morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-26
From: Franconia Notch/North Woodstock

To: Garfield Pond
Miles today: 9.2

Starting Time: 9:00Starting Location: Fraconia Notch/North WoodstockEnding Time: 3:10Ending Location: Garfield Pond (not-so-stealth camp)Miles: 9.2Morning Weather: Hot and partly cloudyAfternoon Weather: sameBreakfast: 3 tasty pancakes and sausage, coffee at Peg's PlaceLunch: Bars and gorpDinner: PR and tunaTrail Description: A very steep, hot, and sweaty ~2,800 ft. climb to Franconia Ridge Trail. Once there, it was jaw-dropping scenery as we made our way over Little Haystack, Mt. Lincoln, and Mt. Lafayette. We actually climbed another 1,000 ft. to Lafayette, but didn't notice it because we were so giddy over the ridge walk. People: Graham, Restless, Gig (Early Bird's husband) and friend, tons of day hikersAnimals: Black flies by the millionsMoney: 12 for breakfast, 6 for shuttleComplaints: Black flies are all over us and biting!Thoughts: I should probably introduce Graham, since we've been hiking with him for a few days, and aim to hike with him as long as possible. He's from Scotland and is in the States for a few months. He started in Harper's Ferry, skipped Vermont, and is is going to Katahdin. He's a very cool guy and a great hiker. He's done tons of stuff, including a trek to Mt. Everest base camp!The Franconia Ridge is by far the best, most beautiful, etc. stretch of trail I've done. It was just an unbelievable view when we emerged above treeline and could see the rocky ridge stretching over Little Haystack to Mt. Lincoln. Once on Lincoln, it kept stretching and kept going higher up to Mt. Lafayette. Totally awesome, as in striking awe into the beholder. I hiked the entire stretch with a big ol' smile on my face. I must have taken 30 pictures.We came down to Garfield Pond and are tenting in a few sites off to the right of the trail. Everyone considers them "stealth" sites, but in reality they are the remains of the old campsite run by the AMC, although we don't have to pay the $8 fee here. We went swimming in the pond, which is pretty shallow, so it was pretty sludge-ee pond water...icky. The blackflies loved us after we got out...we were human, and hence could be bitten, and we smelled like a swamp.
Date: 2005-06-27
From: Garfield Pond

To: Ethan Pond Campsite (shelter)
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: fog

Starting Time: 6:30Starting Location: Garfield PondEnding Time: 4:15Ending Location: Ethan Pond Campsite (shelter)Miles: 15.6Morning Weather: Warm and hazyAfternoon Weather: Hot and hazyBreakfast: CIB and cereal barLunch: Bars and gorpSecond Lunch: Tomato soup, bread, and lots of chocolate cake at Zealand Falls HutDinner: PR, tunaTrail Description: Good way to start the morning with a steep climb over Garfield. Even steeper and longer climb up South Twin that left us entirely sweaty. Rocky down to Zealand, then a fast cruise on an old railroad bed to the campsite.People: Graham, cool croo chic at Zealand Falls Hut, campsite full of people, 2 southboundersAnimals: Cute puppy at hut (Avalanche the 4 month old husky...I began hiking before the dog was born, and that's just freaky)Money: 6 at hut, 8 for campsiteComplaints: NoneThoughts: The hut thing is kind of cool, as long as you're not paying to stay. Today we hit Galehead and Zealand Falls huts. Galehead had a nice ridgeline location, while Zealand was right beside a beautiful waterfall. We walked out on top of the falls (30 ft. from front dor) and soaked our feet in the swift-moving water. The huts also offer water, bathrooms, and food. The food is AYCE soup for $2, and AYCE baked goodies for $1. The goodies are breads, cakes, brownies, etc., and are basically the leftovers from the previous night. The croo member at Zealand Falls said they loved thruhikers because we could take care of the leftover problem.
Date: 2005-06-28
From: Ethan Pond Campsite (shelter)

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: broken clouds

Starting Time: 6:50Starting Location: Ethan Pond CampsiteEnding Time: 3:20Ending Location: Lakes of the Clouds HutMiles: 14.1Morning Weather: Hot, clear, and sunny, providing beautiful views off of the ridgelines.Afternoon Weather: Rain and clouds as we went from Mizpah Spring Hut to LOTC Hut.Breakfast: CIB and cereal barLunch: LOTS of pancakes at Mizpah Spring HutDinner: Lasagna, rice and chicken soup, root-a-toot bean salad , and cookies Trail Description: Quick 3 miles down to Crawford Notch, which I can't really remember since the climb up Mt. Webster out of the notch never seemed to end! The section from Mizpah to LOTC was totally socked in the clouds and rain, but it was beautiful when the clouds would part slightly...it felt like walking in the Lake District (Graham compared it to Scotland). People: Graham, Stumbles (southbound), Chris and Dan on croo at hut, the croo was cool in generalAnimals: NoneMoney: 0Complaints: NoneThoughts: Tonight we are doing "work for stay" at the hut. The huts are something like $85 a night for a bunk, dinner, and breakfast. We cleaned a refrigerator for 30 minutes and we will get a spot to sleep on top of a table, dinner, and breakast. I think we're getting the better deal than the tourists! The croo members are all hutmasters from the other huts, so it's like upperclassmen hanging out. The Whites are making us weary...
Date: 2005-06-29
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Pinkham Notch (Colonial Fort Inn)
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: fog

Starting Time: 8:50Starting Location: Lakes of the Clouds HutEnding Time: 7:15Ending Location: Pinkham Notch (Colonial Fort Inn)Miles: 14.8Morning Weather: Windy, rainy, foggy...sounds like typical Mt. Washington weather!Afternoon Weather: Sun finally came out and we had a semi-steamy afternoon, until rain hit us right at the end as we did the last mile or two into the notch.Breakfast: Coffee cake, eggsLunch: Cookies, blueberry biscuit dessert thing, leftover lasagna at Madison Spring HutDinner: PR, dill pickle potato chipsTrail Description: We had an awesome 1.4 mile hike up to the Washington summit. Wind, rain, and fog made it very cool...we couldn't even see the summit building and assorted antennae until we were literally beside them. The climb down from Washington was over many rocks...so many rocks that we had to go very slow. The Mt. Madison climb/descent was also a pile of rocks. Steep downhill to the Osgood campsite, then not so bad down to Pinkham Notch.People: Graham, Jess and John (Grinder and Peanut), Little Debbie, etc.(southbounders)Animals: NoneMoney: 10 for ride, 34 for hostelComplaints: NoneThoughts: Today was a very tough day. Everything above treeline after Washington was over a pile of rocks. Biscuits! slipped and fell several times, and we had to take it extremely slow. Slow hiking makes for an annoyed Boomerang, plus my knees were hurting from the downhill while my feet were hurting from the rocks. It just seemed to take forever to make it back to treeline. Once there, we hit a steep downhill (read, "straight" down) that had tons of rocks, roots, etc. We limped into the notch while getting rained on, and decided to go to the hostel.Pinkham Notch is annoying for thruhikers because there is no place to stay there that makes sense. The Pinkham Notch camp is run by AMC and is basically a hostel for $45 per person a night. We went to the Colonial Fort Inn hostel and paid $17 (although we paid for a pickup as well).
Date: 2005-06-30
From: Pinkham Notch (Colonial Fort Inn)

To: US2 (Gorham, Colonial Fort Inn)
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: haze

Starting Time: 8:25Starting Location: Pinkham Notch (Colonial Fort Inn)Ending Time: 7:25Ending Location: US2 (Gorham, Colonial Fort Inn)Miles: 21.1Morning Weather: Hot and humidAfternoon Weather: Long period of rain, but stopped for the last couple of miles. Very wet day.Breakfast: CIB and cereal barLunch: Bars and gorpDinner: Chips and dip, pizza, wings, Magic Hats and Long Trail AlesTrail Description: Today felt like "all up." The climb up Wildcat Mtn. was brutal. There are five peaks on Wildcat, and we climbed over all of them, with dips in between. Then a steep down to Carter Notch, then steep climb over Carter Mtn (once again with multiple peaks and dips). Another steep descent into the Imp campsite had me freaked out because it was wet and rocky, with long patches of wet rockface that you just slid on...I was having premonitions of slipping, getting hurt, and ending my hike every 10 minutes during the descent. After Imp, a seemingly never-ending climb up Moriah Mtn., only because the summit was enshrouded in fog, and every false summit we came to revealed the next summit, plus, it was raining on us the whole time and was just miserable. Steep down to the Rattle River, then cruising to US2 for 4 miles or so.People: Graham, Keith, Lisa, Lopsided and other southboundersAnimals: NoneMoney: 30 for dinnerComplaints: Our feet HURTThoughts: OK, compromise #2 on my "AT Purist" stance. Today I half-slackpacked while Biscuits! went full-slack and packless. Slackpacking is hiking a section and not carrying a pack (similar to a day hike). I took my pack and had both of our clothes, food, and water, but I didn't take my sleeping bag, tent, and several other items. My pack weight was around 15 pounds, maybe, instead of 30-ish. If we hadn't have done this, we would have never made the 21.1 miles, and ALL I wanted to do was to get out of the Whites. So, I don't feel bad at all about the half-slack. I plan to do the same on my Katahdin summit (although Biscuits! will probably take her pack as well).We're done with the Whites, and we're almost out of NH! We wanted to do the bigger miles today so that we can zero in Gorham tomorrow. Our feet and knees are in pain (intense soreness, really), not to mention the bruises on Biscuits! butt, and we need a day off to recover.
Date: 2005-07-01
From: US2 (Gorham, Colonial Fort Inn)

To: US2 (Gorham, Colonial Fort Inn)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Today we're zeroing in Gorham. Yippee.Let me tell you, folks, what it's like to get up from a laying position to a standing position when you are doing long-distance hiking. Your feet feel like they are broken in the dead center of your foot. You think that you may fall over once your are in the standing position. The first step lets you know that your legs and knees aren't happy, either. They creak and groan and basically do not bend, so your "walk" becomes what Oke at the Inn at Long Trail called "the hiker shuffle." He's dead-on with that description. You do this for 20 minutes or so until things get loosened up enough so that you can walk in a manner that resembles homosapiens-like movement patterns. It is quite a process, and it repeats itself pretty much every morning. I've heard that there are phantom pains like this that last for a few weeks after you get back. I just can't WAIT for that.
Date: 2005-07-02
From: US2 (Gorham, Colonial Fort Inn)

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

Date: 7/2Starting Time: 8:20Starting Location: US2 (Gorham, Colonial Fort Inn) Ending Time: 6:15Ending Location: Carlo Col Shelter (tent)Miles: 17Morning Weather: Windy, blowing off storm clouds from prevous eveningAfternoon Weather: Cool and windy. Mid-50's as we hop into the tent for the night...brrr.Breakfast: CIB and cereal barLunch: Bars and gorpDinner: Mtn. House, PR, tater, tunaMisc. Food: Oreos for dessert..yum!Trail Description: Good climb up Mt.Hayes, followed by climb up Wocket Ledge, followed by climb up Mt. Success. See a pattern? Mt. Success had great views of Mt. Washington. There were several difficult sections involving large rock faces that we basically slid down on our butts. Down into the col we navigated what might be a prelude to the Mahoosuc Notch.People: Graham, Pacer, Shatter at Gentian Pond Shelter- he was a ridgerunner in the Smokies when I went through, and was the one who told me to get outta there on my last day (due to snow).Animals: Biscuits! saw a moose today! Well, she saw the moose's rear end as it plunged off the trail and into the woods. But still, pretty cool!!!!Money: 0Complaints: NoneThoughts: For this entire hike I've answered the question "Where you heading?" with, "To Maine." Well, today I walked into Maine!!! Biscuits! and I did a happy dance at the border and posed for pictures at our last border crossing. My new answer needs to be "To Katahdin."The zero in Gorham was needed although Gorham isn't that great of a town to zero in (too spread out). We ended up eating tons of ice cream,. watching Wimbledon, and watching a Brokaw special on Aron Ralston, who you just need to Google if you want to find out more.
Date: 2005-07-03
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Baldpate Lean-to
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

Date: 7/3Starting Time: 7:00Starting Location: Carlo Col ShelterEnding Time: 7:05Ending Location: Baldpate Lean-toMiles: 16.4 Morning Weather: Cool (50's) and sunnyAfternoon Weather: High 70's and sunny...absolutely beautiful dayBreakfast: CIB and cereal barLunch: Bars and gorpDinner: Tuna, PR, Mtn. House, tater...I'm now splitting both dinners with Biscuits! for varietyTrail Description: Very rugged (hence slow) over Carlo and Goose Eye Mtn. Brutal descent down into Mahoosuc Notch. The 1.1 mile notch itself took 1 hr. 45 minutes! The climb up Mahoosuc arm was unreal - straight up over rock faces and rock stairs for 1100 ft. vertical. The climb up Old Speck ws no picnic either. Long downhill to Grafton Notch. And finally, a "normal" climb up to the shelter!People: Graham, Pacer, Seven Sisters (finishing section hike)Animals: Grouse on trail on Goose Eye Mtn.Money: 0Complaints: NoneThoughts: Today was an incredibly tough day. It included the slowest mile on the trail (Mahoosuc Notch) and the steepest climb yet (Mahoosuc Arm). The notch is a jumble of huge rocks that are wedged into a tight ravine. You end up performing more rock climbing maneuvers than walking. Ice is still present in the crooks and crannys, which made for a refreshing "refrigerator" effect every now and then. We had a great time in this famous section!Maine was brutal today. Straight up and down, many times over. But, we're walking on dirt, which is more than I can say for the Whites.
Date: 2005-07-04
From: Baldpate Lean-to

To: Hall Mtn. Lean-to
Miles today: 14.0

Date: 7/4Starting Time: 8:00Starting Location: Baldpate Lean-toEnding Time: 3:50Ending Location: Hall Mtn. Lean-to (tent)Miles: 14Morning Weather: Sunny and high 60'sAfternoon Weather: Sunny and high 70'sBreakfast: CIB and cereal barLunch: Bars and gorpDinner: PR, tunaMisc. Food: Oatmeal for dessert (thanks John and Suzanne!)Trail Description: Great morning hike over Baldpate! Beautiful 360-degree views from a big rock bald. Nice gradual descent into Dunn Notch, with a more gradual (but long) climb up to the shelter. Maine is finally starting to feel like the regular AT again.People: Graham, Pacer, Seven Sisters, southbounders (Funky Sprucester, etc.)Animals: Moose! I saw a moose 50 ft. off the trail crashing through the woods. I did not get a detailed look at him, but I could make out relevant features and saw how honkin' big he was. Very cool...I can't wait for a better view of one.Money: 0Complaints: NoneThoughts: Happy fourth! We woke this morning and I immediately annoyed Biscuits! and Pacer with my rendition of "The Stars and Stripes Forever." They were not too impressed.Today we pulled up 4 miles short of our goal just because we're tired from the Mahoosucs. It won't put us off schedule though...we will still be in Stratton on Friday.
Date: 2005-07-05
From: Hall Mtn. Lean-to

To: Bemis Mtn. Lean-to
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Date: 7/5Starting Time: 7:15Starting Location: Hall Mtn Lean-to (tent)Ending Time: 2:50Ending Location: Bemis Mtn. Lean-toMiles: 12.8Morning Weather: Hazy and warmAfternoon Weather: Hot and muggy, rained hard two minutes after we got into the shelterBreakfast: CIB and cereal barLunch: Bars and gorpDinner: PR, tunaMisc. Food: Honey! Somebody left a 16 oz. jar of honey at a shelter, and we've been putting it on everything...bars, gorp, etc. Yummy.Trail Description: Brutal day of ups and downs! Straight down to South Arm Rd., straight up and down Moody Mtn., then up Bemis.People: Graham, Robo, Vince Canuck, Java Pete, FungiAnimals: NoneMoney: 0Complaints: Hard day for not a lot of miles. Maine is tough!Thoughts: Fun crew of guys at the shelter tonight...signing off to yuck it up.
Date: 2005-07-06
From: Bemis Mtn. Lean-to

To: Piazza Rock Lean-to
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Date: 7/6Starting Time: 8:00Starting Location: Bemis Mtn Lean-toEnding Time: 8:15Ending Location: Piazza Rock Lean-toMiles: 19.5Morning Weather: Rain! Hard rain for first 4.4 miles, then overcast for remainder of morning.Afternoon Weather: Clearing finally for a great night in town.Breakfast: CIB and cereal barLunch: Bars and gorpDinner: Buffalo wings, salad, chicken parmesan, ice cream, and second order of ice cream Trail Description: Nice easy day...in Maine!People: Graham, Java Pete, Vince Canuck, Robo, Odyssa, Running Moon, JukeboxAnimals: Moose!!! A medium sized bull moose came on the trail right in front of me, then went fifteen feet into the woods. He stayed there long enough so that Graham and Amy could come up and get a look, and that I could get a picture of him. He had a a nice rack of antlers and had a deep, dark brown coat. He moved gracefully and silently in the woods...makes me think that we've passed hundreds and not seen them.Money: 40 for dinner and lots of ice creamComplaints: NoneThoughts: What a great day! It started off horribly, with a rain-soaked climb up and over the Bemis peaks, then up to ME17. We considered getting off th trail and going into Rangely via a long hitch, but decided against it. Once we voted on that (we're very Democratic), the rain stopped and we were able to burn up the miles. We made such good time that we made ME4 at 5pm, and decided to hitch into Rangely via the easy way for dinner.While in Rangely, we ran into Odyssa, Running Moon, and Jukebox. I hadn't seen Odyssa since Delaware Water Gap, and it was a very cool to see her! Running Moon and Jukebox were very cool as well, too bad we're all not hiking together. We hit the Red Onion and pigged out on a great dinner! We then proceeded to kill a bunch of ice cream...I went back for a larger serving of seconds than my first round. One note on our hitches into and out of town. Both hitches were the result of the driver stopping their current direction of travel, and turning around to take us where we needed to go. The first ride was a young guy in a Ford Probe (small car...the big "outdoorsy" SUV drivers didn't want anything to do with us), and the second was a local just returned from working in Alaska. Both very cool and very nice.We ended the day by hiking two miles at dusk up to the shelter, which is one of my favorite things to do. Just a great day all around, from nasty rain to moose sighting to great dinner to great night hike. Ah, this is the life!
Date: 2005-07-07
From: Piazza Rock Lean-to

To: Spaulding Mtn.Lean-to
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Date: 7/7Starting Time: 7:50Starting Location: Piazza Rock Lean-toEnding Time: 5:20Ending Location: Spaulding Mtn.Lean-to (tent)Miles: 16.9Morning Weather: Sunny and coolAfternoon Weather: Sunny and mid-70'sBreakfast: CIB and cereal barLunch: PR, bars and gorpDinner: PR, tuna, PRTrail Description: Up and over Saddleback, which was a beautiful above-treeline walk (The Horn, Saddleback Junior were more ups and downs). Lots of false summits up Saddleback, which is always fun. Down to Orbeton Stream and back up to Spaulding shelter.People: Graham, southbounders at shelterAnimals: Unidentified snake at shelter, garter snakes on trailMoney: 0Complaints: NoneThoughts: Today the three of us had tons of energy, partly because of our excellent dinner in Rangely last night, and partly because we got to stretch our legs yesterday on an easy walk. Either way, we were flying up and down the mountains today.Another reason, for me at least, is that I am finally excited about finishing. Just last night i had a "eureka" moment where I realized that the end is near, and that I'm actually going to wrap this thing up (instead of knowing I will make it, but just keep hiking and hiking anyway). This excitement powered me over the hills today, and shows no signs of abating. I'm having a blast, and can't wait to hit Katahdin!!!
Date: 2005-07-08
From: Spaulding Mtn.Lean-to

To: ME27 (Stratton Motel)
Miles today: 13.5

Date: 7/8Starting Time: 5:45Starting Location: Spaulding Mtn. Lean-toEnding Time: 12:20Ending Location: ME27 (Stratton Motel)Miles: 13.5Morning Weather: Sunny and cool (woke up to 50 degrees)Afternoon Weather: Sunny and mid-70'sBreakfast: CIBLunch: Bars and gorpSecond lunch: Cheeseburger, fries, coconut cream pie, soft serve ice cream at Stratton DinerDinner: More pigging out at Stratton DinerTrail Description: Climbed over Spaulding first thing, then straight down to Carabasset River. Next was a 2000 ft. climb up Crocker Mtn, which we did pretty quickly given the straight up and rocky sections. The descent into Stratton was long but quick....lots of roots and rocks to annoyingly slow us down (and get in our way of the aforementioned second lunch).People: Graham, Don running Motel, southbounders at motel/hostelAnimals: NoneMoney: 20 for lunch, 20 for dinner, 90 for groceriesComplaints: Our mail drop didn't come today, so we had to buy groceries at the store.Thoughts: We got up super early today to make Stratton early. We wanted time to relax and eat as much as possible. It looks like the next stretch into Monson isn't that bad...yay!Stratton isn't much of a town, but the motel is nice and very hiker friendly. It's funny running into all these southbounders...new shiny gear, malformed opinions based on only 10% of the trail complete, etc. Basically, they are acting just as I did when I only had 10% of the trail done...i.e. "greenhorns."
Date: 2005-07-09
From: ME27 (Stratton Motel)

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: moderate rain

Date: 7/9Starting Time: 10:00Starting Location: ME27 (Stratton Motel) Ending Time: 6:50Ending Location: Little Bigelow Lean-toMiles: 15.3Morning Weather: Steady rain and low 60'sAfternoon Weather: Same...most rain I've ever had in one dayBreakfast: Pancakes, omelet at dinerLunch: Bagel w/ peanut butter and honeyDinner: PR, jerkyMisc. Food: Bars and gorpTrail Description: Nice long climb up Bigelow. Little Bigelow was a frustrating mess of "no summits." Trail conditions were horrible pretty much all day - mud, rocks, and roots everywhere.People: Graham, Don, Beatnik and Thumper, Scrubs, southbounders filling shelter (Tooth Fairy)Animals: NoneMoney: 45 for motel, 20 at dinerComplaints: NoneThoughts: Today I passed 2,000 miles!!!! I celebrated with a Snickers...yum! It's funny, my first mile was spent in the driving rain, in full rain gear, walking on the edge of the trail (since the trail itself was a stream from the rain). Here I am at 2,000, still in the rain, and still in my rain gear, but now I just slosh through the water. It was great seeing Beatnik and Thumper again, if only for a few minutes. I met these guys in Shenandoah and had a great time, as that entry details. This morning as Don dropped us off at te trailhead they emerged from the woods (headed south). Talk about great timing for a ride! The Bigelows were our last "range" of mountains in Maine! This means that Maine will flatten out, and instead of having multiple 1,000 ft.-plus climbs in a day to get over a range, I will face a single climb over a single mountain (and then back to flat). This sounds good to me!
Date: 2005-07-10
To: Charlie Leonard
Miles today: 0.0

Boomerang sent me a disk loaded with pictures and asked that I post a few. With typical parental bias, I have included many with Boomerang or Biscuits!'pictures in them.Descriptions of dates and places will have to wait for their return to the land of computers.We are extremely proud of Dave and Amy (Boomerang and Biscuits!) and congratulate them on this accomplishment.Charlie