morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-17
From: Center Trail Rd.

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: few clouds

We were really looking forward to finding water this morning. We shared a bagel with peanut butter & honey with the last of our water for breakfast and then hit the trail.It was a TOUGH hike this morning! We had the 'joy' of climbing up a slick rock face with the assistance of a rope. It was all slick rocks & incline, all morning long. It was 3 miles to the brook. We spread out the tarp and filtered some water. We drank a liter and then cooked lunch. We drank some more and then took a little nap. It was a short hike from the brook to the Moose Mnt. shelter. Our book said their was a spring for the shelter so we only carried a couple of liters. Again, the book has let us down. The "spring" for the shelter was a mud puddle. We got enough to cook with & we had coffee with dinner so we boiled all the water even after we had treated it with the ultra-violet light.We had a great view of the stars through the mesh on the tent but as we were watching the stars, we started to see flashes of light. We watched it for a little while and then started to hear the thunder. We jumped out of bed and covered the packs and put the rain fly on the tent. It got hot quickly so pulled the rain-fly back hoping that it wouldn't rain. We enjoyed the light show and fell asleep. We woke up a few hours later to dry air and cooler temperatures-no rain!Another night in paradise...Happy Trails,ATeam
Date: 2010-07-18
From: Moose Mountain Shelter

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: broken clouds

We shared a cup of coffee with the last bit of filtered water we had. There should be a brook in about 2 miles. We walked a steady pace but no water after 2 hours (and we were walking faster than normal). We picked blueberries and a few raspberries as we walked; eating some and putting the rest in a water bottle to have with our breakfast. Just shy of 3 miles we finally came across a small brook. So at 11am we finally got our oatmeal with fresh berries, drank our fill, filled all our bottles and headed back out. It seemed like the entire day was up hill. Hobo compared the climbs to roof pitches: a lot of 5-12, some 4-12 and even some 6-12 pitches. Each day seems to be a little tougher! Isn't that what training is all about?At Holtz ledge we were able to get a glimpse of the fire tower that we were heading to tomorrow. We got to the shelter around 3pm. It was too early to stop but too late to go on. We took camp showers and washed our hiking clothes. Hobo built a fire and we fixed supper. We shared the shelter with a couple of south-bounders. They gave us information on the Whites and we shared our water issues with them.We pitched the tent behind the shelter on a little too much slope and spent most of the night trying to scoot up on our mats.Another night in paradise...Happy trails,ATeam
Date: 2010-07-19
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Smarts Mnt Shelter
Miles today: 6.7

We heard our new friends leave the shelter so we moved our stuff to the shelter and packed while we ate breakfast. It looked and sounded like rain so we waited for a little while to see what was going to happen. It sprinkled for a few minutes and then stopped. We put on our packs and started up the trail. We hadn't even gotten off the blue-blazed side trail when it started to rain again. We pulled on our ponchos and trudged on anyway. It was a short-lived rain and we sloshed through the mud to the first road crossing. A nice couple gives out water and ice cream to hikers. We sat & visited with him for a while as we ate the ice cream that he gave us. We filled our water bottles from his hose & bought a couple of sodas to drink too. What a super-nice guy!!!It was 2 miles to the trail head for Smarts Mnt. Once we got there we knew we were in for the toughest day yet. It was UP, Up, UP. 2400 ft. in 3.9 miles. We encountered rock slabs, fantastic views, blueberries, more climbing, log steps, and rebar steps to grab onto as you tried to climb the steep rocks. The entire time we were climbing the maountain, rumbles of thunder were following us. The higher we climbed, the closer the rumbles. I wasn't sure we would get to the shelter in time.Just when I thought I couldn't go any further, we made it to the top & to the shelter. We were standing in front of the shelter talking to some other hikers when the weather broke. We quickly jumped onto the porch and the bottom fell out. The wind howled, the rain blew & hail pelted the ground. God is good!!! We made it safely to the top & inside shelter.After the storm had passed, we climbed to the top of the fire tower to witness a 360 view of mountains, clouds & a double rainbow across the mountain that we would climb tomorrow.We watched the sun set over the mountains as we pitched our tent.Another night in paradise...Happy Trails,ATeam
Date: 2010-07-20
From: Smarts Mnt Shelter

To: NH 25A
Miles today: 8.2

We awoke to a tent covered with SLUGS! YUK!!! We managed to get them all off and pack up camp as has become the daily routine. We fixed breakfast in the shelter and got enough water to get us to our next destination. Clouds still surrounded the mountain and it was cool so we assumed we would get wet at some point today.We climbed down Smarts mountain which was a pretty easy descent although quite muddy.Once off Smarts mountain, we started up Cube Mountain. The climb was tough with boulders, mud and any other obstacle you can imagine. Once at the top, the reward was well worth the effort. We had planned to take a break at the top but the thunder was getting closer so we just started down the other side.We got soaked in the rain, even with our ponchos on. At one point we even stopped and stood under the tarp. Once the rain let up, we continued the climb down navigating the muddy slope & slick rocks.We called it quits a little before dark and set up 'home' in the woods off the trail. We would find out in the morning that we were just 2 miles shy of a major road crossing (the one listed in the mileage at the top).Another night in paradise...Happy Trails,ATeamPS.Although our adventure continues, this may be the last journal entry until we get home. As I write this (7/22) We are starting the White Mountains tomorrow and I do not know if/when we will have computer access again. Maybe in a week, maybe not. For those who are wondering about our return home, we have a flight booked for 8/10 and will probably be home on the 11th. Don't plan any parades or anything because plans are subject to change. I will be back in time for school to start.
Date: 2010-07-21
From: NH 25A

To: no where
Miles today: 2.0

So......We headed down the trail,with food bag empty & water bladders full. We had been told by some south-bounders that this section was dry and our book showed a local produce stand just off the trail at the highway. We had eaten our last oatmeal for breakfast and planned to get food for today & tomorrow morning at the produce stand.In the 2 miles that we covered before getting to the highway, we crossed over 4 good size brooks and a couple of smaller springs. So much for no water. At the highway, we started the 1.9 mi. walk to the produce stand hoping that a nice, local person would offer us a ride. No luck! We had to walk the entire way (up hill) only to discover the "short-term resupply with hiker snacks & cold drinks" was just a maple syrup store. To make it even more comical, it was an unmanned store; honor system. Take what you want and leave the payment. Maple syrup would have been calories, but not very filling. We started walking back. We even tried to hitch a ride back to the trail head with no luck.Back at the trail head we had to make a decision - make the 10 mile hike over Mist Mountain to our mail drop in Glencliff without any food or walk/hitch 5 miles to the store in the other direction. We pitched the tent along the creek and I stayed with the gear while Hobo tried to hitch into town. The clouds were looming again and it was starting to sprinkle.The showers seemed to be short lived and I rinsed out some clothes in the creek and hung them on a line while I waited for Hobo to return from the store (4pm-ish). He walked up as I was hanging up the clothes. He had walked the entire 5 miles to the store but was able to get a ride back. We crawled in the tent to escape the bugs and devoured the food he had brought back.As we were eating, the thunder grew louder & lightning got closer. The rain started coming down heavy & then.....HAIL! It was scary!!! We crawled under our sleeping mats just in case the rain-fly failed. A layer of pea-sized hail covered the ground when it was all over and our tent did fine. The tiny brook that we had pitched our tent beside had become a full-flowing creek. We decided to just stay there for the night, but moved the tent to higher ground, and hike out (with food & water) in the morning.Another night in paradise...Happy trails,ATeam
Date: 2010-07-22
From: NH 25A

To: Glencliff,NH
Miles today: 9.7

Tried to get an early start this morning but were slowed down by slug removal and rain. We filled the 3-liter water bladder because a SOBO had told us there wasn't much water on the next stretch (why are we still listening to these people?)Since it has rained everyday for the past 3 days, the trail up Ore Hill was swampy but pretty easy hiking otherwise. We hiked non-stop for most of the day, snacking on Cheetos as we walked. We met "Bugsy" and "Sweet-tooth"-Dallas residents- by a brook at the base Mist Mnt. We got more water and visited with them a while before continuing on. We made it to Glencliff before the post office closed and got all our mail drops: food & cold weather gear. Right across the street from the PO was the Hikers Welcome Hostel. We decided to stay here for the night to get a shower & wash clothes. If you remember the TV show "MASH", get a mental image of that. The hostel was set-up in a similar fashion. There were large canvas tarps covering the outdoor shower/laundry/restroom facility as well as the picnic tables. We pitched our tent instead of paying for a bed in the hostel and then went to Warren to get food for dinner & a few more snacks to pack.Once back from Warren & our bellies full, we organized our packs for the beginning of the hardest/most rewarding part of our adventure-The White Mountains!We called it an early night because we had to take on Mount Moosilauke (moose-a-lock)in the morning. This would be our highest climb yet.Another night in paradise...Happy Trails,ATeam
Date: 2010-07-23
From: Glencliff,NH

To: Beaver Brook SHelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What a way to start the day! The first thing we had to do when we got to the trail this morning was cross a VERY cold stream. The rain had caused the level to go above the stepping stones & I'm not walking on wet rocks anyway. Off with the boots and BRRRRRRR!The approach to the mountain is about 1 mile roaming between roads & fields. Once at the base of the mountain we had about 3550 feet to climb over a 4 mile stretch to the summit (our first above tree line). It was around 9:30am when we started the 4 mile climb and it took us until 1:30pm to reach the summit. Now I admit to being a slow hiker, but this pace was totally due to terrain. There were springs leaking out of the side of the mountain most of the way up. We had to scramble over rocks and mostly just climb & climb & climb. I thought we would never reach the top!Once on the summit, we had to get out our fleece jackets. The wind was gusty & cold. Clouds were starting to move in but we still got to see some awesome views from the top. We got someone to get a picture of us with the summit sign (1 of the few we will have not in the same pose)then sat down behind the ruins of the old hotel and got out the peanut butter. The clouds were thickening & starting to rumble a little so we quickly packed up & moved on down the trail. Had the weather been better we would have stayed up there much longer taking in the sights.The trail down seemed to go up as much as it went down but we finally made it to the shelter in a light drizzle. We met "Pixie" there. She too had decided to wait out the weather since the descent down the mountain is suposed to be very hazardous in wet weather. We got our first good look at Mt. Lafayette right in front of the shelter. Are we REALLY going to climb that?Some trail workers from DOC brought us some leftovers from dinner that they had. We had already eaten but no hiker will turn down free food. The clouds rolled in thicker & the rain started; a cold front was passing through. We layed out our sleeping bags in the shelter and tucked in for a chilly night.Another night in paradise...Happy Trails,ATeam
Date: 2010-07-24
From: Beaver Brook SHelter

To: near Wolf Mountain
Miles today: 4.1

Well, the descent lived up to its reprutation. The mileage shows it to be a 1.5 mile climb down the north side of Moose-a-lock and about 1900 feet in elevation change. At least 1 mile of this trip was following the waterfall all the way down the mountain side. It took us 4 hours to complete this and if I were a cat I would probably be down to about 7 lives. I have to admit that I was terrified on a few sections. We were going very slowly, looking for foot-holds or hand-holds when none were present. In some of the worst sections rebar handles and/or wooden steps were installed but not enough for us.We made it down safely (which was the goal) and followed the trail to a parking lot where we stopped for a much needed break & lunch.After lunch we started up the Kinsman Ridge Trail which started with a steep climb at the base of Mnt Wolf. Again it seemed like we climbed forever but finally reached a fairly level ridge walk. It was getting late so we started to look for a place we could pitch the tent off the trail. We found one around 8pm, set-up camp, crawled in the tent and guess what happened....it started to rain. Are we lucky with this weather or what??? It rained all night and we just passed out from complete exhaustion.Another night in paradise...Happy Trails,ATeam
Date: 2010-07-25
From: near Wolf Mountain

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: scattered clouds

We woke up to the wind whipping through the trees and the rain still dripping. We waited for the skies to clear a little but they didn't. We finally gave up and rolled up the wet tent/tarp & started hiking around 11 am.We stopped at the first good spring for water & lunch. We didn't waste much time eating because the skies were still threatening and the terrain had been tough so far. Steep rocks and/or mud were encountered with every step today. It was another exhausting hike but we finally got to the shelter around 6pm. There were 2 other hikers already there & asleep in the bags. We looked at the packs and other gear laying near them and realized it was the German couple we had met back on Smarts Mountain. I can't believe we actually caught up with them. I think this hike has been a little more than they had planned on.We shared a dehydrated dinner and were in our sleeping bags shortly after 8 ourselves. It was going to be a very chily evening. The wind was still gusting hard. The nicest part about our home tonight is that the shelter is perched above Eliza Brook which is a fast-flowing stream and the sound is very soothing.Another night in paradise...Happy Trails,ATeam
Date: 2010-07-26
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Hwy 93
Miles today: 8.9

We slept in several layers of clothes last night inside our 15 degree sleeping bags. It was still pretty chilly when we got up this morning. We chatted with a SOBO couple that came in late last night about what was ahead for us. More mud & steep climbs.He wasn't kidding. Once again we had to start our hike with a cold water crossing. Hobo was able to make it crossing on rocks but I went over in my sandals. Once on the other side, we followed Eliza Brook for what seemed like a couple of miles. It turned into more of a waterfall than a brook as we climbed higher. If it had been warmer we would have stopped to swim in one of the pools that formed at the base of each fall.It was another day of slow & steady crawling up the rocks. Hobo had to literally pull me up some of them. There were a few situations that got a little scary but not as bad as coming down Moosilauke. It seemed as if we had walked forever before we finally reached the southern summit of Kinsman Mountain. The wind was gusty & cold and we had to stop and put on our fleece jackets. Hobo took a few pictures but it was too cold to stay up there long so we kept on walking.We stopped just shy of the northern summit and ducked behind some boulders & trees to eat a hot lunch. It was a nice break & I was really getting hungry. The northern summit gave us an even closer look at Mnt Lafayette and thought we saw the AMC hut on the ridge.We were running low on food and were hoping to make it to the AMC hut at Lonesome Lake and maybe get a meal. All we know is that they have lodging, food & water available and it cost $90 per person to stay. We were hoping that they would sell just a sandwhich or something. The climb down Kinsmans was crazy! Hobo would find the easiest/safest way down a rock face and then guide me down it. There were several places that could have used a rapelling rope or a ladder. We managed to find a way down each time and lived to tell about it.We made it to the hut and they DID sell soup by the bowl to hikers along with candy bars, lemonade & homemade baked goods. What a feast! We each ate 2 bowls of lental bean soup (more like chili), a Snickers bar & a piece of chocolate cake. This was the best meal we had eaten all week. With bellies & water bottles full, we headed back onto the trail to get as close as we could to the highway.The trail after the hut was much easier terrain since it is used more by tourist. We basically followed a creek bed all the way from the hut to the highway. This wasn't bad except that required rock hopping which is tough on your feet. Around 8pm, with the highway sounding very close, we found a hidding spot off the trail (this time the required 200+ feet off the trail) and set-up camp. We both crawled in tent ready to pass out. As we watched the sun set, we also saw the full moon creeping up over the mountains. WOW! What a glorious sight! It was so bright we didn't need our headlights to see stuff around the tent.Another night in paradise...Happy Trails,ATeam
Date: 2010-07-27
From: Hwy 93

To: Carriage Motel-North Woodstock,NH
Miles today: 2.0

We had about a mile to walk to the highway this morning and then another mile to the visitors center. We got The Flume visitors center right at 9am when they opened. We got information about taxi service into North Woodstock and called for a ride. It was well worth $10 to not have to walk 7.3 miles on the highway.Once at the motel we showered (twice each-it has been 5 days since our last shower-YUK!)and then layed in the bed for a couple of hours. Well rested, we went across the street to the local market and got hot dogs to grill. We threw horseshoes while the food cooked then ate and took another nap. After this nap we went back to the store & got steaks to grill for dinner. I told you we are burning a lot of calories hiking! What a great day! Well rested, well fed and CLEAN. Tomorrow we will walk into Lincoln to resupply for the next 5 days. The trail has been so tough since we started in the White Mountains that we are having to rethink our game plan. We are scaling back on all the gear possible; sending our town clothes up the trail and some gear back home just to lighten the packs up even more. We think we can get it down to where Hobo can carry all the gear & food and I just carry water.All we have time for is about the next 50 miles. We will be getting off the trail at Pinkham Notch just after Mount Washington. Of the 50 remaining miles, about 25 of them will be above tree line. The climbs up & down are supposed to be very difficult and the less stuff we can carry the more we will be able to enjoy the hike. We will be down to just our tent & sleeping stuff, cold food, water & the clothes on our backs. We will keep our base-layer & fleece because the weather in the mountains is CRAZY. Mount Washington was 28 degrees the other day with 40 mph wind gusts. We ain't in Texas any more! Just chillin' in town...ATeam
Date: 2010-07-28
From: Carriage Motel-North Woodstock,NH

To: Lincoln,NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A busy day in town looking for gloves & a hydration pack for me to carry. I think we may just stick with my back pack and save the money. Not much to report other than we can't seem to get a phone signal anywhere. Sorry if anyone has tried to contact us. I haven't even had time to check my Yahoo or Facebook accounts since we left home in June. They are probably bouncing stuff by now.We'll be heading to Franconia Ridge tomorrow! This will include Haystack Mountain, Mnt. Lincoln, Mnt. Lafayette, & Mnt. Garfield just to name a few. We will increase elevations by around 4000 feet. Check back in early August for updates. We may have a day or 2 in Gorham before our flight and will update the end of our trip at that time.And the adventure continues...Happy Trails,Ateam
Date: 2010-07-30
From: Mount Lafayette

To: Garfield Ridge shelter/campsite
Miles today: 3.9
Weather: broken clouds

The wind was still gusting & very cold when we crawled out of the tent at day-break. With all our layers still on (minus 1 pair of socks so our boots would fit) we rolled up the tent and stuffed everything into the packs quickly wihtout worrying about neatness or organization. It wasn't even 6am when we started hiking! We could now see that we made the safest decision possible last night. We still had 3 'humps' on Mt. Lafayette to cross; about a mile in distance based on the time it took and boulder faces for terrain. Our faces were getting wind burned as we hiked and we ducked behind boulders that blocked the wind every chance we got. Once we finally got off the ridge, we looked for a place to stop, rest & eat breakfast (about 8:30am). We found a spot off-trail, spread out the emergency blanket & sleeping bags and crawled in them to warm-up before eating. Of course after the night we had, we both fell quickly asleep. We woke up after about an hour and ate a couple of breakfast bars. Still facing a gusty north wind, even in the trees, we retreated to the warmth of our sleeping bags again. This time we slept until around noon!We ate some summer sausage and cheese on tortillas for lunch ducked back in the bags for about 30 minutes to warm up and then emerged to face the cold, pack up and get to hiking. Once hiking again, now in the mid-day sun, we were able to start shedding layers and enjoy the warmth.We reached Garfield Pond at the base of Garfield Mountain around 3pm and stopped for a much needed drink. This was the first water source we had seen since leaving Liberty Spring yesterday. Another hour and we were on top of the mountain and at the shelter. We paid the $8 per head fee and set-up the tent on the last platform. We were told that the low temperature on the mountain tonight would be at or near freezing. We should probably be soaking all this cold air up to take back with us to Texas!We cooked and shared our last freeze-dried dinner. It was GOOD to have something hot to eat!!! With layers all on again, we crawled into the tent at "hiker's midnight" (about 8pm) and called it a day.Another cold night in paradise...Happy Trails, ATeam