morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-08-25
From: Little Wilson Stream

To: MONSON!!!!
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: broken clouds

Woke p early enough but didn't feel like moving yet. Ate four packs of oatmeal and half a pot of coffee. That helped a bit. Mac got up about the same time. We talked for at least an hour. I finally headed off. ALot of day hikers this close to a road. They all looked tired. After one freaking day!. I stopped at a shelter and talked a bit with two fellas and lady forward came up. which was weird cause I read a journal entry the day before from two weeks ago. She summited and was doing the 100 mile again with her dad. After that i pretty much was running. ready to be at the road and to eat the chocolate i was saving. I made it and chatted with some bikers. I started towards Monson and maybe 3 minutes I had a ride. A guy picked me up and dropped me at the lake shore and i got a huge burger, fries and a beer. I met up again with rock steady and bebop. Haven't seen them in days. I headed off to the shaw house and got checked in. Took a shower!!! and did laundry. Started talking to everyone. Andrew one of the SOBOS is here. He had to get off for a bad spider bite infection . I went back to lake shore for dinner and met mad max he is cool and a flip flop. I'll catch up and hang with him for a few days. There was a few city people who were full of questions. I talked with them for a bit and headed back to shaws. it was a lazy afternoon, just what I needed. Food and sitting around. Also i called dad and talked for a while. But I got to talk to brandy for an hour. That was nice. She listed to me ramble for a while about my trip. I've going to try and talk to her again before I leave. Tomorrow i've got to do some grocery shopping. The hiker boxes are full of food though so that will help. I uploaded a ton of pictures from my phone. And i'm going to do a ll my journal entry's tomorrow. I tried on my phone but it takes forever. i write to much i think. Now i'm in a bed and can't sleep. I miss my hammock and i'm not totally wore out today.
Date: 2012-08-26
From: MONSON!!!!

To: MONSON!!!!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

For the first time so far i set an alarm. i wanted to be early to breakfast and run to the ATM and get money before checkout at 9. I woke up long before my alarm. I went down stairs and there were plenty of people to talk with and coffee. The place I'm staying at is the big breakfast joint in town. You order by number. I got a 3, which means i got 3 pieces of toast, 3 eggs, 3 pieces of bacon, 3 pieces of sausage and hash browns. Some people got 5'ves!!! i'm hungry but not that much yet. The food was great and the company was even better. I sat with the older crowd and just listened. I went for more coffee and golden called me over. She was with crush and snowman. Snowman is another SOBO and his hiking pace is real similar to mine. He left out early though and i stayed in town for my first zero. I'll catch up. well everyone started filtering back out to the trail. I got my stuff and headed to the lake shore where i was going to do work for stay. Rebeca the owner was at church so i just hung out with hotshot for a while. Cool guy who is way ahead of schedule so he's just chilling out for a few days. I started getting antsy just sitting around so i went and got food for the next few days. Rebeca got back and she put me to work. Watering plants, rearranging the outdoor patio for a concert, loading wood in a truck this and that and half a dozen other things. I was glad to be moving finally. Well things got busy and i finished up and went to eat with hot shot. I killed a ton of wings. Johny walker came and joined us, he was cool and had hiked with hotshot way back in the beginning. After lunch i had nothing to do. there wasn't many people around yet so i just started pacing. i got so fidgety. I think unless i'm totally beat i'm going to come to town stay a night and get my food and go before early morning. this waiting around is killing me. around six more people started coming in and things got more interesting. Ponytail paul took us cliff jumping. I jumped on that. he's a cool local hippie type who does food drops for hikers. We crammed six people in a tiny car, got some drinks and ice and headed down the road. We got to the river and walked a quarter mile in. Ponytail paul said he'd go first and swam across the river started climbing a trail and came out on top of this huge boulder. It was at least 35 foot drop and he just jumped off. it took us a bit but me and tripsalot finally swam across. got all pumped up and went for it. so much fun. huge fall and a great rush. We hung out by the river for a bit and headed out for more food. I feel much better now. not so antsy. but i'm till ready to get out early and catch snowman. After breakfast that is.
Date: 2012-08-27
From: MONSON!!!!

To: Moxie Bald Lean too
Miles today: 17.9

Woke up ready to be off...sorta. I was really sluggish hand didn't get up till 730. i rushed off to Shaw's for breakfast and made it just in time to order with the people I've been hanging out with. It was a struggle today but i put it down. All my gear was already packed but i wanted to digest a bit before going. We all hung out and talked. I left around 11 and got on the trail. It was good to stretch and move again, but i was still really full. I actually skipped lunch and ate a snack around two. It was super flat and right by a river the whole day. The was a couple of fords but I'm starting to like them. I don't feel as antsy if my feet are drying and i eat a snack. It's like a productive break. Everyone today pretty much was in high spirits and talkative. I hit my biggest day yet, just under 18 miles. I've got to catch snowman and mad max who left yesterday. I got to the shelter and talked a while. Sprinkles, some unspellable name that means what ever may come, and an older couple just out for a section. I got my hammock up and the lady was asking about it. I said she could climb in if she wanted. She said it was comfy. As soon as i got my rainfly on, it started to rain. Just in time. I took my cooking stuff to the shelter and made sure everything was under the tarp. Whatever i had for dinner was amazing. Johny Walker gave me something his mom dehydrated. It was lentils squash beans ham bullion cube and other stuff. I ate it on my flat bread and it was so good. Everyone tonight is real friendly and in good spirits. I finally said goodnight and crawled in to right. tomorrow is supposed to rain, but maybe this little shower took some of it away. I'm going to shoot for at least 15 miles tomorrow so i can hit caratuck early and find food for the next bit. Everyone says I'll have to hitch somewhere. That's alright. I'll just get there early.
Date: 2012-08-28
From: Moxie Bald Lean too

To: Pleasnt Pond Shelter
Miles today: 13.1

No one at the shelter had any motivation today. We all just hung around till nearly 11 talking and slowly getting packed. It was nice though. It rained all last night but i was dry in my hammock and all my gear was under me. The morning started out muggy as could be. Coming up Moxie bald i was pouring sweat. It started to rain a little so i put on my pack cover but not my rain jacket. Too hot. It just piddled and i didn't even need a jacket. From moxie there was bits of a view between the clouds. I actually got turned around . The trail up was well marked with rock piles and i saw the sign and went to take a picture. After that no rock piles. I wandered around for 20 minutes getting frustrated. A NOBO finally came up and told me the right way. The sign was actually a side trail and i had to go back the way i came to get back. Because of the rain the rocks were slick. I fell multiple times. The trip up pleasant pond was very hilly and long but a great view on top. The wind was so intense that it about blew me over a few times. It was a short drop tot he shelter and i was debating keeping going but i was in no rush and my feet hurt from all the up and down. Shelter Stew was here and had a huge bonfire going. he carries at least 70 pounds and has for the past year almost. He just cooks and goes slow. No desire to finish the trail. He just wanted to e out for a year. We talked a while, interesting guy. he packed up right before dark and headed off. he likes to night hike. He said he needed to resupply but i saw enough food to last me two weeks out here. he says he's never hiked in the rain. So far I have the shelter to myself. I wanted to be uncomfortable cause i need to get up early. My hammock is to inviting when i need to be up early. I decided not to stay a night. Just going to get food and push on. Stratton is only 3 days away and will make a better rest before the bigalows and the trail starts to get ruff. But i hear its a great view from all the passing NOBOs.
Date: 2012-08-29
From: Pleasnt Pond Shelter

To: Caratuck
Miles today: 5.7

Well I got an early start today just like i wanted. Packed and on the trail before 8. Didn't even make coffee. The trail was really nice and flat. I made it to the road no problem and just in time to see two other hikers getting in a car giong to the same place as me. We all stuffed in. Eric at Sterling's inn was really friendly and he had a great resupply. he also took us to the pub so we could eat lunch. I was great on time. me, relative, and shelter stew sat there eating for hours. I got some apple beef stew, a mushroom bacon burger and fries, and for dessert some apple crisp with homemade whip cream and ice cream. There is also the kenebec Brewery downstairs and they have some great specialty stuff that they make everyday. Double brown ale is todays. We called eric to come pick us up about 3. The ferry stops at 4. He got hung up due to a wreck and we got on the trail at 355. we met hillbilly dave the ferry guy as he was coming out. It's alright we went back to the pub and jeff who's son Cheddar is hiking was here. He offered us a place for free. So i'm just hanging out eating and having fun. Funny how things work out. Also Shelter Stew decided to stay and work at the inn for a few months. I think the cute Romanian girl he met at the bar may have had some influence.
Date: 2012-08-30
From: Caratuck

To: West Carry Pond lean to
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up feeling way better than i should. We all started moving and packing for breakfast. Breakfast was great. Bacon egg bagle with home fries and grapefruit. But more importantly i had 4 glasses of orange juice. I've been craving it for a week now. I managed to make the ferry this times. Hill Billy Dave was cool. The hiking today was relatively flat and by rivers and ponds. It left fore lots of time to think and sing the christmas songs in my head. The first shelter was pierce pond. A hiker drowned earlier this year there. There was a memorial and a thing about him. There was a total feeling of calm around the area. It was quiet and still. Me and another hiker slim pilgrim commented that if we could choose a place to die, this would be a good place. It was beautiful. The rest of the day was easy nice trails and fine going. I'm hammocked a ways from the shelter but hanging out to be social. A cold front came in two days ago and for the first time i zipped my bag up. I think tonight might be the same. I'm still a day behind the group and i've decided to take the next few weeks slower. The real mountains start tomorrow. I'm going to cut back my miles unless i'm really feeling it. I'll fall further behind but maybe they'll slow down to. probably not but i may catch them in a town. Today finished my first two weeks on the trail. I've done really well so far i think.
Date: 2012-08-31
From: West Carry Pond lean to

To: Safford Notch
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up really early, for me anyway. The morning hike was easy and flat , but i was in a funk. I was as down as i've been. I found out last week the AMC huts close September 15. That has been knawing at me a while. It's all everyone talks about. I was super down that i was going to miss such a big part. But I remembered hey i can do a small flip flop. The older section hiker couple is going to take me. From Stratton i'll take a ride 200 miles south to north woodstock. From there i'll head north back to stratton. That way i will be able to hike the whites and use the huts for food, still do the miles, and maintain my original date goals. After that i hiked with a lighter step and smiled again. I was in a much better mood. I met lonely woods dreamer and his seven year old daughter flower. they are out for a 20 mile stretch. very friendly, He's a great dad and very caring. he got flower a medal for when she got to the highest point. We came into a campsite and it's trying it's hardest to rain. The wind is fierce but i'm set up and ready for it. a group of 10 college kids came in but they have disappeared thank god. they were loud when they came through. Lighthouse came in late, nice guy from Scotland. He joined us for a game of UNO with flower. And it looks like it's not going to rain tonight.
Date: 2012-09-01
From: Safford Notch

To: Stratton 
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Got a late start this morning, but that's ok. It was to cold to get up at 8. I heward a mouse under me last night but my food was hanging so i didn't worry about it. I had left a wrapper in my boot and he was eating crumbs. The college kids were no early risers either. They got moving aobut the same time as me. They did some odd group stretches before they left, but i was more interested in my coffee. The climb up Big Bigelow was great. The first real switch backs i've seen. And occasionally there was a flat switch so you could catch your breath without stopping. I passed the college kids and they passed me when i went to a view point for a while. It was back and forth. I hiked faster, but i actually wanted to stop and see the view today. They were amazing, the first peak had a 360 degree view. A great view of flagstaff lake and you could see the snowtrails of sugarloaf mountain. It was clear and you could see fore miles in every direction. The hike into the notch and back up to the second peak was nice and easy. The second peak was just as good as the first. 360 vies and the weather was perfect. You could look back and see the top and trail of the first peak which was cool. I met two girls from the same college, but weren't with the group. they told me what they were doing and were very friendly. they were headed south so I walked a ways with them before they took a different trail back to their car. After that it was five miles of down hill. And who ever did the otherside was not the same person. It was down down down. I caught privy inspector who left 3 hours before me. he's not a fan of the down either. I finally got to the road and got a ride from privy inspector's wife to town. We had dinner together and shes all set to take me below the whites tomorrow. I'm so thankful for them. I've enjoyed hiking with privy inspector. Even if he does get up way to early. I'm at the stratton hostel and have everything ready for tomorrow. I'm excited to start the whites even if it is a little out of order.
Date: 2012-09-02
From: Stratton 

To: mount wolf
Miles today: 4.6

I didn't sleep to well last night, lot on my mind about this that and the other. I woke up and packed everything up and got a great breakfast at the dinner. Banana pancakes. Nancy was all set to leave at 11 and she asked if I would drive. Its only been three weeks since I've drove, but it took some getting used to again. The drive was extremely pretty. All of Maine has been evergreens so I couldn't see the leaf change. New Hampshire is starting to color up real well. I also saw a moose on the side of the road. It was huge, ugly as sin, but huge. I also got some sweet tea at Macdonald's. Amazing. We got to the trail head about 3 and I said thanks again to Nancy and gave her a hug. There were some thrus by the road. Bunny and dirty d. I hung out with them a while and hiked out with them. We met up with Eva amd short term and we all stealth camped on the side of the trail. It was a great climb, my legs were burning but the view was great at the top. The whites are a totally different set of mountains. It was fun hiking in a group and im finally catching some SOBO slack from them. Its been fun though. It is chilly up on this mountain but the weather is great. Im excited for the toughness and ready for the views.
Date: 2012-09-03
From: mount wolf

To: franconia notch
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Woke up early and had a great start. Had the first real climb up to the kinsman mountains. The climb was rocky and steep but not to bad. It was awesome at the top. The group im in is about 7 people now and we were all just hanging out with a great view eating lunch. It was amazing. We had two peaks and both had great views of what's to come tomorrow. We got to lonesome lake hut about 230, to early for work for stay but we sat around amd ate. A hiker who wasn't with us, flash, his parents own the Littleton diner. The group has been hearing about this place for months and we got to the road closest to it so we decided to go. It was hard to get a hitch, so many people, holiday weekend and side of the highway. We split up in three groups and got two cars. Our lady was cool and talkative. She lived in the town right before Littleton but she took us the whole way. We got to the diner and flashes parents weren't there but we sat down anyway. They were busy and actually called patty (flash's mom) in to come help. We were talking and mentioned her name and she came over. They told her who we were and she said the meal was on her. And then she offered to take us back to the trail. It was amazing she's so nice. Food was great. I got a resupply and im set for the whites with a full belly. We are camped just off the road and its a great night.
Date: 2012-09-04
From: franconia notch

To: lincoln 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Got woken up by rain. I didn't have my tarp on so I quickly got out and threw that on and got back in and went to sleep. Dirty d was cowboy camping and went and hid under the bridge. It rained all morning amd no one got out of their tents. About 10 bunny started packing and so did I. Dirty d short term and Eva were gone. Stonedance and butch said they were hanging out all day. I didn't want to hike Franconia in the rain. I wanted a good day. So I decided to hitch back to Lincoln and take a zero and try to wait out the weather. I got a ride from doc who owns the hostel in Gorham. He dropped me off in Lincoln and I found coffee and food. I had heard about a hostel called chetts place and I made my way there. Its a cool guy who lets people sleep in the garage and his back yard. Lincoln is a good town. I got grocery's and a new pair of socks and went and saw a movie. I pretended to be a normal person amd that was fun. Everyone here is hanging out. I played chess and met some cool people. I hope to get out of here tomorrow, but if the weather sucks I made decide to take another zero so I can have a good day. I've heard so much about this area and I didn't want to hike in the clouds unless I have to.
Date: 2012-09-05
From: lincoln 

To: lincoln
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The clouds cleared for a little bit after breakfast so I packed up all my gear and got ready to leave. I walked back outside and they moved right back in. I debated for the longest time and finally decided to stay in town. Hind site I should have left. It never rained and I could of at least made a few miles and gotten below ridgeline for an easier set up tomorrow. I did find an outfitter and got a smaller pot and sent my big one home. I stood there for a long time and debated a new pack. Ill think on it. Mine is way to big and kinda heavy. Maybe when I flip back down and get ready to start moving quickly I'll look at them again. I ate and just hung around. Started to get antsy again. Its weird I actually stop getting hungry when I just sit around. Im ready to get out as soon as I can tomorrow morning.
Date: 2012-09-06
From: lincoln

To: stealth by galehead hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Man does it feel good to be out again. I woke up and paced a bit, ate my left overs from dinner and packed everything up. I stopped for coffee at Dunkin amd starter walking down the road. It was a while before I got a ride but a nice guy pulled over. The climb was gradual but flat was unheard of. It was up up up. At the first view there was birdman, far east, and easy squeeze so I pulled out a snack. We all drifted off and finally got above treeline. The sun came out just in time and it was amazing greatness of a view. You could see people on a mountain a mile away. It was so cool. I met up with a bunch of people from the hostel and ate. They were planning on stopping at a lake and stealthing. I thought that sounded nice. We got there and carver said it was only one more mile to the shelter. That sounded nice. We got there and it cost money so we asked about the hut. It was only two and a half miles away. That sounded nice. Me and birdman took off racing dark. We didn't make it. Night hiking in the whites. We met some SOBOs who the hut turned away but we decided to try anyway. No go. They wouldn't take any more but 70% did jack us some food. Fire fox was there but couldn't stay so we are all a little ways off stealthing. Im going to destroy some breakfast though. 13 miles in the whites is a long day. Im beat and starving but tomorrow looks great.
Date: 2012-09-07
From: stealth by galehead hut

To: saco river
Miles today: 14.8

The morning started out well. Out of camp at a decent hour. Went back to the hut and got pancakes oatmeal and coffee. Great way to start the morning. The climb up south twin was steep but bearable. The view was great. Perfectly clear and you could see mount Washington in the distance. The down wasn't to bad and I came out on this cool clearing with big boulders and moss. One lady commented that there should be sheep grazing over the hill. I had two section hikers give me food today. One was chocolate covered espresso beans that I have been trying to find and the other was grapes. Both awesome. There was a group of older guys with flags. They are putting an American flag on all 48 mountains above 4000 feet in new Hampshire in honor of the victims of 9/11. I thanked each one I came across and told them it was great what they were doing. Most of the day was in trees but still nice views on occasion. On one there was a local guy who told me what all the mountains around were. That was cool to know what im looking at. At Zealand hut I got two bowls of soup amd met up with carver again. He convinced me to go 3 miles further than I had planned but the last 7 miles were totally flat. No rocks or roots. Just busting out the miles. Im camped by a river with birdman again and im only 11 miles from lake of the clouds. The weather is great but two hikers said rain all weekend. I hope they are wrong.