morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-18
From: Hanover, NH

To: Lyme-Dorchester Rd
Miles today: 17.6

Woke up early, and even though it was a bit chilly out we were kept warm after spending our first night back with our warm-weather sleeping bags. The day was full of nice trail with 'easy' ups and downs. It was overcast and blustery, which is nice hiking weather except when you stop you get cold in a hurry. We made it to the South Peak of Moose Mountain (el. 2250) with our first glimpse into the heralded 'Whites.' After lunch at Moose Mountain Shelter, the rest of the day went fast as it was mostly downhill with a great view of the Firewarden's Tower atop Smarts Mountain across the valley from Holt's ledge. We made it down to the road crossing where Rhode Island Red's father picked us up along with 'Shadow' and 'Numb Toe' and whisked us away to her nearby cabin for an evening. After a delicious dinner and a few cold ones, we warmed ourselves by a bonfire. It turns out that a few of Red's dad's friends tried to climb Mt. Washington today and were turned back by the Park Ranger due to high winds and snow! What will it be like when we're there?
Date: 2007-08-19
From: Davenport Road

To: 25 A, then Red's Cabin
Miles today: 16.0

They tried to tempt us into slack packing...the nerve.. But we didn't cave in. We hit the trail around 10 am full of Red's specialty pancakes, eggs, bacon and potatos. It was a heck of a day and we had to keep the pace up cause Red, toe and shadow were quick on their feet with no packs and we didn't want to keep John waiting. First we had to climb up Smarts Mountain and it was no joke at all. Some sections were pretty steep and very rocky but we were rewarded with a great view from a fire tower on the top. There was a shelter up there as well so we made some lunch and continued on. It was a nice gradual few miles down but then right back up again to Mount Cube and its three false summits. Again, more great views. I guess this is training for the White Mountains. We sat up on top of Mt. Cube for about a half hour then headed down. John was waiting for us, we were all a bit late, got down to the trail head about 7 pm. We headed back to the cabin and had another amazing dinner. Um, the steak he cooked up was to die for and Red's mom made some killer Pesto spread that went great on everything. Gotta love home cooking on the trail!
Date: 2007-08-20
From: 25 A

To: Red's Cabin
Miles today: 0.0

We had every intention of hiking today. Had the bags packed and were ready to go. But then time kept flying by and before we knew it, it was about 12. We wanted to go into Lincoln and check out an outfitter since Red had a car.. We thought we would head to the trail head then in the afternoon, at least get 5 miles in.... Town took longer than expected and then the crystal clear water of the river across from the cabin called to us.. Before you know it we were drinking a beer and staying the night. We will hike tomorrow!
Date: 2007-08-21
From: 25 A, then Red's Cabin

To: Stealth Tenting .5 past Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 18.2

Woke up to an other great night's sleep in R.I. Red's heated shed. We had breakfast and milled about until Red brought us back to the trail - hiking by 9:00. The first 10 miles went by fast, with nice grade and easy trail. We took lunch at Jeffers Brook Shelter, and then started the 3,800 ft. climb up Mt. Moosilauke. We reached the peak around 5:30 and shed our sweaty clothes, put on warm ones and then cooked dinner. The view from the top was a sight to behold; we could see Mt. Pico and Mt. Killington way back to the SW, along with most of Vermont's Green mountains to the West. And at El. 4810-ft. and above treeline for the first time in what is considered 'The Whites,' we could see Mt. Lafayette and the rest of the Franconia Ridge to the NE with Mt. Washington further behind on the horizon. There were barely any other clouds in the sky, and we truely cherished the 360-degree views as the sun set. What a great welcome to The Whites, a part of the trail we've heard so much about for months! After we watched the sun set, we still had 2 miles or so to the next shelter. As it was getting dark, and as Sven's headlamp batteries were failing, we ended up missing the side trail to the Beaver Brook Shelter and didn't realize it until we had descended 1000 ft. below. No way were we going to hike back up so we found a stealth spot across a stream and on a somewhat flat rock ledge.
Date: 2007-08-22
From: Stealth Tenting .5 past Beaver Brook Shelter

To: Kinsman Pond Campsite
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Well the river didn't flood so we didn't wash down the cliff we slept on. We got an early start to the steep climb down Moosilauke, they put a few wooden steps and rebar pegs in the rocks for us to use. As soon as we got down to the notch it was right back up Mount Wolf. We got a great view of Laffayette from the top. It was rough hiking today, maybe cause of the long day yesterday. After Mt. Wolf we took lunch and then had to climb up Kinsman Mountain. It was a bit overcast but we were still able to get some spectacular views of the Whites. It was windy and cold on top of Kinsman so we didn't hang around too long. We were able to do work for stay at the campsite tongith though. All through the whites they charge $8 per person to tent at the platforms or you can do work for stay at the huts (they only take the first two hikers sometimes though). Sven had to trim back some trees on a blue blaze trail and I had to do some trail "brushing" which involved laying downed branches on the sides of trails to keep hikers from widening the path. It felt great to finally sit down at the end of the day. Looks like clouds and rain tomorrow.
Date: 2007-08-23
From: Kinsman Pond Campsite

To: Liberty Springs Tentsite
Miles today: 7.4

Hiking by 8:30, we did 2 miles to the Appalachian Mountain Club's (AMC) first 'Hut' in the White Mountains - the Lonesome Lake Hut. On the way it was steep over slippery rock & Sven fell and gashed his elbow while cutting a hole in his jacket. We played a game of cribbage, in which Uff-Da won, while enjoying AYCE cookies, pancakes, and coffee/lemonade. We then continued our hike down to 'The Flume' and walked the .9 miles to the Visitor's Center where we hitched into Lincoln, NH for an afternoon of chores. In the early evening, we hitched back to the Visitor's Center and hiked the 2.6 mile 2,500-ft. climb up to the AMC-run tentsite in a cloud. As Sven got his redemption in cribbage inside the tent, the rain started to pick up a bit...Hopefully it will clear by tomorrow for our hike over the Franconia Ridge!
Date: 2007-08-24
From: Liberty Campsite

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to misting rain but I think it was cause we were in a cloud. Once we got up in elevation a bit the misting stopped. We took a side trail up to the summit of Liberty Mountain. Got our first real taste of the whites. The summit was socked in and then a huge gust of wind would come and blow the clouds out for a second and we could see the surrounding peaks. We were hoping for clear skies as we went across the Franconia Ridge but we weren't that lucky. It wasn't as too bad though. The ridge walk was pretty amazing. Steep decents on both sides of the trail and the wind would blow the clouds up the west face of the mountain and they would linger on the east face. It took us a couple of hours to go 3 miles cause we stopped to enjoy the views so much. We were able to get some good views from Lincoln's summit. By the time we got up to Lafayette the wind was blowing so hard we just wanted to get off it. After the Ridge we had to climb Garfield Mountain as well. The sun was starting to peak thru the clouds and by the time we arrived at the hut it was beautiful skies. We are going to do work for stay in the morning. The way the huts work is all paying guests (around $80 per person/per night) get a dinner and a breakfast. The huts are rather rustic, no showers and privy toilets. So as all guests are eating, thru hikers have to wait outside for them to finish. When they are done the call in the hikers and they get to eat any leftovers, same goes for the breakfast. We kind of feel like second class citizens but we did get full on the left overs! We are cowboy camping out on the porch for the night.
Date: 2007-08-25
From: Galehead Hut

To: Ethan Pond Campsite
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: mist

Sven woke up several times durning the night on the porch to we a 3/4-moon drifting across a cloudless sky...We hoped the clouds would hold off for the day's hike, but that wasn't the case. After sweeping the floor for our work-for-stay, we left at 9:00 to climb South Twin Mtn. (el. 4902 ft.), Mt. Guyot (el. 4560 ft.), and Zeacliff (el. 4084 ft.) for anticlimactic, clouded-in views. After Uff-Da skunked Sven in Cribbage at the Zealand Hut, we rinsed off in the chilly Zealand Falls before hiking 2.5 miles to the beautiful Thoreau Falls. There we heard thunder in the distance, so we thought we'd slacken our pace to the Ethan Pond Campsite. At AMC-run campsites hikers are usually given the chance to work-for-stay in lieu of paying $8 per person. However, the caretaker here was not in the mood to help us thru-hiers out so we reluctantly payed the $16. Turns out it could have been the best $16 spent on the trail as a tremendous storm blew through not long after getting situated in the shelter. (See Photo)
Date: 2007-08-26
From: Ethan Pond Campsite

To: Stealth Site on Webster Cliffs
Miles today: 4.8

It's not that we were lazy today... we are waiting for the clouds to break so we have some views as we head for the Presidentials! And it looks like our plan may work. We did an easy three miles into Crawford Notch where we hitched up to the Willey House and had some snacks, lots of coffee and a few games of cribbage to pass the time. I think we sat there for about four hours. We hiked two more miles up to Webster Cliffs where some southbounders told us about a great stealth site. We took them up on the info and sure enough, just behind some pine trees, right by the cliffs was a perfect site. The cliffs offer amazing views down into Crawford Notch and the surrounding mountain ranges. The skies are starting to clear. Mt. Washington here we come!
Date: 2007-08-27
From: Stealth Site on Webster Cliffs

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

What an amazing day with amazing weather. We lucked out. Got up to see the sun rise and then head out into the Presidential Range. It was awesome. We were giddy and felt like two little kids in a candy store. There were views of Mt. Washington for most of the day. Most of the trail was above tree line so its neat to be able to see where the path leads for miles and miles ahead of you. We stopped into Mizpah Hut for the all you can eat soup and baked goods. Ran into Mojo, who actually started the same day we did. We remember him flying by us on day three, only to meet up again 1800 miles later. Crazy how the trail works that way. From Mizpah to Lakes of the Clouds was great hiking. The sun was out and it was clear blue skies. We took a side trail up to Mount Eisenhower. We couldn't get enough! The hut we are at tonight is amazing. Mt. Washington is towering over us just to the north and there was a perfect view of the setting sun, not to mention the rising moon. And, there is going to be a full lunar eclipse in the morning. I would have to say it was a perfect day of hiking. We were able to do work for stay which involved sweeping the dining area and washing some pans. This hut can hold 92 guests and they have 82 tonight. Its not a big place at all but somehow it doesn't feel like that many people are around. Very excited for our summit up Washington tomorrow!
Date: 2007-08-28
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Osgood Tentsites
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

We woke up especially early today to watch the total lunar eclipse take place around 6:00 A.M., followed by sunrise over Washington (El. 6288 ft., highest in the NE.) After being fed by the 'croo' at the hut, we made our 1-mile-or-so ascent to the summit. It was an other extraordinary day to be in The Whites! It was amazing to look SW back at all the mountains we traversed to get this far. At the top we moseyed in to an old hotel (formerly the Tip Top House) which was converted into a museum. To withstand the extreme weather at the summit, the Tip Top House was constructed of stone walls 7-feet thick at the base, and 5-feet thick at the ceiling. Open flame wasn't allowed inside, since if there was to be a fire there isn't enough water at the summit to extinguish it. We overheard staff at the visitors center talking about how 8-12 days PER YEAR are as cloudless as today and yesterday. Furthermore, windspeeds today were measured at 4-8 M.P.H. which is amazing considering a record 231 M.P.H. wind was once recorded here back in 1934! After enjoying the views for a few hours we decided to move on past Mts. Jefferson, Adams, and over Mt. Madison (El. 5363 ft.), we made a 3,000-ft. descent over rocky, rooty terrain to the tentsite where we slept under the stars on a platform shared with Big Shanty.
Date: 2007-08-29
From: Osgood Tentsites

To: Carter Dome stealth camping
Miles today: 11.9

Poor Uff-Da just wasn't feeling it today. We woke up really early with hopes of catching the AYCE breakfast at the Pinkham Notch Visitors Center. When we made it there, we ended up missing it by about an hour. Oh well. We waited for lunch and ate, then did the grueling 2000-ft. climb up Wildcat Mountain A. We reached the peak and decided to take the ski lift to the bottom for an ice cream treat. Carrying on, we had to go 1000-ft. down into Carter Notch where we stopped to eat a bowl of soup and get a couple snacks before going right back up 1500-ft. to the top of Carter Dome. An extremely tough day that kicked both of our butts! We stealthed at the top and had it to ourselves on an other clear, cloudless evening that gave way to an incredible sunset behind the Presidential Range of mountains. Uff-Da!
Date: 2007-08-30
From: Carter Dome stealth camping

To: US2/Gorham, NH
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

Didn't have nearly the vertical climbing to do today as we did yesterday, and boy were we thankful. We were looking forward to going in to town, as what we've heard all along about the White Mountains is proving to be true: they are beautiful but man, they kick your butt! We climbed a few hundred feet up and over North, Middle and South Carter Mountains, the tallest of which is 4600-ft. I realized we wouldn't be up at this elevation again until Mt. Katahdin - thank God! We stopped at the Imp Campsite and ate the rest of our food supply. Continuing on we heard an impending storm rolling in that sounded pretty nasty so we hastened our pace. After going up and over Mt. Moriah (El. 4049-ft.) we hiked 8 miles down 3500 ft. in only 2 hours. We were moving! It was comforting knowing we were losing elevation, as we hope that all the hikers up high in the Whites were able to seek shelter. We found a cheap rate at the Northern Peaks Motor Inn and got a few 6-packs to help veg out in front of the TV with while it poured out.
Date: 2007-08-31
From: US2/Gorham, NH

To: Gorham NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

We got our chores done on an overcast day. We fully intended on moving on to at least the first shelter, but when it started to drizzle after lunch at an AYCE Mexican joint, lethargy set in. So we decided to get a couple more 6-packs and check back in to the hotel. It's fun being lazy!We were lying in bed that night when the phone rang, Sven answered it and Uff-Da heard him yell, "Vell, how da hell should I know, dats over 2,000 miles away" and he hung up.Uff-Da say's "who vas dat Sven?"Sven say's "Hell if I know, some guy vants ta know if da coast is clear."
Date: 2007-09-01
From: Gorham NH

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

Got an early start, back to the trail around 8:30. The day started out a little chilly and windy, and right off the bat Sven got stung by 2 bees, on the calf and on the jaw. Third bee sting of the hike and hopefully the last. We have quite a list going of insects we've been bitten by. Stopped at the Trident Campsite 7 miles from town for lunch #1, and then on to the next shelter for lunch #2. We passed several desolate ponds without spotting a moose. We carried on up to the rocky and treeless Mt. Success - our last vista in NH! At the bottom of the descent was the NH/ME border - we made it to Maine! It hasn't sunk in yet...Maine was that place that was always off in the distance, somewhere far, far away.
Date: 2007-09-02
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Old Speck Pond Campsite
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

Today was the much anticipated day of trail through the infamous Mahoosuc Notch and up the Mahoosuc Arm. After taking 1 1/2 hours to hike the 1 mile stretch of the Notch, we agreed with the notion that the notch is the hardest mile of the AT. Bouldery, and craggy, the notch is so treacherous that this year a young bull moose slipped into a crevasse breaking one of his legs and was stuck helpless until his eventual death. For Sven, this was his first moose sighting in the wild. The bull could hardly be ignored as we literally had to step over the rotting carcass to move on. The stench wasn't as bad as anticipated since decay had been going on for over a month, but we see how it could have been terrible at one point. After the notch itself was over, a tough climb up the Mahoosuc Arm just added insult to injury. We were glad to finally reach the Old Speck Pond Campsite where we did work-for-stay to avoid paying the fee. The moon rising over the Pond was a delight...
Date: 2007-09-03
From: Old Speck Pond Campsite

To: East B Hill Road stealth tenting
Miles today: 14.9

YOU MUST BE FROM MINNESOTA IF................The town you grew up in had a bar called Ma's Place. You know how to polka, but never tried it sober. FFA was the most popular club in high school. You know what knee-high by the Fourth of July means. You know it's traditional for the bride and groom to go bar hopping between the ceremony and the reception. You were delighted to get a miniature snow shovel for your 3rd birthday. You can recognize someone from Iowa by their driving. You buy Christmas presents at Fleet Farm. You spent more on beer than you did on food at your wedding. You hear someone use the word "oof-dah" and you don't immediately break into uncontrollable laughter. You think fast food is hitting a deer at 65 mph. You or someone you know was a "Dairy Princess" at a county fair.You know that "combine" is a noun. You let your older siblings talk you into putting your tongue on a steel post in the middle of winter. You think Lutheran and Catholic are THE major religions. Football and hunting schedules are checked before wedding dates are set. Saturday you go the local bowling ally. There was at least one kid in your class who had to help milk cows in themorning...phew! You have driven your car on a lake. You can make sense out of the word "upnort" and "batree." You always believed that vacation meant "going up North." At every wedding you have been to you have had to dance the hokey-poky and the chicken dance. Your definition of a small town is one that only has one bar. The local gas station sells live bait. At least twice a year, the kitchen doubles as a meat processing plant. Your Mom asks, "Were you born in a barn?" and you know exactly what she means. You think that the start of deer season is a national holiday. Pop is not only what you call your Dad, but is the ONLY name for soda.
Date: 2007-09-04
From: Stealth site at East B Hill Road

To: Stealth site at South Arm Road
Miles today: 10.1

Todays hiking wasn't too bad. We had a nice gradual climb up Wyman Mountain, passing by yet another one of Maine's finest ponds. Lets not forget about Moody Mountain that we went over as well. Our plan was to hitch a ride into Andover from the trailhead at South Arm Road, do our chores and get back. We looked for a stealth site we could come back to and found an amazing site that was sand! Great for sleeping. So we get to the road and realize that a hitch is going to be tough. We are in the middle of no where Maine right now. Two cars went by but didn't stop for us in a half hour. We decided to start flaging down cars going the other way as well so we didn't sit there forever. The first one going the wrong way stopped for us and agreed to drive us the 9 miles into town! What luck. As we were getting food at the general store in town Mojo and Splendora roll up in a truck and offer to take us back to the trail head. They were staying at the local hostel and the owner gave them his truck to pick up hikers.. We got back to the trail head at 5 o'clock and found g-force and backfire set up at 'our' stealth site! We haven't seen these guys since our infamous stay at the Doyle back in PA, over 800 miles ago. Had a fire and made some Chef Boyardee over it.
Date: 2007-09-05
From: Stealth at South Arm Road

To: Sabbath Pond Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Maine is truely beautiful. I feel like I am back home in Minnesota only there are mountains here. It was a bit chilly this morning but we heated up quick with a 2500 foot climb up Old Blue Mountain. Then it was on to Bemis Mountain and its 3rd, 2nd and 1st peaks. All had great views and the trail was really windy over huge slabs of rock. We went by a ton of ponds and if the temps were a bit higher we would be swimming in them. We are tired after a long day of hiking. Hopefully the loons will sing us to sleep tonight.
Date: 2007-09-06
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: few clouds

It is getting chilly out! We have been eating breakfast in the tent to stay warm in the mournings. It looks like the trees will be turning colors soon. Some of the sugar maples already are. The hike today wasn't to difficult. Mainly down hill and that was perfect cause we had town on our minds. Lots of great ponds and views. It feels like Minnesota with mountains. We fell alseep to the sounds of loons and cayotees howling. About five miles into the hike we heard a moose stomping around in the woods about 15 yards from us but the brush was too thick we could only make out its legs, and then it took off. A live moose sighting will have to wait for another day. Rangeley is a cute little Maine town right on the lake. It could be Brainard Lakes area if I didn't know we were in Maine. Spending the night here and then back out to the trail in the A.M. 220 miles to go!
Date: 2007-09-07
From: Rangeley, ME

To: Poplar Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.7

Contemplated taking a zero because we were feeling lazy again. We forced ourselves to hitch out of town to the grocery store late in the morning. With empty stomachs we ended up buying $80 worth of groceries for two days - what were we thinking? We should have known better...We stopped in to the Piazza Rock shelter to check out the two-person privy with a cribbage board built in between the toilets. No we didn't play a game there; I could think of a million other places I'd rather play cribbage. Just before we reached Eddy Pond we glanced to our left to find an unusual boulder in the middle of Mud Pond - it turned out to me a moose! The cow was huge and grazing on underwater plants; amazing how long they can hold their breath for. We watched her and her calf at the far end of the pond for about 45 minutes before heading up Saddleback (El. 4120 ft.). We had lunch at the top, and continued up and over The Horn (El. 4040 ft.) and Saddleback Junior (El. 3655 ft.) Although it was hazy, the views were still great and remniscent of The Whites. These climbs tired us with our stupidly heavy packs full of too much food!