morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-12
To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Another beautiful day to hike up and down the Green Mountains. Several difficult climbs today, the worst being up Quimby Mtn late in the afternoon. We hiked Mount Killington first thing this morning, including the side trail to the peak which turned out to be an insane rock scramble at which I'm amazed that I didn't get killed or seriously injured. The view from the top was spectacular; I could see north to the mountains of New Hampshire and Maine. We hiked into the little ski town of Killington, VT and hit a deli for a great sandwich and some resupply..Tonight, I bathed in Stony Brook and washed my clothes out. Believe me, it was much needed.Another great day on the AT.
Date: 2008-07-13
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I saw my first moose today! We were northbound on the trail and ran into a southbound cow. She was probably within 10 yards of us when we startled her and she bolted in the opposite direction. I must say that they are impressive animals. I'd hate for one to step on my foot.Well, we had more ups and downs today in Vermont. There doesn't seem to be much flat ground here.We got to visit the "On the Edge" farm stand today. It had a nice selection of farm produce. I ate blueberry pie, ice cream, and drank a Mountain Dew. It was a delicious lunch stop.Camping tonight on a beautiful knoll about the shelter with Rethinker and Bad Idea. We're sharing a small campfire and great conversation.
Date: 2008-07-14
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

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

Hiked into New Hampshire today--state number 13--after a leisurely breakfast at a country store in West Hartford, VT. We crossed the Connecticut River to enter NH at the big trail town of Hanover, the home of Dartmouth College.Hanover is a big trail town with lots of people on the street, everyone hiker friendly. Lots of people spoke to us and welcomed us to town. We ran into Padre, Rhino, and Ronja (the dog) in town. It was good to see them again.We resupplied and I bought a new pair of trail shoes (pair #4). My others weren't worn out, so I shipped them home. But I needed a waterproof pair for the mud of Maine. I'm tired of wet, soggy feet.Oh, yeah, I almost forgot to mention that we had a heavy rain last night; it had ended by daybreak, though.Camping tonight with Padre, Rhino, and Ronja.Editor's note: His shoes were soaked from walking through a couple of boggy states, and he just stuck them in a box bound for home. I could smell them before I even opened the box and quickly went out to the deck where I unleashed a smell that I imagine was something kin to the Creature from the Black Lagoon!
Date: 2008-07-15
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Firewarden's Cabin
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Beautiful weather today with blue skies as clear as glass. It's a good thing, since I had a brutal and steep hike up the last half mile of trail to get to Smarts Mountain. The views from the firetower are spectacular. It gives me a good look at what I've got ahead of me for the next few weeks. It certainly looks daunting!Tonight, I had one of those magic moments on the trail when I watched an awesome sunset from the tower with my thru hiker friends. Padre played the flute as the sun disappeared into an orange abyss behind the western mountains.
Date: 2008-07-16
From: Firewarden's Cabin

To: Jeffer's Brook
Miles today: 21.1

I met numerous southbounders today; the Honeymooners, Spanky, Moose, Carrot, and Breadbowl. They gave us info about the White Mountains, and we gave them tips about the trail south of here. A good day for hiking--nice weather and some great views. Otherwise, up and down the trail all day.Rethinker and I are camped on a beautiful spot near a great brook tonight. I talked with a fisherman who actually has property in Franklin. It's a small world.
Date: 2008-07-17
From: Jeffer's Brook

To: N. Woodstock, NH
Miles today: 9.4

We saw a bear cub this morning as we crossed a road. It came out of the woods, looked at us, and walked on.We climbed our first Alpine mountain of the trip today. At 4802', Mt. Moosilauke is the highest mountain we've seen since southern Virginia. What makes the mountain "Alpine" is that it rises above treeline. Here, in the Whites, treeline is generally 4000'. We were on the summit too early to get a view of Mount Washington as clouds and mist were in the area. It was a thrill to be up there and realize that I will be hiking the most spectacular mountains of the entire Appalachian Trail in the coming weeks.I'm in the town of N. Woodstock, resupplying for the Whites. Rethinker's friend, Bill, is visiting us from Massachusetts while we're here.
Date: 2008-07-18
From: N. Woodstock, NH

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

After a big breakfast, Bill dropped us off at the trailhead. We had a big, hand over hand, rock scramble climb up to South Kinsman (4358'). T-storms were looming ominously in the area, getting closer and closer as we hurried across the ridge to North Kinsman (4293'). We were on our way down the north slope of North Kinsman as the sky turned black as night, the wind picked up, and the rain started falling. Lightning cracked much too close for comfort as we luckily arrived at the Kinsman Pond shelter--looks like home for the night.
Date: 2008-07-19
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

We awoke to rain so delayed our hiking until about 7am to give it time to let up. We hiked through running streams of water for the first hour or two. Rethinker and I stopped at the Lonesome Lake Hut and were offered breakfast leftovers; we gratefully ate bowls full of scrambled eggs and oatmeal and drank great lukewarm coffee. The "huts" in the White Mountains charge $87 a night to stay in a bunk with breakfast and supper included. They usually allow thru hikers to stay for "work for stay."We hiked over Little Haystack (4760'), Mt Lincoln (5089'), Mt Layfayette (5080'), and Mt Garfield (4488'). Of course, it rained on us across the mountain tops and was pretty chilly with a 30mph wind blowing through. It's hard traveling through beautiful country without really seeing it, so I hope that at some point the rain lets up and I get a view.
Date: 2008-07-20
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: moderate rain

I woke to a beautiful, clear sky at 5 this morning, but the clouds had moved in by 6, and the rain started at 9. It rained on me all day.We stopped at the Galehead Hut for breakfast leftovers and ran into my trail buddies Apostle and SiteSee, who were doing work for stay. We had a good reunion over pancakes and coffee.The trail was soaking wet with lots of running water and mud. The rocks and roots were slick and slippery. I fell about 4 times in a quarter mile, including slipping and landing in Whitewall Brook. I had to grab my trekking poles as they were being swept away in the current. We stopped at Zealand Falls Hut and had hot soup and chocolate chip cornbread.We continued to hike through the deluge to Crawford Notch, where we hitch-hiked to a campground. We're staying at a bunkhouse, drying out with thru hikers, Sir Bacon, Segue, Apostle, SiteSee, and Boy Floyd.
Date: 2008-07-21
From: Crawford Notch

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

We decided to take a zero today at the bunkhouse here at the campground. It rained all night and the forecast for our destination, Mt Washington, called for severe thunderstorms. We (Rethinker and I) figured that we could use the rest for our aching joints, and at $20 a night, this is a cheap zero.The owners of the campground are very friendly and accomodating. I've spent the day reading, eating, and drying gear out.Back to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2008-07-22
From: Crawford Notch

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: fog

Hiked out of Crawford Notch today and started climbing. We went over Mt Webster (3910') and Mt Jackson (4052'), pulling ourselves hand over hand up rock faces in some sections. Segue caught us as we went into the Mizpah Spring Hut for a $2 lunch of soup and pancakes.We continued over Mt Clinton--formerly Mt Pierce--(4310'), hiked on the shoulder of Mt Eisenhower (4450'), and hit Mt Franklin (5004').As we neared the Lake of the Clouds Hut (Flagship AMC Hut), the clouds parted and we actually saw the summit of Mt Washington (the hut is only 1.4 miles away)!We are doing work for stay at Lake of the Clouds; I pulled KP duty and washed dishes with Segue. We laughed and joked together as the crewe members dealt with the various concerns and tribulations of guests at the front counter. The squeaky clean hikers with new gear who are concerned with physical comfort, are almost alien to me. They seem like someone I may have known, many miles, and several months ago. Maybe it was me at one time? I don't know if I could even recognize that hiker now. Breakman and his wife, Grasshopper, are here (NOBO's from Charlotte). Also here are SOBO's, Hank and Andrea Stargate. I must also mention Boy Floyd, a northbound section hiker whose company we have all enjoyed. All in all, a great bunch of folks. Tonight, we get to eat dinner after the paying guests are through, and then we sleep on the dining room tables. Ah, the good life of a thru-hiker!
Date: 2008-07-23
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: fog

We thru hikers were up at 5am this morning, after a night of sleeping on the tables in the dining room. Rethinker and I were on the trail before 6am and had a few momentary glimpses of Mt Washington before the clouds set in. We were on the summit of Mt Washington (6288') by 7am. The temp was in the high 40's with a stiff wind and visibility of only 10-20 yards. It was no place to hang around, so we pressed on across the boulder field to Madison Spring Hut where we arrived around 11am and had a huge breakfast of leftovers for $2. We were joined by Grasshopper, Breakman, and Segue. As Rethinker and I pushed on across Mt Madison (5363'), the rain began. Our next several miles were brutal. Continuing on, above treeline, we were hit with a driving wind of about 40mph, rain, and slippery rocks. I fell numerous times, and the going was incredibly slow. We picked our way from rock to rock, climbing up and climbing down, trying not to fall and not hurt ourselves in the process. We were very happy to get below treeline again; although, the rain continued to make things slick.We are stealth camped tonight behind the visitor's center at Pinkham Notch, and we had some great trail magic tonight. We had talked to two girls on the trail about hiking the AT and mentioned that we were going to have supper at the lodge. When we tried to pay for our meals, we were told that they had already been paid for by the girls. Wow! Such nice gestures sure make this hike more meaningful. Met SOBO's Duster and Honey over dinner tonight. They are a nice couple who have recently crewed at the lodge at Mt LeConte. Had a great supper with lots of veggies. Despite the bruises and scrapes, another great day on the AT.
Date: 2008-07-24
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

Zero day. A day of hard and heavy rain and certainly no way to attempt the climb up Wildcat Mtn. I came up with the wonderful idea of an unscheduled zero and my fellow hikers were quick to agree. We hopped a shuttle to White Birches Hostel in Gorham to wait out the weather.I'm enjoying the great company of Rethinker, Boy Floyd, Segue, Honey and Duster among others.
Date: 2008-07-25
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Imp Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

The zero was well worth it as we were rewarded with beautiful, clear skies today. We had a rare and gorgeous view of the Presidential Range this morning, and the top of Mt Washington even cleared off for a while.We did some major vertical climbing of mountains today. We gained 2000' in less than 2 miles climbing Wildcat Mountain (highest ridge 4380'). I strapped my trekking poles to my pack so I could climb hand over hand. It was truly insane. It seemed like a minor slip here could have major (and catastrophic) consequences. Back in the Nantahalas, us hiker newbies thought that Albert Mountain was badass. Ha! Old Albert is a regular church picnic compared to this thing. I'll always bow to the White's superiority after this hike. The other big climb was Carter Dome (4832') with a 1600' gain.It was one tough day of hiking in the Whites, 13.1 miles took us 11 hours and every single ounce of perseverance that we could muster to complete.It was exciting to look ahead and see Maine, just a few miles away.
Date: 2008-07-26
From: Imp Shelter

To: US 2
Miles today: 8.0

Had a nice hike over Moriah Mtn with good views of Wildcat and the Presdential Range this morning. We're back at the White Birches Hostel in Gorham to resupply for Maine. This has been a great hostel run by nice folks. What a bargain, too, at $13 a night. We've enjoyed the hospitality of the owners, Bill and Janet.Bad Idea, Segue, and Boy Floyd are here as well as SOBOs Stretch and Ozzie.
Date: 2008-07-27
From: US 2

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: few clouds

We're in Maine! Finally!!!! I think I know how the Israelites must have felt when they finally reached the promised land. We hiked long and hard today to get to Maine, our final and 14th state! New Hampshire didn't want to give us up, so it continued to throw steep, rocky climbs and muddy rivers for trail at us.But we did prevail and got to Maine about 6pm. Immediately, we had to scale a rock wall, where the descent was so difficult we had to take our packs off. Good lord, whoever knew that this hike would be all about over coming so many obstacles? Kidding! So it looks like Maine will have some tricks up its sleeve for us, too, can't wait to see what she has in store for us.Grateful to be here.
Date: 2008-07-28
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

First of all, I must say that before you hike in Maine, you should take rock climbing lessons. You wouldn't believe that kind of stuff they are putting us up and over.Anyway, we started the morning out with some beautiful views as we climbed Mt. Carlo and Goose Eye Mtn. However, the real prize today was Mahoosuc Notch. I've been hearing about this thing for years and have been dreading it! This is a mile long gorge filled with a jumble of house-sized rocks that you have to squeeze under, over, and through. It is often billed as the "hardest mile on the AT." We've beeen talking to SOBOs for weeks, asking them about it. It seems like it took most of them 2-2.5 hours to make it through. We hit it about 10:40 this morning. One of the first things to greet us in the notch was a decayed moose carcass, with a string of Buddhist prayer flags over it. The moose fell into the notch last year and no rescue was possible, so nature has taken its course. It's now a pile of bones that kind of lets you know what you're getting yourself into.The first thing you realize about the notch is that it is much cooler than the surrounding area. Snow still fills the deep holes and crevices between the huge rocks. Bad Idea and Start immediately dove for snowballs to throw at Rethinker and me (they're young and have lots of extra energy). Anyway, we picked our way through the maze, sometimes leaping across deep chasms from boulder to boulder. Twice we went under the rocks through cave-like openings. We had to be very careful, as this would be no place to get hurt. However, and much to our surprise, we only spent an hour and 20 minutes in the notch when all was said and done. It wasn't as hard as the hype!After the notch, we had more hard climbing up the Mahoosuc Arm (3760') and then up Old Speck Mtn (4180'). It took all day to hike 14 miles, and I'm beat. I'll sleep well tonight on the Appalachian Trail in Maine!
Date: 2008-07-29
From: Grafton Notch

To: Hall Mtn Lean-to
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: scattered clouds

We had a light rain during the night, so I rolled up a wet tent this morning. We had a climb right away out of the notch to Baldpate Mountain. A front must have been pushing through as we summited the three barren peaks of Baldpate, as the wind was blowing about 50mph. I was considering the advice of my friend, Chicken Feathers, who said I should tie a rock to my butt to keep from being blown off the mountain. There were beautiful views of the remote and rugged Maine mountains. The hiking for the remainder of the day was not too difficult. Maybe I'll get rested up for the big day tomorrow.
Date: 2008-07-30
From: Hall Mtn Lean-to

To: Sabbath Day Pond
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We had a huge land slide to contend with this morning as we climbed the steep Moody Mtn. We figured a route out and made it around without too much difficulty. We had a pretty hike across Bemis Mtn, with lots of bare rock and good views of the Maine wilderness. I cut up with fellow thru-hikers, the Tennessee Twins and Start, for this long mileage day in the Maine woods.I heard a couple of crazy animal cries tonight. I think one was a moose and the other a loon. All I know is that they're nothing we hear in NC.It's another beautiful day on the AT.
Date: 2008-07-31
From: Sabbath Day Pond

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

We got hit with an early morning thunderstorm at 8am as we were hiking out. The rain only added to the mud-filled trail, so I slipped and slid my way through. We got to US 4 and after about 30 minutes were able to hitch a ride into town. Black Betty grew up close to here, Rangeley is her old stomping grounds. We ran into the Tennessee Twins and Start right away. They did a 30 mile day yesterday to get here (ah, to be 21 years old again). I love those kids. We went to the BMC Diner and ate breakfast, which I topped off with a grilled cheese sandwich and soup. We're staying at the Rangeley Inn.
Date: 2008-08-01
From: Rangeley, ME

To: Campsite on logging road
Miles today: 15.0

We ate a big breakfast this morning then it took about an hour to hitch a ride the 9 miles back to the trail--so we didn't get an early start. We spent most of the day climbing Saddleback Mtn (4120'), the Horn (4041'), and Saddleback Jr (3655'). Lots of steep ups and downs and lots of slick rock and deep mud kept things interesting. A real bear of a hiking day, for sure. The rain started this afternoon, just in time for a ford (a bridgeless water crossing) of Orbeton Stream, which was flowing in cascades and chutes like real white water. "Start" hiked with us for most of the day then decided to push ahead to the next shelter to wait on the Tennessee Twins. Rethinker and I have set up our tents on a grassy, old logging road next to a stream. Guess what? It's raining in Maine on the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2008-08-02
From: Campsite on logging road

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: light rain

Rolled up a wet tent this morning and climbed the trail to Spaulding Mtn. I really thought that by this time in the hike I would be so strong that I would be running up the mountains, but, in reality, I'm so beat up, broke down, and fatigued that the mountains are seriously kicking my butt. I had several steep and rocky climbs to contend with today. It also rained again. Rethinker and I had to cross a dangerously swollen Carabassett River on a 2x10 plank set across two boulders, with a mighty hydraulic shooting through it. One slip here would likely result in death. Just another day hiking through the wild and wooly Maine woods.We hitched into the little town of Stratton tonight to wash the mud off and resupply. Bad Idea, Start, and the Tennessee Twins (and their parents) are in town. I also saw Nona at the trail head. I last saw her in Erwin, TN. She's hopping around and hiking sections.
Date: 2008-08-03
From: Stratton, ME

To: Little Bigelow Lean-To
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

I actually hiked in Maine without getting rained on today! I also passed the 2000 mile mark! Yahoo!!!!We climbed the various peaks of the Bigelow Mtns, the highest being West Peak (4145'). I had limited views because of cloud cover but did manage a few pictures. I also picked and ate several handfuls of low-bush blueberries from the rocky mountain tops. Man, they are the tastiest! Today finished most of the big mountains for the trip until we get to Katahdin at the finish.I'm getting close...
Date: 2008-08-04
From: Little Bigelow Lean-To

To: Pierce Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: light rain

The rain came back with a vengeance last night about midnight. I sure was glad I was in a shelter. We waited til about 630 this morning for a break in the rain before we started hiking through the flooded trail. In no time, both of my feet were soaked. It made fording the swollen brooks and streams easier because I didn't have to worry about changing into my Crocs to keep my feet dry. Did I mention that my right knee has been swollen for the past week or so? I'm sure it won't improve until I quit walking on it. It'll be a few days yet, as I've got 155 miles to go. Oh, yeah, it's rained all day. No rain-no Maine!
Date: 2008-08-05
From: Pierce Pond Lean-To

To: Moxie Bald Lean-To
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: overcast clouds

We started our day with a delicious breakfast at Harrison Fish Camp, which was about 4/10 of a mile from where we camped. I ate 12 of the best pancakes I've ever had. They had blueberries, blackberries, and apples in them. I also had eggs, sausage, and coffee. I was mesmerized by dozens and dozens of humming birds buzzing around the feeders on his porch. It was a great start for the day.We reached the south bank of the Kennebec River by 9:30. This is a dangerous ford about 70-90 yards wide. After a hiker drowned here in 1985, the ATC has contracted a ferry service to operate during the season. When we got to the bank, we waved an orange flag, and Hillbilly Dave came over in a canoe and took Rethinker and me across to the north bank.We crossed two mountains today, Pleasant Pond Mtn (2480') and Moxie Bald Mtn (2629'). Moxie Bald had lots of tasty blueberries that we helped ourselves to as we crossed it.We had a couple of brook fords today, which (for the most part) we were able to rock hop. But with the flooded trails and mud, my feet stayed wet all day.Thank God there was no rain today.
Date: 2008-08-06
From: Moxie Bald Lean-To

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: moderate rain

I slept like a baby in my tent last night on the shore of the pond, listening to the moose call their mates. I awoke to a spectacular Maine sunrise, glowing majestically on the water. You can't get a more tranquil setting.But then, like I am prone to do on this little adventure, I got up, started hiking, and slipped and fell in the first of three river fords that I had to cross today. I totally soaked myself. So much for tranquility.Rethinker and I are in the last trail town in Maine before the big finish at Mt. Katahdin. We're staying in Monson at the Lakeshore Pub. We walked into town wet and cold (rain and 60 degrees today), but Rebekah (the owner) immediately fixed us up with rooms, showers, laundry, and delicious steak bomb sandwiches. Now, that is sweet!When we leave town, we will be entering the legendary 100 Mile Wilderness. This will be one of the most remote sections of mountains and forests that we will traverse on the entire trail. We have to resupply for the final push to Mt. Katahdin. It's exciting to be here. Maybe, it'll quit raining...