morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-08-28
From: US 4, Rutland, VT

To: Campsite Along Trail, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today's miles for Miles: 11.8Total miles for Miles: 932.9------------------------------Today's miles for Side: 0Total miles for Side: 694.3----------------------------- Woke early at 6:00 and laid for a while so I didn't wake everyone else in the room. At about 6:30 I quietly carried my belongings out to the social room and began packing. They serve breakfast at 7:30 as part of your stay so at 7:00 I went down to the restaurant to get a latte. Then a breakfast of baked oatmeal with apples and berries was served along with big pitchers of banana milk that was like a smoothie and was so good on the oatmeal. Caught the 9:15 bus which took me right to the trailhead. And off I went. Passed a shelter a mile into my hike. Then hiked past a trail to Deer Leap which we've hiked previously. Caught up with a woman older than me who was hiking with her two big dogs. They were all very friendly. Took a break to talk to her. Noticed a dark dot on my leg. We coudn't tell if it was a tick or not so I pulled out my trusty tick remover. It worked and removed the black dot and my leg bled some so think I pulled off a scab. Dabbed on some neosporin. By this time, she moved on ahead but one of her dogs just laid there and wouldn't move. Reminded me of when we'd walk Bekki's dogs and they would just lay down in the road when they got tired. Turned out this was about the point where she usually gave the dogs treats and after she did they all continued on. Hiked through Gifford Woods state park and then past Kent Pond. The water was so calm. Passed an elderly couple out for a stroll and chatted with them for a few minutes. Looked at Thundering Brook Falls. Had a good strong hiking day except for the steep ups. Quimby Mountain was a challenge but made it up. Later other hikers told me they found it a bit tough also. Stopped halfway up for lunch on a rock. A hiker from each direction passed. Called Bek from the top to catch up with her life. Had talked to Kim yesterday. Stopped at Stony Brook shelter for a snack and then continued on. Shortly after the shelter there was a 24 foot aluminum ladder attached to a rock wall. What a surprise. Fortunately it wasn't opened the whole way. Climbed down and continued on. Had to filter water at Stony Brook. They recently put in a fancy footbridge but the white blazes were still on the rocks going across the stream so I crossed both ways to make sure I was official. What a goof. Did another big climb. It was getting late so I was watching for a place to camp when it started to rumble so I got less selective and picked a spot to pitch the tent and saw a good bearbag tree nearby so this was home for the night. The mosquitoes were ridiculous so just jumped in the tent and ate cold food. Raced out to hang the food and back into the tent again. Called Side and Mom. It's been rumbling and raining a little and flashing lightning in the distance. Hope it all stops since I'm not in the perfect campsite. We'll see what the night brings. So happy in my little tent. Oops getting more serious booming. Night.
Date: 2013-08-29
From: Campsite Along Trail

To: Campsite Along Trail, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's miles for Miles: 12.6Total miles for Miles: 945.5------------------------------Today's miles for Side: 0Total miles for Side: 694.3----------------------------- So last night's weather turned out to be not so bad. Rained a little. Plenty of heat lighting and rumbling in the distance but just a little rain. Got up early and packed by 7:45. Good thing I got an early start because all the energy of yesterday was totally gone. I could hardly lift my feet uphill and I wasn't even that good downhill. I hadn't been able to cook last night because of the crazy mosquitoes. Think that took a toll on me. Finally at 10:30 I stopped and sat on a long fallen birch trunk and cooked up some Ramen. Also ate a few other things while I was waiting for it to cook. Helped some but not much. Then I realized that I had used the last of my water to cook the Ramen. Great, now I was going to have to go in the 0.2 miles to the shelter later to get water. When I got to the turnoff to the cabin and lookout, I decided to do the short distance to check it out. Met Tee Time who was cooking lunch on the porch. Cabin was really nice along the lines of an enclosed shelter. Privately owned but hikers can stay there. You take wooden stairs up the outside of the cabin to a crows nest with a seat right on top of the cabin. Nice views. Passed a few backpacking couples. Headed on to Winturri Shelter for water. Just a trickle so it took a long time to fill the bags. Chatted with a south bounder while I filtered at the shelter. Most of the climbing was done and it was easier from then on. Walked along a cow pasture. Finally came out into some open fields and down through high grasses to the road. It had taken me a long time to get to VT 12. Now the good news. There was a little store called 'On The Edge Farm'. I stocked up because I obviously needed better food. Immediately had a Mountain Dew. Hey thinking of you, Side. A pint of vanilla ice cream, a banana. Ate with Tee Time on the porch of the store while my phone charged inside. And for dinner at camp another mountain dew, a Gatorade and a smoked chicken breast. And to go for breakfast an apple roll, yogurt, another banana. And for tomorrow two candy bars, chocolate chip cookies, crackers and cheese. Broke the bank. Walked down the road to a barn where hikers can stay but the owner wasn't around and we couldn't find any way in that looked right. So Tee Time was thumbing to town and I headed into the woods. Of course it was steep up but with some food in me, I did okay. After about a mile found a great spot to camp with a great bear bag tree. Ate, washed up, changed out of the wet clothes, set up camp. Could hardly lift my full food bag up into the tree. Thought I heard it groan. Full tummy for me tonight. Hope it helps with the hiking tomorrow. No signal to chat with anyone or send texts. Calling it a night. Hiked 12.8 miles. Should have been able to do more for the hours I put in.
Date: 2013-08-31
From: Hartford Village Store

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's miles for Miles: 9.9Total miles for Miles: 967.3------------------------------Today's miles for Side: 0Total miles for Side: 694.3----------------------------- Crossed into New Hampshire today!!!Got up this morning and packed the bare minimum in my backpack. Betsy had toasted us bagels and made coffee for us. I felt rested and in good spirits - much better than last evening. Trail Angel Greg gave us a ride back to West Hartford where Betsy had picked us up last evening. Thank you so much Greg. Took off down the trail with enthusiasm. The terrain was much nicer than yesterday which everyone had complained about. Met Slingshot and Peru and passed a half dozen other hikers. I listened to my ipod and sang and just enjoyed the day. Before I knew it I was back to Betsy and Bill's house which is right on the trail in Norwich. The plan was to hike about five miles further but when I got to Hanover in 1.5 miles, I stopped at Starbucks to pick up a latte and went to Subway for a sandwich. By the time I finished eating it was getting real dark and the forecast said a thunderstorm was likely in 45 minutes. So I decided to stay in town and get picked up there. Turned out the other two staying with Betsy and Bill did the same. So Enoch, Nomad and I were picked up at the food co-op where we bought supplies for the next few days. Got to meet Moxie, their daughter. Came back and showered - how heavenly , two days in a row. Betsy and Nomad cooked up a wok full of chicken and veggies. Had very interesting conversations over dinner. It's amazing how many lives Betsy and Bill have touched between having hikers stay with them and keeping a trail magic cooler in their front yard. They are a special couple indeed. Packed up the food for the next four days. Not sure when Side will be coming to zero with me. It's a long distance for him now - over four hours. Thinking maybe Wednesday.
Date: 2013-09-01
From: Hanover, NH

To: Moose Mountain Shelter, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Today's miles for Miles: 10.9Total miles for Miles: 978.2------------------------------Today's miles for Side: 0Total miles for Side: 705.2----------------------------- Lazy morning today. Got up later than usual. Had great banana and blueberry pancakes at Betsy and Bill's. Packed up and Bill drove Enoch and me to the Food Co-op to start today's hike. Thanks again to Betsy and Bill for everything. Had a great time with them. We passed High Tide and Blockade Runner crossing the bridge into Hanover. They are almost caught up with me now. My pack was quite heavy with four days of food. Had a pretty good hike though and enjoyed my day. Because of the late start only managed to hike 10.9 miles. Stayed at Moose Mountain shelter in my tent. Enoch and a father/son/son's friend stayed here also. It was a lovely day today but tomorrow doesn't sound so good. We'll see.
Date: 2013-09-02
From: Moose Mountain Shelter, NH

To: Campsite Along the Trail, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Today's miles for Miles: 11.8Total miles for Miles: 990.0------------------------------Today's miles for Side: 0Total miles for Side: 705.2----------------------------- There had been rain and thunder during the night. I slept really well though. Started carrying things to the shelter in case it started to rain. Was just ready to head out when it started to rain so I hung around the shelter for twenty minutes until it stopped. Didn't want to start the day with wet boots. Ran into Nomad who had been dropped off by Betsy for a slackpack.The steep climb up to Holt's Ledge was tiring but the view was nice. Ran into eight college students and when I moved over to let them all pass I missed my turnoff. So when I got to Dartmouth Ski Slopes I was pretty sure I wasn't in the right place so reversed my direction and fixed my mistake. Ran out of water on top and didn't want to have to head in to the next shelter for water because it was 0.2 miles in and 0.2 miles back out so decided I'd wait until the bottom but lucked out and found a stream.Shortly after the road crossing ran into signs and two pink flamingos signaling trail magic. Bill Ackerly is 85 years old and invites hikers in to get water, have an ice cream, play croquet and sit on the porch a spell. Enoch and three other hikers were there on the porch when I arrived. They had already had a round of croquet. Bill gave me an ice cream bar and had me sign his log. We chatted a while and I changed into somewhat dry socks. Bill asked about my hike and when I explained about Side, he offered to let me use his phone to call him. Didn't take him up on it but he told me to have Side stop by the porch when he's in the area. Sweet man. Then had to head out to make my climb. Bill kissed me on both cheeks and wished me a safe journey. Climbed with lots of energy knowing I had over 2000 feet to climb. Kept thinking I was at the top. Climbed many big rock slabs. Finally it was getting too late to continue so had to throw up camp trailside. Not a good location but made the best of it. Too late to cook so an apricot Clif bar and a choco-walla bar along with a Twix will have to suffice. Was able to call Side and now it's time to crash.
Date: 2013-09-03
From: Campsite Along the Trail, NH

To: Campsite Along the Trail, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today's miles for Miles: 10.9Total miles for Miles: 1000.9------------------------------Today's miles for Side: 0Total miles for Side: 705.2----------------------------- Woo Hoo - 1000 Miles!!!There was a lot of rain last night and some thundering to go with it. The tent was wet inside from condensation and outside from the rain. The footprint was wet and dirty. Took quite a while to get things somewhat cleaned and dry to put away. Climbed a very short distance and got to the sign for Smart Ranger Trail that I had been looking for last night. It did take a long time to get up that mountain; others I talked to today thought the same thing. The trail was wet, sloppy, slippery, muddy ... sometimes like a stream and sometimes like a pond. At the tenting area there was a nice privy with a view out the back - how quaint. Climbed the fire tower and what a lovely view in all directions. Folks had their sleeping bags and clothes draped on the fire tower handrail. Someone got wet last night. Then it was time to start down the other side of Smart Mountain. Met Sandman69 on my way down. It was almost a 2000 foot descent down to South Jacobs Brook where I stopped to filter water and cook last night's dinner which I didn't get to eat last night (ramen with Just Veggies). The father/son/son's friend that I had camped with the previous night came through and stopped for a snack before moving on. After eating and loading my pack with water I was lethargic and wanted a nap. No time for that though. My feet were like lead. Climbed Mt. Cube next. Nice ledge climbs again. Talked to Side and made arrangements about where we are meeting tomorrow. Looking forward to some time together and the break from hiking. I was chatting with a man who is hiking/biking from Maine to Georgia wearing a banner to draw attention to the Olympics wanting to remove wrestling as an event. Nomad and Chief also came through. And at the top was a beautiful view. Really enjoying getting these tremendous views again. Climbed down the mountain to a road where Nomad and I hoped to get a ride to the Mt. Cube Sugar Farm where they let you stay inside. Neither of us had any cell phone signal so we couldn't call to see if they would come pick us up and since it was a 1.8 mile walk we chose not to do that. After waiting fifteen minutes, we had to go back into the woods and set up camp as it was getting dark. Got camp set up quickly. No time to cook so cold dinner again.
Date: 2013-09-04
From: Campsite Along the Trail, NH

To: NH 25C, Warren, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Today's miles for Miles: 5.2Total miles for Miles: 1006.1------------------------------Today's miles for Side: 0Total miles for Side: 705.2----------------------------- I woke early to get started on my short hike to meet Side. It hadn't rained overnite for the first time in a couple of nights and I had slept with both vestibules open for the first time so the tent was relatively dry and didn't require any wipe down. I was packed and on the trail at 7:15. Go me. I could see no activity over at Nomad's hammock so guess he's sleeping late. The trail was easy going except for the spider webs across the trail. Price you pay for being the first one on the trail. Saw some spectacular full webs and with the sun shining on them you could see the intricacy. Wait, did I say sun? Yes, the sun is out today. Nice to see it's shining face. Made quick time across the 5 miles to the road crossing where Side was meeting me. He was taking Linda to the airport first (so sorry I didnt get to see her or Carl while they were home ) and expected to be there about 10:30. I sat and enjoyed the feel of the warm sun on me. Started laying out my wet stuff to dry including my tent footprint which was covered with wet leaves and pine needles. Started hearing noises coming out of the woods and out came High Tide and Blockade Runner. It was a joy to see them again. They sat by the road with me and we did some catching up. Just as they were talking about heading out, Side drove up. He carried over his little cooler with cold drinks for all of us. What great trail magic. We all chatted a little longer and made plans to meet up for dinner on Thursday night when they will be in North Woodstock.I changed into the clean clothes Side had brought for me and we loaded all my gear into the trunk. We stopped for lunch at Calamity Jane¢s in Warren on the way to the Red Carpet Inn in Plymouth where Side had made reservations for two nights. We checked in and I got a shower then we went to a local laundromat to get my hiking clothes clean. Sweet!We went to The Farmhouse Italian restaurant in Plymouth for dinner. We both very much enjoyed our meals and were too full to even consider desert.
Date: 2013-09-05
From: NH 25C, Warren, NH

To: NH 25, Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's miles for Miles: 4.6Total miles for Miles: 1010.7------------------------------Today's miles for Side: 0Total miles for Side: 705.2----------------------------- Today was supposed to be a zero day but decided to hike 4.6 miles to get on a better boundary for doing Mt. Moosilauke tomorrow. Stopped at Dunkin Donuts for coffee and for breakfast we stopped at Calamity Jane¢s Restaurant where we had lunch yesterday. Had a big breakfast and enjoyed the company of the owner. She¢s a sweetheart who has been running her restaurant for a good, long time. Got to the trailhead at 9:45 and Miles took off down the trail. It was quiet on the trail except for a group of about eight students backpacking together. They stopped for a water break and I passed them. The weather was cool and great for hiking. Made it to the end of the 4.6 miles quickly. Side picked me up and we headed back toward Plymouth. Went for ice cream for lunch and made a few stops at thrift shops. Found a few books for Bekki¢s new classroom. Headed back to the hotel to go through all the stuff Side had brought for replenishing items from my pack. Showered and headed off to North Woodstock where we met High Tide and Blockade Runner for a nice dinner at the Woodstock Inn. Had a really enjoyable time chatting about their hike today on Moosilauke, our venture into the White Mountains, past times for all of us on the trail and anything else that crossed our minds. How lucky we are to have met them. Such a great couple. Back in the room we received a call from our daughter Kim, and our grandchildren Jillian and Robert. They were going through recent updates to the trail journal. Both of the kids really liked the photo of the spider web that was directly across the trail. I explained that I used my trekking pole to carefully move it intact out of the way. Kim told us that Robert said he didn¢t want Pappy (Side) to go back on the trail and wanted Grandma (Miles) to come back home. So cute!! What a great conversation; we really appreciated the call.We owe a thanks to Lahout¢s outfitter in Lincoln for taking good care of High Tide¢s damaged trekking pole. She had fallen and bent a section and the good folks at Lahout¢s replaced that section with a new one free of charge. She was lucky to have bought Leki poles that have a lifetime warranty.
Date: 2013-09-06
From: NH 112, Kinsman Notch, NH

To: NH 25, Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Today's miles for Miles: 9.3Total miles for Miles: 1020.0------------------------------Today's miles for Side: 0Total miles for Side: 705.2----------------------------- We were up early so Side could drive me over to Hikers Welcome Hostel to catch the 8:00 shuttle over to the north side of Mt. Moosilauke where I would start today's hike up over the mountain. When we got there folks weren't ready yet so they explained to Side how to get to the spot and he just drive me over. It was tough saying goodbye. We had a nice mini-vacation. Side had a four and a half hour ride home. I started up the steep side of the mountain. It was a 2932 foot climb in 3.3 miles. The day was gorgeous and I befriended the uphill (did you hear that High Tide) so had a very nice hike even though it was a tough climb. I had good energy due to all the wonderful foods I'd eaten in the last couple of days. The climb was alongside a beautiful falls and was big rock after big rock. There were places where wooden steps and sometimes rebar handrails had been attached to the steeper parts. I enjoyed the climb; reminded me of Catskill Mountain climbs we've done. A hiker named Bruce caught up with me and said he had talked with Side before he left. Bruce and I stayed in relative proximity to each other each hiking at our own pace. We both slept through the turnoff for the shelter so I didn't get to see the nice view that High Tide had shown me on her phone last night. Bruce and I got to the top, appreciated the fabulous breathtaking view, had a snack, took photos of each other and then headed our own ways back down the mountain. Nice gentleman. Side and I hiked this mountain in recent years but on a different trail. I could have stayed for a long time just staring at the beauty of our beautiful land but had to head back down. The beginning of the descent was quite rocky and hard on the knees but after a couple of miles the trail wasn't as difficult. It was a 3747 foot descent in 5.5 miles. Big day but the weather was just fantastic for hiking. Cool enough for a long sleeve shirt and long pants; on top of the mountain even needed my down jacket and winter cap (thank you Side for bringing them). Walked back to the hostel. Mountain Dew and a shower were in order and both were appreciated. Cooked up parmesan pasta with salmon. Tasted great. Legion (who is running the hostel at the moment) spent some time helping me with a plan for hiking the Whites.
Date: 2013-09-07
From: NH 25, Glencliff, NH

To: Eliza Brook Shelter, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Today's miles for Miles: 7.5Total miles for Miles: 1027.5------------------------------Today's miles for Side: 0Total miles for Side: 705.2----------------------------- Had to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom which at this hostel is outside. Brrr. I was the first one up so was quietly packing until someone's alarm went off and woke up the while gang. Went downstairs to use the landline phone to call Side since I didn't reach him last night. Had a few pancakes and then finished packing. It was late until all the folks being shuttled were ready. Three of us and a big dog in the backseat. I was wedged against the door and was holding on tight when we went around corners. I could just see it in the newspapers - lady survives AT but injured flying out of a moving car. So guess who spotted a moose in the woods during the shuttle ride? How exciting. My second moose ever. Got to the trailhead at 9:30. Late start. Today's trail and climb were not that much fun. Never the chance to get a rhythm going. Always obstacles of some sort to be careful on. Lots of big rocks and roots. Lots of mud, sometimes deep, icky bogs of deep mud. Many ups that weren't that friendly today. It was a long hike to get the 7.5 miles to the shelter. I had considered going further but my feet were hurting pretty bad and it was starting to rain just a little so that did it. Then I got to the shelter and saw how beautiful it was so I was glad I had stayed. Nice, newly constructed shelter. It's Dimples, Coon, Slick and another gentleman. Just Dimples and me in the shelter. Everyone else is tenting. We all cooked and chatted. Raining now so I'm glad to be in the shelter. Everything will be dry in the morning and if it's still raining in the morning it will be easy to pack up. I want to get a good early start to make up for today. Some big climbs in the morning. I have to somehow make my way to town to resupply tomorrow. Busy day so nighty night.