford Notch where Plugger and Bobbi will again collect me, take me to their home, and spoil me as if I was one of their own.