morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-08-11
From: Cascade Brook

To: Gordon Brook Trail
Miles today: 11.5

Left camp at 6:30 a.m. Looks like a beautiful day. After a mile and a half I stopped at Lonesome Lake Hut. I got a coffee. While talking to a hiker who was there doing work-for-stay a hut worker handed us both a broom. He must have thought I was a work-for-stay too. I thought about it but the coffee wasn't worth the sweep. So, I got a piece of cake and paid for it as well as the coffee. I headed up North Kinsman. It was not bad for a 4,000 foot peak. There were a few tough spots but nothing like I experienced yesterday. Again, scores of day hikers most doing their collection of 4,000 foot peaks. At one view I could see back to Franconia Ridge, which I was on yesterday. A drop to the saddle then an easy climb up higher South Kinsman Peak. All going well...but that changed. Dangerous steep drops down from South Kinsman. Sometimes I didn't know how to get down. But I had to keep in mind only one more 4,000 footer after today until southern Virginia. Tomorrow is Mt Moosilauke, a steep climb up but a carriage trail down. So, this is the last long horrendous drop. The trail followed Eliza Brook for a while and displayed numerous waterfalls. When the trail crossed the creek near Eliza Brook Shelter I got water. The next four miles of trail was a mix of great trail and terrible trail. My goal was to get close to Kinsman Notch and Route 112. Tomorrow is a town day. At Gordon Pond Trail junction I met three interesting young men heading north. We talked for about half an hour. We talked about our trail adventures. They asked me for suggestions about the rest of the trail, daily mileage, and the PCT and CDT. There was Bernie from Germany, Sherpa from Alabama, and Big Bunny. I forget where he was from but I had to ask how he got his name. He said he saw a big bunny, the size of a dog. So, everyone calls him Big Bunny now. We all agreed how sweet the trail life is. Everyone gets along and looks out for one another. Age, color, sex, where you're from, nothing matters. We all get along. It's how life should be. They headed north to a campsite I suggested and I headed south to one they suggested. It was 6 p.m. Now camped about three miles from the highway. Tomorrow a town stop!
Date: 2018-08-12
From: Gordon Brook Trail

To: Jeffers Brook Shelter
Miles today: 11.7

Rain overnight and the tent rainfly was wet. Used headlamp to pack up but not needed on trail when I left at 5:30 a.m. Woods were foggy. Arrived at Rt 112 at 7:45. The rain started, a fine light rain. I tried hitching but no success. Then a woman in the parking lot came over and said she called a shuttle to take her gear to Glencliff. She said she was slacking over Moosilauke with her uncle. The manager from the Hiker Welcome Hostel in Glencliff came and took me directly to Price Chopper in Lincoln for $6! (That's all the cash I had on me). I thanked him then got groceries for the next section of trail. I stopped at Rite Aid for bandage tape for my corn then west to McDonald's for the Big Breakfast. It's 1,330 calories. Afterwards I hiked out of town and stopped at the Notch Hostel for a shuttle ride. A hiker there, Blue, who thru hiked last year and is now assisting friends, drove me back to the trail head at Kinsman Notch. I was back on the trail at 11:15 a.m.! That was a quick blitz into town and back. I headed up Mt. Moosilauke (I think it Indian for "you'll see moose if you're lucky"). This is just under a 3,000 foot climb. Its goes almost straight up on rocks, rock steps, and wooden steps rebarred into the solid rock. The trail follows along Beaver Brook with its many tall waterfalls. It has been raining all day and everything was slick. The Beaver Brook Shelter side trail was at 1.5 miles up. It took me two hours and 15 minutes to get to that point. The trail continued at the same steep climb for half a mile then eased off. I arrived at the foggy windy rainy cold open summit about 3:30. I got a quick picture then followed the old carriage trail downhill and into the treeline. The rain had stopped as I began my descent. I thought the carriage trail was followed all the way down the mountain but I was mistaken. The trail veered off and descended steeply on boulders for a few miles before hitting some actual good trail. After a 2,500 foot drop I passed through some fields of milkweed and onto a paved road. Then nice trail to Jeffers Brook Shelter. There I met and talked with Canon and Goldilocks. Similar to my time off trail, they also got off at Crawford Notch for two weeks for a foot injury. It was 7 p.m. and I was beat. I didn't expect to get in and out of town so quick. I figured I'd camp a few miles up Moosilauke from the highway. A tough but blessed productive day!
Date: 2018-08-13
From: Jeffers Brook Shelter

To: Brackett Brook
Miles today: 12.6

This morning I wanted to stop at Welcome Hiker Hostel about a mile away so I was in no rush to get going. That was also good because I was sore from yesterday. I left camp at 7:17. After fording Jeffers Brook I headed up Rt 25 into tiny Glencliff. At the hostel the shower and washing machine were vacant so I used both and the dryer. Each cost $3. I also charged my Pocket Juice, a recharger for my phone. I was set to leave at 10:30 then met three older hikers who hiked in 1998 as I did. We did not know each other but each knew names of other hikers we all mentioned. Rain at 11 so I delayed. The rain ended at 11:30 and I headed out reaching the trail at 11:40. A late start and with only a mile in for the day I wondered how far I would get. I knew the trail would get better but I didn't remember exactly what level of better. The trail turned out great! I finally was cruising! Though I don't have speed legs yet since we couldn't develop a good stride yet, I was very pleased how well it was going. The first five miles I did each in 35 minutes. I was very happy. Later I stopped to rebandage my foot corn I did minor surgery on back at the hostel. I had it wrapped in first aid tape and it was coming off. I could feel the pain increasing. I fixed it and was on my way. What a great feeling to finally break loose from sometimes less than a mile an hour to almost two an hour. With some more stretching the legs perhaps 2.5. Only a few times in the past have I hit 3 or more. That had to have been good trail and leading to town food. Stopped at Brackett Brook about 6:40. I did not want to push over Mt. Cube although it hasn't been tough. I didn't want to be on top if it rains tonight. Lets see what mileage the Lake Express can do tomorrow. Excellent chance I could cross the Connecticut River and be in Vermont Wednesday. I like a challenge.
Date: 2018-08-14
From: Brackett Brook

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 15.1

Rain all morning up until 6:15 a.m. I was all packed except the tent so when the rain ceased I quickly packed up and got on the trail at 6:30. My hope for a high mileage day and continued good trail evaporated within hours. The trail up Mt. Cube was rocky and muddy. Only the sound of a thrush made me smile. Down Cube on slick rocks. Came to a fine view of cloud covered Smarts Mountain. On the way up Smarts the trail was steady but nobos were warning me of terrible mud areas ahead. They were right. About two miles of the trail were off and on mudholes. The progress was slow and slippery. Humidity was extremely bothersome. Good news was that at the same time I was hiking teams of teens were hauling wood up the mountain piece by piece to build boardwalks where needed. Got to the top at 2 p.m. I wasn't happy with the mileage so far. No way would I reach Vermont tomorrow. A long drop down the mountain. Some good views along the way. Clouds looked threatening but they held their moisture. I crossed a dirt road and had two good miles of trail. Old stone walls lined the trail. The walls were relics of old pasture land boundaries now reforested. Crossed another road and, after a mile, camped at Trapper John Shelter, 6:20 p.m. A tough muddy rocky sweaty day but 15 miles closer to Vermont and better trail. Looks like Vermont early Thursday.
Date: 2018-08-15
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 15.2

This morning was delightful. Sun coming out through the trees and less humidity. At Goose Pond Road a trail angel left two of those large blue containers of water for us thirsty hikers. Moose Mountain was a long but graded trail up. Humidity was building and at 11:30 I heard loud thunder. I had been taking my time all morning enjoying the good trail but now I hustled to the Moose Mountain Shelter. At the shelter Green Machine and a father and son from Australia had sought a covering from the storm. I decided I wouldn't waste my time there and was going to shave since tomorrow was a town day. I walked back a few hundred feet to fetch water. As I was returning the rain began. At the shelter Green Machine was kind enough to have covered my backpack and gear I left outside the shelter with his backpack cover. I thanked him and said this is why I like the trail life, everyone looks out for each other. (His name is from all the greens he eats). The storm quickly went its way. As I was shaving Stink Bomb came in. Needless to say we all left quickly. (I named her but didn't tell her.) As the elevation dropped the temperature seemed to rise. The sun was out strong. But I didn't mind as tomorrow is a town day! Real food! Dr. Pepper! The trail continued to be in great shape. One long section was through a forest of giant pines. Stone walls went in various directions. The walls and the forest floor were covered in brown pine needles. At the side trail to Velvet Rocks I took a different side trail to the spring. 5:30 p.m. A 4' round aluminum pipe formed the spring's wall. Easy dipping for the water bottles. I dumped a cold one over my head to rinse the sweat off. Back to the side trail to Velvet Rocks Shelter then followed it for .4 of a mile. No one there. Most Sobos probably pushed into Hanover a mile and a half away. It is an expensive college town, home to Dartmouth College. Being close to town and 500 feet above it I can hear the hum of the traffic. Every now and then sirens blare. Every hour I hear church bells announcing the tally. Tomorrow a big day. Dunkin Donuts! Oh, yeah, Vermont too!
Date: 2018-08-16
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter, VT
Miles today: 16.1

Last night various thunderstorms roamed the area. Nothing serious and rain was light. I was surprised my rain fly was dry in the morning. Packed up and on trail same time as yesterday, 7:15. It was around a mile hike into town. As I walked down the street I was really startled for a moment. I was in front of the church I heard last night and when the bells began their 8 a.m. rings they were loud. They briefly scared me. I got denatured alcohol at the hardware store. I was devastated when I learned Dunkin Donuts closed. The woman at the hardware store said since the employment rate was so good in the state it is hard to retain workers in low paying jobs. Many small businesses have suffered. I headed out of town and crossed the Connecticut River into Vermont at 8:42. I was happy. In Norwich I stopped at Dan and Whit's General Store. I left my pack next to a bench outside. Inside the store was cluttered and had old wooden floors. But it was a busy store. I got a breakfast sandwich and chocolate milk and a free coffee then went outside. After I was finished eating and had enough sweating in the sun I went back in for groceries for a few days. They give hikers free day old sandwiches. I was given another breakfast sandwich and two pieces of pizza. After packing up I headed out and up Elm Street. Elm Street was paved and became steep. I was sweating badly. A sign said "hikers welcome to swim" at a fancy house but I thought I better not. A cooler with Gatorade was out on the road but I passed it by since I had Powerade on me. Two houses up another cooler with Coke. I couldn't resist. They also had tootsie pops in the mailbox. I sat on a chair they had there and I was soaked in sweat. A short distance up the dead end street the trail began. The trail was wonderful. Every now and then I hit a cool breeze as I climbed. The trail was so good and I was making good time; somehow I went a mile beyond the shelter I wanted to take a break at. I stopped and ate my free breakfast sandwich in the woods. After a few hours I dropped into the village of West Hartford. The popular deli was now closed. I stopped at a house where hikers can stay. I got a soda and two liters of water before heading out. After leaving the village and crossing the White River it was a steep climb up the road to the trail head. But once on the trail It was a beautiful five miles to the shelter. The trail was well graded. It weaved through old pine plantations and beautiful maple forests. Tubes for retrieving maple syrup ran in various directions. Fields of milkweed, yarrow, Queen Anne's Lace, clover and goldenrod were traversed. One field of about 20 acres was mowed and covered in thick green grass. The trail weaved about the field as it climbed to the wood line. What a great day of hiking! I came to the side trail to Thistle Hill Shelter at 6:45. After getting water way down a hill at a small waterfall I backtracked away from the shelter and set up camp. It is quiet now. Occasionally, like the last few nights, I hear Barred Owls calling.
Date: 2018-08-17
From: Thistle Hill Shelter, VT

To: Beyond Winturri Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

The morning sun lit up my tent with an orange glow. A beautiful morning. The Barred Owl made some morning calls. I left the shelter area about 7:20. It seemed cooler and less humid. The trail was good all day. I call this the ridge and valley section because that's the route all day, up and down. But all was beautiful and the trail was good. At one road crossing a whining cat followed me for a while. It would run by me, jump on a log and do its scratch the log routine. Meow, meow, meow. After some distance a girl came the other way and said jokingly she cleared the trail of all spider webs. I jokingly asked her to take that cat with her. The cat followed her and I was on my way feline free. At one stream sodas were left in a bucket. I had a root beer and filtered water. In the afternoon I dropped to Rt 12. Just up the road is On The Edge Farm. I stopped here years past. Today I got a Hershey's Creamy Chocolate pint of ice cream, a Coke, and Frito corn chips. I sat out in the lawn on a picnic table in a light rain. The owner came out and told me to get on the porch which I did. Then it rained pretty well for half an hour. I headed out around 1:15 p.m. Rain stopped but it was humid. The trail went through some wet mowed fields before entering the woods. The trail seemed to climb for a long time but a nice climb. Around 4 p.m. I came to Winturri Shelter. A few hikers were there and a few came in. I got water then at 5 p.m. I decided to continue. I thought I'd fine a nice spot quickly and stop before the predicted rain tonight. But the trail was good and I kept going. After 2.4 miles beyond the shelter near the trail to the "lookout" light rain started and I saw a flat spot and stopped. 6:20 p.m. Got in the tent as light rain continued and thunder called from different directions. I earlier realized today was Friday not Saturday. I was planning on stopping at the Inn At the Long Trail tomorrow thinking it was Sunday. Fridays and Saturdays are busy there with hikers on the AT and the Long Trail as well as tourists in general. So, I guess tomorrow will be a short day. I will stop at the inn Sunday as planned. I was really going to push today but when I realized my error with the dates and the rain this afternoon I took it easy. Time to settle on for a wet cool evening. Right now rain on the tent and thunder in the distance.
Date: 2018-08-18
From: Beyond Winturri Shelter

To: Quimby Mountain, VT
Miles today: 10.2

Heavy rain all night and into this morning. I was not in a hurry to head out because it was to be a short day. The rain stopped at 9:15 and I began to pack up. A few rays of sunshine hit the side of the tent. I was on the trail at a hiker shameful 9:45. I was a lackadaisical Rocky Mountain canary (figure that one out). The trail was wet all day and had many slippery roots. The woodlands were damp and the sun"s attempt to dry out the rain forest was in vain. Clouds came in around 1 p.m. as I stopped for a break. I gave a friendly chipmunk a lump of Skippy Super Chunky peanut butter. We sat near each other eating our portions but had no conversation. Up another hill and down to Stony Brook and crossed the bridge. Steamer came in and we talked. Rain came in and I headed out. Fortunately the rain didn't last long. Stopped at Stony Brook shelter after getting water at 2:45. Steamer came in as well as a girl and three guys, all separately. We all talked about the weather, trail magic, filters and if this shelter leaked. At 3:30 I headed out wanting to get a few more miles in. Up, and up what I believe was part of Quimby Mountain. I began looking for a campsite. I am picky but didn't want to go for hours like I did last night. Crossed a dirt road and found a place. It was 4:50. After setting up camp and getting in my tent I took off my shoes and socks. Holy bell bottoms trailman! My feet stank from being wet all day. I sprayed my shoes and feet with Off. Tomorrow it's a few miles to Route 100, .8 to the deli in Killington for resupply. Then .8 back to trail and about two miles up the mountain to the Inn at the Long Trail. Looking forward to good food and a warm shower.
Date: 2018-08-19
From: Quimby Mountain, VT

To: The Inn at the Long Trail, VT
Miles today: 5.4

Chilly overnight. Made coffee more for the heat than the coffee. On the trail at 7:15. A short easy day today. Dropped off of Quimby Mountain, crossed the 900' boardwalk at Thundering Brook, then hiked by Kent Pond. In Gifford Woods State Park I took the side trail into the village of Killington. After crossing busy three lane US 4 I stopped at the Killington Deli. I bought four days of food, a steak and egg breakfast sandwich and coffee. Out in front of the store I packed up and ate while sitting on a bench. Afterwords it was back across the busy road and then the side trail to the AT. The next two miles was rocky reminding me of New Hampshire. Then a rough side trail down to the Inn at the Long Trail. This is a quaint old inn built right into the rock of the mountain. A real Irish pub worth the stop for anyone. It was noon and I was too early for a room but I was able to do laundry and eat again. The guy at the desk gave me clean clothes while I did laundry and said to go to the wood shed to change. Knowing they had bathrooms I wondered why I was told to use the wood shed. Anyway, I said OK and walked down beyond the motel's rooms and sheepishly pushed open a door on the end which had no door handle. Sure enough, it was the wood shed. I went back to the inn and did my laundry. While waiting and despite eating less than two hours ago, I had a bacon cheeseburger, cole slaw and a Coke. As I was finishing my plate the guy brought my room key. I went up and got a nice long hot shower. By 2 p.m. I was clean, my clothes were clean, and my gut full. I took a nap, messed with logistics, and checked out the hiker box. In the hiker box I annexed coffee, razors, bandaids, plastic bags and a pack cover. My pack cover doesn't stop the rain so I'll see if this one fits. For dinner I had a great blackened chicken sandwich with goat cheese, cole slaw, a Coke and Guinness. It is now 7:12 p.m. I am still hungry so I'll eat my potato chips and chocolate pretzels. Breakfast is included with the stay. Hope to be on the trail by 9 a.m. Looks like Massachusetts in five or six days. Nobos have been saying horrible muddy conditions south of Rt 11 and 30. That's about three days south. Hopefully better weather will reduce or eliminate that problem.The trail has been going in a southwest direction pretty much. Tomorrow, after the AT merges with the Long Trail, the route begins heading more due south through the rest of Vermont, Massachusetts, and most of Connecticut.
Date: 2018-08-20
From: The Inn at the Long Trail, VT

To: Gould Brook
Miles today: 14.9

Breakfast was included with the lodging at the inn. I was there at 7:30 a.m. just as breakfast began. Only four other people there. I had French toast, sausage patties, a slice of watermelon, orange juice and coffee. Afterwards I went back to my room, had my fourth shower, and packed gear. I left the inn and headed up the side trail arriving at the AT at about 9:30. The AT seemed to go around the mountain before merging with the Long Trail. Then down the mountain and across Rt 4. The climb up Killington Peak is an ascent of 2,020 feet. But taking around six miles to get there it was easy and pleasant. I arrived at the shelter called Cooper Lodge, at 2:30. The shelter is at 3,900' but a side trail goes to the top of Killington at 4,241'. There were a lot of people there and on the side trail up, perhaps the people doing the 4,000 footers. I continued on the AT which was good hiking for a few miles. A one mile section was difficult, bringing flashbacks of the White Mountains. But the trail improved and a good treadway to Governor Clement shelter. At the dark dirty spooky stone shelter I retrieved the trail register. I looked back a month but could not locate any of the names of hikers I had known before I got sick. That made me sad. But they might not have stopped here so who knows. Leaving the shelter the trail was in exceptionally good condition. It passed through open forests with plenty of high pines. The pine needle laden trail also went by several old stone walls from old farms. I could constantly hear Sargent Brook rushing down below to my left. At the road I crossed the new Sargent Brook Bridge. In 2011 this valley was devastated from back to back tropical storms. In 2012 I carefully crossed the creek here over the mangled steel of the old bridge. The trail stayed above the creek for a mile and a half. I followed a long mound with Gould Brook on my left and Sargent Brook on my right. As I descended to near where the brooks met I saw a campsite and stopped. This was my goal for the day. 6:30 p.m.
Date: 2018-08-21
From: Gould Brook

To: Little Rock Pond
Miles today: 17.5

Packed up and on trail at 6:43 a.m. The day would stay cool and be breezy. After a tough drop down to Claredon Gorge the trail climbed. Great views of the Rutland area. Then a long drop to Rt 103 via long switchbacks.  Across the road the trail climbed and briefly followed waterfall laced Bully Brook. After crossing the brook I stopped for water. Another long climb and I stopped near Greenwall Shelter Trail. My goal for the day was 20 miles but the ups and downs were slimming my chances. I thought I could still make it. Then the trail became Maine-like with rocks, roots, and mud. I realized I wasn't going to make my goal. My foot with the corn was painful with every step. Finally I stopped. I took the bandages off my foot. I had bandaged it twice today. I also figured I could make my secondary goal at Little Rock Pond. As I started walking the foot was better as well as my attitude. Though the trail was tough I was about to dodge the obstacles. Once over the top of the mountain the trail improved. I went by the pay-to-stay shelter at Little Rock Pond just before 7 p.m. I continued for 20 minutes to make sure I was out of their jurisdiction and stopped. It was a tough day physically and mentally but I am happy with the results.