morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-26
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

We managed to miss the rain much of today! We got a few light showers, but for the most part the sky was nice to us. That doesn't mean we stayed dry, however. A good portion of our hike was through trail turned to mud pit. YUMMY! Once again we were able to make a fire and dry some gear. I had forgotten how much I enjoy a fire - both the sound and the glow are quite relaxing. Stigmata and I hiked 9 miles today from Telephone Pioneers Shelter to Wiley Shelter, putting us within spitting distance of the 2/3 mark (1450 miles down, 725 to go)! Our first stop today was County Road 20, where we marveled over the size of the Dover Oak, the largest oak on the AT. At its widest, the girth of this 300 year old tree is 20'4" - huge! From the road we hitched into Pawling, NY to get some first aid supplies for Stigmata's feet, among other things.When we got back to the trail who should be waiting there but Afterburner! I hadn't seen him since Daleville, VA. We ended up hiking with him to the shelter, which was nice. We caught each other up on all kinds of trail gossip HAHA!The trail today was pretty uneventful. However, we did cross the Appalachian Trail stop on the Metro North line into NYC. It's amazing there's a stop just for hikers! The other highlight of the day was some trail magic a few tenths of a mile before the shelter. There were some lawn chairs set up beside coolers stocked with goodies. Unfortunately, the Little Debbies snacks were gone, but the candy and tortilla chips were delicious. I think I enjoyed the chair the most!Well, I should cut this short. We're getting up early so we can get into Kent midday. Hotel room here I come! 1439.4 miles down, 735.6 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-06-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Most of my journal entries from the trail give a good overview of my day, focusing on several highlights. However, because so much happens everyday, I seldom give the nitty gritty details. My journal would be a million pages long and no one would want to read it!I'm lounging out at the junction with the side trail to Limestone Spring Shelter. I just ate some cheese and crackers and now I'm sitting against a big oak with all my gear sprawled out around me. Every time I break for lunch I need to pull everything out of my pack to get to my food at the bottom in my bear canister, and every time I think there has to be a more efficient way to pack my pack!I was just sitting here, gazing up at the holes in the forest canopy, when I felt something tickling my leg. I looked down to find an ant making it's way through my leg hair. I was grateful it was an ant rather than a tick or a mosquito. Ants do me no harm and I don't mind them exploring my muddy legs. It was while I was thinking this that I realized no one ever sees this side of my hike. The "uneventful" side. Nothing out of the ordinary has passed since I stopped for lunch an hour ago, but that doesn't mean nothing has happened. The majority of my day passes without much excitement, yet I may have spent the morning sidestepping brightly colored newts on the the trail, climbed two mountains before lunch, scared off a doe and her fawn in the afternoon, and heard a tree fall in the woods before reaching camp at night. This is the norm out here, yet these are the details that don't often make it into these pages. I wonder if that's a mistake. Do my entries focus too much on the forest and too little on the trees? Hmm... something to ponder.Bear Can
Date: 2006-07-01
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to

To: East Mtn. Retreat Center
Miles today: 2.0

Ahh, how relaxing are these much-deserved nero days! I hiked 2 miles to Ma. 23 as slowly as possible, so as to not arrive at the East Mtn. Retreat Center too early. I waltzed in around 9:15am, just in time to catch a ride into town with Rev. Lois. I was able to complete all my "town chores" and hitch back to the retreat center by noon. By 2pm I'd cleaned and aired out all my gear, so spent the rest of the day lounging about. There's a book in the library here by M.J. Eberhart entitled Where Less the Path is Worn. I read about 70pps. today. It's about a man who hikes the ENTIRE Appalachian Mtn. Range, from where the mtns. meet the glaciers in Newfoundland to Key West in Florida. The hike is over 5k miles in its entirety, more than twice the length of the AT. It wasn't the length of the hike that struck me as I flipped the pages though, but rather the number of people he either already knew (he did roughly the same hike 2 years earlier) or he met along the way. On one hand, he celebrated his good fortune in being able to spend time with these good people, but lamented the fact he may never see them again as he leaves to continue southward. One passage hit me solidly in the chest: "But comes the time when the good times must end, when the farewells and good-byes must be said. This is indeed such a sad time for me, for I know not when or if I will see these dear friends again."Those two lines speak to a lot of what I've been feeling in recent weeks. So many amazing people have come in and out of my life over the past few months. We hike together for maybe a few weeks at most, but more likely only a day or two, and then it's goodbye. Stigmata noticed I don't really go out of my way to get to know new hikers. I guess I didn't realize it, but it's true. I'm cordial to everyone I meet, but no longer go into "make new friend" mode like I did when I started in Georgia. I guess somewhere along the line the constant conveyor belt of new faces wore me down. It's almost like I don't go out of my way as a defense mechanism, to shield me from the impending farewell. Don't get me wrong, I still meet new people almost everyday. But if it doesn't come natural, I no longer try to build a bridge between us. I don't know if this is "right" or "wrong" - it just is what it is, much like this hike. One thing's for sure though, this isn't a lifestyle I could stomach indefinitely. I need more stability in my relationships. This thru-hike has been, and I'm sure will continue to be, an amazing, eye-opening, character-building, and down right fun experience. But it's only one chapter in the long novel that'll someday be my life.God, give me the strength to live these days to the fullest.1516.3 miles down, 658.7 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-07-02
From: East Mtn. Retreat Center

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: haze

I've been sitting here for 10 mins. trying to figure out what to write. In recent weeks I've grown tired of writing these entries, I think because they became more like the day's paperwork than a means of expression. In my last few entries I've regained a voice that had been lacking, and I don't want to lose that. Yes, I want to record what I experience day-to-day, but I also want to communicate how it made me feel, how I experienced it.I'm sitting on the 2nd story balcony of the Upper Goose Pond Cabin, watching the ripples move across the pond water. I've been quite contemplative today, pondering my relationships with others on and off the trail, pondering my hike, and paying little attention out to my surroundings. I hiked 19.1 miles from Ma. 23 to the cabin, but the distance passed unnoticed. I was lost in my thoughts and only a few things managed to grab my attention. I passed two glacial ponds and through a number of meadows with mountains in the background, and with each was snapped out of my musings to marvel at the beauty before me. But I'd just as quickly return to my thoughts. Ironically, I hiked for eight hours today, yet my contemplation didn't produce much of anything concrete. It was almost like I separated myself from my thoughts, observing them as they came and went, allowing them to pull in a new thought as they'd depart. I can still feel that desire to be the distant observer, although now it's the opposite: I want to observe my surroundings, not my thoughts. I want to watch the leaves flutter in the wind, listen to the conversations of those on the porch below, feel the cool wind on my skin. Yes, it's one of those days.1535.4 miles down, 639.6 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-07-03
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Kay Wood Lean-to
Miles today: 17.6

I am SO full right now. I went into Lee, MA today to resupply and made the mistake of going to the grocery story hungry. I only needed supplies for 4 days, yet I must've left town with 15 lbs. of food! My pack was SO heavy that I've been eating as much as possible to get the weight down. I also left a bunch of fruit pies and fudge brownies with the peeps at October Mtn. Lean-to, where I did lunch. For some reason I thought it fitting to buy two boxes of fruit pies AND two boxes of brownies. I don't know what I was thinking!Anyway, now that I've gorged myself beyond belief, my pack should be manageable. And it'll need to be. Tomorrow I'm bringing my 30 mile day out of retirement for one last hurray! Up and over Mt. Greylock I'll go and right on into VT! It'll be a hard day, but it'll line me up to get into Manchester Center, VT on Thursday, before the weekend hotel rates start. I'm gonna make this money stretch!1553 miles down, 622 to go!Bear CanPS - I hiked 17.6 miles today from Upper Goose Pond Cabin to Kay Wood Lean-to.PPS - The Caretaker at the Upper Goose Pond Cabin made us pancakes this morning!
Date: 2006-07-04
From: Kay Wood Lean-to

To: Seth Warner Lean-to
Miles today: 33.2

I'm tired, wet, hungry, chafed, yet somehow still in a pretty good mood. I hiked 33.2 miles today from Kay Wood Lean-to to Seth Warner Lean-to, climbing up and over Mt. Greylock, the highest peak in MA, in the process. I also crossed into VT, putting MA behind me - 11 down, 3 to go!Since I don't have much wind left in my sails, I'll just give you a few highlights. 1) I got going at 6am and was pretty groggy for the first bit. That is until I was jolted awake by a mother grouse running cover for her chicks. She came running at me all fluffed up, wings flapping, feathers flying, squawking like crazy! I felt like I was Wayne Wright (Newman) in Jurassic Park when that dinosaur spits acid in his eyes! It's nice to know those chicks don't have a dead beat mom!2) Mt. Greylock may only be 3,491' tall, but the trail took us down below 1000' before we started our 7.5 mile ascent. It was brutal, yet oh so rewarding! Aside from the snack bar up top, there's a memorial to MA's fallen soldiers with a tower that affords an amazing 360 degree view!3) I'm in VT! For the next 100 or so miles, the AT follows the Long Trail. The LT runs along the Green Mtn. Range from the southern border of VT to Canada, approximately 260 miles. It was actually the LT that inspired Benton MacKaye to mastermind the AT.Well, time to eat and then off to bed!1586.2 miles down, 588.8 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-07-07
From: Sutton's Place

To: Bromley Shelter
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm chilling out at the Spiral Press Cafe in Manchester Center, VT, where I'm waiting to use a computer. This town is everything I think of when I think VT. Mom 'n Pop shops and restaurants, Bed and Breakfasts, outdoors outfitters, VW buses with peace sign bumperstickers, Ben and Jerry's shops - the whole 9 yards! It's funny to contrast this trail town to a trail town like Franklin, NC - much different feel!I spent last night at Sutton's Place, a homey mix between a hostel and a hotel. Kind of like a Bed and Breakfast without the breakfast. The guy who runs it is this Irish guy from Brooklyn who's pretty cool. I pulled into town yesterday afternoon after 25.9 miles from Kid Gore Lean-to. The day before I'd done a 26 mile day from Seth Warner to Kid Gore.Here's the lowdown on VT. VT is mud. VT is trails mistaken for streams. VT is beaver ponds that like to flood the trail (although I guess it's their habitat, not mine). VT is an insufficient number of boardwalks. VT is tree blowdowns. Yet VT is absolutely gorgeous and oh so enjoyable!I climbed Stratton Mtn. yesterday morning and immediately scaled the CCC-built 55' fire tower at the summit. Once up top I could see mountains, mountains, and more mountains. In that instant, I was once again reminded of every reason I ever had for hiking the AT. It's great being back in the mountains!I passed the 3/4 mark yesterday. With roughly 540 miles left of my hike, I figure I have a little more than a month out here. It's crazy how fast the time has flown. And from what I hear, the trail saves the best for last!Bear Can
Date: 2006-07-08
From: Bromley Shelter

To: Minerva Hinckley Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

I will sleep well tonight. It took everything I had to get here today. I did 27.5 miles from Bromley Shelter to Minerva Hinckley Shelter. I've certainly had longer days over tougher terrain, so I'm not sure why it drained me so much.The first part of the day I was cruising. I did 17.5 miles by lunch and the distance passed with the greatest of ease. However, after lunch I was dragging ass! That last ten miles seemed to go on forever. I was so spent and couldn't wait to call it a day. Finally I got to the last road crossing before the shelter, meaning I had 3.6 miles to go. I checked out the elevation profile on my map and saw I had a little uphill right before the shelter, but the going was mostly flat. I heaved a sigh of relief and began the final leg.Right away I knew something wasn't right. I was going up. Ten minutes later I was still going up. 20 minutes later. 30 minutes later. I was obviously climbing something that wasn't on the map. I checked the guidebook and sure enough there had been a trail relocation. Instead of my last 3.6 miles being a nice cooldown, it was an ascent up and over Bear Mtn. (not to be confused with NY's or MA's Bear Mtn!). The ascent was 2 miles long, by the end of which I had to sit down for a rest and snack. I REALLY wasn't digging that trail relocation!But alas, I'm here and I'm about to turn in for the night. Thanks to my mosquito netting, not even the bugs can keep me from getting a good night's sleep!1667 miles down, 508 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-08-20
From: VT 12

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: overcast clouds

38 zero days and $1,500 in medical bills later, Bear Can has made his triumphant return! Amy and I left Buffalo at 5:45am today and she dropped me off at the VT 12 trailhead this afternoon. I tested out my hiking legs over the next 7.8 miles from there to Thistle Hill Shelter and I feel pretty good.I was actually planning to just hike in a little ways and camp at the first flat spot I chanced upon, but VT welcomed my return with a rippin' thunderstorm. So I pushed here instead, putting me a day ahead of schedule.Thankfully, there's a good crew of hikers here: 3 northbound thru-hikers (NOBO), 1 southbound thru-hiker (SOBO) and 1 section hiker. Saying goodbye to Amy for an extended period of time is always a trying experience that leaves me down in the dumps. Having others' around tonight has definitely helped me fight off the sadness. Plus, I'll be seeing Amy in a month when she comes with my mom and sister to Baxter State Park. I can handle a month of separation. Amy and I stopped at the Ardmore Inn to say hi to Charlotte and Kary before she dropped me off. We came bearing gifts on behalf of my mother. She painted them a beautiful watercolor of their Bed & Breakfast and made them a cute trail angel plaque, both of which they loved. It was great seeing them and being able to thank them again. They're my trail "guardian" angels!It feels good to be back in the game. Home sweet home!1717.9 miles down, 457.1 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-08-21
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm definitely back on the trail, but this isn't what I remember. The humid 95o days have been replaced by cool and moist days. Furthermore, the bugs have abated considerably. Together the two make for a more enjoyable hike! I did 8.8 miles today from Thistle Hill Shelter to Happy Hill Shelter.This morning before heading out I checked the shelter log. It was sad reading the entries from everyone I know, all from a month ago. Most of them have summited Katahdin by now However, from what I hear, Natty Bo and Handlebar aren't far behind me, so maybe I'll be seeing them soon. Plus, there's a bunch of thru-hikers about and I'm bound to meet new peeps. I've shared a shelter with a section hiker from Ohio named Buckeye these last two nights, and he's been great company. While doing lunch at a closed down store on VT 14 today, a couple pulled over to say hi. they thru-hiked in 2000 and were taking a drive down memory lane (literally). Their trail names were "Superman" and "Pat from Maine" and they were excited to have a thru-hiker with whom to chat. They had lots of good stories to tell about their thru-hike, including one about how Superman came to have a bridge named after him. He said it's just north of Hanover on the AT, so I told him I'd be sure to take a picture of it!Lots of sugar maples in these woods. Many of them have tubing attached to their trunks, I'm guessing for maple syrup. It's almost that time of year! There's also a lot of pines in lines straight as can be in these parts. A telltale sign that these woods were once clearcut.Tomorrow I'll hit Hanover and if I'm feeling good push to Moose Mountain Shelter, a total of 17 miles. Not sure if I'm up to that kind of mileage yet, but I'll find out!1726.7 miles down, 448.3 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-08-22
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Moose Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Well, I did it, the 17 miles from Happy Hill Shelter to Moose Mountain Shelter! I feel pretty good too.The first leg of my day was a 6 mile descent to the VT/NH border and the town of Hanover, NH. As I crossed the Connecticut River, I said goodbye to my 12th state and embraced my 2nd last. Hanover, home of Dartmouth College, is your typical college town. Because the AT goes right through it, businesses are hip to trail culture. The Brick & Brew, a pizzeria, even offers a free slice of pizza to thru-hikers. Mmm!In Hanover I had the joy of being able to call Amy. I've been antsy to make sure she got home all right and to hear how she's doing. Learning that she's in good spirits reinforced my own good spirits Coming out of Hanover I began a steady ascent that would bring me to Moose Mtn. Shelter. I kept an eye out for the "Superman Memorial Span", but don't think I found it. I took pics of the 2 most likely bridges, haha! As I was pushing up Moose Mountain, less than 2 miles from the shelter, it started to rain. I picked up the pace, looking forward to the protection of the shelter. Unfortunately, it was full upon my arrival, but it looks like I'll be able to scrunch up on the edge. The rain has just stopped and the clouds look beautiful with the sun's rays poking through. Man, I love this trail.1743.5 miles down, 431.5 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-08-23
From: Moose Mtn. Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was tough! I hiked 17.9 miles from Moose Mtn. Shelter to Hexacuba Shelter. I had not planned to do mileage this high yet, but I'm trying to make up a day to avoid being in Gorham (mail drop) on a Sunday (post office closed). In retrospect, I don't think I'm ready for that mileage, especially over the terrain I had today. 3 big ups and 3 big downs sucked the life out of me, particularly Smarts Mountain. I am tired!1761.4 miles down, 413.6 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-08-24
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Jeffers Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

Quiet and relaxing night here at Jetters Brook Shelter. I hiked 15.8 miles from Hexacuba Shelter to get here. It was a quite tranquil hike over moderate terrain, putting me at the base of Mt. Moosilauke, the gateway to the White Mountains.I went into Warren, NH for a quick resupply and was amazed by the hospitality of that quaint town. Everyone knew about the AT and asked how my hike was going. Plus, the town had the most extensive gas station mini-mart I've ever seen!Shortly before reaching NH 25C from where I hitched into Warren, I heard lots of loud construction vehicles. I thought it weird being in the woods and all, but then I came to a sign informing hikers that a rehabilitation effort was underway. Apparently, "Ore Hill" was a mine from which various ores were extracted between the 1880s and 1940s. This practice left a lot of acid drainage in its wake, hindering plant and animal life. Congrats to the US Forest Service for getting this cleanup underway!It was strange being able to look upon Mt. Moosilauke today. Since Georgia everything on this trail has been compared to the Whites, as if they set the bar for difficulty. Mt. Moosilauke will definitely be the hardest climb we've had yet - 4000' of elevation gain in 5 miles - and that's the first thing before me in the morning. I'm a bit nervous, but I know I'll get to the top, see how beautiful this range looks, and all my anxiety will fade away. 1777.2 miles down, 397.8 to go!Bear Can
Date: 2006-08-25
From: Jeffers Brook Shelter

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm atop Mt. Moosilauke and what a blessing it is! There is only the slightest breeze and there's not a sound to be heard save the periodic caw of a raven. It feels good to FINALLY be above treeline. The ascent is so much more engaging when I can watch the trees grow shorter as I climb higher. And then to break out into the alpine zone with the summit in sight - it gives me an adrenaline boost that pushes me to the top. And oh how rewarding a climb is when this view is at its completion! Unfortunately, the cloud level is obscuring the tops of the highest peaks here in the Whites, but I can see the mountains to the southeast fade into the horizon. Absolutely gorgeous!The remains of the Prospect House, a hotel opened in 1860, sit upon the summit. By the second half of the 19th century, Mt. Moosilauke had become a center for both R&R and logging. Two carriage roads led to the summit at that time. However, the resort aspect of Moosilauke dwindled as paper companies stripped more and more timber from the top and sides. In 1920 the Dartmouth Outdoor Club bought the vacant Prospect House and maintained it as a youth hostel until it burned down in 1942. Apparently, Dartmouth actually owns the summit and other parts of the mountain, the rest belonging to the White Mountain National Forest.Well, it's great to finally be in the Whites. Now that I've concluded my first major climb in these parts, my apprehension has melted away. Oh how I love this trail!Bear Can
Date: 2006-08-25
From: Jeffers Brook Shelter

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

What a long and arduous day! Mt. Moosilauke was just the beginning of my 15.9 mile day from Jeffers Brook Shelter to the Eliza Brook Shelter. I had put all my mental energy toward getting up Moosilauke, somewhat ignoring that I'd have another 11 miles to go after that. And what a tough 11 miles those were! Constant up and down! My knees are pissed at me.Luckily, I got a nice break at Kinsman Notch. There I met an older couple, "Batch" and "MMMMB" (Mary) who thru-hiked in '92 at the ripe ages of 70 and 67 respectively! They had some great trail magic waiting for No Pliers and I at Kinsman. A whole spread of cookies, juices, and pop. It was just what I needed. They were such a cute couple too, the kind Amy would love. They definitely made my day!This shelter is pretty remote, a good 8 miles in either direction to a road crossing. It's just No Pliers and I here tonight. After an enervating day, I'm happy for the peace and quiet.1793.1 miles down, 381.9 to go!Bear Can