morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-07-24
From: Seth Warner shelter

To: Melville Nauhelm Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

I tried to sleep in this morning because I had only planned 13 miles for the day. But all the commotion from other hikers had me up at 6:45. I was the last tent there, and left camp at 7:30. I would hate to hike in Vermont after a three day rain. It is already muddy enough. Speaking of rain, it rained for about 15 minutes around 4:30 a.m. I got up and put my rainfly on the tent just as it started. My tent and fly was dry by the time I got up because of a good, stiff breeze.    I started out with a 900' climb, then a 300' to Congdon shelter for a 1:45 lunch. One of the steepest descents in awhile with stone steps most of the way to Vermont Hwy 9. It was 800', but grueling on the knees. Then another 1100' climb to the shelter.    There are lots of roots in Vermont. I think because of all the foot traffic, with the combination Long Trail and A.T. I am very tired tonight. I will be asleep by 7:30 if the guy at the shelter will stop yapping.
Date: 2011-07-25
From: Melville Nauhelm Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I was in my tent at 7:00, and was asleep by 7:30. I woke at 5:00, and was up by 5:20, and out of camp by 6:12.    The brook by camp was heavily stained with tannin, so I conserved for breakfast, and decided to try for better water ahead. First spring...dry. Second Stream...dry. Then Hell Hollow Brook, which was wet, and tannin stained as well. But I filled a liter in my bladder (Platypus), filled a soft Platy one liter bottle, and tanked a half liter. Tanking is the practice of drinking a lot, if not as much as you can, so you won't have to carry as much water. Water that is over 2 lbs. per liter.    I was quick today. The weather was cool and cloudy, so that helped. I climbed over 1300' in a ten mile stretch, so that was an easy climb. Great spring at Goddard shelter just before the top. At the top was a converted fire tower. Now a lookout tower with views in every direction. Absolutely amazing views. Mostly Balsom Fir forest at the top. Dropped a 1000' to Kid Gore shelter for lunch, then the last 4.6 miles. Almost immediately after leaving the shelter, it started misting rain. And it kept getting harder and harder. By the time I got to the shelter, I was soaked. I put on lots of dry clothes, because it was cold, and I don't have winter gear back for the White Mountains yet. It stopped raining for a bit, so I pitched my tent. Took a nap for a couple of hours. I got up and cooked supper, and am now in my tent. I am in the middle the huge Green Mountain National Forest.
Date: 2011-07-26
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Spruce Peak shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I was out of camp at 6:44. An 18 mile day planned, and going over Stratton Mtn. @ 3936'. I got there and took a long break. Climbed the fire tower which had great 360 degree views all the way to N.H. and back to Mt. Greylock in Massachusetts. I took my shoes and socks off and hung my tent fly out in the sun and wind to dry. The idea for the Long Trail and the AT both we're conceived on Stratton Mt. The Long Trail in 1909, and the AT in 1920 something by Benton McKaye    Next was Stratton Pond where I took a lunch break on a boardwalk, and finished drying out my shoes and gear from the previous days deluge.   I crossed the Winhall River (although we would call this a creek in Alabama) on a footbridge. It was beautiful, though. Then had a view from Prospect Rock of an immensely deep ravine, Manchester Center, and huge mountains beyond. Could t by Eye be the White mountains? 60-70 miles away?   I am at Spruce Peak shelter, which has a sliding door! And a wood stove, windows, two springs, indoor and outdoor tables, and a nice front porch. A storm rolled in about 7:00 tonight. It has slowed, but is still raining.
Date: 2011-07-27
From: Spruce Peak shelter

To: Green Mountain House 
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up and made the short walk to Vt. 11, and got a hitch in 4 minutes! I ate breakfast, walked to the outfitter, went to the grocery for resupply, had lunch at the Sirloin Saloon. Then I got the shuttle to this awesome hostel. Jeff lives in the 2 story bungalow with the horses below. The two story house is for the hikers. $20 gets you the run of the house and yard. The outside is immaculate, with finely manicured lawns and flower beds. The house is the same, with 2 1/2 baths, a fully equipped kitchen, and there is even an electric piano and a guitar. Video, cable, books, games, movies, computer, and laundry.   I bought a steak and potato for tonight, and cinnamon rolls and eggs for the morning. Wally is here. Acting weird again. Not sure what's up.
Date: 2011-07-28
From: Green Mountain House 

To: Big Branch shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

After breakfast at the hostel, Jeff drove us to the trail at 7:30. I hiked 1300' up Bromley Mtn., which had a ski lift and hut on top. The AT went up a ski run for a half mile, and it was steep. When I got to the top, the sign indicated that ski run was easy! I wouldn't ski down that! I would die a brutal death against a tree or rock. There was an observation deck and tower up there also.   Then it was down and back up 900' to Peru Peak and 300' to Spruce Peak. Then I hiked to Griffith Lake. I had lunch in a beautiful spot there. After lunch I climbed Baker's Peak, with awesome views to the west. Next walked along, then across Big Branch. What a gorgeous creek! There were boulders in the creek the size of cars! Easily my favorite part of the day.
Date: 2011-07-29
From: Big Branch shelter

To: Minerva Hinchey shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

Up at 7:00, which is kinda late for me, and left at 7:50. Wally, Daydreamer, Shutter and I followed Big Branch for a bit, then crossed Big Black Branch. Right before Big Black, I came upon this guy sitting on a rock. I spoke, and then asked if he was going North or South. He said, "South, but I had a hard time finding the trail entering the 100 Mile Wilderness. I came across Abol Bridge, and started looking, but couldn't find the trail. So I parted some fir trees and there it was." I asked, "the trail?" And he responded, "No, the key to the portal!" I am starting to think at this point, oh s--t! But at the same time, I am intrigued. So I ask, "Did you go in?" "Yes" "Where did it lead?" "Not sure, didn't go very far in." "Why not?" I ask. "Because I still had things to take care of first, so I came back to do that." "So, you're going back?" "Yes, as soon as I hike the trail." I ask, "How do you know the portal won't move?" He said, "Oh, it won't." Then he immediately changed the subject and said, "Are you a Methodist? " At this I decided that I should make a break for it, so I left the guy (who had an uncanny resemblance to a young Charles Manson I saw on TV several decades ago). Does anybody know if Manson had any male offspring?    I followed some beautiful streams this morning. Climbed 1300' to Little Rock Pond, which was picturesque. Then to Bully Brook, which had a nice run, then waterfall. Next was a 1000' climb up Bear Mtn. (The third Bear Mtn the trail has crossed). It started looking more and more like rain, so I checked the radar. I actually had a signal, and the rain was coming fast. So I flew the last 4.6 miles to this shelter, and literally made it by inches before it started raining. Whew! Alot of hikers here tonight. Shelter is full, and several tenting.
Date: 2011-07-30
From: Minerva Hinchey shelter

To: Cooper Lodge shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

We were all awakened before 5 a.m. by an inconsiderate hiker. We were all going to the Whistle Stop cafe for breakfast, so were all out by 6:45. What a super breakfast. I talked to a trail maintainer, and he gave us a ride to the General Store down the road to resupply. Then he came back and picked us up, and took us to the trailhead.   I had a 3500' climb to Killington Mtn., the second highest peak in Vermont. The climb started steep, then leveled off to a stream. The trail followed it uphill, until it forked. Along the right fork, then down and across the stream to the middle, at the confluence of both. After which, it went up between the two rushing, gurgling, babbling, rock strewn streams. Beautiful spot!!!! I crossed a couple of roads, then up the long climb to Killington Mtn. After arriving at the shelter, I set up my tent on the wooden platforms provided. They are there to minimize impact from a well used tent space. I cooked supper, and then followed the rest of the hikers to the summit for 360° views. What a great sunset! We all had every stitch of clothing on we were carrying. Temps were to drop in the upper 40's, and it was windy. But the reward was an incredible sunset! Daydreamer, Shutter, Glide, Mothership, and others here tonight.
Date: 2011-07-31
From: Cooper Lodge shelter

To: Mountain Meadow Lodge
Miles today: 10.3

I realized this morning that this adventure that I started with, is still an adventure at every turn of the trail. But somewhere back in Tennessee or SW Virginia, it also became a journey. Not just a journey along the Appalachian Mountain ranges to Katadin, that 'Greatest Mountain' as the local Indians called it, but a journey into my soul and mind. As I walk along, usually alone and in my thoughts all day, I find that this journey is about me personally, as well as the trail experience. I came to realize this morning that there is a third component on this trail, and that is, it is now a quest. A quest to finish this long adventure and journey. A quest to take what I learned these almost five months home with me, and apply it in everyday life. Patience, compassion, understanding of others who are different from you but have a common goal, etc. And yes, a quest to finish something I started dreaming about since I was that scrawny, shy little kid who saw an Appalachian Trail sign in the Smokey Mountains, and wondered where it went.   The day started by leaving camp at 6:45. I took my time, as I had sore feet and an aching shin. Everyone either has sore feet or shin splints, or both. I hiked across VT 4 and on to Maine Junction. Maine Junction is a spot in the woods where the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail separate. The Long Trail goes on for approximately 176 more miles through Vermont, to the Canadian border. The AT splits East for 497 toward New Hampshire, and ultimately Maine and Katadin. And if you didn't notice in the last sentence, I have less than 500 miles to go! It is a major milestone for the trip.    I stopped off at the Inn at Long Trail for lunch and refreshments. Said goodbye there to a couple of kids, Fly Boy and Thinline, that have been hiking with us a few days. Then a short walk to Kent Pond and this lodge. I am tenting at the edge of the yard. Getting laundry, shower, use of kitchen, lounge, TV room, and restroom. Basically the whole place. Also (AYCE) breakfast in the morning, and all for $20. Tonight there is Daydreamer got a room at the lodge. Shutter, Wally, and I are camped in the huge yard next to the wood line.
Date: 2011-08-01
From: Mountain Meadow Lodge

To: Winturri shelter
Miles today: 15.9

I got up at 5:30, packed up and at the lodge by 6:00. Heavy dew on everything this morning. I worked on my journal until breakfast at 7:00. I did have coffee around 6:45. I left at 8:30 for the trail, after a great breakfast. Homemade granola was delicious. First stop on the trail was Thundering Falls. Well, they weren't thundering, but they were definitely great falls. I am sure that when the brook is swollen with rain, those falls will thunder!    After that, I had a 1200', 400', 200', 700', 500', and an 800' climbs. That doesn't count anything under a 100', which you have in between all day. I stopped at Stony Brook shelter for lunch, and there was Doc! He's been slowing so Do What can catch up. So we decided to try and finish together. We hiked along and caught up on everything. We were hiking hard, and moving good considering the terrain, heat, and bugs. We got 2.6 miles from camp, and went to the 'lookout'. It's a private cabin that lets hikers climb up on a deck on the roof. Great views of mountain range after mountain range. 5, 6, and 7 layers deep. I think you could see the White Mtns.    I got into camp at 6:30. Did camp chores and ate.   The Barred Owls are talking tonight! One particular owl is very close. It is good to listen to while falling asleep, along with the stream tumbling in the background. Life is good!
Date: 2011-08-02
From: Winturri shelter

To: stealth camp .2 miles South of West Hartford
Miles today: 16.1

Got up at 6:00, and out at 7:00. Very tough terrain, which was up and down all day. The elevation change was phenomenal. No flat trail. A few views, but mostly just walking. I passed alot of tubing coming down the hills from sugar maples. The farmers connect those lines to a vaccum that pulls the sap downhill. I also walked alot of fields and old farms that have grown up. Apple trees, still bearing, and stone fences are a reminder of a past era. Every day is different out here. It's great!
Date: 2011-08-03
From: stealth camp .2 miles South of West Hartford

To: Tigger's Tree House 
Miles today: 10.1

We got up and walked the half mile to West Hartford General Store for breakfast. This is an old, old store building, in a small New England town. There were farmers coming in with corn and other produce. I had a great, filling breakfast, then walked the last 9.6 miles without stopping! Got to the New Hampshire state line. Milestone! And the the city of Hanover, home of Dartmouth College. We went straight to the Dartmouth Outing Club, and dropped our packs off. Then walked around the campus and town. This was a very busy little town for a Wednesday. Ate lunch at the Salt Hill Pub. Went and sat on the Dartmouth Green, relaxed, and people watched.   Then we got picked up by Ralph, and shuttled to Tigger's Tree House. Did laundry, showers, and then to bed.
Date: 2011-08-04
From: Tigger's Tree House 

To: Tigger's Tree House
Miles today: 0.0

We got a shuttle to Denny's for breakfast, then EMS, Shaw's for resupply. Went all around the town. With the college here, Hanover is a hiker friendly town. We were treated pretty good . Got free pizza, bagels, then went to see the first movie I've seen since I've been out here, Harry Potter. Didn't eat lunch, with all the free stuff, and the large popcorn at the movies. Went back to the hostel and ordered Chinese. The egg rolls were the best I've had. The chicken fried rice...not.
Date: 2011-08-05
From: Tigger's Tree House

To: stealth site .1 mile past Hewes Brook
Miles today: 14.1

Ate at Lou's for breakfast in Hanover. What a great place, and unbelievably busy. After, I immediately had a 1500' climb. Water was scarce today! Moose Mountain was the larger of the climb. Pretty easy walk though. When we cross Goose Pond Rd, Doc and Peregrine caught a ride with a lady to her house for water. So, they loaded up with water for the rest of us, while we set up camp. Hewes Brook, and it's tributaries were all dry.    I think my body is deteriorating, going downhill fast. I am having a harder time recovering from big mile or grueling days. I also struggle mightily after resupplying.    Speaking of struggling, I see father's with their children, and couples, while in town. This makes me miss my family even more than ever. 42 days until I see Kelly and the kids! I am so ready for that after 5 months on the trail. It is definitely the hardest part of the journey. But, only 2 states left!    Dartmouth students have a challenge once a year. They attempt a 53 mile hike from Hanover to over Mt. Mousilauke (sp). They have 24 hours, and do it in teams. Sounds like fun, right? Or torture! Some have no clue about hiking, and take off too fast. Others leave so they can hike all night. We talked to several groups coming through while cooking supper.
Date: 2011-08-06
From: stealth site .1 mile past Hewes Brook

To: North Jacobs Brook campsite
Miles today: 14.2

I woke early, but couldn't get out of camp until 6:50. Had climbs of 1100', 2300', and 600'. That's 4000' of climbing! After the first climb, we stopped at the Icecream Man's place. Bill gives hikers free ice cream and water. Soda's are 50 cents. He also gave us a cup of coffee. Nice man! Ate lunch on top of Smarts Mountain. Then climbed the fire tower. Camped by a nice brook tonight on an old logging road. After a very hard day of climbing, the brook will sing me to sleep.    I forgot to mention that I have a plane ticket home. It's scheduled for Sept. 16. So I can take 5 days off and still only have to average 12 miles a day. That gives me plenty of time.
Date: 2011-08-07
From: North Jacobs Brook campsite

To: Hiker's Welcome Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Rained most of the night. Started about 9:30. The rain or water was still dripping from the trees. Walked to the summit of Mt. Cube, which was a rocky ascent, up big slabs of tilted boulders. Then on to Ore Hill shelter for a late lunch. When we were up on Mt. Cube, the top was shrouded in clouds. Which meant heavy mist and then light rain. It wasn't hard enough to put on my raingear. I only took enough water to get to a spring close to Wachipauki Pond, but the spring was dry. We wanted to camp along the shore of the pond. So we decided to go the 2.3 miles to the hostel. They had a birthday party, and Miss Janet (the same Miss Janet that has a hostel back in Tennessee, I think. She took a year off to experience trail life, and is moving along with the Thru hiker crowd) gave us the leftover food, including cake! Ate ice cream, got a shower, and listened to hiker stories. Tented in the back yard. Must be 20 or more tents! Hikers are bunching up for the big finish. Saw a bear cross the road about 75 yards away.
Date: 2011-08-08
From: Hiker's Welcome Hiker Hostel

To: Jeffers Brook shelter
Miles today: 1.0
Weather: light rain

Got up at 6:00 and had coffee, and then started my laundry. And around 8:00, I walked across the road to the Post Office and got my two maildrops. One was my food drop, and the other was my winter gear. It was time to swap out. The weather in the Whites are highly unpredictable. There is snow most years all 12 months. So I got my 20 degree down bag, down jacket, gloves, and traded out one of my pair of shorts for long pants. Also sent home a wicking tee shirt. I still have one pair of shorts and a tech tee shirt. I only added.about a pound.    About 4:00, I decided to walk to this shelter, to get away from the younger party crowd, and to keep from paying to stay another night at the hostel.   Jeffers Brook is a beautiful rock strewn stream, with a waterfall and pool below. I went down to get water, and just sat down there for awhile. Another awesome spot. I have had so many on this journey!    I can hear the brook from my tent. This is a nice shelter and area around it. Huge pines here. It does have a resident hornets nest on the side of the shelter.    Everyone is excited about our 3800' climb up Mt. Moosilauke tomorrow. It's the first mountain on the trail that's actually above treeline at 4802'. The balds in the South were not.
Date: 2011-08-09
From: Jeffers Brook shelter

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

Out of camp at 6:40. I started the 4.5 mile, 3800' climb up Moosilauke. It wasn't as tough as I thought it would be. This was the the first mountain above treeline @ 4802'. Great views, with a few clouds to the North and East. The climb down was very tough, although the last 1.2 miles were beside Beaver Brook. Beaver Brook was one continous waterfall. I must have taken 40 pics. Trail magic at NH 112, at Kinsman Notch. Why Not left sodas, water, and gatorade. Why Not, who was at Upper Goose Pond shelter in Vermont, and met a couple of times down South. We walked up Mt. Wolf, and were going to camp at Gordon Pond, but it looked like it was going to rain, so we pushed on to the shelter. And, it did start to rain, but barely, and it was off and on. So, I just kept walking, and the wind dried it quickly. Must be 15 tents here, and the shelter is almost full. Mostly SOBO's.
Date: 2011-08-10
From: Eliza Brook shelter

To: Chet's Place - Lincoln, N.H.
Miles today: 9.0

After yesterday's very tough day, we didn't leave until 9:00. It rained last night, most of the night, but not hard. The hike started up Eliza Brook for almost a mile. Another brook that was almost a constant waterfall. Then it was straight uphill, or mountain, almost 2000'. It was much, much tougher than the 3800' climb yesterday. Then a steep descent also, where I busted my butt, twice. First, I slipped and fell back on my pack, which saved a bruised tailbone...whew! Next, my right shoelace got hung on a root, and I had already shifted my weight forward. I was hanging over a 5' rock drop. The shift pulled me slightly to the right, and then...released. I was going down face first, and knew it, and threw my poles. The slight shift to the right, shifted my pack also, and as I fell, turned me around enough that I came down on the side of my pack. Without that bit of luck, it would have been five foot, face down, with the additional weight of my pack. In short, something would have broke. I landed on my poles, and left arm just slightly, but OK with just a bruise.    Got down to Lonesome Lake Hut. Huts are like lodges, that you hike in to. They have mostly solar or wind power, and gas, and a handfull of paid kids they call a 'croo'. Thru-hikers can get good treatment at most. That depends strictly on the attitude of the croo. I got an endless bowl of soup for $2.00, which I had four of. They also 'fixed' me a real cup of perculated coffee. I had two pieces of pumpkin-chocolate chip bar cake. Then he brought out some leftover apricot chicken. Awesome food! The view from the lake was awesome. We realized early that we could not make our goal of twelve miles, without hiking until dark again. So, we bailed, after hearing about Chet's Place. Chet accepts hikers into his garage and basement. Operates off donations just for laundry and hot showers only, to recoup some of the cost there. Very hiker friendly, and he loves to have hikers around. We walked to El Greco's and I had a small greek pizza and the best wings on the trail so far!
Date: 2011-08-11
From: Chet's Place - Lincoln, N.H.

To: Garfield Ridge shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Did not sleep well in the crowded hostel. There was floor space only, so I sleep under the bottom bunk in a space the size of a coffin. Actually, there's probably more room in those!    We went to eat at Flapjacks. Good food, but they wouldn't split the check. One check per table. Crazy! What the heck...even McDonalds will do that. You guessing how much tip they got? Right! Got a shuttle back to the trail for $5.00, around 8:30. I had an almost 4000' climb to Franconia Ridge. We climbed Little Haystack, Mt. Lincoln, and Mt. Lafayette. The views above treeline were amazing. The only thing I could think of when I saw it was that I wish I could share this with my wife and kids! Truly amazing sights! Lots of day hikers, and the wind blowing like crazy. The forecast for the day was for 30-45 mph winds. Then we went down 1300' to Garfield Pond, only to climb back 600'.    Cimarron was at the shelter tonight. He is a legend. At 89, and from Pensacola, Fl., he is hiking the trail for the second time. He broke the record for the oldest person at 84 y.o., but a few years later some guy topped that. So, he out here again, amazing!