morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-29
From: Zealand Falls Hut

To: Webster Cliffs
Miles today: 9.6

2 ponds 2 waterfallsI woke up at sunrise and laid in my sleeping bag for a while. One of the hut guests came out to check out the sunrise and gave me her cup of coffee while I was still in the sleeping bag. Hows that for service! I packed up my gear and went to the hut just in time for hiker breakfast. We had pancakes and oatmeal. After breakfast I swept out the guest rooms and the dining area as my work for stay. It took all of 10min and was totally worth the two meals. I left the hut around 930 and walked down the hill into zealand notch. I took a .1 blue blaze to zealand pond and caught a kingfisher pulling a small fish out of the water.I hiked on through the notch and talked with a couple from NJ who were out hiking. We talked about the thru hike and then hiked on to Thoreau falls, which was .1 off the trail. When I got to the falls I changed into my bathing suit and went for a swim at the base of the cascade. The water was icy cold, but felt so refreshing. Then I climbed up the cascade and laid in small pools of water on the way up. The couple from NJ was there and hooked me up with some kind trail magic before they left. After I was done swimming, I sprawled out on a rock in the sun next to the falls and took an hour long nap. When I woke up I was a little sunburned, but not too bad. I hiked on a relatively easy and flat trail to Ethan pond where I stopped for lunch. I saw tons of moose tracks along the way, but still no moose.After lunch I hiked down to crawford notch and the start of the famous presidential range. After the road at the saco river I ran into game on and granite. Game on and I had planned on staying on webster cliffs and granite decided to tag along after I told him about it the night before. We tanked up on water and started the huge climb up to the cliffs. At the first view we stopped at a stealth campsite and found chef camping there as well. The view from the cliffs into crawford notch was amazing and we got there just in time for sunset. We set up camp and granite pulled out his sweet trail magic. He brought Italian sausages, peppers, an onion, a can of chilli, bread, and mustard. We made a fire and had veggie cabobs first then cooked up the delicious sausages. Granite also hooked me up with like 10 snickers bars and 10 cliff bars plus hummus and a pound of cheddar cheese! We had our feast and stayed up late listening to chefs radio and watching the fire. The weather was unusually warm. I was hanging out in camp in shorts and a tshirt. I hung my hammock between 2 spruce trees ans slept like a rock.Today's StatsStarting Point:Zealand Falls HutEnding Point:Webster CliffsMileage:9.6Elevation Gain:2550ftElevation Loss:2150ftHiking Time:7:26Weather:Warm sunny beautifulPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-08-30
From: Webster Cliffs

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: broken clouds

MizpahI woke up at sunrise and packed up my stuff so my stealth camping position wasn't given away. The air was hazy but the views were still good. I ate breakfast on the cliffs then started my hike up Webster mountain. The trail was still very rocky with some challenging rock scrambles to climb over. Game on and I spent a good amount of time sitting on Mt Webster at 3910ft. The cliffs dropped almost straight down to the river in crawford notch.We continued on and followed a much easier trail toward mt jackson at 4052ft. When we got to the top, Mt Washington was clouded in, but we could see the ridges leading up to it. Small cumulonimbus clouds were starting to roll into the mountains, a sure sign of thunderstorms to come. I was optimistic and still sat on top of my jackson for a while, taking in the views. I got hungry and could taste the bottomless bowl of soup at mizpah hut just 2m away. I hiked on and found granite chilling on the side of the trail waiting for me. The two of us hiked to the hut together. Inside I got a bowl of cream of mushroom soup and some lemonade. I hung out for a while talking to the other hikers and getting friendly with the hut croo. Game on and I decided to hike on so we said goodbye, put our packs on, and took two steps up the trail when we heard thunder. We looked at each other and decided to call it a day at the hut. We went back inside and asked for a work for stay. They put us to !work cleaning their oven. Most of it was pretty easy, except for scraping the griddle. Game on and I took turns scrubbing the crud off the edges for 45 min. While we were working a wicked storm came through, dumping rain and shaking the hut with thunder. We made the right decision to stop since the 4.8m to the next hut were mostly above treeline.After we were done with work we just spent the afternoon relaxing and talking with the cute hut crew. Some of our friends caught up from behind, mayo, cobweb, stone age, triple deuce, old yeller, water, and bucket. This hut wasn't as cool as the last one. Only 4 of us got to eat, the others had to work just for a stay. We all slept in their mouse infested attic which was so hot I didn't need a blanket.Today's StatsStarting Point:Webster CliffsEnding Point:Mizpah HutMileage:4.5Elevation Gain:1870ftElevation Loss:1260ftHiking Time:5:55Weather:Hazy hot morning, severe afternoon thunderstormsPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-08-31
From: Mizpah Hut

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: fog

Hut SlutinWe were woken up by the hut crew singing their version of "drunken sailor" with the words "tired hiker". We could sleep in a bit since the hikers didn't get to eat until after the paying guests. Only game on, granite, and I were left for the breakfast leftovers so we got fed well. After breakfast we packed up and got ready to leave. I said goodbye to the croo and thanked them for everything then game on and I started up mt pierce at 4310ft. At the top we could see the presidential peaks rise above a dense under cast. Mt. Washington was in the clouds though. We sat there for an hour and a half. The under cast came up the mountains from our left and stole the minimal view we had. Visibility was reduced to less than a hundred feet. Twenty min later the wind shifted and started moving the fog in the other direction. The wind from that direction was a lot colder. Then twenty min more he wind shifted again and brought the warm air back. It was a very cool weather experience.We eventually started walking again and followed the trail through the clouds. We were totally exposed in the alpine area, but the wind wasn't blowing too hard. We followed the trail around mt Eisenhower, then over mt franklin, then around mt monroe. When we got around mt monroe, the temp dropped about 15 degrees instantly and I was cold. Luckily the Lakes of the Clouds Hut was just ahead. Game on and I got in and found triple deuce, stoneage, old yeller, and moongoat already there. We asked for a work for stay and got one no problem. The girls in this hut were super cool! This is my third hut stay, which officially makes me a hut slut! We hung out playing fun games like pickup sticks and scrable. Eulah, a southbounder, and clearwater showed up and were able to stay also. The guests dinner was served and the hikers just hung out, out of sight, waiting for our turn to eat. This random guy came up to the hikers and had us gather around a deck of cards he spread out on the table.! We all picked a card and he said the two highest got guest bunks on him. Old Yeller and I got a king and won the room. He also said we won bourbon and a beer. He poured a bunch in my nalgene and gave me a Heineken. Old yeller and I talked with them for a while and he offered for us to eat with them, but we wanted to eat with our hiker friends. A bed was enough trail magic for us, we could still eat leftovers.The guests had plenty of leftovers and the hikers chowed down. After dinner I realized I left my headlight at the last hut. Hopefully another nobo will carry it forward for me. I went to bed at 930 when the lights went out. We are praying for a clear day to finish out the presidential range tomorrow!Today's StatsStarting Point:Mizpah HutEnding Point:Lakes of the Clouds HutMileage:4.8Elevation Gain:1890ftElevation Loss:710ftHiking Time:4:33Weather:Dense Fog, coldPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-09-02
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: Wildcat Mtn Ski Patrol Hut
Miles today: 10.5

Disco TrailI was up around 615 and didn't feel like dealing with the morning hut scene. I packed up my stuff and started hiking at 6:30. The sun was still rising behind mt madison and the cold wind was still blowing. At the top of Madison I ducked behind a rock and took a break. There was still a dense under cast in the valleys and I had a front row seat for the view of the presidential range. Once I got a chill I started the steep rocky down toward pinkham notch. The trail was still above treeline for a good mile after the summit. I stopped frequently to take in the awesome view before ducking back into the trees for the first time in 3 days. Once the trail leveled off, the rocks thinned out, and I got my stride back. I cruised to peabody river where I stopped for another break, scaring up a grouse along the way. I dipped my head into the icy cold water to wake up the senses. Gypsy spirit and speaks little caught up and the three of us hiked to pinkham notch together.I hitched into Gorham to get a new headlight. It's kind of an essential piece of gear. At Moriah Outfitters I found the exact one I lost which made me one happy camper. Next I went to a local cafe and got an excellent lunch then hitched back to the trail. Back at the notch I sat in front of the visitors center people watching with granite, clearwater, and torpedo. Game On showed up and joined the watching party. I took a not so legal shower at the joe dodge lodge. I just kinda walked in the front door and past the guy at the desk to the plush bathrooms with showers. He didn't say anything so I suspect thru hikers pull that all the time. After getting clean and putting my gross clothes back on, game on, granite, and I hung out for a while longer. We left around 6 for the climb up wildcat.The trail crossed NH16 then went past a beaver pond. I spotted one of them in the water so granite and I sat watching it for about 10 min. When I started clicking my poles together he came about 20ft away to check me out then gracefully dove underwater. It was a pretty cool sight! We started the uphill rock scramble and caught game on at the first view point. We decided to push to the top since we knew we could sleep in the ski patrol hut on top of wildcat mtn. The darkness crept in and we busted out our headlights for some night hiking. All the mica in the granite sparkled from the light. It felt like I was looking into one of those disco balls. Granite and I made it to the top and found the hut open for us. Game On stopped short somewhere. There were cool pics of skiing and boarding all over the walls and a pic of Katahdin. There was also 2 couches to chill on. I cooked 2 liptons for dinner and fell asleep dreaming of the big K.Today's StatsStarting Point:Madison Spring HutEnding Point:Wildcat Mtn Ski Patrol HutMileage:10.5Elevation Gain:3810ftElevation Loss:4540ftHiking Time:7:36Weather:Clear Cool BeautifulPain Factor:3
Date: 2007-09-03
From: Wildcat Mtn Ski Patrol Hut

To: Imp Campsite
Miles today: 10.4

Wildcats and CartersI slept until 930 which felt soooo good. I haven't been able to sleep in since I can't remember. We packed up and went over to talk to the lift operator. He let us ride down to the lodge for free. I got a huge breakfast at the bottom then took the gondola back up. We ran into cobweb, mayo, and nice enough on the top. I told them to go for the gondola ride then started hiking at noon. The trail went over wildcat peaks: E, D, C, B, and A. It was pretty rugged with lots of ups and downs. There was an excellent view from A of carter notch that we were about to drop down to. Game on was waiting for us there.We dropped down to carter ponds, took another break then started the 1600ft climb up to carter dome. There wasn't much of a view so I pushed on to mt hight. The view of mt wash was amazing from there! The trail went down to zeta pass then up to south carter where we took another break. We hiked on over middle carter then stopped at north carter for a great view of the trail ahead. I picked out the mahoosuc range, home of the legendary mahoosuc notch, the hardest mile on the AT! Cobbweb, mayo, and nice enough caught up and the 6 of us hiked 2m down the very steep trail to the imp campsite. It was getting dark and I didn't feel like finding a stealth spot so I payed the $8 for the tent spot. Everyone stayed in the shelter, but I hung my hammock over a tent platform. I needed a solo evening to relax a bit. My knees have been bothering me the last few days too. These whites have been tough on the body, even with shorter days. Only 25 more miles until the last and best border crossing...MAINE!!!Today's StatsStarting Point:Wildcat Mtn Ski Patrol HutEnding Point:Imp CampsiteMileage:10.4Elevation Gain:4010ftElevation Loss:4610ftHiking Time:7:34Weather:Cool, partly cloudy, windyPain Factor:3
Date: 2007-09-04
From: Imp Campsite

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

And Now For Something Completely DifferentThe wind was kicking all night and kept the temps in the 30's. That made it hard to get out of the sleeping bag in the morning. I eventually braved the cold around 9 and jumped out of the hammock. I packed up camp and ate 2 packs of pop tarts. Granite came over and gave me back my sleeping pad that I let him borrow. Game on showed up from camping before the pay site. The three of us left camp together and climbed up mt. moriah. We chilled on the top for a bit and said goodbye to granite who was taking a side trail into town.Game on and I hiked down the mountain and when we got to rattle river the rocks disappeared. The trail was smooth and easy down to rt2. We were hooting and hollering all the way down, excited to be able to get into a stride again. Near the road we found a cooler full of trail magic with beers and soda. Game on and I chugged a beer then hitched a ride into gorham. We went directly to the bar at mr pizza and got some good local brew. I got potato skins and a calzone and housed the entire meal. I could barley walk out of that place I was so full. After dinner we went to the royal inn and got a motel room. I threw our clothes in the wash and went for a swim in indoor pool, then soaked in the hot tub, then sat in the sauna. Then I took a shower and put my clean clothes on. Game on and I went back to the bar and had a few more brews then went back to our room and fell asleep watching monty python episodes on TV.Today's StatsStarting Point:Imp CampsiteEnding Point:Gorham, NHMileage:8.0Elevation Gain:1360ftElevation Loss:3880ftHiking Time:4:36Weather:Windy, cold sunnyPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-09-05
From: Gorham, NH

To: Campsite
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: clear sky

Robert Haines 08Game on and I woke up at 9 and went to dunkin donuts for breakfast. Back at the motel we packed up and went to the outfitter to drop our packs off. I went to the library and used the computer for a half hour. Then I called my work and pushed back my leave without pay another two weeks. Now I am supposed to be back oct 15th. Game on and I hitched to the sprawl mart. I bought 16 days worth of food. My plan is to mail food drops to caratunk and monson maine since I heard the food selections there are not very good. I also bought some fishin supplies to fish in the maine lakes. I got a sewing kit to sew the haul strap on my pack which was coming loose. We hitched back to town and I got my mail drops ready to go. I mailed 8 days of food to monson for the 100 mile wilderness, 4 days to caratunk, and put 4 days worth in my pack. I also mailed some stuff I've accumulated home and 40 pictures I had printed out to ken. Next I bought a bottle of bourbon to pack out and game on and I went to crabby jacks mexican for dinner. I called Ken while we were waiting for our food and got to talk to him for a few min. He was excited that I was about to be in Maine and said he enjoyed seeing the pics of me holding up his picture! I also got a one month extension on my pocketmail account.At diner I had a guiness and enchiladas then we hitched back to the trail around 5. This crazy guy, who told us he was running for president, tried to drive us back to the trail, but he only had room for one. We said no thanks and got a hitch from a nice local lady.She dropped us off back at the trail and we found pike county sitting on the side of the road. Game on and I followed the AT on the road over the androscogin river. Robert Haines, president guy, found us again and pulled over. He was writing down all this silly info about local press and media. He wanted us to call the papers and tell them we were hiking maine to Georgia for robert haines. We lied about our trail direction and gave him completely fake addresses when he asked for them. When we finally managed to shake him, we walked another 2 miles until dark and threw down on the side of the trail. Pike county caught up and we shared our bourbon and whiskey and fell asleep under the stars, making fun of robert haines 08. Game on and I put the pins he gave us on our packs to remind us of his craziness. God help the country if he ever actually becomes president.Today's StatsStarting Point:Gorham, NHEnding Point:CampsiteMileage:2.5Elevation Gain:1050ftElevation Loss:120ftHiking Time:1:09Weather:Sunny, warm, beautifulPain Factor:1
Date: 2007-09-06
From: Campsite

To: MAINE BORDER!!!
Miles today: 14.0

Going to Maine!We woke up and felt Maine calling. It would be our biggest day in a while, but we were up for the challenge. As we were packing up, little bug shoe and shuffles showed up. I had met them on myspace before the hike and finally met them on the trail. Pearls and starvin marvin also passed us before we got moving. The trail climbed mt hayes and I took a short nap on top. When I woke up, I continued on and went down then back up to wocket ledges. The 4 who passed me this morning were having lunch there. Game on and I pushed on to trident col campsite for water. I filled up my bottles then had an avocado and hummus wrap lunch. After lunch we cranked out some miles to gentian pond campsite. Along the way we passed a few ponds, but I didn't see any moose. There was a whole group of nobos whom I hadn't met before. Redwood, serendipity, pippy, trail pooh, tumbleweed, Pittsburgh, and turbo turtle were all there. Redwood had my headlight from mizpah! Too bad I bought another one. Now I h! ave two! Game on and I took a break and left the shelter around 6 with Maine on the mind.We climbed mt success and caught the end of the sunset. We put our headlights on and started the long downhill toward the border. Night hiking is so much fun. It gives me a natural buzz. Walking through the unknown heightens all my senses. Just a little ways down from the summit I spotted 2 red eyes glowing from my light. It was a snowshoe hare. Its hind feet were HUGE. We hiked down the rugged rocky trail for over an hour in the dark until we heard pike county give us an owl call. We knew we were close to the border. At 9:15pm we got to the sign I have been waiting so long to see. It says "Welcome to Maine, The way life should be". I decided to not officially cross till morning so I hung my hammock on the NH side. The three of us finished most of our booze and stayed up late celebrating 13 states completed. It feels so good to be in the final and best state!Today's StatsStarting Point:CampsiteEnding Point:MAINE BORDER!!Mileage:14.0Elevation Gain:5990ft!!Elevation Loss:4780ftHiking Time:11:15Weather:Partly sunny, warm, humidPain Factor:4
Date: 2007-09-07
From: MAINE BORDER!!!

To: Mahoosuc Notch Campsite
Miles today: 7.5

Hardest MileI woke up with a smile on my face since the first thing I saw was the "Welcome to Maine" sign. I made some hot mate and ate donuts for breakfast and got ready to cross the last border. Game on and I took some pics at the sign then stepped into Maine as we started our day. The trail went up mt. carlo and I sat up there taking in the hazy views for a few min. A pair of gray jays came over to check me out. I remembered when I first saw one in rocky mtn NP with Ken and Alex. It It landed on a sign post next to our heads. Turns out they are knows as "camp robbers" and are not shy at all. Game on caught up and we climbed down then back up again to goose eye mtn. At 3600ft we hit the treeline and walked through a beautiful alpine bog area. I took a side trail to the summit and got a view of a clear cut valley. It was pretty shocking to see. I moved on and had lunch on the east peak.The trail continued through an alpine area to full goose shelter. Game on and I grabbed water and hiked on toward the infamous mahoosuc notch. We climbed steeply down into the notch and took a break before entering the hardest mile on the AT. I strapped my poles to my pack since I knew I wouldn't need them for the rock scramble. We entered the notch and felt the temperature significantly drop. Supposedly ice can be found year round in the holes under the rock piles. We rock hopped our way through the first 1/10 of a mile and found the dead moose we had been hearing about since vt. I was a little upset that my first moose sighting was a dead one! It supposedly got scared in there and broke all its legs. A local shot it to keep it from suffering. Its insides were mostly gone with just the hide and bones left. It still stunk to high heaven! I held my nose and stepped over it to continue on.The rocks seemed to get bigger, ranging in size of Volkswagen beetles to trailer homes. They had all fallen from the cliffs above over time. We got to the section where they were so big we had to crawl under them. In a few spots I had to take my pack off and pull it under the rocks behind me. For me it was the funnest mile on the AT. I felt like a kid crawling amongst those huge boulders. Two hours later game on and I made it through the mile and darkness was setting in. We found a campsite at the end of the notch and called it a night. Game on and I set up camp, ate dinner, and passed out. So far Maine has been both beautiful and super rugged.Today's StatsStarting Point:Maine BorderEnding Point:Mahoosuc Notch CampsiteMileage:7.5Elevation Gain:2840ftElevation Loss:3570ftHiking Time:9:12Weather:Hot Humid HazyPain Factor:3