morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-27
From: Stratton Pond shelter

To: Manchester Center, Sutton's Place
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Date: 08/27/07Start: Stratton Pond shelter Stop: Manchester Center, Sutton's Place Miles: 10.6Wx: cool-am/warm-pm. Hotel: Handyman Shelter: I was the first one up at the shelter even though it was easy to sleep in if I wanted to. I tried to be as quiet as possible while getting ready but dropped one of the food bags while trying to get mine down. I was almost done with everything by the time most of the others were up. It was cool out so I wanted to get going before it warmed up. I had the trail to myself and stopped at Stratton Pond for some beautiful pictures. The pond was calm with reflections of the opposite shorelines. Awesome! I continued on and became the spiderweb catcher for the day. Today it seemed really thick with webs across the trail. Just about every other step I took I ran into another web. I was covered from head to toe. The trail was mostly dry and level with the zigzagging we are used to. Lots of bigger rocks and roots too step on or around too. I bypassed the William Douglas shelter since it is .5 miles off the trail. I did take a break at Prospect Rock overlook and sat and enjoyed the views of the valley below. So peaceful, so quiet. I continued on to Spruce Peak shelter for a long break since I was feeling tired. After a snack and some rest and with renewed energy I started hiking again. I was feeling really good again and covered the last 2.5 miles in about an hour. I had to concentrate hard due to the root traps on the trail. I exited the trail at VT 11&30 and went to the parking lot across the hwy to rest and hopefully catch a ride. It took about 15-20 minutes before a couple of day hikers returned to their car. I asked them if they were heading to Manchester Center and that I was trying to catch a ride there. They said they would be glad to help me with a ride. They dropped me off at a Friendly's Restaurant where I ate a late lunch. Off to the post office and then to Sutton's Place. After I get to Sutton's and secure a room, I shower and then head to the laundrymat. Topo is there to and we have a chance to visit while waiting. I am also washing Toba's sleeping bag before mailing it to her. It sure was handy on the colder nights. I finish and get back to Sutton's Place. Grizzle and Jim are now here too. Frank Sutton asks me if it would be okay for them to share the room I'm in. With 3 beds I say - yes. Everything works out. Long day.
Date: 2007-08-29
From: Manchester Center, Sutton's Place

To: Big Branch shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

Date: 08/29/07Start: Manchester Center, Sutton's PlaceStop: Big Branch shelter Miles: 16.5Wx: cool-am/warm-pm. Tenting: Handyman Shelter: Red beard, artful dodgerAte breakfast at Friendly's to start off the day. Afterwards I headed over to the donut shop across the street to see if I can hitch a ride. After 30 minutes of trying I started walking up the road for a better chance. It worked and within 15 minutes I was headed back to the trailhead. I hate hiking days after town visits, especially this one since I have a few extra clothing and bed items. Oh! The pack is heavy. Anyway, off I go up Bromley Mt. About two miles up I stop at the shelter trail for a privy stop and short break. The trail gets steeper from here until the top. I exit the cover of the woods to a grass swath where the trail goes up pretty steep. I start to think to myself this reminds me of a ski run. In 15 minutes I get my answer when I get to the top and see a ski lift, ski lodge, tower, and map of all the ski slope. I check everything out and go up the tower for some outstanding views all around. Wow! Enough lolly-gagging around here since I still need to hike on. Down the trail I go to Styles peak. Not a bad hike. Alpine feeling through the pines/firs and narrow trail at times. I take a lunch break on top with a short nap. The view from here is only partial with the rest blocked by trees. I hike another 1/2 mile before running into Spock going south. He flipped up to Maine from New Jersey and has been hiking south since. It was good seeing him again. I run into an orientation group from Yale before getting to Peru Pk shelter taking a break. I stop briefly before getting to the shelter about 10 minutes later. Who do I see here. It's Ground Pounder and Fry Pan I had met up at Goddard shelter. It was good catching up with them. The group goes by 5 minutes later. I scribble in the shelter register before hiking on. I catch up to the group at the tenting area. They are waiting for another group to show up tonight too. The pond here is really nice and the caretaker tent is next to the water. I hike on since I have a few more miles to do before dark. I run into the other Yale group about a mile and a half from the Griffith Pond tent site. They were about a half mile past Baker peak. It was pretty steep going up a rock strip until the top. The terrain felt like New York again. The trail from griffith to long pond shelter was rocky and rooty and made my feet tired and sore. Just a mile or so before Big branch shelter I get to the creek at Big Branch and cross a bridge and see another group from Yale. Invasion! It seems the whole school is out here. About 5 minutes later I got to the shelter. I was ready for the stop. Red Beard and Artful Dodger are at the shelter when I get there. I take a short break and visit before getting water, cleaning up, and setting up the hammock. I eat just as it gets dark and am in bed barely able to stay awake and journal.
Date: 2007-08-31
From: Minerva Hinchey shelter

To: Cooper Lodge
Miles today: 1.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Date: 08/31/07Start: Minerva Hinchey shelterStop: Cooper Lodge   Miles: 1Wx: cool, rain, foggy-am/pm. Tenting: Shelter: Handyman, Grizzle, Jim, Sudoku, ColdilocksWoke to drizzly rain and fog. Cool out so will be great for hiking. Everything is still damp but it needs to be packed anyway. The first hour was a warmup to get the body going and I get to the Clarendon Gorge bridge about an hour after starting. Neat place for swimming on hot summer days. I hike on until I get to the Clarendon shelter for a short break. Nice place for the shelter with an open grassy area in front of the shelter. After leaving there I come upon a creek with soda's chilling in the water. Wonderful trail magic. I continue on until I get to the road that leads to the 'secret shelter'. I go there for lunch and again trail magic in the form of Cokes are there. I have one with my lunch. This shelter is on private property and was hand built by the owner. Great craftsmanship! The shelters name is Swan Song Shelter. I move on and reach the Governer Clemmon shelter shortly after. The shelter is an over abused shelter by the locals and is in terrible condition. The sun is starting to break through the clouds as I start the climb up Killington Mt. Noooooo! Go away. It was a long climb up and part of the trail near the top was technical in nature. Roots and rocks. I catch up to Jim about a mile from the shelter. I get there at 1530 and the snack bar on top closes at 1600. Off I go after a quick shirt change. Up .2miles to the top. Very steep. I get to the restaurant and it is already closed. Nooooooo! Oh well, I got a workout going up and some great views as the clouds started clearing as I was coming down. The sunset is beautiful with its many colors in the distance. Can't wait for the morning to get some great views.
Date: 2007-09-01
From: Cooper Lodge

To: The Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 8.2

Date: 09/01/07Start: Cooper LodgeStop: The Inn at Long Trail Miles: 8.2Wx: cool,foggy-am/clear-pm. Tenting: Hotel: Handyman, Grizzle, Jim, Worldwide, Ground Pounder, Fry PanWoke up early due to shelter noise. No matter how quiet someone tries to be in the morning they still make noise. I eventually got up and decided to see what chance there was of getting some views today. It was foggy so far but it may clear. I do some packing and grab breakfast before heading up the summit trail for the second time in two days. It is still as steep as it was yesterday. Just a bit harder this morning since I haven't warmed up. Sudoku was already up there when I got there. The wind was blowing about 30mph and the clouds were just flying passed us. No breaks in the clouds though for views. After about 20 minutes we headed back down to the shelter. I finish packing and eating breakfast before starting down the trail. It's still misty/foggy and a chill is in the air as I depart. The sun finally breeaks through and it clears up an hour after I leave. Oh well. I get to the main road about 1015. I decide to walk down the road a bit to give whoever may stop and offer a ride. Many cars, pickups, and suv's go by before a bus picks me up. Before you know it I am in Rutland, VT.I get dropped off at Walmart to resupply.After shopping I am walking up the sidewalk and then see the Hobbits at a caf©. I also hear my name from inside and it turns out to be Luna. While we are catching up on trail talk Sir Privywinks also stops by. Reunion time. After a short while I must be off to Subway to get some food before catching the bus back to the trail. I find Subway but it is closed so I head up the hill to Wendy's instead. I get my meal to go and go to the bus stop at the top of the hill. I'm waiting there and up the street comes Grizzle with Lazy Legs. We all wait about 20 minutes past the bus pickup time before we start walking up the road to hitch. We try hitching for 30 minutes before moving further up the road before we finally score a ride. This nice lady takes us to the trail and drops Lazy Legs off. Grizzle and I end up at the The Inn at Long Trail. I stop there for a couple of sodas before heading out. I go about 100yds before the Innkeeper comes out and asks if I have sign the hiker register. No I haven't and back I go to sign. While signing I decide it's worth it to go ahead and stay the night here instead of 2-3 miles down the trail at Gifford Woods State Park. Since it's Labor Day weekend there is no guarantee I will get a spot. So here I am at this cool Inn. Awesome place!
Date: 2007-09-02
From: The Inn at Long Trail

To: The Lookout Cabin
Miles today: 15.6

Date: 09/02/07Start: The Inn at Long TrailStop: The Lookout Cabin Miles: 15.6Wx: cool-am/clear-pm. Tenting: Shelter: Handyman, Sir Privywinks Tried to sleep in today until 0700 since breakfast didn't start until 0730. Ate breakfast with Ground Pounder, Fry Pan, and Worldwide. Left the Inn and saw Bytecode and Churchmouse pull up in a car. Chatted for a couple minutes before hiking on. Lots of steep climbs today. First I had to hike through Gifford Woods State Park where it was full of holiday campers. I had planned on staying there last night but decided against it. I met Are We There Yet at one of the campsites. He said he got some trail magic from them and stayed there too. Next the trail passed by Kent Pond which is really beautiful. The water was calm except the ripples created by two kayakers. I hike on pretty much by myself before I caught up to the guys at the road before the big hill climb. I stopped at the Stony Brook shelter for lunch with everyone else. There are a couple of weekend hikers there too. While filtering water at cccdd road I met Stumpknocker, Roy, and Mrs Gorp as they hike SOBO. The rest of the hike is pretty much up and down and I'm happy to get to the lookout cabin. Especially after carrying about 9lbs or 4 liters of water to there. Tough terrain today too. I called Tony while there and he is ready to flip to Mt K on 9/5 then hike south. I will have to decide what to do now. Go north or flip early. Staying at the lookout cabin is a really neat place. It has a deck on the roof with 360 degree views. Beautiful sunset tonight on a almost a clear night. The wind is gusting and you can hear it whistling through the cracks in the walls. Awesome place!
Date: 2007-09-03
From: The Lookout Cabin

To: Stealth site near Podunk Rd
Miles today: 19.4

Date: 09/03/07Start: The Lookout CabinStop: Stealth site near Podunk Rd   Miles: 19.4Wx: warm/clear-am/pm. Tenting: Handyman, Shelter:Up early and ready to go by 0730. The wind was howling most of the night and a breeze could be felt through the walls. Clear morning with beautiful views. This place is awesome! I was feeling pretty good as I hiked and covered the distance to Winturi Shelter in about an hour. I decided not to stop and went on by the trailhead. I reach the road with the 'The Farm Stand' at 1000 just as they were opening. Ah! Mt Dew, gatorade, and brownies. Yum. As I was leaving Worldwide and Are We There Yet arrive. They must have been at the shelter when I kept going. I get back to the trailhead and Calmwater is there. Haven't seen him since Manchester Center. I hike on after a few minutes of chat time and come to another road where Lazy Legs has stopped for a break. A minute later Are We There Yet stops too. All three of us hike the next couple of miles together. Are We There Yet and I take lunch on a road trail after a long, steep hill climb. Lazy Legs goes by since he had stopped earlier for a break. Are We There Yet and I continue to hike the rest of the day. We stop at the other farm store for cold drinks before getting back on the trail. We get to West Hartford where Are We There Yet will stay at the hostel. We both go straight to the deli that opened 6 weeks ago for some cold drinks. I hike on a find a stealth camp for the night. I setup, eat, cleanup, and journal before going to sleep. Long day today and I am sore and tired.
Date: 2007-09-04
From: Stealth site near Podunk Rd

To: Hanover, NH (Sunset Motor Inn)
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Date: 09/04/07Start: Stealth site near Podunk RdStop: Hanover, NH (Sunset Motor Inn)Miles: 9.0Wx: cool/clear-am/pm, breezy. Hotel: HandymanShelter:Up about 0630 and hiking by 0740. This may be my last day to hammock for a while. I get my tent, the rest of my cold weather clothes, and boots back at Hanover. The pack will be a bit heavier. It is cool this morning and perfect for hiking. I make it to the Happy Hill shelter in about an hour. It is an older shelter and I scribble in the shelter register. The next 3.5 miles is relatively down hill and pretty well graded. Time seems to stand still until I reach Elm Rd and see the sign stating the shelter is 3.5miles. I covered 3.5 miles in just over one hour. Wow! I can't believe it. I had to ask a young lady what road I was on to be sure. It was Elm Rd. I still can't believe I zipped along. About 3/4 mile up the road I see some trail magic set up in someones front yard like a lemonade stand. The cooler had one Coke left and I enjoyed it. Well, hanover can't wait. Neither will the Post Office. I also want to try to catch Tony to talk about the decision to flip to Mt Katahdin. I thought we would wait until after the White Mts before deciding. I respect the decision and understand. I will miss a great hiking partner. I make it to Hanover and take a short break in the quad area on campus. It's pretty neat, funny, cool or however you look at it seeing the new students on their first day of school. Oh so long ago I did the same thing. After the break I head to the Post Office and before I get there I see G and Birdstar. They are heading out and they said they saw Tony a few minutes ago. I cross the street to the PO and before I go I hear my name. They are on the other side of the street. We get together and stop at Quizno's before they catch the bus. I go back to the PO to get my maildrops. What a task of going through it all and changing things out. Before I mail out what needs to go, Luna comes in and we catch up on things. Resupply, a stop at the library to pay some online bills, and off to the Sunset Motor Inn to repackage and repack everything.
Date: 2007-09-05
From: Hanover, NH (Sunset Motor Inn)

To: Trapper John shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

Date: 09/05/07Start: Hanover, NH (Sunset Motor Inn)Stop: Trapper John shelter Miles: 16.7Wx: cool/clear-am/warm-pm. Tenting: Handyman, Eden ExpressShelter: Luna, Sir Privywinks Decided to sleep in some today. The post office does not open until 0830 and the shuttle bus is not due until 0830. It's cold today as I stand at the bus stop. My jacket is in my pack and I know as soon as I take the pack off to get the jacket the bus will come. I wait about 10 minutes more before the bus arrives. First stop, post office. No Pain is here too picking up a package. I stop to get denatured alcohol at the outfitters and it took about 30 minutes while the lone sales assistant waited on a couple getting almost everything for hiking and were in a hurry. All that ended at the checkout when the credit card being used would not process. I finally get out of town at 0945 and hike on. I come to a road crossing and this is where I finally meet Keymaster. She is with Rick near the road enjoying the early morning sun. I eat lunch at another road crossing where a group of Dartmouth students are on their orientation hike. They go by while I finish my lunch but I catch up to them about 15 minutes later taking a break. Up and over Moose mt at to Trapper John shelter. Luna, Sir Privywinks, and Eden Express are all staying the night. It's chilly and a fire is the perfect answer. There is also a huge fireplace in front of the shelter. Maybe remnants of a cabin. Since I changed footwear from trail runners to boots my feet and legs can feel the difference. I also changed to my cold weather quilt which will be nice on colder nights. It's late (2045) and time for sleep.
Date: 2007-09-06
From: Trapper John shelter

To: Ore Hill shelter
Miles today: 19.3

Date: 09/06/07Start: Trapper John shelter Stop: Ore Hill shelter Miles: 19.3Wx: cool/clear-am/warm-pm. Tenting: Handyman,Shelter: Woke up to cloudy skies and a slight chill in the air. First night of sleeping in the tent again after 4 months. Slept pretty good. Now I need to figure out a routine for getting up, packing, and eating again. I was the first one out this morning. The feet are not feeling to bad after a day back in boots either. I didn't get out early like usual but that is okay. The weather looks like it may rain since we heard thunder already. I want to try to get up and over Smart Mt before it rains. I feel good this morning and the first few miles fly by. I get to the trailhead that starts going up Smart mt and I can still hear thunder. Time to go. I get about 3/4 the way to Lambert Ridge before the rain starts. Light at first, then a drizzle, then rain. At least there is no lightning because I don't like being on ridges or mt tops during a storm. I keep going and get to the last climb up to the top when it stops raining and starts to clear up. The wind is still blowing and it feels good. The last half mile is steep and exposed rock in parts. Slippery when wet! I need to watch my footing now since the rocks are wet. I get to the top and am pretty tired from coming up quicker because of the rain. I go up the fire tower for some awesome views. After getting down I go to the fire wardens cabin for snacks and to dry things off. The decent is easier but takes a while. I stop at Jacobs Brook for water and lunch. This is a good place for a rest anyway. After lunch I begin to climb up Cube Mt towards the Hexacuba shelter. The climb is steep at times but going slow and steady still gets me there. I decide to bypass the shelter since it's .3m off the trail. I skip most of these shelters that are past .2m anyway. The climb starts ro get steeper and rockier. I get to a point where the rock is exposed and you can see for miles. In fact you can see the firetower on Smart mt too. After a short break it's time to go. I think I am going down but the trail goes up and up. Eventually I reach a rocky area where I can now see the TOP of Mt Cube. It's another half mile or more. As I start up the trail to the summit I pass up an orientation group from Dartmouth College going south. Once I reach the real summit there is a sign at the summit. Now I am on top! I take a short break there too. Two big mountain climbs today and I am already tired but I need to make it to where I can stop for the day. I finally get to the Ore Hill shelter by 1830. At least I will have the time to rest a little before it gets dark. G and Birdstar come strolling in as I get ready to make dinner. Good to have some company. Bedtime. 2nd time alone.
Date: 2007-09-07
From: Ore Hill shelter

To: The Hikers Welcome Hostel, Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: few clouds

Date: 09/07/07Start: Ore Hill shelter Stop: The Hikers Welcome Hostel, Glencliff, NH Miles: 7.4Wx: warm/humid-am/hot/humid-pm. Hostel: Handyman, Malla, Shelter: Slept pretty good last night but it was warmer than usual. I kept pushing the quilt off most of the night. I could tell today is going to be hot/humid already. I pack up and leave pretty quick today. I have about one liter of water and need to get more soon. The terrain today isn't to hilly. Just some small ups/downs before getting to Glencliff. I eat only two of the nature cereal bars because they are so dry and I'm trying to conserve water. The trail is a cobweb mess as I keep hiking though all these cobwebs. I have stop about minute or two to wipe them off my face. Some of these are full webs that cross the trail. I get to NH 25C and there is a small creek on the other side. I stop for water and drink more of what I had to hydrate. I get only one liter since it should last me less than 5 miles. I hike on and get to the summit of Mt Mist at 2280ft. I am hungry and decide to eat brunch. I finish my bagel, peanut butter, and honey before having a Snickers Bar. I also drink half a liter of water here since I am drenched with sweat. I feel much better after eating a fueling up. The rest of the hike is just humid and I get to the road and then to the hostel to end my hike for the day. A shower, clean clothes, and rest is all I need to get ready for tomorrow.