morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-27
From: NH Route 25 Hikers Welcome Hostel

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Weather: Cool and sunny in the morning. Warmer and partly cloudy in the afternoon, clearing and cool in the evening. Cold and 50+ mph winds on top of Mt Moosilauke.Hike-O-Meter: 17.0 Today we entered the Whites and "Mounted the Moose."...that is, we climbed over 4300' in about 3 hours to the first of the Whites, Mt Moosilauke. This meant a lot to me since last year it was so fogged in I couldn't see more than 30 yards around me in any direction...there was no scenary whatsoever. Today was the opposite...wonderful panoramic 360 degree views for miles...ridge after ridge. It was a bit chilly and I could barely stand up on top as the winds were so strong, but it was worth it. Aussie John was there and the 3 of us took each others pictures. I believe it was about 10:30 and we all ate an early lunch. We shielded ourselves from the wind on the opposite side and in the sun. The rest of the hike was quite steep and difficult. It took us 12 hours to do the 17 miles today.When we got to the shelter we found it full of hikers and an Outward Bound group was also there tenting. WK and I got the last good level tent sites while Mellow found a place to string his tarp.People Met: Although we had met in Hanover, I got to know a young British gent named Nick. Also got to talk to Aussie John around the campfire. We passed a lot of the typical tourists and day hiker types in the Whites, we did not meet anyone new.I have to tell you about the most unusually dressed hikers I have ever seen. They were obviously day hikers or tourists...a man, lady and two teenagers. The man had on dress slacks and a collared shirt. One of the teenage boys was wearing dress shoes...I swear...dress shoes on a rocky, rooty, muddy trail. They were like wingtips but without the design. The only thing missing was a necktie.Food: Coffee, OJ, and a couple of chocolate donuts for breakfast. A Snickers, trail mix, dried fruit and a brownie for snacks. Peanut butter on pita bread, cheese whiz on tortila chips and more trail mix for supper.Tomorrow we go into N, Woodstock after a short 8 mile day. I think we both could use the rest. Mellow is riding in with us and we're all visiting the outfitter.
Date: 2004-06-29
From: Franconia Notch Bike Path

To: N. Woodstock (Franconia Notch) Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Wounded Knee thought it would be a good time to take a zero. I believe its been 12 straight days of hiking and we could use a rest. We had plenty to do anyway.After eating "The Hungryman's Breakfast" at Pegs we ran some errands. Went to the grocery and bought $30 worth of supplies.WK picked up two new knee braces at Rite Aid. We then visited the laundramat to do our wash. By the time we were through and got back to the motel it was after 11. I did some packing and finished up the last two days journals.Around 2:00 I visited the library where I got caught up on some journals of other hikers and visited Mule's "thepursuitofhappinessbus" website.For dinner we took advantage of the "half price happy hour" at the pub.   Fimally, just for fun we then took a drive out to the trailhead where we ran into Leap Frog. I met him last year at Bear Mtn where he also gave me a ride to the trail from the motel. He is in his final year of doing the AT NOBO over a 3 year period. We had a nice chat. He will probably pass us on the Trail in the next week or so.Tomorrow our hike resumes...we don't expect to do more than 10 miles...the 20 mile days are over for awhile.
Date: 2004-07-01
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite

To: Crawford Notch US 302
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

Weather: Sunny, breezy & warm in the sun. Mostly to partly sunny in the afternoon. Thunder showers in the evening.Hike-O-Meter: 17.4 Woke up at 5, laid in bed a half hour, took my time and started hiking at 6:30, about a half hour after Wounded Knee. The terrain today was about as good as it gets in the Whites. The hike from our campsite up to Galehead Hut (where I stayed last year) was not bad...arrived at 8:30. Gnome Sherpa, Flare, Dave and a NOBO were doing work for stay. I had some coffee cake and waited for WK who showed up shortly. When we left I hiked on ahead. Soon, Gnome Sherpa and Flare caught up and we hiked together 7 miles or so to Zealand Falls Hut, arriving around 2 pm. We all took a break at a fantastic viewpoint just before the hut.WK showed up around 2:30, took a break and we hiked on together around 3. The next stretch was the easiest in the Whites, an old railroad bed. I told WK I had read the forecast on the hut wall...it was for strong thunderstorms tonight. So, when we reached Eathan Pond Campsite at 5 pm, we decided to see if we could get a bunk in the AMC bunkhouse at Crawford Notch. We called and they had space, so we hiked as fast as we could the next 2.5 miles. It started to rain lightly about 20 minutes before we got to the road. The hostel was 4 miles off the Trail. We weren't having any luck getting a ride. Gnome Sherpa showed up and he waited for his ride to show. Then this real nice couple who passed us earlier and saw us hitching came back to give us a ride. Their trunk was full so we had to hold our packs on our laps, but we didn't mind. Thanks so much John & Trish...great people!Got to the hostel, checked in and the first thing we did was get a hot shower; then ate, did this journal and went to bed. Breakfast is included tomorow morning and then it is on to te Presidentials.People Met: Didn't talk much but met another SOBO, Pisses in the Wind. I understand that he was relieving himself on Katahdin the first day of his hike when a strong gust reversed things and...well, you get the picture. Also met two guys, Paul & Mike, The Crazy Train, who are SOBO and plan to complete their hike in 77 days...yesterday they did 28 in the Whites. Also met 2 NOBO's, Mystic Onion and Dave at the first hut.Food: Poptarts for breakfast. Coffee & coffee cake at the hut. An apple, plum, Snickers on a break. Half can of cashews, half bag of wheat thins and 16 ounce gatorade for lunch. Crunchy Jif on pita bread and cheese whiz in tortila chips plus 2 sodas for supper.Wildlife: Passed a grouse that stood there while we took its picture.It looks like we will head fo Lakes of the Clouds tomorrow if the weather isn't too bad.
Date: 2004-07-02
From: Crawford Notch US 302

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Weather: Strong thunderstorms overnight, especially in the mountains. Partly to mostly cloudy, breezy and cool in the mountains. Some sun but very cool towards evening.Hike-O-Meter: 11.2 Staying in the hostel last night was a great move. I could hear it storm for quite awhile. The beds and linens were all new and the buffet breakfast was outstanding. There were 5 others staying in the hostel, a couple, a guy and his son and an AMC volunteer/hiker Trek.When Wounded Knee and I started to try and hitch back to the Trail after breakfast, Trek went out of her way to give us a ride...Thanks Trek. (This is a different Trek than the one formerly known as Drifter that we met early in the hike)The climb today out of the notch was a little steeper than the others...but not bad. I worked up a sweat but my legs feel really strong...even stronger than last year. It may be because I hike slower early to keep pace with WK. I also hike ahead sometimes which allows me to take more rest stops and wait for him to catch up.I arrived at Mizpah Hut around 12.30...WK came in 45 minutes later. I bought 2 bowls of their ham & bean soup...it was outstanding.. some of the best I've ever had. Mystic Onion was there having lunch too.The rest of the hike was the start of the Presidentials and on to Lakes of the Clouds.   It went well. I hiked on ahead and passed a lot of vacation/day hikers. One guy zipped by me just before the Hut...it was a young man named Sam who Goldberry and I met last year on a break at Blue Mtn Shelter. That's 3 people in 3 days from last year.Clouds were moving over Washington sometimes obscuring the view. The one good day I had in the Whites last year was up Mt Washington.When I got to the hut they put me to work right away scrubbing pots...the same as last year. Soon Dave joined me. I believe Wounded Knee is going to scrub silverware after dinner. It's called "work for stay."People Met: Early on met some young SOBO's...Paisley followed by Smokie the Bear & his buddy Peg Leg. Other than Sam who I mentioned above, the rest were all sectioners or vacationers.Wildlife: Seeing more toads...some the color red similar to salamaders.   We've got a viscious downhill tomorrow so I'm not sure how much WK can do...stay tuned.
Date: 2004-07-03
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Madison Springs Hut
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Weather: It's amazing how the weather so far has been almost the exact opposite of last year. Today, the summit at Washington was socked in, cold and windy. Last year I had a beautiful day...blue sky and a light breeze. The fog, if that's what you call it, didn't begin to lift today until 11 am. It remained cloudy and cool...cool enough that I wore my long sleeved stretch top.Hike-O-Meter: 7.0 Today was a rough section...rocks and rock slides. The climb up and down Washington was made rougher by the wind gusts. You couldn't see much more than 30 yards around you in any direction.Wounded Knee and I did hike up Washington together. We arrived 20 minutes early and had to wait for them to open at 8. I did my pocketmail, called Julia and got some food at the snack bar. We stayed a half hour or so then started down. We did pass the Cog railroad train coming up the mountain...this year I just waved at the passengers.Leaving Washington, WK had to hike so carefully that I left him early...I just couldn't walk that slow. When the ground fog lifted I did stop to change into my shorts. I also stopped briefly to talk with a couple of SOBO's.I arrived at Madison Springs at 2 pm. I ate lunch and waited for WK. He showed up an hour later and said he had had enough for today and his knees were sore. So the Hutmaster was nice enough to let us do a "work for stay" and I was scubbing pots and pans again.There are a lot of vacationers/day hikers out today. Apparently, a lot of people visit here from the Boston area. With my apologies to the residents of Massachusetts one guy called them "Massholes."People Met: Had a nice chat with a young man and woman SOBO, Platypus & Koala...they seemed to be enjoying their hike. I'm pretty sure I've missed crossing paths with Good To Go and Willie Goat. I think they passed us the day we zeroed in N Woodstock.Food: We skipped breakfast at the Hut although I had a large brownie I got back at the Notch. At the cafeteria on Washington, I had coffee, cranberry muffin & chocolate milk. On the Trail I ate an apple and a Butterfinger. When I arrived at Madison Springs I had 3 bowls of mushroom soup, a sub sandwich I packed from the cafeteria, half bag of Wheat Thins and a 16 ounce lemonade. When we work for stay we get leftovers from the guests...last night it was calzones, tonight it is turkey. They only had a few scraps left so they cooked some pasta for the hikers...I'm glad I wasn't too hungry.Tomorrow WK wants to get off at Pinkham Notch and hitch into Gorham; then find a way to move his car up from N Woodstock.------------------------------
Date: 2004-07-04
From: Madison Springs Hut

To: Pinkhan Notch NH 16
Miles today: 7.2

Weather: Nice day, Sunny in the morning to mostly sunny and warm in the afternoon.Hike-O-Meter 7.2 Not doing a lot of miles as Wounded Knee is beginning to "feel the rocks" and steep downhills. We got off at Pinkham Notch and hitched rides with Steve and Dick into Gorham. Thanks to both for the friendly lifts.As we walked along main street into town we passed the 4th of July parade. We're staying in The Top Notch Motel down the street from where I stayed last year.We got up and left the Hut by 6:30...skipping out on breakfast. If dinner last night was any indication, there wouldn't be much scraps left for the hikers anyway. I didn't mention it yesterday, but WK's work for stay job at Madison was sifting s**t...making compost in other words. And as a bonus for doing this job, they gave him a cold beer.The climb up Mt Madison was great...it was early and the air was crisp and clear. It didn't take me long to recall this part of the Trail however...rock hopping and a steep downhill. I think I did 1 mph for the first 3 miles. Did meet a few SOBO's. I arrived at the Pinkham Notch around noon. They have hiker facilities besides shops and food. I ate up some of my snacks and bought a couple of cold sodas.The motel has a pool so I took a dip while doing the wash. They also have a hot tub spa that we might take advantage of later.Tomorrow I'm going to hitch back to N woodstock to pick up the car while WK takes a rest. He is determined to keep at it and wants to finish. I told him we still have a rough week ahead of us...finishing the Whites and the early days of Maine can be very, very difficult.People Met: As I was coming off of Madison I met a young SOBO, Deaf Balance (I learned later he was in fact deaf in one ear) He had me take his picture. An hour or so later I stopped and chatted quite awhile with 2 more SOBO's, Tapeworm and Goose something or other. We talked about food (hikers favorite topic) up and down the Trail. It seems Shaw's has replaced the weak OJ with Tropicana...a great move which will make their breakfast hard to beat.Food: Two boxed cherry pies for breakfast. Lemonade on the Trail. Half can of cashews, Famous Amos cookies, heath bar and 2 Dr. Pepper's for lunch. A nice turkey dinner with all the fixins and a ice cream blizzard for desert.We are less than 200 miles from The 100 Mile Wilderness and looking forward to Maine and its wonderful majestic mountains.
Date: 2004-07-05
From: Pinkhan Notch NH 16

To: Gorham Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Yesterday evening I took a walk down the city park where the 4th of July activities were going on...good live country music and a carnival.Also, walked down to the Barn Hostel and met SOBO, Charlie the Tuna. He was finishing up a couple of days rest due to some soreness. (Remember, SOBO's are in the early part of their hike and many "haven't gotten their legs yet.)This morning I got up, went to McDonalds with Wounded Knee for breakfast, then hitched to N Woodstock to get the car.It only took me two hitches and an hour and a half thanks to two great guys. First, Glen picked me up (the 58th car) in Gorham and took me out to Rt 115. He would like to hike the AT one day and we had a nice conversation...Thanks again Glen!Kevin (the 9th car) at 115 took me all the way...right to the car door at the trail head parking lot. He is a musician and sheet metal worker who almost lost his life in a motorcycle accident...a very talented and interesting individual. Thanks Kevin, for the ride and great conversation.Since I got back by 10 am, I stopped and checked out another motel...found one just as clean and nice for $20 less...Mt Madison...so we moved in at 11 am.WK and I then visited the local outfitter where we both bought new gators and rain parkas. After that we bought a bag of double cheeseburgers and a 12 pack of Pepsi and chilled out in the room.Around 4 I drove out to Pinkham Notch to see if any hikers needed a lift into town. It was cold and drizzly. Gave 2 young people a ride to a nearby camp and two more into the Barn hostel in town. One, Mousetrap, is on trailjournals. In the morning we will pick them up and return them to the Trail with us.Looks like we are going to Mr. Pizza for dinner.
Date: 2004-07-06
From: Pinkhan Notch NH 16

To: Stealth Tentsite at Imp Campsite
Miles today: 12.5

Weather: Cloudy in the morning. Clearing and Mostly sunny and warm mid day. Cloudy, cool and breezy in the evening.Hike-O-Meter: 12.5 Not a good day...which I'll get to later. We were up before 5:30 and having breakfast at Welsh's shortly after 6. Mousetrap and Bone Dancer joined us since we were giving them a lift to Pinkham Notch. As we drove out to the Notch, we came upon Cowboy and Waterfall hitching. I don't know how we did it but we got all 6 of us and our packs and sticks into the Escort wagon...I should have taken a picture.Wounded Knee left his ballcap in the restaurant so he picked up a new one at the shop at Pinkham Notch...these are getting expensive.There was a big long climb out of the Notch up Wildcat Peak. Wildcat is a big ski resort with a chair lift running to the top where the AT crosses. Tourists take the lift up and walk around with hikers on the AT. Of course, I hiked on ahead and waited for WK at the top. After that there were several ups and downs before a sharp drop down to Carter Notch where there is an AMC hut. I got there around 12:30 and waited in the sun for WK who showed up an hour later.Now the bad news. WK said he was losing what strength he had in his good knee so he was getting off. It wasn't so much the pain this time...it sounds like he needs more time to recover from the surgery and get his strength back. He took a side trail back to Pinkham while I hiked on. The plan was we will meet up in Gorham tomorrow and decide what to do. He may want to slack pack, jump ahead to some easier sections or just call it off for now. I have to remember I have completed my thru-hike and we came out here to help Charlie complete his. If that means doing some shuttling or jumping ahead that's fine.I left Carter Notch at 2. The rest of the day was tough...another major climb plus several valleys and summits. It took me 4 hours to go almost 7 additional miles. I talked to a couple of SOBO's who said Imp Campsite (where I had planned to stop for the night) was full of scouts. I found a good stealth site about a half mile out and decided to tent there.People Met: Talked to several SOBO's but did not get thier names. One I did get as I was setting up camp was Road Runner. I did talk to SOBO Charlie the Tuna briefly.Food: Had Welch's Hungyman breakfast in town before we left. Ate a Snickers, Almond Joy, peanut butter crackers and Famos Amos as snacks and lunch. For supper it was crunchy Jif on pita bread and Ritz, some dried fruit and a Snickers.------------------------------
Date: 2004-07-07
From: Stealth Tentsite at Imp Campsite

To: US 2 Rattle River
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Weather: Cleared out overnight. Sunny and warm...beautiful day.Hike-O-Meter: 8.7 Nice hike down to route 2. I was up before 6 and hiking by 6:30. I'm so glad I stealth camped...it was a great site with no problems.I stopped by Imp to use the facilities and passed Sam on his way out. The views from Moriah Mtn and adjoining overlooks were incredible. The views back to Washington and the peaks we had hiked since then were in in sight. I had none of this on my thru-hike last year...all views were obscured. I took pictures but they capture so little.On my way down to route 2 I ran into Iceman coming the other way...I was so surprised I didn't recognize him at first. This was the 3rd time I passed him coming towards me in the Whites...thought he was long gone.Got to rt 2 at 10:30 and there was Wounded Knee waiting for me. He said he was done for this trip and would be going home tomorrow. I figured since I'm here I might as well do Maine...I'll find my way home later.We checked into a different motel as they raised the rates at the one we were in. After getting cleaned up we went out to do our laundry. The one in Gorham was closed. So was the first one in the next town...3rd one was open...finally.After dinner we walked down to Hikers Paradise where we sat and talked with thru-hiker Trek for an hour or so. He is on is 2nd thru.People Met: Passed no new SOBO's so really did not meet any new hikers.Food: Pop tarts for breakfast and a Butterfinger for a snack. Had a couple of Pepsi's and some crunchy Jif in the room.   Pizza for dinner and an ice cream cone for desert. Came back to the room and ate half a ruharb/strawberry pie.I think I can reach Katahdin on August 1st unless the weather gets really bad. I am looking forward to re-hiking Maine.
Date: 2004-07-08
From: US 2 Rattle River

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

Weather: Flashback from '03...rainy in the morning, cloudy, cool, dank, dreary all day.Hike-O-Meter: 11.8 Wounded Knee (aka Charlie) and I were up before 6. We had breakfast again at Welsh's and WK dropped me off at the Trail just before 7:30, then headed back to Ohio. I was sorry to see him get off but it was absolutely the right thing for him to do. He did over 200 hundred miles this trip and got 90% of the way through the Whites. Now was the time to get off...I always thought the first 3 days in Maine were some of the roughest.An hour or so into the hike Trek caught up with me. We hiked together for a couple of hours and chatted about the Trail. The Trail was difficult today with a lot of ups and downs. I forgot about all of the overgrowth past Gorham. Even after the rain stopped, the water brushes off the weeds and pines and soaks the shirt and socks. This was the first day of this hike that the inside of my boots got wet.I passed a couple of guys that just started from Gorham yesterday and are going to Maine.I arrived at the Genetian Shelter at 2. Trek was already unpacking and a couple of other NOBO's stopped for a break. Mousetrap showed up later...said he was feeling ill and just had a blood test taken in Gorham...hope he doesn't have Lymes. I thought about going on to the next shelter but this is where I stopped last year, doing the exact same miles. As I recall, tomorrow's section is one of the roughest.People Met: The SOBO's were 4 Winds and Night Rain...nice guys who seemed to be enjoyig it out here. Also, the two guys who just got on in Gorham headed for Maine, both named Jesse...we called the James gang. The other NOBO's who stopped by the shelter for a break were Norway and Rock Steady. There are 8 people in the shelter as several SOBO's just showed...it might fill up.Food: Had the hungryman's breakfast again at Welsh's. When I arrived at the shelter had some Famous Amos, bing cherries and M&M's. For dinner it was tuna on pita bread and an apple.
Date: 2004-07-09
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

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

Weather: Thunderstorms at daybreak and steady rain all morning. Cool and breezy on the hill tops. Rain stopped in the afternoon.Hike-O-Meter 9.6   Some of the most moserable 9 miles I have ever hiked. It was a tough section to begin with (one of the toughest on the Trail). The rain never let up. My boots were soaked within an hour and everything else not long after. I was wearing rain pants but the climb up Mt Success must have caused enough sweat as I felt wet all over. All I was wearing on top was the T shirt and the $1 Walmart emergency rain parka. It was okay until I got to the hilltops or balds. There must have been 5 or 6 of them...windy, rainy and cold...I practically ran off them.The Trail also is rough...many sharp cliff like downs with large jagged rocks. Other steep rockslides with steep, almost 60 degee smooth slate. The only "level" stretches were across the tops in the open...exposed to the wind and rain.Trek and Cowboy who left just before me were at the shelter when I arrived at noon...took me 6 hours. Also there was Mystic Onion who had taken a zero day in a shelter the day before. Last I saw him was back at Lakes of the Clouds.Took me awhile to change into dry night clothes, clean up and set up in the shelter.For tonight it's just Trek, Cowboy and me in the shelter and the guy and his dog tenting out back. The James Gang walked in late.People Met: Passed 3 hikers, one with his dog that is tenting out back. It was too miserable to stop and talk. A couple of SOBO's stopped by the shelter before moving...Green Splinter and Captain Salty.Food: Pop tarts and plums for breakfast. PayDay, Snickers, M&M's and left over bing cherries for lunch. Beef stick & cheese whiz on crackers and peanut butter on crackers for dinner with Famous Amos for desert.