morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-07-01
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Green Mt Hostel, ManchesterCenter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: few clouds

What a day!  It was another early morning start to beat the heat and to get to town (Manchester, VT) as early as possible.  I hiked with the Dutchman again, most of the day, and really enjoyed being in Vermont.  The terrain was very pleasant and at the end of the day I didn't feel like we'd done a twenty plus day at all.  My original plan was to stay at Bromley Sun Lodge (that's where my resupply box was) but my friend Smooth said I should stay at the Green Mountain Hostel.  The problem was the two places are in two different towns.  I shouldn't have worried because when the Dutchman and I got to the road, and walked to a nearby parking lot, some day hikers were there and when they heard of my dilemma one offered to take me to Bromley to get my box.  When I got there  I found not only my resupply box, but mail from so many supportive friends!  Thanks Kay, Lee, Rupa & Alec and Gina!  When I got back to the parking lot, there was still the problem of getting to Manchester, but another local guy who'd just dropped his girlfriend and her dog off to do The Long Trail gave us a ride into the other town.  Incredible that I was able to hitchhike to two different towns so quickly and so easily. Vermont has a good dose of southern hospitality, but then this is 'southern' Vermont.  Sit-a-Bit caught up to us and we got  pizza, Ben & Jerry's and resupplied.  Then hostel owner Jeff picked us up and I realized why everyone says this place is amazing.  It's hard to describe, but it is clean, homey and has everything a hiker could possibly need..... Definitely a hiker haven.  If hostels were movies Green Mountain would be an Academy Award nominee. The other cool thing was discovering some friends  at the hostel that I hadn't seen in a while....BlueFox, (who makes me laugh) Switchback & SID and a kid I've been wanting to meet named Scout.  It was a really great day.
Date: 2012-07-02
From: Green Mt Hostel, ManchesterCenter

To: Little Rock Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept in...til 5:00 and found Sit-a-Bit in the kitchen making coffee.  He'd made the decision to zero, so it looked like the Dutchman and I would be the only ones hitting the trail early.  Sit not only made coffee but also made eggs for egg sandwiches.  It was a good morning, but I was sad to say good-bye to Sit.  We got on the trail around 6:30, and it was extremely foggy, but after a few miles the sun peeked through and we found ourselves hiking up a ski slope(Bromley).  I thought it was totally cool that we're in Vermont and the AT skirts right by a chair lift and up and over a ski mountain.  We came down the mountain and found ourselves in a bog, but that was pretty neat because there were floating bridges that I  jumped across to ford the bog.  I was glad to be wearing Tevas.  The end of the hike brought us to a beautiful pond and a brand new shelter.  It's one of the nicest I've stayed in.  There's actually a caretaker here  so it costs $5 to stay, but I didn't mind paying since it's so nice.  It was the caretaker, JP's, first day on the job, and he shared greens and feta cheese with us.  A family of section hikers, from NY, built  a fire and roasted hotdogs and gave me, Dutchman and Scout one.  Switchback and SID showed up so we had a total of five thru hikers but a whole camp full of section hikers.  A father (100 percent) and his special needs son (Slow and Steady) stayed  with us in the shelter and were just precious.  They roasted marshmallows over the flame of their alcohol stove.  The temps were perfect today and we are in sleeping bags tonight....not liners.  It should be great temps for sleeping!
Date: 2012-07-03
From: Little Rock Pond Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge Shelter
Miles today: 26.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I am so thankful to be hiking north.  It sounds like the south is suffering from an oppressive heat wave.  The Dutchman and I headed out early, because we'd decided to do a big day.  Storms are supposed to come through tonight with a 50% chance of rain tomorrow, so we wanted to get up and over Mt Killington today.  It was a great morning with a beautiful view at White Rocks and a detour on VT 103 to get burgers and ice cream at a place called the Whistle Stop.  We had another detour, after lunch; road walking around a section of the trail that was closed because of damage from Hurricane Irene last year.  I was thankful all over again for the great weather the class of 2012 has had.  The last climb of the day was tough.  Not because of the elevation gain, but because of the rough terrain.  It was great to get to the shelter.  Amazingly enough, we had a female dominated shelter....me,  Olive Oil (a Long Trail hiker) and Hamburger Hill (a section hiker from Oregon)  The Dutchman was the only guy! .....it was very, very quiet. I almost missed all the snoring. PS: We are 498 miles from Kahtahdin! Less than 500 miles to go!
Date: 2012-07-04
From: Cooper Lodge Shelter

To: Mt Meadows Lodge, Killington,VT
Miles today: 8.8

Slept late because it rained in the  night and was still raining when I woke up at 5:00.  We decided to do a short day because of the rain and because it was the fourth.  Also, the trail was going right by a place we just couldn't pass up; Mt Meadows Lodge.  When we got to the lodge, around 12:00, I was pleased we'd made that decision.  Bill, the owner, was great and gave us a quick tour.  He said we were welcome to use the pool; which we did....and also informed us there was a Fourth of July picnic, a few miles away at the city park, where we could get tons of food.  Bill's son and daughter gave us a ride there, after we cleaned up, and we walked up to a perfect scene of Americana.  The local fire department was barbecuing.  The city pool was open (free to everyone) and they were having a "who can make the biggest splash" contest.  My vote went to the four year old who jumped off the diving board and did a cannon ball.  We got a plate of food for $5 and once that craving was satisfied caught a ride to the local outfitters to do a bit of resupply.  I mentioned that the fourth of July scene was pure Americana....which it was.... however, the couple at the table we picnicked with were  from Argentina, and the guy who gave us a ride to the outfitters was originally from Austria.  It was only a quarter mile from the outdoor store back to the lodge, so we walked then spent a relaxing afternoon catching up on emails and contacting family.  This time of  year the lodge hosts lots of weddings, on the weekends, so when we asked about dinner options, Bill said he could fix us some wedding leftovers.  Well, that turned out to be a feast...salad, chicken breast with cranberry stuffing, asparagus, sweet potatoes and raspberry shortcake for dessert.  Happy birthday America!  A storm blew up, right at nightfall, so it looked like there wouldn't be any fireworks, but as soon as the rain stopped the light show began.  What a perfect ending to a near perfect day.
Date: 2012-07-05
From: Mt Meadows Lodge, Killington,VT

To: Winturri Shelter
Miles today: 14.9

Today was my latest start to get on the trail....9:00.  The Dutchman and I stayed for breakfast at the lodge, which was fabulous, then hit the trail.  It was a beautiful morning.  There were a few climbs....one view (the Lookout)....and I found myself at the shelter by 3:00.  We debated pushing on, but the next shelter was ten miles away so we stopped.  Two section hikers were already there...Fox and Decent Cook...and after a while Kdoe and Dr. Dave showed up.  It was a pretty low key night cause everyone plans to get up early in the morning to put in big miles tomorrow.  However, we didn't go to bed until it got dark enough to  light the sparklers we found in the hiker box for a belated Fourth of July salute.
Date: 2012-07-06
From: Winturri Shelter

To: Norwich, VT
Miles today: 24.8

Up at 4:00 and packed by 5:00 to try and beat the heat.  The days are already getting shorter, so I had to hike by headlamp the first fifteen minutes.  However, one advantage to leaving at dusk was I saw a fox!  I knew today would be my last full day to hike in Vermont, so I tried to be conscious of noticing the beauty of the Green Mts.  Vermont certainly left me with a great 'last' impression. It was a warm day with a few moderate climbs but the terrain was mostly pine needles or loamy ground.  We walked through pastures, then climbed up to beautiful views. We even went through a grove of maple trees that were being tapped to make syrup. Only in Vermont!  My favorite days are the ones where you hike half of the day and then the trail passes by a store or deli.  That happened today when we passed the 'Full Belly Deli'.  The timing was perfect because it was getting hot and I needed to hydrate.  After achieving 'full bellies', the Dutchman and I pushed on to Norwich.  The trail spills out into a neighborhood there and eventually winds it's way to main street.  We passed a number of houses that had coolers in the yard that said 'trail magic'.  Nothing tastes better than carbonated beverages so I got two more chances to hydrate, compliments of some kind residents in Norwich.  We ended up staying in an Inn that was built as a stagecoach Inn in 1791 and was supposedly the inspiration for the "Newhart" show.  I'm not exactly roughing it, tonight, but I feel like this is the calm before the storm.....on to the Whites!
Date: 2012-07-07
From: Norwich, VT

To: Norwich, VT
Miles today: 0.0

Got up but didn't feel very motivated when the Dutchman checked the weather.  The day called for rain and we decided to dodge a possible storm and rest for a day to prepare for the Whites.  It's pretty obvious that it would be almost impossible to find a better place to zero, so we made the decision to spend one more day in Vermont.  It ended up being a good choice for me to carb load, call my family, soak in the tub and watch TV.  I got to watch the women's finals of Wimbledon and one stage of the Tour de France.  You can't get much better than that, unless of course you add an air conditioned room and a bed with a real down comforter and high thread count cotton sheets. the soap smells so good here, if you put it in a shelter, someone would surely eat it.  It was a 'splurging' zero but much appreciated.  It's funny though.  No matter how much I enjoyed being off the trail, I always start to get homesick after about twenty-four hours, and I quickly realize it's time to push north. This pic was made when the Dutchman and I walked a mile from Norwich into Hanover for dinner.
Date: 2012-07-08
From: Norwich, VT

To: Trapper John shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up and checked out by 6:30 with the plan to get breakfast in Hanover.  It felt strange but good to only walk a mile, cross the Connecticut River and be in a new state; New Hampshire.  Breakfast was delicious at a place called the Dirt Cowboy where they individually brew each cup of coffee.  After breakfast it was really cool walking by Dartmouth College.  Eventually, we found ourselves back in the woods and enjoyed a very pleasant first day in NH.  The day ended at Trapper John shelter, and what a happy ending it turned out to be.  We had just settled in when a father/daughter showed up (former thru hiker Pooh and 7 year old Baby Blue). They had packed in trail magic that was almost unbelievable.  There were McDonald double cheese burgers and chicken sandwiches, fries, beer and Gatorade and even homemade cookies and a half gallon of milk.  We couldn't believe our eyes. The thru hikers here were me, the Dutchman, Kdoe and Dr Dave.  We also had section hikers Cool Breeze, Haystack, .Com and Queen.  To top the night off, it was cool enough for the Dutchman to build a fire.  New Hampshire is off to a flying start!
Date: 2012-07-09
From: Trapper John shelter

To: Ore Hill campsite
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: scattered clouds

We got a later start because the temps were supposed to be moderate and we went to bed fairly late by hiker standards....9:00ish....after the excitement of our unexpected trail magic.  Kdoe got up with me and the Dutchman and we headed out together.  We had two climbs- Smarts Mt and Cube Mt and it felt like we were just warming up for Moosilauke....which I guess in a way we were.  Throughout the day we met more and more southbounders with the most noteworthy being Aqua;, the first female going from ME to GA that we've seen.  Every southbounder,  so far has been in their twenties.  Our final destination today was Ore Hill shelter which happens to be shelter less....the shelter burned down last year, so I'm in my tent for the third time of the entire trip.  I was glad I remembered how to set it up especially before entering the Whites where I might have to use the tent platforms provided.  We had a number of section hikers show up and a cool guy named BoBo gave me 5 eye hooks I can use on the tent platforms.  It was a quiet night with most of us in our tents by 8:30.
Date: 2012-07-10
From: Ore Hill campsite

To: NH 112 Kinsman notch
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: few clouds

What a day!  Me, the Dutchman and Kdoe left around 5:10 because I had a resupply box at the post office in Glencliff, NH and the morning PO hours were 7:00-10:00.  We got there way before 10:00, and I felt so popular as the post master stacked up the mail and boxes friends and family had sent.  Thanks again to Rupa and Alec, Kay, Lee and Gina! A real perk, resulting from hiking to Glencliff, was discovering a Hiker Hostel across the street where we could get pizza, soda and lots of great info from the caretaker there.  He knew a lot about the Whites so we soaked up everything he had to say.  I felt better about what lay in store after talking to him.  We'd done 7 miles and the plan was to do 7 more but after climbing Mt. Moosilauke (our first 4,000 footer in the Whites) we felt great and decided to keep hiking.  We descended the mountain and decided to look for a stealth campsite when we noticed a sign that said trail magic.  Former thru hiker, Rock Dancer, treated us to a cooler full of drinks, fruit, pita bread,  hummus, chips and even donuts.  He was a really interesting guy and certainly represented the state of NH well.  While we talked to him, day hikers, from the local area, walked up and said, "anyone need a ride into town?". We looked at each other and made the group decision to check out the town of N Woodstock. We found a hiker friendly hotel, called the Carriage Hotel, and were cleaned up and laundry done in time for Woodstock Inn's happy hour.  Supposedly, this really is the last accessible town until we get to ME, but we'll see....PS:  Less than 400 miles to go!
Date: 2012-07-11
From: NH 112 Kinsman notch

To: Lonesome Lake Hut
Miles today: 13.3

Got a late start for us (8:00) but we wanted a hot breakfast.  The day started with a shuttle ride back to the trail and then a climb, but it was moderate compared to the one we would do later in the day to the top of Mt Kinsman.  NH continues to amaze me with it's beauty.  You have to work hard to get to the top of a mountain but then you're rewarded with incredible views.  Kdoe and I hiked together most of the day and it was cool to have someone to exclaim with.  We had a number of plans of where to stay for the night, but the major one was to try to stay at the first of the Huts we came to; Lonesome Lake.  The Huts are destination sites for lots of section hikers who pay a fee, and are provided dinner, breakfast  and a place to sleep. Traditionally, in the White Mt.'s, if you arrive at a Hut in the afternoon, the caretakers will allow two thru hikers a work for stay incentive:  free leftover food and a place to sleep in the dining hall....and sometimes if they're not too crowded they'll accept more than two.  We arrived at the Hut too early (3:00) so we killed time by the lake until 4:00;  the time we'd been advised to approach the Hut.  I talked to the young man in charge (Jeff) and he agreed to allow all three of us to stay.  There ended up being only one guest (Don, a lifetime AMC member) and we enjoyed visiting with him.  The crew of five young people in charge ended up being outstanding too.  Our 'work' for stay consisted of helping the crew with set design for a skit they'll do in a week or so in competition with other Hut crews.  We got hamburgers, potato salad, garden salad and soup for dinner...peach pie for dessert.  Our first Hut experience has set the bar very high!  I think we might try to hike to another one tomorrow
Date: 2012-07-12
From: Lonesome Lake Hut

To: Stealth camp
Miles today: 16.1

We got another late start, but got word that if we stuck around, after the guests had been fed breakfast, we might get leftovers.  The word leftover doesn't do justice to the huge bowl of oatmeal and stack of pancakes we got, not to mention two cups of real, old fashioned percolated coffee.  We hit the trail determined to make it to another Hut.  It was another major day of climbing but the weather was beautiful and today's climb took us to Franconian's Ridge. We hiked above tree line for miles and the views were breathtaking!  We summited Lincoln and Garfield; our first two Presidentials and arrived at Galehead Hut promptly at 4:00.  Things didn't go as smoothly this time because three south bounders had arrived at 3:30 and they'd already been offered the work for stay.  We quickly reverted to plan B and discovered a stealth camp close to the Hut and pitched our tents.  The caretakers were sorry to turn us away, so they gave us a bowl of potato soup before we left.  The great thing about being close to the Hut is they don't mind us using their water so finding a water source isn't an issue.  I didn't mind tenting because this is my first time to stealth camp and I want to experience everything out here.  However, I think we might try to hit another Hut tomorrow, but we'll plan to be there by 3:30!
Date: 2012-07-13
From: Stealth camp

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Packed up and on the trail early because we'd decided to try to do our first 20 mile day in the Whites.  We knew we would have to climb South Twin Mt, right off the start, but after that the terrain seemed fairly smooth.  We made good time and made it to Zealand Falls Hut in record time.  Zealand  is another beautiful hut built right beside a water fall.  They had oats, leftover from breakfast, and we got a huge bowl with raisins, pineapple and syrup on top. (and the syrup was 'real' maple syrup)  I love the Huts!  One of the crew members at the Hut told us we had a Jeckyll/ Hyde section ahead of us.  The first four miles would be perhaps the smoothest, flatest terrain we'd see in the Whites, but the climb up Mt Webster cliffs would be some of the toughest.  It's rarely easy when you hear the word 'cliffs' associated with a mountain, and this climb certainly wasn't easy but it was so, so beautiful!  We managed the mileage and the climb and arrived at the Hut with near perfect timing.  We (me, Kdoe and the Dutchman) were accepted for work for stay which ended up providing us with a hearty meal of chicken enchiladas, rice, a bean soup, homemade bread and a fruit bar for dessert. Delicious!!!  My 'job' was cleaning two of the solar powered refrigerators and reorganizing the food inside.  Those that know me realize that's something I'd do for free; I love organizing and cleaning, so I was pleased with my assignment.  The other perk of the night was getting to look through a telescope at sun spots on the sun.  The AMC was sponsoring an astronomy  program for the evening, and everyone was encouraged to check out the telescopes they had set up.  We went to bed around 9:30, super late for us, totally exhausted, but it was another incredible day.
Date: 2012-07-14
From: Mizpah Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

Another big day in New Hampshire!  Today's major event was summiting Mt. Washington; the second highest peak on the AT.  We made record time to Lake of the Clouds Hut, which is right at the base of Washington.  Lake of the Clouds is the largest Hut and the busiest.  The guests were just finishing breakfast,  when we arrived, so we knew we were too early for leftovers.  We started up the mountain, without further ado,  and it ended up being so much easier than I thought it would be.  It's basically a rock scramble and we did the mile and a half to the top in about 45 minutes!  Of course it didn't hurt knowing there was a snack shop at the top.  We met some cool fellow north bounders at the snack shop: Sharky and Rummy.  Sharky is the first person I've met who is contemplating doing a yoyo.  A yoyo is a hike where after walking from Georgia and summiting Kahtahdin the hiker turns around and walks back to Georgia completing the trail in both directions in one year; something I can't even contemplate.  Good luck Sharky!After raiding the snack shop our goal was Madison Hut, and then if we weren't too tired on to Pinkham Notch.  We arrived at the Hut early so decided to push on, but it was a few more miles of rock scramble and then a wicked descent.  I don't know how many times I said 'thank you' under my breath that we weren't trying to do this section of trail in bad weather.  I just can't imagine how much harder it would be!  We made it to the notch with the intention of staying at Joe Dodge Lodge but discovered it had no vacancy.  The nearest town was 12 miles away so we started scheming on how to hitch there when a local day hiker named Christine, and her dog Mazzie, offered to give us a ride.  Talk about trail magic.  Her husband George arrived and they transported us to the Hiker's Paradise in Gorham, NH.  Sometimes I feel like I'm wearing Dorothy's red slippers and if I'll only  click my heels together I can be transported instantly to the place I want to be.  George, Christine and Mazzie certainly made my wish come true. What an amazing ending to an amazing day!
Date: 2012-07-15
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Hiker's Paradise
Miles today: 0.0

We slept late after making a group decision to zero.  The Dutchman's knee had bothered him on yesterday's descent and Kdoe and I were just plain tired.  We also really like the Hiker's Paradise where we've ended up.  Our room is large with three beds, and the rate  for two nights (plus laundry) is only $47 each.  It seems to get mixed reviews from hikers, but I immediately hit it off with Bruno and  Mary Ann, (the owners) and they went out of their way to be accommodating.  We had a great day just resting and planning for what lies ahead.  The Dutchman plans to get off the trail on Wed., for a family gathering at the beach, so  we want to get to Maine before he has to vacate the trail.
Date: 2012-07-16
From: Hiker's Paradise

To: Gorham, NH US2
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: fog

Bruno agreed to take us back to Pinkham Notch at 6:00 so we could hike the 21 miles back to Gorham and  spend one last night at Hiker's Paradise.  We could have slack packed, but I couldn't head out without my  pack.  We did lighten our pack weight considerably though.  It had rained last night so this would be our last full day in the Whites but our first day to deal with wet rocks.  Man, did the slick terrain make everything so much tougher.  The day started with climbs to the top of Wildcat Mt ski slope with an A, C, D and E peak.  I'm not sure what happened to B?  Next we stopped in at the last Hut in the Whites (Carter Hut) and the crew gave us left over cinnamon rolls. We then climbed up and over Carter Mt and finally Moriah.  We met another thru hiker along the way that the Dutchman knew (Cheese) and he finished with us.  We had a quiet last night in town but did celebrate that we only have 298 miles to go.  We're under the 300 mile mark.