morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-31
From: Pierce Pond lean-to

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

TRAIL MAGIC DAY! Wow, what a day. It was a nice ten miles to here today.I stopped at a "pond" for a few hours. Picked a bag of blueberries for breakfast tomorrow.Saw a few cool birds today, one sounded like an Osprey, but I couldn't get a good look, but Dangerberry said he saw something and described it and it was an Osprey... probably, I didn't see it. I need a small pair of binoculars. I saw some sort of hawk or small falcon, it was hard to tell which it was. Sort of looked like a merlin, which is possible, but unlikely. So anyway, on with the good stuff. I'm glad I didn't push a 17 today because first of all I found out there is some big group of teenagers that hogged up the next shelter at like 11 this morning. But even better, as I was sitting here cooking dinner, this guy and girl walk up with a bag of wood and a cooler. I thought, this could only be good news. So Rob and Lindsey proceeded to hand each of us a coke and tell us how Lindsey caught 23" lake trout today on their boat that they rode across the lake with to bring us dinner of trout and potatoes and onions, cooked on our campfire that they built. They watched us eat, and talked, of course, then took all of our trash and went on their merry way back to their cabin across the lake. Way too fucking cool. What a night. We all just sat there and thought did that just really happen? But, yeah I forgot to say yesterday that I caught up with those flip floppers yesterday that I met on the bus. It was funny, they were taking a zero at the shelter, and were plastered drunk when I got there, It was funny, but they were here tonight for the magic. Well, AWESOME DAY!Birds seen: Kingfisher P.S. Oh, the other trail magic was right after I went swimming in the pond, there was an older couple who set up their tent on the little beach. I stopped an talked to them, and he was a thru-hiker 7 years ago. They were just going around visiting his favorite places from the trail. So, she asked if I had any fresh fruit in a while, and I replied no. So, she gave me an apple. Everyone else at the shelter passed them, some even stopped and talked, but no one got a sweet apple but me.
Date: 2010-08-01
From: West Carry Pond Lean-to

To: stealth tent - Little Bigelow
Miles today: 10.0

Kind of slept in today. Didn't get up til 9 or so. Then a couple stopped in for lunch and I talked to them for a good hour. After that, Tenessee stopped in (the guy I drove to Stratton) and said hi. I didn't get on the trail 'til almost noon. It's all good. Stopped at Little Bigelow lean-to for lunch at dinner time, but didn't go in the "tubs". I decided to push on a few more miles since I was so lazy this morning. Some more trail magic today. Two women that are section hiking, who I've been hiking around since pretty much Katahdin, finished their section and decided to do trail magic all day and play Trivial Pursuit. I scored 2 bananas and a coke. It was awesome. The view at Little Bigelow is beautiful, I can see Avery Peak and the mountains I'm going to climb after it looks rugged, sort of like myself. Sugarloaf Mountain had a bunch of campfires around it which looked pretty cool in the dark. My bivy is set up on some moss next to a rock / boulder in a little crevice. When I stealth, I stealth.Birds seen: Broad winged hawk
Date: 2010-08-02
From: stealth tent - Little Bigelow

To: Horns Pond lean-to
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: few clouds

And what a fun 8.5 miles it was. A beautiful morning to wake up to clouds covering the entire area except the peaks of the mountains.Avery was amazingly beautiful overlooking my next couple days of Saddleback and Sugarloaf. It's basically a big circle of mountains, then you go on. Tough but wonderful. Started t-storming on my way down so I called it a day. It's pleasantly raining right now as I sit here alone in the lean-to staring at southern Mtn. Man, that is one horny mountain. Yes, I just did that. I had to. Skipping Stratton tomorrow, should only be 3 days to Rangeley, where I have a new pair of boots, some bad-ass good, and a sweet pair of binoculars for birding that Steve wanted to get me. Too cool. can't wait. It's wonderful having all these peaks around, I spent about 2.5 hours last night on the phone. I miss everybody but I'll be in PA before I know it.Birds seen:
Date: 2010-08-03
From: Horns Pond lean-to

To: Horn Pond lean-to
Miles today: 0.0

Haha, another zero already. It was raining all morning and the ridgerunner / local volunteer trail maintainer asked if I wanted to do some trail work. I said hells yea! We put in a water bar and some steps behind it, then a bunch of other little water bars. I learned a lot of stuff today. It's definitely gonna make me think a lot more when I walk. It's going to make me appreciate the work done to the trail so much more. Besides that, I just did some work on the play and stared into nothingness. It was beautiful. I told Jeff I would hang around tomorrow and do more work if he wanted. It is fun throwing huge boulders around. We will see what the weather is doing, but there is no shelter for 18, tough, miles.Birds seen: Hermit Thrush
Date: 2010-08-04
From: Horn Pond lean-to

To: Horn Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0

I will never appreciate rock steps any more than I do right now. Took a zero day and Jeff "otis" and I went and finished his steps that he built from the rock slide. Most crews use a lever pulley system to transport the boulders, but not this one! We used a system called "these pythons" it is a new technique where a stud-muffin pulls a 100-150 lb boulder out of the ground and pushes it up about 70 to the staircase. We used this process all day... and let me tell you, it works phenomenally. Scored some soups from a couple who were doing a little section and had some food left over. It'll get me to Rangeley on a full stomach which is great. I was getting a little scarce on the food tip. Just about out of seasonings though, which sucks fat donkey kong. 2 days. So these guys I met in the 100 miles of wilderness showed up to hang out with Jeff last night, they were celebrating Sir Woodchucks thru hike finish. Turns out I went to Millersville with "Boy FLoyd" the entire time I was there. Small world. Big 18 tomorrow. Crocker and such.
Date: 2010-08-05
From: Horn Pond Lean-to

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, not as far as I would have liked. Oh well, I'm shot. My hands have not been not pruned all day. Very humid day. I believe yesterday took a lot out of me, because I didn't have the energy I usually do. I was contemplating walking to the next shelter, but didn't feel like going til midnight or after. then I would be shot for tomorrow. Oh well, soaked to the core and ready for bed.
Date: 2010-08-06
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: Spalding Lean-to
Miles today: 6.2

So instead of taking a zero Sunday I decided to break my 2 days into 3. So now I'm going to do 6, 8, 8. I really think post office should be open 7 days a week!Haha. Oh well. It got very, very cold today. Quite a drastic change from yesterday's ridiculous humidity. I met 3 brits from oxford today. We decided to play texas hold 'em for treats. I put in a Maple Almond butter packet that a guy gave me (which are supposed to be like gold). I had the upper hand in the game until Lois gave all her chips to Joe which evened the score. I could have taken some of her chips, but she wanted her snickers back and he was going to give it to her. In the end, Joe gave me back the almond butter because I gave them a bunch of water. Cool. Into the high 30s tonight.. exciting. Well, a nice easy eight tomorrow. Today's first couple of miles were good and challenging though. It's funny how they make you walk straight down a mountain and turn around and walk straight back up. It looked like the two mountains connected at the top, but who knows. It's so beautiful up here.
Date: 2010-08-07
From: Spalding Lean-to

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

Wow, frickin frigid last night. My bag held up great, I slept in next to nothing and was toasty all night. Great hiking weather today, didn't really push that hard, kind of meandered the first half of the day. Very cool waterfall, everything water wise is very low. makes me kind of nervous to go to mid atlantic states. I can't wait to get my resupply, I'm scraping on food. I had endamame for lunch, which did the trick but wasn't too filling. I've been meeting a bunch of cool Nobos, which is shifting my opinion on the whole. I've just met a bunch of arrogant ones that ruined my palate. I guess you'll have that in any large groups. Can't wait to get these binoculars! The brits pushed on a couple miles, so I'll probably meet up with them after Andover, they were a fun bunch.
Date: 2010-08-19
From: US 2/Gorham

To: Rattle River Shelter
Miles today: 1.8
Weather: few clouds

BROWNIES!!!! MMMMMM yummy yummy yumm! ME LOVE BROWNIES! Mama Bear, you are the BEST! Love you! WEll, Hiker Monday. Pack is loaded down like lead, but I have all the food in the world to eat, which I have become spectacular at doing. Speaking of eating, I had a fantastic lunch today in Gorham at Walmart (I know, they shut down the grocery story so I didn't have a choice). It included half gallon of chocolate milk, four bananas, four snack pack puddings and 5 pieces of pepperoni. Then I cot some strawberry white cranberry juice and put it in my platypus. Delicious!!! Needless to say, I ran to the privy as soon as I got to the shelter, which was a whopping 2 miles out of town. My legs appreciate the rest though. Got to go the library and connect myself to the world which is a hoot! Shout out to all my peeps keeping up with my journey! Your support means the world to me. It was tough hitching today. Going into town was easy, a guy circled back around, I guess he helps hikers out a lot. But in town, it was pulling teeth to get out to Walmart. It was funny, people would stop their cars thinking I was going to cross the street, even while I held my thumb out. Funny stuff. A cool ass lady went out of her way to pick me up at Walmart, then rove out of her way to take me back to the trail head. She was a very inspirational lady. Told me to keep chasing my dreams and not to give up on them. So I plan to do just that!Birds seen: Downy Woodpecker
Date: 2010-08-20
From: Rattle River Shelter

To: Rattle River Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Ok, I'll take a day. My body is thanking me as we speak. Don't judge me    I spent the first half of the day staring at the trees, and eating of course. Then people started showing up doing day hikes because it's only 2 miles from the road. I'd have to talk to them, which kind of ruined my staring into the woods. A really cool lady showed up this evening, Listener, who is doing her second and final section hike to Katahdin. She's 72 and weighs 95 lbs. I don't want to hear anyone ever say they're too old to hike the AT. I boiled her some water for her potatoes because she's going stoveless, and I gave her a brownie. She was a happy camper. Cool evening.
Date: 2010-08-21
From: Rattle River Shelter

To: Carter Notch Lean-to
Miles today: 13.4

Nice walk today with some good steep inclines. Got a great view of Washington. Kind of had to push a little bit to make it to the hut by five, in order to do a work for stay. It's great (most of the time). They let you do dishes or clean for an hour or two, and you can sleep there and they feed you the leftovers from dinner and breakfast. They almost didn't let me stay because there was already seven people there. But they did and the croo was very cool.Birds seen: Horse Sparrow, Junco
Date: 2010-08-22
To: Pinkhem Notch
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: fog

What a cold, rainy, poopy day. The weather was supposed to get bad today and hiking down huge wet rocks is never a fun thing. The first time I fell today I slid about 25 feet down a bald rock. The second time my feet slipped out from under me and I tumbled down to the edge of a rock. I just laid there in the rain and smelled the grass. I never really cared for the smell of grass before, but something about the place and time that made me appreciate it. But I made it to Pinkhem Notch visitor center, which has very expensive housing (basically for the thru-hikers). They do have a downstairs where you can take an expensive shower and organize your pack. I just needed to warm up so I sat there for a little while and made some cold Ramen. I was planning to walk a quarter mile back into the woods and put up my tarp. Another thru higher, Q-Tip (a NOBO), showed up and we started talking about how they wouldn't let us crash on the floor there. Then suddenly, out of the air, a kid named Mult showed up and asked us if we wanted some booze because they (the trail crew) had a party last night and they had a bunch left over. Q-Tip said "Yeah." He said he was going to go upstairs and talk to his girlfriend who works for the AMC. So I said, "Ask her if we can crash on the floor here." So he said there were open bunks in the trail crew quarters and we could stay there for the night. This made my year!!! We packed our stuff and came over to the bunkhouse, which was stocked with booze, and a lot of history. Then a kid named Luke, who was sweeping the floors in the basement earlier, asked if we wanted a ride to Gorham. So we went to the convenient sotry and I got hot coffee because i was so fucking cold. Awesome day transformed from a miserable morning. AND, I got my first shower since Morson, which was about a month ago. My record of not showering!!!! I swear I didn't smell bad, just my clothes!
Date: 2010-08-24
From: Pinkhem Notch

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 0.0

It's funny, you can always tell you're the first person hiking a trail when you are constantly running into spider webs. Quite a few this morning. The weather cleared up today, freakin gorgeous. Clear view up to Mt. Washinton. Made it to the hut in time to do the work for stay, the croo's super cool. Amazing sunset tonight. When I got to the hut, I sat down and just watched the mountains for about an hour. It was relaxing. By the way, I had some amazing lasagna tonight. So much food at the huts. Weather is supposed to be shitty tomorrow. We'll see. Mt. Washington is a beast.
Date: 2010-08-25
From: Madison Hut

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: fog

The day started like any other day in the huts system. The cook came out to the kitchen to make the cofee and start the breakfast just alittle after 5. I laid on the table, not quite ready to get out of my bag yet. I rolled over to look out the window and see clouds and rain whipping by. The wind was ferocious all night, so I hoped there was a chance that it would clear up enough to hike. Not so. My initial emotion regarding the inclement weather was fear as Mt. Washington is a force not to be reckoned with. The fear gradually turned to an adrenaline rush as the idea of such a hard task stewed in my brain. Either way, we had no choice as the crew was not allowing any thru hikers to stay that night. So, on we went. A guy named Roots Rock and I decided it would be good idea to hike together to be safe. We ate a huge breakfast to make sure we had enough calories for heat, took a few swigs of So Co, this guy from Long Island gave us, and headed on. Starting out from the hut wasn't too bad, just rain and some winds. About a mile into it is when we hit our first real wind. Winds were 40-50 mph. Sleet and rain whipped up over the mountain smacking our faces like a pimp harassing a hooker for not turning tricks. I folded my hat down on the left side to block my face from the sleet coming up over the mountain. It was funny, right before Jefferson Mt., Roots Rock's pack cover came undone. The wind was blowing so hard that when I was trying to tie it on for him, it almost knocked me over into him. But eventually, we made it to Mt. Washington. I wanted to take a picture but my phone got wet and wouldn't work. Bummer. We went in the building for abut 10 minutes and when we came out to do the last mile and a half, I was freezing. I basically had to run to get my core temperature back up. We got to Lake of the Clouds Hut and everything was completely drenched. My pack cover blew off halfway so I walked without one for a while I couldn't get it to stay on. WOW! I can't stop thinking bout what an epic day it was!
Date: 2010-08-26
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Mitzpah Hut
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: fog

Another crappy day, another hut that wouldn't let us stay. They were calling for thunderstorms today, so we hauled ass to get down below tree line. It was a fairly easy walk today, terrain-wise. When we got to the hut we pulled everything out and hung it out to dry. I have one shirt that stayed dry. The croo at the hut here is very chill. Part of our work for stay included talking to the people about thru-hiking. Big day planned for tomorrow.
Date: 2010-08-27
From: Mitzpah Hut

To: South Twin Mountain (stealth tent)
Miles today: 20.3

There. I did a twenty. In the Whites. I was going to go to the Galehead Hut, but I was not in the mood to work. I decided to camp on the top of the mountain, basically in a space cleared for a water bar. I was temped to stay at the Zeeland Hut, but wanted to push on. Wow, hiking 15 hours takes it out of you for sho'. Ah, FINALLY saw a Perrigrine Falcon. I didn't think I was going to.Birds seen: Perrigrine Falcon
Date: 2010-08-28
From: South Twin Mtn

To: Lafayette Mtn (stealth)
Miles today: 7.5

Alright, I'm not gonna lie, yesterday took a little out of me. I got a sweet ass breakfast today and only had to wipe a few tables down. She gave me basically an entire pan of quiche and a bowl of oatmeal. Livin large! So I had a major pack malfunction this afternoon and had to stealth it on my way up to Franconia Ridge. My internal frame busted through the holder and through the bottom of my pack and into my hip. Hopefully it will hold. I need to start taking pictures of my stealth sites because they are penomenal. I wedged myself in between two rocks right on the trail that were about two feet high. if people come through, they'll step over me two feet avove. Well, atleast I'll get to take my time going over the Ridge tomorrow before I go to Chet's hostel. Beautiful sunset tonight from Lafayette Mtn.
Date: 2010-08-29
From: Lafayette Mtn (stealth)

To: Chet's Hostel
Miles today: 6.8

Well, Alright! Met another cool ass mofo today. A guy named Dave Bear picked me up as I was hitching on the highway. He asked me if I wanted some grilled chicken tenders and then bought me some gatorade and powerade. We went to the park to grill them up an dbullshitted while I ate grapes and he cooked. They were Delicious! After that, he dropped me off at Chet's and went on his merry way. Cool people like that help reinspire my faith in humanity. Selfless. So, Franconia Ridge was spectacular! It was covered with clouds when I got up there, but it cleared shortly after. I was about to sit and wait because I was not going to miss this ridge after missing just about all the Presidentials. The wind was in the 50's again, except it wasn't raining. In some spots I tried to let the wind hold me up. It was really fun. Awesome awesome day. Chet is supercool.
Date: 2010-08-30
From: Chet's Hostel

To: Chet's Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

A zero day, but zero rest. Spent the day running errands and organizing. Dude, mom hooked up some pizza in the maildrop. Bigups Momm Dukes! Love you. It was great, I was watching others eat pizza from town, then Wham! Pizza in the mail. So, got my binoculars today. Nice! Got robbed by the library when I used the internet. They charged me eight bucks...fuckers. When I went to the gorcery store today I drooled all over the 12 dollar 12 pack of guiness. So, I treated myself to a half gallon of OJ instead. Oh wagon.
Date: 2010-08-31
From: Chet's Hostel

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: few clouds

FREE SHELTERS! Made me want to hike again. I missed the shelters. Ok, no offence to the AMC or the White Mtns, but i find it a bit ironic that New Hampshire's motto is Live free or die and they are the only state on the AT that charges money at shelters. Haha. Just a little observation. Man, talk about hot and humid. I jumped into a stream tokay while I was hiking up a hill. Oh, it felt so good. Didn't get back on the trail til about noon. Still don't feel rested. Oh well, ONWARD!
Date: 2010-09-01
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Stealth tent Mount Moosilauke
Miles today: 8.5

So, I had this genius idea today. I figured I would try to take a nap in the woods from noon until 5 or 6, while the day was at it's hottest and then night hike up and over Moosilauke. It was a great idea until I realized that Moosilauke has some phenomenal cascaking waterfalls. When I realized this I pulled up a stealth spot right next to one of them and slept for the evening. I think also, that I didn't sleep much during the day because my body's not used to the routine. Its so nice sleeping next to waterfalls. So soothing. Hopefully the weather will cool down soon. Looks like maybe this weekend. It just makes hiking miserable being this humid. I feel for the Nobos who had to do it all summer. Psyche, fuck Nobos haha.
Date: 2010-09-02
From: Stealth tent Mount Moosilauke

To: Stealth Rt. 25
Miles today: 8.5

Ahhh. Done with the Whites. Feels so damn good. This is the point I've been thinking of for the past months, even before I started hiking. I know the rest of the trail isn't going to be easy, but everyone says that was the hardest part. So, some bombass trail magic today. A couple of Nobos took a couple days off the trail and decided to do some trail magic. He grilled up some hot dogs and had chips and sodas and alll types of goodies. I drank a six pack of soda and took one for the road. Moosilauke was absolutely amazingly gorgeous, just like the rest of the Whites. A bit hazy, but still visible. I sat up there for a good hour or so. Chet had told me that he used to pan for gold on this mountain, si I looked in to see if I sou see any huge chunks of gold as I walked by. haha. I was going to stealth about a mile or two from the trail magic, but a guy came down and said he saw a bear about a mile or so in. I opted to stay on this side of the street and stealthed with two nobos. We made a fire for the first time since before the whites. Oh yeah, I donated my bivy to Chets, for anyone who wanted it. I'm trying to drop some weight, and that wasn't a necessity because I have a tarp I can use. Plus, after the Mahoosic Notch incident I decided me and bivy sack weren't amicable anymore. I'll still miss it though. Now I definitely have to get a new tent next year
Date: 2010-09-03
From: Stealth Rt. 25

To: Ore Hill Shelter
Miles today: 7.3

Another nasty humid day. I only hiked half of it, thenb called it quits. It started raining this afternoon, Hurricane Earl. I was going to push on, but decided against it. this humidity drags it out of you. So I took a little nap this afternoon and stared at he trees and rain for a while. Nice. Speaking of nice, these trails are amazing. They are flat (no rocks/roots) and graded with switchbacks. Ah, the life
Date: 2010-09-04
From: Ore Hill Shelter

To: Smarts Mtn Fire Tower
Miles today: 12.6

"Party at the Moontower!" Not really though, but you can imagine if there was. Sleeping in a firetower on top of Smarts mountain. It is fucking frigid and windy as tits, but fantastically cool. The stars were gorgeous. The students from Dartmouth took up just about the entire shelter, so this was an excellent option. I am loving this section of the trail. The last four mile I basically ran up, it was great. So I ran into a nobo with a djembe today. We stopped and bullshitted for a while and he busted it out. I don't get to hear music often, so it's cool to play some. The weather finally got back to normal today which was supanice.