morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-14
From: 3 Miles South of Goddard Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I did not wake up until 8:30 AM and got on Trail about 9:30 AM. I am still tired from the hard day coming into Vermont, two days ago,.I hiked over Glastenbury Mountain, which was not a bad climb at all.I got to Shelter about 6:30 PM. I camped in my tent. Other hikers there: K1, Mississippi Bear, Spiller, 3 NOBOs and Little John, a Section Hiker from Massachusetts.
Date: 2008-08-15
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: 1.2 Miles Past Winhall River
Miles today: 13.7

Got out on Trail about 8:30.   I hiked to Stratten-Arlington Road and waited a couple of hours. I had swapped voice mail messages with my Mother-In-Law, Sal (who lives in Shelburne, VT), and thought that she might meet me there. Unfortunately, due to lack of cellphone coverage, we had not been able to talk directly. She was not able to make it, and I left about 12:30. It was raining.I hiked over Stratten Mountain, which is some 3960 feet. The views at the top were spectacular.I hike on until 6:30 PM and stopped and put up my tent. No one else was around.
Date: 2008-08-16
From: 1.2 Miles Past Winhall River

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I hiked into Manchester Center, picked up my package at the Post Office, had breakfast with K1 at Up for Breakfast (great omelet) and resupplied at the Green Mountain House Hoster. Jeff and Regina Taussig do an outstanding service!!
Date: 2008-08-17
From: Manchester Center, VT

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

I arose at 6:00 AM at the Hostel and went down to make coffee. The young guys had already made the coffee and were looking at Olympics news on the Internet, I believe.Got ride from Jeff from Green Mountain House to Trailhead. Hiked out with K1 and Uncle Kevin.Surprising amount of climb today and I was somewhat tired. I saw, and took a picture, of Zero Zero, Keychain, Zen, The Thinker, K1 and a Trail Maintainer.I got to the Shelter about 5:30 PM. Zero Zero and K1 were the only ones there. I, along with Zero, slept in the shelter, and K1 camped in his hammock. It rained all evening. It was pleasant going to sleep with the sound of the rain. I got my 15 degree sleeping bag in my package from Nancy in Kent, Connecticut and it felt good to be in it, as it is getting cool at night.
Date: 2008-08-18
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: few clouds

It rained last night, once about 7:30 PM and again about 4:30 AM. However, the mud on the Trail is getting better, despite the evening rains.I got on the Trail about 7:40 AM. A little more climb than I expected, especially over Bear Mountain.I saw two SOBOs, Bogey and Slim, whom I had met in North Carolina, while slackpacking south with Nancy; they had flip-flopped up to Mt. Katahdin and were heading south to finish up at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, near their home. I also saw Mustang Sally, another flip-flopper a bit later. She was talking with Spidey.I also saw Speed Goad running south on the Trail. He is trying to set a record for running South on the Trail. His website is www.WheresKarl.com. (I later heard that he was so far behind the record, due to weather, that he quit the effort about a week later).At one point in the afternoon, I literally ran out of energy. I was not hungry but felt extremely fatigued. I ate a Clif bar and a few minutes later I felt much better. I need to keep up my food energy as I climb more.I ran into K1 several times over the course of the day. He and I both climbed up a rock wall mountain just before we each got to Clarendon Shelter. It was the toughest climb that I had seen in Vermont.I got to Clarendon Shelter about 6:45. There were already a lot of people in the shelter, so I set up my tent, despite impending rain. I had supper and it started thunderstorming about 7:30 PM. I was beat, and went into my tent and went to sleep. I did not have much conversation with the other hikers.
Date: 2008-08-19
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Churchill Scott Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

It rained last night, about 7:30 PM and about 5:00 AM. This seems to be a pattern for several previous nights.I slept in until about 9:00, as did almost everyone else, K1, Zero Zero, Spidey and No Amp.I got on the Trail about 10:00 AM. It was not raining, but rocks are wet and slippery. I had a milestone today - I passed the 1676 mile mark today, which means that I have less than 500 miles to go to Mt. Katahdin. I figure that I now have to average 11.9 miles a day to finish by September 30th.Also, I I crossed over Killington Mountain today, the first 4000 footer since Virginia. It was a climb, but not bad. I ate a big lunch prior to starting the climb, so that I would have enough energy..I met SOBO hiker, Kristopher Robin, originally from England, and her family at the shelter on Killington. She had suffered a fall recently and had a black eye and seven or so stitches in her forehead. She was plugging on southward.Today is my one month anniversary of being back on the Trail, after coming back from the Cruise. I got back on, on July19th. No Zero days since then, but have had several Nero's.I camped on a tent platform with Zero Zero. K1 was hammocked nearby.
Date: 2008-08-21
From: Kent Pond/Big Meadows Lodge

To: 1.4 Miles Past Chateaugay Way
Miles today: 12.1

I slept fitfully last night. Got up about 7:30 AM and went down and had coffee. The coffee in Vermont is excellent and this was no exception. PV, the lady chef, made a great Continental breakfast. It was one of the best I've had on the Trail and included granola, yogurt, bowl of fruit, bagels, waffles, boiled eggs and juice.I got on the Trail about 9:50 AM. There was lots of climb today and it didn't help that I was tired.I was hiking mostly by myself. When I got off to meet Sal and to go into Rutland, Zero Zero and K1 went ahead. I'm behind them by 1/2 day or so, but expect to meet up with them again in Hanover, New Hampshire.I stopped along the Trail and camped out about 6:30 PM.I past 1700 miles today. I celebrate every milestone I can.
Date: 2008-08-22
From: 1.4 Miles Past Chateaugay Way

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

I got on the Trail about 7:50 AM. It was a beautiful morning.I stopped at On The Edge Farm store about midmorning and had an Apple Turnover, ice cream and hung out for a while. This is known as the Pie Lady's place (with freshly baked pies).There was lots of 300-500 feet climbs today. The blackberries are ripening and the bugs are bad.Four moments from today really define my hike:1. In early morning, I sat against a tree, drinking coffee, listening to the birds sing, and feeling glad to be alive.2. Had a pleasant morning hiking.3. Stopped at the Pie Lady's place - a nice treat, eating pie while sitting in a comfortable Adirondack chair.4. At 5:30 PM, I came to a road. I was expecting to get to a shelter at this time, and realized that I had another two miles to go. I was tired and discouraged, but sucked it up, called on my inner strength and hiked on to the Shelter.These four items are typical of the treats and challenges that the Trail presents.I got to the Shelter about 6:30 PM and set up my tent. Also here, Remy, So-Crates, Highlander and Bob and Ann (two section hikers). T-Bone and Trail Fox came by later, ate supper and then moved on.
Date: 2008-08-23
From: Thistle Hill Shelter, Vermont

To: Hanover, New Hampshire
Miles today: 14.6

The highlight of this day is that I am now in New Hampshire.Two states to go, New Hampshire and MaineI got up about 6:15 AM, but had a slow start. I finally got on the Trail about 7:50 AM. The terrain was not bad, but there were a lot of small (200-500 feet) ascents and descents. I stopped at a small country store in West Hartford, Vermont and had breakfast and some excellent coffee, mid-morning. I also got one of their special sandwiches, called 'The Pomfret) for lunch, later.It was a beautiful sunny day and pleasant to hike. I stopped at shelter for lunch and had lunch with Yazzie. I then hiked on into Hanover, New Hampshire. It is a very lovely town and home to Dartmouth College. It has a lot of great places to eat, but it is an expensive town.I needed new Trail shoes, so the first thing that I did was go to the local Outfitter. They did not have Montrail boots, but told me that Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS), in nearby West Lebanon did. Some people in the store gave me a ride to EMS, about 10 miles away.At EMS, they did not have my beloved Montrail Hardrock shoes, but did have a similar pair, a Merrell trail shoe, which is very comfortable and I purchased. Hey, they both start with M! I tried a pair of leather boots, but find that I much prefer the low-cut and light trail shoes.I saw Chainsaw (Eric) at EMS. We had dinner together (at KFC - I've had a craving for fried chicken) and then hitch-hiked back toward Hanover. It was very difficult and took 45 minutes to get a ride.I asked the drive to let me off at the Sunset Lodge Motel, where I had arranged to share a room with Yazzie. I got a shower, washed my clothes and had a couple of Yazzie's beers and relaxed for the evening.I am glad to be in New Hampshire, as I'm getting closer to being finished, but have the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the tough terrain of Southern Maine to cross. I'm both excited to cross them and apprehensive at the same time. I'll report my experiences in each of them.
Date: 2008-08-24
From: Hanover, New Hampshire

To: Hanover, New Hampshire
Miles today: 0.0

I'm taking a Zero day in Hanover, New Hampshire. This is my first Zero Day (no hiking on the Trail) since I got back on the Trail July 19th. I've had some Nero (Near Zero) days, but no Zero days. I thought that it would be a good idea to rest a bit before hiking through the White Mountains.It is a beautiful sunny day and ironically, I'm missing hiking. I've had a fine day, with Continental breakfast at the motel, coming into Hanover for coffee (at Dirt Cowboy Coffee, some of the best on the Trail), and lunch at a fine small restaurant called Five Old Nugget Alley. Interestingly, I was having lunch with K1 and Zero Zero and I fell off the bar stool (we were in the bar). It was very easily tipped, and I slipped down, but didn't hurt myself. It would be ironic if my hike ended, not because of a fall on the Trail, but because of a fall from a bar stool. And, I had not had any alcohol today when it happened. Honest!I've been catching up my journal and hanging out in town. The author, Jodi Picoult is in town at the local bookstore for a book signing, but I did not go, as I haven't read anything by her.Tomorrow, I head out again on the Trail. There is about 40 miles of up and down terrain, before I get to the White Mountains.
Date: 2008-08-25
From: Hanover, New Hampshire

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: broken clouds

Had casual morning in Hanover, including breakfast by myself and second breakfast with Zero Zero and K1. We all left on the Trail at 12:00.Nice hike today, meaning not too much climb and not too many rocks.I got to Shelter about 5:30 and found a tent site. There are a lot of hikers here tonight; it seems that we all took time off in Hanover.
Date: 2008-08-26
From: Moose Mountain Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Tough hike today! I got started about 7:45 AM and did not get in until about 7:10 PM. There was a lot of climb today - about 3800 feet of climb. To put that in perspective, the average building flight of stairs is about 8 feet of vertical climb. To to 3800 feet, you would climb 475 flights of stairs. Then, carry a medium sized well packed suitcase of say 38 pounds on your back. Of course, you can take as many breaks as you want, but by the end of the day, you need to complete it. Of course, you've got to go down the steps, too.And, yes, I am enjoying the hike despite its sometimes challenging climb!Got in, set up my tent, had supper and went to bed. I was tired!
Date: 2008-08-27
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Glencliff, New Hampshire (Hiker's Welcome Hostel)
Miles today: 14.7

I was tired from yesterday and slept 'in' until 7:00 AM. I got on the Trail at 8:25 AM. There was about 1000 feet of climb to start, but after that it, it was rolling mountains, up and down, but not as strenuous as yesterday.It was a beautiful day today, about 70 degrees and clear, blue skies! The mosquitos were vicious, though.I, along with K1 and Zero Zero stopped at Phat Chap's Hostel in Glencliff for the night. It is a very casual place, and there are about 15 hikers, Southbound and Northbound, here.Tomorrow, I start into the White Mountains, by going over Mount Moosilauke. It is a 4830 foot mountain and the first of the White's.Also, today, I crossed the 1776 mile mark today on the Trail, which means that In now have less than 400 miles to Mt. Katahdin!!!
Date: 2008-08-28
From: Glencliff, New Hampshire (Hiker's Welcome Hostel)

To: Kinsman's Notch
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: overcast clouds

After a somewhat leisurely morning at the Hiker's Welcome Hostel, with lots of perc'd coffee and discussions with other hikers, I left to get on the Trail at 8:25 AM. I hiked out by myself as K1 and Zero Zero were not ready to go yet. I walked down the road then turned on to the AT and started up the 'tough' Mt. Moosalauke (pronounced Moosa-lockee or Moosa-lock). Fortunately, I ran into Medium Rare pretty early and we hiked up together. It is a long, long hike up, with many steep rocky sections. Sold rock. Climbing up, using hands and feet and many places.We talked intermittently on the way up and the climb was not bad. It seemed to pass pretty fast and we were up on the top of the mountain about 11:30 AM. It was clear and gorgeous on the top. We could see a great distance. There were about a dozen other people on the top, mostly day hikers.   After about an hour, K1 and Zero Zero showed up. I had lunch with them and then we headed down. The back side of Mt. Moosalauke is very steep, and very rocky. Zero Zero and I hiked down together and it was a slow, tedious process, stepping down rock after rock after rock.   We finally got down about 4:00 PM. My knees were sore from stepping down so much. The good news is that neither Zero Zero nor I fell coming down this steep mountain.At the bottom, we came to Kinsman's Notch. K1's friend Kathy (trailname Kit-Kat), came and picked us up in her car (as K1 had arranged) and took us to the nearby town of North Woodstock. We went and ate Chinese food, went to the local market and resupplied and then, after ice cream, went back to the Trail. It was about 8:00 PM. Kit-Kat left and we trudged up in the woods and pitched our tents.A good day, in the first of the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Date: 2008-08-29
From: Kinsman's Notch

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up about 6:10, but didn't get on Trail until 8:10 AM. Zero Zero was sick; he felt like something in the Chinese food that we had yesterday caused it. We all three (me, K1, Zero Zero) started out at the same time. Immediately, we started climbing up Wolf Mountain, a very steep climb. Zero Zero and I hiked about 1/3 of a mile and he felt that he couldn't go on.   He wasn't even sure that he could hike back down the mountain. So, I hid my pack in the woods and took his and we hiked back down. I got him to the parking lot and he felt like he was okay there; he was going to call one of the Hostels and get them to pick him up. So, I went up again, retrieved my pack and hiked on about 9:30 AM.It was a long day of climb, first up Wolf Mountain, then down Wolf and up South Kinsman Mountain. Along the way, I saw Yazzie and Southpaw, who were slack-packing north. I also asked three or four southbound day or section hikers that I saw to check on Zero Zero. About 5:00, I hiked up South Kinsman mountain, which is probably the toughest single mountain that I've climbed on the entire AT! It had about a mile and a half of climb, steep climb, up rock after rock. Many times, I climbed using hand and feet. When I got to the top, I rested there. About 5 minutes later, K1 got up the mountain. I said to him: 'That was a SOB'. He came over, shook my hand and said "Welcome to the White Mountains".We hiked down the mountain to the Kinsman Pond Shelter. We checked in with the Caretaker, Ryan, paid our $ 8.00 fee and pitched our tents. I was very tired.
Date: 2008-08-30
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter

To: Liberty Spring Campsite
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: broken clouds

It rained last night and was overcast and cloudy this morning. I got on Trail about 8:10 and hiked down to Zeeland Hut. The Huts are actually what most of us call Lodges, with kitchens, dining rooms, common areas, bunkrooms and bathrooms. Many people pay to come and stay at them (at about $89 per person per night). The huts are fairly accomodating to thru-hikers and often provide food in return for a contribution, and at night, let thru-hikers stay overnight in a work-for-stay arrangement (the throughhiker does some work and in return gets supper and breakfast after the paying guests have eaten) and gets to put sleep in the dining room.Anyway, I stopped at Zeeland Hut and had freshly baked bread with butter, coffee and a chocolate-pumpkin muffin, all of which were delicious. I saw K1 there and we agreed to hike to the next highway, NH Route 3 and go into town. It was threatening rain and we did not want to hike up and over Mt. Lafayette if it was wet and stormy.We got to Highway 3, and called a shuttle service and got a ride into the town of Lincoln, NH. We washed our clothes at the laundromat, resupplied at the supermarket and had a great lunch at Bob's Seafood and Barbecue. We got a shuttle back to the Trail and started hiking up about 5:45 PM. We hiked some 2.6 miles from the road up to the Camping Site, but had over 2000 feet of climb in that distance. Still, we go to Liberty Spring Campsite about 7:30 AM. We felt like this would give us a head start on the climb the next day over Mt. Lafayette. Checked in with the Caretaker, Claire (trailname: Clairebear), who spends her winters in Antarctica at the U.S. Research Station (blog: www.walkwithbeauty.blogspot.com). We set up our tents and called it a night.Hit a milestone today: I went over 1800 total miles done on this hike!
Date: 2008-08-31
From: Liberty Spring Campsite

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: few clouds

Awoke to a very pleasant morning. Comfortable temperature and a bit cloudy, but not raining, nor threatening to rain.I hiked with K1 up and over Little Haystack Mountain, Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Garfield. This hike was different from any one I've ever done. We got up on the ridge line (above tree line). It was very rocky and very windy. In fact, it was windy enough to blow me and my pack around! The views from Mt. Lafayette, which is some 5600 feet high) are reputed to be superb, but it was still clouded in when we were there (about Noon). Still, the landscape, although very austere, was very beautiful.There was lots of up and down the rocks. I had a couple of minor mishaps, including twisting a bit my left ankle and straining my left knee. However, I did not fall.We got to Galehead Hut about 4:00 PM. We asked them if we could 'work for stay' and the Croo (they call the staff, Croo), said yes. We did not have much to do that evening, so I sat on the porch and rested until it was our turn to eat. I was spent, almost totally exhausted. I sat for an hour on the porch, drinking a lemonade, hardly moving.   The White Mountains are as challenging as they were reputed to be!!After the guests (a large group of French Canadiens), we had a fine dinner of leftover pasta shells, lentil soup and bread, followed by by chocolate chip cookie bars. After the supper, K1 gave a talk to the French Canadiens about hiking the AT. I finally got to sleep on the floor of the Dining Hall about 10:00 PM. Also, Snow Plow and Hare, two other throughhikers, were there as well.I have not had a day like this on the Trail until today. I was physically and psychologically spent, cold and tired at the end of the day. I hope that I learn better strategies, such as resting more during the day, or not hiking as far, while in the Whites!
Date: 2008-09-01
From: Galehead Hut

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

Slept well last night, except for constant sound of wind generator. The wind was really blowing hard last night. Got up about 6:10 AM and the Croo had lots of hot coffee ready.   I got dressed and packed and waited for the paying guests to have their breakfast. I felt tired, but ready to hike today.While the guests had breakfast, a couple of us did our work: we wiped the bathroom walls down with bleach water, a fairly easy task. Had a fine breakfast of eggs, oatmeal and leftover cookie bars, with coffee, of course.Got started about 8:45 and realized that I had lost my wrist compass. So, I immediately went back to the Hut. It has been on my watchband since I left Georgia and has sentimental value since it was a gift (from Lois). I could not find it and was very disappointed.It was, however, a beautiful sunny day, a bit windy, but cool and great for hiking.I caught up with K1 and we hiked to Zealand Falls Hut and had lunch. Snowplow got there and stopped as well for lunch. I had mushroom soup, bread and lemonade.It was a pleasant hike with a good bit of downhill, after so much up hill the laast few days. At one point, K1 and I stopped at Thoreau, a beautiful small waterfall area, where Henry David Thoreau reportedly traveled.   The sun was warm and at one point, I lay down on the flat rock next to the Falls. It was so comfortable, I could have slept there a couple of hours! However, we hiked on.We got to the Trailhead at Crawford Notch about 6:00 PM.   We were trying to figure out how to get to a Hostel and hung out at the Trailhead. A former throughhiker, Rock Dancer, came while we were there and was doing Trail Magic. We had turkey sandwiches, hummus, soft drinks and Little Debbie snacks. Sprite and Freckles came hiking down southward! A few minutes later, Papa Sarge caming driving up to pick them up. They gave K1 and me a ride to the Crawford Notch Hostel, about 3 miles East of the Trailhead. We checked in at the Hostel (actually a very nice campground) with Richard (the owner) and Laurel. K1 and I were the only ones in the bunkhouse this night. The campground shower fell superb! I was pleased that I had been able to travel almost 15 miles today in the White Mountains, even if a good part of it was downhill.