morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-06-17
From: Zealand Falls Hut

To: Mizpah Hut tentsite
Miles today: 14.1

Wow! Fast day hiking with great weather!Hiking with Fair Forecaster I made it the 7 miles to Crawford Notch by 9am. It took 20 min. to get a hitch but I got lucky and she waited for me at the center to pickup my mail drop and brought me back from the Highland Center. I got back on the trail by 10!I stopped at the stream to grab water and a snack. Im running heavy on food because I've caught a few hut meals and am a day ahead of schedule. The reason is the weather is suoposed to be good tomorrow and I might catch Washington on a good day!! That would mean I caught Moosilauke, Franconia Ridge, and Washington on clear days!!!The climb up Webster was fun. A lot of short rock scrambles and some hand over hand climbing. So glad it's a nice day! It would have been tough in the rain.Lots of great veiws coming up! Every 100 yards I turned around and took another picture.Once I got up Jackson I saw a great view of Washington! I covered the distance to the hut pretty fast and got into camp around 2pm. I lucked out and got leftover stuffed shells along with pumpkin curry and bread. I washed some dishes and talked with the chef while listening to music. It was wonderful.Setup my tent on the wooden platform using screw-in hooks. It works!I have good coverage here because there's a cell tower on Washington. I hope I get good signal tomorrow but we'll see!Stephan and Fair Forecaster are here. Frieght Train and Turkish hiked on to Lakes of the Clouds Hut or farther. It is so nice out!Great croo here. Hopefully I'll get some scrapes later. None of us are doing a work for stay, but I'll happily wash dishes again. Steak is on the menu!Going over Washington tomorrow. Looks like great weather. I'm so glad I put in the miles to get here! Not sure if I'll end up at Madison Hut or the tentsite off the ridge. It's supposed to start raining Wednesday for the rest of the week.Levi
Date: 2019-06-19
From: Osgood Tentsite

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 10.7

Wow I'm tired. Today ended up being clear. There were more trees down on the way to Pinkham Visitors center but the trail smoothed out for an easy 5 miles. Got there around 11 and had some chilli and soda. Charged my devices, got new socks, and replaced my pack cover. I accidentally left my other one hanging at Zealand Hut. I'm upset I left behind a piece of gear, but it was 8 years old and didn't owe me anything.Ate an awesome sandwich for lunch. Roast beef on fresh bread with horseradish, olives, mayo, lettuce, and tomatoes. Hung out with Fair Forecaster for about 2 hours there.The climb up Wildcat was tough! I was tired from yesterday and had nothing left to give. It took me a long time to get to the Hut. The sun stayed out for the whole day despite the report of rain. Could have used the shower, but it's hard to complain with the weather I've caught through here. Got a work for stay! Eating a delicious dinner of fresh salad, veggie chilli, bowtie pasta, green beans, peas, pulled pork, and carrot cake with icing. I'm so happy to be inside and eating this food!!Looks like rain tonight and tomorrow. At least I'll start dry.I learned Wagon Hammer and Orange Blaze are just a day ahead! Last time I saw them was my last day in New York.Going to sleep hard tonight. Going a short 7 tomorrow and then Im out of the Whites by Friday!Planning to take two weeks off because Im ahead of schedule and I had a trip planned to Canada over 4th of July week. I'll be getting on a bus Saturday and spending a few days at the beach with the family before heading to Canada. Looking forward to having time to redo some of my pack before finishing off the trip and of course the two weeks off to rest and visit with family and friends. Hopefully I won't get too fat.LeviP.S. Carter Notch Hut croo is the best. Laid back, amazing improve actors, giving, and genuine. They left me a note pinned to a bag of gummie bears and nailed the breakfast skit. Be still my heart.
Date: 2019-06-20
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: Imp Shelter
Miles today: 7.1

Glad for the short day! Didn't get much sleep. My legs were so sore I couldn't get comfortable and the Hut was hot. A heavy fog rolled in after dinner and I could see white mist coming in through the open windows. Woke up at 5 and hung around outside while breakfast was being served. I heard a fanatic morning skit by the Hut croo about wilderness first aid and later congratulated them on the performance over breakfast. Eggs, sausage, oatmeal with toppings, coffee, and a blueberry coconut coffee cake that was devine.Got started hiking around 9. Putting on my wet, sweat soaked clothes from the day before was harsh. I really need a shower.The climb out of Carter was tough but short. Once on the ridge it wasn't so bad, but it was still over 2500ft gain and loss for the day. Couldn't see anything through the fog. The trail was very bushy and narrow making it impossible to hike without getting hit with branches.We got into Imp around 12:30 just before the really heavy rain started. I slept the afternoon away to the sound of rain on the roof and only woke up when it stopped around 5:30. Fair Caster said it was about an inch and a quarter of rainfall. Based on the lake around the shelter I believed him.Hung out with Tiger, the eastern traveling caretaker who was watching over Imp this week. He was a 2017 thru hiker and his buddy was visiting from home. We went back and forth with trail stories and how the AMC handles trail maintenance and hownto encourage more hikers to stay at designated shelters through the Whites instead of stealthing illegally. It was a tough nut to crack. Some hikers just aren't willing to pay to shelter when up to this point it's been free. While some understand the cost of maintaning the heavily trafficed section, others aren't as economically minded.I stayed talking with them till dark (which is now past 9). Went back to the shelter and ate dinner before trying to sleep. Again, couldn't sleep because of how sore my legs (and knees) are.By chance I was reminded tomorrow is the Solstice. So glad I didn't miss it!Levi
Date: 2019-06-21
From: Imp Shelter

To: Rattlesnake Lodge and Hostel 
Miles today: 8.2

It's the longest day of the year and the perfect time to let it all hang out. Happy Hike Naked Day!!After careful planning with Fair Caster he left the shelter first. I got going around 8 and started hiking in a light rain. The trail was swampy and I went back to slogging strait through the mud instead of trying to dodge it.No views today or yesterday, just dense white fog. At the summit of Mt. Moriah I donned my outfit for the occasion. Probably a good day for it as my clothes were already soaked anyways.Pretty steep downhill rocks. The pine trees were over the trail and I got a very cold, pine-fresh exfoliating shower treatment on my way down. This place could really use some attention.Steady rain until I hit Rattlesnake stream. Then the mosquitoes happened... Not the best place to be hiking on the Soltice. I ran (not jogged) the last 4 miles. It still wasn't enough. When it came time to get decent again (about a half mile from the road) I had to set my pack on the trail and make running laps back and forth while dressing to avoid the swarm.Ten bites later I made it to the hostel. Took my second shower of the day, but this one was warm and had soap. They took my clothes and had a fine selection of loaner clothes including a few onesies. I settled for the pajama pants.Really great environment for relaxing. They had a few past thru hikers helping with the hostel and we had everything a hiker could need. I made lunch from odds and ends left in the fridge and started watching The Dark Crystal on Netflix (this is a kids movie?!).Took the 2pm free shuttle to Walmart and stocked up on snacks for my journey tomorrow and grabbed a frozen pizza for dinner. Almost left Fair Caster behind but we figured it out before leaving the parking lot.Chatted with the other guests through the afternoon. Met Bill who hiked with Fair Caster back in Tennessee and traded some gear reviews and talked about other trails in the Wisconsin/Minnesota area (Ice Age Trail). Ran into a family of 3 trying to finish up the last section of there AT hike but were down for a knee injury 2 days into their journey. Starting in the Whites has to be a rough place to get your trail legs.Made the pizza and helped myself to a few of the leftover beers in the fridge. Watched the end of The Dark Crystal and got to bed around 9. Stephan joined the party later and I'm glad I got the chance to say goodbye before leaving on my vacation. We'll reconnect after the hike to trade pictures and stories.Long travel day tomorrow. Hard to believe I walked this far North the past two months!Levi
Date: 2019-07-08
From: Rattlesnake Lodge and Hostel 

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.7

Reception has been spotty. I might have to wait to post between towns. Still hiking!I got out of Libby House at around 7 and back on trail by 7:30. The trail is not letting up!Caught some nice views. It was a clear day and a bit hot. My pack feels great! I'm very glad to have the smaller pack now that the cold weather is over.Ran into South Bounders and a few flip flops and section hikers. Trail is getting busy. Hiked into camp with Papa and Logan. Beautiful location next to the pond with a veiw.Levi
Date: 2019-07-09
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6

I saw a moose!Logan and I got a late start and he heard it down in the pond around 8:30. I got a few good pictures and fulfilled my wish of seeing a moose in a pond, all before Maine! It was an adolescent but still really big. He only stayed around for a few seconds before walking around the corner out of sight.I played leap frog with Papa and Logan in the morning and we all met up at the state line for pictures. It's hard to imagine this is the 14th state I've hiked on the trail. Maine seems to be a combination of Vermont and New Hampshire. It's strait up and down like NH, but the ponds, forests, and tree roots remind me of Vermont. Still plenty of bugs around, but not as aggressive as before. I took 7 hours to hike 10 miles with all the pictures I'm taking. So many wildflowers still in bloom on the mountains plus vibrant green ferns and trees. The difficult terrain is rewarded with great views and a wide variety of character.Setting up for the Mahoosuc Notch tomorrow. Spent the evening in camp with Papa, Logan, a group of french canadian middle school girls, and Corky (who I last saw in Dalton, MA a month ago).Levi
Date: 2019-07-10
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Baldpate Lean-to
Miles today: 12.0

Fun day today!I got a later start again (around 9). Still resting up from my vacation.The Mahoosuc Notch was more fun than difficult. The rocks were car-sized boulders strewn in 40 yard sections over the mile stretch of the notch. After going over top of the first rock cave I decided to go through the other ones. It was fun jumping from rock to rock then scrambling under the boulders to get through. Didn't take too long and only had to take my pack off once.The Arm was a lot harder. Most of it was solid rock going about 30 degrees strait up the mountain. I'm so glad I had good weather. If the trail was wet this section would have been a lot more difficult.I've been listening to music during the last few days and I'd have to say it helps a lot. My legs keep pace with the music and I'm able to keep a better pace on the uphills. I'm using playlists I downloaded from Spotify.Ran into some well timed trail magic at Grafton Notch. The soda and granola bar were helpful in getting me up the final 1000 ft climb to the shelter.Big Ben and Rover (father/son) had a fire going when I got into camp. Big Ben gave me some freeze dried strawberries and we chatted with a young couple from Boiling Springs heading Southbound.Levi
Date: 2019-07-11
From: Baldpate Lean-to

To: Hall Mountain Lean-to 
Miles today: 14.0

Started at 9 again.Baldpate was a great hike! Much of it was exposed ridgeline with small patches of brush and flowers. I'm glad again for the nice weather over all these rocks!Stopped at Frye Notch shelter for lunch. Ran into three southbounders planning to spend the night even though it was only 1pm. Everyone seems to be getting worn out through this section.I hiked almost strait through the afternoon, trying to make up for the late start. As much as I wanted to take the 0.3 side trail to Upper Dunn Falls, I didn't find the energy. The lower falls were still impressive.Got to camp by 5:30. Another mix of hikers heading every direction. The rain started when I was cooking dinner. Then, the french canadian group had leftover tuna, pasta with sauce, and ramen. I ate two dinners and went to bed early with a full stomach to the sound of rain.Levi
Date: 2019-07-12
From: Hall Mountain Lean-to 

To: Little Red Hen
Miles today: 4.1

The rain went through the night. I was first up and out by 7:30. I guess no one was eager to start in the soggy weather.There was a rather hard, pointless, up and down between the shelter and road. Once at the road I changed out of my wet clothes and took about 30 min to find a ride from South Arm Rd.My ride was a full pickup truck hauling a camper. I sat on top of the built in tool box and rode the 8 miles to town hanging onto the roof rack. It was a bumpy ride to town but the veiw was one of a kind.Ran into Logan at The Little Red Hen diner. He got off the trail earlier yesterday and hitched into town a day ahead of me. Some great hikers are hanging around the porch and I'm planning to camp for free beind the restaurant.I ate lunch and updated my posts. I'll be giving Jaci a call later today and I scheduled my next mail drop for Stratton. I'm glad I decided to take it easy today instead of hiking the 12 miles I had planned. These miles are tough and I need a day to relax and enjoy hiker life before going back out to tackle the next section.There's free live music tonight across the street and the weather is supposed to be clear the next three days. I've got two days of food to get me to Rangeley where I'll be stopping at the hostel to shower, post to my journal, and resupply. What a sweet spot! Trying to wait till dinner to eat more food.Levi
Date: 2019-07-13
From: Little Red Hen

To: Little Red Hen
Miles today: 0.0

Today I got sucked into Andover.A group of Southbounders camped behind the diner last night along with Logan and Turtle (with pup). They had also spent an additional day in town.It is a great little town. The only three stores are also restaurants. You can throw a rock and hit all of them. The camping is free or the hostel is a biodome. The staff at the diner have been kind. The owner runs free shuttles all day and they open up the porch of the restaurant for hikers to relax and charge phones. They made me an ice cream sandwich that wasn't on the menu that was the size of my hand. The diner offers rooms upstairs or free tenting in the back.It took Logan and the Southbounders till 2pm to leave this afternoon.I relaxed in my tent after lunch until it got too hot. With the rain yesterday the humidity was high.So I have three weeks to hike 245 miles. That's about 11.75 miles a day average. The next six days look like harder terrain but after that Maine flattens out. I'm thinking I'm still within my goal of finishing on Aug. 3rd as long as the terrain gets easier. It's a hard time mentally for me right now. It feels like the end is very close, but it's still three weeks of hiking to get there. The terrain is frustrating and is taking a lot of time to navigate. In another week I'll be trying to draw out the hike longer, but right now the finish still seems a long way off.I feel better prepared for the end after taking today to look ahead. Since crossing into Maine it's hit home how big this trail is and how long I've spent hiking it. As fun as it all can be, I'm ready to be done. In another week I'll probably want to do it all over again but today I'm ready to see the finish. Better hike some miles tomorrow.LeviP.S. Over Andover - being too saturated with the town AndoverOver AndOver - a continual loop of staying in Andover
Date: 2019-07-15
From: Bemis Mountain Lean to

To: The Hiker Hut
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I made up some miles even after a later start. I got caught in camp talking with Rock Naps who has worked in 48 states and held all top 5 deadliest job titles in the country. I ran into Spice and Shaggy, a 19 year old brother/sister pair northbounding the trail. We leap frogged most of the day.The terrain was easier to hike. It's still rocks and roots but it was mostly downhill so I decided to push early to the hut.I got in at 6pm while everyone was in town. One hiker stayed behind and showed me the shower and tentsite. The shower was so nice! The caretaker Steve hooked up an instant hot water heater to a shower head and put it next to the stream in a little three sided, open-air, shower with a view. My tentsite was a tarped dirt platform surrounded by gravel with another tarp for a ground cloth. I didn't bither setting up my tent.I spent time chatting with Steve about his experience in life, and his time spent in India every year. He spends half the year in Maine serving hikers for the season and the other half he spends traveling. All the cabins at the hostel have names from places in India. He doesn't have electric but keeps battery powered lights charged for the separate cabins. A friend of his keeps beautiful gardens around the property and the nearby stream adds a nice sound. Great place to rest.Levi
Date: 2019-07-16
From: The Hiker Hut

To: Poplar Ridge Lean to
Miles today: 10.7

Started out after a morning in town doing laundry and recharging my phone. Got on the trail around 1pm.Met up with Falcon, Aloha, 5k, and Recap before the climb.  Fun day leap frogging with the guys. The Saddlebacks are like a mini Fraconia Ridge. From the first summit you can see across to the two other peaks above treeline.Raced the northbound hikers to the shelter and got a spot. About 20 people at the shelter. Met Buckles, Stitches. Cici, Logan and a few others. Levi
Date: 2019-07-17
From: Poplar Ridge Lean to

To: Spaulding Mtn Lean to
Miles today: 10.7

I was almost ready to leave the shelter, then the rain started.Not sure why, but no one wanted to hike in the rain. All the Northbound hikers stayed in the shelter while the flip floppers and Southbounders hiked out. We took naps, hung out, and had visitors all morning. By 11 the rain hadn't let up and the next shelter was looking like it was going to fill up. It took a lot of will power to put on my wet hiking clothes. I'm ready to be done hiking in the rain.The 8 miles took 5 hours to hike. I stayed ahead of the other Northbounders and got to the shelter just as the rain cleared. There was a spot left! Considering we had close to 25 camped at the site, I was glad to be one of the 7 people under a roof.I relaxed most of the afternoon. Talked with the Southbounders sharing the shelter and one of them lit a fire. I wrote a letter and enjoyed being dry.Levi
Date: 2019-07-18
From: Spaulding Mtn Lean to

To: Hostel of Maine
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: mist

Slept in again.Felt much more rested and motivated in the morning. The last week has been hard getting motivated but today I was excited to get started.I was working to catch the 4pm shuttle to the hostel so I had to keep moving all day to get there. Lots of hikers! Must be the bubble heading south.It was sunny and clear. Nice breeze and wasn't too hot.The miles are still hard through here. My pace was slower than I expected and I had to jog the last 4 miles.I ran into the 2000 mile marker today. For those that don't know, the ATC recognizes the completion of the AT by admitting you into the 2000 mile club. This is to include those who completed the trail back when it ended earlier in Maine (and before that Mt. Washington in NH). By passing the 2000 mile mark, I can now be included in this group of hikers who completed the trail. Don't worry, I'll get the extra 292 miles completed. Either way, it was a moment on the trail I won't forget. The end is two weeks away and the feeling of pride I have for walking 2000 miles of this trail is the confidence I need to get across the finish. Shuttle came at 430. I could have slowed down. Shaggy, Spice, and I got our own room with bathroom. Lots of hikers here. Buckles and Logan are here with more Southbounders. Getting tired of hearing how awesome the Southbounders are for making it less than 200 miles. They should be excited, but it's really tiring to hear all the time.Sweet hostel! Built in 2010. Big log cabin style ski lodge. Free breakfast. Free shuttles.Trying to average 12 miles to finish on time. Over the next two days I be through all the 4000ft mountains until Katahdin. It gets really flat. Looking forward to some longer days. Should be in Caratunk in 3 days and Monson in 6. I'll look to post again by Monson.LeviLevi
Date: 2019-07-19
From: Hostel of Maine

To: Safford Notch Campsite
Miles today: 10.4

Had a nice breakfast and updated my journal this morning. Got the 930 shuttle back to the trailhead then hitched the opposite direction to pickup a maildrop in Stratton. Resupplied with the maildrop then went to the gas station for some chocolate milk.Easy hitch back to the trail. I think it was around 11 I got started. Got a bee sting on my ankle. Found a pretty AT symbol someone made out of birch logs.Slow and steady climb up South Horn. I stopped at Horns Pond Lean-to and went swimming in the pond with Buckles for maybe a half hour. The water was cool and clean and felt great after the first climb.Ate a snack then headed onto the last 4k climb before Katahdin. It is a beautiful section and I caught it on a party cloudy day. Rain storms were moving in and I could see two rainbows in the distance under the rain clouds. I spent a lot of time on South Horn and Bigelow West Peak taking pictures. By the time I got to the second peak a rain storm had started. I heard thunder in the distance and hiked very quickly across the ridge and back under tree cover. It made for some amazing pictures though! Today might be one of my favorite view days.Got rained on for the climb down. Had to be careful on the rocks.This tent site is really nice. Cool side trail takes you through large boulders before reaching the site. I got here after 6. Good tent platforms and pads along with two water sources and a privy. Cooked dinner and ran out of fuel just as I got the water to boil. Guess I won't get to eat my hot meals or have coffee until I hike 26 miles to Caratunk. Hopefully I'll run into someone tomorrow at the shelter who will help me out.Levi
Date: 2019-07-20
From: Safford Notch Campsite

To: West Carry Pond Lean to
Miles today: 12.6

Heat wave today made for a tiring day.The high was 91. I stopped at one of the ponds and went for a swim.Got dehydrated during the day. Sick of drinking luke warm pond water. Pretty flowers on the trail today.The shelter was a busy site. Three guys from Germany. A large group of middle school girls was there and shared their leftover mac and cheese which was great! It saved me from havibg to eat cold food. I was able to boil water and make coffee for the morning because two Southbounders were cooking hot dogs.Couldn't sleep because of the heat. Too hot for the sleeping bag but the bugs were biting. Very hot, sticky, itchy, and tired.Levi