morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-14
From: West Carry Pond Lean To

To: Safford Tent Site
Miles today: 12.2

WOW! What a view from Little Bigelow today- 360 degrees. I could see tomorrow's steep ups and downs of Avery and West Peaks and Sugarloaf across the way, which I'll hit in a few days. Tenting tonight and hoping for dry skies. I'm here with a girl's camp group - Ann, Sara and Emm are the very capable counselors. They are calling me Take Two - I introduced myself as that tentatively after being dubbed so a couple of days ago. It seems I'm in the habit of turning back and scanning the scene whenever I leave a place to make sure I haven't forgotten anything. I don't even notice that I do it.Came up with a new video game today while hiking - inspired by Frogger (I'm dating myself here). You have to make a considerable effort throughout the day not to step on or stab toads - they're everywhere and camoflauged and the the little baby ones can't jump and just roll and tumble all over the place. So, in the game, the hiker is the central character and the toads cross her path. After a while she has to use the poles too. Then we add rocks and roots to the path and an occassional bog with floating logs that must be crossed. Level two goes through the same sequence, but introduces adult toads who actually try to get out of your way.And...in an effort to appeal to the widest audience possible, you can flip a switch and get points for squashing and poking rather than not.
Date: 2007-07-15
From: Safford Night Tent Site

To: Horn's Pond Lean To
Miles today: 5.3

Rainy and WINDY on top of the peaks today -very intense. I hiked alone, but I knew the girl's camp was behind me in case of emergency. I was so cold when I got to the Lean to, I didn't have the gumption to hump the last 5 miles to Stratton.The girls got hail on top of Avery! These are 13-15 year olds and some are new to hiking. My hat off to you all for completing this challenging hike in such tough weather. It's not always like this as you know from Little Bigelow - stay with it.Two lean tos here - almost full. The Brain, Katydid, Shabark, and Wire screw (?) in this one. The Professor, Boy, Hornblower and two gents doing trail maintenance.Sun came out and I warmed up some. On to Stratton tomorrow for a Nero.
Date: 2007-07-16
From: Horn's Pond Lean To

To: Stratton Motel and Hostel in Stratton
Miles today: 5.1

Showered, laundered, napped, shopped. I'm about to fix a Tbone dinner (on sale for 5.59 lb)!!! Tons of leftover food in the fridge from other hikers. And I scored some beer from Peacetrain and Nathan who left about the time I arrived. Thanks guys! Very cumfy little hostel here; Susan is an excellent host.Free internet - the laptop is glued to the coffee table. So, paid bills and caught up on email. Now doing journal stuff. Hope to make some calls tonight if I can sustain a signal.Here tonight are Curly - Happy bday Curly- Trailgator and Zman, all returning from a slackpack up Sugarloaf today. They are feasting on greens and bratwurst- smells heavenly. Looking forward to zoning in front of the tv tonight.
Date: 2007-07-17
From: Stratton Motel and Hostel in Stratton

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked over Crocker with Queen Bee and Shrek. We set up camp this evening. They are section hikers and it turns out that I'm not the slowest hiker out here afterall.I froze a TBone last night and packed it in today. So, it was nice a thawed by the time I had the coals just right on the fire. I had thought maybe - just maybe I would make it all the way to Sugarloaf and sleep in the warming hut on the peak - and cook my steak in the toaster oven - no doing. Two new SoBos arrived a bit ago - Woody and Red Beard. What a duo - very entertaining and just good guys I think.
Date: 2007-07-18
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean To
Miles today: 9.3

Stayed dry last night in the tent and took off at about 7 after an early morning odd-couple routine by Woody and Redbeard. They are headed 15 miles today. I'm not that ambitious - just came to the next lean to. It was cloudy all day so I skipped the extra summit climbs - no views to make it worthwhile. For some reason the AT didn't traverse the peaks of Sugarloaf and Spaulding.Quiet night at the lean to. QB and Shrek, it turns out, are on an extended first date.   They have been progressively getting chummier and are falling neatly into the gender roles appropriate for their generation - boomers.It's raining - and has been since I arrived. I've been in my sleeping bag all afternoon. I asked the couple if they wanted to play a dice game called Farkel and they giggled and sort of looked at me as if I were a borderline psychopath. Guess not. I did score a book from CJ - the caretaker from Piazza here checking on things earlier. Tomorrow I start into the Saddleback Range.
Date: 2007-07-19
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean To

To: Poplar Ridge Lean To
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

This is the third night I'll be spending with this couple from PA. I am praying that their date will culminate tomorrow at the motel in town rather than tonight in the Lean To with me here.The day was a cloud - visibility about 5 feet. I went over Lone and Poplar Ridge. This Lean To is made in the now obsolete baseball bat design. It has a horrible floor made of little odd shaped logs rather than flat planks. I can't imagine what my back will be like in the am. I'm wet. Met several NoBos today: Bluebird while fording the Oberton, she's finishing last year's thru hike after breaking her rotator cuff in the Mahoosuc Notch (coming in a couple of weeks), she plans to publish her trail journal and call it Foot Path My Ass; also met Green Peace, Diablo, Manynames, Renaissance Man, Oh Joe, and Biscuits.Maybe the sun will shine tomorrow.
Date: 2007-07-20
From: Poplar Ridge Lean To

To: Piazza Rock Lean To
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: light rain

I hiked a 9 mile mud puddle today - I amused myself with this little play on words however - the Appalachian Trail - the longest uninterupted foot bath in America...like the popular slogan but bath instead of path. It amused me, but I seem to have to explain it to everyone else.The sun came out this evening at long last...though not long enough to start drying anything out.It was a rough hike today- visibility was wretched again and last night's relentless rain was pouring over the mountainside. Instead of climbing empty rocky stream beds, I climbed waterfalls. Haven't had a view since Little Bigelow many days ago.Passed these Nobos today - Stryder, Invisible man and Broadway. John Nunya (nunya business) from Buffalo is here tonight along with a father and sun from Montreal.Hoping for a dry night and a lax hike in the am.
Date: 2007-07-21
From: Piazza Rock Lean To

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean To
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

I'm listening to a tin whistle recital at the moment - performed by none other than Woody of the Woody and Redbeard duo. He appeared at the Something Springs Lake campsite at lunch where I was basking in the sun and contemplating taking out the abandoned canoe with duct tape patches. Without even a cursory inspection, he had it flipped and in the water. Redbeard joined us after 10 minutes or so. Pretty fun.They did a zero in Rangley and Redbeard picked up a copy of the new Harry Potter book that came out this morning- I'm drooling.The sun shone all day - but it was cool - 56 degrees in the lean to this morning when I left (there was a random thermometer there).
Date: 2007-07-22
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean To

To: Bemis Mountain Lean To
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: scattered clouds

This was definitely the best day of hiking that I've had so far on this trip! Fabulous weather, views that went on forever, and the best part - no bugs!Full house tonight with a raging fire and a little Irish Whiskey (thanks Vice and for the tabakee too). There's Vice, Hartley Hound dog, Woody, Redbeard, Navigator and Right Hand Man - also an outward bound group camping up the hill.Boy do I ever need a shower!
Date: 2007-07-23
From: Bemis Mountain Lean To

To: Andover/Pine Ellis Hostel
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: scattered clouds

What an unbelievably steep slope down to the road! David was waiting when we got there and drove Woody Redbeard and me into town. The vibe was a little strange at first, but eventually got more casual. I don't know if I mentioned this, but the owner (the husband) died last week, his funeral was just two days ago. His name was Paul Trainor. So, it has been a tough week for these folks. Woody and Redbeard decided to just resupply and keep hiking to the next shelter. So, I walked to town with them to share a parting glass. I definitely can be classified as a thru hiker now as I chose to go to a public establishment to socialize with six days of my smell and dirt rather than showering immediately. I have to admit I was thoroughly appalled when I saw Nobos doing this in Monson just a couple of weeks ago. How our perspectives change.Full house - tons of Nobos. These guys and gals are just coming out of the Whites and are full of horror stories. Z man is here- we had a taco night and several beers - him more than me if you can believe that.
Date: 2007-07-24
From: Andover/Pine Ellis Hostel

To: Andover/Pine Ellis Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Gearing up for another 6 days out to Gorham. I washed everything today - sleeping bag, front pack straps, insoles, water filter. The filter really needs changing already -but I already bounced my box to my next drop in Glencliff.So, Redbeard and Woody showed up here again at about noon today. They were accidentally dropped off at the wrong trailhead yesterday but didn't have the heart to tell the nice fellow who picked them up hitching. So, they hitched the next section backward and are going to trying hitching back to that spot to continue South. I scored the first two installments of the BOOK from Redbeard. The plan is to cut it up into seven magical parts and hide them at Lean tos after he finishes each. He'll leave me a cryptic message in the shelter register so I can find it - hopefully before some other hiker. Redbeard and Woody are Rockstars! I wish I could magically merge them somehow and make an over the top 44 year old rockstar.
Date: 2007-07-25
From: Andover/Pine Ellis Hostel

To: Andover/Pine Ellis Hostel
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I did my first slack pack today. It was fabulous not having my full pack on - I felt like I was flying. I really only pulled about 1.5 m/h, but I sure felt great. Not much happening at the hostel tonight. It's just me and Hoosier, a minister from - you guessed it, Indiana. Just swinging on the porch swing and drinking a few beers.It's supposed to stay sunny for a couple of days. I hope it sticks for Mahoosuc Notch and Wildcat - both coming up before my next town stop.I'm going to continue to take it slow until Hanover at the NH- Vermont line. I'm skipping about 60 miles of the Whites - from Pinkham Notch to Franconia Notch. I did this section 5 years ago. So, I've been stripped of my thru hiker status by many. Apparently 2117 miles in one stretch does not qualify. Welp, I'm going to continue to declare myself a Sobo Thru hiker - sue me! In fact, just to infuriate the purists even more, I was thinking about skipping the section in NY that I've already done - from Pawling to 17a. Do I have any shuttle volunteers? I know that a former colleague and avid hiker Larry Randall would gladly volunteer - if any of you NYers know him, please point him to my journal - thanks!
Date: 2007-07-26
From: Andover/Pine Ellis Hostel

To: Baldpate Lean To
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: few clouds

Great weather and views today. I'm alone in the leanto tonight - but, there are about 20 kids in a "therapeutic" camp down the hill. I've been instructed not to give them any cigarettes. Quiet night - started an old Mary Higgins Clark novel I found - it'll do.
Date: 2007-07-27
From: Baldpate Lean To

To: Speck Pond Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: haze

Down to Grafton Notch and up Speck Mountain today. It was a long climb in hot muggy conditions. It was thundering when I got here so I decided to stay put. Of course, it turned out to be a beautiful afternoon. There are 5 north bound section hikers here tonight...New York, Downhill Phill, Nurse, Engine and Forest Gump...interesting crowd. Lots of food and jokes and swimming and fishing this evening; I'm glad I stayed put. Into Mahoosuc Notch in the AM - hope the weather holds.
Date: 2007-07-28
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: moderate rain

The notch was a blast - and the down hill of the arm wasn't nearly as bad as the Nobos make it out to be. However, if I had to climb it after tackling the notch I'd probably be humming a different tune.Got some new cuts and bruises climbing through the boulder field - but, nothing really hurts. The whole bit took about 5 hours which I hear is about average. There's a alternative path around the dead moose now. Since the heat wave two days ago, it has finally started to smell dead. Passed NOBO MacGuyver in the middle and we had a smoke and chat.Space Muffin and Plugger have joined me tonight.Cross into New Hampshire tomorrow. Thanks Maine - you were spectacular! And thanks also to the MATC for your great work!
Date: 2007-07-29
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Gentian Pond Campsite
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: few clouds

Tough hike; but, good weather. Lots of scrambling today - real boulders - a couple of times I just stood there thinking how can I possibly get myself and my pack over this thing. Then I remember that tens of thousands of other people have already done this - and I can too. Then, I just start grabbing around for handholds. I've started having little spams in my legs and feet at night right before I drift off - the twitches wake me up again and again. Nobos tell me this is normal.This shelter has an incredible view of the Carters and the Wildcats from its very own porch with its very own chair. And - tonight I'm camping with musicians - dueling banjos and a vocalist - 5 string, wing pants, and long n tall. Bluegrass till you drop. What a treat!
Date: 2007-07-30
From: Gentian Pond Campsite

To: Birches Campsite
Miles today: 11.8

Hoofed it into town today so that I could get to the outfitter...bought gaiters, a new bladder and tube, canoe sack for food and some cliff bars. Unloaded some little things in the hiker box here. The campsite here has a new bunhouse above the store. The owners are extremely accomodating. Make sure you pay before bed - the store doesn't reopen till 8 am - that's hiker NOON.Made reservations for Joe Dodge lodge on Thursday and a shuttle around Lafayette on Friday morning. Into the Whites I go.
Date: 2007-07-31
From: Birches Campsite

To: Imp Campsite
Miles today: 8.0

So, I was hiking up to the first shelter out of Gorham - and there was Redbeard with the rest of Harry Potter in his lap - ready to relay it to me. He'd taken two zeros to finish it up - Woody moved on. Good to be hiking with RB again - He's faster, but our bodies seem to want to quit after about the same amount of miles. It's good to know someone is expecting you at night AND I have a smoking buddy. So, off we went to conquer the Carter - Wildcat range - and I get to carry the book now.This is a great lean to - a double decker. A section hiker showed up with some fresh caught trout and hand picked Chantrell? mushrooms - mmm mmm. Another section hiker has pulled out his strumstick and is serenading us. Life is sweet.Mount Moriah down - on to Carter Notch.
Date: 2007-08-01
From: Imp Campsite

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: broken clouds

The Carters were fun - especially early on. We started getting a little tired during the last two climbs. Tomorrow's Wildcats are suppoed to be the toughest on the trail. We'll see how it compares to Katahdin.RB and I made it to the hut at about 2:30 and scored a work for stay. We did a little composting and we'll have to sweep the bunkrooms and peel carrots in the morning. We ate ourselves thoroughly sick tonight - ham, corn, mashed potatoes, salad, soup, leftover lasagna, pot stickers...So, when we arrived, I was famished. We walk in and there is this container with home baked bread and applesauce cake. I've been trying to avoid refined sugar and flour for amost 31/2 years now with a good deal of success. I said to hell with that and without a second thought had my hand in the cookie jar. It was GOOD too.
Date: 2007-08-02
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: Joe Dodge Lodge
Miles today: 5.9

Over the Wildcats! Pretty steep coming down - but, otherwise a fun hike. We planned to celebrate with a beer at the lodge - but, no beer! I got the exceptionally kind housekeeper Romona to drive us to the store (15 miles away) for 5 bucks. Bought beer in cans - not my first choice, but we're attemting to make an alcohol stove tonight and cans are required. After 4 tries - all the beer and a few trips to the can recycling bin in the lodge - no success with the stove. I did learn the technique though - so I'll try it later.
Date: 2007-08-03
From: Joe Dodge Lodge

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter
Miles today: 63.3
Weather: few clouds

Had an AYCE breakfast with RB and then we went to pack up. Next think you know, my shuttle bus is honking outside. I didn't get a chance to say goodbye - I was very bummed. "Bye RB - still think you'll catch me by PA!"It was really hot today - around 95 degrees - and all uphill. I drank three liters of water and didn't pee once!I'm at the shelter with Wildfire and Ashes - also Sobos.Found out about a new hostel in Lincoln - Chet's place - a work for stay. And, apparently there's a good outfitter there as well. Gotta find one as I've broken the clasp on my waist belt and it won't hold too many more miles.The high miles for the day include the Presidentials which I hiked in summer 2002. I shuttled around these today, but just to keep the numbers straight with my data book, I'm calculating them in.
Date: 2007-08-04
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter

To: Chet's Place
Miles today: 11.5

Got into Lincoln at about 3:15 and headed strait to the outfitter (after a slice of pizza - I'll eat anything in my path - give me food - any kind of food). Bought a new Gregory Jade 50 - it's a solid pack and somewhat lighter than my current one. I also bought a lighter rainjacket and a 1/2 litter bladder for denatured alcohol.This hostel is comfy - new. Chet just bought this house and has converted the garage into a bunkhouse. He lets hikers use his house and yard. He is disabled from an accident so appreciates any work you can do around the place as payment. I think I'll take a zero tomorrow and catch a movie.Shadow, Highlife and leader of the pack, among others, make a full house tonight.
Date: 2007-08-05
From: Chet's Place

To: Chet's Place
Miles today: 0.0

Slept in till 7:30! Then cleaned the bunk house and bathroom. Went to the store and bought a whopping new York strip and salad stuff. I cooked out this afternoon. Also revisited the outfitter and prepped some food drops.I spent several hours again this afternoon trying to make a stove. I'm ot doing something right as the jets don't work on the side. It will happen though - I'll figure it out.I'm prepping a box to send to Lisa's with rain gear and cold weather gear, old stove, etc. I think I should be able to drop about 10 pounds. I'm leaving my old Gregory here for a desparate hiker who's willing to wear 12 years of my thoroughly embedded body odor.Went to the Simpson's movie - don't bother.In tonight are Megaphone (from my hometown of Winchester if you can believe that) and stealth blew.
Date: 2007-08-06
From: Chet's Place

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: moderate rain

Dropped off my cold weather gear at the post office and then hitched a ride immediately from Mountain Ma (mother of leaf of Trail Journals fame). Thanks! I was dropped off at the base of Mousalake in the pouring rain. I was feeling not much like hiking and thought I'd stop at Beaver Brook shelter about a mile and half up the hill. But alas, I completely passed it - head down and it was dark. So, up and over I went. It was sooo cold and the winds were gusting at 50 mph. Serves me right for sending the cold weather gear home before I conquered the last mountain in the Whites.When I arrived at the overly crowded hostel (piled up with Nobos not wanting to start the Whites in the rain), I was informed that I would have to tent in the yard. That did not make me happy and I managed to finagle some floor space upstairs. Annonymous made me a working alcohol stove - YAY- thanks Annonymous.Love the new pack - I thought the chest strap broke todya, but it just slid off - as it should be able to do since it is adjustable come to find out. I'm down to about 32 pounds with 4 days of food and 3 liters of water.Everyone is drinking and having a good time - hope there will be sleep tonight and sun tomorrow.
Date: 2007-08-07
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel

To: Brook near Mount Cube
Miles today: 11.9

Wow - the terrain is so much smoother in Vermont. Folks have been saying that each state has its own personality and I just thought that was a psychological thing. It does seem to be true though - the trail is maintained differently, the terrain is different, the flora and fauna are different, the people are different. The bugs are different. Lots and lots of bugs today.I heard the water source at the next shelter was dry, so I decided to stealth camp tonight for the first time by the brook.The phone hasn't gotten reception for a few days. I was supposed to check in with Mom - hope she's not worried.
Date: 2007-08-08
From: Brook near Mount Cube

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: light rain

Woke up in the rain - read some HP for a while - then finally decided to pack in a quiet spell. Started my period and cramping about a mile into the hike. I got to the shelter and curled up for a while. The rain never let up and I never left the shelter. I did finish Harry Potter however! There's a full house tonight with 8 in the shelter and a dozen or so camping. Will try to call Mom tomorrow from Smart's mountain. Hopefully, she will still be able to hook me up with her contact in Hanover.
Date: 2007-08-09
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We've got a roaring fire here tonight. Having a nice time with Fire Marshall, melatonin, Butterflyman and his dog Oreo. Who can complain when there's a stone fireplace and a doggy at your feet.Today's hike took me over Smart mountain - got ahold of Mom - turns out her friend lives in Hanover, PA. I don't even think that's near the trail. The terrain continues to be smooth. The dirt paths have their own issues though. My feet are constantly at an angle and are wither sliding down into my boots squishing my toes or sliding back rubbing my heels. So far, no blisters.I passed Toodles today, whoes TJ I was following. I mentioned her "Great View" photo she had posted - of her legs and some mountains in the background. I saw that in Andover and remember looking down at my poor beat up legs with bruises and scratches and scars from Maine and the Whites. I hope hers continue to look so good all the way to Katahdin - I'll be watching for an updated photo Toodles.