morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-10
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 11.9

We were early leaving SOBO hiker named Yankee (a south bounder from New York) at camp. Proceeded to walk along Lamberts Ridge before heading up Smarts Mountain where there is an old fire tower and Fire Wardens Cabin. Descending to Jacobs Brook and back to Eastman Ledges and then arriving at camp. I need to get word to the Green Mountain Club (the trail maintainers in Vermont) that their "famous" Vermont Mud has crossed the state line into New Hampshire. Now there's border crossing I wish someone would talk about. Enough with the mud.Hexacubs is a six sided shelter, very big, but the tent sites are really bad. So Cabo and I have put up our tents in the shelter.
Date: 2014-07-11
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: NH Hwy 25 Glencliff
Miles today: 14.8

I slept in a bit, until 5:30. Then it was a climb up Mt Cuba. It was a wonderful view with low clouds sitting in the valley. We got to NH25A and decided to hitch to the General Store 5 miles away for a deli sandwich. Vermont was easy to hitch in, but New Hampshire isn't quite so much. It took 25 minutes before we finally got a ride. But it was worth getting to the deli - delicious every bite. During lunch Cabo and I decided to hike to the Welcome Hiker Hostel today instead of tomorrow. We stopped by the Ore Hill Camp and found a brand new privy. The back had a sign "dungeon", and the front "Castellim Excretmenti" which I believe is Latin for.....well, you know. We got the last two beds in the shed in the yard. Sometime I should list all the kinds of places I have slept on this journey. Took an outdoor shower and did laundry before going to the gas station with a deli. The word of the day is DELI!?
Date: 2014-07-12
From: NH Hwy 25 Glencliff

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: broken clouds

Today is a slack pack day. It was a good thing as this hike has turned into a lot of climbing. Climbed up 3000 feet to Mt Moosilauke to see the best views we have see since I have been on the trail. Perfect day. Mt Moosilauke at 4802 feet is the start of the White Mountains. It's name is from two Native American words that means bald place - and has nothing to do with moose. We spent about 45 minutes on the top. We found a lot of day hikers. Great place on a Saturday for day hikers. When we got back to the hostel several new hikers were in for the night. Looks like a BBQ cookout for dinner. Sharing stories and cooking BBQ. Good day! I will have an even better day when I get my 5th pair of shoes...rocks and climbing really do a number on shoes. Looking forward to my happy feet new shoes dance!
Date: 2014-07-13
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 16.3

We got dropped off at the trailhead and our packs went ahead to Chet's in Lincoln, NH. Slack packing makes the trail easier and we can move along faster - though with the wet we have to be careful of slippery rocks. Then climbed up 1600 feet to Mt Wolf. We are trying to get finished with today's fun before the rain comes. We went down to Eliza Brook Shelter for a break and water before going back up 1800 feet to Kinsman Mountain. It was a wonderful view of...fog. Lady Trip says it looks exactly like the Grand Canyon the first time she saw that spectacular view as well. On the way down we met Miss Sherry, a history teacher. She was out for a day hike. We stopped by Lonesome Lake Hut for some Lemonade. Miss Sherry (as her students call her) offered to drive us into Lincoln. Indeed a trail angel. The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has many huts in the White Mountains. They sound like some little shack but in fact they are more like lodges. They are priced like lodges as well. The bunks cost $100 a night including dinner and breakfast. So to Chet's house we go! Miss Sherry dropped us off at Chet's house where we claimed our pack. He has six bunks for hikers and there were 11 hikers there. So Cabo and I decided to get a motel room. There is something to be said for a good night sleep and all the hot water one can want in an indoor shower! We will be glad to be out of the rain. The rain started at 5 pm and will continue thru the night. A nice sound when you are indoors!
Date: 2014-07-14
From: Franconia Notch

To: Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

With a big storm happening this is a zero day. Well, almost. We did walk thru town in search of food. We weren't alone. We passed many hikers throughout town trying to find a place to stay dry. We finally found a burger place that was recommended to us, Black Mt Burgers. I had the Smitty Burger, which is a hamburger patty between two grilled cheese sandwiches. Fantastic!!!Cabo and I planned out our hike for the next two weeks and bought some food.
Date: 2014-07-15
From: Lincoln, NH

To: Woodstock, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Cabo and I decided to change motels so we can hang around some place different. The Comfort Inn does not exude ambiance. The Woodstock Inn might be a little much with its B&B feel. After breakfast we "hiked" one mile to the Woodstock Inn and Brewery. After we got checked in we went on a walk around town. We had coffee at the Cascade Coffee House where I spotted someone wearing what should be MY shirt. On the back it said "Best Buns in Town". Tell them, Lady Trip, that you agree! (Editor's note: can't remember - it has been a long time!)Exhausted from the "walk about" I took an hour nap before the brewery tour. One must be rested for the adventures the day might bring. We had to walk all the way across the street. For $5 you get a souvenir glass that you use to try their 10 beers and their root beer. The root beer was the best I have ever had...and the three beers I tried were pretty tasty too. Nothing left to do but to go to lunch! This was followed by a trip to the post office to mail home the souvenir glass - cost? $12 to get it shipped home. That "to do" done we treated ourselves to ice cream. Come on, on a trail you never know when you can get ice cream. The predicted rain storm started with a vengeance - which means it is nap time. No this is not just an extended vacation - this is a serious hike! Just remember to wake me for dinner!
Date: 2014-07-16
From: Woodstock, NH

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 13.0

Rain, rain go away. Don't come back any day!After breakfast we packed our backpacks and waited for the shuttle to take us back to the trail. We will just have to take it slow with the wet trail and rocks. I really need a new pair of shoes - the tread on these is worn down and the rocks are slippery. We climbed 2500 feet up to Franconia Ridge, then continued climbing over Little Haystack Mountain, Mt Lincoln and Mt Lafayette. The rain stopped about 10 a.m. but the rocky trail was wet all day. To continue our tradition it was foggy and therefore no views. Dang! Its a long way to go to see nothing.Down we went to Garfield Pond and back up to Mt Garfield. Then back down to Galehead Hut. We arrived after dinner, but they fed us with the extra food (aka left overs!)and we even got bunks for the night! If ever there was a day that I thought about quitting this was the day. All 13 miles we went over rocks. Lots of rocks. Lots of wet rocks. Lots of wet slippery rocks
Date: 2014-07-17
From: Galehead Hut

To: Ethan Pond Campsite
Miles today: 11.8

After a wonderful breakfast I put back on my wet, sweaty hiking clothes from yesterday and we hit the trail. The first 1100 foot climb took us over one hour but the rest of the day was down hill. Finally we found wonderful views from South Twin Mountain. Then down to Zealand Falls Hut where we had a bowl of Potato Dill Soup and bread. I finally met Wired, who is from Portland, Oregon. Also at the hut was The Machine who we have seen off and on since Welcome Hiker Hostel. The last five miles to the shelter was a great trail. Flat, no rocks--a walk in the woods. That would make a great title for a book about hiking the AT - no, not that one, one by a real hiker! Cabo and I ran into Em, the caretaker at the shelter, who was clearing a fallen tree off the trail. So we pitched in with help. After dinner we had a camp sing-a-long as Em played her banjo. Glad to have been a camp counselor back home - some of the songs were camp fire favorites!
Date: 2014-07-18
From: Ethan Pond Campsite

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We were again up early. The Machine, Cabo and I hit the trail down to Crawford Notch arriving at the AMC Highland Center in time for breakfast. Timing is everything! The Machine is staying here for the night. There is a big mountain play area right here in the shadow of the mountains. The trail went up to Webster Cliffs, Mt Webster, and Mt Jackson before stopping at the Mizpah Spring Hut for lunch. Continuing on in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains we went over Mt Pierce, Mt Eisenhower, Mt Franklin, and Mt Monroe before arriving at Lake of the Clouds Hut. Franklin, Dwight, Ben and James would be proud. Hey, Ben wasn't a president was he? This hut holds 100 guests and 30 hikers in the basement, known as the Dungeon. There was a pretty good podcast about the huts on Here and Now. Here's the website to listen to it!http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2013/10/25/amc-huts-anniversary
Date: 2014-07-19
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Osgood Tent Site
Miles today: 10.1

In the morning in the huts coffee is ready at 5:30 and breakfast at 7. But at 6:30 one of the staff sings a good morning song to make sure everyone is awake. The staff is known as The Croo and does skits. But they also do the important work of packing in food. That's a lot of work. After breakfast we climbed the 1.3 miles to Mt Washington, elevation 6288, the second highest peak on the ATThe weather changes by the minute. The highest wind was recorded at 231 mph on April 10, 1934 before the gauge broke. Non hikers can take the Cog Railway up the mountain to the Summit House which has a snack bar. We waited in the Summit House for a couple of hours for the fog to lift but no luck. Finally we dropped down to Mt Clay and Mt Jefferson before stopping at the Madison Spring Hut for lunch. With one more mountain today we went up and over Mt Madison before coming to our camp for the evening.
Date: 2014-07-20
From: Osgood Tent Site

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 10.6

Cruised along out of camp to Pinkham Notch, home of the AMC Visitors Center and two boxes for me. My last pair of new shoes, thanks Ginny and crew, and a food box, thanks Lady Trip. The light is at the end of the tunnel - my last pair of shoes and my last box will come soon from home. While I was sorting thru my food I had lunch in the snack bar of the Visitors Center. Next we went up to Wildcat Mountain Peaks (there are four peaks) where we took the ski gondola down the mountain to the restaurant!! Another lunch. Hiking means you can happily enjoy two lunches. And between restaurant food and freezed-dried food I will make sure I get something from the restaurant. Back up the mountain on the gondola, we continued on to Carter Notch Hut where we got to "work for stay". We had to work sweeping for about an hour and then got dinner, breakfast and a bunk with the regular guests. Not a bad deal! Next to the hut is Carter Pond, which is spectacular.
Date: 2014-07-21
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

After another great breakfast, we are climbing up to Carter Dome and Mt High, before heading down to Zeta Pass. There we saw a young grouse along the trail. Back up to Middle Carter Mountain, North Carter Mountain, and Mt Moriah before cruising into Gorham. I only have 17 miles left in New Hampshire! The White Mountain Hostel is directly on the trail. Marnie is the owner who runs it with the help of her mother, youngest son Nimble (he hiked the AT in 2013) and Eric. The hostel holds 20 hikers. When I arrived I met Trail Bunny who I have not seen since Woods Hole Hostel (back the first part of May). She was driving up the Auto Road to Mt Washington so I went along. She met her husband, Long Haul Trucker, at the summit. I found Dr Zoom and Rosey there also. We took their packs so they could slackpack to the hostel. I will be able to catch up with him soon. Lady Trip reminded me of his love of Swedish Fish so hope I can find some for him. After a shower, laundry and relaxing the plan is for a trip to Wal-Mart (the last one available for the rest of the trail) for some re-supply and dinner. Its hard to believe that I have only another month of this journey! With my new shoes on I feel I can hike forever! Well, at least until a pizza or a huge burger or an AYCE calls my name. I met K2, a young man from Issaquah, WA heading south. We are starting to run into more south bounders SOBO who start at Katahdin and head south. Also met up with Beerdra and Journey who are doing a missed section from last year. (Beerdra got her name because she likes beer). As hikers say, we all hike our own hike. So I have run into day hikers, section hikers, thru hikers, and flip flop hikers. And some like those two, just catching up on bits and pieces they haven't done before.
Date: 2014-07-22
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8

I woke up at 5 am and went to make the coffee. I am that kind of hero! Most everyone was up having coffee and waiting for breakfast which included Egg and cheese burritos, hash-browns, sausage, and blueberry muffins. The breakfast is included in the cost of $33 at the White Mountain Hostel. The trail took us out of Gorham and up Mt Hayes. Followed by Cascade Mountain, and Wocket Ledge. We enjoyed seeing the beautiful Dream Lake before arriving at camp. Cabo ran into Papa and his dog Petey. They hiked together last year for a couple of weeks before Cabo got injured. Now Papa and Petey are doing a southbound thru hike. In camp tonight are Flossie and Grey Squirrel (a retired couple from Rochester, NY), Grasshopper, and a group of 15 teens from a summer camp.
Date: 2014-07-23
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6

We left camp early, leaving behind the group of teens. Flossie and Grey Squirrel led the way knocking down the spider webs. That's almost as good as coffee heroes!First we went up Mt Success. This is the last mountain we will climb in New Hampshire. On the way up someone had put the 1900 mile marker in sticks on a boulder. Only 285 miles to go! After Mt Success we passed the state border. We are now in Maine!!! The last state. Katahdin here we come! After getting water at Carlo Shelter we climbed Mt Carlo, Goose Eye Mountain West, East and North. It was a very rocky trail all day. It took us 9 hours to do the 9.6 miles. But we got to the shelter before the thunder storm hit. Timing is everything!
Date: 2014-07-24
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 9.7

The thunder storm ended about 1 a.m. which is what was predicted. We didn't leave camp until 7 a.m. giving the trail some time to dry out. We climbed up to Fulling Mill Mountain before descending into the Mahoosuc Notch. This is the most difficult or fun mile on the entire AT. We were hoping for more fun than difficult but with wet rocks the fun was out. This mile is huge boulders that you have to go up, under, through, around, as you make your way down the notch. It took us 2 hours to finish one mile. Three times we had to remove our packs and push them through the tiny holes. Then it was 1600 feet up the Mahoosuc Arm. Another tough climb. We then dropped 2500 feet to Grafton Notch where we were pick up by Pine Ellis Lodge where we will be for 4 nights while we slack pack.
Date: 2014-07-25
From: Grafton Notch

To: East B Hill, Andover
Miles today: 10.3

We caught an early shuttle to the trail. Up 2300 feet to Baldpate Peaks, east and west. This is a great hiking day. I started hiking on my 18th birthday, 41 years ago, and at Eyebrow Trail I have hiked 30,000 miles!!!!!! Lady Trip's calculator says that is 60,800,000 steps. That is how we hike, one step at a time. (Note from Lady Trip - the 30th anniversary of Tom's 29th birthday will be this Thursday, July 31. Don't let on to his real age as he thinks he is 34!) Arrived at the road crossing to wait for the shuttle back to Pine Ellis Lodge. I have been with Sisyfus, Katsup, Cabo, Flossie and Grey Squirrel. Went to the Little Red Hen Cafe for Prime Rib but they ran out. But I did have a wonderful dinner. Flossie got her name because she has dental floss attracted to her backpack shoulder strap. Dr. Isenberg would be happy to know there is no where you can't practice good dental hygiene! Sisyfus is named from the Greek God who pushed a boulder up a mountain every day only to watch it roll back down and do it all over the next day. She spells it different and her boulder is her backpack. Katsup is so named because he loves catsup and for a while he was "catching up". A couple of thank yous:Dave and Paula Hardman for the Starbucks Gift Cards. I put them to very good use. I also saved enough to have that first cup of coffee with my dear wife in a few short weeks! Paula B for the Starbucks VIA Coffee. You keep me awake and making new friends! Melissa and Brian Rockum for helping to fund my trip - it will cover my very last box...being shipped today!Also a thanks to MomO for the gift - I know you are really missing your favorite, most funny and most handsome son-in-law.
Date: 2014-07-26
From: East B Hill, Andover

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 10.1

We grabbed breakfast at The Red Hen Cafe then off to the trail. We went up to Surplus Pond. Maine has so many ponds that there is a surplus. Then we continued up to Wyman Mountain. The rocks we have had in New Hampshire and the beginning of Maine seem to be fewer and fewer. Went down to Sawyer Notch and back up to Moody Mountain. Saw several north bound hikers: Naked Ninja, who is hiking with a couple of friends. Dr Zoom took two zero days in Gorham and Rosie had a wedding to go to for five days. We are back at the Pine Ellis Hostel for another night and All You Can Eat Pizza at The Red Hen Cafe. We are becoming regulars - and its because it is a little hidden gem - great food and amazing hospitality. And their bread is home made and fabulous!
Date: 2014-07-27
From: South Arm Road

To: Oquossoc,ME
Miles today: 13.2

We were back on the trail after breakfast at the Mills Market, home of 5 generations of Mills running the store. We climbed up Old Blue Mountain. It was a wonderful view of the valley with some low clouds. Five of us were slack packing today: Cabo, Grasshopper, Topo, Ironwill and myself. Having new shoes that I can find in the dark make me dance. We came down to Unnamed Gap (really, they couldn't come up with a name?) and then up to Bemis Mountain, the first and second peaks. We have arranged to be picked up at 2 pm, but the shuttle didn't arrived until 3:30, after the thunder storms started. Rain will continue thru the night. Wet but happy hiking.
Date: 2014-07-28
From: Oquossoc,ME

To: ME 4 Rangeley Farmhouse Inn
Miles today: 13.2

Breakfast at the Mills Market again and then a shuttle to the trail. Our full packs went onto Rangeley. The rain started again around 10 but the trail didn't have the rocks of yesterday, so it was pretty uneventful until I came to the pond. I saw my first moose! Called for our shuttle, and we were taken into Rangeley, Maine. The town of Rangeley is exactly halfway between the equator and the North Pole, 3107 miles from either. The Farmhouse Inn had been closed for a while but is now owned by Shane and Stacy who run it with the help of their four adopted children and Shane's brother Eric. They have only been opened for two weeks. It had been closed for over a year. We wish them good luck as we hikers depend on the hospitality of hostel and resturaunts. It will be a challenge soon heading into the 100 mile wilderness with little services available.
Date: 2014-07-29
From: ME 4 Rangeley Farmhouse Inn

To: Woods Road
Miles today: 14.8

My, my. In talking with Shane we found out that he can drive us to an old logging road to connect to the AT and we can slackpack back to the Farmhouse Inn!!! So, six of us are doing just that. The five from yesterday and Long Haul Trucker. It rained much of the night but as we started down the trail the sun started to peek out. The first order of business was to ford a stream. So, off came the shoes and socks and everything out of my pockets. The water was past my knees (so deep indeed!) and very cold. Them we climbed up Saddleback Junior, The Horn, and Saddleback Mountain. It was a tough day with many rocks and roots. There was a lot of water on the trail from the rain. However the views from The Horn and Saddleback Mountain were breath taking. So we are heading back to the Farmhouse Inn for BBQ dinner. Everyone has something to throw on the grill. Life is not just good - it is grand!
Date: 2014-07-30
From: Woods Road

To: ME 27 Stratton ME
Miles today: 17.4

This is Cabo's last day on the trail. This is the place he was injured last year so now his hike is completed. It was good to have him as a fellow hiker all these miles! The trail was a bit easier today, except for the last mile. Shane dropped us off and we headed up Lone Mountain. Then we hiked the ridge to Mt Abraham and along the crest of Spaulding Mountain before descending Sugarloaf Mountain. Next we had to ford the Carrabassett River before heading up Crocker Mountain. Then it was a nice decent to Stratton. Stayed at the Stratton Motel and I had the Wolf Burger for dinner. A hamburger with sausage, bacon, lettuce and tomato. It was wonderful. I don't think Lady Trip is getting all these great recipes to fix for me when I get home. She does now and then talk about our extra freeze dried food.
Date: 2014-07-31
From: ME 27 Stratton ME

To: East Flagstaff Road
Miles today: 0.0

I left for the trail early for a long slack pack day. I went down to the Stratton Brook, then up to go across the Bigelow Range: South Horn, Bigelow Mountain, Avery Peak and Little Bigelow Mountain. Bigelow Mountain is named after Major Timothy Bigelow who climbed the summit in October 1775 for the purpose of observation. Major Bigelow was one of Benedict Arnold's four division commanders during the 1775 Invasion of Canada. This was one of the first battles of the American Revolution - with the intent of capturing the Province of Quebec and get French speaking Canadians to join in the fight against the British. Did not succeed or we would be eating poutine and croissants. We came out on a road to find about 20 motorcycles all lined up. One rider with his dog in a chest harness, wearing goggles. Very cute. Had dinner with O2 from North Dakota at the Wolf Inn. And yes, I had the Wolf Burger again. Again, don't think I will convince the chef de cuisine to put this on our menu! Thunder and lightening storm much of the evening.
Date: 2014-08-01
From: East Flagstaff Road

To: Harrison's Camp
Miles today: 13.3

Thank you all for Birthday Wishes! Not feeling a bit older...well not every day!I was up at 5 am, before anyone else. It was very quiet in the hostel. The weather report shows rain for the next five days, usually in the afternoon. Trail Bunny drove her husband, Long Haul Trucker and me to the trailhead. Only two small climbs today. The rock scrambling is mostly gone. Maine is known for their bogs, so lots of bog logs to go over. These are very slick when wet. The over used trails also have exposed an abundance of tree roots. I caught up with Sisyfus and we hiked together much of the day. We passed some beautiful lakes/ponds along the way: Flagstaff Lake, West Carry Pond, and East Carry Pond. Sisyfus and Ketchup are staying in the shelter tonight, while I am at Harrison's Pierce Pond Camp. So far, I am the only person here tonight. I have a cabin overlooking the river, hot shower, and breakfast all for $40. Worth it with the pending thunder storm.