morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-05
From: Ore Hill Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light rain

Matt's entry: Hexacuba is the most unusual shelter yet - it is a hexagon that sleeps 6 but I think you could squeeze a couple of more people in there. The privy is strange though. It is a pentagon and it has the sign of the beast on the door. Kinda wierd. But it works none the less I suppose, for a privy.We resupplied today in Wentworth, NH. A soil scientist took us into town. He was reading near a lake and had some time to help us out. After the pickup, we had food and bought some Cheetoes and other goodies at the general store. I even had a chocoalte mile and orange juice. The shelter is busy - it is 5:07 and LJ and Brian are supposed to be coming, but they haven't arrived yet. Another dude just showed up - NOBO sectioner I guess. Also there is a good natured, yet slightly annoying older guy who keeps talking to everyone while they are busy. GRRR. I think he is a section hiker but I am not sure.We got done really early today; 3:10 I think. Kate is suggesting games etc. but I really wanted to soak my foot with Epson salt. My left big toe is still sore. Still not sure what is up with it - hopefully nothing serious but it sure hurts when I walk on it or bump it. The soaking seems to help.I think we only have 2 more days and then Hanover, and then we will almost be in VT! We seem to really be able to go faster and therefor farther these days - around 2 mph plus. The trails are clear (not so many big rocks or roots to go over and around) but are muddy. We are all glad about the weather - no rain today.We got a ride out to the trail after the resupply by the guy who maintains the trail in this section. He passed us in his little sports car and told us to wait. He then came back with his big truck and took us all back to the trailhead (for free of course). It would have been a 4.8 mile walk back to the trail. YAY for trail magic!!Also, Creeture and Dare showed up today. They brought beer and shared it with Brian and I. Those guys are characters but I sure love them sometimes!
Date: 2008-08-06
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Kate's entry: I read a headline at the general store off one of the papers that said "Rain makes people grumpy." Is that reallly a headline??! Though it was talking about being the rainiest season for the area in many years. Needless to say it was raining when we woke up. It was a rough night's sleep - between a heavy duty snorer, someone with a loud Ipod, and a crazy 77 year old man who, and I am not kidding, literally peed in a jar in the middle of the night RIGHT next to me...well I had a hard time sleeping. AND then it started to rain. Now it's hard to leave a dry warm shelter to get wet and cold in the rain...Put on wet sucks and the rain gear and go...It's hard, but we did it this morning. Then we walked slightly over a mile where we came to what was supposed to be a bridge crossing...but the bridge was gone and what was normally a brook was a raging river. Matt and I split to check up and down stream for a better spot to cross - no luck. It was deep and the current was incredible. We had just crossed a dirt road so I went to see if it had signs to a town where we could cross - also ran into to Honey and Duster. After consulting the map which didn't have the dirt road on it, we found a town and figured we'd walk to it and go from there.We hadn't walked far on the dirt road, when we came to a bridge, so we crossed it, and then bushwacked along the river back to the trail. By this point, it had stopped raining, but the trail was incredibly wet, half stream and lots of mud. It seemed slow going as we climbed Smarts MOuntain. As we climbed, we told NOBOs about the river and quite a few agreed with our sheltermates from the night before that our descent was going to be treacherous - "steep with bad rocks." By the time we got to the wardens cabin on top, I was nervous we'd finish another 7 miles with a bad down it was already 1 pm. Honey and Duster pointed out our pace had been 2 miles/hour even in the mud and the descent wasn't too long. Soooo we decided to push on - the descent was incredibly pleasant. If we had stoppeed, I would have been really upset tomorrow. It was a quick pleasnt walk - trails well maintained though wet. It really turned out great - sometimes it just seems easier when you just embrace getting wet!
Date: 2008-08-07
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: moderate rain

Matt's Entry: We have the shelter to ourselves again tonight, along with Brian and LJ (and of course Beetle). We are going to try to hike together with Brian and LJ as much as we can. Our schedules seem a bit different, but we enjoy each others' company very much.The hike today was amazingly easy despite the long miles. We all felt tired but good at the end of the day, and to make matters even better, we came in before a major thunderstorm. It sounded large and severe; we listened to it come for about 2 hours. I think most of it went around us.I listened to my iPod for the majority of the afternoon. The miles and the time just fell away until the thunder convinced me to pay attention to my surroundings. I am not sure if my feet even touched the ground for most of the day!This is a new shelter with a plexiglass sealing, which lets in a lot of light, but I am not sure if we will be able to sleep well because we are used to such dark dark shelters. Tonight I hope to finish Thoreau's account of his climb up Mt. Katahdin. I am really enjoying his "The Maine Woods" book. It's better than Walden I think - maybe not in terms of literary importance, but certainly in readabilty. Check it out if you can. TTFN.
Date: 2008-08-08
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 1.5
Weather: light rain

Kate's entry: After a quick .7 miles from the shelter, we literally emerged from the woods into Hanover directly - our last town in NH. NH went so quick and I can't believe tomorrow we will be in Vermont in less than a mile and a half. We are trying to get as much possible done before we go to the hotel - no hostels or hotels in the downtown area so we have to go out 2 miles to a hotel...It's morning so I don't have a lot to report on today yet, but am thinking about some things that have connected for me the last couple of days. A few days ago, we came across some day hikers who kept telling us they admired us for doing the trip...and I have thought a lot about how it's really too bad that a lot of people don't make their dreams happen...and how another hiker D.Joe (who reminds me immensely of my Dad) talked about how "you have to pay yourself first" - I know at the time he was talking purely finances, but I think it applies to all the intangibles too - put what's important to you first. Nobody else is going to do it for you. I feel glad that have taken the time to do this and I hope we continue to make our dreams and goals a priority in the future. Life can just happen to you if you just let it. It's funny how being out here has really made that clear to me. While I have missed my family, my friends, fishing in my canoe, picking fruit with my friends, and doing all my normal summer things...I wouldn't change this trip for all the world. Matt's addendum: I finally am at a library where I can hook up my camera and get some pics loaded to the site. Check out the photos!! There are some great ones of the scenery AND both of our mugs!
Date: 2008-08-09
From: Hanover, NH

To: 1 Mile N. of Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

Matt's Entry: Finally we are sleeping on the ground again! I find it so much more comfortable than on a wooden platform or shelter! Last night I slept ver well, but not long enough. I ended up talking to Dad and Mom. Sounds like they want to visit sometime soon, and it sounds like Kate's parents want to as well. Not sure how all that will navigate - everyone just needs to get dates to us soon so we aren't overbooked!We are very excited to see everyone though - we miss home very much but this is still SUCH an adventure.We are stealthing on the edge of what appears to be an alfalfa field. The stars will be amazing tonight if I can stay awake that long. I still haven't been able to see the stars much.We hiked way past our original goal today - it felt really good, although we are all tired today. I think we are about a mile from where we said we'd be tomorrow, which means we will be getting into town too early to pick up our food. The logistics are still mind numbing!LJ and Brian (Honey and Duster) are staying in town tonight an extra day due to some illness. We are a bit worried about them and hope they are able to join us again soon. In other news - I ordered a kilt this AM before we left town - it's from sportkilts.com and I am really excited about it. Not sure what the plan will be for the week - we are planning on hiking until we are tired and seeing what our legs can do in this terrain. It seems much easier.
Date: 2008-08-10
From: Near Thistle Hill

To: Winturri Shelter
Miles today: 12.6

Kate's entry: Woke up to SUN! Dry shoes and socks to put on - it was amazing. We had breakfast and started walking - still beautiful trails. Great views - saw an hot air balloon pulling up out of the clouds below us...Yesterday one of the Nobos told us about a place alont the way; it is a farmers stand with pies and ic e cream. So that was our goal - 9 miles - late lunch. There was a lot of up and down to the day. It was sunny but after a morning snack we ran into a couple and a ranger in a field. They said a storm was rolling in with flash flood warning We finally came to VT12 with .2 miles to the On the Edge Farm Stand. We split a blueberry pie between the three of us, plus ice cream, plus gatorade. YUM! It was DELISH.As we sat there, letting the pie settle, the clouds started to roll in, thunder started. I thought we were going to get slammed, bad. 4 miles to go from the pie joint to the shelter. We started moving and it shortly began to rain, but it didn't rain hard at all. Just enough to get everything wet - but not bad. We made it to the shelter and it's packed. 9 in the sheelter and 4 out in the tents. Great day - stil loving Vermont.
Date: 2008-08-11
From: Winturri Shelter

To: Stoney Brook Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

Matt's Entry: Today, dawn broke with an overcast skyand very clear intentions - it was going to be very wet today. By 9:30 it was raining, and it didn't really let up until early evening.We chose to forego our side trip to the lookout, which was a small cabin on top of a peak, and it's supposed to be one of the 5 "not to miss" views on the AT. There was not going to be any view, so we decided not to bother. We decided to stop ate Stoney Brook, which was just as well, since we have a mail drop waiting in Killington, and there is nothing to gain by going in early. We wouldn't have gotten there before the post closes anyhow.In hindsight, it would have been better to mail to one of the nearby hotels, which all accept packages, and we will probably be staying there anyhow. But, we will be sure to read the book more closely from now on, becuase there are more roads and places to stop along the way now.The shelter is very full tonight. Again. The rain really pushes people in to get drier, and we are beginning to collide with the Northbounders.   To make matters even more crouded, we are also almost to Vermont's Long Trail, a 270 mile (I think) trail that shares 170 miles of AT route as well. So I guess we will have to come back someday to finish the long trail (the top 100 miles we won't have done).We met a new croud, Stardust (a NOBOer), Carrot (a SOBOer), No Car (SOBO flip-flopper), and anotehr NOBO who I helped to build a fire this evening. Then, he let it go out after I left. We got to the shlter early and were resting by 2PM. I was a little dissappointed at the low miles, but we will refigure the rest of this section to take into account for our new legs (which are getting much stronger). I am getting ready to GO GO GO. Beetle hit 1000 miles today - what an accomplishment, and we had a little party for her, and gave her some treats that we had been carrying. I still can't believe that guy let the fire go out! Oh well, TTFN.
Date: 2008-08-12
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 8.1

Kate's entry: Woke to decent weather - no rain anyways. We were woken by talkative early risers before 6 am - made me crabby. Don't wake me up! Up, up, up!! As we reached the top, we secured a place at the Inn at Long Trail for the night. We were excited for the treat.As we walked into Gifford Woods State Park, we came across some AMAZING trail magic. A couple had set up in one of the park's shelters and had fresh burgers cooking, juice, homebrew beer, chips, pickles and peach pies for hikers to eat. It was spectacular. To top it off, they offered to take us to pick up our maildrop in town. It was an amazing offer - our one chore, done, lickety split. Then to the Inn! It was only .5 miles off the AT on a spur trail that dumped us into the Inn's parking lot!The Inn is VERY nice. We are sharing a suite with a shared bathroom with Beetle. We took showers and went down to the pub for a beer. I even got carded...first time in forever. It was soo nice not to have chores besides laundry. We met some other hikers, one of whom, Loveboat, ended up sharing the suite with us. We had a nice dinner with him. Once again, I got carded - either VT is serious about IDing people or the AT is the fountain of youth. Hung out and going to bed. Once again, another perfect day in VT!
Date: 2008-08-13
From: Inn at Long Trail

To: Cooper Lodge
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

Matt's Entry: I woke up VERY well rested today, and ready to GO. Bfast was really good this AM, and not too much food, which I am learning is important on a trail day. Town days we eat alot, but trail days we need to use some temperance. We probably left at 9 - boy did we FLY! We were 6 miles down the trail by 12:15, had lunch, and were going again by 1. Then we hit Killington Peak, which is right where Cooper Lodge is - it is a stone building with a door and windows. We decided to go to the summit, where there is a ski lodge with a restaurant. We ate ice cream and Gatorade, and then we decided to kike down when we saw a storm approaching.We decided to hang out at the lodge and not get wet - we were the first ones there for the day (because it was so early) and so we got our choice of spots, and then we played Yahtzee and Pass the Pigs. We invited Christian and Steven, who are a father/son team NOBOing the VT section of the AT. They are really nice, and seemed to like our idea of snacktime (fresh popcorn).We will either really slow down or really speed up to hit our next town on a mail day, we are currently walking a day ahead of schedule I think, but it's no matter. We will enjoy ourselves none the less.
Date: 2008-08-14
From: Cooper Lodge

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

Kate's entry: We hit 500 miles today!! Unbelievable! We woke up early this morning to clear skies and sun. We realized yesterday that if we continued to get ahead, we would need to really get ahead to catch the post office so today would either start a megapush or just continue a day ahead of schedule - arriving to Manchester Center on Sunday and staying until Tuesday morning. We started walking - mostly down for a long time. We hit Governor Clements shelter by 9:15 - 4 miles down the trail. We kept walking until Clarendon Shelter - lunch! It is a beautiful shelter - maintained by a boy scout troop. We had a nice lunch there and decided to move on. Pretty quick we hit some terrain of straight down rocks that reminded us of ME - bleh!! Then Matt noticed that one of the suspension stays of his pack had popped through his pack - bad news. We shortly arrived to Minerva Henchey Shelter and decided to stop. Matt called the Osprey office and left a message. He then called Lee's, our local outfitter - they know us pretty well there. Fortunately, Kay answered - she helped Matt when he bought the pack and we have spent time with her at some of the Punches gatherings. She said she'd call the Osprey rep and help start the process - THANKS Kay!! We'll keep you posted. Speaking of updates, my leg looked a lot better this morning, but was not happy when we were done hiking. I don't think it like the heat under the sock. I scrubbed it out again and added hydrocortisone cream. Hopefully it will stop oozing and start healing - I wonder what I got into?
Date: 2008-08-15
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Big Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Matt's Entry: Today was pretty great - we ahve been covering mig miles in the AM, and so today we only had 3.5 miles to go in the afternoon. White Rocks mountain was really cool - there were all sorts of little carrons set up all over the place, precariously balanced in all different goofy arrangements. I thought it was hillarious. Some other hikers thought it was odd and unsettling. We saw Buttercup and her fiance - some hikers who I had been following (NOBO) since before we started the trip. They are looking great. It was really great to meet them. I guess they are getting married 10 days after they finish the trail!!The shelter tonight is pretty full. There is a really nice guy - Mike - who is also a photographer and loves gear - just like I do. He accidentally melted the bottom of his jet boil pot (he had forgotten to take of the plastic plate that fits nicely on the bottom of the pot). We all felt bad for him but it was pretty comical. He joked about it pretty well. I soaked my feet today just for fun with warm water - it was heaven. They are doing well but sometimes they get sore after a day with lots of rocks. I also drank our wine that was to celebrate our 500 mile mark. Unfortunately, I picked some that Kate didn't like much, so after the initial toast I just sipped it a bit. It was OK I guess. To make a good day even better, Honey and Duster caught up with us tonight, along with a new SOBOer, Bearwalker. He seems like a great guy and it was nice to meet another SOBOer we didn't know.
Date: 2008-08-16
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: Bromley Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Kate's entry: Lots of peaks today - Baker Peak - no view due to fog, Peru and Stiles peak - no view due to trees. We came down from Stiles and had a long lunch at the parking lot there. Met a nobo couple and talked with them for quite sometime. Then up to Bromley - beautiful views, observation deck, the whole nine yards. Quick down to Bromley Shelter - which was a gorgeous shelter with a double decker bunk, porch area with benches and a table. There was a nobo there that Beetle knew - zero zero. We ate a lot for dinner - barely anything left in our food bags. Honey, Duster and Bearwalker rolled in. Zero zero and Matt had a fire going too. It was a really nice day and evening - tomorrow town and breakfast.
Date: 2008-08-17
From: Bromley Shelter

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Matt's entry: We came into town after getting an amazingly easy hitch - Honey (aka Brian) and I were walking out in front of the group. He sticks out his thumb and the very first vehicle that we saw was a pickup truck. It stops and we all pile in the back - he took us almost into town. Then, as we were getting situated and preparing to walk into town, another guy pulls up in a jeep and takes half of us - mind you there were six total, and then came back to get the rest. The people here have been awesome!We ate Bfast at Friendly's, which was as tastey as can be, and we dealt with all of the usual town business - laundry, mail pickup, etc. It looks like we may be here for a couple of days, as I am going to try to get my pack fixed. The metal rods that run down the back of the pack are sticking out of the bottom. Not sure what the cause is, but hopefully things will get resolved. I also need to get my trekking poles fixed. They are all grimed up and won't close or open anymore, which is troublesome since I don't always use poles and I like to store them on my pack when I am not using them.We also got the news today that Beetle has to go back home in a couple of weeks. She asked for an extension of her leave of absence but it was rejected. She seems to be taking it quite well, although she's obviously dissappointed.
Date: 2008-08-18
From: Mancester Center, VT

To: Mancester Center VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Kate's entry: We woke up and hit "Up for Breakfast" as it opened at 7. DELISH! Then we walked the mile to the Post Office, picked up our packages and walked back. Charged phones. Got food organized. Matt called Megan at Osprey and started to work out the pack issue. Plotted out the next week and out 3 weeks - we leared that Beetle was not given an extension on her leave of absence so she will be leaving us the first week in September. =( We're bummed, but at least she knows the decision. Osprey wanted an outfitter to check out Matt's pack for weight and packing approuch. We met Honey and Duster there, along with Bungee who is staying at Sutton's tonight. We had pizza at Christo's - YUM! Osprey is overnighting a replacement bag, though the outfitter reports that in VT, sometimes an overnight takes 2 days...so we'll see what tomorrow brings with that.We hit the internet cafe, did groceries, etc. Dinner time - SUSHI!! This place was the best sushi I have ever had - run by an older Japanese couple. It was amazing. Then Friendly's for ice cream sundaes. We went back to Sutton's - watched Olymnpics, chilled, packed. GREAT DAY - tasky but chill.
Date: 2008-08-19
From: Mancester Center VT

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Matt's Entry: First of all, if you don't own an Osprey pack, you need to. The customer service that I received was simply incredible. Megan from Osprey was wonderful, and overnighted a replacement pack with zero hassle and I was out the door today with a new pack!!! It really makes a difference when the pack's suspension system is working. My back was beginning to hurt a bit but the load is super comfortable now. I am beyond thrilled with my pack and with Osprey! Also, BIG THANKS to Kay at Lee's Adventure Sports back home in Kalamazoo. She has been wonderful and called Osprey on my behalf at the beginning to arrange a phone call with Megan. She has been so kind and helpful as well. Finally, BIG THANKS to the folks at The Mountain Goat outfitters in Manchester Center who helped us with my trekking poles and the pack situation. I even got a lesson on why the poles locked up, and how to prevent it from occuring again, AND a lesson on how to clean them and how they work. It was phenominal. THANKS FOR HELPING TO KEEP MY TRIP GOING!SO, we got a late start this AM waiting for the pack to come in, which was great because I found a native american cedar flute that was reasonably priced - I bought it and am carrying it. It's really neat and I love playing it. It's in the key of B, which is a bit lower than the other flutes I have seen around. We did about 10 miles this afternoon and we got in a little late, but it's cool because all of the issues are taken care of and we had a great rest in Manchester Center. It's pretty cool out tonight; all of the NOBOs are talking about sending away for their winter gear. I hope we can postpone that for a bit - it's heavy stuff! It's not that cold at the moment, but I am wearing my hat to bed for the first time during the trip I think! Dinner was a lot (portion wise) but it was good. I think we put too much potatoes in that batch. Of course we ate it anyhow. Well I want to read more of The Hobbit - gonna crash for now! TTFN