morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-09
From: Dalton, MA

To: Birdcage - Dalton, MA
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Interesting start to the day. Planning on doing 23 mile slackpack. 12 of us packed into Rob¢s van to be dropped off. Soco & Mojo continued north while the rest of us were to head south back into Dalton. 15 minutes into the hike I heard a lot of noise ahead of me. I thought the guys were taking a break already. A couple more steps and I realize that something is going wrong. Rushed up there and Sideshow is laying on the trail having a seizure. Made sure the scene was safe and took the time. About a minute or so later he popped out of it. Didn¢t even know his name for a few minutes but came to as expected. Nice-Enuff had called an ambulance and when Sideshow was ready we hiked back down to the trailhead. Him, Moongoat, and Big Shanty went back to Rob¢s and the rest of us hike on. I felt very fortunate to have not only WFR but experience with seizures.The hike up Greylock was easy with no pack. Ran into Tumbleweed and Gypsy Spirit. Happy to see them again. Also saw Pike County. Always good to see him sober.The view from the summit was priceless. Happy I chose to not hike yesterday in crappy weather. Felt like you could see a million miles. Ox caught up yesterday. Joyful reunion. He ended up with an AT brand on his calf last night. Oh what whiskey will do.Walking into Vermont tomorrow. This is all such a dream. Could definitely spend more time here at the Birdcage. It really is the first time I have felt at home at someone¢s house while on the trail. What a man.Talked to my grandma & grandpa yesterday. Told them I could make it to their anniversary celebration if they made it on the 13th of October. Should have no problem making it. Nice-Enuff proposed the idea of finishing the Long Trail after summiting. If time allows, I¢m all about it. Should take only another week or so. Would be awesome.
Date: 2007-08-10
From: Birdcage - Dalton, MA

To: Birdcage - Dalton, MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

So Rob calls this the birdcage because it¢s easy to get into but hard to get out. That¢s the truth! Woke up this morning to cold & rain. Made up my mind before I got out of bed. Then did the math concerning September 2nd & laid on the futon and watched 2 movies. Rode in the rain to the library then got a ride to the mall and watched the Simpson¢s. Lazy day. No one really hiked on today. Had many laughs about it. Was great hanging out with everyone at a mall of all places. Ready to hike tomorrow.Found out that Bludog had to get off the trial. Called to duty or something. Breaks my heart, he was lovin the trail. I¢m sure he¢s making the best of it. Hope the best for him.
Date: 2007-08-11
From: Birdcage - Dalton, MA

To: Congdon Shelter, Vermont 
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

What day is it? The vortex of the Dalton got the best of me. Hard to believe I spend 4 nights there. Really the best vortex experience yet though. For some reason I slept excellent at Robs. Such an awesome place.Sent pictures, journals, and water filter to Tim. Going back to bleach to treat water. The sources are improving greatly. My mail drop that was supposed to be at Bear Mountain finally caught me. Terrible timing. Had to ditch most of it in a hiker box to catch the ride to North Adams. Should have just bounced it forward but wanted to read the letter. Got on the trail around 11:45. After 5 miles we crossed into Vermont. The 12th state. Only 3 to go. Crazy.Pack was extra heavy. I think I have enough food to get me almost through this state.Very muddy hike. Squishy mud. I learned to love mud last summer so I had a fun time with it. Walked underneath a beaver pond. Never seen a dam like this one. Had to be at least 30ft across and 3-4 ft high. Simply beautiful. Well worth getting my foot wet.Been thinking a lot about how to transition back into the other world is going to be. Nervous for it. Afraid I¢m going to get bored and do something ridiculous.
Date: 2007-08-12
From: Congdon Shelter, Vermont 

To: Goddard Shelter 
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

First thought on my mind is Holy Shit. Looking at the profiles for the whites. I¢m sure it will be incredible but wow. Now for the day.Easy going morning left the shelter at 8:55. Down to the road by 10:20 Doc Ninjas family was there with cold Gatorade and fruit. Was much appreciated. Turned down the offer to go into town. Needed to stay in the woods. The climb out of the gap wasn¢t as bad as expected. Continued climbing all day. Walked into a wilderness area again. I think it is the first one since Virginia. Has felt like it too.Took a nice long lunch at a shelter. Nice-Enuff and Hold On joined me. Eating as much of my pack weight as I can. Still have a heavy load.Saw a girl today that I met on Snowbird Mountain in Tennessee. Was walking past and she remembered my name. Odd moment. Turns out she is in contact with Rex. Good to hear he is still on the trail. Wish I could meet him.Shelter popped up on us. Gorgeous sight. Expect it to be a cold one tonight. Ox showed up eventually. Glad he caught up. Soon The Breeze, Doc Ninja and his brother arrived as expected. Hold On and I walked to the top of the mountain and climbed the fire tower to see the sunset. Wasn¢t much of a sunset but the 360 degree view was priceless. Miles upon miles of mountains, all stacked upon each other. Some very large mountains to our north. A good view of Mt. Greylock to the south. And I walked here?
Date: 2007-08-13
From: Goddard Shelter 

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: light rain

Rained last night so woke up to a wet tent. Well just having to put a wet tent away. The shelter was blocked in by a cloud. Surprisingly warm thoughHad a case of the blues this morning. Was surrounded by absolute beauty but didn¢t want to deal with the trail. Tons of rocks, roots, and mud holes. Felt like I didn¢t take a normal step all morning.Around the noon hour I was coming up a hill. Heard what I thought was a small waterfall or something of the sort. Turned out to be rain making its way towards me. When it hit, I looked up and Story Spring Shelter was 30 ft from me. Good reminder that the morning could have been worse. Ran into the shelter and met 4 southbounders. Their energy for the trail was inspiring and that was the start of a great afternoon. Was about time I started to enjoy this Monday. It rained heavy for about 45 minutes. Ox and Hold On showed up in the middle of it all. Eventually the sun came out and I was on my way.Some other SOBO¢s gave me heads up on a moose. Probably wouldn¢t have seen him otherwise. Big guy with a massive rack. He was in some thick trees so couldn¢t get a good photo but took a few moments and watched him. First time seeing a moose in the wilderness. Awesome.Pushed on. Got to the road before Stratton Mountain and Mala was there doing trail magic.Easy climb up Stratton. Cool wind in my face.Retread told me to look for a face in a tree on the way down. Almost drove myself crazy looking for it. Things could have changed in 7 years.Pulled into the shelter at sunset. The only northbounder here. Ah¢¦ I can hear an owl. Haven¢t heard one in a long time. Reminds me of Georgia. Thinking the guys slept in the fire tower, or got stuck with Mala drinking beers.
Date: 2007-08-14
From: Rattle Snake Shelter

To: Warming hut - Bromley Mountain
Miles today: 13.6

Sitting at a pizza joint in Manchester Center, VT. Wondering where everyone is. Feels good to be by myself though. Plan to eat a small pizza then go find the Ben & Jerry¢s in town. Let¢s see how many calzone¢s I can consume in one day.Easy 11 mile hike to the road and an easy hitch into town. A ¢03 thruhiker picked me up. Always seem to get rides in the nicest vehicles. First stop was the outfitters. They were able to replace my platypus but were not a Latuma dealer. My Latuma sleeping bag is totally falling apart again. Total crap. Found a good bookstore. Oh how I would love to just sit and read for days.The guy I got the ride from and myself were having a conversation about adjusting to the other world and how difficult it is. Think about it a lot. The phone, the TV, a car, not walking all day everyday, sleeping in a bed, eating real food, cooking for myself. Ok, some of the other side I¢m really looking forward to.I expect to be in a food coma soon. Hopefully I can find a shady grassy spot for a nap. Only plan on going another 2 miles today so don¢t have to leave town anytime soon.¢¦.9 pmThe guy I got the hitch from just arrived at the warming hut. Forgot he mentioned doing a section hike.Staying at the top of Bromley Ski area. Hike .3 up the ski run. Was a great moment since I walked Chester Bowl a couple times a week back home. Was a lot easier climbing this ski hill, even with a pack. Feels like a tease not being winter. I can see multiple ski areas from the tower.Ox, Nice-Enuff and Hold On spotted me in front of the outfitters shortly after lunch. Ox went into Killington for his bag and the rest of us resupplied and got out of town. Another easy hitch. Seems to be easier to hitch by myself.Climb was simple. In the shelter in no time. Happy to see that Mojo is only 1.5 days ahead. Maybe I will see him again.
Date: 2007-08-15
From: Warming hut - Bromley Mountain

To: Churchill Scott Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

Some days are so strange. Woke up on top of Bromley Mountain. Saw a beautiful sunrise with the clouds hanging in the valley. Was on the trail by 8 am. Got down to the road and Bobcat was there with Cinnamon rolls and opportunity to slack pack. Was all about that.Slacked 13 miles. On the way read in the registers that Birdle, Mojo, and crew were going to be at this shelter. Decided to bounce ahead and hike south with beer in hand.Once we got here no one was here. Turns out they all got picked up by Bad Influence. We all said a few choice words and drank what we carried up the mountain. Plan to climb Killington tomorrow and make it work from there.Really need to see Grainger at this point and get my head straight.Had the opportunity to talk to Soco. We were excited to hear from each other. He is cruising solo. The most social man on this trail and he¢s going to finish solo. People are getting crazy these last 500 miles.
Date: 2007-08-17
From: NYC

To: Rutland, VT
Miles today: 20.0

Had to push myself on the trail this morning. Looking forward to slackpacking alone though. got on the trail at 8:45. took about 15 minutes or so to get my legs underneath me. Did 20 miles in 8 hours and 15 minutes. Thats with taking a long lunch and talking to a lot of northbounders being that I was walking southbound. Highlight of the hike was seeing all the rock formations that the hikers have made at the top of some mountain. For some reason it made me smile and gave me a sense of community. Bobcat showed up at the trailhead within 15 minutes of reaching it and we headed into Rutland for the Long Trail festival. Tracked down the guys. They ditched out early and were in town far before I was. When I didn't catch them on the trail I figured that was the case. Pulled into the state fair grounds and saw some familiar faces. Big Brother, Jungle Jim, Pike County, Matlanta, Baltimore Jack. Reunions are always a good time. The music got rained out. Was bummed about it. There is a full day of music tomorrow and I am having the debate in my head about what is more important to me, a full day of live music or fulfilling my goal of hiking every mile and meeting Grainger when planned. The morning will make that call. Crossed the 500 miles left mark today. Don't really know what to say about it really. What Retread said in the guestbook is so true, when you don't think it can get any better it does, when you don't think it can get any harder it does. It's almost over but there is still so far to go. Bittersweet?!Thank you everyone for keeping interest in my journey. It has been life changing and I hope to share more of it with you as the time goes on. In a couple of days I will be in NH. Then on to the Whites, Grainger coming out, then Maine. WOW!!**Retread: I seem to run into Bag o' Tricks at every gathering. I will pass on the message.
Date: 2007-08-18
From: Twelve Tribes Hostel

To: Vermont State Fairgrounds
Miles today: 0.0

The conclusion is I love festivals. Doesn¢t matter the size or the place. My soul wouldn¢t let me pas up a day of music.Took a lazy morning hanging out at the Comfort Inn. Took advantage of the breakfast and the hot tub. Wandered to the fairgrounds around 11:00 only to sit in front of the stage and give up hope of getting on the trail. Took 2 naps in the sunshine on the grass. Brilliant.Good local music. 35th parallel, Mountain Bogstompers. Was hoping to hear some more bluegrass but I¢ll take any live music at this point.Was able to see some people that I haven¢t seen in a while. Big Brother, Mathewski, Bag O¢ Tricks showed up finally. He was delighted to hear Retread said ¢hi¢.Made arrangements with Stickes to jump 23 miles ahead to meet the ladies in time. Really didn¢t want to but that¢s what happens when music takes priority over hiking.Should be running into Fahmah soon I figure. That¢s exciting.Going to be in New Hampshire tomorrow! Just when you can¢t really believe you¢re in Vermont and starting to accept the fact you walk north. Always changing. ¢Bums with a purpose¢
Date: 2007-08-19
From: Vermont State Fairgrounds

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Spent the morning hanging out at the fairgrounds. Home Again Caf© pulled through and fed us and I think someone went dumpster diving at Dunkin¢ Donuts for 2 large boxes of donuts.Stitches gave JB, Popeye, Lightweight and I a ride to highway 12. Didn¢t get to the trailhead until 12:45Within the first 2 miles we found some magic of bears in the stream. The trail felt a little different today. Hiking with different people, skipping a section. Feels like we are in a remote section of Vermont. Maybe we are, I don¢t know. My mood was a little funky today as well. Wasn¢t feeling it until I reached the Happy Hills ShelterArrived at the first shelter at 4:45. Decided to push on to brook at 5 miles or shelter at 9 miles. After a little night hiking and singing any song I could think of, I arrived. Expected a SOBO or someone to be here but nobody. It is the cutest shelter ever too. Perfect first time having a shelter to myself. Might only be the second time staying by myself since I¢ve been out here. Feels awesome. My mood has improved greatly.New Hampshire tomorrow morning, 5 miles to the state line. 1726 miles down. 448 to go. Wow.
Date: 2007-08-20
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Stream
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Crossing into New Hampshier and meeting Hungus the 2 best things about my day. Walked into New Hampshire at 9:43 am. Great moment to be shared with just myself. Saw Mello and Trail Pooh at Dartmouth College. They didn't quite have the excitement that I felt. Probably because they yellow blazed there. First stop........post office. Changed up sleeping bags and base layer. Looking forward to being warm.Met Hungus crossing the street. Interesting time to meet a fellow NOBO. He guessed I was SOBO because we've never met. Funny assumption. Walked to the DOC and saw Mellow and Trail Pooh. Wandered to a pizza joint giving slices away to thru hikers and had to have a beer to celebrate the 13th state. YaHoo!!!About a mile out of town ran into Hungus sitting on a log. Sat for a while and had good conversation. I love how fast connections happen out here.We stopped short of the mountain wand shelter about 2.5 miles. Found a small campsite with creeks on each side. He's great company.
Date: 2007-08-21
From: Stream

To: North Jacobs Brook
Miles today: 19.8

Had a dream last night that I summited Katahdin. I had forgot the fence and the big girl panties. In the dream I didn't know I was climbing Katahdin, Just some mountain. But up at the top was the sign. I remember having dreams in Georgia and Tennessee about being taken off the trail. Goes to show what my mind thinks about. Had an awesome nights sleep with my winter bag back. Hard to pull myself out of bed. On the trail my 9. Hungus was still packing his pack. Thought he'd catch up but I didn't see him all day. Met Singe and Misplaced at Moose Mtn. Shelter. I had seen them at the festival. Most of my energy was spent climbing Smart Mtn. It definately was a climb. Steep and long, very long. Tempted to stay up top but pushed on. From the fire tower I got the first good view of the Whites. Look like Colorado Mtns....Exciting.At the bottom I ran into Buffalo Bobby and Iceman. The climb seemed to get everyone. Iceman heard back from Shiver. She got off the trail at Mt. Washington. Unreal. How can you Possibly quit with less than 400 miles to go.Camped by a brook. One of those nights you make anything work. I think I hear animals outside. I saw another moose coming down smarts mtn. Scared another one as well. I think there were a lot around me. New Hampshire is and has been a great state so far. Much respect for it thats for sure.
Date: 2007-08-22
From: North Jacobs Brook

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 15.0

Had a tough day today for some reason. Think it was because i didn't eat enought for dinner the night before and was dehydrated. Mt. Cube was a beautiful mountain. Above the clouds, a sea of clound above the valley below. Ate lunch at Ore Hill Shelter. Retread talked about a painting on the back wall. It doesn't exist any longer. Too bad. Was looking forward to readin the back of it. Got down to Glencliff around 4. Tumbleweek was there, Gypsy hiked on. Disappointed. Bag o' Tricks was the Hikers Welcome Hostel. Bobcat, Mountain Squid as well. Tricks hooked it up where I could sleep in the Van but didn't need too. Trail Pooh showed up with sister and brother-in-law with Mello and had a cabin rented. Perfect timing. Retread sent an awesome maildrop to me. Labeled perfectly with smelly hiker. Full of yummy crap. **Thank you so much!!** Even ziplocs!!Was cool to share the moment with Tricks. Off to the cabin we went.
Date: 2007-08-23
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Cabin
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Slack packed Mt. Moosilauke today. Decided to do it southbound becuase of the rocky slope on the north side. Smart choice. Very slippery rock. Up to the top in no time. Fun climb. This morning was the first time in months that I was truely excited to hike. Really excited. Summit was packed in with clouds but awesome. Feels good to be above treeline again. And being able to breath unlike mtns out west.Saw Moose, Rebel, and Pearl on the way up. Birdlegs, Mojo, and crew slcaked south as well. Should see them tomorrow. Should be interesting. Especially having that many people together in the Whites. Looking forward to the rest of the Whites. No problem today. Hardly left like I climbed a mountain but I'm sure they will sneak up on me. 5 months on the trail today. The druation of the trail has set in. It will be over in no time though.
Date: 2007-08-24
From: Cabin

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Happy to be done with the big milage days. No more 20s for this girl.Got on the trail even later than yesterday. 1pm Rough terrain. Down to 1.5 miles per hour. Very slick rocks and roots.Waiting for my dinner to cool at the moment. Dinner is in complements of Retread. Thanks!! Crab Alfredo pasta. Yumm...The shelter is packed with weekenders Kind of annoying. Tenting out just behind the shelter. Hopefully they thin out after the weekend. Expect next weekend to be just as bad with the holiday. Didn't even see this many people in the smokies. Set ourself up to climb 2 big mountains tomorrow. Kinsman and Lincoln.
Date: 2007-08-25
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Chet's House, Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

What an amazing day. Arrived at Lonesome Lake hut around lunchtime. Ended up staying for 4 hours and enjoying a dip in the beautiful mountain lake with Lincoln nad Lafayette mountains staring down at us. Decided to hitch into town go to Chet's house. Had heard about his house for miles and miles. This man is amazing. Total deadhead. Has 1200 hours of the Dead on tape. Excellent selection to choose from. His story brought tears to my eyes. And yet he has found a way to gove to the trail. 19 hikers packed in the hostel. People everywhereA wicked lightening storm rolled through. 15 strikes per minute. Sure glad I wasn't on a mountain side.
Date: 2007-08-29
From: Rutland, VT

To: Rattle Snake Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Currently in Gorham, NH trying to get out of town to finish up the Whites before Grainger comes out. Decided to do a couple days southbound. Just made sense with the people I am currently with. Whites have been treating me well. Lovin'the mountains.Maine is just around the corner, Grainger comes out in days, life doesn't get any better. Where's Fahmah??
Date: 2007-09-09
From: Rattle Snake Shelter

To: The Cabin, ME
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The day is getting better by the hour!! Spent the night last night just a mile from the road to Andover. Decided to stay on the trail rather than hitching a ride into town. The night in my new tent was good. Tons of room. Lonely morning though. Still no one around. Hiked all morning without seeing a soul. I did see the largest deer of my life though. Massive doe. 4 times larger than the deer in the south. Almost to the top of Wyman Mtn. I ran into Nice-enuff slackpacking south. Very happy to see someone especially him. We sat talking in the rain under a large pine until I just decided to hike south again with him. So back to the road it was. Really doesn't matter anyways. Was happy to hear that Ox and Hold On are just behind a day or so. Would like to hike Maine with them. NE and I plan on keeping track of each other the rest of the way north.We hiked down to the road and waited for an hour for the ride. A little Makers Mark kept us warm. A camper pulled up and all of us soaking wet hikers jumped in. Earle was so happy to see us. Instant good feelings. At the Cabin was Hungus, Game On, and Unicycle Pirate just hanging out. Was feeling the need for some thru hiker socialization. Over 1900 miles past and like 245 left to go. This last stretch seems like a huge one right now. Having a really tough time mentally. Especially since Grainger left. Ready to be done. I'm sure I will enjoy Maine, just give me a few days. NE said he ran into Fahmah. Was so very bumped when I heard that I missed him. Was going to be one of the highlights of the north. Will see him again. Thinking about contacting Mary and going to visit after Katahdin for a day or two. We'll see if I remember. Off to go watch some football and drink some beers. Maybe call the family.
Date: 2007-09-12
From: The Cabin, ME

To: Rangley, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up this morning with the side of my face just pounding. Decided I should at least try and see a dentist. They got me in within an hour. Turned out to be a cracked filling. Has been bothering me for about a week. Getting worse by the day. Thats 2, yes 2, dentist visits on the AT. Amazing. Feels good now though. Tomorrow is saddleback mtn. The campanion says that you can see Mother K from the top on a nice day. Don't know if I'm ready to see the end. Off to the post office to mail some entries to Tim. Then to figure out the food for the next stretch. 8pmInteresting zero day. Drove down a road and set up camp on a piece of grass. Eventually the property owner came home and told us to leave. Knew it was too good to be true.Wound up a the Rt. 4 trailhead camped with Walnut, Low Gear, eulah, NE and P-hawk. eulah cooked up an awesome veggie burrito feast with green chile sent from a friend out west.Excited for sleep. My face still is pounding but the tooth fels better. It sucks getting a filling removed. Reminded me of getting braces taken off. Nothing joyous about that.