morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-25
From: Greenleaf hut

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: light rain

From: Mt. Lafayette, Greenleaf hutTo: Galehead HutToday's Mileage: 6.6 + 1 mile from the hutTotal Mileage: 18814.3Miles Left: 359.7Again the Crew woke everyone up at 6:30. I am really glad as I am waiting to get up when everyone else is sleeping. I actually took my cloths and pack and went out to the kitchen at 6:15. If I want to leave when breakfast is over, I need to be ready. Breakfast was oatmeal, pancakes, and bacon, all very good. They put this little show on at each hut in the morning to remind you of what needs to be done: fold your blankets, pack out your trash, and leave a tip! The Lonesome Lake Hut was a Star Wars theme and Greenleaf was Raiders of the Lost Ark. And they give out junior patches to kids who have filled out a booklet. Focus and I slipped out as they were calling the kids up.It took me an hour to hike the mile up out of the hut. I was completely in the clouds and could see about 10 feet in front of me so I was grateful for the cairns. The rest of the day was very strenuous. It was some of the hardest hiking I have done on this trip. I did 7.6 miles from the hut and it took me 7 hours to do it. There was a lot of down hill on very slippery rocks and I just did not want to fall so I sat down and slid down many rocks that I could not reach any other way. At one point, there was a small stream running down the trail and I had to go down the middle of it. I had a wet butt for most of the day. It was misty at the top of Lafayette but cleared so I could see above tree line and it was not as windy as yesterday. Two north bounders passed me today, one I can't remember and the other one was Easy Strider. He also has a trail journal.I soon went below tree line and I just as soon be there but continued to go down most of the day. I climbed Mt. Garfield at 4488 ft. It was one of those mountains that went straight up one side and straight down the other and it was all rock climbs. But I made it to the Galehead Hut around 3:30. This is the hut where the section hikers I met got engaged! This hut is much like Greenleaf except smaller. There are only three dinner tables and not as many small children, but still a few but they are around 10 and up.I was worried I would not get a bottom bunk but there were a lot left when I got here.Focus went on to Zealand Hut today. I hope he did okay, as it was another 7 miles. I will miss him tonight.During dinner a huge thunderstorm came up and we were treated to a light show and then a rainbow. There were two women with three girls, two men, and a couple that I sat with at dinner. I was talking about it taking me seven hours and one of the women said it took her 11 hours so I felt better.I went to bed after dinner but it was pretty noisy until 9:30 and lights out!
Date: 2007-08-26
From: Galehead Hut

To: Zealand Falls Hut
Miles today: 7.0

From: Galehead HutTo: Zealand Falls HutToday's Mileage: 7.0Total Mileage: 1821.3Miles To Go: 352.7During the night there were two more huge thunderstorms and again I was glad to be in a warm dry place. It was slightly noisy again with all the children here, but I slept okay and was up and out again at 7:45 AM. They said today's hike would be another seven hour hike but at least today I managed to do it in six, but that is still pretty slow. The first hour, I climbed South Twin Mt to 4902 ft almost straight up with a lot of rock scrambles. I am getting better at them even if the rocks are wet. After all the rain yesterday much of the trail was a number of small ponds and running streams. After the South Twin Mt, I went to Mt Guyot and took a break with the two men I met last night at Galehead. We were on boulders and it was windy and cold but the view was amazing with the clouds blowing toward us. They went one way and I went another whished them well.Although today's hike was hard it was not as hard as the past few days and I could relax and enjoy it more. I talked to a lot of people on the trail today either out for day or section hikes. There are colleges in the area that bring students out here for four day hikes to bond together! Again today there was a lot of down climbing but I only had to sit down a few times but my knees were glad to arrive at the hut. Most of the day threatened rain so I kept hiking, as there was no dry place to stop and no views. I got to the hut around 2:00 PM and the rain started in about a half hour so I was glad to remain dry. I met thru hiker, Moose, today but he went on to Ethan Pond Campsite. There was a message from Feather in the journal when she was here on the Aug. 18 to hike Zealand Mtn. As I walked by the .1 mile to the summit I thought of her having to come back because she did not do it on her thru hike!There was also a message from Little Pony and Billy Goat when they passed through and are now off the trial as of the 20th. I hope to see them sometime again.Later in the afternoon two southbound young girls came in and are doing work for stay and then Kilgore and a friend of his came in and they also let them do work for stay.This night I really felt the difference between the guests and the thru hikers. We do have our own culture and I definitely felt more comfortable being with the thru hikers and spent my time with them until I crawled into bed for the night.
Date: 2007-08-27
From: Zealand Falls Hut

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: scattered clouds

From: Zealand Falls HutTo: Mizpah Spring HutToday's Mileage: 14.1Total Mileage: 1835.4Miles to Go: 338.6The sun shone through the mountains this morning welcoming the day for the first time since I started the huts. It was so nice to see it and the views today were wonderful. Breakfast was served the skit was done and I was out of the hut by 7:30 AM. One couple, Kara (5 months pregnant) and Jake, was also going to the Mizpah Hut today.This morning¢s walk was relatively easy and I got to Rt 302 around 11:30 and met Mary Anne so she could re-supply me for the next few days.The sky stayed blue but the hike got much harder and it took me forever to get to the hut. There was much rock scrambling and even though the views were great, I was glad to be done with today's hike. Moose was at the hut and is doing work for stay tonight, but going all the way over Mt. Washington tomorrow.I sat with Jake and Kara for dinner and went to bed again after dinner ready for the hike to Lake of the Clouds tomorrow.
Date: 2007-08-28
From: MIIZPAH SPRINGS HUT

To: LAKE OF THE CLOUDS HUT
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: broken clouds

Date: September28, 2007From: Mizpah Spring HutTo: Lakes of the Clouds HutToday's Mileage: 4.8Total Mileage: 1840.2Miles to Go: 333.8I had the worst night's sleep since I got on the trail. Even though we had smaller rooms than Zealand Falls the people never settled down and were up and around all night and there was a mouse family living underneath my head. This morning I saw them running around even over the top of me, so that was a first! I was up and packed up by 6:30 AM and just waited for breakfast. After breakfast I said good-by to my new friends, Kara and Jake and wished them well with their new baby. I also told Moose and Splendor I would see them when they passed me by. The path started out again straight up but I soon reached Mt. Clinton and then went above the tree line to Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Franklin and Mt. Monroe. The AT does not go to the summit and I choose not to take the side trips. I can't even begin to explain the beauty of today. The sky was completely blue; the wind was non-existent and the temperature warm. What a difference today was compared to the last time I went above tree line going up the Franconia Ridge to Mt. Lafayette!I had a little less than five miles to do today so I strolled along taking in the 360 degree views of spectacular mountains that went on forever. Today was one of those days I will never forget and made all the hard work of the past days worth it. I didn't mind being alone so much today as the vastness made me feel small and alone anyway. But of course, it would have been nice to stop and talk to someone about what I was seeing.    Moose and Splendora passed me and Moose hung back and talked to me for awhile. This is the third time he is doing the trail and we talked about having different experiences each time.Although I walked as slowly as I could and took many breaks and pictures, I still arrived around 11:30 AM. But when I got to Lake of the Clouds, Snack Break and Rebel came in. It was so good to see her and they had lunch with me. Rebel ate 10 bowls of soup and I had one! We talked about the trail, the people we both know, and about finishing and then they headed (or Rebel sloshed) up Mt. Washington. I have worried about doing today's climb since Georgia and I had the most beautiful day you can have. I hope that it holds until tomorrow. The night here was glorious as the sun put on a beautiful show and everyone went out to watch. I also met some very nice women who are section hiking and got to talk to them a lot about my trip.
Date: 2007-08-29
From: LAKE OF THE CLOUDS HUT

To: MADISON SPRING HUT
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: few clouds

From: Lake of the Clouds HutTo: Madison Spring HutToday's Mileage: 7.0Total Mileage: 1847.2Miles to Go: 326.8I slept much better last night even though there was a 90 something people at this hut. They had small rooms and the bunks were off of the floor. I was up at six, packing up. It was a cool morning with a slight breeze and a little foggy on top of Mt. Washington. I said good bye to a few people and left for the top at 7:45. I passed by the sign that read "The worst weather in America" and know that many people have died along this path in bad weather. It was very rocky and once I even got off the trail for a short time. But it wasn't too hard a climb and as I walked up to the top Mary Anne walked up the path. We went into the cafeteria and I had some fruit and hot chocolate.The Cog Railroad was running and I had been listening to it the whole climb up. It is the easy way up and it was fun to see it up close. I bought and sent postcards to my dad and uncle so they would be postmarked from the post office at Mt. Washington.Mary Anne and I took lots of pictures on the summit and I left for the less than six mile hike feeling good to Madison Spring Hut. The weather and the views were again beautiful and I am so grateful that the weather was fine for this time above treeline and I have seen sights I will never see again. But the trail was constant boulders and rocks. It never did turned to an actual trail but was boulder walking the whole time so it took me a mile or more an hour today. I believe this was the longest it has every taken me to walk seven miles. I went through the Presidential Range today: Mt. Washington, Mt. Clay, Mt. Jefferson, and Mt. Adams. Luckily I did not have to summit them as the AT skirts around them. They are tremendous to look at; huge against the blue sky but they are also all rock!Riggy and 3 other thru hikers did work for stay at Madison. Again I am very glad to have this luxury of arriving and having a bed to lie down in and I am meeting some neat people as they seem to be traveling with me from hut to hut. A family of grandparents, mother and father and two children I have been staying with for a few nights have walked the same paths and although they get there late each day they said tonight they would rather be walking than in school!
Date: 2007-08-30
From: MADISON SPRING HUT

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: broken clouds

From: Madison Springs HutTo: Pinkham NotchToday's Mileage: 7.8Total Mileage: 1855.0Miles to Go: 319.0I again was up and out by 7:40 AM saying goodbye to some of the people I have been traveling with the last few days.The climb up Mt. Madison at 5363 ft was difficult for me. It was all boulder walking like yesterday but it kept going up. I kept thinking I was almost to the top but when I got to that spot, it again went up! And of course what goes up must then go down and this was a big down. I had been hiking (well rock scrambling for one and a half hours and then saw a sign that said Madison Hut was one mile!!! So that is my slowest mile so far.At one point, I had to descend 2000 ft in less than a mile. As a result my knees were very sore.The trail finally leveled out and actually became a hiking trail and I enjoyed the walk into Pinkham Notch. I was suppose to re-supply and go on to Carter Notch Hut but it was 3:00 PM when I met Mary Anne and a huge thunderstorm was brewing so the decision was made to push back the Hut and do it tomorrow. It turned out to be a good decision as the lightening and thunder lasted until late in the night. I went back to Crawford Notch Campground and crawled into Mary Anne's large tent got into my sleeping bag and went to sleep listening to the storm outside.
Date: 2007-08-31
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: fog

From: Pinkham's NotchTo: Carter Notch HutToday's Mileage: 5.9Total Mileage: 1863.1Miles to Go: 313.1I was up early and ready to get on the trail for another hard day. Mary Anne dropped me off and up I went. It was very cloudy with a light mist falling most of the day, and the footing was very precarious all day. I was glad I had short mileage as I had to be so careful where I put each foot with every step. I had to do the Wildcat Peaks A-E and all of them were hard. I was so glad when I was done and reached the last hut of the series, Carter Notch Hut. It has just been restored to a full service hut this year and was a warm a cozy place to be. I am really getting tired of rock climbing.It has been hard doing these White Mountains alone and I would not recommend it to anyone. It would be much better and safer to have someone with you. I am again so thankful to my family and friends for the hut series as I am sure I would not have made it without it.
Date: 2007-09-01
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: US2- Gorham, NH
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: fog

Today's Mileage: 15.2Total Mileage: 1876.1Miles to Go: 297.9I left Carter Notch Hut and again had to hike almost straight up to Mt High. But then the trail got a little better and I was glad as I planned on pushing on all the way to Gorham, NH, where Mary Anne would again pick me up. Having her here has allowed me to carry a much lighter pack through this rough part of the trail. I sometimes envy the south bounders as they got this hard part out of the way first, but I am not sure I could have done it at the beginning of my hike. My legs and arms are certainly a whole lot stronger than when I started, but also my body is just tired out from all of this hard work everyday. I went under the 300 miles to go mark today. I hope I can last for this last bit. It wasn't too long ago when Snow Plow was sitting in a chair welcoming me to the last 500-mile mark!It was a pretty easy last few miles but I was very glad to see Mary Anne's silver Subaru and of course with a chocolate milk in her hand as I was beat and my feet are feeling the miles!!! My right foot is still in pretty bad shape and i feel like I am dragging it down the trail.
Date: 2007-09-02
From: US 2 Gorham, NH

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

From: Gorham, NHTo: Gentian Pond ShelterToday's Mileage: 11.8From: US 2- Gorham, NHTo: Gentian Pond ShelterToday's Mileage:11.8Total Mileage: 1890.1Miles to Go: 286.1Mary Anne dropped me off about 7:30 this morning with a full pack. I have not had to carry a full pack in awhile and I really noticed the difference. At first, even though the trail was up, it was mostly dirt and I thought now this is hiking again. But it did not last long and then it was a lot of rock scrambling again. But at least I did get some breaks and even walked on dirt for much of the day. I walked through some dead birch trees today and wondered what might have killed them way up here. Pollution is my best guess. I took more breaks today thinking I would be fine as I was going to about 12 miles. But it took me until 5:00 to get to the shelter. I was getting water at a stream when this young section hiker, First Day, came up and said there were two guys looking for me. In a few minutes Flying Turtle and Back Yard Boogie hiked up. Mary Anne had given them a ride to the trail and so they knew I was ahead of them. I was very glad to see them as it is nice having people you know around and it has been a long time since I felt any real companionship on the trail. I really want someone to go through the Mahoosuc Notch with me on Tuesday. We hiked the rest of the way to the shelter together and it felt good not to be so alone. Another women came in who was southbound hiking and said it took her four hours to go through Mahoosuc Notch. The shelter is front of a pond and up high but there are tent sites close by. Three more people came into the shelter and we all settled in for the night. First time in a long time I have been in a shelter.
Date: 2007-09-03
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

From: Gentian Pond ShelterTo: Full Goose ShelterToday's Mileage: 9.6Total Mileage: 1897.5Miles to Go: 276.5We were all up very early this morning and on the trail by 6:30 which was a good thing as it took us 11 hours to go 9.6 miles! The trail started out hard and continued that way all day. I am not sure which is worse the ups or the downs.The highlight of the day was crossing into Maine. We did that about 11:30 and did take a long break there. I was with Flying Turtle, Backyard Boogie, and Marco Solo. We took pictures and ate our lunch and of course with Backyard had a toast at getting to Maine. I can't believe it! Then headed off into Maine. I left first and had not gone 10 minutes when I reached a steep ledge, which I could not get down. I was so tired and my foot hurt so much I just could not believe I could not go any further so I just sat there and waited for the boys to arrive. So much for being excited about Maine! They finally rounded the bend and as I sat there I figured out I could get down another way but I had to take my pack off and hand it to Flying Turtle. I am not sure what I would have done without them.The terrain continued to be rocky and difficult and the day went by slowly. In the afternoon going up Goose Eye Mtn. I again reached a cliff I could not get up and again the guys came to my rescue by taking my pack so I could climb up without it. It makes such a difference when you do not have that 30-pound weight on your back for going up or down. I am not going to have any seat in my pants because I have to sit down all the time and slide down the rocks. We met Sailfish and Starfish who had flip-flopped in Penn. and they said they hated Maine, as it was just too hard. I am agreeing with them at the moment. The day turned windy and I was worried about rain but it never happened. When we are not going straight up or straight down we are walking on planks or logs through bogs that if you put your stick down for balance it sinks down two feet or more.We all ran out of water as there was none on the trail and when you are hiking 11 hours you drink what you have so we were very glad to get to the shelter and find it did have water. We all ate dinner and were in our sleeping bags by 7:00 tonight. We have a really big day again tomorrow with the toughest mile on the trail, Mahoosuc Notch.I am very thankful to be hiking with Flying Turtle and Backyard Boogie, as I am not sure what I would have done today at those two hard spots.It is just the four of us at the shelter tonight who celebrated arriving in Maine today. I thought Marco was going to go on but he decided to wait until tomorrow to tackle the Notch.
Date: 2007-09-04
From: FULL GOOSE SHELTER

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: clear sky

From: Full Goose ShelterTo: Grafton NotchToday¢s Mileage: 9.7Total Mileage: 1909.4Miles to Go: 266.8I had not slept most of the night worrying about today and just in general my overall physical condition. I have to hike so slowly with my foot hurting so much that I feel I might never make it. I again was up early and left the shelter before anyone, as I knew they would soon pass me and I wanted them to be with me as we went through Mahoosuc Notch. The notch proved for me to be everything people have said it would be. Again my short legs did not help. It took me three hours to traverse the one-mile stretch of over car-sized boulders with the help of my friends. Marco would scout the route and Backyard and Flying Turtle would help me by dragging me up, down, and across the expanse of rocks. At one point I just let go and slide and Flying Turtle caught me as I went by, at another point I got my leg stuck and could not go back or forward until I uncaught it which left a pretty good size cut in my leg.   I was ecstatic when we reached the end of this. We passed the dead moose we had been hearing about since Mass. and I felt so sorry for it and was appalled to think hikers had to go around it as it laying dying in its this cold rocky grave. After the notch, we took a break and started up The Arm which again is extremely hard as it is hand over hand climbing hold in to anything you can to not loose your footing.   We passed Speck Pond Campsite and kept going up and took another break at Speck Mtn. After that the trail got a lot better and I asked Flying Turtle if he would hike with me for the last four miles or so. At one point somehow he got behind me and I just stood and called to him as I was standing in front of a white blaze! And in the last mile I caught my bad foot between two rocks and went down. So with pain shooting up my foot, I limped into Grafton Notch to where Mary Anne was picking all of up to slack pack for a few days. So the hardest mile on the trail was for me the hardest day on the trail both physically and mentally.
Date: 2007-09-05
From: Grafton Notch

To: Off the trail
Miles today: 0.0

Well after four days off and helping Mary Anne to slack pack Flying Turtle, Backyard Boogie, and Marco Solo, I have decided to end my hike. It was a very painful decision for me to make and I shed tears every morning trying to make my self put my boots back on my feet. But I just could not do it. There are a number of reasons for this difficult decision. One, I fell again and my right foot is very painful to walk on. With each step, I would get this shooting pain up between my toes and the rock climbing only made it worse. Another reason was mentally I was done, and just was not enjoying the hiking any more. Again, I want to thank all my friends and family for the support I had during this wonderful journey and I will always appreciate the time, concern, encouragement, and the money some of you put into this unusual endeavor. Thanks also to all the people who have read and/or signed my journal. I felt as if you were all hiking beside me many days when it was tough going. I know that my friend, Mary Anne put her heart and soul into me making in all the way, and I feel like I have let her and others down by getting off some 200 miles short of the goal.I have learned much about life and myself along the way and will update this journal when I can think more clearly about the hike.
Date: 2007-02-14
To: Vermont
Miles today: 0.0

Grim here. It's snowing hard outside, here in Vermont. A foot already. The kitchen is piled with boxes and anxiety. Maybe I didn't add enough nutmeg to Dinner #63? Perhaps I'll want more cheese in the Smokies? Will my underwear wear out before Damascus? Plus, I'm not used to the "journal thing": Do I get a transcriber? Should I write longhand? Maybe I need PocketMail?And, hey, I'm leaving for the South in a week, so I can hit the trail before March 1. I guess all will be ready by then (the world seems to work that way), but I wouldn't want to wish this endless series of "what if's", "do I?", "will I?", "can I?" on anyone. It has been AWFUL, but it really wouldn't have helped if someone had simply said, "Just do it this way." This is, in more ways than one, my "trip."