morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-18
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Up at 5:30, I tested my ankle and it was sore, swollen and stiff. When Catchup woke up I told her I was not hiking. I had planned to hike with Angie & Benny from the F-16 team at the Pentagon, and meet with my USAFA-71' classmate Bob Manning and his wife Jan at Harper's Ferry. I hated to opt out. As it turned out, it was still a fun day and it gave my friends an introduction to the Bear's Den Hostel in Bluemont VA, life on the AT, and the AT Conservancy Center.    After loading several "Slacker's" packs into Benny's van, we left the Hostel after all the hikers had departed. We dropped Benny's van in town and then returned to a cross road (Key's Gap) where Angie & Benny hiked south to meet Catchup northbound. Meanwhile, I distributed Angie's delicious brownies and water to other hikers (Pentagon - Trail magic!). After they passed Key's Gap (Benny how did your shirt get all wet?) and devoured more of Angie's brownies, they still had 6 miles remaining before Harper's Ferry. They had to hustle because the AT Center was closing in 3 hours. Moving ahead, I met Bob & Jan at the AT Center. We took gatorade out to meet the weary hikers as they ascended the last Blue Blaze into town at 4:15, it was 93 degrees! After a dinner together in the old part of town, Bob & Jan graciously invited Catchup to their near-by home for the night while Benny gave me a lift home to recuperate. I hated to leave Catchup again but she is strong and independent and I know she will do fine with many friends still out there too. A real special thanks goes out to Bob, Jan, Angie & Benny. You all made the day special: Just like the AT experience is suppose to be...passing forward good fortune and favors to strangers with no doubt it will be returned many times over!
Date: 2007-06-19
From: Harper's Ferry

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My Classmate, Bob Manning, and his wife Jan hosted Catchup at their home last night and took her back to Harper's Ferry (Post Office) today to return to the AT. The Mannings lived in Maine (Loring AFB) for at least 1 USAF assignment and Bob loves to sail, so they should have had a lot to talk about! Catchup called me mid-day to ask about thunderstorms. Checking the weather channel, it looked like a string of east bound storms were headed her way in southern MD. I encouraged her to find shelter. I'm headed to the Orthopedist on Wednesday to look at my ankle..in the meantime I'm still icing it. Signing off until I know when I'll rejoin the trail. SkimanPS: The Dr said it was only a sprain - x-rays didn't refect any issues. She recommeded I stay off the ankle as much as possible for 2 weeks. My plan is to join Catchup's husband Richard in PA when he comes down to "Slack" for Catchup next week, then go to NH with him for the family 4th of July gathering and return to the trail about 8/9 July. That should give my ankle enough time to heal.
Date: 2007-07-11
To: Kent CT
Miles today: 0.0

11 July: This picture is from 20 June when I left the trail with a sprained ankle. Benny Hockersmith and Angie Suplisson from the Pentagon came out to hike with me and "Catchup". I've been off the trail since then: Intially with a sprained ankle, but then I developed symtpoms of Lyme disease. Altho my lab tests came back negative for Lyme and other tick borne diseases, the antidote was prescribed as a precaution. After 4 days on the medication, I felt 100%. Recently, I've been in NH vacationing with family and took the opportunity to climb Mt. Major twice and Mt. Chocorua once. My ankle feels fine but my 3-week layoff will require a slower start back on the AT. "Catchup's" husband Richard and I are driving from NH to CT to rendevous with Cathcup in Kent, CT. We'll camp at Housatonic State Park where Richard will "Slack Pack" for us for a few days. That will help me with the transition back to hiking. With 300 miles behind me, I'm hopeful I'll hang in there for the remaining 700 miles through CT-MA-VT-NH & ME. That will be a little less than 1/2 of the AT but a good start.
Date: 2007-07-12
From: Kent CT

To: Cornwall Bridge CT
Miles today: 11.1

July 12 ¢ Catchup and I camped at the Housatonic Meadows State Park for three days. Today we hiked 11 miles then returned to the camp-site to do laundry and swim in the river! As always when we slack-pack, "Cargo-Master" is there to help with the hiking chores: shopping, laundry, Subway lunches, end of day rides back to camp-site etc.
Date: 2007-07-17
From: October Mt. Lean-To

To: Cheshire MA
Miles today: 21.1

July 17 ¢ In the morning we visited the ¢Cookie Lady¢. Her husband met us with home-made cookies since she was sick. When I inquired about his long straight field he said it was his runway! He took me to his hanger and showed me his 1949 vintage Piper Clipper.
Date: 2007-07-18
From: Cheshire MA

To: Sherman Brook Campsite
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: haze

July 18 ¢ Every where we hiked we found up-rooted trees. Whether from high winds or just aging, some of these root-balls were huge and show how little soil the roots had penetrated. Today we climbed the highest mountain in MA. - Mt. Greylock. It rained all day and at the top we could barely even see the war monument through the clouds/fog.¢I hate wet feet¢! We cooked lunch at the summit in a ski warming hut and I doctored my blisters. We ultimately camped at the Sherman Brook Campsite which had Tent Platforms. Another thing I hate about the AT are tent - platforms because a lot of people like me don't have free-standing tents!
Date: 2007-07-19
From: Sherman Brook Campsite

To: VT 9
Miles today: 16.6

July 19 ¢ We hiked into Bennington VT leaving MA behind. My old Air force friends Steve and Cathy Caine from Albany, NY drove over to meet us. We were treated to a driving tour of Bennington (no-walking please) including their unique Revolutionary War Memorial. Then we had dinner at an old-time dinner. Cathy brought me more blister bandaids too.
Date: 2007-07-21
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Bromley Warming Hut
Miles today: 21.4

July 21 ¢ longest day yet¢¦.24.1 miles! In the morning we climbed Stratton Mountain and had 50 miles visibility from the observation tower. We descended Stratton Mt. and stopped at Stratton pond for a quick swim. By mid afternoon I was very hungry and tired and then found ¢Trail Magic¢ In the Styrofoam box was beer. Along with a Heineken, Catch-up cooked an early dinner and we proceeded to go four miles beyond our destination to the top of Bromley ski area. We had fantastic views of the sunset from the Bromley observation tower.
Date: 2007-07-22
From: Bromley Warming Hut

To: Little Rock Pond Tenting Area
Miles today: 16.5

July 22 ¢ Catchup and I got up at 1:00 AM to look at the starts. The Milkyway was a bright band across the sky. We got up at 5:15 to watch the sunrise, then went back to bed for a couple hours more sleep. Today¢s hike included two more peaks and more views of VT. We finished the day with a swim in Griffith Lake.
Date: 2007-07-23
From: Little Rock Pond Tenting Area

To: Gould Brook
Miles today: 17.3

July 23 ¢ Leaving Little Pond camp site at 6:00 AM, we saw a single loon and beaver leaving ripples on the glassy pond surface. Mid morning we discovered some fascinating rock formations built by previous hikers. More ¢Trail Magic¢ today and we camped along the Gould River.   Today was my 30th wedding anniversary!! And although I wasn¢t home, I know my wife and children were celebrating!
Date: 2007-07-24
From: Gould Brook

To: VT100
Miles today: 16.0

July 24 ¢ We hiked over Killington and Piko Peak ski areas with improving weather but no views of the ski trails. We met Catchup¢s husband Richard (Cargo-Master) at the Long Trail Inn for re-supplies. Today we finished the southern portion of VT¢s Long Trail which runs along the Appalachian Trail. Tomorrow we head east to NH and will arrive in Hannover NH in two days.
Date: 2007-07-26
From: Wintturi Shetler

To: West Hartford VT
Miles today: 16.4

When ever we pass a trail side shelter or begin a new trail segment, Catchup always signs us in. If our families' needed to reach us (in an emergency) and our cell phones won't connect, trail-runners would go out to their regions and find where we last signed in to narrow their search. Today was another hot day! Mid-day we came across a classic VT farm called "Cloud Loft Farm" selling organic ice cream ($6/pint). We detoured 1/2 mile to get their after hiding our packs on the trail. It was a bad idea to eat so much ice-cream on near empty stomachs. We struggled on making slow progress and decided to stop short in West Hartford VT. We camped in Randy Hart's backyard, a local hiker-friendly man who lives just off the trail. Tomorrow we will reach NH, and home state!
Date: 2007-07-27
From: West Hartford VT

To: Moose Mt. Shelter NH
Miles today: 20.4

My feet were killing me as we hiked into Hanover on the asphalt and cement sidewalks. Nonetheless, it was wonderful to cross the Connecticut River seperating Vermont from New hampshire. Brother Pete met us in the center of Hanover and treated us to breakfast at the famous Hanover Inn. We ate on the patio so we wouldn't offend the other customers with our unique hiker aroma!!! Pete brought new high-top mountain boots for me to use in NH and ME. We went through a lot of water once we got back on the trail. Running short of water, Catchup and I went in search of near-by homes on a dirt road. We found an abandoned house and fortunately the outside faucets still worked so we could "water-up" for the rest of the day. At the Moose Mt Shelter, Pete topped off dinner with a bottle of wine....what a treat!
Date: 2007-07-28
From: Moose Mt. Shelter NH

To: Lyme-Dorchester Road
Miles today: 8.4

Leaving Moose Mt Shelter with Pete it was drizzling on and off. The cool rain helped us hike faster than our slower speed in the hot days we had been experiencing. While Catchup used "Wingfoot's" data book to locate our water sources, I would always cross reference the water/spring locations on my map. I'd also look at the rate of the climbs and descents that were approaching so we could plan on when to do breaks and meals.Along the way today, Catchup and I decided to go back to Wolfeboro with Pete and take a day off. It was great to visit family/friends for a brief visit.
Date: 2007-07-30
From: Mt Cube

To: Mt Moosilauke
Miles today: 15.0

We descended from Mt Cube to NH route 25 and found the mosquitos really bad. We tried to hitch into Warren NH but with no luck we cooked at the roadside stream, soaked our feet and moved on to Mt Mooselauke. It was a tough 3,000' foot climb in warm weather. When we reached the summit the views and Cumulo Nimbus clouds were really exceptional. We considered camping on the summit, but it was very windy so we decided to hike on to the Beaver Brook Shelter and camped there over night...arriving at dusk.
Date: 2007-07-31
From: Mt Moosilake

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

The climb down Moosilake was treacherous but made better with iron bars and ropes..I'm not making this up. It followed the Beaver Brook stream all the way down, I have to go back and see this when we have time to sit and enjoy the scenery!. Then on into a real obstacle course of granite ledges about 6- 10 feet tall with all sorts of ways to climb them...none were easy. We finally called it quits at Eliza Brook where the AMC crew was rebuilding the camp site.
Date: 2007-08-01
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Mt Lafeyette
Miles today: 15.0

We left Eliza Brook Shelter/campsite and headed to Lonesome Lake to meet Richard at 10:30. We crossed the Kinsman Peaks enroute after a very hard climb. After Lonesome Lake hut snacks we hiked down into Franconia Notch, resupplied with Richard and hiked on to Liberty Springs Campsite...it was full so we went on and "wilderness camped" on the trail just uner the Lafayette summit. Great sunset and sunrises with a near full moon!
Date: 2007-08-02
From: Mt Lafeyette

To: Zealand Falls AMC Hut
Miles today: 17.0

We enjoyed the above treeline hiking on the Franconia and Garfield Ridges of the White Mtns. The visibility was great. We could see many of the mountains we had ascended in VT. Our first destination was the Galehead AMC Hut but we arrived too early to stop and decided to press on to Zealand Falls AMC Hut. We arrived there near Super time with just enough time to swim in the falls first. We offered a "Work-for-stay" program of describing the "AT Through Hiker's" life. This was well received and we did this the next 4 nights saving money and providing valuable info for the Hut Guests.
Date: 2007-08-03
From: Zealand Falls AMC Hut

To: Mizpah AMC Hut
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

From Zealand Falls Hut down to Crawforn Notch was a "Walk in the Woods". Lots of signs of moose but no sightings yet! Met some of "Catchup's" school friends from Wolfeboro who took us to the new AMC Highlands Center for lunch. Then they joined us for the initial hike up the "Cliff Trail" over looking I-93 and Cannon Ski area. The views were really great as we stayed right on the ridge line and went granite-ledge to ledge all the way up then the trail until it turned east into the woods and the Mizpah Hut. We did work for stay again and had a big crowd with lots of interest.
Date: 2007-08-04
From: Mizpah AMC Hut

To: Madison AMC Hut
Miles today: 15.0

Left for the Mt Washington Summit in cloudy conditions. Aproaching "Lake of the Clouds" Hut we had 20' visibility. We had morning snacks as the guests had just departed "Lakes Hut" and we were already hungry from 3 hours of climbing. On to Mt Washington we reached the summit in another hour and the visibility remained so bad we couldn't find the "Visitors Center" without help. Then the mountain gods smiled and cleared everything up. We headed down to the AMC Madison Hut and had spectacular views but the boulder scrambling was getting to us. A couple stopped us and asked are you "Catchup and Skiman"? We replied we were and they said they had been following the trailjounals and had to have our pictures...real AT celebrities! Just before reaching Madison my Sleeping bag and therm-a-rest bag fell off my pack frame and I didn't know it. Matt Tanner from CT brought it over to me and said I had dropped it. I was embarrased, but very greatful it had not fallen off in the middle of the rock scramble when I was alone...never to be seen again. We did our third "work-for-stay" and also confirmed we could see Jay Peak 74 miles away back in VT. The forecast was for a cooler night.
Date: 2007-08-05
From: Madison AMC Hut

To: Joe Dodge Center at Pinkam Notch
Miles today: 6.0

This morning I wore everything I packed because it was 43 degres with 40 MPH winds. The wind virtually blew us up the rock scramble to the Madison Peak. We had unlimited visibility. If I knew which peak was Katadin, I'm sure it was out there. Later I learned the Mt Washington Observatory called for 120 mile visibility. we were so fortunate to have the views. We met family and friends in Pinkam Notch where we re-suppied and rested. The last time I stayed there was a springtime skiing trip to Tuckerman's Ravine 40 years ago!
Date: 2007-08-06
From: Joe Dodge Center at Pinkam Notch

To: Carter Notch AMC Hut
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: fog

We left after breakfast and hiked up the very steep Wildcat Trail above Pinkam Notch. Rain caught us after we had climbed the treacherus cliffs and we luckily found Wildcat Ski Areas Ski Patro hut unlocked and sought shelter there while deciing what to do. Ater 3 hours the rain slacked and we pressed on hoping to reach Carter Notch Hut. There was only one other couple there when we arrived then 10 campers showed just before dinner. We did our 4th and last work-for-stay. Thanks to Catchup, this work for stay saved us a lot of money, provided many hikers with a Through Hikers in-sight and the motivation to give it a try some day!
Date: 2007-08-07
From: Carter Notch AMC Hut

To: Gorham NH - Barn Hostel
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a steep climb out of Cater Notch. It takes us a bout an hour for a steep 1,000' ascent. It was slow going all day wth lots of rock scrambling along the ridge and smaller summits. The first 6 hours gained only 7.2 miles. It got easier as we descended with the "Barn" Hostel our objective! Our knees are sore from the rock scrambles and we hope it will get easier in ME. (Wrong)
Date: 2007-08-08
From: Gorham NH - Barn Hostel

To: NH/ME Border
Miles today: 16.0

We hiked for 12 hours and the trail was a lot easier, most of the time. But the ups/downs are getting steeper and very dangerous. We keep asking ourselves why we are here? We quit when we reached the NH/ME border and I pitched my tent there. Catchup slept in ME, I slept in NH! If I loose any more weight, I might not be able to tighten my hip belt enough to keep my pack up on my hips. I think my waist is down 3-4 inches! It is a tough way to diet!!!
Date: 2007-08-09
From: NH/ME Border

To: Speck Pond Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Today we completed the famous Moohousac Notch mile of boulder scrambing! It took us 2.5 hours to negotiate the over/under/around routing of the AT through this narrow boulder strewn stream bed. I had to remove my pack 3 times to fit through narraw passages or to fit under the crawl spaces under house sized boulders that couldn't be climbed! When we arrived at Speck pond we jumped in to wash off the dirt from a very hard day! This day was not designed for 50 year old legs.
Date: 2007-08-10
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: East Andover Maine - "The Cabin" hostel
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After the first 5 miles of descent onto a ME road we met up with Amanda/Ben, through hiking friends who "Slacked" the next 10 miles over Bald Pate. It was a great day to be hiking with just water and snacks. Then we were met with Beers and Chips with Steve/Myra at the end of the day. I have to go back to this area to see the magnificent water falls found on the last mile of this hike. We are in the "Cabin" Hostel run by Earl, a very gracious hiker helper! I'm hoping ME will get easier as we are a little behind schedule. We hope to complete the hike in August!
Date: 2007-08-11
From: East Andover Maine - The Cabin hostel

To: Old Blue - wilderness campsite
Miles today: 14.0

Earl fixed a huge breakfast of Blue berry pancakes and dropped us off on the trail for a tough 14 mile day of mountains including Moody and Old Blue...an equivalent of climbing the Washington Monument 8 times. I saw a huge porcupine..a first I thought it was a bear cub! Knees and feet are sore everyday..just tired from the pounding. We didn't make it to our planned destination so we "Wildnerness camped" in a pine forest. In bed at 6:30! Still haven't seen a moose!!
Date: 2007-08-12
From: Old Blue Peak

To: Little Swift River Pond
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked a half day today 06:00 AM - 6:00 PM. We camped at a pond with lots of Canadians. It was slow going most of the day, not that the terrain was so bad but there were always obstacles to break the rhythm of a good hike...like speed bumps in a neighborhood! I spotted a Grouse Family on the trail and Catchup and I had fun taking pictures of the little ones along with Mom & Dad. We took a swim at Sabbath Pond today, felt great and it was a beautiful sandy beach in the middle of the wildnerness.
Date: 2007-08-13
From: Little Swift River Pond

To: Little Saddleback Mnt
Miles today: 14.0

We broke camp in light rain today and hiked out to Maine Route 4 and hitched into Rangley for Breakfast. Met other hikers there and had a great big meal before returning to the trail. We then climbed several 4,000' peaks to include Saddleback, The Horn and then settled in on Little Saddleback to camp and watch the end of the meteor shower. The stars were brillant, but I only saw 4 small shooting stars after remaining vigilant most of the night.
Date: 2007-08-14
From: Little Saddleback Mnt

To: Stratton Hotel
Miles today: 14.0

Breaking camp on Little Saddleback it was cold and damp...unlike the clear night skies. I started out hiking with all the clothes I have but below treeline it warmed up quickly and I stripped down to my usual running shorts and short sleeve shirt...what I have worn every day to hike in. Spaulding Mountain was today's climb, a toughy. We also skirted the back of Saddleback and its descent was a treacherous steep rock-to-rock descent!!. We got cell phone connection and were happy to get the family caught up on events. When we reached a remote mountain road Richard was there for one last visit before we complete our adventure. He took us into town for one more hotel stay which was a great way to prepare for the upcoming final push to Katahdin.
Date: 2007-08-15
From: Stratton Hotel

To: Avery Campsite
Miles today: 14.0

Richard gave us a slack for the first 8 miles including a 2,500' climb over the Crocker Mnts. We averaged 2 MPH...really fast compared to recent hiking speeds..love that slack packing! Then we loaded up with 4 days of food for our trip into the Bigelow Mnts. We went over several 3-4,000 peaks, a really tough day...what's new! We struggled into the Avery Campsite which sits between two daunting 4,000' peaks. The Red Squirrels were very aggressive and wanted to eat our food as bad as I did! I was given a Maine ATC #5 map by a south bound hiker when I told him I didn't have one...I'm lost without my maps! Hey...it gets flat tomorrow...can't wait for some good trail cruising.
Date: 2007-08-16
From: Avery Campsite

To: West Carey Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 14.0

We had some harder than expected ups/downs early today as we crossed into the Little Bigelow mountains. But first: We climbed Avery Peak at 4,000' right after getting out of the sack. I don't recommend as a way to wake up! The visibility was unlimited and rewarded our 7 AM arrival. We have been so fortunate with the scenery and mountain top views..its what makes the day's march all worth while! Looking south was the ski area Sugarlaof, looking north was the immense Flagstaff Lake (not a boat in sight) bordering the wilderness area we hiked in. Looking east was our destination among the other peaks we will climb enroute to Katahdin! The afternoon hike got really easy for a change...those flats I was talking about...we burned some miles...swam in Flagstaff Lake as we cruised by and reached West Carey Pond Lean-to just before the rain let loose! The days have been a little cooler and the forecast is for temps in the 60s in the daytime...40s at night.
Date: 2007-08-17
From: West Carey Pond Lean-to

To: Kennebec River - Caratuck, ME.
Miles today: 0.0

We were happy to be in the Carey Pond Shelter because it began to rain shortly after we arrived and into the night...the morning brought clearing skies. The elevation varied less than 500' all day but sometimes that can mean poor drainage, lots of mud and roots! However, today hike's got better and better with brilliant blue skies and easy going all day. We passed ponds with sandy shores and although we wanted to swim we also didn't want to miss the Kennebec River Canoe Ferry between 2:00 - 4:00 PM. We got to the Pierce Pond Lean-to in record time and cooked an early lunch with a pair of Loons being the only fishermen present. This is where I fished with my Grandfather Newton almost 50 years ago and with my brother, son, and father 3 years ago...a special place for me. After lunch Catchup and I followed the Pierce Pond Stream East as it cascaded down waterfalls and a descent toward our destination at the Kennebec River. We arrived early even though we finally succumbed to a brief stream swim and cooling off. Other hikers were waiting as Steve arrived right at 2:00 to ferry us across the 50 yard river 2-hikers at a time. After crossing we hitched into "Northern Outdoors" for a tent Hostel stay and a restaurant meal.