morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-08-17
From: Burlington, VT

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Since this was the last I will see Jess, we hung out for most of the day. I have completely cleaned up and re-supplied. I washed my stinky backpack. I have enough of everything except food to finish. I wound up buying too much food. I will never learn. We went out for lunch and went to a gear supplier for a new raincoat and a new pair of socks. It was very sad when she dropped me off. Walking away from there was some of the loneliest trail I've walked. I didn't see a soul and wondered if there would be anyone at the shelter. A strap that I had sewn on my pack came undone. I sat on a log and repaired it. I felt completely natural pulling out my needle and thread and stitching it up surrounded by nature. I felt more at home there than in the malls and restaurants we visited. When I got to the shelter, Beave was there with 4 south bounders. He told me Martha Graham lost it one day and smashed her hiking stick against a tree and flung it over the shelter. She then went to town and got off the trail. Damn, I will miss her. Mothman showed up at dusk. He told me Gazelle, Skittles, Pace, and Sketch were all in the area. Loser is nowhere to be found. I'm hoping to be able to catch back up to Tipperary. He is such a hoot. Well, this is my final section until I finish. The weatherman is calling for nice days ahead, but things do naturally go my way.Peace,DutchMight be on this trail for a long, long time stuck in the mud made by the Appalachian rain.
Date: 2003-08-18
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: light rain

I woke up at the crack of dawn. I waited until I heard someone else moving around to get out of my hammock. After half an hour, I got bored and started to pack up. I ate breakfast, burned my paper trash, and packed up everything. Nobody woke up at all. If I knew they slept that soundly, I would have taken pictures of my butt with their cameras. The trail was hilly but pretty smooth. Around lunch, Mothman caught up to me. We hiked together for most of the day joking around and getting caught up on gossip. There was a quick but strong rainstorm in the middle of the afternoon. We pushed on past twenty miles so Hanover will be within striking distance tomorrow. I have a mail drop there, plus it is in New Hampshire. That will be 12 states down 2 to go. I'm trying to get to sleep early, so goodnight.Peace,DutchMight be on this trail for a long, long time stuck in the mud made by the Appalachian rain.
Date: 2003-08-19
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

I was the first one up and out this morning. Then I missed a turn and by the time I figured out I wasn't on the trail, I was behind everyone that left after me. I was trying to make good time, too. I saw everyone at a general store that makes excellent burgers and milkshakes. I cruised the last ten miles to town to make up for my mistake. I am now in New Hampshire. Hanover, New Hampshire, to be exact. I found a whole bunch of hikers lying in the shade on a campus courtyard. Everyone was using their packs as pillows wasting the day. I don't know exactly when I first noticed them. I was so tired, and there was so much going on around me. I noticed the Frisbee game and the hacky sack circle. But then it kind of came into focus in my mind. I saw it right away, but my brain wouldn't - couldn't - process it. There were a couple guys fencing on the courtyard. Not building a fence, they were pretending to sword fight. I rubbed my eyes and asked Billyboy, "Are there two guys fencing over there?" "Yup," is all he replied. The only reason to practice fencing in a courtyard is to be seen practicing fencing in a courtyard. Real life sword fights don't happen enough that people have to practice. I was going to go over and challenge them with my plastic McDonald¢s knife when it got even worse. A guy walks by wearing white pants and a peach button down collar shirt with a yellow sweater wrapped around his neck. You don't dress like that by accident. I thought frat boys like that were just in the movies. I asked, "Is that guy wearing...." "Peach shirt with a yellow sweater wrapped around his neck." Billyboy finished my sentence. I couldn't even move.   I've walked 1,700 miles into Ivy League hell. This is where they train people to be bagel clerks.There are a ton of hikers here and many people I haven't seen in quite a while. I got my mail drop and a ride to a grocery store. Everyone went to the AYCE (all you can eat) pizza shop. I just got a burger and fries for the low, low price of $11. I got out of this town at sundown and went to the first shelter. Most people, about 30 hikers, are staying in or near town so they can hang out for awhile. I want to leave this bunch behind. I am doing pretty good to re-supply and still do 16 miles. I can still do big days for 50 miles. Then comes the Whites. Only 440 miles to go.Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-08-20
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Lyme-Dorchester Road
Miles today: 18.1

When I woke up, I ate as much of the food that I bought as I could. I ate a cucumber that must have weighed a pound. It must be good for me, but boy, is it heavy. At 9am, I had a salad for my second breakfast. It had blue cheese dressing and I didn't want it to go bad. I haven't seen a soul all day. I bet they have some great stories from whooping it up in Hanover. The Whites are the day after tomorrow and I don't want to be in any large groups. They don't have shelters there, just these things called huts. They are for Gore-Tex clad yuppies pretending to be the outdoorsy type. They cost $65 a night, but 2 to 4 thru-hikers can work for stay. So that is why I don't want to be in a big group. I want to increase my chances of getting work for stay. I tried to do 20+ miles today but the trail was just too steep. After 18 miles, I had to call it the day. I got stung by the second be in three days. The first on was on a fern that I brushed against. It felt threatened and stung me. But today's attack was completely unprovoked. I just flew on me and stung me. Both are now very dead. I am now past the 4/5ths point.   Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-08-21
From: Lyme-Dorchester Road

To: Ore Hill Shelter
Miles today: 16.4

I hiked this morning not seeing anyone at all. And it didn't seem like anyone has been through here in a week. Every 10 feet there was another spider web right across the trail. I wound up using my hiking pole like a sword to cut them as I walked. I looked like I was practicing fencing, only more manly. I was glad to see my first south bounder because he broke all the webs coming the other way. I had big climbs all day long. I saw Constant Motion and Bug Bite at the top of one particularly rocky mountain. I also found out Barking Spiders is right behind us. No one made it to the shelter except Bug Bite. I have completely stayed ahead of the pack of people I saw in Hanover. I will be going into the Whites next.Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-08-22
From: Ore Hill Shelter

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

I have been sleeping great lately. It makes it easy to get up early when you sleep straight through the night. Bug Bite hadn't stirred yet but I was out by 6 am. The 7-mile hike into Glencliff was pretty easy. This is the last town before the Whites. Actually, it isn't much of a town; it only has 4 buildings. One is a Post Office and another is a hostel. The hostel is pretty nice. I got a shower and washed my clothes. By that time, Bug Bite came in and we got a shuttle into a slightly bigger town. We went to the pizza shop and then to a small market. When we returned, there were a ton of hikers coming in. I got to see Barking Spiders for the first time since Virginia. Everyone is staying the night and they tried to persuade me to do the same. I said I had to keep hiking. Bug Bite, who has been a blast, didn't want to climb Mt. Moosilauke with the threat of a thunderstorm. I got my pack ready as fast as I could and headed out. I saw Skidmark and Baloo for the first time since Trail Days in Damascus. They were slack-packing and I will see them again tomorrow. They also are staying at the shelter. As I headed up the very large mountain, I felt really lonely. I probably should have stayed with my friends and it may have been a touch rude to push on. Truthfully, I had no other choice. If I could do it again, I would have hiked out because I cannot contain my excitement of going into the Whites. These are real mountains with rocky tops. It is an incredible feeling to be on top, but to hike 1700 miles to be up here is awesome. I just had to know how steep it is, how cold it is, how rocky, just everything. I needed to know that I can climb one in a day. It turns out I can, as a matter of fact, hike 7 miles into town, re-supply, and still climb to the other side of the mammoth mountain. I am feeling really alive, more alive than ever. I still really miss my friends, but I've hiked alone for a long time and I think I will probably finish that way. I got to the shelter to find 3 weekend warriors and a south bounder who looks like Lonewolf. I have an incredible view and was able to set up my hammock in the shelter. The thunderstorm never did happen but it is colder and windy. I am able to listen to the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles game on the radio. I now have less than 400 miles to go. Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-08-23
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: 0.7 mile past Lonesome Pond Hut
Miles today: 15.7

I fell asleep listening to the Eagles game. They were losing but I'm sure we're going to the Super Bowl this year. It got very cold and windy last night. I was glad my hammock was set up in the shelter. I had a great view from my hammock of the sunrise over Kinsman Mountain. I had to put on extra clothes to hike out. The hike down the mountain was fantastic with a great waterfall running beside it. There were steps jack-hammered into solid rock. There were also big blocks of pressure-treated wood attached to the rock face to make steps. I was so overwhelmed by the hike down I missed a restaurant stop at the bottom. I was half way up the next hill when I looked on the map and found my oversight. The hiking is just fantastic over the Whites. I am still able to do good mileage and I am really enjoying the views. I finally arrived at the first hut. Huts are run by the AMC and charge yuppies a fortune to stay in bunk houses and get fed meals. They take a couple thru-hikers in, but you must work. Not a bad deal, actually, but it felt weird. There was a workshop going on when I got there and they were prepared to feed me dinner. I just couldn't stay. It wasn't the fact there were enough yuppies to keep a BMW dealership going. And the people working there were very nice. Even the dozen or so kids running around didn't bother me. I just couldn't sleep on the hard floor. Also, we wouldn't get fed breakfast until last and then have to clean up. By the time that was all done, it would be 9 or later. I just hiked a little further and stealth camped. (Stealth camping is camping where you¢re not supposed to.) Since the AMC wants people to use their huts, camping is not allowed at many places. I just don't get how they can charge their ridiculous prices in a national park. Isn't it the American people's park? This will become a bigger problem over the next couple days. Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-08-25
From: Mt. Garfield

To: Ethan Pond Campsite
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained last night. What happened to clear skies till Wednesday? Bug Bite and I packed up and were out by 7am. We hiked to the first AMC run hut just in time to wait out a small rain storm. While we waited, Rambler, Snooze, Monster Button, Ranger, and Uncle Mark showed up. We all hiked out together, but they really couldn't keep up with us. Today was some really hard hiking. There are constantly big boulders that you either have to climb up or down from. When we arrived at the second hut, I found out I was 10 minutes behind Tipperary and Seabee. I ate a box of cheese nips and went after them. When I caught up to them, I yelled, "I wish you yuppie tourists would get off my trail." There were cheers all around. We hiked to an AMC shelter and campsites. I can't stand that I have to pay to camp around here. I decided to stay in the shelter for the low price of $8 to stay out of the rain. It's not much money, but this is a national forest. I already, as an American, already own it. I should be charging them for the privilege of my presence. It does go to help with trail maintainers, but down South, the volunteers work for free. What gets me is they are supposed to be nonprofit, but in the huts, a Snickers costs $1 and ear plugs cost $1. It costs $75 per person to stay in the huts. Then there is no camping along the trail so it is either pay or break the rules. Plus, the president of the AMC earns $400,000 a year. Isn't there someplace else yuppies can go to pay too much and pretend to be outdoorsy people? That is it, I have caught up to everyone I know. Tomorrow I will only be meeting new people. I don't think Bug Bite can continue this pace much longer. I still feel good, although tomorrow will be a real tough climb up Mount Washington. It should be ok weather, but who really knows. The highest temperature for Mt. Washington was 72 and it has the highest recorded wind speed of 231 mph. I have traveled more than 1,800 miles.Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-08-26
From: Ethan Pond Campsite

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut, The Dungeon
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: mist

Today was incredible. I walked 3 miles to the base of the Presidential mountain range. There are a series of mountains that are named after presidents. It was awesome standing at the base knowing I would be on top this evening. I hiked up as fast as I could. It was one rock scramble after another. I am amazed at my hiking ability. I can step up on a 3 foot boulder with one leg and pull my body up like it was nothing. I finally made it to the first hut where I bought some soup and peanut butter bars. It turns out there are a few hikers that I kind of know and was able to catch up to them. Siesta, Leap Year, Sheldon, and Jason all met up at the first hut and we all went to the next one, which is called Lake of the Clouds Hut. On the way, we climbed Mount Clinton. I can't say that without snickering a little. There isn't a Mt. Bush yet, but if there was, the only way to it would be to climb the corporate ladder. I have to stay at this hut because the range is 18 miles of above tree line and camping is prohibited. Bug Bite and I are staying in what is called The Dungeon. It is awful with lousy bunks and it smells horrible. There is a mouse that keeps running around. We have to keep the door open so we don't become asphyxiated. Of course, we may freeze to death since we are on Mt. Washington. What¢s more, they even charge us $8 to stay in here. Everyone else is doing work for stay. They get free dinner and breakfast plus they get to stay up in the lodge. We declined because we don't want to serve the yuppies while they throw us table scraps. They make you feel like you are on display while you are here. Meanwhile, our accommodations are worse - much worse - than murderers get in prison. I have no choice but to stay here. I dropped my pack on a bunk and went the 1.5 miles to the top of Mt. Washington. It was a good clear day. At the top, there are more tourists buying $6 bumper stickers and $30 t-shirts. I was 1/2 hour too late for the grill. It was worth the 1.5 mile climb up Mt. Washington, though, for the view and to use the phone. I then headed back down to my dungeon. The Whites are so beautiful, but the AMC hut experience completely tarnishes it. Our national parks are for sale to Enron executives for the low, low price of their employees¢ retirement benefits. I must say the employees of the huts have been very nice, especially considering the flack they must get from hikers and yuppies alike. I am going to try to stretch my food an extra day and a half to get to Gorham without stopping. Leap Year just smuggled down some cake. It is all I got for dinner. Well, tomorrow I have to climb back up Washington and over to the other side. Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-08-28
From: Pinkham Notch

To: US 2, Gorham, NH
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up early so I had as many hiking hours as possible. Starbuck was up, but Bug Bite hadn't stirred yet. This was hard hiking with rock climbing all day. My feet hurt in the morning like they do in the evening. I felt low on energy so I ate everything in my pack. I still felt hungry so I wanted to make sure I got to town. I had to walk the last 2 miles in the dark to get to the road. Next, I had to hitch the 4 miles to Gorham in the dark. I caught a lucky ride from a guy in a pickup. I went right for a phone to call Jess, and then for some fast food. I then called Jess again and got some more food. There were about 8 hikers at the hostel. I knew Woods a little, but no one else. It is fun to meet new hikers, especially since I have been reading their entries in the shelter logs since GA. Most people are asleep or trying to sleep. I feel dead tired and my knees are very sore. Tomorrow I will try to do my town chores and hike out, but I feel a zero coming on. They tell me the next section is the hardest, but they have been saying that since Vermont. I have less than 300 miles to go. I want to finish and go back home to Jess. Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-08-29
From: US 2, Gorham, NH

To: Trident Col Campsite
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: broken clouds

I had a hard time sleeping last night. I woke up early and went to McDonald¢s. By the time I got back, everybody was awake. I rented a bike for a buck and went to the laundromat and post office. Bug Bite came in around 10 am. Her boyfriend is meeting her tonight. She thinks I¢m a little crazy for not resting after my big day yesterday. I rode the bike to a good shoe store and got my last pair of shoes. This time I¢m trying New Balance trail runners for the first time. It is my 5th pair of shoes and will hopefully be the last. Next I re-supplied at the grocery store. I saw a bunch of hikers who have hitched here from different points of the trail. Almost everyone is taking a zero. This is a great trail town. There is affordable lodging and restaurants, and working class people going about their lives. I headed out of town and before I could stick my thumb out, a guy asked where I was headed and gave me a ride to the trail. My right knee hurts and I took it easy. I met a whole new bunch of hikers. One is named Dred because he has dreds that go below his butt. It is raining, but it is supposed to clear by morning.Peace, Dutch
Date: 2003-08-30
From: Trident Col Campsite

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

As usual, I woke up early. I was packed and ready to go by the time Dred stirred. He said, ¢You¢re leaving already? Your science is tight.¢ I¢m already confused by the Texan with 4-foot blonde dredlocks. Now he is throwing riddles at me. I said, ¢Thanks. I just tightened my science. I have been working out.¢ I don¢t think the pain in my leg is my knee. It is good news that it is my muscle. I think it is my thighcep or my maximus legimus. In either case, it is better than a knee. The first 10 miles weren¢t too bad. Then came the sign that I have been waiting for. Welcome to Maine. Thirteen states down and one to go. After that, the rocks got bigger, the weather got colder, and the hills got steeper. I am hungry all the time and have to ration out my food or I¢ll eat it all in one day. I finally got to the shelter to find 15 thru-hikers there. I saw Viking for the first time since the Shenandoahs. This means there will be a big crowd going into town in two days. I¢m very sore from the Whites and am not hiking fast at all. It is a very chilly night. I think I¢m going to sleep well. Tomorrow has a really tough stretch to climb through.Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-08-31
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Baldpate Lean-To
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

It was a cold night last night. In the 30¢s with a good wind. I wasn¢t warm and didn¢t sleep well. Who would think Maine would be so cold. I had to go through the Mahoosuc Notch. It is the hardest mile of the whole trail. Boulders that have fallen from the cliffs on either side make an obstacle course. I had to jump 4 feet to the next boulder, then scurry up the side of another. The part that slows you down the most is the tunnels they squeeze you through. I had to disrobe from my pack and push it through in front of me. It took three hours to complete one mile. The rest of the day was far from easy, either. AT one point, I lost my footing and came crashing down. I hit my shoulder, head, and my elbow. I have a scratch on my cheek, a brush burn on my shoulder, and my leg hurts more than ever. It took me until past sundown to get to the shelter 12 miles away. Boy is this fun.Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-09-01
From: Baldpate Lean-To

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was an easy walk out to a road. I stopped just before leaving the forest to take a bath and wash my hiking clothes. There was a fantastic clear pool fed by a waterfall. Nice bath but let me tell you, streams are cold in Maine. There wasn¢t much traffic on the road, so I started walking the 9 miles to town. After about 2 miles, Woods, who had caught a ride, had the driver stop. It is cold in Maine when you are in the back of a pickup with wet clothes.When we went to a diner, I noticed my Pocketmail wasn¢t working right. I am really tired, and this gives me an excuse to stay in town. I got a bunk at the Andover Guest House - a very clean hostel run by a woman who can be hostile. I got a bottle of wine and returned to The Matrix which everyone was watching. 56 and Katori, Fizz, Odyssey and I all relaxed on the couches for the evening. I needed this rest after going straight through New Hampshire.Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-09-02
From: Andover, ME

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 9.9

I got going early and went to breakfast. They have a pancake challenge that if you can eat them all, they¢re free. I could only eat about half of the 24 inch monsters. I figure the carbs from the pancakes plus the calories from the 34 bottle of syrup is worth $4 and should carry me over some mountains. I called customer service about my Pocketmail, but I think it is dead. At 11 am, I finally got food which is why I came here 24 hours ago. Odyssey and I got a shuttle to the trail. We had planned on only hiking 6 miles to the first shelter, but we got there at 3 pm so we decided to hike another 4 miles. We got a nice spot, and the cloudy skies are clearing up for now. Peace,Dutch