morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-08-01
From: Sugar Hill, NH (Home)

To: Sugar Hill, NH (Home) Day 2
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Thursday, August 1   Sugar Hill, NH   Zero Day 2.Weather Mostly Sunny in AM becoming cloudy with showers by evening. Hi 71 Lo 50My second day at home and already I decided to go for a hike. I did a quick 8 miles up and down Mt. Lafayette on the Bridal Path Trail. The weather was nice and the hike felt very easy despite the big climb because of my light day pack. My feet actually feel better after the hike and my ankle is no longer sore. Hike therapy!My reflection for today focuses on trail generosity. It is everywhere. Trail Magic, Trail Angels, and just the kindness shown by so many people to me and my fellow hikers was humbling and uplifting. People opening their homes to us, offerring rides to anywhere in town, buying us meals, leaving water at trailheads on the hottest, dryest of days, putting out anything from the simplest trail magic in a cooler, to elaborate feasts set out on long folding tables, all of it equally appreciated. It is something I had heard of before the hike but in my wildest dreams I never came close to imagining the scope and scale of it. It is all around you but it almost always seems to occur just when you need it most. Just ask any thru hiker. Just when you think you are in trouble or in great need for something, WHAM! it appears. On those tough, lonely days when you are feeling a little low you come out to a road and there in front of you are a dozen laughing hikers who look up and see you and with big grins wave you over to trail magic with a cold Coke, a hot dog, brownies, cookies, fresh fruit...etc. Your spirit is lifted and the day goes from a downer to fantastic in an instant. I can't even remember how many times when I was approaching a road and preparing for what could be a tough hitch suddenly a car would stop before I even stuck my thumb out and the driver would shout "can I take you anypace?" Then there are your fellow hikers. You find yourself short of anything, food, first aid item, water, an extra layer on a cold day, a piece of motel floor to sleep on in town, and a fellow hiker will always bail you out. Every time. You do the same for them. Every time. You never want for anything on the trail because there is always someone there to help you out.What is the price for this generosity, how can you ever repay it? That's easy. You pay it forward. Those of us who live close to the trail have it easy. I will never pass a hitching hiker again. I will perform trail magic throughout the summer from now on. I will open my home to a hiker in need when I see that need. No question about it. The goodness and generosity I have witnessed on the trail has fundamentally changed me in a way I can't describe. Suffice it to say I will need the rest of my life to repay the kindness that has been extended to me for these 5 months. I look forward to it.
Date: 2013-08-02
From: Sugar Hill, NH (Home) Day 2

To: Sugar Hill, NH (Home) Day 3
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Friday, August 2 Sugar Hill, NH Zero Day 3Weather: Partly sunny followed by mid day showers. Hi 75 Lo 51.Took care of hike related odds and ends then knocked off a few items from the honey do list. All this while dodging a few showers. A satisfying day overall. My thoughts about the hike today turned to the beauty and splendor of the trail. I always thought that the AT would feature many beautiful vistas and points of interest. What I was surprised at was just how spectacular the trail would be day in and day out. The mountains of Georgia were bigger and more challenging than I expected. North Carolina with the Smokies and the Nantahala Mountains was as impressive as anywhere. Tennessee also was beautiful. My favorite part of the trail so far has been the Roan Highlands. They remind me of what I know the Scottish Highlands to look like. The next most spectacular area on the trail for me has been Mt. Rogers and the Grayson Highlands of Virginia featuring big, wide open spaces like the high plains of Montana, and wild ponies roaming the grasslands. In fact, I thought all of Virginia was beautiful despite its reputation for knocking hikers off the trail with a case of the "Virginia Blues". No such feelings from me. The Blue Ridge section, The Shenandoah's, and Macaffes Knob all hold great memories of the trail's beauty for me. As s difficult as things were in the Mid Atlantic section for a variety of reasons, the trail's beauty came through again and again. The climb out of Palmerton PA, and the views into Lehigh Gap, might have been my favorite rock scramble so far. Harpers Ferry, WV and Delaware Water Gap, PA both held a lot of history as well as natural beauty. Bear Mountain, NY was a beautiful mountain made all the more memorable by the amazing stone work of the buildings and the trail performed in the 30's during the Great Depression. Also, the deli's of NY and NJ made those hot oppressive days a lot more tolerable. Connecticut and Massachusetts had many memorable views and beautiful scenery. New England towns and villages are picturesque and loaded with history and the trail features an abundance of these. Also, Mt Greylock was one of the better climbs and views so far. When I think of Vermont I think of rolling hills, cows grazing in deep green fields, white church steeples in sleepy little villages, and clear, cold streams and ponds. Well he trail is loaded with all of these plus perfect little trail towns and old Inns loaded with personality and character. I am sure New Hampshire and Maine will be the best of all!The Appalachian Trail is not only beautiful and picturesque, but has countless points of interest and historic places that make it unlike any other footpath in the world. Every day I set out on it wondering what marvels I will see. I am never disappointed.
Date: 2013-08-07
From: Sugar Hill, NH (Home) Day 6

To: Sugar Hill, NH (Home) Day 8
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday, August 7 Sugarhill, NH Zero, Day 7 Weather: Mostly sunny and comfortable. Hi 72 Lo 48Yesterday I had the great pleasure of sharing some trail magic with thru hikers in Crawford Notch, NH. A total of 23 hikers came through and I had a fantastic time hearing their stories about how their hike was going while supplying them with some good food and beverages. I also got to spend time with good friends I have hiked with off and on since Georgia including Chaos, Timex, OB, Danno, and Whistler, to name a few. It's amazing how close together you stay with some hikers throughout the entire hike.   You never get far ahead or far behind and your paths continually criss cross. I will miss these guys as they hike on without me now. I so enjoyed their company that I offered to drive them to breakfast this morning at the AMC Highland Center and back to the trail. We had one last great time together and now they are off. I know it will probably be the last time I see them. This really struck me as I thought about it and about what it will be like to finish the hike and maybe never see again almost everyone I met on the trail. I just haven't allowed myself to think about finishing yet because I still have 453 miles left to go. I'm sad about all of this but on the other hand, I look forward to meeting new people when I start hiking again in Hanover on August 11, and enjoying the rest of the hike with Newton. These people, and others I have met along the way, are always going to hold a special place in my heart because they have been an integral part of this journey. Their friendship and support have helped me through the thick and thin of the last 5 months. I will miss them initially I'm sure, but over time the memory of them will shine brightly as I look back on the hike. Godspeed and God bless you all and I can only hope we will meet again!
Date: 2013-08-09
From: Sugar Hill, NH (Home) Day 8

To: Sugar Hill, NH (Home) Day 10
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Friday, August 9 Sugar Hill, NH Zero Day 10. Weather: heavy rain all day. Hi 74 Lo 66We drove my Dad back to Massachusetts today. It was great having him around for nearly a week, and he enjoys getting away for a change of pace. I will spend tomorrow, Saturday, getting my pack set. I will change up my sleeping bag and clothing for the colder temperatures ahead. The Whites are already seeing low temps in the 30's and colder at elevation. It's great to hike in that weather but you've got to be prepared for dealing with it in camp. It's a huge change from a few weeks ago when temperatures were in the 90's. We're in the North Country now! I have enjoyed my 10 days at home with Yolanda but I am looking forward to getting back on the trail and continuing my hike. The big worry you have with multiple days off at home is that you will lose your desire to get back on the trail. You'll get soft and comfy on the couch. Not so for me. I kept busy, did a couple of hikes, some trail magic, and kept my mind on the Trail. I'm excited to start hiking again, especially here in the Whites. The Whites are a special part of the trail. Huge climbs and descents, rock scrambles, rough terrain, mud, roots, and extreme weather conditions. Cold temperatures, gale force winds, hail, sleet, even snow are commonplace in late August, especially in the Presidential Range. Most thru hikers are a bit intimidated at first with the Whites, but grow to like them and look back on them as their favorite part of the hike. Maybe it's the beautiful scenery and maybe it's the challenging nature of them. Probably both. Bring it on!
Date: 2013-08-11
From: Hanover,New Hampshire

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sunday, August 11 Hanover, NH to Moose Mountain Shelter11 miles.   Weather: Sunny and Warm. Hi 73 Lo 48Today Newton and I returned to the trail for the first time in 11 days. It really felt great! It was a perfect day to hike, sunny and delightful. The short and easy hike of 11 miles was a good way to get back as we both had to shake out the cobwebs and start getting our hiking legs back which I'm sure will take a few days. We ran into relatively few thru hikers, Soda and Flavor Savor Northbound and 2 southbounders. The hike gained almost 1500 feet today but did it slowly over the 11 miles with just one short climb to the top of Moose Mountain. Tomorrow will be a bigger test with a 17 mile hike featuring 2 more substantial hikes. We were joined today by Dana, a friend of Newton. He was a good hiker who seemed to enjoy himself and was fun to be around. Although our pace was a bit slow, neither Newton nor I minded with such a short day and on our first day back. Well it's great to be back on the trail and we look forward to tomorrow's more challenging hike as we get ever closer to the White Mountains.
Date: 2013-08-12
From: Moose Mountain Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Monday, August 12 Moose Mountain Shelter to Hexacuba Shelter 17.7 miles Weather: Sunny and pleasant. Hi 73 Lo 51Today's hike was just wonderful. We set out around 7:00 and had a quick, steep climb up Holt's Ledge ehich had terrific views to the North and East, followed by a steep descent. We then had a big 2,500 foot climb up Smart's Mountain which included a firetower with 360 degree views. Up there we ran into Still Don't, Muffins, and Brownie whom we hadn't seen in a few weeks. I also ran into a couple of Southbounders who dropped into my trail magic setup last week. It was great seeing them again. We were all talking about what we all had remaining to do on our journeys and the Southbounders commented that they felt that they had already conquered the hardest part of the trail to which I imparted a bit of trail learning to them. I said, "On the Trail the hardest parts are the easiest parts and the easiest parts are the hardest parts". They looked at me a bit quizically while the Northbounders just grinned and nodded their acknowledgement of a truism. What it means is once we become thru hiker fit, the hardeest parts are steep, rugged, and a bit dangerous. These are exciting and therefore fun. They are a break from the sometimes monotonous flat, easy sections that bore you. Also, the easy flat sections of Northern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts are typically hot, mosquito infested, and hemmed in with roads and cities. These "easy sections" are where many people quit and leave the trail. Nearly no one leaves in New Hampshire or Maine. It's exhausting, scarry, butt kicking fun. It's what thru hikers most remember. The Southbounders will learn this as they continue on their journey.Newton and I rolled into Hexacuba Shelter about 4:45 and were the first to arrive. With the forecast for rain starting that night we decided to stay in the shelter. It was our first shelter in over 6 weeks. We ultimately were joined by 6 other hikers all of whom stayed in the shelter and the evening was very pleasant. A Southbounder arrived late and declared it "her third worst day on the trail yet." It puzzled Newton and I how anyone could have had such a bad day on such a beautiful day in the Mountains of New Hampshire. Oh well, I wish her well although I doubt that she'll get very far. Wait until she encounters the flat swamplands of Massachusetts!
Date: 2013-08-13
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Glenncliff, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Tuesday. August 13 Hexacuba Shelter to Glenncliff. 15 miles.   Weather:   Moderate, steady rain all day. Hi 68 Lo 50Today we started with a nice 1500 foot climb up Mt. Cube. We were fortunate to summit before the rain started. The views were great but we could see the storm clouds gathering. What was forecasted as a 60% chance of showers turned into a steady all day rain right as we got off of Mt. Cube. We got into a rain march mode and covered the 15 miles to Glenncliff in just over 6 miles despite 3 significant climbs and more mud than we've yet seen on the trail in one day. It was a wet, cold, but still satisfying day. Tomorrow we start the Whites!We stayed at our home in Sugar Hill for the first of three consecutive nights. This is awesome! Warm bed, home cooked meals, showers and laundry at our finger tips. I could get real used to this! It's great to be at home yet still hiking the trail.
Date: 2013-08-14
From: Glenncliff, NH

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Wednesday, August 14 Glenncliff to Kinsman Notch.12 miles.   Weather: low clouds, blustery, with scattered showers. Hi 66. Lo 45What an absolutely spectacular day! Newton and I were joined by my friends Charlie and Gardner. Today we hiked over Mt. Moosilauke and down Beaver Brook Trail. It is a very challenging section of trail and many people freak out over this hike. Actually it's a beautiful hike as long as you take your time coming down Beaver Brook Trail due to its steepness and slipperyness. We summited after a 5 mile, 3500 foot climb to a cloud covered, wind swept peak. We had lunch huddled in a rock pile shelter with other thru hikers. After a while others we knew started to come up to the summit and we all just relished that we had survived the first big climb in the Whites and in fact loved it. Then Brownie came walking by in what looked like pajama bottoms, no top, and a necktie. Very funny!Later I got a call from Jet Lag telling us he was in Lincoln. Newton and I finished dinner and caught up with him and Peaches, Mother Theresa, grizzly, Wilson, The Professor, and others. What a blast we had just getting caught up with people we thought we had long lost. The trail works in amazing ways. Big day tomorrow from Kinsman Notch to Franconia Notch. 16 tough miles and another major climb up South Kinsman. Wonderful!
Date: 2013-08-15
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: broken clouds

Thursday , August 15 Kinsman Notch to Franconia Notch.16.6 miles.   Weather: Mostly sunny and cool. Hi 70 Lo 44What a glorious day today was! Newton and I hit the trail about 8:15 to a clear blue sky and a nice chilly start. We hiked up Wolf Mountain and were treated to nice view out toward the Franconia Range. We hiked on from there to Eliza Brook Shelter where we had lunch and caught up with many north bound thru hikers. There seems to be quite a few hikers bunching up in the Whites as everyone slows down and soaks in these wonderful mountains. After lunch we tackled one of the tougher climbs up South Kinsman Mountain and kept running into more people, some of whom I hadn't seen in months. It was a beautiful day and the views were superb. We then proceeded over North Kinsman and began the descent down to Lonesome Lake and on to Franconia Notch. This was truly one of the most beautiful, challenging days yet on the trail. Seeing so many old friends from the trail made the day all the more special. We were joined at our home by Jet Lag who recently ended his thru hike but who has come to the White Mountains to help support thru hikers in the area. Tomorrow we head up into Franconia Range which is sure to be fantastic as well.
Date: 2013-08-16
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Friday , August 16 Franconia Notch, NH to Garfield Campsite12 miles.   Weather: Sunny and warm. Hi 72 Lo 42Another spectacular day in the White Mountains. Newton, Jet Lag, Yolanda and I started the day with a nice big breakfast at Polly's Pancake Parlor,   a Sugar Hill icon. This may be the best breakfast place on the planet. Too bad it's so expensive. Newton and I hit the trail about 8:30 and immediately started the big climb of the day up to Franconia Ridge on the Liberty Spring Trail. Over 2,000 feet in 2.4 miles. We finally got above Tree line at the 5 mile mark and summited Little Haystack Mountain.   As I looked out over the sea of mountains all around me on this clear cool day I suddenly became overcome with emotion. At first I wasn't really sure why but then it dawned on me. I had hiked up and over these mountains maybe a hundred times in my life, but now I was doing it on my thru hike! Over the last 40 plus years these mountains had challenged me, inspired me, humbled me, rewarded me, but on this day they just thrilled me. They have never been more beautiful or more perfect than today. I felt like they were putting on a show for everyone lucky enough to be up climbing in them, but especially for me. I smiled all day and just beheld their beauty and splendor with the awe and respect I have always held for them. The views from Lincoln, Lafayette, and Garfield were dream like. We reached Garfield Campsite and camped there with Newton's friends Rick and Pat. We will hike with them the next couple of days and it should be a lot of fun. Also, Yolanda is hiking into Thoreau Falls were we will meet here. This is my favorite swimming hole in the Whites so it should be another great day.
Date: 2013-08-17
From: Garfield Shelter

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Saturday, August 17 Garfield Campsite to Crawford Notch17 miles. Weather: Sunny and mild. Today we were joined by 2 of Newtons friends, Pat and Rick, when we left Garfield Shelter bound for Crawford Notch. Along the way we met up with 7 other friends of Newton on Twin Mountain so we had quite an entourage. We were also presented with Henrietta, a plastic Pink Flamingo, who will accompany us the rest of the hike to Katahdin. Henrietta has been all over the world so to carry her is a true honor Once we left the summit of Twin Mountain I somehow wound up with the fast group. We were practically running which them was fine since they are all super fit trail runners, but for me with a full pack it was quite a pace to keep up with. We made it to Zeacliff overlook and were enjoying the view when I realized I only had a little over an hour left to meet up with Yolanda at Thoreau Falls. Off I went at the fastest pace yet and covered the 4 miles in 70 minutes to find her waiting for me at the falls. She joked that I was late and we had a good laugh. I thought that being 10 minutes after a 12 mile hike through he Whites wasn't too bad. It was wonderful to sit at this beautiful spot with Yolanda, just the two of us for nearly an hour while the others caught up. We both have fond memories of camping there 30 years ago and the warm sunshine with the rhythmic sound of the falls behind us was just delightful. I was so glad to be spending that time with Yolanda. The others all eventually arrived and we all took a dip in the cold mountain water. Afterwards we hiked out the remaining 5 miles to Crawford Notch and called it a day. What a splendid day it was!
Date: 2013-08-18
From: Crawford Notch

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Sunday, August 18. Crawford Notch to Lake of the Clouds Hut14 miles.   Weather: Sunny and Warm.   Hi 73. Lo 46We were joined today by my friend Charlie and by Newton's friend Jorge. We started up the Notch wall right away on the Webster Cliff Trail. This is a 2 mile steep climb that quickly gains the cliff top and follows it for over a mile to the summit of Mt. Webster. The views down to Crawford Notch are excellent and numerous making this trail quite popular. Today however we saw very few people for some reason. We hiked on to Mizpah Hut where we stopped and had lunch. Jorge went on to meet up with friends on Mt. Washington and Newton, Charlie and I set off. We hiked up and over Mts. Jackson and Pierce and followed the AT around Mt. Eisenhower to the Junction of Crawford Path, which is also the AT, and Edmunds Path. Here we said goodbye to Charlie who was dropping down Edmunds where at the trailhead he had staged a mountain bike to ride back to his car in Crawford Notch where we started. Newton and I pushed on to Lake of the Clouds Hut. It was a beautiful day and we were making excellent time. We got to the hut around 3:00 and decided to summit Mt. Washington and return to the hut via the Gulfside Trail and Westside Trail thereby eliminating the need to summit Washington the next day. I've been up here too many times to not properly value a beautiful, windless day to not try and take advantage of it. It turned out to be a good decision as the next day dawned with Washington socked in and with 70 mph winds. Back at the hut we signed up for work for stay which means in exchange for a few simple chores we get to sleep on the floor of the hut and eat leftovers which are always ample. There were around 15 thru hikers there and as it turned out we didn't even need to do any work so we got off Scot free! We slept like babies in the warmth and safety of the hut at over 5,000 feet. It's great that the AMC allows thru hikers to stay at the huts although most thru hikers are not grateful for it. They have a rediculous sense of entitlement about the trail that really puzzles me. I just chock it up to them being tired and getting their butts kicked by the Whites making them grouchy. It's all good though. They will look back at the Whites as one of their favorite parts of the hike, I'm sure.