morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-06-21
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is the summer solstice. Happy summer, everyone. Why is this important? Because it is also Hike Naked Day. And we weren't disappointed. I came across about 15 persons buck naked except for hiking shoes, a hat, and a small day pack. Both genders. One of the other hikers said she saw a 3-generation family including a little one buck naked. When all you do in a day is hike through an endless green tunnel, that becomes the one big memory of the day.About 5 miles into the hike I heard a couple crashing sounds close by, so I stopped to see if it was a deer or bear in the woods. I saw nothing so continued on. Ten seconds later came a couple more snaps, so I stopped again to look. Something had to be there. Then there was a loud snap and a mammoth tree fell over. That was my second bit of excitement for the day.There is a gorgeous new trail from Wallingford Road crossing up over Bear Mountain including new bridging. The long switchbacks on smooth trail going up was most welcome. There has been nothing remotely like this in Vermont so far. I loved it.Days Since Last Shower: 5
Date: 2017-06-22
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

I was energized by the thought of town food getting up this morning. The trail was a sharp drop down into the gorge which is the lowest point in Vermont for the AT. Just after crossing the suspension footbridge came a highway. .5m west was a restaurant named Whistle Stop for the caboose it's located in. Sadly, after walking there along the highway, I saw a for sale sign on it. Rats! Now what? But don't despair, I then noticed on down the road another .5m or so a sign for a deli/country store, so the trek continued.it was a delight! For breakfast -- eaten in a wicker chair on the front porch in beautiful sunshine -- I had a sausage and egg breakfast sandwich plus a blueberry and chocolate scone washed down with a quart of OJ. And of course a mandatory cup of coffee -- how long has it been? I also bought a second scone and bag of chips to take back to the trail for lunch. Living the high life! The first person I asked at the deli gave me a ride back to the trail. In total the detour took one hour until resuming the hike.The day was perfect for hiking: sunny and 70 degrees with some breeze. The grand climax was the long haul (2100' elevation gain) up Killington Mtn to the highest point on the trail in VT. The trail up is in exceptionally poor condition, being badly eroded from years of feet pounding on it. Most every step was onto rock or tree roots, making each step that much more tiring both physically and the need for concentration. All the soil has long ago washed away by rain.This shelter is ancient with bunks that are dilapidated and sagging, but it will do. Because of problems with people trashing it, the shelter is no longer maintained by the local AT maintenance club. I was expecting a total disaster, but actually it was fine and just as welcoming as it was 12 years ago when I stayed in it. The view is superb: I can see 3 mountain ranges to the west, the farthest being the Adirondacks in New York.Going to be chilly here tonight at this elevation.Days Since Last Shower: 5
Date: 2017-06-23
From: Cooper Lodge Shelter

To: Mountain Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

Waking up to fog after a night with rain, I was first out of the shelter looking forward to a partial day in town. Time to resupply as the food bag is empty. I was not disappointed. First thing on reaching Killington was to go to a deli and eat. So much weight has dropped off me that it's important to maximize calories whenever possible. An apple, OJ, breakfast sandwich on a bagel, and donut washed down with coffee topped off with a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream put 2000+ calories into me. At least for one day I won't have a calorie deficit.After eating, it was time to resupply for five days, go to the outfitter for a few equipment upgrades, and go to the post office to send a card to Dad. Lastly I ended up at Mountain Meadows Lodge, a gorgeous rustic wedding venue which happens to be empty this weekend. First thing was to take a bath, then go do my laundry. The public library is open to 5:30, so off I'll go.It is humid as can be outside, so hopefully the cold front arriving in the morning will get the rain done before breakfast so I have a nice start on the last three Vermont days.Days Since Last Shower: 0
Date: 2017-06-24
From: Mountain Meadows Lodge

To: Mountain Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

My feet have become a mess due to the constantly wet conditions of the trail through Vermont. The shoes haven't been dry since Dalton, and my feet have paid the price for the 110 miles walked in those conditions. Since it's raining again today with lots predicted to fall, I made the decision to stay one more day at this lodge. Hopefully with some TLC both feet will respond nicely to a day of dryness.Folks here in Killington have been fantastic. The staff at the lodge are so friendly and helpful to us poor hikers, and two different librarians at this public library where I'm journaling have been sweethearts by driving me back to the lodge at closing time, one yesterday and one today. It's a two mile uphill climb to get from here back to the lodge on a dirt/gravel road, and to do it in rain is not a joy. Thanks ladies!The trip resumes in the morning. Cooler, drier conditions are forecast for a few days. New Hampshire, here we come!Days Since Last Shower: 0
Date: 2017-06-25
From: Range Road

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

We awoke to a fabulously sunny and cool morning without a cloud in the sky.  Where has this been??  I enjoyed another superb and large breakfast before being picked up by shuttle driver Gerry ($60 to be shuttled to Range Road).Trusting that Gerry knew what he was doing, I asked him to take me to the Pomfret/South Pomfret Road crossing of the AT.  That would have made a 12-mile day and cut off 22 miles to Hanover, miles I hiked in 2005.  But instead he delivered me to Range Road which is 15 miles from this shelter.  It was a couple hours before I figured it out because none of the roads are named with signs on the trail, nor are there signs for anything else like tops of hills/mountains.  This is the second time that local shuttle drivers who should know better messed up with my delivery.  Hikers beware!The day was gorgeous, the trail mostly A+ in quality, and there were a dozen meadows/fields/balds which allowed for views and sunshine and plain old beauty.  By far this was the most beautiful section of Vermont, helped by the fantastic weather.  If most of Vermont had been like this instead of the gnarly mess of the southern 100 miles, it could easily be a favorite state for many hikers.  However, the trail was constantly rolling up and down, leaving plenty of challenge.But there has been a significant change in my hike.  I have to stay intently focused on the placement of my feet, especially the right foot, and both knees ache (especially the right) on downhills.  The right leg issues date to the wet rock fall in NJ and won't heal until I spend some time not pounding on it.  That would be after the conclusion of the hike.  To top it off, I had another total face plant fall which bloodied the bridge of the nose, scraped the forehead, and broke my expensive reading glasses in my shirt pocket.  But opposed to the other major falls I have had when it was rainy/wet and on steep down hills (in other words largely understandable and common to most hikers), this time the trail was dry, it was excellent in quality, and it was pretty much level.  It was the third major fall I have had in the last 3 full days of hiking (all 3 falls coming off my right foot).  I seem to be losing the ability to feel the trail with my feet, especially the right one, and placement of feet is becoming very problematic.This shelter was a welcome sight.  But is it ever mosquito infested: the worst experience so far, even with them buzzing me inside the shelter throughout the night.Six miles to Hanover NH tomorrow.  What will my feet tell me?Days Since Last Shower: 1
Date: 2017-06-26
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Sunset Motor Lodge
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: clear sky

After a mosquito-buzzy night in which I started out sleeping on top of my bag because of the warmth and ended up inside the bag as the night cooled, I was in no hurry to get up and go.  I found myself not really wanting to do miles today, but after getting under way got to town in good order.  I made a beeline to Starbucks where I could start the re-assessing process.  I made the decision to go to this motel and rest at least one more day.My feet tonight are a mess: sore right ankle and knee; swollen feet; sores all over, a pair of which simply resist healing.  Above the ankles I feel great: strong muscles and heart/lungs, able to push long stretches of trail gaining 1000-2000' without needing to stop, all with 35 pounds on the back.Though I enjoyed sun all this morning, showers returned later in the afternoon, continuing this wet pattern of almost daily periods of rain.  According to the TV weatherman, since May 1 Vermont has received an average of 50% more rain than normal... that about fits which I have experienced.  As I took a long inventory this afternoon and evening, assessing my feet (with a family history of peripheral vascular disease which means poor circulation to the extremities, especially feet and legs), I have come to the conclusion that it simply is not safe enough to continue the hike.  I could take a week off, but this is highly problematic due to time and money constraints.  And in taking the time off, my problems would probably resurface on down the way and put me back in the same spot.  So with huge reluctance, I am ending the hike.  No, I did not do 2100 miles.  But I did complete nearly 700, no small achievement for a 65-year old man.I'm going to miss the numerous fellow hiker/friends I have met along the trail.  Thanks for hanging with me and encouraging me along the way!  Blessings on all of you, and may each of you finish your hike strong.  And thanks to you regular readers of my blog.  You have encouraged me.
Date: 2017-07-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm starting my last section of my A.T. hike. I'm staying at Shaw's in Monson, ME. My wife dropped me off. Tomorrow I'll start hiking south heading to Andover, ME. which is 142 trail miles from here. My last hike in Maine last year ended with a quad muscle injury that ended my hike after only 42 miles. I hope this hike ends better than that one.
Date: 2017-07-30
From: Shaw's Lodging

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Start - 9:00End - 2:51Best Part - BreakfastBiggest Complaint - Forgot to download Beacon Journal while I had wifiWhen I was at Shaw's Lodging in 2009 at breakfast they asked everyone one question, two or three? Then you would get two or three of everything; two eggs, two strips of bacon, two pancakes. Shaw's now has new management. I asked the new owner if they still asked two or three? He said no. Now they just assume you want three of everything. He was telling me about the home fries he makes and the ingredients which included garlic. I told him I'm allergic to garlic. He told me to come down at 6:15 A.M. and remind him and he'd make me a separate batch. They had thirty people for breakfast.The new owner, trail name 'poet', was the one who dropped me off at the trail head. He said I had a pretty chill day ahead of me. The nine miles to the shelter was fairly easy, not much elevation change. It still had lots of roots and rocks but fairly easy by Maine standards. I'm hiking from Monson to Andover because these first two easy days will help me get ready for how tough the hiking in Maine is. I will be trying real hard to stay vertical. There are lots of people hiking north, mostly thru hikers. You can tell which ones are thru hikers, they don't want to stop and chat and they're hiking like there on a mission. I met some young kids who were taking a break. I found out there with an 'Appalachian Trail over Maine' group. There were different hikes you could sign up for lasting a varying amont of days. They were doing the 17 day version. I noticed an accent which I asked them about. They were from Quebec. Several of them were from Montreal. I told them my wife and I had visited Montreal and stayed at the Gouveneur Montreal hotel. They said that was a good area. My practicing french was limited to exchanging 'ca va's' and 'au revoir's' but that was a fun occurrence.
Date: 2017-07-31
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Moxie Bald Lean-to
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

Start 8:58End - 4:13Best Part - Crossing the ford near Moxie Bald PondBiggest Complaint - People mixMeeting a lot of new people can be fun. Then again when the number of people your meeting goes way up and some of the people are not really people you like then it can become undesirable. Maybe I'm just getting a little depressed.Today I got pretty tired by the end of the hike. I wished I would get to the shelter sooner. Then when I got there some of the people at the shelter I had a bad first impression of. Then a lot more people showed up. None of the people really had any attributes I should feel bad about. I think I just had new people overload.When you come to a stream that you actually have to ford it can be a chore. You have to take off your pack, take off your boots, take off your socks, put on your sandals, tie your boots together, put your pack back on, hang your boots around your neck, cross the stream being careful not to slip on the slippery rocks, take your boots off of your neck, take your pack off, take your sandals off, dry your feet, put your socks back on, put your boots back on, hang your wet sandals on your pack, put your pack back on. Why did I say it was the best part of the day? Because the cold stream water on your feet really feels good.Tonight we're camped next to a small lake although its called a pond. Some frogs are vocalizing. Also some loons are having quite a conversation. The refections on the lake were quite impressive.
Date: 2017-08-01
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to

To: Bald mountain lean-to
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Start - 9:59End - 3:20Best Part - Extended Lunch on top of Bald MountainBiggest complaint - Battery backup only worked a littleToday I chose to only do 4.1 miles. If I had gone on to the next shelter it would have been a 13.1 mile day and I wasn't ready to do that long a day yet. The first two miles today were going to the top of Bald mountain. It wasn't bad and sometimes there were cool breezes. Hiking the A.T. is hard work and cool breezes are greatly appreciated. Half way up I saw I was getting cell tower service and I was able to call my wife. When I reached the top I had lunch and since I was still getting good phone service I decided to post a couple trail journal entries including uploading pictures. I was using up quite a bit of cell phone battery but since I had two battery backups I felt it would be OK. That evening when I used one of my battery backup it only took my battery percentage from 12 to 31 percent. I decided I'd have to use my phone more sparingly.The first night I stayed in the shelter but last night and tonight I'm using my tent. Some hikers I met, Cosmo and Wanda, use their tent every night. After Cosmo checks the possible tent sites near the shelter he lets me know where the potential tent sites for my size tent are. Most of the people you meet on the A.T. often help each other out. The sight I'm using tonight is a raised dirt flat area with rocks on three sides and just the right size for my Big Agnus two man tent. Cosmo and Wanda have a Big Agnus three man tent. You may have noticed that what the tent manufacturers idea of how many people should fit in their tents is off by one.
Date: 2017-08-02
From: Bald mountain lean-to

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Start - 9:09End - 4:22Best Part - North bounder asking about fordBiggest Complaint - Hot weather and too few cool breezesHiking is getting not as hard. I was going to say easier but that gives the wrong impression. It's not getting easy. It's getting not as hard.Today was too hot. The high was in the eighties. Being hot and hiking uphill makes for unhappy hiking. We had to hike up Pleasant Pond mountain today. The peak was at mile eight of a nine mile day. Often when you get to the top of a mountain you get lots of cool breezes. Today only a few. Not enough as far as I was concerned. And there weren't as many blue berries as yesterday's mountain. I still picked some but I only had enough to add to my breakfast. Yesterday I picked enough to also add to my supper. Most northbound thru hikers just exchange pleasantries. Today after one passed me he turned and said he had a question. Was the ford near Moxie a real ford. All the fords listed in the A.T. guide he had been crossing lately were just rock hops. There hasn't been a lot of rain lately. I told him that it was still indeed a real take off your boots ford. He was pleased. It's good to run into someone who really appreciates the finer things in life.
Date: 2017-08-03
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-to

To: The Sterling Inn
Miles today: 5.7

Start - 8:05End - 10:36Best Part - Lady from Quebec at the roadBiggest Complaint - No phone service where the trail crosses the roadI always seem to hike faster when I'm hiking to a trail town, especially if it's downhill like it was today. I did the 5.7 miles in 2 1/2 hours. When I got to the road there was no phone service. Yesterday when I used my other battery backup it only took my phone from 17% to 18%. The battery backups are old. I've figured out that they're not holding their charge as long as they used to. I had been saving what was left of my battery to use at the road to call the Sterling Inn to get a free shuttle. All for naught. There was no phone service but the forest ranger's station was nearby and he let me use his phone.Also at the road was a car with the door open and a lady sitting inside. I noticed the license plate was from Quebec so I decided to try and practice a little french. This time I used just a little bit more of my french. I asked her in french what her name was. She responded 'France'. I thought I had asked my question  incorrectly but she said her name was France, perhaps short for Fran§oise. She lived in Quebec City but had been born in Montreal.The Sterling Inn is a real nice place. It's history goes back to the 1800's. I got a private room for $40 instead of $25 for a bunkhouse bed, actually a room with 4 bunks you share with other hikers. The rooms have different names and the bunkhouse room is called Katahdin. Katahdin is the name of the mountain north bound  hikers climb to finish their thru hike. This Katahdin is on the second floor so you have to climb to get to room Katahdin.
Date: 2017-08-04
From: The Sterling Inn

To: The Sterling Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

The Sterling Inn is a real nice place. It's history goes back two centuries. Last year was it's bicentennial. It opened as a stagecoach stop between Quebec and Boston. It's also been a dancehall and post office. Eric the owner told me about all the remodeling they've been doing. He and his son Zach have been running the Inn since 2012. They're from Oklahoma. Neither have hiked the A.T.They have a piano so I've been playing a little, trying to remember how pieces go.They have what they call the great room. I've watched some DVD's, some I picked out and some other hikers picked out.A lot of hikers stay here but they have other guests too. Several guests are here for a wedding. They also have lots of snow mobile people in the winter.
Date: 2017-08-06
From: The Sterling Inn

To: Harrison's Sports Camp
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: broken clouds

Start - 10:10End - 1:30Best Part - Harrison's Sports CampBiggest Complaint - Steep trail to waterfallJust 0.1 miles into today's hike you take a ferry across the Kennebec river. The ferry is actually a canoe. You have to fill out and sign a form and you have to wear a life jacket but the ferry is free. The ferry captain (the guy who paddles the canoe) explains that this is where the Kennebec river feeds into Wyman lake and there is a very strong rip current that makes attempts to ford the river dangerous.The A.T. Guide said there was a 0.1 mile side trail to a waterfall. Since I had a short day I took the side trail. The guide didn't mention that the side trail was very steep. It was a pretty nice waterfall.Just before you reach the next shelter there's a 0.1 mile side trail to Harrison's Pierce Pond Sports Camp. You can get a bed, a shower and breakfast for $40. I was going to stay at the shelter and just get breakfast for $12 but decided to go ahead and stay there. Along with avoiding the gnats at the shelter I got a little more piano practice time. There's also a pool table.The breakfast is a dozen pancakes, eggs and sausage. Tim calls them patriotic pancakes since they're red, white and blue (raspberries, apple and blueberries).I'm staying in a cabin with two beds (supply your own sleeping bag), a wood stove, a table, chairs and an oil lamp. There's lots of blueberries to pick right off the front porch.After playing piano and listening to Tim play piano much much better than me I played several games of pool with a north bound hiker. We also played cribbage using a cribbage board Tim made out a piece of a stump. It was an enjoyable evening followed by making a fire in my wood burning stove, reading my A.T. guide using the oil lamp and then getting a good night's sleep.
Date: 2017-08-07
From: Harrison's Sports Camp

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Start - 8:54End - 3:43Best Part - Cooler weatherBiggest Complaint - Long dayIf you'd think I'd have a problem eating twelve pancakes you'd be wrong. Four of the five at the table all finished all twelve. The other hiker didn't have any. She's staying gluten free on her hike. She only had the eggs and sausage.No more 80 degree days for now. Cooler weather is better for hikingThe terrain was pretty level today, not much elevation change. Still by the end of the ten miles I was pretty tired.  The ponds around here are what we would call lakes. It can be seven miles long but it's still called a pond. Some of them are called carry ponds. They call them carry ponds like we would call them portage lake. Same idea just a different verb. Today I ran into Nana and Big Red. Nana is a section hiker and for this section her daughter is hiking with her. Two days before we watched 'The Phantom of the Opera' DVD at the Sterling Inn together. Often you run into people hiking the opposite direction because they get shuttled to some other part of the trail and hike back to their vehicle. People also slack pack, leave there pack and take a days worth of food, get shuttled forward and hike back to their pack. Then they get shuttled again to the same spot and continue on their hike. Some people think that's cheating but a lot of people do that now.