morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-17
From: Vt.9

To: Caughnawaga Selter
Miles today: 14.9

Started @ Vt. 9Destination: Caughnawaga SelterMiles today: 14.4Total Miles: 1608.3Stayed in tentDay 159Tom dropped us off at the trailhead by 7:10am. The morning wascool and there was moisture on the trees and grass. Because ofthe rain last evening there was a lot of muck to walk around.The mountains are getting taller--today we were at 3748 ft. onGlastenbury Mountain. There is a fire tower there and not untilwe climbed the tower could we see a 360* view. It was quitewindy and cool up there so did not stay long.The shelter where we are tenting is at almost 3000 feet. Theair has been cool all day--nice for hiking-- and it is going tobe cooler tonight--nice for sleeping.We met several hikers going south that had started in Maine. Wealso met some hikers that are going north that we had never metbefore--Gumby, Pokey, Umble Dog, THX, and Jackaroo.Today was a good day--the 2 days off in Bennington did us aworld of good. Our feet are sore and our knees and feet getstiff when we stop for even a short break, but our attitudes arebetter. We saw moose tracks on the trail today but saw no moose.
Date: 2005-08-18
From: Caughnawaga Selter

To: Stratton Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Started @ Caughnawaga ShelterDestination: Stratton ShelterMiles Today: 15.1Total Miles: 1623.4Stayed in shelterDay 160Last night was the first cold night we have had in a few months. We stayed warm enough in our summer sleeping bags and I did notthrow my bag off and on throughout the night like I usuallyhave done recently. We definitely are about ready for ourwinter bags, thermal underwear, gloves, hat, and winter fleece. Toto did not even bring a long-sleeved shirt with him so he wasa bit chilly this morning when he got up. We met a young coupleon the trail today that used our cell phone to call home to askthat their winter gear be sent out to a place closer but it hadalready been sent further up the trail. They only have theirsleeping bag silk liners which are thin. They said they had alltheir clothes plus rain gear on to keep warm last night.Our big climb today was Stratton Mountain at almost 4000 feet. The climb was not too bad until near the top when it got a bitsteep. Until then it was rather gradual. By the time we got tothe top where there is a fire tower I did not even feel likegoing up the tower to see the view from above the trees. Iguess there were great views with Mt Greylock to the south andski areas to the north on Bromley Mountain. Toto did take thecamera up to take pictures.Then the descent down was over 3 miles to Stratton Pond. Theshelter here is the first shelter where we have had to pay afee. The fee was reduced from $6 to $5 and if we use other feeshelters ahead within 7 days we can stay free if we show ourdated receipt. There was a tenting site with platforms (where afee is also charged) a little further but 1/2 mile off thetrail. So we opted to stay in the shelter. I walked down to the pond to get water from a spring that flowsinto the pond but it was just a trickle from a pipe. I hadtaken only my water bag to fill so stuck it under the pipe. Ittook a little while to fill but we had enough to top off our2-liter water bladders and one more liter for a nalgene bottle.The care-taker for this shelter and the tenting area told usthat there is a female moose (cow) with 2 calves in the area ofthe pond. That would be a great sight to see. The ponds alongthe trail are good places to see them. This pond is big andbeautiful. Again, I would call it a lake instead of a pond. Tomorrow we have planned about 15 miles to a shelter. Toto isgetting stronger and I have trouble keeping up with him. Todaywe had some trail magic at a road crossing before we climbedStratton Mountain. He drank a Coke, a Mountain Dew and ate a Butterfinger and some pecan sandies and he said that's what propelled him up the mountain. By the time he got near the top, though, he said his legs were getting wobbley. But he definitely is getting stronger and not breathing so hard on the climbs. Of course, the last two days have not been very humidand have been much cooler. He has not had to wring the sweat out of his bandana or his knee braces once.
Date: 2005-08-20
From: Vt.11 & 30

To: Vt. 11 & 30
Miles today: 0.0

Started at Vt. 11 & 30Destination: Vt. 11 & 30Miles today: 0Total Miles: 1634.0Stayed in MotelWell, guess what!! It was pouring the rain when we woke up thismorning! We were hoping it wold stop and clear up but it didnot look like it was going to any time soon. We decided we didnot want to stay at the lodge another night but did not want tohike in the rain because we had mailed our rain suits ahead in abounce box. We thought we would get too cold if we got wet andwould be in danger of hypothermia. The reason we did not wantto stay at the lodge is because there is nowhere else to go toeat, other than at the lodge, and it was too expensive. That iswhat I told the owner, too. We called the Carriage House Motelwhere Pixie and Pine Dragon stayed and the lady was very niceand said she would come and pick us up but she did charge us $5,which we thought was reasonable since it is about 8 miles awayand gas prices as high as they are. She stopped by the PO forus so we could mail some things home that we had been collectingto save for keepsakes, receipts, business cards of people that have provided us with great service, etc. That probably took a pound and a half off mypack. I even sent home a menu that was in our room at the lodgewe stayed in last night. I told the owner and he said to takemore if I wanted to. We did not eat breakfast at the lodge because it was more thanwe wanted to pay. We waited until we got to the motel inManchester Center and then we walked down to McD's. Then wewent to the outfiter to look for a windbreaker and long-sleevedshirt for Toto. Also, he needed a new pair of shoes. The treadwas pretty well gone on his old ones. There is a wonderful book store in town and we stopped in tolook at children's books. We bought some and are having themshipped to our grandchildren. They have internet access forcustomers so we looked at the latest picture of our new grandsonat about a week old.We really did not want to take this day off but we felt it wouldbe safer if we did not go into the mountains with no rain gear. If we had not stopped yesterday to stay at the lodge we wouldhave found ourselves in a shelter or in our tent with the rainpouring down and nothing to do but stay in the shelter as wewould have been too cold. It did not rain any more down herebut the clouds that hung over the mountains did not look good. I just hope we do not have any more wet weather until we get toHanover, NH. in about a week where our bounce box is.
Date: 2005-08-21
From: Vt. 11 & 30

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

Started @ Vt. 11 & 30Destination: Lost Pond ShelterMiles today: 14.8Total Miles: 1648.8Stayed in shelterDay 163When I stepped outside the room this morning I was surprisedthat it had been raining. The air was not cool but warm andhumid. The mountains around were covered in clouds but wewanted to hike and felt that all would be ok. Jackie, the motelowner, drove us to the trailhead in the thick clouds that wereon the mountains. Visibility was very poor. We were on the trailby 8 and it felt good to be hiking today. The first mountain we climbed, Bromley Mountain, was covered inclouds when we got to the summit. There is an observation towerthat 5 states can be seen from on a clear day. There are skitrails on the mountain and a ski lift but it was so cloudy wecould barely see the lift. By the time we got to the nextmountain peak the clouds were being blown away by the wind andwe were able to see the mountains around. By this time the sunwas shining off and on and it felt good. Everything was sowet--the trees, bushes, weeds, and trail that we hoped the sunwould help to dry things off.We took some falls today from the slippery roots, rocks, and theboards that have been built up over some of the wet areas. Itis a wonder we are still in one piece.This shelter was rebuilt in 2002. We are the only ones here asof about 8pm. We heard several hikers hike by so theymust be going to a shelter about a mile and a half further upthe trail. I went down to the stream and got water and filteredit while Toto cooked our dinner. The mosquitoes are around butnot terrible. We did spray down with repellent. Well, it is getting dark and we are ready for sleep. Toto's newshoes felt good on his feet today so he is resting morecomfortably tonight.
Date: 2005-08-22
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

Started @ Lost Pond ShelterDestination: Minerva Hinchey ShelterMiles today: 14.9Total Miles: 1663.7Stayed in shelterDay 163After we went to sleep last night another hiker came but set uphis hammock. I woke up when he came into the shelter to hanghis food bag. I saw his light and went back to sleep. Thismorning we met him--his name is Jaybird. He has already hikedto Maine from Georgia this year and turned around and is nowhiking south to Georgia where he lives. He also did a thru-hike10 years ago. I have decided that once is enough for me!!We were on the trail by 7:30 this morning and got here atMinerva Hinchey Shelter by 4:30. The trail was rocky and rootywith muck about the first 8 miles and then it got better thelast 7. We got out of the wet muck and got into an area wherethere were evergreens and lots of pine needles on the path and alot less rocks and roots. We passed by Little Rock Pond today. It was another beautiful pond with clear water. Toto took offhis shoes and socks and soaked his feet for a while. He saidthe water was very cold and it felt good on his feet but that hedid not think he could stand to go swimming in it.We have not seen any moose or even any deer in Vermont. We haveseen a couple of flying squirrels, though. I do not think that Ihad ever seen one before. The leaves on some of the trees are starting to fall. Sometimesthe trail is almost covered with them. I don't know what kindof tree they come from. I almost forget that it is almostSeptember and that summer is almost gone. But many of theplants in the woods are also starting to turn a yellow or brown.I cried today. I told Toto that I want to go home and seeeveryone, especially the grandkids. He would take me right nowbut I cannot go home until the trail is finished. He said Iwould never forgive myself if I quit now. He's right. But thatdoes not kep me from wanting to go home. Tomorrow we will hike a few miles to Vt. 103. Just a half milefrom the trail there is a restaurant where we are planning tostop for breakfast. Then another half mile is a general storewhere we have a mail drop. Also, my new pack should be there. Ihave to send my old one back. We don't know how far we will be able to hike tomorrow-depends onhow long it takes us at the store and if we have to go to the POto mail the pack back. I'm hoping they will have a postage paidaddress label to stick on the box for UPS since they are sendingit UPS to me.
Date: 2005-08-23
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

Started @ Minerva Hinchey ShelterDestination: Cooper Lodge ShelterMiles today: 13.8Total miles: 1677.5Stayed in shelterDay 165We were on the trail by 7am because we wanted to stop at theWhistle Stop Restaurant for breakfast--a half mile from thetrail on Vt 103. Then we needed to pick up our mail drop and goto the PO. We knew it would put us behind a few hours. Whilewe were eating our breakfast an older gentleman came over to us andasked if we would like him to take us to the general store toget our mail and then to the PO. Of course we did!! We couldget back to the trail sooner!! My new pack was there so while Irepacked it after removing everything from the old one andpacked our food that was in the maildrop from home, our trailangel took Toto to the PO to mail the old pack back. Then hecame back and took us back to the trail. A wonderful man!! Hiswife is in a nursing home with Alzheimers which she has had for10 years. He was very impressed that we are hiking together andhe said to live each day to the fullest because you just neverknow when something will happen to either one of us and then our chances are gone. On our way down to the highway that the restaurant and store areon Toto slipped on a rock and took a tumble. We think he mayhave cracked a rib because he has a lot discomfort in his leftchest area when he moves, takes a deep breath or laughs. We definitely have enjoyed these Vermont woods the further northwe go. There are less boggy areas and more sunlight seems tocome through. We saw moose droppings on the trail today andbetween this morning and later on the trail we saw 3 deer. There have been many brooks along the trail today--beautifulones with lots of boulders in them. We had more pine needles onthe trail today which made hiking a lot more pleasant. The bigclimb of the day was up to Little Killington Mountain. It wasvery long and got quite difficult toward the top when we were sovery tired. We were anxious to get here to this shelter becauseit, according to the thru-hiker's companion book, is enclosed. Well, the windows do not have glass in them anymore and the coldair up on this high mountain comes through to the platform wherewe all sleep. So much for being enclosed. There is a 0.2 miletrail to Killington Peak. We will go up in the morning to seeif we can catch a view. We only have a 10 mile day planned for tomorrow so we will not need to be on the trail so early. It is dark and my hands are getting cold so will have to getinside my sleeping bag. I will put socks on them to get themwarm since I do not have my gloves yet.
Date: 2005-08-24
From: Cooper Lodge Shelter

To: Sherburne Pass Trail
Miles today: 8.2

Started @ Cooper Lodge ShelterDestination: Sherburne Pass Trail Miles today: 8.2Total Miles: 1685.7Day 166Well, we were going to go 10 miles--we almost made it. Wedecided to stop short here at The Inn @ Long Trail to getlaundry done and shower. We are glad we did. It was awfullycold last night and we still have our summer sleeping bags untilGlencliff. NH. Also, coming down from the mountain today itrained some and it was cold. We'd warm up while hiking and whenwe stopped we got cold. The sun tried to shine a few times butthe clouds just would not move out of the way.When we got here via a half mile blue-blazed side trail from theAT north of this inn we met Scholar again. Unfortunately shehas not been feeling well and does not know what the problem isin spite of blood tests that were done. She is not hiking butfollowing hikers she has been with for a while by hitching fromone town to another up the trail to meet up with them. Shewants to hike in the worst way and plans to start hiking fromHanover.This place is another neat place. Many hikers stop here ontheir way through. They offer a good rate to us and the food isgreat!!We have called our daughters to touch base with them. Thegrandchildren got their books today that we bought in ManchesterCenter. Scholar says there is another book store in Hanoverthat is rated one of the best in Vermont but I do not know ifwe will have time to stop since we are not sure what time of daywe will be through there. We expect to get there on Monday. Wehad hoped to be there by Saturday but after looking at theprofile map we decided we will not be able to do as many mileseach day due to lots of climbing of bigger mountains. We haveour bounce box there with our rain suits and we will certainlywant those. Also, my new shoes will be there and also a newpack for Toto. One of his straps on his hip belt broke when hewent to tighten it yesterday. He called Mountain Crossings atNeels Gap where he bought it and they are sending a new one tothe PO there.We are under 500 miles now until the end. We will try to make asmany miles as possible when we can but sometimes it is justgoing to be unrealistic to get more than 10 miles a day in.
Date: 2005-08-25
From: Sherburne Pass Trail

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

Started @ Sherburne Pass TrailDestination: Stony Brook ShelterMiles today: 8.1Total Miles: 1693.8Stayed @ shelterDay 167Breakfast was served @ 7:30 and was delicious and was included in the price of the room. We did not need to be in a hurry to get started since we were planning to only do 8 miles. The next shelter is 10 miles away and just too far for us to go today--18 miles. We had one really good climb which was steep. The worst thing about it was when we got to the peak it started right back down with no view at all. The trail, though, was pretty good all day. We passed quite a few people out working on the trail--the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. We walked through part of Gifford Woods State Park and it looked like a really nice park. There were a lot of people taking advantage of the camping sites. Kent Pond was also nearby but we only saw a couple of canoers on it. We got to the shelter about 3:15 and of course, were the first ones to arrive. Toto collected some wood and started a fire in the fire ring to keep the mosquitoes away and to cook our dinner on. Others cames in later and cooked over the fire, too. The shelter is nice and clean and Toto and I are the only ones staying in the shelter. The other 3 are tenting.
Date: 2005-08-26
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

Started @ Stony Brook ShelterDestination: CampsiteMiles Today: 18.4Total Miles: 1712.2Stayed in shelterDay 168We were up and on the trail by 7am. We had only planned to do 10 miles today but heard that 3 miles further there was a home that lets hikers stay in his barn or tent outside it. We stopped by there but it did not look like the kind of place we would be comfortable. Hikers had written in the register there that it was noisy when they stayed and they did not like it. There were beer bottles everywhere and a lot of other trash in many trash bags piled around. The good thing is there was a little market not far that sold ice cream, home-made pies, breads, cookies, fresh veggies, and some fruits, and cold drinks. We bought a small blueberry pie for the both of us and a pint of ice cream each, plus iced tea. Since we did not stay at the barn we needed to hike further. We stopped short of the shelter we were trying to reach because we were so tired and it was getting late and we did not want to hike in the dark. The sun was setting over the mountains and was beautiful so we camped on top of a mountain where there was a nice place for our tent. We could look out at night and see the stars, too.
Date: 2005-08-27
From: Campsite

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Started @ CampsiteDestination: Happy Hill ShelterMiles today: 11.9Total Miles: 1724.1Stayed in tentDay 169This day has been a more relaxing day with only almost 12 miles hiked. The trail was nice all day and mostly a pine needle covered trail. Lots of ups and downs but none of them really very big. We had looked forward to a lunch at a store in West Hartford, Vt. but when we got there we found it closed. Toto asked the man that was next door and runs a "general store" if there was anywhere else nearby to get a sandwich and he said he would fix us one. He had cold drinks in a refrigerator in his store so we had pepsi's, mountain dew, and iced tea. Spencer fixed us each two sandwiches of cheese and ham with mayo. Everything only cost us $11. This man was really friendly and helped us get on up the trail with nourishment and our thirsts quenched. We met up with Panda again while we were at this man's store. We had thought he must surely be ahead. We stayed pretty much together for the last 4 miles to this shelter. He was low on water and the only water here is a little puddle he found in the stream. He had no water filter so he used ours to get his water. Otherwise he was going to go on until he found water and either camp somewhere along the trail or go on into Hanover. Panda is going to stop in Hanover with us tomorrow and spend the night. Toto called from the cell phone to make a reservation. We will head out to the PO on Monday morning and take care of things there and then hit the trail. We are anxious to get to Glencliff and start the White Mountains. A hiker that is going southbound stopped by the shelter this evening. He skipped ahead to Katahdin and is now hiking back to where he got off to go north. He recognized me because he had given me a message from Snowman in Atkins, Va. He said he saw Snowman 3 days ago in Glencliff. So that means he is 6 days ahead of us now.We met another south-bonder the other day with the trail name of Grandpa Bob. He flip-flopped from Daleville, Va. He has been hiking south from Katahdin for 5 weeks so that is about the amount of time we have left before we reach Katadin,which will be around the first week of October. We are hoping to do as much slack-packing as possible in New Hampshire and Maine if that can help us get through faster.
Date: 2005-08-29
From: Hanover, NH

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Started @ Hanover, NHDestination: Moose Mountain ShelterMiles today: 11.0Total Miles: 1740.9Stayed in shelterDay 171After talking to T-2 last night we found out that he did not getour e-mail asking that our winter gear be sent here to Hanoverinstead of Glencliff. That is probably OK since we do have ourraingear now. We'll have our winter gear in 4 days when we doget to Glencliff. Until then it will probably be rainy. We were at the bus stop just up the road from the motel at 8:30to wait for the free bus back to town. We picked up my shoesand mailed my old ones back and got our bounce box with ourraingear. Then we bounced it on ahead with Toto's boots and afew other things to Glencliff. The backpack did not come inuntil around 12:30. By the time we got his new pack packed andthe old one mailed back it was 1pm when we started hiking out oftown. When we woke up early this morning it was not raining but itsoon began to pour down but only for 15 minutes or so. Afterthat it did not rain anymore except for a light sprinkle thatlasted just a little while before we got out of town. On thetrail we heard rumbles of thunder in the distance off and on. When we got to the shelter at about 7:15pm we set up oursleeping pads and bags in the shelter , changed into dryclothes, and fixed ourselves a cheese sandwich. We were tootired to cook. In about an hour we saw the sky lighting up andsoon it was pouring down the rain. Even though there was anoverhang in front the wind blew the rain in and it was gettingour sleeping gear damp. Since we were the only ones there weturned our gear around so we were closer to the back wall andout of the way of the blowing rain. The shelter has a tin roofso it was quite noisy, especially when it was pounding downreally hard.We only had one really steep up just before the shelter and wethought we were never going to get up it. But we felt good thatwe were able to do these 11 miles in spite of our late start. We managed not to fall on any of the wet rocks and roots but wedid do a little slipping and sliding. We hope that it is not raining too much in the morning so we canmake it to the enclosed cabin about 12 miles ahead.