morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-30
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: clear sky

After stating my plans to go to Clarendon Shelter, Taylor, the LT section-hiker, decided to push to there also. We began hiking together, however, Taylor decided to take the Old Job Trail for a section so I didn¢t meet up with him again until later. Going over baker peak was pretty exciting. It had rock layers turned on their sides, offering a pretty cool little rock climb and open views of the mountains and valley to the south. I thought how lucky I was to be on the AT. If I had taken the Old Job Trail or some other trail, I would have missed this wonderful view.At Danby-Langrove Road I passed Taylor again, only to see him a few miles later as I was filling up water. From that point, we essentially hiked together. As a storm was blowing in, we decided to quickly hike up Bear Mountain (this is at least the fifth Bear Mountain that we have hiked up so far). Not too long after summiting, it began to pour really hard. We literally ran to the Minerva Hinchey Shelter and just kind of burst in. In fact, we actually startled the people already inside. For the next hour and a half, we waited out the storm. The rain never stopped, but at some point, when the rain was a bit lighter, it just felt like the time to go. We pushed on in the rain and came to an overlook with an awesome view of fog lifting from the mountains. Then we got to the gorge where all the rain caused the really impressive rapids. I am really glad that they built a bridge because it would have been impossible to cross.Arriving at Clarendon Shelter, I met Bleach again, who I had last seen in Waynesboro. He was very surprised to see me. I never expected to see me again, but I guess skipping 130 miles lets you see people who had passed you a long time ago.
Date: 2006-05-31
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: US4
Miles today: 16.4

Several people told me and I read in a couple of books, that Governor Clement Shelter is not recommended for overnight stay because of partiers and local intimidation. That really is too bad because the shelter looks really well-built out of stone. The design is nice with a large lower overhang and a fireplace. If in a better location, this would ne one of the best shelters on the trail.After passing the GC Shelter, the AT began its ascent up Mt. Killington. The first section wasn¢t bad at all: relatively well graded with few blowdowns. However, as the AT continued to go up, there were more and more blowdowns. I could see that literally thousands of blowdowns had been cleared, but there were still a good number blocking the trail. I had never seen, nor could I have ever imagined a blowdown situation like this. It¢s like some storm took out a quarter of the forest. Trees were just everywhere, sometimes 10-12 had taken each other out. Near the turn-off for the Shrewsbury Peak Trail, the AT was so bad that it took me several minutes to go 400 feet. However, the situation began to clear up after this point, and hiking the AT was much easier.Killington was just about as impressive as everyone said. The side trail comes up to a rocky vista of the entire surrounding area. Supposedly, you can see five states, but it would have to be a really clear day. While on the summit, I saw four other people. Apparently, this is a very popular hiking destination.Heading down, I ended my hike at US4 where I met my mother . She was here to spend a zero day with me in Rutland. I¢m going to have to plan out the rest of my drops through Monson.
Date: 2006-06-01
From: Rutland

To: Rutland
Miles today: 0.0

Today was very relaxing. I slept pretty late, woke up, had breakfast and then took a nap. After finally getting up for the day, I ate lunch at a Chinese buffet next to Walmart in downtown Rutland. At $6.60 after tax, it was a pretty good deal. I bought some supplies at Walmart and then picked up my new boots at the outfitter. Back at the hotel, I planned my future drops.There were no worries or stress. I just had a relaxing zero day.
Date: 2006-06-02
From: Rutland

To: Winturri Shelter
Miles today: 19.9

One mile into today, I came to the ¢Maine Junction¢ where the Long Trail split off to the left (north). What is particularly interesting about this is that both trails are blazed white. If you didn¢t notice the sign, you could walk down the wrong trail for several miles (well actually hundreds if you were oblivious).After the ¢Maine Junction¢, the AT passed through Gifford Woods State Park. According to a sign as the AT enters the park, thru-hikers can camp for just $4. The sites look really nice: each has a picnic table and fireplace. Plus if you camp, you have acess to the coin- operated showers.Around Kent Pond I saw an impressively large number of hikers. There must have been at least 15 or 20. If it had been a weekend, I would have understood, but this was a Friday morning. I guess the pond must be a popular spot for locals.In the afternoon, I came to the ¢Lookout¢. This interesting place is basically a cabin with an observation deck built onto the roof. At the ¢Lookout¢ I met Cat man again. I had met him before at the road near Manchester. He has been hiking sections around this area. Cat Man had decided to stay at this shelter/cabin. A sign tells hikers that they can stay.I would have stayed with Cat Man however, based on the log I knew that Pa Bert was at the next shelter and I really wanted to meet him again. When I arrived Pa Bert asked me where I was when the rain came. This question confused me because it had been a light drizzle all day. I told this to Pa Bert and he said that it hadn¢t rained at all until the afternoon and that it really came down for 20 minutes. I guess that the weather is very localized. Tomorrow Pa Bert and I may head to Happy Hill Shelter.
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Winturri Shelter

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: moderate rain

Today was miserable. Starting at about 5am, it began raining and it didn¢t really stop all day. This morning I thought that I could wait out at least the worst of the storm, but at 9am I knew that I had to head out into the downpour.Within an hour I was completely soaked. My lightweight rain pants and rain jacket (each only 6 oz. each) do not really seem to be waterproof. I don¢t think I could have been wetter if I had jumped into a swimming pool. In fact, during the day, we had to ford three streams, on of which was thigh high. I honestly could not tell the difference between my wetness before and after fording.In the mid-afternoon Pa Bert and I came to Thistle Hill Shelter. There were two long distance section hikers who were zeroing at the shelter because of the rain. I thought to myself ¢Why exactly am I hiking in this?¢, but then I remembered that it was all part of the experience of being a thru-hiker. You have to hike in at least one day of cold, wet torrential rain. I was thinking about the thru-hikers of last year who faired the rain from tropical storm after tropical storm. I have definitely had better weather than what I could have had.At Happy Hill Shelter, I opened up my bag to find everything completely wet. Apparently my rain cover doesn¢t keep out all of the water. Well at least tomorrow I will be in a town.
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Hanover
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: light rain

Lucky state number 13. Today I entered New Hampshire, the second to last state, the home of the Whites.A good part of today¢s very short hike went through towns. The AT passes down Elm Street. Many of the houses are absolutely monstrous. I saw one with a detached seven car garage, a swimming pool and a Mercedes in their circular driveway.Walking down Hwy. 5, I saw dozens of joggers on this beautiful Sunday morning. The AT went right down the major thoroughfare under the highway and over the Connecticut River. Halfway over was a sign saying ¢VT/NH. I asked a man walking over the bridge to take my picture. He gladly did me this favor, and as he was walking away, I noticed that he was wearing Crocs which was interesting since the rest of his clothing was fancy. In town, I noticed several people dressed the same way.Hanvover seems to be a really nice town. Many restaurants and services are right along the trail. My first stop in town in town was to the Subway/B&J. At 10:15 in the morning the ice cream shop wasn¢t open yet, but I was able to buy a foot-long turkey sub to enjoy while I waited. After the scoop shop opened, I went in and bought an iced coffee drink made with coffee, coffee ice cream and a ¢shot of java.¢ I ate pizza for lunch, resupplied, and ate dinner. This is a great town except that the laundromat is nearly two miles off the trail.
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Hanover

To: Firewarden's Cabin
Miles today: 23.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Climbing down the hill out of town, I realized that I have a pet peeve. I really dislike seeing wrappers thrown along the trail. Today, I picked up two Snicker¢s Bar wrappers. If they can carry the bar in, then why can¢t they carry their trash out? I don¢t like seeing trash along the trail.Well anyway, there were some pretty nice places along the trail today. After Moose Mountain, the AT came to an area that was right next to a sheer cliff. There was a lookout where if you were brave enough, you could walk right next to the edge of a dropoff. From this point you could see the rock outcroppings that are home to the endangered peregrine falcon. Continuing north I guess that I was so preoccupied with the cliff views that I missed the blaze for a turn. I ended up walking to the ski lift and then realized that something wasn¢t right. However, this was a fun detour because I got to see the ski lift and slopes and I was also able to go along the fences protecting the falcon habitat.Lambert Ridge, north of Dorchester Road, offered some really nice views from the open granite peaks. I couldn¢t actually tell when I had hit the top. The trail kept opening up into these panoramic views. We actually could see Mt. Smarts and somehow I knew where the AT was going to go (straight up the side). It looked just like the profile map.Smarts Mountain didn¢t have that great of an elevation change, but for some reason the steep last half of a mile just killed me. I was realty glad when I saw the firetower and cabin. I decided to wait until the morning to climb the tower. I had expected to meet Pa Bert at the shelter, but there were also two other hikers who were section-hiking Vermont and New Hampshire.
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Firewarden's Cabin

To: Glencliff
Miles today: 20.0

This morning there was a really long downhill that lasted almost four miles. Before heading off this morning, I went up the firetower for one of the most amazing views I have ever seen on or ff the trail. The sun hit the fog in such a way that the mountains looked like islands in an ocean of fog. It kind of reminded me of the view on Day 2 of my AT hike ( I was also impressed with that view)>Mt. Cube had some great views too. We could actually see Smarts Mountain, exactly where we had come up. What was particularly interesting was how small the firetower looked. I wouldn¢t have thought that we were only six miles away.In the afternoon Pa Bert and I arrived at NH25 and went to Hikers Welcome hostel. Phatt Chap who runs the hostel is a really nice fellow. The two section hikers, Cat Man and his wife, and two others showed up. We had a full house which was really nice because I missed the hiker camaraderie. We talked around the table and now are about to watch the movie Sneakers.
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Glencliff

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: moderate rain

Today I officially entered the White Mountains. The experience began with the fairly easy climb up Moosilauke. I actually went a little bit too fast. Towards the end of the day, my legs were getting a little tired.Alpine zones, above treeline, are unlike anything that we have experienced before. The environment has lichens and short dry plants. Any trees are only a couple of feet tall and very wide and close to the ground. I understand how inhospitable this environment can be to wildlife. When I was top of Mt. Moosilauke, there was a wind af at least 40mph and sleet coming down on us. Pa Bert and I quickly put on some heavier clothing/rin gear and rushed off the mountain.We were initially considering going just to Beaver Brook Shelter, however, it was only 11:30am, so we decided to push on to Eliza Brook Shelter.I know that there has been a debate as to whether the uphill or downhill is easier and after heading down Moosilauke, I have come to the definite conclusion that the uphill is easier. The 1.4 miles down the hill took me over an hour. The AT paralleled a stream that offered great views of waterfalls, water chutes, and fast flowing water. However, with the rain (after coming down the peak it was just rain, not sleet), the trail was very slippery and steep. I was really scared to death at some points. One misstep could have had me slip down a mountain or into the stream and over a waterfall. Despite the fear, this was a really awesome section of the trail.Past Kinsman Notch, I met two hikers obviously going back to their car parked in the lot. As They passed me, they jokingly said ¢There¢s another crazy hiker,¢ referring to Pa Bert as the other crazy hiker. I was thinking to myself : If I never hiked in the rain, I would have missed 60% of the days in the last month. The weather has really been crazy over the last few weeks.It¢s really amazing how similar Pa Bert and I are in our hiking patterns. He left five minutes before me from Beaver Brook and arrived Five minutes before me at Eliza Brook Shelter. We seem to like to hike the same distances and go about at the same speed. Hiking together for a while should work out well.At Eliza Brook Shelter there were two other hikers doing the last 500 miles of the AT. I remember one¢s name was Feathers, but somehow I forgot the other¢s.The rain wet everything we own, and it is still raining now. It looks like tomorrow we are going to head into North Woodstock for some laundry and R&R.
Date: 2006-06-08
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we had our first experience with the hut ¢croos¢ and the trail ¢croos¢. In the day we saw these fast traveling rather tough looking trail crews wielding full length axes. Many of them walked right by and didn¢t say anything when I asked ¢Hi, How are you?¢ Pa Bert and I were afraid that the hut croos would be just as unfriendly. However, when we arrived at Lonesome Lake Hut, we were greeted by a very friendly ¢croo¢ member. He welcomed us and let us take a seat. We bought $2 soup which was absolutely delicious; it was a turkey soup with gravy, carrots and peas. I ate two bowls and was charged for both though the policy is generally $2 for a bottomless bowl. Also for sale at the huts were candy /power bars, PB&J sandwiches, and a couple of small little items.After descending down the hill, we passed under I93. When we hit the bike path, we knew we were going to go right to the Flume Visitor Center, however following the AT would have been difficult. Apparently, the AT goes over the bridge immediately to the left and then cuts back into the woods on the right. The blazing though makes it look like the AT goes right following the bike path for a ways. The Flume Visitor Center cleared this up for us (oh yeah, and be warned, everything is very expensive at their food court).Pa Bert and I made our happy way into town to the Carriage Motel. The thru-hiker rate for a room with two beds is $68. The motel was really perfectly located. Across the street was Wayne¢s Market with deli meats, drinks, some resupply items, ice cream (including pints and bars of B&J) and newspapers. Be warned though, it closes at 8pm sharp. Next to Wayne¢s Market in the shopping complex that looks like condos, is the Laundromat. Down the road to the left maybe 100 yards is a Greek/Italian/ American Restaurant, that serves decently priced specials in all three cuisines. I had a plate of spaghetti and meatballs with a Greek salad with feta and olives for just $11 including tax. This town seems quite nice.
Date: 2006-06-09
From: Franconia Notch

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Last night we had called the shuttle service in town to arrange a ride to the trail for 7am. We had everything planned exactly. We woke up at 6am, finished packing our bags, and headed over to the convenience store which opened at 6:30am. We bought coffee and pastries which were really good. At 6:55am we were waiting in the parking lot. By 7:10am he hadn¢t shown up so we called the number again. No one answered so we assumed that he was on his way. By 7:30am, it was obvious that he wasn¢t coming. It was at this point that we began an attempt to hitch. However, the traffic was so low that it was very difficult. Most cars were actually headed into the convenience store. One guy stopped, but he was only going halfway, so we declined the ride. Finally, around 8:10 the shuttle guy answered hid phone and told us that he would be there in 10 minutes. Pa Bert and I headed over to the gas station and bought a second breakfast. We got to talking to the cashier and found out that the guy is often late or doesn¢t even show up. Be warned.Well, eventually we got on the trail and headed up to Franconia Ridge. Though it was rainy and completely fogged in, the ridge was really beautiful. It was exposed, treeless, and alpine. We just walked down this wandering path up and down each ridge. On a clear day, the views must be absolutely incredible.We ended our day at Galehead Hut which we learned is the most remote (at 4.6 miles to the nearest road, I¢m surprised that this is the most remote). Though Taco was there, hutmaster let the three of us do work for stay. Our work involved scrubbing the moldy drying racks. In the morning we are supposed to sweep out the hut. The crew was nice. Though there were no leftovers from dinner, they made a couple of things (mashed potatoes + ) and heated up some 3-day-old lasagna. The food was so good. The best part was that they saved three chocolate cookies for us.
Date: 2006-06-10
From: Galehead Hut

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: fog

Today was absolutely miserable. Heavy rain was pouring down for much of the day. All our clothing was soaked and I was actually a bit cold (I didn¢t put on my rain pants). However there was one thing that kept us going: the thought of the hot showers that waited us at the Highland Center.What split our day in half was the arrival at Zealand Falls Hut. It was actually very interesting in the last several tenths of a mile, because we crossed many streams which were deep and wide. Taco mentioned how they had bridges over little nothings, but had no bridge over things that actually needed one. We again were happy to see the hut, as they served hot soup (this time it was $2 for a bottomless bowl). I had three bowls of the vegetable mushroom soup.Energized, we all headed out for the final eight miles into the notch. After a steep several tenths of a mile, the trail flattened out. We cruised the rest of the way in excess of 2.5 miles per hour.As we arrived at the notch, another hiker was just coming to his car. Taco boldly went up to the car window and asked if he could give three thru-hikers a ride. The man said that he was going to take another hike and if we were still trying to get a ride, he would give us one. However, after thinking for a minute, be decided to give us a ride. Apparently, it was a good reason not to hike in the rain.So, because of this instant ride, we arrived at the Shapleigh Bunkhouse at the Highland Center by 4:15pm. We registered in the main building and were able to bargain down to the member rate of $30/night plus $18 for dinner. We had plenty of time to take a HOT shower and change into dry clothes.At about 5:30pm, we headed to the main lodge (the Shapleigh Bunkhouse is detached and about 100 yards away). The three f us played in the trivia competition. Despite going past many huts that questions were asked about, we only got 15 out of 25 correct. We really didn¢t care too much; we were happy to eat the cheese and crackers and other hors¢deouvres that were served for free. Dinner was served at 6pm, family style. We ate with a volunteer information guide and a man with his child. Dinner was great, four courses and rather tasty.After dinner, we headed back to the bunkhouse where Pa Bert and Taco joined another guest in going to the pub. Currently, they are still there and I I am here with two hikers from Canada, here on a 10-day hike in the White Mountains. They are making an interesting cabbage soup that smells pretty good. Maybe they will give me some¢¦.
Date: 2006-06-11
From: Crawford Notch

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

Today was absolutely miserable. A cold rain was falling for most of the day and the wind was blowing really hard. In the late morning, I thought that it might possibly clear or at the very least stop raining. We could at least tell where the sun was in the sky for about ten minutes or so. However, the sun lost the battle and it rained the rest of the day.Getting into Mitzpah Hut, I was cold. I was glad they had hot drinks and bread (though I couldn¢t have the soup). Before heading out again, I geared up in some clothing that I hadn¢t used since I began my trip in February.Though I was pretty hot, since it was mostly uphill to Lakes of the Clouds; it all was worth it in the last two miles. This was by far the worst weather I have seen on the AT. My thermometer was reading 38° and the wind was blowing at a constant 30mph+, which was pushing the clouds and rain right in our faces.The visibility was so low that we didn¢t see the hut until we were less than 100 feet away. It was really nice to walk inside out of the wind though the temperature inside was a mere three degrees warmer.Since the weather was so bad and there really wasn¢t anywhere else to go they let us all do work for stay. As the evening progressed, the weather didn¢t get any better. In fact, right now it looks downright awful outside. We are all happy to be in dry clothes and wrapped in the blankets they let us borrow.