morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-22
From: Forest Service Rd 71

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: broken clouds

I'm taking off again this morning for 4 weeks on the trail. I'm hoping to make it to the New Hampshire - Maine border.My pack weighed 31 pounds the last time I hiked - with 4 days of food. Now I have 6 days, plus I swapped out the iodine for the water filter. I added the iPod in Massachusetts and this time I am adding a heavier guide book, and a small book of sudoku. I also added some heavier food for variety. So the pack will be a little heavier starting out.Steve is going to drive up on the weekends to resupply me, so we won't have to time up mail drops. Having him facilitate getting me on and off the trail for laundry, shower and resuppply makes things much easier for me. Also I won't miss him so much! My daughter Naomi is coming to hike with me for a weekend - yay! I've missed connecting with her this summer as often as we normally do. This should be a great four weeks. I am ready for a longer stretch.The song of the day (I can barely type for laughing) is Stars Are Blind by Paris Hilton. Yes, I bought a song by Paris Hilton. I'm sure she really needed my money. But, in my defense, I think its a samba.
Date: 2007-08-05
From: Norwich, VT

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Are the rocks really going to be velvet? Green moss maybe? I have to admit that the rocks are seeming more and more comfortable to hang out on when I need a rest.I'm heading out again today after 2 zero days at home. I wasn't planning to come home for the zeros, but it was less expensive and we had another hiker with us, Teddy Bear, who needed a place to stay.Steve picked us up Thursday night and brought Teddy back on Friday. I had to dial it back to be able to hike with Naomi next weekend. If I hadn't taken a couple of zeros, I would have been in the Whites by then and there wouldn't have been any road access for she and I to hook up for a couple of days.This means that I probably won't make it to the NH/ME border by the time I need to be back home (August 20th). I should be able to make it to Gorham, NH, though. And getting to hike with Nao is definitely worth it.The following week, Steve starts 3 weeks of vacation. Originally, we were thinking we would hike together for a couple of weeks, but for various reasons, we decided to spend those 3 weeks at home together.So, that will probably be it for the long-distance hiking for me for this season. (I reserve the right to change my mind about that, though. There's always the fall - my favorite season to hike!) Right now I am thinking I may do some weekends this fall heading south from Connecticut, start again at Hampton, TN next spring, and maybe finish up in Maine. We'll see. Oh, and I may get a dog when I get back. She is a rescue - a 2 years old malamute named Sweetie.Hello to all my hiker friends. The best of luck to all of you who are still on the trail.
Date: 2007-08-18
From: Trailhead, Elm St. in Mount Washington, MA

To: Hemlock Shelter
Miles today: 7.1

After taking a few pictures, I left the trailhead, Sheryl and Maggie at 9:40 AM. Reached the AT at 10:00 and took a picture of my first white blaze. The trail through Sages Ravine was cool, with many small pools and water falls. Entered MA at about 10:30 and stopped for a snack at 10:45. Met my first thru hiker, a SOBO at 12:00, carrying just 30 Lbs and a guitar. He had eliminated much, and only carried 1 set of clothes, 1 Qt of water, 1 bandana, and 1 hat. He recommended a pack cover to keep water out of the sleeping pad. Took a picture break on Race Mtn. with great views east. Mt. Everest had nice views as well. A tough hike up, but easy down. There is a parking lot about half way down that leaves an easy climb to the top. At 4:30 pitched tent on platform at Glen Brook Platforms. Hemlock Shelter is a stones throw away, where I made my first log entry. There were about 6-8 people at the site already. Initially went beyond this site, but a review of maps showed no water further on, so I returned to Glen Brook Platforms. I will have about 13 miles to do tomorrow, but I feel fine after 7.8 miles today. About midnight I coughed up a piece of noodle that had caught in my windpipe. Slept well after that.Had a use for the Leatherman, as a family with a dog happened by with the dog¢s snout full of porcupine quills. I loaned the pliers to them, but the dog was not too cooperative and several quills remained.
Date: 2007-08-19
From: Hemlock Shelter

To: Tom Leonard Lean-to
Miles today: 14.3

Got up at 5:45 and left camp at 7:00. By 7:30 had to stop to make a deposit, removed shirt, and left a bandana behind. (LL- Attach everything to the pack) Got a great picture of the undercast and could see Mt. Graylock in the far distance to the North. For wildlife I saw 1 pheasant, 1 snake, and several hawks. Talked to a trail maintenance guy at start of climb up to shelter who said it was a hard climb. Well, it was, and took from 1:00 to 4:45 to go the 5.5 miles. Total for the day was 14.3 miles. Water is 1/4 mile down from the shelter. Looks like a lot of water will be available tomorrow. Will have to do some planning for Tuesday, as it¢s 14 miles to a shelter. There were nice views looking back toward Mt. Everest and across the fields I had crossed. Only one other hiker at the shelter and I may set up my tent to protect from the bugs. It was quiet except for him unpacking and eating.Seems like one lighter is gone and the other starts the stove on it¢s flint. The maintenance guy says he always uses matches.
Date: 2007-08-20
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to

To: Shaker campsite 
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Heard mice last night starting about 8:00 and saw one when I got up at 12:00. They found my trash and eat into it. (LL ¢ trash = food. Take care of it) Left camp at 7:25 and took a nice picture of Ice Gulch. Reached road crossing at 8:05. The balls of my feet are quite sore, so I will begin changing socks often, and maybe use some power. The plan is to go to Wilcox N. today. 10:00 ¢ stop at Benedict Pond ¢ this is just what Russ is looking for for fishing. I¢m thinking I may reach the shelter early so may go beyond. We¢ll see. There are clouds in the west ¢ what is coming? There are 3 ducks on the pond. Will try the radio for weather later. Right now it¢s too nice on the pond. While taking a lunch break at the trail to N. Wilcox, a NOBO came by (Later identified as Worldwide). He started in May, did all of CN in 24 hours (50 miles). He travels very light allowing for fast travel. He was headed to Goose Pond (11 more miles). He had the forecast ¢ light showers, Tue ¢ Thurs. Made Fireside Road at 3:10 and Shaker campsite at 3:30. Saw a whitetail (tail only). Have been hearing owls, and a screech owl about 3:10 in the morning. Started to rain about 5:30.
Date: 2007-08-21
From: Shaker campsite 

To: Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Left Shaker camp at 8:00 and now I¢m sitting on the porch of Goose Pond Cabin. Have been swimming, washed socks, shirt, and shorts. Saw a rabbit on Cobble Mt. and a Herron on Lower Goose Pond. Hike today was moderate as there were no long climbs. This must be half way across MA as there are 3 others, SOBO who started Sat. The girl in this group is really hurting with blisters on both feet, and is barely able to hobble around.   This cabin is great and the caretaker (Joann) just arrived. Joann is caretaker this week every year with her SO, Bob. We¢re having pancakes for breakfast! A cold wind is blowing off the pond, so I¢m moving inside. Got a lower bunk near the stairs for the night. Don¢t think I¢ll go into Lee as I have plenty of food and it¢s 5 miles. Saw 3 orange lizards on the trail ¢ wonder what they are? Ate dinner at 6:00 and as I¢m cleaning up, the caretaker is making blueberry buckle for desert. Really feeling good having clean clothes on, but it won¢t last long. There are many hikers here (about 11) : Bigfoot, Soduko, Coldilocks, Skip, Bonkers, and 3 no-names (SOBOs).
Date: 2007-08-22
From: Goose Pond Cabin

To: October Mt. shelter
Miles today: 8.8

Had pancakes for breakfast. Was nice to sleep on a mattress and without mice. Left Cabin at 8:50 and reached October Mt. road at 10:20.   Tried to call home as I crossed MA Tpk and again from October Mt road but no answer (left message). It¢s overcast today. Stopped for a snack at Finerty pond and changed socks. Loaded up with water for the 4 more miles to October Mt shelter. This trail around the pond is in bad need of trimming. Took a break at 1:30 for power bars and was passed by Bonkers. I passed her again at Country road and she passed me at the shelter. She suggested I try putting my sleeping bad on the bottom of my pack instead of on top (tried it and like it). That was to be the last I saw of her. It¢s only 2:30 and I¢m at the shelter. Drying the tent fly from the rain Monday night. In retrospect, I should have gone on to camp at the cookie lady¢s house, but having heard she was closed, I did not. Without that stop I would have had to go on to Dalton. Turns out I could have camped there as I believe Falling Waters was there when I went by. Has a former Army guy stop for the night who told several good stories and was good conversation. Turns out this was AreWe (Are We There Yet) who I ran into several additional times.
Date: 2007-08-23
From: October Mt. shelter

To: Crystal Campsite
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

On the trail at 6:50 this morning. I put up a grouse twice. At the cookie lady¢s house the blueberry patch is closed but there is water. Looks like Falling Waters is camped here but I didn¢t wake him. Took a break at 9:15 and met a SOBO. We are close to the road, as I can hear it, but we may be paralleling it. The SOBO made it here in 3 hours from Dalton. At 11:30 I stopped at Kaywood shelter for water where AreWe was also. May see him in Dalton. Dalton at 1:00; Saw AreWe; Resupply at Cumberland Farms. Not a great place, but food enough for rest of hike. Got a sandwich for later and a 6-serving package of Mac/Cheese. Made Crystal campsite at 4:50, finishing 16.8 miles in 10 hours, or 1.7 MPH. Hung bear bag, got water, and set up tent. Zero walked by at 6:00 on his way to Graylock ¢ a long night hike ahead. Spent a quiet night without anyone else except the mice. Had a small campfire and took a couple pictures.
Date: 2007-08-24
From: Crystal Campsite

To: M. Noepel Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Out of camp at 7:30. I think I¢m on the Cobbles, but there is no visibility so I cannot really tell. Passed 3 SOBOs and got a picture of (I think) Cheshire while on the Cobbles. Off to Cheshire. Called Sheryl at 10:00 from Cheshire while sitting on the bench in front of the great cheese press. I have just 1.5 Qts. of water ¢ hope it¢s enough for the 6 miles to the shelter. I don¢t like having to ration water.At M. Noepel shelter. The spring near the shelter is fowled and water is 0.1 miles down blue blaze path. I met AreWe just south of here going SOBO as Tom gave him a ride to North Adams to slackpack back to Dalton. His advice to me is to: hike your own hike¢ I will remember that advice. Te sun finally is out and I am drying stuff as there has been little sun since Monday and the stuff is damp. My beard is getting long, but no mirror to see how it looks. Got to the shelter at 2:00. My feet are sore, no blisters, but feel bruised. I hope the short day (10 miles) will help.   Tomorrow looks like a moderate pitch out of here to a 3-4 bump ridge (Saddle ball Mt.), then another steep pitch to the top of Graylock. Down it follows a ridge, then slabs over to another ridge, then a steep pitch down to a water supply. Then it¢s a moderate hike out to North Adams. The clime up to Graylock summit is only 750 Ft while the climb out of Cheshire was 2000 ft. Two SOBOs arrived at the shelter. Missing Link and ????.   Not comfortable tonight. I tried doubling my sleeping pad to improve comfort but still not good. Turns out my bag was upside down.
Date: 2007-08-25
From: M. Noepel Shelter

To: North Adams and home
Miles today: 9.6

Out of camp at 7:30. Eat last Raisin Bran and milk, and last rice last night (good planning). Put up 4 Grouse this morning near the top of Graylock. 3 of them were together, but would have to be quick to get a shot. There have been a few trucks going up the road, but otherwise it is deserted. I think I¢ll make it to town in good time. Been hearing stories about Carter Notch croo turning away hikers during bad weather. Want to write AMC about that. Aren¢t they loosing sight of the purpose of the huts for the almighty dollar?Ran into a couple hikers on the way down Graylock. One SOBO was very dehydrated and without water, yet wanted to go over the summit. Not advised, as it is hot. The other hiker will try to convince him to go down and get water. Long walk on street out to Rt.2. Sheryl, Deb, and Larry met me with 2 Qts. of drink, well appreciated.
Date: 2007-09-16
From: Hanover, on VT side of the bridge

To: Moose Mt. shelter
Miles today: 11.5

Started in Hanover after a ride from home with Sheryl and Maggie. By 8:50 I was off pavement and into the woods. Took 3 hours for the first 5 miles whereupon I called Sheryl to be sure she made it home (mostly out of Hanover) OK. On South Moose I met a trail runner who directed me to water for tonight (at the old shelter location). He is going beyond to Trapper John (of MASH fame) shelter. Finally got my boots adjusted and they feel good with the cushioned socks. The boots ARE heavy.Made the Moose Mt. shelter by 4:00. I got water from a large clean puddle on top of South Moose, saving a .3-mile trip down the MT for water. It was heavy, but I think I saved energy. There is no one else here in the shelter yet. Many familiar names in the log, such as Bigfoot, Soduko, and Skip, but don¢t see Bonkers or Coldy. Could I be ahead of them? This is a nice shelter, a log cabin by DOC. No answer at home ¢ had good signal ¢ wonder if it will continue? Getting cold, added warm clothes. Alone for the night except for mice and a coyote.
Date: 2007-09-17
From: Moose Mt. shelter

To: Smarts MT. cabin
Miles today: 12.4

Left shelter at 7:15. Crossed Goose Pond road at 9:00 (3.1 miles) and saw a grouse. Got picture of undercast. Took pictures at Holts ledge showing Dartmouth skyway, which I reached at 12:00. Stopped at Trapper John shelter for water. Stopped at a stream near the skiway for lunch and then on to the relocated trail. The trail paralleled the road for some 2 miles, was flat, then turned away. It was uphill the rest of the day to Smarts Mt. Have pictures of the tower in the distance. I was really tired when I reached the cabin, but recovered quickly. Went up the tower 2 times taking pictures. Called home but no answer. Looks like another night alone. Have another 12.6 miles tomorrow. Gooselike is visible in the distance. 2 guys arrived at 11:00 looking for the tower. Gave then directions and was quiet after that.
Date: 2007-09-18
From: Smarts MT. cabin

To: Ore Hill Shelter
Miles today: 12.6

The sun came up at 6:38 this morning and I was on the trail by 7:30. Making good time: At hexacuba shelter at 11:00. Saw 3 grouse ¢ they fly so low a shot is really out of the question. Weather is nice, if a little cool. Wearing long sleeved UA shirt. I rinsed socks and a shirt in a brook ¢ we¢ll see how that works out. Took a picture looking back to the fire tower, just 2 hours away. On the summit of Mt Cube there were 30 3rd graders with many chaperones. Put up another grouse that I would have missed. It¢s 1:00 and have 5.5 miles to go. Made shelter at 4:45. Feet are tired. Limmers fixed the sore ball of my foot, but they are not the whole answer. Saw another grouse and a snake. Have another 16 miles tomorrow, but may give my feet a bit of a rest. Was a quiet night alone, with some dogs barking and some unknown animal.
Date: 2007-09-19
From: Ore Hill Shelter

To: Jeffers Brook Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: few clouds

Decided against the long hike, so it will be Saturday when I finish. On the trail by 8:00 and reached 25C at 9:15 where there was no phone service. On to Glenclift. Met the 2 guys from the Smarts Mt tower, who are thru hiking and expect to make it! Reached RT 25 at 1:00 and have 1.1 miles to go. Feet are really sore. Met 3 NOBOs all headed up Mousilauke, but why should I hurry?Wow, that was a short day. Its 3:00 and I¢m settled in camp. I stood in the cold brook for a while to help my feet, and washed up. Another quiet night alone. Others must have stayed in Glenclift or gone on to Mousilauke. Hung bear bag and slept well.If I camp at Eliza Brook shelter Friday I will have 8.8 + about 2 miles to do on Saturday.
Date: 2007-09-20
From: fers Brook Shelter

To: Small brook south of Eliza Brook shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

On trail at 7:30. Saw 2 turkeys. Finally seem to figure out boots. With 2 pr socks I had no room to move toes. Now have liners and heavy wool socks and can move toes and no pain (a short lived relief). May be a long day. Its 10:00 and I¢m about an hour from the summit of Mousilauke. Called Sheryl and Ricki (her birthday) from the summit at 11:00. It¢s 11 more miles to Eliza Brook shelter ¢ can I make it? (no)Camped beside a small brook with good water. Had one passerby, a SOBO. Nice site except someone defecated and also left a bag of trash just above site. Went well upstream to get my 5 Qts. of water. Quiet night, no animal sounds.
Date: 2007-09-21
From: Small brook south of Eliza Brook shelter

To: Kinsman tent platforms
Miles today: 7.0

A little slow getting going this morning, as I didn¢t get on the trail until 8:00. This is a tough trail. Every 10 feet it¢s ¢how do I get over these rocks¢ or ¢how do I get around this mud¢, or just a lot of roots and rocks. Crossed a nice meadow then looking for ¢Real Brook Trail and Eliza Brook Shelter. Boots seem OK, but now pressure on outside left ankle is bothering me. Reached Eliza Brook shelter at 10:45. Good thing I stopped where I did last night. This is one mile per hour country. The signs say they are rebuilding Kinsman pond shelter. Saw a grouse before it flew ¢ may have had a shot at that one. There are moose tracks all along this trail ¢ hope I don¢t literally run into one! Its kind of warm and humid today so will carry extra water. Wondering how I managed to bring all rice dinner meals. Started up south Kinsman at 11:15. That was a tough hike! Seems like tendonitis in my right outside ankle. It¢s somewhat better after 3 Advil and a half hour without a pack. Caretaker (Zack) and 2 builders working on the new shelter ¢ a log cabin type. The builders know Jo-Ann Ducas. One of the builders is camped on the adjacent tent platform.Don¢t think I can make it to Cannon tomorrow, as it¢s too risky with this bad ankle, although right now it feels good. Boot rubbing it is the problem. Looking at the AT map, there are 3 sections ahead I need to do: Mt. Liberty to Mt Haystack; Mt. Lafayette to Mt Guyot; Zeeland falls hut to Mt Wiley trail. That looks like 5 days and a few hut stops. Need to plan.
Date: 2007-09-22
From: Kinsman tent platforms

To: Rt 93 and home
Miles today: 4.8

Another clear morning with valley fog. No one here but caretaker and workers. Packed and on trail by 8:00. Right ankle still sore. Called home at 9:00 to let Sheryl know I would be down by 12:00. Shortly afterward my ankle seemed much better (thank you Advil). There was no one I knew entered in the log at Lonesome Lake hut. Lots of day hikers, but it is Saturday. Made it to Rt. 93 at 11:30 and called Sheryl to let her know I was at mile sign 106. A good, but exhausting hike.
Date: 2008-05-28
To: prep 2008-1
Miles today: 0.0

My thru hike having been put off, I am ready and packed for the southern section (Springer to Rt i-40 in TN). Have been oner the gear several times; Replaced shoulder straps and now have a place to keep the camera. If it's handy, you take pictures. if not, they just never ...Leave Friday AM for GA and will start at Amacolla falls Sunday morning. Should be an easy day.See you on the trail.Tattoo
Date: 2008-06-02
From: Amicalola Falls Visitors Center

To: Springer Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

Saw two bluebirds on the approach trail, giving me the feeling that this was going to be a good hike. Met Susan ¢RIP¢ on the top of Springer and here again at the shelter. She did a thru hike in 1979 and this past winter talked to Meredith Emerson and her murderer the day before New Years.It goes without saying that Rob and Megan are not here with me as planned, due to many events. The worst being Megan¢s death in Iraq. This portion of my AT hike is dedicated to her. There really couldn¢t be a nicer person, and she is missed. Thanks Megan, for the memories and these hiking sticks!I actually signed in at Amicalola Falls on 6/1 then took a 0, as the weather was bad. I just couldn¢t see starting out in the rain and thunderstorms.I left Amicalola Falls at 0700 and reached the summit of Springer at 1245 where pictures were taken and I then called Sheryl. It was just a short hike to the shelter where I cleaned it up, got water, and spent my first night. Lots of black flies (they seem to call them ¢Nats¢ here, but they sure do look and act like black flies) and there are bees as well. I plan to go to Hawk Mtn. shelter tomorrow (7.6 m). 1545 and it¢s starting to rain, but I¢m under cover. Had one hiker pass through to get water and I made another round trip to the summit to get ¢RIP¢s¢ name. Met Chang on the Summit and would see him several more times as I went north.
Date: 2008-06-03
From: Springer Mtn. Shelter

To: Hawk Mtn. shelter 
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Out on the trail by 0745 and made the 2.5m to Russell Stover shelter by 0900 where I just missed RIP. Three girls (BlueBird, SunShine, Jasmine) stopped at Springer shelter last evening, but camped at Rt. 42. BlueBird mentioned she liked to read about how people feel on the trail, so I¢ll try to write more that status. Right now I¢m hot and have tired mussels, but generally feel good about the hike so far. It¢s quite warm, so I need to drink lots of water. There is water every mile or so, which keeps me from having to pack too much. I¢m going to need bananas. There are a lot of bugs, but I¢m not getting bitten. Many moths that look like the winter moths we have at home. Made Hawk Mtn. Shelter by 1300, where I got water, washed up, and called Sheryl. Sheryl claims I¢m putting in too short days. No one has sighed the log, so maybe they are all at the falls, which, according to the log, I should have gone to see. I will be careful to visit future points of interest from now on. Took pictures of the tunnel though the rhododendrons. Sussie ¢RIP¢ is now here for the night and is planning to go to Gouch Mtn. shelter tomorrow.
Date: 2008-06-04
From: Hawk Mtn. shelter 

To: Gooch Mtn. shelter 
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: few clouds

Had many people at the shelter last night. Susie, 2 guys in from Springer, a family with boys 4 and 6 yrs. From Indiana near Monrovia, and a couple seen in the picture I took. Out at 0800 and through Hightower and horse gaps and now on Sassafras Mtn. Making good time and feeling good! There is a nice breeze that is keeping me cool. Have a slight pain in the ball of my left foot, but not a bother. Have a small blister on the top of my foot from my Crocks (too much camp time). The views are not so good as there is summer time haze. Visibility limited to 2-5 miles.RIP is a retired schoolteacher, middle school, SPED. She did the PCT in 1983, AT in 1979, and her AT boots are hanging in the store at Neels Gap. The past hour was quite interesting. The trail goes through Camp Merrill, a special forces training area. There has been machine gun and small arms fire about 200 yards to the north of my position, and also artillery fire at a greater distance. There are several helicopters in the air.Met Chang (now SOBO) and RIP, and 2 women hiking from Damascus, VA. This shelter may be busy tonight. Mark and Joni are here as well as Erick and Kalib staying in the shelter. Some food had been left and I took the tuna.