morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-21
From: VT 9 (Bennington,VT)

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 107 Bennington is a nice town but the grocery store is way out of downtown. I walked there and back...took 1.5 hours for the trip. Tried to hitchhike but no luck. Have a heavy pack now with food for 4 days. Sunny and mild at 9 AM...no rain in forecast. Have to go by Post Office and find a Fed Ex drop before leaving town...perhaps with the outfitter, Nature's Closet. Need Fed Ex to ship back my original camera on a trade-in. The "new" one was here when I arrived yesterday. 3:30 PM at Goddard Shelter...beautiful weather but ordinary trail. Lower elevations are dense birch/beech forest, and higher elevations are fir/spruce. Both have dense undergrowth, so there's not much to see. A few "vistas" give nice views in the low-humidity air, but no other variety. Rocks are omnipresent. Didn't get on the Trail until almost 10:30 AM, which was frustrating at first but turned out to be fortuitous. I met Red Dane and Dodger soon after starting. Red Dane is a young girl who started in January and whose on-line journal Jane and I have followed. Dodger is an older guy from Oklahoma who has thru-hiked twice before. We got pictures and everything. I also met Six Pack, an older man from Mass. who is section hiking. He looked like a boxer who lost a 15 round bout badly. Two days ago he fell coming down the steep hill to VT 9 and cut his head. He had to have 13 stitches, and his eyes were both swollen, one from above and the other below. Restless and I came down that same hill a day later, very slowly and carefully. 8 PM...at Kid Gore Shelter. The last 4 miles were similar to the previous 10...time consuming rocks in either fir/spruce or beech/birch forest. The only wildlife in either type of forest were apparently flies, gnats, mosquitos, and no-see-ums. This is an old shelter but sleeps 8 in double bunks. Besides Restless and me are Night Rider, Norm, No Cheese, and 2 women who are hiking the Long Trail through Vermont. Night Rider, Norm and No Cheese are hiking together; they're friends from Long Island. Night Rider is thru hiking; he started March 6 ( day before me), but I haven't met him until today. Just past the Goddard Shelter the Trail went up to the top of Glastenbury Mtn., where an old metal firetower stood. I climbed up and got some great panoramic views of VT, NY, MA, and NH ridges.
Date: 2006-06-22
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 108 Got up and out early, with a beautiful red sunrise. Also woke up last night to see the orange crescent moon just rising in the east. Unfortunately, that usually portends rain, which seems imminent now at 8:45 AM. I am at Story Spring Shelter for a break, and the sky is gray and the wind is blowing. Good to keep the sweat and bugs down, but will probably bring rain. The Trail today is almost identical to yesterday in rocks, terrain, and vegetation. It did pass by one large beaver pond, but I saw no moose. 4PM at Stratton Pond Shelter...the rain didn't come; it sprinkled for a few minutes, then semi-cleared up. Overall the Trail was better today in several ways. I passed 2 or 3 beaver ponds, climbed Stratton Mountain(3936 feet) on a pretty well-graded trail, and ended up at a small glacial lake. Stratton Mountain has a fire tower on the summmit and a caretaker's cottage. Jean was the caretaker-of-the-week and was very interesting to talk to. The terrain and vegetation of the summit were very similar to the top of Clingman's Dome. NATURE REPORT: A few dediduous flame azaleas are blooming. Saw a snowshoe hare on top of Stratton Mountain. A game bird flew up right beside me on the Trail...startling! It did not make the distinctive flutter of a grouse nor was as big as a grouse. Partridge? This is a large shelter, with bunks for 12 and an attic that would sleep at least 6 or 8 more. The porch covers the picnic table, which is nice. I didn't go swimming the pond, but I did wade out and wipe off my upper body and head with a bandana. At least I got most of the sweat off. Lots of hikers are here...most doing the Long Trail. So far, the only AT hikers are Restless, Night Rider, Norm, No Cheese, and me.
Date: 2006-06-23
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: VT 30/11 (Manchester Center, VT)
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 109 Up and out early again...at 6 AM. I was doing a short day...ll miles to Manchester Center, VT. Hiked part of the morning with Night Rider, a young guy who loves cars, engines, metal fabrication, and the outdoors. He is an Eagle Scout and graduated from NASCAR Tech. Institute. Subbed as a pit crew member for Kasey Kahne one time in an ARCA race. After getting to a motel in Manchester, I hitchhiked to North Clarenden to get my mail drops and letters. The 30 miles back took about an hour and a half total, but I got back okay. This will save about a half day later. I won't have to get off the Trail on Sunday/Monday. This motel looks like a movie set from the '30s or '40s... each unit is a freestanding cabin. Looks like early "Route 66", but the water is hot, the A/C works, the towels are clean, and the TV has cable. WILDLIFE REPORT: 2 grouse, 148,372 mosquitos. Talked to Jane and got updated on things at home, including Audrey and Lyn Jeffers. I will be walking and praying for him tomorrow.
Date: 2006-06-24
From: VT 30/11 (Manchester Center, VT)

To: Lula Tye Shelter
Miles today: 19.5

Day 110 Restless and I were up and out early. Ate breakfast in the room. My pack is very heavy with the food from another mail drop. I'll have to eat a lot more. It was raining when we left, while we hitched to the Trail, and when we started walking. Stopped at first shelter for a break and met up with 2 Shoes. He has caught up to us. Stopped at Peru Peak Shelter for a lunch break. Walking this AM was wet, muddy, and slick, but pretty in the alpine forest. Smelled like Christmas. Walked about 1/4 mile on a ski slope, up to the top, where a chair lift, old fire tower and small cabin were. Unfortunately, it was foggy and rainy, so I didn't get the camera out. Fell once and tore a small hole in the knee of my rain pants. Met several Long Trail and AT section hikers already. Possum(section) is here now. He was at Upper Goose Pond when I was. 2:30 PM at Lost Pond Shelter...three items of note: 1) the sun came out, and so have the bugs 2) walked by a beautiful lake but no time to swim 3) climbed Baker Peak on exposed incline rocks... great views of surrounding mountains and the valley below, with Rt 7 running its length. Route 7 was the road I hitchhiked on yesterday. 6 PM at Lula Tye Shelter...had a good walk this afternoon. Met Night Rider and No Cheese going south to meet a couple of young ladies on the Long Trail; they offered me some Trail Magic (red wine from a box). Night Rider was carrying a 5 liter box to the shelter and offered me some.This is a small shelter with 4 occupants...Restless, 2 Shoes, Hiker X, and yours truly. I stopped at the previous shelter to cook supper and clean up, then walked the last three miles here carrying water for tomorrow morning; there is no water close to this shelter.
Date: 2006-06-25
From: Lula Tye Shelter

To: Governor Clement Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

Day 111 Hard to believe that tonight I'll have less than 500 miles to go to Katahdin. Of course, 500 still seems like a lot. On Thursday I'll go into New Hampshire, where I get back into real mountains again. So far today the walking is similar to previous days...woods walking, some rocks, some mud. The neatest thing was probably a "rock garden", where hikers had stacked rocks forming dozens of small obelisks or cairns. It was set in a fir/pine forest with no undergrowth. Seemed almost eerie. I stopped for lunch at a restaurant about 0.5 miles down the road...the Whistlestop. A large turkey club sandwich with fries was better than peanut butter on a Slim Jim, plus I topped off with a chocolate milkshake. Restless, Two Shoes, and I were there together; Possum came in just before we were ready to leave. The afternoon walk started with a long, steep, rocky ascent, then became pretty good for the last 5 miles. The Trail in Vermont has more "walkable" trail segments than any state since western PA...a welcome relief. Came across two "Trail Magic" offerings this afternoon...soft drinks and crackers. Both were great and well-appreciated. This is a dark, old rock shelter. Four are inside ( Restless, Two Shoes, Hiker X, and me); Possum is tenting here.
Date: 2006-06-26
From: Governor Clement Shelter

To: Sherburne Pass Trail (Inn @Long Trail)
Miles today: 12.5

Day 112 Staying dry is vastly overrated. It started raining about 11 PM last night and kept on all night and all day (at least until 1 PM, when I arrived at the Inn at Long Trail). The hike today wasn't bad...a 2,000 feet climb up Killington Mountain, most of which was in the spruce/fir forest and kind of enjoyable in the rain. I walked alone, as usual. Nobody walks at my speed. They either leave me behind or can't keep up. The thru-hikers all leave me behind; the section hikers go slower. This Inn is a legend on the Trail. It dates from the '30s and is primarily for skiers. The bar is definitely Irish, with Guiness Ale served at the "correct" temperature and with a shamrock imprinted in the foam. The furnishings are rustic and the rooms are small...cozy, I guess. The central living room has dozens of old pictures, board games, book shelves, etc. I guess they're for people who don't ski and have to sit around. If I average 16 miles a day from here on, I'll summit on July 27. It was a pleasure to talk with Jane and Audrey a few minutes ago. Audrey talks so fast I catch only a few words. Jane told me that my Aunt Sue Dew died; she had been in a hospice for awhile with lung problems. When I was a boy she and my Uncle Ed lived in Athens, so I got to know them quite well. Tomorrow I'll be walking for her memory and for Debbie, Sandra, Susan, and Joe. Later in the evening who should walk in but Night Rider, No Cheese, and Norm, all thoroughly soaked but glad to be here. I had left them a note two days ago to be here Monday night, so apparently they found it. Norm split a room with me, which cut the cost. At dinner (served in the bar) a former thru-hiker and his girlfriend came in and bought a round for all us hikers, 8 at the time. What a generous thing to do! Thanks to Krinkle and Scratchy. We invited them to join us, and Krinkle (the guy) seemed to really enjoy swapping trail stories with people who could appreciate them. All in all, a great night of food, drink, and fellowship in a unique atmosphere.
Date: 2006-06-27
From: Sherburne Pass Trail (Inn @Long Trail)

To: Wintturi Shelter
Miles today: 18.0

Day 113 I'm starting today's entry in the beautiful old "living room" of the Inn with a cup of coffee, while I wait for breakfast to be served. The construction and furnishings remind me of a collage of various cabins at Ripshin...plank floors, huge pine posts for supports, stone fireplace with split wood stacked up, variety of lamps (l fire extinguisher lamp), log-frame furniture, coffee table books of skiing, hiking, local history, some kids' toys in a corner...all in a kind of dark, cluttered, warm, and inviting atmosphere. The weather looks promising...windy, partly cloudy, no rain. I need a dry windy day to keep bugs down and help dry out the Trail. One thing I forgot to mention about the Inn is that it is built into the side of a rocky ridge, and some of the rocks were too big or expensive to move, so they built around or over them. The bar and dining room both have exposed rock for partial walls, similar to the Cave at the Culp Center at ETSU. Forgot to mention the blow-downs on the Killington Peak climb yesterday. More than a dozen firs or spruces had recently been knocked down and cleared by trail maintainers within the past week. If not for them, the climb would have taken at least an hour longer. Noon stop at Stoney Brook Shelter for lunch, with Two Shoes. Still breezy and partly cloudy; great weather but wet Trail. It rained 3" yesterday. Afternoon walking was similar to morning...woods; 2 long climbs, not much variety, pretty good Trail surface. Two Shoes and I hiked together almost all day; it was nice not to be alone the entire day. We saw 1 snake, 1 grouse, 15 or 20 piles of moose poop, but no moose. Dinner tonight was the end of a summer sausage; mixed freeze-dried veggies, and instant mashed potatoes...pretty good. Besides Restless, Two Shoes, and me, two others have come in late to this shelter...Possum and Lumber Mack. Lumber Mack is an older guy from North Carolina finishing the AT sections that he didn't get done last year. The weather forecast for tomorrow is rain. Oh, good.
Date: 2006-06-28
From: Wintturi Shelter

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Day 114 Someday I'll be sitting around the fireplace reminiscing about the wonderful days I had hiking the AT. June 28 won't be one of those. The rain started about 8 AM and kept coming until mid-afternoon. It wasn't so much of a problem to the body (once you're wet, a little more water doesn't mean anything), but the Trail became slick, muddy, and difficult. Also, some neat view areas on ridgetops, clearings, and fields were blocked by mists and clouds. Streams were running high, and crossing got my boots and socks thoroughly soaked. Walked by myself the first 6 miles today, and the last two. Two Shoes and I did the middle section together, which included a stop at the Cloudland Farm Gift Shop for a root beer and a pint of organic Vermont ice cream. Nice folks. Tomorrow I leave Vermont and enter New Hampshire at Hanover.
Date: 2006-06-30
From: Moose Mtn. Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: light rain

Day 116 Rain came last night, but so far none this AM ( 9 AM). In fact, the sun occasionally pops through the clouds on this overlook where I've stopped. Overlooks are more likely to have a breeze, which keeps bugs away. Even though it's not raining now, the trail is sloppy and tree branches and weeds along the Trail are soaked, so my boots and socks and pants are too. The rest of the day was very nice, sunny to partly cloudy, breezy, and dry. My clothes got mostly dry. Unfortunately, when I was about a mile from the shelter a thunderstorm came up; I got drenched and my dry clothes aren't anymore. What a crummy way to end an otherwise nice hiking day! This morning the Trail passed near a sheer rock cliff that is off limits to people; apparently it is used as a rookery by peregrine falcons, which are endangered. This afternoon I crossed the Smarts Mountain, above 3500 feet. An old firetower is still there, offering great views in all directions. From the summit down to North Jacobs Brook the Trail needs a lot of maintenance. Shrubs, tree limbs, and bushes are closing in on both sides, and plenty of mud holes need draining or bridging. Tomorrow I plan to do only 14.7 miles to a hostel with shower and laundry in Glencliff, NH. On Sunday I'll go above the tree line for the first time. We have a full shelter: Two Shoes, Restless, Lumber Mack, a section hiker who is 365's uncle, a family of 3 from Frederiction, NB, and me. Another guy came in late. Almost forgot to mention a Trail Angel I met this morning. Fletch through-hiked the AT in 2002 and was packing up for an overnight trip at a parking lot/trail head. We talked for awhile and he offered me a couple of Milwankee's Best, which were gratefully consumed on the spot. A guy has to stay hydrated! This shelter is large and hexagonal. Neat to look at but is inefficient for a large group. It's also 0.3 miles off the Trail, uphill. Getting colder.
Date: 2006-07-01
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: NH 25 ( Glencliff, NH )
Miles today: 14.7

Day 117 Today had lots of similarities to earlier days...muddy trail, woods walking, mosquitos, some hard climbs, a few great vistas. Two Shoes and I walked together all day, from shelter to hostel. We met a bunch of section hikers, day hikers, maintainers, and my first south bound thru-hiker, Ryan from Ohio. We are at a unique hostel, Hikers Welcome Hostel. It has an attic bunkroom, over a common room which is kind of like a former garage. There is an outside shower (but covered with a tarp, so it's okay), a washing machine and dryer, a refrigerator full of cokes and candy (at a cost, of course). Three guys apparently are full or part-time caretakers, with Phatt Chap appearing to be kind of in charge. A TV with lots of video movies is available, and a shuttle to Warren for dinner. All this comes at a price, on the honor system. Very informal, very slapdash, but oriented to hikers. Having gear problems, still. Today lacing grommets in both my "new" boots pulled out, one in the morning and the second at lunch. I had only worn this pair for 310 miles, so I was eloquently disappointed. When I got to the hostel I called Garmont for some relief...surprise! surprise! Their customer service department doesn't serve customers on Saturday or Sunday or next Monday or Tuesday ( July 3rd and 4th). So I can wait around for four days for Garmont people to come to work, then call, then wait for new boots to be sent (at best), or just head into the Whites with what I've got. If I'm going to finish by a decent date, I've got to go on. Maybe I can get some relief in North Woodstock,NH, or even after Whites in Gorham. Note to present and future hikers...don't trust Garmont boots to hold up through rigorous use on the AT, and don't rely on Garmont customer service unless your boots need help Monday-Friday, 8 to 5. Otherwise, you're out of luck. Five of us,Dennis, (365's uncle), Lumber Mac, Restless, Two Shoes, and me took one of the hostel guy's cars to Warren for some minor shopping and dinner. At The Twig (the local restaurant) we were enjoying burgers, pizza, IPA, fries with cheese curds and gravy (Poutine), and the Daytona race when Messenger walked in. He had done 27 miles today to catch up with us. It was great to see him and to have him with our group. Hope we can stay together for the rest of the trip, which by the way is now less than 400 miles. The more experienced hikers say this is the hardest part of the Trail. We'll see. Talked to Jane and got updated on several events. Was surprised to hear that Jeff, Beth, and Olivia Anderson will be in Lincoln, NH, tomorrow or Monday and have invited me to spend a night with them and be shuttled around town. I look forward to seeing some hometown folks and enjoying their generous hospitality. Got Trail Magic again today from a former thru-hiker (GA ME '02). He dropped off cookies, ice cream, and cokes for any hikers here. Didn't get his name. Thanks, Anonymous from Bangor.
Date: 2006-07-02
From: NH 25 ( Glencliff, NH )

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Day 118 The day we're supposed to first go up above the treeline, it is raining. Mount Moosilauke is 4800 feet high, at least 400 feet or so higher than we've been since almost Mt. Rogers. We saw it yesterday from the road when we came down off the Trail...rocky and imposing. The word is that going down is worse than going up, at least more dangerous, especially when wet. And wet it will be. Two Shoes and I are waiting around this AM for Messenger and for the rain. Messenger pushed so hard to catch us that it seems wrong to leave him at the hostel. The plan for today is to do 17 miles to a shelter. 9:30 PM in a tent: today was a hard, hard day...one of the hardest. We started in a drizzle, but that soon slacked off. Our climb up Mt. Moosilauke was long and moderately difficult...3660 feet of elevation gain up into the clouds. The summit was treeless, rocky, and cloud-enveloped, with a 40 to 50 mph wind. We didn't have a amenometer, but it was strong enough to knock an adult over, so it must have been at least that strong. We used our hiking poles like outriggers, for stability in the wind. Because of the early rain and humidity I had my camera packed in the pack, so I wasn't able to get any photos. But a photo could not have conveyed the noise and strength of the wind up there, and it might have messed up the camera even more. The climb down was also challenging...rocky, steep, and alongside a "brook" most of the way. "Brook" sounds serene.This was a waterfall/waterslide...a 3000 feet descent. After that we had several more hours of climbs and descents. Although the weather turned nice( mostly clear and breezy all day), the trail was very difficult...roots, rocks, boulders, mudholes, and limbs encroaching on both sides. All the warnings about the White Mountains being rugged and difficult are true. We will be averaging 10 to 15 miles a day, not 20 or so as previously. Today was our first day in the Whites. Two Shoes and I were on the Trail for over 12 hours and only completed 17 miles, and we didn't dawdle. We got in at dusk and the shelter was almost full...one space left. I let Two Shoes have it and I set up my tent, along with several other section hikers who are tenting. By the time I got the tent up and gear sorted out, I was too tired to cook ( and it was dark ). So supper was Slim Jims, peanut butter and honey, and gorp. I am dirty, muddy, tired, and lying in my tent, ready to go to sleep. If I wake up at 5 I'll be lucky to be out by 6:30 AM, and we have a steep climb to start off...only 8.8 miles tomorrow to the road, but it could take 5 or 6 hours. One very positive note...a section hiker named Louis (French Canadian from Montreal) came to my tentsite to meet "Mango". He has been following my journal and was excited to meet the real hiker. I felt honored...a very nice guy. He says he is dreaming of doing the whole Trail soon.
Date: 2006-07-05
From: Galehead Hut

To: Crawford Notch (US 302)
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: fog

Day 121 Didn't sleep as well in the bunk as I would have on the floor. Blankets were provided, but they were scratchy. I ate a lot more for breakfast than usual, including two fried eggs from the Hut kitchen. Was entitled to more as a paying guest but didn't want to wait until 7:30 or 8:00 AM to leave. Got on the Trail at 6:20 AM and did 7 miles to Zealand Hut by 10:45. Only a small part of the Trail was above the treeline, so the views were limited. Stopped here for lunch of bagels, pepperoni and cheese and was happy to find left-over cake (3 varieties)...ayce for a dollar. I need the calories in the middle of the day more than at night. Will also get drinking water here...no treatment required. 4:30 PM at Crawford Notch General Store and Campground. The afternoon walk was by far the easiest in weeks. About 3 of the 7 miles were actually flat and unobstructed by rocks, roots, or mud holes. Must have been an old railroad bed for logging. No rain, no bugs...what could be better? The 4 of us (Messenger, Two Shoes, Restless, and I) are staying in a bunkhouse at a private campground. For $16 you get a bunk, towel (shower is 25 cents per 3 minutes), and shuttle back to the Trail in the morning. The camp store has snacks, post cards, firewood, some food, souvenirs, etc. They also have a pay phone and coin laundry. Pretty nice place. I got here about 3 PM, which was a nice change from being late. GEAR REPORT: The duct tape on the hiking poles is working. Boots doing fine. I ordered another backmesh band from Summit Hut a few minutes ago. It will be shippped to Pinkham Notch...I hope. Seams on pockets are giving way, and grommets on shoulder straps look like they are coming loose. I've got to get the weight down if the pack is going to make the last 345 miles to Katahdin. 8PM...finally finished 2 hamburgers, a double portion of pasta and vegetables, chips, watermelon, and a pint of Ben & Jerry's. That ought to get me through the night. Talked to my honey about the trip and routine things at home. Dishes are washed and put away, teeth are brushed, and vitamin I pill is taken. Time to go to sleep.