morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-07-12
From: NH 25

To: South Kinsman
Miles today: 14.7

Allright.......man, what a day. The Hikers Welcome Hostel was agas; great people and a chill place to stay. Showers, food, tentingarea, DVD's (about a 1000 to choose from) and other fun stuff. Thanksto KB's mom for taking us into town and filling us up with grub...... We knew that this was the day that we would be starting to getinto the thick of the Whites up here and we were all excited. Mt.Moosilauke is the first place above treeline for northbounders.Man, what a climb..........we knew we were in the whites. Aftersweating out maybe 10lbs. of water we were above treeline and inthe Alpine Zone. And once on top....what a view!! I'm going to love the Whites. Aperfect day up there with a view of Mt. Washington way off in the distance. Funny thing; we all noticed some black smoke comingoff of Washington. One of the locals pointed out to us that itwas from the Cog Railway that trains people up and down the Mtn. The climb down was intense.....steep with rebar and stairs on rockfaces. Met up with another hiker, Sebastian, who is doing a stretchfrom NY to Mt. K.....cool dude. He got a kick it seems out of ourlittle group, all the drama and all the insanity. We tried to makeit to a shelter but fell short. As we hiked into the night a bit it became foggy and misty as we climbed back up. SB slippeda bit on a climb and we all decided to put tents up and callit a day. Sebastian made a comment about me being a man of judgement......thought that to be a bit funny. Actually dude, it wasn't a caseof judgement in the fog but just that I was damned tired We are in the Whites and life doesn't get much better........
Date: 2005-07-13
From: South Kinsman

To: Francona Notch US 3
Miles today: 12.0

OK, the next stop on the tour of the White Mtns. was thisthing called Kinsman. Unbelievable!! Straight up for a coupleof hours and I mean straight up. Lots of fun.....the rock climbingis a blast, sometimes grabbing with legs and hands to get up a face.Caught myself laughing a bit today.......felt like Gollum from Lordof the Rings. When the raw fish in the ponds up here start lookinggood then I will start to worry a bit. (Once on top again the viewwas spetacular.) We are still a bit confused by the AMC rules up here......the Whiteshave rules that go on forever. I am not complaining because I knowthey have to have something with all the people around. But forus thru hikers it is hard to adjust to. We got to Kinsman Pond and Camping area and a former thru hikernamed Dingle clued us in on the rules. Thanks dude....clearedup a lot about the stealth camping and AMC Huts. And I alsosaw Whits sister....a dog named Tigerlilly looked like a mirrorimage of Whit. Got some pictures and will get them up soon. Little confusion @ US 3 with SB's mom.......thanks for everything.We are all feeling a bit worn and we found a cool little place calledIndian Head Resort. So, you know us by now.......a zero tomorrow!(How could we pass up a place that has a pool, a jacuzzi, pool tabels,a restaraunt, ice cream stand, shuffleboard, etc.) Sitting here with the B's; sipping on some cold beer and nothingbut smiles...................
Date: 2005-07-14
From: Francona Notch US 3

To: Francona Notch US 3
Miles today: 0.0

This place called Indian Head Resort.......how can I explain thisone. KB thought it was so cheesy that is was cool. Couldn't agreemore. All's I can say is I haven't played shuffleboard since wetook our family vacations as kids.......except then there wasn't thebeer factor involved.   Good times, and a good stop. We are getting the muscles some restand what the heck, what is the rush???   Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh............................this jacuzziis awesome.   Peace.   "Dirty was the day break,   sudden was the change,   in such a silent place as this,   beyond the rifle range,   So, where to now St. Peter,   if it is true I'm in your hands,   I understand I'm on the road,   So where to now.....St. Peter   show me which road I am on"   Elton John
Date: 2005-07-15
From: Francona Notch US 3

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: few clouds

   What a great day!! It was perfect.......try to imagine this.......perfect blue skies, which is odd up here, a cool breeze at my backand walking the ridges of the Whites. We have had many, many amazingdays out here but this one is in the top five. (And that is sayinga lot.)   Once up Liberty Mtn. climb we were on the ridges of Lincoln, Lafayetteand the such. Mom and Dad, I am sure you remember the Greenleaf Hut. Now,I pulled out the map and figured which trail we must have taken to get there30 years ago or so. I can't remember much these days but that trip stillis vivid in my memory. From Greenleaf as a kid we didn't climb up toLincoln and now I can see why we didn't High climb but once on top...WOW!! We all took naps (as soon as the noisy Boy Scouts took off) anddreamed away. What a life......   Once more president to climb before the days end; Garfield. I was tryingto explain to KB about Garfield the president.....wasn't to muchinto Garfield the man as we were sweating up the long climb. Matter offact by the time we got to the top I think he hated the man.   Got to the Hut @ dusk; they let us work for food which was cool. Wedo work for the crew @ the Hut and they let us stay for free. We slepton the front porch.......beautiful full moon and clear skies.    Take care everybody and I have tons of pictures.....will get them on soon.
Date: 2005-07-16
From: Galehead Hut

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: fog

   Staying @ the Hut last night was a cool thing, don't get mewrong. But we all agreed that the families and kids running everywherewas a culture shock. We left the Hut and made a helacious climb straightup to the first ridge. Get to the top and it was the PTA or somethingmeeting on top. About 15 or so moms (and dont' get me wrong, mom Ilove you dearly), talking about there kids in the malls and otherloud things We sat there and realized......the Whites are goingto be crowded.....really crowded.    After telling one of the lady's that no, I didn't bring a machinegun to kill bears out here, we headed across Mt. Guyot and ZealandPeak. An amazing thing happened on an overlook that I still thinkwas a dream. I arrived to rest on a really cool overlook and a guyasked me if I wanted an ice cream sandwhich. Hmmmm.............okay...................................right. Thanks, but notvery funny. But, he opens a case of dry ice of all things and handsme two ice cream sandwiches. (Had to take a picture of course to make sure I wasn't dreaming). The two guys are known as the FirstScouts and thanks a bunch. Trail magic on a Mt. top in the middleof nowhere.......amazing people out here.   Anyway, laying here in between nowhere and somewhere........takecare everybody and words can't explain the Whites!!!
Date: 2005-07-17
From: Crawford Notch

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: fog

   Got up this morning with great anticipation....this was the day webegin the Presidentials. Jackson, Washington and the whole bit!! We hadheard about the climb up to the ridge......southbounders are great fornews of whats ahead.......and let me tell you it was tough but quitethe fun. Mt. Webster was the first and that is where I made a few calls to my brother Tom, etc.   Next was Jackson which was just beautiful. I layed there for a while and heard some rustling in the pines behind me. Thought fora second maybe a huge animal. To my disapointment it was some dudein the trees; didn't want to know what he was doing. I said helloand he mumbled something in confusion so who knows......   From Jackson, went by Eisenhower and up to Franklin which wasa cool deal. Franklin took me into the clouds for the first time. Isat down and ate a bit............what a great feeling to be in the clouds. Kind of alone in a different world...............   Hiked around another one and came upon Lake of the Clouds Hut.I also remember this one from being here as a youngster. I think thisis where Dad tought me some card games. This time around thoughit was a little different picture. All these kids running around...how did my parents make it thru all this noise??    Did some more work for stay (KB and I scrubbed the stove down whichwas interesting) and crashed in the dining room. Blind Tuna, August,the B;'s and myself spread across the floor, must have been quite thesurprise for the guests.   Full belly and smiles from here..........   "Lines on my head,   from that one thing she said,   she spoke of strangers,   kept on trying buying time,   not waiting on faith,   I somehow got the feeling,   I opened my eyes to late"
Date: 2005-07-18
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Osgood Tentsite
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

   What a day......Mt. Washington.......I left early (we didn't havea choice, the Huts are up and @ it early). The 1.4 mile climb fromLake of the Clouds lived up to its name. Very foggy but warm enoughI got to the top. Deep, and dense fog it seemed like walking intoa ghost town. A faint tower here; a building over there. I didfind the cafeteria though ( finding food in a fog is easy).   The B's and myself took some rest, waiting for there parents andfriends to meet us on top. Cool stuff up here; lots of weater gadgetsand forcasts and the such. The weather thing is huge up here; lots ofpeople running around checking stuff and reading instruments. (Brian,you would probably get a kick out of this).   We played some cards, I ate a few hot dogs and sandwiches untileveryone arrived. Thanks again guys for the food and conversation.Great afternoon relaxing in the downstairs hikers room ( they alwaysstick us thru hikers downstairs in dark rooms, can't understand this.Not like we stink or something)   Had to move on, hiked down Washington and saw that Cog Train forthe last time. It is a thru hiker tradition to moon the train butwe had some day hikers all around so we didn't think that to beto cool.   Adams, Madison (Madison was just awesome......we got to the topwhen the sun was falling into the west and I can't describe it inwords.....amazing stuff.)   Anyway, gotta go here, my computer time is coming up.......we hikedinto the night which was a trip and made it to Osgood Tent Site.   Goodnight from heaven...................
Date: 2005-07-19
From: Osgood Tentsite

To: Pinkham Notch/ NH 16
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: mist

   Man, after a late night of hiking we slept in a bit @ Osgood. Nicecool morning; great tenting.    Funny thing happened this morning.......I got up; half asleep anddazed as usual and opened up a bag of blueberry bagels. Sitting on thetent platform eating I realized that the bathroom in the woods wascalling. So I laid my half eaten bagel down and did my thing. When Icame back my bagel was gone. Smile on my face I tried to remember...did I eat that thing?? I know I didn't but found my answer soon enough.A couple of chipmunks were back, sitting about 5 feet away looking for more. Couldn't stop laughing.....some southbounders told me aboutthe chipmunks up here. No fear and ready to sit down and have breakfastwith me.    Also about 10 feet away we found a couple of huge snakes sittingin the sun on a log; all rapped up together enjoying the morning.    Anyway, we all got down to Pinkham Notch about noon. Thunderstormswere rolling in from the Madison/Washington direction so we decided tohead to Gorham. The weather is supposed to be awesome tomorrow andwe want the views as we go thru the Wildcats and the Carter range.   A big thanks to Bruce "Golden Waldo" Feige for helping us out forthe day. Great conversation and a great time.........   Some Chinese food; a few cold ones; a hot bath; and laying herewith some heavy eyes...............................................
Date: 2005-07-20
From: Pinkham Notch/ NH 16

To: US 2/ Gorham NH
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

   Every once in a while on this journey we get up early and putsome miles in.......and today was one of those days. We wanted to hikefrom NH 16 to US 2 and spend another night in Gorham.    It was a beautiful day.....sunshine and blue skies. The hiking wasamazing; lots of climbs and descents with a little of everything inbetween. Carter Dome was amazing; Zeta pass; Middle Carter Mtn. area;the whole thing was great. Some of the best views are the ones thatare unknown on the AT; the ones that nobody knows about. We came toa one of those places today after Carter Dome. It gave us a 360 viewwith the Presidentials behind us and Maine in front of us. Just amazing................   We have been very lucky going thru the Whites. The weather has beensplendid, clear and cool the whole stretch. When there was fog or rainwe would pull off and wait.    Getting to US 2 ends the stretch called the Whites Mtns. The hikingwas tough @ times; the territory was unbelievable and what can I sayabout the views. Will never forget this area.......................   The B's and myself got to US 2 early evening. At the last shelterthere was some beer in a stream. I grabbed one and sipped on it for thelast mile and a half. Coming down a flat stretch to the road; sippingon Bud; sun and breeze in my face it didnt' get much better the that.Maine is here and I don't want this to end but soon it will......   "On certain nights,      when the angles are right,      and the moon       is a standard crescent,      its circle shows,      in a ghostly glow,      Earthshine.......      stretching out your hand,      I can raise my eyes       to Eartshine."      RUSH
Date: 2005-07-21
From: US 2/ Gorham NH

To: Trident Col Tentsites
Miles today: 6.3

      Well, we chilled a bit in Gorham, NH today; doing some laundry,taking some naps next to the Post Office, eating some Ben and Jerry,the usual stuff. After yesterdays hike we were a bit beat and gotout of town mid afternoon.      We packed some Subway sandwhiches and headed out. Before we gotto Trident Col we saw another black bear. It was my second sighting andthe B's first; SB came around a corner and heard some movement ahead andlo and behold the bear was there. We tried to get some pictures; mine waspretty weak and SB's was fuzzy.       Down the trail a bit we came across the bear's scat in the middleof the trail (No toilet paper in sight) Got to the tentsite area and they had a rare bear box with a sign saying bear in area, please storefood and such. So, I went off a bit and ate my Subway (about a half mileinto the woods) and put my trash into the bin.       Sitting here, watching the sun go down and listening for ourfriend to come back.........................
Date: 2005-07-22
From: Trident Col Tentsites

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

      Okay, saw a really cool thing today. Came up upon a lake and hearda crash thru the trees. Thought it was another bear; but instead a moose.Usually they don't run but this one jumped into the lake and swam away.I got a good picture so hopefully I will get that up. (Either it is mysinging or my smell or both but these animals don't want any part)      Also, we crossed into our last state today; the state of Maine.The slogan is "life as it ought to be". Well, we crossed the line ina rainstorm so hopefully this isn't hiking as it ought to be.       The view before the rain on Mt. Success was amazing.....you couldsee Mt. Washington in the back and Maine again ahead. I was ahead ofthe B's a bit and KB could see me on a ridge; he kept yelling and woopingit up and I turned and waved. Few seconds later a huge cloud of fogungulfed the ridge and just like that......back in a fog. You can seefor miles and just like that it is gone.       Anyway, rain went away but the shelter here is very crowded. Goingto cross the Mahoosic Notch and the Arm tomorrow. Everybody coming southas been warning us about the notch.....should be interesting.      Hope the Boy Scouts tenting here shut it down soon, gettingtired..................................
Date: 2005-07-23
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

   Thank you to Alice; a college friend of SB's for taking us into town to re-supply and letting us stay @ the cabin. Cool stuff and alsoa great view.   Mahoosic Notch..........man it was a gas!! I loved every minute ofit. Reminds me a bit of the Elephant Rocks in Missouri. Took a whileto get thru that mile but was a great change of pace. Had to take offmy pack a few times and crawl down, around, and thru some boulders. Therewas still some ice left in deep crevices from the winter chill. Loadsof fun....   Now the Mahoosic Arm was one hell of a climb. Once on top it wasbeautiful; perfect day up here of 70 or so with a cool breeze. Sat therefor a while and played some tunes....doesn't get better then this.   Got to Grafton Notch and Alice took us into Bethel. First line ofbusiness was food of course. A half gallon of milk and a box of doughnutswas the first course; followed by a few beers, some chips, and anythingelse we could get our hands on.   The nightcap was some potatoe salad; a few more beers and some freshblueberry pie @ the cabin. I put my tent out on the front lawn on thisbeautiful cool evening.    Words can't explain the beauty......watching the sun go down over thelakes and mountains. Maine is how life should be..............
Date: 2005-07-24
From: Grafton Notch

To: Dutch Notch and Falls
Miles today: 9.6

   Another perfect day.......got that Canadian air blowing down a bitand the weather is great.   SB stepped a bit wrong today so we cut the day short @ the falls and set up some tents. She seems to be okay but didn't want to goany further. After the WHites and early part of Maine we all are startingto get sore. Everything is cool............just the late stages of thehike starting to set in. There are about four or five piggies on my feetthat aren't going to the market anytime soon.   Once the tents were up the B's were asleep B4 6 (I know, hard tobelieve.) I took a side hike up to the falls which was really cool.    Great day.......loving life up here in Main!
Date: 2005-07-25
From: Dutch Notch and Falls

To: Bemis Mtn. Lean To
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: moderate rain

      We all had a long, deep sleep and I was up @ the crack of dawn.Had one of those middle age moments......I had some cheese and turkeyand I put them in the stream to keep cool. The bad thing is I hadto write myself a note and lay it on my pack to remind me not toforget. The B's got a kick out of that............I tell them to waitabout 20 years and they will understand.      Anyway, we are having fun with out sanity out here. Maine isrough hiking........lots of steep climbs and roots and rocks everywhere.After doing Mt. Moody and then summiting Old BLue, we were sittingthere in a daze when along comes a northbounder named Captain. He wasstumbling around with a long root in his hand, mumbling some cuss words."Where is the nearest cliff, I am throwing this son of a bi*** ofof a cliff!" Said he was getting tired of tripping over the rootsand then walked on. Maybe not a bad idea......every rock I stub a toeI will start to remove from the trail.      We are true thru hikers now......talking to rocks and roots andeverything else out here....Take care!!
Date: 2005-07-26
From: Bemis Mtn. Lean To

To: Rangeley, Maine 4
Miles today: 17.7

      Wanted to get into Rangeley today and I think I was up B4 thebirds for a change.      The early part of the hike today was very cool....walking on hugerock outcrops that had been smoothed out by past glaciers. Spent the first few hours walking and watching the sun appear from the east. I can'teven begin to count how many beautiful sunrises and sunsets I have seenon this journey.      The hiking today was pretty level and that probably was the first timesince Massachusetts. Saw some cool lakes and ponds and got to Maine 4early afternoon. Doing my usual sad hiker act I saw a couple eating lunchin a SUV. Got talking to them a bit and got a ride, and a soda, intoRangeley. Thanks for the ride guys..........      The B's came in later; they found me @ the Saddleback Bar and Grill;drinking some Heinekens, eating a burger and enjoying the day. Toppedthe day by watching Office Space on AMC.......watching that movie maybe good reason to get to the end and then flip and head south toSpringer.(Just kidding everyone....)      Need my sleep, the Whites and Maine have been beautiful and tough.      Follow your dreams...........................
Date: 2005-07-27
From: Rangeley, Maine 4

To: Perham Stream Rd.,Me
Miles today: 14.7

   Man, did the rest feel good......we all slept in a bit (what a suprise,huh?) ; took care of some stuff in Rangeley. The B's got a maildrop, etc.   Sitting and chillin, having some breakfast we decided that maybe wecould stay in Stratton a couple of nights. Susan and Don who run the StrattonMotel had been picking up hikers all over from what we had heard and doinga shuttle back to their hostel and hotel. We called and all was cool.....we were to hike to a dirt road @ Perham Stream and meet them around8 or so.   Probably a great idea we did......it rained all day and man did itrain hard. Saddleback, The Horn and Saddleback Jr. were all foggy and misty.There was a chance of seeing Katahdin for the first time on Saddleback butdidn't happen.   Did have a blast though stomping thru the mud and puddles all day. Jumpingoff of rocks into puddles and such can be a blast!!   Not much else to say......time is slipping away up here and even talkingabout Katahdin is freaky. We catch ourselves trying to peek on overviewson clear days to see if it is near.    Maine......life as it ought to be!!   **Tom- - thanks for getting the pictures up....take care everybody!   "Man is born to die,      His works are short lived,      Buildings crumble      Monuments decay,      wealth vanishes,      But Katahdin in all its glory,      shall remain      The mountain of the people of Maine".      Percival Baxter
Date: 2005-07-28
From: Perham Stream Rd.,Me

To: Maine, 27 / Stratton
Miles today: 16.5

   Susan took August, Spitfire, Teach, myself, and the B's back to the trailhead where we were picked up yesterday. What a difference a day makes..Mother Nature has turned her head and brought perfect weather. From whatwe hear it is supposed to be in the 70's, cool breezes and bugless fora while    Anyway, came around a corner today and looked up and saw 3 huge cellphone towers on a peak. Have to admit, looked a bit odd. It was SugarloafMtn. which is a big ski area up here. Almost decided to do the extrahalf mile side trail to the top but got down to the next stream and atelunch and napped a bit.    It was perfect......sitting next to this beautiful stream, blue skies,eating some grub......perfect. Sat with the B's and we just took it allin. Sometimes you wish you could bottle such moments and pull them back whenyou need to. The beauty of the trail; something cool around every corner.Hell   What can I say but more views and more climbs. We hitched back intoStratton from 27.....now Stratton istn's NY or LA but the pizza joint withthe bar and pool tables was the sh**!! We ate a ton, drank some Labatte'sand listened to the tunes.    Sitting here with a cold Labatte's (no bear though) with some Floydplaying in the background..........      Peace..   **Congrats. to eveybody who has finished in front of us!!!!*
Date: 2005-07-29
From: Maine, 27 / Stratton

To: Maine 27/ Stratton
Miles today: 0.0

   Well, what can I say......we got to the Diner in town today andmy hunger, as well as the B's was insane. We ate some breakfast and realizedthat we were pretty worn and needed a day.   Took a great zero @ the White Wolf and chilled. You know the zeroroutine......lots of rest and food to boot. My never ending tapeworm is back. I think it is from the long and steep climbs we havehad recently.    Zero, zero , zero........good night!!