morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-14
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, Massachusetts: Tom Levardi's House
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: haze

It was a day where I was never quite living in reality, if that makes sense to you. My mind was not on the same page as my body.I was up and moving at 5:30AM, but I was in no particular hurry, AYCE pancakes were due to be served at 6:30AM. I packed up my bag so that I was ready to go.Over the course of the morning I consumed five pancakes, a cup of hot chocolate, and a cup of tea. Afterwards there was a group photo taken, followed by me going for one final swim in Upper Goose Pond with Cookie and Warpaint.Cookie and I were walking north at 7:30AM. After tumbling down to I-90, which the AT crossed VIA a footbridge created for the trail, we began the 1,400 climb up to Becket Mountain, which was not all that difficult.The trail today was rough, which made it difficult to establish any sort of rythm while walking. There were many little ups and downs that came out of no where and smacked me right in the face.At 12:10 I rolled into Washington Mountain Road, where I walked 1/10th to the "Cookie Ladie's House" where I bought a coke and was given three Cookies to go along with my lunch. The flies were ferocious beasts here, so I ate quickly and moved on. Hit and Miss rolled in as we rolled out with Warpaint following suit.As I started walking I heard a rumble of thunder, which put me into high gear for the remainder of the afternoon. Once again there were ups and downs that seemingly came out of no where, but that did not stop me this time. It seems that Cookie got into what he called a "pissing contest" with Warpaint, this happens frequently with Cookie. When someone passes him, he immediately increased his speed, over takes that person, and is sure to leave that person in his dust. On normal days I don't bother trying to keep up with him, but today was different. I was being chased by a storm and Cookie was egging me on. Cookie lead the charge with Warpaint in the middle and myself pulling up the tail end of the charge.I left lunch at 1:00PM and I rolled into Dalton, Mass at 3:40PM. I walked 9.6 miles in two hours and 40 minutes. Wow.Tonight Tom Leavardi has allowed all the hikers here to crash in his living room due to the storm raging outside, which was quite nice of him. Upon my arrival he immediately gave me a coke, a fancy looking ice cream sundae, and made a pasta dinner for all the hikers. This man is incredible.I'm currently watching "The Big Lebowski" with the hikers here tonight. Fascinating.And that's the way it was.KirbyAddendum. 7/29/08: That movie would go down as one of the funnier ones I have seen. Cookie and I spent quite a bit of time over the coming days talking about different scenes from the movie.
Date: 2008-06-15
From: Dalton, Massachusetts: Tom Levardi's House

To: Wilbur Clearing Lean-To
Miles today: 20.3

I'm not one to be inclined towards participating in the art of doing nothing, but on this trip I am. I'm not one to procrastinate, but it can be an effective tool out here from time to time.I went to bed at 10:45PM last night, but I was, of course, awake at 5:45AM this morning. I had no inclination to go for a walk today, but I did anyway.After packing up, eating breakfast, saying good bye and thanks to Tom, and getting some coffee, Cookie and I were walking north at 8:00AM.The trail out of Dalton leads you up a nameless mountain. Cookie and I were feeling sluggish this morning so we took our time completing the climb. Towards the end of the ridge line walk there's a spot where you can see Cheshire, Massachusetts and Mount Greylock. This spot is called Cobble Rocks. The view reminded me that Greylock was 1,600 feet taller that my current point on the trail.When I rolled into Cheshire, which the trail goes right through, I stopped into Diane's Twist for a Pepsi and some chips to go along with my regular lunch.Afterwards it was time to climb Greylock, the tallest point in Massachusetts at 3,491 feet. The climb up was long and persistent, there were several times where I thought I might be near the top only to discover there was yet another point to ascend towards.On the summit of Greylock I was greeted by the summit tower, which had an impressive view of the surrounding terrain. This summit also marks my first time above 3,000 feet since Shenendoah National Park in northern Virginia. Cookie and I hung around the summit a bit. When we first arrived, Time Traveler and two sections were preparing to descend towards town. On the summit we were also greeted by the national meeting of the Black Flies Society.At 5:00PM we began our descent towards the lean-to. The descent was steep at times and went uphill as well.I rolled into the shelter at 6:30PM completely exhausted, 20 mile days are starting to become a lot harder. After doing some math Cookie pointed out to me that over the last seven days we walke 149 miles. That seems like a long way to me.After resupply tomorrow I shall enter the state of Vermont, the only New England state I have not been to.Another day in the books.Good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-06-16
From: Wilbur Clearing Lean-To

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

Most people don't come out here with the hope or intent of loosing their sanity. Most people come out here to discover something, anything to help them understand their lives better. I am out here to enjoy the simplistic art of putting one foot in front of the other and seeing where it leads.I had town on my mind today, but I was not walking until 6:45AM. After completing a small climb out of the shelter, I was shot down to MA route two. At this road Cookie and I walked half a mile off trail to a Super Stop and Shop for resupply and some real tasting food. After consolidating food, eating donuts and relaxing around, we were walking north once more at 11:30AM.When we left town, it was unclear how much farther we intended to go. The climb out of the road was fairly gradual and not that difficult until just north of the Sherman Brook Campsite and the bad weather trail. In our path came a steep rock scramble leading to an underwhelming view. This is also where we met Greylock, the MA ridge runner.A little later I came upon the MA/VT border, which for NOBO's is marked by a sign declaring the start of the Long Trail. The LT and AT share the same corridor for 104 miles to Maine Junction, where the two venerable trails split.I was at the junction for the Seth Warner Shelter at 2:25PM. I deemed it was to early to stop and that I had not covered enough millage to justify stopping. Onward I went with Cookie leading the way.Then it began exploding. It first started with some distant rumblings of thunder. Then it began to lightly rain, which became heavy after a little while. Then came the pebble sized hail and powerful shocks of thunder and lightening. At this point Cookie and I were practically sprinting down the trail to get to the shelter as rapidly as possible.I rolled into the shelter at 5:00PM, physically exhausted. I had not hiked that fast in a very long while.Tomorrow I shall walk 18 miles.Steady feet don't fail me now.Good night, and good luck. Kirby
Date: 2008-06-17
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Up,up,up. Down. Up,up,up,up. Down. The trail today seemed to climb a never ending hill somewhere in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Vermont has not been very friendly thus far.I slept in until 5:45AM, and was walking within an hour, I believe. After the climbing up, pointlessly, to the summit of Harmon Hill, the trail was tumbling descent to VT route 9. This descent was steep with rock steps that sent twinges of pain through my knees.Then it was onward and upward. The initial climb out of the road was steep with steps as well. I've discovered steps throw off any sort of rhythm I've put together. The climb was long and persistent. There were some small downs along the way, but overall I was going up.I spent all of this climb walking in a cloud, which killed any hopes of any sort of view today. Cookie and I rolled into Goddard Shelter around 1:00PM for our lunch break. When we arrived, Warpaint was preparing to march on. He's thinking about a 30 mile day today, so I doubt I'll see him again anytime soon. This lunch break only lasted 25 minutes today because there was a chill in the air that cooled down my body quite rapidly.4/10ths later we arrived on the summit of Glastenbury Mountain. On a clear day I imagine the fire tower on the summit offers a nice view, but I did not bother today.Cookie and I rolled into Kid Gore Shelter at 3:10PM and decided to call it a day, we wanted to give our bodies a little rest. Ever since New York City we have been in a big push without much rest, so hopefully this will do us some good.The shelter tonight is full, there are several section hikers a couple other thru's. Hit and Miss are staying in the closed shelter 100 yards north on the trail.Tomorrow Cookie and I shall push for 23 miles, putting us in position for a short dash into Manchester Center for resupply the following morning.Vermont has been very wet thus far, and there has not been much to look at. I'm ready for a change in scenery. I'm ready for the White Mountains of New Hampshire.And that's the way it was.Kirby
Date: 2008-06-18
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: broken clouds

Vermont has been a state of nothing in particular. It's been a state with thick forests, un-even trail, and mud patches that seem to stretch for miles. And I get to walk through it.It was a tad bit nippy this morning, so I decided to warm up my water for oatmeal instead of eating it cold. I was up at 5:10AM and walking north at 6:15AM.The climb out of the shelter was fairly easy, although I was walking in a cloud so I was kept chilled the entire time. Afterwards the trail cuts along the side of a ridge before cutting down to Story Spring Shelter. At this shelter I saw the four section hikers I stayed with last night.After one small climb, the trail lead me through a valley of some kind. This valley consisted of a trail with rocks and roots along with a thick forest covered in moss.After crossing a brook and two dirt roads it was time to climb Stratton Mountain. On the second dirt road Cookie and I met Lee Boner, who is finishing ME to ME this year.The climb up Stratton Mountain was not all that bad. It was steep at times and did have plenty of rocks and roots to navigate through. It's certainly one of the easier 1,500 foot climbs I've done.The summit has a firetower with a 360 view of the surrounding moutains, this represented my first view in Vermont. I now truly feel like I'm back in the mountains again. This is also the mountain where Benton McKaye conceived the idea of a mountain footpath extending from the south to New England by traversing the ridge lines of the Appalachian Mountains. This trail eventually became known as the Appalachian Trail.After lunch at Stratton Pond Shelter it was cruise control to the shelter. I rolled in around 3:30PM and decided to call it a day. I'm pleased I was about to walk 23 miles and finish fairly early. This shelter is fully enclosed with a wood stove, which allows me to dry out some things.Tonight I'm along here with Cookie and Fox, who is section hiking Hanover, NH to Springer Mountain in Georgia.Tomorrow morning I shall walk 2.8 miles to VT 11/30, where I shall hitch into Manchester Center, VT for town chores.I've now completed 3/4ths of my journey to Maine. Katahdin is on my mind.And that's the way it was.Kirby
Date: 2008-06-19
From: Spruce Peak Shelter

To: Peru Peak Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It should be noted that Spruce Peak Shelter is a luxurious shelter. I's fully enclosed with a sliding door and a wood stove for heating. There are also windows so you can watch nature without being a part of it.I awoke in semi-warmth at 5:45AM this morning. After completing the usual array of camp chores and waiting for Cookie to complete his, I was on trail at 6:50AM.The trail decided to cut up and down the side of a ridge for no logical reason, which seems to be a Green Mountain thing. Actually, that seems to be an Appalachian Trail thing.Eventually the trail did collide with Vermont 11/30. It took Cookie and me about 45 seconds to get a ride into town. The lady who gave us a ride works for the United States Forest Service, and she drove part her work to drop us right in the middle of town.Over the course of the morning and early afternoon I resupplied, replaced a pole tip, had some food at Bagel Works, and witnessed Cookie spend five dollars on a Ben and Jerry's milkshake he was clearly not enjoying.Apparently Ben and Jerry's is pretty big in Vermont. I think it's safe to say that the citizens of this fine state are a tad bit obsessed. At 1:20PM Cookie and I hitched out of town. This hitch took about 10 seconds. The locals around here are quite friendly.We were walking north at 1:35PM. Upon reaching the summit of Bromley Mountain we climbed the observation tower for a 360 view. It feels great to be back in the mountains and so close to home at the exact same time.We rolled into Peru Peak shelter around 6:00PM after traversing a ridge that was rich in the smell of pine.As always, I'm extremely heavy coming out of town. I'm of the opinion that it's better to roll into town with some extra food instead of finding yourself rationing your food closer to town.Onward tomorrow.Good night and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-06-20
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I will admit, these long days do take their toll on the human body. It's not easy doing a 20 mile days on a consistent basis. I'm not exactly sure what pushes me to do 20 mile days in and out, but it's all part of the game.One of these mornings I will sleep in for extra rest, but this morning was not that morning. this morning I was woken up at 5:00AM by other hikers in the shelter. I could have easily slept later if they were not making so much noise. I was walking north at 6:30AM.The trail from the shelter to the north end of Griffith Lake was fairly easy, although rocky and rooty at times. This walk also included an extensive amount of bog bridge walking, which is always a welcome sight.Then came the final approach to Balker Peak, which involved a .1 mile jagged rock scramble to a 180 view of the Green Mountains we have been traversing.Afterwards we descended down to a river bed and followed the stream for a little bit.After Little Rock Pond Shelter it was a fairly steep climb to the ridge line leading to the junction for the side trail to White Rocks Cliff. On this ridge there were a couple spots, including the side trail junction, that had many different rock cairns that hikers have assembled over the course of time.Even though I was feeling quite sluggish today, I still managed to do 14.4 miles by lunch. This break gave my body a chance to relax and attempt to refocus on the final nine miles ahead.After descending to VT route 140, it was time to ascend some pointless mountain with no view. After a little descent I was surprised to discover a fairly level section of trail, this made for some easy hiking. North of Minerva Hinchey Shelter there was a steep climb that caught me off guard. Afterwards it was a tumbling descent to VT route 103.At the road Cookie and I walked one mile off trail for some ice cream and to buy a couple things so we could skip Rutland and march straight to Hanover, NH for resupply. After splitting a half gallon of ice cream and drinking some ice tea I called my friend Nate to start planning out assault on the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We we walking north at 4:50PM.The climb out of the road was very in-your-face. It involved scrambling up steep rock faces and large boulders.Shortly after rolling into the shelter a man drove hit ATV up. At first I was a tad bit worried about what this man was doing at a shelter with an ATV, but he turned out to be a nice guy.Nh on my mind.Good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-06-22
From: Tenting in Gifford Wood's State Park

To: Winturri Shelter
Miles today: 16.6

Today, I was miserable beyond comprehension, and I was not alone. I've never seen Cookie this angry at the trail and the weather. You really cannot begin to understand the extent to which misery overtook my day today. I hope to never be this miserable again.It rained on and off through the night, but mother nature gave me a dry window this morning to pack up and his trail. Cookie and I were walking north at 6:30AM.After walking along Kent Pond and following a well built bog bridge, the trail began the ascent of Quimby Mountain. This climb would never end, I would crest one hill just to turn and ascend some more land ass that seemingly came out of now where. The top had no view, of course. I've come to expect no less from the ATC. The trail then descended, quite steeply, to Stony Brook Shelter. Cookie passed me at this junction while I was removing an annoying pebble from the bottom of my right shoe. This represented the last moment during today where I was completely dry.The rain did come with some warning, I heard a rumble of thunder off in the distance. I found my self going up a hill as a thunder storm was chasing me. I ended up sprinting up and over the hill, and even when I was done with the climb I was still running, trying to keep one step ahead of the storm that I knew would eventually catch me. It was only a matter of time. The rain came ten minutes later because I was idiotic and did not even bother putting on my rain jacket.On a side note, I did see two snakes slither off the trail today. What you must understand is that I hate snakes beyond comprehension, they need to be eliminated. I'll sign the executive order when I'm appointed supreme ruler of the world.The rest of the day was spent going pointlessly up and down hills that seemed to purposefully be in my way just to tick me off. Please keep in mind that it's still raining and that I'm still soaked. It was at this point that I realized I was completely miserable, I had my lunch break at Winturri Shelter on my mind. Just before the shelter there was a ferocious climb that caught me completely off guard. You bet I had a few choice words for the venerable GMC.At the shelter I changed out of my completely soaked shirt into a completely dry one and proceeded to eat lunch. At the shelter was Bump and one other section hiker, along with Barefodder, who is a NOBO thru hiker packing for missions.Cookie and I then had a pow-wow to discuss our options for the day. He came to the realization that he was completely miserable and did not want to hike anymore, and neither did I. We were done hiking for the day, our most miserable day thus far on the ENTIRE Appalachian National Scenic Trail.Tonight I am at the shelter with two section hikers from Vermont along with Cookie. A few minutes ago a trip of female SOBO section hikers rolled in.Why bother trying to guess where I'm going to end up tomorrow, it's fruitless guessing and I will most likely be wrong.Slowly but sure walking home.Good night and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-06-25
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Fire Warden's Cabin
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Let the record reflect that NH is hard, and let there be no amendments to this resolution. Let the resolution also note that the ups are straight up and then downs are straight down. I'm home.I was up at 5:00AM and walking with Cookie and 6:15AM, I believe. It felt great to have some much needed rest yesterday, and Hanover was a great town for it.After an initial climb out of the shelter we had it easy for a little while. I should note that this initial small climb was straight up and steep. There was one spot where the DOC placed a rope attached to a tree to give hikers a hand.I spent most of the morning trading old trail stories from Georgia with Cookie. It was nice to be able to look back knowing the end is so near.Once we crossed three mile road play time was over. The climb up Moose Mountain was steep and quite slick. On the summit there was a small view and this is where we found WD 40 hanging out while he aired some of his stuff out.Amendment, 8/10/08: This was the last time I saw WD 40.After the never ending descent to Goose Pond Road, it was time to ascend to the summit of Holl's Ledges. These were the longest two miles I think I've ever hiked in my life, they just never seemed to end. This climb was steep and there were numerous false summits. After lunch and another descent we rolled into dorchester road.Just north of here I took a side trail for water, and was given an ice cream sandwich as well. The owners track thru hikers as the come thru, trying to keep some sort of record each year.This is also where the trail essentially parallels a dirt road for two miles. After consulting Cookie and confirming that the trail would once again cross the road, we decided to walk the road. That's right, we blue blazed again, and I have no regrets about it. Along the road we passed a house with some interesting metal structures outside, these structures had interesting faces on then and made me chuckle. Cookie found a stream he wanted to swim in, so I took a break while he took a swim. It was an ideal situation.The climb up Smart Mountain was very steep with slick rock faces that one needed to navigate. This type of climb consumes a lot of time due to the time it takes to safely navigate these rock faces. However, the summit fire tower afforded and outstanding view of the White Mountains, where I shall be in a couple of days.The fire warden's cabin is exactly what it sounds like, an old fire warden's cabin that has been changed to a shelter.Good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-06-26
From: Fire Warden's Cabin

To: Glencliff, NH: Hiker's Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 20.0

This is going to be on of those entries where I don't describe my day is great detail. i would like to spend this entry running through the information you need in order to understand my journey through the White Mountains of New Hampshire.There are long stretches above tree line through the whites, which leaves one completely exposed to the elements. Being caught in rain and high winds is one thing, being caught in lightening in another. When there are no trees around, you are the tallest thing around. Since lightening strikes the tallest object, that puts you right in the line of fire.Another small problem is where to stay. There are very few shelters/tent sites. The Appalachian Mountain Club(AMC) has essential control of sleeping in the white mountains. They are responsible for the operation of eight "huts" that thru hikers can do work for stay(WFS) at. In exchange for helping out around the hut, hikers receive space on the dining room floor to sleep and can feast on left over food the "croo" cooked for the paying guests, each of whom are paying 80-100 dollars for their stay. This option is generally available for the first two thru hikers at each hiker, although Lakes of the Clouds can handle four.You should also know that the Whites are notorious for creating their own weather, catching a lot of hikers off guard. It can be blue skies one moment and snowing the next. You should know that snow has been recorded during every month in the whites.This is also where hikers slow down quite a bit, 20 mile days are illogical and sanely in-feasible. Planning is also difficult due to the weather, one must take each day accordingly.Hopefully you know have a better idea of the dangers and logistics of executing an assault on the White Mountains of New Hampshire.By the way, I now have less than 400 miles to go. 398.5 to be specific.Show time.Good night, and good luck.Kirby