morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-08-13
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

Made it to New Hampshire. A relatively short walk into town from the shelter this morning, after a box of donuts for breakfast. There was 3.2 continuous miles of roadwalking through town--probably the longest stretch on the A.T. I walked right through Norwich, VT, then went under I-91, then over the Connecticut River into Hanover, New Hampshire. Walked right by Dartmouth and near the boathouse on the river. When I got downtown, everywhere I wanted to go wasn't open yet. Someone recommended Lou's, so I went there for a great brunch before buying fuel at the outfitter and going to CVS. Hanover was probably the most hiker friendly town--there was free food and hiker deals everywhere. Maybe it's because I'm actually in the main pack now (somewhat). Most thru hikers I meet now are more serious, and way less of them smoke pot. Went to the community center for a shower and laundry. Had to wait a while for the laundry, so I got a roll of cookie dough and a loaf of bread at the Co-op across the street. Finally got out of town at 3:30 after 6 hours. Made a quick hike to here in 4 hours (10 miles). The first mile was tough, but then mostly flat. Saw some walkers and joggers (students?). This shelter has an awesome view if it was in winter. Here with Goat & Thumper again.
Date: 2012-08-14
From: Moose Mountain Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Beautiful views this morning of the misty valleys below. The privy had no walls but a very nice roof. Where the trail passed by Bill Ackerly's home, there was soda and croquet. I just enjoyed the soda. Climbed Smarts Mountain, probably the biggest climb in a long time--since Virginia I guess. Views were fantastic from the firetower on top. Could see the Whites not too far off. TOday was a bit more strenuous than its been. Was planning on doing another 7 miles to the Ore Hill Campsite. Decided to chill the next couple of days though, after realizing I only need to average 16 miles per day to finish. Also, I think I came up with a better schedule for crossing the Whites. Camping is limited and you have to pay at a lot of sites there, so its good to have a plan. So I stopped early and actually got to the shelter before 5. Thumper & Goat had planned on staying here too. This shelter is a hexagon. Pretty cool. Saw a garter snake.
Date: 2012-08-15
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Jeffers Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: light rain

A rainy morning, but it dried up as the day went on. Its hard to get up early when its raining. CLimbed over Mt. Cube in thick fog. Hiked quickly over fairly easy terrain to get to the Hikers Welcome Hostel in Glencliff. No hiker feed here as was rumored. Goat and Thumper continued over Mt Moosilauke to Beaver Brook Shelter. They were calling for thunderstorms, but they never came. Hung around the hostel for a bit. I guy told a story about a tourist he met in the Whites who thought that moose were just more fully grown deer. Eventually got a free ride to a Super Walmart in Woodsville, since the owner and his friends were going there anyway. There were a bunch of thru-hikers from past years there. Got a great resupply at Walmart to get me through the Whites comfortably. Decided not to stay at the hostel and headed back down the trail after eating a pumpkin pie and a sub. I was very full and carrying a lot, but it was only a mile to this shelter. I have a loaf of bread and a bunch of cheese danishes. I think I won't be as hungry this week! We're on the verge of the Whites, below Mt. Moosilauke. I hope to do kind of a long day tomorrow, after climbing it. Not sure if the terrain will allow a 20 mile day or not. Getting pretty far north now. There's a couple Quebecois here. They say its only a 3-4 hour drive to Quebec. They built a fire, the first I've seen in a while. Also, since mid-Vermont, the local accent has been chaning from stereotypical yankee to more northern sounding--almost like Canadian or Minnesotan.
Date: 2012-08-16
From: Jeffers Brook Shelter

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

What a day. Think I got a real taste of the Whites today. Got lost, fell, cut up, rain, treacherous downhill, lightning, deep mud. Climbed Mt. Moosilauke early this morning. It was a long, steep climb, but incredible up top. The trees got shorter and shorter until they were like bushes, then it was only grass--above treeline. There was no view though. It was very foggy, windy, and cold. Reminded me of the conditions on Clingman's Dome, but there was no protection from the elements. Large rock cairns marked the trail. After descending about a mile, I realized that I hadn't seen a blaze in forever or passed any side trails that I was supposed to pass. I had to climb another mile back up to the summit to find the trail, winding around some old foundations. I might have seen it the first time if I could see more than 50 yards ahead of me. THe trail down the mountain followed Beaver Brook and was incredibly treacherous. It was very steep and rocky, and had warning signs about how dangerous it was and to not hike it in wet conditions. There was a lot of places with logs bolted into the rock and rebar handles to help climb down. It was pretty tough--the trail followed cascades the whole way. The rest of the day was just strenuous, wet, and muddy. It rained for a while and lighting struck very close while I was walking under power lines. Really wanted to go to the next shelter, but I lost an hour going the wrong way, and the next mountain is supposedly very difficult (Kinsman Mtn), so I stopped early. Its crowded. Its supposed to thunderstorm tomorrow, but I need to hike an extremely exposed ridge (Franconia Ridge). Guess I'll see if it'll work. It might be slow going through the Whites.
Date: 2012-08-17
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Garfield Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: scattered clouds

A tough day after a good night's sleep. First climbed Kinsman Mountain, which had lots of rock climbing and steep spots. Then there was a slow, steep downhill, but then it leveled out near Franconia Notch and I was cruising. Started to run out of steam though because it was a long, steep uphill to Franconia Ridge. They were calling for thunder storms, so I was very nervous about moving on, since there was almost 3 miles above treeline on the top of the ridge. I prayed hard and went for it, and it was spectacular. The trail followed the exposed ridge over Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Lafayette. The skies were pretty clear too and the views were amazing. After descending there was a beautiful pond, then a climb up Mt. Garfield to this shelter. There was thunder in the distance, but it only ever rained. Good to get dry and eat. Had to pay $8 to stay here. Some weekender's dog keeps getting into people's food.
Date: 2012-08-18
From: Garfield Ridge Shelter

To: Nauman Campsite
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: fog

What a day! Almost 24 miles in the Whites, and my first bit of night hiking this whole trek. Last night, I saw Lobster for the first time since Kent, CT. He decided to go a bit past Garfield Shelter. The morning started out terrible, but the day ended promising. My last weter filter bag started leaking this morning. Can't get another for a couple days when I get a package from home at Pinkham Notch. The hike down from Garfield was horrendously treacherous--the trail was a very steep stream bed. I was basically walking down waterfalls when I fell on my back and burst my water bag. Now I can only carry 1 quart of water. The trail went very high up along a beautiful ridge, though, before descending to Zealand Falls Hut. I didn't realize it, but the huts are a great pit stop for thru hikers. They're very welcoming during the day and have potable water, plus soup and snacks for sale. Saw Lobster again at the hut. I was going to camp out somewhere near Crawford Notch, but Lobster convinced me to go up the ridge tonight. A super easy hike to the notch (5 miles were actually flat!) plus great trail magic at the road with soda and beer motivated me to keep going. Me, Lobster, Prophet, and Scooby all hiked the 3000 foot climb up the Webster Cliffs with sweeping views and a beautiful sunset, while discussing theology and Catholicism. There was a lot of hand over hand climbing, but it went by fast with company. When it got dark I followed Lobster with his headlamp. Got here so late, it was full, so we camped in a weird corner and weren't charged the campsite fee. There's also a hut right near us. Another piece of gear broke today--my watch is out of battery.
Date: 2012-08-19
From: Nauman Campsite

To: Osgood Tent Site
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Got so much farther yesterday than I thought. Today was my birthday, and today we hiked what many consider the most spectacular stretch of the AT with perfect weather. Hiked with Lobster pretty much the entire day. Its a very rare thing for me to hike with someone, which was nice on my birthday. We were above treeline almost all day. The views were vast and magnificent--what I had only seen in movies before. Stopped at Lake of the Clouds Hut for a snack before reaching Mt. Washington at lunch time. Ate a lot there, and sent some post cards from the Mt. Washington post office. There was a long line to stand at the summit. There were a ton of people--there's a road to the top and a train too. It's the highest point in the northeast, at almost 6,300 feet. Hiked from there with Prophet joining us. It was awesome hiking through the Presidential Range but grueling. The trail was often nonexistent--just a series of cairns across fields of rocks and boulders. Stopped at Madison Spring Hut for water and a snack before the final climb over Mt. Madison. Haven't had too much trouble because of my broken filter and water bag, since it's cool and there's lots of potable water. The descent down Mt. Madison was long, brutal, and slow. My knees and ankles are killing me. It was just a huge rock field coming down. The trail dropped 2850 feet in 2.5 miles. Finally got to Osgood, wiped out. Hope I can stay at Joe Dodge Lodge tomorrow, but it might be full, like many places in the Whites. I could use a break. Its getting quite cold. I've slept under the stars two nights in a row. You almost have to backpack the hundred mile wilderness. Lobster said an aspiring 2000-miler dayhiker told him that.
Date: 2012-08-20
From: Osgood Tent Site

To: Joe Dodge Lodge
Miles today: 4.8

My shortest non-zero yet. Very hard to get up this cold morning. An easy and short hike here, since I hiked extra far the other day. Very luckily, I got the last spot here, in a bunk room. Got a crazy and wonderful birthday package from home, with lots of letters, food, and gizmos. I even got a small puzzle and legos, which I might leave at shelters. This place actually has a decent outfitter and the best burger I've had on the trail (a sweet and sour burger). I got two of them. Lobster is going another 13 miles today. I may never see him again . He saw a moose on the way here, but I missed it. There are a lot of French Canadians here. I've heard a lot of French, and even some of the trail info has been in French and English. This lodge is not as cool as Bascom Lodge--its in Pinkham Notch next to the highway--but there is all you can eat breakfast. Saw Goat and Thumper pass through. Dinner was pretty good. Talked with an older fellow doing day hikes in the Whites. He said UVa guys would always join the New England college guys for their trips to the Whites, way back in the day.
Date: 2012-08-21
From: Joe Dodge Lodge

To: Imp Campsite (Shelter)
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: fog

I'm pretty sore. It was a short but hard day. Nobody else showed up at my room last night, so I had it to myself. Breakfast was pretty good--all you can eat. Lots of steep ups and downs today. After climbing out of Pinkham Notch, I came across an abandoned ski lodge. There was a working lift nearby too, bringing tourists to the top of the mountain, where there were good views of Mt. Washington. I ate lunch near the Carter Notch Hut, but they had no snacks inside today. I sat on Mt. Hight for a big. The final downhill to this shelter was tough--lots of climbing down rock faces. It was very slow going. Nice to be in a shelter again--it's cold and windy. Guess it'll always be cold at night from here on.
Date: 2012-08-22
From: Imp Campsite (Shelter)

To: White Mountain Lodge & Hostel (near Gorham, NH)
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: broken clouds

An easy hike today. Climbed up Mt. Moriah. The rest of it was downhill, and mostly well graded. I was cruising. Got to the hostel here on US-2 around 11 am. It's a really nice place--laundry, showers, beds, etc. Got a ride to Pizza Hut for lunch. Got a large stuffed crust pizza and breadsticks. Spent a lot of time today just relaxing and reading. Also got a ride to Walmart this evening. Not sure if I can carry all this food. In only 2 weeks I'm meeting dad on the trail, but the next week will be pretty hard. Some of the toughest sections of trail are ahead, and I need to average 17.5 miles per day. Should get to Maine by tomorrow night. There's a bunch of hikers here, watching the Boondock Saints.
Date: 2012-08-23
From: White Mountain Lodge & Hostel (near Gorham, NH)

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: few clouds

My body aches. Slept so well last night at the hostel. Got a pretty good breakfast too. Tried to get out quick though, since I was unsure of the terrain. It really wasn't that tough today. I'll see how hard southern Maine turns out to be. I'll hit Mahoosuc Notch tomorrow--supposedly the most difficult mile of the AT--followed by the Mahoosuc Arm, a big uphill. I ate lunch by the side of Moss Pond. Mount Success was also very beautiful. Didn't see a lot of hikers today. Its fairly isolated compared to the Whites. Right before the shelter, I entered Maine! The final state. There was a crazy welcome boulder scramble in the last stretch. Guess there'll be a lot of that coming up. There's a bad outbreak of Norovirus on the trail here. A guy in this shelter has it.
Date: 2012-08-24
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Baldpate Lean-to
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: few clouds

A tough day of hiking. I think that guy last night might have had giardia, not norovirus, since he was sick for a week. I keep hearing about an epidemic to the north though. Today was rugged, but not as hard as I thought it could be. Beautiful 360 degree views from Goose Eye Mountain. I hiked through Mahoosuc Notch, often called the hardest mile of the AT. It wasn't really that bad. It took me about an hour and 15 minutes. It was a big scramble of boulders, with a lot of jumping, crawling and squeezing. Afterwards I had to hike up the Mahoosuc Arm, which was strenuous, but not that bad. It would've been bad downhill or in the rain. There was a couple of college orientation groups or something in the notch. Two flip-floppers are at this shelter, including Melodee, who helped me out south of Erwin, NC, when I was sick. Seems so long ago now. It's nice to hear about people from early on. I'm still not a big fan of the AMC, but I found myself defending them the other day. A guy was complaining about how the AT is designated by other names and how they built huts right along the trail. A lot of the huts were there before the AT, and so were the trails. They just connected a bucnh of them to form the AT through the Whites. The AMC has been around since the late 1800s, and is one of the oldest hiking organizations in America.
Date: 2012-08-25
From: Baldpate Lean-to

To: campsite south of South Arm Road
Miles today: 18.1

Terrain was a lot easier today. It'd be nice if it stayed that way. I'll be booking it on Tuesday to spend the night in Stratton. Climbed up Baldpate this morning. The trail just went straight up very steeply across huge slabs of rock--pretty cool. Saw 3 more college groups today, after 2 yesterday. Think its some kind of optional freshmen orientation. I'm in the epicenter of the norovirus now. Its probably good that I'm not staying in a shelter. The last bit of trail was crazy. Climbing up Moody Mountain from Sawyer Notch was very strenuous and rooty. Saw a deer (no moose), a little snake and a bunch of grouse on the trail today. In my hammock tonight by the river--seems like a popular campsite. Not a lot of cars on these roads in Maine. I sat by the (paved) road for like 15 minutes and didn't see any.
Date: 2012-08-26
From: campsite south of South Arm Road

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: few clouds

I'm very anxious. If I don't make it to Stratton by Tuesday night, I probably won't be able to stay in Stratton or Monson and still meet dad when planned. This will require 2 20 mile days on some of the toughest mountains in Maine. Tomorrow, the first half is flat, but the second half is steep, exposed rock slabs, and its supposed to rain. THe next day is supposed to rain too, and thats 21.5 miles of big mountains. If I can pull it off, the rest of the way should be a comfortable pace. Climbed over Old Blue Mountain and Bemis Mountain today. THey were pretty easy going. At least not too much climbing. I got excited because the SOBOs talked about how easy the next 15 miles were. I really wanted to get to the next shelter. Its 11 more miles though, and I would've had to hike in the dark, until 9 or 10 pm. Decided to stop here instead. THe next couple days would have been so much easier if I hadn't. Oh well. This lean-to is near a beautiful lake--Sabbath Day Pond. And its Sunday. I left the Lego helicopter here that I got in the mail for my birthday. I left the slinky at Baldpate Lean-to. Its pretty warm again, which is nice at night, but I sweat a lot during the day. I'm the only one in the shelter, but a couple guys are camped nearby.
Date: 2012-08-27
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

Turned out to be a fairly easy, pretty awesome hike today. THe first 10 miles were pretty chill. Ate lunch near a logging road, and watched a family fly by on their ATV. THe second half of the day was mostly above treeline, on Saddleback Mountain. The trails here tend to go straight over the mountains--no switchbacks, and very steep. Its been like that since New Hampshire. Also, the soil is thin and the trails don't drain well, so the trail is often eroded to just exposed rock, either large slabs or piles of stones or boulders. Either way, it can be very treacherous or slippery when going downhill. Tomorrow will be tough. I need to go 21.5 miles to get to Stratton, its supposed to rain, and the trail crosses two mountain ranges. Hope I can make it. It was pouring rain an hour ago, but I'm dry in this shelter. Theres a couple SOBOs here. Saw a bunch of grouse today. There were a lot of loons at the pond last night. They were so loud all night. I thought they were coyotes at first, but they sounded different. Sounds like I'm past the norovirus plague. Apparently the CDC came in to inspect some hostels and stuff. Its good to be in good health.
Date: 2012-08-28
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

To: Stratton Motel (Stratton, ME)
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: broken clouds

The weather ended up pretty nice. There was a little drizzle in the morning, but then it was dry. Pretty windy though. Climbed over Spaulding and Crocker Ranges today. Met an older guy from Tennessee near Spaulding Shelter. Mice got into my food last night, for the first time since North Carolina. THere were droppings in my tortillas. Although the mountains are big, the trail has seemed a little nicer lately. Tried to hitchike into Stratton. Walked for a half hour before I got picked up by a dayhiker that I met yesterday on Saddleback. I hate this town. All the motels are full. Ate at the Stratton Plaza Hotel late (pizza at the bar) after getting supplies at the store. I'm sleeping on the floor, in Lobster's room at the Stratton motel. Saw a bunch of turkeys on the way into town.
Date: 2012-08-29
From: Stratton Motel (Stratton, ME)

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Today was the toughest day until Katahdin. Went over the Bigelow Range, with several big climbs and sharp, high peaks. The views were awesome too. There's a massive lake near the base of the mountains--Flagstaff Lake. I hurried out of town this morning. Went to the grocery store, post office, then walked up the road for 20 minutes before finally hitching a ride to the trailhead. The guy who picked me up said he makes snow for the ski places. I was in a bit of a hurry since it was a very strenuous day with a late start, even though it was only 15 miles. I'm carrying way too much food. I've been carrying 7 days worth. Since I only need 4 days worth, I figured I could carry and eat a little extra, but now I have even more food than when I carry 7 days. Now my shoulders are sore from the heavy load, since the weight wasn't balanced in my pack. I've been passing a lot of flip floppers lately. Seen several familiar faces from months ago, and seen names in the shelter logs that I haven't seen since southern Virginia. Its cool to see people from early on who were committed enough to flip flop. Some have surprised me with how serious they have become about finishing. Its a big crowd of flip floppers, like a second wave of SOBOs. It got cold again--and windy. It was crazy windy on the peaks today--almost knocked me over. My pack straps were smacking my face hard. Apparently one reason Stratton was packed last night was because a bunch of Mexican tree trimmers were filling up an entire hostel. Tomorrow, the terrain should be really easy, for the first time in a while. Only one mountain and another small ridge. I've finished the hard stuff, and gone 2000 miles. A bunch of NOBOs are here tonight for once. Some of them started a fire.
Date: 2012-08-30
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Harrison's Pierce Pond Camp
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I hate chipmunks. They stole my cheese and bacon bread while I was getting water this morning. And tonight, a dog stole my trash. I saw him run into the woods with my peanut butter jar trash can. The trail was much gentler today than its been in a while. It even followed an old road bed for a hundred yards. Passed many large lakes today. Saw some loons and ate lunch on a sandy beach. The trail was flatter, but still very rocky and rooty. At one point I stepped on a board bridge and it sank a foot into the water. I walked across the stream on the bridge, but was still ankle deep. Saw a snake to day, and a black bear a half mile before the last shelter. Bear are supposedly more elusive than moose around here. Sometimes I can hear loud machinery in the woods--I assume its logging. Someone said they do military exercises nearby too, like in Georgia. I decided to come here instead of the shelter, since I haven't showered in 8 days, since New Hampshire. There's also a pancake breakfast in the morning. I left my toothpaste, toothbrush, and soap in Stratton accidentally. I hope my teeth don't rot. The best I can do is swish water and rub with my finger. In the morning I'll cross the Kennebec River via canoe ferry. Can't wait to get to Monson, then meet dad a few days later. It's a blue moon tonight. Still passing a lot of very late SOBOs, as well as flip floppers. At the last shelter, a thru hiker drowned this year. There was a memorial and instructions on how to avoid cramps.