morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-08-06
From: Bennington, VT

To: Kid Gore Shelter, VT
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

On the Loose and I caught the bus back to the center of town, then the shuttle to the trail. We shared the shuttle with a SOBO hiker whose name I have already forgotten. The day was gorgeous, in the low 70s. All day I kept thinking very deep thoughts... like "In what town was Bob Newhart's Inn located?" and "What was the third brother's name on that show?" (the one who wan't Darrel) Profound thoughts one has while hiking... Vermont smells like Christmas with all the evergreen trees. There were several lookouts with views. The Kid Gore shelter faces due east with a view, so I decided to stay in the shelter where I could see the sunrise. I also kept thinking about "Kid Gore"... in my town there is a family named Gore who have three sons. We used to jokingly call the youngest one "Baby Gore" even as he was in high school. He is probably out of college by now. More profound hiking thoughts...
Date: 2010-08-07
From: Kid Gore Shelter, VT

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

I woke up to the sunrise and tried to take pictures. My camera is so good that it wants to change the colors to more white. So, unfortunately, my pink and orange sunrise photos, show white... I got dressed and started hiking. I told On the Loose "you take the high road and I'll take the low road, and I'll get to the pond afore ye"... since there is an alternate trail and I am not crazy about climbing firetowers. I didn't care about the firetown on top of Stratton Mtn. The walk was fabulous, and short. I arrived at the pond and claimed a spot in the loft since to hang or tent I would have to walk all the way around the pond. So, a second shelter night in a row. The caretaker at the pond was very nice and we visited a while, as I sat with my feet in the water. Some of the younger folks took a swim, but it was too cold for me. I went back to the shelter, took a nap, and played cards. On the Loose came in and we visited a bit before bedtime. It got really cool at night.
Date: 2010-08-08
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Manchester, VT
Miles today: 10.7

The hike today was nice, but uneventful. I missed the AT turn at Prospect Rock and ended up walking down Rootville Rd. Then I called my friends from 2005, Krazy Katie and Radio. They are the first ones who said to call that were actually home when I called! Katie picked me up, took me for food, then back to her house to clean up. They have a great apartment in an old barn, with a pond. After cleaning up, we headed back to town, where I bought new shoes at the Eastern Mountaineering Store. Lots of hikers were in town and the hostel where On the Loose was staying was full. She had to pick up mail tomorrow so I'll be ahead for a bit. We agreed to see each other at shelters if we happen to be there, but not to wait for one another. Bulldawg and Hitchcock were in town, looking for a place to stay. Katie and Radio invited them to come home too. Radio cooked steaks and baked potatoes for dinner and we sat around talking the trail till late.
Date: 2010-08-09
From: Manchester, VT

To: Danby, VT (almost)
Miles today: 17.8

Katie dropped me off at the trail before 8am and I began climbing up Bromley Mtn. It wasn't especially tough. But then came Styles Peak and Peru Peak. I had done 3 mountains by midafternoon. Then I came to Griffith Lake where there was a detour.According to the sign, I was supposed to go east on Old Job Trail to Danby Rd, which was miles out of the way. Looking at my map, I saw that I could walk the Griffith Lake Trail to a Forest Service road that would take me to Danby. Hey, I thought, I can get to town and get some food and a bed instead of doing the detour.Unfortunately, my map was wrong. The Forest Service Road never connects to Danby. I just goes up and down the forest back to another forest road, which I had passed about noon. When I realized that I was walking in a giant circle, I was not a happy camper. I had passed some Vermont Youth Conservation Corps workers earlier, so I hiked back to where their cars were parked, hoping they could give me a ride around to Danby. By now I had walked some 25 miles.As it began to get dark, I knew they weren't coming out of the woods. I hung up my hammock and went to bed without dinner, since I didn't have enough water to cook and hike to a water source tomorrow.
Date: 2010-08-10
From: Danby, VT (almost)

To: Hwy 103 (Clarendon, VT)
Miles today: 14.6

I got up after a very wet night, sponged off my tarp, and packed up my gear. I didn't know when the VYCC group might be coming out, so my only hope was to head back down the road where I was at noon yesterday. Then I could hopefully hitch a ride to the Danby AT road crossing and continue. Of course after all that, I still had miles to hike. So on to the White Rocks... lovely. It was hot, humid, and buggy. What happened to the cool Vermont weather I bragged about? Not a pleasant day at all.I hoped to hike up to the shelter past 103, but stories of the wicked climb, made me rethink and pitch my hammock near the bridge so I could do the climb in the morning. When I opened up my tarp, I found snails!!! I had wiped the top of the tarp, but never thought about anything climbing up the inside. It was gross. From now on, I'll wipe my tarp on both sides!At least I had water, and was able to cook. But that is about the only good thing I can say about today. I still haven't seen On the Loose.
Date: 2010-08-11
From: Hwy 103 (Clarendon, VT)

To: RT 4 (Long Trail Inn)
Miles today: 17.4

I awoke with a new attitude. Today I was headed for the Long Trail Inn! The rock climb didn't even phase me (much). At the shelter I found Butter, Six Toes, and Butter's brother. They passed me not long afterwards. The trail climbed pretty much all day, as we were heading up Killington Mtn. I reached the top to find three packs on the ground. They had gone up to the summit, but I just hiked on. I was on a mission to get to the inn.I took the Shelburne Trail, which is the old, straight, AT, instead of the newer, curvy, out of the way, version. Of course, as I often do, I goofed. At the Pico Camp (a cabin) is a sign that says it is .4 miles to the summit. I followed the blue blazes up to the summit, instead of going straight. So I got up to the ski area and couldn't figure out how to get down. I ended up following the ski service road down. Of course that was more miles that I would have done had I stayed on the AT. Oh well, now I just had a short road walk up RT 4 to the Inn.I checked in and went up to my room. I cleaned up, then headed down for dinner. Tomorrow I have friends coming in to meet me. They will be doing the Long Trail starting this weekend. But at dinner, I thought I saw Razor in the dining room. I couldn't be sure, as all I could see was his back. When he got up, I knew it was him! He was surprised to see me, since we both had said we would be in Thursday, but it was only Wednesday.We sat and talked, then went to our rooms, agreeing to meet in the morning for breakfast.
Date: 2010-08-12
From: RT 4 (Long Trail Inn)

To: RT 4 (Long Trail Inn)
Miles today: 0.0

Ah, at last a zero day! Nature and Bronco (Razor's hiking partners) weren't due in till late afternoon. After breakfast, Razor and I, and another hiker, High Tech, decided to do some sightseeing. We were headed down RT 4 when Nature called. She was at the Inn. So we turned around to get her.First stop was the Long Trail Brewery. We did the tour and had lunch. Then we went down to the Queeche Gorge and walked around. Next we stopped at the Vermont Nature Center and saw the birds. Finally we went to the Simon Pierce Glassblowing store. All in all, it was a wonderful, touristy, relaxing day.When we got back to the inn, Bronco had arrived, so we went to dinner. The prime rib at 99 steakhouse was fabulous! We all agreed to meet in the morning again for breakfast.
Date: 2010-08-13
From: RT 4 (Long Trail Inn)

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

After breakfast, we said our goodbyes, and I hiked on. It was a great day to hike, and I felt great after my zero. It seemed like no time before I was at Gifford State Park, then on to the falls, and up to the shelter. Nice hike, nice day. I debated hiking on, but the next shelter was another 10 miles, so I stopped.So did everyone else. It was like March in Georgia! There must have been 30 people in tents, hammocks, and in the shelter. The SOBOS and NOBOS converge. Five months today. 1701 miles so far.
Date: 2010-08-14
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: West Hartford, VT
Miles today: 26.0

If you are an AT purist and expect everyone else to be, don't read this entry...Otherwise, here is how it went.Funny how one day can be so perfect, but the next awful. in 2005 I had friends get off the trail at Hanover, and I couldn't imagine how someone could get so far, then stop. Now I understand! Every climb today made me wish I could just get out of here. I was sick and tired of the PUDs! I stopped at a road and sat down to eat. Maybe that would make me feel better. But it didn't. I looked at the road, then my maps. I decided that I could do a road walk and advance north. So up the dirt road I went to Barnard. What a great place! It has an old fashioned general stores, with an ice cream counter, a pizza counter, and a deli. I had a nice lunch and visited with folks in the store. There is a lake across the street and there are both locals and tourists here. Checking my map again, on I walked, headed east, I thought, according to the map. I knew that I could do a lot more miles on the road that on the trail. Instead of the 15 I had planned to do on the trail, I set a good pace and kept walking. Unfortunately, as I often do, I was headed northeast, not due east. When I got to Hwy 14, and I was outside Royalty, not West Hartford, I realized my mistake. Somewhere I hadn't turned when I should have. So I had to now hitch 14 miles down to West Hartford. Luckily, the second car picked me up and delivered me right to the AT crossing. I went into the general store and had my dinner. I asked about where to stay in town and was directed up the street where Kathy and Steve let hikers camp in their back yard. When I got there, who should I find, but Bulldawg and Hitchcock again. Great day! So, to set the record straight, I did 4.5 miles on the AT and more than 22 road miles today. I walked from 7am to 6pm. It wasn't pure, but it sure made me feel better. Now I am ready to head to New Hampshire.
Date: 2010-08-15
From: West Hartford, VT

To: Norwich, VT
Miles today: 7.8

I got up about 7am and packed up. Bulldawg was up, but not Hitchcock. We walked over to the general store for breakfast. They didn't open till 8 so we sat and waited. After breakfast, I headed out. The trail was nice today. I felt good again. The trail crossed logging roads and snowmobile trails. Before I knew it, I was here. I turned and checked into the Norwich Inn. Oh, and by the way, it was the inspiration for the Bob Newhart show. It is much larger than it appeared on TV, and, more elegant. If you didn't figure out the other answer, Larry was the third brother on the show. Folks here tell me that there were three brothers, and one was Larry, but the others weren't really Darrels.
Date: 2010-08-16
From: Norwich, VT

To: Tigger's Tree House, NH
Miles today: 8.0

After continenal breakfast at the Norwich Inn, I headed over to the post office. I picked up my maps and headed out of town. Pretty soon, I was over the bridge and in Hanover, NH. I went by the Dartmouth Outdoor Center, but no one was in. So I just walked down following the white blazes. I stopped on Lebanon Street to check out the Outfitter. I ended up getting new hiking poles, since mine were beginning to collapse when I didn't want them to, and didn't collapse when I did want them to. I also got a smartwool shirt on half price and a new red OR hat to replace the one I lost. With my wallet a little lighter, I headed out of town. It began to sprinkle and I walked in misting rain most of the morning. The hike was really quite pleasant, in spite of the rain. I arrived at the cemetery where I was to be picked up by the great folks at Tiggers Tree House. So here I am, sitting around, watching TV and playing on the computer. The great news is that On the Loose has reservations here too, so she will be surprised!
Date: 2010-08-17
From: Tigger's Tree House, NH

To: The Ice Cream Man's House
Miles today: 11.0

Karen dropped us off at the trail a little after 8am. We had Moose Mountain to tackle. I suspect that it is called Moose Mountain because the two peaks must look like ears or antlers with a head in the middle. It was a pretty nice hike. HD Mama's husband was at a road with sodas for everyone. Everyone was talking about the Ice Cream Man, but I hadn't heard about him. Just past the intersection of the Lyme-Dorchester roads, there is a field with a sign "free water and Icecream". Bill hands out fudge bars to hikers. He also has croquet set up if anyone wants to play. I was about done when I got to his house and told him that the ice cream would give me just about enough energy to get to my camping spot. He said that I could stay on his porch if I wanted. I took him up on it!
Date: 2010-08-18
From: The Ice Cream Man's House

To: Hiker's Welcome (10 miles short)
Miles today: 16.0

I got up early and started out toward Smarts Mountain, knowing that I had a big day ahead of me. Smarts Mountain has lots of rock ledges, and I would have enjoyed walking across them... except it was hot, I was sweating, and my pack was rubbing my backside raw. The more I chafed, the more I wanted to be done. When I got to the top, I climbed up the firetower to get a phone signal, then called Lion King (who has my car in Glencliff). "I hope you get this, I will be at 25A at 6pm, please pick me up there". He didn't answer so I left the message, hoping. Then I went down and started the next climb, up Mt. Cube. More rock ledges, and one large open area of granite with cairns. I followed the cairns around the wrong way and ended up headed back where I came from. I didn't realize it, of course, for nearly a half mile, then had to redo it. That made me even more happy.At the top of Mt. Cube, I left another message for Lion King. I made it down the mountain to the road about 5:45. I waited, but no Lion King. So I stuck out my thumb and got a hitch into Warren (4 miles east of Glencliff). There I grabbed some dinner, and got a ride the rest of the way. At the hostel, there was all kinds of construction going on. Lots of hiker friends were helping. I hugged Bag O Tricks, Packrat, and Phat Chap. I said "hi" to Baltimore Jack. After visiting a bit, I showered, went upstairs and went to bed. As it turns out, Lion King was out hiking and didn't have cell service. But it all turned out good.
Date: 2010-08-19
From: Hiker's Welcome (10 miles short)

To: Hiker's Welcome Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 10.0

So I had 10 miles to make up to the hostel. Phat Chap calls it the "easiest 10 in New Hampshire". I put together a slackpack with water and a snack, then asked Bag O Tricks if he would drive me. He did, then he waited around and got packs from 5 or 6 hikers heading NOBO, so they could slack it too. They all passed me, of course. I finished in 5 hrs, which is pretty good for me. When I got back, Lion King was back from his hike, so we drove several hikers to town for lunch and resupply. Then I went through all the stuff in my car and exchanged my summer stuff for winter stuff. I won't be needing my tank top, or summer bath robe, but will probably need my smartwool as I head into the Whites. I also mailed the last bunch of maps to myself in Maine.Now I am all set to slackpack Mousilauke tomorrow. That will be the beginning of the difficult part.
Date: 2010-08-20
From: Hiker's Welcome Glencliff, NH

To: Kinsman Notch hwy 112
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

Phat Chap drove me and On the Loose over to Woodstock for breakfast, then to the store to pick up sandwiches for lunch. He dropped us off at the notch with our slackpacks, and we headed South back to the hostel. We climbed almost straight up rock steps and around a waterfall for a couple of miles. Then we stopped at the shelter where we got our first view. The clouds lifted and we could see for miles.We continued on up for two more miles, to the alpine zone, above treeline. There the wind was blowing very cold, but at the summit we could see 360 degrees. It was gorgeous! We sat protected by some rocks and enjoyed our lunch. (I had pastrami on rye with brown mustard and Hostess cupcakes for dessert) We visited with a bunch of hikers, then began our trip back down.The down from this side was much less steep (part of why we decided to go SOBO). The trail eventually turned from rocks back to pine needles. I won't be seeing much more pine needle trail as I progress through the White Mountains.We arrived back at the hostel around 4:30. It was one of my best days on the trail ever! I can only compare it with my summit of Katahdin back in 2008. I am so excited about getting through the Whites. I will have to take it slow and will probably just go from hut to hut. But I am back in my hiking groove again! Full packs tomorrow as we head over Kinsman.Character of the Day: Phat Chap. (I realize that I have been remiss in describing my friends on the trail.. I'll try to do better) Phat Chap is one of my buddies from 2005. He is in his 50s, and is not a hiker, but a true trail angel. I met him first at Fontana, where he was supporting Packrat's hike. He said that he would see me again in New Hampshire (at the Hiker's Welcome Hostel). Actually, I would get to see him before that, when he was in Erwin. He was the one who picked me up when I thought I was having a heart attack. (I wasn't) Anyway, he has been one of my favorite people for a long time.
Date: 2010-08-21
From: Kinsman Notch hwy 112

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: overcast clouds

After breakfast with PhatChap, On the Loose, Cricket, and Button, I began a short, but tough climb over Wolf Mountain. Then came the Kinsmans. It was a nice day to begin, but turned to rain in the afternoon. I got to the shelter and decided to stay inside, rather than put up my tarp and hammock in the rain. Soon others began to arrive, including Butter, Six Toes, Hitch, and Rainbow Monkey. Then came 8 teenagers out for the weekend, and a group of 12+ from Harvard out for orientation. The tentsites were all full, so they pitched in a "reforestation area". I started boiling water for dinner, but decided my stomach was not feeling right, so I just had tea. About 8:30 in came four more hikers. Three quietly got to work, but one began to talk as he did his chores. About an hour later, I reminded him that he had been talking for an hour while most of us were trying to sleep. I guess I have become a crotchety old lady... or maybe it was the fact that I wasn't feeling well. I got up and threw up about midnight. Luckily the rain washed it all away. Characters of the Day: Butter, Six Toes, and Hitch. These young folks have been with me off and on for a while. Butter is a tiny blond 20 something, barely 5 feet talk and less than 100 lbs. She started in mid February! She met Six Toes along the trail and they have become a couple. Her red-headed brother, Hitch, came out to hike a little, but decided to keep on with them.
Date: 2010-08-22
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Lonesome Lake Hut
Miles today: 5.9

As the rain continued everyone in the shelter debated hiking. Around 11am I decided that I wanted to be in a hut, not in a wet shelter. So I started hiking. Wow! This was my toughest hiking so far. Welcome to the Whites! The rain made the rocks and mud extremely slippery. At one point it was actually sleeting, it was so cold.I got to the hut, thinking I could pay for a bunk, only to find they were completely booked. They offered me a work for stay. That means I could eat after all the paying guests were done, work, and sleep on the floor or a table. There was quite a group of hikers here, as everyone poured in from the rain. Characters of the Day: Spiritwalker and Funk. Spiritwalker is a 64 yr old doctor from Massachusetts who hikes a lot. He and his son, Funk, have been hiking with a car. He is a life member of the Appalachian Mountain Club, so he had a bunk booked. We have crossed paths several times on the hike, but this was a time when we visited and talked a good bit. He has to work for the Labor Day weekend, so he is trying to get as far north by then as he can. Then he will work a few days, and return to the trail.
Date: 2010-08-23
From: Lonesome Lake Hut

To: Greenleaf Hut
Miles today: 9.6

From the Lonesome Lake Hut, I cut across to the Old Bridal Path up to Greenleaf. The AT goes around and over Franconia Ridge. But with the rain not letting up, I decided I would take a safer route. I passed several Yale groups out for freshman orientation. Talk about a "fish camp"! These young folks have their work cut out for them...The trails out here all have different names. I had to laugh at one, "Fishing Jimmy Trail". My son-in-law, Jimmy, is quite a fisherman. But I can't imagine him hiking that trail just to go fishing! The Greenleaf hut was fabulous, and I was able to purchase a bunk for the night. That meant eating with the paying customers, socializing with them, and having a really nice evening. Because the Greenleaf hut is 1.1 mile off the AT, there weren't any other hikers here. That is a shame, because it was wonderful!
Date: 2010-08-24
From: Greenleaf Hut

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: broken clouds

The morning was finally clear and a number of folks headed up Lafayette Mtn. The trail is above treeline, so you can see all the way back to Greenleaf Hut. It was magnificent! At the top, I took some photos, then headed toward Garfield Mtn. There were more Yale orientation groups out. The climb up and down Garfield proved difficult. I was ready to crash when I got to the hut.Unfortunately, no one at Galehead had gotten my reservation, which had been called by wireless from Greenleaf. The Hut was full... I was offered the option of sleeping on the floor and paying for my food ($60) or doing the work for stay. I chose work for stay. Button, Cricket, Skink, and HD Mama all arrived and did work for stay too. Character of the Day: Button. Button is another tiny hiker. She is 33 years old, but looks much younger. She is from western Massachusetts and has done some hiking up here. She is really fun to watch.
Date: 2010-08-25
From: Galehead Hut

To: Zealand Hut/Highland Center/Pinkham....
Miles today: 7.0

We awoke to huge winds, rain, and terrible weather forecasts.   Everyone at the hut was ready to bale on hiking today. However, we all had to hike down to the road in order to bale out! I found that I didn't have reservations at Zealand Hut, either, so I hiked down to the road and caught the shuttle to Highland Center. Unfortunately, Highland Center had not received my reservation, either. Everything was full, since no one wanted to be up in the mountains with the thunderstorms. I managed to book a bunk some 50 miles forward at the Pinkham Notch, Joe Dodge Lodge. A nice couple drove me over when they heard my predicament.I was not a happy camper! I just wanted to take a zero day and rest. But I had to figure out the logistics of picking up my hike back where I came down. Master Chief was also at Joe Dodge Lodge. We had dinner together and I felt a little better. Still sick and tired and frustrated...Character of the Day: Master Chief. Master Chief is a 50 something retired Navy officer. He takes photos of everyone and says "I'll make you famous on Facebook". Quite a character, and typical retired military guy.