morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-08-08
From: Jeffer's Brook Shelter

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 8.4

8/8/16Jeffer's Brook- Kinsman Notch8.4 mi. 3704'/ 3119'Today was a day of firsts, our first 4000' peak and our first hiking above tree line. We climbed 3500' in the first 4 3/4 miles. We topped out on Mt Musilauke's south peak then traversed the summit's saddle to the higher north peak. Between the two peaks the trail was flanked by 5' high spruce hedges and was absolutely filled with moose droppings. With the exception of pretty strong winds, the summit weather was spectacular. The sky was clear and the visibility seemed unlimited. I'm sure the mountains visible on the northeast horizon were in Maine, and those to our southwest were undoubtedly in Vermont. 8/8/16Jeffer's Brook- Kinsman Notch8.4 mi. 3704'/ 3119'Today was a day of firsts, our first 4000' peak and our first hiking above tree line. We climbed 3500' in the first 4 3/4 miles. We topped out on Mt Musilauke's south peak then traversed the summit's saddle to the higher north peak. Between the two peaks the trail was flanked by 5' high spruce hedges and was absolutely filled with moose droppings. Sadly, we learned that a very sick moose had been using that area for the past few weeks. It had contracted a disease from being infested with ticks and was so sick that it was starving itself to death. Rangers finally had to euthanize it. As is often the case above tree line, the wind was howling on top. After taking the requisite summit photos we quickly scurried down the north side of the mountain. We soon came upon signs warning of the dangerous trail ahead and discouraging its use during wet or icy conditions. Fortunately it was dry so we forged ahead. Before long the trail turned in an easterly direction and the bottom fell out. It began to parallel a cascading stream and used very small steps chiseled into the slabby rock to make traversing it even possible. The super steep pitches also had wooden blocks attached here and there to the smooth granite. This touch and go descending went on for over a mile while losing about 1200' of elevation. It was beautiful but very treacherous, and would have been impossible if it was the least bit wet. Eventually we hit more moderate terrain and before long we were standing at the trailhead. It was another great day of hiking, a preview of what lays ahead. Tomorrow we hike "notch to notch", 16.5 miles from Kinsman Notch to the Liberty Springs trailhead. Along the way we will climb up and over South and North Kinsman Peaks and skirt the shores of Lonesome Lake.
Date: 2016-08-09
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Liberty Springs Trailhead
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Kinsman Notch- Liberty Springs Trailhead 16.4 miles, 5000'/ 5503'Today was just another day in "The Whites". Beautiful scenery, rugged trails, and plenty of climbs and descents. It was, however a bit on the warm side with high humidity and temps in the low 90's, ridiculous for this area. The trail first took us over a series of short ups and downs to the summit of Wolf Mountain, some 4.5 miles distant and 1500' higher than our starting point. We then dropped 1100' over the next 3 miles to Eliza Brook. We fueled up at the Eliza Brook Shelter and re-hydrated before continuing on. It was a good thing we ate and drank when we did because the trail began another steep ascent, following the brook upstream for a ways and passing several waterfalls before diverging from the stream and climbing in earnest. After a mile and a half, and another 1000' of climbing we reached Harrington Pond. The pond shoreline was boggy and rimmed with sphagnum moss. Here and there grew clumps of carnivorous pitcher plants. Although we were too late to enjoy their flowers, the foot-tall flower heads that remained made it easy to find these fascinating plants. The scenery around Harrington Pond was stunning. Majestic granite cliffs covered with spruce rose to the north. It was with mixed feelings that we soon realized the trail was going to take us directly over them. Leaving the pond, we began climbing again. Within a quarter mile it became so steep and rocky that we had to stow our trekking poles and scramble hand over foot. This was the first of the two peaks of 4358' Mount Kinsman, and it was not going to let us stand on its summit without a fight. Higher and higher we climbed, carefully picking our way along the nearly vertical slope. After a mile, a gallon of sweat, and another 1000' of elevation gain we made the summit. There we were treated to a 360 degree view that included Mounts Cube and Musalauke to the south and the Franconia Ridge to our north. We could easily trace the route we've been hiking the past 3 days, and clearly see what lay ahead for the next two. The north face of Kinsman was almost as steep and technical as the south and it took a long time to pick out way down its craggy, rocky slope. One half mile and 500' below the summit we hit Kinsman Pond, then continued down another 1000'. Eventually we hit more moderate terrain and before long we were standing on the steps of the Lonesome Lake Hut, one of many such facilities run by the Appalachian Mountain Club here in the White Mountains. It would have been nice to have had time to check it out but night was falling and we needed to get to the road some 2 miles distant, so we pushed on. Fortunately the final stretch of trail was fairly flat and we made good time, exiting the woods and reaching the trailhead just as it became too dark to see. I checked my Fitbit and discovered I had burned 6000 calories over the course of the day's hike.
Date: 2016-08-11
From: The Notch Hostel

To: Lafayette Campground
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

Today we really got into the Whites, climbing Mount Liberty en route to Franconia Ridge, a section of trail that draws hikers from all over the world. Because we were holding at the hostel in anticipation of several days of dangerous weather, and yet wanting to get at least a few more miles done, we did it as a "slack-pack" carrying nothing but emergency supplies, food and water. Leaving our tents, sleeping bags, stoves, fuel, and multiple days worth if food behind made the hiking infinitely more enjoyable. Again we climbed, 4569' to the top of Mount Lafayette (5260'). Along the way we went over Mt Liberty (4458'), Little Haystack (4779'), and Mount Lincoln (5089'). The 3 miles from Haystack to the AMC Greenleaf hut (4204') was above tree line and afforded spectacular views. We started descending from the high ridges as the sky grew dark with gathering storm clouds. We hit Greenleaf Hut after a little over a mile and 1050' of downhill. Luckily the clouds lifted and the sun was back out by the time we arrived. Refilling our water bottles at the hut, we continued down to the road on the "bridle trail", which I thought would provide a more moderate grade. I was wrong. We somehow made it the remaining two miles and another 1800' of descent, following a spur ridge with tremendous cliff top views of Franconia looming high above us.
Date: 2016-08-12
From: Crawford Notcg

To: Mount Tom
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: scattered clouds

More rain was expected today, but I was getting a little stir-crazy so I joined a fellow Notch Hostel guest for a Peak-bagging hike to the top of Mount Tom. Tom is one of the "48 above 4000" peaks. Hikers consider it a challenge to summit all 48 and my new friend Muzafar had 33. We drive to Crawford Notch and began our ascent under black skies and with the sound of thunder down in the valley. It was raining pretty hard by the one mile mark but we pressed on. Up we went, over 2000' in about 2 and a half miles. The top of the mountain was in the clouds but we summited anyway, celebrating with high fives as we reached the rock cairn marking the summit. Some Canada Jay's heard us and soon joined our little celebration, fearlessly landing on Muzafar's outstretched palm for a snack. Other than descending in a rainstorm the trip back down the mountain was relatively uneventful. We changed into some dry clothes that were waiting for us at Muzafar's car and soon we were zipping back to the hostel having bagged another 4000 footer.
Date: 2016-08-14
From: The Notch Hostel, Lincoln NH

To: The Notch Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

8-14Another zero. Will this frontal system never blow out of here?!?!? Above tree line it's not just a question of getting wet. That we could deal with. It's the high winds, lightning and hypothermia we must be cautious of. Tomorrow's summit forecast calls for the ridges to be in and out of the clouds with 25-35MPH winds gusting to 55MPH. We go tomorrow morning, regardless of the weather. I just hope we have at least a few breaks in the clouds to give us some views. The higher ridges here have been completely socked in for days, with high winds and an occasional thunderstorm thrown in for good measure. Hikers have come into the hostel talking about flooding and even waterfalls across the trail in some locations. O-Town and I double-checked our gear and food this afternoon like soldiers preparing for battle. We plan to hike back up Mount Lafayette (5260') tomorrow, to the spot where we left the trail, then continue north to a campsite on Mount Guyot (4181'). The hike will ascend more than 6000' over the course of 11 miles. It's a short day distance-wise, but it's going to be tough due to all the climbing. Perhaps it's a good thing we've gotten some rest.
Date: 2016-08-15
From: The Notch Hostel

To: Mount Garfield Campsite
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: few clouds

I'd like to begin this post with a happy anniversary wish for my wife, my love, my soulmate. It's hard to believe we tied the knot 35 years ago today. This silly AT adventure of mine would have remained an unattainable dream without her love and support. I love you honey. You're my hero. We bade goodbye to our friends at the Notch Hostel and were soon back on the trail. It was a short day but very difficult with over 4000' of climbing, 2440' of descent, and it was over rocky, rugged terrain. We took the Greenleaf Trail for about 3 miles, climbing all the way, until we reached Greenleaf hut. We took a break there for some coffee and soup before resuming our climb. After another mile of uphill we finally made the summit of Mount Lafayette. It had been overcast when we started our hike but as we gained elevation we were soon in the clouds and the mountain remained socked in for the remainder of our climb. The weather finally broke as we descended Lafayette toward Mount Garfield. We were fortunate to have fine views for the rest of the day. There's more rain in the forecast for tomorrow, but mostly in the afternoon. We'll need to get an early start to beat it to our next campsite.
Date: 2016-08-16
From: Mount Garfield Campsite

To: Mt Guyot
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

Garfield Camp- Guyot Shelter 6.3 miles, 2361'/ 2156'. We had another short day today. Good weather during the morning gave way to rain showers by noon. The forecast was for heavy rain and possibly thunderstorms during the afternoon, continuing overnight. It was raining pretty steadily when we hit the trail junction of the Mount Guyot trail at the 5 and a half mile mark. We had to choose between going on another 4.5 miles to Zealand Hut or bailing to Guyot. There was no guarantee of a spot at Zealand, and discretion being the better part of valor, we decided to take the bailout option. An 8/10 mile scramble down the hill delivered us to a nice dry shelter, a good place to wait out the storm. We'll push on towards Crawford Notch tomorrow. If it's still raining at least we will have a dry place from which to begin our hike, and no wet tent to pack and carry!A word about gear...I found my pricey rain gear to be like wearing my own sauna when I hiked in it, so I sent it home. It was supposed to be highly breathable and well ventilated but I was getting as wet from the inside out as I would have from the rain. I decided in Hanover NH to go old school and purchased a pack board poncho. The back of the poncho is longer than the front so it fits over the pack too. The rain today tested it pretty well and so far I'm quite happy with it. Although it's 100% waterproof, there's so much ventilation that it feels cooler and I stayed a lot dryer. We're gonna try to make Crawford Notch tomorrow. We're moving so much more slowly than expected that we are gonna need to resupply there.
Date: 2016-08-17
From: Mt Guyot

To: Ethan Pond
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We delayed our departure from the warm dry confines of the Guyot Shelter as long as we could, hoping the rain would stop. At 1pm we could wait no longer and launched out into the storm. We reached tree line in a half mile and were quickly introduced to the full fury of White Mountain weather. The wind grabbed at out packs, ripping off pack covers and spinning us around as we tip toed the narrow trail like wide receivers trying not to step out-of-bounds. Thankfully it was not raining hard, any drops driven at that velocity would have hit us like bullets. As it was, we were quickly coated with mist from the fog/clouds that were carried across the mountain by the tempest. I hereby retract my previous statement about high-dollar rain gear. Our ponchos simply could not protect us from horizontal, wind-blown precipitation.
Date: 2016-08-19
From: Nauman Tent Site

To: RMC Crag Cabin near Mt Madison
Miles today: 11.5

We left Nauman Tent site after scoring a breakfast of leftovers from the Mizpah Hut Cru. Thru- hikers are offered whatever food remains after the gentry (the paying guests) have eaten their fill. It's a win-win. Hungry hikers get some quality food and the hut cru doesn't have to carry it back down the mountain on their backs (there's no sanitation department to pick up the garbage up here. What can't be composted must be hauled for miles down the mountain on steep, rocky trails.) As you might imagine, thru-hikers circle the hut dining rooms like vultures. The trail took us over the Crown Jewels of the Presidential Range today, Mounts Jackson, Eisenhower, Jefferson, Adams, Pierce, Monroe, and the home of the world's worst weather, Mount Washington. We had stupefyingly perfect weather for it- clear skies and light (by Mt Washington standards) winds of only 20-25 MPH. We could easily see mountains we traversed 60 or 70 miles back, as well as the ones we will climb in Maine a few days from now. Why, we even ran into Hoss and Riggs on top. We first met them coming out of Massachusetts and hadn't seen them since Vermont. All this came at a price though. Darkness fell when we were still a mile from our tent site. We could have "stealth camped" but we were above tree line so we pushed on. The trail was rugged and rocky, making the hiking painfully slow an tedious. When we did finally get to the tent site it was full to overflowing. Someone there told us there was another site .7 miles further so we dragged ourselves onward. After creeping along for 45 minutes we finally made it to the next site. Alas, it also was full. We were told of a cabin .4 miles further so we pushed on again. By now it was 10:00 and I was going to live up to my trail name if we didn't find a campsite soon. The trail was so rugged and rocky that we couldn't even creep along at 1MPH. Crawling over boulders and squeezing through the narrowest of pathways in the dense brush, we began to wonder if we had strayed off the trail. At 10:28 I told O-Town that I was going to give it two more minutes of hiking before turning around and heading back to the last site and refusing to leave. With literally seconds remaining before we were to have turned back, the large, dark shape of Crag Cabin loomed ahead. We were safe at last.
Date: 2016-08-20
From: RMC Crag Cabin near Mt Madison

To: Pinkham Notch NH
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Today we made our grand exit of the Presidential Range, and my odometer rolled over the 1000 trail mile mark at a place known as Thunderstorm Junction. The trail was mostly above tree line and took us by Madison Hut and Mount Madison, the last of the Presidents. Skies were clear (except for a cloud capped Mount Washington). As we descended the winds increased in velocity, signalling the imminent arrival of stormy weather. The trail was steep and rocky, requiring precise foot placement with each and every step. We hurried along as best we could as clouds rolled in and the wind blew harder. We dropped a full 1100' before hitting the protection of tree line, then another 2300' before reaching the bottom. Absorbing a shock load many times our weight with each step over miles of descent burned our quadriceps and turned our knees to jello. I was thankful I've been doing this all summer. Had I been a weekend warrior I'm not sure my legs could have handled it. We hitched a ride to Gorham NH and caught a shuttle to the Hiker Hostel in Landcaster, then finished our day with a hot shower, fresh clothes, real food and a toast to having completed Franconia Ridge and the Presidentials in one piece. Adendum... We didn't realize it at the time, but while ascending Mount Lafayette we crossed paths with a guy trying to set a new speed hiking record for the AT. He has won more ultras than anyone alive and has his sites set on beating the record time Scott Jurek set last year. He's 47 years old and this is his third attempt at setting a new record. He must average almost 50 miles per day to attain his goal. His photo accompanies this entry.
Date: 2016-08-22
From: zero at the Hiker Hostel

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: few clouds

8.5 miles, Great Gulf Trailhead- Pinkham NotchAfter zeroing at the Hiker Hostel in Lancaster NH, O-Town and I needed to backtrack a bit to cover a section of trail we missed when we came off. We put back on at the trailhead for the Great Gulf Wilderness and followed that trail for just shy of 3 miles to get back to the spot were we left the AT 2 days before. The trail crossed the Androscoggin River on a neat pedestrian suspension bridge then ascended steadily. By the time we regained the AT at the Osgood Tentsite we had climbed 1000'. From there on out it was small ups and downs. We crossed the Mount Washington Auto Road and eventually came to the Old Jackson Road, an old carriage path. As you might imagine, that trail was pretty flat the rest of the way to Pinkham Notch. We hitched a ride back to town and made our way to the Yellow Deli.
Date: 2016-08-24
From: Pinkham Notch NH

To: zeta pass
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: overcast clouds

8/24 Pinkham Notch- Zeta Pass8.5 miles, 4900'/3023'Today we traversed the Wildcats. With a great deal of elevation gain (4900' in only 8.5 miles) it promised to be a tough go. Hoping to make it a little more manageable, we carried as little as possible. Left behind were the stove, tents, phone charging batteries, extra food, etc. My pack weight was pared down to 22 lbs including food and 2 liters of water. That's about 10 lbs less than I carry when fully resupplied. As it turned out, it was a good thing we cut the weight. Not only did the trail have plenty of steep climbs and descents, they were also treacherous. We found it impossible to make any time at all, sometimes covering less than one mile in an hour. A few of the descents were so steep that we had to turn, face the rock and down climb them. The terrain was so technical that we came nowhere close to making our 13 mile goal for the day. Instead of getting to a shelter/ official campsite for the evening we bivouacked along the way, rigging our rain ponchos as tarps. It was an adventure, all-in-all much harder than anything the Presidentials dished out at us.
Date: 2016-08-25
From: zeta pass

To: NH Route 2, Gorham NH
Miles today: 12.5

Zeta Pass- NH Route 212.5 mi, 2294'/ 5486'After a windy night bivouacked at almost 4000' we broke camp not knowing what challenges lay ahead. We had heard three things about the Carter- Mariah Range we were to traverse... It was high. It was dry. And the descent off the north sides of Mounts Carter and Mariah were doozies. With only enough food for the day we were committed to finishing. The weather was kind to us, clearing early in the morning to allow tremendous views of the Presidential Range including the legendary Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines. We crossed the last of New Hampshire's 4000'ers as we summited the Carters and Mount Mariah. Of the 48 peaks in the state that reach more than 4000' in elevation we've climbed 24. The hike was technical for the first 5 miles and it was slow going. But the terrain moderated a bit once we hit the Rattle River. Once there the trail picked up what seemed to have been an old railroad grade and followed it almost 3 miles to the trailhead at NH 2. The walking was easy and there were only a few stretches of rocks to pick our way through. After two days of fighting our way up and down rocky, cliff-like trails it was a welcome reprieve to cover some mileage and be able to walk a mile or two with a normal stride. And as beautiful as they were, it was good to get the White Mountains behind us.
Date: 2016-08-27
From: NH Route 2, Gorham NH

To: Gentian Pond
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

8/27Gorham NH- Gentian Pond 12 miles, 4470'/ 3080'With great sadness we loaded our packs into the shuttle van and departed from the Lancaster Hiker Hostel for the last time. We enjoyed our stay with them and felt so welcomed and cared for that it felt as if we were leaving old friends behind. Four other thru-hikers left on the same shuttle but they were being dropped off at Crawford Notch, a spot we crossed last week. The most efficient way to shuttle us was to drop them off on the way to our trailhead. This meant driving all the way around the Presidential Range and by the Wildcats, a 40 mile circuit that provided us a with a windshield tour of the mountain ranges we've been hiking the past 10 days. The terrain today was much less rugged than what we've been hiking. It was very reminiscent of the Trail in NC. There was little to no rock scrambling, the pathway was mostly dirt, and wound through northern hardwood forests most of the day. We did our share of climbing, but it involved walking uphill not working our way up steep, slippery rock faces. The trail also passed a number of ponds that looked perfect for moose. And one made an appearance just yesterday at Gentian Pond where we are camped tonight, but alas still no moose. Perhaps we will spot one tomorrow once we are in Maine.
Date: 2016-08-28
From: Gentian Pond

To: Lancaster NH
Miles today: 3.5

We hiked only 3.5 miles of AT today before O-Town was ready to throw in the towel. He's coming down with something and not feeling at all well. We climbed over Mt Success, the last major mountain in NH, before taking a 3 mile side trail down to a place where we could catch a ride into town. Staying in a cheap motel in Gorham tonight. We stumbled upon the crash site of a DC-3 airplane on top of Mt Success. And we spotted more spruce grouse. These birds are crazy. They think they're so camouflaged you can't see them so they hold until you practically step on them. In a survival situation I'm sure you could get close enough to dispatch one with a stick!Hopefully O-Town will feel better tomorrow so we can get back to the trail and get some miles behind us.