morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-24
From: Trident Col Campsite

To: Gorham, New Hampshire
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: broken clouds

I was up and out early. Lucky for me I camped out at the bottom of Cascade Mountain (2630') so I got to get warmed up mighty early. I then assended Mt. Hayes of which I had the pleasure of another beautiful vista and there I also had the pleasure of finally waking up (takes me a while sometime). Like my grand-daddy used to say "Nothin like summiting a couple mountains to wake your ass up in the mornin'"- I then descended a bit over 3 miles to a road leading to U.S.2. I met Gash and Dank there and we all hitched into the town of Gorham and checked into the Hiker Barn hostel for hot showers and a bed. A man named Doc ownes the place. Its not bad either. I rather enjoyed it. Theres a hiker kitchen, tv/lounge area, shower/bathroom (towels inc. in price) and beds upstairs on the second floor. I enjoyed my stay. I went over to the Subway and had 2 subs then went to Dunkin Donuts and had three donuts. I also went to the walmart while in town and picked up a lot of food. I went to the local outfitter and finally bought a pair of 100% wool socks, thick and warm, which I keep in a plastic zip-lock bag and put them on right before bed. Heaven! Picked up two D rings to set-up my hammock really quick (remember-I bought cheap ones before and they bent)-and other needed supplies. IN the evening Megaphone showed up to say hi and she and her ex-husband gave me, gash and dank a ride to walmart. The owner of the outfitter store picked me up hitching back to the hostel. People off these trail towns are so cool when it comes to picking up thru-hikers!! Thank you all so much!!! Wish I could remember names better but I suck at that.
Date: 2008-07-25
From: Gorham, New Hampshire

To: rattle river shelter
Miles today: 1.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I went to the post office and bounced my extra food and half my guide book about 75 miles up the trail (bounce means sending extra supplies to a post office miles away so you dont have to carry it and your resupply will be waiting for you). I also went to the local park and dried my boots in the sun. I also did laundry. Very productive stop. I left town in the afternoon and hitched a ride (Roy-a local carpenter gave me a lift) and got dropped off at the trailhead. I hiked a short distance up the trail and set up my hammock near the Rattle river shelter. Supertramp, myself, and a hiker named E.T. (from Lancaster Pa.) and a really cool section hiker (sorry dude..forgot your name) hung out bullshiting by the campfire. The section hiker also had a hammock he just purchased and I showed him how mine sets up. Went to sleep at nine.
Date: 2008-07-26
From: rattle river shelter

To: Carter Notch Hut (stealthed)
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked alone today running into Supertramp here and there. Summited Middle-Moriah mtn (3620') and then took a wrong trail about half mile down this steep brook. Yeah..just fucking lovely. After Fuming at myself for about 10 minutes sitting on the ground in the middle of the trail I decided to get up and assend the mountain back to the correct turn-off. I reached the Moriah brook trail, hung a right, and was sobo again. Yahooo. I did north carter mtn (4530'), Middle carter mtn. (4600'), south carter mtn (4458'), Mt. Hight (4675')-great vista by the way- I passed Carter Dome (4832')then decended down this knee busting mountain to the Carter Notch hut in which i passed and stealth camped in an awesome spot about 1/4 mile up the trail.
Date: 2008-07-27
From: Carter Notch Hut (stealthed)

To: Lakes of the clouds hut
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: fog

Woke up early and set out. Went over wildcat peak A (4380'), wildcat peak B (4270'), wildcat peak C (4270') wildcat col (3780'). I passed the wildcat ski resort chair lift. The resort was deserted and very cool to see that way. The view from there is magnificant. I can see the profile view of the Presidentials in the Whites. The mountains i will soon be climbing. I also went over wildcat E. The decent off the mountain to Pinkham Notch is pretty steep at times with hand over hand downhill climbing. Not the place you want to fall or your gonna get really hurt or worse. By the time I got to the bottom of the mountain my knees were ready to seriously stop for a bit. I stopped across NH16 road at the visitor center and bought a cup of coffee! Yum!!! I met E.T. and gash and dank there also. I washed up in the mens room sink and dried my boot inserts on the hand drier. There is a scale for weighing your backpack and mine weighed 19lbs. that scale must be deranged. I believe im in the low 20s without water. I then started going up the trail six miles until I made a left and started a climb about 3000 feet to Mt. Madison (5363')- I am now on the Presidential ridge of the Whites! ok..heres where I speed things up a bit. I passeed the AMC (appalachian mountain club) madison spring hut, Airline,thunderstorm junction (10 ft. rock cairn),Mt. Adams (5450'), Mt. Clay (5050), cog railroad tracks (6150'), as I assended the westside trail (I think thats what it was!?)-about 2 miles from mt Washington summit (6288) a dark cloud came out of nowhere and engulfed the entire area with a fog. Then the rain came, drop in temperature, and the fog worked together like a well tuned symphony. I pulled out the rain jacket and headed straight up that mountain non-stop to the summit. Well, kinda, I did stop to take a pic of the cog train coming down off the summit and wave to all the kids waving at me. By the time I reached the summit the wind was pretty outrageous. I went on to the observation deck and could not see through the white mist for more than 25 feet. Very disappointing as i really wanted a clear view. I went inside the summit building, chatted with a very cool ranger named Joe, charged my phone and camera a little, then Joe walked me over to the trail leading southbound. I took the trail 1.4 miles to the Lake of the clouds hut where I did work for stay. The trail there was really open and the wind was blowing fierce but not to cold. I recieved dinner- I ate three plates like a rabid dog- did some kitchen work and then they let me sleep in the dinning room benches. Very nice. I could hear the winds howling outside as I drifted off to sleep. I met a northbounder at the hut named Rabbit also who was totally cool.
Date: 2008-07-28
From: Lakes of the Clouds hut

To: Zealand Falls hut
Miles today: 18.9

Got up today at 5:00am to a windy foggy morning. Started hiking at 5:30am and the wind quickly slowed making the morning hike much more enjoyable. The trail at this point basically is above treeline and goes along the summit on large rocks except for many parts of the trail which are smaller rocks. I personally find it less strenuous traveling on top of the rocks. Guess thats because I am from Pa. (the rocky state on the A.T.)- I summited Mt. Franklin (5004'),Mt. Clinton(4310'), Mt. Jackson (4052), Mt. Webster (3910')- some of them went around the summit which was cool- crossed Saco river to the road U.S. 302. Supertramp had been hiking with me from the Mizpah hut where I ran into him earlier about seven miles ago and we split up at the trailhead of Rt. 302 (he went to go pick up a maildrop in Bartlett, N.H.)By the way- Webster Cliffs has a very nice view and a pretty long and steep downhill (Sobo). From Rt. 302 I continued south up a paved road (the A.T. runs along roads here and there), chatted with some day hikers for a while, summited Whitewall mtn. and ended up at the end of the day at Zealand Falls hut. As soon as I arrived I met a bunch of the guests staying at the hut who were on the porch. Very cool people. They chatted with me about A.T. stuff. Id like to thank them all for making me feel great after a long day and for the encouragement and nice wishes of support for my trek southbound. Thank you so much Dave (the teacher), Gary, Mark, and all the rest of you who chatted with me that day and for the gifts of hershey bars, peanut butter (I mixed them together), the two cigars (they tasted wonderful even though I never smoke cigars..I liked these..haha.), the pretzels and cracker barrel cheese (lasted two hours into the hike),and the fantastic photo that was taken at the hut. The trail magic you shared with me at the hut made my day!!! The staff (croo) at the hut was likewise wonderful. I worked for stay there and got to stuff myself with all the leftover lasagna and beans I could eat. I then slept on the dining room floor. Out like a log!
Date: 2008-07-29
From: Zealand Falls hut

To: Mt. Lafayette (stealth camped near it)
Miles today: 14.6

Woke up...ate blueberry pancakes and oatmeal then swept the bunkrooms of zealand falls hut. The day started nice with the sun poking itself on and off through the clouds. I summited Mt. Guyot (4560ft)-awsome vista-, South Twin (4902'), Mt. Garfield (4488'), up to Mt. Lafayette (5249'). The view from Mt. Lafayette was one of the most scenic mountain vistas I had seen on the trail. I waited up on the peak video taping the mountains. The view showed rolling mountains of various hues of purple, I counted eight rolling mountains going back into the distance on all sides of me. They faded into the hazy purple hue of an evening sky. I watched the sun go down from Mt. Lafayette. Amazing sight. I then walked along the Franconia ridge over Mt. LIncoln (with my headlamp on). At this time I had no idea how long the actual trail was above treeline and the weather was getting windy now. At 1.6 miles past the peak of Mt. Lafayette I found a stealth site to the right and decided to set-up camp until daybreak. I set-up the hammock and ate. As I lay in the hammock I could hear the thunder rolling and see the light flashes through the hammock rain fly. No lightning cracking sounds...just the light from the flashes and the long..long thunder rolls! I felt so close to them being up so high on that peak! It started raining then and my hammock started to sway in the increased wind. I then fell into a deep sleep (thank god).
Date: 2008-07-30
From: Mt. Lafayette (stealth camped near it)

To: stealth after lonesome lake hut
Miles today: 9.3

Woke up at daybreak upon Franconia ridge. What a sight to wake up to. I took pictures of the stealth area which was enshrouded with fog and then I began my morning hike. Little did I know it last night but the trail decended below treeline within a mile of my stealth site. I shortly went downhill to Franconia Notch (and a long downhill it was) and onto interstate 93/U.S.3 - hitching towards NorthWoodstock to check to see if my food I bounced from Gorham had arrived at the Post Office. I recieved a ride from a very nice lady right away and was dropped off right at the P.O. - I picked up a letter with a money order I had left with my pal in Pa. and my food package wasnt there. In town (northwoodstock and the town of lincoln) nobody would cash the money order. I went to three banks and a few stores. Luckly my pal dan also enclosed a twenty dollar bill in cash (thanks pal) so I was able to get a hot breakfast, get some food at the dollar store, and pick up some coffee. I called my other pal dan and he is going to send my atm card to Glencliff (thanks scott). Good pals are awsome. I hitched back to the trailhead (Linda picked me up...thank you so much for the lift and good conversation)- It was so nic4e she stopped because it was raining like crazy..and I mean really hard and I was totally soaked. After getting dropped off I headed south and stealthed about 1/4 mile past Lonesome lake hut (last hut that southbounders will hit in the whites).It rained all night again.
Date: 2008-08-01
From: stealth after lonesome lake hut

To: south peak of Mt. wolf
Miles today: 8.8

woke up and headed out about 6:00am. Passed Kinsman pond campsite where I met hot persuit (HP) who southbounded last year or the year before. He knew my pal E.T. from last year and is now the caretaker of Kinsman pond campsite. From there I assended north Kinsman (4293'), South Kinsman (4358'), and stopped for lunch at the Eliza Brook shelter. I met two hikers there - popeye and his hiker friend (sorry..I forgot your name.. Had a nice chat with both of them about the trail terrain. I went a bit further and dried my gear on the east peak of Mt. Wolf. I ended my day at sunset a little past the south peak of Mt. Wolf (3360') where I found a great stealth site perfect for Hammocking. I made coffee and watched the sun go down over the mountains. Perfect! I then ate Mac n cheese by headlamp and then crashed. I cant believe its not raining tonight.
Date: 2008-08-02
From: south peak of Mt. wolf

To: Kinsman Notch- glencliff, N.H.
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

At daybreak I headed down the mountain to Kinsman Notch where N.H.112 road is. I hitched back to NorthWoodstock post office to check if my food package had arrived. No luck. I then hitched back to the trailhead where I ran into Sobo hiker Joel. We hiked together for a bit as a very long, beautiful waterfall paralelled the trail on our right. It ran a long distance up the trail with ample views for pics. I stopped in Bearver brook shelter to sign the A.T. register (I drew another picture in the reg.) then summited Mt. Moosilauke (4802') of which had a panoramic vista. Accourding to the A.T. guide this is the last time southbounders go above treeline. Im still in one piece!!! hahaha. Awsome. I then headed down to USFS Road 19 and into Glencliff,N.H. (I met nobo "Peacock" on the trail) where I signed into the hostel "Hikers Welcome". I just came at a lucky time because it was Phatt Chap and Blister Sister's birthday (week) and the annual "hikers feast". Lots of food and lots of cool hikers where hanging out. Decided to zero tomorrow. It was great taking a hot shower (1st time in over 75 miles..heehee) -eat like a king (thanks Packrat, Mala, bearpaw, and all the rest of you..) -and sleeping inside while it stormed out once again. It was a really nice rest. Slept like a hibernating bearwalker tonight.
Date: 2008-08-03
From: Kinsman Notch- glencliff, N.H.

To: Glencliff, N.H.- Hikers Welcome hostel!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Im Zeroing today. I am getting caught up on my written journal and my online journal, charging my cell phone and camera batteries, etc. - Just hanging out with the other hikers and enjoying the day. Awsomeness. In the morning I went to church with Papabear and his three sons Batonic, Monkeybum, and little T (there from York, Pa.)
Date: 2008-08-04
From: Glencliff, N.H.- Hikers Welcome hostel!

To: Glencliff, N.H.- Hikers Welcome hostel!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I went to pick up my mail early and the letter im waiting for is not here..they said tomorrow for sure. I have to zero here again. Its a nice place to zero but I hope to be out on the trail early tomorrow. Whats so important to wait for???? Its my atm card. Kinda have to wait for it. Peace. (I must say..my feet are thanking me today.. I spent the day re-packing my gear and also watched the movie Whitecastle which is pretty hilarious. I read some of the book "Skywalker" which was authored by a hiker whom I had ran into in Gorham- at the hiker barn. I believe his name was Bill Walker and I remember that he was really tall!!!He was hiking with his sister.
Date: 2008-08-05
From: Glencliff, N.H.- Hikers Welcome hostel!

To: Bracket Brook
Miles today: 5.5

Today me and Bungie (Wes got a trail name since I met him way back at Piazza Rock Shelter) took bikes that were for use at "Hikers Welcome" and rode into the town of Warren. I had recieved my ATM card in the mail today so re-supply was in order. The town is five miles from Glencliff, N.H. where I am staying and the ride there was over a paved road with wonderful views of the New Hampshire wilderness and also we passed by a large picture-like lake in which two fishermen were out in the middle of it in a small boat. Upon arriving in Warren I noticed its a very small town. The gas station/country store is well equipted for hikers but they didnt have white gas containers for my small stove fitting (pocketrocket)...lots of food though. We then rode through the town and stopped for breakfast at a place called "Calamity Janes restaurant". The food was cooked excellent!!! I hate runny eggs and these were great. The homefried potatos with onions hit the spot. In short..the waitress was sweet and the food was awsome! We took pics of the town- took pics on the way back next to this large rock that from the side was the face of an Old Man (on the mountain type rock). It was wild. Wait till you see the pics in this journal. Upon returning I packed my gear and hit the trail. I stealthed right passed a place called "Bracket Brook".
Date: 2008-08-06
From: Bracket Brook

To: Eastman Ledges (stealthed nearby)
Miles today: 8.2

Today totally sucked. It rained all day-the trail was a stream-the temp dropped alot. It just sucked! Ok...im done crying about it...Hey..its all part of the A.T. journey! Gotta love it. I did get some miles in but stealthed early due to the "F-this" factor. I stealthed near Eastman Ledges near mile 412.2 (miles from Katahdin of course).
Date: 2008-08-07
From: Eastman Ledges (stealthed nearby)

To: Lyme, N.H.
Miles today: 12.1

I woke up about 5:00am today and decided since yesterday sucked so bad with the weather I was going to sleep in. I then woke up at nine a.m., packed up and headed south. While I was packing up my wet gear I noticed how "Cold" water can get overnite while in your socks- haning from a tree in the woods. The secret- I have come to realize- is to ring (wrang?...wrung..blah..you get it)...them out before putting them on. The temperature is a nice luke warm cold...not the chilling cold of the night!!! Oh what joy. hahaha. The rain from the last couple of days has stopped (for now) and I really enjoyed hiking today. It was very boggy but no steam of water rushing down the trail like yesterday. I went up Smarts Mtn (3240') and went up in this old fire tower that is still on top. It had a pretty cool view. There is also a Fire wardens cabin that hikers can use as a shelter near the top. I dont believe neither are used anymore. I continued to Lyme, N.H. and got supplies. The store didnt have my fuel but it had lots of munchies and a really important thing on my list...Toilet Paper!!! Yahooooo. (yeah..im mental)...anyways...I also ate at a restaurant named "Stellas". A lady named Margarette picked me up about 2 miles from town. She had stopped and asked if I needed a ride. Pretty nice trail magic considering It was pouring like crazy five minutes earlier and I was pretty wet. It was awsome. Thank you Margarette. After I left the store to come back to the trail a man named Robin stopped and asked if I needed a lift! He said he and his wife live right near the trailhead and that I was welcome to use his pop-up trailer for the night if I wanted. The trailer was spacious and nice. I slept like a king! haha.
Date: 2008-08-08
From: Lyme, N.H.

To: Hanover, N.H. (stealth near soccer field)
Miles today: 17.6

I awoke early, left a "Thank you" note and hit the trail. I hiked all day. I summited Moose Mtn- arrived at Etna-Hanover center road- walked .8th of a mile to the small town of Etna and bought a cup of coffee the walked back to the trail (im a coffee addict...)- from there I hiked straight to Hanover, N.H. -Once there I set up my Hammock way off the trail in the woods (it was dark by now) and left all my gear there (only a thru hiker or really really brave person would venture 100 yards off a trial into the woods at 11 at night for no reason..) knowing it would be safe. I went into town and ate at EBA (everything but anchovies) restaurant then returned back into the forest. Now heres an interesting fact. Figuring I cant see my hammock in the woods from the trail- before i left I laid dead birch branches (there white) from the trail up to 20 feet from my hammock so I could know where to leave the trail and also it leads me right to my hammock. Worked like a charm.
Date: 2008-08-09
From: Hanover, N.H. (stealth near soccer field)

To: william tucker trail (stealth)
Miles today: 2.5

Woke up to no rain today! And Sun!!! Perfect day. I packed up and went into Hanover to an outfitters and bought good rain pants and white gas for my stove. I also picked up a fork/spoon. I then went to Main street (whatever its named) and sat on a bench and then paid my bills via my cell. I at lunch at EBA's restaurant then headed out to the trail. The A.T. actually goes right through town, crosses the connecticut river, goes under interstate 91, and right into the state of Vermont. Yeah baby!!! Stopped in Norwich inn Briefly. Stealthed near william tucker trail.
Date: 2008-08-10
From: william tucker trail (stealth)

To: Arms Hill (stealthed)
Miles today: 12.4

Woke up and started hiking. The trail followed mountain ridges until it came down onto paved roads after Podunk brook (appx. 800'). There it went under interstate 89, down tigertown road for a bit, made a left where after half mile passed the West Hartford deli I have been suggested to stop at by all the Northbounders that morning and the day before. I went into the place and ordered an Italian Hoagie (heated) and got the best damb sub I have ever had! Great place. A def. stop if your hiking by there when its open. Continued hiking a bit until the trail went to the right and crossed a bridge over the "White river" where after about another mile the trail turns right off the road and back into the forest where I made a very long switch back (trail goes steadly up from side to side instead of straight up to the peak..Vermont has alot of them)-I ended my hiking day at Arms hill where I stealthed off the trail.
Date: 2008-08-11
From: Arms Hill (stealthed)

To: Woodstock
Miles today: 7.5

I continued on the trail until I hit VT12 then hitched into the town of woodstock. My objective was to do laundry which was now wet and stinking to high heaven. While doing my clothes It starts to pour again like crazy. Check this out..then the electricity in the whole town goes out! I decided to stay in woodstock the night. I didnt want to pay a big price for the hotel but as luck had it I met this cool woman who also thought the hotel prices were to high. We decided to split the price of a room. Yeah- theres more ways to save money than a budget..haha.
Date: 2008-08-13
From: stonybrook shelter

To: churchill scott shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Hiked the day through the nicest Vermont forest. The A.T. goes on and off paved roads through Gifford Woods state park. I stopped at the public restroom in the park to fill up my water container and wash up a bit. My appreciation for running water (drinkable w/o sterilizing)and hoppers with toilet paper has went up a notch. hahaha. Dont misunderstand me- the mountain stream water tastes so much better to me now than tap water. I stopped off the trail in Killington to pick up the food I had bounced (sent ahead) from the Hanover post office. Ended my hiking day at Churchill Scott Shelter.