morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-08-20
From: Room/Private Home/Salisbury,CT

To: Hemlocks Lean-to
Miles today: 14.1

Great day!Awesome morning @ the house! Dew and Choc Milk!! Bounced unopened box free to Hanover, NHClimbed Lion¢s head-awesome views!Had lunch at the highest point in CT! -VIEWSCrossed the CT/MA border and enjoyed long creek walk-VIEWSClimbed Race Mtn-1500 mile marker! -VIEWSFantastic ridge walk, saw Mt. Greylock-VIEWSMt. Everett-VIEWSQuick climb down to shelter & found 3 local guys, hanging out, playing the Dead on a battery radio! Played it all night!Late night but what a day! Just rewviewed pics!Pack is heavy but lighter in the end w/water at the shelterREALLY enjoyed what I¢ve seen of MA!Lots of rock/slab walking and mini tunnelsDownhill and mild 10 of 17 mi tomorrow to Benedict Pond and Lowrider
Date: 2010-08-21
From: Hemlocks Lean-to

To: US-7/Mass to Manchester,VT
Miles today: 8.0

Hello Ripple followers! Major update. Lowrider came out to camp with Ripple and Shags in Connecticut on Saturday, and ended up giving Ripple a ride to Manchester,VT to meet and hike on with her buds Ups and Sideways. This move will get her to Katahdin earlier in October. She intends on finishing the left out mileage yet this year but will be less pressed by time and weather. She is doing great and happy with her decision. She's in Manchester and hikes out Mon 8/23. Stay tuned, and remember, the mileage in this journal is fairly accurate but reflects miles she's actually hiked. Ripple sends her love to all!Added written journal:Nice, cool morn, left ahead of Shags @ 8:15. He decided to enjoy the morning at camp with the locals and enjoy he did! ? After I hiked a nice ridge walk I¢d really started thinking. I wanted to do the math. I¢m nervous again. This current 10 mi flat is almost over-how fast can I climb now? Should I take up Lowrider on his offer to bring me to VT w/Ups and SW¢s? I stopped 4 mi into the day, found a note there was no water here, ate an apple and did the math. 49 days = 13.4mi/day-no zero¢s or resupply in that. I want to enjoy this last 1/4 as I did the rest of the way! I¢d be skipping 130 which will only take 7-9 days. That¢s it! I¢m jumping ahead!! It would be great to be w/Ups & SW¢s again! A great path to the finale remains. I¢m glad I¢ll share it w/good friends! After I soaked up a Shay¢s Rebellion memorial, I called Lowrider and revised our plans! Shags caught up shortly after and I filled him in. We headed for the hot dog and burger joint .5 off trail to eat and meet Lowrider, we took Shags back to the trail then headed to VT! Just like that-I¢m in a car and on my way. It¢s been great visiting w/Lowrider. I only wished he¢d gotten to hike and camp. We get to the Avalanche Motel and find U&S¢s! Reunion! Got cleaned up and out to dinner to celebrate SW¢s 31st birthday! Good times!!I¢ll start at mi 1641 and have skipped a total 230. That mean¢s I¢ve hiked 1411!! I felt relieved the moment the plan to skip ahead was chosen! Life is amazing out here on the AT!!
Date: 2010-08-22
From: CT 7

To: Manchester,VT
Miles today: 0.0

Zero in Manchester,VT-Today makes for 5 months on this incredible journey!!-Laid in bed til after 8! Moved slow, checked the weather: RAIN, then headed to Up for Breakfast-We left our packs at the hotel and hit the outfitter-The rain was ridiculous and before we knew it, we decided to zero ? There really was some crazy hurricane activity!-I napped, munched, reviewed food and gear, texted w/Twizzler, LB, Sanman and Scott!-Really trying to do nothing! Likely last zero, definitely last ¢town¢ zero. I¢ve still not zero¢d on trail and am a little bummed! Hope to in this last section!-Ready for bed after pizza next door in U&S¢s room-Game on! This 1/4 of the trails challenge: wind, cold temps and rain WITH cold temps. I must get used to it!! There¢s always SOME challenge, guess we¢re due for a new one!-Winter gear¢s going to Killington, only 3 12 hiking days thank goodness! -Prepping for 1-2 more days of rain!-Weather here today was rain and MAJOR wind and chilly!! SO glad to have been indoors!
Date: 2010-08-23
From: Manchester,VT

To: Big Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

What a day! We got up and going early! We enjoyed out last morning with LR¢r for a while and hit the road! We said goodbye and hit the trail by 9! It was chilly but barely raining-thank goodness! We powered up 3 mi to Bromley¢s summit in 1 hour!! The last .3 was bald and the wind and fog was CRAZY!! I made out a shelter/cabin/structure and a ski lift! Luckily the ¢warming hut¢ was for hikers!! SW¢s missed it but Ups was there with Spoon and Zamboni, whom I met in Port Clinton, PA. BREAK!! Man, was that wind cold! 2 LT (Long Trail) SOBO¢s told us we would quickly be back in the woods-thank goodness! The next 7 took us over Peru Mtn and down to the shelter where I found Ups and 2 sectioner¢s. We sure enjoyed lunch under a roof and out of the rain! It was 2:15 & and only 6.5 mi to go¢¦¢all downhill!¢ It really was downhill too, yahoo!! Ups and I arrived at a big bridge detour that was 3 mi (yeah right!) so we opted to ¢ford the river.¢ Good call! With plenty of big boulders we crossed it easily! Right after crossing we arrived at the shelter we intended to stay at!! SW¢s, Spoon, Zamboni, Cervesa and Power Nap were here. I¢ve been behind Cervesa the whole trail so it was nice to meet her. LB, Gonzo, Bear Blaze (prev H2) and Sanman are right behind me with a huge group behind them! It was a great day back with U&S¢s-we even got some sun for 10 or 15 min! I hope it works out that I can stay with them!! Early night, s/b asleep by 9! Tonight the river will sing sweet songs to rock my soul!!
Date: 2010-08-24
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Terrain-wise this was a great day! The 1st mi or 2 was along a beautiful creek with many little waterfalls. Then came Little Rock Pond which wasn¢t all that little! We hiked along side it for a 1/2 mi or more! Then up some into an awesome pine forest. The wet rocks and roots slowed things down but then there were 2 huge cairn gardens that were incredible! Then came another great creek and waterfall! I decided to stop for lunch there along the creek and headed for my 3rd Bear Mtn! 1000¢ in 2 mi proved to be a nice climb! I think I got some great shots too! I wound up stopping at this shelter, 3.7 before our planned shelter stop to wait for U&S¢s. See, Ups had not been seen all day which really had SW¢s and I worried. He had decided to wait at our lunch spot. As it turns out a relocation (still blazed) got her going the wrong way and when she didn¢t surface he decided to hike south to find her. They both had a terrible afternoon but with some Trail Angel help they both made it to the shelter! Ups about 7:30-8 and SW¢s bout 9! Thank goodness, everyone was safe! While I was waiting at the shelter Spoon, Tripod (Spoon¢s dad,) and Zamboni arrived (w/beer and home baked goodies) and got a fire going. I ate and watered up (wada¢ed up as the sign said) in case they arrived ready to hike on. The weather was nice and dry-hallelujah! Chilly when you¢re not hiking, but not too bad. Today was a very crazy day on the AT and gratefully all is well! Tomorrow I will climb Killington! Life is good!
Date: 2010-08-25
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: VT 103/Rutland,VT
Miles today: 2.7

So we woke up kinda late & Ups felt awful. She decided a clinic was in order. I remembered a sign in the shelter for rides from Plans too Much and VT 103 (road) was only 2.7 so we decided to all stick together and resupply a day early in Rutland instead of Killington. It was a quick, nice, mostly down, hike and ended with yet another, different suspension bridge! Plans too Much took us to the clinic. We dropped off Ups and he took us to find a hotel. Back at the clinic I walked next door to Wendy¢s while we waited for the doc to finish up. Then he took us to Walgreen¢s for prescription drop off then next door to the grocery to buy food for our stay and back to the hotel. I decided to get my own room so she could rest better and I could sprawl my gear. We hung in their room and ate pizza then I headed off to my room to rest and watch a little tele.
Date: 2010-08-26
From: VT 103/Rutland,VT

To: VT 103/Travel Inn/Rutland,VT
Miles today: 0.0

Today I slept until 9:30-it was fantastic!! We got up and going to get our chores done. Headed for the bus stop and made our way to Killington, a few miles away, where our packages had been sent to the outfitter. I had ham-jerky, mtn house¢s, winter gear, and some treats from Ame. I bought rain pants and syrup Moose suckers for my girls! After a 1 1/2-2 hour wait we caught the bus back to town. I did laundry and grocery shopped. Also talked to Aunt Lo. After the laundry was done, I headed back to Wendy¢s and talked to mom before walking back to the room. Once there I messed with my resupply food and cleaned some gear. Then over to U&S¢s where we ate our dinners from the grocery and called it a night fairly early. I returned to my room and called Twizzler (who¢s sending me a care package!!) I really look forward to hiking with them again when I go back to do MA/VT. I called mom and LT and hit the hay. Although I had trouble sleeping, I did enjoy eating donuts @ 3 am when I woke up! What a treat to leave food at your bedside!!Physically my feet ache a lot. I have permanent bruises on my hips and some back pain/bruise-like, in one spot. I wonder if it is the result of a fall? 2 falls from GA-NJ and probably 10 since! Movin' too fast I imagine! Mornings are chilly but great to hike in. The days are getting shorter but I don¢t worry about, it¢ll all work out!
Date: 2010-08-28
From: Rutland,VT

To: Churchill Scott Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

So the alarm went off @ 5 and got snoozed! We decided to take a cab and wound up on the trail sooner than if we¢d taken the bus! SWEET! The 1st mile was brutal between the terrain, time off and winter gear in our packs so we stopped at the 1st shelter a mile in and took a quick break. A few miles, another shelter and break later we started climbing Killington. The 1st 3 miles were beautiful and gentle. The last 4-not so much! Quite tough with all the huge root and rocks. Made it though and foolishly took my pack straight up the .2 to the peak for lunch. (BIG mistake!) It was amazing though! They headed out; I finished eating, got caught by some day hikers, climbed the brutal down, eventually found the trail and moved on for the last 8. 2 mi in I ran into HOBO and we caught up. He gave me a coke since he was headed to the Inn @ the Long Trail! Thanks HOBO!! 3 more mi and I found a note at the shelter sign-they decided to stop. SWEET! I was lookin at an 8:30-9:00 finish if we¢d done the 8 miles from lunch so I was very excited! Got set up and got water @ the shelter which is a treat lately! We ate dinner, visited and called it a night. I ripped my pants today that Amy repaired for me, less than 24 hours back in them! I¢ll have to replace them in Hanover in 3 days¢¦I caught up my journal and will be asleep by 10 I hope. VT is all old/original trail-BIG roots! Very muddy but has been nice. I¢m excited to see who else I run into now that I¢m ahead of the bubble!
Date: 2010-08-29
From: Churchill Scott Shelter

To: Stealth 1mi S of Chateauguay Rd
Miles today: 15.7

Today was both awesome and very trying! After sleeping in to 6:30 and not moving until after 7, I hit the trail at 8:45. It was a nice down and mild terrain for 6 mi where we found Kent Pond (Ups is Laura Kent, so that was fun!) They sell a ¢hikers lunch¢ at this B&B/cabin .1 from the lake but they were at church for another hour. We decided to wait and sat on the dock with our feet in the water. Turns out no lunch today but they did have sodas ($2 ea!) so I only got 2 I had 1 with lunch as we ate by the water. It was really warm and sunny with a great breeze off the beautiful, big pond! We decided we¢d break again in 2 mi at Thundering falls which turned out to be huge and fabulous! Now it was 2:30 and we still had 9 miles to go that included a STEEP 2 mi climb and 1 more later. The steep one was TOUGH!!! Even with full bellies! It seemed to go on and on and on!! I panicked a bit when our stream was nil just before it but Ups saved the day by filtering some from a nasty puddle and talked some sense into me!! She waited for me 4 mi later at the next shelter, to break, which really helped too! Now only 3-5 miles left! SW¢s would wait at the continental divide so off we go for the final climb. It never ended! We climbed and climbed! Ups found SW¢s and after getting water I found them. It was awful and now dark! We don¢t really know where we are, just that there was no continental divide sign! SW¢s found some spots for us in less than .5 so we finally had a home for the night. We were drenched in sweat and exhausted. Set up, had dinner, with some coke and called it a night. No rainfly-hope it doesn¢t rain and the weird lights flashing in the distance as we lay in our tents-hopefully hikers, don¢t cause any problems! We better toughen up, the Whites are coming! Some other notes on the day, I sweated my talk off last night in my winder bag but I am excited to back in it! Hopefully no rainfly will help in this warm weather! I also can¢t believe how many creeks there are here in VT! It¢s so beautiful!!!
Date: 2010-08-30
From: Stealth 1mi S of Chateauguay Rd

To: Cloudland Rd/Cloudland Farm
Miles today: 15.4

What a day! The climbs are back and they have been steep! After a late 9:00 start I took off up! I went x-slow after yesterday and it paid off. We all caught up at 1st break/3-3.5 miles and made plans to stop at Route 12 for ice cream, soda and snacks .2 off the trail-only 6.5 now til there! 2.5 mi up then 4 mi down-so the map said! Jot exactly all down, but close enough I suppose. The break was nice for lunch. 3 dews and a pint of ice cream! Fish, Fun Dip and Burl joined us then off for Dana Hill: /\! After that, 5 slow miles up and down to Cloudland road and Cloudland Farm and Shelter. SW¢s and I cought some sunset atop the last climb, Dupuis Hill, VERY nice!!! Then down .5 in the dark woods. We found Ups at the bottom then headed to the road. .2 later we found the farm and Doorbell (their dog [Roo.]) The daughter, Meg, came out, I asked if we could camp, she showed us where, and the barn bathroom then offered to open the store for soda and ice cream! SO SO nice!! We ventured next door, got our goodies and headed back to set up and get dinner under way. It was 10:30 when I hit the tent. I sent LT my mileage and she reminded me Betsy from TJ¢s wanted me to stay at her house, on trail in Norwich, VT. That¢s tomorrow and we were going to stealth right thrre near anyhow! Perfect! Marsha and Skip stayed there so I¢ll make the calls in the am! Tonight I will go to sleep with the sounds of cows mooing and horses naying! Another great day on the AT!
Date: 2010-08-31
From: Cloudland Rd/Cloudland Farm

To: Betsy's/Norwich,VT
Miles today: 15.4

Nice morning, woke to the moon in the sky! It was warm early, we met the farmer-what a nice man! Started the day with a nice, mild 6.5 mi roller coaster thru tall, bare pine forests and open fields on some tops. Arrived at the deli ON TRAIL w/some help from my map (bad blazing) about 12:45. Ups had Dew for me then I went in to get lunch. I went with the ¢Woodstock!¢ BBQ chicken, sodas and chips-awesome! Called Marsha then Besty¢s. Full belly syndrome and 3.5 mi up to go. I started slow!!! 1 mi in I stopped for water, killed my joice and breaked. The next 2.5 went much better!! Arrived at Happy Hill shelter with 3.5 to go to Betsy¢s, connected with her and made our plans. Off with gusto for a mild roller coaster. Did 3.5 mi in 1 hr, 20 min! Met Anna, Betsy¢s daughter, enjoyed some OJ and relaxed a few minutes before Betsy arrived. We visited, showered, gave up our laundry and walked 1 mi of trail to town with no packs and had dinner at the only pub! I hit the general store then we got picked up by Betsy and Bill. We talked trail, ate ice cream, set up in their basement, charged things and went to bed on our blow up mattresses! What an unexpected treat!! She left her first TJ message back in April, LONG before I could even think about Vermont! I¢m so glad LT relayed her reminder message!! Their son hiked the AT a few years ago. They are great hiking folks and we had a great time with them!! 2 miles to NH!!!!
Date: 2010-09-02
From: Soccer Field Woods/Hanover,NH

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was great! Slept in but still got 16 mi! I took it nice and easy all day-lots of little snack breaks too! First 8 were a nice mild coaster then Moose Mtn¢s S & N peaks which weren¢t too bad. Once I found water on the descent, anyway! I was nervous for the night if we were to stop before the shelter. I found a spot we could camp at and waited a while then decided to check for messages. Sure enough they blue blazed but I couldn¢t get the whole message! Crap! Where are they intending to end up tonight? Since it was only 6:00 I decided to push on 2.5 mi up and down Goose Mtn to the shelter. It wasn¢t too bad; I remained surprisingly strong and arrived at 7:30, just as darkness fell. I was greeted by Fun Dip and Weezer, a sectioner. I saw several day hikers and even got a homemade cookie! I really enjoy responding to the ¢Are you a thru hiker?¢ question It just leaves me smiling and thinking every time! Weather got pretty hot but not too bad! Mosquito¢s are worse than the sweatin¢! I¢ll take it over the cold though for sure! Trying not to worry about the hurricane OR the Whites! It¢s going on 10 so a little map time then bed!
Date: 2010-09-03
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Stealth 1mi N of Mt Cube
Miles today: 14.6

Today was long, but a pretty good day! 2 BIG climbs and 1 that wasn¢t too bad. I got a good early start. I do so much better when solo. Both guys were up so no worry about noise which I usually stress about a lot! 2 easy miles (yea, not so much!) to start then Smarts Mtn really started the beating! Slow going but success none the less! The fire tower provided views seemed possible only from heaven! Seriously, these mountains are more than I could have ever dreamed! So, I recouped then got ready for the 4 mi down. Eating all day instead of 1 or 2 snacks and lunch makes a big difference. Constant energy!! After climbing Eastman I started up Mt. Cube. Still feeling good, thank goodness, as it was a windy, cold and long mtn!!! As I finally started descending the sprinkles began. Just need to find a brook then home for the night. Thank goodness it wasn¢t long and I found both. Got set up and dinner done before the real rain began! Only 12 or so miles to the hostel/last stop before the Whites! CRAZY!! I never saw U&S¢s, I¢m sure I will tomorrow at the hostel! My feet are really sore as I didn¢t take any Vitamin I today! Also a bit of a rash on each hip, new undies I wonder?? Bruises on hips are present and imagine they¢ll remain! Spirits are good. I decided I will not let these mtns intimidate or defeat me! I hope the rain stops before 7 am ?
Date: 2010-09-04
From: Stealth 1mi N of Mt Cube

To: Carriage Motel/Glencliff,NH
Miles today: 12.0

I fell back asleep about 5 after the rain woke me at 4 by drippin on my head! It took some finagling but I diverted all the drips I must finish seam sealing it! Still with 9+ hours of sleep I was recharged. Moving slowly I got up and underway with the routine. I thought, how funny if U&S¢s came cruising by¢¦only moments what do I hear¢¦but Ups, calling my name! CRAZY! She sat a min and took off, I followed shortly after. Only 11-12 miles to the hostel. The rain was done at 7 (per my prayer? ) and the weather was sunny and cool ALL DAY! A couple mild bumps and it was down hill to our road and the nearby hostel! I found U&S¢s and Dos XX there who wanted a room in the nearby town of Woodstock! Cheap with 4-I¢m in! 1st I needed to check for my maildrop there at the hostel that had my rain coat and food¢¦no luck! It hadn¢t arrived yet. I hope to get it forwarded to Pinkham Notch. LT will try the bank at Wal-Mart, hopefully they are open and I¢ll get the cash required throughout the Whites! All day hiking I thought about Mt. Moosilauke and the Whites¢¦I¢m ready¢¦.bring it on! So off we went in the shuttle to the room we found (luckily due to the leaf peepers as they call them!) It also happened to be the weekend of some major Rubber Ducky Regatta! We had yet another reunion at the motel! Watermelon, Spoon, Zamboni, Joker and Gypcgirl! Off to dinner and back to get ready. I resupplied and ate. Laundry in the am after breakfast. Another great day on the AT for sure!
Date: 2010-09-05
From: Carriage Motel/Glencliff,NH

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

Ripple climbed Mt Moosilauke today. I'll quote her, "1st time above treeline! Weather sure took a turn! Brrrr " I talked Ripple in to sending pictures via USPS, and they made it! I have uploaded several, as far back as June 23rd thru July 21st. The disc she sent included up to a few days into Pennsylvania, so they aren't the most recent. Hopefully she can upload more recent photos or send home the disc she's currently using soon. Stay tuned. Here's my written journal entry:Got up at 7 and moving by 8. Over to laundry and off to breakfast with the gang! Back to the room and checked out by 11. We decided to try and hitch back to the hostel and scored quick-awesome! Made arrangements to bounce my maildrop to Pinkham Notch and headed for Moosilauke! 5.5 mi up then 2.5 down. 12 way up I took a break to add clothes. So far the climb was great! Slow and steady! The 2nd 12 went great too! With .8 to the summit I was at treeline-what a rush! It was amazing and beautiful! I couldn¢t believe I was finally here. The summit was incredible although I could see the rain coming, not sure if we¢d get it, we moved on pretty quick. I was grateful U, S¢s and Dos XX waited for me up top behind one of the rock bunkers. There were several and were much needed as the wind was INSANE! I have no idea what speed that wind was but well over 50 mph I¢d guess! The climb down was tough and rocky but joyful, except for 15-20 min without blazes! Made it to the shelter after passing a gal who confirmed I was still on the AT! Thank goodness! I found Jew, Birch, Whiskey Slim and 2 giggly girls! The platform would suffice for my home tonight so I set up. Down to the shelter for dinner where I found an amazing view!! It¢s the Franconian Range! Home of Mt. Lincoln and Lafayette! I enjoyed the fire and visiting, filled up my water, then back to my tent. U&S¢s want 14 mi tomorrow by 4 for the hut and I¢m not sure I can swing it. A late night last night does not help me to want an early stat! We¢ll see I guess. It¢s chilly!! The constant wind SOUNDS cold! What a switch! I can¢t wait to see what tomorrow brings and how well I handle Kinsman Notch and the boulder climbing I¢m sure it will provide!! Its 8:30ish and I¢m out!