morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-07
From: Galehead Hut

To: Ethan Pond Campsite
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

Headed to Zealand Falls hut, after a hot day and late start (work for stay makes you eat after the guests are done). Bill from Boston of the Zealand Falls hut told us to go away. It was very apparent he didn't want us to do work for stay. As there was 1 open bunk, we even tried to buy it, but he wasn't going to agree. I'm sure the rest of the "croo" were fine. They were bringing in more supplies. Most people know me as pretty mellow. When I say that in my opinion Bill from Boston was rude and acted like a jackass, you can believe I mean it! We were forced to continue our hike to the next campsite 5 miles away. The silver lining to it was we didn't have to work for Bill from Boston!
Date: 2010-07-08
From: Ethan Pond Campsite

To: US 302
Miles today: 2.9

Well since we had to hike 5 extra miles down the AT last night, today became a Nero. We needed to rest and resupply for the big assault on MOUNT WASHINGTON. This is where this whole thru hike idea was born for me. Yes, Katahdin is the end of the trail, but Mt Washington is where it becomes the home stretch. I continue to hike with Kite & Sandpiper until they get tired of me. A great couple to be around. We continue to plan with TLC & POW's schedule in mind. They will be a day ahead as they summit Mt Washington, but they are catchable LOL. Eating, planning, resupply, laundry (I'm doing it as I write this) and finally resting today.Ethan Pond caretaker was the head of the caretakers, and a really nice guy. He plans on a thru hike and I wish him well.I hope Bill from Boston gets an earful from someone - yes, I'm still MAD!
Date: 2010-07-09
From: US 302

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: few clouds

Due to weather concerns and 'dismissal' from Zealand Falls hut, we booked the next three huts. We climbed Franconia Ridge, and had 50+ mph winds while in the clouds. It blew us off the path more than once. Thankfully, it wasn't really cold or rainy. We came to the side trail and saw the people coming from Greenleaf hut. They were in shock at the wind. The descent from Mt Garfield was crazy. It was a waterfall with blazes painted on it. Hut to hut folk were expected to climb it as well. A good time at Mizpah with my trail family (Kite & Sandpiper). Since it was our first pay-to-stay, I've been calling it joining the "dark side".
Date: 2010-07-10
From: Mizpah Hut

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: light rain

The weather was rainy as we left Mizpah. We tried to stay as dry as possible while getting rained on and sweating. As soon as most of the outside water stopped, I shed my water layers. The shoes were already soaked at that point. The low miles were a blessing. We caught a couple breaks in the clouds to get a view, but they were all local views. As we headed down toward Lakes hut, we had one last break that let us see the hut before we got to it. All the cotton people* about drove me crazy. Lakes has the best views and biggest crowds. We actually only had 2 beds reserved, but they gave me work-for-stay as a member of the party. I was also told to eat with Kite & Sandpiper. Then later, they said they didn't have any work. I got a bunk too :-) $ paid zero, good time with friends priceless. I used the newspaper trick to dry my shoes. Hard to do in a cloud.*cotton people are tourists and day hikers. Typically, they wear cotton, smell good, and carry too much weight up the trail LOL!
Date: 2010-07-11
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 7.0

What a great day for a summit. The original forecast was rain. We had one of the best climbing and viewing days ever. The auto road was closed inthe morning for a bike race up the mountain. That kept the crowds down. We watched the first train of the day come up. Got our picture on the webcam. Spent three hours up there before we needed to head on to Madison. It got to be a long day again with the normal trail for the Whites, but we still made dinner LOL. Wow! It's a crowded hut! Two rooms with 27 bunks--each going 4 high. The loudest snorer was between Sandpiper and myself on the fourth level (where we were). Thank goodness for earplugs!
Date: 2010-07-12
From: Madison Hut

To: Joe Dodge Lodge
Miles today: 7.8

Although the Lodge is run by the AMC (they do all the huts), it was very reasonable in price, which included dinner & breakfast, real sheets and a SHOWER (towel too)! I'd gladly stay there just passing through on the road :-) The climb down the ridgeline was brutal on us as it is long and steep and was all boulder-stepping. A pain in the knees for sure. Then there was a couple changes of trail that didn't jibe with the map labels. Finally some nicer trail led to the Lodge, and Bard was there!
Date: 2010-07-13
From: Joe Dodge Lodge

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Yikes! The Wildcats were wild! Well not really, but the climb up 'E' was pretty hairy. Would have been majorly bad if it had been raining. The descent from 'A' was actually switchbacked! We booked the hut from an earlier peak when the forecast showed storms (Yes I'm a wimp, but I'm a dry wimp :-P) They had 32 open spots out of 40, and then six people never showed up. They said that is normal as people don't realise how difficult the trail is until they try hiking in. Bard didn't get work-for-stay, but stealth-camped nearby. It was sort of neat to be so private at a hut. The rain came down all night long. Poor Bard was a soaked rat in the morning :-(
Date: 2010-07-14
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: Imp Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: fog

What the heck? My data book says 500 ft to shelter but reality and the posted sign say 800 yards. Another afternoon forecasted storm, but we beat it to the shelter LOL. Not so lucky for the wet southbounders that arrived a few hours later. Not such a bad trail today, but the daily grind of the Whites takes its toll. I heard no mice, but had forgotten my shock blox in backpack side netting. When I went to eat one, I saw something had already munched it. I got lucky and had no damage to the pack!
Date: 2010-07-15
From: Imp Shelter

To: Gorham
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: few clouds

I had asked Imp caretaker to compare descents between North Carter (we climbed down it yesterday) to the one into Gorham. He said Gorham was longer, but easier. He was right! The last few miles were real trail (not rock climbing), and we went into cruise mode 1.6 miles in 38 minutes AFTER completing the previous six harder miles.
Date: 2010-07-16
From: Gorham

To: Gorham
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A much needed Zero today with pools, sauna, and jacuzzi. I bought a new pack, but I couldn't get my Z-rest to fit, so I mailed it home. Created a cold weather bounce box and sent it ahead. I'm hoping not to use it, and finally just forward it home. A note on the Whites: I could have done bigger days and hiked longer, but to what point? The huts were the only game in town and I was never up for skipping every other hut. We are all hoping for some better trail. A sweet 20 miler would be nice LOL. I also bought some Merrill water shoes for fording and the bogs. Since the crocs are so light I'll still keep them. My Salomons are showing major wear and might not make the 500 mile mark. If they die, the Merrills might be hiked in all the way to Katahdin. 298 miles left with the south Maine mountains our last roadblock. The Mahoosuc Notch in 3 days - the hardest mile on the AT!
Date: 2010-07-17
From: Gorham

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: few clouds

My book showed shelter on AT, but now it's 0.2 miles due to reroute. Stayed free since no AMC caretaker. The roads follow the river and the river follows the valley around the mountain. We follow the trail around the mountain and I have traffic sounds all day. 1st double digit day in a while. I hope to have a 20 before I finish this hike.
Date: 2010-07-18
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Mt Success ushered us out with one last peak. I'm able to text Wombat with a weak signal @ 12:11pm "Maine :-)" It's not until the next day I realize why the shelter is called Full Goose (yes, I got the funny part!) It's between Goose and Fulling Mtns. It sets us up for Mahoosuc (Ma Who Sick) Notch. The hardest mile on the AT.
Date: 2010-07-19
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Speck Pond Shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: light rain

So I've heard about Mahoosuc Notch for ages and it is fun and it is long (and there was still snow and ice down there), it's also dangerous and we just had to add RAIN into the mix. We get through with helping each other with packs and lifts and Sandpiper even got a carry or two LOL. 3 hours with a short break under a rock to let the rain really soak in! So Mahoosuc Notch - been there, Got the T-shirt. Great place for a stealth camp just passed the end of notch and the newly forming beaver pond, but we made it to Speck Pond and our last $8 AMC run shelter.I have such mixed feelings about the AMC :-P~~
Date: 2010-07-20
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: clear sky

A Nero and a ride to Pine Ellis in Andover. The last few days have seen us hiking for 10-12 hours regardless of how many miles we were doing, so it was great to have an early day with low miles. Tons of day hikers as it's also a State Park. More cotton people. Most don't even know about the AT's hardest mile just past where they will eat lunch. We surprise POW & TLC @ Pine Ellis, but they are headed out tomorrow from East B Hill road. Last saw them @ Zealand Falls hut when we were kicked out (Bill from Boston = poopie head (in my opinion!!))
Date: 2010-07-21
From: Grafton Notch

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Rain expected (70%)Sync up w/ Plans-to-much and Capt Bly on their slackpack (they have 2 cars)just need to recover________________ZERO My trail family is Kite & Sandpiper and they have a blog that is very current and they have PICTURES http://halandwendy-at-hike.blogspot.com
Date: 2010-07-22
From: Grafton Notch

To: East B Hill Rd
Miles today: 10.3

A stroll thru the fog and wind (temp mid 50's) Joie de Vive Factor: 99th percentile! Why? Because we 5 were slackpacking and crossed as a group. It was pretty fun. This is day 1 of 4 slackpacking with Capt Bly and Plans too Much. It was interesting swapping stories of our past, and how we got where we were on this crazy hike of the AT.
Date: 2010-07-23
From: East B Hill Rd

To: South Arm Rd
Miles today: 10.1

Day 2 of 4 slackpacking with the Capt and Plans. We are also talking about grabbing my car from NY as Plans must go home after the 4th day. Still based out of Pine Ellis Lodge, and having a great time. David calls it home, and home it really is!Birch AT '09 and Erin were at South Arm Rd, and had tons of trail magic. I had my first Long Trail Ale :-) We had extras as he needed to go home, and wanted to get rid of some of it. We then helped him cleanup and load his car.
Date: 2010-07-24
From: South Arm Rd

To: ME 17
Miles today: 13.3

Slackpack day 3 of 4. A slightly harder day, but mostly due to staying in the double digits LOL. Plans too Much (PTM) took a pretty good tumble today, and combined with the weather forecast, it's not looking good to hike tomorrow. The option I'm exercising is to go home with PTM. He lives in Rutland Vermont. It's a few hours out of his way, but I'll pay his gas and he'll have me for company - who could want more :-P
Date: 2010-07-25
From: ME 17

To: ME 17
Miles today: 0.0

Headed to Unionville, NY, and picked up Victor (My car!). We had scoped out time at 5:40, but I think we used Andover, NH not Andover, ME. The real time is 8 hours, and it was a very long drive. Many, many thanks to Plans too Much for the ride. Sandpiper went with to keep ME company on the way back. She did super! Plus we needed the extra eyes to navigate to Rangeley in the dark. Kite and Capt Bly headed up there for their zero while we headed south. Sandpiper gets a handful of gratitude also for putting up with me in a car for 16+ hours. We are now set to slack as much as possible.
Date: 2010-07-28
From: Polar Ridge Shelter

To: Spaulding Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

Oh, my hammock didn't arrive so arriving in the Poplar shelter (actually called Lean-to's up here) required me to 'run' ahead of our group. Made it in plenty of time to get a spot. It also meant I needed a spot tonight, too. No worries though, since it was a planned short day. Sandpiper and I buzzed ahead of the "boys". We had enough left in our legs that we could have reached Victor, but the "boys" would have been pissed hehe.
Date: 2010-07-29
From: Spaulding Mountain Shelter

To: Caribou Valley Road
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: broken clouds

Nero into town with a slackpack tomorrow. Crossed the under 200 miles to Katahdin today. It almost seems unreal. We have 2 towns left: Caratunk and Monson. We have one last set of large mountians - the Bigelows (not counting Big K). Kite wants to do a 20 in the 100 mile wilderness, but without a shelter for me, it could be messy. One last try at the PO tomorrow before our slackpack. Rangeley PO said they had sent it to Stratton as we asked, but Stratton didn't have it.NedtheFed: I'll just say "hi" as you pass. I'm going to hang with my trail family the rest of the way. Is The Phoenix & Sailor J joining you???
Date: 2010-08-13
From: White House Landing

To: Rainbow Stream Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

Great resupply and good food at White House Landing. I can see "HE" doesn't suffer fools gladly. "SHE" makes up for it :-) Actually, they both were just fine to our group, but then we cut a different path then most hikers! I would gladly go there again.
Date: 2010-08-15
From: Abol Bridge campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

We could have gotten spots in the Birches, but we had Sandpiper's Aunt Esther and she rescued us from a rainy fate. With the weather forecast looking poor for Monday, we decided to zero and go for a summit on Tuesday with it's better forecast. So back to Millinocket but commercial lodging instead. The AT Cafe saw us for many meals LOL.
Date: 2010-08-16
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zero due to rain. Summit tomorrow! Orbit needed a ride to get her camara from a hitch the day before. We took my car Victor deep into the Maine outback totally maxing the bounce factor. At one point we have to move boulders out of the roadway to get better clearance. When we got to the swamp edge and wet road, I told Orbit she was going to have to hoof it the next mile as Victor doesn't swim. As she is getting out her hitch comes over the road the other way. If we had been 30 minutes later, we'd have missed them. BTW Orbit found her camara!
Date: 2010-08-17
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Baxter Peak
Miles today: 5.2

The post I almost didn't want to make. It means I have to go home, the trail is over, my friends will move on with their journeys both at home and on the trail. We climbed up and finally into the cloud over our heads. The fog thickened and thinned repeatedly but never went away. We joined the 30 odd people already on the summit. I was glad to see Poppins and Orbit. Appy and Pappy were there as well, having just passed us a little before while we were taking a break on the tablelands.
Date: 2010-08-26
To: What's next?
Miles today: 0.0

First off, thanks for all the congratz - it means extra from hikers :-) I can't stop hiking but I'm NOT turning around and hiking the AT again. Not while the PCT and CDT need conquering!It's another story if Flicka wants the AT.So why a picture of Poppins and Orbit? 'cause they have both talked about PCT '11. I've already been thinking... Dad near Reno, NV would support Cali, Mom in Salem, Or would support OR and Wa. wow is there a plan already there?? LOL they don't know about it yet!
Date: 2009-10-26
To: Again in 2010
Miles today: 0.0

Day - minus 150Ok, why day minus 150? Because as of today, that is the number of days left until I plan to start my 2010 AT Hike. Since the completion of the trail in 2008, my goal is simply to do it again in 2010. I know that I will be ready both physically and mentally. I strongly believe that I will be on the trail in 2010. However, as I have learned in prior years, there are so many factors that could derail an AT hike that you simply realize that you aren¢t there until you actually are. And once on the trail, there are so many factors that can take you off trail, perhaps for a week or possibly for the season. No matter how much you plan and prepare, life¢s complications will keep throwing obstacles in your path to test you to determine if you are truly ready to complete the 2176 miles in one season. If that is your goal and you work through the obstacles, you can do it. The trail is for everybody.It is said that there are four things that will take you off trail. I think they can be expanded to include those reasons that can prevent you from even getting to the trail. While hiking in both 2006 and 2008, I spent many hours thinking and expanding each of them to understand what the interpretation may be. I do not believe there is any one answer, reason or interpretation that applies uniformly to all hikers. And even those factors that may be the same from hiker-to-hiker, the weighing or prioritizing of them is certainly very different for each hiker.The four items that you may want to give consideration to both prior to you beginning your hike and while actually hiking are as follows: TO FAR, TO FAST, TO HEAVY, TO SOON. Well, on the surface these are simply concepts but if you expand them they could apply to the many reasons that could keep you from ever even starting or will cause you to go off-trail. And when combined together, they become exponentially more detrimental to your hike.Think about the four concepts and then ask yourself if you are truly ready to hike the AT in 2010. If so, be prepared for the most extreme and outstanding experience you will have in your life. Learn to embrace the trail for what it is and what it has to offer. It is different for each person. AT hikers say that your worst day on the trail will be better then the best day at the office. As an AT 2000-miler, I am a strong believer that this is so very true.
Date: 2009-11-05
To: Not soon enough
Miles today: 0.0

Day - minus 137So what is it that calls us to the trail? Of course it is very different for each of us. Your desires, goals, situations, resources, capabilities, history, etc., vary from person-to-person. For me, I used to fight the concept that I simply wanting to get away from the interaction with people. The more I think of it, the more I find it to be true. My hike is just that, my hike. For the most part, my safety, comfort, enjoyment, pain level, whatever, is all about the choices I make. That is not to say that there are not things or situations that pop up that you may not have expected or planned for, but how you get through it is completely up to you.And Wow, after a day like today, it makes me only that much more anxious to get to the trail. My interim job has been over for three weeks now and yet it and other aspects of life continue to pound me over the head. It reminds me of how the concept/saying that ¢no good deed goes unpunished¢ is so very true. The suggestion that I head to the trail to get away from people is becoming ever clearer. My personality is undoubtedly an A-type that prefers a good fight rather then run away. But I sense that what used to be the exception has become the norm. It used to be that when the effort was made to complete a task, that task got completed the first time. Now, there are so many outside influences that constantly bombard you from every direction that it takes three times as much effort to get even the simplest of tasks completed. If you own any type of property or make any level of income, you will pay the price for your hard work and your success. Welcome to socialism. Welcome to the era of the distribution of wealth in this country. The era is truly at hand. At least I will be able to say that I remember when.   On the trail, it is simply you and the trail. How much you let others factor in to your hike is up to you. On the trail, fellow hikers are almost instant friends and family. You share the same hardships of the day and yet the experiences are very individual and personal for you. I enjoy my fellow hikers.   I anticipate that you will find that the vast number of hikers you meet, especially your fellow thru hikers, will be friendly and helpful far above what takes place in your current relationships and associations. And they will be sincere in their efforts.Well, enough of all this crap. This is the second posting and it won¢t even show up until the third one is complete.   Politics, bias, discrimination or any other of society¢s shortcomings DO NOT have a place on the trail. The trail will allow you to get out of it what you put in to it. Leave the negatives behind and get ready for the most freeing experience of your life.
Date: 2009-11-30
To: True Calculation of Weight 
Miles today: 0.0

Day - minus 110Approximately 110 days before I start my hike. I can¢t wait. My conditioning is not where I want it, of course, but I still have time to get in at least reasonable shape. I know that when I started my 2008 hike with 25 pounds less off my body weight, the overall stress on my body, especially my feet, was substantially less. With my weight where it currently is, I could feel the problems that I experienced in 2006, i.e., my hammer toes, stiffness and a general sluggishness are already acting up. We all know about pack weight, base weight, gear weight, boot weight etc., but for me it is all about the ¢foot weight¢ i.e., the total impact weight that the bottom of my feet experience each time they come into contact with the trail. Pack weight changes from day-to-day since on some days you wear more cloths due to weather etc. I have hiked with individuals that started with a 30 pound pack on a cold hiking day but when the weather gets warmer, 7 more pounds of gear comes off the body and into the pack. So for me, if my feet have to carry it, it counts in my ¢foot weight¢. That way items such as hiking poles, boots, body weight, and all gear, including what cloths are on the body, are consistently and accurately taken into consideration as it related to the ¢hike¢ and not just the ¢day¢. When I look at the overall weight picture in this manner, I get a better idea of what my cumulative total is when I am chugging up or pounding down the climbs of the day. I have gone though the effort to get my pack weight to 18 pounds, with 4 additional on my body and less then two pounds on my feet. With my current body weight at 197 my foot weight is 221. I started my 2006 hike with a foot weight of 237. By mile 137, my feet were already hurting enough for me to have concern. I know that in the summer of 2008, I had my foot weight down to 177, an enormous 60 pound difference. At a foot weight of 177, I cannot even tell you how the hiking was soooooo much more enjoyable. Even the climbs of the White¢s were good. For the 1167 miles hiked in 2008, I did not experience a single foot problem. So in short, look at the total weight picture. Know what the total impact is that you are putting on your feet. That way, you can start focusing on every aspect of the weight issue, not just your pack weight.