morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-12
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to

To: South Arm Road Campsite
Miles today: 17.0

Woke up to sunshine. Very nice, except the trail was nothing but standing water and streams. We renamed it the AT ¢River¢ Trail. We had GREAT views on top of Bemis Peak #1, #2, and #3; not so good from East and West Peak of Bemis Mountain. There were a few parts of the trail where we needed to take off our shoes and put on our crocs because there was just so much water flowing down the trail. After Old Blue Mountain we had a very steep decent down to South Arm Road, then a stream fording (our deepest yet) and to the campsites on the far side of the stream. Emily showed up a few hours later but pitched her tent on the other side of the stream, not realizing we were nearby. Into Andover, Maine tomorrow for a ZERO day.
Date: 2007-07-13
From: South Arm Road Campsite

To: Andover, Maine
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: scattered clouds

We stopped at the Hall Mountain Lean-to for a mid-morning break and ran into Hedgehog, Sugar, and Justin about to hit the trail. We met Pinecone (Emily) 2 days ago and now we meet the 3 Bears! They were heading into Andover too, so we all hiked down to the road to catch the shuttle to the hostel called Pine Ellis Lodging. Showers, laundry, food and ice cream, and drying out our wet tents and gear. The usual routine when a thru-hiker hits town.UPDATE: Late afternoon Bluebird and Dot showed up to do section hiking in Maine. We had dinner at the General Store, then to bed.
Date: 2007-07-15
From: Andover, Maine

To: Baldpate Lean-to
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

On our way once again! General Store was broken into during the night. Eileen's husband Paul passed away during the night. Noon start from Pine Ellis. The hard rain had just subsided and sun was threatening. Easy few miles to Frye Notch Lean-to for a break and we ran into Scott the Marine taking an extended break. We headed out and the clouds came up as we approached the East Peak of Bald Pate Mtn, and left as we descended then climbed up the West Peak of Bald Pate Mountain. I took a lot of pictures because we were not rushing. Came up on the shelter with 4 NOBOs, a high school camp group tenting, and a few section hikers tenting. Lots of conversation with the NOBOs. Perhaps the Mahoosuc Notch tomorrow.
Date: 2007-07-16
From: Baldpate Lean-to

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: few clouds

Today was the day we did Mohoosuc Notch. We climbed over and under car and house sized boulders, and saw the dead moose at the southend. It took up around 1 hour and 20 minutes to go 1 mile. A few things that I have learned on the trail - from experience and from talking to the 30 or so NOBO thru-hikers:1) Your feet and body never stop hurting2) You never become "immune" to blisters3) The next peak that you are hiking up to always LOOKS FARTHER away and steeper to climb than it really is (with the exception of the Whites).4) Snickers have a GREAT calorie/weight ration5) You get better at packing your backpack each day6) Because you are usually not in one place longer than one night, the likelihood that you will lose/forget something goes up dramatically.There are 10+ people at the shelter tonight with several people tenting - very lively. Including Goldilocks and the 3 Bears are here tonight.
Date: 2007-07-17
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Trident Col Campsite
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

We crossed the Maine/New Hampshire border.Only 13 states to go!So we are going to arrive 1 day early into Gorham. We had great warm sunny weather today, and went over several peaks above treeline with great views. We also went across the Maine/New Hampshire border. Pretty much hiked all day. The Whites look huge looming in the distance.
Date: 2007-07-18
From: Trident Col Campsite

To: Gorham, New Hampshire
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: few clouds

Was awakened by rain at 5:30 am and instead of our tents getting soaked we packed up and hit the trail. Eric however was awakened by one of the teenage campers making loud grunting noises near his tent in only shorts and sandals. We have 2 different theories as to what this grunting teen was actually doing. We had 2 mountains to go over then down to the highway to hitch into the town of Gorham, NH. It rained the entire time and part of the trail went through ferns and bushes that almost covered the trail. In the rain those leafy beauties turn into natural "Super Soakers" from the waist down (shorts, legs, socks, shoes). I had my last clean, dry pair of socks that were soaked minutes into the hike. We arrived at the highway around 10 am but could not get a hitch in the rain, so we walked the 2 miles to the White Birches Hostel that we had heard about but was not in the guidebook. We were both delirious from lack of enough calories that were both pretty grumpy. Headed to the pizzeria after some coin-operated showers. Hung out in town, did some errands. While getting coffee at McDonalds, since every other place is closed after 2 pm, up drives Goldilocks and 2 of the 3 Bears. The third Bear (Papa Bear or Hedgehog) walks up after eating at the Burger King. Later on we are able to get a ride to Berlin, NH, the next town, to see Harry Potter (the 3 Bears saw the Transformers movie). To bed as the rain continues to fall.
Date: 2007-07-20
From: Rattle River Shelter

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: fog

Early start in the rain. We are now in the White Mountains and we passed the 300-mile mark today! Great views once the rain stopped and sun came out. For lunch we stopped at Imp Campsite/Shelter and ran into TNadine, Wildfire and Ashes (all SOBO thru hikers.) Arrived at the hut around 3 pm and they only had 2 work-for-stay spots. Sketch and myself got them and everyone else is tenting tonight. Otherwise the stay at the hut costs around $75 including dinner and breakfast. We are going to talk after dinner to the guests about our AT hike, then we will sweep the bunkhouse in the morning.
Date: 2007-07-21
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: Osgood Tentsite
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: mist

Got a late start because we were doing some work-for-stay chores after breakfast. It had also turned windy, rainy, and cloudy overnight so everyone else had a late start too, hoping it would clear up. Ran into two ladies out hiking and handing out home made brownies to thru-hikers. Wildfire declined and then they didn¢t believe he was a thru-hiker. Fun comments of the day: ¢If you were running for mayor, you would have my vote.¢--->referring to how inspiring it was that I was thru-hiking as commented by a day hiker. ¢You look like a thru-hiker.¢-->from a day hiker as well--> I LOOK LIKE A THRU-HIKER!
Date: 2007-07-22
From: Osgood Tentsite

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Got an early start with a hot breakfast. We got above treeline fairly quick up the trail and it was beautiful. Sunny, clear skies, clear views up and down the notch (valley). Our first challenge was the climb up Mt. Madison and then down to the Madison Hut for breakfast leftovers for $1. The AT then goes just past Mt. Adams and Mt. Jefferson. Lots of dayhikers on the trails because of the great weather and it was a weekend. Even a guy running on the trail. As you approach the last climb to Mt. Washington you can first see the cog train tracks and then you see the black smoke spewing out. As I got closer I got to the spot where the trail runs close to the tracks. I was mentally preparing myself for a full moon. You see¢¦it is thru-hiker tradition to moon the cog railroad train because it spews so much polluting black smoke. So I see this guy hiking down the trail with a black t-shirt with a white blaze on the front. I said ¢that is an interesting shirt¢ then ¢will you moon the train with me?¢ Turns out it was Sweetfish, a SOBO thru-hiker from 2004 that had not mooned the train on his thru-hike. So, as a team ¢mission accomplished¢ then we turned around to wave and the entire train waved back at us.You get to the top of Mt. Washington and there are seemingly hundreds of tourists that traveled by car, motorcycle, train, and a few hikers. There are all the tourist amenities to go with them. Had some food, twice, wrote and mailed postcards, then headed down one more mile to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut to do work-for-stay.So the ¢you look like a thru-hiker¢ comment is so neat because I was discussing with Eric at what point would we feel comfortable calling ourselves ¢thru-hikers¢, and we decided that after we crossed the Maine/New Hampshire border, we could.
Date: 2007-07-23
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Ethan Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: broken clouds

Great sunrise from the hut. And we had done our work the night before, so we could get an early start. We were still above treeline along the ridge, so we had endless views. We cranked out five miles and stopped at the Mizpah Springs Hut for $2 all-you-can-eat (AYCE) baked goods¢¦Eric and I cleaned them out! Then out along the Webster Cliffs and looking back at Mt. Washington it seemed forever ago. 5-String, a NOBO thru-hiker, was at the shelter and serenaded us with his banjo and singing. Excellent!
Date: 2007-07-24
From: Ethan Pond Shelter

To: Garfield Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

Rainy night but we were luckily dry in the shelter. Nice trail to Zealand Falls Hut- goes along an old railroad path but the rail line is now gone. We got there just in time to help them eat their leftover pancakes from breakfast for $1 each. The sun came out and we dunked our bodies in the falls and laid out in the sun. Also ran into Murphy, Whiskers and Emily at the hut; all SOBO thru-hikers. Had an afternoon bottomless soup bowl session for $2 each at the Galehead Hut, then hiked to the campsite with VERY full bellies.
Date: 2007-07-25
From: Garfield Ridge Shelter

To: North Woodstock, New Hampshire
Miles today: 10.3

Cloudy morning but cleared up as we reached Mt. Garfield and the Franconia Ridge was gorgeous and views forever. Felt like we were walking on the Great Wall of China. Once we got to the trailhead we went to the road. Had a hard time getting a hitch, but was ultimately picked up by a bus that shuttles people to go rafting. Checked into the hotel (no hostel in town.) Lots and LOTS of packages at the post office for both of us. Christmas in July (THANKS FOR EVERYONE!), then laundry (wearing my raincoat and pants, which I will be mailing home today.)Back on the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2007-07-26
From: North Woodstock, New Hampshire

To: Elize Brook Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: few clouds

I could not sleep well for some reason so I got up out of bed and wandered down the streets of N. Woodstock at 12:30 am. The bar was closing up and a cop was driving the streets. After calling a friend to get caught up on work news, I headed back to the Autumn Breeze Hotel where we were staying. The cop approached me in his car just to check on me, no worries, then on back to bed.In the morning, breakfast at the Woodstock Inn with Seattle¢s Best Coffee (nice). Eric was still asleep. Then to the Post Office and the lady working there told me that she had been following my journal! OMG! Then we are packing up to check out of the hotel room, sitting on the chairs outside the room, and up drives a green Subaru ¢ I¢m thinking they are going to ask for directions or something, but instead they ask ¢Are you a Thru-Hiker?¢ then ¢Are you Boo-Boo?¢ Then they ask if we need a ride to the trailhead. And we did, except Eric needed a little more time to finish his food resupply action and go to the Post Office once more. So Tom and Anne O'Connor (the people that had driven up in the green Subaru) said they could pick us up in an hour! Their daughter had thru-hiked the AT twice¢¦trailname Wack-A-Pack. So they picked us up at noon and they went out of their way to show us the now fallen apart ¢Man of the Mountain¢. Oh, and they asked what did we like in our food boxes?!?! How great is that?!! Once on the trail, we hit the Lonesome Lake Hut, only a few miles in, and had soup and homemade bread. Yummy! On up over the 2 peaks of Mt. Kinsman, then on the descent ran into Spartan, a flip-flop thru-hiker from ¢Jersey¢! Nice conversation and he didn¢t seem to have the 2,000 mile stare that many of the NOBO¢s have. They seem very distant and many (but not all) are not terribly interested in chatting with SOBOs. But Spartan was very engaged in the conversation.The shelter tonight is next to a brook within earshot, very reminiscent of Maine. Feet are doing better since I switched to trail runners in Monson, Maine, and I have not lost any more toenails. I also am the most tan I have ever been ¢ but only the parts my shorts and t-shirt don¢t cover.
Date: 2007-07-27
From: Elize Brook Shelter

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Got started at the usual time of about 6:30 am but the hiking went downhill from there because it was so hot and humid, and both Eric and I had not eaten enough for dinner and breakfast. So when Eric caught up to me 6 miles into the day we revised our 16 mile day to a 9 mile one for our sanity. A mile after making this decision we hike to the parking lot at Kinsman Notch for a break and are promptly asked if we are thru-hikers, and did we want some cold beverages, brownies, and cookies! They also had chairs to sit in! It was Mary (MMMMB?) and Calvin Batchelder, who come out frequently to that spot to treat thru-hikers. We ended up sitting there for over 2 hours chatting with them and met 3 NOBOs in the process. Spartan (the flip-flopper we met yesterday) drove up with his family to look at Moosilauke Mtn and said hello. We then had only 2 Mountain Dew powered miles that ascended rather steeply up rock and wood steps to the shelter. A few of the steps were missing as the Darmouth Outing Club was out working on replacing steps. Great views from the shelter. The black flies however were not so fun at the shelter.
Date: 2007-07-28
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: Ore Hill Shelter
Miles today: 15.3

We crossed the 400 mile mark today! WAHOO!! After I finished last night¢s entry Hedgehog showed up at dusk and Sugar behind him by 45 minutes or so. They had been playing catch up the last 4-5 days so Sugar could return Hedgehog¢s stove. You see¢¦Goldilocks and 2 of the Three Bears had forwarded their stoves to Glencliff, so cooking dinner was a challenge. We also got the camp group¢s leftover instant pudding from the counselor that we befriended.So today started out much better than yesterday. It was cooler and lower humidity and we had a 2 mile climb up to the top of Mt. Moosilauke. Great views above treeline, with the sun competing with the clouds for sky real estate. Once we were down off the mountain and on to the flat trails we ran into a few day hikers, one of which called Eric a ¢real hiker¢. Rolled into the shelter at 2 pm, made dinner and took a great nap! 3 NOBOs rolled in a few hours later. Sprinkled rain off and on all day long and the bugs have increased now that we are at lower elevation.
Date: 2007-07-29
From: Ore Hill Shelter

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Worst night of sleep ever. It was the mosquitos coupled with me being too lazy to put my tent up. The sun was out though with a few clouds and the temperature and humidity down slightly. Nice views from Mt Cube ¢ although Eric was dragging and that was a bummer, as I was feeling pretty good. The NOBOs had told us there were Cokes in the stream at South Jacobs Brook, and there were still some when we got there! Whomever did that rocks!So it is very nice to be hiking with someone as a mood adjuster. On some days one person is feeling great and can pull along the person that is dragging along. Some days we are both feeling great and cruise along. And other days we both get slowed down and feel less than energetic and shorten our hiking day¢¦like that really hot and humit day 2 days ago.
Date: 2007-07-31
To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The AT Haiti ChallengeMany of you following Becca¢s AT adventures know about her recent Haiti adventure. In case you missed Becca¢s story about her experiences in Haiti and the Haiti Nursing Scholarship Fund that she has established, take a look in her PREP trail journal (#6 and #7). Becca is out there hiking every day, putting up with sore feet, bug bites, cold and rain, and everything else nature has to offer. You can put a spring in her step, lighten her load, and help her get to Springer Mountain. How? By supporting her fund-raising efforts.Here¢s the challenge¢¦.as a group¢¦.let¢s raise $1 for every mile Becca hikes along the AT! That could be as much as $2,175¢¦almost enough to cover the education costs for one of the nursing students in Haiti!Nursing school in Haiti is 4 years long, and costs approx. $2500 in US dollars for 1 person's life to totally change. So, if you feel that education is important to you - consider donating ($1, $5, $20, or more) to the scholarship fund through: REAL HOPE FOR HAITI P.O. Box 23Elwood, IN 46036 (PLEASE write SCHOLARSHIP A.T. HAITI CHALLENGE on the MEMO line, and if you need a receipt please note that you need one). Submitted by Becca¢s Dad
Date: 2007-08-03
From: Hanover, NH

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Being in town is never as relaxing as one might anticipate. Why? Because you have errands to run. The errands allow you 4 to 7 days of hiking. These include: showers, laundry, buying food for resupply (then repacking said food), picking up and/or mailing packages from the post office, finding lodging, internet, and finishing up photo logs and journaling. This doesn¢t leave a lot of ¢relaxing¢ time unless you take a ZERO day or a solid NERO (hiking less than 5 miles to get into town or to leave town.)One good thing that comes of this is that we learn how to navigate around a town pretty quickly. We use resources and get really good at approaching strangers to ask for directions and recommendations. Word that travels up and down the trail from other hikers is a big help too.We got into town from Manchester NH around 1 pm and didn¢t leave town until 4 pm because of the heat and good company. There were 11 SOBOs in town including ourselves: Skeeter, Puck, Hedgehog, TNadine, Sketch, Sugar, Murphy, Emily, and Whiskers. Great trail magic along Elm St. in Norwich, VT. The trail goes right past a house where a young girl lives. She has chairs, a cooler with cokes and yogurt, candy, and even a trail register.
Date: 2007-08-04
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

Another hot day but a bit cooler than yesterday. Slept in a bit and got started around 7 am or so. The trail goes right through West Hartford, VT and I stopped at the newly opened general store for some 2nd breakfast goodies, including ice cream. Met ¢Radar¢, a NOBO that had stopped in for real breakfast foods and ended up chatting for a while. Hedgehog and TNadine rolled by and we headed on along the trail with them. But we only made it 0.2m down the road and came across a good swimming spot in the river, only Eric and I stopped for a dip. Felt great as the water felt like pool temperature.Stopped earlier in the day than planned because we were a bit tired from a combo of the heat, sleep deprivation, and our packs feel so darn heavy with all the food we are carrying. Enjoyed a few tunes on the guitar that Eric played, then took a nap.
Date: 2007-08-05
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: The LOOKOUT
Miles today: 14.0

Always nice for 2nd breakfast to consist of blueberry peach pie¢¦still warm¢¦and ice cream! The trail takes up across VT-12 and there is a farmstand 0.2 miles from the trailhead. A few more miles to the Wintturi Shelter for a break, then on to the LOOKOUT. A private cabin with a lookout built onto the roof with 360 degree views. Great sunset from the lookout. Here tonight is Whiskers, Sugar, Sketch, Eric and myself. Hedgehog and TNadine had pushed on to the next shelter. Eric played a bit of guitar and then Whiskers played (who was excellent.) Felt like a SOBO reunion today. The slightly cooler weather had made all the difference in our hiking and moods. Off to bed with music playing in the cabin and Sketch, Whiskers and I trying to sleep on the roof lookout.
Date: 2007-08-06
From: The LOOKOUT

To: Pico Camp
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: light rain

What a day! It started out with Eric waking me up (which never happens) with gorgeous sunrise action in progress. I had tried to sleep up on the roof on the lookout platform with Sketch and Whiskers but we were all squished together so no-one was on the edge, it did not bode well for sleeping. We kept each other awake joking late into the night. The stars were so cool and the moon came over the horizon as a blazing orange. Several shooting stars as well. So anyways, I couldn¢t fall asleep so I climb down and settle inside the cabin, falling asleep instantly. So, OK¢¦..back to the sunrise. I climb up to the lookout and wake up Sketch and Whiskers so they can watch the sunrise. It was 5:40 am and the sun had yet to come up over the horizon. Off to the west there were rain clouds as far as the eye could see, but clear to the east. A rainbow appeared after the sun crested to horizon and it proceeded to rain a minute later. Sketch and Whiskers proceed to throw their things off the platform and scurried down the sketchy ladder to get out of the rain. So after the beautiful night, we get to start hiking in cold rain.Stopped by Stony Brook Shelter for an early morning break. Then stopped at Mountain Meadows Lodge at Kent Pond for the ¢hiker¢s special¢ lunch and spent an hour trying to dry out. We stopped by the Inn at Long Trail to see if we would bump into Hedgehog and TNadine, but no luck. We did meet 2 NOBOs who had seen them a few hours before (they had a bicycle horn and bell on their hiking poles to warn others of them passing on the trail.) We pushed on to Pico Camp and met Blissful and Paul Bunyan at the shelter (despite the name¢¦there is no camping allowed at Pico Camp, go figure.)We are sleeping in the clouds / permafog tonight.
Date: 2007-08-07
From: Pico Camp

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

Aug 7, 2007Start: Pico CampFinish: Minerva Hinchey Shelter (tenting)Miles: 16.3Nice sunny day after yesterday¢s rain. Went swimming at the ¢gorge.¢ Met the 2nd SOBO that has caught up to us  Stargazer who started on June 28th with no ZEROs (the first one that passed us was Rambler.) Started pouring just after midnight but our tarptents performed well.
Date: 2007-08-08
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Peru Peak Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

Lazy start because of the rain, but had great coffee and conversation with a few of the NOBOs in the shelter, OX and Nuclear. Hiked most of the day with Eric (now ¢Music Man¢) and Stargazer, which is unusual because we all usually hike alone during the day. We were in shelter heaven and were able to take evenly spaced breaks. It rained off and on all day long.
Date: 2007-08-09
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Manchester Center VT
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The DYNAMIC DUO have arrived safely in Manchester Center, VT.They've reconnected with Hedgehog...and joined up with two other SOBOs Peace Train and OBIE.Heading back out on the trail tomorrow!One QUARTER of the way there!!FLICKR site has new pictures posted covering the period of July 30th (Hanover) thru Aug 9th (Manchester Ctr). Trail Journal here has been updated for the same period. More photos will be added here this coming week.NOTE: Mail Drop dates have been revised!(reported by Becca's dad)
Date: 2007-08-10
From: Manchester Center VT

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Thank goodness for the great trail magic of cokes 20 feet into the trail. We needed the caffeine to recover from town (and the Long Trail beers we had to celebrate 500 miles.) Super easy trail somehow turned into an athletic event hiking to the shelter, and we pulled each other along in a 3-person train. We had found Hedgehog in town and he has been hiking with us since. Nice sunset.