morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-06-29
From: Sages Ravine

To: Guilders Pond
Miles today: 16.0

June 29BK- LB has made a miraculous recovery from her shin splints. Another hiker named Stray Dog gave her his leg wraps which really helped. She also added some Aleve to her anti-inflammatory regimen which really helped. Getting off of flat ground and especially pavement helped allot. Mello Steve set the pace and the kids did the best they could to keep up right into Massachusetts. They figured they¢d make 16 miles today. They planned on camping Thursday night on Sages Ravine in the Mount Everett section of Mount Washington State Forest. Tomorrow they will continue to Mount Washington Lookout (not the 6,000¢ one in NH but the 2500¢ one in MA) and camp at Guilder Pond for some swimming. Last night they camped behind the Toy Maker Caf© in Falls Village. The owners Greg and Anne have been letting hikers camp behind their caf© for years. Kurtis did push back something poking against his tent early in the morning and went back to bed. He came to find out it could have been a skunk because the owner¢s dog got sprayed not long after that. They had a great breakfast there. A special thanks to both Anne and Steve for letting Kurtis use the bathroom.As Kurtis described it, the ¢Bubble¢ of hikers from Georgia are coming past them at a very quick pace. He said you can see the determination in their eyes as they are headed for the end. Many are ready to get off the trail. It¢s hard to believe just how far they have to go. Kurtis doesn¢t expect to hit Katahdin for the turn around until late August. There is still hundreds of miles and some very tough mountains before they get there.
Date: 2012-06-30
From: South Egremont

To: Mount Wilcox Shelter
Miles today: 12.0

June 30, 2012I heard from the kids yesterday about 8:00. They had hiked about 12 miles into South Egremont, MA. It was a little harder with the climb over Mount Everett. They were doing good and Mello Steve hung with them. LB¢s shin splints seemed to have heeled up pretty well. They camped behind a market in town and somebody bought them a pizza. They are enjoying the terrain and views in New England. .Today they will have completed one quarter of the 2180 miles of Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2012-07-01
From: Mount Wilcox Shelter South

To: Upper Goose Pond Shelter
Miles today: 15.0

July 1, 2012BK- Well all I got yesterday was a text from LB that they were coming into Wilcox Mountain Shelter South. There was little, if any, cell signal. As per arrangements made earlier they sent out a text rather than attempt to talk to save batteries and also because a text has a better chance of getting out. As of today the kids have logged 511 miles in 43 days. They have had one zero day and on Nero day. My math was wrong yesterday. Today they will have finished one quarter (25%) of the Appalachian Trail. This is a major milestone. The thru-hikers they have met on the trail say that once they get the first 500 miles done they are probably going to make it.Two days ago Kurtis told me that they wanted to Williamstown MA by the Fourth of July. There is a good celebration there. I have put in for Upper Goose Pond Shelter for tonight because it is the right mileage and its so cool looking.Today the high in western MA is 85 degrees and the low tonight is 54 degrees. Wish I was with them.
Date: 2012-07-02
From: Upper Goose Pond Shelter

To: Kay Wood Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

July 2BK - Heard from the guys Sunday evening as they were camped out at Upper Goose Pond Shelter. This has to be the nicest shelter on the AT. There is a couple there that are caretakers who also cook up a pancake breakfast. The shelter is pretty big and more like a house. The pond has a dock for swimming. The caretakers get water from a spring across the pond by paddling a canoe across. Otherwise you have to pull it from the lake. Amenities are tent platforms, hammocks and a privy. All they ask for is a donation. Kurtis said there were about 30 folks there Sunday night. Check out the pictures of the dock too.Kurtis and LB have been doing lots of swimming. They take every opportunity to take a cool bath whenever possible. Kurtis¢s boots are on their last legs. He¢s going to have to change out soon. They hope to be in Dalton on Tuesday where there is a small outfitter. The start of the Vermont Long Trail is not far off. There will be little chance of re-supply once they start on it. The ¢Deli Section¢ of the trail is about to end. Real forests with higher elevations and tougher climbs are coming up. They hope to be in the town of Williamstown on Wednesday night for the Fourth of July celebrations. Not much opportunity for town visits after that.
Date: 2012-07-03
From: Dalton, MA

To: Wilbur Clearing Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

July 3, 2012BK- Kurtis and LB called around 6:30 to tell us that had made it to Dalton, MA. The kids teamed up with Achy Breaky, Mello Steve, and Buzz Kill to put in 20 miles. LB was very proud to say she led the way for a portion of the hike. When I spoke with them they were waiting for a van to take them to an all you can eat buffet. They are spending the night with a gentleman, Rob Bird, who takes in hikers at his home which doubles as a makeshift hostel during the hiking season. Rob owns a large van that he uses to run hikers to the trail, the buffet and the hostel. Rob owns the Shell Station in town and does this out of the kindness of his heart. Although he accepts donations he doesn¢t ask for a nickel. He does however require you to take a shower before you come in.Kurtis said the place was packed with Southbounders and Northbounders. The heavy traffic is filling all of the shelters. Today Kurtis may take the time to find a pair of boots.
Date: 2012-07-04
From: Bird Cage, Dalton MA

To: Mount Greylock, MA
Miles today: 0.0

July 4, 2012 BK- Happy Fourth of July. Our intrepid travelers are still in the cradle of liberty, Massachusetts. Tuesday was an unexpected Zero Day. Despite their desire to be in North Williamstown by the Fourth Kurtis took a day off instead to buy a pair of boots at the EMS in Berkshire. Kurtis¢s Uncle Bill told me that he was surprised that his boots had held out to MA after he saw what was left of them in NJ some 200 miles before.It was a great opportunity to spend the day at the mall checking out the boots. The helpful salespeople let them walk about the mall for a couple hours before he purchased them. They stayed at the Bird Cage one more day, took the 5 mile shuttle back and forth to Berkshire, hit the buffet, and spent the rest of the day with Rob Bird. They also had time to get some Crazy Birds hats. Check out the pictures.A special thanks to Rob Bird for taking in hikers. He has a van he shuttles them about in. His house is open to total strangers. He lets them do their laundry, hang out and take showers. All pretty much for free. Our kids are on a very tight budget and the help Rob gives makes this trip possible. A zero day in a motel would have been tough. The bad news is that this could be Rob¢s last year doing this in Dalton, MA. The good news is that he told the kids he¢d like to move to NC and do the same trail angel magic along the AT. He¢d be a welcome addition to the Tarheel State.Today they cross Mount Greylock, the highest mountain in MA. They hope to find somewhere they can sit and watch the fireworks in three states at once.
Date: 2012-07-05
From: Chesire, MA

To: Sherman Brook Campsite
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

July 5thBK- Well a change of plans seemed to fit the holiday. Kurtis, Achy and LB hiked 8 miles to Cheshire MA, caught a cab to Williamstown split the cost of a room, and settled in for the Fourth of July festivities. Being from Germany, Achy had never experienced a Fourth so the three decided to meet friends there and watch the fireworks. By the way, LB has cut her hair to to just below her ears. She just couldn¢t keep up with it anymore. Kurtis likes her ¢Sporty¢ new look. They will go back to Cheshire tomorrow and then on to Mount Greylock and North Adams tomorrow.
Date: 2012-07-06
From: Wilber Clearing Shelter

To: Seth Warren Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

July5, 2012 BK- The kids crossed Mount Greylock and were camping at Wilbur Clearing Shelter after sleeping late. There were no fireworks in Williamstown, MA on the Fourth after all. But they had a good time anyway.Kurtis and LB will cross into Vermont today and start on the Vermont Long Trail. The "Deli Section" of the trail is over and more wilderness is coming up.
Date: 2012-07-07
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

July 6, 2012 BK- Got a couple of texts today. The signal was way too week for a call. They had a bear try to come into their shelter last night. This made for a very exciting night. Then they saw a moose. They hiked 17 miles into Vermont. Like LB texted, it had been a very long 24 hours. This begins the Long Trail of Vermont. This is the original section of the AT. Ridge Runners patrol the trails and caretakers are spread out among the many shelters. The Green Mountain Trail Club charges a $5 camping fee for the shelters and campsites. There are few towns on this section of the AT. Now Kurtis is having trouble with his new boots. They are possibly too small. Apparently they have a plan. Probably will have to go into Bennington which is 5 miles off the trail.
Date: 2012-07-08
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

July 7 BK- Heard from the kids about 2:30. They had a rare cell signal so they took the time to talk. They spent the night at Congdon Shelter and were on their way to Goddard Shelter. Because they were running low on some food they took the time to hitch into Bennington once they hit Hwy 9. A Ranger picked them up right away into town and a nice resident picked them up for the ride home. It was a very quick diversion.The area is taking on a very beautiful New England look with fir and birch trees. The mornings are getting cooler as they climb higher and get further north. There was discussion of us sending Kurtis's winter sleeping bag for the White Mtns. LB saw a moose cross the trail right in front of her. She was impressed on how tall they were.This was their first opportunity to explain the bear incident at on Thursday. About the time everybody had turned off their headlamps and settled in for the night, one of the German hikers awoke to the sound of breathing in his face. He turned on his light to find himself face to face with a young bear. The bear ran away but came back again and again all night. Kurtis opened the door of the privy after his morning ritual to find himself in a stare down with the bear. Anybody who has backpacked with Kurtis knows that once he picks up a roll of toilet paper he becomes an instant ¢Bear Magnet¢. Kurtis¢s boots are feeling better but he has been in touch with the EMS in Cheshire and if he has to they are holding him another pair at the EMS in Manchester 30 miles further up the trail if he needs it.
Date: 2012-07-09
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Stratton Pond
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

July 8 BK- Well I knew the day would come when we wouldn¢t get a call or text. Sunday was that day. The mountains are a little taller and the area a little more remote. There will be many elevation ups and downs which will tax their strength. They will cross no roads today and will probably cross Stratton Mountain at 3936¢. I have put their destination at Stratton Pond Shelter but I¢m just guessing.
Date: 2012-07-10
From: Near Story Spring Shelter

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: few clouds

July 9, 2012 BK- Finally had a call from Kurtis and LB this afternoon and many texts back and forth. They had made Spruce Peak Shelter around 6:00 pm. LB said there were great views and the trail was easy. They made 18 miles today.   Sunday night they camped not far from Story Spring Shelter as a thunderstorm forced them to tent up early.Kurtis and LB will stop in Manchester Center today to change out boots and do laundry. Kurtis and another hiker have exchanged boots on the trail because they were both having difficulties. Hopefully a larger size will take care of the problem.Because the weather is getting cooler the kids asked for me to send them their winter sleeping bags. The low on Monday night was 49 degrees. I am sending the bags to an outfitter in Hanover, NH, The Mountain Goat. These guys do a great job with a hikers lounge and laundry. Hanover is the home of Dartmouth College and Dartmouth Outing Cub who maintains allot of the trail. The kids have 100 miles to go before they get there. The trail goes right through the center of town and the College. I expect them to be there Monday or next week July 16.
Date: 2012-07-11
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: few clouds

July 10 BK- The Crazy Birds did a Nero Day (Nearly Zero) of 4 miles into Manchester Center VT. Kurtis exchanged his boots for a larger size at EMS. They also spent a good part of the day doing laundry, stocking up on Aleve, and buying food. Kurtis said they have to buy more food now because of the longer distances between towns and also because they are burning up more calories climbing taller mountains. Like 6,000 calories per day. They are spending the night at Sutton¢s Place Hostel for $20.00 a night. Showers and a bed are a good thing.They got to share more about their recent days while downing a high calorie meal at McDonalds. Porcupines have been moving about the camps at night. This is a new experience for these two southerners. Several people are passing them at extreme speeds. One guy named Mercury is doing 25 miles per day with a 16 pound pack. There is a lot of buzz from southbounders about problems in the White Mountains with the Hut managers not letting through hikers in. This makes for big problems when you are only allowed to camp in designated areas. This means you are forced to ¢Stealth Camp¢ in rocky areas.
Date: 2012-07-12
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.0

July 11, 2012 BK ¢ Heard from the kids about 6:30. They had another hour before they reached Big Branch Shelter. They made a total of 17 miles today. They got to ride the chairlift at Big Bromley Ski Mountain, Achy got to ride with them. The view reached into several states. Kurtis¢s new boots are working out great with plenty of room for the toes.Achy Breaky has been looking after them by going ahead and getting a tentsite. Few hikers are staying in the shelters because there is no protection from the black flies. Achy is much faster as he¢s made the 1700 miles from Georgia. He¢s been a great friend and companion.
Date: 2012-07-13
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Churchill Scott Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

July 12, 2012 BK- Talked with the kids about 8:00. They made 14 miles to Minerva Hinchey Shelter. They took a brief detour to Wallingford VT with the help of Kate and Ken Fredette. Who took them to town so they could pick up lunch and a couple of Long Trail beers. Thanks Kate and Ken. Kurtis and LB have made signs that read ¢To Town¢ and ¢ To Trail¢. One nice person stuck a bag of carrots on LBs pack as she was walking through town. Fresh vegetables are always a delicacy on the trail.LB remarked how fresh the air smelled with the smell of the firs, birches and hemlocks. They have kicked up ruffed grouse on the trail too. These are a partridge like bird that their Uncle Craig and I used to try to hunt up. When they to flight they sound like a jet plane taking off.The kids have backed off of Snicker Bars and are now on Kit Kats. They have min bagels, chex mix, Rice Crispy Bars and M&Ms for lunch and breakfast with Mac/Cheese or Pasta Sides with lots of margarine for supper. They also carry pepperoni and tortillas for other meals. They gave up on the Nutella and tortilla meals.There is quite a dichotomy on the trail with folks fresh on the Long Trail with big packs and guitars that stay up late who contrast with the AT hikers that want to fall asleep as soon as it gets dark. That¢s why on the AT dusk is called ¢Hikers Midnight¢.Soon they will get to Rutland Vermont. This is where they went in January this year for vacation. This is also where they will leave the Vermont Long Trail and continue on the AT thus leaving the party behind. New Hampshire and the White Mountains await.
Date: 2012-07-14
From: Governor Clement Shelter

To: Killington Mountain
Miles today: 10.0

July 13 BK- The kids made it 10 miles today to Governor Clement Shelter just outside of Rutland VT. Along the way they stopped at The Whistle Stop Caf© for lunch. LB said there she got to check on the posts you all sent. She said it was awesome. They called Pop Pop to wish him a happy birthday too. LB gave me instructions on how to email pictures off of phones too, so I added more to the photos section.Today they will leave the Long Trail and continue up the AT to Killington Mountain.
Date: 2012-07-15
From: Gifford Woods State Park

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sunday July15 BK- Talked with the kids today. They spent Saturday night in Rutland VT after taking the gondola down Killington Mountain and catching the shuttle. They spent the night there in a motel mainly so they could jump on the $6.00 all-you-can-eat-buffet at the Chinese Restaurant. The next morning they had to take the shuttle back and then go back up the gondola ride to the trail. They are spending tonight in Gifford Woods State Park. They pulled off the trail early due to rain. They have a shelter that they are sharing with Achy. The boys went to a deli to get some sandwiches while LB set up camp. It was still raining when I spoke to them.The picture attached is of a fellow that calls himself Santa¢s Helper. He¢s a trail angel that sits at the road crossing and passes out snacks. He plays Christmas music that LB could hear while coming down the trail.
Date: 2012-07-17
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover NH
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: scattered clouds

July 17 BK- Only got a text that the kids were to spend the night at Thistle Hill Shelter some 14 miles from the New Hampshire border. Hopefully they will make it to Hanover NH and Dartmouth College today. Rain is in the forecast with a cool down.
Date: 2012-07-18
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0

July 18 BK- The kids were planning on making it to Happy Hill Shelter tonight. They will hike the last 4 miles in Vermont to Hanover NH so they will get an early start switching out sleeping bags and picking up warmer gear. Hanover is a very AT hiker friendly town. Stores give out free food, Dartmouth College looks after your pack and you can get a free shower.Today they will have completed one third of their journey by finishing 720 miles. Tommorrow they will have been on the trail two months.
Date: 2012-07-19
From: Hanover NH

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: clear sky

July 19 BK- Kurtis and LB made it to Hanover NH early in the morning. They spent the day in town getting things done. The town recreation center had a laundry and showers. They spent time at the Mountain Goat Outfitters picking up their sleeping bags and picking out some warmer clothes for the White Mountains. Unfortunately there was no Chinese Buffet as was written in their guide.Hanover is a very affluent town that welcomes hikers. The hikers are in stark contrast to the folks with shopping bags going from upscale store to upscale store. Tonight the kids are camped out behind the Dartmouth College soccer field.
Date: 2012-07-20
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hexuba Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

July 20 BK- The kids hiked 17 miles today to Trapper John Shelter. Rules apply in NH as to where you can camp. You have to be near a shelter/tenting area or 200¢ away from the trail. Sometimes this makes it a little difficult to camp just anywhere. Lots of ups and downs of over 1,000¢ are the norm right now. Elevation gains of much more coming up. The kids are leaving camp earlier every day. You need a full day to make good mileage and beat the thunderstorms. They can see the tree lines of the Whites coming up. This is where they will hike above the tree line, have great views but have less protection from the weather without the protection of the trees.As we live here in the wicked heat, its hard to believe that anybody would want to put on long johns. But LB was very happy to show her new pair off before she went to bed.
Date: 2012-07-21
From: Stealth campsite near 25a

To: Jeffers Brook Shelter
Miles today: 28.0
Weather: broken clouds

July 22, 2012 BK- We heard from the kids today about 1:00 pm as they were in the town of Warren NH and had a good signal. We never heard from them on Saturday. The mountains are getting steeper and the signals for the phone are getting tougher to get. They will camp below Mt. Mousilake at Jeffers Brook Shelter. Achy is still with them. They camped not far from Hwy 25 a on Saturday night. Locals came up to camp nearby and had a party that went on very late. Fortunately Kurtis had his ear plugs on. But the others they were camped with were pretty pissed when they got up with bags under their eyes. It¢s tough to make good mileage when you are tired in the morning. You are at the mercy of the last guy that wants to sleep when you are camping as a group.Kurtis ran into a thru hiker that they met while prep hiking near Overmountain Shelter in TN this April. Many miles separated them before they met again. Soon enough Kurtis and LB will rejoin the south bounders they are passing now once they turn around and head back to Harpers Ferry, WV.
Date: 2012-07-22
From: Jeffers Brook Shelter

To: Eliza Brook Shelter?
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

July 23, 2012 BK- Well its 8:30 pm and I haven¢t heard from Kurtis and LB so I¢ll tell you a little about where they were going today. They were going to climb Mount Moosislauke in New Hampshire. This will be their first mountain above the tree line on the AT. Southbounders have been telling K&L that they haven¢t seen anything until they¢ve been through the White Mountains. Now Kurtis having lived in Oregon (Eagle Caps), attended Appalachian State 3350¢, plus hiked in Alaska and New Mexico (Baldy Mountain 12,050¢), is not new to high altitudes. This is the first time however for LB. The altitude is only 4800¢ which is pretty tame for a couple who spent their first date on top of Mount Mitchell 6680¢ and their honeymoon in Colorado. However because of the latitude and the proximity of the ocean the weather gets pretty whacky in the White Mountains and changes come very fast. The trail can be very challenging on this stretch making it one of the toughest on the whole AT.The views will be spectacular and they will be at the mercy of the weather with no where to hide. Mount Moosilauke is the official start of the White Mountains. They should be able to see Mount Washington from there. If the weather permits they can see all the Franconia Range, including the Presidentials and back into the Green Mountains of Vermont from the summit. Dartmouth College owns a lot of the Mountain. Folks climb and ski the mountain quite a bit in winter. If they make it to Eliza Brook Shelter (16 miles) they will have completed 786 miles from Harpers Ferry. Kurtis and LB will have 382 miles to go to the northern terminus at Katahdin Maine with about 1,400 miles to left to finish the trail. At their average of 12 miles a day they will turn around from Maine the first week of September and walk the final miles into Springer Mountain the second week of November. However most thru hikers average more than 15 a day when they get into their final third of the trail. Its way to soon to predict where they will be when but this is a rough estimate.