morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-23
From: Spruce Peak Shelter

To: Peru Peak
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was town day to resupply. All I had left last night was 1/2 jar of peanut butter. I ate spoons of peanut butter before I went to bed. I was very fortunate and met a real nice fellow, named Dave and his son, Andy last night. They are from Albany, NY and exemplify how nice people are here. Dave gave me a ride into Manchester Center, VT. He took me to the P.O., waited while I got my package from Pam, then drove me into town. Pam sent my long underwear and gloves. I managed to get in 2 meals in my 3 hours today in town... at Friendly's and McDonald's. Manchester is a delightful, scenic town, full of outlet stores and a ski destination in winter. Poor Pam was fit to be tied that she couldn't be there to shop. My ride back to the trail was interesting. I waited a pretty good while before an Italian fellow stopped in a station wagon. He said he was a taxi and it would cost me $5. I was anxious to get going, so I paid it. It turned out, he had given a ride to someone earlier who had left a day pack in his car. He was going to the trail anyways and they were giving him $10 to return it. He said I might see them on the trail and asked that I not tell them that he charged me $5. He then told me people wouldn't pick me up hitch hiking because I'm an old man instead of a young, pretty girl. Later I wondered if there was a hidden camera taping a bad reality TV show. He then talked about bears in town and the need to protect ones self. He picked up a whistle in a coin tray and proceeded to blow it in my ear. The hearing in my ear had almost returned by the time we got to the trail head. This guy needs to give seminars entitled, "How to win enemies and influence ax murderers." It is good to be back in the woods and listen to the wind blowing through the hemlocks!
Date: 2005-08-24
From: Peru Peak

To: North of VT140
Miles today: 17.3

There used to be a baseball player who played 22 years for the Boston Red Sox, named Luis Aparicio. (Forgive me Red Sox fans if I don't have all the details correct.) Near the end of his career, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox. The newspaper reported it by saying, "after 22 year, Aparicio changes sox." I didn't wait that long to change socks, but it was starting to smell that way. Today was the first day I've changed sock since leaving the Bird Cage! I would have done it last night, but it was too cold. I stayed on top of Peru Peak last night at 3,400 feet. The wind blew all night and there was a draft through my tent all night. I had my coat, gloves, and long underwear on in my sleeping bag and was still slightly cold. I don't understand how it goes from heat indices of 100 degrees to freezing cold in 11 days! But as one person told me, that is New England weather. It was very foggy here again this morning before burning off in the afternoon. I met more kids from Yale University today doing their f.o.o.t. When I told them how much of the trail I had done, they clapped for me!! I felt a little foolish, but it was nice of them. I'm hearing of people seeing moose... I haven't yet... I've seen Rocky, but not Bullwinkle.
Date: 2005-08-25
From: North of VT140

To: Cooper Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Besides meeting people on the trail, one of my favorite activites is sitting in restaurants or deli's listening to the people talk and reading the local newspaper. It gives you a flavor of the way of life. I ate in a restaurant today called the Whistle Stop. On their wall they had a sign that read, "I live in my own little world, but everyone knows me here." Little is a relative term, I think. If you're happy where you are, your world is big enough. It is interesting hearing their stories and legends, though. Back near Glastenbury Mountain, they have a Bermuda Triangle where at least 15 hikers have just disappeared. I read in USA Today about a week ago there had been a spotting of a 15 foot serpentine creature in Lake Champlain. Instead of calling him Loch Ness, the locals call him Champ. Tonight, I am in another famous Vermont location, Killington Peak. It's famous for the ski competitions held here. It was quite a climb coming up as you had to climb over rocks and gnarled roots of hemlock trees. For the most part though, it was a very pleasant hiking day. I am bundled up tonight though as it is very cold. I heard they had an earthquake last night in Hot Springs, NC... SOBOs (southbounders) beware!
Date: 2005-08-26
From: Cooper Shelter

To: Sherburne Pass
Miles today: 6.2

It was a cold night on top of Killington Peak but tolerable as the wind had died down. We had a bat in the shelter last night. His radar must not have been working well, as he kept bumping into things in the shelter. Hopefully, he wasn't rabid! It was a short walk down to US 4. On arriving there, Dave was there to meet his son, Andy. They gave me a ride to the Inn at Long Trail. Again, the generosity of people amazes me. Dave came by at 4:40 to see if I needed a ride into town. I wasn't here, but he left a note. There is a wonderful bus service that runs between Killington and Rutland. It stops here almost hourly. After I did the housekeeping (backkeeping), I went into Rutland to buy groceries, watch a movie, and eat. All three were somewhat disappointing. But the Inn at the Long Trail is a wonderful place. It caters to hikers and skiiers and is a rustic Inn with a stone fireplace set in a beautiful notch. The original lodge was built in 1923 but burned to the ground during a blizzard during 1968. The annex building, built in 1938 then became the lodge. There's a famous Irish pub here as well... popular with all the Irish that live around here. While I don't drink, they have great food (vegeburger!) to eat while you listen to Irish folk songs. There is even an electronic clock counting down to St. Patrick's Day.
Date: 2005-08-27
From: Sherburne Pass

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It was so hard to leave the Inn this morning. I had breakfast with Tree Trunk and Slaphappy before they caught the shuttle to town. I then went back to the room and leisurely got ready to go. I considered taking a zero day but with the weather so nice, I decided I better make use of it. I didn't get started on the trail until 11:00 am. I hiked three miles and came to a road crossing. There I decided to hike off the trail to a deli for lunch before starting out on the trail again. For the first 100 miles or so of the trail in VT, the AT and Long Trail run together. Today, however, at Maine Junction, the trail split and the AT turned east towards NH. The Long Trail continues north to the Canadian border. There was a sign that says it is 165.9 miles to the Canadian border. We are getting close to Quebec! I met two hikers from Montreal name Ivan and Claudette. French was her primary language. It was fun trying to pick out some of the words she said. I had 5 years of French in high school and college, but do I remember much of it?! As they say in French, "non."
Date: 2005-08-28
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: The Barn at State Route 12, VT
Miles today: 13.7

It was a wet, rainy day. The rain started minutes after leaving the shelter this morning and it rained into the afternoon. There were two steep climbs but otherwise it was easy hiking through the mud puddles and fog. On arriving at State Route 12, there was a sign directing us to "The Barn" for overnight camping. The Barn is near the trail and is a classic 4-story New England Barn. The owner, Dan Quinn, has it set up with electricity and mattresses. It is a welcome respite from the weather. Just down the road is a new business called "On the Edge Farm." They have fresh fruit and vegetables, hiker food, and ice cream. I ate a loaf of zucchini bread with ice cream and juice. I then found a soda on the bottom shelf of the cooler. After I had opened it and drank out of it, I found out it was meant to be for the clerk's lunch and wasn't for sale!!! With me tonight are the same four people from last night. They are Marshmellow (she likes them!), Colorado (from Colorado Springs), Tree Trunks (because of his legs!), and Slap Happy (she is happy all the time).
Date: 2005-08-29
From: The Barn at State Route 12, VT

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: overcast clouds

We are in a rainy weather pattern right now. I woke up this morning in The Barn and it was raining outside. We all waited on the rain to quit before we left. My pack cover is not doing a very good job of keeping things dry. I decided to hitchhike into Woodstock this morning to buy trash bags to keep my gear dry. A real nice civil engineer gave me a ride into town. I ate a good breakfast in a restaurant. It was harder getting a ride back. I walked over 2 miles before I caught a ride (okay... if I saw me hitchhiking, I wouldn't pick me up either!) I made one more trip to the bakery for ice cream and then hit the trail shortly after 12:30pm. I heard rumbles of thunder through the afternoon but fortunately, no rain. For the first 100 miles in Vermont, the trail runs along the spine of the Green Mountain range, but now that I've turned east, I am running against the grain of the mountains. I'm going up and down the mountains. It seems like I do a lot more climbing than dropping (kind of like my stocks in reverse!)
Date: 2005-08-30
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

Twelve states down... two to go! I sloshed across the border into New Hampshire tonight. I spent my last night in Vermont at Thistle Hill Shelter. It started raining after 3:00am and rained until about the time I left. It came another rain shower in the afternoon, but it was a fairly easy day of hiking. The trail emerges onto a road almost two miles before the state line and it is a road walk into Hanover in NH. Hanover is the site of Dartmouth University and the trail goes by the campus. I went to the Dartmouth Outdoor Club to check on housing and they directed me to a hotel. Outside the DOC there seemed to be an interesting ritual. A bunch of kids with backpacks who appeared to be freshmen were surrounded by other students who appeared to be peacock variations... at least they had colorful hair and colorful costumes. I, with my backpack, quickly slithered out of sight! The bus system is wonderful here once you figure it out... and free. I took the bus to the Sunset Motel south of town that is owned by a German couple. They are wonderful to thru-hikers and let me do my wash for no charge. I will wait out the remnants of hurricane Katrina here tomorrow. I'm just seeing the pictures from the gulf coast in New Orleans... Unfathomable!! My heart and prayers go out to them.
Date: 2005-09-01
From: Hanover, NH

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I felt pretty strong today after taking a day off from hiking. The remnants of hurricane Katrina passed through New England yesterday. It was breezy with periods of rain but for the most part it was a non-event. I got a care package from my mom in Hanover. She sent my fleece and warm clothes with a bunch of cookies. I polished them off in no time! They were delicious. It was a pretty, sunny day. I had to catch the bus to Hanover and stopped to get bread so I didn't leave town until after 9:00am. I passed Dartmouth students today and talked with them. They are still on the quarter system for school. Their quarter doesn't start until the end of September. Pam reminded me today that the classic movie, "Animal House" was filmed in Dartmouth. That movie came out the year I graduated from High School in 1976. The trail was fairly easy today except for one climb up Holt's Ledge. Holt's Ledge is a Peregrine Falcon rookery, but I didn't see any falcons.
Date: 2005-09-02
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: North side of Mount Cube 
Miles today: 13.5

It may be a cold night tonight. I am camping on the top of Mt. Cube with a brisk wind outside. It was a grind-it-out type day. The weather was nice but there were two climbs. The first was up Smarts Mountain with a steep 2300 foot plus climb. The second, up Mt. Cube, involved a fair amount of rock scrambling. I was discouraged because of how tired I was just climbing Smarts Mountain. It is only 3240 feet. I have to go over 6000 feet. I am going to send my stove home with Pam to save weight. I was thinking at lunch today... everyone takes things out of their pack to save weight. What about getting rid of extra organs? That would save weight! For example, I could get by with one kidney and people live without their spleens (the spleen is a heavy organ). We have 30 feet of intestines... I only need 10 feet to digest the squirrel food I'm eating (I bet a squirrel doesn't even have 10 feet). I could get by with half of my liver. I'm not using my brain, so that could go... well... if I got rid of my brain, I would become a democrat, so maybe not! (just kidding...) It is only 5 days until Pam comes!
Date: 2005-09-03
From: North side of Mount Cube 

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 13.2

It was an easy day of hiking but I suspect it will be the last easy day for awhile. Tomorrow, the White Mountains begin. I have heard about the Whites since day one. It is with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension that I look forward to them. Tomorrow they start with a nearly 3700 foot climb up Mt. Moosilauke... the first time the trail goes above treeline. I hiked all day today without seeing hardly anyone but when I got the the hostel this afternoon, the bunkhouse was full. The hostel is in Glencliff and run by Packrat, a former thru-hiker. He has a shower, sink, and bathroom set up in his back yard. There is a converted garage that is the common area with hundreds of movies and an internet connection. Tonight, Packrat let us use his van to go into town to get something to eat. When I saw the price of gas, I decided it was time to go back into the woods!
Date: 2005-09-04
From: Glencliff, NH

To: North of Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was not one of the better days on the trail. It started out well enough... It was tough to leave the hostel, but I left around 8:00 am with a light drizzle. The climb up Mt. Moosilauke went well and other than long, it wasn't bad. However, at the top it was foggy, and windy, and cold. There were a lot of people up there doing day hikes who were hiding beneath the rocks trying to eat and keep warm. The trail through the White Mountains is not very well marked at times. Shortly after leaving the top of Moosilauke, I started down the wrong trail. I had gone probably .4 mile, but worse, dropped over 450 feet before I discovered my mistake as I was talking to some day hikers. So I had to turn around and go back up, not the thing I wanted to do the first day I was testing my legs in the Whites! The drop down Moosilauke, along Beaver Brook, is hair raising. The drop is 1800 feet in about a mile and a half. At times you have to use steps in the rocks and rebar hand holds to let yourself down. At the bottom, there is a sign warning people who are going to take the trail. It reads, "Warning, Extremely difficult trail. If you lack experience, take another trail. Be especially careful at the Cataracts to avoid a tragic outcome." !! Most the locals don't take the trail, but would they route thru-hikers with 30 pound tumors on their backs?? ... go figure...
Date: 2005-09-05
From: North of Kinsman Notch

To: Lonesome Lake Hut
Miles today: 11.4

About 16 years ago, I did today's section with my brother and sister-in-law. I have fond memories of my hike. What I didn't remember was how strenous this section is! I got an early start and hiked to Eliza Brook Shelter, where I had lunch. It is then a prolonged rock scramble going up Kinsman Peak, but the views are very rewarding on top. I forgot to mention that I saw Dave and McKay yesterday. It was the first time I had seen them since Georgia. They had their picture made right after me at the Amicalola Falls Visitor Center in Georgia where we started the trail (their picture was made with a new camera, after I broke the first one). Tonight, I am staying at the Lonesome Lake Hut, the first AMC hut I have encountered. The AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) operates "for fee" huts for guests who hike in to them. Usually, it requires advance reservations. However, for thru-hikers, they allow them to do work for stay. So tonight, I got dinner and then washed a bunch of dishes! It could be worse I could have to do the composting pile or privy! But tonight, I have a full stomach and a warm bunk!
Date: 2005-09-06
From: Lonesome Lake Hut

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 2.9
Weather: clear sky

It was a pleasant night last night. The bunk house is not heated. I slept with long sleeves and two wool blankets on me and woke up cold so I put a third wool blanket on. For my work for stay, I had to empty the freezer, clean it, and restack it. It didn't take too long and I left by 9:00 am. I left with a stomach full of pancakes and chocolate pie for breakfast! I got to Franconia Notch by 11:00am. Franconia Notch is a gap in the White Mountains where the Pemigewasset River and I-93 pass through. It is also the site where the "Old Man and the Mountain" profile was visible on Cannon Mountain. The "Old Man and the Mountain" has been the state symbol for years. The state route markers have the profile on them and I think it's on their state quarters as well. Unfortunately, due to weathering of the rock, the profile collapsed into the slag pile at the base of the mountain two years ago (since it's face fell off, now they just call it "The Michael Jackson Rock"). When I got to I-93, I could see where people had gone up the bank to hitchhike, so I followed suite (it's illegal to hitchhike on interstate highways). I soon got a ride into North Woodstock and saw a bunch of thru-hikers including Shootout, Backtrack, Piker & Ms. Mileage, Saxy Lady, Colorado and Marshmellow and Nimblefoot. I had a wonderful meal at Peg's Diner. I am back in the woods stealth camping waiting on Pam to get here tomorrow.
Date: 2005-09-08
From: Summit of Mt. Washington

To: Mt. Washington Auto Road
Miles today: 11.6

Pam got here yesterday and we stayed in a cabin at Crawford Notch General Store. Today, however, turned into a long and strenous day that led me to ask her if she had any idea that she would marry a guy who would leave home for six months and would try to kill her when she came to visit!! We decided to slack pack today from the top of Mt. Washington at 6,288 feet to the base of the mountains. Mt. Washington bills itself as having the "worst weather in the world." The strongest wind ever recorded was 231 mph on top of Mt. Washington. We left the top in calm wind and partial sunshine and started down in wonderful weather! .3 mile down, we crossed the cog railroad, which carries tourists to the top of Mt. Washington from the west side. It has been a tradition for hikers to "moon" the train as it passes by. In turn, people in the train throw coal at the mooners. There was a lot of coal scattered about on the trail. (NO, Pam and I didn't moon the train!) It was a very rough go for most of the day with a number of miles of boulder hopping and rock scrambling. It slowed us down considerably. We got below treeline just before sundown. We wound up having to walk for a number of hours after dark with one headlamp between us. It was slow going navigating the rocks and roots. Poor Pam was utterly exhausted by the time we got out! We didn't get in bed until after 1:00 a.m.
Date: 2005-09-10
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

Pam and I rested yesterday after our late night. We saw Gumby and Pokey in Gorham, NH and drove north of town looking for moose (still no bullwinkle sitings!) She dropped me off shortly after 9:00 a.m. and I started to climb out of Franconia Notch. There was some rock scrambling but overall it was not a bad climb. There was a strong north wind that kept it cool but it also allowed unlimited visibility. The view from Mt. Lafayette was incredible. However, the trail on top was like a freeway with so many people. After stumbling on the rocks between Lafayette and Mt. Garfield, I made it to camp after 6:00 p.m. The caretaker told us to expect 2 things -- the cold and northern lights. So far, only the cold has shown up!
Date: 2005-09-11
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite

To: Zealand Falls Hut
Miles today: 9.7

9/11 - four years later in NH. Apparently, they have started a tradition of hoisting an American flag on top of all 48 of New Hampshire's 4,000+ foot mountains between 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. each September 11th. It was impressive and solemn seeing the flag on top of South Twin Mountain today with an A-10 jet flying close by. I could see one other American flag on another mountain with the naked eye. I am continuing across the Franconia Ridge between I-93 of Franconia Notch and US302 at Crawford Notch. The trail is quite steep and rocky in places. I am at Zealand Falls Hut tonight with the Brits, Bear Bag and TCB (Taking Care of Business). It is good to see them again! Colorado, Marshellow, and Grenade Boy are also here. Tonight, for my work for stay, I gave a talk on rattlesnake bites to the paying guests. I think it went okay. I am at the hut because the forecast is for 60-80 mph wind to move into the high country tonight. It got chilly last night. There was frost on the roof of the shelter. The hiking season is getting short and I've got a long way to go!!
Date: 2005-09-12
From: Zealand Falls Hut

To: Crawford Notch Campground / US302
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: fog

Tonight, I am at the Crawford Notch General Store and Campground. I am nearing the 45th parallel which is half way between the equator and the north pole. Because of this, the weather in the White Mountains can be very unpredictable. On top of Mt. Washington last night, they told us it was 88 mph with a peak gust of 118 mph (the only time I've experienced winds like that is when Pam is driving ) It was an easy hike today, but I couldn't get a ride to the store. Colorado, Marshmellow, and I had to walk the three miles to the campgrounds. Crawford Notch is a historic area and holds one of the more interesting but tragic stories along the AT. A family named the Wiley's ran a rest stop on the toll road that ran through the notch in the 1800's. One night, after prolonged rains, the family and their hired help heard an avalanche of mud and rocks coming down the mountain toward them. They all ran from the house to find what they hoped would be secure locations behind farm equipment and buildings. Unfortunately, they all were swept away and perished. The only survivor was the family dog who was left in the house. The house they had run from was undamaged as the rocks and mud were diverted around the house. On a more pleasant note, the three of us walked down to a beaver pond and saw two beaver tonight. It was the first time Marshmellow had ever seen a beaver.
Date: 2005-09-13
From: Crawford Notch Campground / US302

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: fog

Tonight I am safe and secure in the Lakes of the Clouds Hut (aka "Lake of the Crowds Hut" because it can accomodate 90 guests). The owners of the campground gave Colorado, Marshmellow and me a ride back to the trailhead this morning. Marshmellow was still excited about seeing the beaver last evening. It was a steep climb out of Crawford Notch at US302 with some rock scrambles at Webster Cliffs but the views were incredible. The rest of the day was a very reasonable walk. On top of Mt. Jackson, I saw a Peregrine Falcon, some Gray Jays eating out of someone's hand, and three spruce Grouse. Spruce Grouse are interesting. They are also called "silly chickens." They allow people to walk right up to them thinking they can't be seen because they are camouflaged. We arrived at the hut by 5:00 p.m. after being in and out of the clouds through the afternoon. There are several of us doing the work for stay. I was fortunate as the naturalist let me give the snake talk tonight for my work for stay. There were some 25-30 people listening and I think it went okay. I'm only 1.4 miles from the summit of Mt. Washington.