morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-07-30
From: Eliza Brooks shelter

To: Tent site
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: scattered clouds

A summer camp group of twelve hiking the whites came in late. They hiked out early right behind me and we passed each other most of the morning. Chet passed me early also, but he was only going four miles. Long morning climb at a very slow pace finally got me to Soth Kinsman summit at 4,300 feet. It was a fairly easy hike over to North Kinsman where I met a couple of southbounders from New Zealand admiring the view. They pointed out the mountains I'd soon be climbing that they had already done.Got to Lonesome Lake hut about two, inquired about work for stay, but she said it was too early. She did have bowls of oatmeal out left over from breakfast that was free and all you could eat. Hiked on and actually got some decent trail for two miles to the interstate 93.Wanted to make to Liberty Springs campsite, but it started to rain shortly after I had left Lonesome Lake. It picked and became a pretty hard rain after I passed the interstate so at about five I called it a day and pitched my tent.
Date: 2015-07-31
From: Tent site

To: Tent site
Miles today: 12.3

I was first out of the shelter. Sir and Hummingbird had wanted to be woken early, and I tried to make enough noise to rouse them. After a half I think it worked.Kept an eye out for Bud and Bud Lite tent, and about a mile down the trail is potentially it. Didn't want to wake them as they usually sleep in late and new they'd catch up to me. A couple hours later they did. Bud Lite said the whites had slowed them down so much they had started getting up much earlier.Climbed Galehead and South Twin mountains. Fantastic views from both.Stopped by Galehead Hut and bought some expensive brownies and a bowl of soup. Saw Bud and Bud Lite, they had heard I was short on food so they gave me several granola and candy bars. Much more than I needed but they insisted. Something about I was too skinny.Thunderstorm threatened for a few hours but never really showed up. Rained a bit but not heavy. Still I got into my rain gear as it looked and sounded like it was going to really come down.Stopped by Zealand Falls Hut but they didn't have much to offer. Star Trek and Safflon two section hikers I've seen a bit last two days got work for stay. I hiked on wanting to get closer to Crawford Notch.Stopped about five miles from Crawford Notch by a river for the night.
Date: 2015-08-01
From: Tent site

To: Tent site Webster Cliffs
Miles today: 7.1

It was pretty chilly when I got up and I hurriedly packed up so I could get warm hiking. The rain from the night had everything wet, so as I brushed the plants I quickly became soaked. Fortunately the sun quickly warmed things up as it was a,clear and sunny morning.The trail is the flats section in the whites and other than a mile or so through bog it went pretty quick. As I got close to Route 302 where I was going to the AMC Wilderness Center for my maildrop, Sunkist and his wife passed. We talked a bit and they hiked on. When I got to the parking lot they were there and had met some friends who offered to give me a ride.Got my food drop, took a shower and had lunch. Got to the road about one, but it took an hour to get a ride back to the trail head.It was all up and steep up. It will be a total climb of about five thousand feet when I get to the top of Mt. Washington. I hiked about two miles and was concerned with finding a good tent site when I got to Webster Cliffs and saw a beautiful spot. Wanted to go further but couldn't pass the spot up. It would be about fourteen miles to get over Washington and get down to the next shelter so the plan is to do nine miles tomorrow and stay at Lake of the Clouds Hut. There was some talk of thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon so it probably beast and safest to make a shorter day tomorrow. Star Trek and Saffron showed up and tent enter here also. It really is a marvelous spot and just a few steps to the ledge where there is fantastic views.
Date: 2015-08-02
From: Tent site Webster Cliffs

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: clear sky

Got going early, Star Trek and Safflon were still sleeping. Climbed up to top of Mt Webster and Mt. Jackson for some wonderful views. I could look back down to were I'd tented.Most of the rest of the day was climbing. Some was pretty tough, but for the most part it wasn't bad. Just constant rising.Got to Lake of the Hut and got work for stay. Little other choice, after summit in Mt. Washington there is nothing but open ridge line for six or seven miles to Mt. Madison, which put it out of reach for me to hike.S
Date: 2015-08-03
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Tent site
Miles today: 8.8

Staying at a hut for work for stay has its pluses and minus. It was so nice to be inside during the hour long violent thunderstorm. However not being able to get to bed till nine thirty on the dining room floor while dozens of hut guests sat at the tables with their headlamps on wasn't so great.I didn't stick around for the free breakfast, was to eagar to get going.Was an awesome climb up Mt Washington shrouded in a cloud early morning. It got cooler and windy the higher I climbed. At the summit is was cold and I had only my rain suit to put on. It was way to windy to think about digging out more clothing,much of my stuff would have blow away.It was rock hiking all day and it went really slow. When I got close, about a mile to Madison Spring hut the weather turned bad. I was sure another thunderstorm like yesterday was about to hit. Strong winds a little bit of hail and the start of rain had me hiking as fast as I could over rock, which still wasn't very fast. Got to the hut chilled a a bit wet, but the storm never really hit.After buying some hut food I hiked on. It was only three miles to Osgood Campsite, but as soon as I got down to treeline I started looking for a spot and quickly found one, about a mile short of Osgood . Short night of sleep, constant pounding of all day hiking on rocks and I was ready to call it a day.
Date: 2015-08-04
From: Tent site

To: Tent site
Miles today: 8.8

Staying at a hut for work for stay has its pluses and minus. It was so nice to be inside during the hour long violent thunderstorm. However not being able to get to bed till nine thirty on the dining room floor while dozens of hut guests sat at the tables with their headlamps on wasn't so great.I didn't stick around for the free breakfast, was to eagar to get going.Was an awesome climb up Mt Washington shrouded in a cloud early morning. It got cooler and windy the higher I climbed. At the summit is was cold and I had only my rain suit to put on. It was way to windy to think about digging out more clothing,much of my stuff would have blow away.It was rock hiking all day and it went really slow. When I got close, about a mile to Madison Spring hut the weather turned bad. I was sure another thunderstorm like yesterday was about to hit. Strong winds a little bit of hail and the start of rain had me hiking as fast as I could over rock, which still wasn't very fast. Got to the hut chilled a a bit wet, but the storm never really hit.After buying some hut food I hiked on. It was only three miles to Osgood Campsite, but as soon as I got down to treeline I started looking for a spot and quickly found one, about a mile short of Osgood . Short night of sleep, constant pounding of all day hiking on rocks and I was ready to call it a day.
Date: 2015-08-05
From: Tent site

To: Tent site near Lost Pond
Miles today: 7.2

Rained some last night, enough to get the trail wet. It made for a slippery morning decending to Pinkham Notch Visitor center. Last half of the climb down was decent hiking trail and I made good time, to off set the crawl over wet rocks on the first half.Got to the visitor center at noon. It was a really nice place. They had a room setup downstairs where hikers could work their gear. Got my food organized on a big table. Washed a couple pair of socks in the bathroom and got my battery backup half charged up. Went upstairs and had a big lunch. Chet came in and joined me and we chatted awhile. He was staying in the bunkhouse for the night and I told him I was going to make a short hike and stealth camp before the climb up Wildcat Mountain. We were joined by Catnaper who I'd met once in Virginia.Spent some time up dating my trail journal then packed up my stuff and hiked on.Went only about a half mile and saw a nice spot and pitched my tent. I had debated with myself about hiking another hour or two. It's easy to talk yourself into the bird in hand verses argument but the trail is much different now than the first twelve states. It was always a given that I could find a place to tent before. Now it's not so easy, and I worry that I could be looking for a place for hours without finding one. The steep ups and downs and the thick alpine forest make for long stretches of untentable trail. So with the two thousand foot climb ahead and me hiking at half a mile an hour, I took the bird in head and a short mileage day.
Date: 2015-08-06
From: Tent site near Lost Pond

To: Tent site at Zeta Pass
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: light rain

Started the day with a 2000 foot climb up Wildcat Mountain. There's a ski slope at 3900 feet and for some reason they had the gondola lift running. Maybe doing maintenance. They were hauling up large propane bottles with a bull dozen. Getting ready for ski season. It was cold and breezey so I didn't stick around for long.Shortly after Milemarker and three other thru hikers passed doing a slack pack. Last saw him at Irish's trail magic.The climb down from Wildcat wasn't to bad. The rocks in many places were laid out as steps so it was pretty smooth going down. Passed Carter Notch Hut but didn't stop in. Not much gain in stopping, especially when you have food. Two dollar cookies that aren't especially good is the best I've gotten from a hut.In the afternon i had a fifteen hundred foot climb up to Carter Dome which at 4832 feet was above tree line. The climb down was not so easy. Large steps, sharp jagged rocks and a narrow trail made slow going.Stopped at Zeta Pass to camp. Disappointed to find no water though my guide said reliable water source there. So tight water until I get to Imp Campsite five miles away.
Date: 2015-08-07
From: Tent site at Zeta Pass

To: White Mountain Hostel 
Miles today: 12.7

Not much climbing today, small climb up to Carter Mountain, but Zeta Pass is already up pretty high. I was pretty short on water, Gutthook was wrong about a reliable water source at Zeta Pass. I'd used half of my remaining water for dinner and had about a pint left. Luckily it was only four miles to Imp Shelter and water and not much climbing. Got there about eleven and still had a sip left.With the reduced mileage I'd been doing, my goal was to get to or close to Rattle River shelter about two miles short of Gorham. But the trail was mostly hiking trail instead of climbing trail and I got there about four and decided to go on to Gorham. Walhed down to the White Mountain Hostel and got a bunk. Will stay again tomorrow and take a zero to do some recovery from the whites.
Date: 2015-08-08
From: White Mountain Hostel 

To: White Mountain Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Just relaxed most of the day. Organized my gear some and food.Ordered some calories from delivery place and set on the patio and enjoyed the company. Called home and spoke with my family.In the afternoon Whorton came by. He had a mail drop to pickup, as he was able to get a bunk as the hostel was sold out. He was staying down the road about a mile away. He's about two days behind me. He's slowed his hike as he's in no hurry to complete it. It was good to see him though.Made a trip to Walmart for a few items of food. Saw Tatoo who I had seen since the Doyle Hotel. Periquine who he had been hiking with had left the trail.Good day of rest, but looking forward to getting back to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2015-08-09
From: White Mountain Hostel 

To: Gentian Pond shelter 
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a nice breakfast at the hostel but it got me a late start.Had an early two thousand foot climb, that wasn't too bad. Nice leaf and pine needles and not too many rocks made it easier. Toward the top it got more rocky but still got to the top about ten. Sir and Hummingbird who had passed me earlier were taking a break on the summit. Tatoe and his friend came by and said hi, and we all hiked on. I was quickly left behind as they all hiked much faster than me.Progress slowed down in the afternoon and thoughts of doing an 17 mile day quickly left me. I decided I'd just make it to the shelter a twelve mile day. As I got close to the shelter Chet came up behind me. We both agreed that making it to Full Goose shelter just under ten miles tomorrow would be best so we could do Mahoosuc Notch early the next morning.After I got setup and was eating dinner Chapie and Nenji Geshia came in and tented next to me. Hadn't seen them for at least a thousand miles
Date: 2015-08-10
From: Gentian Pond shelter 

To: Full Goose shelter 
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Started the day with a long climb up. Crossed over into Maine at about eleven. Maine welcomed me with some very difficult trail. There were a lot of hard rock climbs were my short legs could barely get up high enough for a toe hold. And going down on steep flat rock were your never sure your feet will keep their grip. While not for long, there were numerous very steep rock climbs up. All in all a very hard day of hiking and climbing.Met Error and her husband Trial, she mentioned that she reads my journal. And Captain K who is also on trail journals passed me and was at the shelter when I arrived.The shelter was full and there was no where to set up my tent, so I slept in the shelter. Chet, Dave, Captain K and a couple others were in the shelter too.
Date: 2015-08-11
From: Full Goose shelter 

To: Tent site on Mahoosuc Arm
Miles today: 4.0

Everyone was aware that it was going to be an all day rain. We expected it to start about eleven and rain through the rest of the day. We had Mahoosuc Notch to do early, so we were all up and on the trail at first light.Mahoosuc Notch is described in both Guthooks and AWOLS guide as one of the hardest and fun sections on the trail. I can see how it would be fun, but it started raining as soon as I got to the start of it, and quickly had all the rocks wet. The Notch is only a little over a mile long so even at my snails progress, it took only about two hours. The Notch is filled with challenging obstacles that you hang to figure out how to get by. There were three times where you had to crawl under massive rock boulders by taking off my pack and pulling it through the small openings. The Notch is so far down between two mountains that at the bottom of some of the rock it was very cold and before the rain started I got a picture of ice in a crevice.I had put on long pants thinking I would be sliding down a lot of rock and in fact that was the case. When it started to rain I put on my rain suit, but the pants were far to slippery so I had to hike in my pants that quickly became soaked. After the Notch there's a seventeen hundred foot climb up and it's only three miles to the next shelter. But with wet pants steady rain and a wind that got stronger the higher I climbed it was easy to stop and pitch my tent when I saw a good spot. Made for a very short hike day, but it's nice to be dry and warm in my tent.
Date: 2015-08-12
From: Tent site on Mahoosuc Arm

To: Tent site on Baldpate West Peak
Miles today: 8.5

Everything was wet this morning except for what I was wearing. It had stopped raining, but at my elevation I was in a cloud, so it was one hundred percent humidity. The trees were dropping water as rain and all the bushes next to the trail were full of water. I hadn't gone very far till I stopped and put on my rain suit. Of course it to was soaking wet, but it was a nice wind breaker and gradually I walked it dry. It was late morning before any sun came out but finally the sky cleared and I dryed out.I had hoped to make it to Frye Lean Too, in order to get close to Andover but I came up three miles short. My excuse was wet rocks and Mr. Dons trail majic at Grafton Notch. Spent at least,half an hour eating free food.Tomorrow I'll have to see to where I get before deciding whether to go into Andover.
Date: 2015-08-13
From: Tent site on Baldpate West Peak

To: Pine Ellis Hostel in Andover
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Got started and I was in a cloud. Had to hike over to Baldpate East which was a short down a wild through an alpine bog and then a short hike up. The hike up reminded me climbing up Mt Washington with nothing but rock and caring to guide me and being in a thick cloud fog. I was walking due east and I could occasionaly see the sun through the mist.As I climbed down I got out of the cloud and slowly dryed out.Most of the day the trail was pretty decent so I made alright time. I was passed by Homeless who I caught up to when he was taking a break. He said that section hiker Dave was doing a slack pack south and was going going to give him a ride to the hostel. So I called and reserved a bunk and hiked on to East B road. There was absolutely no traffic on the road but had waited with Homeless for Dave for about an hour. Two day hikers came off the trail and Homeless got us a ride with them to the hostel.Got checked in, showered, and my lady done pretty quick. When to dinner at The Little Red Hen with Chet, Dave, Bull, and Homeless.After dinner went to the general store to resupply and picked up a small bottle of Makers to pass around back at the hostel.The rest of the evening was setting on the porch sipping burbon and enjoying good company.
Date: 2015-08-14
From: Pine Ellis Hostel in Andover

To: Tent site near South Arm Road
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

Got up pretty early and headed to the general store with Chet for breakfast. After pancakes and coffee got back and loaded my pack for a seven o'clock shuttle with Chet. He said he'd hike ten today and to meet him at South Arm Road. He hikes much faster than me so I was just hopefully that I could do ten. Turned out the trail was pretty decent, without a lot of rock climbing. There was a late afternoon climb which was pretty steep, but it was mostly trail instead of rocks.As I got close to the road I was happy to be passed by Obi-Wan and of all people Farris. Obi-Wan is one of my favorite people on the trail and it was great to see him again and Farris was at the first shelter when I restarted at Hot Springs. I last saw her at Uncle Johnny's in Erwin almost four months ago. The two had hooked up and hiked The Long Trail and we're now back hiking the AT.Got to the campsite Chet had found, got set up and had dinner with him.Tomorrow we'll try for a twelve mile day as both of us want to go in and out at Rangely for supplies.
Date: 2015-08-15
From: Tent site near South Arm Road

To: Tent site near Bemis Stream
Miles today: 12.4

Long climb up in the morning. Chet pasted me early and Homeless pasted me mid day and said he be tenting also at Bemis Stream.There weren't many good views, as the trees blocked most. There was a large lake in the valley below that I got a picture of.There were tons of blueberry bushes on top of the mountain and I had several for a snack, they were quite good and sweet.Got to the tentsite at six. In addition to Chet and Homeless, Shadow also was tenting there so we were quite crowded.
Date: 2015-08-16
From: Crocker Cirque tent site

To: Hikers Hut Hostel
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

I has planned to meet Chet at Little Swift Pond campsite, but the trail was good and fast so when I got there at two it only made sense that he'd hiked on, it was much to early to call it a day.The trail remained good and fast. I pasted the beautiful Moxie Pond and, took a nice long break there.Got to route 4 about four thirty and spent forty-five minutes trying to hitch into Rangely. I was just giving up and heading back into the woods to pitch my tent when The Fonz came by and told me he'd paid for a shuttle at the Hikers Hut. I checked AWOLS guide and saw it was only three tenths a mile down the road and with a stay they'd shuttle me to town to resupply.Turned out staying at the Hikers Hut was one of the better places I've stayed. It had no electric or running water, but it was really a special place. I only wish I'd gotten to spend more time there. Steve and Diane where exceptional hosts that made sure anything I wanted I was taken care of. After a quick batch in the steam in front of the hostel, Diane mad me a dinner of pulled pork and pesto. We then went time the IGA and I resupplied. Steve spends six months a year in India helping get medical care for people tumors. He was a fananating person and I wish I had had time to get to know him better.
Date: 2015-08-17
From: Crocker Cirque tent site

To: Poplar Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.7

Got a very early start, Wayfarer was up at four, and whole he was pretty quiet I still woke up. Steve had french toast and eggs ready for us and I was on my way before six.It was a long and high climb up Saddleback Mountain but not a lot of rock climbs . There was three miles of trail above tree line between Saddleback and The Horn. Both mountains were above four thousand feet and the views were spectacular. The climb down was terrible, but still I had going down rock. Took my time but still was making good time. Passed Redington Stream Campsite at two, so it was really too early to call it a day so I hiked on another three to Poplar Ridge Shelter. Unfortunately Saddleback Junior was between. At 3600 feet it was a nice hard climb to end my day.Sir and Hummingbird caught me just before the shelter and decided to stop and spend the night. Homeless came in later along with several section hikers and two northbound German thru hikers.
Date: 2015-08-18
From: Tent site near Bemis Stream

To: Crocker Cirque tent site
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

I has planned to meet Chet at Little Swift Pond campsite, but the trail was good and fast so when I got there at two it only made sense that he'd hiked on, it was much to early to call it a day.The trail remained good and fast. I pasted the beautiful Moxie Pond and, took a nice long break there.Got to route 4 about four thirty and spent forty-five minutes trying to hitch into Rangely. I was just giving up and heading back into the woods to pitch my tent when The Fonz came by and told me he'd paid for a shuttle at the Hikers Hut. I checked AWOLS guide and saw it was only three tenths a mile down the road and with a stay they'd shuttle me to town to resupply.Turned out staying at the Hikers Hut was one of the better places I've stayed. It had no electric or running water, but it was really a special place. I only wish I'd gotten to spend more time there. Steve and Diane where exceptional hosts that made sure anything I wanted I was taken care of. After a quick batch in the steam in front of the hostel, Diane mad me a dinner of pulled pork and pesto. We then went time the IGA and I resupplied. Steve spends six months a year in India helping get medical care for people tumors. He was a fananating person and I wish I had had time to get to know him better.