morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-07-21
From: Cheshire, MA - My house

To: Cheshire, MA - My house
Miles today: 0.0

Today is my last day off before heading out on the last leg of my journey. I had to tie up all the loose ends and even mowed the lawn. Jewels and I finalized the schedule I will try to follow. She plans on meeting me several times up North. We also finished up any mail drop duties. Jewels has been my guiding light for the duration of this journey. I have all my gear ready to go. I will be doing some fairly light days for the rest of my hike to Maine. Today I met some hikers when I was at the P.O., I gave them a lift to the local pizza joint. I'm starting to see lots in town. I wish I could have had more over to the house but I was too busy getting ready to go and I also had to seam seal my new tarptent. (Thanks Henry for the fast delivery of the replacement tarp.)
Date: 2005-07-22
From: Cheshire, MA - My house

To: Wilber Clearing
Miles today: 11.0

Last morning to wake up in my own bed. I got everything all locked and secured and said all my good byes. I visited with my mom before heading out. I never ended up leaving until after 11 AM. It is nice not having huge mileage days in front of me. After being home I realized I really miss the people in my life, my girlfriend, my family, my friends, but I don't miss all that society has to offer and I don't miss not knowing what is going on in the world. I made it to Mt. Greylock and stopped for some drinks and pictures. I headed to here and set up the condo. It is pouring, thundering and lightening. It figures the rain would wait until I go back out. I'm meeting Jewels in the morning, she will hike with me for a couple of days.
Date: 2005-07-23
From: Wilber Clearing

To: Congdon Camp
Miles today: 17.1

I woke to a slightly wet tent this morning, but I slept very well last night. I got packed up and headed down the mountain. I met Jewels and her dad at the road crossing in North Adams. Jewels had my new socks, another pair of shoes and insoles. For some reason the shoes I just bought are bothering my feet and I had to go back to the exact same socks I have been wearing all along. I really don't need foot problems at this point in the game. If all else fails I will go for new shoes in Manchester. Jewels and I had a very nice day today and arrived here at a reasonable time. We are each in our own tents, it seems to work better this way. Jewels made several attemps to put up the bear bag rope (note from Jewels: only 3 and one actually went over the tree branch, just not in the right spot) before I had to show her how to do it. I also showed her how to use the alcohol stove. We are both exhausted and in our tents at 8 PM.
Date: 2005-07-24
From: Congdon Camp

To: Caughnawga Shelter
Miles today: 18.7

No incidents with our food bag last night. We woke fairly early, ate, packed up and headed out. We had to make it to Rt 9 by 10 AM. Jewels got picked up there by her parents. I washed up in the river just as they were leaving. Seems to be lots of full shelters and tent sites up this way. I'm on a fairly flat site tonight, only a couple large rocks under my tent. I went to the top of Glastonberry Fire Tower, nice views today. So what if I "White Knuckled It" to the top. I like these shorter days. Jewels is going to try to find me the same shoes I started with. I should have bought 5 pairs instead of just 3. Vermont is awesome!
Date: 2005-07-25
From: Caughnawga Shelter

To: Stratton Pond - N Short Tenting Area
Miles today: 15.2

No moose here today. I heard rumors there were some hanging around. Thought I might see one in the morning but too many people. My feet are hurting bad today. I stopped at Story Spring Shelter and performed shoe surgery. I had to cut the sides out of the new shoes Merrell sent me. For some reason they are too narrow. I will replace them tomorrow in Manchester VT. I attempted to climb up the fire tower on Stratton Mt. but the wind was strong and scared me off after 2 flights of stairs. I made it to the pond here which has a $5 fee. I'm in the overflow tenting area, lots of humanity around here. No Loons!
Date: 2005-07-26
From: Stratton Pond - N Short Tenting Area

To: Manchester Center - Sutton's Place
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Very early start today headed to town. Nice view from Prospect Rock. Once I got to the road it was about 15 minutes hitching until I got a ride from a former Long Trail hiker. First stop Micky D's for some of their 100% beef. I noticed some sort of bite on my left leg, got to a clinic to have it looked at. They said it wasn't a tick bite and just to watch it. My darlin came through again for me. She found some of the original shoes I started with online and had them overnight 2 pair. She delivered them to me along with my food drop. I called MSR they are not thru-hiker friendly. I'm sending my hiking staffs back to them. I bought new ones at EMS. Jewels, myself and Monica did some grazing at the Sirloin Saloon. Very nice! I also broke my camera today. Jewels brought me a new one. What a gal!(Monica and I took the ride to meet Draggin in Manchester. We managed to get to the EMS with 5 minutes to spare to return the shoes Draggin bought while home because they were way too tight. Draggin also had to pick up new staffs since his other ones had a pin that was slipping out cutting into his hand. And I had to replace his camera with yet another one. Honey, I hope the picture of the mushroom was worth it! Monica and I had a great time talking to Draggin while his clothes were in the wash and we had an even better time eating dinner at the Steak House with him. Lots of laughs and great memories!)
Date: 2005-07-27
From: Manchester Center - Sutton's Place

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

What a gal! Jewels is just awesome! Just had to let that out. I woke, got packed up and headed down to the local donut shop and ate a few. I started to walk out of town and a pickup truck stopped and gave me a ride to the trail, the driver, a local guy, gave me a bit of a history lesson about the area, very cool! I saw Beantown and his girlfriend leaving about a dozen pints of Ben & Jerry's packed in ice at the trail head. Very dark and cloudy all day. I ALMOST made it here before it rained but not quite, I got a little wet. Three others are here and we all rigged our tents, hammocks and nets inside the shelter. The bugs are nuts! I'm loving my new shoes. Your feet are everything, got to keep them happy!
Date: 2005-07-28
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: clear sky

MMM MMM Good, coffee for Breakfast!! Nice and chilly last night and the morning feels good. I stopped at Little Rock Pond and did a little swimming, very nice place to swim. Caught some nice views today and lots of rivers and streams. Vermont is awesome! I made my way to the Whistle Stop Resturaunt not far from Clarendon Gorge, even got the Sunday. Talked to a nice couple, Marg & Bill, they had lots of questions and offered me a ride back to the trail, very nice of them. I made it up to here sporting a turkey grinder, sub, hogie, wedge, whatever you want to call it. In the condo tonight. I caught up to Radio and Krazy Katie and there are lots of Long Trail Hikers here too.
Date: 2005-07-29
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 18.3

As usual everybody else is gone, I was the last one out of the shelter today. Several points of trail magic, one was soda in a stream, the other was a cooler with soda and snacks. I got up to Killington and took the walk to the summit, very nice views. I visited the snack bar while I was up there. I went by where the Long Trail splits off from the A.T. I made it here about 7:30 pm showered and hit the Irish Pub. I talked to a couple for quite some time. When they left, they gave me a $20 bill to put towards my tab, very nice people. Great reuben sandwich and the Long Trail Ale was good too.
Date: 2005-07-30
From: Inn at Long Trail

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Even though I was in a bed at the Inn, I still woke with the birds. The Inn offers breakfast with the room, it was very good. After I checked out I decided to go into Rutland to the EMS and return the hiking staffs I bought in Manchester. They keep loosening up constantly. I took a bus in and returned the staffs, but they didn't have anything that interested me so I thought the other 2 outfitters would and I could get some there. It never fails, this is where my luck started deteriorating. I got a piece of pizza and sat down to eat it, I took two bites and some kid decides to puke right next to me! In the trash the pizza went! I took another bus to the other outfitters and neither one had any staffs that suited me. So I was staffless in Rutland. I wasn't thinking about how I need staffs to set up my tarptent, I didn't realize it until I got to this place. I ended up making one out of a stick. I'm hoping that they will have some in Hanover, but the stick, which I'm using as a hiking staff will work for now. The saga continues.....
Date: 2005-07-31
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Cloudland Shelter
Miles today: 19.4

Another late start as usual. The last couple of days have been pretty tough, lots of small climbs right in a row. Not having my staffs makes tough climbing. Very overcast day today, it has been threatening rain all day too. I was foiled on another deli walk, after 3/4 of a mile a guy told me it was closed so 3/4 mile back to the trail I went. I got here late, about 8 PM and rigged up the tarptent inside the shelter. Taj and Indian guy is here too. It started to rain just as I got here. Very tired. Taj bought me a sandwich, it went well with dinner. Thank Taj. This shelter is a privately owned one, it doesn't see much use, it is .5 off of the trail.
Date: 2005-08-01
From: Cloudland Shelter

To: Hanover, NH - Sunset Motel
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: 0

Glad to be inside the shelter last night, it rained very hard. I had an early start this morning. I have the thought of NH in my mind, it is a good motivator. Several road walks today. When I got to Norwich I stopped for some grub at an old time grocery/everything store. Kinda neat there. When I got to the VT/NH line which is in the middle of a bridge which spans the CT river, I said goodbye to Taj. I headed to Hanover which is a college town. Home of Dartmouth College! No outfitter in town there that I could see. I called this place and they came and got me. I ordered a pizza and did my laundry. Dead Animal is here. I haven't see him since Hot Springs, NC. I haven't been seeing a ton of thru-hikers, it has thinned out and it seems to be getting thinner by the day. Very few South bounders also.
Date: 2005-08-02
From: Hanover, NH - Sunset Motel

To: Hanover, NH - Sunset Motel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

A day off! I needed to rest, VT was pretty tough. Even though my daily mileage is cut back it still beat me up. I took a bus to Lebanon, NH to shop for food, denatured, and hiking staffs. I got everything but the staffs. I have added some more food to my food bag because I have been so hungry lately. I am only carrying 2-3 days of food from here on up, so I have some room to add a little more. So here I am in NH, 2 states away, approx. 40 days left. Very hot today, I have the air cond. on high! I have no intension of even going out again today. Rest and more rest, it is hard to do when I wake up so early it is hard to sit still.
Date: 2005-08-03
From: Hanover, NH - Sunset Motel

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: scattered clouds

What a gal. Jewels delivered my old staffs to me last night so I am no longer staffless. I felt so much better today after taking a day off. Today was my first day in NH. There still are mosquitos that is for sure. Very hot today. I did some heavy duty perspiring. I got here about 7:30 and am in the condo. Somebody had a fire burning, very nice! There is a noisy group of juveniles here as well. Sowega, Method Man and Unknown arrived here after dark. For some reason I didn't eat as much today, must be the heat. Short day tomorrow so I'm going to sleep in!
Date: 2005-08-04
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Took a nice easy start today because of the low miles I'm doing. For some reason water is a little scarce around this section. I had a pretty good climb today up Smarts Mt. I attempted to climb up the fire tower but at about 1/2 way I chickened out, too windy up there. I got here earlier than I usually get in. there are lots of SOBO's around now, there are 4 in this shelter along with 3 NOBO's. I'm glad to be in my tent although the shelter is big and it is Hexagon shaped. I'm in my sleeping bag early tonight. Kinda beat from all the climbing today.
Date: 2005-08-05
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Glencliff - Hiker's Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 14.7

Very early start today, had to climb up Mt. Cube first thing. I could see a storm in the distance. When I got to the first road, somebody left a pepsi and a granola bar at the edge of the trail. It hit the spot. Still seeing tons of SOBO's. I arrived at the Hiker's Welcome Hostel early in the afternoon, many hikers here. I took a shower, did laundry and chilled out. Jewels arrived at about 6. We set up our tents because most of the bunks were taken already and there was no shortage of mosquitos. So I'm glad to be in the tent. We took a ride to get a sandwich and then we shuttled Jewels to Pinkham Notch were we will be on Friday. It was a long ride over, about 80 miles one way, so we were late getting back to the hostel. Fat Chap did the driving back. It was a round midnight when we got into our tents.
Date: 2005-08-06
From: Glencliff - Hiker's Welcome Hostel

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a relaxing day. Jewels will be hiknig through the White Mountains with me. We got our first taste of above tree line. Beautiful day, you could see for miles and miles. We stopped on top of Mt. Moosilauke, 4802' and snacked and took photos. We got here very early in the day and picked a spot to set up our tents. It is so nice to have Jewels hiking with me. The shelter is full and we had a nice fire going. What a view of Mt. Washington from the shelter. It is very chilly tonight, we had our jackets on. It will be a good test of the sleeping bags tonight. Well it looks like it's time to zip up the bag and get some shut eye. Goodnight!
Date: 2005-08-07
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

I woke this morning to an awesome sunrise over the White Mountains. It was fairly cold last night probably because we were sleeping at over 3600 feet. Jewels and I headed down the steep rocky decent with beautiful waterfall which followed the traill all the way down to the bottom. At the bottom I just couldn't resist, I had to swim in an ice cold pool, very refreshing. When we got to the road we went to a snack bar at Lost River. I called my son who just got back from Costa Rica, we are trying to arrange for him to come and hike for a couple of days. We arrived here at a good time, we set up our tents and now I have become a tent space hog because my tent is much bigger than Jewels. We went to the brook, another very cold one and once again went in the water for a chilly bath. Dinner and bed. I almost forgot I turned 45 today!
Date: 2005-08-08
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: North Woodstock, NH - Carraige Motel
Miles today: 8.8

Started out today with once again a tempermental stomach if you know what I mean. Very nice brook which followed the trail for about a mile or so, lots of pools and waterfalls. We hiked to the top of Kinsman, what a rock scramble getting up. You have to get into some strange positions to get up and over some of the rocks. On top of the mountain there were spectacular views for miles and miles in all directions. Lots of day hikers out today. We came to the first hut, Lonesome Lake, and stopped for some lemonade and both took a swim in the lake, very fresh and clean water. We got to the road and aranged a ride to here. We did laundry, shopped for our food, and went to dinner. I also finished up the plan to meet Bryan, my son, at Crawford Notch on Thursday. He will do the Presidentials with us.
Date: 2005-08-09
From: North Woodstock, NH - Carraige Motel

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: few clouds

Jewels and I went for a nice breakfast this morning before heading back on the trail. We shared a shuttle ride with Dead Animal back to where we got off the trail. Right off the bat we started to climb. Eventually ending up on Mt. Lafayette, 5249'. It was a very tough trail today, beating us up pretty bad. We talked to lots of day hikers today including a couple who both graduated from the same college my son attends. Small world. the views today from the entire Franconia Ridge were spectacular. When we started to climb up the last climb of the day, Mt. Garfield, we found a small spring coming right out of the side of a rock. We watered up and decided to eat our dinner up on the top of the mountain. We arrived here shortly after and are sharing a tent platform with Dead Animal. All in all it was a very demanding day but the views made it all worth it. Jewels is doing very well, I'm impressed.
Date: 2005-08-10
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite

To: Campsite near Eathan Pond
Miles today: 15.0

We got an early start today after a pretty solid sleep last night. We had several climbs today but most of the terrain was mild compared to yesterday. We stopped at Galehead hut for some lemonade and baked goods, all you can eat and drink for a buck. After leaving there we made it to Zealand Falls hut where we swam in Zealand falls, very cold water but it felt so good after a sweaty day. Lots of touristy traffic near the huts. We found this place which is very small clearing on the side of the trail. It could get very expensive at $8 each if you stay at all the pay sites through NH. Usually before and after the pay sites there are some stealth campsites. We set our tents up. There is a small stream near by so it makes a perfect place to camp. Dead Animal joined us here, we all cooked dinner and chatted for a bit then retreated to our tents before being eaten alive by mosquitos. Speaking of being eaten alive, ask jewels about the 15 black fly bites on the back of her neck. They love her for some reason. My son is going to meet us in the morning and hike until Saturday. It feels so nice to not be hiking alone through the White Mountains. There is so much to share here and I'm happy to be sharing it.
Date: 2005-08-11
From: Campsite near Eathan Pond

To: Nauman Tentsite
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: fog

Wouldn't you know a little shower early this morning, just enough to get our tents wet but it motivated us to pack up early and hit the trail. Jewels, Dead Animal and I took a short walk off of the trail to visit Ripley Falls where I swam and stuck my head under the falls. We made our way down to the road and ended up walking the mile to the Willey House. When we got there we dried our tents, ate some food and waited for my son, Bryan to show up. He arrived and we drove to a town to resupply and eat lunch. We had lots of laughs expecially at my vehicle which has seen better days. Jewels left us off at the trail and went and parked the vehicle then hitched a ride back and we started the long climb up into the Presidentials. We stopped on Mt. Jackson and fed the gray jay birds. They land right on your hand and eat, very cool. We also took lots of photos today, the views were spectacular. We got here late and are all pitched on one platform. Today was lots of fun. I'm so lucky to have Jewels and Bryan with me through this beautiful part of my hike, it really is special and I will never forget it. it is so nice to share thoughts and sights with familiar faces.
Date: 2005-08-12
From: Nauman Tentsite

To: USFS Tentsite - Near Madison Hut
Miles today: 11.8

We had a little later start this morning. I was pretty comfortable and somtimes it is just hard to start real early. It didn't take long for us to get up over tree line and that is where we stayed most of the day. The weather was calling for rain and such in the PM hours. As we moved closer to Mt. Washington it started to clear more so we had some decent photo ops. Bryan also decided to tak a couple detours up over some of the other peaks as Jewels and I stayed on the AT. We made a stop at Lakes of the Crowds hut before climbing up to the big one, Mt. Washington. We made our way up to the summit and could feels ome changes in the temp and wind. At the summit we ate and rested. The going is very tough up here, your body takes a beating with all the rocks. We decided to make it to this place which was full by the time we got here so Jewels is in the condo with me and Bryan is on a tent platform. We arrived very late, just about dark and it was raining. It also was raining for the last couple of miles to get here. The wind is so strong up here. You really need to respect these mountains and plan your hike accordingly.
Date: 2005-08-13
From: USFS Tentsite - Near Madison Hut

To: Pinkham Notch - Gorham Motor Inn
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: fog

Well I must say it was a pretty wild night last night. The wind was blowing and it was raining but in the morning everything was dry. We got a good start but had a bit of a climb back up to the trail from the tentsite. When we got to the bottom of Mt. Madison you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. As we started to climb the wind grew stronger and stronger. It was blowing us around like little rag dolls and the terrain was very tough, lots of large rocks. Jewels took most of the beating because she was the lightest one and was really getting blown around. We finally made it down to treeline and by then the sun was shining. We came to a beautiful mountain stream and all took a very cold swim. We came to a second river and Bryan couldn't resist going under the water fall. We made our way down to Pinkham Notch and met up with Dead Animal and Retro. Jewels got her van and the 5 of us headed to here where we had a very nice dinner (thanks Jewels,) did laundry, went to the grocery store and had ice cream. Today was both Bryan's and Jewels last day with me. I really enjoyed their company and will miss them as I head off to Maine.
Date: 2005-08-14
From: Pinkham Notch - Gorham Motor Inn

To: Imp Campsite
Miles today: 13.1

It didn't take long to realize how much I missed my two partners, Jewels and Bryan. It was so enjoyable having somebody to share my hike with. Even though the terrain was tough it was beautiful and loads of fun. Today had a couple butt kicking climbs and the rain didn't help any. The donuts from D.D. didn't last long. There were really only a few views before it started to rain and none after, just fog. I made it to this campsite and shared a tent platform with Dead Animal. I just got the condo up and it started to pour even harder. I had to cook under the vestibule. There are lots of other people here too, the shelter is full. My feet are shriveled up like prunes from being wet all day and my knees are sore. I'm still loving it and having fun!
Date: 2005-08-15
From: Imp Campsite

To: Gorham, NH - Royalty Inn
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was very wet picking up this morning but town is just around the corner. It didn't take long and the sun was shining. I came upon Retro and hiked out to the road with him where we found some pepsi's at the edge of the road. We started hitching and a young guy in a convertable stopped and picked us up. I stopped at the outfitters where I bought a new sleeping pad a non-inflatable type, it is a full length z-rest. I checked into this place which is very nice. Retro, Dead Animal and myself went to lunch at Mr. Pizza. I stopped at CVS and restocked my food bag and I hit the P.O. to mail back my old sleeping pad. It wouldn't be right if I didn't make a visit to the Chinese buffet so I joined Dead Animal and Retro for dinner. Time to chill.