morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-16
From: Story Soring shelter

To:  Manchester, Vt
Miles today: 21.1

Up and out before 700am. Probably won't see Jack and Nevada again because they're only planning a 15 mile day. It was a long climb up to Stratton Mtn. It was foggy so there wasn't much to look at. There was a tower we could climb up to the top but there wasn't a view so we didn't. We hiked down the Mtn to Stratton pond and had a snack break. It was a nice view and we took pictures of each other in front of it. While I was eating I swore I saw the lochness monster swimming towards us. My camera wouldn't take a picture of it because Its a mythical creature. If I would have know that was one of it limitation I wouldn't of bought it. Darn you Best Buy. I know your all saying "you got a picture of the gnomes". Well my friends gnomes are real and don't you ever forget it. We stopped at the next shelter for lunch. I had pepperoni and cheese crackers. They're good but not that filling. After lunch we headed for the next shelter. On the way we came across a bird protecting its nest. It was freaking out and it scared us pretty bad. We keep hiking and all of a sudden I saw it flying towards me so I jump behind a tree, but it was only bluffing. I was thinking about skewering it and have it for dinner. A little ways up the trail TB saw a snake in the middle of the trail. This is the second one in two days. The first one he almost stepped on and it struck his hiking pole. You should have saw him, it look like he was dancing the jig. Anyway we pushed him off the trail and hit the next shelter. We were suppose to stay at Spruce Peak shelter but it was 200pm and Manchester was only 2.5 miles away plus there was some creepy guy staying there. TB said he stayed with him before he got off the trail in Dalton and he said he creeped him out then. So we kept hiking into town.We got a hitch in about 5 minutes. He was nice enough to take us on a tour of the town and dropped us off at the Outfitter. I bought some heavy duty bug spray and some seam sealer for my tent. Then we walked out to the grocery store and resupplied. I bought way to much because the last 3 day I didn't have enough and was starving. My pack is so heavy for having only 2 day of food. I guess I'll eat well. So we sat in front of the store and ate some fruit we bought. The locals told us about a cheap place to stay right in town called Sutton's Place. Its like a hostel but nicer. We get there and the owner shows us around and then takes off to do errands. We got ready for dinner and while TB was in the shower I hear a knock at the door so I go answer it. Its Jack, a hiker we stayed with the last couple of nights. He decided this is better than a shelter. So after my shower were all ready to go to dinner when another knock at the door. It Nevada, he said he was really creeped out by the guy at the last shelter and he didnt want to stay there.TB, Jack and I went to the pizza house and got a 16" pizza each and a drink for under 10 dollars. We all finished, are you suprised. After that we did laundry then went back to the hostel and ate Ben and Jerry's ice cream while watching "Dirty Job".
Date: 2008-06-17
From:  Manchester, Vt

To: Little Rock Pond shelter
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: few clouds

Couldn't get up this morning. It was to nice sleeping in the bed. We rolled out of bed at 630am. Packed up, said our goodbyes and went to breakfast. We went to McDonalds on the way out. I had a McSkillet burrito with coffee and sweet tea. It didn't take long to hitch out of town and we were on the trail but 800am. It was a climb up to the shelter and Bromely Mtn. Not much to see due to the fog. We made up to Peru Peak shelter by noon and had lunch. Today I'm having everything bagel with peanut butter and honey. It was starting to get cold so we rushed lunch and got back on the trail. The terrain was easy and we on took a break once after lunch. Just before the shelter we are staying at we saw a bunch of kids hiking south. I think they were with a school group. On of the girls took our picture while we were hiking towards them. I guess she never saw a thru hiker before. When we got to Little Rock Pond shelter we debated on whether or not to push on 4 miles. We decided to stay because we were unsure of what the weather might do. I made a fire to pass the time and ate alot of food. We are the only two in the shelter tonight. I think it might be this way for awhile. Time for bed its getting dark. Oh by the way, my feet are feeling good. The best they've felt the whole trip.
Date: 2008-06-18
From: Little Rock Pond shelter

To: Cooper lodge shelter
Miles today: 23.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Temp: colder than I wantI woke up at a quarter till 5 and it was cold so I stayed in bed until a quarter after 6. Lazy I know. It gets better. We ate our pop tarts in our sleeping bags. Thats breakfast in bed. Even after all that we still made it on the trail by 700am. The first half of the day was fairly easy, I just had it on auto-pilot. We are doing a resupply tomorrow so we are trying to kill our food today. (finish it not actually kill our food) Bagels with peanutbutter and honey for lunch. The biggest climb of the day was Killington. The trail was messed up because of blow down trees so it was hard to navigate. Besides that it was a 2000 foot climb in 4 miles. We got to the shelter just before 530pm. I checked out the water situation and it was rough. A pool of water that didn't look to be flowing and a lot of floaties on top. Well it this or hike another 4.5 miles. I guess I'll deal with it. I ate as much food as I could for dinner so I'll have a light pack tomorrow. We're doing an in and out at Rutland with hopes of doing a 20 mile day, we'll see. The shelter isn't too bad. One of the bunks is broken and slanting really bad. I won't be sleeping there. Being so high up its probably going to be cold up here. I'm glad I have my winter bag.
Date: 2008-06-19
From: Cooper lodge shelter

To: Stony Brook shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

Temp:cold in the a.m. but warmed upI forgot to mention yesterday that there were some strange rock formations in the middle of the woods. I took pictures of them but they definitely are extraterrestrial. It was a tough night the bunk was a little to short for me and my feet hung off the end. It was so so hard to get up this morning. It was so cold you could see your breath. We were able to make it out on the trail by a little after 700am and thats all that matters. It was 6 miles to the road to Rutland and we made it there in good time. It took us 30 minute to hitch into Rutland and that was just the outskirts. We walk the rest of the way to the grocery and resupplied. Then went to an AYCE chinese buffet. It was good and we didn't eat so much that we would regret it later on the trail. I mailed some food ahead because one of the town doesn't have a grocery store. I left the post office, walked two blocks and realized I forgot my thru hiker companion. When I went back to get it they had already sealed it in an envelop to send to the same place as my package. So hats off to the Rutland post office for being so nice. It took another 30 minutes to hitch back to the trail. Rutland is a nice place but people just wouldn't pick up dirty smelly hikers. I don't know why. We got a ride back to the trail by 230 pm and pushed for a shelter 10 miles away. The hike to the shelter had one really big climb. I was dripping sweat before I even got half way to the top. But we made it to the shelter and I will probably forget about the climb tomorrow, but for tonight it still fresh in my mind. There was a good water source. I did some freshening up there. Dinner was good, same stuff different day. Two hikers in with us tonight. One section hiker and his dad's hiking with him for a few days. Nice big shelter today so my feet won't be hanging off tonight.
Date: 2008-06-20
From: Stony Brook shelter

To: Thistle hill shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: broken clouds

Temp: not to hot not to coldUp at 600am. I'm still not getting up as early as I would like. We busted out a few miles and took a break at a private shelter about tenth of the trail. I'm sure it would have had a nice view if it wasn't so hazy. We spent about 45 minutes there and headed out. I got to lead today so I pushed really hard to see if T Bear could keep up. He did a pretty good job but I did have a few minutes on him before I held up. We pushed a 3.5 mph pace for 2 hours. We couldn't find a good place to have lunch so we just stopped in the middle of the trail and started eating. After lunch T Bear called a friend of a friend that lives in Hanover. The offered to put us up for the night so all we have to do is get to Hanover. So its 7 mile to the next shelter and on the way, just before the Woodstock stage road, we came across "Trail Magic". There were cold sodas and little debbie snacks. T Bear and I both had a coke and oatmeal creme pie. This was just after lunch but we couldn't pass it up. We signed the registry and took off. There were some hard climbs but we kept a good pace. My thru hiker companion has gotten worse about putting in roads and mtns in between shelter. I guess a lot of thru hikers don't make it this far so they don't have to worry about putting much detail. We passed 7 hikers coming up the hill and they all said the were staying at the Thistle hill shelter. So we pushed on and made it to the shelter at 400pm. The next wave didn't make it until 530pm. When We went down for water there was a PBR sitting there under the water fall. We decided to share that when We got back to the shelter. I made a fire to keep the bugs away and get warm. Dinner was good, T Bear gave me some cheese to put in my rice and it made it taste so much better. The other hikers stopped at a farmers market and picked up some chicken and sausages. Needless to say they are eating well tonight.Hanover tomorrow. I can't wait.
Date: 2008-06-22
From: Hanover, NH

To: Moose Mtn shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: thunderstorm with heavy rain

I had a good nights sleep in a real bed. We got up at 700am and The Kinlaw's cooked breakfast. We talked with Mr. Kinlaw about some of his favorite places in The Whites over breakfast. After breakfast we gathered up our gear and the Kinlaw's took us back to the trail. Instead of going back to Hanover, they said the trail crossed a road close to the house so we had them drop us off there. We thanked them again for everthing and headed up the hill. Just before we got to the first shelter we heard thunder, then came the rain so we high tailed it to the shelter and made it before the worst of it. We decided to wait out the rain at the shelter. After an hour and a half we were starting to think this might be the shelter we're staying at so we busted out the junk food I got in my mail drop and ate ourself sick. We had cookies, Oreo cakesters, twizzlers, swedish fish, and fritos with cheese. I wish I could eat like that everday but that stuff is heavy. Two hour of still waiting out the rain a hiker named Dee showed up soaking wet. She said we had a good idea waiting the rain out. We talked to her for awhile and found out she is a 4th grade teacher in Mississippi. A little while late some thru hiker, Dynamite and Bigfoot, came by. This is the first time meeting them but have read there entries in the trail logs. They were just stopping for a break then heading to the next shelter. We'll probably see them again. By this time we made up our minds that we weren't hiking any more today and went to get water. Around 5pm three hikers came by. One of them was a thru hiker, Spruce is his name, I met down in Harpers Ferry. He was now hiking with two guys. He had met Vortex in New York were he started his section and Yep was an old hiking friend. It was good to catch up and hear about some of the hikers behind us. They planned on staying at the next shelter so the left after getting water. Shortly after they left two hikers came in to the shelter. It was Tinkerbell and the first southbounder we have seen. Tinkerbell got dropped of north on the trail and is hiking back south to Hanover to met with her boyfriend on the 24th. We sat around the rest of the night just talking about hiking and different parts of the trail. The southbounder didn't have a trail name so we came up with one. Some how the movie Flash Dance came up and the southbounder knew a lot about the movie so we named him Flash Dance. It was fun to sit in the shelter today and hiker watch. We were glad we stayed but tomorrow we have to get serious and hike event if its raining.
Date: 2008-06-23
From: Moose Mtn shelter

To:  Hexacube shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: light rain

I forgot to mention yesterday that I had two ticks on my leg. They weren't deer ticks but they were some big suckers. I used tweezers to pull them off and did exactly what The Doctor told me to do, "Grab them by the mouth so they don't get infection from them." Good advice from The Doctor, it worked. We didn't get up early today. Its starting to be a habit with us. Breakfast in bed today, it wasn't that cold but its still nice to eat in bed. We made it out of camp before everyone else and one was still sleeping. I took pictures of all the sleepy hikers and we were off. We made it up to holts Ledge and it started rain. It was only a little over a half a mile to the shelter so we didn't bother putting on rain gear. It came down so hard that by the time we made it to the shelter we were soaked. I had to wring out my shirt I was so wet. Spruce, Yep, and Vortex were still in bed when we got there. They were waiting for the rain to stop before they got up. We had a snack break there and played a game with the other guys. The game is, your suppose to make a story by each person adding a word. I would have to say our story didn't make much sense. After the game we pressed on leaving them in bed. It was a hard climb up Smart Mtn. All the rocks were slippy from the rain, but we made it to the top without casualties. We took a lunch break at the top. Spruce came by and sat with us for awhile then headed off. We left at 200pm and headed for our final destination, Hexacube shelter. At the brook before the shelter we stopped to get water. Put some drink mix in my water for some flavor. While we drinking our water Vortex came by and talk to use for a bit. I had my pack propped us on a ledge and it started to fall. Vortex went to grab it at the same time I did but I had my drink mix water bottle in my hand and spilt it all over his arm. I said I was sorry and he just licked it off his arm and said "Thanks mate", which is weird because he is British and I thought he would have said thanks chap. At Hexacube shelter Spruce and company were there trying to figure out where they wanted to go. Yep wanted nachos, so they were looking for a road to take them to nachos. Those guys are a riot and it fun just to hear them argue with each other. So they left still not knowing where they were going. We on the other hand knew we were staying here. We built a fire made dinner and listen to the radio. I cooked dinner in my pot for the first time. I used to cook in a ziplock bowl but I'm thinking of getting rid of it because I need a little more space in my pack. The dinner came out really good and Toddy Bear gave me some Seriously Sharp cheese to put in it. I would have to say that made the meal. I'll have to get some cheese to put in all my dinners. Clean up was messy but I can live with it. Well off to bed. I didn't find any ticks so I'm good to go.
Date: 2008-06-24
From: Hexacube shelter 

To: Jeffers Brook shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Temp: Hail todayIt was nice and warm in the shelter. Breakfast in bed again. Out and on the trail by 700am. We had a good climb up Mt. Cube. It had a brief view then the fog rolled back in. I had cell service so I call The Doctor to see what she was up to. She switched days off and she was home today. After a little break we went to the next shelter for water. There was a group of boy scouts there. As soon as we got into camp the boys bombarded us with questions. Thankfully the scout leader told them to leave us along because we needed to get moving. We pressed on to Mt Mist for lunch. We couldn't find any good seats so we walked down the trail and sat on some logs. We had to cut our lunch short because we heard thunder and not long after that it started to hail. I had just enough time to put on the pack cover and rain jacket. It rained heavy for awhile but quit before we got to the road into Glencliff. The Post Office was only 5 tenths down the road so we just walked. When we got there we realized the the P.O. was someones converted house. Talk about living at the Post Office, this guy does. I got my two boxes and sat outside loading into the pack. One box was 5 days of food I sent ahead since the isn't a grocery store in Glencliff. The other box The Doctor set my cold weather clothes and some hot chocolate to keep warm in The Whites. Toddy Bear got food from home and he had a lot. He is probably pushing close to a 15 pound food bag. While we were sitting outside the Post Office, Spruce and Vortex came by to drop off a package, they told us to go over to the hostel, have a soda and hang out. We hung out there for about 2 hours. I looked through the hiker box for string to put on my gaiters (I found some). The owner of the hostel wanted us to stay but we are saving our money to buy food in The Whites. The shelter was only a mile up the trail so it didn't make sense to stay. We got to the shelter and it was buggy so we built a fire. Dinner was good because that one less thing I have to carry. There was a good water source and the Privy was half built but it did have a heart shaped toilet seat. It looks like Toddy Bear and I have the shelter to ourselves tonight. Think of sleep because we have a big day up Mt Moosilauke tomorrow. I found a tick just before I cooked dinner. I really don't like ticks.
Date: 2008-06-25
From: Jeffers Brook shelter

To: Eliza Brook shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

It got hot in the middle of the night. I was sweating and had to get out of my sleeping bag. In the morning it was chilly or at least I thought it was. When I finally got out to go #1 it really wasn't that cold but we still had breakfast in bed. We were out by 700am and when I put on my pack I don't remember it being that heavy yesterday. The climb up Mt Moosilauke was long to say the least. The farther we got up in elevation the colder and more windy it got. We stopped just before the tree line to have a snack break and see if we had cell service. We did and I called The Doctor to see how she was doing. Before I headed off I put on a long sleeve shirt because i know I was going to be cold. As soon as we got above tree line the wind was blowing at 20 to 30 mph and it was cold. The view was awesome and I was glad it was a sunny. We met a hiker named Hillwalker. He took T Bear and I's pictures. It was nice to get moving and off the Mtn just to get warmed up. We were slow moving today. On the way down the Mtn Toddy Bear slipped and broke the lower half of his trekking pole. He was a little upset but continued to hike with one pole. We made it down the Mtn and to the road. Thats were we had lunch. Peanutbutter and granola bars with a side of beef jerky. I know your jealous. After lunch we climbed. I think this will be a recurring thing. This next section to the shelter was the worst maintained part of the whole AT thus far. It was mostly swamp with rock climbs in between. How I managed to keep my shoes relatively dry I do not know. There were some Maintainers out so at least there trying to better the trail. We were happy to see the shelter. There were two hikers there, POZ and Duck. First thing I put on bug spray. Then got water and washed up. Ate dinner and a snickers for dessert. Glad to be in the sleeping bag and ready for sleep.Thank you Maintainers for fixing the trail for future hikers. I know they will appreciate it. After thought, T Bear found a tick on him today. Hard to escape those little buggers.
Date: 2008-06-26
From: Eliza Brook shelter

To: North Woodstock, Nh
Miles today: 8.8

Huts in The Whites: They are run by the AMC. You can pay 80-90 dollars to stay or you can do work for stays. This includes dinner and breakfast. You sleep in a bunk room, definitely not a 5 star hotel. You can buy pastries and an enddless bowl of soup for lunch.Breakfast in bed. I find it hard to cook oatmeal while still in the sleeping bag but definitely worth it. We climbed up to North and South Kinsman. It had some wonderful views. I think most of the peaks in The Whites are going to have beautiful views. We hiked down to Lonesome Hut. They gave us leftover ham from breakfast and we bought soup. We put pieces of the ham in the corn chowder soup. The women in charge said Jennifer Connelly stayed here but she didn't say when. Two southbounders that did work for stay yesterday, gave us there salad that they couldn't finish. Thanks SOBO's the salad was good. After we ate as much soup as we could, we hiked off down the mountain to Route 3. We decided since its starting to rain ,and we did eat all that food, That we would try to hitch into town. We got a ride within 10 minutes and was dropped off at The Carriage Inn. We got and room then walked over to the laundry and throw in some clothes. Then we walked over to the deli and got sandwiches so we could watch our clothes dry while we eat. We went back to the room and watched TV, a little more fun than watching clothes dry. At 5pm we went to dinner at a Greek/Italian/American restaurant. I got the Lasagna and T Bear got Meat Loaf. After dinner we watch some Scrubs and channel surfed the rest of the night. After this there is no more slacking. We have to get back on schedule and we'll never do it slacking.