morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-11
From: Pinkham Notch, NH

To: Valley Way Tent Site, NH
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: few clouds

The AMC Joe Dodge Lodge and visitor center was pretty nice. I ate well and slept soundly. Everything seemed organized and clean. I left there and was on the trail at 8 am with my new Leki ultra-light series quick lock poles.I passed over the Mt. Washington auto road which brought back memories. Three times I have taken my vehicles to the top of Mt. Washington. The last time I took my truck up there, I promised myself not to take another vehicle up there again. Too close to the edge and too scary.Mt. Madison was the climb of the day (5366). On the way up I met a fellow who is doing the Eastern Continental Appalachian Trail which starts in the keys and goes into Canada. He started Jan.1 and he said he was going to call it quits at Mt. Katahdin because he's tired.I also met the first northbounder that I used to hike with. "Tinder", it was good to see him. He said there are a large number of hikers behind him that I will start seeing from my north bound hikes.God Is Good: On the side of rocky Mt. Madison about half a mile from the top in the midst of stunning views, I met Walk Worthy and his good friend, Bob. He had just recently signed my guest book saying that we may run into each other. I was very glad to meet him. We chatted for about ten minutes and before we parted, his friend said a prayer for our journeys to be safe. It was great to be in prayer with these guys and it really lifted my spirits. Thank you Walk Worthy. I will never forget this encounter.When I did get to the top of Mt. Madison, I just took in all the breathtaking scenery. Mt. Washington stood out in the near distance. Then I went over and down into a valley to the Mt. Madison Hut. I had two bowls of potato soup, banana bread, and lemonade. I was offered "work for stay" but I turned it down. This is where you don't pay to spend the night and instead you do chores for your keep and when everyone is finished eating you eat. And maybe you get to do the dishes. You sleep on the floor in the dining room.I felt like tenting so I am six tenths of a mile from The Madison Hut in a campground, tenting. There are other people here tenting too.Tomorrow will be a big hiking day for me. I will have to start early to get it all in. The day will include summiting Mt. Washington, the tallest mountain in New England.Good night.
Date: 2014-07-12
From: Valley Way Tent Site, NH

To: Nauman Campsite, NH.
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: haze

I watched as the Appalachian Trail hikers came over the ridge. Someday, I thought, that will be me. I wonder if someone will be watching me from the observation tower when I hike the AT?It was 1997 and this was the first time I hiked up Mt. Washington. From the observation tower I could see the AT and I knew that someday that I would be coming up over the ridge.I got a real early start (4:30) am, because I had to hike six tenths of a mile back to the AT to start heading south.The weather has been fantastic for this area. Sunny, low wind, and mild temperatures.Because of the clear weather, the views while walking across the Presidential Range were as good as they could ever be.I crossed under the Cog Railroad and I was thinking of my wife. We rode the Cog Railroad train about three years ago while visiting this area.As I approached Mt. Washington summit I remembered 1997 and realized that my dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail was coming true.The hiking today was the best a hike could be. Hiking the Presidential Range is a gift and I am thankful for it.It was very busy on top of Mt. Washington. First, it was Saturday and nice weather, but what really was drawing the people was the bike race up the auto road. There were too many people standing in front of the summit sign waiting for their pictures to be taken, so I didn't get a picture of me by the sign. But a hiker took one of me about to start down the mountain towards Land of the Clouds Hut.While on top of the mountain, I ate well. Chilly dogs, soup and pizza, chocolate milk, soda and a sub. I have been eating really well in the Whites mainly because of the AMC Hut System.Today I passed northbounders I used to hike with in the south. In the next two weeks, I will probably see many more of them. There was Moose, Shy Bear, Goliath, and Live And Learn. It's pretty cool to see these folks again. I am at the Mizpah Spring Hut in the tenting area on a wooden platform because there is no tenting allowed on the ground.Time to strategize for tomorrow's hike.Good night.
Date: 2014-07-13
From: Nauman Campsite, NH.

To: Ethan Pond Campsite, NH.
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night the tent site was crowded so I had to share my tent platform with another tent.I was up at 5 am, cooked my oatmeal and coffee, and had a bagel with peanut butter. I cleaned up and was off hiking at 6:15 am.I hiked Mt. Jackson and Mt. Webster and came down the Webster Cliffs which were pretty steep.It's starting to feel like a high school reunion seeing all the northbounders I used to hike with. Today I met Down Low, a husband and wife team that I last saw in Buena Vista, and I also met up with Thin Mint. I last saw him in Port Clinton.I stopped hiking a little early today like the other hikers because of the threat of severe rain and hail. I am in a shelter and about twenty minutes ago it started raining very hard. Rain is in the forecast for several days. This may alter my hiking plans because rocks get very slippery when wet and coming down steep rock faces is dangerous.Good night.
Date: 2014-07-14
From: Ethan Pond Campsite, NH.

To: Garfield Ridge Shelter, NH.
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

A BIG HELLO TO MY BACKPACKING PAULSBORO BROTHERS AT EM. I AM SEEING SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT YOU SPOKE TO ON YOUR MASSACHUSETTS AT SECTION HIKE.It rained hard most of the night. It stopped about 3 am and I am glad the wind continued to blow to dry out the forest and the rocks.I was off hiking about 6:15 am fully expecting the weather report to be true. It was reported that it was going to rain all day, but that didn't happen. It was a gorgeous day for hiking, full sun, light breeze, and the rocks weren't so slippery.I heard their hiking poles striking the rocks before I even saw them. As I came around the corner I felt like I was meeting family.It was Flossie and Grey Squirrel. I was glad to see them. I was hiking with Flossie and Grey Squirrel when I left the trail in Port Clinton, Pa. We exchanged pleasantries and gave each other information about what was in front of us on the trail.I arrived in New Zealand Falls Hut about 9:30 am. I walked in and said that I was a thru-hiker and was there any food or drink I could purchase? I hit it lucky. Breakfast was over for the paying customers so I was offered the leftovers. I had the equivalent of 12 eggs. Scrambled eggs with a veggie mix. Also a large bowl of oatmeal and a cup of coffee. And it was all free because it was left over.However, I was still hungry so I purchased two more cups of coffee and a large cinnamon bun. It made hiking up South Twin Mountain (4902 feet) very easy.While eating, I answered many questions people had about me hiking the AT. I was asked to take a few family pictures with their cameras. They treated me very well and I enjoyed talking to them.I ran into Survivor-man today and he told me he had been watching out for me ever since he saw my friends from work.When I hit the Galehead Hut about 2 pm, I took off my shoes and socks and massaged my feet for awhile. Then I went inside and ordered two bowls of potato dill soup, two large brownies, and two glasses of lemonade. This whole hut food system is similar to the Wayside Inns in The Shenandoah National Park. It is so nice to be walking in the woods and come upon a place to eat. It makes you happy. It gives you energy. It will make your day better.Twenty minutes before arriving at The Garfield Ridge Shelter where I am tonight, it started raining. I got soaked but the last three tenths of a mile was almost straight up and it dried 80% of the rain off me as I was climbing. I slipped and fell on my brand new hiking pole and snapped off the bottom six inches of the pole. I will need to get it repaired or replaced. I need my hiking poles. I'll just keep buying them until I get it right.I am with a few north bounders in the shelter tonight who are hikers I remember from the south.It's time to plan for tomorrow. Calling for more rain.Good night.
Date: 2014-07-15
From: Garfield Ridge Shelter, NH.

To: Lincoln, NH.
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: moderate rain

One thing that I have learned in Maine and New Hampshire is that just because the profile elevation line in AWOL's AT Guide is flat, straight, or level, it's not really and indication of the terrain you will be walking over. It could be a smooth path, or it could be littered with rocks making you have to travel at one half or even one third the speed you are used to. A rocky path going up or down a steep mountain will almost bring you to a stop. In Maine and New Hampshire there are very few places where you can stretch your legs out and do twenty mile days. In these two states you are usually going up or down and very seldom straight and level.So because my goal today was to make it to Lincoln for resupply, and I knew I had to hike over Mt. Garfield, Mt. Lafayette (5291 feet high), Mt. Lincoln, and The Franconia Notch, and not knowing the terrain, I decided to get up at 4 am. I was hiking by 5. In real rocky, steep terrain, I sometimes can only hope to hike one mile per hour.There weren't any views from the Franconia Ridge because of the misty fog. I was above tree line for two miles so I am glad it didn't rain. It is a bad place to be in a storm.On the way down from the mountain heights, I stopped at Liberty Springs Campsite for a lunch break and to resupply my water.I made it to US 3 at about 3 pm. I tried hitch hiking for about fifteen minutes but there wasn't much traffic, so I stopped into The Flume Visitor Center and asked the lady at the information booth if there was a shuttle service to Lincoln? She said yes, picked up the phone, and called someone. She then informed me that I had to be out front in fifteen minutes. I went out front with a hotdog, soft pretzel, and a soda. This will hold me over until I get into town.At about 6:30 I went to the grocery store but before I went in I noticed a movie theater. Planet of the Apes started at 7:00 so I went to the movies. After the movies I went grocery shopping. It's late.Good night.
Date: 2014-07-16
From: Lincoln, NH.

To: Lincoln, NH.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero DayThere was a time in my life when I just wanted to hike up as many mountains as I could because I found that mountain tops fascinated me. I love the workout challenge, and I liked how the mountain tops were all so different. Cold Mountain in North Carolina (The one the movie "Cold Mountain" was named after) has very little room at all on its peak, while Pike's Peak has a restaurant on top of it. I love the views. A clear sunny day on top of a mountain that you have summited is a reward many will never know. While I am on top looking down I am always thinking, I wish my wife or my mom or my children could see this view of everything below. And I have often wondered if the people whose farms and fields, towns and homes you're looking down on have ever been to the top of the mountain that looks down on their homes and towns?Even more fascinating to me is the world above the tree line or the Alpine Zone. The Alpine Zone is that place where the trees are eight feet or less because of the harsh winter conditions that exist on these high mountains. In some mountain areas the trees are just inches tall. At these altitudes there is also rare fragile alpine plant life that the trail clubs try so hard to preserve. They do this by outlining the areas above tree line that you need to walk in. It is a different beautiful place.At the wrong time it's a dangerous place to be. The temperature on top of a mountain is about three and one half degrees colder for every 1000 feet in altitude than at its base. And the wind can blow so hard it will keep you off balance.Many mountain tops are scarred from acid rain. In some mountain areas like Mt. Mitchell in North Carolina, as you hike near the summit the trees and plants look diseased.Acid Rain is a rain made acidic by certain pollutants in the air, usually sulfur dioxide from fossil fuel emissions. On mountain tops it can easily be seen on the trees and plants. There has been much improvement in the emissions that cause acid rain but damage has been done and it will take time to repair itself.The birds pictured above love their little trees on the mountain tops and would probably thank us if they could because we are trying to preserve their habitat.Yesterday hiking across The Franconia Ridge, as well as the day I walked across The Presidential Range, was a carefully planned day. Walking above the tree line like I did for two miles yesterday can be your worst nightmare. Or it can range from foggy to breathtaking.So far it has been good for me.See you on the trail.Good day and thanks for travelling with me.
Date: 2014-07-17
From: Lincoln, NH.

To: Eliza Brook Shelter NH.
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I was shuttled back to the Franconia Notch AT trail head at about 9 am, hiking with a fresh resupply of food.In no time I was at the Lonesome Lake Hut. This is the last hut going in my direction associated with the White Mountain National Forest. For north bounders this is their first hut. I only purchased a cup of coffee and a pastry because I was still full from the town food I had consumed.Today's workout was North and South Kinsman Mountains (4358).The hike down South Kinsman Mountain to the shelter where I am tonight was very steep. It rained last night and made the rocks slippery. So I just took my time because of the extra ten pounds of food I was carrying. It was two and a half miles to the bottom.Today I passed about four north bounders that I used to hike with while in the south. Pretty soon I will probably see a large bubble of north bounders and then we will have all passed each other. For the remainder of the hike, I will only see the south bounders that I am hiking with now.It was cool today and it's a little cold tonight. Time for bed.Good night.
Date: 2014-07-18
From: Eliza Brook Shelter NH.

To: Beaver Brook Shelter NH.
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY GRANDSON CHRIS B.It has been a nice hiking day. Sunny, cool, and a little breeze. But last night and early this morning it was cold and it is cold right now. I ate lunch at Kinsman Notch parking area. I found a picnic table to use and after lunch I was able to dump all my trash in the garbage cans.Today I wanted to position myself to be halfway up Mt. Moosilauke at this shelter so I would only have the other half of the mountain to hike up tomorrow. From the bottom it was 3.2 miles to the top. I am at 1.6 miles; it just worked out that way. I could have gone up and over and on down to the next shelter, but it didn't happen.Mt. Moosilauke is a significant mountain. It is the first large, tough mountain (4802) that the north bounders have to deal with, and it's their initiation into The White Mountains. The north side of the mountain, the side I am hiking up, is very steep and if you are descending, which the north bounders have to do, it is hard on the knees.For me Mt. Moosilauke is a reminder of what I have been hiking through since Mt. Katahdin and possibly the last tough mountain before I get to Port Clinton. When I go down (the south side) of Mt. Moosilauke tomorrow morning, I will have an easier time than the north bounders are having going down the north side, because it is not as steep.Soon I will be back to 15 to 25 mile days. It will feel good to get my stride on.I am officially finished The White Mountain National Forest. I was in the Whites for nine days and I enjoyed every moment of it. I believe The Presidential Range is the most beautiful section of the Appalachian trail. Rugged, and beautiful, and I am glad I never hiked it before so I could see it for the first time on this journey.New Hampshire brings to mind its state motto, LIVE FREE OR DIE. This beauty would be worth fighting for.But in my opinion the award for the toughest state is Maine, New Hampshire takes second.It's like AWOL told me at breakfast one morning," Each state has something different to offer. The Appalachian Trail is different in each state."Good night.
Date: 2014-07-19
From: Beaver Brook Shelter NH.

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel NH.
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I wanted today to be an easy day. I was up at 5:30 and hiking at 6:30. I finished hiking to the summit of Mt. Moosilauke. The second half of the hike up the mountain was about half as steep as the first half of the mountain hike.Once on top of the mountain I took off my pack and enjoyed the 360 views. It was a sight to behold. Like a painting painted by God. I hung out up there for an hour and even finished yesterday's journal up there.Finally I started the five mile hike down to the bottom of the mountain.I stopped off at the Jeffers Brook Shelter for a quick lunch. There wasn't anyone there, so I signed the shelter register and left.I didn't have to go far. My goal for today was to go to the Hikers Welcome Hostel. I wanted to wash my clothes and take a shower. I also purchased a bunk for tonight. They have a little food here like small microwave pizzas, soda , chips, cookies, and ice cream. Later they will take us into Warren if we need to go, for resupply .I will be able to charge my phone here also. But there isn't a good cell signal here, just like the rest of the Whites. I was told by north bounders that starting in Vermont my cell service will be getting back to normal.Resupply went well. See you back on the trail.Good night.
Date: 2014-07-20
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel NH.

To: Hexacuba Shelter NH.
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

I was the first one awake at the hostel this morning. I ate breakfast and waited for the owner to get up so I could pay and move on.I was hiking at 06:30. It was a good hiking day and I passed by several north bounders.The terrain today was much more forgiving and I was finally able to stretch out my legs and hike.Today I hiked up Mt. Mist (2200) and Mt. Cube (2911). The mountains are smaller which makes it easier to cover more ground.All through the White Mountains, the Appalachian Trail is associated with other trail names. You have to pay attention to the signs to make sure you are going in the right direction. There are very few blazes and you just have to hope you're actually on the Appalachian Trail. So far I have done okay keeping track of the trail names associated with the AT. It's not too hard once you get the knack of it.This is a six sided shelter and it makes it look like there is a lot of room inside. So far there are five of us here.Getting late.Good night.
Date: 2014-07-21
From: Hexacuba Shelter NH.

To: Moose Mountain Shelter, NH.
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: broken clouds

Despite the fact that I have generally been hiking by 6:30 every morning, I still haven't seen a moose in New Hampshire. Moose droppings everywhere, but no moose.This morning's workout was hiking up Smart's Mountain (3246). It doesn't seem to matter how high the mountain is, 2000 or 4000 feet, it seems to take the same amount of time to summit them. And they seem to go on and on forever. Reminds me of the Pennsylvania Mountains, long ups and long downs. In this part of town, the best way to reward yourself for hiking down Smart's Mountain is to stop in at Bill Ackerly's house and have some soda, ice cream, fresh water, relaxation and conversation.And that is what I did. Thank you Bill for the kindness that you show hikers who pass by your house.While at Bill's home I met three north bounders who were surprised to see me. After a little chit chat, one of them asked," So you are done in Maine?" I said," Sure am, and in two days I will be done in New Hampshire."The conversation eventually led to the question that's most asked by north bounders, how hard is Mt. Moosilauke? I told them it will be hard for them, but when they finally summit Mt. Katahdin they will look back and see that Mt. Moosilauke wasn't that hard at all compared to what they went through in Maine.After this ice cream break, I hiked up Moose Mountain (2315). I am at Moose Mountain Shelter tonight. I did fourteen plus miles yesterday and seventeen plus today. I hope to keep increasing mileage as my body re-adapts to higher mileage stress. Soon I'll be able to put it in overdrive and just cruise.Good night
Date: 2014-07-22
From: Moose Mountain Shelter, NH.

To: Hanover, NH.
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: overcast clouds

There ended up being three of us in the shelter last night. Myself and two chipmunks.Earlier while eating supper, they visited me so I figured they would be visiting me again after dark. They are very busy little critters. All night long they sounded like they were redesigning the interior of the shelter plus installing a new roof. I could hear them run across the floor and then I would hear them dragging something, so I had to check by turning on my headlamp and making sure they weren't running off with my socks or my water bottles. You can never catch them doing anything, you just hear them working.I wanted to get to town so I was off hiking at 6 am. I had almost eleven miles to cover and with good terrain that's almost five to six hours of hiking.It was the biggest scat I have ever seen in the woods, and within a few yards I saw the paw print. It was huge. I was in Christmas Tree Forest and pine needles blanketed the ground. It was a little dark and I was just a little scared. I thought to myself, this is a big bear. Then I heard a large branch snap, but saw nothing and I was okay with that.Just a little while later a local man was doing a little hike with his dog. He told me that there was a huge bear that roams these woods and they are going to capture and relocate him. "I figured the bear was big", I said, and I told him this was the first time I hoped I wouldn't see the bear.I came out of the forest and followed the Appalachian Trail right through the town of Hanover, NH. It's the home of the Ivy League school, Dartmouth College. This is a very friendly hiker town, so many people and businesses are willing to help the hiker while they are visiting. Students and hikers blend together in this charming colonial town. My wife would love it here.I needed a haircut and I got it. I also sent home my winter clothing lowering the weight in my pack by three pounds. The bus system around here is free and runs to the little satellite towns in the area. I researched them and tomorrow after Mass I will ride several buses to EMS and get a new Jetboil Sol Titanium Stove and maybe shoes.About two hundred miles ago, I forgot to pour the water into the container, but I lit the stove and sort of burned it up. DON'T EVER DO THAT. I have been limping by with it. I called ahead and EMS has put one away for me.I am in The Hanover Inn which is very nice but pricey. Another great town, on a great adventure, on a great trail.Good day.