morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-20
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: light rain

DAY 55.THE HIKE. I hiked all morning by streams. In a light sprinkle. Just enough to make all the forest colors darker and richer. Between the creeks and rain, there was such a soothing sound with the brooks gurgling and the rain pattering on the leaves. But it poured rain the last trail mile, which included a straight up boulder scramble. Ugh. I wonder if the locals got a New Jersey trail designer to lay out that section. hmmmm. This was an 11-hour trail day. I'm bushed.THE ROCK. I took a hard fall coming down the last big descent from Bear Mountain. Long sections were on solid, slanted, wet rock. Two other hikers required ambulances when they got to the bottom - one with a head injury, the other with a broken arm. I hit a slick spot on a rock with my left foot, and my right lower leg buckled undr me; to avoid snapping my knee, I rolled right and hit landed hard on the rock. I lay there a minute with my cheek on the rock. A nice opportunity for a brief rest, I thought. Nothing broken, but I will probably be sore tomorrow. BODY WOES. My left knee was hurting today. From my new shoe inserts? the hard day with a lot of leg twisting on Friday? I had to use my ace bandage again. My right shoulder was hurting so much from an previous off-angle catch of myself that I had to re-do my pack straps to put most of my pack weight onto my left shoulder, and hiked without using my right trekking pole at all. That felt really odd, after using both poles nearly every step for the past 800 miles!WASHING. Got to this shelter in the rain and washed off in the cold stream. I raced back up the hill to the leanto singing, "Run for the Roses". Fairly unclothed in the rain. Well, I was wearing my crocs. The experience seemed to bring my body back to life! But our clothes haven't been washed for a week now by anything other than rain; they are getting kinda aromatic.PLANS. We are hoping to get to Rutland tomorrow where a hot shower and washing machine await. Yeah! We're trying to get out before 6:00 am tomorrow - it looks like a long day with lots of ups...
Date: 2008-07-21
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Inn At Long Trail, Killington, VT
Miles today: 16.4

DAY 56.THE HIKE. Got here around 4:30 pm today. Hiked in a cool fog and rain all afternoon; I had to wear my long-sleeve shirt. The last couple of miles were creek-walking - water was just running down the middle of the trail. The funny thing is that the "creek" was less mucky/mushy than walking around the water, so we just splashed along.HOKIES EVERYWHERE. I LOVE this state of Vermont. I think it is great there are so many fellow Virginia Tech fans here. They have the appropriate VT on signs all over the place. Go Hokies!
Date: 2008-07-22
From: Inn At Long Trail, Kinnington, VT

To: Inn At Long Trail, Killington, VT
Miles today: 0.0

DAY 57.ZERO. We zeroed today (stayed put, no trail hiking) - Tennessee and I were both beat. My knees were both sore. And that spot on my back has only gotten worse. I got to a massage therapist this morning, and she did me a world of good; it is still sore, but mostly from the deep muscle work - the "spot" is diffused.
Date: 2008-07-23
From: Inn At Long Trail, Killington, VT

To: Inn At Long Trail, Killington, VT
Miles today: 0.0

DAY 58.DOUBLE ZEROES. I've never done this before. I'm taking a second zero day here. The weather has been the major factor in the decision. Last night's weather report predicted up to 5-7 inches of rain, with lightning. We decided to make the decision this morning after breakfast. There was a visual break in the monsoon (on the regional weather radar), and we thought we might be able to make a break for it to the next shelter (only 10 miles out). But around 10:00, the 64 degree rain hit, with the lightning, and we decided to stay put one more day. Probably a good decision for my back.MY TOP STUPID 5 TRAIL DEEDS LIST. The dumbest things I have done on the trail (so far): (5) Tripping myself with my own trekking pole (in my own defense, this has usually happened when brush on the side of the trail kicked my pole back toward my feet while I was mid-stride); (4) Stabbing myself in the top of the foot with my own trekking pole (this one is taken care of now, with the little rubber thingies covering each pole tip); (3) Carefully chlorinating some questionable drinking water, and then 5-10 minutes later sipping it while hiking, just out of habit! Yuck (supposed to wait 30 minutes). (2) Trying to hang my hammock from two nails inside Dick's Dome Shelter, and when I sat in it to test it, one nail flew out toward my leg as I fell to the floor with a whoomp! (1) Smacking toward my face at a KEG (Kamikazi Eyeball Gnat) and hitting my eye so hard that it made me see stars!
Date: 2008-07-24
From: Inn At Long Trail, Killington, VT

To: Stoney Brook Shelter, VT
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: moderate rain

DAY 59.THE HIKE. Tennessee and I got out of the Inn. Others were zeroing one more day because of the weather. The two of us felt the Inn's gravitational field pulling on us with increasing force, so we bolted in a break in the rain. We got a mile up the trail with no rain - to the top of the mountain! Woo hoo! And then the deluge let loose. For most of the entire day. We were hiking in muck and wet rocks and roots for the morning, then creek-walking (i.e., in the middle of the trail) for the last 3-4 miles. We had originally planned to get to this shelter (ten miles out) and then decide about going another seven to a campsite, but the cold rain sucked a lot of the life juices right out of us! A SANCTUARY. This shelter has a mud/water front "yard" that looks more like a pig sty than anything else. Inside the leaky shelter are two on the floor, one in a tent, and two of us hanging in hammocks. I should sleep pretty well tonight. We plan to do a pretty big mileage day tomorrow if the weather and trail allow.
Date: 2008-07-25
From: Stoney Brook Shelter, VT

To: Stealth site, ~ 0.6 past Pomfret Rd, VT
Miles today: 18.0

DAY 60.THE TRAIL. Blue skies! Sun! Still a lot of mud. Nice creeks and waterfalls. And the afternoon trail was pleasant indeed. PINK-PACKER. We met about nine slack-packers; i.e., Tennessee and I hiking north, they were hiking back toward Rutland after hitching a ride around to a road (carrying just day packs). One of them was "Mighty Fine" Gentle Spirit - the very person who had referred to our slackpack last week as "pinkpacking". When we met in the trail, we greeted one another, of course, and then I very obviously looked at his pack and said, "Uh, shouldn't this be pink?" (it wasn't). But he DID have a pink water bottle! Funny guy.LYME. Discovered that several hikers have already had to get off the trail due to the tick-borne Lymes Disease. Makes you think a bit harder as you wade through fields of shoulder-high grass hanging into the trail...
Date: 2008-07-27
From: Happy Hill Shelter, VT

To: Tigger's Tree House, Etna, NH (near Hanover)
Miles today: 5.8

TIGGER'S PEOPLE. A short, nice trail into town, where Karen Puckett picked us up on the University of Dartmouth. We went to Church with her and her husband Ralph, to a combined Baptist & UCC congregation. A good sermon, It was good to be back in worship with God's people after missing a couple of Sundays. the wonderful Pucketts hauled Tennessee and me afterward to the outfitter store (I now have an air mattress that actually holds air! yes!), and to Walmart for food and drinks (after a nice lunch at Friendly's).GEAR. I got my Winter gear send here by my sweetie: a pair of heavy socks, a very warm shirt, a base-layer bottoms (i.e., long johns), and my zipoff long pants. I'm mailing back my shorts and liner socks. The remainder seems a bit heavy to me, but I don't want to be shivering in the Presidential Range or in the White Mountains. We're hoping for clearer weather; the New Hampshire views are supposed to be spectacular, and I don't just want to "endure" the trail! I just hope the discomfort in my back disappears so I can enjoy the hikes a bit more.
Date: 2008-07-28
From: Tigger's Tree House, Etna, NH (near Hanover)

To: Trapper John Shelter, NH
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: broken clouds

DAY 63.PAIN. Almost no sleep last night, due to my back aching. Rats. Was able to call Magda, and she's sending my Granite Gear pack to Glencliff (a couple of days away); maybe it will be more friendly to my back.HIKE. Not a bad hike today. Cool, and some great views, especially at Holts Ledge. The trail needs better blazing where it turns down the hill from the Ledge; I missed the turn and got a 20-minute tour of a ski area. Grrr.
Date: 2008-07-29
From: Trapper John Shelter, NH

To: Stealth Camp, after Mt. Cube
Miles today: 15.2

DAY 64.Beautiful views! Yea! But rainy all afternoon. Boo. My back is still hurting a lot. Lots of mud and boulder scrambling. So glad not to be tramping in that Vermont muck; New Hampshire muck is SOOOO much better. Hrumph. It feels like we have simply gone from VerMUD to New HampshMIRE. A long day. About 11 hours to get in at 7:00 p.m. Tonight, I'm hammock hanging by a creek; great music to sleep to. Ahhhh.
Date: 2008-07-30
From: Stealth Camp, after Mt. Cube

To: The Hiker Hostel, Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 11.5

DAY 65.THE HIKE. Aside from the mud and tenacious mosquitos, this was a nice portion of trail. The mosquitos "bugged" me all morning (sucking my blood from my neck, elbows, and legs) until I stopped for lunch and put on my Deet, at which time the number of mudholes nearly disappeared!THE PLAN. Got my other pack, and an appointment for tomorrow with a massage therapist. Good timing, with severe thunderstorms predicted for tomorrow; our first climb out of here is Mt. Moosilauke, which has exposed ridgelines above the treeline - NOT a place to be with lightning popping around.
Date: 2008-07-31
From: The Hiker Hostel, Glencliff, NH

To: The Hiker Hostel, Glencliff. NH
Miles today: 0.0

THE WORKS. I did a "Zero Day" today; i.e., hiked not at all. It was rainy. The massage therapist worked my back for an hour. She worked it so deeply with her hand and elbow it felt like she must have had her knee in there a few times!PEOPLE. Popeye and Lil Mak took off today over Mt. Moosalauki this morning during a break in the storm. There were several waves of torrential rain and thunder in the next several hours; I'm sure they were cold and soggy by the time they got to the first shelter at the 8-mile mark; I hope they are ok. Daddy-o got here - exhibiting symptoms like what I had a couple of weeks ago. PLANS. Tennessee and I are slackpacking the 10-mile section over Moosilauki tomorrow. It has ladders and rebar handles for the ascent - easier going up it than down it, they say.
Date: 2008-08-01
From: The Hiker Hostel, Glencliff. NH

To: The Hiker Hostel, Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 9.5

THE HIKE. We hiked from Kinsman Notch back to Glencliff. The trail went straight up a draw, beside a spectacular cascade much of the way. It was SLOW go, even without a full pack; the 9-1/2 miles took us 6-1/2 hours. It one point, I found a slug on my arm - at first I thought it was just a race between us, but I later concluded he was probably hiking OVER me. WE got some great views along the way, but it rained on me most of the way down.
Date: 2008-08-02
From: The Hiker Hostel, Glencliff, NH

To: Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

DAY 68.We slackpacked to Lincoln today - it rained most of the day on us. We had to traverse a multitude of dangerous rock faces and boulder scrambles all made slicker by the water running over them. The trail was frequently a matter of stepping UP 5 feet, then DOWN 3 feet, then UP 2.5 feet, then DOWN 4 feet. We had to hike much of the day in the Appalachian River (i.e., water running down the middle of the trail in significant amounts). It was a 12-1/5-hour day - very slow! We were hiking in the near dark (after 8:00pm, in the rainy woods). I'm so tired, I just want to get a hot shower and eat a few munchies and hit the bed....
Date: 2008-08-03
From: Lincoln, NH

To: Greenleaf Hut, NH
Miles today: 6.4

DAY 68.THE HIKE. It rained pretty much all day today. Then, as I was ascending Mt. Lafayette, fog and heavy blowing rain came in, with a dropping temperature. I estimate it was about 40 degrees, with gusts up to 40 mph. There was a flood watch over this whole portion of the state today. Water and muck holes filled much of the trail today. The mountain in the thick fog looked so dark and mysterious; there were 10-12 "false tops", each one successively taller than the last, all on an exposed ridgeline of trail. Each "top" had a cover of massive outcrop of rocks, looking like old ruins. With the fog, it looked like a scene from Lord of the Rings - I half expected orcs to come pouring over the tops any moment!THE STAY. I was battling hypothermia as I struggled to the mile-high summit of Lafayette over very rocky trail. I was eating trail mix as fast as I could, and could still feel my energy being sapped. I am staying in a "hut" for the first time. Here in the White Mountains, you can work for stay, in exchange for a hot supper and breakfast, plus an opportunity to sleep on one of the dinner tables!
Date: 2008-08-04
From: Greenleaf Hut, NH

To: Galehead Hut, NH
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: light rain

DAY 69.THE HUT. These huts are very fancy. It is a bit strange to wait until the paying customers have all eaten, then we get the leftovers in the kitchen! "Hermit" and I were the only two thru-hikers at the Greenleaf Hut, so after brreakfast this morning we had to take all the 144 blankets outside, shake them, then fold them "just so", and stack them properly on the bunks. A BREAK? I waited until noon to leave, because the weather report predicted a possible break in the rain and clouds. It never 'broke', so I finally took off in the cold drizzle. It rained on me most of the day. I hiked all day with my balaklava, my ear cover, my gloves, and most of my other winter clothes on. I got into this hut today looking llike a drowned rat. I am sooo tired....
Date: 2008-08-05
From: Galehead Hut, NH

To: Crawford Notch Campground, Crawford Notch, NH
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: fog

DAY 70.THE HIKE. I got out earlier today - around 9:00. The weather was alternately drizzle with short stints of sunshine. The trail was mostly mud and boulder scrambles. Plus, the trail was NOT well marked. Popeye, Lil Mak and I took a wrong turn after lunch (finishing up a "bad weather trail") and somehow ended up about 12 miles away from where we expected to be. Fortunately, a nice woman named "Mariam" was just finishing a day hike and gave us a hitch to this campground's bunkhouse.THE STAY. Using the campground's grill and charcoal, we cooked Boca Burgers, Keilbasa, baked beans, with ice crream for dessert, all washed down with a Gatorade variety called "Tuckerman." It all recharged my system! Clean laundry and a hot shower - aah. I can brush my teeth tonight (I left my whole toilet kit two huts back!).
Date: 2008-08-06
From: Crawford Notch Campground, Crawford Notch, NH

To: Crawford Notch Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

DAY 71.THE WAIT. We zeroed here today, trying to wait out this cold, heavy rain. Fortunately, Popeye and Lil MAK were here. We managed to entertain ourselves much of the morning with dancing on the table (there ws a radio in the bunkhouse playing 'classic rock'); we had a puppet show (with my gloves on the end of my trekking poles). I took an afternoon nap. We watched other wet hikers come in, looking all soggy. After the three of us volunteered to move to a 'yurt', we had the Ed Sullivan Show, featuring Elvis Presley! We laughed hard and loud today. We missed Tennessee, and he missed the morale-building shows!
Date: 2008-08-07
From: Crawford Notch Campground

To: Joe Dodge Lodge, Pinkham Notch, NH
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: fog

DAY 72.THE HIKE. We left this morning without rain, but it rained on us multiple times throughout the day. I hiked with Popeye and Lil Mak today. SAD NOTE. I got a brief note from Tennessee saying he is now OFF the trail! I don't know the reason. I hope he is not sick or hurt. I'll really miss him.REAL MOUNTAINS. I got to actually see some brief (1-2 minute) views of mountains and valleys, with even about three minutes of sun today! WOW! And we got a TWENTY minute view during lunch at Lake of the Clouds Hut. BAIL OUT. During lunch the three of us made a decision based upon the weather report for the next week to take the Bad Weather Trail out of the White Mountains. There is nothing but heavy rain, fog, and thunderstorms predicted for the next several days. I'll come back someday with Magda and see what I missed. It is a real letdown to miss most of the scenery, but safety takes priority over wishful thinking. The trekking pole I fixed the other day broke today while I was going down a steep rock pile; a boulder shifted under me, and the next thing I knew I was running down the mountainside almost completely out of control! When I was able to stop 40-50 feet later, I noticed my pole was bent; minutes later, it just fell apart! I hope I can repair it again.
Date: 2008-08-08
From: Joe Dodge Lodge, Pinkham Notch, NH

To: Imp Shelter, NH
Miles today: 13.1

DAY 73.POLE. I got a ski pole on the "pole exchange" at the AMC's shop. It is kinda heavy, but at least it's not broken.THE HIKE. I was able to start today's hike with no rain, but it started about 10 minutes into my day. It sprinkled - then Heavy downpour. Steady. No mountain views at the overlooks. I did get to hike beside a large stream much of the morning, which was nice. A bowl of soup at the Carter Notch Hut and conversation with folks there warmed me up for the 7-1/2 mile afternoon trek to this shelter. More rain. Fog. No views. Sigh. The last two miles of trail to here was the worst section I've ever seen: steep rock faces and cliffs, with no help for hikers. A creek was running down the trail. Aargh.PEOPLE. In for the night with just one South-bounder ("Cheese Whiz"). I got to talk to Tennessee via phone this morning. He is going home tomorrow because of the soggy, cold weather. I'll miss him indeed.
Date: 2008-08-09
From: Imp Shelter, NH

To: White Birches Campground, Gorham, NH
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

DAY 74.THE HIKE. I left Imp shelter this morning in cold fog. I could tell there would have been great views from mountaintops today, but not for me. I only saw fog. And cold rain, of course.SUN. After lunch: sunshine most of the afternoon! I could even see my shadow! And the last four miles of trail were actually nice hiking; it was all I could do to keep from running! Imagine that: blue skies overhead, and day hikers coming to Mt. Moriah. I even got to glimpse some nice views of mountains through the trees. Tennessee was flying out today. Sigh.GORHAM. I staying tonight in a hiker hostel. Very hospitable owners. A hot shower. Clean DRY clothes! Five of us caught a cab to Walmart - I was able to get deoderant and more Advil again. It is nice not to have to smell like the "No-Deo" Gamey group of Thru-hikers. Woo hoo! But my shoes have been invaded by the contents of so many trail muck holes, they smell pretty funky. I'm going through my food mail drop tonight; it is always marvelous to get those little notes and unexpected dark chocolate treats from my sweetie! Got a really neat card from the folks at Peace Place, the worshipers at the Sumter flea market! Thanks!
Date: 2008-08-10
From: White Birches Campground, Gorham, NH

To: Trident Col Tentsite, NH
Miles today: 6.9

DAY 75.THE HIKE. I got to hike out into blue skies this morning. Great mountain views! I couldn't get onto the trail until 8:30 am (had to settle with the hostel owners). It was slow, steep goe, but much of the hike today was on a real hiking trail! What a welcome change.THE RACE. I was sitting on a rock eating lunch at the top of of Cascade Mountain, chatting with a SOBO (South-bounder) when a crack of thunder snapped us both to our feet. In the distance (mayby 20 miles?) I could see a mountain receiving a lot of rain. Ten minutes later, when I could look the same direction, I could only see a deluge headed my way! Yikes! I raced the 1.1 miles down to this campsite around 2:30 and got up my hammock and rain fly just as the rains began. I thought I might just wait out the storm and go on five miles farther to the next shelter, as planned. The rain and thunder have been rolling overhead for hours now. I am SO glad I stopped - I know there are a lot of exposed mountaintops ahead. I'll get out early and try to do a 14-1/2 miler tomorrow. I took a one-hour nap while waiting for a break in the storm. I'll just stay here - all cozy in my green cocoon!ANIMALS. I saw and heard a Barred Owl fly overhead several times. A HUGH animal.
Date: 2008-08-11
From: Trident Col Tentsite, NH

To: Carlo Col Shelter, ME
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: moderate rain

DAY 76.CRITTERS. I heard a pack of coyotes run past the campsite around 1:30 this morning, yipping and howling. I'm glad my food was in the Bear Box provided; coyotes are notorious thieves.THE HIKE. A slow trail again. Lots of muck. Dangerous ups and downs on wet, slanted rock faces. Did I mention wet? Yes, it rained all morning. I banged my right knee pretty hard on a rock at the end of the day. I was negotiating a descent down a fifteen foot high rock face. I had the outer edge of my show clinging to a 1-1/2 " wide ledge of the rock face, looking for a left foot placement. When I shifted to get my left foot around, my pack pushed a little bit against the rock, sending me outward and downward. I was free-falling. I was able to miss major rocks below, and was able to land with the Airborne Ranger side roll (thanks to my brother Gary showing me how, years ago!). I just rolled into the stones and dirt with no major body damage, but I did hit the outside of my knee on the way down. It swelled immediately. I hope it is not serious. It was my third fall today, a new one-day record for me. The first was a double-footed slip in mud, and the second was a slip on a wet root. I got to the shelter after 8:00 tonight, bone tired. But I did finally make it into Maine today!
Date: 2008-08-12
From: Carlo Col Shelter, ME

To: Stealth Camp, 2/3 up Mahoosuc Arm, ME
Miles today: 8.2

DAY 77.THE TRUDGE. What a day! I had a bit of drizzle and fog early, but it burned off and I was able to see mountains. Wow. Slow trail: more rock faces and mud lollies all morning. I hiked the long gully of very large boulders called Mahoosuc Notch, known as the slowest mile of the whole Appalachian Trail. It took me almost THREE HOURS to get through it! Holes. Pullups. Jumps. Crawling UNDER and through boulder holes, dragging my pack after me. I was alone, and the last hiker for the day, so I was a bit extra cautious. And then the hike up Mahoosuc Arm (the mountain immediately after the notch) was straight up the mountainside, almost all wet rock faces. It was getting late - I was exhausted - when one of my trekking poles escaped my grasp, and tumbled and rolled about 150' straight down a rock face; aargh. Remembering last evening's mishap, I stopped around 7:30pm, about 500' below the summit. I'm camping by a spring, hanging in my hammock. Had some beef stew. Cold fog is rolling in. I am sooo tired. I am sure I will be sore and achy tomorrow. It is really dark in this spruce forest...
Date: 2008-08-13
From: Stealth Camp, 2/3 up Mahoosuc Arm, ME

To: Mahoosuc Lodge, Grafton Notch, ME
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: light rain

DAY 78.OOOF. It felt like my pack must have weighed 80 pounds today. The rest of the climb up Mahoosuc Arm was mostly straight up rock faces; I had to toss up my poles and then pull myself up on all fours. I cooked breakfast at Speck Pond shelter, but the hike up Old Speck Mountain was laborious. I didn't just feel I was low on energy, but I could tell I had carryover muscle fatigue from yesterday. I made it to this hostel; I am the only hiker here. I had bean & macaroni (with venison added) soup, with frish squash and carrots. The good news: NO RAIN TODAY AT ALL. Amazing.