morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-20
From: Ten Mile Shelter, CT

To: Mt. Algo Shelter, CT
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: broken clouds

My new boots were destroying my legs, so I went into Kent, mailed them back to REI, and bought a different pair. Kent has very little choice in hiking boots (lots of choice in art galleries), so I hope those work out. I don't seem to have hiked very far this week, so it's time to get moving!Kitty statues in Kent
Date: 2007-07-21
From: Mt. Algo Lean-to, CT

To: Caesar Brook Campsite, CT
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: scattered clouds

A reader has asked me to provide mid-trip gear evaluation, and, since I'm muddling through Connecticut and not generating too much in the way of exciting new adventures, I'm going to offer my thoughts.Perhaps the most controversial topic on the trail is water purification. That's because a lot of hikers are using Aqua Mira and claiming it will do the trick, when, in fact, it is only sold to remove "odor-causing bacteria".To my mind, carrying a filter is the only way to go. The greatest hazards on the trail are farm runoff, heavy metals, mining residue, fertilizers, and caterpillar poop. Only a filter cleans water with this stuff in it.I use an MSR Sweetwater myself, for no other reason than I got it cheaply. It has worked out just fine. I also have a filter adapter on my Camelbak, so I can pump water up the hose without taking the bladder out of my pack. The combination of filter and adapter has been a huge time saver. Is a filter worth the weight? Absolutely! It weighs about what half a liter of water weighs.100 yards from Caesar Brook Campsite
Date: 2007-07-22
From: Caesar Brook Campsite, CT

To: Illegal Campsite
Miles today: 15.2

Did I mention that Connecticut is difficult? Or that I'm getting lost every day looking for white blazes? Oh well.Next on my gear review is my pack. I started in Springer with an Osprey Ariel 65. I liked this pack, and, as it turns out, this design (men's and women's) is by far the most popular pack on the trail (perhaps 40% of all packs). However, after the winter months, I found the volume too high and opted to switch. I tried everything. The challenge is that most women thru-hikers are shorter than average. You can only get so much volume between the shoulders and the hip belt. If the volume is too far from the back or too wide across the shoulders, you can cause serious damage to your legs and back. Since Buena Vista, Virginia, I have been using a Gregory Jade 50 (45 liters in the small). I have found the features ideal for my purposes. It has a large mesh stuffer pocket on the front, a wide mouth for the whole interior, and an ideal-size lid (i.e. you can't put too much in there). Proportionately, the pack is not overwhelming for a small body and the belts and harness are comfortable. The fabric is very durable. The pack is light, but not ultralight. My only problem has been with a zipper that ripped out, but Gregory is taking care of this without disrupting my hike.The version for men and long- torsoed women is the 255.Housatonic River Great Falls (photo by Boo Boo)
Date: 2007-07-23
From: Campstie - mile 1480.3

To: Riga Lean-to
Miles today: 8.0

Transcriber received an email up date today. Parts of it read:I was off for 3 days near Kent. That accounts for why there's a gap in my mailings. Connecticut is a lot harder than people anticipate! I'm hoping to catch up with Ziploc, Nitro, and Bonafide, but I'm being kinda slow. Then I meet interesting folks and want to get talking! A large number of thru-hikers (40-50) are in a blob in Mass. They got held up in NY by the heat and water situation, so they're all together.~~ By the way, I talked to Paw Paw this week and he's busy preparing for next year's thru!More info coming when the "snail mail" arrives!Keep on keeping on ~~^^~^^^Actual journal entry for 7/23:Continuing on my topic of gear evaluations, tonight is a great example of why carrying a down sleeping bag during the summer months on the AT is a supremely bad idea.Wind is blasting into the shelter, and fog drifts in and out. Intermittently, a hard rain taps the roof. Are we dry? Heck no! Rain has blown right in. It may as well be winter in Georgia! I am sitting here in a very damp and howling gale. The weather isn't often this bad, but there are many damp or just plain wet days during the summer months. My favorite sleeping bag fill for these conditions is Primaloft. There are many models to choose from, and they weigh only marginally more than down. Mine is a women's Marmot Pounder Plus, 25 degrees. Besides the damp, that bag has to be able to tolerate your sweat and it shouldn't stick to you on hot days. A long zipper (rather than an ultralight short zipper) is helpful as well. Then you can use the bag as a quilt on warmer nights.View from Riga Lean-To
Date: 2007-07-24
From: Riga Lean-To

To: Hemlocks Lean-To
Miles today: 10.0

Continuing on the subject of gear evaluation. . . I don't carry a tent. In winter, I carry a Golite Lair and groundcloth. In summer, I add a Golite Nest (mosquito net) designed for the Lair. I'm not 100% "sold" on this solution. However, it has worked out well for me, particularly since I am able to use the parts independently. The lair kept me dry even in a blizzard, and there is room for my gear underneath. I can usually rig the Nest in a trail shelter, which means I don't put up the Lair every night. I use the groundcloth for all kinds of things (like sitting on rocks and wet logs) as well as for a tarp floor. If I could tolerate more weight, I would bring a tent: MSR Hubba, Sierra Designs Light Year, Marmot Eos 1, or Hilleberg Akto. I am not convinced the tarp tents have a big advantage over the Golite Lair because of condensation issues.Golite NestHemlocks Lean-To
Date: 2007-07-25
From: Hemlocks Lean-To

To: Tom Leonard Lean-To
Miles today: 14.4

Tom Leonard Lean-toWhen I reached Harpers Ferry, I switched my stove and started carrying an alcohol stove. I anticipated that fuel would be easier to get as I headed north. After my experience with alcohol, I would never recommend one of these stoves. First, understand that every shelter and picnic table on the AT is cratered with burn-out rings from these stoves. They do not in any way qualify for "leave no trace". These stoves flare unpredictably. There is no way to control the flame. Mine burned me several times. It was tippy as well, and more than once tipped over a whole pot of boiling water. Plus, for how the fuel being easy to get, I kept running out, which had never occurred in 1000 miles of my original stove. Furthermore, alcohol stoves are not a lightweight solution. By the time you count the lighter, add the fuel you have to carry, and the stove you have a heavy cooking solution. (tests on Backpackinglight.com verify). It is especially heavy when used for ultra-long distance hiking, because all this stuff adds up! Now, I'm happily back to my Snow Peak Gigapower with Piezo (a built-in lighter). It is elegant and efficient. It sits in my Snow Peak Mini Solo (aluminum with teflon interior). Fuel can be shipped with a maildrop, provided it goes "Surface". Easy, easy. Why teflon-coated aluminum? Titanium scorches easily. Do you really want to spend your backpack trip cleaning a pot? Eating scorched food? Nyah!Snow Peak Gigapower with Piezo
Date: 2007-07-26
From: Tom Leonard Lean-To

To: Mt. Wilcox South Lean-To
Miles today: 5.3

When it occurred to me that I couldn't make it to Dalton before the post office closes on Saturday, I decided just to go slowly! I'm here at a brand new shelter and I just spent the afternoon washing my clothes in brook water. Now I'll spend the night hoping they'll dry, so they won't feel clammy in the morning. Almost everyone seems to have slowed down without really knowing why. I surmise that we are suffering from what is known in other sports as "overtraining": having to put out more effort for less results, fatigue, nagging (minor) physical ailments, trail burnout. It's hard to know how to handle this, except not to push too hard, which could compromise the whole journey.Gnarled Birch between Tom Leonard Lean-to and Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Date: 2007-07-27
From: Mt. Wilcox South Lean-To, MA

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin, MA
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Upper Goose PondThe AT in Massachusetts offers more wilderness than any state south. I am amazed that it is so undeveloped. The trail is also well cared for. Tonight, I am at a cabin (rather than a 3-sided shelter) on a pretty undeveloped, lake, which I jumped into on arrival! This cabin is an old-fashioned lake cabin, brought up to code with addition of fire-escapes. There is no running water, but there is, aaah, a current USA Today. Oh, and there is a family here who couldn't manage to eat all the hot dogs they'd brought, so I helped out! Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Date: 2007-07-28
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin, MA

To: October Mtn Lean-To, MA
Miles today: 8.8

I hiked today through on and off pouring rain. My pack is falling apart, I lost my camelbak mouthpiece (and back-trailed 2 miles to try and find it!), and I have an overpowering craving for hamburger. A lot of hamburger! Thinking that I had already had enough set-backs for one day - and the few miles I hiked didn't warrant the weariness I felt - I was shocked to find the shelter empty of thru-hikers, but FULL . . . . of boy scouts. The only spot left was in the upper loft. I'm up here with 3 giggly 11 year-olds. These boy scouts are friendly, but thoroughly disorganized. Every 5 minutes, it seems, they lose a major piece if equipment. They have stuff strewn all over the shelter. Since there aren't any experienced AT hikers in the shelter, they haven't really acquired shelter protocol (e.g. keep everything in your spot, hang your pack etc.). However, what they did have lots of (and I was the only thru-hiker there to take advantage) was HAMBURGER. Yes, I got their leftovers which should make my hike alot easier tomorrow! Lake between Dalton and Cheshire
Date: 2007-07-29
From: October Mtn Lean-To, MA

To: Tom Levardi's House, Dalton, MA
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

I seem to have spent my day getting treats. First, I hiked 2 miles, and arrived at the "Cookie Lady's" house, a Blueberry Farm next to the trail. She plied me with cookies and I bought a coke. Then, after seeing her blueberries (at $1.50 per pound), I decided to pick some for my lunch. Back on the trail, a Trail Angel had left some treats in the woods. Then I ambled into Dalton and, by Tom Levardi's kindness, I - and about 12 other hikers - are his guests for the night (his house is right next to the trail). Tom took us into Pittsfield for an All-You-Can-Eat dinner. There, we happened to bump into J-Bird, whom I hadn't seen since the very beginning of March. He was (at that time) finishing the south bound leg of an AT YoYo (Georgia-Maine-Georgia). Wow!Tom Levardi
Date: 2007-07-30
From: North Adams, MA

To: Crystal Mountain Campsite, MA - mile 1559.1
Miles today: 18.1

SOBO SlackOnce again, a little more adventure than I planned on! Tom Levardi, a wondrous trail angel who hosts thru-hikers in Dalton, dropped me off at 10:00 am in North Adams to hike over Mt. Greylock south, back to his home in Dalton, some 24 miles.I zoomed up Greylock on the precipitous north side. I was surprised I had that much leg in me! I knew I couldn¢t dilly-dally, though: I had many miles still to go. I hiked and hiked and hiked.Soon it began to grow dark, really dark. I got out my headlamp. It wasn¢t bright enough to see by because the batteries had already been used for too many hours. In the last light of sunset, while I could still see, I was able to dig 2 new batteries out of my pack and insert them. Thank goodness, they worked!I hiked several more miles until I began to trip frequently. The trail was rocky, and there were lots of blow-downs to clamber over. I knew I would have to bivouac for the night: hunker down until morning.Unlike most thru-hikers who slack pack, I try to have my 10 essentials, rain gear, and some form of ¢ground cloth¢. But I don¢t have any night-time gear such as a tarp or sleeping bag. I need almost every item I brought, though because (a) the bugs are eating me alive, (b) this area is infested with slugs and they are raining down on me, and (c) it might get cold. I¢m trying to be resourceful, but I hope I don¢t have to deal with bears, coyotes, or raccoons as well, since the one essential I didn¢t bring is a rope: I have no way to hang my remaining picnic lunch or my garbage.North Adams, MALush trail on the way up GreylockMonument to War Dead on Mt. Greylock (highest peak in MA) - By 357 Magnum
Date: 2007-07-31
From: Crystal Mountain Campsite, MA

To: Dalton, Mass
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: clear sky

SOBO Slack: I slept fitfully last night ¢ I wasn¢t exactly comfortable ¢ and was up as soon as there was light enough to see the trail. It was too chilly for me to be inert any longer. I was soon in town, eating breakfast with other hikers at Duff & Del¢s.I did my town chores¢laundry, post office, phone calls, internet. I had an email asking me to call my sister-in-law who lives in Atlanta. I followed through and discovered ¢ unbelievably ¢ that she was just 2 miles away. She and her kids came and picked me up in 5 minutes from outside the Dalton library. Astonishing!Plus, my sister-in-law is headed to northern Vermont (where my folks live), so she will drive me up there. So, I will be off with family for a few days while I plan the remainder of my thru. My legs are very happy with the prospect of a short vacation.DaltonTrail Sign to Avoid Rock Climb Out of North Adams
Date: 2007-08-05
From: Gorham, NH

To: campsite top of Mt. Hight, NH
Miles today: 13.2

SOBO FastpackAfter getting a ride to my folks¢ house in Vermont with my sister-in-law, I am, for now, commuting to the AT. This will give me a chance to visit with my many siblings and their children who are here from all over the world. We are a multi-national family. Staying at my folks¢ also allows me to take a lighter pack (though it is too risky to slack here) through the Whites; this had been my plan since I started my thru-hike.Today was my first day as a ¢fast-packing¢ thru-hiker: - 2 or 3 days with a very light pack, but all of my winter, overnight, essentials. I chose the Carter Range, since I have a 2-day weather window and 21+ miles.The terrain is rocky and steep. Some rock steps are higher than my short legs can accommodate, so I¢m having to swing myself up by hanging on the branches. I¢m lucky with the weather: it is sunny and breezy.I am camped in the dwarf evergreens (but not the really small ones) on the top of Mt. Hight. I bumped into Walking Cowboy below at Zeta Pass, but kept going, since he is a big complainer. He was even complaining about the bugs. Hahahaha: it was about 40 degrees! He was also quite sure I wouldn¢t find a camp spot, but here I am, well protected from wind and potential storms.Mt. Hight has a spectacular view: 360o on a clear evening. I could see miles into Canada and Maine. What a treat!Presidentials from Mt. HightView of Mt. Moriah from Mt. Hight
Date: 2007-08-06
From: campsite top of Mt. Hight, NH

To: Ski Hut On Wildcat Peak E, NH (sleep Vermont)
Miles today: 5.2

SOBO: I woke early this morning, 5:30 am. I could sense a weather change coming on. Clouds had moved in. I had slept well and was well-rested and soon got underway. In no time, though, the weather caught up to me. As I headed down to Carter Notch Hut from Carter Dome, I knew I was in a serious storm. I inched my way down the Dome and around the lake. Carter Notch is spectacular; boulder heaps and lakes and towering peaks. By the time I got there, fog had rolled in and I was very wet.Coming down Carter Notch ¢ Huts in Site!!I stopped there for 3 hours, hoping the weather would let up. That was long enough for me to get multiple bowls of soup and homemade bread and arrange with two SOBO thru-hikers to look out for me as I descended into Pinkham. We would keep alert for lightning (which was in the forecast), but we knew we had enough cover until the last 2 miles into Pinkham down Wildcat Ridge.Inside Carter Notch HutWater in the trail was up to my ankles! The trail here involved rock-climbing, hoisting myself up with my hands and stepping backwards to get down.Soon, I felt that the risk was really too great, as did the two SOBO thru-hikers. I left them hunkered down in a Ski Patrol hut, well-sheltered. I hiked down the green (= easy) ski trail at the Wildcat ski area and was soon safely down at my car. I will do Wildcat Ridge on a good-weather day!
Date: 2007-08-07
From: Littleton, NH

To: ZERO Day
Miles today: 0.0

I was sitting in the waiting room of a tire store in Littleton NH (near Franconia) while the winter tires were taken off my car -- my car has been idle since February ¢ when the woman sitting next to me started a very interesting conversation.She spoke about how selfish hikers are who head out into the mountains on days like yesterday, because they put so many other people at risk.I had just been thinking about this very topic, because I had met a NOBO thru-hiker and her brother on Wildcat, knowingly heading AWAY from the safety of Pinkham Notch during yesterday¢s storm. I was astonished at their poor judgment. They even mentioned how dangerous it was to do what they were doing. It¢s in situations like this that I really have a problem with the ¢hike your own hike¢ dictum. The phrase is often used as an excuse for meager backcountry skills and irresponsible behavior, for doing something that potentially has a high impact on a lot of other people.Other examples are knowingly heading into a blizzard, hiking when you are seriously injured, not taking precautions against hypothermia, not carrying a tent or tarp, not taking your 10 essentials when day-hiking, crossing the Kennebec without the ferry.These examples are not ¢leave no trace¢ hiking and are highly unethical.Pinkham Notch by 357 Magnum
Date: 2007-08-09
From: Kinsman Notch, NH

To: North Kinsman, NH
Miles today: 10.9

The weather looked more promising this morning than it has for several days. Venturing out into the Whites in poor weather is a non-starter.I left my car at the Flume and hitched over to Kinsman Notch with a light ¢ but not ¢slack¢¢ pack. It was 11:00 am when I set out.I have been enjoying the Whites more than I thought I would. Since I am in good shape (to put it mildly), the terrain, while technically challenging, is satisfyingly do-able. Not being burdened by a heavy pack has increased my enjoyment as well.By the time I reached the first shelter ¢ Eliza Brook ¢ in mid-afternoon, my legs had plenty of oomph still left. But NOBO thru-hikers were piling up for the night. It might have been fun to stay with them (Castanets, BooBoo, Aussie, Teddy Bear, Wingheart et al.), but everyone was fussing over this and that (e.g. who ¢got¢ to sleep in the shelter), and that had no appeal to me, so I left as soon as I could (after about 30 seconds of fuss) and hauled up South Kinsman. I found myself a little nook on the Kinsman ridge so I wasn¢t heading down the mountain in the dark.Near Eliza BrookView of Whites from Kinsman Mountains by 357 Magnum (he should go ¢professional¢)
Date: 2007-08-10
From: North Kinsman, NH (NOBO)

To: Franconia Notch, NH
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was easy, as hiking in the Whites goes. I hiked for perhaps 2 hours in all. But BooBoo came along as I was eating soup and baked goods at Lonesome Lake Hut. She has really long legs (about up to my shoulders) and can move much faster than I can. We hiked down to Franconia Notch together, though, and talked about career issues.Unbelievably, as I turned a corner, a young man came towards me who had been a work colleague of mine in Oregon. He is a SOBO thru-hiker called Green Flash. He recognized me first; it was a moment before I could place him, since young male thru-hikers all seem to look alike. He¢s such a nice young man, and it was wonderful to see him again. Small world, huh?I drove BooBoo to the hostel in Lincoln and then headed over to Mt. Washington to climb the piece of Wildcat I had to bail from last week. I got as far as Conway, and my car over-heated. And, wouldn¢t you know -- it was late Friday afternoon and no mechanics are available until Monday. I¢m going to have to twiddle my thumbs for 3 days!
Date: 2007-08-13
From: Pinkham Notch, NH

To: Wildcat Peak D, NH
Miles today: 3.0

My lovely, generous sister drove me the 60 or so miles from my folks¢ house in Vermont, through the Whites to Conway, so I could deal with my disabled car. Over the weekend, I had managed to locate a mechanic who might be able to fix it. He was only 5 miles from where I had broken down. That was a good sign; otherwise, I was looking at a tow of, mmmmm, 150 miles. Not fun, or cheap. Whew!I left the car with the mechanic, and he was amazed that I was going to dash up a mountain while my car was in his care. Off I went to make up the piece of the Wildcat Ridge Trail I¢d had to bail from last week in a very bad storm. I got myself a ride up to Pinkham by mentioning LOUDLY at the Burger King that I was a thru-hiker. It was a lovely day, and I veritably scampered up the trail.Only problem was, it was so windy at the top, I couldn¢t even stand up. A huge dark cloud hung over Mt. Washington and appeared to be heading my way. So, I let myself in to the Ski Patrol shack for Wildcat Ski area and here I¢ll stay until morning."Life is more than just maintaining oneself, it is about extending oneself. Otherwise living is only not dying." ~ Simone de BeauvoirView of Mt. Washington from Wildcat Ridge
Date: 2007-08-14
From: Pinkham Notch 

To: SOBO to Osgood Tentsite
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Since I made up the piece of Wildcat I missed last week, I merely had to scamper down a ski slope from the ridge this morning and head into the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center for some breakfast. There were several other thru hikers there, but they were so rude and unfriendly (¢Silver, WE are doing big miles.¢) ¢ they ate breakfast without so much as inviting me to join them, even AFTER I gave them all my extra potato chips ¢ I won¢t mention their names.Then I hitched back down the mountain to Conway to check on my car. It would not be ready for another few days. So, once more I astonished the mechanics by heading out with my pack. I bought some supplies, hitched to Pinkham again, and headed up the Mt. Washington ridge.I am camped near a spectacular brook with suspension bridge.