morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-27
From: Spruce Peak Shelter

To: Manchester, Vt. 
Miles today: 2.8

A short walk today to spend an entire day in town to do town chores and take it easy. We got to the highway and in about 15 minutes had a ride in. I dropped my pack at the B&B and spent the morning strolling around. In the afternoon I did laundry and took in a movie. Exciting life isn't it? Back to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2003-07-28
From: Manchester, Vt. 

To: Big Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: scattered clouds

We caught a ride pretty quickly out of town and started hiking by 7:30. Our first climb was up Bromley Mtn. At the top we discovered a ski lift and warming hut for another large ski resort. After a visit to the privy we moved on. Before stopping for lunch we climbed Styles Peak and then Peru Peak. We stopped for lunch at a shelter with three Southbounders and two day hikers. The impressive mountain today was Baker Peak. We emerged from the woods onto bare rock and climbed several hundred feet for grand views of the peaks we had gone over this morning. Such panoramic views as I saw today make all the sweating and huffing and puffing worthwhile. We got to the shelter about 5:00. It's located on a fairly big creek with swimming holes. I didn't go in but I did rinse off in the cold water. Ready to call it a day pretty soon after supper. My appetite has kicked in and I ate like a horse today but I'm losing my extra weight also. Back to being skinny again.
Date: 2003-07-29
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: Vt 103
Miles today: 15.9

It really turned cold during the night but I just couldn't wake up enough to put on my long underwear. So instead I froze all night. But I made it through so everything's okay. The walk today was pretty much up and down with a pretty steep climb up Bear Mtn. I reached the highway about 1:30 and crossed over a river on a suspension bridge right out of the movies. It swayed and bounced with every step and several of the wooden boards were loose and about to fall off. I walked to a parking lot and a nice guy named Ernie gave me a ride to the Whistle Stop Restaurant. Dave & Patty were already there. Ernie offered to take us down the mountain to a motel so we decided to go in for the night. Short day tomorrow with time for a side trip to another ski lift.
Date: 2003-07-30
From: Vt 103

To: US 4, Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 17.4

We took our time leaving this morning and stopped at the Whistle Stop Restaurant for breakfast. They served such large portions that I couldn't eat it all. It's very seldom that I ever leave food on my plate. As we started North the trail was steep and rocky. I placed my hiking pole in one spot and when I shifted my weight to that side to climb onto a rock the pole slipped and all of a sudden I was falling. I rolled down into a patch of weeds and thought that was it and then I fell down about three feet over a small ledge and slid another three or four feet. I got to my feet and was brushing myself off when Dave told me to look behind and when I did I saw about a twenty foot deep drop off a foot from where I was standing. Another lucky break--I hope I'm not using up all my allotted luck. The rest of the morning went smoothly and after lunch I was climbing Killington Mtn, the second highest peak in Vermont. When we reached Cooper Shelter, we dropped our packs and climbed a .2 mile side trail to the top of the mountain. It was extremely steep and required hand over hand climbing in some places. On top was a ski lift with a restaurant and a very pricey menu. I had a 20oz bottle of gatorade and a pretzel for $6.00. The good thing about the restaurant was I finally caught up to my friend Liteshoe. We had a little reunion and sat inside talking until closing time at 4:00. Back down at the shelter we decided to try to get to the Inn at Long Trail for the night. Liteshoe hiked with us and we all made it to the Inn by 8:00. I didn't have time to clean up before the pub stopped serving dinner so I hope I didn't offend anyone with my hiker appearance and odor. Most of the other customers were also hikers, so maybe not. Zero day tomorrow.
Date: 2003-08-01
From: US4, Inn at Long Trail

To: River Road
Miles today: 5.7

Awoke this morning to rain. By the time breakfast was finished it had become a blowing hard rain. We were only going about 10 miles so we decided to hang around the Inn as long as possible. At 11:00 we were offered a ride to the next road up so that we could walk back and get a room and stay dry one more night. Judy took us to the road and we were soon walking in the rain. Shortly we passed Finch, Judy's husband. He reminds me a whole lot of my hiking partner last year, Blaze. The hike was completed quickly and as we were walking down the highway Finch and Judy picked us up. We're staying down from the Inn, at another motel, but it's okay. Not many miles today but we're warm and dry. I'll be traveling with my good friend Liteshoe for a while. She's fun to be around and hopefully we'll make good hiking partners. She also has a journal on Trailjournals so if she says bad things about me, just assume she's not telling the truth!!
Date: 2003-08-02
From: River Road

To: Wintturi Shelter
Miles today: 14.2

Today was supposed to be rainy and stormy but the rain ended before we began and it remained dry all day. The trail was tough with a lot of ups and downs and not many views. We took a side trail in the afternoon to a privately owned cabin with a lookout tower on top of it. The views were good but the structure looked a little past its prime so I didn't tarry long in it. We reached the shelter about 5:30. Due to expectations of rain there are 10 hikers here tonight. A little more crowded than I like but everybody sems to get along. Hot and muggy day today.
Date: 2003-08-03
From: Wintturi Shelter

To: Cloudland Shelter
Miles today: 10.0

It was already muggy this morning at the shelter, everything was damp, and I didn't sleep well. What a start. After about 2 miles I knew I was in for a struggle today. The trail kept going up and down steep little hills and by noon I was worn out. We stopped at a creek for a long lunch which helped some but as soon as we left we were climbing another steep hill and by 2:00 I was dragging. A thunderstorm was approaching as we got to the turnoff to a privately owned shelter about one half mile off trail. As we got there the rain started and we decided we had fought the trail enough for one day. I took a 2 hour nap and still felt incredibly tired. I hope I'm not coming down with something. Liteshoe and I are the only ones here this evening so I should get a good night's sleep. Hope I feel better tomorrow.
Date: 2003-08-04
From: Cloudland Shelter

To: Norwich, Vt.
Miles today: 14.6

I awoke this morning feeling a heck of a lot better, but the heat and humidity were still high. By 10:30 we reached the small village of West Hartford, Vt. and stopped in at Rick and Tina's Country Store for lunch. A cheeseburger and chocolate milkshake really hit the spot. The PO closed for lunch at 11:30 and didn't open until 1:00, so not wanting to just stand around and waste our time we went across the street to Al's Garage and I took a nap on a couch in his waiting room. We finally got out of town about 2:00, the humidity still running high. About 4:00 the sky opened up and we were soon drenched and soaking wet. After walking into Norwich, we caught a taxi to Hanover and are staying at the Sunset Inn. Back to Norwich to walk into New Hampshire tomorrow morning.
Date: 2003-08-05
From: Norwich, Vt.

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: moderate rain

An easy day today as we planned to stay in Hanover until late afternoon. We caught a ride back to Norwich and made the short road walk into town. It's still very hot and humid and I had a good sweat going by the time we got to Robinson Hall, on the Dartmouth campus. It's a beautiful college town. I think Chapel Hill would be jealous. For some reason there are a lot of students still in class which seems unusual to a southern boy like me. These kids must really love school! I had lunch at the student union next door and then walked the town. Didn't buy anything, another first for me. About 3:30 Liteshoe and I said our good-byes to Hanover and walked out of town to the shelter about a mile up a hill from town. A small storm passed through, not enough to lower the humidity. Nick, from Great Britain, walked in right before the storm and after the rain ended I walked .7 of a mile for water for all of us. We were entertained before dark by a bold red squirrel who came around wanting our food scraps. If he gets any closer he'll be sleeping with one of us. I'm glad to be in New Hampshire--only two more states to go. I'm so homesick but know that climbing Katahdin is the only way home.
Date: 2003-08-06
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

Another hot and muggy day today. We got out kind of early and the trail was good and muddy from overnight rains. Lunch was on Moose Mtn (where were the moose?). Soon after we left the top, we had our first rain of the afternoon. As we climbed Holts Ledge, thunder was rumbling all around. We were thinking how nice it would be to get to the shelter and get out of our wet clothes but when we got there there were already five people in it. Liteshoe got a spot but I had to put my tent up in the rain. For the next two hours it poured but I stayed pretty dry. The rain finally stopped and I was able to get water and cook supper. Hope there's not too much rain tonight.
Date: 2003-08-07
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Ore Hill Shelter
Miles today: 19.3

It didn't rain during the night so my tent was not too wet this morning. The first climb today was up Smarts Mtn. It was steep, wet, and muddy. Several sections were over bare rock with water pouring over them which made for an interesting, slippery climb. The last few hundred feet were straight up and took a lot out of us but we finally made it to the firetower on top. We stopped at the shelter for lunch and decided we were going to have a short day at the rate we were going. The next climb was Mt. Cube which was steep in places but the trail took us over several ledges with magnificent views. The trail continued to be muddy in many places but at least the rain held off. When we reached Hwy 25A, Judy (Mrs. Finch) left pepsis for us. It was late in the day but the sodas gave us the energy to put in just a few more miles and one more climb. We got to the shelter about 30 minutes before dark, happy to have made such unexpected mileage over tough terrain but thoroughly exhausted. Sleep should come easy tonight.
Date: 2003-08-08
From: Ore Hill Shelter

To: Glencliff NH
Miles today: 7.4

Sleep was okay last night but the skeeters were as bad as I've noticed in several weeks. They stayed pretty bad for most of the short hike today also. An uneventful walk through the muddy woods to the hostel at Glencliff, a small area that has the hostel and a post office and that's it. The hostel is very basic but everyone seems friendly and helpful. I'll be switching out summer gear for cold weather gear that Carleen has sent to me. So far this has been a good cheap place to rest and get ready for the White Mountains straight ahead.
Date: 2003-08-09
From: Glencliff NH

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: light rain

Liteshoe's friend Sue came by the hostel yesterday and offered to take us to Kinsman Notch for our climb over Mt. Moosilauke today. Everybody told us it was easier to climb the North side than go down it due to its steepness, so we took her up on her offer. On the way to the notch we saw a sign that said "Moose Crossing". Sue was telling us about all the accidents involving moose when all of a sudden there was a moose on the side of the road. He crossed in front of us and stopped in the underbrush on the side of the road. We took some pictures and then went on. Not a mile from there another moose crossed the road in front of us. Two moose in one day. Pretty lucky. Sue dropped us at the trailhead and soon we were climbing beside a beautiful stream. As the trail became more steep, the stream became a constant waterfall for over a mile. The climbing was slow but steady as our pace slowed to about a mile an hour. After a brief stop at Beaver Brook Shelter, we continued upand by 11:00 we had reached treeline, another first for me on the trail. We stayed in the open for about a mile and stopped at the summit for lunch. We took some pictures and left the top as a cloud was rolling in, to eliminate our views. The walk down the South slope was steep but not dangerous and the rest of our hike was uneventful. We reached the road to the hostel and as we were walking to it, our rescuer for the day, Art, drove up. We gathered our gear at the hostel and Art took us home with him. We got a guided tour of some of the White Mtn. attractions and stopped for supper at a restaurant in Lincoln. I had the best bowl of New England style clam chowder ever. After supper we drove to Art's and his wife Sue's charming home on Krystal Lake. We've settled in for the night and are looking forward to a zero day tomorrow in our hosts' home on the lake. A wonderful end to a magnificent day.
Date: 2003-08-10
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Krystal Lake
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day today as we rest and relax with perfect hosts. Art will thru-hike in 2004 and I can't wait to rescue him for a day or two when he's down South.Chief's journal tip: If you really want to know everything I see and do each day check out Jan Liteshoe on Trailjournals. I remember about one-tenth of what she does. She's a much better writer than me but doesn't rub it in too much.
Date: 2003-08-11
From: Krystal Lake

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light rain

Art got us back to the trail head this morning by 9:00. Finch and Judy were also there. We always seem to run into them. She invited us to visit in Maine and I really hope it works out. Hanging around all these smart people, some of its got to rub off on me! The trail went straight up and our movement was slow. We stopped at a large boulder for lunch that offered a pretty good view and was excellent for napping. We got to the shelter about 4:00, thoroughly tired. A section hiker, Paul is also here. He's a cardiologist from Connecticut and is a pretty interesting guy to talk too. Looks like a good shelter night. The mud today after all the rain yesterday was horrendous and slowed us down more than the climbing. Looking forward to better hiking tomorrow as we go above treeline.
Date: 2003-08-12
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

I awoke this morning to a steady rain. Two hours later it was still pouring when Liteshoe and I left the shelter. The trail is literally a constant flowing stream--except when it's a mud bog. Making any kind of decent time was nearly impossible today as we climbed then descended in this wet muddy nightmare. It finally quit raining about mid-morning but the clouds rolled in close to the mountain and views were very limited. We stopped for a break on top of South Kinsman Mtn. and enjoyed our short time above tree line. Lunch was at Kinsman Pond, a lovely glacial pond with a shelter and campsites. I was going to pump myself a liter of water from the pond until Liteshoe came down from the privy and informed me that water was flowing through the privy into the pond. No wonder the lily pads looked so green. About two miles below Kinsman we reached the first AMC hut, Lonesome Lake. We went inside and for $1.50 I had unlimited lemonade and chocolate oatmeal cookies. As we move through the Whites, Liteshoe and I plan to try to do "work for stay" at several of the huts. For a couple of hours of work we get to sleep on the floor and supper and breakfast. What a deal! If there is a vacancy, we can also choose to get a bunk with supper and breakfast (No shower) for $72.00. Another great deal!   We left Lonesome Lake Hut and continued down the slope--I mean trail--and finally reached the highway. We caught a ride from a nice family from Long Island, NY, into North Woodstock and got a room at the Cascade B&B. It cost us $18.00 apiece and for that we get the bed but no breakfast. It's a very quaint place to say the least. At least we're clean and dry for the night. Back into the Whites tomorrow.
Date: 2003-08-13
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

We survived the night at our "luxury" accommodations and when we got back up the mountain we were greeted with rain. I'm really getting tired of it. It rained off and on until lunch and then the sun decided to put in a brief appearance. We stopped at Liberty Spring Tentsites and talked to the caretaker, Tinman, a thru-hiker I met last year. After lunch we went above treeline and the views were absolutely magnificent. We stayed up this high for about 2 hours and enjoyed every minute, even though climbing was required to get across several of the peaks. The highest was Mt. Lafayette, over 5200 ft. high. The sun would break out every now and then and you could see for miles and miles. Eventually we descended and walked across a lower ridgeline and climbed up to Mt. Garfield. The summit was above treeline and we took a long break just taking in the scenery from so high up. We walked down the mountain to what has become a crowded shelter. Tomorrow we may try for Crawford Notch and take a day off. A wonderful, beautiful day, exactly why I've walked this far.
Date: 2003-08-14
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Naturally one of the section hikers in the shelter last night turned into a world class snorer. I guess I got some sleep during the all night ordeal. We left the shelter by 6:30 headed towards Galehead Hut for breakfast. We got there a little after nine and I had split pea soup and lemonade for my morning meal. After the hut was a tough climb but you kind of get used to it after a while and just do it. By 3:30 we had reached Zealand Falls Hut and our friend Art was there waiting for us. We lounged and rested for about an hour and then took off down the trail, headed for Crawford Notch, almost 8 miles away. We pulled into Ethan Pond Campsite for a brief rest and ran into Paul, our doctor friend from a few days before. As we continued on the trail, it became obvious that we weren't going to make it before dark. We reached the parking lot about 8:15, stumbling down the last mile in the dark. After a ride into town and a brief stop for supper we got to Sue's home, our destination and rest stop. Art got us here safely and has been quite helpful this past week.   I can't wait to return the favor when he thru-hikes next year. Sue is a Episcopal priest, she is so energetic, and never stops. Her home is right behind her Church and was built in the early 1800s. It should be a peaceful stay. I've really got to behave myself and mind my manners, staying with a minister, but as my friends know, that won't be hard for me.
Date: 2003-08-15
From: Crawford Notch

To: N.Conway NH
Miles today: 0.0

It's been a nice, peaceful day of rest today and Sue has been a gracious host. She even cooked me a delicious omelet for breakfast. After eating we rode over to Gorham and picked up Hotdog and Wench (also thru-hikers) and brought them back to Sue's. I walked the town and bought a few things I needed this afternoon and had supper at a Mexican restaurant tonight. Back into the high country tomorrow. For the next few days we will be going through the Presidential Range with about 12 miles of it above treeline. It should be interesting. On Tuesday we'll be coming back to Sue's for one more night.
Date: 2003-08-16
From: Crawford Notch

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: fog

Sue got us back on the trail by 7:30 this morning and said good-bye for a few days. I'm looking forward to seeing her again next week. The climbing was steep as we had been warned but we no longer dread it, as we know we'll be rewarded with outstanding views. After about 2 hours we reached Webster Cliffs and climbed along the edge for about another hour. The views were great and the wind gusted to about 40mph the whole time. We stopped for lunch on a log and were entertained by several Spruce Grouse who were not the least bit afraid of us. I was able to get within a foot of them with my camera so I hope the pictures turn out okay. By 2:00 we reached the AMC hut and were able to get a work for stay for the night. In exchange for about 2 hours work we get supper and breakfast and sleep on the floor. It's supposed to rain tonight so a dry floor sounds pretty good. We intentionally did short miles today and plan on a short day tomorrow so that we can spend several hours on Mt. Washington Monday. Hope we have good weather. Our peaks today included Mt. Webster and Mt. Jackson. We're getting excited again as we go above treeline again tomorrow.
Date: 2003-08-17
From: Mizpah Hut

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a noisy hectic night at the hut last night. Although I could have stayed for breakfast all I wanted to do was leave. I left at 7:15 but Liteshoe wanted breakfast so she stayed behind. In just a short while I reached treeline and wonderful views again. The clouds were all below me as I walked over Mt. Clinton (I can't believe they have already named a mountain after that guy) and around Mt Eisenhower, over Mt. Franklin (he wasn't a President!), and around Mt. Monroe and to the hut. I decided to be treated as a first class citizen and got a bunk space that comes with supper and breakfast. I was amazed at how much better I was treated as a paying guest. I got to the hut by 10:30 and Liteshoe pulled in about 1:00. By then the entire mountain was encompassed in clouds. It started raining about 3:00 and doesn't look like it will stop any time soon. We'll go across Mt. Washington tomorrow and plan on being there for a while. Hopefully the weather will clear up a bit.
Date: 2003-08-18
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Madison Springs Hut
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

Last night was a pretty good experience sharing a bunk room with 14 other people. Thankfully we didn't have a loud snorer in the bunch. After breakfast Finch, Liteshoe, and I grabbed our packs and climbed 1200 feet over 1.4 miles to get to the summit of Mt. Washington. After obligatory pictures at the summit I went inside and called Carleen. We coordinated our efforts and Liteshoe and I went to the web cam on the observation deck and posed for pictures. I think we finally got a picture that wasn't too foggy. Carleen said that it sort of looked like me. We stayed in the snack bar building for about 2 hours and did the typical tourist stuff. I bought some things in the gift shop that added about 2 pounds to my pack. I hope the folks at home appreciate my sacrifice for them! Back on the trail we went down the mountain for about 10 minutes and Liteshoe remembered she had left her raincoat in the snack bar. She went back and I walked to a very comfortable rock out of the wind and waited for her. We finally got going again but right ahead of us was the cog railroad with two trains heading for the summit. Yielding to hiker tradition we waved at the passengers then mooned them. They must have enjoyed it since we were greeted with loud applause. Pulling our britches back up we continued down the trail. After a brief stop for lunch we encountered a heavy rainstorm for about 30 minutes. We got pretty cold and wet but it stopped and the sun came back out and dried us off pretty quickly. About a mile from the hut I took a pretty nasty spill on a jumble of rocks. My knees are a little bloody as well as a few knuckles but I'm still moving. When we got to the hut we decided we had had enough for the day. Liteshoe got a work for stay and they gave me a good deal for a bunk and meals so we're in for the night. Hopefully we'll get to Pinkham Notch tomorrow. In addition to Mt Washington, we also went by Mt Clay, Mt Jefferson, and Mt.Adams. Editorial Comment: Yes, let's talk about sacrifice!