morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-08-01
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter 
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: light rain

Kid Gore Shelter18.7 miles, mile 1610.6 on the ATWell it rained pretty good last night which just made a very muddy trail intomore of a swamp. I got a nice early start in spite of the fact that my stovewas acting up and so I could not make tea. I had been thinking about the nextstretch of trail for awhile I remembered a 1000 ft drop down stone stairs, andevery time I thought about it my knees hurt. When I reached the stone stairs Ihad the added fear of falling given my recent history and everything was wet. Sometimes there is a payoff though. I reached the bottom of the hill and there at the road crossing was a Trail Angel with a truckload of trail magic. Paddy O', had been doing trail magic in New York, Conneticut, and now Vermont, for the last few weeks. He was fully stocked with drinks and snacks. He thought he had taken care of about 150 hikers. I spent 1.5 hours eating and talking before I dragged myself away. I zoomed up the other side of the gap fully fed, hydrated, and cafinated. A few miles on I met a guy sitting on a bridge across a stream. I did not recognize him at first, but he semed quite down. I asked him if he was thru-hiking and he said "yes" and I introduced myself. He told me his name Adam and said we had met before and than I realized that yes we had met in Virginia just before the Shenendoah's. Then he told me he was getting off the trail. He had been having foot problemsand had just gotten back on the trail after a week of rest but he was no better. He was going to hike back to the road and catch a bus back to his home in North Carolinia. Well that left me pretty bummed out. I pushed on the big feeding of trail magic lasted me till mid-afternoon. But I pushed on to Goddard Shelter which remembered to be a nice shelter, I figured I take a late lunch and than do the last four miles of the day. I was glad I had not planned to spend the night there as a Boy Scout group was there. Although, it was interesting, there were a couple of girls with the scouts and I asked the leaders and they told me that Scouts now has a coed group for older kids that does more outdoor adventure programing. Things have definitly changed since I was a Scout. Well the day ended on a high note. I pulled into the shelter and there was a whole group of thru-hikers; Rael, Polar, Pilot, Papa Bear, and Badger. I had last seen Papa Bear and Badger in Tennesee, the first week of May in the last snow I saw this year. So there was plenty of chatting and catching up all around.
Date: 2004-08-02
From: Kid Gore Shelter 

To: Whinhill River
Miles today: 17.1

Whinhill River17.1 miles, mile 1627.7 on ATA perfect weather day, not to hot, dry and clear. I slept in a bit and was thelast one out of camp. I hiked with Rael for awhile. We passed some beautifulbeaver ponds in the morning. By mid morning I was out on my own. Today was aday that really reminded me of my Long Trail trip, going over the same groundwith the same lighting of a clear day. I don't know why but I like to attackuphills and going up Straton Mountain is one of the better uphills we have faced in sometime. Part of my incentive was to get to Straton Pond on the far side of the mountain where I planned to take a break and swim. I made it up just ahead of Papa Bear and Badger we chatted with a caretaker for a bit, got the word on who was how far ahead, and than headed up the fire tower. The idea for both the AT and LT was supposedly hatched on top of this fire tower. The sky was clear with a few patchy clouds one could see a good 50 miles in some directions. The views of the mountains valleys and lakes are spectacular the only clear signs of civilization being some nearby ski resorts. Well the views put me in a wonderful mood. I hurried down the mountain to the pond. I had a wonderful swim and felt clean again than I laid down for a nap. The rest of the crew from last night was planning on staying at the pond for the night but tomorrow is a town day and I wanted to get closer so I could think about catching breakfast in town. Besides, I am going to meet mybrother Dave and he's going to hike with me for a few days. So got up from mynap thinking would be renewed but I soon was feeling exhausted. I made it tothis river which is a beautiful spot and decided I would go no further. Ninemmiles to breakfast tomorow but as I have said before real coffee is a bigmotivator for me.
Date: 2004-08-03
From: Whinhill River

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: clear sky

Manchester Center, VT8.6 miles, mile 1636.3 on ATI woke up once in the midle of the night and it seemed like someone had put on a spot light it was so bright. I sat up and looked out to see a perfectly clear sky and a huge full moon lightening up everything. I keep thinking about doing a night hike by full moon, but I am always so tired, and tonight was no different.I knew my running out of steam yesterday evening was going to effect my gettingbreakfast. I woke and got going as fast as I could. I would be meting Dave at1:00 PM and it would be nice to get some chores done. So I was moving as fastas could. One problem with being the first one through a section of trail inthe mornig is that you litterally, clean out all the cobwebs. It seems thatspiders spend the whole night spinning webs across the trail and my face andbody were colecting them all. After about five miles I saw two SOBO'sapproaching, the woman who was in front was holding a multi branched twig infront of her. When she saw me she excitedly called out " a northbounder...soyou have clean the trail of cobwebs south of here!". I met a few day hikers but did not chat much and made the road by 11:00. I stuck out my thumb and within a few minutes fgot a ride down to town below. The guy dropped me right off at the laudry which was right next to a coffee shop. I finished laundry and walked across the street where was supposed to meet Dave and there he was. It so nice when a plan actualy works. Since I had only coffee and a doughnut, the first order of buisness was to eat real food. I swallowed a13 inch pizza, which I think scarred Dave a bit. We spent the rest of the daygetting him outfitted for the hike and me a shower. We arranged to stay at ahostel in town and had dinner with Rael, Badger, and Papa Bear. This was a good and gentel entry into thru-hiker culture.
Date: 2004-08-04
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Peru Peak Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: broken clouds

Peru Peak Shelter10.1 miles, miles 1646.4 on ATWell we stared off well got all packed up and out of the hostel in good time. I could not turn down an oppurtunity at a hearty breakfast so we stopped at aplace annd I ate my usual, 2 eggs, bacon, saussage, toast, potatos, and 2pancakes. We picked up some more food and headed, in Dave's car, for the trail. As soon as we got out of the car I was missing somthing essential, my trailguide. I remembered having it at the breakfast place so we drove back down tothe valley. When I checked the restaurant no one had seen it. We checked theonly other two places we had stopped and again no sign of he book. We went back and checked the parking lots in case it had fallen out of my pocket geting in or out of the car, but still no luck. By this time it was getting towards 10:00 AM. There had been a couple of items that Dave had thought about getting at the outfitters but since they did not open till 10:00 we had decided to due without. Now it appeared we would have to wait any way to get a new trail guide. So we waited in front of the main outfitter in town for the doors to open. When they finally opened they had neither of the two items we sought. Our last hope was to check out the other outfitter in town. As we turn the corner in the busiest intersetion in this town Dave criedout "There it is." I looked were he was poiting and there on the road in themiddle of the interestion being run over by cars as I watched, was my guidebook. Well we had clearly turned some corner,things were looking up. The secondoutfitter had exactly what Dave wanted and we headed back for the trail with anewly inproved outlook. Dave did well starting out and we made it up Bromley Mountain in good time.There is a nice observation deck at the top of the mountain and while it was not quite as spectacular as Stratton Mtn it was well worth it. There were a few slips and tumbles as Dave began the process of gettig trail legs, as he said "..it's like learning to walk all over again." I was pretty proud of Dave we made the 1500 ft climb over Bromley and another 800ft climb over Styles Peak and we made it into the shelter in good time. The place was almost packed with SOBO's a pack travelling together called the "Dysfunctional Family". Well maybe we shoot for a bit more miles tomorrow if Dave contines to do well.
Date: 2004-08-05
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

Greenwall Shelter14.5 miles, mile 1660.9 on ATWell I feared it was going to rain today but it held off. I woke early and Dave and I had a leisurly morning eatting a long large meal, and did not get going until 8:00 AM. It was a nice day of some gentel ups and downs. We had a nice long lunch on a big rock in the middle of a large stream. Dave moved well and we covered a good many miles. At White Rock Clifts there is this interesting collection of rock sculptures, or cairns. I don't know how it started but the number has expanded from what I saw two years ago. When I hiked this route before I never went out to the clifts. I sent Dave ahead to check them out while I ate more food. Dave called out that it was worth coming down and so I left my pack and scampered down. The view was definitly worth it standing on these clifts there was this wonderful panorama up and down the valley. It was getting late so we headed back to the trail. Just as we got back to the main trail, I heard people coming up the trail. There was Jack and Roberta. I don't think that I had seen them since North Carolinia. They live in Conneticut and had skipped up to New Hampshire and werehiking back south to CT. This was great as they knew where everybody ahead wasand also had word on folks behind. We ended up talking for quite awhile and itwas begining to get dark so Dave and I made a dash for the shelter. As we gotin the clouds which had been around al day blew out and the temperature dropped. The weather had called for it dropping into the 40's, and very quickly it was approaching that. Big Rock and Little Rock, father and son section hikers were already bundled in their sleeping bags. Not long after we settled in "Two Cents" a NOBO showed up and just as I was getting ready to get in my back I saw a light comming down the trail and "millipied" arrived to fill the last empty spot in the shelter.white rocks, cairns, view jack and roberta, 2 cents big rock millepied
Date: 2004-08-06
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: Along Robbinson Brook
Miles today: 13.5

Along Robbinson Brook 13.5 miles, mile 1674.4 milesWell it was pretty brisk this morning, but the sun was shining so not to bad astart once we got moving. There was one good climb to make and than down hillto food. The Whistle Stop Cafe is a favorite of mine. I first came across this place during my cross country bicycle ride. Than again when I hiked through here on the Long Trail. I had been looking forward to it for a number of days. I was happy to bring Dave there and to get real food myself. We ended hanging out there for a couple of hours eatting. Finally, we dragged ourselves away and back into the woods. Dave's feet were starting to be a problem. He had gone farther than I expected yesterday, but it took it's toll. Given that we had been moving faster than I expected I suggested we try to make it to The Inn at The Long Trail. We called from the Wistle Stop and made a reservation. I had heard rumor of a secret shelter one on private land that was supposed to be nice. I was not sure where the place was. We ran into rain befor long and puled into a shelter which was still five milesshort of our goal. The rain passed and we moved on. Befor long we were passed by a crew, Critter, Catapillar, and High Octane. I had not seen High Octane since Trail Days in Southern Virginia. We caught up for a bit but we were all racing the setting sun. i was sort of bummed out when we came upon a stream which I had remembered for it's trail magic. There is a little cage in the stream that had held sodas. Unfortunately, the cage was empty. That is the issue with trail magic it appears when you don't expect it and it diappears when you do expect it. It was starting to get late and I was trying to decide whether to just tent it or push for the secret shelter but we pushed on. We got to the road where I expected to see some notice for the secret shelter, there was none. Now I was just looking for a tenting spot after a bit of flailing about in near darkness and found a good spot. It was was nice in a way to have one night of tenting with Dave, as he had been carrying the tent on his back. It was cold and late by the time we settled in for the night.
Date: 2004-08-07
From: Along Robbinson Brook

To: Inn at The Long Trail
Miles today: 13.6

Inn at The Long Trail 13.6 miles, Mile 1688.0 on ATIt really is to early in the year to be this cold. No frost but it felt like it could at least tents are warmer than being in a shelter. We got going andwithin 20 minutes we came upon another road and a sign for the secret shelterwith the instructions on how to get there. There was a young guy comming downthe trail and he said that the place was nice. The people who set it upprovided drinks and beer. Well no use crying over spilled milk. We had toclimb up Killington Peak over 2,300 feet to climb and a good bit of work it is. Close to the top I was passed by Willi Wallace, a young Scotsman, who I had not seen since back in Georgia. It is great to see all the faces from early on on the trail. We made it to Killington, there is a side trail to the peak a steep climb up the last 300 ft. As we reached the top it started to rain and there was no view. We harried back down now cold and wet. Dave's feet were really starting to hurt him so we decided that he would take a shortcut dwn to the Inn and I would continue on the AT and meet him at thebar. once we split up I kicked into overdrive. I pretty much ran down themountain. As I crossed the highway and was back on the trail I ran into a young woman who had take A wrong turn. She was headed back to where the Inn was so we walked together. She was going off to college in another month and we had a wonderful and wide ranging discusion. It was fun to listen to and be reminded of the idealism and wealth of possibility, of someone about to head off to college. Well Dave was already in place at the bar and I have to say they pour a decent Guiness at the pub. Time to wash do laundry, eat, eat and eat more and have a few beers. About the time two guys started to play some Irish music up on stage, I hit the wall and retired to my room and drifted off pretty quickly.
Date: 2004-08-08
From: Inn at The Long Trail

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

Stoney Brook Shelter 8.1 miles, mile 1696.1 on the ATWell it was nice to sleep in and breakfast was included in the bill, so now Iwas fed and rested. We packed up and got going late. Dave walked with me for acouple of miles. We walked thru a state park and I decided to get a soda at the park office. We started chatting with some of the workers and they weregathering for lunch. It was very nice they offered Dave and I a slice and than we walked down to the road. Dave would hitch back to his car from there. It had been great to hike with him and perhaops he may come and join me with Tim on the hike up Katadhin. Before I headed into the woods again Dave had his first ride I hope he made back to his car in good time. There was a nice walk along a beautiful pond and than another of these big climbs. I again saw several SOBS but was not passed by any NOBO's. There are several folks I would like to try to catch up to. It again rained in the late afternoon and so I was unmotivated to push further today. Quite an animated group of south bound secton hikers here tonight. Well need to rest as I think I wil try 21 miles tomorow and see who I can catch up with.
Date: 2004-08-09
From: Stoney Brook Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

Thistle Hill Shelter 21.5 miles, mile 1717.6 on ATWell a beautiful if long day. I started out going up a good size hill and thetop was covered with a beautiful stand of White Birch, which was even morebrilliant in the morning light of a clear day. Things got even better when Igot to Lookouut Shelter. I wish I had pushed on yesterday although I am not sure I could have made it far enough. The shelter is actually a private cabin, but the owners let hikers use the place. On top of the cabbin they have built a deck. It was a crystal clear morning, the Green Mountains were splayed out to the west and to the east the White Mountains were in clear view. I could have just sat there all day, but I wanted to get to town tomorow so I would have to make time. One thing about the AT. In general we move in a North/South direction, But every once in awhile we make one of these East/West moves. When this happens there is a lot of going up and down. Today was not as bad as when we did this in Virginia but still plenty of climbing up to ridges than straight down intovalleys and back up again. At least it was a beautifully clear day, warm without feeling to hot. I had passed a few SOBOs through the day. As I was going down one ridge, I saw a familiar face. I had met Sarge in the Smokies and than again at Trail Days. He is an older black guy who did his Thru-hike and now comes out and hikes 1,000 miles every year, usually the first 500 in the South and than a chunk in the North. We chatted for a bit and took each others pictures. I was making good time and there was a small town only 1.5 miles off the trail up ahead. There was a small general store in the town and so when I hit the road I headed for food. I got a qick hitch and ordered the largest sandwich they had inhalered it and was back on the trail in an hour. Probably not the best for one's digestion but it felt good. A couple of more ups and downs to do and I was done. On one little hill there was a wonderful view loking back east to the Greens. Than there was this very beautiful walk down an old woods road. On each side was an old overgrown stone fence. The sun was heading down and the evening light was filtering through the trees. It was a wonderful scene and made me think of Robert Frost's poetry. Well I finaly hit the shelter right befor dark and found myself alone. I don'tthink I have been alone in a shelter on the whole trip that I can remember. Well tomorrow civilization again woods road walk in evenig light like frost, all alne in shelter on to Hanover
Date: 2004-08-10
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover, New Hampshire
Miles today: 14.6

Hanover, New Hampshire 14.6 miles, mile 1732.2 on ATAnother nice day with sunshine. I zoomed prety fast towards Hanover. the trail went right by a little greasy spoon and I had a big breakfast and coffee which gave me the energy to make it over the last few hills. On the last hill there was even some trail magic, a cooler filed with cold sodas. There was a long road walk into Hanover. I past right by a spot where I had hitch-hiked from one my way home from my Long Trail hike two years ago. I remember than watching a few thru-hikers walk by than and remember wondering if I would ever be in their position. You cross over the Conneticut River and say goodbye to Vermount as you come into Hanover. As i crossed the river I wondered about Banana who I had hiked with for several days early on, as she was a student at Dartmouth. I wondered if she was still on the trail. Well there was plenty to do on getting into town. Most importantly this is where I was picking up my cold weather gear for the White Mountains, where it can snow any month of the year. I ran into several thru-hikers at the post office, and even got interviewed by a local reporter who was doing a story on thru-hikers. Next I made a resevation in a motel for the next couple nights as I had already decided to take tomorow as a zero, although I am not sure why. I even had time to check e-mail at the public library. I had recieved a mesage through Trailjournals from Banana, with her number and to look her up when I hit Hanover as she had gotten off the trail a month before.At the motel I met Tree Frog who I had not seen since Central Virginia.I ended up having diner with Bonnie, Tree Frog, and Palm Tree, and as we werefinishing I saw Ponderer who I had not seen snce before my accident. After muchchattering I crashed for the night comfortable in knowing that tomorrow I amtaking a zero day.
Date: 2004-08-11
From: Hanover, New Hampshire

To: Hanover, New Hampshire
Miles today: 0.0

Hanover, New Hampshire0 milesA prety uneventfull zero day. walked around doing errands. Went to threedifferent jewlers trying to get my watch band fixed and they all tried for longperiods of time but each handed back to me exasperated that they could not fixit. Other than that the day was taken up by my other favorite pastime, otherthan hikig, eatting. I did get a call from Banana she is going to me me in acouple of days at a road crossing with trail magic. Always nice to have magicto look forward to.
Date: 2004-08-12
From: Hanover, New Hampshire

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well I ended getting a late startout of town but a worthwhie one. Itook the bus back into town and hadto pick up a few thngs at a store. As I got out I came out one womanasked me if I was thru-hiking and wechatted for a few minutes than a guyin the parking lot who must haveoverheard the conversation holds uphis cell phone and asks me if I wouldlike to make any calls. I thoughtthat was a good start. I had left mywatch with one jewler overnighthoping that they could fix it but tono avail. So I headed out of town. I was not in a big rush as I was onlyhad what seemed like a few miles todo. after late start broken watchverizon guy and young woman Charliezoo keper walkrain full shelter ronloud guy from CA more rain tomrrowstartu to think about thr end sorrow
Date: 2004-08-13
To: Ore Hill Shelter
Miles today: 19.3

Ore Hill Shelter19.3 miles, mile 1768.2 on ATWell it rained all day. It is always hard for me to get going into the rain. Even if it starts raining five minutes after you start is better than having tostart in the rain. But I was aiming for a big day see if I can make up ground on all those ahead of me. When it is raining you just put your head down and gothere is no reason to take in nonexistant views and there is little pleasure insitting down. There were two good climbs to get out of the way. Mt. Smarts had a few slick rocks but the rain was very light. In fact as I started up Mt. Cube the sun broke through briefly and I thought perhaps the storm was going to pass us bye. The storm was supposedly the remains of a hurricane. Well the sun disappeared as quicky as it appeared and as I approached the top of Mt. Cube the rain came pouring down and thunder and lightning arrived. One stike sounded to close for comfort and I almost dove to the ground. I spent a good part of the day thinking about finishing the trail. I am sort of morning the loss of all this freedom and control. I feel like if I had the resources I would stay at it just start hiking south or somthing. I ran into a few SOBOs along the way but I again pulled into a shelter to find myself alone. At least my pack kept everthing dry and once I got into dry clothes life felt pretty good. Tomorrow trail magic from Banana and the first climb over tree line.