morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-22
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: North Shrewsbury, VT
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Bear Mountain. It seems every state has one. They're all steep and they are all on the AT. The one we climbed this morning wasn't too bad, lots of switchbacks and not too rocky. StillIt came early in the day and I hit it too hard. A couple of hours later we did the descent and accompanying ascent into and out of Clarendon Gorge.  It took me until we'll after lunch to  physically recover. Most days on the trail I do a much better job at handling whatever comes at me. Today, not so much. I know three people in Vermont. I want to see them all. Trying to make it work without phone service 95% of the time is frustrating. That frustration was abated when at the last possible road crossing I was able to reach Ralph Walker, the brother of a friend from home. Ralph is a cyclist and we've been friends on Facebook for awhile. He and his son drove for nearly two hours round trip to pick up Hush and I, take us to their family's country home, where we met Ralph's wife and other extended family members. We had a chance to shower, do laundry and eat, eat, eat. We also had a chance for some intelligent conversation about topics other than hiking, a welcome diversion from our daily routine. It's time for another Zero day soon. We haven't taken one since Connecticut. The much tougher New England terrain and sone uninteresting physical issues have taken a toll on us. Plus, New Hampshire looks over us like a hungry Valkyrie. Hope this doesn't come off as negative. It was a great day in a lot of ways, even if our dry shoe day streak ended after just two days.
Date: 2013-06-23
From: North Shrewsbury, VT

To: Killington, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We are not backpacking tomorrow. We are slackpacking. We checked into the very hiker friendly Mountain Meadows Lodge today, for only our second ZERO day in seven weeks. The lodge is 21 miles north of where we left the trail yesterday. We hooked up with a trail angel who's going to drive us back to where we stopped. Most of our gear we will leave in our room at the lodge. We will only be carrying rain jackets, food, water purifier, TP and first aid supplies in a day pack we brought from home for this express purpose. We get to climb Killington Mountain without a backpack. Talk about having bluebirds on our shoulders.For the second day in a row, an Internet friend materialized in real life. Lori Ventura, a long distance cyclist and political soulmate of mine brought a goodie bag of food and hiker supplies to the lodge. Then she took us to Rutland, VT for a meal. Interspersed among all the generosity was conversation that didn't start with " How far are you going today?"  It was heavenly.We've now had two showers in two days. We will get another one tomorrow when we get back. But wait, it gets better. On Tuesday, we are checking out of Mountain Meadows but leaving our packs here again. The first friend we made on the trail, Tenderfoot, a section hiking machine, lives nearby. She's going to pick up our packs and 19 miles later she's going to pick us up as well to spend the night at her home. Yep, four nights in a row indoors, four days of showers and clean clothes. It may never be this good again, after all, New Hampshire is getting nearer every day. Hush's entry: After we arrived at the lodge today, we walked a half mile to the outfitter in town that was holding our mail drop. When we got there, we found that my parents had also sent a care package and we had a letter from one of Lefty's friends. With our regular box, my parents' and Lori's gifts, we are set and very happy. Thanks to you all!!
Date: 2013-06-24
From: Lower Cold River Roas

To: Killington, VT
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

Lower Cold River Road17.4 milesWe had a family style breakfast this morning at the lodge with six other hikers. Included in the motley crew were Hurricane from New Zealand and NBC (No Big Climbs) from Germany. Other than a hiker from South Carolina, they are the first international thruhikers we've encountered. The trail angel who agreed to give us a ride to the trailhead arrived promptly at 7:30. A retired Army officer, his trail name is Plans Too Much - hilarious! He's a fountain of info on the AT in the area. We enjoyed the ride and insisted he at least take some gas money. The first 1.5 miles were a  road walking detour. Hurricane Irene washed out the trail in 2011. In fact, she washed out many roads, houses and bridges throughout Vermont. Still, in order to get back on the AT, we had to ford a knee high creek. Dry feet? Who needs dry feet?The climb and descent of Killington Mountain took the majority of the day. It got hot early and the humidity was over 80%. We were soaked when we reached the summit where we logically took a break. It wasn't quite so hot at 4000 feet. In fact, we got chilled. We cut our break short and started down the mountain. It took forever. Of course in New England, reaching the bottom of one mountain means its time to climb another one  - this one in a thunderstorm. Slack packing increased our hiking speed by about 25%. It was fun watching the miles fly by. We're still tired though. The good news is that's it night three of the Lefty and Hush Shower and a Bed extravaganza. We need it. New Hampshire is waiting on us.
Date: 2013-06-25
From: Killington, VT

To: Barnard, VT
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: thunderstorm with light rain

The morning started with the trail taking us by a 100-foot waterfall. Next came the climb of Quimby Mountain. The mountain isn't even 3,000 feet tall but it is very steep, stupidly steep, steep with no switchbacks. For the second day in a row, my clothes were soaked within an hour. They stayed that way all day. I'm getting tired of locals telling me "It's never this humid here". Well, yes it is. We didn't see a lot of hikers for most of the day. Although the humidity probably had something to do with it, the AT and The Long Trail split at Killington. We're back to seeing only people from our own tribe now. Once again we managed to knock out a bunch of miles. By starting at 6:00 A.M. we had close to 20 before 4:00 P.M. We broke out of the tree line on one side of a valley with old farm houses and barns below us. The ridge line on the other side was uneven and jagged. It was so damn pretty that it brought us both to a stand still. I hope to never get so focused on the days miles that I forget to appreciate how lucky I am to see America on foot the way I am. The reward at the end of the day was fantastic. Our first AT friend, Tenderfoot, picked us up at a small farm store near where the trail crosses VT Highway 12. Earlier in the day she collected our packs from Mountain Meadows Lodge. After we arrived at the coolest house I've ever seen we got all the things hikers want: showers, laundry, food, some more food. We also got to spend time with Tenderfoot's daughter and two of her grandchildren. I'll remember this night. Tomorrow we get to enjoy 12 more miles of slack packing. Then we will hike another five miles before reaching the last shelter before New Hampshire.
Date: 2013-06-26
From: Barnard, VT

To: West Hartford, VT
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

After a nice organic breakfast at Tenderfoot's home, we were delivered to the trail and immediately started climbing Dana Hill. Sweating profusely despite the cool Vermont morning, we kicked ourselves for not properly hydrating before we left civilization. The creeks were muddy from the thunderstorms last night but we take what we can get. Put enough lemonade mix in it and you can't taste the dirt. Our first goal was six miles out, a country store on a gravel road. The store turned out to be an upscale reservation only eatery with $2 sodas and $6 ice cream and not much else except an owner who talked our ears off. I must have "Good Listener" tattooed on my forehead Having been disappointed by Goal#1, we headed for #2, West Hartford, VT, where the trail runs through "town" and by the Full Belly Deli. During that 7-mile stretch the heavens opened up. We passed through miles of meadows today. When the waist high grass is covered with rain it just chills you and saturates your clothes. Even the water on my bottles got wetter. By the time we crossed the White River and found the deli/general store/post office combo out spirits were a little low and we still had a 4-mile uphill walk to a shelter we knew would be full to overflowing. As so often happens, we passed the home of a local trail angel and were soon comfy and dry in a shed in his back yard. Tomorrow a short 12- mile hike will see us leave Vermont and enter New Hampshire. Oh boy. Our next mail drop is Lou and Carol PlummerC/O White Mountains Lodge592 State Rte 2, Shelburne, NH 03581
Date: 2013-06-27
From: West Hartford, VT

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: few clouds

Stress is trying to put up your tent and realizing you have no poles. If LL Bean keeps their word, we should have some in four days. Lets hope we get to the shelters before they fill up for the next three nights. The morning flew by. We had 10 miles knocked out before 11:00 AM. I stopped to take the obligatory state line picture on the bridge over the White River as we entered Hanover, NH, the home of Darrmouth. For the first time the cars, the people, the choices were overwhelming. I had no desire to explore. We hit the drug store, a nice Indian restaurant, the community center (shower and laundry) and the co-op grocery and we were gone. Other hikers killed the whole day pretending to be smelly Ivy leaguers with back packs. We do laundry as often as we can because we hike in the same clothes every day. We have a set to change into at night so our hiking clothes can dry (Ha!). Add a couple of pieces of long underwear and an extra pair of socks and that's it. My clothes fit into a bag smaller than what holds a loaf of bread. Socks are a problem. Ours are perpetually wet. Out of the last 30 days, we've had dry feet twice for an entire day. That ruins socks. You can't wash the dirt out of them. They come out stiff and smelly. And they sure won't dry out overnight on the trail. Our shelter tonight is only a couple of miles out of town. It's packed. A 100% chance of rain is to thank for that. We're all gonna end up spooning. Oh, and there's duct tape on the roof, never a good sign.
Date: 2013-06-28
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Put five people in a shelter built for four. Make sure it has a leaky roof. Make sure it rains. Get up twice during the night to pee, in the rain. Wake up at 4:45 AM. Have cold poptart crumbs for breakfast. Put on wet shoes and  socks. Walk 1100 feet to get on the trail. Because of fatigue and darkness, turn the wrong way and descend 900feet in .7 miles on wet rocks. Reach the bottom, realize your mistake, turn around. Climb 900 feet. Walk for another nine miles in pouring rain, ensuring you can't take a break. Fall. Fall again. Step in mud so deep it pulls your shoe away from your foot. Do this 50 more times. Get water from a muddy stream for lunch when you reach a shelter. Eat BBQ Potato Chips, peanut butter, pepperoni, Nutella, Chex mix. Marvel at how much rain has blown into the shelter. Look at your breath. Realize you are wearing jogging shorts and a t-shirt, both soaked. Remember, hypothermia kills. Put on more clothes so they can get wet too. Celebrate that you only have six more miles to go. Look at the trail guide. See the tall mountain coming up. See the words "precipitous drop off ". Start freaking out inside. Throw a temper tantrum when you simultaneously are being swarmed by mosquitoes, can't find your water purifier, and almost face plant into a raging creek. Think all day long about your missing tent poles and how you must sleep in a shelter. Think about all the hikers on the trail. Think about the little tiny New Hampshire shelters. To get your mind off that, think about the precipitous drop off. Realize you are chafed. Badly. Think about the weather forecast. Seven more days of rain. Think about the White Mountains. Reach the shelter. Celebrate the open space. Go wash the mud from your body. Walk back up the muddy trail after  doing that.  Eat some always delicious instant mashed potatoes. Go to bed.
Date: 2013-06-29
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hexacube
Miles today: 12.0

We ate breakfast with Joe the Hiker and Delia this morning at the Trapper John Shelter. I ate (wait for it) poptart crumbs. Hush chowed down on a gluten free bagel and Nutella. We've taken to having tea in the mornings rather than coffee or hot chocolate. We slept in a bit, not getting up until 5:20. We thought it was going to be an easy day so we puttered around and didn't start hiking until nearly seven. It wasn't a spectacularly hard day but the south side of Smarts Mountain was sketchy, I really don't like granite sliding boards, even less when they are wet. That pretty much describes about a mile of the ascent. Once that was over it got even harder, although a lot more fun. It was a steep rock scramble but not so much as to be frustrating. Powering up a technical climb is the sign of an experienced  hiker. It's instinctive now. At one point the grade was so steep on the rock face the trail maintainers had rebar staples so we could climb hand over hand. It took twice as long to reach the summit than it did to cone down the other side. Water is everywhere but finding some that's neither muddy or brown from tannin is difficult. Usually. I just put some kool aid powder in it to hide the color and alter the taste. Many places on the trail have pristine water that's so clear and cold it's beautiful. So far New Hampshire isn't like that. Hush's entry: I had read before we started this hike that it would be much more a mental test than physical. That is so true. There are physical challenges (I developed plantar fasciitis in both feet early on and after 10 miles each day they become more and more painful with each step). But my mental struggles are much worse. The weather is wearing me down. I never realized how much not seeing sunshine would effect me. The AT is usually fairly heavily shaded, so even on a good day it isn't bright. But it has rained a lot. I can't remember our last sunny day. And even when it hasn't rained it has been overcast. It makes the days very dark and dreary. Plus the trail is always wet. I currently have only wet socks and am hoping at least one pair dries by morning so I can start with dry feet. I was so close to calling it quits today. I had reached the end of my mental reserves. Then a miracle happened. The sun came out!! It didn't last long, but long enough to improve my mood. Unfortunately, the forecast is still calling for rain all week. Hopefully there will be enough sun each day to keep me going.
Date: 2013-06-30
From: Hexacube

To: Glencliffe, NH
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: scattered clouds

We are at the threshold of the White Mountains. In the morning we climb Mt. Moosilauke, 4802 feet tall, almost 1000 feet higher than anything else we've done. Most people slack pack this one since there are almost no more opportunities to take advantage of the luxury. We are at a real turning point. Our friend, Papaya, describes the weather forecast as "seven days of lightning."  In the White Mountains that weather system is deadly. Hikers are stacking up waiting for the weather to break. From our last two blog entries, it should be evident that our spirits are low. I haven't mentioned a few medical issues I've had but physically things are tough. There are 1018 miles south of Harpers Ferry we haven't hiked. We are seriously considering flipping back to West Virginia to begin the southern portion of our trip. It could take 45 days to do the next 400 miles here. In the same time period in the south we could do 750 miles. Realistically this decision could cost us the distinction of thruhiking the trail. Also realistically not making the decision could cost us the mental and physical ability to continue. We will do this big climb tomorrow and evaluate. Stay tuned.
Date: 2013-07-01
From: Glencliffe, NH

To: Lost River Valley
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: overcast clouds

As promised, we climbed Mt. Moosilauke this morning. The south side was a steady, seemingly never ending climb. It was rocky but it went much quicker than it would've two months ago. The way down the north side took over three hours even though it was less than four miles. I never, ever, ever want to do that part again. Reaching the top was a real high. Reaching the bottom was a real relief. Five summers ago I weighed close to 300 lbs. I drank too much beer and sat in front of a computer for work and at home for entertainment. Today when Hush and I went above the tree line of a mountain almost 5,000 feet tall, I just sobbed. Life has been so very, very good to me. I owe so much to so many people. I was and remain overwhelmed with gratitude and knowledge of my incredible good fortune. The postman delivered some wicked, awesome trail magic today. Hush received a megabox of gluten free goodies from Carolyn Albert, a former high-school classmate of mine (and mother of my two oldest children). We both got nice Smartwool hiking socks to replace our stinking, corroded gross old ones from Quincy Nimocks, a cycling friend. Two of my co-workers from Harnett County Schools, Chris "Mr. T"trautman, and Angela Walter, sent some great chow and extra batteries. I'm luckier than I have a right to be. The flood warning for tonight and tomorrow gives us a good reason to take a day off, probably. Sometimes I feel like a wildebeest drawn by instinct across the African plain. It's hard not to hike. Tonight, however, we are ensconced in a snug little private cabin in the Lost River Valley. Tomorrow will bring what it will. Hush's entry: Today was actually a good day. I am not sure why though. I was happy to start the day with dry socks and no rain in the morning forecast. Someone that had done this mountain the day before even said he managed to keep his feet dry for the entire hike. So, I had high hopes of dry feet today (finally). But it wasn't meant to be. I slipped off a rock crossing a creek just an hour into our day. I fell in and was soaked from head to toe. I was fine and jumped right out. I think Lefty was braced for my breakdown. But I just laughed. My good mood even surprised me. I was even able to keep my good mood after we got to the summit and I pulled out my iPhone and realized I had cracked the glass in my fall. I hope this good mood sticks around for a while.
Date: 2013-07-02
From: Lost River Valley

To: Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Rain is boring me and seemingly everyone I know on the East Coast is tired of it. Therefore I shall not mention it tonight. I pulled a masterful Yogi at the camp ground to arrange a ride into town this morning. Our benefactor was a former Army medic. We talked camping, Army and weather. When I remarked on the difficulty of hitching in the r__n, BOOM. He instantly offered a ride. The campground where we stayed had good showers, cheap laundry and we were in a cabin not a tent. We were a little bummed because our tent poles didn't arrive yesterday at the campground despite the extra $15 we paid. They we were trying to decide whether to hitch back out there or pay a taxi. While we were at the library using wi-fi the UPS driver came in. I bolted outside, caught him before he left and got our poles. Score!The hostel where we took our Zero belongs to Chet West. We saw Chet in a documentary. A former guide in the White Mountains, he was injured in a camping stove explosion in 2001 and has been in a wheelchair ever since. He isn't in any guides. You hear about him through the grapevine.  You can work for stay, barter or make a donation. He keeps a tight lid on the place (good). We're in a good bubble right now and shared the place with Pack Rat, Panch, Corona, Johnny Blaze, Long Spoon, among others. Tomorrow looks to be pretty gnarly. Five more hikers just showed up with six packs. It's going to be a noisy, late night.  Oh joy. Sleep, who needs sleep?
Date: 2013-07-03
From: Lincoln, NH

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 16.4

Hikers all around us are shell shocked. So are we. We are all so "Oh, this is why New Hampshire is so hard." We didn't find out until after we finished hiking, but three of our friends took two days to do what we did today. They are smart. Us, not so much. Of course we are smarter than the crew who combined Moosilauke (4900 ft) with (today's hike) Wolf Mountain (3500 ft), South Kinsman (4300 ft) and North Kinsman (4100 ft). South Kinsman's ascent consisted of several hours of hands and feet rock climbing. Every time we thought we were at the summit, it turned out to be a cruel hoax. On these tall climbs its easy to look into the distance at another mountain only to realize its not another mountain It's the same one you're climbing. It took us 12.5 hours to do 16 miles. On a normal day, we'd cover 20-25 miles in that much time. Although it was very, very tiring it was also fun. So far the White Mountains, while tough, have inspired confidence like nothing else on the trail. It feels like the first days of the trip when we were amazed just to be on the AT. We met some of our first SOBO (Southbound) hikers today. Their bona fides are their completion of Maine and the Whites, ours - the miles we've hiked. I'm looking forward to staying in a few shelters with some of them. It will be interesting to share perspectives. Tomorrow may or may not be a big day, depending on what today did to our bodies.
Date: 2013-07-04
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: light rain

Today after a three-hour climb we went above tree line and stayed there for two and a half miles. We experienced the unforgettable sight of the barren 5,000 ft. peaks of Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette as we climbed the rock strewn ridge line  towards them. In gusting winds but under sunny skies we marveled at the 360 degree views of rock slides, small towns, ski resorts and amazingly, the small lake we'd hiked around yesterday. From that lake, we photographed the mountain where we now stood. In the distance we could see the ominous outline of Mount Washington, the tallest point in the Northeast. Amazingly, we could also see a few of the peaks of Southern Maine. Anyone who tries to get in big miles in the White Mountains is missing a lot. For one, the hiking here is so physically demanding that pushing it will break down all but the fittest. Secondly, blasting down the trail and ignoring the overlooks is something we all do some times. But if you do that here, you're missing more than just another view of trees from overhead. You're missing something special. I'm way too tired to write much more.