morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Baker Stream

To: Monson,Me
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: light rain

Just a wicked day on the trail yesterday. A 24 hour rain event. The trail was a river, a pond and a lake. Pretty well a foot deep for 8 miles of my 23 mile day. I also had to ford 3 rivers. The first was hip deep with a swift current, the next was the West Branch of the Piscataquis. Waist deep with a forceful current but at least a rope to hang on to. The last was the East Branch of the Piscataquis....NO ROPE! And a crazy forceful current and a 50 foot width. Jumped in with my hiking shoes and rain pants still on and sunk to over my waist. Yahoo, lets rock and roll... With poles in hand I side stepped ever so slowly to the centre of the river and lost my footing. Doggy paddle time... A little paddle and I was back on my feet almost at the shore. Finished off with water up to my navel then dragged myself out. I thought, "that's enough excitement for one day". Had another 5 miles to reach Shaw's Boarding House in Monson. Arrived at 6:30 pm soaked and exhausted. That hot shower felt so good along with a hot meal in town. Lots of hikers there, at least 19 for breakfast at Shaw's....Paula came to join me today and I'm now taking a couple of days off before I hit the 100 mile Wilderness with Bay Ranger from Hampton. 180 miles done and only 2,000 miles to go. Sounds like fun, eh? At least I don't have to cut grass this summer.
Date: 2013-06-15
To: Katahdin, Me
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

Mount Katahdin.....Check!Woke up to a perfect Blue Bird day. Not a cloud in the sky. 50 degrees F. Light breeze.Started the monolith at 7 am. Unbelievable views from up there. Sorry no photos , having technical troubles. Met a least 50 day hikers climbing the Hunt Trail, which is the AT and not a southbound thru hiker. Met a group of ladies from Fredericton, some that did the tri in Hampton last week.I feel so far from home yet as the crow flys I'm probably no more that 3 hrs away. Finished it 7 hrs later. Hey, hiked 10 miles but only put 5 miles down for mileage today because the trail starts at the top of Katahdin. Paula did most of the Mountain but due to a recent ski injury she was unable to summit with me. It's been sooooo nice having her around to shuttle me and support me. We're having a gas....She leaves for home tomorrow And Bay Ranger or Lloydie Boy as he's know back home will join me in the 100 mile wilderness.. Looking forward to it. I'm not even looking at the forecast. What's the point. There will always be some sun and some rain. Great getting messages from you all in the guest book at at marketman1993@gmail.com. Thanks for your encouraging words. Now dinner, sleep and trail...
Date: 2013-06-23
From: Katahdin

To: Hampton,NB
Miles today: 112.8
Weather: scattered clouds

MAINE........CHECK.....298 miles down and only 1876 to go.Ranger(AKA Lloydie Boy) and I finally made it thru the wilderness. I had 8 days straight(did Katahdin before he came) and Ranger 7. 118 miles, but beeeee u tiful weather.First 3 days were easy then we hit the mountains. We went from 20 mile days to 15 milers. Couple of major problems. Ranger developed a large blister on his foot and I had a swollen tendon in my foot/ankle. We cowboyed up the next 4 days and practically limped out. Oh, and just another small problem. We paid a service to have half our food dropped off at the half way point at a disclosed location. We find the cache of buckets but ours had not arrived yet. Well we flipped out. We were down to one power bar each and 3 and a half days to hike. So we bummed enough food from other hikers for a day and fortunately I had cell service on White Cap Mountain, a 3,800 footer. I ask the guy if he's trying to kill us by starving us to death.. He was so apologetic and didn't realize we would be that fast. He said this has never happen in his 10 years of doing food drops and the first time had to be us. He spotted our food at the next road crossing. We had a large bag of potato chips in there and devoured them for lunch. Quite the experience.A nice little twist in my plans.Ranger was coming back to Hampton, NB so I got a ride home with him to rest up for the Mountains in NH.....Very, very, very nice. Just sitting here eating and icing my foot. Should be very good to go in a couple of days. Actually Paula is coming down with me and helping with some slack packing duties. I want to thank Ranger for being one of the best hiking partners and ramming me thru the 100 mile wilderness. I really hope you can join me again down the trail.A final note. I met the first northbounders in the wilderness. They started on Feb. 4th, right after the Super Bowl in Ga. Congrats to Prospector and 2 days later, Juke Box and Early Bird. What a major accomplishment.Pics to follow.Great getting emails from everyone.
Date: 2013-06-27
From: Gorham, NH

To: Pinkham Notch, NH
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had an early 5 am start on my 21 mile hike today. The weather was perfect. Route 2 in Gorham to Pinkham Notch. Paula came in a 4 mile side trail to Carter Notch Hut for hot soup and homemade bread. Finished at 4:00 and I'm toast. 5 4,000 footers finishing off with the infamous tumble down Wildcat. They say it is the most difficult decent on the AT. One hour down a mine shaft. The humidity was very high so the rocks were extremely slippery. Slipped on one and took a header. Landed upside down in the rocks. Scared the beeJeepers out of me and hurt my injured foot. Got her on ice right now. Just going to have to plow thru the injury and hope it clears up on its own. I'm not even thinking about the other options. The weather calls for rain tomorrow but I'm still heading up Mt. Washington and getting 1/2 the Presidential Range done. 12 miles should be a joke after today.
Date: 2013-06-28
From: Pinkham Notch, NH

To: Mt. Washington, NH
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What an insane day.Started out of Pinkham at 9am in a light rain and it continued for 4 hours all the way up above treeline where the winds were 30 mph gusting to 50 mph making the rain horizontal and footing unstable. I was even more scared than fording the rivers south of Monson. I was headed for Mt. Washington a total of 14 miles today, but a very tough 14. Fortunately a full service Hut, Madison Hut was 8 miles in. Hot soup, coffee, pancakes and encouraging words from the hut crew sent me out the door where the rain stopped and glimmers of sun forced it's way thru the heavy overcast skies. Dragged my butt into the observatory at the 6,288' mark of Mt. Washington where I was so glad to see Paula. Yes there is a road to the summit even a cog railway. I must admit I've enjoyed these last 2 days of slack packing just to get over the worst of NH's 4,000 footers. Less weight from a full pack is doing my injured foot wonders. I couldn't do it without the amazing logistical support of Mrs. Marketman. Hopefully the weather is better tomorrow. I have another 14 miler down into Crawford Notch.I really enjoy hearing from people that are reading my journal.I want to dedicate this piece of trail to my hiking buddy Harvey, that stopped short of the Presidential Range because of poor weather last year. Here's to you Harv.
Date: 2013-06-29
From: Mt. Washington

To: Crawford Notch,NH
Miles today: 12.5

Presidential Range....CHECKStarted from the summit of Mt. Washington in the cold and fog heading towards Lakes of the Clouds Hut. I met 4 ladies part of the hut croo packing out garbage. Then the crowds followed. Maybe 50 or more heading onto Madison hut. Apparently there were 80 guests at the LoC hut last night at $75 a night per person. That does include breakfast and dinner. The Appalachian Mountain Club operates 8 huts along the AT in the White Mts. which are hosted by students and young people referred to as the croo. Incidentally The AMC does not have any affiliation with the Appalachian Trail. I stopped at Mizpah Hut for an incredible lunch. Black bean soup $2, Giant cinnamon bun $2, large slice of bread $1 and all you can eat Frittata, Free(left overs from their breakfast). That gave me the energy to tackle the Webster Cliffs. 7 more miles to Crawford Notch. Paula surprised me and hiked up 2 hrs. to meet me. Though we did get caught in this most intense thunder storm getting totally soaked to THE bone. Actually the rain came down so hard I could hardly see Paula hiking in front of me.Thinking of taking a zero tomorrow. My foot could use the rest and I have to pack for a 30 mile overnighter to Franconia Notch.
Date: 2013-07-02
From: Crawford Notch

To: Franconia Notch,NH
Miles today: 27.4
Weather: light rain

Started out of Crawford Notch at 6:30 am.Came to a junction where I met Lady Gray whose is a north bounder talking to a German section hiker. Maddy wasn't sure where to go so I convinced him to join me for 2 days over into Franconia Notch. (check out photos) We slogged 17 miles yesterday. The first 7 flew by but the last 10 was pick and shovel work. We arrived at the shelter at 5 where we found Sun Screen, a SOBO and a NZ NOBO. Shortly after the shelter just started filling up stopping at 13. We all had a great night exchanging stories. The funniest was from the NOBOs. They said there's this lady climbing the highest Peaks in all 50 states and was going to do Mt. Washington on a Monday not a Sunday. The reason being, too many people on the mountain on Sunday. So what? Well I guess she is having her photos taken on the top in the nude and there would be less people there on a Monday that would see her naked. She was calling her challenge 50 Peeks on 50 Peaks. A challenge I would like to see.It's off to do 17 miles over the Kinsmen Range a group of 4,000 footers AGAIN!Hope to have some clear photos tomorrow if the rain holds out.Hey, great hearing from you all by email and signing in the guest book.And wonderful hearing from John Balentine, a MATC maintainer and former thru hiker.
Date: 2013-07-03
From: Franconia Notch

To: Kinsman Notch,NH
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

Did a long day from Franconia Notch over several mountains into Kinsman Notch.16.3 Miles. Met Hush and lefty who were heading north to Katahdin. As I was talking to them Sunscreen(sobo) shows up and I hiked with him for 3 hrs into the Notch. We found a nice stash of cold cokes that a former 2012 thru hiker, Sitabit left. Thanks for the trail Magic, Sitabit..Did that 16 mile section in 8 hrs. Not bad considering the terrain over those mts. I think of this 44 km trail back home in New Brunswick called the Fundy Footpath. I used to think it was such a major challenge. Now it seems like a little short pleasure hike compared to these mts in Maine and NH, they just never, never stop coming.Off over Moosilauke Mt. tomorrow. They say it's the last big climb in the north. I'm counting on it. Oh, if Sunscreen's mother is reading this your son says a big HELLO.
Date: 2013-07-04
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 11.3

Only did a short day today since I'll be doing a 24 miler tomorrow.But it was straight up for 4 miles. What a drippin' sweat....Today was a day of firsts and lasts.Met my first Older NOBO, Raisin Bran Kid. Slack packing over Moosilauke.Climbed my last Major Mountain, Moosilauke. 4,800 ft.Walked in my first field of grass on the AT since starting.Walked my first nice road walk since starting.The last time I will see the Whites.First Very humid day on the trail, 95 degrees, but colder in higher elevations.Went for a swim in the Oliverain Brook at Glencliff. So nice and cold. Not a first. What is really funny is I tell the NOBOs, welcome to the mountains and they all say I can't wait. I say, I can't wait to get into some easy terrain and they say it's a bore. Well BORE ME I'm ready.4th of July today.I kept singing "Saturday in the Park" by Chicago all day. Remember, Saturday in the park you'd think it was the 4th of July.....And it is, it is......... "I'll get there when I get there"
Date: 2013-07-05
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Lyme/Dorchester, NH
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow, what a big day today. Passed the 400 mile mark and hiked 24 miles with 2 3,000 foot mountains, Cube and Smarts.But perfect weather except for the humidity and heat, oh and the lovely 10 minute thunder shower to wash and cool me down....Lost my map first thing this morning between Rt. 25 and Rt. 25A. In all my 20 some odd years of hiking I've never lost a map. Just another curve in the road. The map runs out in Hanover anyway. I met Steel a SOBO that I had also met 3 weeks ago around Caratunk. He doesn't have a map or guide. He says follow the white blazes to Georgia.Had some great chats with several NOBOs today. Gummy Bear had some super introspective advice.She noticed my marathon shirt and said treat the trail like a marathon. Don't push too hard and burn yourself out when the trail gets easier. You tend to want to do big miles, 30, and 40 mile days. She's seen many burn up and drop out. And treat the last 500 miles like the last 5 miles of a marathon. It's all mental. Turns out she's also Canadian from BC. I told her I had met Jelly, she said he was from Prince Edward Island. Didn't know it when I was talking to him. His wife, Peanut Butter dropped out due to injury. She's now supporting him with slack packing duties. What a community out here. I'm going to take a zero today to get supplies together to start Vt. Paula will be leaving me in 2 days. Man, I'm going to miss her. It's been 8 days of unbelievable support. Got me thru those insane White Mountains. Though I am looking forward to camping out and hitting more trail towns. A little more planning.Foot Report: Slightest of pain and swelling. I think I'm over this one.Hey, thanks to everyone giving me great support. When you get down on the trail you dig down to those emails to get you back up. Thanks guys."I'll get there when I get there"
Date: 2013-07-07
From: Lyme/Dorchester

To: Norwich, Vt.
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: broken clouds

Finally busted out of New Hampshire with an easy 22 miles, though the temps were in the upper 80's and very humid.I'm changing my shoes at the border as planned from the beginning. Coke must be the official soda of the Appalachian Trail, once again trail magic was had at the Etna-Hanover Rd with a cooler of ice cold coke, Thanks Trail Magicians.I've had support from my wife Paula through most of NH with resupplying, shuttles, and even motels and restaurants. It ends tomorrow as I pack up to attack Vt. Thanks so much, it's been amazing having you around and happy anniversary on the 11th. I'll have a Cliff bar to celebrate.I didn't buy a smart phone to do my journals as planned. I opted out thinking it would take away from the wilderness experience. Like sitting in my tent or shelter being connected to the world wide web? In my 25 years of hiking this is the first I've even carried a cell phone and I've only used it twice.So next town lay over I'll do all my updates.I'll get there when I get there.
Date: 2013-07-12
From: Norwich, Vt.

To: Manchester Center, VT.
Miles today: 54.0

Just put an old photo in this journal because I'm at a very strict library where I have a half hour limit then the computer shuts off. I offered to pay for more time. SORRY, rules. Just like school days. Oh, the old photo is valid for yesterdays 19 miler. Mud, mud and more mud. In the local paper the farmers are saying their fields may flood once a year. In the last 2 weeks they've flooded 6 times. So that's what we're walking in...Welcome to Vermud!Anyway, in Rutland Vt. at this funky Christian Hostel, The Yellow Deli.Taking a zero, I really need it. Mentally I can hike but my body needs the rest. Meeting lots of NOBOs and hearing some great stories about the ticks down south. When walking thru tall grass, I guess they'll stick to you 5 or 6 at a time.SCARY. I guess if you're very tired and sore, that is the sure sign of Lyme Disease. Then you load up on antibiotics. BIG Price.I'm at the 505 mile mark and at 500 miles there was a sign on a tree. "Katahdin 500 miles" Wow, I choked up, really, like tears....Pretty emotional.Oh, tonight at the hostel, the Christian group running the Hostel, Deli and store are having some kind of a celebration, dancing, food and celebration. Looking forward to it. they're so welcoming and friendly. Weather looks good for the next 5 days. Can't wait to burn some rubber, I mean Mud. Photos coming soon. I'll get there when I get there.
Date: 2013-07-14
From: Manchester Center, VT>

To: North Adams, Mass.
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: few clouds

Get this, 2 days of dry feet. I can't remember when I last had dry feet. A month ago in Maine? Had a wonderful stay at the Yellow Deli Hikers Hostel in Rutland VT.Friday the Christian group that runs the operation invited all the hikers down to celebrate their day of rest. First they danced and sang and then the hikers were taught how to dance. Sort of folkie/square dancing. A lot of laughs. Then we had a feast. Great evening.In the morning, Sherpa, who is slack packing the trail with his truck drove me to the trail at 7 am. Burned off 21 miles and camped in the woods. I'm seeing so many NOBOs. I hear it's only the first 25% of them. But they all want to know about the White Mts. I feel like just keeping my head down and hiking thru them. They've hiked 1,600 miles and I'm at 538.I'm at the Green Mountain House in Manchester, Vt just over night and back on the trail early. I'm sure when this place fills with Nobos they'll be firing questions at me.This place is so nice. Jeff and his wife run it as a hobby and only $25 a night which includes breakfast and a shuttle to the trail in the morning.I didn't resupply in Rutland so I'm resupplying here for 3 days to get me into Mass. where I may take a zero. I think I have to slow down since Paula and daughter Kalina are meeting me somewhere in central Mass. If I go too fast I may be in Conn. or NY.Here are some physical updates. Feet are hanging in. I'm thinking of shifting over to boots for the support. The tendons are still somewhat tender. And my appetite. It's not huge. I think I eat less now than at home, but I'm burning 4 or 5,000 cals a day. Any explanations?More updates from Mass. in 3 or 4 days.
Date: 2013-07-18
From: North Adams, Mass.

To: Dalton, Mass.
Miles today: 152.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hot, hot, hot. Plus 37 C or around 100 F with the humidity.In Williamstown, Mass. for a zero. I'm close to 600 miles, 597.7.The trail is getting much easier but somehow the ATC seems to search out every hill and mountain and take the trail up it. Been doing 20 milers lately, but I don't want to over do it. Need this body to get me to Springer.Met a gentleman on the Long Trail and asked where he was from. Saint John, NB. Wow! 30 miles from my hometown. First NBer yet.Also saw a girl with a Canadian flag on her pack. Trail name was Fatty but she was anything but fat. From Bridgewater, NS and now resides in High River, Alberta.Ya, where the flooding was. She said her place of employment might be flooded and closed for awhile.Hiked with Nanny Goat section hiking the whole trail. Wow could she move. we did almost 20 in this heat. May meet up in her home state of Pa. Highly recommend Green Mountain Hostel in Manchester. Picks you up, free tub of Ben and Jerry's, full breakfast, wifi and computer, TV and lift back to the trail in the morning all for $25. I'm thinking about moving in when I'm done the trail.Am I missing any details that readers would like to hear about?Just drop me a line at marketman1993@gmail.comMiss everyone back home and enjoy your emails. Thanks folks.
Date: 2013-07-21
From: Dalton, Mass.

To: Lee, Mass
Miles today: 21.0

The weather finally broke. The temps are in the upper 70's, Nice. But I'm not hiking today. My wife and daughter came down for a visit in the Berkshire Mountains. Summer home of the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood. The trail is fairly easy so I want to get back on it. Tomorrow very early we'll head out for a 20 miler.Funny story. Back at Garfield Shelter in the White Mts. NH I lost a BIG filling. 2 weeks later right next to the Motel in Williamstown, Mass was a dentist office. They got me in right away and drilled for an hour. But turns out 2 North bounders at the Motel are dentist as well. Molarman and Chinmusic. So it was the day of the dentist.Met my first SOBO (south bounder) since the Whites on top of Greylock Mt.. Minty Fresh. It was so nice to talk to a SOBO. NOBOs are almost done, 6 weeks to go and we have 3 months to go....We were saying we're finally getting a little respect from them. It was funny because Minty had the same pack, trail shoes and sox as me. I may not see him for awhile since I'm off for a day. That's how it works on the trail. Now you see'em now you don't.
Date: 2013-07-23
From: Lee, Mass

To: Zero
Miles today: 0.0

My wife and daughter came down for a visit and went to Shaker Village today. I'm just SO wiped and decided to rest for the 21 miler tomorrow. I also went over all my gear, washed it, changed zip locs, packed food and went over my AT Guide AGAIN! This will be the last support from family until mid Aug. when Paula comes down again somewhere around Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, the half way point of the AT.I've had 4 zeros in a week. Having the girls around has given me an excuse to slack off, but I've really enjoyed the rest and visit. It's funny, back home I always wanted to be outside but now since my home is outside 24/7, I have no problem spending a whole sunny day indoors resting because I know I'll be in the wilderness tomorrow.The FEET! They are alright but still somewhat sore. I've changed from my trail runners, which give me ZERO support to low cut Keens. Tomorrow will be the first day in them. I'm excited to see how they perform.The weather. It poured last night and most of the morning, that's when you love taking a zero. The rest of the forecast looks good for the next 7 days. GREAT!I'll slack pack tomorrow while the girls check out Great Barrington, Ma., then early Thursday they'll drive me back to Great Barrington and continuing this mammoth journey.GOALS: When I first started the thru hike my goals where, #1)the 100 mile wilderness, #2)to Gorham, NH, #3)thru the Whites and #4)Hanover, NH. I've reached them all, but what has been sitting in the back of my mind has been New England. At the Kennebec River about 1/2 way down Maine you have to be ferried over the river. The ferryman said to me, "Most of these South Bounders will never make it out of New England." Now that stuck with me...I'm only 95 miles from NY and out of New England. Less than a week. Rock n' Roll
Date: 2013-07-24
From: Lee, Mass

To: Great Barrington, Ma.
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked in my new Keens today. My feet feel fantastic. Sending my trail shoes home. Maybe this is the answer to my feet problems. Fingers crossed.Fairly easy 21 miles today, it's Massachusetts not Vt.,NH or Me. But I'm still wiped.Should be getting into Connecticut in 50 miles.Weather is great. No rain and much cooler.Still passing lots of North bounders, they're looking so charged. Only 8 weeks to go for them.