morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-03
From: Mt Wilcox South Lean-to

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was mostly about getting to this cabin. This is one of the places I'd wanted to stay-- from hearing all about it before I started this hike. The cabin is located on a beautiful mountain lake. I took a swim when I got here. There's also a canoe we can use. The cabin is two stories, with bunks upstairs and fireplace, sofa, kitchen downstairs. Slowfoot is the caretaker here now, and he's cooking us dinner. Also here tonight are Matt & U-dog, Blowout, and Gadget.
Date: 2007-07-04
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: broken clouds

We woke up this morning, and Slow Foot cooked us blueberry pancakes and hash browns. I helped with dishes before hiking out. The weather was cool and the trail was good. I was planning on stopping at the last shelter before town, but took short breaks to keep the option of town available. It started sprinkling about 1pm-- but didn't rain too hard until 5pm. By the time I got to town at 5:45 I was soaked. I'm staying at trail angel Tom's house. He fed us a great meal, and we watched a movie tonight (fireworks were rained out). Also here tonight are Matt & U-dog, and Blowout.I hope everybody has a great 4th!
Date: 2007-07-05
From: Dalton, MA

To: Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 9.8

Fairly lazy day today. We went to a restaurant for breakfast, and while we were there, Hawk showed up. He's slackpacking Alleycat now, and she was hiking 28 miles into Dalton today. I went to the laundromat when it opened at 9am then went back to Tom's and packed up. It was almost noon by the time I got on the trail. The clouds built up as I hiked, the thunder started, it started raining, and I figured I was going to get wet again today. But it soon blew over, and the sun came back out. There are storms predicted for tonight, so I am in Cheshire staying at the Catholic Church. Tomorrow I go over Mt Greylock, which is the highest point in Massachusetts at 3491 ft.Once again, I'd like to thank everyone who's signed my guestbook. Special thanks to all the past and present Maytag-ers and to Rosko, Steve, and Mrs. Twofer for getting the link to this journal passed around.
Date: 2007-07-06
From: Cheshire, MA

To: Sherman Brook Campsite
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Well I made it up and over Mt Greylock today. It was a good climb from 960 ft to 3491 ft. I think this was the first time the trail was over 3000 ft since Virginia. There was quite a bit of fog while I was at the summit, so the views weren't great. There are roads to the summit and a lodge, but they're all closed and under repair. They won't reopen until 2009.The hike down from Greylock was steep in spots and slow going. When I got to MA2, I walked 0.3 miles to a grocery store and bought food for the next few days-- then hiked another couple miles to this campsite. It thundered and rained some this afternoon- then stopped for awhile. It's raining again now at 7:45pm, but I'm dry in my tent. As far as I know I'm the only one here. But because of the impending rain, I set up in the first tentsite that I came to-- so I'm not even sure how many sites there are here. I am 2.5 miles from the Vermont border, so I should make it there tomorrow!A note from Twofer's wife: click on "full view" link below the photo! You'll enjoy reading the plaque. Keep hiking, Twofer!!
Date: 2007-07-07
From: Sherman Brook Campsite

To: VT 9
Miles today: 16.8

It rained most of the night, and I didn't want to get up this morning. I was finally hiking a little before 8am. I crossed into Vermont shortly after 9am. Eleven states done and into the 12th. I was trying to wait to Manchester to zero-- but my legs felt tired today, so I decided it was time, now. Around 12:30 I was taking a break and eating lunch when Natural High walked up. Ladybug is slackpacking him, and they just started north again after going south from MA2 to Duncannon, PA. He hiked with me for awhile, and we caught up on all the hiker news. Later he headed on at his normal pace (fast!). He and Ladybug were waiting for me when I got to the road, and after getting some trail magic from a section hiker (a drink and oreos), they drove me into town and to a hotel. Tomorrow I plan on doing as little as possible!
Date: 2007-07-08
From: VT 9

To: VT 9
Miles today: 0.0

I did a good job of not doing anything today. I did my laundry this morning and walked to a grocery store to buy food to eat in the hotel room. I hung up my tent over the shower rod to dry from the other night's rain. The rest of the day was spent watching some movies and sports. I might have gotten a nap in there also. The new boots and insoles have my feet less sore at night, but I did get a couple small blisters. The day off was good for the blisters-- they're pretty much healed. Tomorrow, it's back to the trail to continue the trek north.
Date: 2007-07-09
From: VT 9

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Weather radar can help keep you dry! I was getting ready to head out this morning when I turned on the weather channel. There was a good size storm heading for Bennington and the AT. I stayed in the motel room until it passed over. The motel owner then gave me a ride back to the trail, and I was hiking about 9am. The trail was mostly uphill as I climbed from 1360ft to 3748ft. When I got to Goddard Shelter (10.1 miles) there was quite a crowd. Leader of the Pack, Java Man, Tea Sipper, and Mike were there and staying for the night. It was 3:30, so I decided to head on to this shelter, another 4.3 miles. Second Wind was planning to head to this shelter also-- but it's 7:40pm, and I haven't seen him yet. It thundered and sprinkled on me before I got here-- but then it stopped. We seem to be in a pattern of late afternoon thunderstorms.The day off did me some good, and I felt good hiking today. I also passed the 1600 mile, not that there's anything significant about 1600. It just still seems kind of crazy that I've walked that far. Tomorrow, I'll add a little to that total!
Date: 2007-07-10
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Winhall River
Miles today: 17.1

Today's highlight was seeing two moose in a beaver pond. The first one was near the edge of the pond. It waded out and walked into the woods. The second one was on the far side of the pond and waded across to follow its buddy. I got a few pictures of the second moose. Today's hike also took me over Stratton Mtn, at 3936 ft the tallest mountain in southern Vermont. I climbed the fire tower and had good, but hazy, views. The weather today was hot and humid with the now familar thunder in the late afternoon. So far no rain on me today.
Date: 2007-07-11
From: Winhall River

To: Mad Tom Notch
Miles today: 14.1

Today went pretty well. The trail this morning was fairly flat. I got to VT 11/30 about 11:45am. Blowout caught me just before the road, and we hitched into Manchester together. I headed to the pizza place, ordered, then called Julie while I waited. About the time I got done with my pizza, Brandon and a father/son (Peter and Hoyt) hiking the Long Trail came in. (The Long Trail runs from southern Vermont to Canada, with the southern 75 miles the same as the AT.) Brandon thru-hiked in 2005, was in town visiting and giving hikers rides. When I told them my trail name, Peter said he has been following me on Trail Journals. I went and bought groceries for three more days. Brandon gave Peter, Hoyt, and me a ride to the trailhead, then headed back to get Blowout. Peter took a picture of Brandon, Hoyt and me: past, future, and current thru-hikers. There was a climb up Bromley Mtn which is a ski resort. I continued hiking to this campsite, set up the tent, then decided to get in and see what the weather was going to do. I was still zipping up the door when it started to pour. So I'm in the tent with the rain coming down and the wind blowing.
Date: 2007-07-12
From: Mad Tom Notch

To: Little Rock Pond Tenting Area
Miles today: 14.3

Well, last night I learned that my tent isn't completly waterproof. The wind driven rain started seeping through the breathable walls. It rained hard until about midnight. Most of the moisture ran down the side walls and pooled on the floor. Being on my sleeping pad in the middle of the tent, I mostly stayed dry. This was nothing compared to the night on the riverbank when I "slept" in my poncho on a five gallon bucket while keeping the fire going and the plastic tucked around my sleeping dad and brother. Or the night Sage and I spent in our leaky hut listening to the weatherman say there was a chance of light showers.I dried things off the best I could before packing up. I didn't start hiking until after 8am. The storm had brought cooler, less humid weather, and it turned into a great day.Shortly after noon I climbed Baker Peak and the views were great. There was also a nice breeze and the sun was shining, so I unloaded the pack and laid things out to dry. I cooked lunch there, while I waited. It was 2pm when I packed up my dry gear and headed on. Peter and Hoyt showed up as I was packing up. I'm tenting tonight near Little Rock Pond, a pretty spot.As a side note: I'm not sure who Mad Tom Notch was named after but I heard the guy had really strong hands.
Date: 2007-07-13
From: Little Rock Pond Tenting Area

To: Woods Road / secret shelter
Miles today: 18.6

Friday the 13th wasn't too bad to me. There were several good climbs and decents throughout the day. I saw Peter and Hoyt off and on all day. I stopped at a shelter for lunch and read several entries in the register referring to the Whistle Stop Restaurant that was 0.5 miles off the trail. I caught up to Peter and Hoyt and mentioned the restaurant idea to them. They liked that idea. As we were hiking to the road, an afternoon thunderstorm hit. It rained pretty hard, but not for long, and then the sun came back out. The cheeseburger and ice cream hit the spot. I was planning on hiking another 5 miles and tenting there, but there weren't any good spots-- so I kept hiking. This shelter is on private property, so it's not in the guide book-- but there were directions by the road crossing. I got to this shelter about 8:45pm. Here tonight are Truffles, Sunshine, and Many Names. Truffles is thru-hiking and his girlfriend Sunshine is hiking Vermont with him. Many Names has been section hiking the trail, and he'll have it all done in another 200 miles!
Date: 2007-07-14
From: Woods Road / secret shelter

To: US 4
Miles today: 11.4

This morning was nice and cool. I could see my breath, but still hike in shorts and a t-shirt. You just move a little faster if you get cold. The hike today was a long uphill over Killington Peak then a long downhill to US4. I took a break at the shelter on top and Many Names caught me shortly after I started down. We hiked together the rest of the way to the highway then hitched into town together. The guy that picked us up gave us a quick tour of Rutland then dropped us off at the motel. We ate, did laundry, bought groceries, then ate again. Tomorrow we'll catch a bus at 7:15am that will drop us at the trailhead. The trail tomorrow will take a turn to the east, split from the Long Trail, and head towards New Hampshire.
Date: 2007-07-15
From: US 4

To: Cateauquay Road
Miles today: 14.7

Another good day on the AT. Many Names and I caught the bus which dropped us at the trail head. The weather today couldn't decide what it wanted to do. It rained on us this morning and came down pretty heavy-- just as we got to Gifford Woods State Park. We ducked into a shelter to wait out the storm and lighten our food bags. The storm was past in about 20 minutes. We hiked together all day. I'd been hearing about Many Names for a week and everybody who'd met him said he's a nice guy. I'd have to agree.We had a 1400 ft climb that seemed to last forever. Ten miles into the hike we took an hour break at Stony Brook Shelter. We got to this campsite about 5:00.This morning we met Jess and her dog Duke. She's the 3rd southbound thru-hiker I've seen in the last week. There will be many more in the next few weeks.We're stealth camping just past US 4. It's a nice spot with a good stream nearby.
Date: 2007-07-16
From: Cateauquay Road

To: Pomfelt-South Pomfelt Road
Miles today: 12.7

This was an unusual day in Vermont - it didn't rain!We thought today would be easier than yesterday, but it didn't seem like it. There were some pretty steep ups, the kind you have to get on your toes to climb. We met another southbounder today. We also met Wolverine at Winturri Shelter, where we stopped for a break and water. It was 9:30am, and he hadn't started hiking yet-- but was still thinking about a 20 mile day. Ah youth.Nothing too exciting to report today. It's been good hiking with getting to know Many Names. We'll probably hike together another couple days, then I'll need to step my miles up a bit before I get to the White Mtns. Many Names is planning on cutting back to about 10 miles a day to finish out his hike.
Date: 2007-07-17
From: Pomfelt-South Pomfelt Road

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning as I crossed the creek that we camped near last night, my foot slipped off a rock, into the creek, and my shin banged into the rock. Fortunately that was not an indication of how my day would go.The weather was great again today, we had several good views and quite a few ripe red raspberry patches. We walked through the small town of West Hartford-- the general store there will open. . . tomorrow! They did let us sit on the porch, eat our lunch and fill our water bottles from a hose. After crossing I-89, we started our climb out of town, and there was a 12 pack of MT Dew. We were forced to take a break. Then about a mile later we came across trail magic in a creek: pop, bottled water, and some beer. Again we had to take a break! I soaked my shirt in the creek, as it was warming up, and we were headed up hill. We got to this shelter a little before 4. I built a fire to chase the mosquitoes away, and we had a relaxing evening. Second Wind showed up about 7. Both Many Names and I had met him earlier, but we hadn't had a chance to talk to him much. This is my last night in Vermont, New Hampshire is 5.5 miles away.
Date: 2007-07-18
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Etna-Hanover Center Road
Miles today: 11.7

The highlight of today was crossing the Connecticut River into New Hampshire, the 13th state of this journey. Before we crossed the river, we walked through Norwich, Vermont and walked by The Brain's house. They had a cooler of trail magic by their mailbox. I haven't seen The Brain since Partnership Shelter in southern Virginia. He's probably about done by now.After crossing the river, we entered the town of Hanover, NH, the home of Dartmouth College. We had breakfast at Lou's. Then I mailed a camera memory stick home, sent journal entries, had lunch at Ben & Jerry's, and I bought a long sleeve shirt at an outfitter. We were in town about 2.5 hours.It had been misting all morning, but after we left town it started raining harder. The rocks and roots get slick when wet, and I slipped down once, and skinned my left elbow. No big deal. . . but it was 45 minutes later (my guess) when I went to check the time and found that my watch was gone. We were headed to a hostel. We really got dumped on before we got to the general store in Etna-- our pickup spot. Ralph showed up shortly and hauled us to his house, showed us the shower, laundry room, and the RV where we will sleep. After we showered and had laundry going, Ralph drove us to get groceries and out to eat. I bought a new watch at Walmart so I'm ready to go tomorrow. Hopefully the rain is done for a while.
Date: 2007-07-19
From: Etna-Hanover Center Road

To: Firewarden's Cabin
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: moderate rain

Plans today changed several times. Ralph dropped us off at the trail a little before 7am. We met Old Goat and his wife who had hiked in to camp with a friend who's trying to finish the trail this year after going from Springer to New York. Old Goat has been reading my journal some, and I had read his last year when he thru-hiked. We were making good time, but just after noon it started to rain. We got to Trapper John Shelter about 1:30, thinking we'd probably end up staying there. After sitting there a while, I read in the register about an inn in Lyme, NH, and the road to Lyme was only a mile away. So we headed out in the rain, me sporting my new trashbag kilt (I'm currently a size 13 gallon tall kitchen bag)! As we walked, Many Names said we could just keep walking to this shelter which is a cabin with windows and doors. When we got to the road, we just kept heading north. From that road, the shelter was 5.8 miles and 2400 ft up. It was a tough hike, especially in places where the trail was now a stream. We finally got here about 6:45. I filtered water for us, we cooked, ate, changed into dry clothes, and are now snug in our bags at 8:15pm. Neffa, who Old Goat camped with, is here-- along with 3 southbounders. It sounds like the rain may end tomorrow, and we may have a few sunny days.
Date: 2007-07-20
From: Firewarden's Cabin

To: NH 25A
Miles today: 10.2

When I got up this morning, I had thoughts of getting to Glencliff, NH-- which would have been a 20 mile day. It rained most of the night, so the trail was sloppy and the hiking was slow. I had a couple toes getting sore on top, so I stopped and taped them up, Brewmaster style! We had one brief shower this morning then the sun came out. We had good views from Mt Cube and also had to stop and eat some blueberries. When it became clear that we weren't going to make it to Glencliff, we were planning on Ore Hill Shelter-- but found this campsite and stopped hiking about 3pm. It was good to have some time to dry some stuff, including my feet.
Date: 2007-07-21
From: NH 25A

To: NH 25 - Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 9.8

Today was a relatively short day. It wasn't much shorter than yesterday but was much easier. The elevation changes weren't too bad-- plus the trail and boots were dryer. Many Names and I both needed to re-supply, him for the 3 days to finish his hike and me for 4 days. We're headed into the rugged, but beautiful, part of the trail. Our campsite last night might not have been the best choice. As it turned out, a group of Dartmouth students were hiking from Hanover to Mt Moosilauke, which required hiking thru the night. Small groups of students were hiking by our campsite all night. Additionally, some other young people hiked in past us about midnight and back out past us at 2:30am. On the way out, one guy decided he should shine a flashlight in my tent. A few choice words later on my part, and he was running down the trail, obviously feeling no pain. Well I'm off to eat a pint of Ben & Jerry's!
Date: 2007-07-22
From: NH 25 - Glencliff, NH

To: Gordon Pond
Miles today: 12.8

Today went pretty well, and we ended up hiking farther than we planned. We started with the climb up Mt Moosilauke, a 3700 ft elevation gain. As we climbed above treeline, I couldn't get the grin off my face. The views were spectacular in all directions. We reached the summit about 10:30am, took some pictures, and then sat and admired the view. We could see Mt Washington which is 60 trail miles to the north. Mt Washington is the highest peak in New England at 6288ft. I'll go over it in a few days. We finally headed on and got to the shelter where we had planned to stay at 1pm. We took a lunch break then started hiking again. The next 1.6 mile downhill was tough! In places, trail maintainers had drilled into the rocks and mounted wooden steps to them. Other places had ropes to hang onto while backing down the trail. The trail down did follow beside a stream with many waterfalls (it was steep). We finally got to this campsite about 6:45pm. We're hoping to see a moose in the pond tomorrow morning.
Date: 2007-07-23
From: Gordon Pond

To: Kinsman Pond Campsite
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: broken clouds

The miles were short today, but they were tough. You have to take what the trail allows, and today it was stingy. The climb up South Kinsman was the toughest climb of the entire hike so far. It was a lot of rock climbing. Some places, I would toss my poles up then grab rocks, trees, whatever to help pull myself up. Fat Chap, who was working at the hostel in Glencliff, said that the 25 mile stretch of trail from Glencliff to Franconia Notch was the toughest of the entire trail. Tomorrow, we have 4.9 miles of that stretch left, and that will complete the entire AT for Many Names. I still have about another month left in my journey. The weather is suppose to be good for the next few days, so hopefully I'll have many more fantastic views.When we stopped for lunch at Eliza Brook Shelter, we saw Second Wind and Truffles. It was nice that Many Names got to see them again before he finshes.
Date: 2007-07-24
From: Kinsman Pond Campsite

To: Liberty Spring Tentsite
Miles today: 7.4

Today was a great day! We ate breakfast, packed up and were hiking a little after 7am. About 9 we arrived at Lonesome Lake Hut, this is the first hut northbounders come to, so we went in to check it out. The crew was just cleaning up from breakfast. We hung around until they offered us pancakes, peaches, and bacon. Aww, breakfast number 2 of the day. There are 7 more similar huts in the White Mtns, and I plan on taking advantage of several. Normally it costs about $80 for a night's stay, plus dinner and breakfast. Often they let thru-hikers do an hour or two of work instead of paying (work-for-stay). After we left the hut, we hiked down to Franconia Notch and the completion of the AT for Many Names. This was the end of a journey he started 23 years ago. Congratulations Many Names!!!We walked to the visitor center, I sent journal entries, then we ate again! Many Names gave me some of his left over hiker food, then we said our goodbyes. We hiked some very hard terrain together and had a good time doing it. He goes on the growing list of people from this trip that I'll never forget.I then hiked to this campsite, 2400 ft up. I'm now in a good spot to hike Franconia Ridge tomorrow. It is several miles of trail above treeline. I'll cross about 5 peaks and the weather is supposed to be good.So I'm on my own again. I can't wait to see what the trail has in store for me next.
Date: 2007-07-25
From: Liberty Spring Tentsite

To: Stealth Camp
Miles today: 13.1

Awesome day today. I hiked over Franconia Ridge with amazing views. It took me   over Little Haystack Mtn (4760ft), Mt Lincoln (5089ft), Mt Lafayette (5249ft), Mt Garfield (4488 ft), and South Twin Mtn (4902 ft). Lots of ups and downs!As I was going up Mt Lafayette a group of 8 kids and 1 adult were coming down. They asked me where I was headed (Maine) and where I started (Georgia). Several kids said, "Wow, I could never do that," and then they started clapping for me!Later I met a family from Boston out for a 4 day hut-to-hut hike. I talked to them at one view point and later passed them on the trail on the way to Galehead Hut. I got to the hut, ate 3 bowls of soup, and was getting ready to hike on when the family showed up. The dad told me his son had said, "Man, that guy's really in shape," when I hiked by them earlier.My original plan was to stay at the hut, but I was feeling good-- maybe from all the food yesterday, maybe from talking to Julie yesterday about dates for my kids to meet me and plans for getting home, maybe from the excitement of Many Names completing the trail, maybe from the kind words of strangers, so I hiked on. I found this little campsite just below treeline on the way up Mt Guyot and watched a beautiful sunset. Tomorrow I'll continue north, hoping that the weather holds for more great views!