morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-07-14
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Started at: Happy Hill ShelterEnded at: Moose Mountain ShelterMiles: 15Today was a town day - hit two towns in a row without going back into the woods. Crossed into NH. Hung out w/ Captain Hook, Footloose, Camel and Mountain Man in Hanover, an upscale college town, the home of Dartmouth. It's also the home of Wolfcookie, one of our hiking buddies. We tried to get in touch with her, but she's further south with her husband, Dances with Wolfcookie, who's still on the trail. Almost went to see Fahrenheit 911 for a second time but finally summed up the will to get back on the trail. Barely. We had a long, crappy uphill hike in fading light, had to take a nearly mile-long detour to get water, and got to the shelter late. It's a nice new shelter with a view. Should make for a pretty sunrise.Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-07-15
From: Moose Mountain Shelter

To: Firewarden's Cabin
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

Started at: Moose Mountain ShelterEnded at: Firewarden's CabinMiles: 12.4It was a rainy morning. We just couldn't rouse ourselves from bed. We had a lazy late start and didn't get out of the shelter till nearly 10:30. This was the wrong day to do something like that. We had two tough climbs which seemed to drag on and on, and we got no views because of the thick fog. We had planned to knock out 17 miles today, but wussed out and cut the day short when we got to the top of that second climb. It was getting cold, daylight was fading, and we knew we'd have to night hike to make it to the next shelter. There's nothing more depressing to me than night hiking. So we bedded down in the old Firewarden's cabin with Footloose and Captain Hook. We'll just have to do a big day tomorrow.Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-07-16
From: Firewarden's Cabin

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 20.0

Started at: Firewarden's CabinEnded at: Glencliff, NHMiles: 20Just two days ago Arwen made a solemn vow: "Mark my words, I'm not doing another single 20 mile day for the rest of the trip." Uh huh sure. Well that didn't last long. But food, laundry and hot showers were involved, so that explains it. Got an early start and made a long push into town. Met a lot of southbounders today for the first time, including a guy called "Gnome Sherpa." He took off his packcover and we learned why. This guy is actually schlepping an ordinary garden gnome (named Nigel). Turns out he stole the thing from some lady's front yard and has carried it all over the world - Europe, Asia, the Carribean - phoographing dear Nigel at exotic locales and famous landmarks. We took our time today and enjoyed the views. Moseyed into the Hiker's Welcome just in time to bum a ride to a restaurant for dinner. Took our first shower in 12 days. After dinner, of course. I'm sure the other restaurant patrons didn't appreciate the overwhelming stench of our long unwashed bodies much, but you gotta have your priorities. The Hiker's Welcome is an awesome hostel. It's run by some former thruhikers and has a relaxed, friendly air that sets you right at ease and makes you feel at home. There were a lot of hikers here when we arrived, some familiar faces and some new ones. I enjoyed being around other people this evening, but really didn't feel like talking much. I've got a lot on my mind. The town of Glencliff is the gateway to the White Mountains, the most dangerous and formidable stretch of the entire AT. For the past couple of days I've been feeling like the past 4 and 1/2 months of hiking has been a mere dress rehearsal for this performance. And I have to confess, I have a bit of stage fright. If I could snap my fingers right now and be climbing Katahdin instead of the Whites tomorrow, I would. I just don't know if I have it in me to stand strong in the face of yet another test of will and endurance. Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-07-17
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Started at: Glencliff, NHEnded at: Beaver Brook ShelterMiles: 7.9This morning it was as if Christmas came early. We were sitting there munching on breakfast pastries at the Hiker's Welcome when someone came in with the phone in hand and said "A call for the Camera Crew." Who could be calling us here? We don't even know the phone number. Turns out it was a friend of Leki's, whom he'd instructed to track us down. Shortly thereafter, the man himself called and said he was thinking about skipping ahead to finish the trail with us. What?! By this time I'm literally jumping up and down squealing "Leki's gonna hike with us!" Arwen's cracking up watching me carry on while still trying to hear what Leki's got to say. "I'm not positive what I'm going to do yet." "Oh yes you are dude. We're going to Katahdin together." We would have some time to kill while Leki made some calls to see whether he could line up a ride to Vermont. What better to do than sit around watching movies while waiting around. We only realized at 2 pm we didn't have enough food for the next stretch of trail, so we had to make a quick run to the gas station to resupply. We hit the trail at a dismal 3pm, unsure of how long it would take us to make it to the shelter. Even though we only had 8 miles to hike, we had to make it over the infamous Moosilake.To tell the truth I've been dreading the Whites. Moosilake is supposed to be a kind of litmus test for whether you'll be able to hack it. Guess what: it wasn't really all that bad! We just took our time but kept moving one foot in front of the other until before we knew it we were on top. It was just what I needed. An incredibly beautiful vista that brought tears to my eyes and filled me with inspiration for making the push to the end - through the most difficult but beautiful terrain on the whole trail. We made it to the shelter before dark and met up with our friends Mountain Man, Footloose, Captain Hook, Camel, and Poo Bug, as well as a couple of hilarious southbounders who kept us in stitches. And in a couple days we should be getting our Leki back! Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-07-19
From: Lonesome Lake Hut

To: North Woodstock (house)
Miles today: 2.9

Started at: Lonesome Lake HutEnded at: North Woodstock (house)Miles: 2.9Today we got our Leki back!! Yaaaaaay! We ate a quick breakfast of Lucky Charms out of a ziplock baggie (serving as a primitive bowl) at Lonesome Lake Hut this morning while the cotton hikers looked on, aghast, and made our way into town as quick as we could. We parked ourselves at a wonderfully welcoming local coffee shop and waited for him to arrive. Leki was greeted with enthusiasm overflowing. His friend Mark brought him to meet us, and kindly he offered to shuttle us around to the oufitter and the grocery store so we could get back on the trail quickly. Or so we thought...Arwen and I had a tougher than usual time resupplying. We decided to "go cold" for the Whites, which means we won't be carrying a stove, pot, or fuel canister. We're doing this to lighten our load so we're a little more nimble going up and down these massive climbs. The drawback is, of course, no hot meals. A hot dinner is pretty tough to give up, but we feel like we've got to do everything we can to adequately prepare for this, the most difficult part of the hike.So after wrangling over what food to carry, we made our purchases and packed up. Then we stopped for a moment and looked at the sky. It was completely overcast and drizzling. Not dangerous weather by any stretch, but not exactly the blue skies we'd hoped for for transversing Franconia Ridge, reputed to be one of the most scenic places in the Whites. We scratched or heads and took a seat on the benches out front of the grocery store. Hmmm... do we really need to hike today? Leki reminded us of the offer Mark made before dropping us off. He'd said he'd be happy to pick us up tonight, put us up at his home, and get us back to the trail early in the morning. We mulled that over for a moment. Then we noticed the movie theater next door to the grocery store. Sold! Just like that, our whole day opened up.We spent most of today catching up on the last couple months of trail news - who we'd seen when, who's off the trail, who's got Lyme disease, etc. We managed to catch a showing of I, Robot, which was better than we expected. We expected it to be terrible. We also managed to get a huge pancacke breakfast at 1 pm, a heaping pile of hot wings and pizza for dinner, and ice cream for dessert. Life is good!Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-07-20
From: North Woodstock (house)

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Started at: North WoodstockEnded at: Galehead HutMiles: 13We had an impossibly beautiful day up and over Franconia Ridge. Got an early start. Thought we were behind because of our nero yesterday, but it turns out that all our buddies zeroed in North Woodstock too, as we found out when we reached the first campsite this morning. In fact, Camel wasn't even out of his hammock yet. And while we were filtering water and chatting with Huff-n-Puff, the caretaker, Footloose showed up and filled us in. Turns out Captan Hook, Mountain Man, Waldo and Walk On made the most of the local brewery in town and thus were having a tough time getting going this morning. So instead of being behind now amazingly we're ahead.After our hike up and over Kinsman the other day I think it fair to say we were dreading the ascent up Franconia Ridge today. Franconia Ridge is a ridgeline that spans a number of tall mountains above treeline, which affords incredible views for miles and miles from a variety of angles as you hike up and down and up and down its peaks. Often touted as one of the most beautiful spots in the Whites, it didn't disappoint. We took our time all day, soaking in the views. And the climbs really weren't that bad. Normal mortal hiker stuff, rather than the whacked out superhero stuff we had to pull on Kinsman. We hiked with Camel, Leki and Captain Hook. Eventually we made our way to Galehead Hut, where we met Deja Vu, a female hiker tough chick we've been following since we started back in March. Galehead turned out to be not quite as accommodating a hut as Lonesome Lake was. Instead of bunks, they offered us the dining room floor to sleep on. Which means of course we can't go to bed until the rest of the guests do, and we have to be up and out at 6 when they set the tables for breakfast. Instead of as much hot food as we can shovel in, they only had a few meager remnants from dinner to offer us, and those they placed on the ground out front of the hut. We huddled around the mostly empty pots like animals, trying to make sure everyone got something to eat while also trying to get our fill. But everyone pretty much got enough, and we are all glad to have a roof over our heads.Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-07-21
From: Galehead Hut

To: Crawford Notch (hostel)
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: mist

Started at: Galehead HutEnded at: Crawford Notch (hostel)Miles: 14.7Another day in paradise. Today we took a long awesome lunch at Zealand Hut, home of Zealand Falls, a wide expanse of granite with water flowing languidly into large pools in some places and rushing hurriedly by in others. The wide rock slabs warmed by the sun made a wonderful place to lie around and take in the stunning mountain views before us. We washed our clothes and our bodies in the falls and soaked in the icy pools. For lunch the hut crew invited us to help ourselves to the admittedly meager breakfast leftovers. We scarfed up one and a half pancackes each and cold oatmeal with enthusiasm. Then they produced the giant bowl they use to make giant batches of cookies and let us lick the cookie dough out. Then the piece de resistance: two entire pans of uniced chocolate cake. This afternoon we did the impossible: we actually found some flat trail in the Whites. This allowed us to make some decent miles, even after blowing most of the afternoon at the Falls. We made our way to Highland Lodge just before dusk. This place is truly paradise. Created as a luxury hotel for well to do beginning hikers, they offer a small bunkhouse at a reasonable price to thruhikers. This place has soft bunk beds with new mattresses and clean cotton sheets, scorching hot showers, a game room, and an all you can eat breakfast. We enjoyed a couple beers and frozen pizzas with Camel, Deja Vu, Leki, Poo Bug, Joel, Captain Hook before passing off to dreamland.Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-07-22
From: Crawford Notch (hostel)

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: fog

Started at: Crawford Notch Ended at: Lakes of the Clouds HutMiles: 11.2Today we stuffed ourselves silly at the lodge's ayce breakfast, no doubt astounding lookers-on with the mass quantities consumed. Knowing we didn't have many miles to put on, we were in no hurry. We slipped back into bed for a little more snoozing in the trail's most comfortable bed. Accordingly we got a late start on a long steep up, but were duly rewarded with gorgeous weather and breathtaking views. We hit Mizpah Hut for hot soup and bread for lunch, but were glad we were moving on. There were cotton people everywhere, most annoyingly kids running wild unsupervised. The afternoon brought an up-close look at Mt. Washington, tomorrow's conquest, famous for the worst weather on the planet. Everyone is pumped to climb it tomorrow. Lake of the Clouds is an awesome hut, the largest in the Whites. They have a great crew, who made us feel right at home. They asked 3 volunteers to stand up in front of all 100 guests and talk a little about this thruhiking adventure we're on. The questions were nonstop. You could tell the guys were loving the spotlight. Tonight we're here with Footloose, Captain Hook, Deja Vu, Lekiless, Camel, and Joel. Tonight we'll all be dreaming about Washington tomorrow.Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-07-23
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: fog

Started at: Lakes of the Clouds HutEnded at: Madison Spring HutMiles: 7We had a late morning doing chores and eating leftover breakfast at Lake of the Clouds Hut. The heavy fog showed no signs of lifting, but we set out anyway. We had a leisurely mile and a half stroll to the top of Mt. Washington in the fog. There we found cotton central, a visitor's center complete with gift shop, post office, museum and restaurant. We got a chuckle out of the bumper stickers they were selling that said "This car made it up Mt. Washington." Here we enjoyed a snack (naturally), sent home a few postcards and snapped a few photos. We also checked the weather forecast: not good. A 60% chance of showers in the afternoon, thunder and lighting likely in the evening. We knew we'd be completely exposed walking a ridgeline the entire time from Washington to the next hut, but what could we do but hope for the best.We headed out from the visitor's center to the summit and immediately had to regroup. The wind was blowing so hard (sustained 30 to 40 miles an hour) it was easy to lose one's balance. We donned our rain jackets to block the wind's chill, something we haven't had to do since late March. Although it wasn't pouring yet, rain seemed imminent so we made sure our pack covers were in place. After a couple quick photos we headed out into the boulder scramble. Sure enough it didn't take long for the rain to start. And it really started coming down, blowing hard at a completely horizontal angle. With the wind blowing so hard straight into our faces, the tiny raindrops were transformed into stinging projectiles. Until today we'd been incredibly lucky with the weather through the Whites. For the most part we've had sun and blue skies every day. Today we got a taste of how quickly that can change.After only 7 miles, we stopped at Madison hut for a late lunch. It was very full but seemed like a nice place to wait out the weather. We ended up staying the night because we were having such a good time. The hut crew was absolutely fantastic. Mat, Spencer and Serena are halarious. They were dresed up in bizarre costumes while singing, dancing, roller skating (!), and performing various informative skits for the hut guests. We did a little work for them washing dishes and they rewarded us with shots of vodka and whiskey! In fact, the shots were served to us by a 250 pound geologist rugby player wearing a viking costume with horns and carrying a cricket bat! These guys were awesome.Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-07-24
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: OH Cabin at Pinkim Notch
Miles today: 7.7

Started at: Madison Spring HutEnded at: OH Cabin at Pinkham NotchMiles: 7.7The theme of today is: if you loaf around long enough, good things happen. Other thah hiking. Today started off with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at Madison Spring Hut, thanks to the terrific croo. We headed out late - Deja Vu, Camel, Footloose, Captain Hook, Poo Bug, Leki and us - but no one seemed to be in a hurry at all. The sun came out again today and the skies cleared, giving us breathtaking views above treeline of all we missed yesterday. We took our time coming down the ridge, taking it all in, stopping for lots of breaks and photo ops. We were moving slowly enough and relishing the views so much that we didn't mind at all the steep downhill boulder scramble. On a bad day these trails would be unbelievably daunting.Around 3 pm we got to Pinkham Notch, a valley between the ridgeline we had just come down and the one we were supposed to go up next. Here the AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) has a visitor's center, gift shop and dining hall. We ate 2nd lunch, stretched out on the front porch, took our boots off, and enjoyed the afternoon sun. We putzed aroud trying to decide what to do. Going up the nextridge did not sound appealing at all, with its 5 peaks to summit. No one felt like hiking, but town was not an easy hitch, and hadn't we just been in town? After a couple hours procrastinating in the sun and a few unsuccessful, half-hearted attempts to rouse ourselves, we heard a voice call out, "Heeeyyy!!!" It was Spencer and Serena, two of the Madison Hut croo members. We told them of our affliction: Extreme Apathy. Spencer offered up hope: "I've got the solution. Don't hike. Instead go to the bars with us, and we can all stay at the OH Cabin tonight." We had no idea what the OH Cabin was, and we didn't care. Beer and food had been mentioned. It was all over. After all that lying around I didn't know we could move so fast. We gleefully grabed our packs, poles and boots. The 7 of us crammed in the back of Serena's Subaru while she masterfully strapped our 7 packs and her kayak to the roof. The car now stood twice as tall as it had before. Spencer clapped his hands and exclaimed, "We're making memories people!" We were giddy, beside ourselves at our good fortune. And grateful to Spencer and Serena for rescuing us from what at that moment seemed too horrible to imagine: hiking. We headed to a fantastic local brew pub and spent the evning laughing over burgers and beer. Later we hit up Ben and Jerry's for waffle cone sundaes, and ultimately to the OH cabin to sleep. Arwen and I threw our sleeping bags out on the front porch and "cowboycamped" under a zillion twinkling stars.Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-07-25
From: OH Cabin at Pinkim Notch

To: Zeta Pass (stealth camping)
Miles today: 12.6

Started at: Pinkham NotchEnded at: Zeta Pass (stealth tenting)Miles: 12.6Almost did real miles today. Went over Wildcat peaks A,B,C,D and E. Got incredible views of the Presidentials behind us. On the top of peak E thre's a ski lift that brings hoards of cotton people up the mountain to enjoy the view. Saw a little girl hiking with her dad. He asked,"How far does this trail go?" "To Georgia," I replied casually, waiting for the predictable look of shock and surprise. I wasn't disappointed. Later I saw them together. She was looking up at her father plaintively. "But why can't we? It goes all the way to Georgia." Uh oh. Looks like we got a future thru hiker in the making. Camped for the first time in ages, how quaint.Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-07-26
From: Zeta Pass (stealth camping)

To: Gorham, NH (hostel)
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: broken clouds

Started at: Zeta PassEnded at: Gorham, NH (hostel)Miles: 12.6We had beautiful views of the Presidential Mountains behind us today. The peaks today were so nice; very open with flat stone boulders everywhere. There was plenty of room for Leki and Heather to practice their little Hustle dance. No seriously! These weirdos were doing the Hustle on the top of Carter mountain. You know the one that goes...dunt da dunt da dunt da da dunt da. Dunt da dunt da dunt da da DO THE HUSTLE! The trail was steep and our knees were killing us...think it was about 4000 feet of elevation to decend...brutal. But is was all good because we knew we would have free pizza waiting in Gorham because Deja Vu's dad said he was going to take good care of us when we arrived. He bought us just about all the pizza and beer one could imagine...and it was good!We stayed at a great little hostel in Gorham called The Barn. It really is a barn, and nice too. This barn has a TV, VCR and nice soft beds. We took showers and did laundry...aahhhh!Heather and I were feeling a bit dehydrated when we arrived but nothing a few liters of Gatorade couldn't fix. After a quick run to the store for resupply, we mostly just sat arround in the barn watching National Geographic tapes from the eighties. One was about dung beetles and another about lions eating anything that moved. The whole gang was there hangin out and it was very nice. Heather went to sleep early to recuperate from her bout of dehydration. I watch a de videos till late in da morn.Peace out, Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-07-27
From: Gorham, NH (hostel)

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

Started at: GorhamEnded at: Gentian Pond ShelterMiles: 11.8We'd heard this'd be a tough stretch but it wasn't too bad. The day was rainy,wet, and dirty. Leaving town on a day like this is difficult because you feel like the shower and the laundry was all for nought. But no big deal, we just gotta keep walking.The trail was swampy with bog logs, mud, and sinking logs. Nothing great about this section of trail but still beautiful country. We are getting very excited now about making it to Maine, can you beleive it we are going to be in Maine tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The sayin goes NO RAIN, NO PAIN, NO MAINE. Well we have had rain and lots of pain and yep here comes MAINE!!!!!!!! I'm about to crap in my pants I'm so happy!!!!!We got to the shelter pretty early and let me tell you it was incredible. The shelter (I'll add a picture soon) is right next to a beautiful pond and a wonderful waterfall. The waterfall cascades down for quite a distance (I never did see the bottom) in the direction of an awesome view of a clouded valley below. I sat in the shelter simply staring at this view for a very long time........The southbound thru-hikers are really starting to pass us these days. We met a really nice guy named Dan in the shelter today. He kept us laughing all night. Heather is in good spirits, we are almost in Maine, and we are sleeping in one of the most beautiful places on earth; I will sleep good tonight.Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net