morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Bear Mtn

To: Graymoor Monastery
Miles today: 7.1

Saturday, April 26Tonight will have to be a short entry because it's late and time for bed. We awoke this morning to rain showers but they magically stopped as we began our hike and blue skies peeked out from behind the clouds. Dale and Lynn Witt met us at the lodge and took the contents of our packs so we could slackpack. In addition, Lynn had prepared a veritable feast for us to take with us--homemade cookies, fruit smoothies, breakfast burritos and snack bags. Yum!They drove us down to the trail do we didn't have to walk the mile trek from the lodge. We said our goodbyes and headed for the Trail Museum and Zoo. The trail goes right through when it's open. But the morning was young, and everything was closed. After some fumbling around, we located the alternative trail that led to the Bear Mountain bridge. We were awed by the crossing of the Hudson River on the bridge. After crossing a busy road, we located the trail and made the steep climb up Anthony's Nose. The views were magnificent, and Rammy pointed out West Point to us. The day's hike went smoothly on good trail and with lightened loads, and we reached our goal of 8 miles by noon. We stopped briefly for lunch at the Appalachian Deli then climbed up to the Graymoor Monastery. The chapels were open, and we were able to explore the grounds. I kept thinking of the Da Vinci Code as we entered dimly lit chapels with painted floors and candles glowing at the foot of statues. Early in the afternoon, Dale and Lynn picked us up and drove us to pick up some fuel and beer. I was surprised to see that a six pack of Bud cost $5.50. We had 5Buck Buds last night at the lodge. Five dollars for Bud Light!At the home of Lynn and Dale, we were treated to wonderful snacks before dinner with good wine and then a magnificent meal. Lynn had prepared the entire feast just for three very hungry hikers. We had such fun discussing books, trail stuff, and so many other things that we all have in common. One of the reasons that I love the AT experience so much is because of the people I meet along the way. Dale and Lynn have taken us into their home, helped us with resupply and fed us. Their kindness and generosity characterize the trail as a place where faith in humanity is restored, where kindness prevails. The world is a better place because of people like Lynn and Dale. And that is what the trail taught me today. It just doesn't get any better than this. Life is good!
Date: 2014-04-27
From: Graymoor Monastery

To: Canopus Lake
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Sunday, April 27Happy Cinco de Mayo! I know it's not May yet, but we had to seize the opportunity to celebrate with our friends. Dale and Lynn picked us up at Canopus Lake after a 12 mile day of ups and downs but mostly ups. We made good time because we were slack packing and the weather was quite cool. Winter's chill clings to the mountaintops and so our breaks are short and our pace is quick. Hiking with Rammy and Llyn is pure pleasure. They are great company and we seem to have fallen into a pace that is good for all. The terrain is less rocky so I can usually keep up with my fast friends. Tomorrow we will head out with packs again and increase our mileage if we can. We want to cover as much ground as possible before the rains hit tomorrow night. We are supposed to receive several days of rain and even cooler temperatures. I'm very happy to have my winter gear with me. We will miss the wonderful hospitality of our friends, Lynn and Dale. They have fed us well, shuttled us for two days and made us feel like family. I really can't say enough about these two kind and gentle people. They have taught me much about paying it forward and I can't wait to do the same for hikers this summer. Thank you, Dale and Lynn, for all you have done! You have enriched my life with your friendship. Life is good!
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Mt Algo Shelter
Miles today: 38.0

After two days of soaking rains, puddle stomping, and fording raging rivers that were once babbling brooks, Llyn, Rammy and I retreated to the home of Maria McCabe in Salisbury, CT. We were thrilled to have made it as far as Connecticut, but were surprised by the difficulty of the terrain. Our 13 mile day consisted of four separate mountains. Although Schagticoke was fascinating, it was difficult. And Llyn had to overcome her fear of snakes by stepping lightly around not one but two snakes!Llyn and I were dragging for most of the day while Rammy stayed ahead, waiting at River crossings to yell out where the best rocks were and to make sure we didn't fall in. At the end of the day, we were happy to visit MAria's lovely home, take hot showers and hit the laundromat with our putrid clothing. I had had a particularly difficult day as my left knee felt unstable and ached throughout the day. I had injured it while hiking in Maine last August and my doctor had warned me against long distance backpacking with a heavy pack. I thought I could beat the odds, and things went pretty well until we started increasing our mileage. When I showered at Maria's, I was surprised to see how it had ballooned. It didn't look or feel any better in the morning. So I had to make the tough decision to hang up my pack and to say goodbye to my friend, Rammy and to the trail. We dropped Rammy off this morning and tearfully watched as he set out across the field alone. He can now soar ahead as he has become fast and strong. But I am done. I have learned much in my journey. I have met many wonderful people and have felt the support and encouragement from you. Thank you. It is time for me to focus on writing my book. It will be a story of following dreams and accepting the lessons that come in that pursuit. There is so much more that is gained than could ever be expected in a journey like this. I hope I can capture that and share it. May all of you find happiness in your pursuits. And appreciate the surprises along the way. With love,Slow n Steady
Date: 2014-07-07
From: Three Mile Rd

To: Hanover
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

Three Mile Road to Hanover, NH--8 miles. The sun rose at 4:30 this morning but I wasn't supposed to get up until an hour later. The day to begin hiking the state of NH had finally arrived! Rammy and his wife, Becky, drove here from their home in PA yesterday and were staying with us. After several cups of coffee, we were ready for the drive to the trailhead. First, we drove down to Lyme-Dorchester Rd to meet my friend, Siva. We arrived exactly at 8:30 and she was waiting. Then, thanks to guidance from my maps app on my cell phone and directions that Siva had gotten from the postmaster in Lyme, we headed out in search of Three Mile Rd. We were able to find the trailhead within a half hour. We climbed out of the car, grabbed our packs and we were off. I looked back at my white Subaru and said a little prayer in hopes that it would still be there, untouched, when we returned. We are beginning our trek through NH as slackpackers. That is not a respected method by many, but we figure we can claim geriatric status, as we are lucky to even be doing the miles, period. The day was humid and the mosquitoes were out, but our spirits were high. Without the weight of heavy packs, we were able to glide along the gentle terrain. Well. We thought we were gliding. Actually, we were managing two miles an hour. We stopped for lunch on a small peak with flat rocks carpeted by pine needles. It was exquisite. Re-energized, we took off for the final three miles. The descent was long and my left knee began to ache toward the end. I am hoping that the pain will ease as I gain more strength. I am hoping to avoid knee replacement surgery for a little longer. As our watches neared 2 pm, we emerged from the woods into the Sunshine and busy streets of Hanover. We did not discuss what our plans were but we all moved together another mile into the main area of the town and ended up at the gelato place that we had heard about. We had just reached the shop when the skies opened up. How lucky can that be?!?As we finished our gelato, the weather cleared, and we left to explore the town. We visited the Dartmouth Outing Club where hikers are greeted by a friendly receptionist who is a wealth of information. Later, we headed to a basement barbecue place that was amazing! It was happy hour so we all had Switchback beer on tap and magnificent meat. Wow was it good! I haven't had barbecue like that since Kansas City!After dinner, we called trail angel Karen from Tiggers Treehouse, and she quickly drove up in her Subaru to pick us up. After a brief tour of the area, we arrived at her home. Karen and her husband Ralph generously open their home to hikers and provide space in their finished basement to shower and hang out. The kindnesses that have been given to me as I complete my trek never fail to astound me. Life is good!
Date: 2014-07-09
From: Lyme-Dorchester Rd

To: Hexacuba shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light rain

25A to Hexacuba Shelter--5 milesWe were thinking of calling today a Nero day--that's when a hiker goes a short distance so that the rest of the day is left to play. But those five miles took us all day. The reason we took all day to hike just five miles is because we took our time and just enjoyed the trail and the views. The other reason is because the north side of Mt Cube is a big playground of boulders and precarious walks along slick slabs of smooth rock. But the short distance meant that we could take our time and stop at views. We arose at 5 to the sound of crickets. That's the sound on my cell phone alarm. I was in a deep sleep after yesterday's strenuous climbs. We filled the back of my car with our full packs and took off. Rammy and Becky drove their car so we could position our cars at trail heads. The drive to Lyme Dorchester Road was easy because we had been there before. The original plan was to leave my car at Cape Moonshine Rd, but I was apprehensive when I saw the tiny space for one car off the dirt road. It seemed too remote to be safe. So we cut our hike distance by two miles (which will lengthen the section to Glencliff). The trail was gentle and the morning was cool as we began our climb up Mt Cube. Puffy white clouds floated in the azure blue sky. What a difference from the humid haze of the day before! Even the birds seemed happier as we were serenaded by the flutelike notes of the Hermit Thrush. As we climbed along the trail, we ran into people we had met over the past two days. They must really wonder what we are doing and how we get to where we are. We have hiked southbound then northbound then southbound again. But we are working our way north with each completed section. Actually, it's a lot of fun to see our progress as we drive to trail heads. It's a different and fun way to do the AT. Tonight, we are comfortably settled in Hexacuba Shelter. It's a hexagon-shaped shelter that can accommodate a pretty large crowd. A family hiking with two small boys, aged 6 and 7 years is cooking their dinner in one area while a kilted, bearded thru hiker rummages through his food bag. In another area, a guy who is hiking down to High Point State Park then up to the Adirondacks is examining the contents of his enormous pack. Today is his first day, and he was accompanied by a mother-daughter pair in sandals. They did the AT together in 2009, wearing those sandals. Even more amazing is that they completed the trail in a little over three months!Rammy, Becky and I have our gear laid out and are waiting to cook dinner. A rainstorm just passed through, cooling the evening air. I'm glad I have my warm sleeping bag with me. I did save some weight by forgetting to pack toilet paper. Don't even ask. The tp must have walked out of my pack because I can't imagine forgetting something as critical as that!The sun is peeking through the trees and it's time to make dinner. Long day tomorrow. But today, life is good!
Date: 2014-07-11
From: rt 112

To: Eliza Brook shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Rt 112 to Eliza Brook shelter--7.5 milesAnother gorgeous day! We decided to sleep until we woke up because I remembered today's hike as relatively easy so I thought we could start a little later. I was wrong about the easy part. What a difference a few more years makes on the joints. And then I remembered. It's been 15 years since I hiked this section. How time flies and how one ages in that span. We began with a substantial climb, but it was early and we were feeling pretty strong in spite of being exhausted yesterday. The day was full of climbs then drops then more climbing over boulders then sliding down slabs of granite. I felt adventurous so I tested out my boots to see how much of a slant they would hold me. What I found was that they grip pretty well on dry rocks when I'm not tired. But things changed as I became more worn by the trail. The humidity was low and bugs were few. We could see the blue sky through the trees so all was good. But, phew, was it strenuous! We reached the summit of Wolf Mtn in time for lunch. We sat on the rocks in the sunshine and admired the view of Lafayette across the notch. We left at 1 with only 3 more miles to go. But they were tough and we weren't. We took our time and it felt much later than it was because the sun seemed lowIn the sky. Suddenly, we heard a wailing sound and looked into the woods in time to see a ruffed grouse with her feathers standing on end around her neck. Her tail feathers were spread out and she continued to shriek as she hobbled through the woods. Rammy explained that she probably had babies nearby. We did manage to get some great pictures which I hope to share with you. They are on my camera and I will have to download them. We reached a wide opening for a powerline and the trail evened out a bit. Only a half mile to go. Soon, we heard the water from the stream, and I knew we were close. Before long, we saw the sign for the shelter and I was thrilled to see that it was brand new. We were fortunate to get a space as the shelter and tent sites are full. Lots of happy chatter and moans from stiff and sore joints. I've had a bath, a great dinner, and I'm ready for a good night's sleep. Life is good!
Date: 2014-07-14
From: rt 112

To: Eliza Brook shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Rt 112 to Eliza Brook shelter--7.5 milesAnother gorgeous day! We decided to sleep until we woke up because I remembered today's hike as relatively easy so I thought we could start a little later. I was wrong about the easy part. What a difference a few more years makes on the joints. And then I remembered. It's been 15 years since I hiked this section. How time flies and how one ages in that span. We began with a substantial climb, but it was early and we were feeling pretty strong in spite of being exhausted yesterday. The day was full of climbs then drops then more climbing over boulders then sliding down slabs of granite. I felt adventurous so I tested out my boots to see how much of a slant they would hold me. What I found was that they grip pretty well on dry rocks when I'm not tired. But things changed as I became more worn by the trail. The humidity was low and bugs were few. We could see the blue sky through the trees so all was good. But, phew, was it strenuous! We reached the summit of Wolf Mtn in time for lunch. We sat on the rocks in the sunshine and admired the view of Lafayette across the notch. We left at 1 with only 3 more miles to go. But they were tough and we weren't. We took our time and it felt much later than it was because the sun seemed lowIn the sky. Suddenly, we heard a wailing sound and looked into the woods in time to see a ruffed grouse with her feathers standing on end around her neck. Her tail feathers were spread out and she continued to shriek as she hobbled through the woods. Rammy explained that she probably had babies nearby. We did manage to get some great pictures which I hope to share with you. They are on my camera and I will have to download them. We reached a wide opening for a powerline and the trail evened out a bit. Only a half mile to go. Soon, we heard the water from the stream, and I knew we were close. Before long, we saw the sign for the shelter and I was thrilled to see that it was brand new. We were fortunate to get a space as the shelter and tent sites are full. Lots of happy chatter and moans from stiff and sore joints. I've had a bath, a great dinner, and I'm ready for a good night's sleep. Life is good!
Date: 2014-07-17
From: Rt 3 parking area and trailhead

To: Greenleaf Hut
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

US 3 to Greenleaf Hut--8 milesOn the trail at 6:30 am and at the hut by 3. Eight miles in eight and a half hours. And these weren't that tough!We awoke early; I made breakfast burritos, and we loaded in the car. We reached the exit for the trailhead, and I pulled the car to the side of the road. Although I wouldn't recommend doing this, it saved us a mile of walking on nonAT trail. The climb up Liberty Springs was not as steep as I remembered, but we climbed slowly. The 2.6 miles took us two and a half hours. Got some water at the spring then headed up. In another .3 mile, I was on the flat path in the alpine growth. Strolling along, I realized that today was going to be a perfect day. The walking was moderate until suddenly, the rocks became boulders and the climbs became challenging. Then, as quickly as they appeared, they disappeared and the trail again became a smooth walk along tree line in the sunshine. We reached the summit at the top of Fallimg Waters trail and stopped for a snack. The wind had an icy chill so we looked for a spot that was sheltered from the wind. I found a nice sunny spot and we settled in for a snackfest. As we began walking again, I had to be careful not to misjudge the rocks. One misstep and I would find myself flat on the trail. Also, the day was so glorious and the views from either side of the path were so amazing that I slowly ambled along. Finally, we began the long climb up Lafayette. To my dismay, dark and foreboding clouds had begun to envelope the summit. A cold wind sent shivers down my back. I stepped up the pace and finally reached the summit. Rammy was clicking pictures of the 360 degree view. I told him that I was afraid of a change in weather and that I wanted to head for the hut. Reluctantly, Rammy followed me off the summit. The pathway to the summit was rocky and steep. The last mile of the day is always the hardest and this was no exception. An hour later, I finally reached the pond below the hut--a welcome sight indeed!Inside the hut, we met Phoebe, the hut master. She was a bundle of energy and kindness and offered to see if we could do work for stay and move our reservations to Galehead. Unfortunately, she couldn't reach the staff to make the change but it was a nice offer. The light is fading and my eyes are heavy. The din in the hut has become a murmur. Time for bed. Life is good!
Date: 2014-07-20
From: Ethan Pond campsite

To: Rt 302 parking area
Miles today: 2.7

The morning was cool, and I made myself coffee and sipped it while sitting against the shelter wall in my sleeping bag. We ate a quick breakfast, packed up, and flew down the final few miles. We were at the car by 8, and happily driving home in air conditioning. The day was sunny, and I spent most of it floating on a raft in the pool. It was good to be home and to see Bob. Life is good!
Date: 2014-07-21
From: Rt 302 parking area

To: Nauman tentsite
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: light rain

Rt 302 to Nauman Tentsite--6.7 very tough milesThis morning, I did not awaken before the alarm. In fact, I could've slept a few hours longer. But I got up, showered, poured myself a cupof coffee and began to prepare for the day's hike. Rammy was up and dressed but did not look very well. He sad he was up al night and that his stomach was upset. However, he insisted he was not going to take a zero day and wanted to hike. And so we left for the trailThe trail began climbing almost immediately. Then the steep incline became a jumble of rocks, requiring hand over hand climbing. I put my poles in my pack and grabbed onto the cool, hard stone. I enjoyed the climbs and chatted as we climbed higher and higher. But Rammy was struggling. He was certain that he had some kind of bug. And here he was, climbing Webster Cliffs, one of the toughest trails in the Whites. Every so often, Rammy would stop and sit on a rock and tell me to go ahead. I didn't ask, but I suspected he was pretty sick. Still, he always managed to catch up to me which meant that he was hiking faster and stronger than I was. I am truly Slow and Steady!When we finally reached the summit of Mt Jackson, we stopped for lunch. The views were magnificent with clouds just dotting the blue skies. We could clearly see the summit of Mt Washington, and Rammy commented that it was getting closer and closer. I can't wait for our hike to Mt Wash tomorrow! What an amazing place this is! I am always astounded by the beauty of this great wilderness. Descending Jackson was a little scary as it was very steep. But once that was done, the trail to the hut was not too bad. Just as I was commenting that we should soon see the Mizpah Cutoff trail, we rounded a bend and there it was! And then we were at the hut. We took a break inside, and I was surprised to see one of the AMC staff who had accompanied our students at Whitefield on a hike up Willard. She was volunteering at the hut as croo and was dressed in a teal tutu and matching Crocs with a bright green tank top. Every so often, she would whiz around on a scooter. Hilarious! We had a great time catching up and it was good to see her. Rammy and I then went to the nearby Tentsite to set up our tarptents. Tent platforms were our only option and the tarptent is not freestanding. I've been successful in setting up my tent on a platform before, so I was up for the task. An hour later, both of us had our tents up, but Rammy's looks taut and perfect while mine looks like a house of straw. Pray for a dry night. The sun has set and the birds are singing their evening calls Time to crawl into my sleeping bag. Life is good!
Date: 2014-08-11
From: Imp Shelter

To: Gorham
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

These miles were tough, no doubt about it. My poles broke and my shoes had little tread. Wet rocks were slippery and I became overtired. Had I thought to take something with potassium, I would have recovered. Instead, I took many breaks and ate and drank a lot. The Rattle River shelter was a welcome sight. I rested there, played in the water, then sped through the mercifully flat final two miles in a half hour! I'm home, resting. Life is good!