morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-08-09
From: Cheshire, MA

To: Bascom Lodge bunkhouse, Mt Greylock, MA
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: moderate rain

Today I rediscovered the childhood joy of stomping through puddles. We awoke to the sound of rain. Even before breakfast the weather app on our phones were sounding alerts for flash floods. The challenge for the day is a nearly 8 mile climb to the summit of Mt Greylock, the highest mountain in MA. Since Anita was here to help I decided I would make the climb and decide at the summit how much further I would go . . . Or if I would go any further. The descent down the other side appears to be much steeper and more rocky - less than ideal in heavy rain. We had an outstanding breakfast before Anita dropped us off at the trailhead. It was pouring down rain and continued to rain heavily during our entire hike. Three times the weather app alarmed more flash flood warnings. The trail was more like a river or, at times, a waterfall. There were planks to walk on in some places that are often muddy. However when we got to the planks many of them were floating. The trail was so flooded that at the end of the planks I often had to step off into a big pool of water. Repeatedly I had to stop and put the heel of my shoe back on when it was sucked off by the mud.Despite the torrential rain it was a really good day. After awhile it was fun to just stomp through the water. Even the mosquitos weren't out in this weather and it was nice to hike bug free. Best of all, I hiked with my German friends Open and Flair. It's comforting to have friends close by in weather like this. We kept up a fast pace (for me) and covered the nearly 8 miles in 3.5 hours. Not bad when you consider we climbed above 3,000 ft for the first time since the Shenandoahs. When we reached the summit the wind was whipping across the summit and I quickly became chilled. We ducked into the Bascom Lodge and Anita drove up to meet us. For $35 you get a bunk, towel, and hot shower. Since the rain wasn't letting up we decided to play it safe and stay here. Wow, did that hot shower feel good!We had a delicious lunch with Anita before she headed home. For the rest of the day I napped and hung out with my hiker friends. What a luxury on a rainy day!
Date: 2013-08-10
From: Bascom Lodge bunkhouse, Mt Greylock, MA

To: Congdon Shelter campsite
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I was hoping to leave with Open and Flair but they are so much faster than me in the morning. I managed to get on the trail about 6:45, nearly 45 minutes after them. The rest of our bunk room was still asleep. I'm sure the views from the top of Mt Greylock are pretty but I was never able to see them since we were socked in the entire time. It was windy and cool this morning and I was worried about whether or not I could stay warm. Once I started hiking I was fine. It was nearly 2 hours before I saw sunlight. It's been a long time since I've had 2 falls in a day. My first one occurred on the wet rocks during the steep descent of Mt Greylock. I didn't see many NOBO hikers. Snot Rocket was about the only one and we hiked together some. I saw quite a few SOBO hikers. The major milestones for today were getting into Vermont and hiking more than 20 miles. I have now hiked through 11 states and have 3 left to go. Vermont's trail is incredibly muddy and I took my second fall in the mud. Regardless of the falls and mud, it was a beautiful hiking day and I enjoyed myself immensely.
Date: 2013-08-11
From: Congdon Shelter campsite

To: Goddard Shelter campsite
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: broken clouds

After yesterday's 20 miler I allowed myself the luxury of sleeping in. It was a cool night which made it perfect for staying snuggled under my down quilt. I'm glad I'll be getting my cold weather gear back soon. I would estimate the temperature to be in the mid to low 40's and I have no long pants. I camped near Wally and Cory (Rhode Island), a father/daughter couple. They are section hiking. They were out of camp before me, but I caught them just before the road to Bennington, VT. I was supposed to meet my sister, Becca, today but that would mean I only hike 4 miles or 25 miles, neither of which did I want to do. Instead I'll go into Bennington for a one day resupply and spend another night in the woods before connecting with her. The hitch into Bennington was quick and once again I found myself in the back of a pickup truck. At the convenience store I met a dad and his two boys out for a bike ride. The quote of the day comes from one of the boys who asked me where I was hiking to. When I said Maine he said "good luck with that, it takes us 3 hours to drive there!" LOL!It was much more difficult to get a ride back up to the trailhead - it took me nearly an hour to get a ride. I only hiked little over 14 miles but it feels like much more after 2 big climbs I'm camped on Glastenbury Moutain at 3,573 ft and it feels even colder than last night. I ate my dinner in my tent covered with my down quiltto stay warm. It should be another good night for sleeping!
Date: 2013-08-12
From: Goddard Shelter campsite

To: Stratton-Arlington Rd
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: few clouds

For a short day it was a rough day. I thought I would knock it out in no time but the trail had different ideas. There was a lot if stepping over, around, and on small boulders. I took a hard fall on one of the boulders and snapped one of my hiking poles in two. My right hip is bruised but no serious injuries. Sleepwalker was behind me when I fell and he said it was the hardest he has ever seen someone fall. The road where I was supposed to meet my sister was washed out so I received a text from her saying she was going to drive 50 miles around to the other end. Luckily she made it because I was out of food. Some of the people hiking around me today were Sleep Walker, Garden Girl, Star Fall, and Walking Stick. When I came out on the Forrest Service road my sister was already doing trail magic for some SOBO's. They said it was the best trail magic they had ever had - way to go Becca!!!I took Rufus (my sister's dog) and hiked another two miles. He really seemed to enjoy the trail, was very well behaved, and tolerated his pack well. We are staying in Manchester Center, VT tonight.
Date: 2013-08-13
From: Stratton-Arlington Rd

To: Stratton-Arlington Rd, 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

It was pouring down rain this morning and the forecast was for more rain. I didn't want to zero but I was concerned about going up to 4,000 ft in the rain. Also, my hip was still hurting from yesterday's fall. The plan is to meet Open and Flair at the trailhead and my sister will slack us 17 miles. There are no getting off points so once we commit we will have to go the entire way. We began the hour long drive to the trailhead in a driving rain. As we worked our way up into the mountains the rain began to lessen and I found myself thinking this isn't so bad, I can hike in this. By time we reached the trailhead it was again a heavy downpour. After a brief discussion Open and Flair we agreed to zero today and we'll slack the 17 miles today. This was perfect for me to get some errands done around town, hang out with my sister, and give my hip a chance to rest. We are in Manchester Center, VT which is a very cute town that caters to hikers and skiers.
Date: 2013-08-14
From: Stratton-Arlington Rd, 

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We met Open and Flair at the trailhead at 8:00. Before we even started hiking other hikers were arriving and Becca was in full blown trail magic mode. She had already given food and drinks to hikers and had agreed to slack pack 3 more hikers before we could even get on the trail . She really has a heart of gold!The trail was not terribly rocky which was a blessing since everything was wet from yesterday's rain. This would be a big day for Rufus since he has never been on the trail for this distance. Our biggest challenge of the day is our first climb over Stratton Mtn which is nearly 4,000 ft. The grade was easier than I thought it would be and we reached the summit in good time. The summit was shrouded in clouds, cold, and windy. I was glad I had my cold weather gear. Rufus was outstanding on the trail. He always checked to see where I was and he didn't wander far. This was the first day he had worn a pack for any distance and I was surprised at how well he tolerated it. SOBO hikers seemed to scare him and he would bark intensely while wagging his tail. As it turned out, Becca slack packed 15 people. Since I'm a slow hiker the majority of people passing me were being slack packed by my sister and were carrying sandwiches from her. I had no idea she was slack packing so many people and it became rather comical when every hiker was saying "Hobo, your sister gave me great trial magic and is slacking me". I began to wonder if she had rented a U-haul!It rained off and on in the afternoon. We arrived at our rendezvous point around 5:00 and Rufus immediately fell asleep. Becca continued to haul hikers until around 7:00. Other than one fall on a wet root it was a good day.
Date: 2013-08-15
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Danby-Landgrove Rd
Miles today: 17.6

Once again my trail angel sister is slack packing us. She has gained quite a reputation on the trail for her trail magic, slacking, and her willingness to shuttle hikers in and out of town. Rufus will not join us today due to some sores in this armpit from the pack straps. I will take him tomorrow on a shorter 8 mile hike in which he won't have to wear a pack. Becca said he was distressed when we walked off without him. Most of our climbs were in the early part of the hike. We started with a climb up Bromley Mountain, including hiking up one of the ski slopes. It was odd being at the top of a chair lift with no snow. Next we climbed up Styles Peak, followed by Peru Peak, and then topped it off with Baker Peak. The hike today was more strenuous than yesterday. Baker Peak was especially steep and rocky. In addition to hiking with Open and Flair, I hiked with Pressure D and Bear Witness (a retired cop turned minister from Charlotte, NC) - both of whom are closer to my age. Bear Witness said he was being slack packed by Becca and since he didn't have a day pack she gave him one that she had. He raved about how great she was. Pressure D and I talked about how hard it was being away from our wives. His wife may try to hike with him some and he's very excited about the possibility of that happening. Pressure D had a fall today and skinned his arm on a rock so I gave him one of my large band aides. A SOBO hiker named Gospel told me that some of the church members of the Episcopal Church in Killington, VT had been following my journal. I don't know the name of the church but wanted to give a shout out to you. Hopefully it will work out that I can stop by. If any of you are reading this please enter in my guestbook who I should contact. I can't promise that it will work out but I'd like to try to stop in. Near the end of the hike we ran into Commissary who was celebrating his 32nd birthday on the trail and had packed in beers which he kindly shared. I was glad the trail was in good condition because I was feeling pretty good after just one beer. Snot Rocket caught up with us and told us that Becca was slacking him and Splash. We chatted the rest of the way to the rendezvous point. After dropping Open and Flair off at the hostel we went back to the hotel that has been our base of operations this week.
Date: 2013-08-16
From: Danby-Landgrove Rd

To: Clarendon Shelter campsite
Miles today: 15.8

We got a late start by the time we had packed up the hotel room and found Rufus after he ran away. We didn't get on the trail until 9:30. Becca can only slack pack us 8 miles before she has to leave. We get to take Rufus with us for those 8 miles. He seems to love to be on the trail. We passed several ponds and he took full advantage of the opportunity to swim. For the first 8 miles I hiked with Open, Flair, Pressure D, and Camel. Camel is a retired ER physician from Cincinnati. To Chaco's mom - I did meet her on the trail. She seems like a very nice young woman and is doing just fine. Thanks for your note in my guestbook. After 8 miles I found a note on a tree addressed to Hobo, Open, Flair, and Rufus telling us where to meet Becca for some wonderful trail magic. Once again she out did herself   There's a lot of talk on the trail about Hobo's sister. We indulged ourselves for nearly and hour and a half. It was sad to see Becca go. I feel so fortunate to have the kind of support that I do from my family. THANK YOU Becca!!!Immediately after Becca's trail magic we had to climb Bear Mountain. I mainly hiked the afternoon with Pressure D. The final mile into the shelter was some of the steepest trail I've hiked in a long time. Other hikers had a fire going at the shelter so I was able to roast some hot dogs for dinner. They are so yummy cooked over a fire!!
Date: 2013-08-17
From: Clarendon Shelter campsite

To: Church of Our Saviour at Mission Farm, Killington
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow - what a day this would turn out to be!Pressure D met his brother-in-law at the shelter last night and they left camp early. I left before Open and Flair. The initial climb was steep but short. After a few hours of hiking I came to a detour sign due to damage from Irene two years ago. I have been surprised at the damage that is still evident from Irene (see pics). The storm was a devastating blow to such a small state and they are still rebuilding bridges and roads. We had heard from some SOBO's that you don't have to take the detour but a local suggested we do. It was nearly 2 miles of road walking but there was little traffic and we passed by cute farm houses. At the end of the detour we had less than 500 miles to go so we stopped for pictures. We began our climb over Killington Mountain. Open and Flair soon left me behind and I was surprised how difficult it was to climb above 4,000 ft again. I had hoped my this time that I'd be able to fly up mountains like this. At the top I called Anne from the Episcopal Church in Killington. She had been following my journal and had sent word to me through a SOBO that I was welcome to stay there. I still had over 6 miles to hike before I reached the road crossing where she would pick me up. It had been a long hard day and I was happy when I saw a tiny woman at the trailhead who had a big smile and warmly introduced herself as Anne. Nothing could have prepared me for the knowledgable hospitality, kindness, and fellowship that I was about to experience. Anne stopped to get some things for dinner on the way to the church and graciously bought me an orange juice. When we arrived at the church I met Lee, the pastor and Anne's partner. They showed me around the historic church and Lee reassured me it was perfectly fine to sleep anywhere I wanted including the carpeted platform for the alter. She is proud of the church's rich history of taking in wayfarers and wants to continue that tradition. After I was settled they invited me into their home for a shower and a delicious steak dinner with locally grown vegetables. What more could a hiker want?!?We talked and talked until nearly 11:00 pm. It was long past my bedtime but after spending most of the day alone I was enjoying the warmth of new friendships and the comfort of being with such wonderful people. Anne had been working on stripping and repainting the front doors of the church. I wish I had more time because I'd really like to stay for several days and help her refinish the doors. Before I left their house, Anne and Lee invited me to join them for breakfast and told me to bring my dirty laundry to wash. I have never been in an empty church in which I felt free to roam around. It was an interesting experience and one that I will always treasure. I lit a prayer candle before I went to bed.
Date: 2013-08-18
From: Church of Our Saviour at Mission Farm, Killington

To: The Inn at Long Trail, Killington, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I walked across the road to Anne and Lee's home about 8:00 and we had fresh fruit and toast while we started my laundry. The conversation picked up where we had left off last night. We put my clothes in the dryer and walked across the road for the worship service. I only had shorts, a long sleeve T-shirt, a down coat, and croc's to wear. It didn't matter - Lee, Anne, and the entire congregation made me feel welcome. Anita arrived shortly after the service started. Lee introduced me as someone who had walked 1,700 miles to attend church Anita and I stayed for the delightful social hour and then went to lunch. We spent the rest of the day together. I was sad to leave the church but I am so happy to be with Anita again!!!If any other thru hikers are reading this you are welcome to contact Anne to see if they are able to accommodate hikers. They are not in the guidebooks but they enjoy having hikers when they can. Anne's cell phone number is: 802-353-1182.
Date: 2013-08-19
From: The Inn at Long Trail, Killington, VT

To: The Lookout Cabin
Miles today: 17.3

Today was a good day but I won't write much because I got stung by something and I've taken a Benadryl so I'm very sleepy. It was a day of constant ups and downs. The trail was in good shape - especially the first 8 miles. Anita slack packed me and Pressure D for those first 8 miles and met us with sandwiches. Pressure D commented about how obvious it was that she is behind me all the way. I am a lucky man!!!Pressure D and I hiked together all day. We passed some pretty scenery including a waterfall and a pond. We also had a major climb up Quimby Mountain. Tonight we are staying at an empty cabin called The Lookout. It's privately owned but available for hiker use.
Date: 2013-08-20
From: The Lookout Cabin

To: Thistle Hill Shelter campsite
Miles today: 14.2

I packed up for awhile and then climbed the stairs to the platform on the cabin roof to watch the sun come up. It was a gorgeous sunrise over the rolling mountains of Vermont. The profile for today's hike looks like a sawtooth. It was as difficult as it looked with steep but short climbs, one after another all day long. Thankfully the trail was not very rocky or rooty. I could tell it was a hard day because for the first time in a long time I had leg cramps I hiked all day with Pressure D. We saw many SOBO's and section hikers but the only NOBO thru hiker we saw was Tang. At VT 12 we could see a farm stand so we walked up there and had snacks of blueberry muffins, molasses cookies, milk, and ice cream. Later in the hike we walked 0.2 mile to a market but it was closedTomorrow we should make it to New Hampshire - yeah!
Date: 2013-08-22
From: Hanover, NH

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.9

At dinner last night we asked Graybeard and Short &Sweet how they got into hosting hikers. They hosted somewhere around 160 hikers last year and around 129 so far this year. Their son thru hiked in 2007 and developed a severe foot infection in NC. Some section hikers gave him a ride to a clinic and then housed and fed him for a week while his foot healed. They wanted to repay the section hikers somehow and when they contacted them, the section hikers said to please just pay it forward with other hikers. Ever since then they have been hosting hikers in their home. I didn't sleep great because Ranger Rick snored and talked in his sleep and I was sleeping right next to him. We were ready to go by 7:00 and Graybeard dropped us off in town on his way to work. Pressure D, Whirled Peas, and I met for breakfast. The restaurant gives hikers a free donut. There is also a pizza place gives hikers a free slice of pizza. I love hiker friendly towns!Somehow I lost a sock in the wash and was hoping to get a new pair in Hanover but the stores weren't open yet. Pressure D and I headed over to the athletic building still in quest of his daughter's picture. We met with the softball coach who could not have been warmer. She was intrigued by our journey and was going to put our pictures on the Dartmouth athletics Facebook page. With her help Pressure D was able to get the picture emailed to him. We went to the grocery store and as we were leaving there we ran into Son Driven who had flip flopped and was now heading south. He seemed to be doing well and it was good to see him. We didn't see many hikers today but a few SOBO's said there wasn't any water at the shelter where we were planning to stop. It was a warm day and our late start put us hiking in the warmest part of the day. Unfortunately the steepest and longest climb was the very last one when we were carrying extra water. I decided to stay in the shelter tonight and it was a good decision since it is now pouring rain. The other people here tonight are Pressure D, Hipsy Gypsy, Oak, Walking Stick, and Jay Hawk. Whirled Peas decided to stop several miles back.
Date: 2013-08-23
From: Moose Mountain Shelter

To: Smarts Mountain campsite
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

Today was a mixture of hard climbs and lingering longer than I should have. The climbs were over Holt's Ledge and Smarts Mountain. Holts's ledge was a climb of over 1,000 ft and the trail followed a cliff on top. Smarts Mountain was a climb of about 2,500 ft and was so steep in some places there were metal bars installed in the rocks. The last 500 ft was a climb of 100ft every tenth of a mile. To make matters worse I carried 3 liters of water since its scarce in this section. Between the two climbs I stopped at Bill "Ice Cream Man" Ackerly's house. Bill is 85 years old and a retired psychiatrist from Cambridge, MA. His son's thru hiked when they were 15 and 17 years old and Bill wanted to do something to help hikers. He gives everyone a free ice cream and you can buy sodas for 50 cents. He also allows people to tent in his yard. He loves to play croquet and is a very entertaining person to talk to. Cub and Thunder Foot were there and I haven't seen them in months. Pressure D, Hipsy Gypsy, Oak, and Walking Stick were also there. We played a round of croquet and I thought I was going to fall over laughing at Walking Stick trying to figure out how to play. A group of 11 hikers from a Harvard outdoor club arrived just as I was leaving. Pressure D also stayed to meet his wife and they will camp there. I'm camped on top of Smarts Mountain (3,237 ft). It's windy and cool enough that I have on long pants and my down jacket. It should be a good night for sleeping.