morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-07-18
From: Hanover N.H.

To: Trapper John Shelter 
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: broken clouds

By the time 8 o'clock rolled around our host had 8 hikers waiting to be picked up. Betsy (Short and Sweet) and her husband Bill (Gray Beard) pulled up with both of their cars and whisked us away to their home. Everyone found places to sleep, some did laundry and showered. Other than us, the other lucky hikers there were Nitrous, The Lion Killers, P2, Chicken Feathers and Princess Doah. How wonderful it is to have trail angels to give us shelter from the storm.   As it turns out Betsy's son hiked the trail in 07 as The Brain. That was the first year I started reading Trail Journals and I remember reading The Brain alot. Small world, huh?   In the morning we were dropped off back in Hanover and we were hiking at 7. The morning was a steady climb passing Velvet Rocks on our way to Moose Mountain. We stopped at the shelter for a break and found several chipmunks devouring a couple bags of oatmeal some one had left. What fun it was to watch them. I told Suzie they were just rats with a good P.R. firm but she disagreed. Nevertheless they were fun to watch!   There was one more big climb left and when we had made it to Holt's Ledge we were toast. Thank goodness the last of the day was downhill. With the evening chores done we climbed in the tent.
Date: 2012-07-19
From: Trapper John Shelter 

To: Ore Hill Campsite 
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Up at 4, gone at 5. We had a big day planned and knew it would take all day. Our first climb was up Lamberts Ridge followed closely by Smarts Mountain. There is a fire tower on top and the view was unbelievable. You could see well into the Whites from there. Spent some time talking to more Southbounders getting more information on the Whites.    From there we had about a 4 mile downhill to Jacob's brook. They don't use many switch backs up here so the trail is really eroded and difficult to find good foot tread. By now our feet were killing us but we pressed on up Mt. Cube. This one fooled us. We thought we had reached the summit but soon found ourselves climbing again. The downhill from there was even worse and took forever!     All we had left was a climb up Ore Hill to the campsite. By now the legs were just about gone. We had to go through a bog and the mosquitos were unmerciful. Finally at the campsite we found the mosquitos there as well so we made dinner and ate in the tent.     We now have a short day into the hostel at Glenncliff N.H. We will pick their brains about the Whites before we resupply. Hard to believe the Whites are just around the corner.
Date: 2012-07-20
From: Ore Hill Campsite 

To: Glencliff N.H.
Miles today: 7.5

Didn't get moving until 6 but we only had 7 miles to go so no stress. We arrived at the hostel at 9:30. We got settled in and got our showers and laundry done. We went through the packs one more time and sent some stuff home and bumped some ahead for us to pick up after the Whites.    After dropping off the packages to the post office we headed to town to resupply and get food for the rest of the day.    Back at the hostel we sat and had a great conversation with Chaps about the trail, religion, and life in general.     We had dinner and headed to bed. Tomorrow we start the Whites and experience some of God's great works.
Date: 2012-07-21
From: Glencliff N.H.

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, let's start with the overnight burglary! Before we headed to the tent to crash for the night we put our food inside so the raccoon wouldn't get it. About midnight I am awakened by Suzie shaking me saying "The raccoon just stole your pack!" A mad scramble began with me getting the zippers on the tent open and figuring out which direction he went. Luckily my pack had caught on some lumber the hostel had in the back yard. As I approached the bandit he was pulling furiously on the pack trying to get away. I yelled at him but he wouldn't let go until I through the headlamp at him. After recovering the stolen pack I went back to the tent where Suzie and I spent the rest of the night listening for him to return and laughing about it.   We had hoped to be hiking by 5 but with all the events of the night we didn't get started until 6. The first mountain to climb in the Whites is Mt Mossilauke which stands 4800 feet tall. We had a 3500 ft climb over 4.5 miles. When we hit the summit the view was unbelievable. 360 degree views for probably well over 60 miles. We could see Mt Washington off in the distance. We hung out for awhile with Salt Bomb and BP enjoying the view.   Now for the part Suzie didn't like, getting down! Let's just say it took 3 hours to go 2.5 miles straight down. She hung in and made it down. The only good part was as we were headed down our buddy Stats was slack packing towards us. Suzie yelled out "Stats I'm gonna kick your butt" to which he yelled out "My mules!" We haven't seen him since Partnership Shelter way back in Virginia. We have been a day or two apart the whole way. It was so great to see him and to meet his brother who was hiking with him.    When we made it down we headed right back up out of Kinsman notch to Mt Wolf. Our destination for the night was Eliza Brook Shelter. We arrived at 7:45. That's almost 14 hours to do 16.6 miles. We're definitely in the Whites!
Date: 2012-07-22
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Liberty Springs Campsite 
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: few clouds

We headed out to climb Mt Kinsman. A 2000 ft climb in 2 miles. The last mile we just put our poles away and climbed hand over hand to the top. We found ourselves on top all alone. Once again the view was magnificent. We made our way across the ridge and were soon headed down.    We came to Lonesome Lake Hut and went inside to have a bowl of soup. The huts in the Whites are very expensive and we have heard all kinds of horror stories about how they treat thru hikers. This being our first experience we decided to keep an open mind. Rumor had it if you ask if they have any leftover food they would give it to you. I asked and we got a big plate of turkey to go along with our soup. We filled our waters and headed out. First experience was good!      Next on the to do list was to get to town for a resupply. At our last resupply we only got enough for 2 days because the store didn't have much. From the hut to the road was some of the nicest trail we've had in the Whites and we made good time. Unfortunately when we got there we still had to walk .9 miles to the parking lot. We got a ride from Jack and he dropped us at the grocery store. We resupplied and then went to the outfitters. It seems my resoled boots didn't hold up as planned. So I was able to get another pair on sale for half price. We also picked up a pair of Super Feet insoles for Suzie. I sure hope my feet can stand breaking in a new pair of boots.    From there we just needed to eat so we hit the old standby, pizza and calzones. By now it was 5:40 and we were wondering if we would make it back to the trail. We walked outside and started toward the road when a lady asked if we were thru hikers. We of course said yes to which she asked if she could take us anywhere. So Judy and her husband Frank delivered us right back to the trail. They even gave us 2 waters to take with us. We thanked them and headed for the trail.    As we started up the hill we saw 2 coyotes run within 50 yards of us. Beautiful to watch! We continued up the hill and met a man and his dog. They looked rather exhausted so Suzie asked if he needed water. He did so we handed him the water Judy had given us. We finally got a chance to do trail magic!       We were now racing to get to the campsite before dark. We finished setting up just at dark.
Date: 2012-07-23
From: Liberty Springs Campsite 

To: Stealth @ 1825.0
Miles today: 11.2

We woke to a slow drizzle on the tent. We broke down quickly and started climbing to the summit of Mt Liberty. The rain stopped as we began to make our way across the ridge towards Haystack, Lincoln, and Lafayette. It was like nothing we have ever hiked before. Almost like being on another planet. The view went on forever it seemed. From there we were headed to Mt Garfield. There seems to be a price for every view. God has created such a wonderful place here but the Devil charges quite a toll on the ups and downs. The straight ups and downs are murder on the body and the mind. Every move has to be thought out to keep from injury.    We made it to the next hut and went inside. Same routine as before except they didn't have any leftover food. As we were eating our soup one of the staff brought us a big piece of bread to have with our soup. Second experience good also!    We had one last climb to make before we were done. Once again the Devil collected his toll on the steep climb. Once up we quickly made our way down and found a stealth campsite for the night. We were thankful the rain stayed away but it sounds like a thunderstorm is headed our way tonight.
Date: 2012-07-24
From: Stealth @ 1825.0

To: Stealth @ 1838.9
Miles today: 13.9

The rain fell all night with thunder rumbling all around. The spot we were was in the short fur trees so there was nowhere to hang a bear bag. With the storm I wasn't concerned about a bear finding us so we kept the food in the tent. Well, sometime during the night we had a visitor chew a hole in the side of the tent and nibble on our gorp. Dumb hikers!    The rain had stopped by morning but we were slow to move after the butt kicking we took yesterday. Finally hiking by 7 we had much better terrain and made good time for once.     At one point we were out on an open rock field by Mt Guyot and the wind had to be 40 plus because we could barely stand.    Down the mountain we went until we came to Zealand Falls Hut. Inside we had tomato cheese soup with bread. This time they asked if we were thru hikers and then gave us a couple of rosemary and lemon chicken breasts and some leftover quiche. With the hunger abated we moved on.    Now came some trail we liked, you know, with dirt and flat sections! We motored all the way to Crawford Notch. We decided to find another stealth site at the base of the Presidentials. We're in a nice spot right by a river under some pines. Tomorrow we start the Presidentials. The way we have it figured we will be in Maine in five and a half days!
Date: 2012-07-25
From: Stealth @ 1838.9

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: scattered clouds

We would be climbing all day so we started at 5:15. The initial climb was better than expected with only a few straight ups. By the time we made it to Webster Cliffs the clouds were thick and the wind was howling. It was at that point we stopped and donned almost all of our cold weather gear. We struggled to stay upright against the gusts. We were below tree line for most of the morning just popping out on rock cliffs every so often. It took about 6 hours to make it to Mizpah Hut. We stopped in for the soup and they had a pan of leftover pancakes with a sign saying free. Well of course we ate pancakes too!      From there it was time to start the Presidentials just as the sky turned to blue. First was Pierce, followed by Eisenhower, Franklin, and Monroe. As we climbed higher and higher the view became more and more amazing. We would take a picture of a view and then top another crest and grab for the camera again.      The wind howled all day so we found a spot out of the wind to have a snack. We knew we were close to the Lake of the Clouds Hut and as we made it over a ridge there it was. With fingers crossed we walked in to inquire about staying in the Dungeon. There is a room in the basement with just 6 bunks available only to the thru hikers for 10 bucks each. We were first to ask and gladly handed over a Jackson to pay for our stay. (Get it, we're in the Presidentials?)We went down and set up. We cooked dinner and then went back upstairs where it was warm. So far no one else is in the Dungeon so we may have a private cell. Tomorrow we go over Mt Washington first thing. There is a chance of thunder storms tomorrow so that should be fun!
Date: 2012-07-26
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Stealth @ 1860.7
Miles today: 10.7

Our stay in the Dungeon went well. No mice and dry and warm. I looked out at 4:30 and could see the top of Washington which was a good sign. We were hiking by 5.45 and made the 1.4 mile climb in an hour. Obviously nothing was open at that hour. We were hoping for cell signal but it faded in and out. We couldn't even get a text out.    At 7:30 we began what would be the worst day of hiking we have ever had. The clouds dropped in and began to rain. The trail or what they call trail was a rock scramble that lasted 7 miles along the ridge with visibility dropping to the point that you could see the next cairn and that was it. We made it to Madison Spring Hut at 2. We had a bowl of soup and tried to collect our thoughts. We had one more climb and then we would start the decent. We left a 3 with 3 miles to go. As we started up the weather continued to blow keeping our progress to a minimum. Once at the top of Madison we made our way cairn to cairn slowly descending until we made it to treeline. We stumbled and fell countless times but no injuries thankfully.    Once in the treeline the trail began to add slick roots to the equation. The trail is so eroded I'm not sure how the trees are still standing. We know the Whites are supposed to be "rugged" but we found this section of trail to be pathetic. After years of erosion it has become almost impassable.    We made it to a stealth campsite at 9 and set up in the dark. Yep, 3 miles in 6 hours! What a great day of hiking...
Date: 2012-07-27
From: Stealth @ 1860.7

To: Stealth @ 1867.8
Miles today: 7.1

We slept in after the butt kicking we took yesterday. We woke at 7:30 and started hiking at 9:15. The problem was we took the wrong trail! By the time we realized our mistake and got back to the correct trail it was 10:15... so a good early start.    We were making our to Pinkham Notch and ran into a southbounder named Gribbley. We stopped and talked about what was to come in Maine and all that he could expect heading south. You could tell he really loved Maine. Hopefully we will love it too.     We made it into the notch and had some lunch at the visitors center. We had to use the pay phone to make our calls home. I didn't know they still had those.    After that we headed out to climb up the beginning of the Wildcat range of the Whites. Suzie was in the lead and doing well when she came to a shear rock face with wooden stairs mounted into the rock. That only lasted about half way up. After that you were on your own to find whatever small toe hold you could to continue up. She made it to the top and then had a small meltdown. She has a significant fear of heights and knows there will be a climb like that she will have to do going down. I have watched her battle through these mountains with her fears and I couldn't be more proud of her. It won't be easy but we will work our way up and down these mountains including the ones in Maine.    By 6:30 we had found a stealth campsite for the night and settled in. I've ordered no rain for tomorrow so we can make it through most of the Wildcats. So we'll see.
Date: 2012-07-28
From: Stealth @ 1867.8

To: Imp Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: moderate rain

Moving up the trail at 5:45 hoping to get close to Gorham N.H. for a walk in on Sunday. The trail wasn't too bad and the morning sun raised our spirits. We were expecting a nasty downhill into Carter Notch but the stone stairs kept the climb down manageable.    We got to the hut before they had soup made. We did get some leftover oatmeal though. We bought some more snacks and headed out. The climb up from the notch to Carter Dome was tough. After we were up we made pretty good time until the downhill to Imp Shelter. Of course the rain started as well. Slow, slow, slow! Alot of shear rock face to climb down.    By the time we made it to the shelter we decided to stop. Our hope was to make it to the top of Mt Moriah but that will be for tomorrow. At some point we will make it to Gorham tomorrow.
Date: 2012-07-29
From: Imp Shelter

To: Gorham, N.H.
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: fog

It rained most of the night so we were glad to have been in the shelter even with the snoring. We were first to leave headed for town. The weather was holding but it still looked like rain. We had one climb up Mt Moriah that we made without any problems but once on top there were a series of boardwalks that were as slick as ice. Both Suzie and I slipped numerous times with Suzie falling once. As we were making our way down the rain started again and the rocks became a hazard. I was going down a series of stone steps and the feet went right out from under me. I bounced down three stairs before I was able to stop my momentum. We were fine thankfully just a few bumps and bruises.    We finally made it past the Rattle River and to U. S. 2, the road into town. Our plan was to stay at the White Mountains Hostel but they were full. We made a call to the Hiker Paradise. They had a room available and the folks at White Mountains gave us a lift. We checked in and started our usual routine of shower, laundry, and food.    We still needed to resupply at Walmart so we hitched a ride. Once there we needed to solve a problem we will have in Maine, poor resupply options. We purchased almost everything we will need for the remainder of the trip. We picked 3 locations in towns along the way and divided up what we will need for each stretch and we will mail them tomorrow from the post office here in Gorham.    After another ride back to the motel we are resting up for southern Maine which is supposed to be harder than the Whites. We are under 300 miles to go until our journey is over. We're ready to be done.     On a side note, the cell and internet connections in Maine are sketchy at best. Not sure how often we will be able to upload the journal. We will do our best to contact our family and they will make a comment in the guestbook to let you know where we are. I'm not sure how the folks in Maine stay in contact, maybe smoke signals!
Date: 2012-07-30
From: Gorham, N.H.

To: Gentian Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

We new we would be getting a late start because we needed to get to the post office to ship our mail drops. We crawled out of bed at 7 and headed to the post office at 8:15. After we finished with that we called the owner of the motel and she picked us up and took us to the trail.    At 9:30 we got started with a climb up Mt Hayes. The climb was 2000 feet over three and a half miles which seemed to take forever. After that the trail was pretty good. We took several breaks and enjoyed the views and the sun.    We were hoping to get a few more miles but were out of gas when we hit the shelter. Just before we got there Suzie spotted a beaver in the pond beside us. We stopped and watched him for a while. Of course we didn't realize he had dammed up the brook and completely submerged the trail. We made our way across a few downed logs to the other side. He was just floating along watching us the whole time.      Tomorrow we will pass into Maine. It doesn't seem possible we have hiked almost 1900 miles yet it seems we have been out here forever. One more day done.
Date: 2012-07-31
From: Gentian Pond Shelter 

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

We woke to a beautiful view from inside the shelter of the valley below covered by fog. This shelter wins best location on the side of the mountain.    What a tough day! The geology up here is much different from down south. We climbed up and down all day over rock slabs that always seem to have just enough slant to make you slip. If your not doing that you are walking on semi submerged boardwalk surrounded by mud. We just simply are exhausted by the end of the day. How we long for mountains with dirt hiking trails!     We did cross into Maine today and passed the 1900 mile mark. You'd think we would be ecstatic but honestly we're just too tired to expend much energy on it.    We took a break on the top of Goose Eye Mountain and saw a pair of Peregrine Falcons dancing on the winds. Very cool.    Tomorrow we have the hardest mile of the trail to do, the Mahoosuc Notch. A boulder field over a mile long. We're talking big boulders! Here's hoping for no rain ...
Date: 2012-08-01
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Speck Pond Shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: clear sky

The Mahoosuc Notch lived up to it's reputation and kicked our butts. We broke camp and were headed for the notch by 6. By 8:15 we were ready to start the scramble. Up and over and under and through and up and over and under and etc. 4 hours later we were done with the notch.    There is a small campground after the notch where we stopped and took a break. Next up was the Mahoosuc Arm which is a vertical climb of 1600 feet over 1.4 miles. By the time we had made it to the top our legs were toast. We slowly made our way down to the shelter at Speck Pond. We were there about 10 minutes and the sky let loose. We had hoped for more miles today but soon decided against it. When 5.1 miles is all you can do you know its been a rough day.     Because of the rough terrain we are running out of food and will need to get to town before we had planned. We will get off at the first road for Andover instead of the second. We will try to get a ride over to the campground where we sent our resupply boxes. Hopefully it won't be as big a problem as it sounds.
Date: 2012-08-02
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: few clouds

After a good nights sleep we woke to dry weather. We loaded up and left the shelter at 6. We had a short up that still had a steep up that slowed our progress. Once on top we began to make our way down Old Speck Mountain. Down and down we went slowly making our way to the bottom. All the way down we were deciding whether we would get off at Grafton Notch to resupply or go on over Baldpate to East B Hill Rd. By the time we had made it to the bottom we had decided to head into town to eat and resupply. Man Bear Pig and Man Dude Bro were being picked up by Gunnigoose from High Five Hostel. I spoke with him and we were set as well. Off to town for food and a resupply to get us to our resupply boxes at South Arm Campground. We stopped in at the general store and ordered the Triple Bypass Burger for lunch. Damn that was good! We resupplied and then headed back to the hostel and relaxed for the afternoon. We needed this rest to get over the next few mountains. We will head back out tomorrow to continue north at whatever pace the trail dictates.       Also, thanks to the owners of High Five Hostel for hot dogs and corn for dinner! U
Date: 2012-08-03
From: Grafton Notch

To: Hall Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 16.3

After our night in the High Five RV Gunnigoose dropped us off at Grafton Notch at 7. Our climb today was over Baldpate, a 3800 foot mountain. The views were beautiful and the weather held nicely. From the top we could see Saddleback Mountain on the other side of Rangeley.    Once we made our way down from Baldpate our old friend dirt returned to the trail. What a difference it is to hike on dirt instead of rocks. The rest of the afternoon we made great time. Today was our first 16 mile day since we entered the Whites. We spoke to a couple of flip floppers who said the trail will continue to get better as we go along. There will still be mountains to climb but there will be some nice trail as well. Can you say "Thank God!"    There seems to be a virus going around the hiker community. One of the hostels in Andover had 15 sick hikers there. We will be tenting and keeping hiker contact to a minimum. We have no time for that nonsense ...