morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-07-23
From: Rutland

To: Rutland
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Highlight of Rutland Zero Day #2: Long Trail Brewery tour in the afternoon! Since I planned on sampling the brewery product extensively and I don't ride after drinking, my bike was left in the trailer after a morning excursion and I got to relax on the two-up and enjoy the scenery on yet another beautiful day! (photo was taken at a stop light. I'm not that annoying of a passenger!). Vermont has some incredible roads to cruise on and climbing mountains on a bike is just awesome. We cruised around a bit more, looked at more beautiful mountains, and ate at some seriously delicious places in Killington. I knew I had to hike in the morning (and he had to drive 12 hours) so as the clouds started to threaten rain we called it a day and packed up both bikes before walking to dinner.Back to the trail tomorrow. My home state is so close!!
Date: 2016-07-24
From: Rutland

To: Stealth Camp
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

I was trying to find the Lookout today but the hiking was super difficult and my phone died after trying to search for service all day, so I ended up getting frustrated and just camping at the first flat spot I found. It was an annoying afternoon.However, I did leave the Long Trail early today and most of the trail was well-kept (if up-and-down and exhausting!)Two roads diverged in a crowded wood and I... I took the one that leads to Maine!
Date: 2016-07-25
From: Stealth Camp

To: White River
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: few clouds

Another long day. I'm staying at a trail angel house in West Hartford - look for a big blue barn with an AT symbol and listen for Linda calling out with the offer of snacks and drinks!!Linda is amazing and made sure I had plenty to eat before offering the lofted barn as sleeping quarters for the night. I was exhausted and my leg is giving me issues so I happily accepted. There's even a collection of movies and a television!! Looks like I'll be watching as much of You've Got Mail as I can before sleep overtakes me.I also met up with some new friends, Edge and Shire, and am glad to be finding a bubble again.Some things today:These trees fascinated meIf you say so!New Hampshire is tomorrow. You have no idea how excited I am... HOME STATE! HOME STRETCH!!!
Date: 2016-07-27
From: Hanover, NH

To: Goose Pond Rd
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: few clouds

Shire had some business to take care of today and couldn't hike so I decided to slackpack north and come back to Norwich/Hanover for the night to stay with her in the hopes that she can hike out tomorrow. I only made it 13.2 miles because HOLY COW it was blisteringly hot and the climbs exhausted me. I finally made it back to the trail angel's house that we are sleeping in tonight and I was so dehydrated and overworked that my stomach turned sour. Luckily after some cool water and an hour of laying on the floor I felt alright again and even enjoyed some delicious chicken tikka masala for dinner. Yummmm!I highly recommend getting a photo of the trail angel contact information from Linda at W. Hartford before heading into Norwich/Hanover. The group of trail angels here are incredible and so helpful to us! We appreciate you!!!!
Date: 2016-07-28
From: Goose Pond Rd

To: Hexacube Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

Another trail angel blessing: a very nice gentleman took me back to where I ended my day yesterday! Love this trail community!The main challenge of the day looked to be Smarts Mountain, a significant elevation gain with some steep sections. It was definitely challenging but I made it to the top (and up the neat fire tower) much earlier than I thought I would. I met Kentucky on the way up! More bubble friends!On the way up Smarts MtnFire Tower views!Nailgun, Blacksmith, and Mishap all showed up as I was contemplating whether to stay on Smarts for the night or push on. Their intentions to get somewhere close to Mt. Cube swayed me and I took off with them. We actually all made it to Hexacube Shelter, which is about 1/3 of the way up Mt. Cube and a bit of a crappy climb at the end of a hot day. There's also no good water (a small stream runs near the start of the blue blaze but it's not great). I'm just glad we don't have to do that part tomorrow! Plus, this shelter is hexagonal and center-supported, which for some reason makes it awkwardly adorable. I would have taken a photo but my phone makes everything purple and fuzzy in low light and it was already 5:30 when I got there. I'm just happy to be here, happy to be in New Hampshire, and happy to be with friends.
Date: 2016-07-29
From: Hexacube Shelter

To: NH 25
Miles today: 9.8

The mountains are getting huge again! Mt. Cube, though weirdly named, was awesome and quite open with small alpine trees at the top. I'll be spending quite a lot more time above clouds and treeline soon. Tomorrow is the first 4000-footer (Mt. Moosilauke) of the White Mountains. I'm excited and just the right amount of nervous (as long as 'might puke from anxiety' is the right amount...)I have less than 400 miles to go. I've hiked almost 1800 miles in the past four months and though I don't feel like a "hiking machine" I'm definitely getting pretty good at this. I'm more worried about the reports of a sick (probably dying?) juvenile moose standing on the trail up on Moosilauke than I am about the climb itself. And since I'm surprisingly close to my hometown in southern NH, tonight I get to go home and sleep in a comfy bed and hang out with the famous Water Buffalo! Maybe he'll even hike Moosilauke with me tomorrow. I'm sure everyone would enjoy another account of a Water Buffalo hiking adventure, right!??
Date: 2016-07-31
From: NH 112

To: Kinsman Pond Campsite/Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: mist

Official for-realsies Day #1 in the Whites and I did more than 11 miles! I feel like a rock star.It was a late start to the morning due to the fact that I was home with Water Buffalo, who made delicious eggs and bacon for breakfast before we did the 1.5hr drive back to the mountains!! I was sad to leave my hometown but with less than 400 miles left on the trail I'm also happy to be "close" to done. I'm still nervous about the rest of NH but we'll see how it goes. Nothing to do but hike.The first section of the day was ROUGH and we make progress incredibly slowly and with serious difficulty. I caught Blacksmith and Mishap and we've decided to hike the Whites together, at least. So happy to be with my trail BBFLs! Since we were moving so slowly, we discussed the possibility of stopping after only 7 miles at Eliza Brook Shelter and doing Kinsman in the morning. Well, we got to the shelter at 2:30 with a 4 miles hike to the next shelter (over Kinsman!). At first, I didn't want to push on, but 2:30 is so early and I got bored quickly. Plus, 7 miles seems like a terribly short day, though I know that "Whites Miles" are much shorter.Surprising pond before the Kinsman cliff climbIn the end, we pushed on. Kinsman was also hard - lots of rock scrambling and groans as we'd turn a corner and see more straight-up rock face. Dark clouds started to close in as we summitted so we scooted onward towards shelter.Better get moving...Overall, I'm glad we went for it because we made it to Kinsman Pond with plenty of time for dinner and stretching before bed - and we're almost alone here! Kinsman Pond! Wow!Welcome to the Whites!
Date: 2016-08-01
From: Kinsman Pond Campsite/Shelter

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: clear sky

Today was short and a fairly simple descent. It did start to rain soon after we started hiking so it was a damp and depressing walk to the Flume Visitor Center parking lot in Franconia Notch. Happily, the best part of the day was finding Shoe again! He's been off doing non-trail things for a week and I was very happy that I caught him as he came back to the AT (although he still has a tight deadline so I think he'll be hiking on ahead very soon). The Whites are still great! I'm having a blast.
Date: 2016-08-02
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Whew!!! Up Little Haystack, across Franconia Ridge, and down the other side in hot sun, cool breeze, and pouring rain, in that order. The descent to Garfield Shelter was a tricky, slippery, fairly dangerous slip'n'slide of a waterfall trail after the freezing cold rain started up on the top of Mt. Lafayette. I'm happy to be dry and warm in the shelter now.I did get many awesome photos today!And then the rain started and my camera got tucked away safe and dry.I'm going to try to make it to Pinkham Notch without resupplying in Crawford Notch. There isn't much there and I just want to keep moving. Mt. Washington is calling! I have about 2 days of food and I need closer to 3.5, but I think the huts will have leftovers and snacks for sale - I can make it! I also met a really nice section hiker today on top of rainy Lafayette who might hike with Team Fun Miles (me, Blacksmith, and Mishap) for a little while. New friends! Yeah! There are a lot of people in the Whites - NOBOs, SOBOs, section hikers, weekenders, and day hikers. It's crowded.
Date: 2016-08-03
From: Garfield Shelter

To: Ethan Pond
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: mist

Today was full of surprises! It was also a very fun day. The climbs were difficult, as expected, and Galehead+South Twin mountains kicked my tired hiker butt, but they were the only hard parts of the day. The section hiker (who we've named Compass) is still hiking with Team Fun Miles.My food plan is successful so far. Galehead Hut croo kindly gave us some leftover cold oatmeal and Zealand Hut croo offered some delicious lasagna from last night. We even got to Zealand early enough to play a few rounds of Apples to Apples and relax a bit!Surprise #1: my mother and aunt have been telling me to look out for someone who works "with the trail in NH". I knew only her name, but somehow I ran into her at Zealand Hut, where she works on croo. So cool!! After a long break at Zealand Hut, TFM pushed on five more miles to Ethan Pond. The miles between Zealand and Ethan Pond follow an old rail bed and we covered them in only two hours. We were flying.Surprise #2: We'd heard a rumor that a large bull moose hangs around Ethan Pond, but since the sad malnourished moose sighting on Moosilauke I haven't been too keen on hoping for wildlife. However, WE SAW THE SHELTER MOOSE! He is the happiest moose in the world and spent two hours swimming, eating, and playing in Ethan Pond while all the hikers at the shelter watched quietly at twilight. It was wonderful and completely erased the sad feelings that had been lingering since Moosilauke. Ethan Pond: no moose yetEthan Pond: there's a moose in there, I swear!Mt. Washington starts tomorrow. I'm excited and I want to go as far as I can, not because I want the Whites to be over (I love it here!!!!!!) but I'm so anxious to be in Maine!
Date: 2016-08-04
From: Ethan Pond

To: Mizpah Spring Hut
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: few clouds

Well, I didn't make it all the way to Lakes of the Clouds Hut like I'd hoped, but it's for a good reason! Mizpah Hut had a few bunk spaces left and I decided to pay for one and experience what life is like for hut-vacationers. I gotta tell ya, it's pretty sweet. It's expensive for just a night's stay in a bunkroom but I really wanted to experience a hut before leaving the Whites and this was my chance. I know that Lakes fills up fast and is super huge (read: crowded) so I'm very glad to stay here instead.It's fun! Delicious food, fun company, and the croo is hilarious and really great. I have been having the time of my damn life up here in the White Mountains. Something about this being my home state and the perfect weather and these gorgeous peaks just makes my heart sing. My negative feelings about hiking are totally evaporated and I'm left with a wonderful optimism about the rest of the hike. Plus, everything is fun and funny!I don't remember the joke, but does it matter? I'm so happy up hereI get to climb my favorite mountain of all time tomorrow morning and I don't think I've ever been more excited for six miles of hiking. Washington!!!!!!
Date: 2016-08-06
From: Mt. Washington

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

For some reason there is a weird controversy about whether the AT actually crosses the summit of Mt. Washington or not. I think it's because the highest point on the trail is Clingman's Dome and when people from New Hampshire hear that fact, they assume that the trail doesn't summit Washington, because how could any mountain be taller than our beloved Washington!??Well folks, I'm here to make it clear that the AT does absolutely cross the summit of Washington. Blaze right here. End of discussionI tackled the end of 'The Prezzies' today and ended at Pinkham Notch. It turned into a beautiful day and I'm very much looking forward to a relaxing zero before Wildcat.I love these mountainsI'm getting a bit sad to leave the Whites and New Hampshire but I'm still so excited to be getting so close to The Big K!
Date: 2016-08-08
From: Home

To: Zeta Pass
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Wildcat nearly broke me!! I knew it was going to be rough, but I had no idea that after a full day of rest I would still be exhausted trying to climb the darn thing. I made it to Carter Hut and felt like I might just fall asleep on a bench and never get back up. The moral of the story is: WILDCAT IS NUTS.THIS. FOR MILES.I wanted to ride the gondola down and never come back up.So yeah. I had planned 13 miles and only made it about nine. Stealth camping in the Whites!!! Luckily tomorrow should be better and I'm planning a night in Gorham before the push for the Maine border. Ugh, Wildcat!
Date: 2016-08-09
From: Zeta Pass

To: US 2
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I cruised into town around 5pm today and shortly ran into Diesel and Cold Snap waiting for a shuttle. I'm glad to see them since I thought my bubble had all moved ahead! I was right about my assumptions for today - much easier than Wildcat craziness yesterday and the descent NOBO into US2 is very easy. Hurrah for easy!!Beautiful alpine pondsGorham is neat! It's fairly small but Jericho Mountain, a dirt park(?), is nearby, so its a popular destination for four wheeler and RZR enthusiasts. In fact, I think I'm coming back after my hike to participate in 'Camp RZR'! In other news, less than 300 miles to go and I'm feeling great. Can't wait for Maine! I'm staying in a hotel room by myself tonight since I need a bit of decompression time... That means I need to be alone! Its so strange how the trail gives you very few times to be truly alone. There's always someone nearby!
Date: 2016-08-10
From: US 2

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Today was humid and gross. Humidity really saps my energy and makes it hard to keep hiking, so I'm very proud that I kicked butt and made it 11.8 miles in a pretty short time. I also walked the 3 miles from town to the trail so it's more like 14.8, really!!Anyway, I didn't quite make it to Maine today but I'm only 5 miles away and I'm at peace with making it tomorrow.I did hit one big milestone today!1900! Huge!This shelter is beautiful and I would probably sleep in it if there weren't weekenders here making a ruckus. Does that make me a jaded and annoying thru-hiker? Whatever. There's also a shelter moose!!!! Actually, it's a resident female moose with a baby! I watched them playing in Gentian Pond for nearly an hour. Then it was time for appetizers and conversation and dinner with Cold Snap and Diesel and bed! MAINE IS TOMORROW!
Date: 2016-08-11
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: scattered clouds

So many emotions today. Crossing into Maine was such a thrill but at the same time I was so sad that it's almost over... AND so frustrated that I'm still so far away. MAINE! I cried.276 miles seems like so few compared to 1912 but objectively it's still a huge number! Maine is pretty insane already and this isn't even the 'hard' part. Everything is huge boulders or smooth vertical descents or gnarly climbing. Ugh!very rarely there are semi-helpful laddersI even saw a guy slip down a treacherous rock face, jam his trek pole to stop his descent, and snap the darn thing in half. Yikes!! I really hope I never break mine. The 'hardest mile on the AT' is tomorrow - Mahoosuc Notch. Yes, it's really known as that.... I'm a little bit nervous even though boulder scrambling is probably the thing I'm best at doing. Nothing to do but go for it!Game face.
Date: 2016-08-12
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Okay, the insane and difficult part of the day was NOT Mahoosuc Notch. Looks scary!But it isn't scary, really.After an hour and twenty minutes, which included a snack break, I was through the hardest mile on the AT. Personally, I thought it was fun. Plus, the crevasse goes so deep that cool air constantly blows up through the boulder cracks and it's like having air conditioning!! So comfy for hiking.The Mahoosuc Arm, though!??? NOT FUN. The climb up Old Speck after the Arm ascent!? PANTS-POOPINGLY CRAZY. Why doesn't anyone warn us about Old Speck!?? It's a sheer rock face, straight up, and it was seriously windy and raining as we climbed up. I was honestly a bit terrified. Old Speck is the peak IN THE MIDDLE OF A DAMN CLOUD. What.After finally conquering the unexpectedly scary Old Speck, I was lucky enough to score a ride to town from Diesel and Cold Snap's friend who was already meeting them there. Unfortunately my original plan to meet up with some trail angels didn't work out, but I still made it into town. I think I'm due for a zero to recover, avoid tomorrow's rain, and rest up before Baldpate. I'm so glad to have Mahoosuc behind me!
Date: 2016-08-14
From: Bethel

To: East B Hill Rd
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: few clouds

Well if I thought Old Speck was pants-poopingly terrifying, I have no idea how to describe Baldpate's East Peak. It was absolutely insane!!! Huge, sheer, wet, windy, lichen-covered rock face. The AT went straight up it. No handholds, nothing to grab, just get your body as close to the rock as possible and trust your tread. I was incredibly nervous about slipping and did most of the climb on all fours to crouch as low to the surface of the slab as I could. I'm very very glad that's over.Carefree hikers, unaware of the terror lurking ahead on Baldpate!In better news - my friend Suzanne is coming to hike with me tomorrow!!! She's doing 2-ish days with me (including an overnight!) and I'm so excited. I just hope we can both fit in my little Big Agnes Fly Creek 2. Technically it's a two-person tent but it's really like 1.5. We're going to be snuggling!!!
Date: 2016-08-15
From: East B Hill Rd

To: South Arm Rd
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: few clouds

Guest journal entry by Suzanne!!Monday I met Elle sitting on the side of a dirt road by Surplus Pond. She hadn't been there more than five minutes when we (myself and my friends with a nearby camp, Tom and Terry) drove up. She and I unloaded much of our gear into Tom's truck and set out for South Arm Road. 8 miles!But first, let's take a selfieThe trail started off fairly flat with a soft, wide trail and eventually had some steep parts but I felt really good. I think I impressed Elle with how well I kept up with her. I even got mistaken for a thru-hiker (ha!!!) Overall it was not a terribly challenging mountain - just the right size to start with. In the blink of an eye (1.3 miles) we were at Hall Mountain Shelter for an early lunch, complete with an overly friendly chipmunk. Next was the descent into Sawyer Notch. I very quickly learned why REAL hikers like going up better than down. I'm not very good at going down. Terrible, actually, and I slipped on a moving rock (rocks aren't supposed to move!!) and fell pretty hard. I caught myself on a fairly pointed rock with my right knee. Minimal blood, but likely a nice purple bruise will ensue. That just validated my fear of climbing down rocks! Next up: Moody Mountain. We were warned with signs and by other southbound hikers, I mean SoBos (I¢m slowly getting all the terminology) that Moody Mountain was very steep. It looked pretty steep in the guidebook too. I was nervous. Alas, when you keep your head down to keep from falling over all the trip hazards, you don't notice exactly how big it is! In fact, Moody was very manageable for this first time backpacker. I kept up with Elle (or at least she slowed down enough to let me think that) and made it to the top! We had a nice break and headed down to South Arm Road where my car was gloriously parked and waiting! Happy hiker ladies!Successful first day after 6.5 hours of hiking. We finished the day with Diesel and Cold Snap and I dropped them off at Glen Ellis Hostel in Andover before heading up to camp for wine, beer, dinner, a jump into lower Richardson Lake and a sunset boat ride with Tom and Clem the dog. Oh, and we got to sleep in a BED!
Date: 2016-08-16
From: South Arm Rd

To: Bemis Stream
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: scattered clouds

DAY 2 of guest entry by Suzanne!After a slow start to the morning (how could we pass up bacon and eggs!?) we drove back to the crossing at South Arm Road for our rigorous morning of conquering Old Blue Mountain. It was definitely longer than the (not so) Moody Mountain. But... definitely manageable. Helpful or annoying? You decide.2.8 miles later we hit the summit and had a snack break while soaking up the views. The next few hours were up/down/flat and really enjoyable hiking across the ridge to Bemis Mountain. However, it seemed like we kept hiking, and hiking, and hiking, and FINALLY started the ascent to Bemis. The trail was so pleasant (a.k.a. EASY) so I wasn't complaining. We did make it eventually and it seemed like a cakewalk compared to Old Blue. Then it was down-down-down (boo). Elle didn't appreciate when I started singing The Ring of Fire. I guess she has no sense of humor when it's "serious hiking" time. Down, down, down leads to water!We did have a bit more up (yayy!) to Bemis Second Peak (... Okay, who does that??) and our next trail marker was Bemis Mountain Lean-to. ¢The plan¢ (I'm quickly learning that plans are always flexible on trail) was to stop at the Lean-to and assess weather and motivation. Then, after a break, we would decide if we could push on the 3.4 miles to Bemis Stream camping area. It was 4:30pm when we got to the lean-to. Another hiker (with two dogs) was there and we knew if we pushed on tonight we would only have a single measly mile left in the morning, so we didn't even stop. It wasn't raining (yet) but we knew it was coming so we booked it down to Bemis Stream through some beautiful rock slabs (though strangely zig-zagged) blueberry bushes and (my not so favorite) steep down-hill rock scrambles. At 2 miles out, it started a light sprinkle and we picked up the pace into ¢beat the rain¢ mode. No matter how far we hiked I continued to use the mantra ¢only 2 more miles¢ right up until we saw the tenting spots where we again met up with Diesel and Cold Snap. Elle set up the tent (I wasn't allowed to help in fear of slowing her down) just in time for the real rain and we called it a night!!elle's note: Suzanne is downplaying how incredibly well she hiked today. She was on thru-hiker pace for 12 full miles including a three mile section where I was hiking as fast as possible to beat the rain. Not only did she keep up but she was upbeat and positive the entire time. I think her trail name should be Piglet!!! She is awesome and I'm so glad to have her with me (snuggling in this tent in the rain!) for these few days!