morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-30
From: pittsfield, vt

To: rt 14
Miles today: 12.6

Woke this morning feeling a little better so I decided to do a short slack pack. My friend Andy and his wife Judy have been so kind to me the past few days. I really appreciate you letting me stay with you. Judy is a fabulous cook and the wonderful food she has been cooking is building up my reserves for when I tackle the Whites!The trail today was quite beautiful and I was happy to be out walking after having a day off. Still feeling not so great but the cool fresh air was so invigorating! Lots of little hills today which gave the lungs a good workout.Several of the summits were open meadows covered with black eyed susans, queen annes' lace, thistle, goldenrod and milkweed. It was cool and windy and it very much reminded me that fall is just around the corner. I am looking forward to wearing sweaters and jeans, cool brisk days and autumn foliage.Many places today were also covered with huge patches of black raspberries! How delightful it was to indulge to my hearts content. Big and juicy and sweet. Many are still not ripe but it will be a hikers feed soon enough. While I was standing there eating them it brought back memories of a hike a did a few years back with my friend Tom....a pemi-low-pass is what we called it. All in all is was about 20 mile or so traverse through the lower trails within the Pemigiwasset Wilderness. We had stumbled upon a black raspberry patch and spent what seemed like hours filling our bellies. What a treat! After some time we both started to feel guilty and than moved on. It is a day I will never forget. There were several road crossings today so my friend Andy would drive ahead to one and than hike south to meet me. He did this three times today so we got some time hiking together. I will be sad to say goodbye to my Vermont friends tomorrow.Just under 10 miles till I reach NH! Planning on doing short days for a while until I fully recover from this cold.Jibitz
Date: 2010-07-31
From: rt 14

To: etna, nh
Miles today: 15.7

Woke this morning feeling better....the cold has moved to my chest so now I just need to contend with a cough. Very annoying! Got some honey and muscinex as recommended by my good friend Karen. Seems to be helping but I am gasping and rasping for air on the uphills. I was somewhat sad this morning as I said goodbye to Judy and Andy but at the same time I am getting so excited for the last leg of my trip. The White Mountains are just a few days away and I am so looking forward to being back on familiar trails....and not to mention the breath taking views.My pack was heavy today which is always the case when I leave town. Had hoped to eat some food out of my bag but instead bought lots of goodies when I walked through Hanover. Finally in NH! Had planned on staying at Velvet Rocks but decided to do a few extra miles so tonight I am staying Tiggers Tree House in Etna. I am staying in the teepee which is actually a pop up trailer. Got a nice hot shower and am now looking forward to sleep. Gotta get rid of this cold!Jibitz
Date: 2010-08-01
From: etna, nh

To: fire wardens cabin
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Long day but a nice day indeed. Got on the trail a little after 8. It was quite chilly so I had on some extra layers. My chest is still congested but I had some very successful coughing spells. The first five miles were a very gradual climb up to Moose Mountain. The name is terribly misleading as I saw no moose nor did I see any moose sign. There was a nice but limited outlook from the summit. After that it was a long descent down.Next was a steep and long climb up to Holts Ledge. What a lovely spot! I sat and took a nice long lunch break and enjoyed the beautiful views. There were pretty blue dragonflies swarming around as well. Than it was another steep and long descent down again.The last climb of the day was up Smarts Mountain. Maybe I am feeling worse than I think but it was a tough climb after an already long day. But the rewards from the summit fire tower made me forget instantly how hard I had worked to get here. Amazing views! I had thought about sleeping in the tower but chickened out when I realized I could see the ground between the floorboards. Instead I am tenting out near the cabin. Sleep will be most welcome tonight.Thinking I might make it to Glencliff tomorrow!Jibitz
Date: 2010-08-02
From: fire wardens cabin

To: glencliff, nh
Miles today: 19.9

Today marked the fourth month that I have been on the trail. Its hard to believe I have walked so many miles in a relatively short period of time. The hardest yet most beautiful part of the trip will start tomorrow and I just can't wait! The Whites have been my playground for years and I am so looking forward to getting my ass kicked as I make my way thru. I am crossing my fingers that the weather will be cooperative. I had thought about doing some slackpacking as I pass by but today I decided that I will not. Nice and slow through these parts is how I will do it....I want to enjoy the views and not be rushed.So much for taking it easy the past couple of days. When I left Vermont my plan had been to take 3 or 4 days to get to Glencliff and as usual I changed my mind. That's ok...I like changing my mind. Got up early and was on the trail by 7. It was a beautiful woods walk down to a stream and than a nice but long climb up Mt Cube. On the summit I met two musicians and their dog who were from Ohio. They were out here for the summer playing in an orchestra in Plymouth. Very nice people. Leaving the summit it was a long way down to the road crossing.Arriving at the road I was quite taken back by a beautiful note pinned to a tree which was left to me from A Fellow Betty. She had also included a quote from Sarah Orne Jewett on the note and sitting on the ground was a cooler filled with trail magic. So many wonderful people! Thank you for your kindness and the smile that did not leave my face all afternoon. I took a short break at the shelter that follow and than made a mad dash for Glencliff. I was hoping to reach the post office before it closed and I was pressed for time. I am not sure why I had decided that I had to get there before it closed. The last stretch seemed to go on forever but I eventually reached the road. My book said it was a half mile road walk and I had ten minutes to get there. Tried hitching but was unsuccessful. About five minutes later I saw the sign for the hiker hostel so I knew I was close....the book is way off! As I neared I saw a couple sitting on their front steps and was I extremely surprised to recognize the couple....it was Charlie and Nancy! I have met them several times on my journeys through the Whites but I had no idea this is where they lived! I dropped my pack and ran across the yard and picked up my packages...made it with two minutes to spare.Back at the house Charlie and Nancy offered to have me to stay at their place for the night. Saying yes was the only option. They fed me a wicked yummy dinner and than I had a nice hot bath. The rest of the evening we chatted about hiking and my trip. Thank yo so much for taking me in! A most perfect way to end a long day.I am now all cozy in bed and I hope that sleep will come soon. Moosilauke tomorrow!Jibitz
Date: 2010-08-03
From: glencliff, nh

To: lincoln, nh
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Slept great. Nancy made me a wonderful breaky and I was off on the trail sometime around 9:30 or so. I was hoping for better weather but sometimes you just have to take what you get. It was a long and soggy and foggy walk up to Moosilauke. Large cairns marked the way to the summit once I left the treeline. Took a quick picture and than continued on. I had thought about hanging out for a while but my hopes of the weather clearing was slim. I have been up here before so I closed my eyes and in my head I could see the view I was missing today.Heading down the Beaver Brook trail was slow. Its steep and rocky and on wet days its extremely slippery. I managed ok and took a nice break at the shelter. A new privy had just been built and a beautiful one it was! I was very pleased to leave a deposit behind!Down at the parking lot I called a friend and in less than 20 minuets I was on my way to Lincoln! Thank you Cath! I am staying at Chets hostel tonight. Cath is picking me and Fynious up soon and we will have dinner at the Common Man!! Steven and Charles are coming too....oh so hungry!!!Jibitz
Date: 2010-08-04
From: lincoln, nh

To: kinsman pond shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

Right now I am sitting at the view point on North Kinsman. The sun is on my back and it is hot but it feels nice. My legs are caked in mud. My boots and socks are soaked and they are drying next to me. They smell bad. Black flies and dragonflies are flying about. In front of me is Franconia Ridge. To the left I can see Cannon Mountain and the tower on top. Below me I can see beautiful Lonsome Lake. I am so excited to be back in my neck of the woods. I am familiar with the trails and I know what I am looking at! It is quiet and so peaceful here and that makes me smile.It was a long tough walk today over the Kinsman Ridge Trail. It was wet, muddy, rocky, rooty and not to mention steep and rugged! Its a nice trail but it one that can only be done fast by those who have bionic legs. I knew it would take me all day just to get here and I am ok with that. A few folks I have run into were frustrated that it was taking so long to get anywhere. Averaging almost two miles an hour out here with a heavy pack is decent progress in my opinion. Maybe if I was a youngin I would think different.Enjoyed a most delicious last night at the Common Man with Cath, Steven, Charles, Tish and her daughter and Fynious. Looking forward to a nice short day tomorrow!Jibitz
Date: 2010-08-05
From: kinsman pond shelter

To: liberty springs
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: light rain

Had a wonderful night at Kinsman Pond. Ate my dinner by the pond with the late afternoon sun keeping me warm. Dragonflies were darting around catching flies. They are beautiful insects. Slept fairly well.Rolled out of bed sometime after 7 and had a lazy morning of packing up my stuff. Did the couple miles to Lonsome Lake Hut where I had my fill of leftover pancakes. Also enjoyed two cups of Via! While I was there my friend Mike showed up! What a nice surprise! We chatted for some time and then went down to the lake to take in the views of Franconia Ridge.It was a hot and steamy day and I was sweating like crazy. A short ways from the bottom I came upon some trail magic left for me from my friend Cath. There was a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a recharge chilling in the stream and some goodies. At the bike path Mike and I took a short break and we each enjoyed a yummy cookie and an absolutely fabulous cinnamon bun that Cath had left...oh so wicked yummy! She also left two apples but I saved those for later.Back at Mikes car we drove into Lincoln so I could pick up a few supplies....socks had gotten a hole and I had run out of a few things I was not aware of the day before. After that we had an awesome lunch at the Woodstock Station. Thank you Mike! It was so wonderful to see you and catch up.The walk up to Liberty Springs tent site was not bad. I am sitting here now in my tent and the caretaker just came by....the weather is looking fabulous for the next couple days!!! Whoo-hoo!!Looking forward to another short day tomorrow. No need to go high speed through these beautiful woods.Life is good.Jibitz
Date: 2010-08-06
From: liberty springs

To: garfield tent site
Miles today: 7.7

Got a surprise last night! Steven showed up just a dinner time and had packed up some beer and pizza! I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful friends. Thank you Steven! Too bad Fynious missed out. I managed to drink the beers but I had trouble eating all the pizza so it was nice to share it with fellow hikers who were at the camp site.I slept pretty good and woke up around 2am or so when the wind started to pick up. Enjoyed a lazy morning of packing up and a cup of hot coffee. Colder air moved in overnight...what a nice change from the steamy humid heat.My goal to was to walk slow. Mission accomplished! On top of Little Haystack I took about an hour long break. I was all bundled up and cozy warm and just enjoyed the breath taking views. These hills never get old....no matter how many times I have been up here.Next I made my way to Lincoln where I hung out for another hour. Just beautiful! There were lots of day hikers and I talked to just about all of them. After Lincoln I made my way up Lafayette. The clouds were beginning to drop and were dark and ominous but only a few drops of rain fell. The wind was steady and without proper clothing it would have been miserably cold to hang out.Leaving Lafayette the trail heads over North Lafayette and than back down into the trees where there is protection from the chilly wind. I have only done the section from Lafayette to Garfield one other time and I remember it being harder than it was today. I arrived on Garfield to get one quick picture before the clouds rolled in and obliterated all views. I sat inside the remnants of the old tower and cooked up a hot lunch. Oh so yummy!Right now I am at Garfield tent site. Its a nice spot and I am so happy to have done another short day...as I said before these woods are too beautiful to travel through fast.Heading to Crawford Notch tomorrow and after that I will tackle the Presidentials!Jibitz
Date: 2010-08-07
From: garfield tent site

To: rt 302
Miles today: 17.4

Wicked cold last night! Passed a hiker in the morning who had said it was 17 degrees on Mt Washington the day before and that they had some ice! I stayed nice and toasty in my sleeping bag. Got a surprise visit from Arm in the late afternoon and we enjoyed a few beers at the shelter.After dinner a SOBO hiker by the name Barman arrived....he was a talker! He talked my ear off and than in the morning he was talking again the moment he saw I had my eyes open. Nice guy.Never left Garfield until sometime after 8:30....really enjoying my leisurely pace through these parts. No point in rushing through this beautiful terrain. Even if I did try and get big miles I would be wiped by days end. These trails are rugged and tuff. It was just under a three mile stretch to Galehead Hut and I got there just before ten. It was sunny and warm on the porch with fabulous views into the pemi. Enjoyed some coffee and lots of snacks. While sitting there a gentleman by the name Tim arrived...I had heard about him from many of our mutual friends and it was finally nice to meet in person. We hiked up to South Twin together where we sat for about an hour or so just talking and taking in all the views. More clouds had rolled in and there was a brisk wind but all the summits were in the clear.The next two miles on the Twinway went fast and at the junction with the Bondcliff trail we parted ways. So nice to meet you Tim! I took another nice long break at the junction and than continued on. The last time I was on the Twinway was back in March and the trail we were barely able to follow the trail because there was so much snow!At Zeacliff I took another long break and than made my way down to Zealand Hut where I met my friend Mats. Also ran into Wipersnapp who is making side trips to many of the 4k's...so happy he has been getting good weather for his peakbagging along the way! Leaving the hut the trail goes along the side of White wall Mountain. Its an old railway bed so its flat and easy and not to mention open...beautiful views looking into Carriage Notch! Lots of lingonberries to be eaten as we made our way to the Ethan Pond trail. It is so nice to have company as I walk thru these parts. At 302 I was waiting for Mats to come with the car when a mini cooper pulled up beside me and out popped Sabrina! So nice to see you. She had a box of gourmet cupcakes and I was very pleased to sample one for her. Spending the night at Altos! Jibitz
Date: 2010-08-08
From: rt 302

To: mt washington
Miles today: 12.5

I am so pleased I am taking my time through the Whites. The sights are so lovely....I can't imagine rushing this section or not waiting a day or two for a good weather window. I am so happy I do not have a deadline to finish by too....I think I would be edgy and miserable if I felt pressured to get miles in. Headed up the Webster Cliff trail just before 9am. What a climb! It goes practically straight up for three miles. There were some tricky sections but I plenty of good hand holds and thankfully the rocks were dry. There were several outlooks along the way and it was beautiful. Sunny and warm too with just a light breeze. Took a short break at a clearing just before the summit and than moved on towards Jackson.Being a beautiful weekend day I passed several day hikers and it just so happened that I knew a few.....ran into J&J about half way between Webster and Jackson! So nice to see you two! While we were talking a gray jay appeared...wicked bold birds that will eat right out of your hands. There were several folks on Jackson and I took another there and took in the views.Off to Mizpah Hut next. Gobbled down the remaining two pieces of pizza I had with me and than I was off to Pierce. Clouds had started to roll in by the time I reached the summit but the cloud deck was high so all the summits were in the clear. Just below Pierce I connected with the Crawford Path which I followed all the way to Washington! The trail by-passes the summits of Eisenhower and Monroe and this was the first time have I ever walked by these peaks and not over them. This is the one place I would have blue blazed had this been my first visit. Ran into Wipersnapp just before Monroe and he was all smiles! Its hard not to smile when you are out on a day like this.Took another break at Lakes of the Clouds. Had to put on my fleece as it was much colder now being so high up in elevation. Leaving the hut I ran into some more friends and than made my way up Washington! Very busy trail going up.Arriving at the summit I bundled up and waited in line to get my summit picture. It was much windier and colder up here and I got chilled waiting. So many people up here! After getting my summit photo I went inside and had a great big lunch...nothing like a bowl of chili to get all warm again. Back outside I spent an hour or so taking pictures and enjoying the views. Had a lot of fun people watching too. Turned my ankle really bad while wondering around. Got a ride back down to Altopia where I   am staying again. Had and awesome dinner at Mr Pizza with Al and Cameron. So tired and looking forward to sleep and a zero day tomorrow! Rain and thunder storms are moving in and I don't want to do the northern pressis. In crap weather.Jibitz
Date: 2010-08-09
From: mt washington

To: mt washington
Miles today: 0.0

Took a zero day to wait out the weather. Al made fabulous pancakes for breakfast.... he put some fresh lingonberries in them that Mats and I had picked the previous day coming out the Ethan Pond trail....and we topped them off with butter and real Vermont maple syrup....yum yum!Ginny picked me up around ten and she drove me around so I could do my town chores and than we spent the afternoon talking and catching up.Had a fabulous steak dinner with corn on the cob, salad and bread...oh so good! As we were eating we watched a huge black bear walk right down the road!Heading back up to the rockpile tomorrow.Jibitz
Date: 2010-08-10
From: mt washington

To: pinkham notch
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I was only planning to do a short day today but like the weather if you wait five minutes things will change. Ginny made a wonderful breaky and I had my fill of coffee before she took me to the base station so I could catch a train back up to the summit. Ginny, thank you so much for everything....you are a wonderful friend and I am so happy that you are a part of my life. I have never ridden the cog before and this is probably the only time I ever will.....what a fun experience! I was kind of scared in a few spots but overall it was a wicked cool way to get back to the summit. Another banner day above treeline! Again I am so pleased to have had the discipline to go through these parts. Actually it was easy to take my time. I am not a big fan of big days in this terrain with a heavy pack nor am I fan of being above treeline for long stretches in inclement weather...been there done that....not a hard lesson for me to learn. The northern presidentials are absolutely spectacular and no matter how many times I have been up here the views and the feeling I get inside never get old. Simply amazing! I was also thrilled to stay true to the AT and by-passed Jefferson and Adams. Along the way I passed two different groups of people who have been following my journal...pleased to meet you and I hope you all enjoyed your day!At the col I took a long break and gobbled down about ten peanut buttercup cookies that Ginny had made....oh so wicked yummy! Needless to say within minutes I was on a super sugar high....so no stopping early today for me! Took another quick break at Madison Spring hut and than made my way up Madison and than down the never ending Osgood Trail. With a few miles left I started to hear thunder but I never got rained on.Tomorrow I will take on the Wildcats and Carters! Whoo-hoo!Jibitz
Date: 2010-08-11
From: pinkham notch

To: imp shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Never under estimate the Wildcat-Carter Range! This range is hard...I'd even go as far to say it is harder than the Presidentials. Today started off with a big climb out of Pinkham Notch. The miles are short but it is steep, rugged and slow going. It took me nearly two hours to arrive at the gondola. I don't mind the big climbs and in many ways enjoy them more than the flat spots. I like working hard and pushing my body. With so much concentration on my steps and footing though it leaves little time for day dreaming and thinking. The next three miles were a series of many ups and downs...the foot path was rugged and steep in sections so progress was slow. Took a nice long break on Wildcat A at an overlook that looks down into Carter Notch where the Carter Notch hut is located. Took another long break here as I needed to refuel for the big climb out of the notch.The climb up to Carter Dome was very steep at the beginning but it than sort of leveled off to a more moderate climb. Enjoyed the summit and than took off to Mt Height.Mt Height is a beautiful open summit and I was thrilled to be up here on such a spectacular day! It was sunny out with some high puffy clouds and a light wind. It was much cooler than yesterday so I had to put on a layer while I took in all the views. To one side was Mt Washington and the northern summits and to the other side of me I was looking into Maine. Hard to believe I will be back in my home state in just a couple of days!After Mt Height the trail drops down to Zeta Pass and than makes it was over South, Middle and North Carter. The trail is somewhat kinder but still challenging and slow...especially the descent off of North Carter.All snuggled up with a full belly at the Imp Shelter. Short day into Gorham tomorrow! I will be sad to leave the Whites but am looking forward to some new terrain after crossing rt 2.Jibitz