morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-08-09
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is for Maura Cass and all the Cass/Ryan family especially my good friend Jimmy Ryan. Heavy rain during the night but the morning was dry. I was on the road around 6.30. Again I climbed to the summit of Glasterbury and the tenters were still asleep. Sean O passed me within an hour and disappeared in the morning mist. I marvel at his speed and stamina. I walked four miles to the next Shelter where I stopped for food. The going was slow and the Trail a mess. My feet were wet since early morning. There was no sign of a let up in this miserable weather. Even though it rained heavily the dead murky thundery weather continued. It was hell for hikers. Stories of people leaving the trail abound. I can understand why but I feel that every few miles walked bring me that bit closer to my final destination. Head bent low, I cover another 4.6 miles sloshing through the mud till I climb up a rocky patch to Story Spring Shelter. It is 12.00 noon when I eat my lunch with only a chipmunk for company. 3.6 miles down to the road before the long 3.8 miles climb up Stratton Mt. This is the first time since Virginia that I am back near 4,000 feet. And then the rain comes down. I decide to leave my Poncho and continue as I am. The rain is refreshing and I make good time on the lower slopes of Stratton. The last mile gets a little tougher but I am feeling strong and enjoying the climb. I see it as training for the dreaded ¢Whites¢ in New Hampshire. 16.30 I reach the top which is covered in mist but who cares. 3.2 miles downhill to the Stratton Pond Shelter. The Shelter is crowded with Section hikers, Long Trail hikers, and only 3 Thru-hikers. Sean O is asleep, ¢Texas Jack¢ got in just before me. He is in his late 60¢s and does 3-10 miles each day. The Green Mountain Club run this Shelter and charge $6 per person, much to the annoyance of the Thru-hikers who refuse to pay. I decided it was worth paying on a night like this with more rain on the way. But when the ¢guy¢ came for his money I was fast asleep and he never bothered me. It rained all night. 19.4 miles today.
Date: 2003-08-10
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Sutton's Place, Manchester Centre, VT.
Miles today: 10.6

Today is for Dr. McGovern for all his help when I was young and Michael Daly who has been a friend for many years. It rained all night. This weather is really unbelievable. The locals are saying it is the worst August in years. Every time I woke during the night I could hear it beating down. The morning, however, was dry and by 6.30 I was off again sloshing through the mud and the water. It was only 10.6 miles to Manchester where I intended spending a ¢Nero¢ day. Sean O passed me like ¢a fart in the wind¢ ¢ he was finding the Trail very oppressive; ¢I hate this Trail¢ was all I could catch as the slight, white-haired bundle of energy went ahead. Apollo and Snuggles passed on as I was cooking a hot breakfast on the Trail around 8.30. She had fallen in the water and was not a happy hiker. Two brothers, ¢Slipper¢ and ¢Silver Toe¢, who are doing the Long Trail, also passed. But I kept my own rhythm as I made slow progress towards a shower and a good meal. Then a slim hiker called ¢M¢ came up behind me. He got on the Trail last week and is finishing the Long Trail. Then he hopes to follow us to Maine. His name is Kevin Patrick O¢Leary and he walks with me to the next shelter. Like the Goban Saor, Gearann Sceal an Bothar, in no time we are there. We shake hands because we will probably never meet again. Nearly 3 miles to go and the Trail is a mess. My boots are full of mud and water and the day continues overcast, sticky and humid. Are we never going to see the sun again? 12.30 I hit Vermont Route 11 and easily hitch a ride into town. Then a young man comes up to me and asks if there is any place I would like to go. He takes me to the local Catholic Church where I try my luck. A sullen, sad faced cleric says he has no room and with a smile I thank him for his wonderful hospitality and walk away. My new friend then tells me about Sutton¢s Place and drives me there. Seabees, Snuggles, Apollo and I share a big room - $20 per person. Soon I have the long-awaited shower and head down town. I meet Smoothie, Fly by Night, Sonic and Iguana and we have milk shakes. At 5, Sean O, Seabees, Snuggles and Apollo and two brothers from Alabama plus me fein head for the Steak House where I have a New York steak and tons of salad. We celebrated Sean O¢s 72nd birthday. We belatedly head back to Sutton¢s Place as the rain gathers in for another wet night. Frank Sutton¢s parents come from Wexford (Sutton) and Leitrim (O¢Dowd). The Irish are all over the place. By 10 I am ready for bed. Rather late for a Thru-hiker!!
Date: 2003-08-11
From: Sutton's Place, Manchester Centre, VT.

To: Peru Peak Shelter
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: broken clouds

Today is for Dan and Mai Kearney and all the Kearney family. Rising early I took a lovely hot shower (don¢t know where the next one will be). Today is Sean O¢Rahilly¢s 72nd birthday. What a great man and a delightful friend. Did a little writing and got ready to go to the Post Office. Frank Sutton drove me and I mailed some reports and 2 rolls of film. I walked about 12 mile to get back to the main road where I hitched a lift back to the Trail. A lovely lady called Jan from South Dakota. She often carries hikers ¢to and fro¢. Back again in harness, it was now around 10.30. Again the day was humid and muggy as I climbed Bromley Mt (3,280). With the extra weight in the pack, it was rough going. Mt. Bromley is a ski resort in winter and the final push to the top was up the grassy ski slope. A nice view from the top, even if a little hazy. 2.5 miles down to Mad Tom Notch where I stopped for a nice relaxed lunch. I was only going to the next shelter, which was 4.4 miles away. But there were two climbs in between. It never is as easy as it seems. 1.4 to the top of Styles Peak and that left me hot and sweaty. Then down again before I climbed Peru Peak (3,429). The Trail was wet and muddy. Not a very pleasant walk but at least I could make the Shelter before 5. This Shelter is another of Vermont¢s Shelters where they charge $6 per night. The Thru-hikers are not happy with the set-up. I got here at 5 and cooked my pasta before the rains came down again. My poor boots have not been dry in over 10 days. ¢Patches¢ from Georgia, ¢Slacker¢, a Southbounder, Peter Denehy and mother and daughter, Daphne and Ruth were the other residents. The caretaker came to collect and we Thru-hikers made our feelings known. Her in Vermont ¢The Long Trail¢ and the AT run together for over 70 miles. The ¢Green Mountain Club¢ maintains this section of the Trail and makes its own rules. Anyway it¢s good to be inside of another night of rain.
Date: 2003-08-12
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

Today is for Kit, Eamon, T.K. and all the Dwyer and Darmody family, Newhill. Rising early I cook breakfast while packing at the same time. 6.30 I am on the road. Yes, yes, you guessed it; the Trail is one mess with water and muck to your eyeballs. I skirt around Griffith Lake, which seems to have invaded the Trail but soon another challenge presents itself in the form of Baker Peak (2,850). The last couple of 100 yards is over sheer steep rock and the blood is racing. Luckily, the rock is dry and there is a grip but it was one of the best climbs so far. All practice for the ¢Whites¢ in New Hampshire. I stop at Lost Pond Shelter (4.5 miles) to dip into the ¢nose bag¢ and there I meet a South bounder who is cursing the weather. All his gear is soaking after last night¢s rain. He is fed up with this constant bad weather. We are all feeling it but at least most of the rain falls during our ¢sleeping hours¢. 1.7 miles of water to the next Shelter which is built beside a roaring cascading river. Very pretty with the river in full spate. A little while later I not so happy when I come to another ¢creek¢ and the stepping stones are 6-12 inches under water. I study the situation for some minutes and eventually decide to wade across. Crossing the weir in Golden was good practice. In spite of the wet Trail, the scenery was beautiful and I wandered slowly down to the road where I had some ¢light refreshments¢. A 2-mile walk up to Little Pond was one of the nicest I have seen and I was ¢enjoying¢again.   I caught up with Dutch and together we hiked for the rest of the day. He goes fast for about 30 minutes and then sits down awhile while I tend to plod along. We made good time as we climbed ¢White Rocks¢ Cliff. I was intended staying at Greenwall Shelter but when we reached there at 15.00 I decided to push on. 5.1 miles to the next one. Another roaring creek to cross. Some people ¢Blue Blazed¢ around the road but Dutch and I decided to have a go. Again we washed our boots as we waded safely across. At 4 I stopped to eat while Dutch moved ahead. Then a long winding climb that I found both difficult and yet enjoyable. I was feeling strong and thinking that this climbing will help me build muscles for the ¢Whites¢. I caught Dutch near the top and together we walked to Minerva Shelter. Two ladies, ¢Grey Jay¢, from Kentucky and ¢Ride On¢ from Houston, Texas were there. The 2 brothers from Massachusetts doing the Long Trail were also there. Seabees came in later. He was surprised and delighted to see me. He had walked the road to avoid crossing the river crossing and it proved longer. We had an enjoyable evening. ¢Grey Jay¢ is hiking the Trail over 4 years. She is 58 years old. ¢Ride on¢ began at Harper¢s Ferry on June 12th.
Date: 2003-08-13
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge, Killington Peak Trail
Miles today: 13.8

Today is for Josie McCormack, Paddy and all the McCormack family. Thank you Paddy for the shirt. Rising early ¢Seabees¢ and I left around 6.45. 2.7 miles to the road where everybody was headed for breakfast. A nice Deli, situated about 12 mile down the road. Seabees is 56 and not one for hitching but will take a ride when I stop a car. We strike lucky and soon are sitting down to a wonderful breakfast of good coffee and pancakes. Dutch, Grey Jay, Ride On and the 2 brothers all arrive. We have a delightful time as we drink cup after cup of good caffeine. Then it¢s back to the Trail. A long steep climb among the rocks from 860 as Dutch, Seabees and I head for the top of Beacon Hill. Again it rains, but this time it looks like it is the end. The clouds are moving fast for a change and soon the sun breaks through. What a difference it makes. Dutch, who is always plugged into the local radio, tells us that the forecast is good. Seabees and I stop for lunch. For the first time in nearly 2 weeks the sun is shining. We walk on through more mud and water but at least we know that the tide has turned. We journey on together for a few hours. Seabees is not feeling too well. His stomach has been bothering him. He has what he fears are ¢spider-bites¢ and is suffering from the ¢shuckin-duckers¢. We reach the Governor Clement Shelter (1,250) before 3 in the afternoon. We all rest, eat and consume large quantities of H2O in preparation for the last long haul of the day. A 3,000 ft climb up the slopes of Killington Mt. (3,850). I take the lead up the forest service road. Head down, arse in the air, I miss the double white blaze for the turn off and Seabees follows blindly behind. After about 12 mile I realise there are no blazes and sheepishly wait for Seabees. We have to backtrack. Ride On and Grey Jay have made the same mistake. We eventually get back on the right road around 4. The climb is hard and long. There are rocks and roots everywhere. The mud and wet make it even harder. I lead for about 1 hour and without realising I am really ¢haulin¢ ass¢. I feel great on the uphills. We shop for a break and Seabees takes the lead. Some beautiful streams cross the Trail. I drink from the source without adding chemicals. We continue for another 2 hours and the sunshine gives us new energy. We reach a ¢cool welcoming¢ shelter around 19.00. Dutch and Slipper are already there. Slipper, who is 21 years old, is exhausted, too tired to cook. I eat a double portion ¢ change into dry clothes and soon the sun is setting on a wonderful day. It is great to see a sunset after all the rain. At almost 4,000 ft the air is cool, the bugs are gone and a good night¢s sleep is a happy thought. I feel good after the climb. My knees and feet are in great shape, thank God. We are getting ready for the ¢Whites¢. Met a lot of SOBO¢s or Southbounders, today. One Canadian, whose people came from Waterford, called Kelly. They keep boasting that they have done the ¢hard part¢. Let him boast!!
Date: 2003-08-14
From: Cooper Lodge, Killington Peak Trail

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

Today is for Skip Healy. Everybody is up early. The ¢Long Trail Inn¢ at Killington is the destination for lunch. It is an Irish pub, McGraths, and a favourite stopover for hikers with money to spend. I set off around 6.30 taking the long road over Shelbourne Pass. Seabees and the 2 ladies are taking a Blue Blaze, which is the original AT Trail and comes out at the Inn. Before 9 I stop for a rest and some ¢calories¢. Slipper arrives and we chat for some time at a nice lookout. It¢s just wonderful to have another sunny day. Dutch catches me before the road US$ where I suffer waiting for a ride to the Inn. They call it New England hospitality!! Eventually, I get there around 11 but I needn¢t have worried. Seabees arrives soon after and books a room for the night. He wants me to stay but on a day like this I want to keep moving. I meet Kevin Patrick O¢Leary, who is heading up the ¢Long Trail¢. We wish each other good luck. I do some writing and at 12.30 Slipper, Ride On, Grey Jay, Seabees and I have a lovely lunch and a pint of Guinness. When I go to pay my account, the lady from Texas has already paid. We took some photos and at 1.30, Slipper and I walked down the road. One mile up the Trail, he left on the Long Trail, I continued NE on the Appalachian. The evening was glorious but I had 10 miles to go from Killington. I stopped at the next road where there was a campsite for a rest. Some campers from New Hampshire wanted me to stay. Three teachers who had everything in their huge camper van. It was tempting but I moved on, but not before I had a cold beer and they loaded me down with grapes, apples and peaches. I hit the gas herd for the next few miles. 17.30 and I still had 4.3 miles to go. Not bad, I thought. But things are never what they seem on the AT. There were 3 hills not even listed but were they steep. Vermont was giving us a final workout before handing us over in good shape to New Hampshire. I devoured the grapes, ate some protein bar and put an apple in my pocket but soon decided it was easier to carry in my belly. The light was fading in the ¢Green Tunnel¢ and I was getting a little worried. Should I tent here or should I keep going? Again, the challenge to make it to the Shelter won out. I was glad to see the Shelter sign around 19.45. ¢Starbuck¢, a TV director from New York, Northbound, and ¢Goggles¢, a SOBO, were the only other residents in the Shelter. I quickly got water, cooked and got ready as darkness quickly rolled in. 8.15 and it would be too late for walking. We chatted for ages. ¢Goggles¢ telling us all we needed to know the difficult part of the Trail. He also gave us some useful hints on where to stay along the way. 16.5 miles today with a long stay over at the ¢Long Trail Inn¢. Not bad.
Date: 2003-08-15
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: The Barn (Vt. 12)
Miles today: 13.7

Today is for John and Agnes Fanning as requested. For a change there was no rain during the night. Early rising I ate a cold breakfast, washed down with ¢Crystal Light¢ flavoured water. Experimenting with all sorts of stuff to give the water an added kick. The Trail continues the same hard up and down that we have come to expect in Vermont. But today is fine and that makes a huge difference. I am tired this morning and stop around 9 for my second breakfast. Then I hit Chateauquay Road. The sign says I have done 3.6 miles but my body and watch tell me otherwise. In fact, I have done 4.7. Some of the signs are outdated and the Trail has been re-routed in the past few years. I begin another steep climb and came upon another gaunt, weary traveller sitting by the Trail. I greet him as usual with my Trail name and ask if he is Northbound. He looks faint and weak. He says he remembers me from the Smokies. Then it hits me and I remember. But he is not well. He¢s been sick for 4 days with constant ¢runs¢. I sit and chat and we recall the days in the Smokies. He was a fast hiker and I imagined him in Maine by now. I decide to stay with him and get him to the next road crossing where we could get to town and a doctor. He is so happy to see me and together we walk on for about 2 miles. We get to a lookout where he sits down exhausted. Some Section hikers, who have come to see the Lookout and whose car is not far away, offer to take him to the nearest town, Woodstock. We hug each other and say goodbye. He says he will hole up in a motel for a few days and continue. I hope he makes it. Somehow, I know he will. The Lookout is magnificent. My first 360-degree view of Vermont. The magical moment was shared with Starbuck. I stop for lunch at Wintturi Shelter (1,900) with Starbuck and a young lady and her dog from Florida. I meet some SOBO¢s and then a young slackpacker called ¢Oupala¢, from Alaska. whizzes past. When he hears my name, he stops. ¢Oh I know about you, from Sean O¢, he says. So we walk together the next four miles to the VT 12 where his father is meeting him. A delightful 30-year old brewer, he also knows his timber and keeps telling me about the different pines in the woods. We reach the road where Trail Magic in the form of chilled beer is waiting for us. Then his father arrives and we have another beer. Starbuck arrives and we decide to stay at the ¢Barn¢, a dilapidated but cosy barn which some local farmer allows hikers to use. I met a Solo, Joe Fanning, a piper from New Jersey. For one horrible moment, I thought my good friend, The Joe Fanning was going to materialise out of the woods. Starbuck and I shared the Barn on a beautiful evening and what promised to be a cool, starry night. Only 13.7 miles today but it was a holiday after all.
Date: 2003-08-16
From: The Barn (Vt. 12)

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: moderate rain

Today is for Uncle Darby, Hilda, Brian, John, Terry, Micky and Pat O¢Gorman and their families. Left the barn at 6.45 am. after the best night¢s sleep in ages. I had a mattress and with my sleeping bag as a duvet, I slept the sleep of the just. Starbuck stayed up writing but I was sound asleep in 2 seconds. The morning was bright and sunny, but the hills were something else. Up and down I went with some ¢tea sweetners¢ to really test you. I walked alone and enjoyed the lovely woods which I passed. Occasionally, I came out on some high pasture land and the sun and breeze were very welcome. I met an elderly couple (around my own age) heading south. They were full of ¢warnings¢ about the road that lay ahead, but I¢m getting used to that by now. I stopped for grub after 2 hours and took a good break. The miles were slow to register. Cloudland Road was memorable, so too was Thistle Hill (1950). It nearly burst my gut. I met a day hiker, Cathal Culleton, whose father comes from Carrick on Suir. A long 4 miles to West Hartford, and guess what, the rain came again. I was ready for a downpour but after 10 mins. it cleared. Ice cream and milk shakes were a treat in the small town before I started up again towards Happy Hill (1400). The maddening thing about these hills here in Vermont is that they bring you up and down again in the space of a mile.The climb was long but I was early and so could enjoy and take it easy. I reached the shelter around 5.30 and quickly changed into dry clothes and got my tent ready. Oopala was the first to arrive, then Vagabond, a 30 yr. Old engineer from N. Carolina. Starbuck brought up the rear. Both Oopala and Starbuck had discarded their water and carried beer instead. The bugs were out in force after the rain, so we lit a good fire. Then we sat around and chatted about Mount Katahdin. Everybody is getting a sense that the ¢end is near¢. But my heads tells me that New Hampshire and Maine will be rough going. Two Southbounders arrive late. They talk of the ¢Whites¢ and the mountains of South Maine. But tomorrow we cross the Connecticut River and reach Hanover. I will probably take a rest and gather my strength for the new challenge ahead.
Date: 2003-08-17
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Hanover N.H.
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: few clouds

Today is for all the Stapleton families, Roscrea. Geraldine had requested this day as it is her wedding anniversary, also to Matty & Ann Talbot and families. Congrats to you all. Early start to the day. More out of habit than necessity. I love walking in the early morning and today was rewarded with a rare sight. First, I heard a loud ¢thud¢ as a black object fell from a tree. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the black cub get to its feet and run off into the woods. It seems that bears do stupid things like that. It was an easy walk to the road and into the little village called Norwich. Then I walked along the road for over 11/2 miles, crossing the Connecticut River which divides Vermont and New Hampshire. When I reached the Square Vagabond came up behind me. Then to my delight I saw Sean¢O. He had taken three days rest, skipped ahead and was rejoining the Trail at Hanover. It was 9 am. so I decided to find the local Catholic Church. The Parish of St. Dennis was nearby and when I eventually got there, the people were ¢exiting de Nine Mass¢. I met the priest, Kevin Connor and he was most gracious and welcoming. He showed me to my sleeping quarters, the shower, the laundry etc. I was cleaned up and smelling better to join him for 11 Mass. So my prayers were for the Stapleton families this morning. After Mass, I strolled around town and had lunch at Murphys and ice cream at ¢Ben & Jerrys¢. Back at the house I went for a nap wrote a little and then went to the grocery shop to stock up with provisions. Hanover is a big University town, but it was quiet today. It was great talking to you, John, and getting all the home news. The hurling result was hard to digest but I know several Kilkenny people who will be very happy. I was ready for another early night in the sack.