morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-07-31
From: Washington Mountain Rd, The Cookie Lady

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: heavy intensity rain

July 31 --Waking up early because of the unusual brightness of an open space, I saw a few mosquitos on the tent and thousands of no-see-ums climbing then falling like a simmering steam. I fed all of them as I rushed to pack out, stopping by the house to water up, sign out, and meet Marilyn, so sweet she was, and kind to extend her hospitality to the hikers, we appreciate these people largely out of envy. The forecast was for rain and by about 10:00 it happened, stopped, misted and entering Dalton, the rain was steady. I retrieved my food box and new Big Agnes tent poles at the PO where I saw Juice from last night who said they had checked in at the Shamrock Inn next door. I began to repack my food in the PO when I felt chilly from being wet and glanced outside to see the rain pounding the large puddles when I put 2 + 2 and thought a nice bowl of clam chowder and a hot shower is what I could use, so I too checked in. I cleaned up, shopped for snacks, and fooled around with my gear, and made a few phone calls, one to Black Diamond to ask why my trekking poles hadn't arrived. I would check tomorrow, Saturday, before leaving for Cheshire where I had a package to pick up. By now the rain had stopped so I went to the library where coming toward me on the opposite side of the street was Charly and Evan, who I last saw in Damascus, VA and said they would be at Jacob's tonight, I would too. After a short stop at the library, I returned to the room, watched Cramer and got my laundry going in the machines next to the Inn office, but she had no change so out I went to the pub for a pint and change, and when I returned I had to wait my turn for there was only one set of machines and several soaked hikers. By 20:50 I had the dryer, but the office closed at 21:00, the girl would let me back in at 7:30 tomorrow to retrieve my stuff. 0k, I didn't want to pack wet clothes. Upon returning to the room I realized that the Cheshire PO closed at 11:30, too early for me to get my clothes, pack and hike there so I knew I had to hitch early. I met Charly at Jacob's where I had a big bowl of clam chowder, steamers, a nice cheeseburger and a huge Rueben sandwich, their specialty.
Date: 2009-08-01
From: Dalton, MA

To: Whitingham, VT
Miles today: 10.1

August 1 --The day began as expected, I packed my stuff and picked up my dried clothes at 7:30 and quickly got on the road to Cheshire. It was a bright sunny morning as I walked down Main St out of town to hitch. I got a ride to Pittsfield almost immediately and headed N on MA8, walking and thumbing through the residentials out of town, when a Jeep approached, and I know I had a chance, and sure enough, it stopped. I ran to the open passenger window and the driver said, "Hey, I know you", I said, "I know you too, Yukon!" He was headed to Cheshire to pick up the girls all of whom stayed at the church. Yukon was returning from shuttling someone who was related to a group, a father and 3 sons, that had an accident the previous night that required medical attention. I arrived behind the church to find Hobbit, Knickers and Jumar, and Spork, the Houston girl from Salisbury and before, and his 2 friends waiting. It was a brief, joyous reunion, we hadn't seen each other since the chanced meeting in VA, just before Trail Days weekend. I departed, got my package from the PO, no poles, and hitched back, and showered before I checked out of the Inn and hit the trail. The full pack was heavy as I crossed up and over the ~5m to Cheshire in the muddy woods. I stopped at Diane's Twist, had a nice black raspberry milkshake, she was out of strawberry, and used her phone to call Soni to ask her to call Keith and Alisa and let them know that I wasn't even close, but Alisa had called earlier to inquire. I took my time, talking with 3 Brits, a father, son and daughter, the father returning to contimue the AT, and stopped at the outfitter to get fuel before resuming the trail, the shelter wasn't far, it would be a short day. Crossing MA8 I began the climb through the woods to an uphill pasture where, after crossing the stile, I saw two people at the top looking down at me as I stopped to tighten my pack straps. Then one began gesturing with his arms as I peered toward the bright sky, it was Keith, he had found me after a whole day searching, asking all he had met from Mt Greylock to Cheshire and back. He was with nephew Greg, and the car was one minute away, where he offered me a night at the house with the promise of return in the morning at my choice of time. Was there a question? How far away? 45 minutes! I was amazed, I thought it was hours. It was a nice ride to Cyrus Rd where Alisa and Kim, Greg's Mom, were waiting to put on the feast, grilled steaks, grilled vegatables and sweet corm, and, of course, Little Debbies, which Keith had beed feeding me on the way. It was a wonderful evening of stories, laughs and inquires, Alisa is very interested in the AT and I wouldn't be surprised if she finds a way, soon.
Date: 2009-08-02
From: Whitingham, VT

To: Sherman Brook Campsite
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

August 2 --Keith, Alisa and I were up early enough for a nice long breakfast, my choices were plenty of butter objects and lots of coffee, and we toured the grounds before I bid my Trail Angels farewell and Keith delivered me back to Outlook Ave under the threat of rain. The hike was cooler in the overcast and the visibility dropped as I began the Mt Greylock climb, a damp fog wetting everything and eventually the light rain came. The downed and topped trees from last winter's ice storm were less prevelant now, but the fallen white birch trees that had been standing dead were stunning, shattered, as if made by glass blowers, each piece breaking in length in proportion to its diameter, bright white bark, shiny in the mountain mist. And the green mosses looked happy in yet another rainy day. Closing in on the summit the wind blew harder and at the Bascom Lodge entrance the door blew wildly as I went in from the rain. The snack bar was cash only so I went for the cheeseburger, good choice as I relaxed in the dining hall, later speaking to Sunday about hike down strategies. On the way down toward North Adams the weather cleared, and at the base of the final climb to Sherman Brook Campsite, my last stay in MA, was a trail magic cooler with cookies and gatorade which was enough fuel to get me to the site. It was dark when I arrived and looking for a suitable site was fruitless until my second pass I realized that the tenters with a small fire were not using the platform, I inquired, it was Spork and Nickname, her boyfriend, and they obliged since their tent was not the free standing type. Not bad setting up, I was able to tap my stakes between the wood planks for more support. Nickname had aquired his name yesterday while Spork and her two friends were leaving the church, she introduced them and answered that Nick didn't have a trail name yet. I asked, "How about a Nickname?"
Date: 2009-08-03
From: Sherman Brook Campsite

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: scattered clouds

August 3 --With the every other day of rain since last Tuesday, July 28, sunny, the mosquitos have been surprisingly subdued, only noticable when stopping for a break. The deer flies have managed to replace their position of annoyance, with the occasional appearance of a very large horsefly. This was a sunny day and after a short climb I entered VT, the Green Mtns and The Long Trail when I noticed that I had let the camera battery run down to very low, so I began to conserve my shots. Along the way I caught Bill Sr of Bill&Bill, who I hadn't seen since I met him at the Apple tree breakfast table in Damascus. We talked and walked for about an hour, he had heart bypass, triple, last year, he's 66, wow! His son was ahead and when I took a break, Sr passed me and I caught them both breaking 5 minutes ahead where we talked further, nice guys. I pushed on toward dark, from Hanson Hill, 2325', down to VT9, 1360', and right back up to the Melville Nauheim Shelter, 2330', where I tented, just at dark, right in front of the shelter on the far side of the fire pit.
Date: 2009-08-04
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

August 4 --It was a good sleep, and today was another nice sunny day, and it seems that the mud is finally beginning to dry out and is more steppable, easing the travel without stopping to search for rocks or roots to hopscotch through, mud-puzzles. However late in the afternoon I slipped to the left and stepped on the Black Diamond pole, snapping off the lower section. I found a suitable replacement, a nice beech tree stick recently cleared from the trail. The treat today was the climb up the fire tower on Glastenbury Mtn, 3748', spectacular overlooking the hazy landscape. I saw the third beaver dam in 2 days which are amazing works that are as permanent as a dirt shore of a pond lasting many years judging by the surrounding growth. I made it here to the Story Spring Shelter comfortably before dark to set the tent among section hikers, and a shelter full of them. I saw probly ten folks outhere in the woods today, none of which were thru-hikers NoBo, strange.
Date: 2009-08-05
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: overcast clouds

August 5 --The day began cloudy, with the threat of rain in the air as the plan was to take a 15m cruise to a shelter just outside of Manchester Ctr where a mail drop pickup and zer0 day would follow. After ~500' descent to Kelly Stand Rd the ~1600' climb up Stratton Mtn, with a nice fire tower was next, and the overcast day was cool for the ascent, but about 100' from the summit the mountain mist hung, dashing any thought of a tower view. It was on a break here that I realized the dilemma I faced. I had a Big Agnes replacement tent waiting at the Danby PO which under the current plan I would hit on Sunday, bad, so I must push to Manchester Ctr, a 20+m day. I pushed my sore, wet, blistered feet to the parking area on VT11/VT30 where 2 Long Trail girls were being restocked by Mom, and I didn't hesitate to ask for a ride to town which I got. It seemed like miles to the Carriage House, it wasn't, but their were certainly other suitable places that I had passed. No matter, this place was relatively cheap, quiet and slightly from the '50s. I showered had strolled back into town for a take out pizza and beer which I consumed lying in bed watching Direct TV. My feet were a mess, blisters and irritations in new places because of the wet environment, they need rest.
Date: 2009-08-06
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

August 6 --An off day here in Manchester Center, VT, probly the most spread out town that I've visited. Its too bad too, because my blistered feet could use a good rest after walking in wet socks all week, I haven't seen mud like this since the Smokeys. I must've killed so many mosquitos in MA that they now fear me, they are hardly an issue, and the days have been comfortably cooler, rain and all.
Date: 2009-08-06
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

August 6 --It was a nice sunny day to do my in town chores, PO, laundry an a visit to the library all of which were spread out in different directions on the outskirts of town. I saw the haiku guy, Chris, in the laudromat whom I had met on the trail yesterday. I found him in the woods walking my direction, very slowly, no pack, and as I passed, we exchanged greetings to which I added, "...between the bugs and the mud", and moved on. I noticed he had an unusual hat, a sort of summer fedora, attached to his belt somehow. Less than a minute later he was calling out to someone, I thought ahead of me, but as I turned to look back, he was running toward me, to catch me, and said he writes haiku poems, mostly 5-7-5 and he took by 7 and composed, "Long Trail Misery, between the bugs and the mud, the goal to Eden". He was so excited, I politely acknowledged his sincerity, and mulled the words. So when I saw him across the room in the laundromat, he asked me the time so that he could set his new altimeter watch, but I don't think tht he recognized me, he was wearing that hat. "Hey", I shouted back across the room, "aren't you that haiku guy?" I had to repeat before he remembered, then he recited the poem, and we chatted for ~10 minutes before he had to run to catch a bus. The rest of the day was spent at the library and back at the room before going out to the Mexican place for dinner.
Date: 2009-08-07
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Big Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

August 7 --I puttsed around the room until aftr 9:00, long enough to see that the July jobless claims were below expectation, and began to walk, fully loaded, toward town where I would hitch from the otheside. I decided to try now and, bam, the third car, and old restored Jeep stopped and agreed to drive me to the trail head, and I was there in 16 minutes. The weather was cool, my first climb Bromley Mtn, which was moderate, and near the summit I found myself in a wide field, like a powerline swath, but not crossing it, following it uphill, a ski slope! which became very steep at the summit where I saw an old friend, Jumar! Hobbit, Knickers and Journey and her dog, Canyon, were just moving on from break. We decided that the Big Branch Shelter was a suitable stop as I dropped my pack for some photos on the 360 observation deck. I caught them again at Styler Peak and had lunch. I walked with Knickers for a while and later Journey and later solo, when a bee/hornet got my right knee cap, for no apparent reason, while walking on the trail. I caught Journey and she too was stung on the right calf, and a guy at the shelter also was stung. We tented, crowded, right in front of the shelter on the big Branch, a loud flow, in a chilly, clear night.
Date: 2009-08-09
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Churchill Scott Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

August 9 --It was a slow start on a cloudy morning making journal entries, before the climb up Killington Peak by 16:00 to use the phone at the snack bar. The pre-climb was managable and I kept the pace fast knowing the dadline would come fast. The climb up to the peak sidetrail started at ~1900' at the Gov Clement Shelter to ~3900', and to the peak just over 4000'. The mountain mist set in about 300' from the summit, soon became a misty rain and a blowing rain at the top, where I reached the snack bar at 15:40, several others from last night, Hobbit, Knickers and Journey among them, were already there. "Two hot dogs please", sorry, the grill is turned off, you can have home made brocolli soup or whatever you can find, which I did potato salad, pasta salad too. "Is the pay phone nearby?" "Right there, if it works." It didn't, they lent me theirs to make a call to release the Hanover box on Monday. The 0.2m side trail up/down the peak was nasty, dangerous in the wet, and my idea to make it to The Inn vanished as my feet pleaded for boots off, so the Churchill Scott Shelter became my target. I arrived and found Knickers, Hobbit and Journey cooking at the shelter, alone. I nearly joined them, but found a tent platform and set up as the steady rain arrived.
Date: 2009-08-10
From: Churchill Scott Shelter

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: light rain

August 10 --After a very good night's sleep, today's mission was to make it to the Killington PO and get my lower section trekking poles and a home package of socks, a NH map and some cash. The warm morning air was stagnant with humidity causing sweat beads on the back of my hands with only mild exertion. I made it to VT100 0k and taking a break before hitting the road, Pellet came by and we exchanged phone#s so we could meet up this weekend in Whitefield, possibly with Hobbit and Knickers too. I went up VT100 to US4 and headed south, as the map suggested, trying to flag a ride. Finally 2 guys stop, say sure they'll give a ride to the PO, not knowing where. We stopped for directions, no we didn't pass it, it was the other direction on US4 from VT100, the map was wrong! I was lucky that they drove me all the way back, at least 3m, to the PO where I retrieved my parcels 0k. The lower pole sections were 0k, but when the old ones snapped, a piece remained in the middle section, jammed, corroded fast, no chance of removing. So I sent all pole pieces to Whitefield and called Black Diamond, explained to Elmo, he'd send out middle sections right away. I love my beech sticks. The deli next to the PO was hiker heaven, I ordered a #23 Italian type sub with hot peppers, bag of Doritos, 24oz iced tea, a packed carrot cake, 560cal, a pack of honey roasted peanuts and a box of brown sugar cinammon poptarts, I consumed out front of the deli on a shady bench. I walked back the short 1/2m or so and continued to a brief stop at the lodge on Kent Pond to see if any were hanging around, no, so I headed on to the Stony Brook Shelter. Shortly before the shelter I was overtaken by Cous Cous, who said it was her destination as well and, big news, Leif_e would be there too, but Lady had left the trail to retuen to school stuff, and just before her departure he had proposed marriage at Stratton Mtn with a ring he had carried since Springer Mtn! She, of course, accepted. At the shelter, mostly tenting, was a big crowd, Leif_e, Mcbride, Stud the Dud, Windbreaker, Cous Cous, Kiwi, Hobbit, Knickers, Pellet, Wheeler and Journey. A lot of laughs. Good bye to the Long Trail.
Date: 2009-08-11
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: South Pomfret, Pomfret Rd
Miles today: 17.4

August 11 --An unexpected series of downpours wakened me throughout the night and I packed a very soggy tent following Journey and Windbreaker out of camp. I caught them at a stream crossing where Journey and I took a snack break and continued together on a moderate trail, but the short steep ups were amplified by the high humidity. We stopped for a nice break at the Lookout Cabin that had a ladder to an observation deck on the roof with a 360 view. We moved on over the usual mud and roots to VT12 where 0.2m down the road was On The Edge farm stand where I had an 8oz chunk of smoked VT cheddar, homemade oatmeal raisin cookies and 2 maple sodas, very refreshing, before moving onto who knew where. Immediately back on the trail I met 3 SoBos who started July 5, 12-Pack, Genius and Molassas or Collateral, but as they walked away the other 2 were modifying his name to Colassas, encouraging that it had taken them just over a month which fit the basic plan. With the physical prizes of first the White Mtns and then Katahdin, I sense from the others what I have felt for weeks, that obviously the end is nearing, but there is a confidence like that of Senior Classmen, and beyond that, planning the final days before graduation and the unknown. We are salmon drawn to shallower waters, forced closer together toward an anixous elation as we excite each other with our ideas of what the future holds. Does the caterpillar understand the metamorphic process? Can it possibly look at butterflies and moths with hope to join them? We have become a group of these, bound by our common quest, and by sweat, toil, weather, mud and life on the trail, all sharing the trail, living off of the trail, breathing its clean air, drinking its pure water, and stepping on its varied terrain. The trail has shown us that what we need is what we have, and that beyond that is more than we need. About 2m in I found Knickers and Hobbit setting up on the edge of an open field joined by Windbreaker shortly after. There was talk that the remaining big group would be staying in a barn near the farm stand and Windbreaker and I moved on. He later chose a spot near a rushing brook at Pomfret Rd and I was going further, but saw another late day climb which made me find a spot just across the road, on recently bulldozed wood chips. I no sooner zipped up the fly when a big wind gust blew by followed by a very intense 15 minute downpour which left about 3" of water under my side of the tent that took a while to soak in.
Date: 2009-08-12
From: South Pomfret, Pomfret Rd

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: light rain

August 12 --I slept with constant light rain and dripping all night and again packed a wet tent early, an 8:06 start. The mountain mist hung heavy as I made my way along the final VT trail. The sun began to break through as I left the mosquito active woods and DOC trail crew, crossed the White River Bridge and stopped at the West Hartford General Store, a surprise right on the trail/road for a Tunbridge Deli sandwich, outstanding, a couple of iced teas and a packaged sweet cake, enjoying it on the shaded porch. As I was leaving Gator came by and said that he had just left Hobbit, Knickers and Journey, and that they had come across bees again and were "all bitten up". I pushed through more swampy woods finally to Elm St, which was about a 2 1/2m walk on roads to Hanover, NH, under I-91 and across the Connecticut River, a trail town with the AT cutting right through on main city streets. I ended up at the Hanover Inn, on the town green, where I was told the room price would be $169 discounted from $269, but my feet wanted out of those boots, and so they were. After a shower I hunted down a large pizza with extra cheese and some beer, and returned to the room for TV and a phone call. Laundry, about a mile away, and the PO would wait 'til morning.
Date: 2009-08-13
From: Hanover,NH

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

August 13 --Just an overnight stop in Hanover,NH and back on the trail. Its great to be in NH, I will be staying at the Whitefield house over the weekend, resting a little and planning the trip over the Whites. Thank you for your interest and comments.
Date: 2009-08-13
From: Hanover,NH

To: Moose Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

August 13 --After rinsing my sweat drenched clothes in the sink I walked 24 minutes to the laundry, it didn't make sense, a college town with no laudromats, dorm life is good. While at the laundry I discovered that the bus routes were free and returned to the Hanover Inn and I was back by 10:00, time to go to the library, the PO and pack by the noon checkout. Leaving the PO I ran into Hobbit, Knickers and Journey who had just arrived. I said farewell to Journey, she's leaving the trail after completing this section and will return next year to finish. I'm glad that I got to see her again to say good-bye, she was good company. I checked out about 12:15 and walked through town, crowded, noisy sidewalks buzzing with kids and their greying parents. The trail left town along the edge of a soccer field, poorly marked, and entered the woods with a nice short steep climb, but otherwise the trail was not much different, mosquitos an annoyance. I met a retired AF 2 star on a walk before dinner and had a nice chat for 10 minutes before climbing Moose Mtn, 2222', and set up the tent here at the Moose Mtn Shelter tent site. My eyes are heavy in the quiet woods.