morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-11
From: East Branch Lean-to, ME

To: Newhall Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 10.8

100 Mile Wilderness -- July 11thEast Branch to Carl A Newhall Lean-To -- 10.8 miles So, sitting here at Carl A. Newhall Lean-To, I'm fairly certain of two thing. One, I am feeling rundown after only 10.8 miles, and two, I need someone to hike with. Coming over White Cap mountain today was amazing, but I ran out of water and the heat turned up. It was pretty miserable and I'm pretty sure that's what started this rundown feeling I have. But now, company is arriving, and it turns out that that it's the three older guys that the family and I met in Millinocket. IN addition, the five women rom last night showed up and a flip-flopper girl named "Itchy" showed up too. Nive to have company, but I expect all three men to have serious breathing problems (aka Snoring). Also, it's raining, so 10 of us are crammed into the shelter cooking our own respective meals. Oh, and I turned over my alcohol stove just now while it was lit. All that burning alcohol everywhere was just great. Not really, but that is one disadvantage to using that stove. It may be light, but it can be danerous. No harm done this time though. Also, I ran into three NOBOs today. Cool guys. Wish I had some people like them to hike with. "Naptime" gave me his number and told me to call him when I get down to Hanover. Looks like I'll have multiple places to stay along the way.
Date: 2010-07-12
From: Newhall Lean-to, ME

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: clear sky

100 Mile Wilderness -- July 12th - Carl A Newhall to Cloud Pond LeanTo -- 17.2 miles Today wore me out. I was hoping to push on to Long Pond, but I ran out of steam and water, so I ended a 16.8 mile hike over FOUR MOUNTAINS (Chairback, Cliffs, Third and Fourth Mountain) with a .4 mile walk to Cloud Pond LeanTo. Glad I did. I don't know if I would have made the 4 miles to Long Pond. Also, I've finally caught some other SOBOs. A New Jersey man name Mike, and a North Carolina Father-Son duo, Marcus and Mitch (?). They make it seem like I'm burning through the miles, and I might be. Sixteen miles on this terrain is difficult. I don't know if the MATC has even heard of switch-backs or waterbars. Or even has any concept of basic trail construction. Today, I scrambled up and down the steepest routes on those mountains. For instance, I thought I had reached the summit of Chairback mountain. Well, there's a false summit. When I turned around and saw this gigantic boulder slide, I thought, "Surely, we're not going to go straight up that." I was wrong. The trail heres sometimes just end at a rock outcrop or rock wall, and you think, "Where does the trial go?" And then you look up, and the trail turns into a climbing route. All you see are blazes disapearing up a steep rock climb. Great... It's for sure, there is nothing easy about Maine. The nice trails are poor compared to the average trail in the Smokies. Tremendous rocks and root everywhere. Then there's the seemingly endless lengths of bog bridges. The mud is a feet deep in some places. All I can think about when I'm there is "don't fall off." However, I'm tenting tonight to save my back. The pad may be light-weight, but it doesn't do much on a shelter floor. It's funny. I rigged my hammock tent behind a huge boulder separating me from the shelter. I don't want to hear the other hikers snoring. I got too much of that last night. Tonight, all I'm going to hear are the frogs and the pond. Perfect.
Date: 2010-07-13
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: scattered clouds

End of the 100 Mile Wilderness and Monson -- 19 milesWell, I'm finally to Monson. I'm sitting around in the Lake Shore hostel using their internet and sipping a coke. Nice. Yesterday, I woke up at Cloud Pond LeanTo to dense fog condensing on my tent at 4 am. Perfect opportunity for an early start. With the mist, it was a great morning to hike, being that it was nice and cool. After getting away from the shelter and saying goodbye to my fellow SOBOs, I hit the trail, and I hit it hard all day. Throughout the whole day, I wasn't sure if I was going to try and go on to Monson, but I just thought I would see how the day went. Passed by Long Pond at 9:30 am and took a break. I decided I would hike to Leeman LeanTo, just last one before getting to Monson, only 3 miles away from ME 15, and take the night there. Well, one thing led to another, and I started craving real food, a shower, and an ice cold coke. After thinking about that all day, it made it real easy to go on after I arrived at Leeman. To say the least, I wasn't pleased with my company that was waiting for me at the shelter. Another old man with definite night-time breathing problems. I told myself that would go on if I got there before 5 pm. I arrived at 4:55 pm. So, with the thoughts of town food drifting through my head and a nice bed to sleep in, I decided that another night of listening to another old guy snoring just wasn't going to do. I took a few minutes. Got some water and went on. No sooner than I started down the trail, it began to rain, and rain, and rain. I made the three miles in an hour! I was practically running with my pack on, and that was not the easiest three miles either. So, after hearing bars whizzing by on the highway for over a mile, I finally got to the road. I was soaking wet. Dripping might be a better description, and I though surely, no one would pick me up. SO, I decided to let 15 cars go by before I call the hostel to ask for a pickup. Pretty quickly, a Volvo station wagon pulled up and a male nurse late for work was kind enough to take me Lake Shore Bar, Laundromat and Hostel. I made a good choice. I apologized for soaking his car seats and getting mud all over the floor mat on the passenger side, but the man just gave me a look that seemed to say, "don't worry about it. I've been there and I'm happy to help." It's nice to know that there are generally nice, good people around here. But! It's getting on in the day and I still have to pack and plan my way to Caratunk and then further. I hope everyone is well in the world. Happy hiking.
Date: 2010-07-15
From: Monson, ME

To: Moxie Bald Shelter, ME
Miles today: 17.9

July 15 17.9 milesAfter a nice gas station breakfast of hot, water-downed coffee and a ham biscuit that had been baking under a heat lamp for (it seemed like) days (yum!), Guillermo and I took our boxes down to the P.O. and sent them on to Stratton. While I had planned to skip Stratton, Guillermo (a 26 year old bartender from Oxford, OH, with a degree in environmental policy from Miami, OH) had his new pair of trekking poles sent there. Since he wanted them ASAP, Stratton fit the bill. Needless to say, after only a day, I'm enjoying the hiking/camping company, so I changed my plans. Why not?Today, the trail from Monson to Moxie Bald Mountain Shelter was actually pleasantly wide, devoid of excess roots and rocks, and contained two nice fords in which we gladly soaked our feet, and for that matter, I also took a swim. Should be clear tonight, so we're camping down by the very serene lake/pond and letting the crazy NOBOs take the shelter. Overall, great day, and the eerily beautiful calls of the loon are going to take me away as I swing around.
Date: 2010-07-16
From: Moxie Bald Shelter, ME

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

July 16Matt, who was also referred to as Guillermo, and I hiked 13.1 miles over Moxie Bald Mountain and Pleasant Pond mountain today. A 1,200 and a 1,300 foot climb.The terrain was okay, but the overcast sky all day did us no favors. Climbed the mountains to stare into a gray void...Pleasant Pond was nice. Went down to soak our feet but found a dock among many other and houses. A private lake community on the AT--who would have thought?Getting up early at 4 am to bust it to Caratunk.13.1 miles
Date: 2010-07-17
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-to, ME

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: scattered clouds

July 17Today was quite an eventful and completely random day. Guillermo and I rose early at 4:30am to head out 6 miles for Caratunk. The hike was downhill and uneventful, but much trail magic was to come.We arrived in town early just in time to hit the P.O. after it opened at 7:30 am. I got my mail drop, which I wasn't thrilled to add to my pack seeing that it weighed an extra 10 or so pounds. Since we'll be stopping in Stratton to pick up Guillermo's poles, I fell like I have a few extra days of food, but not much can be done about that.So, after spreading all my gear and the food on the ground, a girl showed up in a car and offered us a ride to Northern Outdoors, a rafting/outdoor center to munch on an all you can eat buffet breakfast. After much debate lasting approximately 1 second, we agreed and went along.Eating 6 pieces of french toast, 2 sausage patties, a bagel with cream cheese, juice, coffee, fruit bowl, etc. etc., a waitress asked my name only to inform me that I had left my poles at the P.O. Great.During breakfast, we had already contemplated taking a short day or pushing on 10 miles, but my error forced our hand.Having to return before the PO closed at 11:30am, our plan to take a short day and "tample" the microbrews at the brewery was ruined, but no sooner than we decided to leave, a shuttle took us back down to the Kennebec river crossing but stopping at the PO first.The Mainers around here are nice. Free shuttles and telephone calls to remind us of forgotten items. Perfect.So, after pushing 13 miles into West Carr Pond LeanTo, we're in for the night. Twenty miles on moderate terrain was fine, but have bigger mountains to do tomorrow--Bigelow.Also, I forgot to mention the Kennebec river crossing. It was on a canoe. I got to paddle in the front. By far, one of the highlights of the trip.19.7 miles
Date: 2010-07-19
From: Avery Memorial Campsite, ME

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: light rain

July 18 and 19Well, here I am again--sitting on a computer in a dirty motel/hostel where thousands of dirty, grungy hikers have stayed before drying out and stretching their feet for the long haul, and while a place like the Stratton Motel may seem a little off for some folks, I like it just fine.Yesterday (July 18), Guillermo and I hiked 14 miles over Little Bigelow and Bigelow peaks. Bigelow was the highest mountain (over 4,000 feet) that we have hiked over since Katahdin over 178 miles ago. It was quite the experience, but still, thoroughly exhausting, as many things are (and sometimes everything is) on the Appalachian Trail. We camped at Avery Col campsite between Bigelow and West Peak. It was the first cold night that I have had out here. It was actually nice to curl up in the sleeping bag, but to get there, we hiked up 2,000 feet of elevation in 2 miles. Imagine climbing up over rocks and roots for two mile on a trail that doesn't deserve the title of "trail"... It was a blast.But once again, I'm succumbing to hunger and sleepy time. I'll see if I can add more to this later. Tomorrow (July 20), we'll be heading on towards Rangeley. Enjoy!
Date: 2010-07-20
From: Stratton, ME

To: Spalding Mtn. Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 13.5

July 20Even though I hadn't planned on it, Stratton was a good stop in town, and the best part is that I'm still on track with my intinerary because Guillermo and I hiked bigger days than I had planned. Overall, good choice.The crappy motel, PBRs, pizza, chocolate milk, icecream, ect. were good, but it's nice to be back on the trail. Guillermo's knee has been bothering him, so after waiting on him for a total of 2 hours, we agreed to hike separately. It was strange to hike alone after five or so days of hiking and talking, but it's all okay because he showed up in camp after I finished eating dinner and some good butter scotch pudding. Great success!However, today's 13.5 miles were tough. I came over two 4,000 foot peaks. ONe of which is called Sugar Loaf. It has a ski chalet up on top and is Maine's second highest peak. Getting up early tomorrow to get to Piazza Rock LeanTo. I've been hearing stories about how it has a double privy with a cribbage board game. Very interested in checking this out.13.5 miles
Date: 2010-08-02
From: Madison Spring Hut, NH

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut, NH
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: moderate rain

August 2August 2 was a great day. We hiked 7.9 miles (big day... I know.) and bagged four presidents--Adams, Jefferson, Clay and Washington. Had good views all day until we were .5 miles below the summit of Washington.Waving at the tourists on the train and summitting into a cloudy, tourist trap was quite a change-up from trail life. Many people were so amazed that we "actually hiked up the mountain." It was quite funny. After a whoopy pie, nachos, a chile dog, and a coke at the snack bar, we started the 1.5 miles to Lakes of the Clouds Hut with another note in hand from Madison. Second tallest peak on the AT and a view of pure white, but it wasn't quite a surprise because we found out the peak is in the clouds some 250 days out of the year. Well, we landed work for stay again because of the note. I think we figured out the system--do good work in the huts, chat up the hut croos, and then get a good note. Because of that, we avoided the Dungeon, which is the emergency bunk room turned hiker shelter underneath the hut. It's more like a jail cell. I'm glad to be sleeping on a table in the dining room again, but there is a down side to it. We're the last people to go to bed because the hut guests stay up in the dining room until 9:30-10 pm (way past hiker midnight) and we have to be up and packed by 6 am. Rough times, but it's still a nice place to stay.It turned out that some hiker got separated from his group and left the hut for Mizpah hut at 7:30 pm during a lightening storm. Not a good idea. He got lost and two croo members from both Lakes and Mizpah had to go find him. They didn't. He turned back up at 3:30 am dripping wet and hypothermic. Dumb. Since the croo was short handed, we helped out a bunch for both dinner and breakfast.We didn't end up leaving the hut until 1 pm the next day, but we weren't worried. We had only 4.7 miles (a NEARO) to Mizpah. Oh well, we are really enjoying the Whites, so I guess speed doesn't matter right now.
Date: 2010-08-03
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut, NH

To: Mizpah Spring Hut, NH
Miles today: 4.7

August 3Hiked 4.7 miles to Mizpah hut, where we landed an almost guaranteed work for stay after all the work we did at Lakes. Had a good time laying around in both Lakes and Mizpah hut today. Croo was very cool at both. Rainy all day and cloudy. Guillermo, Creamsicle and I don't seem to mind because of all the indoor time we are getting with free food and hot chocolate. I mean. Why rush? It's like a free vacation through the huts in the Whites.
Date: 2010-08-04
From: Mizpah Spring Hut, NH

To: Zealand Falls Hut, NH
Miles today: 14.1

August 4Walked from Mizpah to Zealand Falls Hut. Arrived at a little before 6 pm. Took a dip in the freezing cold water at the falls. Work for stay again. Not bad. Most thruhikers don't stay at so many huts. This will be our fourth, and as it turns out, it was a big mistake. At some point, Guillermo, Creamsicle and I got food poisoning from something we ate at the hut. It had to be here or before because we all started feeling bad the next day. No good.
Date: 2010-08-05
From: Zealand Falls Hut, NH

To: Garfield Ridge Shelter, NH
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: light rain

August 5Woke up at Zealand Hut feeling ill, but not as bad as Creamsicle did. He was throwing up and other things, so he decided to leave the trail and hitch from a parking area 2 miles from the hut. Guillermo and I planned on meeting back up with him at Chet's place in Lincoln. So, we went on trying to push to Greenleaf Hut. One fallen comrade. Our fate was about to be the same, but not bad enought to make me want to leave the trail. I had an upset stomach and many other problems that food poisoning causes all day. I couldn't eat, and I was running out of energy fast.At this rate, the hut was far out of reach, so we crashed at Garfield Ridge Shelter. Practically another NEARO day. For once, I had to pay the $8 to stay at the shelter. I didn't like the idea of work for stay. Terrible upset stomach. I was just happy to have a privy to use. In the alpine forests and especially above tree line, there's not a lot of places to run off the trail when nature came calling... Well, more like when nature comes, kicks your door down and punches you in the gut. I wasn't happy about another low mile day, but hiking and food poisoning just don't mix.I had to force feed myself a rice side for dinner. Seemed like a terrible idea to eat, but I know I need the energy. I have over 13 miles to hike in order to get down to Lincoln. Got to eat...
Date: 2010-08-06
From: Garfield Ridge Shelter

To: Greenleaf Hut, NH
Miles today: 5.0

August 6No sleep last night. Food poisoning is worse. To hike or deal with the mud butt? No other option. Got to hike. Got to get to Lincoln.Guillermo wasn't feeling as bad as I did, so after I struggled up Mt Lafayette, Guillermo went on without me across Franconia Ridge to go down to Lincoln and meet back up with Creamsicle. I was done. Hiking just wasn't going to happen. I couldn't hike 7 more miles, even 7 miles to a porcelain toilet. From the summit, I could see Greenleaf hut 1.1 miles away and 1,100 ft below. That was my only destination.So, after another struggle down the mountain that killed me on the way up, I got down to the hut. Luckily, this croo doesn't get many thru hikers, so even though I arrived at 1:30 pm, they let me do "work for stay" in the bathroom. This croo was the best. When I wasn't utilizing the Clivus Moltrum composting privy, I sat in the kitchen with Ash and Mary talking and gossipping about the other croos. It's funny. After staying at 4 huts, I was already on the inside of the gossip circle. I guess they really don't have much else to talk about up there. Even though I was sick, it was still a very good time.Yet, I still had no appetite and I knew I was low on energy. I just hoped tomorrow would be better.
Date: 2010-08-07
From: Greenleaf Hut, NH

To: Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: broken clouds

August 7I got the evil out yesterday!! Felt much better in the morning. Ate a good breakfast of oatmeal, protein powder, craisins, Reese's pieces and coffee. Out of the hut at 6:30 am.Maybe that side trip to Greenleaf hut was for the best. I felt better. I could eat, and after the long climb back up to Lafayette, I had amazing weather to walk across Franconia Ridge. Glorious! Clear skies. Light winds, and I was the only one up there. After I got below tree line, the miles flew underneath my feet. Got down to the highway and hitched into town.As it turns out, the guy who picked me up was George, the hut master of Greenleaf Hut. Funny to see him again, but I definitely appreciated the ride. On to Chet's place, One Step at a Time. A donation or work for stay hostel. Well, it's really just a converted garage. Good times. Got my mail drop. Met back up with Creamsicle and Guillermo. Moving on tomorrow after a beautiful run in the Whites, amazing hospitality in 5 of the Huts, spectacular scenery, and a bout with food poisoning... I'm alright and feeling back in tip top shape. However, I forgot to bring my journal with me, so I won't be able to u...pdate you on all the details.
Date: 2010-08-10
From: Beaver Brook Shelter, NH

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 8.0

Over Mt. Moosilauke today then on to pick up a drop at the PO, now chilling in Glencliff,NH at Hikers Welcome Hostel after finishing the White Mountains! It's downhill all the way after this, right? I mean. I've already done the most difficult part.
Date: 2010-08-13
From: Moose Mtn. Shelter, NH

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Picked up my drop and bounce boxes after arriving in Hanover, NH, yesterday; had a good time last night on Fraternity row at Dartmouth; slept in a hammock on the porch of some house called "The Rock"; and will probably leave town today because I have to pick up my laundry in Norwich,Vermont. This AT adventure just keeps getting better! Also, my beard is long.
Date: 2010-08-16
From: Thistle Hills Shelter, VT

To: Winturri Shelter, VT
Miles today: 11.6

Another good day of walking. Started with a little rain this morning leaving Thistle Hill Shelter. By the way, Thistle Hill has the best privy on the AT. It's a 6 sided privy with 360* views. Screened in and so nice I used it three times. It even had a privy log. I wrote down wisdom.Stopped by "Off the Road Farm" and got ice cream, coke, peach and apple pie.Bedding down after another short day in Winturri Shelter.
Date: 2010-08-18
From: Killington, VT

To: Cooper Lodge Shelter, VT
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

Woke up with a foggy head. Stayed up too late. Oh well. We broke camp by 8:20 and caught the bus down to Rutland. We enjoyed a nice breakfast at the classic Rutland Restaurant. Resupplied at Walmart and hit the trail by 2:00pm. A section hiker, Tom, was nice enough to buy us some beers before heading out.Unlike many of the NOBOS, Guillermo and I did not "Retro-blaze". Instead, we hiked the .5 mile back up and followed the white blazes for 8.2 miles to Cooper Lodge Shelter. Arrived too late to cook and hike up to the summit of Killington, so I stayed to eat. Macaroni, spam and ramen. Delicious!The miles are getting easier and easier. Tomorrow we'll hit the 500 mile mark!
Date: 2010-08-20
From: Greenwall Shelter, VT

To: Bromley Shelter, VT
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: clear sky

Avoided the 3 mile relocation for the bridge replacement and did the illegal river ford. Water low so no big deal. Spent lunch in the river stretched out on the rocks. Peru Peak was not very exicting. Enjoyed the sunset from Bromley Lookout and had party time with Sparrow.
Date: 2010-08-21
From: Bromley Shelter, VT

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Picked up box and bounce boxes here. I'm staying the night at Green Mountain Hostel! AKA the nicest hostel on the AT. Lucked out and got a spot in the hostel. It's an amazing house with great hosts. Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, flat screen TV and two movies, Avatar and Hangover. Recharged and Resupplied. Loving it, but hitting the trail again tomorrow. Massachusetts, I'm coming for you! I'll be there soon.
Date: 2010-08-22
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Stratton Pond Shelter, VT
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: moderate rain

Got up this morning after a very nice stay the the Green Mountain House (hostel). Hit the trailand resupplied for Bennington, VT. Had the luck of walking in the rain all day. No big deal.We almost stayed at Spruce Peak Shelter. Got in after 2.8 miles from town at 11:30am. We stayed until 2:00pm because walking in the rain wasn't very appealing. The shelter was interesting with a sliding door, table, bunks and pot belly stove.7.8 miles to Stratton Pond, the last pay shelter. It's good to be dry and warm.
Date: 2010-08-23
From: Stratton Pond Shelter, VT

To: Goddard Shelter, VT
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: light rain

Another day of rain, wind, and clouds. I hope this front moves on through soon. Hiked 19.3 miles over some pretty uneventful terrain. We appreciated the shelter spacing since it gave us good, dry breaks every five miles or so. We also climbed tow firetowers on Stratton and Glastenberry Mountains. No views of course.Headed into Bennington, VT for Walmart, Chilis, the library and hopefully somewhere at Guillermo's sister's friend's place in town. We'll see how our luck turns out.