morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-11
From: Sherman Brook Primitive Campsite

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: few clouds

I finally made it into Vermont, or as the hikers like to call it Ver-mud! This is the muddiest state. You could easily lose a shoe. I passed the first shelter just as Dirty Harry and Fran were coming out. By the second shelter I was really tired. After two coffees and a big lunch, I felt much better for the last 7 miles. Got some trail magic before the shelter from Steve. It was so nice after the long climb down the past mountain. Just me and a couple with a dog in the shelter tonight.
Date: 2014-07-12
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

These cold mornings are brutal on my bruised ribs. Shivering is so painful. Every turn at night is agony. I may have a hairline fracture on one rib. it's gotten a little better, but still hurts so much after 4 days.I had 2 coffees and a large lunch at the first shelter. What a surprise to see Coley and Chamomile come walking in. I thought they had left the trail, but they just took several days off and were behind me. Coley has Lyme disease. Several people have gotten it. I got some updates. Whiskey Bill, one of my favorite people on the trail broke his ankle. Also Big Spoon and Toast had a mishap. One of them fell out of a shelter and shattered their hand. Yikes! They are still on the trail, but haven't seen them lately.It was another big mile hiking day. Lots of people at the shelter so I'm tenting.
Date: 2014-07-13
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Winhall River - Tenting
Miles today: 12.4

Had a hard time getting up today. Just wanted to sleep more, but I knew I had another 18 mile day planned. Slept some more, looked at my watch, only 6am. Not as bad as I thought, but I was the last one to leave camp.Went over the biggest mountain in over a month. Stratton Mountain is 3900 feet and where Benton Mackaye conceived the Appalachian Trail. i was feeling whipped by the time I got over and down. The weather was turning cold and people were forecasting rain.I went just past a river and decided to set up my tent on a flat spot. The rain started just as I got set up. So I jumped inside my tent and took a nap.I was short by 5 miles of my goal of 18 today. I will have to walk 8 miles to town tomorrow. I may need to take my first zero day since my birthday in May. My left foot has 2 toes with red welts that are painful to the touch. I have no idea what this is. My ribs are better so they may be just bruised and not cracked. That was a tough 5 days of pain. They still hurt, but not as bad. There is always something hurting or bruised.
Date: 2014-07-14
From: Winhall River - Tenting

To: Manchester Center VT- Green Mtn House
Miles today: 8.6

It rained hard last night. Very soggy morning, but the trail wasn't too bad. As I began hiking I ran into Mombo, 50/50, and Jayhawk. Apparently I passed Warren Doyle but didn't realize it. He's famous for many thru hikes.After 9 miles, I got to the road that leads to town. I had my thumb out for a ride for about 10 minutes when I saw a truck leave the parking lot. I pointed to him and made a gesture like "give me a ride" and he said come on. Yeah! he was day hiking with other people. They park cars north and south then drive everyone to the next section.Got my resupply box and my new pot! I'm so happy, because my old pot was falling apart. Got another ride to the Green Mountain house Hostel. What a great place, absolutely loved it. Lots of amenities!
Date: 2014-07-15
From: Manchester Center VT- Green Mtn House

To: Manchester Center VT- Green Mtn House
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Took a zero day to recover from my many aches and pains. Tired to eat all the leftover food that other hikers left in the community kitchen. It was a lot! Made a good attempt since I ate 17 eggs in 2 days.
Date: 2014-07-16
From: Manchester Center VT- Green Mtn House

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

Started late due to the rain. We didn't get to the trail-head until 9:30. I felt great today. My food bag weighs in at 19 pounds, my pack with 1.5 liters of water weighs another 25 pounds, for a total of 44lbs! Yikes!I drank a whole liter of water before the first mountain so now my pack only weighs 42 lbs. I felt so good the weight didn't even bother me. I went up like a mountain goat. Because of my late start and heavy load, I planned only 10 miles, but went 15 by 6pm. Wow! If only I was this strong everyday!
Date: 2014-07-17
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Started off good, but not as strong as yesterday, even with a lighter load. Met Baird from Baird farms. A local Maple syrup farmer. He has 10,000 trees to harvest. Took some pictures of me next to weird rock formations. People have been piling rocks upon rocks, creating hundreds of cairns in one area.After 10 miles I had a large lunch with 2 coffees. At mile 14, it rained hard and I got a bit wet. Later after being in the shelter for a while, Opps, Gargamel, and Gazelle came in. A nice reunion, since I hadn't seen them since the last day in the Shenandoah in Virginia. I'm tenting behind the shelter to avoid the mosquitoes.
Date: 2014-07-18
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge 
Miles today: 13.8

Left early with breakfast thoughts on my mind. Three miles later I was eating at the Whistle Stop Cafe. Had an excellent huge breakfast. Strangely, this did not give me any energy. I was dragging my butt over 2 mid size mountains. I took a long break at a shelter about 10 miles in. Made my lunch of spam with mac & cheese. Felt much better after that.Powered up a huge mountain fairly quickly with lots of energy. Lots of people at the shelter tonight. Some tenting right next to me.
Date: 2014-07-19
From: Cooper Lodge 

To: Stoney Brook Shelter
Miles today: 16.3

Felt fast today on this mostly downhill day. Had a big lunch at the state park and took an hour long break. I met Coley again. He was getting a late start. The one big climb of the day took a lot out of me. I made it to the shelter around 5:30, with sore feet and tired legs. Somehow I thought I was doing 18 miles, but really only 16. Strange.I plan to do 20 tomorrow, but I can't see how that will work. No shelter or campsite between 10 & 20 miles. So I am kind of stuck unless I can find a campsite.
Date: 2014-07-20
From: Stoney Brook Shelter

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 16.0

I woke up a little before 6, only to see Taz leaving for the day. That guy sets his alarm for 4:30, so he can hike at daylight when it's still cool. Good idea, but I have a hard time waking up before 6 and that's with an alarm going off.It was a fairly easy day, but some tough elevations changes. I had a large lunch and long break around 1pm. I felt stronger for a while. 3 miles later I took a .2 mile side trail to Edge Farm Food on VT12. I ate 2 large muffins, a mountain dew, and gatorade. It feels good to load up on calories.I found a nice place to camp about 3 miles further. It was a nice flat spot about 20 feet from the trail. Hikers won't see me unless they look around. Had a nice little fire to keep the bugs away while making dinner. Not too many bugs tonight. I do hear gunfire in the distance, which I am not thrilled about.
Date: 2014-07-21
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 12.6

Slept in past 6 today. I hiked and hiked and hiked only to get to the shelter 6 miles away. I only have 1 more day of food, but I am tired. I loaded up on lunch and had a coffee. Felt pretty good after getting to the next shelter 8.7 miles away. As I was crossing a bridge on VT14 in West Hartford, I heard a bell ringing at a nearby house. I walked over to say hello and they offered me some macaroni salad and cold drinks. You betcha, why not! Pretty soon there were five more hikers at Linda and Randy's house. Then they start roasting hotdogs and brought out more food. Everyone ate their fill and some even took the 30 ft plunge into the river. Not for me today. I once hurt my ear drum jumping from a distance like that.I headed off and got water at the stream since the shelter water sometimes goes dry. But I never made it to the next shelter. Stopped a quarter mile later, too many hotdogs! I should be in town tomorrow!
Date: 2014-07-22
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Etna Rd - Tiggers Treehouse
Miles today: 14.3

I made fast work of the 6 miles into town. Within 100 yards of hitting Norwich VT, I found a cooler full of cokes and gatorade. Then a few houses later there were baked goods and Oreo cookies. That helped a lot, with this 3 miles of hot road walking.Passed into New Hampshire on my way to Hanover. Got a large Frappuccino at Starbucks and picked up my resupply box from the Post office. Packed everything up at the local pizza joint. Then I went to the rec center for a shower and washed my clothes. What a great day! It was only 1 mile to the next shelter.At the shelter I met two ladies out for a section hike. I set up my tent in anticipation of a great evening. Then I walked to get water at the spring. Took the blue blaze down 1/2 mile to the water sign, followed the unmarked trail and bushwhacked a bit when the trail seemed to end. Found a nasty looking stagnant spring with a load of bugs on top. NO THANKS! Walked back up to my tent in a foul mood. I decided to move on since I only had a few sips left. While I was packing up my tent, these wonderful ladies gave me 1 1/2 liters of water for my trip. Extremely generous of them and I ended up needing it all. My fury drove me up the mountain as bullets of sweat poured off me. 1st water source - non-existant! 2nd water source - stagnant stream in mud. The next water source was 4 miles away, but it was getting late. There were signs everywhere about the fragile environment so I couldn't stealth camp, so I looked in my guide book for help and there it was. On Etna Road, Tigger's Treehouse took in hikers.As I was making the call to be picked up, the signal died and wouldn't come back. I considered tenting in the cemetery. Then bam, the signal came back, called and Ralph picked me up 15 minutes later. I was so relieved. Ralph and Karen were fantastic. They take in hikers and let them sleep in their comfy RV. They also let them use a small kitchen and family room in the basement.Found KeyLime already there doing a zero with her dog Ozzy. Ah what a great ending to a spoiled day.
Date: 2014-07-23
From: Etna Rd - Tiggers Treehouse

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 10.8

The power went out right when Key Lime was heating up her breakfast. Luckily I had finished earlier. We got off to a late start due to the power outage. The morning started out good with trail magic of cokes before a big climb.The first climb was not too bad, but it was hot. 90s hot with humidity that made the rocks sweat. The second mountain was much harder after lunch. I was sweating buckets again and the heat was draining my strength. I also had a biting fly problem. Two of them stayed with me for miles. I finally killed one.Then just as I reached the shelter I think I was stung by a wasp or bee on my leg. It was very painful for about an hour. Darn bugs!I ate dinner as a thunderstorm rolled by. It is pouring down rain now, but I am nice and dry in my tent.
Date: 2014-07-24
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 12.0

I stopped by Bill Ackerman's house after the fist mile. He likes hikers to stop by and get free ice cream and maybe play croquet. He already had 6 hikers there around the table that had spent the night. I got a coffee which always does me good. I went up and over a few mountains with hopes of a long day since it was so cool. But soon I got tired and settled at my original plan of only 12 miles. The next camping spot was still 7 1/2 miles away and I just couldn't make it before dark. Arriving at the hexagon shaped shelter I found 3 Sobo hikers that were soon joined by 3 more. Southbounder Central. They gave me some useful info about work for stay at the huts further north.My tent spot is rather slanted tonight, but seems like the only suitable spot since a large tree fell on the camping area. I usually sleep better in my tent, but not sure about tonight. It's going to get cold tonight and I only have a liner and emergency bivy. I'm putting on all my clothes so I will stay warm.
Date: 2014-07-25
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Glenciff, NH - Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

This was a nice easy day. After the first 5 miles, a guy was dropping off a hiker and offered to slack pack me. My mind froze. This stuff keeps me alive. I haven't slack packed since the Shenandoahs and couldn't think what I needed for 10 more miles, so I just said no thanks and moved on. The guy actually shuttles for the hostel I was going to stay at. Duh!!! I could have at least dumped all the stuff I didn't need into a bag, tent, clothes, etc. Darn!At least the next 10 miles were easy and I only had a day's worth of food. I got to the hostel early and got a lift into "town", which consisted of a pizza place and a deli. The Philly cheese steak was delicious.
Date: 2014-07-26
From: Glenciff, NH - Hikers Welcome Hostel

To: Glenciff, NH - Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 9.3

Started off with a wonderful breakfast then off to slack pack Mount Moosilauke southbound. The Northern side was very steep but had steps or iron bars in the hard parts. It was a fairly long climb, but fairly easy without a pack. I felt great, made it to the top to find it chilly and mostly hazy. Not much of a view. Someone had a temperature gauge that showed 44 degrees at 11 am. The wind was only blowing about 15 mph. The path down was steep for the first mile or two. Then pretty gradual the rest of the way back to the hostel. The next 2 days are suppose to be rainy, we will see.
Date: 2014-07-27
From: Glenciff, NH - Hikers Welcome Hostel

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 17.0

Got another great breakfast with bacon, eggs and pancakes. Yeah! 100% chance of rain today. Started hiking around 8:30 and then the rain came around 11am and didn't stop until almost 2pm when I got to the shelter. I was soaking wet. Crossed Mt Wolf in a thunderstorm. That was really tough coming down with all the water and wet rocks. Decided to stay put in the shelter and dry my feet instead of heading up Kinsman Mountain.Looks like two major climbs tomorrow, unless it rains hard again. Lets hope not. These Whites are hard enough without the rain.
Date: 2014-07-28
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 8.8

No rain in the morning. It didn't start until about an hour into my hike. Going over Kinsman Mountain was a nightmare. Rivers of water running down the trail. It was dangerous getting up and down the slippery rocks. I swear the mountains were trying to kill me. Just when I reached the top, thunder and lightning went into full mode. Very scary!I finally made it to the Lonesome Lake hut and warmed up with soup and a brownie. I stayed there for over an hour. I was soaking wet and shivering when I finally left.After walking over a mile a ran into Lucky B and Acorn coming back up the trail. The river was not passable so we went back up over a mile for a new plan. There was another trail that brought us to the campground.From there Randy and I shared a hostel room at the Mt Liberty Motel. They picked us up, took us to town for dinner and dropped us off at the trail head in the morning. Paul and Carolyn were extremely nice and helpful. It was wonderful to be dry again and have all our clothes cleaned and dried.
Date: 2014-07-29
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 10.3

Set out by 9am with clear skies. It was a heck of a climb over Little Haystack and Mt Lafayette. Over 4,000 feet elevation gain. It was very rocky terrain which made for a tough day. There are lots of hikers here. Probably around 40 of them, several of them are boy scouts.It is very chilly. I have all my clothes on. I am a little afraid of how cold it will get tonight. Hopefully my liner and bivy will keep me warm enough.
Date: 2014-07-30
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 12.5

Very cold last night, probably in the 30's. The caretaker said the peak would have windchills in the 20's. No wind here at the campsite. The first 2.7 miles to the Galehead hut were tough climb down. It took me 2.5 hours to go 2.7 miles. Slippery wet rock climbing rather than a trail. Had a good break at the hut, then a steep rock climb up 1 mile, that probably took me an hour to do. After that is was the normal rocky up and down.Took another break at Zealand Falls hut. It was a super easy hike until I found a stealth campsite. This sets me up nicely for my resupply in 2 days at the Pinkham Notch.
Date: 2014-07-31
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Nauman Campsite
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Another cold night. Had everything on including my raincoat. The first few miles were easy. Then came Mt Webster, a 3000 ft elevation gain. The first mile wasn't too bad, just steep, but walkable. The other 2 miles were rock climbs with slippery wet rocks. I was exhausted by the time I got to the Mizpah Hut. The Nauman Campsite was right next to it. I set up my tent just before it started pouring rain. Luckily it stopped in time for me to make dinner. It's supposed to be a good day tomorrow for the Mt Washington summit. Over 6000 ft high. I'm at 3800 ft now, so I still have a ways to go.
Date: 2014-08-01
From: Nauman Campsite

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a hard climb up, up, up! Mt Washington is the highest point on the AT and highest mountain in New England. Had to go over or around several minor presidential mountains both before and after Mt Washington.It was a beautiful day for views and the weather was great! The first hut had pancakes for free. I first took only 3 of them, but then I watched day hikers take them which seemed silly since they had plenty of food and were not wasting away like thru-hikers. So I grabbed 3 more and ate them quick, and then 2 more!They had a restaurant on top of Mt Washington, so I had a bowl of chili for $4.00. Then I climbed down, well down, up, down, up or around several mountains.The rocky terrain was terrible with many rock jumbles. I finally reached a hut around 5pm, way behind schedule. I asked for the work for stay, but they already had 3 people who only went 6 miles today. I wasn't willing to pay the $120 to stay, so the other options were to go down .7 miles off trail or go 3 miles to a campsite.So I cooked dinner at the hut and left around 6:30pm. The next 2 miles were hellish rock jumbles all above tree line. I moved as fast as possible before night fall. I passed 2 people who were suffering and out of water. So I gave them some of mine and then quickly resumed my speedy travel. Just after reaching tree line, Bam! A tent site for one! How sweet is that. Just enough time to set up my tent before dark. I didn't reach my goal, but I'm close enough and happy for the night.
Date: 2014-08-02
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 11.7

The first 6 miles from the tentsite to Pinkham Notch went pretty quickly. The initial downhill was tough, but it eventually flattened out. I got my resupply box and called home on the payphone. My tracfone has been useless here in New Hampshire. I hadn't been in contact with my wife in several days. She had been calling Pinkham Notch for days asking if they had seen me. We finally talked a while. It's very hard when you cant stay in contact.The second half of the day was a tough up and over the Wildcat mountains. It took me 5 hours to go 6 miles with a full backpack. I was totally beat, when I noticed a tent site right before the turn for Carter Notch Hut. I have almost 16 miles planned for tomorrow, which seems crazy. Not sure yet if that's gonna work.
Date: 2014-08-03
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 11.5

First thing this morning was a steep 1.5 miles up. I was feeling pretty good even with 4 days of food to carry. Then came the Carter mountains. The ups was never ending and the down was treacherous. I fell twice. The first time wasn't too bad, just dragged my bent knee behind me while climbing down. I rubbed my knee for a few minutes and assessed my situation.The second caught me by surprise and really hurt. I ended up off trail in a small tree. I bent my hiking pole a bit when I landed on it. I slowly picked myself up. I wasn't hurt too bad, except my knee really hurts now.I was exhausted. I think the falls took a toll on me. I trudged on until I found a tent site next to Roadrunner. Bug Bear and Dirty Harry passed me while I was cooking dinner. They slack-packed from Pinkham Notch. I didn't know about that or I would have done it too. Oh well.
Date: 2014-08-04
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

I was going to stay at the Hostel yesterday, but came up a little short on the mileage. My first 15 mile day in a while. The first 5 were easy terrain. Felt like Virginia again. I stopped by the White Mountain Lodge to get my resupply box and call my wife. I haven't been able to get a signal in several days. Had a big uphill climb after leaving the Hostel. Five Star was hiking ahead and behind me all day. She carries a 60lb pack and has the muscles to do it. She must have been a body builder. My muscles have shrunk substantially.Solo passed me late in the day. I haven't seen him in a month. Was glad to make it to the shelter. I was exhausted. Had a bad night's sleep. My air mattress has a slow leak.
Date: 2014-08-05
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6

I'm carrying Virginia's wallet today. She left it in the shelter, then took a different trail to meet her husband. I'll contact her at the Pine Ellis Hostel in Andover.The first 5 miles were very tiring. Many ups with rock slabs. Had to slide down or hold onto trees and rocks to get down. Then it happened. The Maine Sign! I am in Maine, the final State!Maine hit me right away with impossible downs. Had to remove my pack and drop it down 3 times in 5 minutes. It took me almost 10 hours to go 10 miles today. This section was very hard and dangerous.Tomorrow I tackle the hardest or most fun mile on the AT -- The Mahoosuc Notch. There are many people here at the shelter tonight. I'm tenting in the rain. Just had a thunderstorm roll by.
Date: 2014-08-06
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Grafton Notch Tentsite
Miles today: 9.7

Hit the infamous Mahoosuc Notch after 2 miles. It was kinda fun, but wet and slippery. It actually rained during my 2 hour traverse. There were no death defying moves just things that would clunk your head or kneee or maybe give you some abrasions. Three times I had to crawl through tunnels of rock, dragging my pack behind me. One was very tight.I ran into Virginia Beach while in the Notch, so I could return her wallet. Had a big climb after the notch. Took a lunch break with 3 ladies out section hiking. It took me about 5 hours to go 4 miles this morning. After I ate lunch it was already 2pm, and I had planned to go another 7 miles. It all seems hard at this time. It's almost never flat hiking. Either steep up or steep down.At 5pm, I decided to stop rather than climb another mountain. I only have about 3 miles to go to the hostel, but that means I will have a short walk tomorrow.
Date: 2014-08-07
From: Grafton Notch Tentsite

To: Pine Ellis Hostel
Miles today: 10.3

Had a big climb to start the day, but I did it quickly because I was almost out of food. Just had a few snacks and enough food for lunch. It was a tough walk down. I was pretty tired when I got down to East B hill. Luckily Scuffy called for the shuttle and confirmed the last room for me. Sweet! I had an upper deck bed in the rafters. It was OK except for the ladder climbs up and down.I had a large burger and fries for dinner and a take home small pizza which I finished off back at the hostel.My box did not arrive today so tomorrow I will do a 10 mile slack pack. They made a second trip to the P.O. and my box was there. Yeah!