morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-08-06
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Flume Visitor Center
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Easy 9 hour slack day. I never felt the need to take a significant break (by significant, I mean over 5 minutes). Once again, I am relieved to have waited for the rain to clear out. Even with good weather, it was windy as hell on the Kinsmans - felt like I was back in Oklahoma for a few miles. Frigid wind, to boot. And by the time you get high enough to be mauled by the wind storm, you have already passed through an un-bushwhackable bog and therefore have soaked feet. I came across one guy who had pulled off to the side of the trail & wrapped himself in a tarp to warm up. Just wanting to get it over with, I scampered across the North & South peaks as fast as possible to get back down into the trees and out of the arctic conditions. Crowds of day hikers were hovering around all the worthwhile photo spots anyways. The Notch Hostel (another hostel i'll highly recommend) provided the slacking service today and I strolled up to the designated pickup spot an hour early, despite them not believing I'd make it in time at all. Don't they know I am the slack pack queen? Anyways, I used the extra time to finally do some intentional post-hike stretching. My legs rejoiced. Definitely need to be more religious about taking care of physical self. My knees are going down rapidly though - grateful to only have one more small stretch of the Whites left. Mt Moosilauke and then bam. Done. On to different things. I think... Shoutout to the Lonesome Lake hut for having vegan chocolate cake today! Super cool. Rainbow
Date: 2017-08-07
From: Kinsman Notch

To: NH 25C 
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

Okay, so here is a running tally of the differences between Mt Moosilauke and a never ending, strictly vertical boulder landslide: 0. They are synonymous. Holy quads. The climb does ease up after Beaver Brook Shelter at least. And the exposed summit was beautiful and field-like. I haven't seen any like it. Sunny, clear views of the entire world again. It took less time than I expected to go up and over.. 5 hours and 20 minutes for me. This gave me plenty of time to walk into Glencliff (0.3 mi off trail) and pick up my resupply box from the Hikers Welcome Hostel and rest there for a couple hours. Charge my phone, fill up on water, eat lunch, chit chat with fellow hikers, etc. Very chill place - I had the right mind to stay the night, but decided to push forward instead. One of my greatest fears proceeded to happen: getting caught in a torrential downpour and then also having to set up my tent in it. I only hiked 4.5 miles from the hostel, but I was completely soaked by the time I got to the campsite. Like, taking a shower soaked. Every inch of me dripping. I couldn't believe it. So pissed, so much cursing. After some deep breathing and accepting the reality of this nightmare, the process ended up going fairly smoothly. I sat my pack under a giant pine tree while I fumbled around attempting to assemble my tent in record time. Somehow, minimal water found its way in and the biggest hassle ended up being getting out of all my drenched clothes while simultaneously using bandanas to maintain a dry sleeping space. Also dealing with wet hair.. do solar powered hair dryers exist yet? Asking for a friend.... Feeling victorious for mentally overcoming that stressful situation, I treated myself with a Lenny & Larry's double chocolate protein cookie for dinner. Yummmm. My parents stashed it and a few other goodies in my resupply box. Love deem. Shoutout to Kelley and Edd for sending me kind and encouraging letters! I was all sorts of giddy to have them. They mean the world to me. Thank you. Random note: A NOBO dude (Primo) walked by right before the downpour hit and asked, "Are you Rainbow by chance?" He never said who told him about me and I didn't have the energy to ask. Oh, Inverted World by the Shins on repeat as I snuggle into my sleeping bag and watch the rain dribble down my rain fly.Rainbow
Date: 2017-08-08
From: NH 25C 

To: NH 25A
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: light rain

Some days, so much magic happens that I don't even know where or how to begin writing about it all. And it's wild how so many emotions can be felt within 24 hours. We experienced amazing weather and the Omelette Guy and Pancake Man all in one day, post-rainstorm. Check out the photos and captions for more details.Rainbow
Date: 2017-08-09
From: NH 25A

To: Grant Brook
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

So wiped. Climbed Mt Cube and Smarts Mountain and neither were more than steepish hills compared to Moosilauke and the rest of the Whites. But damn. My knees are over it. Couldn't even find it in me to knock out the 2.2 miles to the next shelter, so I'm stealth camping close to a brook and quickly passing out to the sound of small cascades. Before 19:00. Hanover, NH is about 18 miles away and I'm thinking I'll need a nero + zero there. Sticks showed me what raspberry plants look like and found a few deep red, ripe berries for me. Definitely didn't know they could taste so sweet! I'm now obsessed. This morning ruled because Peter (Pancake Man) from the maple syrup farm provided us the ingredients to make pancakes. Sandman and Potable did the cooking and made me my own vegan banana pancake. Very thoughtful. Thank you. :) The pancake mix included corn meal in the ingredients which added a slight grit and obviously the syrup was killer as well. I'm re-learning the value of taking care of fellow humans and the ripple effect it causes and how quickly it comes right back to you, and spreads farther still. We are all a part of this earth, this life.. And we affect how it looks. You want honesty in this life? Be an honest person. You want abundance? Give abundantly. You want healing? Then speak healing. Change the rhetoric. I'm convinced that the energy we put out there is what exists. You can feel energy shifts even in the hostels along the trail... it's easy to feel which ones are genuine and which ones are in the business just be in the business, taking advantage of hikers' lacking resources. But then there are those filled with much light, like the AT lodge in Miliknocket.. the Lakeshore House & Shaws in Monson.. Libby B&B in Gorham.. the Notch Hostel in North Woodstock.. the omelette guy & pancake man.. all the trail angels.. We are grateful for you. Thank you for making this such a moving experience. We carry you with us into all the days ahead. Lost my hat today. :(Rainbow
Date: 2017-08-10
From: Grant Brook

To: Norwich, VT
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: broken clouds

Felt like a blurry Sasquatch video walking out of the woods right into the Dartmouth baseball field. Co op was my first stop. Fresh cantaloupe, yessir. Shoolo from Slovenia and I shared a pizza. Exhausted. Stayed at Barnabus Episcopal church. Really kind humans. Thank you. Thank you..Rainbow
Date: 2017-08-14
From: Hanover, NH

To: West Hartford, VT
Miles today: 9.5

Outside of mosquitos, I have never known the panic involved with being swarmed by stinging insects. I mean, until today, of course.. when I carelessly and foolishly waltzed right by a humming yellow jacket nest situated at the base of a trailside tree. Within seconds of approach, my ankles were on fire and I screamed and looked down to see them covered in those livid, winged little beasts. Manny bouncing on my back as I found the adrenaline to sprint uphill, I escaped with about 7-8 stings on my lower legs and 1 on my palm. The throbbing was so fucking sharp and deep I had to just sit down and sob for a moment. My friend Zeke was hiking with me and fortunately managed to avoid the chaos after witnessing my dance of pain. To my relief, the trail continued to be smooth and we found a running brook about 0.6 mi ahead where I "iced" my legs for several minutes. Zeke shook out my socks to make sure no stingers were caught up in the fabric - thanks for that. And thank you for all the moral support. Bless.After the numbness from the cold water wore off, the burning sensation persisted and I simply couldn't take any more steps. We stopped in West Hartford to check out the gazebo hangout offered to hikers by a trail angel couple, Captain Jack Stash & Scooter. They own a truck lettering emporium and let hikers chill on their oasis-like property free of charge. And what a perfect gift it was.. Apple trees and abundant water and outlets for charging phones and a lush lawn for tenting. Nero day it is. (Nero = hiker slang for Near Zero). Done by 1! We hitched to the edge of town to get some gas station beer since it was such a rough day. :) I tried Four Loko for the first time and wow.. Only took one of those to get the buzz rolling pretty nice. Turned out to be a much appreciated evening of healing. Captain Stash walked over with a glass of wine (and then a second, slightly larger glass of wine) and joined us under the xmas lights in the gazebo. Many laughs and much rest and cortisone and good quotes and a sky full of stars. Thank you.Rainbow
Date: 2017-08-15
From: West Hartford, VT

To: VT Route 12
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

Regarding Vermont, all I've heard from NOBOs is how it's not too much more than a boring, green tunnel. From a SOBO perspective, however, it has been a red carpet of blissful knee-pain and mental RELIEF. This version of the trail is what I ignorantly expected the whole AT to resemble. Vermont is a damn miracle compared to Maine & New Hampshire. Yes, you are 100% under treeline, but every now and then the trail spills into an open field and there are wild blackberries and the sky is infinite again. It's so beautiful. The type of beautiful that doesn't try to make a big deal of itself. Maine & New Hampshire were beautiful - extraordinary!! , but attention whores nonetheless. Vermont is more classy. Low key and nothing to prove. Much more my type. Came across some trail magic today - a bucket of cold sodas! Normally I don't drink pop unless it's in a cocktail, but I've been craving Sprite something fierce for a solid two months. The Trail provides. Also Zeke shared some of his orange-infused organic dark chocolate. Oh god. Was good to run into Mumbles & Big Boss & Rip Van Winkle again. They always have funny stories to tell.Rainbow
Date: 2017-08-21
From: West Hartford, VT

To: Burlington, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

This entry is to acknowledge my mini vacay to Burlington, Vermont which happened from Aug 16 - Aug 18. 3 zero days in a city where the population is actually over 1,000! 42,000, in fact. Oh, the possibilities of being in a location with readily available Uber drivers! Visiting the Ben & Jerry's factory wasn't my main reason for this side trip (that explanation will come later...) but it definitely happened and was fantastic. Okay. So, here's the thing. As intentionally as I tried to go into this journey with 0 expectations.. inevitably, they still formed. I expected euphoria and enlightenment and I expected to thrive off of a minimalist lifestyle and I expected to release my ties with depression, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders, etc. I wanted to contrast the Netflix series version of 13 Reasons Why (13 reasons why a girl committed suicide) and instead come up with reasons to stay alive. Reasons to keep going. I've cried from beauty and I've cried from panic. I've laughed at pure things and really ugly things.I've been driven by fear, but I've also been driven by something bold in me.My mental game has been clouded by the discomfort/unknowns of jumping directly into a completely different life than I've been living for 25 years. It's hard to get any clarity while simultaneously focusing on a superabundance of brand new stressors. The sensory overload finally engulfed me to the point where I needed to get away. Like, away away.So, my real reason for Burlington = the airport. I'm back in Oklahoma now. I am okay. I am okay.I am okay.I will be back on the trail this Friday.Until then, I have some reflecting/regrouping/reorganizing to do. THANK YOU ALL FOR SUPPORTING ME. I LOVE YOU AND I AM GRATEFUL.
Date: 2017-08-25
From: Oklahoma City, OK

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

REO speedwagon wrote a song called Time For Me To Fly. I pulled a cheesy-ass move and intentionally listened to it during takeoff this morning.. followed up shortly by Wolfmother's "Victorious" and "Vagabond". Anyone else enjoy creating soundtracks for their life events? Sweet. "I'll tell you everything about livin' free..."Oklahoma was perfect. Hot and flat as hell, but perfect nonetheless. Good hangs and hugs happened and makeup was worn and bomb food & beer were consumed and important conversations played out and sides split from laughter and Manny got a bath and, obvi, I took an eclipse shadow selfie. I'm full-body sore from 3 (technically 4.... shoutout to my extra credit WOD bros, Jami'l & Grady) workouts at my CrossFit box... I've missed that. Thank you for the fix, CrossFit 405 South. Learned I still have enough upper body strength to do pull-ups, so that alone put my mind at ease a clean 70%, ha. There are several people I failed to see and I'm sorry for that. I considered extending my trip, but when the trail calls you back, the only option is to go. And so here I go. Re-energized about it all - significant thanks to fellow Oklahoman hikers AO and BC for the trail speak pep talks. And also to the amazing Heather from Hair We Are for bringing my hair to life again. :-) "We are surrounded by color and light and we don't even know it..." I want to express my gratitude for the superabundance of support I have received regarding my choice to go back home for a week. To those I know personally and to those I haven't even met yet! Wow. Thank you so much. I know I owe explanations/justifications to no one, but as one of the basic human needs it's pretty damn fulfilling to feel that connection and community - on the trail and off the trail and for the decisions it takes to get to both. There is much pain in the world - but what you all are doing? Your comments.. your messages.. your texts.. your hugs.. your letters.. your "how's it really going".. your reciprocated honesty.. your kindness towards total strangers.. These things aren't just helping me thrive, they are contributing to the healing of the Whole Thing itself. I'm blown away. Rainbow
Date: 2017-08-26
From: VT Route 11/30

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept in and got a lazy start out of the Green Mountain Hiker Hostel around 11:06am. Could have got going earlier, but staring at fully exploded Manny, I felt something like an anxious dread.. the Sunday night type of dread.. when the perfect weekend comes to a close and now work awaits in the AM..Getting back in the groove was easy though. Vermont is so beautiful. The trail is looking a bit more rocky/rooty than it has been and so I was Bambi-ing around, having flashbacks of Maine (wheeze). My new knee braces seem to be helpful, but I'll know for sure in the morning... Low temp of 48 tonight. Had to break out my puffy AND sock hat. Thinking I'll need to break down and carry gloves, too. I've yet to gracefully accept the transition into winters.. I'm just not into it. I slept in the shelter and tossed and turned looking for any sort of position to NOT feel chilly. Miss my blankies. :( Met Fuego, Triple D, and Professor. Obsessed with my new Muji pens from my love Julie! My journal is bursting with color now. Brought all 9 despite the risk of being excessive. The pack itself insists on not separating, so... Rainbow
Date: 2017-08-27
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Honey Bee & Kilt Man with the trail magic sodas. I haven't had a straight up can of coke in forever, but it ruled. Thank you! Also a woman with pink, blue, and bleach blonde hair named Chaos with some organic veggies & fruit, oh my. Chaos and her husband have this badass van they drive around to provide trail magic and slack packing. And to just live their rad adventure lives. I threw down on some raw green beans and carrots and we had tattoo talk and Chaos said it's a shame I'm not into more real punk bands. :-) Agreed though. Laying in my sleeping bag inside my tent before 19:00 tonight. I feel drained. It was a mental trip today during the Stratton Mountain ascent - it turned into a trail of rocks and roots just like Maine and I started having panicky flashbacks and ultimately shut down for the day. Much trudging. No energy to hold conversations. Appetite off, which is a phenomenon because normally I stress eat when any emotion has the slightest spike. Super amped? Eat. Anxious? Eat. Down and out? Eat....I think it's more than the terrain at this point. Some darkness surfaced today regarding things like when I initially self-harmed & how an unresolved inner conflict developed after I got broken up with for the first time & the shame I've felt over untrue things, etc. The trail brings up much light, too. The kindness of strangers. The surprising strength we never knew we had. The overwhelming beauty of trees and sky and the symmetry it all holds. I recognize every bit of it. In the depths of my chest I ache because most days my heart is not big enough to hold so many gifts. But today, this is where I stand. I feel very tired and heavy. Side note: Shoutout to Bard for the Irish ballad serenade and to the kind NOBO, Gitfiddle, carrying a black & white kitten with him on the trail. Made for an unusually eventful camp evening plus my heart melted watching Odie (the kitten) chase his tail around in the tall grass. Little. White. Socks. Amen.Rainbow
Date: 2017-08-28
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Goddard shelter
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Had to do some shoe string repair first thing this morning when I ripped it apart trying to tighten. Once my trail runners got one significant tear in them, it's been a steady decline ever since. I'll be ordering some new ones soon methinks. This one pair has lasted the whole time (sans about 100 miles I've skipped so far...), so I feel good about that. First experience with Salewas: 5 stars, would recommend! Baby miles today to take care of my headspace. Plus, Goddard shelter was in a fantastic location and I couldn't bear to part ways with the epic sunbathing spots and piped water source and extremely well-lit privy. Normally a headlamp is needed in those things even during mid-day... Met Zoe from Tulsa, Oklahoma! She's heading south also. Also Colonial and U-Turn and several others. This was one of my anti-social days so I spent most of the afternoon in solitude on my perch of a tent spot. Tried a Mountain House meal for the first time though - a fire roasted vegetable blend, gifted from Zeke. Shit was tasty. Thank you! Woke up at 2am, chilly yet again, with drainage running down my throat and out of my nose and eyes... Again, cold weather; I'm not into it. Giddy to arrive in town tomorrow!!Rainbow
Date: 2017-08-29
To: VT 9
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Packed up early and made it down to the highway around 11:15ish. Like magic, Manny and I can fly through miles when a town is up ahead... A guy named Al accepted our hikehike plea and drove us the 3-4 miles into Bennington. Re-supply packages picked up from post office, Catamount Motel, shower, laundry, an IPA called Flower Power, and food and more beer at Ramunto's with Zeke and Camel. Also Potable- I finally tried a Natty Daddy and was NOT impressed. :-)
Date: 2017-08-31
From: VT 9

To: MA 2 
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: light rain

Man. Today ruled. Manny is loaded to the gills, so the initial steep ascent was no bueno for the psyche. Or the ankles. BUT, I always love getting the toughest part knocked out first thing as opposed to otherwise. I have to know it gets better. Spirits were high all day knowing I'd be crossing the border into Massachusetts at some point. Celebrated said feat with a hummus wrap and a few m&ms and naturally, a selfie. Stumbled into Williamstown, MA around 16:30 and stayed at the Williamstown Motel - really solid place, loved it. Recommend. Had sushi for dinner - first time since Oklahoma. :) Also.. I noticed some important words written in a shelter earlier today.. "Journey not to find, but to accept yourself." More thoughts on that later. With hope,Rainbow
Date: 2017-09-01
From: MA 2 

To: Bascom Lodge 
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: light rain

Nero day! The struggle was real coming up Mt Greylock this morning - I have some sort of annoying head cold going on and the heavy breathing + sharp, chilly wind had my nose draining buckets. Constant sniffles put much pressure in all my sinus cavities + eyes and ears. Got about 2 miles up and sat on a mossy log with my head in my hands and thought long and hard about heading right back down to the highway.... I knew I'd hate myself for that decision, so I carried on - the main light being the fact that they have a lodge at the top of Greylock, meaning I wouldn't have to sleep outside during the lowest temp it's been yet.. 35 degrees. I have a 32 degree bag, so I could survive if I HAD to sleep in it.. but I'd rather embrace the lodge where they have lentil soup and wine and hot showers and warm beds amen glory hallelujah. Greylock itself is pretty damn awesome. Clear, sunny day so the views are stellar. Love seeing the Green Mountains of VT out there. And the upcoming Catskills of NY, etc. I have experienced much beauty & so much more is visibly ahead. These are reasons to stay. As the highest peak in MA (coming in at 3,491'), Greylock is apparently a popular tourist spot. Tons of people up here. And like Mt Washington in NH, a paved road winds up to the top making it that much more accessible. So many DSLR cameras hanging around necks and really cute, brightly colored hiking outfits. And kids...Been researching some zero degree sleeping bags - if anyone has cold weather gear suggestions, by all means send them my way.New trail runners ordered! Stoked!With hope,Rainbow
Date: 2017-09-02
From: Bascom Lodge 

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: light rain

Saw 5 (five!) little angel chipmunks today. Nothing can top that. However, also purchased some rainbow Mentos & peanut butter filled pretzel bites at a Dollar General right before going through the town of Cheshire, MA and then finally Dalton, MA. Stayed the night at the Shamrock Motel and tried some random beers and slept really hard. Rainbow
Date: 2017-09-04
From: Dalton, MA

To: MA Route 20
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: clear sky

A giant fly buzzed in from oblivion and ransacked my ear and my knee-jerk reaction was to slam said ear with the handle of my trekking pole.... Hurt so bad. Almost started dry heaving from the pain. "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen...." Had an unexpectedly tasty nutrition bar and listened to some solid tunes during the latter part of the day though. Fleetwood Mac, 2Pac, Biebs, Simon & Garfunkel, Steve Earle, Florence + The Machine, yada yada. PS- Hi to Running Bear!! Nice to meet you! Rainbow
Date: 2017-09-07
From: Jerusalem Road

To: US Route 7
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: clear sky

Broke in my new Altra Superiors - much success with that; no blisters or anything. First 9 miles sucked because my mental game sucked. Much sulking about how I still have way too long to live (as long as I refrain from dying unnaturally). 3 turkeys, 15 Cows, 3 deer, 1 porcupine, 4 chipmunks, 2 dogs (Luke Skywalker & Puppy), 100+ salamanders 3 more yellow jacket stings. Joe (badass trail angel) brought us PBR.Met Shaggy & his dad.Sweet overlook - didn't want to leave it, but mostly because my feet were sore after 17 miles or whatevs. Rainbow