morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-08-07
From: Ball Brook campsite 

To: Mt Wilcox Shelter 
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: heavy intensity rain

We're in Massachusetts, more specifically Great Barrington, or as the locals call it "GB", a lovely resort town in western MA after hiking some tough days. We climbed Bear Mountain, Mt Race and then Mt Everett. Some of the tallest in CT-MA. We were rained on today, (but no lightning/thunder), our feet hurt and we need rest but have to wait a few more days before taking another zero. After showering in our room at Days Inn we went into town looking to pick up more freeze-dried dinners before we run out. Unfortunately, the outfitter here sells shoes and clothes and not much more for hikers. On a tip, we tried the candy store but they only had freeze dried ice cream.   I did buy a Zagnut there (can't help thinking of Beetlejuice movie every time I see that candy bar) and was floored by the $2.95 cost; and I thought Hawaii's prices were high.. Good thing Bell will be able to send us more up ahead a few days so we'll be fine. We did laundry and ate dinner so we're good for now. I'm pretty tired so I'll wrap this up, GN
Date: 2017-08-09
From: MA 23

To: Kay Wood Shelter 
Miles today: 28.0
Weather: clear sky

My brother Tom and his wife Cindy flew in from California and met up with us on the trail on Tuesday. It was so nice seeing family and catching up with them over lunch and later over dinner, which they were kind enough to pay for. In between, we had a great time talking and driving around the area checking out the awesome homes (more like mansions) and local highlights like "Tanglewood" and the Norman Rockwell Museum (which was closed). It was so nice sitting in a car and just relaxing. They stayed in the same motel and so today after our free motel breakfast, drove us back to the trail. I wish we had more time to spend with them but as the GOT Starks are fond of saying "Winters Coming" and we need to get to Maine before Mt Katahdin closes. They're off now visiting friends in New Hampshire but we might see them again when they head back this way to visit more friends in New Jersey. Sapphire and I are tenting at the Upper Goose Pond Cabin in MA. It's a lovely lakeside cabin that accommodates thru-hikers and serve's free pancakes in the morning. Almost a good enough reason to hike 18 miles,the last 6 in severe pain. My heals have blisters underneath thick calluses and every step was painful. I'm going to try releasing the pressure tomorrow as it's late and I'm too tired now.  We'll be in Dalton, MA Friday to pick up the freeze dried dinners Bell sent us then we're taking Saturday off. Hopefully my feet will relax and stop causing me so much discomfort. Thanks again to Tom and Cindy for taking time to visit, we very much appreciated and enjoyed the time spent with you.
Date: 2017-08-11
From: Cookie Lady's yard

To: Zero tomorrow 
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

We woke up yesterday next to this beautiful lake/pond.. (not sure where a pond ends and a lake begins). It was an idyllic setting, so serene with the ponds glassy surface reflecting the morning light. Places like this along the trail show us how blessed we are to be on this journey. After appreciating the pond we went up to the cabin for the pancake breakfast. We ate family style in the cabin with a bunch of other NOBO¢s and shared trail stories. It was great. The hike out was fairly easy but the blisters on my heels made the trek painful. We planned to stop by the Cookie Lady's farm and see if we could camp there for the night. The Cookie Lady, a well-known AT fixture, has a home/ working blueberry farm near the trail. She provides water and comfortable benches to passing AT hikers and also sells blueberries, boiled eggs and ice cream for a nominal fee. She wasn't home when we got there so we decided to hang out with a couple NOBO's and hope she'd be home soon. We didn't have to wait long and we were very happy when she graciously allowed us to pitch our tent in her yard. We were even happier when she sold us a $1.25 Klondike bar for $1.21 (all the cash/coins we had on hand). I guess we need to hit the ATM soon. :)
Date: 2017-08-13
From: Dalton Massachusetts 

To: Past Cheshire 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

The blisters under the calluses on my (aquamann) heels caused enough pain that I decided to seek medical attention. My brother Tom suggested I contact his doctor friend in Williamstown, MA (20 min, Uber ride from Dalton) Doc E was kind enough to see me yesterday and while the prognosis is good he offered options of treatment, one of which was rest. So I'll be taking the day off today to rest. After the visit, Doc E took us to the the drug store for Rx meds then dropped us off at the Clark Art Museum. Beautiful place with amazing works by Homer, Remington, Renoir, Van Gogh, Manet, Picasso, and many more. The fantastic thing about this collection is you are able get so close to the work you can see individual brush strokes and better appreciate the mastery of their art. Later, Dr E picked us up and took us to dinner. Doc E's cousin joined us for dinner and then dropped us off at our hotel in Pittsfield; not your typical Dr's visit. We'll be in Vermont soon and then into New Hampshire and Maine. We're getting close.
Date: 2017-08-14
From: Pittsfield, MA

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 30.4
Weather: clear sky

We needed to Uber ahead a day because of the extra day off we took to rest my feet and the uncancelable motel reservations in Bennington VT. on Wednesday. Time is getting tight and it'll be better to keep on schedule. We'll come back and hike the missed 15 miles after we pick up the car in Quantico. We've got a small section in Shenandoah NP we need to do too. Beautiful hike up Mt Greylock today. Weather has been bad but we missed most of it while in the motel, Today has been nice.
Date: 2017-08-15
From: Seth Warner Shelter 

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a surreal experience crossing into Vermont yesterday. I remembered contacting a friend when we started our hike way back in Georgia. We met him in Hawaii but he had moved back home to Vermont recently. I remembered making plans to meet up when we got to Vermont. And in the deep recesses of my brain I wondered back then if it wasn't all a pipe dream, that we'd actually end up hiking all the way to Vermont.. well we did it! Amazing! Over 1600 miles now and about 580 to go.. still a long way to go and over the toughest terrain we've had to face but this is getting real now. I also need to confess that after 5 months on the trail we both are anxious to get this hike completed and get back to the niceties of civilization.
Date: 2017-08-16
From: Catamount Motel

To: Stratton Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: few clouds

The owner of the Catamount Motel where we stayed last night dropped us off at the trailhead We started climbing, ascending nearly 4000¢; which is higher than we've been in the last few states. We had beautiful hiking weather with the sun shining and cool breezes giving us great energy. I wish we always felt so good. We climbed up an old fire tower at the summit of Glastenbury Mountain and had awesome 360 deg views of southern Vermont. The cool wind blasted us through the long ago broken out window pains adding to the excitement of being so high in an old rusty structure. We spent the night at the Kid Gorr shelter with Bambi who was celebrating her 24th Birthday. sapphire and I ate lunch in a small clearing just off the trail and there on the ground was a nicely rendered Birthday cake made out of sticks and leaves for the flames. We were wondering who's birthday it was so it was sad finding out that Bambi, who is hiking alone, had to make it for herself. We brightened her day when we all -Sapphire, Radio, Sunnyside, Specks, and Mowgli sang her Happy Birthday.
Date: 2017-08-17
From: Kid Gore Shelter 

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

We were blessed with another beautiful sunny, breezy day. But unfortunately we didn't have the same energy level as we enjoyed yesterday, which we attribute to our lack of sleep. Nobody to blame, but it's still hard sleeping next to a bunch of people who are making noises of one sort or another all night long. We did have enough energy to climb up Stratton Mountain however, southern Vermont¢s tallest mountain. The view from the tower at the summit was almost as nice as yesterday's but because it is enclosed by glass windows, we didn't feel the same thrill. We're at the Stratton Pond Shelter tonight with a few section hikers and a SOBO(southbound thru-hiker). NOBO P.A.M. is here too. Lots of rain in the forecast for tomorrow, so we're glad we're only hiking 10 miles into Manchester and a comfy room for the night.
Date: 2017-08-18
From: Stratton Pond Shelter 

To: Lost Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We overnighted at the large Stratton Pond Shelter, run by Vermont¢s Green Mountain Club. We would have preferred tenting but it was a shelter only area. There were quite a few other hikers there, section hikers, Vermont Long Trail hikers (300 mile trail running North and South the length of Vermont) and thru-hikers like ourselves. Three snorers adding to the forest background noises made sleep difficult. Then it started raining in the middle of the night and didn't stop. Fortunately, we only had 10 miles of hiking to get to the road leading into the town of Manchester Center. We were lucky and soon caught a ride to our motel from two nice ladies on their way home from shopping. After showering and putting on nice dry clothes we caught the local taxi into town to do our laundry and resupply. Sapphire was fortunate to find new shoes at the local outfitters but I couldn't find a pair to fit my ever-widening feet. We both got new raincoats because ours aren't keeping the rain out anymore and it looks like we¢ll be needing them more soon.
Date: 2017-08-19
From: Four Winds, Manchester Center Vermont 

To: Lost Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

We got another late start out of town and didn't start hiking until noon. It's getting harder to leave the comforts of soft beds, running water and flushing toilets. It was beautiful day and we hiked almost 15 miles which is about our max sustainable distance with the shoes I have now. Our next zero will be in Rutland on Wednesday where we'll rent a car and hit every outfitter and shoe store in the area until I find shoes for New Hampshire and Maine. Sapphire's new shoes are working great, no blisters or hot spots. Vermont has been our favorite state to hike in yet. The trail is well maintained and there are plenty of shelters and the views are nice. Tonight we're in camp with Salt and Gilligan who are hiking The Long Trail, Deacon and Warden, both thru hiking NOBO¢s like ourselves.
Date: 2017-08-20
From: Lost Pond Shelter 

To: Minerva Hinchy Shelter 
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: few clouds

We got up and hiking early after being rained on most the night. Salt said there was only a 10% chance of rain so we decided to tent instead of staying in the shelter; turned out to be a bad decision. The hike was fairly easy with a few climbs but nothing too difficult. Some of the trail was even covered with pine needles which lessens the strain on our knees and feet. We're certainly enjoying Vermont.
Date: 2017-08-21
From: Minerva Hinchy Shelter 

To: Rutland Vermont 
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

Eclipse day and we were under a canopy of trees all day :( We hit another milestone on our hike. We are now under 500 miles to go which is kind of anticlimactic because that is still a lot of miles and from everything we hear and read, will be the toughest miles yet. Today was a good prelude to New Hampshire, near vertical climbs and 4,700 feet in total ascents. The view from on top of Killington Peak, Vermont¢s second highest peak was breathtaking, it would have been even better if the haze wasn't as bad as it was. I'm sure the sunset will be spectacular. We are looking forward to our Nero (6.4 miles) and zero on Wednesday; especially because another thunderstorm is on the way and due to hit the area tomorrow around noon. Hopefully will be safely in town before then. The time off trail should allow plenty of time to find shoes that fit me and mail some resupply boxes ahead of our entering New Hampshire on Sunday.
Date: 2017-08-22
From: On top of Killington Peak

To: Zero 
Miles today: 6.2

We spent the night on top of Killington Peak listening to the wind howling through the cell tower supports. The wind sounded like a jet engine getting ready for takeoff. You really appreciate the power of Mother Nature when all that separates you from her is a few mils of waterproof fabric. The morning was cold by Hawaii standards but Ricky Bobby who slept next to us on the adjacent platform and from my ex-boss' state of Michigan thought it was perfect hiking weather. We hurried down the 4200' mountain in time to miss the storm that eventually hit the area. We were in the Comfort Inn freshly showered and in clean clothes by then. We felt sooooo good not being cold, wet, dirty and smelly but felt for our fellow hikers still on the nearby mountains. After getting the car we stopped in a few shoe stores and found a promising pair of Merrill's but the heel area seems a tad wide. Tomorrow we'll check out a couple more outfitters. We also picked up food supplies and a nice Cab..We should sleep much better tonight :)PS we passed 1700 miles today!
Date: 2017-08-23
From: Comfort Inn Rutland 

To: Stealth campsite 
Miles today: 0.0

Just a quick update to let you know I found new shoes that hopefully will solve my foot and footing issues and take me to the end of our journey, a successful climb up (and down) Mt. Katahdin. We finished our resupply and will be back on the trail tomorrow. We should be in Hanover, New Hampshire by Sunday. Cell coverage has been bad so we may not post until then. Thank you for your kind comments, they are much appreciated.
Date: 2017-08-25
From: Stealth campsite 

To: Hanover NH
Miles today: 32.3
Weather: broken clouds

Sapphire and I have been enjoying perfect hiking weather during our last couple of days in Vermont. It's been cool, sunny and breezy but last night was pretty cold. It got down to 46 deg. so we put on almost all our clothes, fleece, rain jacket and pants and it was barely enough. Tonight will be the same. Our winter gear can't get here soon enough. Which is presently in very pregnant daughter Bell¢s garage up in the rafters waiting for my son in law, who happens to be in Germany, to climb up and get them down and then mail them to us. We've really enjoyed Vermont but we're getting mentally prepared for New Hampshire. If it is only half of what we've heard and read about it will be both awesome and humbling. Wish us luck.
Date: 2017-08-28
From: Days Inn, Hanover 

To: Stealth campsite 
Miles today: 25.6

We mailed our resupply box ahead and walked on the AT out of the town of Hanover New Hampshire and up Moose Mountain today. The Appalachian trail winds its way through the towns of Norwich Vermont and Hanover New Hampshire and Ivy League university Dartmouth as well. We were forced to zero yesterday because we didn't get into town until after the post office had closed on Saturday. The good news was we were able to rest, plan and catch up on Game of Thrones and to watch the season finale. The bad news is Sapphire used to think my bulging calf muscles were sexy until see saw Jon Snows butt last night.. and secretly I had hoped hiking up the equivalent of 16 Mount Everests might help me out in that category but alas, no such luck yet. Today was our first day hiking in New Hampshire. So far so good but the toughest miles are still a couple of days ahead. We had nice weather and the scenery was beautiful. Lots of pine trees and a couple meadows. We met up with hikers we haven't seen since Georgia. Sandals, Pippin and Cowgirl. They started in mid-March like us and also plan on climbing Mt Katahdin sometime between September 30th and October 3rd. So far my shoes have worked out well and Bell was able to mail our winter clothes so the future is looking better.
Date: 2017-08-31
From: Welcome Hiker Hostel 

To: Stealth campsite 
Miles today: 41.8

Got to make this quick before I lose wifi connection. The highlight yesterday was trail magic by the Omelet Guy. Skillet fried goodness right on the trail with cheese and ham and bell peppers and onions. The smell of them frying was intoxicating. Sapphire went with the two egg and I went with the 5 egg omelette. It was almost too much, and Sapphire wouldn't even help me, but I did finish it eventually. Today we climbed 4800' Mt Moosilauke. It was near vertical at times and thank goodness the winter clothes showed up because winter showed up at the summit. Frost was all over our rain jackets and the wind was howling, pushing us all over the place, just like the Pali lookout on a very windy day. The next 16 miles are particularly difficult but we're in good spirits and our gear is working well. We're excited to have passed the 1800 mile milestone, 390 to go! I added a few new photos.
Date: 2017-09-02
From: Kinsman campsite 

To: Mt Lafayette 
Miles today: 16.3

Yesterday was the first time I experienced what I'll call a runners high; that's where long distance runners go past being tired and feel like they can run forever. Sapphire and I were climbing a notoriously difficult section and I was loving every minute of it and felt like I could keep on going.. The scenery was spectacular and the climbing a bit technical with lots of hand over hand moves and decisions on where to place hands and feet. It felt completely different from anything on the AT before yet everything on the AT before prepared us for it. 1800+ miles in on this trek and we are absolutely peaking at the right moment and everything¢health, stamina, strength, shoes, winter gear, have come together to enable us to accomplish this portion of the trail. Speaking of shoes, my new shoes are working perfectly; giving just the right amount of traction and control. No pain or blisters are a much welcomed bonus. Sapphire's gear is working flawlessly as well. The White Mountains are fantastic! We had a short section today down into Lincoln NH to receive our 5 day food shipment and to get prepared for the Presidential Range, with Mt Washington the tallest. We might have to wait out the remnants of Hurricane Harvey heading this way. Last night got down to the low 30's and it snowed on Mt's Moosilauke and Washington last night.. our welcome to summer weather in the White Mountains.
Date: 2017-09-03
From: Lincoln NH

To: Garfield Shelter 
Miles today: 0.0

Our misfortune turned into a blessing. The five day food drop I mailed to the hotel in Lincoln didn't show up. That of course happens on Labor Day Weekend so the Post office is closed until Tuesday. Arhhhh!! I later find out that USPS keeps packages for the hotel in their PO Box and apparently nobody from the hotel went to pick it up. Arhhh!! We were forced to zero and figure out how we would eat through the rest of the White Mountains. A local outfitter about a mile down the road had most of what we needed and a local grocer had the rest. The fortunate part of this is that we have to climb 5000' Mt Lafayette next and with this delay we aren't out in the rain now. Tomorrow's forecast looks much better. We arranged with the hotel to forward the missing box to a post office in Maine.
Date: 2017-09-06
From: Zealand Hut

To: Rest 
Miles today: 27.7

I (aquamann) injured the Achilles' tendon on my right foot three days ago, hobbled out of the White mountains at Crawford Notch today. Gonna rest for two days and see where I am. In football terms I'm on the PUP list for now. We didn't need this and certainly not now. In low spirits ATM.
Date: 2017-09-09
From: No. Conway 

To: Mizpa Shelter 
Miles today: 0.0

I rested for the last two days using the RICE (rest/ice/compression/elevation) protocol and taking anti-inflammatory Motrin. The heel doesn't feel as tender as before and I can stretch the Achilles' tendon more than before without pain. So we're heading back to Crawford Notch to get back on the trail. It'll be a good test as we have to climb up 4000' Mt. Jackson in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains. Wish us luck! Cell service has been absent so hopefully the next time you hear from us is when we get to Gotham, NH close to the Maine border in three days or so.
Date: 2017-09-10
From: Mizpah Hut

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 12.8

yesterday started rough but got better. Today has been good. It looks like the rest helped thank goodness!! Sapphire hooked us up with work-for-stay at the Mizpah Spring Hut. We had to scrub cookie sheets but it was fun. We got a delicious turkey dinner for free and a warm place to stay last night. WFS is a traditional part of hiking the AT. We're at the popular Lake of the Clouds Hut now getting ready to climb Mt Washington. I'm so happy that my foot is cooperating. Thank you very much for your prayers and well wishes. They worked!
Date: 2017-09-11
From: Madison 

To: Imp Shelter 
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

We reached the top of Mt Washington yesterday amongst throngs of tourists. Most of which either drove up to the 6200' summit or caught the cog train. It was a surreal feeling knowing what we went through to get to the top when most of these others just effortlessly got there (not all though, one hiked up for her 40th birthday from Pinkham Notch- her family with her in support and other adventurous hiking lovers from one of the AMC's huts). We decided to enjoy our time up there with ice cold cokes and hot dogs that were being offered at the summit snack bar while we listened to a beautiful violin solo by an AT thru hiker looking to add to her hike fund. We happily donated a few bucks to assist. Today we're down off the mountain at Pinkham Notch and will be hiking up the sure to be difficult Wildcat Mountains, peaks A thru E tomorrow. The very popular Appalachian Mountain Club's Joe Dodd Lodge was booked to capacity so we gladly accepted a ride from a nice Boston family to North Conway for the night. My foot has been feeling better each day.
Date: 2017-09-12
From: Pinkham Notch 

To: Gorham NH
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Cell service is hit or miss so I'll be brief.. one of if not the toughest day yet. Vertical climbing hand over hand going up and down. Nothing was flat. It took us 10 hours to "hike" 13 miles. If this was normal hiking we could have done 20 miles. Fortunately sapphire and I are in pretty good shape. Going into Gorham tomorrow to pick up our resupply box that's been there awhile.
Date: 2017-09-14
From: Imp Campground 

To: Gentian Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

We enjoyed fine views of the Presidential's yesterday as we descended from the Imp Campground. We could even see the smoke from the cog train as it labored up the side of the mountain. We met Papa Bean and Indiana Jane and they were at the campground as well. We were still beat up from the previous days hike so it was slow going getting down to US 2. We tried hitching a ride into Gorham but no luck, fortunately Papa Bean gave us the ph# of Bruce, a nice guy who provides shuttle services and he was there quickly. We stopped at the Post Office and liquor store for some wine before being dropped off at the motel. We were soon cleaned up and enjoying vino as we get ready for Maine. We're only 16 miles from the border. Hurray!