morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-30
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Culver Fire Tower
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: light rain

Over 3 months on the trail!What a great hiking day!... even though I am tired of hiking. Great terrain. Not a ton of rocks. Lots of ridgeline views. Water sources could have been better. HOT day. Went to Branchville, NJ for dinner & water & hammock time
Date: 2014-07-01
From: Culver Fire Tower

To: Murray Property
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: broken clouds

First couple miles were great - cool AM, not many bugs, feet feeling good.Afternoon was a struggle - probably dehydrated, headache, HOT temp.But... I talked the group I am hiking with to go to the beach for the afternoon, so that was nice. Sat in the shade, ate concession stand food, and relaxed.Left there around 7pm and hiked out... didn't stop until 9:30pm when we reached Murray Property - a remodeled cabin for hikers, complete with well water, shower & electricity! Definitely worth the night hike and still on track to hit Bear Mountain for the fireworks.
Date: 2014-07-02
From: Murray Property

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

Okay, so here's the deal...Obviously it has been since Vernon, NJ since I updated my trail journal. Well, in Kent, CT I sent stuff home, including my trail journal (was almost out of pages, so I bought a new one) Oops. So my mom has my trail journal up to Day 101 - I got her to send me where I stayed at night and the number of miles, but detail for the next 7 online journal entries is going to be even less than it normally is. Sorry everybody... guess you'll just have to wait until I come home to find out all the fun stories from that week of hiking.Day 95 "details" - Ended hiking early because of an approaching thunderstorm. Heather took Zima's awesome picture at trail magic!
Date: 2014-07-03
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Bellvale Farms
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Hot day, tough day. Started storming when we got to the ice cream place. Waited for a break and headed out. Halfway there it turned to ridgeline cliff walking and lightning was close so turned back. Thanks to Frank, we got a ride back to Vernon, NJ and stayed another night at the church hostel. Zima also climbed her first ladder today!
Date: 2014-07-07
From: Shenandoah Tenting Area

To: Appalachian Trail RR Station
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Third day in a row over 20 miles - moving north and feeling good. Got in around 7pm. Just in time to pitch the tent and get Zima in and wham the storm hit. (DRY dog is a top priority when the rain is coming)
Date: 2014-07-09
From: Mt. Algo Shelter

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: moderate rain

Hiked 0.3 miles down to the road where Bagger's mom picked us up adn took us into Kent for the day. Breakfast, outfitter, IGA, post office, outfitter, vet, post office - BUSY day. Zima is just over 42 lbs. - the vet recommended that I up her food... Hmm... I don't know how much I like that idea (I might have to start helping her carry food)Stormed tonight once we were all in camp. Three of the five of us tenting ran to the shelter - Zima and I stayed in our tent. Zima was sleeping through the storm, so I just curled up at the foot of the tent and figured that if a tree fell on our tent at least we would die together. (nice thought, huh?)
Date: 2014-07-10
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter

To: Rands View (field)
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: broken clouds

Good day hiking. Lots of uphills in teh morning - our first time fording a river!! Exciting!! However, I need to line my pack with a plastic bag, because that made me nervous. Also, Zima needs to be on leash next time. This time the crossing was not very far, but she struggled a little more than I was expecting in the fast current. Ate dinner at teh inn in Falls Village - super hiker friendly! Then hiked up the mountain and camped in a field.
Date: 2014-07-11
From: Rands View (field)

To: Guilder Pond Picnic Area
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Easy hike to Salisbury, then up up up (approx. 1600 foot climb)To the top of Bear Mtn., Mt. Race, AND Mt. Everett. Rocky and lots of UP (and of course lots of down too) Bagger's mom picked us up - shower, laundry, lasagna dinner, slept under a roof - THANKS BAGGER'S FAMILY!!!
Date: 2014-07-12
From: Guilder Pond Picnic Area

To: Mt. Wilcox North Shelter
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: scattered clouds

More miles than I thought I did... got a late start (9am) and hiking to Tom Leonard Shelter was awful - SOOO many bugs!!! and it took FOREVER. Relaxed and ate lunch at an antique shop near Great Barrington. Planning on a big mile day for tomorrow... we will see what happens...
Date: 2014-07-13
From: Mt. Wilcox North Shelter

To: Kay Wood Shelter
Miles today: 31.6
Weather: overcast clouds

WE DID IT. 30+ MILE DAY. WOO-HOO!Never again. Too tiring. (I actually didn't write in my journal until the next night because all I did was get to camp, set up my tent and pretty much fall over)Met the cookie lady! Yum, good cookies. Trail magic - applesauce packets! Yay! Rained the last 6 miles meaning Zima was a VERY wet dog getting to camp. And as I set up my tent, she decided to get even with me for the long hiking day and roll in the mud before getting into the tent. I was too tired to even start to be upset with her (and hey, she did just hike over 30 miles too) We both went to bed muddy.For all you CBH people out there, I made up a song today to the tune of Peanut Butter & Jelly...I am Squirrelly Whirlly, and you are ZimaWe're both so happy on the Appalachian TrailI remember, the first time that I saw youPlaying in the yard with your little puppy friendsYou are cute, and I am stinkyYou're a little naughty, and I'm working on thatCause, I am Squirrelly Whirlly, and you are ZimaWe're both so happy on the Appalachian Trail***During the last 6 miles while it was raining, the word "happy" was changed to "soggy"***
Date: 2014-07-14
From: Kay Wood Shelter

To: Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

Slept in (hard to move after yesterday)Got water (too tired to do it last night)Started hiking North...Went to breakfast in Dalton, continued on to Cheshire, ate ice cream, then got picked up by Bagger's dad and went back to his house for the night. Shower, laundry, good food.
Date: 2014-07-16
From: Sherman Brook Campsite

To: "Squirrel & Zima's campsite"
Miles today: 9.0

Raining in the morning... didn't pack up and leave camp until about 2pm. Took our first BIG wrong turn... hiked an extra 2-3 miles off the trail - oops. Was getting late so set up tent for the night and decided to back track in the morning. VERY MUDDY today (esp. on the wooded road we were not supposed to be hiking on)Welcome to VER-MUD!!
Date: 2014-07-17
To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: broken clouds

Packed up and headed back to the trail - found it (took an hour), then headed up to Consultation Peak (the correct direction)Got to the road for Bennington with a muddy dog (thinking in my head nobody is going to give us a ride into town because they don't want a muddy dog & hiker in their car) Lucky for us, we met Toni!! Woo-hoo! Trail angel!! She took us to the post office and out to lunch and back to the trailhead! THANKS FOR THE AWESOME TRAIL MAGIC!!! Made my day!! (Esp. after camping "lost" for a night) Hiked another 10 miles up to the shelter - met lots of new people (Long Trail hikers, SOBO hikers, day hikers, good mix in general) Chilly tonight... glad I have a heater walking this trail with me
Date: 2014-07-18
From: Goddard Shelter

To: "stream" (stealth camping)
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: light rain

Cold this morning - did not want to get out of my sleeping bag. Eventually headed up to Glastenbury Mtn. Mother Earth and Chance both caught back up to us (and passed us) at Story Spring Shelter - They were aiming for a 30+ day (and they did accomplish that! Woo-hoo! Glad I didn't have to do it with them!) Met Money Maker, Mike, and Wingnut today - amazing how many NOBO AT thru-hikers I am still meeting for the first time. Climbed Stratton Mountain at the end of the day - whew! How am I going to survive the Whites!?
Date: 2014-07-19
To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: moderate rain

Hiked in, got a ride into town quicker than I thought I would and got dropped off at Firefly and ate lunch. Met up with Mother Earth, Chance, and Bagger in town, went to the grocery store & outfitter (NEW SOCKS - YAY!!) Then got picked up by the hostel owner and taken out to Green Mountain House - WOW. One of the best hostels we have stayed at on the trail - $25 for bed (private room too in the Dawg House because nobody else that night had a dog), shower, laundry, ice cream, great hospitality, big yard for Zima to play in, and a ride back to the trail in the morning.
Date: 2014-07-21
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

Slept in. Took a break at Little Rock Pond Shelter & tenting area - Zima went swimming & canoeing!! Long stretch with no "landmarks" makes for kind of boring walking. Hiked up another "Bear Mountain" today. Got to camp early again.
Date: 2014-07-22
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Churchill Scott Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

Woke up early w/Grasshopper & Runaway - got AWESOME trail magic at Whistle Stop Restaurant from Army Ant. Great place - very hiker friendly. After breakfast, headed up a VERY steep climb. Then ups & downs, then up up up to Killington. We made it! And we still had enough energy to climb the 0.2 miles to the peak. Hiked down the mountain to get close to town for the A.M. hike.
Date: 2014-07-23
From: Churchill Scott Shelter

To: Stoney Brook Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked into Killington (town) today, made great time. Picked up maildrop, went to lunch, went to outfitter, charged phone, talked to Jackie (Zima's FB friend), and made it back to the trail by 2pm. Hiked 7 miles (steep uphill at the beginning) Stopped by Stoney Brook Shelter for a break, was talking to some other hikers for a while and all of a sudden thunder clouds rolled in. QUICK set up my tent and we stayed DRY - Rained all evening. Tomorrow we will have to hike 21.5 miles to stay "on schedule" to get to Hanover on Friday night.
Date: 2014-07-24
From: Stoney Brook Shelter

To: "stream" (just before W. Hartford)
Miles today: 25.8
Weather: light rain

Woke up surprisingly early this morning (5am) and decided to NOT go back to sleep. Instead packed up & got on trail. A.M. hike was great! The miles passed quickly. Afternoon was draggin' But Lost Boy cleaned my filter and it works great again! Leap frogged with him all day. Decided to push forward until dark to get closer to Hanover for tomorrow. Got to camp around 815pm, set up tent and now it is BEDTIME. It is definitely starting to get dark earlier.
Date: 2014-07-25
To: NH 120 trailhead (Caanan, NH)
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked half a mile to W. Hartford to go to the Village Store for breakfast - CLOSED!! Soo disappointing. Good thing I'm hitting another town later today. Easy walk today. I thoroughly enjoyed it knowing that it is probably one of the last EASY walks. Got to Norwich - trail magic! Sodas & cookies sitting at the end of somebody's driveway... kept walking - trail magic x2! Choc. chip banana bread & watermelon at the end of another driveway... kept walking...Crossed the Connecticut River today into NEW HAMPSHIRE!! YAY!!!Got to Hanover - great place to people watch Zima & I were "hiker trash" hanging out around a Sophomore Parents Day at Dartmouth - haha - lots of RICH, well dressed people.Hiked to the north end of town - TRAIL MAGIC AGAIN - Sodas & water sitting out on a picnic table for hikers.Got picked up at the Co-op by Jackie (Zima's FB friend) and we went to her house for the weekend (tomorrow is the first ZERO day tomorrow since Virginia!)Zima is being SPOILED ROTTEN here and is LOVING life under a solid roof
Date: 2014-07-26
From: NH 120 trailhead (Caanan, NH)

To: NH 120 trailhead (Caanan, NH)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

ZERO day!!Hung out at Jackie & Walt's house - Met Joe, Kim, Jacob, Keith, Kane, and Kaleb. GREAT family!!ATE AWESOME FOOD!!!Zima & I both like zero days a lot.
Date: 2014-07-27
From: NH 120 trailhead (Caanan, NH)

To: NH 120 trailhead (Caanan, NH)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Weather made us take a SECOND ZERO day! Laurie, Colin, & Evelyn (more family) came to visit So pretty much, I've met the whole immediate family now - hahaDiane & Joe stopped in (relatives from Berlin, NH) - great timing! They took Zima's extra dog food and went north with it. We will see them soon!Ate MORE great food, hung around and talked with everybody.AND the most impressive thing all weekend... the GUYS did all the cooking AND dishes!! Wow! That NEVER happens at my parent's house (I don't even think my dad knows how to wash a plate)
Date: 2014-07-28
From: NH 120 trailhead (Caanan, NH)

To: Grafton Turnpike
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: moderate rain

SLACKPACKED FOR THE FIRST TIME!!Was sitting in the living room at Jackie's in the morning while it was raining and the idea came up that I could hike today and then come back to their house and be warm & dry for the day. Hiked in the rain for the first hour or two, then was pretty good hiking conditions for most of the day. Started thundering as we headed up Holts Ledge, and rained the last 30 minutes of the hike.
Date: 2014-07-29
From: Grafton Turnpike

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 11.1

Slept in at Jackie & Walt's and dragged my feet getting ready this morning (hard to leave a nice comfy house!) Got on the trail around 11am. Smarts Mountain - Wow! What a climb! Was not expecting it to be that challenging, but I guess it was good practice for the Whites coming up. Great 360 degree view from the fire tower. Came down and was ready to turn in for the night, so stayed at the shelter. Zima is already sound asleep (7pm) - Baby Zima - so cute when she is sleeping
Date: 2014-07-30
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Happy Birthday to me!Up & out of camp early this morning. Great view from Mt. Cube! Trail was VERY muddy - more so than Vermont! Got to 25A and it was discouraging to know I still had 10 miles left, but pushed north and got the the hostel around 3pm. Decided to stay the night - esp. because they had a shuttle into town and my cell phone cord decided it wanted to be replaced. I now have a TWELVE foot long cord - only cord the gas station sold!P.S. Zima did NOT carry my pack today - SLACKER. Next summer, I am taking her for a hike on her birthday and I'm going to make her carry a FULL pack.
Date: 2014-07-31
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: clear sky

WE ARE OFFICIALLY IN THE WHITES!!Woo-hoo! Climbed Mt. Moosilauke today - WOW!!! This is my first above treeline hike and the trail was perfect! Cold and rainy at the top, but it felt good to finally be cold while hiking again (I know I'm going to regret that statement in the next couple days) Down the mountain was STEEP Took longer going down than up and Zima's pack was SUPER annoying because it kept sliding over her head.
Date: 2014-08-01
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Cascade Brook
Miles today: 14.8

WOW. The Whites are going to kill me. Took 12.5 hours to hike 14.8 miles! And I didn't take excessively long breaks or anything! Half way up Kinsman I gave up having Zima carry her pack - it's just TOO STEEP. So... now I have an additional 6 lbs. to carry up & down the White Mountains. Camped at Cascade Brook where the bridge is out. I crossed it to check for a better campsite on the other side, Zima wouldn't come with me, so I went back to the south side. Guess we will have to figure out that challenge in the morning (getting Zima across fast moving water)NIGHT 125:A BEAR!!! 3 AM - THE THEORY OF BEARS DON'T BOTHER PEOPLE WITH DOGS IS NOT TRUE!!! A BEAR JUST CAME AND ATE HALF ZIMA'S DOG FOOD (SITTING IN THE VESTIBULE OF OUR TENT) - I WAS FACE TO FACE WITH IT AND GUESS WHAT - YOU CAN'T ACT BIG AND SCARY WHEN YOU ARE LAYING DOWN IN A SLEEPING BAG!!! YIKES. WHAT A NIGHT.
Date: 2014-08-02
From: Cascade Brook

To: Garfield Ridge Shelter/Campsite
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

Saw Chance & Pocket in the morning - they helped me get Zima across Cascade Brook. Also told them the bear story and I was still shaking from adrenaline when I told them about it. Continued further than Franconia Notch (where they went into town) up Liberty Mountain. Steep uphill climb, but morning is okay for the tough stuff. Two miles of trail were above treeline today so that was great! Lots of day hikers up there too... hmm... something tells me there are easier trails that lead up the mountain than the one I am on. The last couple miles to Garfield were tough, esp. late in the day. Did work-for-stay at the campsite so I didn't have to pay $8.
Date: 2014-08-03
From: Garfield Ridge Shelter/Campsite

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

17.4 miles in the Whites! Go us! Stopped at Galehead Hut for water and talked to some families hiking the AT. They are flip flopping a bunch, so we continue to see each other on the trail.Coming down Garfield Mountain - Wow, I didn't think they could make a "hiking" trail that steep. Now I know.South Twin Mountain - steep, but we are starting to expect that now.Pretty easy downhill to Zealand Hut. Lots of people asking me questions about Zima and our thru-hike. Started to look like rain was coming, so I headed out (much better to be walking when it starts raining than stopping for a break and needing to start walking when it is raining) EASY walking to Ethan Campsite and we got there early (weather held out) so we headed down to the notch. Once again, pretty easy downhill. Stealth camping by the bridge - bears have officially made me NERVOUS! Esp. when there are bear "warning" signs at every trailhead now (there were none BEFORE our bear incident)
Date: 2014-08-04
From: Crawford Notch

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

Sleeping Location: "the dungeon" underneath the hut (trailjournals doesn't give me that as a hostel, so I guess I'll count this as a "hostel" ??)An uphill day, but nothing too steep. Mizpah Hut - did work-for-leftovers (yay for free food) Started sprinkling heading up to Lakes of the Clouds but luckily stopped before I reached the top. Stayed in the dungeon, which is their emergency storm shelter (looks kinda like a jail cell) Got free dinner here. Chilly evening, but I was warm in my sleeping bag. Tomorrow we climb Mt. Washington!
Date: 2014-08-05
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Osgood Tentsite
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light rain

Ate pancake breakfast at the hut - yum. Great morning - the sun came out! Hike up to Mt. Washington and had okay visibility at first (got some pictures) before it turned foggy. Charged my phone enough to send Diane (Jackie's sister) a text that we were arriving in Pinkham Notch tomorrow. Spectacular views! I definitely plan to return some day. Hiking from Madison Hut to Osgood tentsite was not fun, once again, very steep & rocky and of course - sprinkling just enough to make everything slippery. It is always such a relief to see the tentsite sign after a long day of walking.
Date: 2014-08-06
From: Osgood Tentsite

To: Pinkham Notch (New Berlin, NH)
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Nero day into Pinkham Notch where Diane came and picked us up. Went to the outfitter, Walmart, restaurant/bar (tried putzin... forgot how to spell that, but it is fries covered with cheese & gravy) Shower, laundry, haircut, went out to dinner, then back to the house and it was already bedtime. Going back there in two nights from Hwy. 2
Date: 2014-08-07
From: Pinkham Notch (New Berlin, NH)

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

Climbed up Wildcat Mountains today - lots of false summits.Down to Carter Notch Hut - once again, afternoon showers/thunderstorm coming inBut... north we went! Up Carter Dome & Mt. Hight, along the ridge and then down to Imp Campsite - AGAIN, Downhill seemed to go on forever and I was just wishing to see that shelter sign! Got in pretty late, just before dark.
Date: 2014-08-08
From: Imp Shelter/Campsite

To: US 2 (New Berlin, NH)
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: haze

Woke up & it was cold & wet so I didn't want to leave my sleeping bag.Eventually got up and picked up trash for 30 minutes or so (work-for-stay to avoid paying the $8 campsite fee) and then headed up Mt. Moriah. Once we hit the summit, it was all downhill from there. Steep at first (slippery, so it took a long time) but then the last 4 miles heading to the highway was smooth walking! EASY trail! Made it to the trailhead by 2pm and Diane was already on her way.Shower - check.Laundry - check.Dinner - check.Walmart - check.Trailjournal - check.
Date: 2014-08-09
From: US 2 (New Berlin, NH)

To: Gentian Pond Shelter/Campsite
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: light rain

Easy-ish day. Could have gone further, but decided to keep with my play of 10 miles each day for the next 3 days to Grafton Notch. Hard to stop just short of reaching the Maine border, but hung out with some very nice SOBO (southbound) hikers at the shelter. First time sleeping in a shelter since Virginia! There was a great view of the lake
Date: 2014-08-10
From: Gentian Pond Shelter/Campsite

To: South end of Mahoosuc Notch
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Was planning to go through the notch, but thunder/rain made us a little hesitant. Stopped & set up camp for the night just before it with Mother Earth, Bagger, and Bear Bag. We shall tackle the hardest/most fun mile of the AT in the morning. Overall, today was a great hiking day - FINALLY reached MAINE!! I used to say "every step is a step closer to Maine" ... Hmm... guess I can't say that anymore - We're here!!!
Date: 2014-08-11
From: South end of Mahoosuc Notch

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 8.2

WOW! Mahoosuc Notch. I've been looking forward to this mile since before my hike! It was fun, challenging, and got a little annoying after 2+ hours. I was glad I got to hike through it with friends (other than Zima of course) because we were able to take pictures and share in the memory of it. It took us 3.5 hours. Zima cried - She didn't want to go into a dark tunnel/cave. Fair enough, instinct tells her that is not smart... so I pretty much dragged her in and once she was in she was okay. Mahoosuc Arm was not that bad hiking UP, but I sure would never want to hike DOWN that mountain! Steep rock face with no good foot holes. Got down to Grafton Notch and met Diane & Joe - They offered to slackpack us tomorrow, so back to their house we went!
Date: 2014-08-12
From: Grafton Notch

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: moderate rain

Slackpacked the Baldpate Range... then decided to keep going up & down Sawyer Notch & Moody Mountain. BAD rain & flooding are in the forecast for tomorrow, so I made an executive decision (poor Zima... her vote never really counts) to hike 20+ miles today and take a zero tomorrow. Thanks Diane & Joe for yet ANOTHER night at their house Also, I may have a new hiking buddy to hike some 4000 footers in the future... Diane & her dog Misty hiked part way up Moody Mountain when they came to pick us up.
Date: 2014-08-14
From: South Arm Road

To: Bemis Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: broken clouds

Late start getting out on the trail and then once we were on the trail, it was VERY FLOODED. We were pretty much hiking in a creek up & down the mountain. Just after Old Blue Mountain, I slipped. Landed IN a mud puddle. And cut my leg... pretty deep, it hurt. Deep enough that it cut the muscle and feels like I have shin splints, but not deep enough to stop me from walking north! But it did mean very slow hiking (and I was nervous to step on slippery logs) and I stopped at the next shelter. Cleaned it up & put Neosporin on it & took some Ibuprofen.