morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-08-01
To: Great Barrington
Miles today: 0.0

As is often the case when I'm off the trail I woke this morning exhausted, don't know why that should be the case but it happens. Add to that anxiety over my snake bit and swollen ankle and it was easy take a zero. I took my time cleaning and sewing a few rips in my gear then went food shopping. All the while I made sure I iced and elevated my foot often to keep the swelling down. I had a visitor: Tony, a family friend and member of the Conway, MA Thursday Hikers drove all the way here and took me to dinner. Thanks Tony!! I hope to see the group up the trail soon. I ended the day with a salad and a pint at the brewpub next door to my hotel and packed up. I'm ready to go but still anxious about leaving town with a swollen foot despite the doctor clearing me to hike. Wish me luck!
Date: 2018-08-02
From: Great Barrington, MA

To: South Mount Wilcox Shelters
Miles today: 11.8

I was back on the trail by 9:00 this morning. Terrain was a bit steep and it rained just enough to keeo the humidity up. My ankle and foot were swollen this morning but the days activity helped clear that up, just like the doctor said. It's all good tonight but for some itching. I'll have to be very careful to keep it clean to prevent an infection that could lead to the dreaded necrosis. I continue to see plenty of thru hikers headed in both directions. Word is that this is the northern edge of a huge group. Looks like they'll pass me soon. One thing about going slow: I get to meet EVERYBODY! On we go...
Date: 2018-08-03
From: South Mount Wilcox Shelters

To: Mile 1546.9
Miles today: 13.5

Today was good. The swelling in my ankle is completely gone and I feel stronger than I have in weeks. There were no big mountains to get over and it's not too rocky. Ran into Workhorse, Autumn, One Foot, and Cinnabuns again, seems like we're all keeping the same pace right now. At a road crossing there was a well stocked snack stand with an honor system cash box. Next to the PopTarts were gallon sized ziplock bags full of Alpaca fur selling for $5.00. Is that a good price? Later I came across a Magic box filled with little apple pies, yum!There were warnings up all day for evening thunderstorms. I decided that this time I wouldn't stop to to wait them out but would hike on till 7:00 unless it became unsafe. At 5:00 an hour long torrential downpour began. The lightning stayed away so I pressed on through the wind, rain, and mud. At 7:00 I found a spot off the trail and set up in the rain. The pack I'm using now is not as waterproof as the one I started with and some of my things got wet. It's not cold enough to be a big issue now but I have to come up with a solution quickly as I'll soon be at higher elevations. On we go...
Date: 2018-08-04
From: Mile 1546.9

To: October Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 11.1

Hard rain all night and well into the morning made for a late start. By noon the sun was out but the trail was very muddy making for slow going. There are many streams, ponds, and lakes in these parts, it's very pretty country. I crossed over Interstate Rt 90 which was interesting as I've often driven past and seen the AT sign on the trail overpass. I met a SOBO while gorging at a Magic Gatoraid and PopTart stash (I forgot his name but it was from Greek mythology). I queried him about camping areas in the White Mountains. It's something I've been concerned about but he assured me that campsites are numerous with plenty of trees for hammocks. Work Horse and a gentleman whose name I keep forgetting (sorry) are at this spot tonight, good to know everyone hasn't outpaced me! I've got a room reserved in Dalton, MA tomorrow so I can get my myself and my stuff clean and dry for the push into Vermont. One muddy step at a time...
Date: 2018-08-05
From: October Mountain Shelter 

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 11.8

I really wanted to get an early start so I set an alarm for 6am but woke just after 5:30 and began packing up. Work Horse and Hills (THAT's his name) were already up and almost ready to go...how do they do that?! At 6 the alarm sounded and broke the sacred morning silence...and I was 100ft away in the privy. After an eternity I got back to my hammock to turn it off and apologized for the major violation of trail etiquette. No harm done as all were up already. WH and Hills left camp about 15 minutes before I did. As I hit the trail I immediately knew they had gone SOBO by mistake. You see, the first hiker out in the morning gets to break through all the webs and the spiders were very busy last night. The trail was thick with webs for me to clear: across my face, in my hair, over my arms and legs...like Gulliver in Lilliput. This is the best reason to sleep in every day. After about an hour of trailblazing WH and Hills caught up and I gladly let them take the lead. Soon some SOBOs passed by and the trail was officially "all clear" for the day. Our work was done: Day hikers - you may begin walking now. (You didn't think all those webs just MAGICALLY disappeared, did you?)I arrived at the hotel by 4:00, got cleaned up, did laundry, had dinner, and composed this. The Conway Thursday Hikers plan to meet me on the trail tomorrow. That will be very cool. An early start is warranted.I'll set an alarm...
Date: 2018-08-06
From: Dalton, MA

To: Mark Noepel Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: mist

I got the desired early start thanks to air conditioned hotel sleep and a quick breakfast at the coffee shop next door. I consulted with another guest, Insect (SOBO), about trail conditions north of here. She advised that Vermont was a quagmire, in fact she was zeroing to dry herself out. Fun fun. At precisely 1300hrs, in a prime example of precision hiking by all parties, I met my Aunt Penny, Tony, and the other Conway Thursday Hikers at the designated trail location. We enjoyed snacks on the mountain overlooking Cheshire, MA then headed down to the parking area for Magic fruit, muffins, and soda. A few other hikers came by to partake then I headed off NOBO with a spring in my step. It was great to hike with, and share my adventure with those 9 fine people. I now feel fresh, energized, and newly inspired to finish well. THANKS!!I got a text from John this afternoon asking how I was doing so I called him to catch up. He hasn't yet fully recovered from his foot injury but is plotting to get half the trail done before winter and perhaps finish next year. He's got the Katahdin bug like me so I know he'll find a way there. He also informed me that Plodalong and Grandma Shorty left the trail in New Hampshire and might not return. I'll have the three of them in mind as I push on. Closer every day...
Date: 2018-08-07
From: Mark Noepel Shelter

To: Sherman Brook Campsite 
Miles today: 11.3

This morning I went over Mt. Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts, the climb was pretty easy but the descent was long and steep. Massachusetts  has had the gentlest terrain of any state so far and my feet don't hurt anymore. Yay for that...but my knee is beginning to act up. I'll need to keep the daily miles reasonable and rest often.Tomorrow I'll cross over into Vermont. Two SOBOs, Hazmat and Redwood, are sharing the camping area with me tonite and we talked trail conditions...looks like they get a break while I'm headed into Mudville..joy joy...
Date: 2018-08-08
From: Sherman Brook Campsite 

To: Congdon Shelter 
Miles today: 12.4

I crossed into Vermont this morning and as expected things got muddy then afternoon rains turned the trail into an ankle deep cascade. I walked through ice water streams in Georgia and flash floods in Virginia. This was as bad except the water was warmer and thick with dirt washing downhill  The rain stopped before I arrived at the shelter area. The stream nearby is running clear so I waded in to rinse the mud off and out of my shoes. There are lots of people here but Hills is the only familiar face.The AT follows the same route as The Long Trail for the next 100 miles. Long Trail (LT) is not just a beer, it's the nations oldest long distance hiking trail and served as inspiration for the establishment of the AT (if memory serves me correctly). It runs 270 miles from southern Vermont to the Canadian border. Aspiring AT hikers often take on the LT as a "practice run" and many of the people I'll see for a while are thru hiking the LT. I'm heading into Bennington tomorrow for a Nero day. My food bag is almost empty and my knee needs some ice. I hope to get to the Killington area in about 10 days. I'm very much looking forward to that as I'm familiar with the area and have friends there (here I come guys!). Superfriend Dan is also meeting me there with my fall weather gear...summer in New England will be over before you know it and I'll still be walking...on we go!!
Date: 2018-08-09
From: Congdon Shelter 

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 4.3

An easy day. Slept late, hiked short, checked in, showered, and shopped. Got some nice Magic and trail advice from just finished Thru hikers Mews and Fleet while waiting for my ride into town. Work Horse and some others were there too, they continued NOBO. That's about it, will hit the trail tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be fresh and energized but no matter, gonna get it done regardless. Zzzzzzzz....
Date: 2018-08-10
From: Bennington, VT

To: Goddard Shelter 
Miles today: 10.2

Whew! Lots of uphill today, that's always the way coming out of a town. No one builds a city up on the mountain, silly, that's where they put the trails. Passed lots of SOBOs and Long Trail hikers but there are only a few people near the shelter tonight, no one familiar. The terain is more "piney" and the temperature is cooler up here. Vermont weather for sure! I'm camped at 3500ft and it's chilly with no bugs. Rain showers are predicted for tomorrow as I approach Stratton Mountain.
Date: 2018-08-11
From: Goddard Shelter 

To: Mile 1634.4
Miles today: 12.5

Tough day today: rain, mud, and rugged ground conspired against me. I hope to get more miles a day through this section but it's just not happening. I've got to average about 10 miles a day, including zero days, to get this done before winter weather in Maine could shut me down. And the toughest mountains are yet to came...oh boy...Stratton Mountain looms tomorrow...gotta get some sleep...
Date: 2018-08-12
From: Mile 1634.4

To: Mile 1647.0
Miles today: 12.6

Rain and drizzle all day. I went over Stratton Mountain and climbed the fire tower to peer into the cloud, on a clear day I'm sure you can see forever. Most of the other hikers I'm seeing now are SOBO. Don't know what happened to the NOBO bubble, maybe I'm the last one...bringing up the rear!If the weather was dry I could be making big miles through here as it's pretty flat. Unfortunately it's so muddy and slick I have to go slowly so as not to slip and fall or worse tear up a knee...I had some close calls with that in the last few days.Bub and John Cueman are meeting me outside Manchester Center tomorrow morning to take me into town for lunch and resupply. I'd love to spend the night but I'm at the point now where I've got to spend as many hours hiking each day as possible. I'll need to get off the trail for rest eventually but not quite yet. On we go...
Date: 2018-08-13
From: Mile 1647.0

To: Bromley Shelter 
Miles today: 6.8

Rain made it extra difficult to get packed up and going this morning. Even in the best of weather I've never been much of a morning person...that hasn't changed just because I'm hiking. The rain stopped by 11:30 when I met Bub and John at the trail side parking area outside Manchester Center. After exchanging pleasantries John took me to his house where I got cleaned up, washed my clothes, and enjoyed lunch and a fantastic view with him and his wife Lisa. After food shopping we stopped for a quick visit with Bub and Ginni before he dropped me back at the trail. The afternoon flew by and it was good to sit and chat while drying out. Thanks!!It started pouring rain again as I hiked away from town...of course. Having just gotten used to being dry I wisely decided to stop at a nice shelter a few miles in and just short of Bromley summit. No one else is here and I'm sleeping in the shelter, the first time I've done that since North Carolina (I think?). There's a covered porch with benches and a table so it'll be relatively easy to get packed up in tomorrow's rain. Maybe, just maybe I'll get an early start. Yeah right...sloggin' it out regardless...
Date: 2018-08-14
From: Bromley Shelter 

To: Lost Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 12.8

The shelter last night was dry but I was not comfortable on my thin sleeping pad and didn't sleep well. Still, my stuff and I got through the night without getting soaked. It poured all night and didn't stop till 8am when I was loaded up and ready to go. The trail passed over Bromley Ski Resort and a few other high peaks but mostly stayed in the swamps. The sun came out but slick conditions prevailed, again keeping my pace down. I ran into NOBOs Spider and Penguin, some Long Trailers including Strider and Hemlock, and a group of SOBOs who clued me in on what's ahead: lots of big mountains. No kidding. Thunderstorms are rolling through as I write this and some of the lightning sounds like it's directly above me. Yikes! Another day in the clouds...
Date: 2018-08-15
From: Lost Pond Shelter 

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Overnight rains gave way to morning sunshine and it turned out to be a gorgeous day. The trail was smooth and not too muddy and grades were pretty mild allowing me to throttle up for a change. I passed a few ponds and sat down beside one to watch the loons dive for food. There were several wide stream crossings - some had bridges, others required skilled rock hopping. The forest has an alpine look now: mostly pines, birch, and maples. Up till recently most of the trees were oak. Tomorrow I'm going to try to get up Killington Peak to stay near a shelter at the top. Weather is supposed to turn bad on Friday and I'd like to be headed down from there when it arrives. I'm also considering going into Rutland for resupply on Friday. It all depends on getting big miles again tomorrow, we'll see. Let's continue...
Date: 2018-08-16
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge Shelter at Killington Peak
Miles today: 14.1

I had a bad fall this morning, slipped on a rock and went down hard re-injuring the same shoulder I hurt back in March. I was able to keep going dispite the pain but it was all uphill; it's relatively easy to walk uphill with one arm in a sling - downhill not so much. At least I know what to expect: it'll hurt a lot so use it as little as possible for a few weeks. Taking much time off at this point is definitely not an option.Fortunately Superfriend Dan is coming up early next week with my fall weather gear so I'll take a zero with him while kicking back at Ted Griffins cabin, maybe I can get in some slack packing with his help. My sister Ellen will also be traveling thru here so hopefully we'll cross paths. Ironically Joyce and I have been coming up here this exact time every year for decades, she can't get here to join me next week but it'll be nice to keep the tradition going. But none of that will happen unless I can get down from here (Killington Peak) tomorrow before the rains arrive and make it too slick for a one armed hiker. I'll be up before dawn and try be ready to hike at first light. Then I'll figure out a way to put in decent miles each day until Dan arrives. Here we go...
Date: 2018-08-17
From: Cooper Lodge Shelter at Killington Peak

To: Killington, VT
Miles today: 9.6

Dispite some over night shoulder discomfort I was up before dawn and ready to go as it got light. The downhill trek started well enough but several small slips caused me to throw out my arms to maintain balance causing great shoulder pain. Negativity soon began to take hold. Experience told me this was not a day to push on so I called ahead and reserved a room just off the trail in Killington where I had planned to stop anyway to buy food. The knowledge that a nice bed was ahead powered me through the mud and mid-day rain. The hotel is right on Rt.4 at Rt.100. I've driven past here dozens of times, never thought I'd stop in...let alone WALK here. After cleaning up I gorged on deli sandwiches and refilled the food bag. I'm all packed up for an easy exit in the morning after a hotel breakfast. More rain predicted tomorrow...great...
Date: 2018-08-18
From: Killington, VT

To: Mile 1716.5
Miles today: 11.3

I was up early for a great breakfast made to order in the hotel lobby then napped till 9:00 when the rain stopped. The rest of the day was dry and I made good progress even with one arm in a "sling". Work Horse, VanGoh, and Hales are camped nearby tonight. There's a dirt road mearby and a bunch of cars and trucks came by at dusk headed to a party up the road. I can hear them living it up, sounds fun! Looks like good weather the next few days. Gonna try to make Hanover, NH before I zero with Dan. One more solid day then I can finalize those plans. Onward...
Date: 2018-08-19
From: Mile 1716.5

To: Mile 1730.5
Miles today: 14.1

It was a beautiful Vermont summer day: sunny, dry, & cool. The trail is soft underfoot and there are many cool clear streams to cross. The woods are deep green and open areas are covered with flowering goldenrod and milkweed. I passed through a forest of maples strung with tubing for the late winter syrup harvest. Several of us took a long break on the porch of farm stand on the outskirts of Woodstock. VanGoh and I split a fresh baked blueberry pie. Some of his ended up in his beard then he had iced cream: beard ala-mode!Conversations now turn to the next challenge: the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Consensus: no problem. There's an unspoken rock solid confidence that all of us still hiking will make it through to Katahdin - just the Varsity left in the game now.The shoulder is still sore with sharp pain if I lift my arm. It feels exactly like it did when I hurt it back in March. I expect the recovery will be the same except I don't have the option of taking a week off. I'll continue to walk with my arm hanging from my sternum strap to minimize movement and "deploy" it only when terrain dictates. Cell service is not good through here but I was able to contact Dan to request a pick up tomorrow afternoon. Current plans are to slack-pack on Tuesday and zero on Wednesday. Tonight I'm camped in a dark pine forest near a hilltop, no one else is around as the owls, crickets, tree frogs, and...and whatever THAT is...sing me to sleep.Zzzzzzzz....
Date: 2018-08-20
From: Mile 1730.5

To: Mile 1739.7
Miles today: 9.1

Another great weather day, I could get used to this. Over grassy peaks with great views and through green fields and dark forests. I took a snack break at a shelter with a privy shaped like a tiny gazebo. I walked with Work Horse for a few hours. We had been told to expect Magic at a house somewhere in White River Jct. and sure enough as we crossed a bridge Trail Angel Linda called out an invitation to come over for snacks, sodas, and coffee. We stopped to enjoy the hospitality and conversed about her home town and ours. She was babysitting her young granddaughter who was cute as a button as she quietly listened to us talking. How awesome it is for her to meet people from all over the world right there on Grandma's porch. A few miles later I arrived at Podunk Road where Dan would pick me up to take me to the Griffins cabin for some R&R. WH moved on but I'll see him tomorrow as I slack pack SOBO from Hanover, NH after Dan drops me there in the morning. He'll pick me up at Podunk in the afternoon and take me back to the cabin for a second night.
Date: 2018-08-21
From: SOBO from mile 1753.2

To: SOBO to mile 1739.7
Miles today: 13.5

First thing in the morning we hopped in the car and Dan drove me north into New Hampshire to drop me off for a SOBO walk back to where we met yesterday. Much of the trail follows the road on this section and along the way we saw many hikers (including Work Horse) carrying their heavy packs in both directions. I only had supplies for the day and was looking forward to hiking unladen. Headed SOBO it was an easy downhill walk into Hanover, NH where I stopped at a diner for breakfast. The town was crowded with newly arrived Dartmouth College students and their families; it's freshmen orientation week and signs along the trail warned that the college sponsored hiker services and facilities were not available until September. I spent much of the day following the trail along the road on nice smooth sidewalks. When the trail went through the woods I took time to photograph the many varieties of mushrooms popping up. It has been a banner season for them due to all the rain. They ranged through an amazing palate of colors from cinnamon brown to red, orange, and blue.As a SOBO'er for the day I had the pleasure of crossing paths with dozens NOBO'ers during the course of the day. There were many new faces and some familiar ones I hadn't seen in some time: Granny Gear, Half Way, Joe, Autumn, One Foot, and Pilgrim. Somehow I never ran into Work Horse, he probably ate at a different diner. In another textbook example of precision hiking I arrived back at Podunk Rd. at exactly 4:00 where Dan was waiting to take me back to Griffin's Cabin - stopping (of course!) at Long Trail Brewery for dinner and a pint. Tomorrow is my hard earned zero day. Ellen and Mike are touring through here in a rented RV and we hope to at least meet for lunch. It's turning out to be an awesome week. Back to the trail on Thursday...
Date: 2018-08-22
To: Plymouth, VT
Miles today: 0.0

Tonight is my third night with Dan here at Griffins Cabin and today was my first true zero day in 3 weeks. Ellen and Mike pulled up in the RV this afternoon and we had lunch and dinner together while sharing stories of our respective adventures. They're hitting the road in the morning as Dan takes me back to the trail. Thanks to Ted and Joyce for making the place available to us. I've got my cold weather gear, a full food bag, and am ready to tackle the White Mountains despite lingering shoulder problems. Gonna power through...
Date: 2018-08-23
From: Mile 1853.2

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 12.2

Super friend Dan dropped me off this morning after breakfast in Queechee. I felt I could have stayed all week at the cabin with him, Ellen, and Mike but I must get back to the task at hand. Today was my first full day in New Hampshire: two states and just over 400 miles to go. I have cold weather gear now, just in time as it's kinda chilly tonight. I also have my 5th pair of shoes and 3rd pair of hiking pole replacement tips. The poles themselves are bent from the rocky ground and corroded from the sweat running down from my hands, after cleaning them up I think they'll be ok. I was able to use both poles most of the day but the shoulder still hurts pretty bad, nothing to do but power through (and not fall again!).Almost a dozen young (20-something) NOBOs are camped around me tonight. They are all good, funny, positive people and it cheers me to be amongst them.  Let's continue...
Date: 2018-08-24
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Mile 1777.4
Miles today: 12.0

The terrain is beginning to get difficult as I approach the White Mountains. I hiked for 10 hours today and only covered 12 miles. The weather is cool and dry but the rainy summer has left mud everywhere. I passed several groups of Dartmouth students, one group was singing a Taylor Swift song...until they saw me, it was a funny moment. I leapfrogged Ambassador (NOBO) from London most of the day and we are both camped in the same area. The large group I camped with yesterday have pulled ahead, I think...the woods are thick here and they could be nearby without me knowing.The sun is slamming down earlier every day which is going to make getting big miles very difficult. Just gotta keep moving, all day, every day. On we go...