morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-26
From: Mile 1679.5

To: Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: few clouds

I began today by walking the half-mile to the Whistle Stop. I got there at 6:45 am and they opened the door for me. Boy, I wasn't disappointed I had the Hikers Breakfast of French Toast, sausage, wheat toast, eggs and hash browns; a little change from oatmeal! So the trail began today with a 1,000' rock scramble on a full stomach. However, after that the walk was easy although I had to take a detour on a gravel road where crews were replacing a bridge damaged almost three years ago from hurricane Irene. I guess with all the damage Vermont received, fixing the bridge was a low priority. As I was making good mileage, the more I hiked the more I thought about reaching Killington rather than camping on the trail for another night. I climbed almost all of Killington Mountain, the most significant climb in Vermont. The last two-tenths of a mile requires a rock scramble. I did this in 2012 and enjoyed a great sunset from the top, but with my change in plan I was able to by-pass the rock climb and begin my descent. I called ahead and managed to get a room at the Inn at Long Trail. However, before I got there I learned a lesson about keeping my head up. I was focusing so much on where I placed my feet that I struck my head on a hanging limb. Blood just poured down my face and on to my shirt and trousers. I tried to stem the blood and remembered a ridge runner who was going to stay at a shelter about a mile away. When I got there, he examined my head, told me it was just a minor scrape. He cleaned it and when I got to the Inn I was able to wash the blood from my cap, shirt and trousers. The parking lot and Inn were full and I enjoyed a good dinner and evening of fellowship. On the trail today, I did meet a young man who was 300+ pounds. He had weighed 450 pounds before starting his hike. He is going south so I may not see him again, but I pray this journey will work out for him.
Date: 2014-07-27
From: Inn at Long Trail

To: The Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 0.0

Because I pushed on yesterday to reach Killington, today is a zero day and it is a good thing for we have had alternate thunderstorms and sunshine all day. The cars cleared out in the morning, rooms opened up, and hikers flooded in. So the Inn at Long Trail is full again. The original building was built in 1938 as a ski lodge and the original Inn was destroyed by a fire in 1968. The Lodge was purchased by an Irish family in 1977 and they have made it into a first class lodging, restaurant/pub known as McGrath's Irish pub. Tonight we just sat in the pub to get our meal and to share stories of our experiences on the trails - both the Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2014-07-28
From: The Inn at Long Trail

To: Mileage 1707.0
Miles today: 8.1

Today was one of thunderstorms and showers. I set out about 10:30 am to climb back to my starting point on the AT. Because of the rain it was like climbing a waterfall. The trail itself was a series of puddles and wet rocks and roots. Vermont is known for its mountains and streams. Normally, crossing streams is a few hops on stones or blocks strategically placed for crossing. But with the rain, the blocks were submerged and some of the streams came up to my knees. This meant removing my boots before crossing the stream, then drying out and putting my boots back on. This was time consuming and made for low mileage today. I stopped at the first shelter I reached in late afternoon and three of us put up tents on high ground. The shelter was full and I had good visits with about ten other hikers (three southbound and seven northbound. I've been playing leap frog with some of the northbound hikers for a few days.
Date: 2014-07-29
From: Mileage 1707.0

To: Thistle Hill shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I stopped for lunch at a road crossing, and met a couple of hikers who told me about a nearby market. When I got there I realized I had visited it two years ago - an all organic market with Vermont cheese, smoked meats and other delicacies. So I had a second lunch. After I got back on the trail I met some south-bounders who told me about a stream ahead that was difficult, but there was also Trail Magic at the stream. The mosquitos were bad getting there because the standing water is one of their favorite breeding grounds. However, fording the stream wasn't bad as I quickly found rocks to hop across. Then I found the Trail Magic - a net bag full of cokes, tied to a tree but hanging down into the water to keep them cold. I retrieved a coke and consumed it right by the stream. When I got to the camp I reunited with some of the friends I had made over the past week or so. I pitched my tent in the woods.
Date: 2014-07-30
From: Thistle Hill shelter

To: Hospitality without measure
Miles today: 12.7

Today I was looking forward to stopping at a wonderful deli I'd visited two years ago. In 2011 the deli had been flooded from Tropical Storm Irene which crested about 15' above normal. The water reached 5 or 6 ' in the deli. I visited the deli in 2012 shortly after it reopened. As I approached it, two southbound hikers informed me that it was closed and up for sale. What a disappointment! But they told me not to worry that, if I stopped at the blue house at the end of the road, a lady Linda was waiting to feed me. When I got to the porch she shouted, "Come on in" and prepared a great breakfast for me - scrambled eggs with onions and peppers, bacon and toast and as much coffee as I wanted. I stayed quite a while and wondered how many hundreds of hikers have done likewise. Her original home was 100 years old when it was destroyed by Irene. The family are still rebuilding but their hospitality was without measure. I crossed Interstate 89 and climbed the mountain headed for Elm Street in Norwich, Vermont. The trail actually goes for about a mile on Elm Street and about half-way down is the home of Betsy and Bill, better known as Short and Sweet and Graybeard. Last June I met them in the Smokies and they invited me to stay with them when I was in Vermont. So I've been in touch with them and am spending the night at their home. I arrived about 5pm and have had a great evening with three other hikers, including a nice meal. Betsy and Bill have done this for about 150 hikers and all they ask is that each of us passes it forward. This is an amazing community for about 20-30 folks publish their names and phone numbers so hikers can call and make plans to stay with them. What a service. What kindness. What a blessing.
Date: 2014-07-31
From: Hospitality without measure

To: Mileage 1754.1
Miles today: 12.9

After a great night with Betsy and Bill I walked into Hanover to get new inserts for a new pair of shoes. Unfortunately, the outfitter didn't have what I needed, so I had to hitch a ride to the Eastern Mountains Sports Store which was six miles away. I got what I needed, then used the free bus service to get back to Hanover and resume my AT walk, after treating myself to a sandwich. I stopped at the first shelter for a while to avoid a shower. For whatever reason, I resumed my hike in the wrong direction, quickly realized this, and back tracked. On my way I had a most unexpected reunion with two hikers from Tennessee who were doing a section hike. Howard and Tina are part of my Wednesday Margaret Stevenson hiking group. We had a nice chat on the trail, after which I moved on to my camp site. It was a short hiking day due to the delay in Hanover.
Date: 2014-08-01
From: Mileage 1754.1

To: Top of Smarts Mountain
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I hoped to do 15 miles or more, but I stopped at the home of the Ice Cream Man. I had visited there two years ago but he was away. So I was determined to meet him today. He is a retired Harvard professor who about eleven years ago cleared a side trail to his residence and put up a sign which says: FREE ICE CREAM; MY WATER IS BETTER THAN YOUR WATER; SODAS 50 CENTS. As you can imagine, he has had hundreds of visitors. So I stopped by his home. The door was open with a note as to how to get the ice cream. I assumed he had just stepped out, so I got my ice cream and sat down to read the log book and await his return. I walked around his croquet course, but after over two hours I reluctantly put my backpack on and headed back to the trail. Smarts Mountain was a difficult climb and I pitched my tent when I got to the top of the mountain. The weather was nice. Any day without rain is nice. For a while I was the only camper, but later I was joined by Shortstaff (Shortstop and Shortstaff!). I had enough water to make dinner, but not enough for breakfast tomorrow.
Date: 2014-08-02
From: Top of Smarts Mountain

To: Hiker Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I hiked 3 or 4 miles to reach a brook at the foot of Smarts Mountain. It was a good size brook and I was able to make breakfast and fill my water bottles. I then had to climb Cube Mountain, my introduction to what it is going to be like for the next while as I face the challenge of the White Mountains. I caught up with my friends from Sevierville, Tina and Howard, and they gave me some goodies from their car. Then I met a lady who gave me two packs of cookies made with molasses and cinnamon. They were delicious. When I arrived at the US 25 crossing to the Hiker Welcome Hotel the place was full, so again I pitched my tent for the night. The hostel has showers, washer and dryers and a flush toilet although all are located outside.
Date: 2014-08-03
From: Hiker Welcome Hostel

To: Hiker Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: few clouds

Taking advantage of the hostel's shuttle service, I decided to leave my backpack and hike with only a slack pack i.e. raingear, food and water only. The folks at the hostel shuttled me to Kingsman Notch so I could hike south over the Moosilauke Mountain. The trail at this point is geologically part of the Whites, although technically it is owned by Dartmouth College. I hiked today with a gentleman from Raleigh, North Carolina (Rollie) who has a knee problem, so I wondered how he would handle the steep rocks. Some of these are so difficult to navigate that rebar has been inserted into the rocks to create steps for hikers - steps without a handrail. There are numerous trails off the mountain and one of these leads to Beaver Brook Shelter, a great resting point if only for the magnificent views from an open bald above the tree line. At the top of Moosilauke Mountain, I waited for my hiking buddy but he was nowhere to be seen, having taken a sie road by accident! There were scores of people on the mountain top. Back at the hostel I was looking forward to a great meal for Rollie had a car there. Alas, we went to McDonalds!
Date: 2014-08-04
From: Hiker Welcome Hostel

To: North Woodstock
Miles today: 16.3

The experience of slack packing was so good yesterday, I decided to slack pack for one more day. The folks from the hostel took me to Kinsman Notch to begin my walk through the Kinsman Mountain to Franconia Notch. I would stay at a motel in North Woodstock. The hostel would deliver my backpack there and collect their day pack. I got an early start by myself and climbed and climbed and climbed. This part of the AT is definitely much more challenging with 30-40' rocks with minimal hand or foot holds. Once again, I met Howard and Tina. They had left their car at Franconia Notch, so Howard gave me the keys to his car and suggested that I use it during my planned upcoming zero day. About two-thirds of the way down the mountain I encountered the first of eight huts that are managed by the Appalachian Mountain Club in New Hampshire. They are like the Le Conte Lodge in the Smokies and have bunkrooms, dining halls, prepared meals, but have no running water. It costs about $125 per night, so very few thru hikers use them. I got there just before dinner was served. As I continued down the mountain, a man stopped me and asked me if I was Shortstop. He had met Howard and Tina and they told him about me. He rode into town with me, we had dinner together and shared a motel. I'm certainly rediscovering just how difficult the Whites are to climb. They certainly are the toughest of my AT hike so far.
Date: 2014-08-05
From: North Woodstock

To: North Woodstock
Miles today: 0.0

A zero day of rest and relaxation. With having Howard and Tina's car I was able to shuttle some hikers to and from the trailhead. I was also able to drive to Lincoln, New Hampshire and visit some outfitters. Unfortunately, they are more geared to winter events and didn't have what I need.
Date: 2014-08-06
From: North Woodstock

To: Mile 1822.5
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I drove Howard and Tina's car back to Franconia Notch and began my climb to Franconia Ridge. It was a difficult, slow, climb up and down the large boulders, averaging maybe a mile per hour. Once above the timberline, things just got worse with exposure to strong winds. I joined a young couple for lunch as we sheltered as best we could behind some rocks. At that time the skies were clear and the views magnificent. But by the time lunch ended, the mists had rolled in along with rain. It was a relief to get back down to the lower elevations where the trees provided some protection from the wind. I camped on the same tent platform I had camped on two years ago. One of the other campers was Pitstop who I'd met on Smarts Mountain.
Date: 2014-08-07
From: Mile 1822.5

To: Appalachian Mountains Club Highland Center
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up to a wet tent which made the backpack heavier than usual. I started with a steep descent down rocks where a stream was cascading over the rocks due to last nights rain. However, this first mile proved to be the hardest part of the day. In early afternoon I stopped at one of the huts where they sell soup for $2 and cookies and coffee for another dollar each. An exhilarating part of the stop was to meet eleven elementary kids who were hiking with their parents. Last evening I had met a dad, his two daughters, and his brother. The two daughters were in the age range 7-9. I'm just amazed at what an early age these young kids are introduced to hike in the Whites. Another exhilarating experience was to meet Moneymaker, a disabled hiker who has raised over $11,000 for a charity through his hike. He started from Georgia in late February, about two weeks before I did. His father is joining him tomorrow to climb Mount Washington. I was able to relay meeting times to his father through my cell phone connection and was pleased to do so. At the Appalachian Mountains Club Highland Center, I had a nice bunk, a good meal and breakfast seated with Eastwood. We have been shadowing each other for a couple of weeks.
Date: 2014-08-08
From: Appalachian Mountains Club Highland Center

To: Lakes of the Cloud Hut
Miles today: 11.2

I hitched to the trailhead and got there by 9am. I met Moneymaker there, waiting for his dad. So I waited with him and was able to meet and talk with his dad for 20 minutes. As I started to climb Webster Cliff Trails I met an unusual hiker and his dog. The hiker is blind. He has hiked from the south to New Hampshire and I can't fathom how he can stay on the correct trail and how he and his dog can navigate 30-40' rocks, but he assured me he was fine and didn't need any help. My objective today was to reach the Lakes of the Cloud Hut. This meant hiking again above the tree line exposed to the elements - for 2-3 miles today and 15 miles in total. However, the weather was reasonably nice. The hut can accommodate 90 people. It has a crew of seven or eight. I had been unable to get a reservation but, when I arrived there, the supervisor told me I could work for stay by sleeping on the floor. My job would be in the morning which would delay my planned early start to face a tough climb. He said that the alternative was to sleep in the dungeon (basement, but one quick look convinced me to take the work option. My friend, Eastwood, also was the Hut and after dinner we got to eat any leftover food. The hut has no trash - its eat the leftovers or take them with you on the trail.
Date: 2014-08-09
From: Lakes of the Cloud Hut

To: Pinkham Notch Visitors Center
Miles today: 14.8

I was up at first sign of daylight after a night sleeping on the floor. This is to get out of the way of the paying guests! Eastwood offered to do my chores so I could get an early start. By 7:30 am I was walking in fog trying to get to the top of Mount Washington (almost 6300'. When I got to the top I stopped at the caf©/souvenir shop for breakfast, then headed for the next hut at Madison Spring. It was a slow walk over lava-like rocks. I arrived early afternoon and had soup and cornbread. There were quite a few in the hut, but I had Madison to climb and then descend rock by rock by rock. I met another young family, mum, dad, son and daughter, who were hiking with another family - mother, father and two sons. One of the sons who was about fourteen had just had a fall. Again I was struck by the exercise and experience gained by young people hiking as part of a family. I got back below the tree line late afternoon, headed for the Pinkham Notch Visitors Center where I met a member of the Methodist Church and stayed at his home. In retirement, most people move from the north to the south, but he lived in Houston, Texas and retired in New Hampshire. I'm looking forward to worshipping with him tomorrow.
Date: 2014-08-10
From:  Pinkham Notch Visitors Center

To: :inkham Notch Visitors Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I was the guest of Chuck and Cindy, members of Jefferson United Methodist Church. Their pastor had been contacted by the Director of Connectional Ministries for the New England conference to have someone provide hospitality for me while passing through the Gorham area. They live in a nineteenth century home that they are restoring and modernizing. I attended church with them and spoke to the congregation (30-40 people) about my hike. The church has a unique feature. Each week they draw one name from a hat and the congregation prays for that person during the following week, so this week I am praying for Judy. I had lunch with Chuck and Cindy before returning to the hostel. Unfortunately the hostel was full and I was initially turned away, but one of the hikers offered to sleep on the floor so I could have a bed. This is just another way that the hiking community provides trail magic. I am blessed.
Date: 2014-08-11
From: Pinkham Notch Visitors Center

To: White Mountains Hostel
Miles today: 5.9

Today I'd planned to get a shuttle to my starting point and then slack pack back to Pinkham Notch Visitors Center. I got over Pinkham Notch, but then had a 3,000' steep climb up rocks and boulders, averaging about one mile per hour. After six hours I arrived at Carter Notch Hut, had a bowl of soup and checked whether I could make it back to my planned stopping point. I realized I couldn't without hiking in the dark. The Hut had a bed available so I decided to stay, have dinner, get up early, have breakfast and resume my hike. I had a wonderful afternoon and evening, sharing stories of why we hike and what we do. Community on the trail is so good. I'm glad I changed my plans.
Date: 2014-08-12
From: White Mountains Hostel

To: Mile 1887.1
Miles today: 15.3

Last night a beautiful super moon lit up the whole landscape. I got on my way around 8 am today so I could hike the remaining 16 miles to the hostel where I had parked my gear. It was a day of steep climbs and descents, but I made slightly better progress than the prior day, maybe 1.5 miles per hour. It was also a day of great views alternated with fog and 35 mph winds. However, the last 2-3 miles were level. Each mile took about 22 minutes and I reached the hostel by 7:30 pm.
Date: 2014-08-14
From: Mile 1887.1

To: Mile 1898.8
Miles today: 11.7

Because of yesterday's rain, the trail today was muddy and wet. I'm no longer hiking in weather-proof shoes, but I am wearing weather-proof socks and they worked, keeping my feet dry even with having to cross swamps by stepping on boards that have been nailed to sets of logs. Today I experienced a most amazing coincidence. I met a southbound couple who were on their honeymoon. He is a professor at Memphis University and, like myself, they were commissioned by their church as chaplains to walk the Appalachian Trail. So we had a great chat and prayed with each other before continuing our hikes. I got to camp by 5 pm and Eastwood, Littlebird, and I pitched our tents on platforms. We all had dinner and made bed before sunset.
Date: 2014-08-15
From: Mile 1898.8

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Eastwood and I decided to sleep late as we planned only 10 miles today. However, the hike was difficult and took us about 8 hours. Much of the rock was a sheer climb, although some had rebar built into the face to act as a ladder. Other areas had log steps, but with everything being wet it was like walking on ice and required great caution. However we climbed our last mountain in New Hampshire, ironically called Success, and crossed into Maine, our fourteenth and final state. I was surprised by the number of southbound hikers, both on the trail and at our campsite at Full Goose Shelter. It is great to have 1900 miles behind us. Because this is the really difficult part of the hike, I've been hiking with Eastwood for some time, realizing that it is not wise to walk alone.
Date: 2014-08-16
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Speck Pond campsite
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today the goal was to navigate what is regarded as the most difficult mile on the AT. It lies between two mountains like a V. At the bottom is the notch, followed by the upward arm of the V. Over the years, thousands of boulders have fallen down the two mountains into the notch. The challenge is to get over, under, around the notch, whatever way. Some hikers refer to this as "God's jungle gym." It is fun for young people, but not so much for us older folks. However, Littlebird, Eastwood and I managed to navigate the notch in 2.5 hours. It can take three or more hours for many hikers. Then we had to climb the 1700' Mahousuc Arm, looking for anything that would give support as we climbed over slabs of rock. We made it to the top of Speck Mountain and then descended to a beautiful pond at the Speck Pond campsite. This campsite has a caretaker on site, so we had to pay for camping in the woods. However, it has a special cooking and eating area and a bear box for storing food.
Date: 2014-08-17
From: Speck Pond campsite

To: Grafton Notch, ME 26
Miles today: 4.6

After a night of rain, our objective today was to get out of the rain, cold, and fog, carrying a wet tent. All we could do was to go slow even though this would mean another short mileage day. Because it was the weekend there were lots of folk on the trail, especially people from Boston. I even met a high school student climbing by herself. I called ahead to the hostel in Andover and arranged to be picked up at a parking lot at noon. The car was on time and I was provided with lemonade on the 25 mile ride to the hostel. There I was able to clean my clothes, shower, and have lunch and dinner at a local restaurant.