morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-08-02
From: Mt. Greylock

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

13.2 mi. in 7 hrs.I turned in as fog streamed through the window andthe tower's beacon lit up the murk every few seconds. But later in the night Isaw the sky all clear, a full moon blazing down, and city lights twinkling farbelow. Fair dry weather at last! But still the prospect of endless muddy trailsmade it hard to sleep. Off by 6:30 AM with the sun coming in low through thefoliage. The trail had improved overnight and I could make fair speed even whileedging around mucky areas.I came down off the ridge and crossed a flat valleythrough N. Adams and across Rte. 2, then started up into the Green Mountains.Friar came up behind me and we hiked together for most of the afternoon. We metKrispy Kritter along the way, testing out his recovery from shin splints.K.K. and I decided to pull up early at this shelter, while Friar hiked on. Thisplace has a fine clear stream perfect for drinking and bathing, and there'splenty of sunshine left for drying out clothing. Love these leisurely afternoons when we get in early. Beater turnedup, minus Wife and looking somewhat lost without her. I'd met them way back inVirginia. She'd gone off the trail with a virus a few days ago, but will rejoinhim four days up.Entering VT and starting the Long Trail In addition to SOBOs on the trail, we're now seeing hikersstarting out on the Long Trail running with the AT up the length of Vermont,before the AT heads east at Rutland. Three of them are staying at this sheltertonight.The sun's down and it's actually getting cool. No mosquitos! Thankyou, Vermont. Soon time to turn in. Tomorrow, resupply at Bennington for thetwo-day run to Manchester Center. If rainstorms hold off, the trail mightactually dry up! Things are looking up. G'nite! Now or Never
Date: 2004-08-03
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Rte 9 crossing
Miles today: 11.5

11.5 mi. in 6 hrs.I turned in last night in the shelter at my usual8:30 PM. All was quiet, then hikers started arriving late. Of course there waslots of chitchat and catching up into very late hours. Many of them decided tosleep in the shelter, so it was packed tight all night. I should have tented, nomatter if the ground was wet! Got up sleepy and grumpy and left by 6:00 AM. Isoon joined up with Krispy Kritter, Cat Dog, Quest, and Hawk. We hiked as a teamall the way to the next shelter and beyond to the big road crossing by Rte. 9.KK recalls three fast hikers who work as a unit, one right on the heels ofthe other. They wind around rocks and curves like a centipede, with arms, polesand legs flailing. He said if one fell, they all would. We weren't capable ofsuch close-order precision. At one point the trail crossed on duckboards theoutlet of a beaver dam. Trouble was, the pesky critters had raised the waterlevel to where the boards were submerged over 6 inches. At least our muddy sneakers were being rinsed clean as we waded onward. Several hikers were thrilled at spotting their first moose today, along the trail and in a bog. And no mosquitos! The mud remains afactor in how fast we can go. Daily thundershowers keep it fresh.The rocks arealso quite slippery, and I took two good spills today. Just have to watch myfooting a little more.Quest in a raspberry patch By early afternoon the day was suffocatingly hot andmuggy. Hawk and I hitched into Bennington, he for relief from the heat, and mefor resupply. By the time I'd finished the sky was darkening and thunder wasrumbling, as forecast. I decided to hole up in this little motel outside townand let the weather have its way. Sure enough a good storm blew by afterdinner. Tomorrow promises to be a bit more tolerable. So I'll head back outinto the heat and the mud. Clean and fed, ready for bed. G'nite! Now orNever
Date: 2004-08-04
From: Rte 9 crossing

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: broken clouds

14.1 mi. in 7.5 hrs.It rained in the evening then a heavy mist settled in. Glad to be warm and dry.Up early and out after breakfast in a nearby diner. The trail made the usualsteep climb out of the notch where Rte 9 cuts through. I met up with Megabyte atthe first shelter, and hiked with him part way. A few nice views, but thesehills are really wooded over. The trail was beginning to dry out. Now wecould plant our feet in firm mud and feel it squish comfortably beneath them.Quite therapeutic! The air became damper as a rainy cold front approached us,and woodland smells carried well. I smelled balsam fir for the first time sinceleaving home. Gotta get home! Our big climb today was over GlastonburyMountain, which has a tall fire tower with a panoramic view. We saw a big windfarm far to the south. I learned today that Allegheny is back on the trailafter his snakebite. Apparently it was a "dry" one, with little venom. Luckyguy. At the shelter tonight are Megabyte and I, two SOBOs, and two LTs (Long Trail hikers). One of them, X, or Chris Andrews,is a sophomore at Colby College. Two other NOBOs, Diesel and Mayaguez, arestaying in a smaller "annex" a hundred yards away. Hope the promised raindoes its business overnight and lets us hike out tomorrow. Hanover is over 100miles away and I need to get there in 8 days or less. Almost 9 PM and time toturn in. G'nite! Now or Never
Date: 2004-08-05
From: Kid Gor Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Campsite
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

15.2 MI. in 8.5 hrs.We had a full shelter last night. The rain came, all night long, but was clearing by morning. Felt lazy and didn't get out until 8 AM. Megabyte was lazier still and didn't catch up until midday. The big climb today was Stratton Mountain, which has a fine observation tower. It was freezing climbing the tower in the wind (a bit chilly today) but the cabin up top was enclosed. I could barely make out Mt. Greylock, far to the south. How far we have come in only a few days! It always amazes me when I see the results of our labors stretched out before me, and it's always scary when I can look ahead to what lies in store. There sat Killington peak far to the north. Beaver bog along trail, VTI hit a tentsite alongside Stratton Pond tonight. Also here are Ben, a Guilford college student running a local farm for the summer, up here for just two days. Also a nice couple from Brooklyn, Frank and Elena. He's a carpenter and she's an attorney. They go camping and hiking, and take road trips all over the country, but are chafing at their limited vacation time. He's eager to hike the trail, and is working on ways they can get free. No other thruhikers here tonight.A fair day's work, and I'm tired enough to turn in at 8.
Date: 2004-08-06
From: Stratton Pond Campsite

To: Manchester Center
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

10.5 mi in 5.5 milesmore notes from the land of mud, or "Vermud" as hikers are calling it. What a chilly night! After months of nighttime temps in the upper 60's, at last the cold snap drove them into the 40's. This was a challenge, despite my down bag. I have no cold weather clothing.Said good morning to Frank and Elena, who were cooking breakfast in the sunrise over the pond.Hiked out solo at 6:30, and met two moose on the trail an hour later, a cow and a yearling. They walked on ahead of me a few yards, then turned off and watched me go by. Other critters noted: little grey-green salamanders in the pond, about 3 inches long. They swam right up quite fearlessly. The trails remain muddy, but still continue to dry. Wherever a broad expanse of undisturbed mud comes up, some hiker has drawn a big smiley-face in it. Making the best of a bad situation. Megabyte caught up in a few hours and we hiked down to the road to Manchester Center together. There we met Bilbo dropping off some outgoing hikers, who stayed at his parents ski-vacation place outside town. He invited us to stay over, and took us into town to do our hiker chores first.About ten hikers are staying here tonight, some new faces, some I met way back on the trail. I've done my laundry, and will be helping with dinner shortly.These stops are vital for morale and hygeine! Everyone appreciates what Bilbo's done over the last two nights. He gets back on the trail with us tomorrow.It's raining out, but who cares? Bedtime soon, and tomorrow starts the three-day push to Killington.G'nite!
Date: 2004-08-07
From: Manchester Center VT

To: Big Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: broken clouds

16.5 mi. in 9 hrs Enjoyed a dry warm night indoors at Bilbo's, on asoft-carpeted floor. 12 other hikers were there, and 10 the night before. I gotup at the usual 5 AM and had plenty of time to make pancakes for everyone. Bilbodropped me and three other hikers off at the trailhead by 8 AM. Bilbo namedhimself as such because he's short, likes to eat, and is a good host. Threebig mountains to climb the first half of the day: Bromley, Styles, and Peru. Therest of the day we spent bog walking on boards and walking in or past mud.Showers came and went, some pretty brisk.Danby, VT seen from the ATI arrived at this shelter in a heavyshower. Didn't want to tent in the boggy spots available, so opted for theshelter. Those present: Bilbo, Poppins, Skippy, Diesel, Mayaguez, Yoga Monkey,Friar, and Megabyte. Krispy Kritter, Quest and Hawk are tenting nearby. It'sgetting dark and I'm tired. G'nite! Now or Never
Date: 2004-08-08
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: broken clouds

16.9 mi. in 11 hrs (tenting)Spent a crowded but dry night in the shelter. No one snored! Out by 7 AM just behind Quest, Hawk, and Cat Dog and stayed with them most of the day. Friar, Megabyte, Poppins, Skippy and Yoga Monkey were sleepimg in. No major mountains to climb, but some nice views from various ledges. I met up with several other parties during the day, one being Lorax, Spice Man and Party Girl, all fast young hikers.Late in the day the trail passed over a deep river by suspension bridge. A wonderful swimming spot with many deep pools, but it was too chilly. Instead we walked to a nearby restaurant, The Whistle Stop Diner, at the next road crossing for a big early evening meal before walking the final mile to this shelter.Here we met a big burly guy named Piper (clearly of Scottish descent, and plays the pipes). He was cooking up a big stew for anyone passing through. We fit in another meal somehow! Also present: Li'l Bit, Blue Bell and Castro.This campsite is in a wide open woods with great tentsites, a roomy shelter, and a stream running nearby. The weather's still cool and grey with occasional showers, but we're promised good weather tomorrow. It'll be a long day, which will take us up around Killington Peak to where the AT parts company with the Long Trail and heads east. Tired after a good day on the trail. It's good to be back with so much good company. G'nite!Now or Never
Date: 2004-08-09
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: The Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 18.3

18.3 mi. in 10 hrs. A chilly but quiet, dry night at our lovelyshelter and tent site. I got out by 6:30 to do some big miles and took a whileto warm up on the march. The big item today was a long, long climb upKillington and Pico Peaks. No other NOBOs on the trail. They either shot ahead or are lagging. I'm in a null spot. Met several SOBOs though. We pumped eachother for trail info. Very helpful!These woods and streams make me feel I'mback in Maine already. The trails are getting dryer by the day. The mud is sofirm, it's a joy to the feet to step right down into it. I skipped the sidetrail to the top of Killington: straight up. Had I known it had a snack bar upthere, I would have gone. So I didn't get any great views for all my efforts.At Churchill Scott Shelter high on the mountainside, I ran into a party ofteenage boys and girls in the uniforms of the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps.They were doing some major work moving boulders and improving the water source. They were having a good time at it. By midday the sun was pounding down and I was struggling to reach the end. The closer I came, the rougher the trail became. At last, the Long Trail Inn, famous for its Pub and its authentic servings of Guiness. Their hiker rooms were all taken, so I had to settle for an upgrade with a Jacuzzi. Poor me! So here I sit in the Pub, two entire meals and a Guiness put away, laundry going in the back room. Beater and Wife are here also, together again after she had to leave the trail for five days with some nasty virus. during the time they were separated,Beater was a lost soul. He didn't know what to do with himself at the end of aday, so he kept on hiking, doing a 28-miler once. They're everybody's idea of aclose, close couple. Gloria and I met them on the trail in Virginia.So nowit's time to collect the laundry and go upstairs to call home and soak these oldbones in that jacuzzi! Life is good. G'nite! Now or Never
Date: 2004-08-10
From: The Inn at Long Trail

To: Winturi Shelter
Miles today: 18.0

18 mi. in 9 hrs.A restless night despite a great session in my room's jacuzzi. My feet and knees were SOOO happy. But it must have been the coffee at dinner that kept me up. Dumb idea.Had a big breakfast downstairs with Beater and Wife nearby, when in walked Krispy Kritter, Cat Dog, Quest and Hawk. They tented 4 miles back and walked in for a zero day at the Inn.Out late at 9:30 AM, considering I was planning a big day. The day consisted of numerous severe ups and downs in hot conditions. Pretty tiring. I kept meeting Beater and Wife, which was always a pleasure. They run a big Christmas tree operation in soutwest Connecticut. I had fun comparing our own abortive tree venture with their very successful one.I'm enjoying a Vermont Public Broadcasting station out of Norwich which plays nothing but classical music, with good variety, not just the old chestnuts or "classical lite."It was after 6 PM when we finally arrived here. It's a new, clean, roomy shelter with a good water source and a fair privy. Thunder rumbled and rain started up soon afterwards, so it's to be a shelter night.The evenings are getting shorter and the birds are waking up later. Time is rushing by. I feel more of a drive forwards now, the closer to home I get.Full and sleepy, so G'nite!
Date: 2004-08-11
From: Winturi Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

11.6 mi. in 7.5 hrs. (including 2 mile road walk to S. Pomfret) Glad to be under cover. We hadseveral noisy and wet thunderstorms pass over us last night. Awoke to themurkiest, dampest morning yet. My glasses fogged up whenever I put them on. We all agreed on a short day today, to hit the nearer shelter in time to beat asimilar storm pattern. That would leave a somewhat longer hike into Hanover thenext day, but so be it. Once again, I ran into a lot of hard ups and downs,more than my map profiles would predict. The treat of the day was a shortroad walk into the tiny settlement of So. Pomfret to their general store,towards noon. I hit their deli counter hard, as well as buying provisions forthe rest of the hike to Hanover. Then came the race against the predictedafternoon storms. The trail wound through a lot of hilly mountaintoppastures. Saw many garter snakes, big and small. I made it to this shelter, closely followed by Beater and Wife, a half hour ahead of a thunderstorm which broke right overhead. Never mind the low miles; timing is everything!We have some SOBOs sharing this new roomy shelter, and the first of the flip-flops: NOBO's who for various reasons stopped hiking north, hopped up to Katahdin and are now hiking south to where they got off trail. This one's called Public, and he met Wife and Beater way back in Virginia. Quite a few mosquitoes at this shelter, so I'll try to set up a smudgy fire out front before long, storms permitting. But first supper! Currently it consists of two courses. First comes instant mashed potatoes, in a double-pack flavored withherbs, 4-cheese or garlic. To that I add powdered milk, olive oil, Lipton'sspicy Thai soup mix, and some form of meat (tuna, chicken, or vienna sausagebits). Yum! I make it rather runny, like Vichysoisse, to get it down faster andclean it up more easily. Then comes a followup course of Ramen noodles. I still like them! That two-course format gets me through the night without too much stomach-growling.(2 hrs. later) Another rip-roaring storm passed by, dumping pea-sized hail on us. Imagine the sound of it on our tin roof. Diesel, Lorax, Joker, Party Girl, Rael, Mayaguezand Yoga Monkey came in dripping wet, having hiked through both storms. They'retenting here tonight. New couple signing registers ahead of us: Host andParasite! I'd like to meet them and guess who's who. Another couple: Bonnie(him) and Clyde (her). Time to turn in, but the twenty-somethings are justfiring up for a noisy shelter evening. Hope I get some sleep. Half of themsmoke. Too bad. Tomorrow comes a long run to Hanover. I have a good chance ofseeing Raven again. He's a day ahead, and will be meeting his two sons inHanover for a three-day section hike. I'll get a room at the same motel, thenGloria will join me the next day. G'nite! Now or Never
Date: 2004-08-13
From: Hanover, NH

To: Hanover
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

d:Hanover (zero day)Slept well through a rainy night, but these lodgings were just too "basic" if I were to be stuck in town for the weekend. I walked down the strip to a Hampton Inn and decided on an upgrade there. My birthday present to myself. Fancy setting, great breakfast layout, etc.Gloria wasn't due in till mid-afternoon, so hopped the free shuttle bus these towns offer (amazing!) back into Hanover to look around. Ran into Skippy, Poppins, and Friar at the post office, looking bedraggled from their walk into town in the rain this morning. Met Baltimore Jack and Heat Miser back at the outing club, then had a yummy Thai lunch.The weekend really began with Gloria's arrival after her long drive through the rain. We ate in town at a good pub. I spotted Raven walking past the window and hauled him in for a beer with us. He was trolling the streets, looking for familiar faces while preparing to hike to Glencliff with his two boys. It was great catching up with him, however briefly. Then we caught a good local blues band giving a free show in a town hall over in Norwich. These old bones can still dance (no snickers, kids!). Then back to the Inn. There are worse places to be stuck in because of weather!G'nite!
Date: 2004-08-14
From: Etna-Hanover Center Rd.

To: Hanover
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: broken clouds

5.9 mi. in 2.5 hrs.Fair weather today, between the two hurricanes. Gloria and I shopped forprovisions, then drove up to the hostel at Glencliff to drop off three days'worth for my next leg beyond there. Saw Bilbo and Rainy Jay there, preparing tomove on. Then we drove back to town and walked six miles of the trail justbeyond Hanover, to make the most of this good weather while waiting for therainstorm. We left some drinks and fruit in a cooler for thruhikers along thetrail, and it was cleaned out when we returned a few hours later. The trail hada lot of variety, leading through fields, woods and pine plantations, over somesteep hills, and across a bog full of cattails. We ran into several NOBOs sincewe were headed south. Then came a birthday dinner (Thai, not so great) andback to the room. A busy near-o day. G'nite! Now or never
Date: 2004-08-15
From: Hanover

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

10.8 mi. in 7.5 hrs. All good things must come to an end, and so itwas with Gloria's visit on our much-appreciated zero-day birthday weekend inHanover. The second hurricane skipped us and the day dawned clear and dry.And my feet and legs finally felt ready to go again. Gloria dropped me off wherewe started our day-hike yesterday, on her way out of town towards home. I wasgroaning under the weight of my winter pack and winter gear, even though itcouldn't have been more than six pounds heavier. Hope I can adjust. The trailran up two good-sized mountains, Moose and Holt's Ledge. Holt's is the site of aperegrine falcon refuge. Some fellow hikers spotted one flying by after I passedby, but I wasn't so lucky. Arrived late (6:30 PM) and tired at this shelter.Shortly afterwards in came Speak Up, who I hadn't seen since Virginia. He was ingood shape and good spirits. Good to hook up with him again. We both hope to seeRaven two days hence in Glencliff, before he heads home with his boys for a few days. Nice shelter, nicewater source, nice privy, nice weather, nice company. Only five people heretonight: Up (tall Texan) and Down (short girlfriend), Dennis (section hiker fromMA), Speak Up and me. Dennis got a campfire going, which always adds a homey,sociable touch. Should be a quiet cool dry night. G'nite! Now orNever
Date: 2004-08-16
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

12.0 mi. in 8 hrs. Just before dawn I heard rain on my tent, and abarred owl calling quite close by. I hoped that would offset the NOAA weatherforecast of rain all day. I moved all my gear to the shelter, where I atebreakfast, repacked, and pondered with the others how to do miles on a rainyday. Off I went at 8 AM into a steady light rain, Up and Down and Speak Uppreparing to leave soon after. The air was chilly and damp but I warmed up soonenough in the long climb up Smart's Mtn. The rain stopped within an hour.Thanks, friend owl! The miles came slowly. I'm still struggling with myheavier "winter" pack, and the trail was a sea of mud. I didn't botherclimbing the fire tower on the mountain because of the poor visibility. Speak Upand Up and Down caught up with me for lunch there. Arrived at this shelteraround 4 PM, just before the rain set in once again, heavy this time. Timing iseverything! This shelter is new and shaped as a hexagon, with two sides open. There's plenty of time to do my camp routine. We'll havemore miles to do tomorrow but the weather should be dry. We'll see what shapethe trail's in. Here tonight are Speak Up, me, Mayaguez (my age, retired steel worker from OH, once played minor league baseball in PR, nice quiet guy),Diesel (Viet Vet, then worked as contractor for DOD in Germany for many years, loves gardening and beer making, competition ping pong player, lots of personality, recently retired at 55 and thinking over options), Dennis, and a SOBO named Mustard who's given us much helpful advice on getting through the White Mountains.Almost 8 PM and nearly dark in this rain. This shelter's new and dry, so itshould be a good night. G'nite! Now or Never
Date: 2004-08-17
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 14.8

14.8 mi. in 9.0 hr. The rain pounded down mostof the night, but finally stopped. We awoke to rushing water all around us:freshets, trickles along paths, and droplets falling off trees all around us inthe fog. Mayaguez, Speak Up and I set out around 7 AM to contiinue the climbup Mt. Cube. The top was rocky and exposed, but the mist hid any good vistas.Down we went on our way to the second hill of the day, Mt. Mist. By then the suncame out and the weather turned clear and dry. We hiked into the littlesettlement of Glencliff around 4 PM, and checked in at the Hikers WelcomeHostel. It's a ramshackle complex of huts surrounding an old frame buildingoffering all the essentials: showers, laundry, Fridge loaded with snacks andsodas, internet, TV with DVD movies, and shuttles to restaurants and markets.I'm sleeping on a mattress on the floor of one of the outlying tarp-coveredsheds along with Mayaguez, Speak Up, and Sanguine. Raven had walked in a few hours earlier with his sons. We went out to dinner alongwith Speak Up and caught up on events and met the boys. Up and Down, Raven and sons, and Sanguine at Hikers Welcome Hostel, Glencliff Time for bed.Tomorrow I'll sort out food and make plans for the big hike up Mt. Moosilauketomorrow morning. That's the first of the true White Mountains NOBOs encounter.The weather promises to be fair. Nice for a change. G'nite! Now orNever