morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-09
From: Lee, MA

To: south from Cheshire to Lee
Miles today: 28.3

Surprise! We decided Paula should stay another day and she can drive me to Cheshire where I will slack pack back to Lee. It will be long--but the trail doesn't look too difficult as compared to tomorrow's hike. In Dalton, I strayed off the trail into town for a bite to eat at Duff and Dell's Variety. At the trail head heading north there were 2 teddy bears dressed in hiker garb with a sign saying "take us along". How cute. I left them there for the next hiker. I saw lots of hikers. I passed some hikers that I've camped with 2 nights ago and some that I haven't seen in weeks. (still no R.J.) There are lots of ponds and swamps in this area. The day was hot and humid, but I missed the showers and stayed dry. My feet and ankles are very tired after this 28 plus mile day. If I'm lucky, maybe Paula will massage my aching feet.
Date: 2008-07-10
From: south from Cheshire to Lee

To: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to
Miles today: 9.0

Paula and I said our good byes today. It sure was great having her here with me for a couple of days. After she dropped me off at the trail in Cheshire, MA, I began an immediate climb up Mt. Greylook, starting at 1000 feet and upward to 3500 feet. Mt. Greylook is the highest point in Massachusetts and the summit features a distinctive war memorial and a nice lodge. I continued on another few miles and decided to set up camp at Wilbur Clearing Lean-to. It was still early, but I was excited to set up my new tent which Paula brought along for me. When I was home in PA a couple of weeks ago, I ordered an ultralight shelter from Tarptent on line. Well, I am so disappointed with the outcome of this tent. There was a 2 ft. section where the floor attaches to the screen that was not sewn. Now I am between a rock and a hard place. I sent my tarp to my tree hammock home with Paula because I thought I had a shelter from the bugs with the tent. I got off the trail first thing in the morning and mailed it back home so Paula can mail it back to Tarptent and get our money back. This will really slow me down now because I'll have to spread out my hike between shelters, not to mention the extra miles I'll have to go to remedy this situation. I'll have to look into buying another tent at an outfitter off the trail or maybe Scott or Paula will have to send me one to a post office in New Hampshire, which is quite a distance away. I'll let you know how it all turns out.
Date: 2008-07-11
From: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

Well I'm in Vermont. I'm staying at a shelter because I have no tent yet. The AT shares the same treadway with the Long Trail, which goes into Canada from here, for aboiut 103 miles before the AT turns east, just north of Sherburne Pass, and heads for Katahdin. So some of the hikers I am seeing right now are on the Long Trail path. I am still hiking by many ponds with beaver dams. I haven't seen any beavers, but their dams are huge.
Date: 2008-07-12
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: scattered clouds

This is a large shelter with plenty of room, and a great view of Mt. Greylock. One good thing about staying in shelters is that you hear all the news about your fellow hikers. I heard that "Down Stairs", "Bear Trap", and "Pine Knot", hikers that I walked the trail with about 2 weeks ago, have all been diagnosed with Lyme Disease. They are being treated for it and will soon be back on the trail. "Sage" another hiker that I passed on the trail last week when I was slack packing south, is laying in a shelter sick as a dog. Mr. Burns, the father of the father and son team that I camped with one night, fell and broke a leg. I don't like to hear news like that. I still haven't heard anything on R.J. If anybody knows how he is doing, sign my guest book and let me know. Since I've been in Vermont I've seen 5 grouse, 1 striped snake, and 2 bears. One of the bears was in a tree making quite a lot of noise, and I don't even think that he saw me.
Date: 2008-07-13
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I climbed Stratton Mountain today (elevation 3,936 ft.) This mountain is one of many ski resorts along the trail in Vermont. Stratton has a 75 ft fire tower and cabin. I climbed about half way up the tower and then decided not to climb the other half. It was very very windy there on top of the mountain. Tonight I'm staying at Stratton Pond Shelter. It sleeps 16 campers. Out of the five of us here tonight, one of us is going south, 3 are hiking the Long Trail and of course I'm hiking north. The caretaker of the shelter is a very nice young man.
Date: 2008-07-14
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Bromley Mountain
Miles today: 13.4

Today I hitch hiked for the first time. I got a ride to Manchester Center, VT which is about 5.5 miles off the trail. I bought a tent at EMS. It is a free standing, light weight tent ( it's a Big Agnes). I intend to hitch a ride back to the trail and then hike to Bromley Mountain where I will pitch my tent for the night. Hopefully this one will work. Manchester Center is a busy little town where you can get almost anything you need. At the moment I am eating a Friendly's black raspberry ice cream cone. The best way to cool off and replace some of those calories which I need.
Date: 2008-07-15
From: Bromley Mountain

To: Little Rock Pond Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: broken clouds

This morning I saw a beautiful sunrise on top of Bromley Mountain. There is a fire tower here and it is really neat. I have been seeing moose dirt lately, so there are moose up here. I haven't seen one yet, but look forward to seeing one. I ate lunch today on a huge flat rock in the middle of Big Branch Stream. I took off my shoes and soaked my feet in a clear whirlpool, very refreshing. Tonight I'm camping at Little Rock Pond Shelter. There are a couple of campsites here. I swam and washed out my clothes in the lake.
Date: 2008-07-16
From: Little Rock Pond Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

When I got to VT103 I hid my pack and walked 1/2 mile into town to Whistle Stop Restaurant. It was closed so I walked another 1/2 mile to the general store. I bought a pack of hot dogs and rolls which will be my supper tonight. I ate all the hot dogs except 2 which I gave to another hiker. They weren't very good. I seem to be coming down with a cold, my feet ache and I am very tired. I don't know if it's my health or just the ups and downs again. I've been crossing paths lately with "Dartman", "Willyboy", and "Piper Hiker". They are a nice group of older hikers. They have to slow down now to wait for a brother, so I'll be alone again.
Date: 2008-07-17
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Sherburne Pass, Long Trail Inn, VT
Miles today: 12.6

I dropped my pack and climbed 2/10 mile to the top of Killington. It was all rocks on top. There was a lodge there where I had a burger for lunch. While I was eating I could watch the gondola from the window traverse up and down the mountain. Someone was having a wine and cheese party. T storms this afternoon so I decided to stay at the Long Trail Inn, just off the AT. There is an Irish Pub here. Some magazine quoted "one of the liveliest, coziest pubs this side of Dublin".
Date: 2008-07-18
From: Sherburne Pass, Long Trail Inn, VT

To: Wintturi Shelter
Miles today: 23.7

It really hasn't cooled off too much. It is still very humid. T-storms again today this afternoon and all night. When I got to the shelter there was a side trail to a lookout which I was going to take. I heard that there is an observation platform on the roof of a cabin up there with a view. Well, I decided not to, and I'm glad I didn't hike up there because I think that lightning struck up there. It cracked so loud that I jumped.
Date: 2008-07-19
From: Wintturi Shelter

To: West Hartford, VT
Miles today: 16.4

Hiking today I noticed that there are many fresh tree branches and limbs down on the trail from the heavy winds with the storms last evening. I have been seeing more SOBO hikers now. I am mostly alone at the moment and haven't seen any NOBO's in the last couple days. Mr. Burn's son passed me the other day as well as "Stripe". Those are the last NOBO's I've seen in a while. Went into town this afternoon to the general store. When I was there someone told me that there was a guy about 5 houses down that lets you camp out in his back yard. I thought I'd check it out because I was pretty tired to hike much farther. His back yard was beautiful with a small stream running through it and a water falls. He had a big canopy set up from a party the night before, so I pitched my tent underneath that because there were more storms on the horizon. I got a pizza and a couple of beers that we shared. This guy is in the sign business and I helped him put a post hole digger on his tractor. Sure was grateful for his generosity and the accomodations. He told me that there were 3 hikers here last evening, but I'm the only one here tonight.
Date: 2008-07-20
From: West Hartford, VT

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: moderate rain

Greetings from Dartmouth. I made it to NH--yeah, next state--Maine. I woke up to heavy fog and humidity this morning. Two hours into my hike it started pouring rain. It came down in buckets. If I would have had floats on my feet I could have floated down the trail. I walked across the CT River in a torrential downpour. I tried to get shelter underneath the bridge, but couldn't get there because of rocks. This is the first time that I really got wet since I started hiking the trail in March. I came upon some trail magic at 3 different locations within a short stretch during this rain. One was a cooler filled with cookies, another one had some raisin bread, and the third one had donuts, soda, and iced tea. It was hard to enjoy it in the miserable weather conditions, but appreciated all the same. My cold, or whatever I'm ailing from, has gotten worse. I feel feverish, tired, achey, and blowing all kinds of snot from my nose. If I'm not feeling better by the time I reach Mt Moosilauke, I will visit the health center there. That is about 36 miles away or 3 days. I am definitely taking a well deserved zero day tomorrow. I have to pick up a package at the PO in town, and also mail a package back home. I am spending the night at the Sunset Motel in town. First thing I did after getting my room was take a good hot shower, then I got something to eat, and then I did my wash. I will sleep good tonight. It is still raining--rained all day. Will it ever stop? Well I'll stay dry inside my room.
Date: 2008-07-23
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Well the rain held off today for my hike, but it is raining tonight very hard. Some times I can't tell if it is wind or rain that I am hearing on the shelter roof.   This shelter was designed by Dartmouth architecture students, and of course, is shaped like a hexagon, with a matching privy. There are 9 people here tonight, three section hikers, 5 SOBOs and me. I heard that Mr. Burns not only broke his leg but also has lymes disease. I'm sure that I don't have lymes disease, because I've talked to many hikers who have it, and my symptoms are totally different. I seem to have one of those bad colds that turns into bronchitis. I am getting better except for the cough that lingers.
Date: 2008-07-24
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel, Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: moderate rain

Tons of rain last night. I woke up to find an 8 ft wide stream outside of the shelter that was not there yesterday. Hiking today there were streams flowing across the trail 2 to 3 ft high that were hard to cross. I walked in water all day. During the last mile, it rained like it never rained before. This hostel is a BIG tent with 10 beds with headboards and machines to do your laundry in outside--underneath a tent. I will be shuttled around a little the next 2 days to do some slack packing.
Date: 2008-07-25
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel, Glencliff, NH

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: broken clouds

Today I was dropped north of Mt. Moosilauke at Kinsman Notch so I could slack pack south back to the Hikers Welcome Hostel. I did not visit the health center at Mt. Moosilauke, because I am feeling a little better. Climbing Mt. Moosilauke (4802') was tough but beautiful. This is the first mountain on the AT for NOBOs that soars above the treeline, which is much lower at this latitude than in the South. It was a nice day and I could see around 360 degrees from the summit. They say on a clear day you can see five states and the Franconia Ridge is laid out before you. I have decided that hiking above the treeline is the nicest experience of my hike so far. I have met a fellow thru hiker named Mountain Sailor from Michigan. We have decided to stick together at least through the rugged White Mountains.
Date: 2008-07-26
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: scattered clouds

We dropped our packs and hiked north today to Franconia Notch from Kinsman Notch. The White Mountains are gorgeous, and the weather is improving too. Nights are getting cold but comfortable with blankets. The place we stayed at tonight was run by a young guy who almost died lighting a stove. He also hiked the trail years ago. His name is Chet West. Tomorrow we will be hiking the beautiful Franconia Range.
Date: 2008-07-27
From: Franconia Notch

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This was an awesome day. We got a shuttle up to Franconia Notch from Kinsman Notch to start our hike north. It was a real nice day. We started a steep climb up and out of the notch. We went over Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Lafayette (5,249') and Mt. Garfield (4,488'). There were lots of ups and downs, but straight lines above the tree lines where you can see amazing views. I got a work for stay tonight at the hut. A work for stay is an option at most huts for the first few thru-hikers who request it each day, usually involves an hour or two of light chores in the morning--otherwise it would cost you $50 to $64 per night per person. Each hut is run by a "croo," usually young collegians. The AMC (Applachian Mountain Club) operates all of the huts in the White Mountains. Your stay includes a dinner and a breakfast. I had to fold blankets on the bunks and sweep the floor. The only thing about that is you get a late start to your hiking day.
Date: 2008-07-28
From: Galehead Hut

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: fog

More beautiful climbs over the White Mountains today. We ate lunch at Zealand Falls Hut. They were serving potato soup. Mountain Sailor and I decided that we would hike to Crawford Notch and stay there for the night. This section we were about to hike was to be the easiest in all of the White Mountains. Unfortunately we made a wrong turn (a first for me). They mark the trail differently in the White Mountain National Forest. There are so many trails and in many parts the regional trail names are used on signs, so you really have to use your trail maps. So an easy hike turned out to be quite difficult. We climbed Mt. Palm (4,000') which we didn't have to do if we went the right way. Eventually we made it to our planned destination. We are staying at a fairly new lodge tonight. It holds about 100 people and has a huge dining room. The Presidential Range is on the horizon. We plan to hike to Lakes of the Clouds tomorrow, and then the next day climb Mt. Washington...."Up in the mountains of New Hampshire, God Almighty has hung out a sign to show that there he makes men"...Daniel Webster
Date: 2008-07-29
From: Crawford Notch

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

This place is some times called "Lakes of the Crowds" because of its large size. It holds up to 90 people. We climbed Webster Cliffs today, it was a little tricky because of the wet weather. On a nice day we'd have some outstanding views back to Crawford Notch. I'm looking forward to climbing Mt. Washington tomorrow.
Date: 2008-07-30
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Pinkham Notch Camp
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

Mt. Washington is the highest peak in New England and a weather station has clocked the highest surface wind speed ever recorded on Earth (231 mph)at the summit. It wasn't windy early this morning, we started our climb in fog. When we got to the summit, the weather broke and the clouds cleared. Really nice views. I didn't feel the climb was as difficult as people had been saying it would be. Getting to the summit so early in the morning was great, because the crowds of people weren't there yet. We had a nice lunch at Madison Springs Hut. Tonight we are staying at Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch. This was a long day. I'm especially tired.
Date: 2008-07-31
From: Pinkham Notch Camp

To: Carter Notch 
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: fog

Wildcat Mountain (4380) was a heck of a climb. There was a gondola at the top, but I didn't ride it because it was cold and windy. We had showers again today. I might as well be walking through ponds and streams because that is what the trail is like. Carter Notch is a real nice place to stay and is usually filled up, but there were lots of cancellations tonight because of the bad weather. This place sleeps 40 and there are only 5 of us die hard hikers here tonight. We are getting the royal treatment. I believe this is the best work for stay I've been in. My job was to scrub down an old cast iron gas stove.
Date: 2008-08-01
From: Carter Notch 

To: Gorham
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

We came close to seeing a moose near Gorham, NH. We heard this awful noise and then we saw some really fresh moose poop--still steaming along the trail. Never saw the big guy though. We are staying at White Birches Campground in Gorham. We were shuttled into town where we resupplied at a Walmart.
Date: 2008-08-03
From: Gentian Pond Campsite

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: light rain

We crossed into Maine today, and guess what? It's still raining. Maine will be a tough hike and with the rain it will, of course, be tougher still. I hope I can hang in there. This shelter is the site of many a horror story about "The Notch". "The Notch" refers to Mahoosuc Notch, the toughest part of the A.T. That's where we are headed for tomorrow. Wish me luck.
Date: 2008-08-04
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Baldpate Lean-to
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

As I mentioned before Mahoosuc Notch is considered to be the toughest and most dangerous part of the Trail. Well I feel that statement is true. You have to pass your back pack either over or under before you go through the rocks because there is only room for one to pass through at a time. It is a magnificent jumble of rocks with boulders as big as houses and crevices that have year round ice in them. It was here that I fell 6 feet and landed on my back only 30 yards from dead moose bones. I landed on a pointed pyramid shaped rock and was saved by my back pack. I also fell in muck today up to my hip with one leg. Luckily the other leg was free so I could get myself out of it. Then I walked in a cold stream flowing on top of the AT. I think that someone was looking out for me today.
Date: 2008-08-05
From: Baldpate Lean-to

To: Andover, Maine Pine Ellis B&B & Hostel
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I fell on my side and was stuck there like a turtle on its back and John (Mountain Sailor) helped me back to my feet. I've renamed him Free Fall, because of the way he slides down the rocks. Maine has been, by the far, the toughest hiking on the trail. The mountains aren't quite as high as the Whites, but they are bouldery and very slick from the rain. The shelter journals in this area look like hospital logs--broken legs, head wound, puncture wounds. We are staying at a hostel where we can do our laundry, dryout, and resupply in town. We were picked up at the trail 8 miles from here. We will be shuttled for the next two days so we can slack pack.
Date: 2008-08-06
From: Andover, Maine Pine Ellis B&B & Hostel

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 10.1

Mountain Sailor and I said our goodbyes today. He has not yet hiked the Trail alone and wants to experience that now. It was great hiking with him, and I wish him lots of luck and maybe our paths will cross again. I slack packed to South Arm Road today and I am back at the Pine Ellis B&B for the night.
Date: 2008-08-08
From: ME17

To: Piazza Rock Lean-to
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: moderate rain

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY. Flash Flood warnings today. It's like I'm constantly walking through ponds and streams. I can't figure out if they are supposed to be there or if they are there because of the extreme amounts of rain Maine is having. They say this is a record year for rain. Normally, this should be the nicest time of the year up here.
Date: 2008-08-09
From: Piazza Rock Lean-to

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 12.9

More rain. I guess you're getting tired reading about all of the rain, but think how I feel hiking in it every day. Then again, this is my choice--no one is making me do this. I work so hard to climb the mountains without a reward of a spectacular view because of the weather. This really is a beautiful area with many big ski mountains--like Sugarloaf.
Date: 2008-08-10
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to

To: Stratton, Maine
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

More Rain and thunder storms. I'm feeling real sick today. It's the same thing I had a couple of weeks ago. I had been better for a while, but whatever it is it's back. My symptoms do not sound like lyme disease, but more like West Nile Virus. I have night sweats, head ache, low fever, sore throat, and coughing up lots of mucous. I'm feeling I can hang on though as long as it doesn't get any worse.
Date: 2008-08-11
From: Stratton, Maine

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

A 65 year old hiker broke his leg here the other day and 30 people came to rescue him. It took six people to hold the stretcher and carry him over the rocky, slippery, mountainous terrain. Every few minutes a new group of 6 would take over until they got him out. It took hours to do all of that.
Date: 2008-08-12
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: light rain

This was the first nice day in ages. I sat by the pond for a long time and watched some loons this afternoon. They make weird noises and dive completely under water. They will resurface about 150 yards from where they submerged. They are fascinating to watch. There are loads of ponds in Maine. They are big as lakes, but to be considered a lake they must be a certain depth, size does not matter. Two guys came into camp soaking wet tonight. They fell completely in the dam they were crossing to get here.
Date: 2008-08-13
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning at Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps I had the Hiker's pancake breakfast. They make all kinds of pancakes with almost anything in or on them that you would want. This is an old camp from 1934 with a lot of history. Mrs. Roosevelt once visited or passed through. After my amazing pancakes I hiked on and crossed the Kennebec River. A couple of days ago, the water was way up and the ferry wouldn't even go out. Today the ferry was a go and another hiker and I got a ride across the river. I'm camping at Pleasant Pond this evening. It's a beautiful crystal clear lake and is considered to be the 3rd cleanest lake in ME. There are cabins all around the lake. Some nice lady brought cookies to camp tonight around 6p.m.