morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-07-31
From: NH25C (to hiker hostel in Glencliff)

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last day of july and week 18...Great night sleep, shower and chat to fellow hikers and owners of the hostel, they were also past thru-hikers.Got ride back 5 mile to where we got off yesterday, bugs still out but so was another bear and our first deer in a while. It was an easy hike back to the hostel where we had a cold soda to celebrate less than 400miles to go.Back on the trail and we forded a river, within a mile we were in the White Mountains. Started with a 3700'climb up Moosilauke to 4802'. It was a good climb and we got to the top quicker than we thought, we also passed many many people shortly before the top that had come from the car park!!! Some of which would never have made it 200 feet from the start.Some hikers were chatting to us on top of the mountain and gave us a power bar each. Again many thanks, I gave mine to Masa as I figured he needed it more than I did having West Nile and Lyme. It was cooler up on top and we needed our rain jackets on to keep us warm with the strong wind that was blowing.Going down was a little tricker, without packs would have made it much easier. 3000' down a lot of the time on big steps that were wet and very slippy. You have to swing off trees lining the rocky trail to get down. I was enjoying it but Slip was not. Think I have found a new hobby when I return home.Got a message from Jon and Anna congratulations, when is the big day?Just after we thought it could not get any worst we went up and over from Kinsman Notch to Eliza Brook shelter, this felt like the longest 7.5miles on the trail. We arrived at the shelter which was full at 8pm so we had to put our tent up. we ate as quickly as we could and were in the tent before 9pm. Long hard day, guess this is what the Whites will be like..
Date: 2005-08-01
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: scattered clouds

week 19!!!Very heavy rain durning the night for at least 4 hours. After our late arrival last night we had a late start..But we are in the white mountains in New Hampshire, this is something we have been talking about since Georgia...and before...Oh what an introduction, it was a very hard climb up and over Kinsman, if this is how the White's are to be, then we are going to slow down a HUGE amount.The trail is not maintained very well so far and we had lots of boulder climbing/rock climbing and going down was even tricker.Wish my ribs were 100% it would make life much easier.Also lots of tree swinging to assist our descent.Slip was not enjoying him self.We arrived at our first HUT.You can stay here for the night where you get dinner AYCE and breakfast, but most hikes camp or even work for stay. The really great thing is that they sell the left over meal food for $1-2 AYCE. Unfortunately we arrived too late at this one, but we did get lemonade...mmmmm nice.The next section was like a walk in the park compared to earlier and in no time we were down at the road to hitch into town to get our next post office drop.We walked 3 miles to a motel where we booked a cab to take us the extra 3 miles to town. while we were waiting a thunder storm started and it looked like one that would last all night. We had planned on a quick trip to town and back on the trail but we would have a 2000' climb which would probally not be a good idea straight into the storm. So we booked a room and relaxed while it rained for the next 4 hours. We were very happy to be warm and dry. When it stopped about 8pm we went and sat out in the hotel hot tub, we had amazing views of the ridge we should have been on. It will still be there tomorrow.The storm lasted on the mountaind for another few hours..Well we have been told that you will slow down in the White's.. but only 8.8 miles..At this rate we could be here till christmas.
Date: 2005-08-02
From: Franconia Notch

To: Gale Head HUT
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVA.Cab took us back to the trail head, we had to walk through long wet grass for a half mile so by the time we got to the trail our feet were soaked.Cool and cloudy start. The climb was better than yesterday, it was graded and has been worked on.We chat to the care taker at the tentsite where we would have stayed last night, she said it was rough,and very stormy up here last night. Skies were now cobalt blue but windy. Onwards to Haystack, Mt Lincoln and Mt Lafayette at 5249' we caught views as we passed in and out of the clouds. We could just about see Mount Washington. The views were now fantastic. Past the trail to the second hut, it was a mile off so we decided to miss it out. I had no energy today so it was a tough day.Down to Garfield pond and another climb up to Galehead hut. It was about 5 pm and we would usually keep going till 8 but we decided to call it a day as we are expecting another storm in an hour or so. Found a tent site just beyond the Hut, but it was not big enougth to pull the tent tight. Relaxed outside the Hut where we made dinner, even cooked for two women out for a few days but their stove was not working. Catching up with some other hikers, Tri guy and Bluey were here last night. As we were about to depart to the tent for he night we could see the storm approaching so Slip pulled the tent down and we slept on the floor in the hut. Mellow decided to stay in his tent.!We waited till everyone in the hut went to bed at 2230 then we had the place to ourselves (oh and another 8 or so hikers also sleepimg out of the rain)It felt good to be inside, out of the thunder storm again..
Date: 2005-08-03
From: Gale Heah HUT

To: Mizpah hut/campsite
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: scattered clouds

The storm started again at midnight and lasted for more than an hour. It was one of the worst nights sleep on the trail as there was a relay to the toilets all night and no one thought about not banging the doors.But we were dry, and out here that means more that anything...Got up and left the HUT by 0630.Feel better today, hope I have more energy. Caught up to Mellow, he got Very wet last night. Past a couple of garter snakes, made good time and got to Zealand pond and Hut in time for left over baked goods from that morning. There was even Vegan Lentil soup on the go. Mellow dried his tent out. It was by then 75f, warm and sunny.The trail from here was like a walk in the park and so again we made better time. (or at least for 3 miles)we were thinking of camping down off the next road but we got there before 3pm so we pushed on, not too sure where we would get to. Carried our water for the night up the next mountain as there was none marked and we expected to be back to the slower pace, but the trail was even better so we did not stop and camp there. Amazing views for the top in all directions, and of Mount Washington. We could now make it to the next hut, they had a camp site and we may get some food.. This is always a great motivator. We were the only thru hikers there but, there were a few section hikers. A camp group of kids offered us some of their dinner. The leaders of the group thru hiked last year. Once again Thank you all. Then in the Hut we got left overs from dinner. Slip had what resembled a real dinner, and they even had pea soup I could have. To top it all they make Chocolate cake which is vegan so naturally I had to have a slice or two. What a fantasic day, and we managed a whole 21miles..
Date: 2005-08-04
From: Mizpah hut/campsite

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: fog

WE left at 0730, blue skies again, more wonderful views from Mount Clinton and Franklin...Think we are getting the hang of this rock climbing, as we are maintaining a steady pace when we want to. Got to Cloudland hut, Where there is an amazing view out this huge window in the food hall. We had left over baked goods which included Vegan chololate cake. This time there was a vegan girl working there and she offered me her personal stash..As we sat and ate the clouds came in and Mount Washington which we have been watching for the last few days vanished for a moment. So we left to climb Mount Washington at 1015. The clouds got thigker and we could see nothing. We eventually emerged from the clouds at the top and the ZOO of people, They get off the cog train and rush straight into the gift shop or snack bar without even looking at the actual top of the mountain which is less than 50 feet away.When we realised that the weather was not going to change we made a few calls and set off down the mountain. Tri Guy and Bluey were here 2 hours before us so we may see them tonight. Over lots and lots of rocks to Madison, now this at times was NOT for the faint hearted..but early afternoon the clouds cleared and blue skies came out. Looking back to Mount Washington, you could not see the top it was in a cloud from about 5000' up.We pushed on to Pinkham Notch, just before we passed a sign for Mount Washingtom that read 3.5 miles.... shame it was about 15 miles back from the way we had gone. Met Croc Walker and Britanicia, they said Tri Guy and Bluey were just ahead. We got to the road and decided to hitch 11 miles forward to Gorham to get a bed for the night, I am not sleeping because of my ribs at night, but a real bed makes a slight difference. I feel like a walking zombie.We stood on the road for less than 5 minutes when a couple that had passsed us turned around and gave us a ride. They too were going to Gorham. A Canadian and English couple living in Bracknell.. Thank you very much.Booked into the motel, met Red Rover, she got very excited when we said who we were as Ironfoot and AJ were there and the Brits.We all stood outside chatting for a while then eventually had a shower and had a mini party till late. Red Rover was the hiker that beat Slips icecream time in the Doyle and the reason he went on to do it in 4.31minutes
Date: 2005-08-05
From: Pinkham Notch

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

SO everyone was taking a Zero. And I even got some sleep!!!!Lazy day we needed it, we have not had a day off since Dalton and we have been pushing it, especially the last two 20s in the Whites.The brits hired a car and took us all to the supermarket, post office....We were going to go to the cinema but Slip slept for most of the afternoon. Thunder storm late afternoon which seems to be the norm.88f after the rain stopped. Our room had a whirlpool bath which we both used a few times..Good real food, shower and a Bed.. what more could you ask for
Date: 2005-08-06
To: US2(Gorham)
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

Early start, got a ride back to the trail and started walking by 7am. SAW A MOOSE... did you hear that, we saw a MOOSE... just after we hit the trail. He had crossed a stream and made a loud noise so we looked back and there he was, too many trees for us to get a photo but it was fantastic just to stand and watch. They are so weird and look like they are made up of 4 or 5 other animals. Oh and did we say they are huge..Up Wild Cats Peaks to the gondala, we got there before it was working so we had the peaks to our selves . Weather was fantastic deep blue skies and only a few wispy clouds. Stoped at Carter Notch hut our last one.. Up down up down all day, but the views are breathtaking. Had a great lunch on South Carter mountain. Met MASA at Imp campsite.. oops now my wisdomtooth aches the one I wanted my dentist to pull 3 years ago, but he said as it was not sore I should leave it alone. Its growing 70 degrees off the angle it should be!!!Down to US2 where we got a ride with Masa back into Gorham, this time we were only 3 miles away from it.Less than 300miles to go and tomorrow we hope to be in Maine, the Last State..we saw a Moose did I mention that..
Date: 2005-08-07
From: US2(Gorham)

To: Carlo Col Sh (in MAINE)
Miles today: 17.0

We had a late start, got to the trail head at 1000 but we met Teach (last saw him at Delaware Water Gap late June, he got off for an interview for a teaching job which he got, but he was doing big miles and finished the AT on aug 4th.) congtats Teach. So we got trail magic as he was getting rid of his extra food, by the time we left and started climbing it must have been 1100.Slip had no energy so I had to take weight off him, we did have full packs from out town stop. Had lunch on the top of the mountain, to lighten our load a little, where we met two past thru-hikers. Mount Success was next on our list and it went on and on and was very hard but the road to success they say is hard.. so it was aptly named.Wild Raspberries and loads of blue berries today.Arrived at the New Hampshire/Maine border at 2002 which was the published sunset time for tonight. SO it was getting dark and we still had to boulder hop before we found the shelter, head lamps were required but the roots and rocks made it very difficult. By 2040 we had arrived and there was space in the shelter, it was too late to put the tent up, we ate and chatted with the 3 guys staying there. There were others camped but it was too dark to see who.The stars were amazing and the Milky Way was very clear.
Date: 2005-08-08
From: Carlo Col Sh (in MAINE)

To: Wildcamp at stream
Miles today: 12.5

Start of week 20..Happy birthday Vicky.Slept better after our hard day yesterday, but I did get up and watch the start for an hour around 3am, we don't get to see them that often as we are usually under tree cover.We started hiking at 0810, warm and humid.Rocky climb to Goose Eye mountain (what's new)Managed to call Vicky and Jason from the mountain top..This slowed us down and we had lunch at the next shelter.Next was the big boulder field that is MAHOSUC notch, it is a mile on the trail and billed as the toughest mile on the AT. There are huge boulders that you have to climb over, under, squeeze through with or without your pack. There are also big chuncks of ice under the boulders that had not melted. You could feel the temp drop about 15-20 and see your breath even though it was about 80 today. We enjoyed it more that we thought, but it was just about the right length, and came to an end just as we said "ok thats enough" Hiking poles were no use so we closed them us and secured them to our packs. But if was fun.Then we left it behind and got back to our normal rocky path, a grouse played injured holding out its wing and walked up the trail ahead of us for 20' then ran of into the woods. Guess she had a nest near by. Just before Spec pond campsite we caught Tri-Guy and his girlfriend.They had camped where we stayed last night. This camp was full with 30 16year old girls and about 20 18 year old boys but no swedish volleyball team. SO we pushed on again not sure where we would stop.Met Mongrel from a shelter close to Harpers ferry, he was flip flopping had got so far heading north and skipped ahead to Katahdin and was now going south to where he left off.We found a place to camp beside a river that we could hear all night, Bliss.only 12+ miles today but we were "lolly gagging"past the 1900 mile mark...
Date: 2005-08-09
From: Wildcamp at stream

To: East B Hill Road (Andover)
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Neither of us wanted to get up this morning, but Katahdin will not come to us..It was hot by 7am, who said it would get cooler by Maine. Down to Grafton Notch and we wave the AMC behind.Hard work to Big Bald mountain and at the next shelter we met a section hiker Tenyearsonthetrail. The views are great again and we get down to Ellis river and a beautiful plunge pool. Perfect for a swim or dip.Got to the road for Andover to get our post office package, or was it? It was a dirt road! Trail magic at the road side. We grabbed a cold soda (again many thanks) and started to walk the 8 miles to Andover only 2 cars passed in 70minutes it must have been 100f on the road. Our shoes were starting to stick to the surface. There was no shelter from he sun. Then 4 miles on A guy arrived in a van and took us back to his grandparents B&B. We had planned on just food and a PO stop but we were so hot and Pissed that we stayed. Another short day but who's counting at this stage.Slip thought it was funny when he walked in to the Snowy Valley Diner in 100 heat.Mountain Dancer arrived in the diner to cool off with icecream. He was with AJ and Ironfoot and they came back down off the mountain as it was too hot. Shower and dinner. Masa arrived later.
Date: 2005-08-10
From: East B Hill Road (Andover)

To: ME17
Miles today: 23.4

Great sleep, but then I was in a bed. Really thought I would not be in as much pain with a few broken ribs. Guess they are not going to heal fully until I stop lugging around a 35+lb pack.Decided to slack pack the first few miles and have our packs dropped to us 9 miles on, at the next road crossing. This was to make up for our slowish days. Very hot at 0730 when we started..Climb up and up but it feels great without a pack and we can really fly. You do have to stop your self from over balancing as our brains are used to our heavy packs. It feel funny but good.Slip collected lots of Spider webs this morning. A few Garter snakes on the trail too this morning. At one stage we saw 3 in 10 minutes. Very humid so we are soaked already, so much for clean clothes. 2000' cimb up Moody mountain which was easier than we thought. soon we were back on a road waiting for our packs. The next road was in 13 miles and while we waited for the car we woundered if we could make that section too.Just after 1300 they arrived and after a short chat we decided to go for it. So we took our lunch out of the packs and send them back. I would get another good night sleep as we would stay in the B&B again.It was very hot and humid and we were glad we did not have our packs.When ever we meet southbounders we have 10 minutes of exchanging water sources, so we knew there was some up ahead even though our book say there is no water.Pass a huge camp of trail maintainers. They are out for a month and they said all the work they have done is ahead of us.And so it was. It looked like someone got a brush and swept the trail. Along with lots of work putting in steps of granite to stop the natural erosion.Lots and lots of Moose poo everywhere, and blueberries, they taste so sweet....3 times thunder rolled and it started to rain but we only got a little damp once, and it sure felt good.Soon we could hear a road, we were met with cold homemade lemonade. On the way back we saw a moose and calf crossing the road. Did not realise how graceful they could be. Back to a bed..Sleep..zzzz
Date: 2005-08-11
From: ME17

To: logging road
Miles today: 17.0

lazy start. The rain we were expecting this morning passed during the night.Ride back to the trail. It was very wet so they must have had a lot of rain.Past 4 very pretty ponds (the size of lakes) met Croc Walker and Britanicia. We ate lunch by the last pond, making good time so at the next road we decide to try and hitch to a supermarket 8 miles away. but if no ride in a short time we will just push on. Slip looked at the book to check which way we needd to go. The first van stopped and AJ and Ironfoot were getting out of if. WE then realised we were on the wrong side of the road..The man gave us a ride with CW and B that had showed up by this time to the supermarket. He then waited to drop us back..Trail magic... Back at the trail we sat and both ate icecream. 1 hour afer we stopped we were back hiking again. Trail magic had been left in a bag, but we were full so left it for others. Then as we crossed a bridge there was a guy with apples and nuts, but again we told him we had just come from town so we would leave it for others.We arrived at the shelter where Ironfoot and AJ had stopped for the night but we had already decided to push on to make the post office before 11am Saturday morning. So after an hour of chatting we left for a pond. We just missed a moose and calf at the waters edge of EDDY pond. We found a spot to camp and were looking to cook dinner by 1830.Now you may remember the story with the stove, well we got the new one and send back the old one in Andover, but on opening it a part was missing!!!! So the stove saga goes on. Only now we can not cook... some fast thinking was rquired so I soaked the couscous in the Soyamilk I had just bought and after 20 minutes we had something that resembled rice pudding. We ate most of the extra food we had just bought. Then I soaked the oatmeal in more soya milk and left it over night. The trick was keeping it away from the bears/mice during the night.How could you get mad, we had this perfect spot by the water and watched the sun set.
Date: 2005-08-12
From: logging road

To: Crocker cirque camp
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: broken clouds

Happy wedding anniversary Mum & DAD and Noel and Gillian and happy birthday JohnLots of noise outside during the night but we did see a lot of bear tracks yesterday. It clouded over so we did not get up to see the Perseids shower.Oatmeal worked out ok, but it was cold. We had an early start to try to get the miles in. Left at 0610, the temp was very nice and easy to hike in.Saddleback mountain 4100+ then the horn where we met a group of French Canadian guys. View of Katahdin from here.Ate lunch at a nice falls. Its warming up so we may get thumder later.Walked along a brook for a few miles and just after crossing a stream we saw another Moose this time with a very young calf. It was not very steady on its feet, we stood and watched for a while and manage a few photos but the trees kept getting in the way.Past Sugarloaf mountain, its a huge ski resort but that was the other side of the mountain. More snakes. At the next shelter "7 year plan" a section hiker had left his extra food as he finished a day early. So Slip made him self a peanut butter and jelly sandwich..see the trail provides.Got to our campsite for the night where Zen & Red beard were camping (they too are flip flops) they let us use their stove so we had hot food!!!!!!!!!!thanks you..just finished eating when it started to rain.
Date: 2005-08-13
From: Crocker cirque camp

To: stratton ME
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

It Rained most of the night, and it was misty when we left and the wind was very strong.Left at 0550..The rocks were very wet and slippy, and it looked like it was going to be overcast/wet and windy all day. But by the time we got to the road into Stratton the sun was out and the wind had died, but that could just have been at the lower elevations.Walked a mile until I had a signal and got a ride to the Stratton motel where we stayed in the hostel.Oh and We made it by over an hour to get to the post office.This place was fantastic. Shower,food and Slip even got some one to collect a new stove from a town 20 miles away.187miles to go........
Date: 2005-08-14
From: stratton ME

To: Long Falls Dam Road
Miles today: 19.1

7 thru hikers decided to slack it form here to come back and stay another night. Now my ribs are thankful of this.So Peeps, her husband Mikey, Mountain dancer, Croc Walker, Britanicia and us 2 left at 7 to move north. once again we had to adjust our hiking to get used to the small light day packs.We had a great day, our last big climb above 4000' untill Katahdin. Bigelow range with wonderful views, snacks and playing leap frog with the other 5. This time we could see the other side of sugarloaf and the ski resort. Looks like we will come back and try it out some time. The rain held off, and we passed the 2000 mile mark!on the road where we are to be collected '2000' is painted on the road..What a great day.We convinced Mountain Dancer to come back with us to the hostel..TriGuy and bluey were also at the hostel so we celebrated our 2000miles with a few beers..can we finish in less than 10 days?