morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-07-11
From: Long Trail Inn

To: Lookout Shelter
Miles today: 15.4

Day 116Tonight I am staying at the Lookout. It is a privately owned building on the very top of a mountain and he opens it for hikers to use (see pictures). I climbed the ladder and took pictures but it was raining all afternoon and a lot of clouds were around. Sunrise and sunset must really be pretty on a clear day. I saw bears numbers 2 and 3 today for about 40 feet. The little cub was so surprised it started running towards me! Mama didn't like that and started growling. The cub then climbed a tree. So now there is me, the cub in a tree and mama. She was just sitting there after her initial charge of 5 feet watching me. I took a few pictures and then worked my way around them. She was watching me the whole time. Today there were three big climbs.  The first two were the toughest but the last one was in the rain. It started raining about noon and kept it up until I got to the shelter. Suppose to rain tonight again and possible tomorrow. The Inn at Long Trail was really nice. The only thing I didn't like was that the inn was 0.5 miles off the AT and all downhill. So I had a nice walking the AM getting back to the trail and none of the walking counted. I did have a few Long Trail Beers and a nice apple cobbler with ice cream. That made the walk a little more enjoyable. Well I said good bye to all the Long Trail hikers. They continued North and I went east towards New Hampshire and the White Mountains.  it is getting close now a few more weeks.  All for now.
Date: 2019-07-12
From: Lookout Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

Day 117Tonight I am in my tent at the Thistle Hill Shelter. I had hoped to get a little closer to Hanover, but that is all your going to get our of these 71 year old legs.  The shelter is nice but the spring is the best. Almost a 0.2 mile walk, but well with it. The spring is like a waterfall cold but very refreshing.  it was a very nice day of walking. They called for shower but I didn't get any. Cool and overcast in the morning but got pretty warm when the sun came out. It is 14.7 miles into Hanover, most of which is downhill and there is a shelter 1.4 miles past Hanover. I had my first river ford today.  There was a cable strung across the river to hang on to. I took my shoes and socks off and took out my shoe inserts and put the shoes back on.  The waster was knee deep and flowing pretty fast. When I got to the other side there was a cooler of sodas. I sat down had lunch and waited for my feet to dry. OK, big walk into Hanover tomorrow so signing off.
Date: 2019-07-13
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 16.1

Tonight I am staying in my tent by the Velvet Rocks Shelter. It is a small 4 person shelter with no water source near.  I am glad I ate in town before walking the 1.4 miles to the shelter. Well folks you can scratch off another state. I am now in New Hampshire, home of the White Mountains. I am actually looking forward to getting there and climbing Mt. Washington. That is still at least a week a way and I am going to have company when I do Mount Washington. My 2 grandsons and their father will be joining me for a week or so.  It will be fun seeing them again and having the company on the trail will really be nice and something to look forward to. Well another problem with my resupply. It was sent to an outfitter in Hanover, When I got there at 1 pm the store went out of business and all the packages were at the post office. So I walked to the Post Office and they closed at 12 on Saturday. Problem. I did find a worker and gave her a sad story and she got my box for me. Walking today was all mostly down hill which only means tomorrow will be up. All for today.*If you look at the photos from today, you will see a picture of my dads legs with red bumps all over them. He text that pict to me saying I think I have a problem with my legs. He said they don't itch they are just red bumps all over. He then told me it started after he washed his clothes at the Inn at Long Trail. He is thinking that it is a reaction to the detergent.
Date: 2019-07-14
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 15.2

Day 119Tonight I am staying in the Trapper John Shelter. Too tired to set up my tent. The shelter is at the site of an old Dartmoth retreat and the fireplace is the only thing standing.  Today there were two really tough climbs. One was just before the shelter. Tomorrow I have Smarts Mountain and Cube Mountain. Smarts is over 2000 feet climb, while Cube is only 1500. Both will be tough climbs. At least I start with a little down hill before it starts. All for now.
Date: 2019-07-15
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Brackett Brook
Miles today: 15.3

Day 120Tonight I am staying at a camp site along Brackett Brook, mile 1780.7. Ok I did Smarts and the Cube mountains. I have a big one coming up, Mt. Moosilauke a 4,000 foot climb. That will show me where I am really at with this walking stuff.  Tomorrow morning shouldn't be too difficult but the mountain will be. Two things happened today one good and one bad. Good first, I sat down on a rock for a snack and looked down, n the ground was a piece of a walking stick. I took a closer look and it was the exact size for my broken walking stick! I found a replacement 6 inch piece with the now one and I am good. Now the bad, I was crossing a stream and slipped on a rock. When that happened I pulled my groin mussel. It was really hard getting up and walking was very painful. I really took it easy the rest of the day. I am going to see how it feel tomorrow.  If there is still a problem, there is a hostel, Hikers Welcome, about 10 miles away.  I will stop there and see if it gets any better. Let you know tomorrow.
Date: 2019-07-16
From: Brackett Brook

To: Jeffers Brook Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 121Tonight I am staying in my tent inside Jeffers Brook Shelter. The mosquito were so bad I set my tent up inside the shelter. Somewhere in the last few miles I passed the 400 mile mark to the end and I should be passing the 1800 mile mark in 7 more miles.  Getting excited even with the White Mountains coming up. But I will have company. The mountains are really getting bigger both the ups and downs.  There really wasn't a lot to take pictures of today.  I was more concerned about waling. I did see moose poop though, let Roger, my grandson know. He gets really excited about stuff like that. While walking in Virginia with him last year he saw a deer pooping. That was all he talked about for hours. Tomorrow morning is not going to be easy--4,000 feet up but only 3,000 feet on the way down. At least I will be nice and fresh for it. I stopped at Hikers Welcome Hostel on my way here and had a pizza, soda, ice cream, and best of all I took a shower and washed my clothes. Then it was just 1.2 miles to the shelter. All for today.
Date: 2019-07-17
From: Jeffers Brook Shelter

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.9

Day 122I conquered The Moose-that is short for Mt. Moosilauke a 4,000 foot climb. Coming down was particularly hard especially with my pulled muscle in my leg and the fact that it went straight down. But that is over. My leg was feeling better until I re-hurt it. It took me 3 hours to do the last three miles. I am staying in my tent inside the Eliza Brook Shelter. I am glad about that to, it started raining again and I am still in my tent in the shelter away from the mice and dry. My plan is to walk to the next road and get a shuttle to the nearest hostel. I need time to allow my leg to get better. I passed the 1800 mile mark, but I didn't notice. Rain all morning so I had my phone turned off. It got nice in the afternoon then started raining again. Oh yes the Moose is 4,802 feet high. It was the first time I was walking above the tree line. I was not able to get any pictures with the wind blowing, rain coming at me sideways, and the temp getting cold. I was glad to get back to the trees. Well I am beat didn't get to the shelter till late, like 6:30. All for today.
Date: 2019-07-18
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Profile Motel
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 123I haven't heard from Grumper much lately, because he is on a mission to meet George, Roger, and Jake at Crawford Notch on Friday, July 20. I can tell you that on July 15 he slipped on a muddy rock on his decent from Smarts Mtn and pulled a groin muscle. He has been walking slowly but making progress. I spoke with him on the 16th and said he was feeling pretty good.  The above picture is not from Grumper, but from a person who sumitted Mt. Moosilauke the same day.  Moosilauke is at 4802 feet of elevation. I am hoping to hear from today, so I know what her needs for his resupply. Now for Grumper's entry!Tonight I am staying at the Profile Motel. It is a little pricey, but it was the first hotel/motel/hostel I came across. I will be staying here today and tomorrow night and then meet the crew Saturday morning. It was only an 8.8 mile day leaving from Eliza Brook Shelter, but it wasn't an easy day. Very steep and rocky up and down. Made the going slow with my leg. I hope that it gets better when the kids come down. I have been taking a lot of aspirin to help ease the pain. Tomorrow will be a zero day for me. I want to go into town and see about getting a new pair of shoes. Rocks on the ones I have are tearing them apart and there will be a lot more rocks to deal with. I am glad I am not walking tomorrow.  The temps are expected to be in the 90's. I am sure glad I brought all of my warm clothes! The top of Kinsman Mountain was beautiful. The peak was just below the tree line, but all vegetation was really stunted. I got some nice photos on my way up, but the top was a little foggy. I will let you know how town was tomorrow.(The picture I chose for today is of a rock Caron. Those huge rock pillars are used to let the hikers know where the trail is-no trees to paint the marks on and rocks move to much)
Date: 2019-07-19
From: Profile Motel

To: Profile Motel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 124As I mentioned yesterday today was a 0 day. I did go into Lincoln for a new pair of shoes and to get my walking sticks repaired. I was able to do both, but I had to go to all three Lahouts stores to do it and they were 1 mile apart.  Still a lot of walking for a day off.  I did get to wear my new shoes for a while. The rocks up here were tearing my trail runners apart. I also picked up some ibuprofen for my leg. I hope it works. It is 12 now and I am just going to lay around the rest of the day. I did go into the pool when I got back from town.  Temps were in the upper 80's today and it is supposed to get warmer tomorrow. Just drink lots of water. I got my shuttle drive lined up for tomorrow. It is the same driver George and the grandkids are using, so he knows where to go. Boy the guy really likes to talk, but I did talk him down $20 from his set price. I feel pretty good about that. Well I need to be up at 4:30 tomorrow, so that will be all for today.
Date: 2019-07-20
From: Crawford Notch

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 5.4

Day 125We stayed at Mizpah Spring Hut. It was only a short walk but there was a whole lot of uphill. It seemed to last forever. But we made it and we are in a room with 8 bunks. We are taking up half and there are 4 other people in the room. We will conquer Mt. Washington tomorrow. Looking forward to that. My leg didn't feel too bad today. I was walking slow and being very careful. I only hurt it a little one time. I have been taking Advil, 9 per day. It was nice having the grand-kids and George walking with me.  All the moaning and groaning were still there from last year when we walked. We did reach our destination of Mizpah Hut, but it took much longer and was much harder than we expected. Just got back from dinner. It was a turkey dinner and very good. I ate enough and there was some left over. Breakfast is going to start at 7. We are leaving much earlier than that. They said there will be something for us to have.  Well its 7:30 and I am turning in for the night.*I spoke with Grumper on 7/25. He had tried sending me updates but only a few came through that I could read. Service in the Whites is tough. As I get whole entries, I will put them up. He did tell me that on 7/24, as he was doing the last of the catch up miles, he was walking across a fairly flat section and was able to lengthen his stride and pick up the pace. The pain in his leg from his pulled groin is definitely feeling better. He told me it just feels a bit fatigued, but a good nights sleep will fix that. 7/26, he will enter the Wildcat mountains and meet my mom on the other end of them. Hopefully then he will have better service, as he will be in the town of Gorham, and be able to catch up with his entries.
Date: 2019-07-21
From: Mizpah Hut

To: The Perch
Miles today: 11.5

Day 126*Heard from the crew.  They made it to the summit of Mt Washington. During their climb they had 50 mph sustained winds with gusts of 70! They braved the elements to get that summit pict-- how could you not!Grumper's entryWell we stayed at Mizpah and it was one of the worst nights I have spent in a lg time. it was like a bunch of unsupervised adults with a lot of liquor and no brains talking through most of the night. The staff told them several times to be quiet but it didn't matter. The food was very good and there was plenty of it. I guess that is what most weekends are like tough at these places. We climbed Mt Washington in some pretty brutal conditions. When we got to the top they have a weather station there. There was a steady wind with 70 mph gusts to 75 and rain. Not a fun combination. The walk up there was quite rocky and all above the tree line so no protection from the wind.  We all made it and no one got hurt. It taught us a little respect for the old mountain though.  We did have hot dogs and pizza on top which was nice. We have been stopping at all the huts we pass.  We have been getting free food-left overs from breakfast that they have been giving out to hikers-which is very nice. We spent the night at the Perch shelter. It was a long walk off the trail and all down hill, but it was the closest thing. It was a small shelter, the 4 of us filled it up but I did set up my tent inside the shelter=no bugs. The grandsons did quite well walking. it wasn't easy walking either. I was struggling to keep up especially with my leg. Well I have to get to sleep. That is all for today.
Date: 2019-07-22
From: The Perch

To: Joe Dodge Lodge 
Miles today: 8.7

Day 127We spent the night at Joe Dodge Lodge. It was the perfect place to end their visit. We had our own room for the 4 of us and the food was good and lots of it. We had dinner there and breakfast the next morning. I am thinking of staying there when I get a shuttle there to continue my walk north. I had to skip a section, 27 miles, to meet up with them and do the Presidential Section. They drove me back to my starting point and I will get a shuttle to bring me back to Joe Doge. After the climb out of the Perch Shelter and scaling Mt. Adams it was mostly all down hill walking. With about 5 miles to go and starting to get late, dinner at 5, the kids took off to get there on time. They were waiting for us when we got there.  The last several miles was on an old road and easy to walk on except for my leg. That type of walking really hurts it because you have to stretch it out and I can not. When I got to the lodge and took a shower, I noticed that my entire left left was swollen from my upper thigh down to my ankle. It is still swollen the next day. Fortunately I did not re-injure that leg two days in a row now. I will be able to walk a little slower now that I am all m=by myself again with no time frame to meet anyone. Well tomorrow they all go home and leave me alone. I will miss them but I am down to about 300 to go so a few more weeks.  That is all for today.
Date: 2019-07-23
From: Joe Dodge Lodge 

To: Liberty Spring Campsite
Miles today: 2.8

Day 128**my crew said goodbye to Grumper this morning.  They drove him back to the trail at Franconia Notch. Not sure how long he is hiking today, but this portion according to Grumpers shuttle driver last week when he got off trail is biblical! He told my dad that he is not a religious person, and when he hiked Mt. Lafayette, he was praying. He is still dealing with a pulled groin.  But his new shoes are glorious.  I hope to get entries soon, but the reception in the Whites is really poor! Jake/newbie?? said he had a blast and can not wait to go again-- it was his first time backpacking. And of course Yappie/Roger and Care Taker/George loved it but were very surprised with the rocky terrain.Grumper EntryIt was only a short day walking today, but all of it was up hill. I am staying at Liberty Spring Campsite.  it is most of the way up Mt. Lafayette just a little over a thousand feet to go. We had a nice breakfast at Joe Dodge and was able to sleep in a little later. our shuttle driver wasn't getting there till 10, so we had plenty of time to eat breakfast and pack.  it is a little sad seeing them leave but now I can get back to my regular routine.  The shuttle driver took us to George's car and George drove me to my starting point at Franconia Notch. I have 27 miles to walk to fill in the gap I left when the Grandsons came to walk.  At least they saw some very scenic mountains and some rugged mountain rock climbs.  The weather was good except for the one day we went up Mt  Washington, but that is the way it goes. It is 5:30 now and I am going to sleep. They are still driving, They left me off at 11:45. I walked a little and then had 3 days of journals to write.  All for now.
Date: 2019-07-24
From: Liberty Spring Campsite

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: few clouds

Day 129Tonight I am staying at the Galehead Hut.  They have a work for stay for through hikers. I don't know what I will be doing yet, but I should find out soon and let you know tomorrow. Today I had one of my most scenic days hiking. The weather was beautiful and the trail went through some pretty rugged areas. I climbed Mt. Lincoln and walked along Garfield Ridge before climbing Mt. Lafayette and once I came down there was Mt. Garfield in front of me. It is just not easy walking here. Tomorrow I have a 1,500 foot climb right out of the hut and then it is all down hill. I am sort of planning on staying at Ethan Pond Campsite and getting a ride from Bill the next morning. It is only a 2-3 hr hike from the campsite to the road. The leg still hurts. It is still a little swollen but it like it might be getting a little better. If it stays the same I will go see a doctor when Bill picks me up. Well I am going to clean up and get ready for my work for stay job.  All for today.
Date: 2019-07-25
From: Galehead Hut

To: Joe Dodge Lodge 
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Day 130Tonight I am staying at Joe Dodge Lodge. I completed my missing section and ready to move on. Today's walking was easy which accounted for the 14.7 miles. There was just that one big uphill to start with walk. I was talking to a hiker who was getting picked up at Crawford Notch like me and she said that I could ride along with them if there was room. As it turns out she met a hiker friend who gave me a ride right to Joe Dodge. It doesn't get any better, off the trail and into a waiting car to drive me. Trail magic at its finest. My leg is feeling much better today and a good thing for that. There was a long flat section of trail and I was able to lengthen my stride and really make some distance. The leg is still a little swollen but it looks much better, I think. So last night I stayed at Galehead Hut on a hiker work for stay program. I think I will do it again. There was about 20 minutes work and you sleep on the dinning room floor, but you can eat all you want. The only down side is you don't do your chores until everyone else eats and you can not really go to bed until quiet time at 9:30, because people are still in the dinning room. I have been taking advantage of the left over breakfast at the huts. They give it to you for free. I have eaten very little of my own food this past week, but there is only one more hut. I still have not seen a moose. There was one in the Ethan Pond for about 45 minutes bit I didn't see it. I have seen moose tracks and droppings but that is all. Tomorrow I start the Wildcat Mtns. From what I see they are pretty tough. I will find out tomorrow.  That is all for now.
Date: 2019-07-26
From: Joe Dodge Lodge 

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: broken clouds

Day 131Tonight I am staying at the Carter Notch Hut on the work for stay deal. I hope its like the last one of these I did. I will let you know later. Today was an uphill day, all day which accounted for the low millage I did. Tomorrow morning looks to be about the same but it gets better from there. I am not in a real hurry right now. Jinny is coming up to spend a few days and I only need to do 14 miles over the next two days. So that should be easy. heck out the pictures to see the view from the Hut I am staying at.  This is a unique Hut. The bunk room and buildings are separated from the main building. Hopefully, all the people will clear out fast so I can eat and get to sleep at a decent hour. I completed my chore for staying here, which was to scrape all the ice from the freezer. It was a cool chore so now I am waiting for food. Well that is all for today.
Date: 2019-07-27
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: Imp Campground
Miles today: 7.5

Day 132Tonight I am staying at the Imp Campground. I still don't know why they make you pay a fee for staying at these places, but I guess that is how it goes. Today's walk was pretty tiring. There were a lot of steep ups and downs, which make it harder and slower. Tomorrow there is only one up and about 1,000 feet and then all down from there. Walking is this entire area has been tough. It has cut my distances to like half of what I was doing.  Well once I get to Gorham and spend a few days there, I will be able to do longer walks. it is going to feel good again staying in town. it will give me a chance to heal up a little. My feet, legs, hips, and back could use a good rest. There was plenty to eat at Carter Notch Hut. My chore was to scrape the ice freezer then the eating began. If you plan it right you could do the entire White Mountains without bringing any food. Going to bed I want to get an early start tomorrow.
Date: 2019-07-28
From: Imp Campground

To: Top Notch Inn
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 133Tonight I am staying at the Top Notch Inn in the town of Gorham, New Hampshire. It is a nice hotel and the AC has the room down to what feels like 50. Drinking ice water in a cool room is nice. That is something you just don't get on the trail. So, I walked my 8 miles today and came out to a parking lot on Rt 2. There was a person doing trail magic. So I sat down and had a hot dog and cheeseburger with a couple of beers and gateraid. The person doing the trail magic looked familiar. I met him at the Top of Georgia Hostel a long time ago We talked about our stay there. He hurt his leg and came off trail after 700 miles.  he is going back soon to do 2 more months of walking. But its strange who you run into. I just met a person I haven't seen since Tenn. She told me all about how I became Grumper. Well I passed the 300 miles mark to the end. I am really getting excited now. I only have a few more miles to go in New Hampshire, then onto Maine.  Walking today was not too bad. Just a few ups in the AM, but the scenery was great. Last views of Mt Washington and the Presidentials. 5:00 Pm now going to dinner.  That is all for today.