morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-08-13
From: Clarendon Shelter (VT) 

To: Cooper Lodge Shelter (VT)
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

Day 125: "Detours? We don't need no stinkin' detours!!! (Or to paraphrase Admiral David Farragut at the Battle of Mobile Bay: "Damn the trail detours! Full speed ahead!")"Scour" is a good word to describe what last August's Hurricane Irene did to the Cold River valley, where we hiked today. She did wash away trail and take out a large bridge, but the overall appearance is that the hurricane floods just scraped away everything in their path. Rootballs piled up in the middle of the stream. Metal bridge beams tossed about like kids' toys. Vegetation and dirt all gone down to the bedrock. Things must have been popping and snapping at the height of the storm. Since early in the year, this area has been posted as a major road walking detour for the AT. However, work by trail maintainers and a season's worth of intrepid hikers passing through have pretty much created a useable route going by most of the the old white blazes. That was the update we were getting from southbounders we met, so when we reached the detour signs, we just barreled right ahead.In fact we saw more people we knew in this "closed" section today than you could shake a stick at! We met Poppawolf and Crocadilly back at the hydro plant in Falls Village, CT. They were sending their two golden retrievers home and were going to be joined by their niece. Well, today both of the dogs were back, and the niece was back home. 30-Pack had had a go round with an abscess on his butt (to which N could certainly relate!), but was back today and hiking strong. Joe Fore we last saw in PA. Since then he's had a bout with Lyme disease but is back and going strong (his wife had made a scheduled visit to get up with him, but instead of helping him slack, she wound up doing mostly nursing). GOMan had also had a visit from his spouse and now seems to have a much better outlook on his hike. The list just goes on and on...Besides seeing all these old hiking friends, we had another reason to celebrate today as we passed a sign in the woods that read: "500 miles to Katahdin". After being on the trail a little over 4 months it really was very exciting to see tangible evidence that we are getting close...The main order of business for the afternoon was a long climb up Mt. Killington (1,400' to almost 4,000'). We were joined by Castaway, who we also re-met in the closed area. His company helped the climb go much easier than it would have otherwise. When we reached the venerable old Cooper Lodge Shelter we were ready to call it a day. This large stone structure is designed to hold 16, but there are more folks tenting nearby on what looks like a clear but cold evening. Tomorrow marks the 75th anniversary of the AT's completion. We can't think of a better place to wake up to observe the date. Happy Birthday, dear AT!
Date: 2012-08-14
From: Cooper Lodge Shelter (VT)

To: Kent Pond (VT)
Miles today: 8.8

Day 126: Goodbye, Long Trail (Hello, 1,700 miles!)(Plus good conversation at the "old hikers' table")Today we were ready for a re-supply, and past ready for a good hot shower! When we saw the AT passed through the lawn of the Mountain Meadows Lodge on the shore of Kent Pond, it just had to be checked out! MML is quite busy on the weekends as a wedding site etc., but does a great job catering to hikers during the week. Tonight they were hosting a business meeting in their bar area, which meant they offered the same chicken cordon bleu dinner to us for only ten bucks. Throw in laundry and a hot tub, and we were sold!As you would expect, the walk from Killington the Mountain to Killington the Town was mostly downhill, and with the cool morning temperatures (probably around 50° when we started), very enjoyable. After crossing US 4, we did have a climb up to Maine Junction, where the AT and the older Long Trail diverge after sharing the same route north from the Massachusetts line. Along the way we ran into Perch and Otto, last seen in early Connecticut. Perch's knee still bears a scar from a fall the day we first met, but they (meaning Otto and Perch, not Perch's knees) were both in great spirits and looking forward to the Whites and beyond.At Giffords Woods State Park we once again started seeing major trail damage from Hurricane Irene. At VT 100 there were minor detours where another AT bridge had been washed away. It was an interesting juxtaposition of erosion and downed trees with the below normal level of Kent Pond because of this year's dry winter/spring/summer. Not to mention at the state park we hit the 1,700 mile mark... After dropping off our gear at the lodge, we ducked through the cross country ski paths/ frisbee golf course for the short walk to Base Camp Outfitters and more importantly the Killington Deli and Marketplace. What a great sandwich they fix! Add fruit salad and the soup of the day and we had a feast on their picnic table out front. (While we are eating, up walks a much thinner Hot Wheels, last seen in early Virginia. He thanked X for blister treatment advice she had offered back then and said it had been most helpful. Always great to see folks from early on still on the trail!)We had briefly met Spiceman & Rhino, the hiking brothers-in-law, at last night's shelter, but like Castaway and us, they also wound up here at the lodge where we were all put at a "hiker table" for dinner. It was interesting comparing notes on the different adventures we've had now intersecting at this point. Getting to know so many of our fellow hikers remains a trip highlight.
Date: 2012-08-15
From: Kent Pond (VT)

To: Winturri Shelter (VT)
Miles today: 14.9

Day 127: The best Irene detour yet!Two things today were in short supply: people and level ground. We saw a total of only eight souls all day - three Northbounders (including the In-Law's Spiceman & Rhino, who left the lodge about the same time we did, and are here with us tonight), five folks taking breaks or staying at the two shelters, and not one single person walking south on the trail! We expected less people after leaving the Long Trail, but not this kind of drop-off.The weather was perfect for hiking. Trail-wise, after dealing with some more Irene detours, the next eleven miles seemed to be continuous up's and down's, starting with a 1,300' climb up Quimby Mountain (in the space of only 1.1 mile!). The only saving grace for all this elevation change was the trail today had lots of dirt and forest duff, and very few rocky sections. (At the only really big rock of the day, someone had thoughtfully installed an extension ladder. Much appreciated!) X enjoyed walking on this gentle trail, but the constant climbing and descending made it impossible to make great time.The most exciting part of the day was the missing/ damaged boardwalk just north of Thundering Falls. Last year's AT has been re-routed here, with all the old AT blazes now re-painted blue. We'd heard it was possible to follow the pre-rerouted AT, and found it to be so if you didn't mind walking on a boardwalk tilted at a 45° angle. In hindsight, the longer re-routed trail on the road would have been quicker. About 12 miles in, we turn off trail 1/10 mile to walk uphill to an abandoned cabin on private land with a rickety ladder up to a lookout platform above the roof. The 360° view is spectacular! Back on the trail, we follow an old road bed for about half a mile, our only really level walking of the day, and at that point much appreciated.N gets a shoe wet collecting water near the shelter, but it is cool and clear, and quite refreshing on a day we probably didn't drink enough. Based on the radar the last time we had cell service, we set up the tent inside the spacious shelter, anticipating the 50/50 rain tonight. A harder day than we thought after our late start (8:45 after enjoying a great breakfast to the fullest!), and we are down for the evening before 8pm. A great day of hiking on the AT.
Date: 2012-08-17
From: VT 14 (White River, West Hartford, VT)

To: NH 120 (Hanover, NH)
Miles today: 10.6

Day 129: The Penultimate State! (plus a note about how the Vermont AT designers placed their easiest section of trail in the last ten miles, so that Northbounders would leave their state with a good impression...)With a brisk walk to Hanover, New Hampshire, we entered our 13th state today. The phrase "just one more state to go" trips off the tongue a little too lightly for what lies ahead, but it was a bit emotional for us as we crossed the Connecticut River bridge, and saw the letters "NH" carved  there in stone...Our day starts at 7am back at the West Hartford Village Store and Full Belly Deli, where we are second in line behind Rhino and Spiceman for a very large and filling breakfast. We have about 7/10 mile of road walking out of town before we pass under I-89 and turn back into the woods. There's about 1,000' of elevation gain as we pass the Happy Hill Shelter turnoff. (X found the midway sign pointing ahead to the shelter and back to the village's Podunk Road a mildly humorous juxtaposition of words...) After the shelter, the walk to Norwich was as easy as you could ask. As we reach pavement at the edge of town, we find several driveways have bins of 'self-serve' trail magic. Then we pass under our second interstate of the day, I-91. Hanover was bustling with activity, with so many bright shiny faces wandering around as the Dartmouth school year is about to commence.We walk the trail mileage through town, running some errands along the way. X is able to get a haircut when a scheduled 1:15 appointment is a no-show. N is able to get his bent eyeglasses frame repaired. We draw a blank on Mountain House meals and socks at the outfitter, but at the Hanover Food Co-op find more than enough re-supply to take care of our first three days hiking in NH.We haven't taken a full day off since Connecticut, so it looks like it's about time for another, so we can plan for the now looming Whites...
Date: 2012-08-18
From: NH 120 (Hanover, NH)

To: NH 120 (Hanover, NH)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 130: Rest Day on the farmToday's Quiz Question: After leaving Hanover (actually it's Etna NH), Northbounders will have completed 80% of the AT's distance. At this point, what percent of the total energy needed to complete an Appalachian Trail thru hike will they still need to expend to reach Kathadin? A) 20%, B) 50%, C) 80%, D) All of the above.Depending on who you talk to, the answer is somewhere between B and C. From our brief experience in the White Mountains three years ago, we'd lean towards C. The point being, with a lot of steep climbs ahead, not to mention a lot of streams and bogs to cross, not to mention the logistics of the 100 Mile Wilderness, the real meat of this hike is finally about to begin. We are in good health and haven't been in this good aerobic condition in 20 years, and we are excited about the challenge. Still, it is a little daunting, isn't it???But that's all for tomorrow. Today we are taking a zero visiting with Stephanie Shropshire Loeffler, one of X's best friends from high school days and the Maid of Honor at our wedding. Stephanie picked us up at the Co-op in Hanover and drove us the 40 miles back to her farm in Chelsea, VT. We have about 35 years of catching up on each others lives to do in the next 24 hours. We don't know if we can do all of it, but we will try...
Date: 2012-08-19
From: NH 120 (Hanover, NH)

To: Bill's Backyard
Miles today: 16.9

Day 131: New Hampshire made easy (At least for today...)Our friend Stephanie not only dropped us off early at the Co-op parking lot in Hanover, she said she would meet us with a picnic dinner and all our heavy gear after we came down from the Holts Ledges near Lyne Center, NH. We arrived at the road right at 4pm, just as Stephanie was pulling up, and instead of the freeze dried dinner we should have otherwise expected, we feasted on meat pies and fresh vegetables from her garden: cucumbers, carrots, and string beans. Not to mention cold drinks and chips! Thanks to Stephanie's assistance, we made great time today, and are none the worse for wear. We had one short, steep up and down early, but the trail was generally kind to us today all the way to the Etna road. There a young woman had placed a cooler of Cokes out yesterday, which was still half full this morning, our first trail magic in NH. After the road we passed about a dozen Dartmouth student-athletes running the trail south, and then made the climb to the twin peaks of Moose Mountain. When we stopped on north peak to talk to SOBO'er Green Bean, a number of NOBO's caught up with us: Kleenex, Castaway (now joined by his brother Deadeye for a few days), Poppawolf and Rampage. Sounded like most folks had taken a zero in Hanover before starting out again this morning. (In the case of Poppawolf and Rampage, there was a stomach bug involved that kept their spouses Crocodilly and Mango off the trail today.)We're staying tonight in the yard of Bill Ackerly, 50 yards from the AT. 84 year old Bill gives hikers ice cream when he's home, but had left a note on a cooler of drinks on his porch saying he was off on vacation; and to take a soda, sign his guest book, and generally make ourselves at home. We decided to take him up on his invitation to camp and were joined by five or six others. Just before dark, Bill arrived home from Colorado. He took everything in stride with all these strangers all over his yard, and we were glad to meet such an AT institution (he's been hosting hikers for nine years to pay forward the kindness folks showed his kids when they were hiking the trail). Thanks to Stephanie and Bill, our hiking in New Hampshire is off to a great start!And finally in the day's not quite wildlife sighting report: Talloaf arrived in camp with a picture he had taken of two sheep on the trail on the way up to Holts Ledges. Tagged but obviously very lost. Our host Bill said at one time way back when, this whole area had been denuded of trees to support the grazing of sheep. Bill set about calling a friend to see if the 'farmer network' could get the poor sheep back home...
Date: 2012-08-20
From: Grafton Turnpike, Dorchester Rd (NH)

To: NH 25A
Miles today: 15.9

Day 132: Smarts Mountain & Mt. Cube[A final note on three more things that made a stay in Bill Ackerly's backyard so special: one of the most spectacular views of the night sky we've had the whole trip (complete with the Milky Way and a shooting star!), Bill leaving his door unlocked all night to offer the use of indoor plumbing, and his strong, hot coffee first thing in the morning. The man, indeed, is a rare gem.]The chilly temperature (certainly below 50°!) and the heaviest dew on record make it tough to get stirring this morning. We have a two mile gradual uphill hike before we begin the arduous 2,357' climb (in two stages) up Smarts Mountain. The weather is perfect for hiking - cool and clear - and the view from the old fire lookout tower is gorgeous. By the time we get there, a goodly crowd of hikers has gathered at the tower steps, both NOBO's & SOBO's.The trail is a busy place in general today as we see both thru and section SOBO'ers, plus a surprising number of day hikers, as well as several Northbounders, however our chore group of Kleenex, the brothers Castaway (that is to say also his brother Deadeye joining him for a week in the Whites and on his second day out already getting his trail legs!), and us stay together all day. After a 1,400' descent to the new bridge across South Jacobs Brook, where we stop for snacks and water, we begin the shorter but tougher 1,496' ascent up Mt. Cube. We climb on a lot of exposed rock, and once again the view is great. A mile and a half into the climb we pass the turnoff to Hexacuba Shelter, but at only ten miles for the day, it's way too soon to stop and we push on. We learn from southbounders there is decent camping with water just before NH 25A and that becomes our goal. It's well after five when we arrive to find Talloaf and Tarzan and Jane already working on dinner, and lots of good tent stealth sites remaining. From a passing Gumby, last seen during N's convalescence in Connecticut, we hear Spiceman and Rhino are just behind us; and from a passing Loner (who as his trail name implies is walking ahead to camp by himself) we hear they have stopped short of us at the last gravel road. Our little hiking bubble continues to both expand and contract, but seems to be steadily (or maybe unsteadily?) moving north towards Maine. We can only hope this wonderful weather stays with us through the Whites. Another stellar day on the AT...
Date: 2012-08-22
From: NH 25 (Hikers Welcome Hostel)

To:  NH 112 (North Woodstock, NH)
Miles today: 9.3

Day 134: Mt. Moosilauke (Our official welcome to the White Mountains)Today was the absolutely perfect day to be on top of a mountain in the Whites: beautiful weather with cool temperatures and great views. Overnight, Deadeye had a losing bout with "Moosilauke's Revenge," which kept him in the privy most of the evening, and off the trail today. However, Talloaf was able to step in and take his place, and keep the "gang of five" intact. We left the hostel at seven, and after a little confusion at Jeffers Brook, found ourselves on the 3,500' climb up Mt. Moosilauke. We were in the woods for several hours, with the path getting rockier as the elevation increased, before taking a side trail to the mountain's south peak, and our first grand vista. Back on the AT, the trail to the main peak was in large part like a level carriage road. On the summit, we were above the tree line with a 360° view. Looking off to the distant Mt. Washington, we knew we were fortunate to be here on such a clear day.Moosilauke's northern slope has a well deserved reputation as the tougher trail descent of the two, coming down a rocky 2,200' feet in only 1.5 miles. About a half dozen folks from the hostel chose to catch a ride to Kinsman Notch, and hike the AT backwards. As we started meeting them on our way down, they confirmed we were in for a challenge! Our thanks to all the Dartmouth Outing Club volunteers for the wooden steps and rebar hand rails they had installed at critical locations along the way. We were somewhat frustrated by the slow pace, but had as much fun negotiating the descent as any piece of the AT we've been on. We anticipate this type of trail being "business as usual" for the next week or so. Alison met us at the road and brought Kleenex, Castaway, and us to the Carriage Motel in North Woodstock for the night. We ate well at the nearby Greek restaurant, and are planning an early start tomorrow as we attempt to get over both Kinsman summits and back to North Woodstock before dark. As hard as they are, we are loving the Whites!
Date: 2012-08-23
From:  NH 112 (North Woodstock, NH)

To: US 3/ I-93 (North Woodstock, NH)
Miles today: 16.2

Day 135: Mt. Wolf, South and North Kinsman MountainWe started the day with an ambitious plan: to get over Kinsman Mountain and back to our little motel room in North Woodstock with its hot shower, soft bed, and town food. Actually we weren't sure whether the plan was ambitious or foolhardy given the time it took us to do Moosilauke yesterday. However, since we survived the day, we're thinking it wasn't completely foolhardy. Once again we were blessed with great hiking weather. It was a little hazier than yesterday but only a little rain would solve that, and believe us, neither of us wants anything but dry weather through the Whites to keep all these rocks dry, like we've had for the last few days.Today deserves a better telling (first moose sighting, 1,800 miles, etc.), but it will have to wait until later as we have to get ready for the next leg through the Presidential range...
Date: 2012-08-24
From: US 3/ I-93 (North Woodstock, NH)

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite (NH) 
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 136: Franconia Ridge At the end of the day yesterday, we made the mistake of following Cascade Brook rather than Cascade Brook Trail after seeing a sign telling us where to cross the stream since the old bridge was now gone. The result was we had to go fill in a small gap where we had been off trail. We also fired Talloaf as navigator, and after voting him off the island, today we became the Gang of Four. Getting back to the point we went astray as quickly as possible was the goal, and as we tried to work out the details of that, who do we bump into at the AT parking lot but Steve Lobombard, in the area to be a trail angel. With his assistance we were soon back on track to pass every single white blaze on the trail. Today we crossed Franconia Ridge, one of the AT's most scenic locations. The climb up to Liberty Springs was grueling as we were carrying the heaviest packs we've had since Mt. Rogers, way back in early VA. But when we first broke above the tree line at Mt. Haystack, there was a collective sigh from the group. Another clear day in the Whites, and the views just got better and better as we ascended Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Lafayette.The trail down from Lafayette was steep and rocky, and we were already beat when we had to climb up and over the even tougher Mt. Garfield to reach tonight's campsite. Although things here are a little spread out (read "a long walk down to an excellent water source"), all the facilities are very nice. Another amazing day in the Whites, and we will sleep well tonight...
Date: 2012-08-25
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite (NH) 

To: Zealand Falls Hut (NH)
Miles today: 9.5

Day 137: Mt. Garfield, South Twin Mountain, and Mt. GuyotThe day for the Gang of Four began with a very steep climb downhill from Garfield Ridge Campground, then some more rocky trail over to the Galehead Hut, not quite three miles away. We were hoping for the dregs of breakfast leftovers that are sometime available to through hikers. We scored on the last cereal bowl size helping of scrambled eggs with zucchini, and three small pieces of coffee cake. This free food we quickly inhaled. We also bought a few very tasty brownies. X also had a cup of coffee which gave her a burst of energy to propel her up the next climb: South Twin Mountain. The AT up South Twin gains 1,100' in less than a mile and if the trail had a single switchback, we sure missed it. With her caffeine fix, X just zoomed up the hill, while N was staggered by the unforgiving climb. We were ready for a break on top, where we met several weekend hikers out bagging some of the 48 4,000 foot peaks to be found in the White Mountains.As we were leaving the summit of South Twin, the great luck we've had weatherwise started coming to an end with the arrival of some very dark clouds. The sun came back out, but then here came the rain. We had hoped to reach Ethan Pond Campsite tonight, but the difficulty of the trail in general and the added element of wet rocks made that too difficult. So we are fortunate enough to have a work for stay at our first overnight at an AMC hut. Our assigned task is talking with the paying guests about our collective thru hike Another new adventure on the AT...