morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-06
From: Jackson, NH

To: Jackson, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Day 35 ThursdayZero day in Jackson. Breakfast by pool at the Lodge; spent most of the AM planning and packing for next section of hiking. Packed drops of food for Pinkham and Crawford Notches and put tent and stove into pinkham drop. Lunch at sandwhich shop in Jackson - very good turkey wrap and we spent the afternoon driving to Crawford Notch; took some pics of the 40 MPG + vehicle parking only sign and checked out the base station and museum at Mt. Washington RR (very cool!) (Note to Kellee: I re-wrote cool 3 times there becuase it kept looking like cod). Drive thru Lincoln and picked up memory card for camera and heel balm at Rite Aid and drove over the Kangamagus Hwy. Tried to get to Pinkham Notch, but folled signs for Crawford by accident and wasted about 40 minutes. Got to Pinkham eventually and dropped food, tent, and stove. Dinner at T.H.E. (Thompson house eatery) cornish game hen (very good)and had long discussion re: decision to let guy die on Everest to make summit bids. Hot tub after dinner, fixed holes in heels of Goretex socks and finished packing. In bed around 10:30.
Date: 2006-07-07
From: Jackson, NH

To: Carter Notch
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: fog

Day 36 FridayUp at 5:30; on road at 6. Had 2 banans before stopping at The Barn to wake up O'riain (Carlos and Hansel and 1 NOBO also there). Breakfast at McDonalds - sausage McMuffin, hashbrowns, OJ (good; could've used 2 of them). Back at Barn; dicussed trail plans with Carlos, who indicated that he might yellow blaze to catch me. Kellee dropped me at trailhead at 7:30 and took a few pics. Fast goodbye due to bugs and need to visit a tree. Easy hike to Rattle River shleter; 8:30 1 hiker in shelter asleep. Didn't see register and didn't want to disturb, so hiked on. Nice valley hike up to ridge by Mt. Moriah. 0.1 mile sidehike to Moriah - great views. Lunch at Imp Campsite (long 300 yds down from AT); nice shelter with chair and great view. Read journal entries from Dirt and Sky and signed log; including comments re: Hiker's Paradise. Also found out nurse Dave going by Sprocket Man; Soybone Sally (Tina). Met weekend hikers - college freshmen from Nashua NH going to Harvard. Pleasant afternoon traversing Carter Range, easy ridge traverse and nice open ledges on descent to zeta pass. Great views on Mt. Hight and steep descent into carter notch from cater dome; in camp 7:15PM. Hut caretaker Bethany, several other hikers in (didn't make introductions) 11 total including 3 H.S. Juniors from Weston, NH. Bethany graduated from St. Lawrence U. in 2004 and spent the last year in Portland, "pretending to be an adult." Showed chipmunk video to Bethany and H.S. kids - Bethany was surprised - indicated chipmunks were actually red squirrels. Dinner Knorr Lipton Asian Thai Noodles with tuna and soy sauce (very good) and Thai Tea. Cooked with hut stove and pots. In bed 9PM.
Date: 2006-07-08
From: Carter Notch

To: Osgood Tent Site
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: few clouds

Day 37 SaturdayUp at 7:30. Breakfast granola and hot cider. Bought snickers and cliff bar from Bethany ($3.00 - double regular price, but worth it not to pack in 15 miles, imo). On trail 9:15 AM. Met NOBOs Restless and Two Shoes on climb out of notch, also did AMC mountain watch ozone monitoring (5 readings throughout the day - no ozone today (safe). Met NOBOs Tome (from NJ), Mango and Messenger. At wildcat D, observation platform, saw a guy hiking in basketball sneakers, dress pants and shirt, which I found odd until I found out he hiked about 50 feet from the wildcat ski lift. Met several tourists there and took picture holding someone's dog (1st real taste of thru-hiker celebrity status). Descent of wildcat took from 12:15 to around 3PM (very steep). Reached AMC center at Pinkham Notch, had lunch (ham and cheese even though I ordered roast beef, soup (cream of veg), and Nantucket Nectar's iced tea / lemonade for $13.00. Packed up drop bag with stove tent and food and staffmember remarked that tuna was a good call. Make a few phone calls and got back on trail at 4:30. Passed several NOBO ikers, Splash, Section hiker ACE, arrived osgood tentsite 7:30. 2 platforms occupied with what looks like a large family (didn't introduce). Dinner Shaw's brand garlic noodles and sauce with tuna - ok, but sauce more watery than Lipton's. In bed 9PM. P.S. great views of presidential range today - no clouds on Mt. Washington.
Date: 2006-07-09
From: Osgood Tent Site

To: Lake of the Clouds hut
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 38 SundayUp at 5:15; on trail 5:45. Breakfast milk and cereal bars, eaten on hike (ok tasting, great for fast start). Climbed 1st 2000 foot up Mt. Madison in 1 hour, last 1000 feet was very rough scree. Met NOBOs Sir Hawk, Furious and 007 (Sir Hawk told me to say "there it is" when I met furious and 007 and I did). Reached Madison hut around 8:45 and croo gave me leftover pancakes for free. Ate lots of pancakes and got back on trail around 9:15 after topping off water. Fairly level rockhopping skirting summits of Mt. Adams, Mt. Sam Adams, Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Clay. Ate some of tomorrow's lunch (oops) - fried cheese - very good. Great view of cog railway on climb up Mt. Washington, but a good bit of coal soot blew over the trail (briefly). Summit Mt. Washington 2:30. Great views all around (no clouds) but still hazy. Had milk, egg salad sandwhich and pizza for lunch ($6.50). Talked to Kellee; tried to call Tommy but lost my calling card and summit station was out and phone wouldn't accept quarters. Sent postcards to Mom, Dad, Kellee, and Tommy and departed 4PM down Crawford Trail (AT). Occurred to me that I followed that trail on Feb 03 accent with Marc Chalfoun, but I think we actually took Tuckerman Ravine trail from Lion's Head. Reached Lakes of the Clouds, 5pm and met Linda and Robin Mackay from Ottowa, hiking with sister, 2 kids, brother in law, and nephew. Educated them on the AT and had dinner with them. Potato soup with lots of pepper, bread (excellent) salad, stuffed shells, fresh veggies and carrot cake for dessert (very good). After dinner, enjoyed program on air quality monitoring. Did photo log and met NOBO Hermes chasing sir hawk; furious, and 007 (did 30 miles today). Paid $8 to sleep on table in hut. In bed 9:30.
Date: 2006-07-10
From: Lake of the Clouds hut

To: Highland Center
Miles today: 11.2

Day 39 MondayUp at 5, snooze to 6, out of bed @ 6:30 for some foot care, stretching, and photo logging. Breakfast oatmeal, eggs, and coffee cke (very good, but could have eaten more). Good skit from the ?? Bought a snickers and cliff bar; on trail 8:15. Met NOBO Moss (f) and several "fancy" hikers enroute Mizpath Spring Hut (arrived 11:15). Had ayce baked goods and split pea soup. Group from catskills came in with AMC guide from Highland center right before hailstorm started. Waited out storm and got back on trail at 1PM. Storm wasn't completely done (just a lull); met NOBO Huff who advised route down to Crawford Notch was pretty exposed and I might want to go with him back to Mizpah to finish waiting out the storm. I decided to hike on, remembering a quote from Jack London's "To build a fire" - "Who cares what those old timers say 0 they were always a bit womanish anywy?" and then remembering that the guy who uttered it froze to death. I sprinted accross a few open bogs in lulls in the storm, luckily it blew out by 2PM before I encountered any real exposure. Met NOBO section hikers LB nd EC squared (both female), and thru hikers Tank and Riverside and one "fancy" hiker who seemed a bit annoyed that I couldn't remember the name of the last peak I came over (wanted the distance to Mt. Webster Summit and I gave him dist to Mt. Jackson). Reached Rt 302 around 5PM and had ride to Highland center by 5:20. Checked in and took shower. Dinner - beef with mushroom, bowtie pasta, stuffed peppers, cauliflower, and soup (apple garlic) and salad (all excellent) tupped off w/ Tuckerman's Pale Ale. Ate with family from PA, right across from Trenton Chris and Stephanie kids, Chris, Jake and Zack (twins). Talked to Tommy and 'rents and watched a video on loons (learned they winter in the ocean - who knew?) In bed around 9:45PM.
Date: 2006-07-11
From: Highland Center

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: moderate rain

Day 40 (Tuesday)Up at 5:30 when someone's alarm went off. Over to Highland Center at 6. Tried to pick up drop, but staff still unable to locate; eventually found a staff member who brought me to the equipment room where it was sitting right on top of 8 thru hiker drops. Slightly mousechewed, but only affected 1 breakfast bar and 1 bag of cashews and tripical mix. Breakfast, eggs, sausage, bagel, milk, fruit, yogurt, granola, french toast, oj, and Chai (hit the spot). Staff member advised me to pack out extra breakfast in exchange for the mouse chew, but I didn't. Packed up and ready to hit the road at 8; tried to hitch for about 45 sec when the hiker shuttle pulled up, so I paid the $10 for the 2 mile ride to the trail head (bird in the hand). Met ACE and Charlie 10 min into my hike - he said to look him up when I get to Waynesboro, even tho he probably won't be there. Easy hike to zealand, passed NOBO Rich who warned about lyme disease in dutchess / putnam counties. At Zealand, had pumpkin and black bean soup for $1 (with break) and AYCE baked goods for another $1. Met NOBO sisters Buree (thru) and ROO (joined in NY). At Zealand 12:15 - 1:30; on hike out, saw water powered pump (cool - shot video). Passed NOBO Cedar Moe and caught a group of scouts from VA. They yielded trail, and I climbed by fast just for show. Let them catch me at summit to answer myriad of questions and again at Mt. Guyot to pitch Floodwood to them. (they're planning Philmont next year). Mt. Guyot 4pm, great open alpine summit, 2.5 miles to Galehead hut. Passed NOBO's, Snickers and Pondwater and a camp group from Camp Walt Whitman (NH) and summitted S. Twin Mtn at 5:10PM, just as a weak Tstorm rolled over. Met NOBOs Truth and Money (the newlyweds) (PA-SME) and descended 1100 feet in 40 min to arrive at Galehead at 5:50 for 6pM dinner. Ate with '82 thru hiker ?? and his son ??. Dinner soup, salad, bread, lasagna, corn, and ginger bread for dessert (all excellent). Listened to lecture program and met thru hikers Carefree (Steve) and Hippy. NOBO, but doing NH SOBO and planning to hike 10 miles to Lincoln in 4 hours for breakfast tomorrow.
Date: 2006-07-12
From: Galehead Hut

To: Liberty Springs Tentsite
Miles today: 10.4

Day 41 (Wednesday) Up at 6:30 to some decent croo guitar playing. Breakfast oatmeal and eggs; watched the "star wars" skit (pretty good). On trail 8:15 met SOBO (flip flop) on Galehead Greenleaf Stint (didn't catch name). Mt. Garfield around 11:15 met 1st NOBOs for the day (bugs (f)) who asked about Mr. Rogers and Treegirl (actually behind her - met later on in the day. Passed the young marines, who yielded trail and said "come on up, sir" and "good afternoon, sir" I said "Ouragh!" Passed a nalgene bottle on trail and picked it up before deciding it might belong to 1 of the young marines and left it hanging on a tree. Summit of Mt. Lafayette partly clouded, but managed to get some video - lunch around 2PM (2x Sunner sausage with Golden's mustard). Met NOBOs Mawee and Pawee, Sherpa Chef Barefoot N8; Mr. Rogers and treegirl; Yeti, Jeebis, Helium, and Freckles; reached liberty spring tentsite around 5PM and decided to stay (drizzling slightly). Did work for stay clearing out some erosion bars (40 min) with caretaker, Anthony (cool guy), from CT, 21, ME-MD '04. NOBOs Sunshine, Applesauce, Canteloupe, and Cruise came in while I was drinking Anthony's leftover wine(he gave me a bunch of trail food). Hung out at his tent for a while, in bed 8:45 - raining steady. P.S. Dinner switchback spaghetti (very good) and Peanut butter cookies (awesome). P.P.S. 14 NOBOs today, a record. P.P.P.S. Trailfood from Anthony incl. cashews, 2 bags trail mix, granola, 2 tuna, milk -Book
Date: 2006-07-13
From: Liberty Spring Tentsite

To: Lonesome Lake Hut
Miles today: 5.5

Day 42 ThursdayUp at 5:50 when Sunshine came by to take his tent off my platform (he slept on the floor of the caretaker tent). Rained all night and I had to be careful not to brush the sides of the tent. Tried sleeping with thermals to keep sleeping bag dry, but ended up taking out sleeping bag around 10PM. Snoozed until 9:15 waiting for rain to stop, to no avail. Said goodbye to Anthony and tried to give cash for food (he wouldn't take it). Said hi to Christian youth group from Nashua, NH and met NOBO Bearbutt (2nd year to finish PA - ME). Met NOBO long section hiker Brian (no trail name PA - ME). Reached Franconia Notch around 1pm, after passing 2 groups of 2 short term hikers. Crossed Pemingenasset river (w. branch) on bridge, caught 1st sunshine of day and dried out raingear. Decided to skip Lincoln until Kinsman notch, due to extra trailfood from Anthony. Left trailmail for Carlos and hiked to Lonesme Lake Hut arriving around 2:30PM. At hut, croo member Andy - naturalist / cook of the day gave me work for stay, cleaning out window sills (easy). Ate 4 bowls of clam chowder (OK) took green tour, dinner leftovers. Nothing to write home about; might as well have hiked on. Sleeping on dining room table due to lack of initiative on my or croo's part to secure bunkspace, even though plentiful. In bed 9:50PM. Quote of the day courtesy of a kid from Boston out here with youth opportunities program "Yo, I gotta take a shizookie!". P.S. after dinner played speed scrabble and set with croo members Anlary and Michelle SOBO section hiker Sue also worked for stay - pretty quiet; can't get much info out of her.
Date: 2006-07-14
From: Lonesome Lake Hut

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 43 - FridayUp at 6; hung around for breakfast - eggs and applesauce cake and bagel (decent) ontrail 8:30. Took my time for 5 mi day to allow Carlos chance to catchup. At Kingsman Pond lean to around 10:30 met caretaker from night before (forgot name '04 thru hiker) and section hiker Sue (who slept in the caretaker tent at liberty spring and did work for stay at Lonesome lake), who decided to stay the night there. 7 day hikers passed me on the climb. Summit N. peak Kinsman Mtn around 12:30 and met 3 kids back packing for short hop. 2 more day hikers on S. peak (1 dartmouth grad who advised me it was a good idea to treat my water). On descent, met NOBOs Soft Lipped Swamp Donkey and Dudley (f), and Bloody Mess (f) and Fortune Cookie wearing kilt. Also met NOBOs Just Geve and Protozoa who kept saying hello over and over as he hiked. Reached Eliza Brook Shelter 5pm after passing several nice looking swimming holes along the brook. At shelter, 2 NOBO section hikers (del gap - ME) Una Mas (f)& Suds (f) tenting. SOBO Wolf clan arrived a bit later (doing 20 mile days, base wt 10 pounds! '78 thru hiker). Dinner - spinach rotini with pesto sauce (courtesy Anthony). In bed 7:45 PM (new record!)
Date: 2006-07-15
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 44 SaturdayReunion Day!Up at 4AM to hike 7.5 miles to Kinsman notch to pick up bounce box in Lincoln on trail at 4:45 (still dark). Made 1/2 mile in 1/2 hour until 1st light at 5:15. Wolf clan caught me at 7 after summit of Wolf Mountatin. Passed NOBOs Biz (f), Aloha (f) and her dad (joined for a few days). Reached Rt 42 @ 9:15AM . Left trailmail for Carlos and hitched to Lincoln (took 45 min to catch a ride). Got bounce box, repacked and went to Lahouts (outfitter) to cut excess straps off pack. Lunch, pizza and ginger ale; went food shopping and bought 2 noodles and sauce, 2 tuna, 1 apple, and 1 smoothie (drank immediately). Met "Gnome" (former 370 mi NOBO who got off the trail due to too much "hassle with the cops" and I mistook for current thru hiker due to unkempt appearance). Got ice cream and talked to Kellee and 'rents, left vm for Wesley. 2 hitches back to trailhead at 2PM. Relatively easy cimb up Beaver Brook Trail (AT) to beaver brook shelter, passed several day hikers (cool air from cascades despite 93 degree heat in valley). In shelter 4PM with NOBO section hiker Summer (teacher from Greenwich, CT). Later on, more NOBOs arrvied, including Lowkey (f), Overflow (f), C-ram, Snake, and Granite (f). Hansel and Carlos and Chunky (Scooter) showed up also. 3 short term hikers tenting. Also, a couple more NOBOs who's names I didn't catch, one of whom had a bout of Lyme disease earlier on his trip. Carlos busted his nose busting firewood and Snake put a hole in his sleeping pad from my mosquito coil. 8 in the shelter tonight. Dinner - mashed potatoes with tomato soup and tuna. In bed 10PM.
Date: 2006-07-16
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel (Glencliff)
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: clear sky

Day 45 SundayUp at 6; snooze until 7. Summer already gone. In a cloud. Hung out with Carlos and Jack until 11:00 waiting for cloud to burn off; everyone else left around 8 except for C-ram, who was busy finishing a book. Summit Moosilaukie around 12:15; Hansel (jack) left immediately, Carlos soon after. I hung out with summit steward from Dartmouth and left around 12:45. Great views on top, including hotel foundation and carriage road. Passed NOBOs ?? and Homebrew (hiking w/ arm in a cast). Arrvied Glencliff road junction around 2:45PM. Walked in .2 mi to Hiker's Welcome Hostel; passing a kid in a parked Minivan who yelled "Hi, Hiker!" at me (I said hi) and then "Bye, Hiker!" when I walked past (I said bye). At Hikers Welcome met Carlos and Hansel, caretakers Feg Metalhead and Fat Chap (owner is out hiking the CDT). Got shuttle into Warren and bought a bacon cheeseburger at burger sub and 6 pack of old salty dog blue berry wheat ale, 1/2 gal milk and pint ben and jerry's dublin mudlide. Back at hostel, drank beer, lounged in hammock and had a good time. NOBOs in hostel, Buttercup, some british guy (didn't get name), and several others who arrived later (didn't get names). Had Fat Chap pick up another 12 pack of blueberry wheat on his 2nd shuttle run and Carlos, Hansel, and I drank it while NOBOs watched "office space" inside. We watched "21 grams" afterwards (at least I did - Carlos and Hansel went to bed). Depressing movie, but well done. I would have preferred Supertroopers or Harold and Kumar go to White Casle. Decided to sleep on hammock outside instead of in bunk upstairs due to heat, and slept in sleeping bag for bugs. In bed around 11:30pm.
Date: 2006-07-17
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel

To: Hexcuba shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: 0

Day 46 MondayUp at 6AM, snooze until 8. Forgot to mention - took showers and did laundry yesterday wearing rain pants after Fat Chap lectured Carlos about carrying your own clothes to wear while doing laundry. Breakfast, granola and milk while watching Braveheart. Realized Wentworth was 1 day's hike away and decided to rush out to trail to deal with mail drop. Talked with Kellee and Wesley on phone and got on trail around 10:15. Hiked 10 miles to Rt 25A in 5 hours, passing NOBOs (5-the Maine Train) and a few others (names forgotten). At 25A caught a hitch to Wentworth from an AT section hiker, picked up maildrop (bouncebox sent from Lincoln on Saturday wasn't there yet). Pulled out 3 meals to make it to Hanover, dropped in my thermals, hot apple cider and some guidebooks and maps and bouced the rest to Rutland VT about 9 days ahead. (Selected due to anticipated mid week arrival and multiple road access points). Postal clerk said the only store in town closed in February and the pay phone was 2 blocks away. Hiked back to trailhead with a contractor who gave me an ice cold nestea (hit the spot). On trail 5PM. Passed a guy on bike at trailhead; summit Mt. Cube around 7:30PM. Hexacuba shelter around 8:30; large hexagonal shelter with 2/6 sides open. 1 NOBO "Dent Burntrap" in for the night. Dinner - hamburger helper - good. In bed 10:30PM.
Date: 2006-07-18
From: Hexcuba shelter

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Day 47 TuesdayUp at 6AM to sound of Carlos banging on shelter (he stayed on top of Mt. cube the night before) ate chocolate pudding with granola mixed in for breakfast (actually very good - used extra granola from liberty spring). Hit trail around 9am. Easy climb up Smarts Mtn made difficult by heat and Carlos' depleted iron levels. Left flack for Jack in register at Hexacuba, btw, urging him to catch up. Summit Smarts Mtn around 12:45; met NOBO "Crazy Nuts" thru hiking in 90 days; left snack pack for little jack and climbed firetower. Passed several short term hikers and arrived at Trapper John Shelter around 7PM. Met NOBO former thru hikers "Ole man" and "Two step" and current thru hiker Posie Picker and later 3 girls known as the jukebox showed up (Sasparilla, Crumbs, and 4Today). Gave Sasparilla ketchup and news of Low Key (former jukebox member) and Dudley. Dinner - Shaw's noodles and sauce with tuna - good - suffered another jet boilover. Oreo cookies courtesy of two step. In bed 9PM.
Date: 2006-07-19
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Shady Lawn Motel (White River, VT)
Miles today: 16.7

Day 48 WednesdayUp at 6; snooze until 7. Ate Cliff bar for breakfast because I didn't feel like wshing out jetboil for granola. Rapped some S&P "Shoop" for the jukebox with Sasparilla on backup. On trail 9am. Passed NOBOs Tricycle and Bonesaw and reached Moose Mtn Shelter around 1pm where NOBO ?? was napping (quiet guy). Met NOBO Scout (f) and dog Trouble and Chunky (Scooter) caught up to us. Carlos and I left, and Chunky caught us again just before jctn - hanover rd. Easy hitch to convenience store where I had a tuna sub and iced tea. Easy hitch from store back to trail, and we made fast tracks to Velvet Rocks shelter while discussing philosophy, economics and public policy with Scooter (Chunky)(Economics major from Duke) while Carlos listened to "eye of the tiger" on Scooter's Ipod. Arrived Velvet Rocks around 7:30 and scooter convinced us to head into town with incentive of hot tub. Departed Velvet Rocks around 8PM and met Hansel on trail heading back from Hanover shortly thereafter (he apparently passed us while we were on the shelter loop). The four of us swapped stories as we walked into town with Hansel acting as tourguide armed with benefit of town tour from trail angel. Went to Brick n' Brew for free pizza and got 2 free beers for promise to hike poster to 2nd shelter south (L.T. Blackberry wheat - very good). Got ride to Shady Lawn motel from Brick n Brew waitress Maya, after Carlos bought a 12 pk of Natural light (he doesn't get to choose beer anymore). Drank, showered, and talked at motel. In bed 1AM.