morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-08-07
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Bennington
Miles today: 4.3

RW. MEANS Rascally WeaselsIt was a very chilly night and Obsidian and I got cold. About 5:30am it started to rain again and rained for about one hour. We slept late till 7:30 and did not leave camp until 9:30am.When we took our food bags down from the tree we had hung them on, we discovered that chipmunks or mice had gotten into our food bags. The chipmunks/mice must have climbed the tree; gone out on a branch; and then climbed or jumped down onto our food bags that we had hung as protection from bears. They chewed 3 holes in my food bag and ate most of my breakfast food. They also got into Obsidian's food bag,making a hole in his bag and eating some of his food. As we talked to other hikers we learned they had similar holes in their food bags. One poor hiker had stashed food inside his tent. The chipmunks ate holes in the tent, his backpack, and all of the food bags.The trail was muddy again but not as bad as yesterday. However, the last mile down to Bennington was a real knee buster, a steep climb down mossy rocks. My knee is killing me right now. We arrived at the road to Bennington about 11:30 and got lucky. A family was hiking down the same mountain and we spoke with them briefly on the trail. When we got to the bottom of the trail they gave us a ride to town, which is over 5 miles away. We are staying at the Autumn Inn, a typical low budget hiker motel. After we cleaned up we went to lunch in Bennington, which is a very nice town. We are glad to be off the trail because it has rained intermittently all day. We are sitting at the motel and drying our tents.
Date: 2014-08-08
From: Bennington

To: Zero
Miles today: 0.0

RW MEANS resting well. This is the first 0 since I returned to the trail. It has been 24 days since I took a day off and 367 miles. The stats. page states it is 353.2, but for some reason doesn't include the 13.9 miles I hiked the first day back on July 15, 2014. During that time I completed Pennsylvania and walked across New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and entered Vermont.This morning Obsidian and I went to the bus station and I said goodbye to him. He has decided to yellow blaze to Manchester for 2 reasons: he must finish the trail by mid-September because of his visa, secondly, he wants to hike with some other German friends who must leave the trail at the same time. He does not believe he can complete the trail from here. I will miss him.Today I am just resting and purchased food. I uploaded pictures of my hiking boots as they are falling apart. The heels have holes and the toes are separating. I will hike with these boots as long as possible but they probably cannot make it to Katahdin before they fall apart. this is my fourth pair of boots.
Date: 2014-08-09
From: Bennington

To: Story Springs Shelter
Miles today: 19.0

RW MEANS Rainbow Warrior given to me by a trail maintainer.Last night on the way back from dinner I ran into Ireland.   He agreed to share a motel room with me. We started the trail at 6:30. The day was cold and the trail was up hill for 10 miles. The climb to the top of Glastenbury Mountain was 2381 feet.   I am clearly in the mountains again because Gastenbury Mountain is 3748 feet. The Green mountains are the start of climbing back into the high mountain.The trail today was much better than it has been for the past few days. While still muddy in parts it was basically very nice with lots of soft ground. Birch, Spruce, Oak and Maple trees dominate the forest. The trees are not tall and are spaced far apart allowing a soft shaded light to shine through. The forest floor is covered in ferns and the rocks are green with moss.There were few hikers on the trail today. I only saw 4 north bound and 4 southbound hikers.   When I got to the shelter it was crowded with trail maintainers. They are here for a long weekend cutting and cleaning the trail.I am at story spring shelter and hike 19 miles today. That is further than I intended.
Date: 2014-08-10
From: Story Springs Shelter

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: moderate rain

RW MEANS Running whippedLeft early to a beautiful day of hiking. It was a bit chilly last night but today warmed up and all was well . Today I climbed Stratton mountain 3936 feet. This is the mountain Benton MacKaye was climbing when he got the idea for the Appalachian Trail.      Another long day and I am tired so this will be a short entry. I didn't take any pictures today because I spent most of my time in the forest.
Date: 2014-08-11
From: Spruce Peak Shelter

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: few clouds

RW MEANS Repellent Wings Too many mosquitos tonight!Last night 3 young Jewish boys hiked into camp.   They were out for 3 days and had never backpacked before.   Such a sight, but nice kids.   I enjoyed their company.   After I went to bed they started to sing in Hebrew and sung for about 2 hours.   They kept their food out so the mice left my food alone.   I was interested in finding out how much of their food the mice had eaten, but I left before they got up.   The moon was bright and is nearly full. The tree branches made strange shadows as the moon light filled my tent, making the tent roof glow. The day was beautiful for hiking but there were lots of PUDs (Pointless Ups and Downs). I climbed several high mountains. As I hiked I ran into HeyEverbody and Saybak. I first met HeyEverbody back in Virginia, but don't know Saybak.   We hit it off immediately and plan to hike together until Hanover. I hiked over some knife edge cliffs today but it was short and gave me a great view of the mountains. I also hiked over Mt. Bromley, which has a ski lift and I hiked up the ski run. A good day.  I am at Lost Pond Shelter for a 17.6 mile day which is good considering the mountains I climbed.
Date: 2014-08-12
From: Killington Peak

To: Minerva Hinckley Shelter
Miles today: 14.9

RW MEANS Rear WindowLast night was interesting. The owls were very noisy and it is the first time I have heard owls since returning to the trail.   We all got up early because we had planned to do a big day. We did not do as big a day as I had hoped because we enjoyed the scenery so much. Also as the day progressed the threat of rain increased substantially so we decided to stop early to get into a shelter rather then set up our tents.   For half the day it was the 3 of us but at 2 o'clock Saybak got off the trail with a trail angel and plans to slack pack all the way to Hanover. It is just HayEverybody and me. The trail was very rocky and there were quite a lot of ups and downs. The trail was pretty today and we walked by several beautiful ponds and lakes.   On White Mountain there was an interesting creation of Cairns. It was the biggest creation I have ever seen and was quite beautiful.The forest was also interesting, it remains mostly Paper Birch and Spruce trees and the trail frequently was deep in spruce needles.  We met quite a lot of thru-hikers today and most of them passed us because we were enjoying the scenery so much I'm going so slow.We stopped early at Minerva Hinckley shelter because of the threat of rain and it was clear that everyone was trying to get into the shelters before the rain started. We made it into the shelter tonight. But many people arrived after us wanting to get into the shelter including a troop of Boy Scouts. They all have to tent. At the shelter, Flint and Gunpowder caught up to me. I left them just before the Massachusetts border when they went to New York City. It is expected to start raining early this evening and the forecast is for rain and thunderstorms all day tomorrow. We have to hike over some treacherous areas tomorrow so we may decide not to hike over them and cut the day short. >
Date: 2014-08-13
From: Minerva Hinckley Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: moderate rain

RW MEANS Rain and Wind This message was texted by RW to Cathy Bredlau at 5:45 p.m., August 13th:On top of Killington Peak and already in for the night. Terrible rain storm all day and I am huddled in my cold and wet sleeping bag. Not many miles today due to poor weather. RW MEANS Rude WeatherTough day. Last night the shelter was packed because of the predicted rain but it didn't rain.   HeyEverybody and I left early to get a good start before the rain started.   The first 3 hours the trail was steep and it sprinkled on us. Our progress was slow because we underestimated the difficulty.   We climbed only 800 feet but worked hard for every foot. During the morning we had to take a detour because the trail had been damaged by Tropical Storm Irene in 2012.   We finally made it to Clarendon Shelter and just before we arrived the sky opened up and really rained on us.We took a long lunch hoping the storm would pass but it got worse.   We hit the trail in a downpour.It got worse and rained buckets.   The trail became a river and I was soaked.   The trail became steeper. It rained even harder and then the trail fell apart.   Irene had littered the trail with lots of downed trees that we crawled over and under and around.   All the time we were hiking on a steep washed out hillside. Slow going and treacherous in the now very cold and blinding rain. The wind was near gale force and we could hear trees falling around us. We climbed to the top of Killington Peak and fell into the shelter at the top.   Several hikers were already in the shelter.   God was with us because it is a marvelous enclosed building rather than the customary 3 sided shelter. We called it quits early, only 13.8 miles.   The mountain is 3928 feet and we expect it to be cold tonight.   The violent wind is driving rain through cracks in the walls and the roof leaks.   We will not hike more today which means I need to go to town tomorrow because I will not have enough food to make it to the next resupply point.   I haven't been caught in a rain storm like this since Virginia.   Still raining cats and dogs.
Date: 2014-08-14
From: Cooper Lodge Shelter

To: US Route 4
Miles today: 6.3

RW MEANS RewritableLast night was brutal.   The storm continued into the evening and howled for hours after we arrived.   The shelter was only half-full. I figure most hikers had better sense than I did and went to town.   It was cold and wet all night.   Even Flint and Gunpowder had stopped there due to the storm.   I knew almost everyone in the shelter and we all admitted to being cold. HayEverybody and I hit the trail in our wet clothes since nothing dried last night.   The trail was wet but not as bad as we feared.   We emerged from the forest about 10:30 and caught a bus to Rutland for supplies.   In town we saw the Yellow Deli Hostel and checked it out.   It is great so we decided to stay and rest and clean up.   It is run by 12 Tribes, a commune of young people trying to live like early Jewish Christians from the time of Christ's crucifixion. I also tried to fix my hiking boots because the soles are falling off. I will see how that repair works tomorrow when the glue dries.   My wife arranged to have a new pair of boots mailed to me in the White Mountains.
Date: 2014-08-15
From: US Route 4

To: the look out tower cabin
Miles today: 17.3

RW MEANS Restfull Words given to me by an employee of Yellow Deli Hostel. A good night sleep at this hostel and I recommend it.   Last night I got hungry and at midnight they made me a great sandwich. This morning the hostel gave us a good breakfast, then for $2 we took a city bus to the trail and were hiking by 8:40.It is a cold day and it took me a long time to warm up.   We started in the rain.   About 10:00 we passed a lodge so we stopped for hot coffee to warm up. What happened to August? The trail was good and we hiked in heavy woods all day. At one point the trail was so steep that we had to use an aluminum ladder. Hey Everybody and I planned to stealth camp near a stream after 14 miles but it started to rain and we decided to push to a fire cabin and hope it wasn't locked.   It wasn't and there is about 14 thru-hikers in it seeking protection from the weather.   It is raining and getting really cold.   Hope there isn't any repercussions. One person here is a girl named Joe Cool who I first met on March 17. The repair of my boots with Gorilla glue was partly successful.   It will need to be glued again.
Date: 2014-08-16
From: the look out tower cabin

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Actual miles 1728.5RW MEANS : Right Wish. I make wishes every day. It was a beautiful sunrise and very welcome after a cold and blustery night.   The cabin proved to be a great decision.We left about 7:40 and hiked up and down all day. Short 300 to 800 foot climbs but they went on all day. This portion of the trail is like North Carolina because there are few switch backs, just straight up and straight down.   Most of the day we hiked in Pine forest so the trail was soft and not rocky. I came to a big pile of hay and then followed a trail down hill. It came out near a store but was not the AT. We took the opportunity to get a sweet roll and coffee then returned and found the trail.   I wonder if the hay was deliberately piled in front of the trail to fool me into taking the false trail to the little store? Later we got off the trail and hiked to what the guide book said was a market. I thought we might resupply in Rutland, but decided against it. Good thing we did because the market wasn't a market but was an expensive restaurant that wasn't opened when we got there.   Such a day of markets that weren't markets. Tonight I am tenting and hoping the weather forecast is wrong.   It predicts rain tonight.
Date: 2014-08-17
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover
Miles today: 14.7

RW MEANS rocky walkIt drizzled most of the night and a little this morning.   We left early to get to West Hartford early because we heard about a trail angel house that gives all thru-hikers free breakfast.   It is true.   Randy and Linda lost their home in a flood caused by Tropical Storm Irene in 2012. They were uninsured and are slowly rebuilding their home with little financial help.   Despite their loss they still find the resources to help hikers.   They have fed 800 hikers for free this year so far. Later in the day I hiked into New Hampshire and completed 12 states. Two states to go. When we arrived in Hanover we called nearly 20 trail angels who give hikers free rooms but all were full. Also checked on the hostel and many motels before we finally found a room.   It is miles from town and we had to walk because attempts to hitch a ride failed.   I am beat.   I will zero tomorrow but will work hard to get to the post office and resupply.   It will take all day.
Date: 2014-08-18
From: Hanover

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 1.4

Actual miles are 1745.2.   Decided to take it very easy today. Nearly a zero day. I bought new supplies, picked up my winter gear from the post office, and mailed back my summer gear. My pack has never been heavier since early in my trip. I have 5 days of food and my winter gear.Earlier today I ran into Geo and Movin'on. I am also told that Forrest Gump is southbound on the trail and should see him within a day or two. I decided to go to the next shelter because town is again sold out with hikers. This is essentially the first steps in New Hampshire and the lead up to the White Mountains.
Date: 2014-08-19
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 15.2

RW Means: Rejoicing With FriendsActual miles are 1759.8. Fast night HayEverybody and I got to Velvet Rocks and discovered water was 0.4 miles downhill so we hiked past the shelter 0.6 and camped next to a beautiful spring. It was cold last night and I was thrilled to have my winter gear. I was toasty warm for the first time in a while.I started early, long before HeyEverybody was ready and hiked alone all day. There were many other Thru-hikers but I wanted some alone time. The morning was very foggy and cast an eerie glow in the forest. There were two 1000 foot plus climbs today and the last was at the end of the day and was the steepest. The forest is mostly pine and there is a lot of trees blown over and across the trail from the storm a few days ago. There were many great view.As I hiked I was surprised to run into The Rock. He is still on the trail and doing well. HeyEverybody and I have been hiking for a while now. He is a retired Navy COB and served 28 years on fast attack submarines. Since retiring he has primarily worked odd jobs, mostly autoparts and truck driving.I hiked fast and HeyEverybody arrived at the shelter about 2 hours behind me. While waiting for him Movin On showed up and resumed her hiked after a minor injury. I first hiked with her in the Smokies.The shelter is crowded and thru-hikers and only about half I know.
Date: 2014-08-20
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hexacube Shelter
Miles today: 12.0

RW means Rusty Warden's Fire TowerCell service is awful. Actual miles arr 1771.8. I will not be posting often.Slept well again last night with my winter gear even though it was quite cold. After breakfast Movin On and I left early and HeyEverybody followed later. We had a long and tough mountain to climb today. We climbed 2100 feet in 4 miles to the top of Smart Mountain which is 3237 feet. We also had several smaller climbs and I am tired. It has been a long time since I worked this hard. I will start the White Mountains Friday.We stopped for lunch at a Fire Warden's Tower for lunch. The trail was dry and we walked through pine and birch trees most of the day. We didn't see HeyEverybody until the evening. Again the trail had lots of trees on it due to the recent storms that knock them over. Many were very large trees.We arrived at the Hexacube Shelter about 4:15 and HeyEverybody arrived about an hour later. Also there is a 74 year old man called Shoes that is a section hiking the trail. He is hiking all of New Hampshire and Maine this year and will hike Virginia next year and will complete the trail.Not a good equipment day. The zipper on my new pack's hipbelt broke, the dirty water bag for my water system broke, and I spilled half my fuel while cooking.Good news, my new shoes are scheduled to arrive at the Lincoln post office tomorrow. All I need to do is figure out how to get them. I will pass Lincoln during the weekend. A group of college kids came in late from Harvard that never backpacked before. They were so loud and noisy.The reason this shelter is called Hexacube is because it is in a Hexagon shape.
Date: 2014-08-21
From: Hexacube Shelter

To: NH 25 GLENCLIFF
Miles today: 14.8

RW MEANS revolting wayActual milage is 1786.6. Movin'on and I left early and HayEverybody followed.   It was warm last night but cold today. We hiked hard and Movin'on and I decided to go to a hostel instead of the next shelter like HayEverybody.   I needed a shower. During a steep down hill I fell and really compressed my left knee and banged my shin. It was raining when I fell. I limped for a mile, but it seems okay now. I had hoped I could call the post office to check on my boots but got no reception.   I also hoped to have the hostel pickup my shoes but couldn't connect with them either.   My plan is to get to town Saturday.   If not I will need to take a zero someplace and wait till Monday. I thought I would slack pack tomorrow but changed my mind. Baltimore Jack is here helping to run this hostel.
Date: 2014-08-22
From: NH 25 GLENCLIFF

To: Beaver Brooks Shelter
Miles today: 7.8

RW MEANS Rain and wishing it would stop. Actual miles are 1794.4. night I stayed at Hikers Welcome Hostel in GLENCLIFF.   Not the best and over priced.   Still since it rained hard most of the night I guess I am not unhappy that I stayed there.   The breakfast was reasonable but pricey.   Movin'On, Shoes and I left about 7:45 and caught up to HeyEverybody about 8:15. It was cold all day and the trail was steep. We climbed Mt Moosilauke today and it was a long hard steep rocky climb.   We climbed 3747 feet and the mountain is 4802. It took us 5 hours to hike the 6.5 miles to the top.   When we got there the clouds were so thick we could barely see. The wind was blowing about 40 miles an hour., it was raining and cold.   Still we had fun but didn't hang around after taking a few pictures.We arrived at the Beaver Brooks Shelter at 3749 feet in the rain and clouds about 2:30 and called it quits.   Just to cold and the rocky trail was looking dangerous because it was so steep and slippery.   Only 7.8 miles today and every step required my full attention because it was so slippery. The rest of the trail down the mountain is steeper. The 4 of us are here in the shelter staying out of the weather.   A few others but not many. My pants ripped in the crouch today. I sewed it up with fishing line but not well.   I don't know how to sew. Tomorrow I plan to go to town and get my new boots and resupply.   The White Mountains so far are unfriendly.
Date: 2014-08-23
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter
Miles today: 13.0

Text message sent to Cathy at 5 pm on 8/23/2014:"Hardest day on the trail. I am still hiking. I should have been a mountain goat. Brutal, and I am exhausted. Still have miles to campsite."RW MEANS Ray Wonderful Actual miles are 1807.4. shelter got very crowded last night. There were 14 in a shelter designed for ten. Everyone was escaping from the rain.   It rained until 8. While it was raining a group of 10 TUFT University incoming freshman with their instructor arrived and 2 joined us in the shelter and the rest tented. Everyone woke early because the shelter faced east and we all silently sat and watched a beautiful sunrise. I left at 6:45 and hurried down the mountain.   The trail was incredibly steep and had iron handholds and steps in many places.   The downhill trail ran next to a beautiful stream and miles of continuous waterfalls.   But the trail was slick and I fell 3 times and fortunately I didn't get hurt.When I got to the bottom near the road, I quickly hitched a ride into Lincoln with a young man named Anthony. He bought me breakfast, drove me to the post office to get my new boots, waited while I bought food for the trail and drove me back to the trail.   I got in and out in less than 2 hours and at 10:15 was back hiking.   Most of the day I hiked with Shoes.   We both fell several times but luckily we only had scrapes.   The last 4 miles we got separated and I climbed alone. Kinsman Mountain was scary but the views spectacular. The trail was brutal today.   I only went 13 miles but didn't arrive at Kinsman Pond Shelter until 7:15 at night at sunset.   I barely made 1 mile per hour because the trail was so hard.   Climbing Kinsman Mountain was as close to true mountain climbing as I have been.   It was nearly a cliff and I climbed for hours with hands and feet aching at one point and I had to stop to let them rest. The climb was nearly 2000 feet in only 2.5 miles. The shelter was packed with day hikers but Movin'on was there and about an hour and half after I arrived Shoes arrived exhausted.      This is a fee shelter run by the Appalachian Mountain Club.   They charge $8 just for being there and provide zero service.   It is highway robbery.At mile 1807.
Date: 2014-08-24
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter

To: Liberty Springs Campsite
Miles today: 7.5

RW MEANSActual miles are 1814.9. Another great day. Movin'On on left very early because she was meeting her parents at noon. I left a little later and hiked to another AMC fee site Liberty Springs Campsite only 7.5 miles.   The trail again was hard but not as bad as yesterday. On the way I stopped at Lonesome Lake Hut.   Beautiful but expensive.   I yogied a free breakfast and hiked on. I hiked with Shoes all morning.   At noon he met his son who drove us into Lincoln where we ate at Subway.   By 2 I was hiking again alone and was in my tent site by 4. Soon Movin'on came in and later Shoes and his son Richard arrived.   They plan to hike together the next 50 miles.   Also next to the four of us is an older thru-hiker named Hobbit who plans to hike with us tomorrow.At 1814.9