morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2023-06-11
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Churchill Scott Shelter
Miles today: 14.8

Woke up to the promise of sunshine. As we set off it actually came out and all but for the top of Killington Mt we had it all day!  And it looks like we will get into town tomorrow without rain. Two whole hiking days without rain. Didn¢t know it was possibleToday was a challenge. Up and over Killington. A 3000 ft climb. The saving grace is that these trails generally wind their way up. We had about 5 miles of ups and downs and a gradual rise of 1000 ft. Then up the last 2000 over 4 miles. Not a steep climb but it did take hours of constant climbing. It slowly wears on you. At the top we skirted the summit and then down 200 ft to a shelter and water. At this point we could have take a side trail to see the summit but it was 0.2 miles and 350 ft up. None of us was in the mode to tack that on. Besides we were overwhelmed by gnats. I didn¢t have a bug net (getting one in Killington) so I grabbed a quick bite and moved on down to our last shelter before heading into town for a much needed zero. It¢s been 18 days without a zero. Too long!E route we had to pass over a wobbly suspension bridge. The photo is looking down the gorge And we passed 700 miles today. Only 500 left for Katahdin. Seems close somehow
Date: 2023-06-12
From: Churchill Scott Shelter

To: North Star Resort In Killington 
Miles today: 5.2

A Nero is a hiking day with low mileage. So for us the 5 mile day counts. But we had two walk two miles to get to the post office and then to our hotel Fortunately there was a bar a little before our hotel and they had a sunny deck. Got lunch and several beers before heading to the hotel. I know it is called a resort but it was anything but. It¢s off season. No AC except in our room. The place was empty and they were doing renovations. But they did have a heated outdoor pool which I thoroughly enjoyed
Date: 2023-06-14
From: North Star

To: Lookout Shelter
Miles today: 14.2

Left Killington early to try to outrun the latest rainstorm. Should be ok as it¢s not till late this afternoon Had to walk the two miles back to the trail  First two miles were not too bad but the next twelve were just up and down. Nothing too high just constantly up or down. I was feeling a little sluggish rather than rested. Maybe too much alcohol. Passed a nice waterfall but otherwise just moving through the green tunnel. Moving east now. Should be in NH on Friday night or Saturday morning. Will depend on the accommodations in Hanover NH. The home of Dartmouth got in to the four walled shelter around 3. Great place to be for the coming rain. It¢s a bit dull here though. Killing time by reading but I have hours everyday to do that. I¢m getting a little antsy with so much downtime. Oh and I tweaked my knee a few days back on some slick boardwalks. Today that knee is giving me a little discomfort. No swelling but it¢s not quite right
Date: 2023-06-15
From: Lookout Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

The day started out great. We had an easy two flat miles and a sunny start. The next four were mostly downhill. Our destination was the On theEdge Farmstand. I got a strawberry rhubarb pie - individual size and yogurt , local cheese and pepperoni for lunch  The place was beautiful and for sale. The owner really took care of us hikers. She had a portapotty , fresh water, trash cans and picnic tables. After that the VT flat terrain started again. VT flat is just 400-600 ft climbs and descents. One after the other. When you look at a map you think it¢s flat because you compare it to the 4000 ft killington Mt and these seem flat. The total ascent today and yesterday was more than when we climbed Killington. Yup and our sunny day had two rain events. The last one before camp had big raindrops. Still not wearing rain gear though. Into camp and the sun came out again. You just get used to the constant moisture And I can¢t forget the Pink Girls. Don¢t know their names but I passed them about halfway here. The first one I passed had pink hair. She must have been 70. The second one had pink everything on. And I mean in your face pink. She was dispensing trail magic. I could have gotten a ¢bud¢  it a took a line packet to flavor my water.  It¢s 9:30. I just remembered them because the dispensary girl said they would get in 1/2 before sunset. She is setting up here tent in the dark now. They hope to do 1 mile per hour but these hills are too much even for that slow pace. Thought I would hear their story but they were so late to camp. Most hikers are asleep by 8 and up between 5-6. Since we are not hiking that long my sleep hours are 10-6:30.
Date: 2023-06-16
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover 
Miles today: 14.6

What a beautiful morning!  Last night when we got to camp we had been rained on. As we arrived the rain stopped and the snow n came outSlept in our tents and it was dry all night. The night was comfortable. I slept without my 25 degree liner for the first time!  The trail was easy for the first two miles and then downhill for the next four. Mostly soft earth. Had a quick break at the Blue Barn. The family accommodates hikers and I had a hard boiled egg, an apple and a cupcake! Leaving the barn in West Hartford we had a hill to climb. It was generally easy. After a couple of up and downs we started the big climb. Again easy and mostly sunny.  We passed through several pine forests. They leave a soft carpet of needles to walk. Did get rained on twice. Enough to put the pack cover on but neither lasted for long. Passed several open meadows that were full of blackberry bushes. We have been seeing these since MA. They are all in flower so no berries for a couple of months. Just bad timing on our part Eager to make time as we headed for the NH border and Hanover. I was fantasizing about stopping at the Connecticut River. Dunking my head and soaking my feet. Unfortunately it didn¢t happen. The river was unapproachable as i crossed the bridge over to NH. So I stopped and the way into town, took a cat bath and changed my shirt. Dartmouth was right in town. I went to Starbucks, got a coffee took my boots off and sat on a bench and just watched the people go by. Tim showed up about 1/2 hour later and we just relaxed until our hostel shuttle arrived. Stayed at the Hanover Adventure Tours Hostel back in Norwich VTAt the hostel Tim¢s brother in law brought us beer. He was motorcycle touring New England and happened to be in the areaOur plan was to slackpack on Saturday because the hostel offered this as a service. The management was a disaster and couldn¢t find a driver even though we had scheduled it. We got lucky. A section hiker, Heather, agreed to be our driver. A slackpack is when you carry a day pack 5-10 lbs instead of your 30 lb pack. Often you get driven up the trail and you hike back to the hostel. The next day they drive you back to the same spot and you continue in normal hike mode. It allows you a bit of a break. As we are due for our biggest rain event we thought we would slackpack so we could still get our miles in.
Date: 2023-06-17
From: Hanover 

To: Lyme-Dorchester Rd 19.6
Miles today: 19.6

As we looked ahead the weather for today called for anywhere from 1-2 inches of rain. Since we can¢t afford to loose a day because we have a firm date in the Presidential Mountains at a lodge, we decided to slackpack in the rain and stretch the distance to 20. The hostel was supposed to drive us to the spot but they failed to get a driver. We got lucky as a section hiker, Heather, was willing to drive us. It had rained through this night but the drive out was just misty. Alas when we started hiking the rain started with us. I donned my jacket and walked the first flat two miles past a metalworker who fashioned Easter Island Statues as lawn artThen the climb started and off came the jacket. Lo and behold the rain slacked as well. Made good time as the climb was long and not too high. I kinda got lost in my music as there was nothing to see. Everything was just dripping and the rocks and roots were slippery. I just focused on footing and trying to keep my feet dry. Did great on those fronts until I can to a couple of open fields. The grass was wet and hanging in the trail so it pretty much soaked my socks which then ran into my boots. To add injury the trail was the drainage for the field. There was nowhere to step but in the puddles. Came out of the fields thinking I could manage another eight miles without to much trouble Next came to lowland streams. Swollen. The rock and wood bridges were just enough to get across. But the approaches were swamped and you had to step through some of it. Still managing ok until the wood ¢bridge¢.  Sometimes they cut a half dozen logs and lay them parallel to make a bridge across a muddy or wet area.  When I stepped on the third log in in was a floater. My left fort went in up to my calf. My entire boot was soaked. I had to stop and put the water out. As I was moving fairly quickly and got to town after two hours in that boot I figured I had gotten through the day pretty wellBack at the hostel hikers who were coming from VT said they had gotten a lot of rain. I was telling them that I hardly had any and we got 20 miles in. A good day in my bookThe photo shows the stream err I mean the trail at one point.
Date: 2023-06-18
From: Lyme-Dorchester Rd 19.6

To: Ore Hill Campsite
Miles today: 16.3

The hostel got it together and Jane dropped us off where we started our slackpack yesterday. I put dry clean socks on but in five minutes I could feel the moisture in the boots, especially my left one. The day called for no rain just clouds. Our hike was over two mountains and up a third. A 2000 ft, a 1500 ft, and a 1000 ft. When we got to the top it was just down the backside to the start of the next climb. Limited shelters in this area so we planned to camp wherever we could. The guides indicated a spot with a privy and water but the reviews were bad. The shelter at this location burned down some years back. It was a long day. I was tired of going up hills in the fog and mist and damp and mud etc etc etc. We had a nice first summit.  Nothing to take photo of as it was listed in  We had quite a few rocks to climb, some like the page photo were pretty slick  While hiking up the last mountain I stopped to get something out of my left boot. Turned out there was nothing in it. Just the beginning of a blister. When we arrived at the tent site we were just able to pitch our three tents. One of them on level ground. The water was adequate and the Privy was greatEating dinner the rain started. So finished quick and into the tent. While it only rained for about an hour the trees dripped until the morning
Date: 2023-06-19
From: Ore Hill Campsite

To: Hiker Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 7.5

Waking up the tent was pretty wet. Not inside but out. That meant putting it away wet which is extra heavy. In all honesty I am getting a little bored with the routine.  We have been walking in the wet woods for weeks it seems with few sight or views.  All weather reports were for a brightening day. We only had 7.5 to go and mostly downhill. Nearly a Nero but  too long to qualify. We made an exit from camp anxious to get to the next hostel. We planned on the hostel because the next day we want to slackpack Mt Moosilauke. At only 7.5 miles we WL arrived at the hostel at noon. At least I did. The sun was shining and warm. Quickly got set up and spread my tent out to dry. Then I just enjoyed the first warm and sunny day sitting in a chair soaking it in. Dinner was pizza and wine from the general store down the way. The hostel runs a shuttle as part of their service
Date: 2023-06-20
From: Hiker Welcome Hostel

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.5

Another slackpack. We decided to do this because the reports on this mountain are that it is a very steep rocky decent going north. Tim is still concerned about the down on rocks. Also this might be the highest climb in New Hampshire. Not by absolute elevation but by elevation gain. And that is what is most important to a hiker. It has a 3000 ft gain followed by a 3000 foot descent. While Mt Washington is taller it only has a 1500 ft gain. We got dropped at Kinsman¢s Notch. From there we started up. Very steep. Rocks and man made stairs.  The trail goes up alongside the beaver falls. It is a stunning hike. The falls go on for about a mile  I was stopping every 100 yards to marvel at the views. I was dreaming of sitting under the falls but they were very steep. It took me an hour to go a mile. Partly due to the terrain but also due to the number of times I just witnessed the beauty of nature. 4.5 miles to the top. Our first bald mountain above the tree line. Sun was out. It wasn¢t cold. Still a bit cloudy but the view from the top was the most spectacular so far. A preview of the White Mountains.  That is if we get any views. I am making a list of climbs that I would like to come back a do with Theresa  this is a definite. Next week¢s forecast is looking like more rain  Not being pessimistic it¢s just how we have to always be thinking about what¢s next.  It in the nature of my engineering mind. I know a number of the young kids doing this don¢t even consider thinking ahead.
Date: 2023-06-21
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.5

Leaving Kinsman¢s Notch the trail went right up for about 800 feet before turning into a gradual climb of another 500 feet before dropping us down 500 feet so we could start the climb up Wolf MountainThis climb covered 900 feet up and 1000 down. It was challenging. But nothing compared to South Kinsman. South Kinsman was 1500 feet. Steep. After the first 900 feet of Rick to rock climbing I had to put my poles away and clamber or scramble up the rocks.   The most challenging climb so far. About halfway up Kinsman, as I was crossing a small one step east creek after a marshy area, I was standing on a rock when I lost my balance. I spun backwards and landed on my shoulder ending up on my back in the marsh.  I was a turtle who could not right himself or get up. Unclipped my pack and was able to get up and asses the damage. Wet pants wet boots wrenched shoulder. But otherwise ok. About 3/4 of the way up I noticed that my garmin transponder was not on my pack. I keep it clipped to the front shoulder strap. It was gone!  This is the device that lets my friends and family see where I am. This is the device that allows me to txt When I have no cell service!  This is the device that will allow me to send an SOS if I have an emergency!  Luckily I was high enough on the mountain to have cell service.  I was able to track myself and see where the device was. Great to give my a general location but not sure I would be able to pinpoint the exact spot if my cell service didn¢t hold. Now I dropped my pack in the woods and headed back down the rock trail. After about 0.1 miles I ran into Seadog who picked up my garmin!  It was hanging on a branch near the spot where I fell. It would seem that somehow the carabiner unclipped and it landed in this branch, or the branch slipped into the carabiner and unclipped it. It¢s a mystery how this could have happened. It¢s amazing that Seadog found it on the tree and decided not to leave it for someone else to find. We had a great view behind us. We could see Mt Moosilauke.  It¢s always great to be able to see where you have been. It¢s not always easy to look ahead to where you are going without having a map.  Mostly we only is an app called Far Out which doesn¢t give one a sense of the surrounding area. Dropping down a few hundred feet brought us to the climb of North Kinsman and another steep decent down to the pond and the lodge. My knee is a bit sore. It¢s tight at night but I hardly notice it during the day This has been some tough hiking.  However the weather has been beautiful and I have been really enjoying the hiking.
Date: 2023-06-23
From: Garfield Ridge Shelter

To: Ethan Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.5

Leaving Garfield we immediately started climbing. Up and over Mt Garfield which set us up to up and over South Twin Mt. A 800 ft steep ascent followed by a 1300 ft steep ascent. To complete the day we then had a long rocky, descent. Luckily this brought us down to a flat 4 mile final stretch to the shelter. It was nice to finish a long day with an easy stretch. Weather has been beautiful these past few days. Warm but not hot. Wish it could stay this way. The forecast for the foreseeable future is rain, thunderstorms, lightning.
Date: 2023-06-24
From: Ethan Pond Shelter

To: Mizpah Shelter 
Miles today: 9.4

The AMC predates the AT. I don¢t know how long. The AMC was granted the authority to build the hut and trail system long before the AT was conceived by the US Forest Service. The entire White Mountain area is covered in trails and huts. The Crawford Trail which goes up to Mt Washington was created in 1819. The AT not until the 30¢s I believe. The AT has shelters and tent spots that are free to hikers.  It so in the Whites. You are very limited in where you can stay that doesn¢t require a reservation and $150 a night. The tent sites are all wood platforms. Great if you have a free standing tent which many people have. Thru-hikers tend to have tents that must be staked out. But you can¢t drive a stack into a piece of wood. These limitations, plus the threat of rain and thunderstorms for the next week are making it difficult to pick our next site. Coming down the mountain we had no reception so could not even try to make a reservation at the next Hut. 3 miles down we go to route302. The AMC  visitor center was up the road 2 miles. Tim got down a bit after I so we started up the road. Luckily we got a ride. At the center I was able to make a reservation for the Mizpah hut, only 3 miles from the center. The rain was rolling in. Clouds concealed the mountains. Not knowing how difficult a climb we had ahead, Tim started out. I had to wait for Seadog so I availed myself of the breakfast buffet Just as I was leaving, the rain let loose. Donned my rain gear. Got about 1/4 mile and the rain slackened and the climb started. Off came the rain gear. The climb was not too difficult and the hut was dry. Tomorrow we have a 5 mile hike to the Lake of the Clouds hut which is at the base of Mt Washington. This will leave us a short 1.5 mile climb to summit. My son Ian and my friend John Broshard were planning to meet us at Lake of the Clouds and hike two days with us. Due to the weather they both decided not to come. As much as I am disappointed, I am glad they did not come and have to deal with such crappy conditions. When we attempt the summit we will be above treeline for 8 miles. Should we be exposed to lightning we will be in danger. The have called for thunderstorms all day today but so far nothing. Not even that much rain. We will be tracking the weather to see if we can cross safely. Our destination is a tent site about 11 miles from our hut. Would have been a magnificent view if the weather was in our favor. Now it¢s just miles we have to cross to move forward. If waiting a day or two would have given us clear weather we would have waited. At this point the forecast for the next six days is the same.  So we just have to hike in the rain.
Date: 2023-06-25
From: Mizpah Shelter 9.4

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 4.7

An easy 5 miles up to the next Hut. This was a nero to set us up for the hard day traversing the Presidential loop. The weather today is iffy. Rain and thunderstorms. We don¢t want to be on the exposed heights if there is a chance of lightning. tomorrow the weather is supposed to not have thunderstorms so that is our planned day to get across   The huts generally have bunk rooms that sleep12-18 people in triple bunks. Dinner is served promptly at six, breakfast at seven. Most of the people here are day hikers. It makes it easy to hike for several days as you hop from but to hit.  You don¢t need as much gear and food so it make for a light pack. I plan to come back and hike these mountains with Theresa
Date: 2023-06-27
From: Joe Dodge Lodge

To: Imp Shelter
Miles today: 13.1

We have a zero after one more night. So looking forward to taking a whole day off.  Forecast - rain! Didn't really feel like hiking today. Tim left early as always, I lingered another hour so didn't get out the door until 8:30.Todays hike featured not one, not two, not three, not four, but five mountain climbs. The first being the longest at 3000 ft. The remaining were from 500-900 feet. Somewhere during the second descent, as i was lowering myself down another rock face, my shoulder popped again. It quickly popped in again but at this point I decided I needed to see a doctor. While my shoulder was a little painful it was not prohibiting my movement. My fear was that it would become fully dislocated while hiking up or down a rockwall or that I would slip on a rock or a wet board or a root. There I would be without the ability to use my shoulder. I decided to go off trail and get it looked at.My googling of a shoulder separation, even partial, was that I would be in a sling for 4 weeks and then a course of rehab. The reality being that I was done for the season. The idea of not finishing even the northern half was disappointing. The idea of not hiking in the rain for two more weeks was a relief. My bigger concern is that I have just gotten my health back after the cancer and now I may be incapacitated for another month or two. Hopefully that's not the case.Arrived at IMP shelter, a nice four sided shelter with an open door. Diner was in the rain sitting on a low log. Didn't linger over dinner. Had a conversation with Tim about my leaving the trail in Gorham. He is of a like mind and understood that I need to stop and see what up with the shoulder.
Date: 2023-06-28
From: Imp Shelter

To: Gorham NH
Miles today: 8.0

With rain in the afternoon forecast we both left the shelter around 6:30. Eight miles with some small climbs and a long downhill. We wanted to beat the rain before getting to town.Trail had a climb to start then several smaller, more gradual climbs, kinda feels like the mountains are getting more gentle. Still wet but not a lot of running water. Arrived at Rattle River which also was heavily swollen. Not way around or over so we committed to fording the rivers (3 crossings). Cleaned our boots off, but now our feet were soaked - a recipe for blisters for sure. Only another 1 1/2 to the road to Gorham so not too bad.  Was hoping to get a shuttle ride, but none of the services were responding. With a 3 mile walk to town and rain just starting, we began the road walk while trying to hitch a ride. Two bearded old guys aren't usually gettin a ride, but we got lucky and caught a ride.At the post office, Tim's box had not arrived - apparently it was in Maine, I picked up my resupply and the replacement pack that Osprey offered after the squeaking noise I had reported 6 weeks ago.  Right next to the post office was a liquor store. Store celebrate/commiserate my last day we got a bottle of bourbon and some bitters. Off to the bar for a beer and pulled pork sandwich. At the bar I asked the bartender for a couple of slice of orange. She did even better by giving me a whole orange.We drank a bit that afternoon. Had dinner and in bed by 8. My outbound bus is at 7:50 to Boston. From there I will stop at Ian and Jackies house for a few days, and then a train to home. I have an appointment on Thursday.As of now I am planning one more entry as I believe I will not be hiking more this year. Once I have a prognosis I will make one more entry.