morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-08-03
From: Bemis Mtn. Lean-to

To: Andover
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Started 7:30 today trying to reach the road to Andover by 1pm to catch the shuttle into town. The hike was only 8.4 but seemed slow because of the steep uphill and downhill of Old Blue Mnt. The downhill was treacherous but both Corsican and I made it safely. I did have one scare though. There was a 600 ft. drop on the left side of the trail. The clouds were in low so the forest seemed straight out of a Stephen King novel. I took a step down on a slippery rock right when I heard a snap. My trekking pole had broken it's tip. I then slid down further to the edge of the drop when my pole snaped in two pieces. My right knee was bent all the way backwards, flat on my back, with my head hurting from a rock I had hit. At least I didn't fall over the edge. That would have really hurt! Anyway, I am fine and in Andover waiting for the post office to open tomorrow so I can pick up my mail drop from Deb. Can't wait to get my surprise! Heading out again tomorrow for Gorahm NH. 1 State almost done!
Date: 2003-08-04
From: Andover

To: Andover
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Slack Packed today. For those who do not know what that is, it's just borrowing a day pack and taking only lunch and water with you. You get droped off at one road and picked up at another. This way it saves your legs a little and you get a hot meal, shower, and a bed to sleep in. Probably will do this for another day also. Anyway, slacked North today for a different perspective. The hike was 6 miles up hill but a steady incline made it a wonderfull hike. Next was a monsterous down-hill followed by an awesome up-hill. The down-hill, intense hike with a mental exhuastion that is unequaled by little. Why? Because each step and placement of each trekking pole has to be precise. And when wet, it becomes even more difficult. The wrong placement could end in a broken bone or severe muscle strain. But, if one takes his time, it can be an awesome, heart pounding, and enjoyable experience. Today's was just that including ladders and metal bars places along the way. I wish you all could experience what I am but I guess the journals will have to do for most of you. Take care to all of you and be safe.
Date: 2003-08-05
From: Andover

To: Andover
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: moderate rain

Slacked it again today up a few insignificant hills on our way to Baldpate Mtn. I believe we passed through Dunn Notch, and over Surplus Mtn. to get there. Anyway, the ascent to the East Peak of Baldpate was the climb of the day. Corsican, GBump, RSlick, and a newcomer (Scarecrow) and I ate lunch @ Fry Notch L-2 before we started up the steep slope of Baldpate. Feeling better after lunch, I was determine to make it the 1.8 miles to the summit of East Peak w/o taking a break. Mother Nature had another idea in mind though! With the trail soaking wet from a recent rain and the humidity early in the climb, Scarecrow and I did stop for a short water break. Two minutes later we hit it hard hoping our legs and lungs would hold out. Scarecrow, seeming a little sluggish and not to be feeling his normal self, dropped back just before the tree-line. I pushed on hoping for a quick summit. Climbing up ladders and wet rock faces in the cloudy 20 ft. visability kept me fromseeing my final destination. Still I kept going, pausing briefly only to secure my footing, take a deep breath, or to pray for God to take me then. At last! The summit, but I could not find the sign that identifies the top. After walking in the fog of the clouds for a few minutes I realized that I was a knuckle-head and was not really on the top but in fact I had reached a false summit. Had Mt. Pleasant taught me anything? After my moment of self actualization I realized that I was on the small peak known as Little Baldpate and I had not yet come close to finishing the ascent. I quickly found the trail again and began to rise into the clouds loosing sight of Little Baldpate within 30 ft. I stopped hoping my friends would not make the same mistake I did and gave my familiar yell for them to find me. After a couple of calls Corsican answered back with his call. Relieved I pushed on in the mist of the clouds. As I neared the top, the trail seemed to dissapear and became on big rock slate as steep as it could be without slipping right off. Each step had to be taken carefully using only the flat of my feet. If I were to use the ball of my feet to push off it would result in a slip and fall. Trust me, this was not the area to do that. Grasping for breath as my cardio gave way, I faintly saw the sign to signify the summit of Baldpate. Nearly colapsing, I dropped my pack and sat down for a breather. Shortly after my friends arrived to share the 20 ft. visability view I was enjoying. The blanket of white and the cold wind didn't give us much time for a break so we pushed on towards West Peak. The climb down the saddle was treacherous as I slipped and fell at least 3 times but made it safely through the saddle to the other peak. The next 4.8 miles to Rte. 26 at Grafton Notch was a smoothe descent and waiting for us was a cold glass of lemonade and our shuttle back to Andover.
Date: 2003-08-06
From: Andover

To: Andover
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Yesterday's excursion has gotten us all to take a zero day today. It's supposed to rain for the next week, what a shocker! Anyway we decided a zero day to dry out and relax was in order. Tomorrow, the Mahoosuc Range! The toughest section of the whole AT.
Date: 2003-08-07
From: Andover

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

The pain I'm in cannot be defined. Though a tough hike today I can't get the thought of how fun the Mahoosuc Notch was. But first, the hike to get there was tough with steep rocky ups and downs. A lot of them! By the time I got to the Mohoosuc Arm I was already exhausted. The Arm was a steep rocky slope that took no mercy on the knees. I struggled in agony as I descended but I made it with the excitement of knowing the Notch was next. When I got to the Notch I felt the change of temperature from 80 to 65 immediately. The rocks that lay in front of me were stunning and the thought of climbing them got my heart racing with excitement. Up and down, over and under, through cave after cave I climed. It is only a mile long but lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes and I didn't have to take my pack of once. You see, the Notch is the result of one side of the mountian caving in. House sized boulders filled the notch. Don't know when it happened but it must have been amazing. Anyway, caves and caverns were created over the creek that now lays mostly beneath the rock and is so cold in some areas that ice is present year round. Most hikers who pass through say it is tough but fun and many tell you that you have to take your pack off to get through some of the tighter spots. Loving to climb I certainly had no intention of taking my pack off if I didn't have to. It was hard and a couple of times I thought about it. Corsican even thought I was crazy attempting some of the jumps that I made. But fun was what it was about. And man, did I have fun! Exhausted and hurting after the Notch, I climbed the 1.5 miles to the shelter. What a wonderful day!
Date: 2003-08-08
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Gentian Pond Shelter N.H.
Miles today: 10.0

Yahoo! I'm in another state. Goodbye Maine, hello New Hampshire! Another tough day of ups and downs. Not much to say but it is exhausting. Anyway, I'm feeling good and hanging in there. Saw a moose and her baby in the pond tonight. Took some pics. Hope they come out.
Date: 2003-08-12
From: Gorham

To: South Carter Mtn.
Miles today: 11.5

Another wet day today as Corsican and I ate breakfast at McDonalds and got a quick hitch out to the trail. The hike began like any other hike as we began a slight uphill that would last about 6 miles. But after the first 2 miles I stopped at the shelter waiting for Corsican to arrive. Unusually late, he showed up not looking well at all. With disapointment he began to tell me he was not feeling well. I regreted what I was to hear next. As he told me about his feelings I felt a hollow space inside. He told me he was leaving the trail. Unfortunate as it was, I wasn't quite shure how to handle the bad news. But as he explained why he came to the decision I ratiionalized it and it made perfect sense. Reluctantly, I said goodbye and kept moving on. That's the last I saw of him. Now alone on the trail, I moved on in the rain thinking of my friend and hoping the best for him. Anyway, the rest of the hike was good but wet. I wanted to do 15 that day but my knees were getting tired so I decided to stop on top of South Carter Mtn., a decision I would regret the next day.
Date: 2003-08-13
From: South Carter Mtn.

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: mist

I woke today to the sound of rain again. It was 6am so at 6:05 I went back to sleep. At 7am it was still raining so again I rolled back over. At 8am it had gotten worse with lightning and thunder. If any of you have ever been on top of a Mtn with lightning and thunder you know I was sweating the whole scene pretty badly. But I had to keep going, so I broke camp and prayed for the best. Luckily when I summited The thunder was further away but I didn't feel safe until it had stoped completely. Later on in the day it had began to clear up and I started to see through the clouds. Eventually, the sun came out and it turned out to be a great day. The Wildcat Ridge was a great descent to end the day. Exhausted and hungry I climbed down rock face, jumping from rock to rock, and sliding down impassible slopes. Man, what a blast! Finally, I reached flat ground after about an hour and a half descent and began quicktime to the Visitors Center to end the day.
Date: 2003-08-14
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 8.0

Up @ 6am, got ready for breakfast, and ate hoping to see Rslick and Gbump but they didn't show. So I went back to my room and packed up. I thought that I would yake one more look in the restaurant to see if they were there but they were not. As I turned around to head down the trail, I saw them walking across the road. We talked for a few minutes I took off down the trail hoping that Mt. Madison would not be the death of me. After 5 miles of relatively flat but rocky trail, hit the ascent to Madison or the "Ascent from Hell". It really wasn't that bad but I just didn't have the energy this morning. I think that it was because of the heat. Once above tree-line, the wind cooled things off and my energy was restored. The view helped that as well. It was absolutely amazing. I was floored by the majestic views the Presidentials had to offer. Summiting Madison was a little tricky as the cloud cover moved in and strong wind gusts, close to 60 mph, were reported. And as always, with wind on the mountain tops comes cold weather but I survived and made it to the hut. Good thing I made reservations cause it was full for work for stay. I would have had to climb below the tree line and stealth camped. All went well though. Tomorrow I summit Mt. Washington, the Grandfather of the White Mountains.
Date: 2003-08-15
From: Madison Hut

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

After a good breakfast, I headed up Thunderstorm Junction in cool and cloudy weather, perfect for hiking! Though in the Presidentials this section only calls for hiking 2 of the 5 mtns., Madison and Washington. Since I hiked Madison yesterday, I knew I wanted to hike other peaks but had to wait and see how I would feel. As I hit the base of Mt. Clay, the clouds became intermitent and I began to see a great view of Washington. Since they are renaming Clay to Reagan, after he dies, I thought it would be an excellent reason to hike it. I felt great hiking today. It was as though I had been doing this for years and was in great shape for it. I think it was mostly adrenalene that kept me charged but hiking Clay and Washington was a piece of cake. Even after a two hour break and some chili dogs to die for, I ran the 1 mile down to Lakes of the "Crowds" hut. I'm at the hut now enjoying shelter from the chilly night air. I just returned from watching one of the most beautiful sun sets I've ever seen. I hope the pics I took will come out. Anyway, I'm just deciding on the next part of the trip. It's actually quite liberating not knowing, or caring, where I'll be tomorrow.
Date: 2003-08-16
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Ethan Pond Campsite
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: fog

Today I left the Presidential Range going around Monroe, Over Franklin, around Eisenhower, I smoked a cuban on Mt. Clinton (thanks Joe), and finally over both Jackson and Webster. Met some NOBO's comming down Webster Cliffs who told me about a Trail Angel supplying trail magic in the parking lot. Boy, did I scoot down that Mtn. The trail flattened and I was just short of a sprint the rest of the way. Trail magic can be a great motivator! I found him sitting next to his car in a lawn chair. After some grapes, cookies, Mtn Dew, and some great conversation, I pushed on starting the 3 mile uphill to the campsite. What a great day of hiking!
Date: 2003-08-17
From: Ethan Pond Campsite

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

The first .5 miles were flat. Someone told me it was the longest flat stretch in N.H. and it was awesome. That's the flattest stretch I've seen since day 2. But it didn't come w/o cost, the next 6 miles were uphill. The day seemed to last forever but actually ended @ 3pm doing work for stay tonight at the hut. Should be fun.
Date: 2003-08-18
From: Galehead Hut

To: North Woodstock
Miles today: 15.2

Work for stay was great! We swept the floors and set the tables for diner and breakfast. Kiwi, a New Zeland NOBO, gave a presentation on Thru-hiking to all of the guests. They absolutely loved it. Afterwards they came to talk to all of the thru-hikers asking so many wonderful questions. It really made my day. Some families even offered to send us care packages to our next town. Thank You! After completing our morning chores I hit the trail that would eventually take me over Garfield, Lafayette, Lincoln, Little Haystack, and down Franconia Ridge. I met so many great people along the way I must be truely blessed. I spoke with them as long as I could but had to keep going if I wanted to make town today. Anyway, the weather was great until I hit the top of Lincoln then all hell broke loose. The clouds came in first and then I new something was wrong. The wind kicked up a lot and then I thought I was in for a ride. Next the sky opened up dumping massives amounts of rain on me and the multitude of day hikers on the ridge. I stopped to put my pack cover on and when I looked up, I was all alone. I don't know how it happened or where all the others went 'cause there was nowhere to go but they all disappeared. I just kept going hoping that I would not hear any thunder. Luckily, I made it to the tree-line w/o any problems and scooted down the ridge. After the rain stoped, I rested for a moment and wrung out my socks and emptied my boots before I headed back down the trail. Eventually, I made it to the blue blaze side trail, hiked the 1 mile to the road and hitched into town.
Date: 2003-08-20
From: North Woodstock

To: Rte 112 Kinsman Notch Stealth Camping
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Hitched a ride back to the trail and shortly after I began I found some trail magic, a cooler full of Gator Ade and cookies. Thank You! What a great way to start the day. The climb up Kinsman Mtn went well and seemed to fly by. The descent went aven better. However, going up Wolf Mtn. was different. The map depicts Wolf as 1/3 the size of Kinsman so I thought it would be easy. Wow! I was wrong. It just dragged on and on. By the time I made it to 112 I was so tired and my feet were hurting I could barely move so I made camp and slept well.
Date: 2003-08-21
From: Rte 112 Kinsman Notch Stealth Camping

To: Glencliff
Miles today: 9.5

On the trail by 8am but after yesterday's 17 miler my whole body was sore. The good thing is that after 5 minutes of the steep climb of Mt. Moosalaukie you forget about it. Anyway, the summit was nice and sadly it is my last tree-line summit for the rest of the trip. The rest of the hike was easy as I knew I would catch up with Rslick and Gbump sometime today. After I caught up with them in Glencliff and we spoke for awhile I decided to call it a day.
Date: 2003-08-26
From: Hanover

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

The trail goes for about 2.5 miles through Hanover, N.H. and Norwhich, VT. on the streets. I stopped in Norwhich at a deli and got something to eat and relax as I celebrated another state crossing. Once in the woods, I was happy again to be hitting the trail, except for all of the mosquitos. Today was the 1st time I had to use deet in a couple of weeks. Anyway, trail trail came to some fields high on the mountain so naturally I chose to take an hour nap on one. Had a great view but really enjoyed the power nap.
Date: 2003-08-27
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Look-out Cabin
Miles today: 14.0

My legs are getting used to the longer milage. At the end of the day I feel like I could keep going. Not much else to talk about with today's hike. It went well but the Cabin at the look-out was wonderful. It has a platform on the roof to view the whole area. Very nice! Not as sensational as the White but still remarkable.
Date: 2003-08-28
From: Look-out Cabin

To: Rte 4 Killington
Miles today: 17.5

Met up with another Sobo from awhile ago. She lives in Manchester and offered to Slack Pack us for the next three days. What a generous offer, so we accepted. The excitement of the days hike was highlighted by the thought of a Guiness and lunch at a nearby Irish Pub just at the road. Got there 3 hours early so 3 Guiness and 2 ruebens later I was on my way to Manchester.
Date: 2003-08-29
From: Rte 4 Killington

To: Vt Rte 103
Miles today: 17.4

We were dropped of around 8am with a 17.4 miler ahead of us. Not a bad prospect since I was only carrying 10 pounds or so. What a difference slack packing makes. I used the opportunity to see how fast I could complete the milage and did very well, about a 2.7 pace. Not bad but I wanted to get to 3 mph. I got there 2 hours before Rslick and Gbump so I went swimming in the river. Freezing! So cold but refreshing.
Date: 2003-08-30
From: Vt Rte 103

To: Danby-Langrove Rd
Miles today: 14.6

Slacking again but today was a short day, only 14.5. Short Day! Two months ago I would have died calling this a short day. Anyway, I kept a good pace but knew I would have to wait on the others. This time I went slower than before about 2.4 mph.
Date: 2003-08-31
From: Danby-Langrove Rd

To: Manchester
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was the day I wanted to see if I could do a 3 mph pace. I started out a little slow but got past the annoyance and began to cruise. I started at 8:30 am and the day flew by and so did I but I still took some time for the views. Today I didn't bring a map so I was clueless as to where I was and was shocked to find myself at the Highway, finishing at 2:15. That was a 3.04 mph pace. I can't believe I did it. It was a really good feeling even though I was slack packing.
Date: 2003-09-01
From: Manchester

To: Stealth Camping Near FR 341
Miles today: 15.5

No slack packing today. Woke up @ 8:30 am to rain falling outside. Great to be inside on a day like today. Begrudgingly, I began to crawl out of bed. I really felt like taking a zero day but knew I had better keep going. I went to breakfast in town and got back to finish packing and check-out by 11am. I hitched a ride easily enough and was on the trail by 11:30. With a light mist and a chilly air, I felt a little slow w/ the pack on my back. I still felt good all day as the terrain only got steep going up Stratton Mtn. Caught back up with Rslick and Gbump earlier @ Stratton Pond. Anyway, we finished the day together and stealthed on the south side of Stratton.
Date: 2003-09-02
From: Stealth Camping Near FR 341

To: Melville Nauhiem Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Rain agin today. Something about rain is zapping my enthusiasm to get going in the morning so I lay in bed until 8:30 am. By 9, I had broken camp, ate, and pushed on down the trail. It was about 48 degrees and for the first 10 minutes you wonder if you are ever going to warm up but then you start to sweat and your fine. I felt great all day today but froze every time I stopped to take a break so I just kept moving. When I started today, I had no idea how far I'd be going. I really wanted to see how I felt so when I got to the last shelter 8.5 mile back and ate diner, I knew I could do some more miles. It started to get dark the last 1/2 mile but with my headlamp it was fine. Tomorrow I push into Bennington for my package from Deb. So glad she's helping, I don't know how else I'd get my maps and such.
Date: 2003-09-04
From: Bennington

To: Wilson Clearing Lean-to
Miles today: 21.4

Rain again today. I actually passed a guy on the trail today who was building an arc, don't know what that was about but there were a lot of animals standing in pairs.Anyway, I have named this next hiking section "The NY Death March" because I have to do 23 miles a day to get there by Wed night. Let me back up. I planned to meet some friends who live in Long Island. If things worked out well, I would stay there for the weekend. But as Mr. Murphy (Murphy's Law) would have it, well you know. So I planned the NY Death March to get to LI Thurs. afternoon. So, the day today was good but my feet were hurting a little in the end. I supose I'll get used to it.
Date: 2003-09-05
From: Wilson Clearing Lean-to

To: Kay Wood Lean-to
Miles today: 23.3

Today was a tough one for me as I hiked through Chesire and Dalton. Chesire was a small town, famous for a log of cheese, a Thomas Jefferson thing and Dalton was a little bigger but I didn't get to see much of either as I pushed straight through them.
Date: 2003-09-09
From: Rigi Lean-to

To: Falls Village
Miles today: 13.3

A few day's ago I hurt my shin in a fall and it has been getting progressively worse. Today, I could barely walk without my foot dragging on the ground so I decided I would stop and go into LI today. I will take a few extra days off to recoperate and be back on again Monday 9/15/03.Take care, I'll write more soon.
Date: 2003-09-15
From: Long Island

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 6.2

After catching the bus at the Port Authority bus station I was on my way back to Falls Village to continue my journey. I had a great time visiting with friends but I began longing for the trail. I couldn't wait to get back on so after a quick lunch at the diner where I got off the bus, I was back on the trail again. I felt a little pain in the leg from the start but nothing too serious. Afew hours later it began to swell but I pushed on to the shelter. It was a short day so I didn't expect much. I did run into Meandor and Sage, nice to see trail friends again. Though they are way ahead of me and the only reason I saw them was they were making up a section they missed, I know I will see them again.
Date: 2003-09-16
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0

Raining again this morning when I woke at 7:00 am so.. I just lay there longer. About 9:30 am I got up to a beautiful day. The sun was shining and it was somewhat cool out. Anyway, I took my time today knowing that 10 miles was all the further I was going. It was a great day but mello as I hiked a 2 mph pace. The leg is sore but the pain is bearable. At the end of the 10 miles, I was happy, I couldn't take much more of the leg. For now, I will keep this pace and hopefully my leg will heal. If not, I will take a break and then get back on later. The only problem is that I miss my friends. I do see new people but can't make friends because of my slow pace so people just keep passing me. Anyway, no problems. At least I'll have seen them before when I catch back up.