morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-02
From: Imp Shelter

To: Osgood Campsite
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: broken clouds

Two guys turned up quite late, so between them f****** around for ages with their stuff and surround sound snoaring I hardly got a wink of sleep. I was up and after breakfast made it onto the trail by 6.30 ish. I carried on where I left of last night and was tearing down the trail. I wasn't really noticing the climbs as I was blasting on for 22-25 miles. There were some great views along the way and after a steep descend into Carter Notch I decided to stop for a while for some little debbie doughnuts. I chatted away to the caretaker who again was another pretty girl, she definatley fancied me (can you blame her), so I was tempted by the work too stay. Ah well I was stinking and she was probably glad to see the back of me !!!! The climb out of Carter Notch and the ground over the Wildcats was tough but I was still burning up the miles. I passed the cable car service and then an old pair of ladies, one of which turned out to be Grandma Yo, .Now after the pair of them had just come up one of the steepest parts of the Whites and they were moving very fast and not even the slightest bit out of breath. It was very inspiring to see that long steep down hill to 'Pinkham Notch'. I learned about the A.Y.C.E. buffet. I wasn't even hungry but greed took over. I had to lie down outside for two hours to try and sleep it off. I had made it to Pinkham by 1 am and well on my way to Mount Washington. After I was able to move again I just about made it to Osgood Tent Site. The buffet was a very bad idea to say the least. With still no room in my belly to even think about food I just set the tent up to get a good rest for the assault on the Presidentials in the morning.
Date: 2003-07-03
From: Osgood Campsite

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

Not the early start I had planned for (again). I eventually got going on the trail at about 9.15am and was straight into the climb on Madison. The climb was steep and rocky for the most part below tree line, above the trees was just a steep boulder field and I could se Madison stretch out before me. It was an enjoyable climb due to the fantastic scenary of the Presidential Range. I met another hiker at the summit we took pictures for each other on the summit and went our seperate ways. I made it to Madison Hut only to see a sign in the kitchen saying 'All you can eat Lasangna'. A repeat performance of the pigout at Pinkham. After my short break in the hut I headed back out onto the trail. The mountains were just breathtaking and I felt glad to be hiking them. The A.T. skirted around all the summits so the path to Washington even though it was rocky was quite easy going. The trails were quite busy and I met alot of hikers and I bumped into 'Walkman ' who I had hiked with on my last evening in Maine. The trail about a mile short of Mount Washington was badly sign posted hence I took a detour of nearly 2 miles. I was very pissed off to say the least !!!! All the trails are marked the same on this range. WHY!!! So once back on the track and breathing lung full after lung full of smoke and having hot ash land on me from the train (leave no trace? Fragile Alpine Area?)I got to the summit only to have to wait in a que of tourists who were getting pictures there, 'I climbed to the summit picture' well the last 10 feet from the carpark!!! to the top of Washinton was a hell hole. All the views were blocked out by resturants , gift shops and so on, but I am only a tourist just the same as the rest. I had a few snacks and a laugh at the people still getting photos at the summit and then headed of to Mizpah Hut. I stopped in at Lake of the Clouds to check on the trails to follow as I didn't fancy another 2 miles mistake. Again the trail skirted the summits which made the 5 miles very easy to hike. I got to Mizpah at around 7.15pm and asked about work to stay. I met up with 2 guys in Gorham and got some work for stay, and all you can eat left overs. The food was great. I was totally stuffed and had a bed for the night and all I had to do was clean the oven. (30 mins work).
Date: 2003-07-04
From: Mizpah Hut

To: A Lake Somewhere
Miles today: 25.2

I was up at 4am!!!! Unbelievable but worth it. After a fill of all you can eat chocolate brownies I was on the trail for 5.15am. The early morning was a great time to be out hiking except for the cobwebs which stick to your face. I was really in the mood for a big day and I spent the early part of the morning singing 'These boots are made for walking'..... The views from MountWebster back across the 'P's' with the early morning sun just in the sky were great and where well worth the effort to get up early. I was making good time and got down to 3.302 by 8.15am . Once back on the trail over the road the trail was very flat all the way to Zealand Hut so I was there at 10.45 am. The early start was well worth it as I had already covered nearly 15 miles. I rested there and had a snack until around 11.45 ish and headed off to the next lean too 'Gatehead'. The trail was a bit more up and down and was quite busy with day hikers. The sun was now getting quite hot and I was sweating heavily much so that salt was forming around the straps of the rucksack and all over my clothes. I arrived at 'Gatehead' just before 3.30pm and had a short break and made up some for the rest of the days hike. Everybody had warned me how tough the next section was so that only made me more determined to reach 'Greenleaf Hut' , still people I met on the trail could not believe I was hiking so late in the day as it had taken them most of the day to complete this section. I was still running 2.5 miles per hour and making good time. The climb up Mount Garfield was very steep and in some places it gained 1,000 feet in 0.4 of a mile!!!! I spoke to a couple of girls who were hiking NOBO and they explanied that there was a lake just up ahead with a few people camping near it. It was only 6pm but I decided to call it a day there as 'Greenleaf Hut' was 1.1m of the trail so it seemed daft to do an extra 2.2 miles. After the dinner and after the flies had their dinner (ME) and a chat to the 2 guys at camp I called it a night. P.S. To all my American Buddies on this historic day .... "Rule Britania , Britania Rules the World......
Date: 2003-07-05
To: Lonesome Lake Hut
Miles today: 12.2

I was awake at first light and quickly fell back asleep. By the time I had got up and was ready to go it was around 9am. It was a nice place to stop but for the Black Flies which were relentless I was straight into hiking hard so it wasn't long before I was above tree-line . Dam that Mountain just kept getting bigger. I thought I was at the summit at least 5 times. At the summit I stopped and chatted to the alpinest who was there. I got some good advice about thunder storms, warning signs and what to do on a ridge when one rolls in, it is some very important advise I will not forget. Still on a charge and wanting to get into town before the forecasted storms I crossed the 1.7 mile on the ridge from Daft Lalyette to Little Haystack in around 30 mins. I was pumping sweat by the gallon. There was alot of people out on the range. I warned alot of them about the storms that were predicted, one reply I got was.... 'Its o.k. we have rain gear'. , some people really do not appreciate or understand how dangerous weather is on mountains. I got down to the road and as I was hitching the heavens opened and soaked my nice clean clothes I had just changed into. No-body would stop and I cursed every car at the top of my voice that passed me. I eventually got a ride in the back of a truck and dropped into North Woodstock. After my fix of pizza I got to the laundramat to give my clothes a much needed clean. After a quick stock up on trail food I got a hitch as soon as my thumb went out. They dropped me at the State Park. I put my thumb out again and within 10 secs a car pulled in. As I got into the car I stood on the guys sandwich and squashed it flat. I pretended not to notice but I felt bad. He dropped me where I got off the trail and I met up with 'Squirell Meat' who I had met the day before. I went on ahead to the hut where I arranged some work for stay. The lake by the hut was just begging to be swam in. It was so refreshing to swim around and relax. The scenary was amazing with the Ladayette Range determinating the horizon and it felt good to know I had climbed those Mountains earlier in the day. Dinner was all you could eat and I did my fair share of it. Our work consisted of washing cutlery which took about 30 mins. The start in the morning looks quite tough and I plan on being on the trail for around 5am. to get a good start and get some miles in early as I have a feeling that the storms that have been threatening will definitely come tomorrow as it has been so hot the last few days.
Date: 2003-07-06
To: Glencliffe
Miles today: 25.0

Somehow some mosquitos got in the hut and spent the whole night buzzing by my ear. (F*** thats annoying). I was up at 5am had a quick breakfast and was away on the trail by 6 ish. The early morning is a great time to hike at this time of the year, its alot easier to find top gear before the Sun gets hot. I met alot of NOBO'S on the trail today, alot of which knew of and had met the 'Flying Scotsman'. One girl called 'Walkabout' met him at trail days and said he was very popular down there and even said he was cute -- are we talking about the same guy? She also said all he wanted to do was get drunk so maybe we where!!!! I had heard from all the NOBO'S about a hostel in Glencliff on the trail which they all agreed it was a cool place to hang out, so I decided to push for there. The mountains were by no means tough but there was alot of them and there never seemed to be a flat spot. Oh yeah the climb up to Mousilakee was steep for the first 1 and a half miles, but well worth it as the views were some of the best I had seen. It felt nice to look back across all that fantastic scenary to know I had climbed all those peaks in the last day or two. Leaving the peak I was on a charge fueled by the thought of beer , pizza and any mischief the hostel might throw up. Once at the hostel I had a quick shower and headed into town with the other NOBO's I had just met at the hostel. We went to the 'Garlic Clove' restaurant. The barmaid was really cute which almost made the beer taste better but I guess she isn't into grubby hikers!!! I did get her with the 'Elvis' joke, it works all the time. I took the pizza back to the hostel and eat beside a fellow SOBO who was eating ramem noodles. So he was happy when I gave him a couple of slices. The plan is to be awake early but my track record in that department speaks for itself!!!
Date: 2003-07-07
To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The snoaring last night was in surround sound - aaarrrggghhh!! I felt like going berserk but hey thats what you have to put up with when you bunk down with 10 people. I slept downstairs on the floor as I knew I would get no sleep otherwise. I was up at 5 ish and had some muffins for breakfast and chatted with 'Packrat' who runs the hostel and who has also hiked the PCT and AT. He also co-designs Moonbow Gear. They are rucksacks that turn into tents. They are very well designed and put together to whatever spec you desire. These are definatley going to take off and the website if you are interested is www.moonbowgear.com -- check it out. I finally made it to the trail just before 9am and quickly found my stride. There was alot of bugs on the trail so I was glad to still have some cleet left. The day again was not that hard but never really that flat, I had startled on a Moose early on in the day. All I could hear was a very large animal running off crashing through trees, but unfortunatley I didn't get to see it. Water was very scarce so you had to fill up at every opportunity. I caught up to 'Dixiebound' who had left the hostel earler. He was heading for the firewardens towers on Sonato Mountain. I decided to head on to trapper John's shelter. The last few miles were quite tough as I was getting tired. Finally at the shelter I was glad to sit down and get some dinner. I met a group of 3 section hikers and a lady NOBO who was fun to chat too. I was very pleased to cover so much ground after such a late start to the day. 27 miles in 10 hours in New Hampshire, I think I will sleep well tonight!!!
Date: 2003-07-08
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Panarchy Frat House
Miles today: 16.0

The alarm went off at 6am, I got up at 9.30. After breakfast I got back on the trail at around 11ish, a bad mistake as it is very hard to get going when it is so hot. The day was a real chore and I didn't feel like I could get out of 1st gear.I met a few more NOBO's one of which was on his 4th thru - hike, his name was 'Spot'. After chatting to him I decided to get some running shoes to hike in. My feet are hurting and to be honest I don't think the boots are designed for hiking fast, and I really want to start pushing myself. I have also decided to get s smaller pack, get rid of my sleeping bag for a bed sheet and to get rid of my water proofs for a poncho. I think I can cut the weight down by 7-8 pounds. I was glad to get to Hanover for two reasons - my feet were hurting and I had run out of bug spray. Anyone in ear shot of me must have thought I had 'Turets Syndrome' with all the swearing and cursing I was shouting at the Mosquito's. After walking a long way in the wrong direction in Hanover some guy asked if I needed help finding anywhere, He very kindly dove me back to where I made the wrong turn. Finally I got to the Fraternity House where the college students put hikers up free of charge in the basement. I had a shower and headed out into town to check the place out. It is pretty much built around the College and is a cool place. I bumped into 'Dixiebound', 'Morning Moose' and 'Catatonic', while out and about. They told me about an all you can eat pizza restaurant,.... say no more. It was $4.95 for A.Y.C.E so I was very happy. I left there quite full, got a few beers and headed back to the frat house to chill-out.
Date: 2003-07-09
From: Panarchy Frat House

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up early as I had alot of thing to sort out before heading back to the trail. I ate breadfast, dam they do great pancakes and the Maple Syrup was by far the best I had ever tasted. After breakie I headed over to the Sport Store where I bought a pair of Addidas trail running shoes. They cost $80 but they feel so light on my feet compared with the boots. Next up was a visit to E.M.S to find a smaller light-weight rucksack. After a longtime searching through all the packs and trying them on , I decided to go with the 'TERRA 40' bag ,The North Face. It cost $99 but it is a whole lot of pack for the money and has descent padding and a good fitting hip strap which seemed hard to find on the smaller packs. Back at the frat house I packed my boots, waterproofs, filter and sleeping bag into my other pack and posted it on. Although the pack and boots are of high quality I was glad to see the back of them as they were the wrong tools for the job. Hanover was a cool place to hang out and I didn't realise the college here is one of the top 10 in the country. " So the girls are rich aswell as good looking" I think I might be back here one day !!!! After getting packed up it was time to hit the trail again. The pack felt so light it hardly felt like I had it on and the shoes give me a real spring in my step. I couldn't believe the difference and I had to stop myself from running. I only hiked to the 1st shelter as I had a real late start to the day. All was peaceful until Earl showed up. F*** me dead, for such asmall guy he can really make some noise and if he said something once he said it 4 times. I was glad to see 'Synopse' pull up to the shelter so some of the talking would get directed at someone else. His voice would echo through the woods and after a while I found it hard not to laugh. Anyway after dinner 'Synopse' played a song on his guitar by the fire which was really cool and relaxing, after Earl's none stop talking. I am really looking forward to getting on the trail in the morning to see what a difference the new gear will make over a full days hike. Maybe a 30-40 miler.
Date: 2003-07-10
To: The Look-Out
Miles today: 22.8

The alarm went off at 4.30am and I actually stayed awake and got up. Earl got up as I was having breakfast and I dared not speak to him as I didn't fancy getting him started. I got back on the trail at around 6am. I had planned to get to 'Stoney Brook Shelter' and if I was in good shape maybe push on further. My feet were hurting right from the start and they were really slowing me down. The scenary was great as the trail weaved through alot of meadows and farm fields. The day was becoming a real chore as my feet were getting worse. I had to try walking keeping weight of my heels as they were painful. As the day wore on I realised I wasn't going to reach 'Stoney Brook' so after reaching Winturri Shelter I decided to fill up on water and stay at the lookout on top of the mountain. Earl said it was a great palce to stay as there was a ladder up to a viewing platform on the roof with 360 degree views, ideal for watching sunrise and sunset. I was really glad to reach the hut and put my feel up for the night. It was fully enclosed and as the sun had been shining through the window all day it was nice and warm inside which was good as I had sent my sleeping bag to Heather and did not get a liner to replace it. I had dinner and decided to get an early night.
Date: 2003-07-11
To: Govenor Clements Shelter
Miles today: 28.1
Weather: moderate rain

It had been raining all night and the roof was leaking all over the spot where I was going to sleep and lucky enough the spot I had chosen stayed dry. My feet were still a little sore so I decided to sit out the rain for a few hours and give the feet some more rest. 'Morning Moose' and 'Dixiebound' showed up around 10.30am and so I chatted to them for a while and 'Synopse showed up . We had a laugh about Earl the night before. I got ready to go with my poncho as it was still raining, Morning Moose and Dixiebound got pictures of me as they thought I looked funny. Finally I got back on the trail at 12ish. It was cold and raining still but I got the bit between my teeth and really set about getting a good pace going. Hiking wasn't enough so I began to run all the flats and downhills. I was burning up the miles and really feeling good. I met quite a few NOBO's through-out the day and stopped and chatted. They seemed surprised to see someone running along the trail and I got some strange looks. One guy that I met was pretty cool, his name was 'Brother Ron' and seemed to be on the same wave-length so we chatted for a while. He also enjoyed putting in good miles and was on a deadline to reach Katadyn. I told him he would have no trouble getting there in 4 weeks and told hime he would blast through the Whites. He was really appreciative of the confidence boost. I wish alot more hikers would be positive instead of being negative. I get sick of heaing "Oh you'll never get there today", or "its too hard your better off not even bothering". Anyway enough bitching. I knew once I reached Churchill Scott Shelter I either had to stay or go to Governor Clements at the other side of the mountain, as it was out of the question to stay at the lodge at the top as I don't have a sleeping bag at the moment. I decided to push on and reached the lodge by around 7.15pm. After stopping and chatting to the hikers at the lodge I pushed on and ran the last 4.1 miles of the day. I made the shelter around 8.20ish and was glad to be putting my feet up and having a good feed. I was really impressed with myself for giving it a real good go today and the guys who turned up at the shelter were surprised to hear where I came from and the time at which I had started. Its getting late and I really need to crash out as I plan on hitting Manchester tomorrow.
Date: 2003-07-12
To: Green Wall Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

Well I lazed around slept in and didn't get going until 10ish. I had a real negative out-look for the day which I was very annoyed with myself about and one I couldn't snap out of. I came across some trail magic early on in the day where someone had left a load of soda's in a stream, very much appreciated. Alot of people had been telling me about a place 0.3 off the trail called the 'Whistle Stop Cafe' so I decided to have a spot of lunch there. Bacon cheeseburger and a huge order of fries went down a treat. The waitress seemed to be like one of those talking dolls that has about 3 or 4 phrases programmed into it, "How ya doing", "You'll set", "Can I get you a refill", Thats all she seemed to say,to everyone. I went the wrong way at the trail head as it was very badly signed. But I did meet an old guy from Boston who struck me as being homeless. I chatted to him for a bit and he gave me a pocket of sweets which was very generous as I don't think he had much in the way of possessions or money. I continued on with the negative attitude for the rest of the afternoon and called it a day at Green Wall, 27 miles, short of my goal for the day, Very annoying.
Date: 2003-07-13
To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 27.1
Weather: light rain

The alarm went off at 4.30am and I got straight up. I had promised myself never to approach another day of my life with such a negative attitude as the day before. After a quick breakfast and a packup I was away by 5.15am and although my feet were still sore I pushed on and started to get into a real good stride. I was making some good ground and after an early stop for a 'Honey Bun' (670 calories of deliciousness ) I bust my hiking pole for the second time. What a piece of S***, do not buy 'Black Diamond Poles'. Oh well I will just have to run instead then. So off I went running up the trail and feeling really good as if I could have run to Georgia there and then. I ended up running about half of the way and hiking the uphill sections. I had covered 25 miles by 1pm, now the biggest challenge was still ahead.... how the hell am I going to get a hitch here. It was on a hill, a bend , no hard shoulder and the cars were going by at 70mph. A girl who works on the mountain actually turned around and came back and picked me up which was very kind of her as I think I could have been there quite some time. First up in Manchester was laundry and as I had sent home my waterproof gear I had to sit around in my underpants in the laundramat until my clothes were dry. Next up was to buy a sleeping bag liner and sort out the pole. Being as it was a Sunday, Black Diamond could not be reached so the guy at E.M.S. very kindly gave me $85 credit towards a new pair from the shop. So I chose a pair of LEKI Ultra lites at $99. So all in all the poles and liner cost me $59!!!!After getting some re-supplies I met some NOBO's Swift and Spiderman and a SOBO named 'Nano Wolfe'. We went and ate some pizza and had a bit of a laugh. After the pizza I had to either get a hitch or stay in town as it was getting late, I managed to get a hich and arrived at the trail head at around 5.15pm. With 3 miles or still to go I hiked most of it in the dark, something big rattled through some bushes just up ahead of me which was fun, so I made sure to make alot of noise as I went passed. I got to the shelter at around 9.30ish tried to make as little noise as possible and went to sleep.