morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-08-07
From: Rockwell Rd

To: Country Rd, Powerline
Miles today: 14.5

We have a short day tomorrow, then a 22-mile day after that, so we won¢t have to tent it after all. I am happy about that. Very happy. The hike up to Mt. Greylock today wasn't so bad. At the top is a war memorial. It's really a cool looking tower and beautiful views. There were a lot of windmills dotting the surrounding mountain tops. There's also a lodge at the top where I had a strawberry muffin and tea before hiking the descent. Saw lots of hikers here. Had perfect weather today and feeling the coolness in the air that will be with me as I get farther north. Crossed into Vermont today and was quickly introduced to Ver-mud, as the state is known on the AT. A very quiet day today. No crazy stuff. We stopped at Walmart for groceries at the end of the day, then ate at the dairy bar across the street. Their specialty was fried fish but I had a hamburger, sweet potato fries, and a chocolate ice cream cone.
Date: 2015-08-08
From: Country Rd, Powerline

To: VT 9, Bennington, VA
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today¢s hike was short. Not much scenery today. The trail was very overgrown and the planks over the swampy areas were in bad need of repair. The last mile was a steep rocky downhill testing my knee brakes which were beginning to smoke a little until I pulled over for a minute to let them cool! We stopped in the town of Manchester, VT, for wood-fired pizza on the way to the campground. The town reminds me of Long Grove Village in IL. The homes have all been turned into upscale outlet shops. Mudder suggested Advil and I could get matching Coach back packs. I really need to get this hike done. Mike is now taking a picture of me to the gatherings I'm missing and giving me a "seat". Sweet or sad? He ran into a neighbor from across the street at the grocery store who asked if I've been out of town, because he hadn't seen me in a while. Folks, I've been gone four and a half months! But knowing my husband misses me is good! I miss him, too.
Date: 2015-08-09
From: VT 9, Bennington, VA

To: USFS 71
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

The days are getting cooler. Today was perfect for hiking. Met a hiker named Nose Flute today and he plays a nose flute. He played ¢Anchors Aweigh¢ from the US Nasal Academy and about ten other songs with ¢nose¢ in the lyrics. Saw Hollywood, too. The last time I saw her was when I fell off the trail into the stinging nettles back in May in Virginia. I finally climbed a fire tower today. I saw a guy up in one and he said the view was ¢f-ing awesome!¢ Hiked through Glastenbury Wilderness area in the Green Mountain National Forest and the trail was overgrown and had lots of rocks and roots.
Date: 2015-08-10
From: USFS 71

To: VT 11 & 30
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: clear sky

I was very happy to finish before 6pm today. And beat Mudder to the trailhead. We stopped at an outfitter in Manchester Center, VT. I replaced the valve on my CamelBak and bought a bite valve cover. Mike sent me 4 more bite valves and I lost one already. Hoping the cover will keep me from losing another one. I've lost 5 on this hike already. Highlight for today was FaceTime with my friends at home who got together for a birthday pool party. It was so nice to see you all!
Date: 2015-08-11
From: VT 11 & 30

To: Danby-Landgrove Rd
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: moderate rain

Rain, rain, rain for the first 10 miles. Hiked up Bromley Mountain ski slope and ducked into the warming hut at the top. It was full of hikers who spent the night there and they didn't look like they were going anywhere, content to spend the day inside. I stopped at the Peru Peak Shelter for lunch and it too was full of hikers in their sleeping bags, three of them nestled around an iPhone watching what sounded like the Simpsons. Well, Bee Man, you were right, if we wait for the rain to come or go, we won't get anything done! It was cool after lunch and I added a layer under my raincoat but it came off in a mile when the rain stopped. Haulin¢ Oats caught up to me later in the day. I haven't seen her in a long time. We hiked together for a while and she told me she has a stress fracture in her foot. I am amazed that she continues to hike, but she is determined to finish.
Date: 2015-08-12
From: Danby-Landgrove Rd

To: Cold River Rd / Lower Rd
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I¢ve hiked more than 1,500 miles! There was a neat cairn ¢garden¢ on the trail today. Check out all the photos! (Like sunshine on my face, your friendship is God¢s way of brightening my day. -thanks, Nancy)
Date: 2015-08-13
From: Cold River Rd / Lower Rd

To: River Rd
Miles today: 19.1

Hit the 500 miles left to go mark! Seems like just yesterday I hit the 500 miles done mark in Grayson Highlands with the wild ponies. Stopped at the Governor Clement shelter and signed the logbook. Each shelter has a notebook for hikers to sign. This is a way to see who's ahead of you. Hikers write poems, musings, feelings, complaints, song lyrics, messages to those coming from behind, and some fanciful artwork. They¢re fun to read when I take the time. Was at the Cooper Lodge Shelter for a lunch stop. It was at 3,900 ft. elevation and is the highest point in VT. Met a hiker named Fireball who finished the AT eight days ago. He then shuttled back to Manchester, VT, and is now doing the Long Trail. Which is 700+ miles to Canada. Crazy! He gave us some tips about hiking in NH. Today was cool and dry. Walked through Gifford Woods State Park, which was full of campers. Then hiked past Kent Pond and the Mountain Meadow Lodge. Saw City Kick and Haulin Oats. Camper moved today so it was a long drive back to it after a very, very long wait for dinner at a little pizza pasta mom and pop roadside restaurant that we stopped at for dinner. I was so tired today and have to try to get more sleep. The hikes are going to start getting harder which means less mileage and earlier starts. Fireball said NH hiking is like the Smokeys (high elevation) and PA (rocks) had a baby. I'm ready for this! I want to give a special HUGE thank you to my Ultimate Hike hiker friend who made a very generous donation to my CureSearch for Children¢s Cancer fundraising efforts. Thank you, Nicole! I am getting closer to the end of my hike and closer to my fundraising goal, which is helping to reach the goal of kicking children¢s cancer in the butt! See link at left to make a donation.
Date: 2015-08-14
From: River Rd

To: Woodstock Stage Rd, Barnard Brook
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Sailed up and down the trail today. Meeting so many SOBO hikers now. Met Rockfish from Detroit who is a Triple Crowner plus the Long Trail and others. Advil asked if he was a professional hiker and he said no, he's just a bum! I've met many guys on the trail throughout this adventure that choose the trail as their life's passion. I would love to talk more to them but we have miles to do and only so many hours of daylight to hike! I have enjoyed night hiking with GetHiking, my hiking group at home, but so far haven't done any on the trail...and don't really want to! Some hikers like to stop at shelters midday and nap, then wake up and hike into the night because of the heat but we haven't experienced much really hot weather. And it¢s hard enough waking up once a day to hike, can't imagine how hard it would be to motivate myself after a short nap! I'd have to change my trail name to Grumpy. We stopped at a lookout tower on top of a cabin for a beautiful view of Vermont. Earlier in the day I hit my shin bone going over a log. I call them shin whackers and both my shins were healing nicely when I hit one again today. Happens when I get to moving too fast. Then when I was climbing the lookout tower I whacked it in the same bloody place giving myself a goose egg. Advil was already at the top and saw me stopped leaning into the ladder and saying some choice words and told me if I was too afraid, to climb back down! I thought it was funny, because if I'm afraid now I better go home. I've got NH to climb, very soon. Bring it on! (Slow and easy please). One more sight to share today was a hiker, older than me (yes, they're out here), who was carrying the biggest pack I have ever seen. It came down to his knees and looked like it had a special waist belt/harness. I asked what he had in it and he said a little sewing kit and some tape in case he needs it and about three pounds of food. No tent, just a tarp because he sleeps in the shelters, and no sleeping bag, but he's having one sent to him now that it¢s getting cold at night. Geez, I carry three pounds of food in my pockets. I wish I had taken a picture. He said it weighed 50 lbs. He couldn't stand up straight but was hiking pretty fast. Advil saw him after me and he told her he was hoping to find a wife on the trail and asked if she had a husband. I would have to see what was in his pack before any courting began. But then I have a husband. Miss you, Mike!
Date: 2015-08-16
From: Main St, Norwich, VT

To: Lyme-Dorchester Rd
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Humid today but a good hiking day. It's always fun to hike through town. Today I hiked through Hanover, the home of Dartmouth. Stopped at a local coffee shop and got a bagel to go. Got to Goose Pond Rd and a couple of trail angels were cooking up hot dogs for the hikers. Then later I got to meet the ice cream man, Bill Ackerly. He gives free ice cream bars, lets hikers tent in his yard, and has a croquet set all set up and ready to play. A man was sitting at a picnic table playing a banjo. I still had 2 miles to hike so I stayed just long enough to eat an ice cream bar and sign Bill¢s guest journal, which is mandatory if you want ice cream. Thank you to the trail angels today!! Then saw boomerang from the Doyle Expedition, so they're just a day ahead of us now. Homemade pierogies, ham, broccoli, and cauliflower for dinner.
Date: 2015-08-17
From: Lyme-Dorchester Rd

To: Lake Tarleton Rd, NH 25C
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Big climbs today paid off with some great views. Long day. Going to be pushing hard to finish before dark. (Charles Dickens walks into a bar and orders a martini. The bartender asks, ¢Olive or twist?¢ -thanks, Nancy)
Date: 2015-08-20
From: Franconia Notch

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 13.0

We are in the Whites doing what I think are called the Presidentials. Starting at Franconia Notch we climbed Little Haystack, Lincoln, Lafayette, and Garfield. There were so many day hikers out on this section. Lots of families with kids on the trail. It was a gorgeous day with spectacular views. Spending the night at Galehead Hut tonight. The AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) runs the hut system in the White Mountains. There¢s a string of 8 huts across the Whites along the AT. You can pay for a bunk, dinner, and breakfast. Or, if the hut ¢croo¢ needs extra help, up to 2 thru-hikers can do work-for-stay by working for up to 2 hours doing kitchen clean-up or other jobs. I ran into Arrow who was working for stay at the hut. He had spent the night at Buladean in NC and that was the last time I saw him. He was hiking with a woman named Green Bay.
Date: 2015-08-21
From: Galehead Hut

To: Crawford Notch, US 302
Miles today: 14.7

This morning breakfast was at 7am and we ate quickly and hit the trail. It was cold and rainy most of the day so I skipped the viewpoints. I did stop several times to add layers, put on rain pants, removing layers as it warmed up but stayed wet most of the day. Stopped at the Zealand Falls Hut and had a bowl of soup along with the lunch I had with me. Then the last 4 or 5 miles today were FLAT! The first flat trail in a long time and I was loving the AT today! Got off at Crawford Notch and had pizza in Gorham, NH. Feeling really well considering the difficult hiking in NH. I did a full body slide into home plate again today. Going too fast in my excitement over flat terrain and tripped as I stepped onto a puncheon (bog bridge). Thankfully the bog was dry at this point and I slid across it landing in the grass, bruising the fronts of both thighs. I really try hard not to get an injury that will keep me from reaching Katahdin. But once in a great while I slip! I cannot imagine starting the AT in ME and hiking south. I would have quit and gone home! SOBOs, you are tough! It¢s so true what AT wisdom says: you earn your trail legs in the south so you can hike the Whites. I have some really hard days ahead, I know that. And I will take them slow, one step at a time.
Date: 2015-08-24
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 5.9

Met up with Caps and Goose, who¢ve finished their hike. They picked up trash along their hike. It drizzled all day. I spent a lot of time scrambling on rocks on my hands and feet today. I¢m enjoying these challenges. I¢m out of the Whites now. (Q: What did the janitor yell when he jumped out of the closet? A: ¢Supplies!¢ -thanks, Nancy)
Date: 2015-08-25
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: US 2, Gorham, NH
Miles today: 15.2

We got up and out before they served breakfast at the hut, so I ate a leftover sandwich from the day before. Spent more time today scrambling on my hands and feet. It was very wet today and I was in the clouds. The last 2 miles was flat. Hiked about 12 hours. It drizzled today, too. The trail was like a mudslide in spots. Had homemade mashed potatoes for dinner, plus a roast, peas, and ¢sticky¢ cake.
Date: 2015-08-30
From: Grafton Notch

To: East B Hill Rd
Miles today: 10.3

Started out today with a 4 mile climb from 1495 ft. to 3810 ft. elevation to the Baldpate Peaks. I love being above the tree lines with views in all directions. It was windy and clear today. I only saw two south-bounders today. I thought since it was Sunday, I would see a lot of day hikers, but I guess we are moving away from populated areas. The rest of the day was pretty much downhill. Something I noticed today was how I would be hiking through a fragrant fir or pine forest and the next minute I would be in a hardwood forest. It would change back and forth like that all afternoon. Now maybe it¢s like that every day I have elevation changes but today it really stood out. When we got to the road where we were getting picked up, two guys were giving out trail magic. Hot dogs, chips, and beer. I had two PBRs for the calories! They are former hikers - one hiked the AT in 1998 and he had a photo album of his trip that was a kick to look at. Tabasco, Van Gogh, and 4B were there, too. Van Gogh is an artist from New Zealand. He showed his pen and ink drawings that he had done on pieces of birch bark and one of the trail angels wanted to buy one, but it was one the young artist wanted to keep so he quickly drew another like it to make the sale. Mudder picked us up and we drove to a little store/diner/gas station for dinner. He also had stopped at a roadside stand and bought a blackberry pie and three homemade whoopie pies! On the way to the camper we picked up the twin hikers who were hitchhiking, saving them about a 10 mile hike out from town where they had hitched in to re-supply. Mudder picks up hitch-hikers a lot - doing his trail magic. It was a really good day and the weather tomorrow is going to be even nicer.
Date: 2015-08-31
From: East B Hill Rd

To: South Arm Rd
Miles today: 10.1

Hiked Wyman Mtn., Sawyer Notch, and Moody Mtn. today. Enjoyed listening all day to the music Chris, my brother, sent. Advil finished half an hour before me today because I spent too much time chatting with other hikers. Met Regina who was section hiking and was a ridge runner in VA this year. She had hiked the AT a few years ago. Then I saw Ganoot, who doesn't speak much English so it takes a while to converse with him. I hadn't seen him in a long time but found out the last guy he was hiking with got off the trail because of knee problems. Another day of good weather and great views.
Date: 2015-09-01
From: South Arm Rd

To: ME 17
Miles today: 13.2

Beautiful blue sky today! Hiked up and up and up for 3 miles today to Old Blue Mtn. Beautiful views. There was lots of rebar steps which help the climb. Then more gentle ups and downs to the top of Bemis Mtn. The top here was almost above tree line and I walked this smooth rocky ridge for about a mile so had great views all around. The rocks have lots of divots and crevices and they were dry so it made for easier hiking. Only grabbed the occasional tree or root to move up and down. Maine Appalachian Trail Club maintains the section I'm hiking in now and they do a fabulous job marking the trail. Met a couple yesterday named Two Bad Dogs who have hiked the PCT and told Advil the trails there were formally cattle trails so there are more switchbacks and the trails are wider. No switchbacks here, now it¢s just up or down the mountains. Advil ate quite a few blueberries today but I missed them. I understand they are quite plentiful along the trail now so I will be looking for them tomorrow. I need to get back to the camper now, the homemade peanut butter kiss cookies Mudder made after dinner tonight should be cool enough to eat now. The man cooks and bakes!
Date: 2015-09-02
From: ME 17

To: ME 4
Miles today: 13.2

Easy hike today, passing by five different large ponds. Saw Wild Boy, who I met in NY. He had stopped on the trail today and was checking with hikers to see if anyone found his tent poles. They fell off his pack sometime this morning when he left his campsite and when I saw him in town later someone had found them and left them at a pond, unsure if they belonged to a NOBO or SOBO which means Wild Boy has a 9 mile hike back to find them. Hopefully they will appear in Rangeley before morning. On the way into Rangeley we saw 4B walking along the highway away from town. We stopped and he realized he had been headed the wrong way, so we picked him up and took him into town where he had dinner with us. Mudder then dropped him off at the IGA for resupply. I think a lot of us hikers are getting tired but we need to stay focused cuz we're not done yet. It's nice to know that most hikers out here and Mudder are ready and willing to help the best they can to see each other reach Katahdin. Thank you to all who have left messages for me on TJ, emails, and voice mails. I read and appreciate each and every one of them.
Date: 2015-09-07
From: Otter Pond Rd

To: Moxie Pond south end
Miles today: 15.3

The canoe ferry across the Kennebec River is the official AT route. The local hiking club and the ATC do not want hikers to ford the river because the current is strong and unpredictable due to an upstream dam. Nevertheless, some hikers forded the river today - the river was lower than normal but still high. At some times of the year, there is no canoe ferry service in operation. At other times, it is on call, and costs $50, time and weather permitting. Other times, the ferry is free and runs two hours in the morning or two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon. The ferry was free today.
Date: 2015-09-09
From: Shirley-Blanchard Rd

To: ME 15
Miles today: 6.3

I haven't written a journal entry for a while but all is great! I'm finished with the hardest 260 miles of the AT and have had a few easy hiking days. There are so many ponds in Maine and I got to hear the loons one morning. I follow streams and waterfalls for long stretches and find great spots to take a cookie break or have lunch alongside the water. The Carrying Pond had a nice little beach and a few hikers went for a swim. After hiking the other day it was so hot that Advil and Mudder took a swim. I plunged in and out, too cold for me, but it felt good for a minute. I took the ferry across the Kennebec River, paddling a canoe for the quick trip across. Most hikers just ford the river, which is about waist high. And there are frequently streams to ford now. I loved hiking on Saddleback and The Bigelows. In Maine so far I've hiked at least four 4,000 foot mountains for some spectacular views. It's been hard to leave these views, I just want to sit and enjoy them, but there are always more miles to hike. I feel most hikers on the trail want to slow down and savor these remaining days. Today was a short hike. We went into Monson, ME, for lunch at The Lakeshore House, a hostel and restaurant. Tomorrow I start the 100-mile wilderness. The weather has been so perfect, but rain is in the forecast for a few days. Am spending today packing my full pack with food for five days. Mudder will slack us for two more days then meet us next Wed. at Abol Bridge for the final push to Katahdin.
Date: 2015-09-10
From: ME 15

To: Long Pond Stream
Miles today: 14.3

No rain today! Hopefully it will rain tonight and it will be dry again tomorrow. Trail was very muddy today. I had a great day, hiking slow and deliberate, really enjoying the silence of the Maine Woods. We had four rivers to ford today and some of them had a rope to hang on to with one hand and I used my pole in the other. The current was really swift and I know it was hard for Sue who broke her wrist on Monday and is in a cast. But she was surrounded with her Doyle group who helped her ford the waters and are helping her through the tough spots so she can finish her hike. She's one tough lady! I decided today was mushroom picture day and stopped at a few for a snapshot. They are very plentiful here and add color to the muddy trail. The smell of the woods was so sweet today and Oh said it smelled like patchouli or the smell of the earth. Met Airlock¢s husband who has come to finish the trail with her. And I also met Jeff, from Chapel Hill, who came to hike the wilderness with the Doyle expedition. This will probably be my last journal until I get out of the 100-mile wilderness in about 6 days. Check out all the photos.
Date: 2015-09-11
From: Long Pond Stream

To: Katahdin Ironworks Rd
Miles today: 15.5

Today was my second day in the 100 mile wilderness. It rained today, stopping in the afternoon, but I only took two pictures today. It was an unusual day. I caught up with the Doyles and decided to hike with them. We were hiking very, very painfully slow as one of them had a broken wrist and her group was assisting her on the extremely muddy trail. But for some reason I just felt compelled to hike at their pace even though I wasn't much help. Solidarity I guess...she is so brave, I don't think I could have hiked one handed. Advil had caught up to the group, too, and stayed with us. The day started with a climb up Barren Mtn., Fourth Mtn., Mt. Three and a Half, Third Mtn. (yep, that was their names), Columbus Mtn., and lastly, the rocky Chairback Mtn. Count them: that's six mountains! We had some some ledges, cliffs, and rock climbs thrown in there, too. Because of the foggy weather there were no views at any of the summits. I tried to get a sunset picture and just barely made it to the top of Chairback Mtn. to see the sun slip away. We all finished as a group after 10pm. That meant about two and a half hours of hiking with a headlamp. I felt like a zombie after fifteen hours of hiking. We were all exhausted and hungry. It was my first night back to tenting in a while and I didn't get to bed until midnight. Advil and I decided not to do that again, it's just too hard to hike slow! I think Warren Doyle was a little concerned because he was waiting for us and none too happy that we all came dragging in as a group, but he figured out we had all stayed together for some odd reason and strongly suggested that we do not hike like that again. No problem!