morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-01
From: Spuce Peak Shelter

To: Red Sled Motel
Miles today: 4.9

I packed up earlyto get to rt. 11/30. I crossed the highway set out my pack so the passing vehicles could see that I was a hiker. The 38th vehicle stopped and gave me a ride. His name was Tony. He was from NJ and had bought a vacation home in Vermont. I thanked him for picking me up. He said he picked me up because he used to hitchhike a lot when he was young. He kindly dropped me off at the Econolodge. They said they would not have a room for me till noon. It was just after 9am. I walked down to the Red Sled. They fixed me right up. They took my laundry. I got showered and started walking the long 3 to 4miles to Manchester where I had a mail drop. I wished I had something like a bicycle and did not have to walk. About two hundred more yards down the road I see a bikes shop that rents bikes. I was soon gliding down hill into Manchester. I stopped for coffee and a donut, then found Moutain Goat Outfitters and got my mail drop. I somehow strapped it onto the bike and struggled back to the motel. I should have emptied my back pack and taken it and left the akward box behind. Anyway I had food, ale, and a place outside to smoke my cigars. I liked the Red Sled. The owners were super nice and the rooms were very clean.
Date: 2014-06-02
From: Red Sled Motel

To: Peru Peak Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light rain

I rode the bike to post office in Manchester. I am still sending extra supplies home and one to the Inn at the Long Trail. I took care of that and arranged for the owner of the Red Sled to shuttle me back to the trail. I returned the bike, but when I got back to the hotel I noticed i had forgotten to return the helmet. So back I went to the bike shop. More unneeded walking and more time wasted. I did get to see R.A. Wizard who I had hiked with the year before in PA. It was a very brief encounter since my shuttle was waiting and I did not want to miss it and walk the 4-5 miles the highway with no real safe berm to walk on. Oh well I was happy to be back on the trail. I stopped Bromley shelter and talked with a young female section hiker who knew some of the other hikers I had met along the way. I hiked on to Spruce Peak shelter where I met Hoot. Hoot was trying to finish the trail just as I was and was also having as many aches and pains. We enjoyed each others' company and ended up hiking basically together till Hanover. Two other hikers arrived late. They were Big Daddy and IPod.
Date: 2014-06-03
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This was a nice but long hiking day. This section from Peru Peak to Greenwall was beautiful hiking. It crossed and followed a fast flowing stream and meandered around a tree lined lake. There were some good climbs too. As I started to descend toward Greenwall shelter I met a local hiker going SOBO. He asked me if this mountain had a summit to it. I assured him that it did since I just came from it. Nearing but not knowing how close I was to the shelter I ran out of water. It had just rained and I saw some clean looking water flowing. I was so thirsty I drank it without purifying it. I think this caused me to pay a price later. I made it to Greenwall. Hoot was there, Big Daddy, Ipod, and Ike. Ike I heard later had injured his knee and had to get off of the trail. I set up my tent quickly and jumped in as it stormed. It stormed most of the night. Somehow I have always been able to get my tent up in the nick of time before a big storm and stay dry.
Date: 2014-06-04
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: Upper Cold River Road
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I did not make the hike to Governor Clement shelter. I was not smart enough to read the signs for the blue blazed trail to detour you around Upper Cold River. I ended up picking the least deep and slowest moving rapid of the river and sloshing through it. I am so glad to have my head net. Mosquitoes and black flies are plentiful, but it is the gnats that really bother you while hiking. They love to fly directly into your eyes. Any way I camped at a nice spot and dried out the next day.
Date: 2014-06-05
From: Upper Cold River Road

To: US Rt. 4 Long Trail Inn
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

I have a room reserved and a mail drop at The Inn at Long Trail. It took longer than I planned to do the hike to rt. 4. The climb up Killington Peak did not bother me but the descent on the other side was murder on my knees. I stopped at Cooper lodge to get out of the wind for a while and smoke a cigar. When I got to the highway I expected to see the Inn but it was at least 1/4 mile up the road. I got there checked in and got my mail drop. No tv in the room but it was clean and the shower was hot. They had a restaurant and bar right there so I had all that I needed. I met Hoot in the bar. I ordered nachos and could only eat half. Hoot helped me out with the rest. Another place I recommend staying.
Date: 2014-06-06
From: US Rt. 4 Long Trail Inn

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

Hoot and I headed out about the same time in the morning. He had already done the section of the trail where I needed to pick up at on rt.4 so we separated and planned to meet at Stony Brooks shelter. It felt like progress to say goodbye to the Long Trail at Maine Junction. I stayed in the shelter since Hoot was the only one there and is not offended by my cigar smoke.
Date: 2014-06-07
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Winturi Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Hoot and I awoke at about the same time. He said "good morning how are you sir?" I replied by jumping up, running out of the shelter and vomiting. Probably as a result of the untreated water a few days ago. The symptoms of this waterborne or food borne illness is pretty ugly (oxymoron intended). This made the rest of my hike totally miserable. I am already in serious pain, now I have an unrelenting need to get as far off of the trail and relieve myself.   Somehow I kept on doing the miles. I thought back into 2010 when I was on the first leg of this journey. I had discussed with a fellow hiker how we had become lax in our water treatment and she said once you make the mistake you won't do it again. I also thought about in North Carolina I stopped for water and decided to filter it when a weekender laughed and said "it tastes alright to me.' I thought well all of those microbes that will wreak havoc on your digestive system taste just fine going down. I know i thought that 3 or 4 days ago when I was so thirsty and too lazy to purify my water. Over 1700 miles of the AT and still learning lessons.
Date: 2014-06-08
From: Winturi Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Hiked from Winturi to Thistle Hill shelter. I decided again to stay in the shelter since it was Hoot. A young couple thru-hiking did show up but did not stay at the shelter. The worst of my ugly symptoms from my waterborne illness have gone. Hoot and I plan on getting an early start to make it into Hanover the next day. We are both hurting pretty good.
Date: 2014-06-09
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover NH
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

Happy to know that today I would finish VT and complete this section. Hoot waited for me at a house in Norwich where I kind lady trail name Short and Sweet and her husband put up hikers in their basement. They were so kind shuttling us and helping us in every way. Hoot and I slacked the rest of the way into Hanover. I was completely spent by now. At one point I had to stop and rest before we crossed the bridge into New Hampshire. Hoot and I took the bus the next day from Hanover to Boston.
Date: 2015-04-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

In a few weeks I will be meeting up with "Hoot" who I hiked with in Vermont last year. He is planning on finishing the AT. I am just going to try to make it as far into Maine as I am able in three weeks. I am planning on going as light as possible. No hot food or hot coffee. I have been doing my usual workouts (treadmill, I climb 27 floors of steps, and weight training especially for my knees. I will pick up in Hanover and see how far I can go.
Date: 2015-06-03
From: Hanover NH

To: Moose Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: moderate rain

I started section hiking the AT in 2010. Last year was the worst ever as far as feeling pain, fatigue, the effects of not treating my water. Last year I literally limped into Hanover NH. My exercise and training regimen was the same this year as it has always been, but I lightened my pack and shortened the distance between resupply points. That made a great difference.I arrived at Boston Logan from Pittsburgh with no problem and waited for the bus back to Hanover. I got on the bus and met up with my hiking partner Hoot. We met in Vermont last year and decided to hike together this year. Once in Hanover Hoot had to get fuel for his stove. We hiked to the Senior Center in Hanover where they let us get water and change our clothes. We hiked the 11 miles to Moose Mtn. There was no one else at the shelter so I stayed at the shelter with Hoot. The tent sites did not look all that great. The privy was definitely of the open air type.
Date: 2015-06-04
From: Moose Mtn. Shelter

To: Smart's Mountain
Miles today: 12.3

I have been section hiking the AT since 2010 and I know the first two to three days are the hardest no matter how I train the rest of the year. It is a matter of adjustment to the trail. My left big toe started hurting on the descent from Moose Mtn. I knew I would lose it as I do one or two every year. They grow back, so no big deal. But boy does it hurt on the descents and even more so when you bump it off of a boulder. Hoot and I are feeling this climb up Smart's Mtn. Very few blazes. I used my Guthook's app and found we were right on the trail and not too far from the shelter and tenting area. I heard Hoot yelling. He told me I kicked up a bear and it ran right toward him. I could tell the climb was getting to Hoot. It reminded me of how I started out last year. The pain in the knees is hard to put up with. The water source was a trickle but okay. I was completely alone at the tent site. I enjoyed it and slept well.
Date: 2015-06-05
From: Smart's Mountain

To: Ore Hill Campsite
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: moderate rain

Met up with Hoot at Smart's Mtn shelter. I decided to enjoy a cigar while Hoot got on the trail. There were a lot of blow downs. The trail was slippery and I kept having to crawl over, under or around all of these downed trees. My left toe hurt with almost any step over a rock or tree. I made to Ore Hill camp site. The water source was a spring that once you cleared the leaves away was pretty nice. I got my tent set up just before the rain started. I crawled in took a couple of aspirin and rested. I was fatigued and hurting. Three other hikers arrived just for a break. I could hear them talking but did not have the energy to leave my comfortable tent to socialize.
Date: 2015-06-06
From: Ore Hill Campsite

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: few clouds

It rained over night and in the morning. We packed up and headed to Glencliff. We both had a mail drop at the Hikers Welcome Hostel. I was happy to meet up Legion who was running the Hostel. We had met in Tennessee in 2011. He drove me to store to get pizza and beer. We decided to stay at the hostel and slack pack Mt Moosilauke the next day. It felt good to get a shower and rest a little bit. I was very happy to have some cold IPA. Met Sycamore, Deadline, Dawn, Mango, Sunrise, Smiles, and Ghost Chili.
Date: 2015-06-07
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: few clouds

Today is my 35th wedding anniversary so I e-mailed my wife from the computer at the hostel. It is a good wife that allows you to hike on your anniversary. We saw a moose on the ride to Kinsman Notch where we will begin our slack pack SOBO. The hike up Moosilauke was what was expected. It was long, steep, rocky and beautiful. The Cascades were stunning. The summit offered incredible views of the Whites. We ran into Smiles and Ghost Chili on the summit. We also saw Rammer Jammer and LittleFoot on the descent. We encountered a family trying to hike up the mountain. They consisted of parents, grand parents, and young children. They were not even half way up and having trouble. The mother asked Hoot if he thought they could make it. He answered honestly "no". They did not even have jackets. Once you get to the top it is cold and windy. I hope they turned around. I met up with Hoot and we took off out boots to walk through Jeffers Brook. The water was cold. The rocks were slippery and hurt my feet. We walked back to the hostel. We enjoyed our first day in the Whites.
Date: 2015-06-08
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

Legion dropped us off at Kinsman Notch so we could head NOBO. As I begin the climb out of the notch I realize that I am starting to get my trail legs. I know I will be fine if I can keep from hyper-extending my bad knee or bounce my sore toe off of a rock. I met up with Hoot at Eliza Brook shelter. It is a nice shelter but it was too early in the day to stop and we both wanted to get more miles in. The only catch is it that it might be only three more miles but two of them are a straight up 2000 ft. gain. We replenish our water and go for it. I ended up missing a turn where the trail crosses the stream and find myself knee deep in quick sand. I got back on the trail and made the very memorable climb up South Kinsman Mountain. When I got to the top I could not see anything. The wind was actually blowing the fog around. I got to Kinsman Pond shelter and Hoot was starting to worry about me. I might have been there sooner if I had paid closer attention to the trail. I have already realized that most of the Whites involves more rock climbing than actual hiking. I set up in the shelter and try to dry out things. Lunch Box arrived. We met him in the morning at Kinsman Notch. He had already hike the PCT and said it was easy compared to the AT. I had one quart of water from the clean stream at Eliza Brook. I my bottle into the pond and treated the orange colored water feeling it would be safe to drink if I needed it.
Date: 2015-06-09
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: broken clouds

I get on the trail around 630 am Lunch Box and Hoot are already on the trail. It is raining. The trail is wet and slippery. The trail here is mostly boulders and roots. I carefully grab onto what ever I can so as not to fall on these long and steep descents. I arrived at Lonesome Lake Hut in the pouring rain. Hoot is already there. The croo totally ignored me. They sat with their backs toward us not even recognizing our presence. They just kept talking amongst themselves. I interrupted them and asked if they knew of an REI in the area because I needed to replace my boots. I was given a Homer Simpson look, like "what is an REI. Any way one was very nice. His name was Sam and offered to guide us down the high water route because the bridge had been washed out long ago and with all of the rain it was high and fast and not safe to cross. We hiked down to the campground then to Indian Head Resort to dry out and get cleaned up. We hike probably another 5 miles off of the trail in the pouring rain to get to the hotel. I literally poured water out of my boots.
Date: 2015-06-10
From: Franconia Notch

To: Galehead Hut Stealth Camp
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: few clouds

Indian Head Resort shuttled us back to the trail head. When we climbed up to Liberty Spring we were happy we made the decision not to do it during the thunderstorm yesterday. It was kind of a tough day of hiking. The trail was very wet, so you have to be careful on these rocks. I did fall down just before Galehead Hut. I didn't fall in a clean stream but in stinky mud. I got most of it washed off though. Hoot decided to stay at the hut. I hiked on and stealth camped. It was a good climb out of the hut and took a while to find a spot flat enough and far enough away from the trail to camp. The highlight of the day were the stunning views from Mt. Lafayette.
Date: 2015-06-11
From: Galehead Hut Stealth Camp

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 13.9

I got on the trail around 530am. I was not sure at the time if I was far enough off of the trail when I stealth camped so I wanted to get my tent down. Actually I would have been okay. It was another windy rocky hiking day in the Whites. There was one point near Mt. Guyot campsite that I had to retrace my steps to make sure I was still on the trail. It was on of those turns that was not marked so well. I met two other hikers who stayed at the campsite and told me I was on the AT. I stopped at Zealand for water. These people who work in these huts do not go out of their way to be friendly. I made it down to 301 to meet Stefanie (Hoot's wife). She arrived but we waited a long time for Hoot. We were getting concerned. He was late because he got off the trail where I had retraced. Except he kept going 4 miles till he realized it and added 8 more miles to an already long day. Stefanie thought of everything. She chose a moderately nice clean hotel. She chose North Conway because it was close to everything we needed (like an outfitter so I could buy new boots). I checked in to the Colonial, got cleaned up and walked down the street for a sandwich and some IPA. I talked to Hoot about his knees and we decided to zero here. My knees were fine but I felt I could use the rest.
Date: 2015-06-12
From: Crawford Notch

To: Colonial Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Spent a nice zero day in North Conway. Stefanie drove me to EMS and I bought a new pair of boots. The night before I talked to Hoot. I could see how much he was hurting. I knew that pain from the year before. I knew how much he needed some rest before the proceeding up Mt. Washington and everything to follow. I was only a little bit sore and the rest would help me too. So we zeroed there. It was a good decision. Clean, comfortable room. Good place to stay.
Date: 2015-06-13
From: Craeford Notch

To: Nauman Tent Site
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

June 13,2015Stefanie dropped us off without packs to hike the small section from the parking lot where she picked us up to the road. We said goodbye and hike up Mt. Webster to Mitzpah Hut / Nauman Tent Site. We set up our tents on a platform. It was good that we got there early because it filled up fast.
Date: 2015-06-14
From: Nauman Tent Site

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

This was a long hiking day from Nauman Tent site to Madison Hut. We made the climb up to Mt. Washington to wait in line with the tourists that rode up on the to take our pictures next to the sign. It was tough hiking through all of the rocks. Since it is above the tree line you have to follow the cairns. The problem is that there are many different trails in the area all using cairns. You have to pick the biggest ones and hope to find a yellow blaze here or there. The tent site at Madison was too far away and we were too tired to hike to it, so we stayed in the hut. in 2010 when I was in NC I met a hiker who had thru-hiked the AT a few years earlier. I will never forget it when he said "by the time you get to the Whites, you better be bad ass." So hiking the Whites and reaching the summit of Mt. Washington feels like an accomplishment.
Date: 2015-06-15
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: overcast clouds

This was another day of rain, high winds and guess what more rocks. We hiked for a very long distance without seeing a single blaze. My Guthook hiking app saved the day again. There was a very long stretch without blazes. My Guthook Hiking app showed exactly where we were on the trail. We made the traverse to Pinkem Notch. We got the last two bunks there. The two hikers in the room did not seem happy to have our company but we got along fine. I saw a moose walk right through the parking lot. At this point Hoot was hurting bad. He even thought of getting off when I told him that a bus stopped there on the way to Boston Logan. I told him I still felt good and wanted to do the Wild Cats while I still had my trail legs.
Date: 2015-06-16
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: scattered clouds

We had a good breakfast at Joe Dodge Lodge. We headed onto the trail. Less than a mile or so I started to get a bad feeling that I had forgotten something in the room. I pulled my pack apart and realized I had forgotten my maps and journal. After a bit of cursing I hung my pack in a tree and headed back to the room and retrieved my maps and journal. I got back on the trail, hiked a couple of miles and slipped and fell flat on my back. I was happy that I did not hyper-extend my knee. I caught up with Hoot at the top of the first climb. Past the Wild Cat Gondola I had to check my Guthook app again to make sure we were still on the trail because there were no blazes. Late in the afternoon it rained hard. I was wading in water by the time I got close to Carter Hut. I walked in soaking wet. There was a group of young people playing a board game. I thought they were hikers but they were the croo. Every time Hoot and I said we wanted to stay in the bunkhouse they would say there are plenty of bunks but there is a really good tent site 1/4 mile away. We said we were cold and wet and wanted a bunk ($100) and they would repeat "there is a good tent site 1/4 mile away. Hoot thinks they just did not want to get up from there game and do the paper work. The girl who was doing the cooking ended up doing the five minutes of paper work. I was glad to get away from these rude individuals. I do not think much of the Hut system in the Whites.
Date: 2015-06-17
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: Imp Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

We hiked the miles from Carter Hut to Imp Shelter. This section was tough in regard to traversing the boulders. Many of the steep descents did not even have a tree or root to hold onto. You had to find small crevices in the rocks, dig your fingers in and just go for it. Hoot opted for the but slide. I prefer to go down backwards standing up, digging my fingers in and leaning into the rock. We met Burban and White Hawk at Imp Shelter.They told us about a great hostel called White Mountain Hostel so we decided to stop there the next day.
Date: 2015-06-18
From: Imp Shelter

To: U.S. 2 White Mountain Hostel
Miles today: 8.0

I got up early. All four of us in the shelter were early risers. Hoot did not sleep well because he had to decide if he was going get off of the trail in Gorham with me or try to proceed. He told me he was getting off. I told him he was making the right decision. I saw how he was hiking. Every single step was painful and he just looked completely spent. I know because that is how I was last year. He said he wished I would have told him sooner. He said he knew I was thinking something and not saying. I did not want to influence his decision. Getting off of the trail before you plan to is a personal decision. I remember last year we hiked from Norwich with no packs at all. I was in so much pain I had to stop and rest in a small park before walking the short distance into Hanover. I looked at the map while at Madison Spring Hut knew the best logistical decision was to stop at Gorham. Good transportation to get home and a great place to pick up next year on the next 298.3 miles to finish this 2,185.3 journey.
Date: 2015-06-19
From: U.S. 2 White Mountain Hostel

To: Pittsburgh PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hoot and I got a ride from another hiker to the bus station in Gorham. We both had flights booked at Logan. Hiking the Whites was my favorite part of the AT so far. It was my first time hiking it with a partner. I am happy I did. I hope Hoot can hike the rest of it next year with me. I will keep training and hiking locally till next year ONWARD TO KATAHDIN!