morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-08-02
From: Cooper Lodge Shelter

To: Kent Pond
Miles today: 8.8

Tired, no sleep. That's how my night was last night. The kids were up at 4 AM. Their chaperone was rested, he slept in the shelter, away from the kids. I had my dinner for breakfast - risotto and something (can't remember). I slipped and slided down the rock scrambles after the rain last night. Downhill was tough going. You think I would have improved after all this time. Pine smells were great. My feet have been hurting quite a bit the last few days so I went into Killington and bought a new pair of boots. I'm staying at Mountain Meadows Lodge. Got the tent dried out which is always a plus to lose that water weight.
Date: 2012-08-03
From: Kent Pond

To: Chateauguay Road
Miles today: 9.5

Left town late this morning. Stopped at the post office to mail my old boots home. Then of course I ate, read the paper... New boots seem to be working well. Even my back isn't hurting. Can't believe the boots are making that much of a difference. Lots of ups and downs - must be preparing me for New Hampshire. I am tired. Came upon a water source and a flat area, so decided to set up camp. Still am enjoying Vermont. Gorgeous hiking! Ran into some more NoBos that I haven't seen in a little while. I guess Dirty Girl had a couple nasty falls so took a couple days off to recover. All these rocks which are so different than Pennsylvania but slippery and the tree roots! Another thing that is different here is calling lakes ponds. I haven't figured that one out. Several hikers I've been talking to have been saying how tired they are. Need to take more breaks than earlier on the trail. All this hiking is taking it's toll on us I guess.
Date: 2012-08-04
From: Chateauguay Road

To: Pomfret Road
Miles today: 12.9

Lots of steep ups and downs today. Most of them aren't long but sure don't seem any easier. Stopped at "On the Edge Farm." They make the best quiche! Had two pieces then pastries filled with apples, ice cream,... The trail goes by a sugar operation (maple syrup). Wow! A lot more sophisticated than the taps and buckets I'm used to seeing. They have tubing strung from the trees to main feeder tubing. I'm stealth camping again. Find water, will stay. Sobos have been telling me the water sources at shelters have been dried up. I came upon a stream and a flat area so pitched the tent.
Date: 2012-08-05
From: Pomfret Road

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up, hiked, went up, went down, went up, went down. Saw moose tracks today. I think those are the first ones I've seen on the trail. Haven't been finding water so decided to stay here, drink the gatorade I mixed up for dinner. I stopped earlier to eat at a restaurant so didn't really need to eat again. I should be able to fill up with water a couple miles down the trail but it is late enough that I wanted to stop. Don't like hiking when it's getting dark. These ups and downs in short amounts are wearing me out.
Date: 2012-08-06
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: broken clouds

Got up and was able to get to Hanover mid-morning. I am now in New Hampshire! State no. 13. This is supposed to be a tough part of the trail. Got in and stopped at Dartmouth where I read the log, signed the log and made some calls to find a room. Hotels are incredibly high, even with hiker discounts. As I was eating breakfast, I was able to get a room with Karen and John. Connect 4 is staying here along with a Canadian. Karen and John are great hosts, along with their very friendly dogs. Connect 4 had to go back to Delaware for a few days. She is such a fast hiker that she can take these breaks and still be ahead of me! I'm going to take a zero day tomorrow, resupply and just generally relax. Hanover is a pretty neat town that really caters to hikers. It's great to see that and we all really appreciate their hospitality.
Date: 2012-08-08
From: Hanover, NH

To: Mink Brook
Miles today: 8.5

"Once a railroader, always a railroader." I had a late start... It's hard to leave towns where there are people who are interested in what I'm doing and asking questions and there are things to do other than hike. Psychologically it's wearing on me. I don't even want to hear the words "you can always stop". That messes with the head. So I stopped and read 2 papers, got my free bagel, had coffee, then stopped again to buy food for the next several days. The trail is getting difficult again. Had one climb that had a rope. I wondered what that was all about until I started climbing. I really appreciated that rope! I needed it to help haul myself up. Once again the water sources are dry. People are posting signs warning about the situation. So I stopped before Moose Mountain at Mink Brook and set up a stealth camp, even tho it was early evening. I'll camel up before I leave in the morning.
Date: 2012-08-09
From: Mink Brook

To: Fire Warden's Cabin
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Tough day. Stopped at the ice cream man's place. He wasn't home but the soda he left for sale went down really well. There are notices posted about the lack of water. Then I came across the milepost marker with mileage to Katahdin posted... Ha! Must have been wishful thinking. They need to add several miles to the distance posted. Smart Mountain smarted! I got to the shelter close to dusk and Turbo, Zero and Son showed up later. We all agreed we are ready for this hike to be done.
Date: 2012-08-10
From: Fire Warden's Cabin

To: Ore Hill Campsite
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

Rained last night. Didn't have to worry about finding water, collected it as it ran off the roof. Lots of rain. Hiked in the rain most of the day. The trail was like a stream. Very slippery. I was soaked and even with the packcover, some of the pack got wet. I'm in the tent at the shelter that burned down last year. It's still pouring but I have long underwear and a down shirt on so I am warm and dry (for now).
Date: 2012-08-11
From: Ore Hill Campsite

To: Glencliffe, NH
Miles today: 7.3

On the trail by 7:30. Into Glencliffe by 11. The trail was very muddy after all the rain we've been having. My package was waiting for me at the hostel - some resupply, cold weather sleeping bag... Glencliffe is one small town. Kerrick, MN is bigger!
Date: 2012-08-12
From: Glencliffe, NH

To: NH 112, Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: light rain

Slackpack day. The group getting dropped off stopped for breakfast in North Woodstock first. Then the climb up to Mt. Moosilauke just about kicked our butts! But the views were amazing. Lots of pictures taken. Saw my first moose (a cow). After yet another wrong turn (add 1-1/2 miles to my hike) I made it back to Hikers Welcome Hostel just in time - it started to pour. Got shuttled into Warren and the grocery store so I could finish up my resupply. Tonight was a trail angel treat. Baltimore Jack (has hiked the thru hiked 7 times) showed up and fixed us a pasta dinner. Commanche and I supplied beer. If today is any indication, everything I have heard and read is correct about the Whites. My mileage is going to drop because of the difficulty. Lots of challenges ahead.
Date: 2012-08-13
From: NH 112, Kinsman Notch

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I dropped off my package to mail back home (summer sleeping bag, other stuff). Had breakfast at the same place as yesterday as I was getting shuttled to Kinsman Notch. As a result, had a late start and it took forever to climb that first mile. My mileage is definitely dropping. Lots of loon shit, rocks and very slippery. Have to watch every step you take. Still the views are impressive! I am soooo glad I got these new boots!
Date: 2012-08-14
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

We started out going 1 mile an hour this morning...geez! Took 2 hours to climb South Kinsman. Cheebah, Voice of Reason, Testament and I are all going about the same pace. Nice to know these young speedy guys are now going my speed! Poles aren't being used much. It's mostly climbing using hands and feet, tossing the poles ahead. At one point I got interviewed by the local PBS station about hiking the trail. I had to tell them New Hampshire makes Pennsylvania seem like a piece of cake. But the views are still worth it. Saw more moose tracks today. We all caught a ride into Lincoln and are staying at Chet's Hostel. Supposed to rain tonight and I didn't want to get everything wet and have to carry that added weight tomorrow. I better get used to these steep ups and downs. Looks like that is what is ahead of me going a ways into Maine.
Date: 2012-08-15
From: Franconia Notch

To: Mt. Lafayette
Miles today: 6.3

Tough, tough day. Hung out at the hostel trying to figure out whether I wanted to hike in the rain and decided to head out. I need to get these miles in knowing I've dropped my daily miles. A lot of this is not hiking, it's climbing. And the rocks are wet so it's very, very careful climbing. The climb out of Franconia Notch was steep. And then going down - all these rock scrambles... I got to the top of Mt. Lafayette and knew I had to find a place to stay so hiked down the steep 1.1 mile trail to Greenleaf Hut where I worked for my keep. These huts (reservations only) are up in the mountains, access is by foot and they are powered by solar and/or wind generators. In exchange for some menial labor I get to eat leftovers (all I wanted of which there was plenty) and sleep on the dining room floor. It is working out fine and I got to experience a hut. Onward tomorrow.
Date: 2012-08-16
From: Mt. Lafayette

To: Frost Trail/Galehead Hut
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Another night in a Hut. This morning someone cancelled their reservation for Galehead Hut and the people at Greenleaf asked me if I wanted to use the reservation since it was non-refundable. So I am here as a guest, not worker bee. Another hard day. When I have to turn and back down the trail then I know it's steep. You have to watch every step you take. I was and I did. The views were limited today because of the clouds and fog. As difficult as this section of the trail is, the views are still fantastic (when I can see them). If only my knees weren't so sore. I've actually had to take ibuprofen. I get to sleep in a bed tonight!
Date: 2012-08-18
From: Ethan Pond Campsite

To: Crawford Notch, US 302
Miles today: 2.9
Weather: fog

Today did not go as planned. I descended another rock scramble off the mountain, went by the parking lot and lo and behold, Trail Angel magic. As I am enjoying the magic, along comes another trail angel, then another not long after that. Soon we are having a party and the beer went down well... I decided I better not hike in my slightly fuzzy state so caught a ride into the AMC's Highland Center Shapleigh Bunkhouse for the night. Good time was had by all! The bunkhouse is full and breakfast is provided. Back at 'er tomorrow.
Date: 2012-08-19
From: Crawford Notch, US 302

To: Mizpah cutoff, Nauman Campsite
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Tough climb up Mt. Jackson but great views at the top. After discussion at the bunkhouse, it was recommended I stop here for the night because of all the difficulty ahead. I worked for a free campsite and will head over to the hut for leftovers later on. A nap is in store right now!
Date: 2012-08-20
From: Mizpah cutoff, Nauman Campsite

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

Very long day. Stopped at Lakes of the Clouds Hut for soup and lemonade. It is majestic up here...unbelievable. Continued up to Mt. Washington and again was shocked when there was a road going up to the top, a snack bar, lots of people. There's even a cog railroad that goes up. I didn't stay long and didn't go to the very top, stayed on the trail. More rock scrambles. You don't hike on a trail, step (or leap) from rock to rock. My knees are protesting. Got to the hut and am working for my keep. Had to give a hiking presentation to the paying guests. I introduced myself and gave some background then they started asking questions so it wasn't too bad. Off to claim my piece of the dining room floor for the evening. There are quite a few hikers here working for our keep. The thought keeps going through my mind "I thought Pennsylvania was hard?" I have to say I really like New Hampshire even with the challenges! Want to bring the wife back out here to hike this part. Not quite sure how she feels about that after listening to me!
Date: 2012-08-21
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: NH16, Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: fog

Love my new boots! Am so glad I got them when I am doing all these rock scrambles. I've decided this part is not a trail but a pile of rocks with rock cairns pointing you in the general direction. You pick and choose your way through. Started off the day going straight up Mt. Madison then down, down, down and then down some more. 3000' in 3 miles. My knees feel the worst they have the whole trip and it's because of the downhills. I'm staying at Pinkham Notch Vistor Center/Joe Dodge Lodge tonight. I am out of the Presidents!!!
Date: 2012-08-22
From: NH16, Pinkham Notch

To: Past Zeta Pass
Miles today: 8.7

Scary climb up the rocky crevasse. 800' elevation change in less than 1/2 mile. This is free rock climbing with a pack on. I really appreciated the steps when I got to them. I had somewhere to place my feet. Took a break at Wildcat Mtn. and could see Mt. Washington from a 3rd side. They are messing with our heads, routhing the trail in a u-shaped. I'm stealth camping tonight. There are actually flat spots to pitch a tent.
Date: 2012-08-23
From: Past Zeta Pass

To: US2, Gorham, NH
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: fog

Real dangerous technical downhills today. I fell twice but didn't get hurt. The last descent down Mt. Moriah was long and hard on the knees. My knees are very sore. Someone told me I just came out of the Clays. Didn't know I was in the Clays and haven't figured out why they are called that. Got a bed at the Barn for the night.
Date: 2012-08-24
From: US2, Gorham, NH

To: US2, Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Took a zero day today. Figured out it has been 140 miles since I took a zero and my knees are telling me I really need to give my body a break and rest it. I guess I have about 50 more miles of this boulder climbing ups and downs. And I have Mahoosuc Arm to get through. So I've been doing laundry, other odds and ends. I enjoy exploring these small towns and talking to the locals. I moved from the Barn to Northern Peaks, my own room and bathroom. Was at the bar having a few beers with a couple other hikers and ended up eating at McDonald's. My how I've changed on this hike!
Date: 2012-08-27
From: US2, Gorhma, N H

To: Stealth camp near Dream Lake
Miles today: 9.1

Back on the trial. Finally caught a ride and got dropped off at the trail around 9:30 am. Got to climb up Mt Hayes right off the bat. Phew! It is warm again. I thought it was just me sweating after not hiking for 3 days but southbound hikers were working up just as much of a sweat as I was. As I was hiking I heard this voice from behind "MadHat, is that you?" Here comes Ticklemonster. I haven't seen him in a few months. He had been off the trail for 5 weeks with an infection. And yet he caught up and passed me today. Found out he, Dos, Connect 4 and I are all in the trailer for the PBS documentary we were interviewed for back in the Shenandoahs. Pretty cool! I'm stealth camping tonight. In a small space but really enjoyable. Of course it started raining before I was done eating so had to finish up in the tent.
Date: 2012-08-28
From: Stealth camp near Dream Lake

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: light rain

It rained all night last night. Had to pack up a wet tent. The trail was slippery and wet today. But hey!   I'm in Maine!!! This has been a rock climbing day - climb with hands and feet, climb backwards down. The shelter/campsite is full. NoBos and SoBos all descending on it. A few of the SoBos are scraped up from the Mahousic. I got here and got the tent dried out. This part of the trail is great and awful all at the same time. I sure am not getting miles in but it's better to go cautiously. Don't want to hurt myself.
Date: 2012-08-29
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Speck Pond Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

Mahoosuc Notch was fun! I decided to go over it. Boots waited to see if the old man needed someone to stick around but took off after I jumped across a crevice with no problem. I could hear water running under some boulders. I had to go through a few spots but never had to take off my pack. What a relief! I did it in an hour and a half. Then I got to the Mahoosuc Arm and THAT was difficult - straight up. The weather today was great, cool and sunny. I am working for my keep here at Speck Pond Shelter.
Date: 2012-08-30
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Frye Notch Lean-to
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

Windy, windy, windy. Stood on Baldpate East peak and saw windmills off in the distance spinning like crazy. Left the shelter later, around 9, bacause I had to sweep, do clean-up work to earn my stay. Had a hard time finding water today. This part is hard! The shelter is packed. All the NoBos and SoBos are all hitting this spot around the same time. Someone calculated that the NoBos did 6000 feet in elevation changes with all the ups and downs.
Date: 2012-08-31
From: Frye Notch Lean-to

To: East B Hill Rd
Miles today: 4.5

Hiked this morning, got to the road and a bunch of us crowded into a vehicle that offered us a ride into Andover. A few were sitting on laps   Got to Pine Ellis Hostel and found Dakota Dan, Ticklemonster and Cheez-It. Everything here is full up. I ate, cleaned up, resupplied and enjoyed Prime Rib tonight. Back on the trail tomorrow. Some of the group are slack packing but I'm just having them drop me off with my pack to continue on.
Date: 2012-09-01
From: East B Hill Rd

To: South Arm Rd, Black Brook Campsite
Miles today: 10.1

Shuttle dropped me off at the trail this morning. Immediate started climbing. The climb up Moody Mt. had hand holds imbedded in the rock. Pretty vertical! The last few days it seems like I am hiking twice the distance I am actually going. I'm not the only one who feels this way. I'm at the campsite across the stream. Lots of people here. Dakota Dan and I seem to be ending up at the same place the last few nights.
Date: 2012-09-02
From: South Arm Rd, Black Brook Campsite

To: Dirt road, mile 1948.9
Miles today: 11.5

Started out today climbing Old Blue. Phew! At the top I was in clouds. Not much to view. Lots of slab walking which is a nice change on the feet. The long hike down Bemis Mt. (which day hikers told me is actually four peaks) was tough on my knees. Stealth camping tonight. 3 other hikers came in behind me.
Date: 2012-09-03
From: Dirt road, mile 1948.9

To: Little Swift River Pond Campsite
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: few clouds

Did something different today. Hiked with Hungus, Pace and Roller. Faster pace than I'm used to! Got into camp early enough to do some equipment repair - dental floss and a needle! Trail had lots of roots, was swampy. Reminds me of the Boundary Waters. I keep seeing lots of moose tracks but no moose.
Date: 2012-09-04
From: Little Swift River Pond Campsite

To: ME 4, Rangely
Miles today: 4.8

We hiked to ME 4 and hitch hiked into town. Took forever but finally got a ride and all piled in the back of a pickup. Am now holed up in town instead of a brief resupply stop. Hurricane Isaac is forecast to dump 2-3" rain in the area and I don't want to get caught in that mess on top of a mountain. I've been catching up on lots of phone calls while hunkered down.
Date: 2012-09-05
From: ME 4, Rangely

To: ME 4, Rangeley
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Still here. It rained a lot last night and this morning but now it is clear, lots of stars. Did I mention this had to happen in an expensive town? Lodging prices are steep. Hikers coming in off the trail today said the trail is a mess. I did get my resupply done and will be back on the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2012-09-06
From: ME 4, Rangeley

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Got dropped off at trail and hiked up Saddleback Mtn. I was soaking wet by the time I got to the top. Worked up quite a sweat. The top is a big old bald mountaintop. Gorgeous views from the top of the mountain. 3 Minnesotans are here at camp! Tater Tot has caught up with me.
Date: 2012-09-07
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

To: South Branch Carrabassett River
Miles today: 13.1

Morning hike had a gathering at Orbeton Stream. One hiker fishing, another decided to go in the water. He gathered rocks so we could have stepping stones across the stream. They took a video of me hopping from step to step. All that got wet were the bottoms of my boots. Day hikers were there also. Long climb up Lone Mountain. The weather was beautiful. Descent down Sugarloaf Mountain was similar to the ascent up Mahoosuc Arm. Climbed down backwards. Us 3 Minnesotans had our picture taken at the plaque commemorating the completion of the last section of the AT. We're all here at the campsite tonight.
Date: 2012-09-08
From: South Branch Carrabassett River

To: ME 27 (Stratton)
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: light rain

The Crockers were a good climb. Long downhill to ME 27. Got picked up right away while hitch hiking and made it into Stratton in the early afternoon. Am staying at the Stratton Motel in the bunkhouse. My resupply package from home was waiting. The licorice is very tasty. The same group of hikers still keeps ending up together. Solo and I went over to the deli and picked up picnic fare: brats, beans, potato salad. Sorry everyone! Looks like the weather for the next week is going to be dry. Yeah!
Date: 2012-09-09
From: ME 27 (Stratton)

To: Horns Pond Lean-tos
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Long, steady rain last night left the trail wet and muddy. What happened to the dry weather? Started out late morning after getting shuttled to the trail head. The climb out of Stratton was something. Got to Horns Pond Lean-to and took a break, eating lunch. First Solo comes along, then one by one everyone kept appearing: Owf, FM, Medicine Man, Dancing with Flies, Tater Tot, Pants on Fire, Overdrive and Peach. Everyone seemed to be of the same mind and decided that this looked like a good place to spend the night. And there ended my hiking for the day.
Date: 2012-09-10
From: Horns Pond Lean-tos

To: East Flagstaff Lake
Miles today: 12.8

It was cold last night. I needed to have my down jacket on but didn't. Climb out of Horns Pond was tough - climb being the operative word. The clouds didn't break until late morning so the views on Bigelow were limited. The trail was muddy and slippery. I am sick of downhills. Another downhill and I may scream out loud. For now we're camped next to East Flagstaff Lake, which is pretty big. Nice camping spot. I can hear the loons calling. It is pretty chilly and there is a stiff breeze coming off the lake. Another cold night ahead.
Date: 2012-09-11
From: East Flagstaff Lake

To: Pierce Pond Lean=to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: few clouds

Easy walking today. After all the ups and downs the last several weeks this was like walking on a cloud. Even with a 2 hour lunch break I still put in 15.1 miles. Kind of a spooky feeling at this shelter. This is where Parkside drowned this spring when he went for a swim and his body cramped up. His family has put up a plaque in his memory.