morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-04
From: Reddington Tent Site

To: Rt 4 Rangley, Maine
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: moderate rain

We were woken up at midnight by the thunder and pelting rain. As time went on, I realized I was taking on water...(so much for the great tent!!). Tried to sleep and stay as dry as possible, even trying to convince Mark to let me join him in his tent!! Eventually, I fell back to sleep and woke up early to the sounds of birds and Mark moving around. We quickly packed up, got water and filtered it, then were on the trial by 6:15. We had heard from NOBOs that the 4th was going to be a washout and wanted to be off the summits in a hurry in case of a returning thunderstorm. We were headed above treeline for over 2 miles and did not want to be caught in the midst of an electrical storm up there. We made it to the top of the Horn in less than two hours and then on to Saddleback summit by 9:00 am. No views, unfortunately, as the clouds socked were socked in. During the past two days, I have now summitted four more peaks on the New England 4000 footers. This means I now have 5 peaks left to complete!! Yeah!! The walk down started steeply and gradually gave way to more flat meandering trail with a few steep sections to navigate. The trail was well maintained with stone steps, railroad tie steps and bog bridges. However, it started to rain and it rained hard most of the last 4 miles. It seemed to take forever to get out to the road. Mark was cracking me up with his silly rants of the stupidity of what we were doing and how he was never doing this again, etc, etc. It was quite funny and passed the time. By the time, we got to the road, our feet were soaked and mine were hurting. I was sure that blisters were forming and I was right. Lots of open sores on the toes. We drove Mark's car into Rangeley and found our B&B for the night overlooking the lake. A lovely place with a warm shower, soft bed, and great hospitality. We went to the local pub for a sandwich, came back for a quick snooze on the couch and hit the hay. Tomorrow we rest in Rangeley.
Date: 2014-07-05
From: Rt 4 Rangley, Maine

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I decided to return home today after a great nights rest and a wonderful breakfast. The air was a chilly 52 degrees when we woke up. My feet were still in pretty bad shape and my knee was killing me. I walked around the town of Rangeley and checked out the shops. This town reminds me a lot of home..beautiful little village, although not as big, and soaring mountains. Only this town is situated on a lake...a nice bonus. Last night, we had brought our dirty, wet clothing and boots up to our room to sort out for laundry purposes and when we came back after dinner, the smell was so bad, that we had to put our clothing and boots outside on the front porch!! We drove home to Merrimack and plan to return to the trail on Tuesday or Wednesday with Sarah.
Date: 2014-07-08
From: Home

To: pine Ellis lodge Andover maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Drive up to Gorham this afternoon and met Sarah. We left her car in Gorham and drive up the road to Andover. Pine Ellis Lodge will be our home for the next few days. We are sitting on the front porch enjoying the banter, swatting flies and listening to Dave play the lacuta flute. Sarah is trying to play. Quite amusing! Tomorrow we hike 10 miles to Grafton Notch.
Date: 2014-07-09
From: East B Road, Andover

To: Grafton Notch, Route 26
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: moderate rain

Stayed overnight at PEL. Woke up early after a restless nights sleep. Hot and stuffy , plus it rained! Our shuttle left at 6:00 and we arrived at East B Road by 6:20. The trail started off up and up of course! Soon after a family caught up to us. A father, son, and daughter. The dad really liked to talk and talk and talk! He told us that his daughter was one of the youngest to hike the 48 at age six.   We made to the top of Bald Pate and had a great lunch with the sun shining and a slight breeze. We dropped down a bit and started back up and summited west Bald Pate. We were able to see Old Speck the peak we would be doing tomorrow and Washington off in the distance. Beautiful just beautiful.   We got down to Grafton Notch with about half hour to spare. We waited until 3:30 and no one showed up. We started to hitch and the first car picked us up. A nice couple went out of their way to take us back to Andover. We decided to pack up our stuff and moved to another hostel. We stayed at the Cabin with Bear and Honey. They were wonderful hosts. We slept outside in their camper. I couldn't believe my eyes when I ran into Don's Brother who I met last year on Moosilauke. I was so excited to see him again and quite surprised. I clearly remembered him saying in his journal that he would never do this again nor step foot in New Hampshire again. We had dinner with all the thrus and he filled me on on his plans. He was driving up and down the trail supporting hikers. He was in Maine supporting a previous colleague. He had written a book about his hike and told me I was in it. He signed a copy of the book for me and I bought one from him. Mark and I are mentioned on page 256. Cool! Off to bed. Leaving from Grafton tomorrow over Old Speck and thru Mahoosic Notch. Should be a long day!
Date: 2014-07-10
From: Grafton Notch, Rt 26

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: broken clouds

We got up from our very comfortable sleeping quarters at The Cabin, drove to Grafton Notch and began the long trek up Old Speck. The trail was mostly a long gradual up. Old Speck views were beautiful. We could see the Presidential range and numerous mountains from 360 degrees. Next the long hike down brought us to Speck Pond shelter where we had lunch enjoying the quiet of the pond. After lunch the trail continued down before ascending Mahoosic Arm. Another view in a string of many this trip. The long hike down was quite steep and littered with huge boulders. A lot of but sliding today. The rocks kept getting bigger as we approached the infamous Mahoosic Notch! We were never sure where it started as there was no sign. It started out fun as we squeezed through small openings in the rock. Handed off our packs where spaces were so small we had to crawl through. Up and over large rocks required the agility if an acrobat and strength of a lion to pull yourself and pack up and over. It stopped being fun for me about half way through when I simply could not pull myself up. Fearing falling backwards to a pile of sharp rocks below, I started in on my hyperventilating and whimpering like a school girl. I took my pack off and finally made it up. At this point I was exhausted and wanted this party to end! It took us 2 hours to get through the rock jumble. With another mile and a half left, I was so toast! The next mile was another straight up and another steep down to Full Goose shelter. We arrived at 7:30. Only one other was there. Didn't catch his name but we recognized each other from when we were both at Pleasant Pond. Another couple if thrus came in after us and again we were treated with tales of trail life, bear and moose encounters!  So we made it through the Notch what else can this trail throw at us?! My legs are aching and I am a very tired momma!!
Date: 2014-07-11
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

When we arrived at the shelter tonight we were greeted by Tator who let us know he had ashes from a deceased member of AT community who recently died. There is a priest named Ross staying at the shelter. Tator asked Ross to do a memorial service. So while I waited for my food to rehydrate he performed a quick service while we gazed at the Carter Moriah range. Quite touching! He scattered his ashes per the request of the deceased on the trail that he loved so much. We listened to Moxie from Northfield, NH play his guitar. What happens on the trail is simply amazing! Slept in this morning. Left at 8:00 am knowing we had a tough day ahead from the stories of NOBOs. Lot of ups and downs ahead. Up immediately to conquer the three different peaks of Goose Eye. Beautiful views in all directions! Tough ups and just as tough downs still maintaining a 1 mile per hour pace. Still worn out from yesterday. Rock scrambles steep down before hitting the New Hampshire state line. But wait! We still had to climb up Mt Success that loomed in the distance! Another 3.4 miles up and over and up another peak before landing at the Genetian Pond shelter. I am worn out! Thinking I will probably head home tomorrow rather than continue on to Rangley. We will see !
Date: 2014-07-12
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Rt 2 Gorham, NH
Miles today: 11.8

Today was really, really tough....suffering from extreme exhaustion, dehydration, cramping and vertigo, the past few days have really taken their toll on this old lady body. I sent Sarah ahead while I slowly trudged up and down the last few hills to Gorham. Of course, I cried like a school girl several times on the trail in loud complaint. I was so tired at times that I wanted to vomit. We crossed into the state of New Hampshire and I literally kissed the sign!! Sarah ran ahead the last three miles to get the car and pick me up at the road. She welcomed me with ice coffee and and a chicken wrap from McDonald's!! We drove back up to Grafton Notch to retrieve my car. We have had a beautiful stretch of weather with incredible views of Washington and surrounding peaks the past few days. I am heading home to recoop and figure out my last remaining stretch of Maine. Only 36 miles to go!!
Date: 2014-07-31
From: Rt 4 Rutland

To: Stonybrook shelter
Miles today: 9.6

July 31 9.6 mLeft this morning for Killington. Stopped on the way to get a subway sub for dinner. Turkey bacon and avocado. Yum! Got on the trail about 10:00 am. The first five miles were fairly flat and the trail was an actual trail with very little roots or rocks to slow you down. Got to Thundering falls and enjoyed lunch high atop the falls. Got back on the trail for a long hike up to summit Quimby mountain.   No view and the trail just went back down. I could hear the thunder getting closer and was hoping that it would pass by but the skies opened up and it rained hard for about 15 minutes. I hunkered under a heavy canopy of trees trying to stay dry. I did manage to stay drier I than if I had kept on walking. The sun came out and I was off again, wet but not soaked. The trail continued meandering up and down until I reached the shelter around 3:30.   Soon thru hikers showed up..Worldly, 42, Hyte and Banjo. Again the conversation was interesting about their many adventures.   Their eyes were bulging when I pulled out my sub and I was amazed at the quantity of food they packed away.   Tomorrow I hope to make it to Woodstock.
Date: 2014-08-01
From: Stonybrook shelter

To: stealth site on the other side of Dana Hill
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

August 1 14.6 mGot up early and was on the trail by 7:00. Hyte was out before me and was planning on stopping at a hostel in Woodstock. This hostel is not listed in the AWOL guide so I took down the info in hopes of reaching Mark to get the phone number. Shortly down the trail I got a call through to Mark and he tried to find the number but no website was available. I continued down hill for quite a while and caught up to Left Turn and Dallas, two woman thru hikers. I would end up leap frogging with them the rest of the day. They were faster uphill hikers and I was a faster downhill hiker. We all stopped for lunch at the Lookout cabin. It is .2 off the trail and sits on a knoll with a steep wooden ladder leading up to the roof with a platform and benches. We enjoyed the sun and our lunch. Long came Forager and Mello, two SOBOs. I had met Forager while doing the Monson to Caratunk section at the end of June. He was a green hiker and I didn't have much hope that he would make it so I was surprised to see him still going strong!! Quite a few more ups and downs through some beautiful pine forests and we ended up in a field overlooking the valley below. We were excited about visiting a store where we knew ice cream awaited. Worldly caught up and joined us while Hoyt came later. He had hitched into Woodstock for food and was still trying to locate the hostel. Turns out it was a red barn next door with a few cots where hikers could stay. We had ice cream and enjoyed the gardens. We continued for about another mile straight up Dana Hill and down before coming to a flat spot that intersected an ATV road and decided to settle here for the night. I set up and went to find the stream where I took a much needed sponge bath. We are joined here by two SOBO couples who liked our site and decided to stay. Tomorrow I hope to make it to Rt 14 in W. Hartford.
Date: 2014-08-02
From: stealth site on the other side of Dana Hill

To: Rt 14 W Hartford
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was warmer than the night before and I heard a critter sniffing around in the night. Other than that it was a good nights sleep. Woke up at 6:00 and broke camp to be on the trail by 7:00. As we were leaving I met a late arriving couple from last night who I had previously met in Maine when Sarah and I were doing the Mahoosic Notch. Po and VA are SOBOs who had just finished a bicycle ride across the country before jumping on the AT. Our group of three started off and soon came to a brook. Left Turn and Dallas refilled their water and wanted to do their laundry. They clean their undies every morning and hang it on their pack to dry. I decided to skip the laundry routine and shoved off in anticipation of them catching me on the uphills. I never saw them the rest of the day!! And what a perfect day it was. Probably the prettiest part of Vermont yet. The trail climbed over rolling pine forests, meandered through open fields, up and over many patches of raspberries and looped through beautiful fields of flowers. I saw wild thistle, bee balm, daisys, black eyes Susan's and queens ann lace. Delightful!! A part of the trail ran on an old carriage road with huge beautiful stone walls. I met three or four SOBOs but saw no one else all day. One SOBO told me about upcoming trail magic. I crossed a brook and on the other side were cans of soda in the river. I helped myself to a cold can of root beer. Guzzled it quickly!! Soda never tasted so good!! It gave the energy I needed to motor right up Thistle Hill. I soon came to another field with views of the farm and road below.   The trail meandered back and forth slowly making its way down to the road through more fields of flowers. At the bottom was a great site. More trail magic!! Jugs of water and a cooler full of bananas, pop tarts and homemade oatmeal cookies. Oh yeah! I had a banana, three cookies and grabbed two packages of pop tarts. I was again in heaven and all that before 10:00 am. Believe it or not I started to get hungry for lunch about 11:15 after passing the shelter. I decided that I was going to have my lunch in a sunny field. I didn't have to wait long before arriving at the top of hill with a small clearing and fire ring. Some previous hiker had made camp at this spot and no doubt enjoyed a starry and a breezy night. Polished off a tuna sandwich and got on my way again. I was making great time and was making it to Rt 14 by mid afternoon. Thinking it would be nice to stay in a bed with a hot shower I called my Aunt Peg to see if she was available to pick me up and bring me back to my car in Killington. She was free and picked me up and drove to Killington to be my car. I drove back to their cottage by the river, showered, and the made it to Red's sisters for a sparerib dinner and all the fixings. OMG! Yummo! What a great day on the Appalachian Trail!! Unfortunately I left my hiking poles at the Rt 14 trail junction. If anyone picked them up, could you get in touch with me?   I ended up going back to look for them on Monday, but they were gone.
Date: 2014-08-03
From: Rt 14 W Hartford

To: Hanover
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

August 3. 10 mToday was overcast and foggy as Peg and I drove back down to Hanover. We dropped off my car at the food co-op and drove south to W. Hartford. I cheated a bit by having her drop me off at Podunk Rd instead of Rt 14. I saved myself 1.4 miles of road walking for which my feet thanked me. The trail was uninspiring today. The forests were normal and not quite as nice as yesterday. It was mostly flat with a few uphills and switchbacks. I made good time and was in Norwich by noon. The rest of the way was road walking for 2.5 miles through neighborhoods past the highway underpass and over the Connecticut river and through downtown Hanover. The town was bustling for Sunday morning and the smells from the various eateries were building my hunger. I was saving it for the co-op where I knew I could pick up something unique and delicious! Plus I wanted cold organic chocolate milk to wash it all down!! I got there about 1 pm. I ran unto 42 on the way. I had met him the first night at Stonybrook shelter. He was re-supplying at the co-op. I ordered a BLT, and grabbed some spicy noodles and my milk. The milk came in a glass bottle with a $1.50 deposit so of course I had to drink the whole thing to get my money back! The sandwich was great and I was too stuffed to eat the noodles so I put them in my car for later. As I was entering the store to return the bottle I ran into Dallas. They had spent the night about 6 miles out of town last night. Dallas had just bought a new pair of size 2 pants. She has gone from size 12 down to a size 2 pant!! I ended up giving 42 a ride to CVS and back before going on my merry way to Peg's house.   By the time I got back, I was in rough shape with diarrhea. Don't know what it was that caused me suffer from the runs. Not only that, poison ivy was coming on with raised welts all over my body. More than likely, I was reinfected out in the fields or woods. I will probably take a zero tomorrow and decide if I will continue on to Maine to get the last 36 miles.
Date: 2014-08-04
From: Hanover

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I decided this morning when I woke up to my alarm that I needed to return home. I had called my doctor yesterday to get more medicine for the poison ivy. I am miserable and didn't want to suffer with it in the woods. Mark and I are leaving for Baxter State Park on Thursday morning. I intend to tag the two remaining 4000 footers in the park as I already tagged Katahdin last summer. I am simultaneously working on climbing the New England 4000 footers and these two will be numbers 65 and 66!!So if all goes well, I hope to do the last 36 miles after our trip to Baxter. Again, if anyone has picked up a pair of Leki poles at Rt 14, please get in touch. Thanks!
Date: 2014-08-10
From: East B Hill Rd Andover

To: South Arm Road Andover
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light rain

Mark and I spent a wonderful weekend at Baxter State Park hiking Hamlin and N. Brother peaks, the two remaining 4000 footers I needed to get my 67 New England's. We had great weather with a few thunder boomers while coming down from Hamlin. Last year when we summited Katahidin and then did the 100 mile wilderness it rained so we never got to see the mountain or the views. It is really a spectacular mountain and park. We plan on making a yearly trip back next year to do some more backpacking. Today we broke camp and were on the road by 7:00. On the way up to Baxter on Thursday we had dropped off my car at Rt 4 in Rangleley. The plan was to drop me off in Andover and I would walk north to my car to get the last 36 miles of Maine that I need. We got to the trailhead at 11:00 and after saying goodbye to my sweetie who drives all over creation for me I was on the trail by 11:15. My plan was to hike the 10 miles or so to the next road crossing in Andover. The trail started up and stayed up until I got to the Hall Mountain shelter. The thunder was ever present and I was walking as fast as I could hoping to dodge the rain. I met several SOBOs and section hikers and got to the shelter at 3:00. The shelter was 6 miles out and I didn't stop but for a chug of water and a bite of my favorite trail snack, a whoopie pie!! At the shelter were a bunch of kids from a Canadian camp and a woman thru hiker, Five Star. I quickly are lunch and got on my way still hearing the thunder in the distance. I caught up with Five Star and we hiked the remaining 4 miles together and made camp on the side of the road and river. She is an interesting lady. She carries a 60 pound pack, started on February 2nd, and cooks five star meals for dinner. She carries a dozen eggs in her pack and will cook eggs or pancakes in the morning! She began her adventure last November by biking from her home in Connecticut to Texas to see her child graduate from boot camp and then biked to Georgia to begin her hike. Her plan is to bike back from Maine to Connecticut and then move to Alaska!!! What an adventurer!!!! She is not an early riser so hopefully she will want to get up in the am with me as we both plan on covering 13 miles tomorrow. We will see.   The trail never disappoints with the cast of interesting people that I meet!!
Date: 2014-08-11
From: South Arm Road Andover

To: campsite .8 m from Rt 17
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

The day started off foggy and low clouds in the valley. I left camp at 7:30 and Five Star left half hour later. The trail immediately climbed up!! There was a sign on a tree that said Ol Bitch and that summed this trail up pretty good. It continued to climb at a more gradual pitch after 1 hour of steep to finally reach Mt Blue at 3600 feet. I could look back and see Baldpate and Old Speck from where I had come. Five Star joined me half hour later and we got on our way after I had taken a 50 minute break drying my tent from the morning dew. We stopped short of the Bemis Mountain summit to have lunch at a viewpoint. I am really hungry today and needed lunch early and ate all my snacks early today. Finally summiting Bemis after considerable ups and downs , I made it to the shelter. I walked down to the shelter and a group of thrus, Vista, Gazelle and Geralmo were there. They had passed me earlier. I filled up my water and went back to the trail quickly consuming two energy bars before heading out again. I leapfrogged with two section hikers all day and passed three SOBOs, Tom the Turtle, Ole and one other whose name escapes me. After passing the shelter the trail became rock slabs with views of route 17 and far off in the distance Saddleback. It was a nice change of pace to be walking in the sun instead of the green tunnel.   Finally the trail started heading down for good. It sucked coming down!! Steep with sliding on your but rocks, roots and more rocks. It took 2 1/2 hours to go down 2.3 miles!! Got to a dirt road and down below was a beautiful flat campsite. The group of thrus were right behind me so I set up my tent and headed for the river. A nice bath and meal hit the spot. Five Star showed up and said she had to stop and cook dinner on the trail as she just ran out of gas!! The thrus have a fire going! Nice way to end the day! Tomorrow we are aiming for Rangeley.