morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-26
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Mud not quite sdo bad this am. Either didn't rain as much here or is starting to dry out. light rain started about 2:30 so quit early at nice clean new shelter that has a front porch. hikers here for the night, 4 are doing the Long Trail. The Long Trail runs from MA/Vt border to Canada and shares the first 140 miles with the AT.
Date: 2010-06-27
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Stratton Pond shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: light rain

Forgot to report on an incident from a couple of days ago at the Congdon Shelter. I hung my food bag up according to all proper guidelines. Used a nice sturdy tree with a smallish branch at least 15-18' high and plenty far away from the main tree trunk. Two other fellows also put there bags up for the night on my rope...so every thing should be good for the night. Retreiving the bags in the morning two of the bags have holes chewed through them. Fortunately the culprits didn;t like the plastic wrapping inside on the food itself..so no missing food. Never did find out who the guilty party was.For the past several days we been noticing animal droppings along the trail that look like deer droppings. But these are the size of large marshmellows. So our assumption is moose??? Would love to see one out in the woods.
Date: 2010-06-28
From: Stratton Pond shelter

To: Manchester,Vt
Miles today: 10.7

What's that sucking sound???????? Ohhh.... it's just my shoes in the mud. Hope the next step doesn't go over the tops of my shoes. Rained quite hard last nite but nice to be in the shelter. No mosquitoes. Short day into Manchester for food resupply.
Date: 2010-06-29
From: Manchester,Vt

To: Mt Bromley ski shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Spent the morning doing town stuff to get ready to go back out yet today. Library opened at 10:00. Spent an hour doing trail journals and email stuff. Now have a Enterprise car rented for july 12 from Lebanon NH for the time Barb is here. They will do pickups in Hanover NH, no problem. She wants spend some time to go see the White Mountains.Hitched out of town, took a long, long time to get a ride. Havent hitch hiked much but is kind of humbling to watch all the cars and trucks just cruise right on by. Finally got a ride to the trail.Passed the first shelter after what seemed like a short 2 miles, it looked like all the other shelters and just didn;t seem very inviting. Was still bit ot early to stop for the day so decided to push on. Glad i did. Bromley Mountain ski area and ski patrol shack were open and looked like a great place to stay. You could see 360 degree view and looked back over Stratton Mounain from several days ago. Mt Washington was on the horizon as well. Windy and cold but cozy inside.
Date: 2010-06-30
From: Mt Bromley ski shelter

To: Little Rock Pond tenting area
Miles today: 19.8

Clouds were floating by, over and around the mountain top shack. Since i hadn't planned to stay at the Bromley Mt, i didn;t have extra water for breakfast, so hiked 2 miles on down the mountain to the next water for a later breakfast. Powdered milk and Kellogs Frosted Flakes.AT was detoured for a bridge replacement so followed the detour and added another 3 miles. Long day but want to get to Rutland for a mail drop by noon on Sat. other wise the PO is closed on MOnday for the 4th of July holiday.
Date: 2010-07-01
From: Little Rock Pond tenting area

To: Gould Brook camp
Miles today: 17.9

Little Rock Pond was a pretty little lake with mountains in the background. Kind of reminded me of Devil's Lake Wi. Couple of climbs for the day. One was over Bear MOuntain again!! I think every state must have a Bear Mountain,...except maybe Ill.Not quite so much mud.Stopped a the Whistle Stop Restaurant bout a 1/2 mile west of the trail down hwy 103. Small little former RR depot now B/L/D place. didn;t have much luch on the trail so got the pulled pork and FF special, huge pile of FF, added a strawberry shortcake.Wanted to stop earlier in the day at the Claredon Shelter but was pretty full, with 4 0r 5 hiking couples who seemed to be in a partying mood. Visited awhile and moved on to find a level spot to set up the tent.
Date: 2010-07-02
From: Gould Brook camp

To: Rutland VT
Miles today: 12.1

Rained a little last nite but couldn't have been much as the tent wasn;t very wet. Killington Peak for my first 2500' climb of this trip. Must have rained alot here as we were back to LOTS and lots of mud and moose droppings. Sure would love to see one on the trail.Back down 2000' to Rutland...downs are not as easy as you would think and hard on the knees. Slow is better here too.Got to the trail head at HWY 4 and expected to hitch into to town. Just got ready to put my thumb out and the local pulic mini-bus transit came into sight. $2.00 ride almost right to the PO. The PO scared me a bit as they could't find my mail drop right off, but after a bit of looking it was there.Staying at the Back Home Again Cafe and Hostel in downtown Rutland.
Date: 2010-07-03
From: Rutland VT

To: Rutland, Vt.
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day, town day, busy city with a farmers market right in the middle of town. Used the Rutland Free Pubic Library for internet in the AM. The library policy is allow users a 1/2 hr usage with and extensoin to 1 hr. Asked for another extra special 20 minutes and was granted. Mostly a lazy afternoon with some time for eating in between nap.Decided to go back and use the internet since the library was open until 5;00 and wanted to check the weather forecast one more time.. Asked about signing in again but once they found out i had been on in the am....Nope...the policy is 1 1/2 hrs per day per person...." we are quite strict about this"Back Home Again Cafe and Hostel is part of the larger group of Twelve tribes.
Date: 2010-07-04
From: Rutland, Vt.

To: Chateauquay Rd
Miles today: 14.2

7:00 am restaurant breakfast, 8:00 am church ,9:15 shuttle back to the trail head. The countries oldest hiking trail the Long Trail, now celebrating 100 years, splits off the AT. It heads north to Canada for another 170 +/- miles.Had one of my biggest goofs of the whole hiking thing, probably ever!!!. Managed to fall smack dab in the middle of one of those big, muddy,wet mud holes we have dogging for the last days NO real damage done except for a shinned knuckle. But the wet and mud covered my whole left side from my shoes up to my shirt. Glad the glasses didnt; go in to.Must have looked like a scene from the 3 stooges episode. Glad no one was around to take a picture. Think i was concentrating on how to dodge around or thru the mud hole and tripped on a small root before i got there. Next thing i was laying the mud.Wasn;t even close to funny at the time, but writing about now it is starting to be hilarious.
Date: 2010-07-06
From: Pomfret Rd

To: Happy HIll shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: few clouds

Still hideously hot and hilly. but up early to hopefully beat the heat. Plan to take a long rest stop at noon. Came off the mountain at West Hartford on Vt Hwy 14 and crossed a highway bridge over the best swimming hole around. The locals were enjoying the cool water. Stopped to join in the swimming fun/cool. Ended up spending 2-3 hours swimming, laying in the shade and napping.The local deli had some great food and cool drinks. Had two thru hikers pass me up on the trail today. Headed late in the afternoon for a few more miles.
Date: 2010-07-07
From: Happy HIll shelter

To: Hanover,NH
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: clear sky

Hot still!! Forecast in the low 90's for the next several days. Time to get out of the heat and motel it with some A/C. Good breakfast at Lou's Bakery and Rest. Sweet potato hash with black beans, poached eggs and home fries. Some how the waitress must have made out the ticket wrong and there were "words" between the check out and waitress. Final decision that the meal was free!! Sunset Motel via the free round town shuttle bus. Called Apex hiker shuttle service for tomorrow's ride up the trail. and reconfirmed the Enterprize car rental pickup for Monday. All set to see Barb!!!
Date: 2010-07-08
From: NH Hwy 25 C

To: Hexacuba shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Definitely enjoyed the A/C at motel. Shuttle car service right on time and drove north to NH hwy 25 C. Still hot but maybe a small bit cooler and at least some breeze. Doesn't feel any different walking south than North. Trail headed straight up a Mount Cube and straight back down. Tough climb but the view from the top made it worth while. Stayed at the Heacuba shelter and cooked supper. Had instant mash potatoes with bits of boiled beef jerky, pesto sauce mix, powdered milk some olive oil and salt. Washed down with a quart of lemon aide ( a bottle of cold beer would have been better).
Date: 2010-07-09
From: Hexacuba shelter

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

Just saw the pink Flamingo walk by!!!! Un believeable!! It was really strapped on the back pack of a hiker lady. The last time i saw it was in New York, i think, just standing in the middle of the trail, waiting for some hiker to come along and pick it up and carry it northward. There was a little note on it asking for a ride. There is a picture of it on the picture section.Smarts Mountain was another big up and down ON top was an abandoned fire lookout tower open to the hikers. Fantastic view from the top!! It has room to sleep two but since it was swaying back and forth a bit not for me.Got Trapper Johhs Shelter about 4:00 and rolled out my stuff for the night in the shelter. Soon after 7 students from the Dartmouth Hiking Club came in. I think they looked a little disappointed that the shelter wasn't empty. They decided to sleep out under the stars near the shelter. The group was fun to visit with.Broke the 700 mile mark today.
Date: 2010-07-10
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Velvet Rock Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: heavy intensity rain

About 2:30 am last nite the rain started. The Dartmouth students changed their minds and decided to head into the shelter after all. The 2 gals and 5 guys and me all fit nicely into the 8 man rated shelter. Still raining in the morning at the usual get up time....so rolled over and went back to sleep. Still raining but kept hoping it would stop soon, but became obvious that wasn't going to happen. So plan "B" is hike in the rain. It did keep raining until shortly after noon, sun never did come out.Boots and socks are soaked through. Taking them off tonight, toes are turning white and all wrinkly.
Date: 2010-07-11
From: Velvet Rock Shelter

To: Hanover
Miles today: 1.5
Weather: clear sky

Easy and short down into Hanover. Breakfast at Lou's Bakery and Restaunt again. I like that place will have to go back and try there mile high apple pie. Taking time off from the trail for the next week or so to enjoy the company of my wife. I am happy to be spending time with her here in NH.
Date: 2010-07-21
From: NH Hwy 25C

To: Glen cliff 
Miles today: 4.9

Absolutely enjoyed my time off the trail. Fun exploring and sight seeing with Barb. Kind of wondered why i was joing back on the trail.Got to the Manchester Airport to drop Barb off, returned the rental car, my shuttle driver back to the trail was fight on time. Sounds like a good welcom back to the trail. But what a start after 2 miles the rain started and got heavier with some small hail. Soaked to the skin from head to toe. Got to NH Hwy 25 and wondered now what???? the map says 0.3 miles down the road to the hostel which sounds better than the shelter 1.5 miles and probalby up hill. "The Hikers Welcom Hostel" run by Fatty Chap was a good choice. Bunk house for $15.00 w, clothes and shower. Got to get a better system to keep my sleeping bag dry, but not sure quite what to do.
Date: 2010-07-22
From: Glen cliff 

To: Breaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 8.0

NOw to start the real white mountain with a up and over Mount Moosilauke and above tree line. The day dawned cloudy and over cast with threating looking like rain clouds.Long hike up the trail to the summit. The trail crested the summit for 1/2 to 3/4 of mile completely above the treeline. The clouds swirled and washed around you and the wind was almost strong enough to blow your eye glasses off...or so it seemed. Awesome, and wild feeling!! Raises your adrealine level a whole bunch. Visibility was just far enough to see the next rock carin and keep you on the trail.Stayed at the shelter with 6 others all through hikers, so i had the lowest mileage of all. Rummey was a 20 something year old hiker from Maine who had graduated from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wi..... small world.
Date: 2010-07-23
From: Breaver Brook Shelter

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to clear blue skies and a bright clear sun rise breaking over the next far mountain.Down the rest of Mount Moosilauke. Steep, steep knee wreching down hill. Followed a cool mountain stream cascading down the mountain with you. Was a nice companion for most of the ride down. Steep smooth surfaced rocks with iron bars drilled in the solid rock hand support. Wood blocks fastened to the rock for step-like support...not a good place to loose your balance.White Mountains are tough!! It is obvious that my mileage is going to be in the 9 or 10 mile a day range and up the mountains is going to be 1 mile an hour or so. Just a little bit slower than the interstate.
Date: 2010-07-26
From: LIncoln,NH

To: Garfield Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Shuttle ride back up HWY 3 to the trail head near the Flume visitors center in Franconia Notch. Shared the shuttle with Go Fish.Lots of ups. If its the AT it's up. Climbed Mount Haystack, Mt Lincoln nad the highest so far Mount Lafaytte at 5260'-3800' climb. Fantastic view from the top, nothing but more mountains all around you as far as you can see. Thought we could see Mount Washington in the distance. The wind as awesome strong and gusty 40-50. Was worried that my glasses might blow off. You thought you knew where your feet were going to land when you put them down for the next step but sometimes it wasn;t quite in the spot you wanted. Wind would catch your pack and twist you sideways.Walked with Go Fish a 59 year old from NY. We seem to walk about the same speed ( slow). Hope to spend a couple of more day hiking with him. Would be nice to have company thru the rest of the Whites.
Date: 2010-07-27
From: Garfield Ridge Shelter

To: Zeeland Falls Hut
Miles today: 9.7

Beautiful sunny day for just enjoying. Climbed South Twin Mountain, beautiful view looking back at Lafayette and others. Got Zeeland Falls Hut run by the Appalachian Mountain Club. A hut is a full service hut with bunks, toilet facilities, big breakfast and full dinner meals. Inquired about a work for stay but they already had enough help. Had always wanted to stay at at least one of them so decided to pay for a night as there was a vacancy. Dinner was soup, salad, lasanaga , cookies and coffee and etc.Visiting with two young hikers and there dad before supper i was offered a free stay a Mizaph Hut and Lakes of the Clouds Hut. The third son that was suppose to come along was unable to go and reservations could not be canceled at the last minute. Trail magic extordinataire!!!! Thanks to Ray Buso.
Date: 2010-07-28
From: Zeeland Falls Hut

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: broken clouds

Thoroughly enjoyed that hut stay. The "Croo" ( workers ) at the hut are very engertic, friendly and fun to listen to. Decided to walk the A-Z trail instead of the official AT trail to Mizaph. Stopped at Crawford Notch, AMC Highland Center to charge the cell phone. Up to the hut and eventually in the next day headed to Mount Washington.
Date: 2010-07-29
From: Mizpah Hut

To: Lakes of Clouds Hut
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: fog

Loved staying at Mizpah Hut. Having a bunk and meals is delightfully relaxing way to hike even if it is in the mountains. Short miles helps too. Walked with the Buso's today, as they all have been here many times over the past years and make great trail guides. Great views of Washington with some clouds and then some sun shine.Looking back on Lafayette and Garfield mountains it is hard to believe i have actually been over those mountain already.Lakes of the Clouds Hut is the largest and highest in the system. It can accomodate up to 90 people with one sitting for meals in large meeting room. The bunk house has stacks of bunks 3 high, so it takes a ladder to get to the top ones. All the food has to be packed in on the back packs of the crew. Quite an undertaking when the nearest road is mountain miles away.
Date: 2010-07-30
From: Lakes of Clouds Hut

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: fog

Oatmeal with all the extra trimmings, bacon, maple syrup and pancakes. Since it is served family style there is all you can eat and i was happy to empty the serving bowls. Packed up and got ready to hike out. Sad to see the Buso's heading out the other direction and will miss hiking with them. Thanks for the trail magic. The Hut stays were great!!!!Sun was out and trip to the "top of world" being Mount Washington was 1 1/2 hour from the hut. All rocks for hiking. The wind was blowing at 35-40 mph and the temps were in the low 40's so it was chilly but the hiking warms you up pretty fast. Great day to be on top of the mountain.More trail magic with a stay at Madison Springs Hut. This from a gentleman that i had walked with for only a short while and don't even know his name. I am going to be spoiled. Supper was soup, fresh bread, greenbeans, boneless chicken breast, apple cheesy potatoes, and cookies and coffee.I am going to be spoiled.
Date: 2010-07-31
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: Wilcat Mount ski area tentin
Miles today: 10.8

Beautiful sunny morning, cool but NO wind. The valleys were all stuffed full with clouds and the mountain tops were above them. Up and over Mount Madison...clear and can see for ever. Big down 3000+ feet into Pinkham Notch., Hard on legs and knees, will be stiff and sore. Crossed NH Hwy 16 and back up the AT which is now also called the Wildcat TRail
Date: 2010-08-01
From: Wild cat Mount tenting

To: Imp Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: broken clouds

Today is Sunday. Thank you Lord for the safety and great passage of the high mountains. Everything here has a name, just for today the mountains were: Wildcat Mt D, Wildcat Mt C, Wildcat Mt B, Wildcat Mt A, Carter Dome, South Carte, Middle Carter, North Carter. Even the bottom of the mountains have names: Pinkham Notch, Carter Notch, Zeta Pass. Even the trail have names in addition to the AT designation but that would be to boring. Good thing all i have to do is follow the little white blazes.Really, really, really steep down on North Carter and the knees are sore.
Date: 2010-08-02
From: IMP Shel;ter

To: The Barn hostel
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

Interesting group of campers next to the shelter last nite. Mixed group of young teenagers with their counselors and an RN all out for a 4 day hike. All the kids have diabetes and are learning how to cope with it while living and hiking in the wilds and woods. They wanted to know my blood sugar level and i didn;t have a clue. They volunteered to check it for me and just after eating it was 150. Which i understand is normal for just haven eaten.Planning for a zero day at the hostel to let my knees and legs catch up on their rest a bit. Broke just under the 300 miles to go mark. Still seems like a long waya to goa. Will be glad to get it over with and finished.
Date: 2010-08-03
From: The Barn hostel

To: The Barn Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hostel is loaded with thru hikers, at least 10 and all are headed north. Seem like the trail might get crowded but once out everyone seems to disappear into the big woods and their own little space. The hikers are from all over the country and all have their own story of why they are hiking.Woke up to a rainy day, so glad it was planned to be zero anyway. Town days seem to be expensive at least for eating, and eating and more eating and getting food to hike out with.Rain stopped around noon so it wouldn't have been to bad to be hiking. My knees definitely need the rest. HOpe the hitch back to the trail tomorrow is easy.
Date: 2010-08-04
From: The Barn Hostel

To: Gentian Shelter
Miles today: 11.8

Breakfast was with a group of hikers at the local restaurant. Hitching a ride out didn't work very well, so after 10- 15 minutes decided to call for a shuttle ride, sharing the $10.00 cost with another young hiking couple. Got to the trail head about 9:30. Sun was out and so hot, haven't had to hike in hot weather for a while.Up, down, rough rocks, lots of roots, plenty of mud from the past days rain.Haven't got to the point of taking the "Freedom Step". And that is not to dance around the mud holes, or balancing on rocks or stepping on logs to stay out of the mud and water, but to just plow right on straight ahead on thru the the mud. Having the freedom to walk as you please!!! Probably not to far any from taking the freedom step.
Date: 2010-08-05
From: Gentian Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: haze

Lots of people at Gentian Pond Shelter and tent site. Tent sites all full and shelter is half full.Crossing into Main. Hiking in Maine is tough!!! Mud puddle jumping, steep rocky climbs, boulder hopping and slippery smooth rock downs. And I had the idea Maine would be easier. Way, Way Way off reality. Maine is tough. Hiking speed was a whole 1 mile per hour.I thought i was climbing Middle Goose Mt, when I was actually climbing South Goose Mt, and I thought i was climbing North Goose Mt, when i was actually climbing Middle Goose Mt....so you guessed it...i had a big surprize when i had to climb North Goose Mt again.Maine is tough.
Date: 2010-08-06
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Speck Pond Shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: scattered clouds

New speed record today 2 1/4 hours to hike 1 mile. Mahoosuc Notch lived up to its reputation. Hard but fun. Over, UNDER, around, across, sideways, pack on, pack off. Fun scramble.It is a deep gorge about as wide as a football field and maybe 200' deep, with vertical rock walls. The trail follows the along the bottom and it is filled with a chaotic jumble of garage sized rocks lying every which way. The rocks just go for the whole length of the gorge. There are spaces under the huge rocks to crawl thru, sometimes you can fit with your pack on sometimes you won't fit unless you take it off and push it on along ahead of you. All you have to do is follow the white blazes and arrows pointing the way. Don't be in a hurry to get thru and it is a lot of fun!!!
Date: 2010-08-07
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Frye Notch Shelter
Miles today: 10.4

Two slack packers came into the shelter about 7:00 or 7:30 after getting out of the light rain. They weren't able to make it to their pickup point before dark was about to set in. They had no extra equipment so with them but slept under their emergency space blankets and some extra blue plastic tarps left in the shelter. Definitely a cold miserable nite for them.Baldpate Mountain was bald just like a bald head of no hair. Good views and fun climbing. Hard to believe i have crossed all those mountains laying out there on the far horizon, or at least it feels like it.
Date: 2010-08-08
From: Frye Notch Shelter

To: Hall Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

Actually the shelters in Maine are called Lean-To. This Lean-to is full and sleeps six and is full with all thru hikers headed both north and south. It is interesting listening to the south bounders talk about what lies ahead.Going into town tomorrow so that means the food bag is getting pretty empty. Left overs for supper....powdered milk, pesto sauce powder, tuna fish foil, oat meal, one granola bar, olive oil, shaved almonds. NOT very tasty!!! Burned the mix onto the bottom of the pot on my little stove, so will have to clean that up..