morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-31
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: upper goose pond cabin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zeros HappensI got out of my hammock at walked down to the cabin for the 7am breakfast call. Peggy made all you can eat blueberry pancakes with fresh brewed coffee. I ate my fill and washed my dishes then went and packed up my stuff. At 830 I asked if I could take the canoe out again and Peggy kindly asked me to paddle across the lake and fill up the water jugs from the spring. I had no problem getting water for the cabin, a little work for stay kept me from having to make the $2 donation. I loaded up all the empty jugs into the canoe and paddled a hundred yards across the lake to the spring. The spring is about 30ft into the woods so I parked the canoe and went to work. I filled over 20 jugs of water. I loaded the full bottles into the canoe and brought them back to the dock where I left them to be brought up to the cabin. Now that "work" was over it was time to play so I paddled out to the island and went for a swim. Then I paddled into the much larger goose pond. The water was a lot more choppy and made me realize how much of a canoe novice I really am. I held my own for about 30min then went back into upper goose pond where it was calm. When I went back to the cabin I had every intention of leaving, but Peggy offered a ride into town for some errands. I was super hungry from paddling all morning so I took her up on the ride solely for the lunch potential. Chuckles, Peggy, and I walked the half mile down to her car and headed into town. She gave us an hour to get food as she made some phone calls. Chuckles and I went to a greek pizzeria and I got a pesto shrimp basil broccoli pizza and 2 pints of the berkshire brewing co pale ale. O man was lunch good. We met back up with Peggy and I asked what the UGPC policy on beer was. She said it was cool to drink there so chuckles and I right then and there decided to take a zero at the cabin and we bought a 30pack to carry back with us. Back at the cabin I reset up camp and hung out on the porch drinking. Singe and JP showed up and the 4 of us packed our beers into the canoe and went to the island to drink and swim. When we got back we found larry and brew had showed up! The party was just getting started. As everyone set up for the night I paddled out to the otherside of the pond again and found the beaver dam and hut. I went back to the dock and picked up singe, jp, chuckles, and brew for the beerified sunset cruise. I paddled 5 people in the super overloaded canoe out to the island to watch the sunset. It wasn't as colorful as the night before, but great none the less. Paddling back to the dock was a riot. We almost flipped like 5 times and were thankful when we docked. We spent the rest of the night finishing our beers and having a generally good ole time. Zero days in the woods are WAY more fun than zeros in town, especially when beer is still involved. Today's StatsStarting Point:Upper Goose Pond Cabin Ending Point:Upper Goose Pond CabinMileage:0.0Elevation Gain:0ftElevation Loss:0ftHiking Time:0:00Weather:cool breezy sunnyPain Factor:1
Date: 2007-08-02
From: Dalton, Ma

To: Mark Noepal Lean-to
Miles today: 14.2

Buy 1 Get 1I was up at 8 and grabbed the bike to ride to the post office. I got my bounce box and new steripen. They mailed me a new one no questions asked since mine decided to stop working properly. Back at Tom's house I charged my headlamp batteries and my cell phone and got breakfast at duff and dels. When my batteries were done I packed up, hung out for a bit, then left at noon. I brought my box to the PO and mailed it to Hanover, NH. I also mailed Ken his care package and my old steripen back. Then I went to The Shamrock for lunch. This place couldn't compare to Buddy's Shamrock I used to frequent in college, but still good. I got corned beef and cabbage and a pint of Guinness. Then I went to the liquor store and found cartons of wine! I brought 2 500ml cartons to the counter, but the lady pointed out the buy one get one of the 1L cartons. I couldn't pass that up and ended up with 2 liters for the price of one. Probably more weight than I wanted to carry, but worth it. I hiked out of town at 1 and went straight uphill in the 90 degree heat. I was sweating like a hog and soaked my shirt so bad I wrung it out a couple of times. I followed the mountain ridge to the Cheshire cobble viewpoint and got another look at Greylock. I could see the memorial on top. I hiked down into Cheshire and stopped at Diane's Twist. I got a meatball sub and a milkshake and contined through town into the woods. After Cheshire the trail went up...and up...and up. The first serious climb I've had in a while. I rolled into the shelter around 9 to get water and was contemplating night hiking to the summit to stealth camp. I was too tired and decided to stay at the shelter. I set up my hammock away from the shelter by myself. There were no mosquitos out tonight! It was heavenly, I sat on my ground pad in the buff enjoying the cool evening breeze drinking some wine. It was so nice not having to don my rain gear to escape the bugs. There was a lot of moths though that kept getting stuck in my beard. I climbed into my hammock around 10:30 and passed out hard. I've been up late the last few nights partying so I needed some serious sleep.Today's StatsStarting Point:Dalton, MA Ending Point:Mark Noepal Lean-toMileage:14.2Elevation Gain:3440ftElevation Loss:1860ftHiking Time:7:22Weather:90's hot humid sunnyPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-08-04
From: Sherman Brook Campsite

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Green GoodnessI was up at 8:30 and went through my usual morning routine. Crawl out of my hammock and stretch then pack everything into its stuff sack. Sit back down in hammock and eat breakfast and drink tea. Use the privy then put on my hiking clothes and pack all the stuff sacks into my backpack. When I drink tea and eat while in camp it usually takes me an hour and a half to leave from the time I wake up. I rarely just get up and walk which can be done in under twenty minutes. I like starting my day off in a relaxed tone. As I was eating this morning I watched a small reddish squirrel begin making a nest. This wasn't the normal grey squirrel that I am used to seeing. This one is the size of a chipmunk, but with a long tail. I have been seeing them for a few days now. I wonder if it's making a nest is a sign of early cold weather?I put on my wet clothes and left camp and started the long up towards Eph's lookout. The air was cool with a steady breeze. It was a picture perfect hiking day. I got a small glimpse of the green mountains I was about to enter from the lookout. I continued on and came to the MA/VT border with a huge welcome to the Green Mountains sign. This is also the southern terminus of the Long Trail, the country's oldest long distance hiking trail. I stopped for a break and had a southbounder take my picture then I crossed the line into the green goodness of Vermont.Maybe it was just the name, but the forest did seem to get a bit greener. There is a dense under-canopy and every rock is covered in moss, green everywhere you look. The trail leveled off for a while and went through some muddy spots. In a few places I stepped in mud up to my ankles. I hiked to the top of an unnamed 3000ft peak and stopped for lunch. I had two avacado and cheese wraps and a lot of buffalo wing flavored goldfish. I also changed into my shorts and laid all my clothes out in the sun to dry. I was up there for the better part of an hour enjoying the breeze and drinking my wine. I put my dry clothes back on and kept hiking. I went through a lot more muddy spots and met a few southbounders. The trail went through a swampy area next to a beaver dam. The dam raised the water level about 4 ft above the trail on the left. I got an upclose look at how the beavers construct such a thing. It was pretty cool, natures engineeres at work. I hiked on and got to Congdon shelter which was next to a large stream which provided some excellent background noise. I set up my hammock in a clearing in front of the shelter and ate dinner with barry, adam, and his girlfriend, whose name I forget. She made an excellent fire for us to sit around and we stayed up until 9 talking. I was in my hammock writing in my journal by 9:30. I could see my breath, bring on the cold! Today's StatsStarting Point:Sherman Brook CampsiteEnding Point:Congdon ShelterMileage:12.5Elevation Gain:3260ftElevation Loss:2520ftHiking Time:8:28Weather:70's breezy sunny perfectPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-08-06
From: Glastenbury Shelter

To: Story Brook Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: light rain

Dreary DazeWell our top 5 camp-spot turned out to suck. I mean the views were insanely amazing, but it started raining at 4am. The wind also kept me from fully falling asleep. Once the rain started we quickly packed up and climbed down the tower. I set up camp in record time and passed out until 9. When I woke up the mountain top was fogged in with a slight drizzle. I ate doughnuts for breakfast while still laying in my hammock. Then I packed up and started down the mountain in the fog. I could tell hiking so fast yesterday took a lot out of me since I was dragging today in a daze. I got to kid gore shelter at noon and had a bbq chicken and asiago cheese sandwich for lunch and drank some mate in hopes of an energy boost. I did feel more energized after eating and started toward the next shelter. I found some moose scat and was following tracks the whole way. I had that vibe that some were near. I stopped at all the swampy, marshy areas in hopes of seeing some, but never did. By the time I got to the shelter I was pooped and decided to call it a day at 4pm. Ron told me just 30 min ago he saw two huge moose on the trail. I knew they were close! I will track one down sooner or later I know it! Right after I made the decision to stop for the day it started raining again. I went and set up camp and took a short nap. When I woke up I cooked a lipton for dinner and sat up reading for a while. I definetely made a good decision to rest today. Maybe tomorrow will be sunny and beautiful.Today's StatsStarting Point:Glastenbury MtnEnding Point:Story Brook ShelterMileage:8.6Elevation Gain:1400ftElevation Loss:2260ftHiking Time:5:40Weather:Cool overcast drizzlyPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-08-07
From: Story Brook Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Campsite
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

StrattonSince I was only going 10 miles today I decided to sleep in until 10. I got plenty of rest and felt great when I started down the trail. I left camp at 11:15 and hiked 5 miles to the base of stratton mountain. I stopped to get water and had a quick snack then started powering up the mountain.The climb was graded very well so I didn't find it very streneous. Around 3000ft the forest changes over to spruce and fir with yellow birch here and there. At 3500 ft the forest changes to only red spruce and balsam fir. The smell of those trees puts a smile on my face, I paused at an excellet pipe spring and drank a liter of the ice cold spring water. When I got to the top I found adam, kate, and usual suspect haning out there. I climbed the firetower for a hazy view of the green mountains. I could pick out Killington, Bromley, and Stratton Pond where I was heading. Killington is huge and I can't wait to get up there. I ate lunch and went back up the tower to take in the views some more. I left the 3936ft mountain and started back down. The descent was just as gradual as the climb. I made it to stratton pond shelter and checked it out, then decided to go to the campsite on the lake. I met Alise the caretaker and started on the .5 blue blaze to the campsite. Along the way I snuck up on two pileated woodpeckers who were going to town on a dead tree trunk. Huge woodchips were falling to the ground. I managed to get up to the tree before they noticed me and flew off. I got to the campsite and met up with adam and kate then went for a swim. At camp I cooked dinner and heard my first loon call. At first I thought it was a coyote, but after a few more calls I realized it was that distinctive loon sound. This forest just keeps getting cooler and cooler! The caretaker came and collected the $5 fee for staying there and I talked with her for a bit about her cool summer job. After dinner the mosquitoes were biting so I jumped in my hammock for the night. Today's StatsStarting Point:Story Brook ShelterEnding Point:Stratton Pond CampsiteMileage:10.6Elevation Gain:2440ftElevation Loss:2510ftHiking Time:6:07Weather:Partly sunny coolPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-08-08
From: Stratton Pond Campsite

To: Manchester, VT
Miles today: 10.5

RV's and Big ScreensIt started raining around 11 last night so I had to jump out of my hammock and hang the tarp. By now I can practically do it with my eyes closed. I think it rained all night into the morning so I slept until 9 when it seemed to stop. I packed up my gear and walked back around the lake to the trail. The clouds were low so stratton mtn was fogged in and the wind so strong that there were waves in the pond. I walked the 10 miles to us11 with realtive ease. I saw some more moose tracks along the way. At the road I got a hitch in an rv heading into town. The family was super nice and very interested in my hike. I had them drop me off at the mountain goat outfitters where I finally found more body glide. After hanging out there for a bit I walked up the road to Suttons place bed and breakfast and got a room for $45. I took a long shower then walked back to town to do some laundry. I got my clothes clean then went to the sirloin saloon for a steak dinner complete with an ayce salad bar. I had 4 plates of salad and a huge porterhouse! After dinner I walked down to the movie theater and saw The Simpsons movie. I enjoyed seeing it on the big screen and laughed a lot. After the movie I ran into larry, brew, misplaced, and old yeller who were eating at the pizza place next door. They had a ride back in the dark and were camping near the road. I told them I would see them tomorrow. I walked back to the b&b and went to my room for a quality nights sleep.Today's StatsStarting Point:Stratton Pond CampsiteEnding Point:Manchester, VTMileage:10.5Elevation Gain:1280ftElevation Loss:1940ftHiking Time:4:13Weather:Overcast WindyPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-08-09
From: Manchester, VT

To: Griffth Lake Tenting Site
Miles today: 10.6

Tough DecisionsI left suttons around 9 and walked downtown to get some breakfast. After eating and drinking too much coffee I got some bad news about Ken and his fight with cancer. I talked with his sister about the situation and made the tough decision to keep hiking. Even if I got home I couldn't see him since he was in the ICU and only family was allowed in. Maureen (his girlfriend) also told me I am giving Ken inspiration from being on this adventure. As I think I have written before, Ken (mr sweepers) gave me the inspiration to hike on this trail so its very tough for me to be out here knowing what he is going through at home. I got a kind hitch back to the trail after turning down a taxi that stopped for me. He wanted me to pay $10 for a ride to the trail. I told him hitch hiking is still free in this country. Back on the trail, I climbed Bromley mountain and spent a lot of time sitting on the chair lift thinking about Ken. When I hiked on I had a bit of a breakdown. I'm not gonna lie, I was sobbing as I was walking down the trail. I asked for some kind of sign, telling me what I should do. Ten seconds later I looked to my right and saw a mink staring at me from a tree. It looked at me for a few more seconds then lept down from the tree and ran down the hill in a black flash. I instantly stopped crying and was awestruck by the animal encounter I just had. I took that as a sign saying I am in the right place. I dropped down into mad tom notch then climbed back up to styles and peru peaks in the peru wilderness area. I thought about stealth camping on Peru peak, but hiked on to the griffth lake tenting area. I met the caretaker, joel, and told him I had a reciept from stratton pond so I didn't have to pay. He had me sign the register and showed me where the tent platforms were. I set up camp and had dinner with dr. gonzo and screwjack.Today's StatsStarting Point:Manchester, VTEnding Point:Griffth Lake Tenting SiteMileage:10.6Elevation Gain:3070ftElevation Loss:2320ftHiking Time:6:21Weather:Sunny CoolPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-08-10
From: Griffth Lake Tenting Site

To: Little Rock Pond
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: broken clouds

Lake AnimalsIt started raining at 4am so I had to jump out and hang my tarp. This is the 4th time I've been rained on at night in VT. The rain continued into the morning so I stayed in my hammock until 10am when it let up. By the time I was ready to leave at 11:30, the sun was out, but it was still very windy. I hiked the relatively flat trail to the big branch shelter where I had lunch with kate and adam. This was their last day on the trail so I got their contact info and said goodbye. Just as I was leaving chuckles caught up to me and the two of us hiked on to little rock pond together. I wanted to keep hiking, but this pond was too beautiful to pass up. Chuckles and I found an excellent stealth spot, but we had to wait until the caretaker came by to set up. Alise came and talked with us for a bit then told us about the canoe that we could take out. We offered to paddle her back to the caretaker spot which she took us up on. We paddled out toward the island and Alise told Chuckles we were about to hit a log. As he was about to steer away from the mysterious floating log, we realized it was a beaver. It slapped its tail into the water and disapeared below the surface. The ploosh of the tail slapping sounded like someone throwing a bowling ball from high up into the water. We dropped alise off then went for a spin around the pond. We spotted another beaver, then a muskrat, and a pair of loons diving for fish. We went and checked out the huge beaver den and spotted kingfishers flying from tree to tree on the pond perimeter. At the den we heard this bubbling sound, then saw air bubbles come through the underwater branches, then saw a huge beaver leave the den and swim under the canoe. It was pretty freakin cool!Back at shore we set up camp and cooked dinner. When it was dark, Chuckles and I sat by the water, listening to the loons and watching shooting stars as bats flew over our heads. This pond was such a cool spot, I'm glad I stopped.Today's StatsStarting Point:Griffth Lake Tenting SiteEnding Point:Little Rock PondMileage:9.2Elevation Gain:1160ftElevation Loss:1880ftHiking Time:6:42Weather:Cold Overcast, Sunny CoolPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-08-11
From: Little Rock Pond

To: Govenor Clement Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: clear sky

Trail BombsChuckles had me up at 6am which was a very welcome change from my 10am mornings I've had the last few days. I went and sat down by the lake and watched the fog rising off the water as the sun rose on my left. The two loons were still there laughing their loon laugh at each other. The kingfishers were diving into the water coming up with small fish. Three more loons came to the pond and the 5 of them made quite a racket. I eventually pulled myself away from the beautiful scene and packed up my stuff and started walking. It felt so good to be walking early. I need to break my late morning habbit. Chuckles and I hiked to VT140 where we met Paddy-O, a legendary trail angel. He cooked a pound of bacon for chuckles, spaceman, forest, and myself. We each ate our 1/4lb on a bagel with cream cheese and washed it down with chocolate milk and OJ. Then paddy-o offered to slack-pack us which we all gladly accepted. Off we went with empty packs and met paddy-o at clarendon gorge where we went swimming. After swimming for over an hour we hiked on and met paddy-o again at upper cold river road. He gave us some options about where to stay for the night. We choose to stay at gov clement shelter, despite the fact it was a local party place since you can drive a car right up to the shelter. We hiked the last 1.4m to the shelter and met singe and misplaced there, who had been drinking and hiking all day. Paddy-o showed up with his truck and we set up camp away from the shelter, using his truck as a barrier between our tents and the access road. Paddy-o cooked up all kinds of food and played frank sinatra all night. We had burgers, jalepeno poppers, boneless ribs, and lots and lots of beer. We had a raging campfire and danced to franky then paddy-o busted out the trail bombs, aka irish car bombs. The 7 of us chugged em down and partied the rest of the night away. One car did drive up there, but left when they saw us. Ha, hikers outpartied the locals!Today's StatsStarting Point:Little Rock Pond Ending Point:Governor Clement ShelterMileage:19.4Elevation Gain:4520ftElevation Loss:4590ftHiking Time:9:41Weather:Cool sunnyPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-08-13
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I woke up and showered then went and got some photos developed to show ken. I took a train to nyc then the subway up to mt sinai hospital. I'm not going to go into detail about the whole scene there. Though ken asked when I'm going back and I started to say "ya know, I don't know if"...he stopped me mid sentence and told me I have to get back and finish. At dinner that night, both of his parents said the same. Woah, that made things tough! This hike is no longer for me, but for Ken.Today's StatsStarting Point:HomeEnding Point:HomeMileage:0.0Elevation Gain:0ftElevation Loss:0ftHiking Time:0:00Weather:Pain Factor:1
Date: 2007-08-14
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I went back to the hospital in the am. Spent all day there. I got to have dinner with Mo and talk just the two of us. I felt a whole lot better about going back after that. I spent the night in the hospital in Ken's room. Mo got me a cot to sleep on. Today's StatsStarting Point:Home Ending Point:HomeMileage:0.0Elevation Gain:0ftElevation Loss:0ftHiking Time:0:00Weather:Pain Factor:1
Date: 2007-08-15
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Didn't sleep very well with docs coming in at all hours of the night to bother Ken. I helped pack up his room and move his stuff to Maureens car. I rode in the ambulance with ken to bring him to a different place in hackensack, nj. Spent the rest of the evening there and said a long, tearful, painful goodbye. I told ken he is with me every step of the way. He said he knows and told me the journey doesn't end at Katahdin. His younger sister drove me home. My brother was home from Chicago to help move my sister into college in Ohio so I got to spend the night hanging out with him.Today's StatsStarting Point:Home Ending Point:HomeMileage:0.0Elevation Gain:0ftElevation Loss:0ftHiking Time:0:00Weather:Pain Factor:1