morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-15
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 30.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is my three-month anniversary on the trail. To celebrate, I ate tuna again, for the first time since PA. I had eaten a pack load of tuna the first half of my trip, and I just needed a break from it. Today however, it tasted great.Vermont is a mud pit. There are occasional patches of dry ground, but it's pretty much a mud pit. They say that May was the wettest May in a hundred years in VT, and June was the fifth wettest. That precipitation, combined with Long Trail traffic and the convergence of North and Southbound AT hikers, makes for a lot of mud. Some of it's pretty sloppy, but some of it is also just the soft squishy kind, that you can walk through without getting your feet soaked. It's manageable, but it slows you down having to try to negotiate long sections by walking around or jumping from rock to root, etc. Some areas have what we call "bog logs" which are planks place across sections of logs to elevate the trail. They're nice, but never long enough, because the areas at each end see concentrated use and therefore get extra muddy.I been running into more and more southbound thru-hikers, or SOBO's. It's fun to say hi, swap stories, and ask each other questions about what's ahead. They say that it used to be like rival gangs, and that NOBO's and SOBO's wouldn't talk to each other or eat at the same restaurants, etc. But not anymore, and I'm glad, because really, we're each other's biggest assets, the best source of information on what to expect in the miles ahead.There's a rumor about some vandals on the trail ahead. Apparently some money went missing, and these folks were seen messing around with other people's packs. I'll have to keep an eye out, but really, that sort of thing is extremely rare. Thu-hikers are a community where each member looks out for the others. There's an almost instant bond that forms between us, and we often trust each other from the get-go (i.e., "oh, you're thu-hiking? watch my pack for me while I run into the store here, will ya?"). So I can see how it would be easy for a poser to abuse the situation. I did meet a hiker, Sexy Monk, who had his pack stolen outside of Bert's Steakhouse in Palmerton, PA. When I was there a bunch of teenagers were loitering around that area so it didn't really surprise me. Undeterred, Sexy Monk borrowed some gear and walked like 40 miles up the trail holding it all in a garbage bag, until he could get a replacement pack.
Date: 2006-07-16
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Bromley Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: light rain

I was hiking by 5:45 this morning, which makes today my earliest start yet, not counting night hikes. The 3/4 mark on the trail was today. I passed it, meaning I have less than a quarter to go! At a beautiful spot called Stratton Pond I had a nice swim, washed some clothes, and met a couple of dope-smoking thru-hikers. One of them has vowed to wear the same underwear all the way to Katahdin. Regrettably, I saw them when he went swimming, and they're RIDDLED with holes, at least one of which is big enough to mistake for a leg-hole! I wish him luck, and hope I don't run into him again.There's been a lot of talk about the Whites, Maine, and Katahdin recently. You can definitely tell that a sense of anticipation is building among us. I hope to make up some time this week through Vermont, so I can slow down a bit when I reach the really rugged terrain in the White and Presidential mountain ranges, and parts of southern Maine.I made it into and (more impressively) out of, Manchester Center, VT today. I bought a new pair of convertible (zip-off) pants/shorts at the EMS store, which is pretty exciting for a guy who's basically been wearing the same two outfits for 90+ days. I figure having pants will be nice for either bugs, or for the cooler weather which I'm sure to encounter ahead. I also bought groceries, hit up Mickie D's, and watched Pirates of the Caribbean II at the local theater. I said goodbye to Mr. K, Patches, and a few others before heading back into the woods. They're all staying in town tonight, and my somewhat aggressive finish date of August 12th means I probably won't see them again. I've pretty much tracked with Mr. K the whole way from PA, which is longer than I've hiked with anyone else. I hope we can get together this fall to share pictures and stories. Since he lives only 45 minutes away from me, it oughta work out.It was getting dark by the time I caught a ride back to the trail-head, but it was only two miles to the next shelter, so no biggie.
Date: 2006-07-17
From: Bromley Mountain Shelter

To: Minnerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 27.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up in the middle of the night with an upset stomach. I was able to fall back asleep, but in the morning it was still there. It probably had something to do with the two double cheeseburgers, lg. fries, and md. shake I had right before I started hiking up the mountain last night. Anyway, it was making me feel miserable, and I wished I had some Tums or something to take for it. Nonetheless, I kept hiking and by lunchtime or so it was getting better. It makes me grateful that I haven't been sick at all on this trip. No cold, flu, tic or water-borne diseases. Not yet, anyway! Even my allergies have been really good overall.I had heard about hikers slowing down near the end of the trip because they don't want it to end, and now that I'm getting pretty far north, I'm starting to see it. A day or two ago I met some folks that have committed to not doing another day over twenty miles for the rest of the trip (I have to average a little over that every day for the rest of mine! =). I have mixed feelings about wanting to be done. I do feel that there is more to experience and learn out here, but overall, I'd say I'm ready to finish. Vermont's really growing on me. The mud seems to be getting better, and the scenery is fantastic. It seems really remote here. The woods are filled with birch and evergreens, and spots are so dense that the trail just twists and turns through it like a maze. You could round a corner and literally be face-to face with a bear or moose. Other spots are open and airy, with little to no underbrush, and the trail surface is often soft, spongy pine needles and duff, which makes for comfortable walking. It reminds me of the woods near the camp in northern Ontario I used to go to as a kid. Circle Square Ranch, in Arden, Ont. Man, those are some good memories.
Date: 2006-07-18
From: Minnerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 30.1
Weather: few clouds

There were two or three trail magic sites today, which was a real treat. Before this week I don't think I'd seen the traditional trail-side cooler type of magic since PA, and I've heard that the reason is that the Appalachian Trail Conservancy has directed all its ridge-runners and volunteers to confiscate anything they find, as litter. Obviously they've never hiked a long section, and haven't experienced the beauty and magic of a cold drink trail-side on a hot day, or they wouldn't be such sticklers about it. I have run across some spots that were pretty trashy, but overall the folks who put out magic know how to maintain them in an orderly way and keep the food and drink safe from animals. Perhaps the ATC could put their efforts into promoting knowledge and use of proper trail-magic techniques instead of alienating hikers by taking away our cold drinks and snacks. They definitely are the ENEMY in all the discussions I've heard about it. Personally, I'm thinking of cancelling the complimentary free ATC membership I won at Trail Days as a way of sending them a message. (Hit 'em where it hurts, in the pocketbook, etc. Wait, I didn't give them any money... =)I climbed Killington Peak today, and hung out at the lodge and snack bar on top of the mountain. One of the ski area employees said I could ride the gondola down for free, but I'd have to pay to come back up. On my way down the mountain (on the trail) it thundered for over an hour, but I had only small spats of rain, and didn't get soaked.I was planning on resupplying in Rutland, but I still had like a day's worth of food (and it was too late for a library to be open) so I just passed it (and the town of Killington) and kept going. I'll hitch into another town tomorrow to get food.It's weird how my energy, endurance, and stamina build throughout the day. For some odd reason I can go faster and farther with fewer breaks late in the day, even after doing 20 or more miles, than I can first thing in the morning. I'd rather do a big climb late in the day than first thing too. I'm not sure if that's common among us hikers or what, but it's definitely how my body works.
Date: 2006-07-19
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: West Hartford, VT
Miles today: 26.2

I awoke this morning to the first actually chilly morning I can remember since Virginia. It was awesome, and definitely preferably to laying on top of my sleeping bag all night. The day continued on a positive note too, exactly the kind of day any thru-hiker would wish for. Beautiful scenery, white fluffy clouds in a clear blue sky overhead, smooth and soft well-maintained trail underfoot, and the wind at your back. Vermont started out so nasty and muddy, but now, it's become one of my favorite states.I did 14 miles by noon, and got an easy hitch into the town of Woodstock. The library wanted $2 per half hour for internet use, and before I left I made sure they knew that they were the first library I'd encountered all the way from GA that charged hikers to get online. The Gillingham's General Store in town was expensive! But it had what I needed to get me to Hanover, so I dished out the dough. Did you know you can get Ben & Jerry's ice cream seconds? Yeah, it has a sticker on it saying it didn't meet their stringent, high quality standards. It still tasted awesome to me. I guess we are in their home state, so this would be where they get rid of their bad batches. You can also buy B&J milkshakes, cones, and ice cream bars around here. Vermont's a good state. Because I couldn¢t get online, I didn't need to be in town that long, and I may have set a personal record for shortest time in/out of town. Pete, a volunteer for the local chamber of commerce map stand, offered me a ride back to the trail, which was nice, because getting out of town was a bit tricky and could have taken me a while.I reached the town of West Hartford late in the day. The trail crosses the White River on an iron bridge, and there's a rope swing under the bridge. A local guy named Randy showed me where the best spot is to jump off the bridge too, and I did! It was a blast- I'd never jumped from anything that high before. It was about 20 feet. I hit the water flat-footed, and while I didn't get hurt, it made me make a mental note to remember to point my toes downward if I ever jump from anything higher. Afterwards, Randy introduced me to his family (they live like two houses from the bridge), and they let me fix/eat dinner in their kitchen and sleep in an old room they have above their garage. What a blessing. Thank you Hart family!
Date: 2006-07-20
From: West Hartford, VT

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: clear sky

It was so nice waking up this morning on a comfy mattress with no bugs buzzing in my ears. As soon as I started walking, a guy sitting on his front porch offered me water, cereal, and bananas. I was in a hurry to get to town, so I declined the cereal, but it was nice to eat a few bananas and chat with him about the Tour De France as I tanked up. The South is touted for its hospitality, but Vermonters are okay in my book, too!I've given up trying to rush in and out of town. Today I just let the day take its course. I ended up spending most of the day in town, but it was a good day. I ate "brick oven" pizza, soda, watermelon, and other sundry goodies. I'm still not having any luck finding the shoes I need in my size. I guess I'll just have to order them and have them shipped to a town ahead. I made some calls home to chat with the family, and picked up some cold-weather gear from the P.O. for the upcoming White Mountains. They say the upcoming trail is some of the most scenic and rugged on the entire AT. I say, Bring it!While I was at the library I got an e-mail from Kenny and Julia. They're back at the NJ/NY border, and I found Julia's rant about the mosquitoes comforting, in a way. It helped me realize that I wasn't the only one being driven out of my mind by those pesky little buggers. I wish I had the e-mail still so I could post a clip from it, but basically she was saying that the bugs were causing even tough seasoned hikers to drop off the trail in tears and frustration. Crossed my second-to-last state line today!
Date: 2006-07-21
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 27.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Rough day today. Ever since GA I've been hearing about how great NH is, but I think those folks were talking about the Whites, and I'm not in the Whites yet. Why bother to maintain other sections of trail in the state, when just about everybody is going for the pretty spots above treeline? So basically, I was slogging through mud and overgrown underbrush. The wet branches and leaves were in my face, and I couldn't see where I was going, so I was slipping and sliding all over the place. In the first thousand miles or so of trail I think I fell once or twice, but now it's a couple times a day, it seems! Nevertheless, I pushed on, and arrived at a pretty cool shelter for the night: the Hexacuba shelter really is a hexagon. plenty of room, and after sleeping in rectangles for months on end, a hexagon is really exciting and fun! haha
Date: 2006-07-23
From: Stream near Kinsman Notch

To: Lonesome Lake Hut
Miles today: 13.5

I slept in and started late today, because I was planning on doing a shorter day into the first of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) huts. The huts are basically mountain top lodges scattered through the whites, where rich tourists can pay $80 or $90 a night for a bunk, dinner, and breakfast. Each hut is run by a "croo," usually college students on break for the summer. The huts are so remote that their non-perishable supplies for the season are air-lifted in by chopper, and then the croo has to make multiple trips on foot throughout the season where they use the trails to pack in fresh fruits and veggies, meats, and other perishables. Their packs look like antiques, and are basically wooden frames with shoulder straps, onto which any number of boxes may by lashed with a stout rope. I was told that they regular carry weights of 70 lbs or more! The meals are really good though, and every night two thru-hikers are allowed to do "work for stay" at each hut. It's usually the first hikers to arrive, but you can never count on it, because there are SOBO hikers as well as northbounders, all vying for the coveted work for stay slots. Two hikers I asked about it both independently described the system as "a total crap-shoot."When I arrived at the Lonesome Lake Hut (the first hut NOBO's encounter on the AT), I inquired about work for stay, and the croo there was nice enough to let me stay even though there were already seven other hikers there. In fact, they were so nice that we ended up with like 20 paying guests and almost as many thru-hikers for the night. They fed us (for free), and in return we chipped in with chores like sweeping and washing dishes. I was grateful for the chance to be out of the rain and dry out some gear. It showed signs of clearing tonight, so I'm hoping that I'll have good weather tomorrow as I hit the more scenic portions of the Whites.(oh, another thing I forgot to mention was that it was so cold and rainy during the day today, that when I stopped at a shelter to eat some lunch, my fingers were too cold and wet to open my zip-loc bag of cheese. I fumbled with it for about five minutes, trying everything I could think of, including using my teeth, before another hiker finally bailed me out of my predicament. Thanks Firefly!)
Date: 2006-07-24
From: Lonesome Lake Hut

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Early start today, since I wanted to get in and out of the town of North Woodstock. I was the first one to arrive at the town laundromat, and was able to spread out some gear to dry in the parking lot (sure enough, the day dawned chilly, but perfectly clear). I even threw my soggy pack in a dryer, and fluffed up my sleeping bag. I've started carrying my camera battery charger with me rather than keeping it in my bounce box, so I've been able to use my camera more without being so concerned about conserving the batteries, one of which I charged at the laundromat (I carry a spare too).As soon as the post office opened I went in and asked if they had a box for me. I was really hoping my new shoes had arrived, but I wasn't sure since they had only been order a couple days before. They let me come in the back to look for it myself, and after a few scary minutes I eventually found it. You have no idea how excited I was to have new shoes. For a thru-hiker, I'd say that new shoes are right up there with a new car for the rest of society. It's our only means of transportation; what gets you from A to B. Imagine trading in your old worn out car with high miles in for a brand new 2006 model. Yeah, you'd be thrilled too!I bought a bunch of snacky-type foods from the grocery, but not a lot of dinner or breakfast foods, anticipating that I'd be able to score some free food at at least some of the huts on the trail ahead. It took a while to hitch back to the trail, and I ended up getting a ride back to not quite the same point where I had left. I had to bush-walk across a divided interstate and then walk back about a quarter of a mile to resume where I had stopped early that morning. Oh the bothers of being a purist.After a long and steep climb of several thousand feet, I was on Franconia Ridge, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful sections on the entire trail. When people take pictures of the AT for calendars or postcards, this is often where they come. The weather was awesome, and the scenery just about blew me away. I kept stopping to take more and more pictures. There's no way I can describe the rugged beauty adequately, so just go look at the pictures in the photo gallery.At the end of the day I lucked out with another friendly crew at another hut, who fed me and sheltered me for the night even though I was hiker #3. It's a good thing too, because in the White mountains you have to pay for even a basic tent site, if you're not at the huts, and there are strict rules about camping above treeline or near roads, huts, tent sites, streams, trails, or basically anywhere =).
Date: 2006-07-25
From: Galehead Hut

To: Mizpah Springs Hut
Miles today: 21.1

Another day of awesome weather and stunning beauty. These mountains really are rugged, and one of the consequences is that they slow you down. I was pushing today just to top 20 miles, when normally the same amount of effort would have gotten me a lot further.The big news of the day was that I scored another work-for-stay arrangement at yet another hut. That makes three for three! And this one was completely legit, as I was only the second hiker to ask for it. The other hiker there for the night ended up being Silver Streak, whom I had met way back in PA but hadn't seen since. It was fun getting caught up and comparing notes on the miles since then. For his work for stay, Silver Streak gave a talk to the guests about the trail, and hosted a time of Q&A. I was there too, and ended up participating. After his hour or so long talk, Silver Streak came over and sat by me, and a group of guests surrounded us to ask even more questions. I felt like a celebrity, and it was amusing to observe their fascination with the phenomenon of "the thru-hiker."
Date: 2006-07-26
From: Mizpah Springs Hut

To: Osgood Tentsite
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: fog

The croo at Mizpah takes the work for stay arrangement seriously. At some huts they let you off without any work at all, or maybe a token chore that doesn't take a lot of time or effort. (Of course, I was happy to sweep and wash dishes at the last two huts I stayed at though.) Here, however, they set me to sweeping out the bathrooms and all of the 6 or 7 bunkrooms. And then they had me helping with the privy composting, and further instructed me to straighten up the bunks as I was sweeping. I did a fairly thorough job, but didn't ask if they had anything else for me to do before I left! Before I set out, I had two offers for places to stay on the way home, one in Augusta ME (from one of the croo), and another in MA, right off the interstate, from a guest couple who were really sweet, and quite interested in my hike. Today was another sky-high experience. Together with the famous Franconia Ridge, the Presidential Range of the Whites is renowned for astounded vistas and breathtaking scenery, and its fame is justly deserved. My string of good weather was holding, and I felt supremely blessed to be where I was doing what I was doing.I stopped at Lake of the Clouds Hut and ate about 4 pieces of corn bread and chocolate cake (AYCE baked goods during the day for $1!), before pushing on to the summit of Mt. Washington. It was a madhouse up there. The huts had been fairly crowded, but at least all these people carried packs and actually hiked there. Mt. Wash, on the other hand, was full of total tourists who either drove up, or paid through the nose for a ride up on the oh-so-cute little cog railway. Then they stood in line to take their picture at the summit cairn, congratulating each other on their accomplishment. If you're sensing a hint of disdain in my voice it's probably because I'm laying it on pretty thick =). I know it's mean, and they're just out enjoying their family vacations or whatever, but it does seem cheap that with so little effort they're enjoying the same views that I've hiked 1800 miles to see! Okay, I've told myself to "grow up," "get a life," etc., so I'm good now.I inquired about work for stay at the Madison Springs Hut, and they probably would have let me stay too, but it was still pretty early, there were a couple of hikers there and more coming behind me, and there ware free tent sites a few miles further down the trail, so I pushed on. On my descent it started to thunder and a few sprits of rain hit me, but it never developed into anything serious, and ending up causing a beautiful rainbow.At the Osgood Tent Site, all the sites are actually wooden platforms. They've had these on other sections of the trail, but I'd never tried setting my tarp up on one before. With a little creativity I had a storm-worthy shelter in a couple of minutes though, and a restful night's sleep.
Date: 2006-07-27
From: Osgood Tentsite

To: Rattle River Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: haze

After the highs of the last few days it was only natural to feel a little let-down as I dropped back below tree-line and into the lower elevations. It was noticeably buggier and warmer down there, but oh well, one must push on. I stopped at the Pinkham Notch visitor center, which is AMC's headquarters for the Whites, and purchased a meal and a new pair of socks as a pick-me-up. I had a really slow morning, but finally picked up some momentum late in the day as I traversed the Wildcat Range. I was motivated by the thought of hitting town soon, and the Maine border!Late in the day I was racing downhill to reach the shelter before dark. As I slipped and slid down the face of the mountain a very appropriate song popped into my head. In relevant part, it goes:"Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, help me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light...When my way grows drear, precious Lord, linger near, when my light is almost gone- hear my cry, hear my call, guide my feet, lest I fall, take my hand, lead me home..."It got me there! I soaked one foot in a stream crossing in the last quarter mile, but I had a shelter all to myself, and the promise of town food in the morning.