morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-10-17
From: Guilder Pond, Mt. Everett Rd, MA

To: CT 41/Cobble Rd
Miles today: 13.0

What a beautiful day! I felt energized and didn't have a lot of difficulty doing our major uphills. We climbed about 2000 feet total which is similar to climbing Old Rag Mountain in VA except we hiked 13 miles, not Old Rag's 5-7 miler. We also had a stretch up Bear Mountain over boulders similar to Old Rag where we had to put hiking poles aside to use our hands to pull ourselves up over the rocks. The views were once again spectacular with all the mountains and colors!We met another section hiker from Tennessee also named David and his wife Melissa who was shuttling him. Closer to Bear Mountain we ran into over 20 people hiking on Bear Mountain.The highlight of today's trip was coming to a steam where the rocks were under water and trying to make a decision how to cross. We finally decided to take off our shoes and wade with our poles supporting us. A couple on the other side of the stream had also tried to decide what to do and decided to wait to see how we did first. Dave crossed stoically and methodically while I ran screaming about how frigidly cold the water was! The couple took a video of us crossing and promised to send the clip via email to us.   My feet felt smaller in my shoes afterwards. The couple - Rich and Allison - decided not to go after she was how cold it was.We continued hiking up the path besides the stream which was cascading a long way in small water falls.We had a delicious Mexican dinner on the way home after completing our shuttles.Tomorrow is going to be either a 15.5 mile or 16.5 mile, depending on whether the gate is open at Guilder Pond or not. Got to get to bed so we can get up at 5:30am to complete the hike before dark.Love and Peace
Date: 2010-10-18
From: Guilder Pond and Lake Bueler Road

To: Rt. 7, Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We were able to complete 16 miles today! We left at 6am, arranged shuttles, hiked South to North from Guilder Pond to Rt. 7. Then we picked up the car from Guilder Pond, reparked it at Rt. 7, and Dave Brickley - before he left to go home - shuttled us to Lake Bueler Road to hike North to South to Rt. 7. This allowed most of the hike to be downhill. However, as we are learning daily, there are still a lot of ups even on downhills. We hiked as fast as we could on the first section because we wanted to make sure we were finished before dark. When we started the second section, it was uphill in the beginning, and had several small uphills so by the time we got to flat sections where we could make time, I was too tired to hoof it. Nevertheless, we ended by 4:30pm which gave us plenty time to get a nice dinner out and home before dark. We enjoyed some pretty overlooks. I enjoyed sitting quietly on the hill while Dave went to the privy at a shelter. It made me feel like I really would enjoy being there overnight in the woods at the shelter. We may need to do overnights eventually in some of the northern sections.We met one thru hiker, Sage, who is keeping journals on posthole.com under Journals - Sage. We weren't able to talk much because we were afraid we wouldn't finish by dark. On our way downhill on our last leg of the hike, we met a whole slew of people at one time hiking uphill, some with cocktails in their hands, another with a whole whiskey bottle who offered us some. Others asked how far it was to the top. Their appearance made me think it was a professor and college students.I've been real good about not having desserts every night like I usually do. So far I had only had apple pie alamode one night. But tonight I found a Candy Shop and had a small piece of fudge. Hopefully, we won't have but one more dessert before we leave. But we shall see.We've just completed planning our trip for tomorrow and soaking in the hot tub and are ready to watch our shows before bedtime.
Date: 2010-10-19
From: Lake Buel Road

To: Tyringham, MA Main Road
Miles today: 13.0

We met our new shuttler today, Marilyn Wiley. Dave Brickley told us yesterday that she is the Cookie Lady. We had read in several books about her and her husband giving out cookies to thru hikers from her home near the trail and were going to look her up. I told her I was glad to know now that we have now found the Cookie Lady.After shuttling we had another long hike with about 6 miles uphill for 13 miles. We saw ponds, streams, colors, and chipmunks as usual. We met some thru hikers who had flip-flopped and were now going south - T-Bone and Freight Train, and a married couple - Koopa and Big Oooh. We enjoyed our last quarter mile on a bog walkway listening to crickets and birds.We visited Goose Pond which the trail passes and our current house has access with a canoe, but we decided it was too cold to go out on the water and just admired the lake from the dock.After a home made dinner of chili and rice and a game of Scrabble, we went out to Friendly's for an ice cream sundae. Oh, well! Just another hiker hunger attack. We'll be taking out hot bath soon and watching our shows before turning in for an early rise tomorrow.
Date: 2010-10-20
From: Outlook Av Cheshire MA

To: Pattison Rd North Adams MA
Miles today: 12.3

Met one through hiker today who had flip flopped from Harpers Ferry and was on his way to reach Harpers Ferry to complete his hike. His name was either Shovel or Shuffle. We had a lot of green pine forest today with accompanying pine fragrance. Some color but most of the leaves seemed to be on the ground already making for a more slippery time going down hills. The leaves carpeting the ground were still beautiful yellows, reds and oranges. The top of Mt. Greylock at 3416' had a lighthouse memorial to veterans, a lodge, and restaurant. It was a 6 mile climb to the top totaling about 2500' elevation gain.When we finished our hike, we found a restaurant called Zuchini's where we found lots of veggies before driving home for the evening. Tomorrow it is supposed to rain but we only have a 9.1 mile hike so we shouldn't be out more than 5 hours. Then we'll come home to dry out and relax.
Date: 2010-10-21
From: Outlook Av Cheshire MA

To: Gulf Road Dalton MA
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

We were able to start our walk before the rain, then it just drizzled off and on. It wasn't til we were done that it started to pour. And on the way home, a hailstorm pelted us with hail and sleet for about 5 minutes. That was cool! The clouds were so dark I wondered if there was a tornado coming.We enjoyed the green forests and pine again, but the fragrance today was more cinnamon from some small white flowers along the trail. We had several stream crossings again and walked by a pond with a beaver dam. We didn't see any beavers though. We met Ripple who was finishing up sections of her thru hike she had missed. After she finishes this area she has to go to the Shenandoahs. As we were going down the final steep descent in the dark overcast sky and shadows from the pines, we saw some yellow leaves on the right which made it look like sunshine they were so bright. We were home in time for lunch around 1pm which was good since I forgot to pack our lunch this morning. We should be relatively early the next two days so may work in a movie or museum afterwards. For now we will play scrabble after we send out the journal and check emails.
Date: 2010-10-22
From: Pittsfield Rd MA

To: Gulf Road Dalton MA
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

The Cookie Lady shared cookies with us today. She shuttled us from Dalton to Pittsfield Road where her house is a few steps away. Today was relatively easy being flat with minor ups and downs except for one major up. However, because it was very cold and windy, there was frost and ice on the bog walkways so we walked in the mud a lot to avoid slipping. There was a beautiful view from Warner Hill of the surrounding mountains and cities below. When we were nearing Dalton, we actually saw very tiny snowflakes intermittently. We also heard a train go by just before we approached the trail crossing over the tracks.We stopped in Pittsfield to see a movie "It's a Funny Story" which we enjoyed. We just had time afterwards to spend an hour at the Berkshire Museum and ate dinner out on our way home.We're coming to the finish line of our section hike - only Saturday and Sunday. We're looking forward to returning to work so we can rest!
Date: 2010-10-23
From: Pittsfield Road, Washington MA

To: Rt. 20 Becket MA
Miles today: 9.4

We got to meet the Cookie Lady's husband, Roy, today. He shuttled us in his truck and as we passed by he pointed out his house, his airplane hangar, barn, and fields of blueberries. He said one day a moose came by and stared at them through their window. They saw about 300 hikers this past year and offered them water, cookies, and their ground to camp on. They're not really hikers themselves, but began working trail magic soon after buying their current property.We had a pleasant hike with a lot of flat ridge walking through pine forests, ponds, stream crossings, some remaining yellows and greens but mostly browns carpeting the ground. It wasn't as cold so the bog walkways were safter to navigate. We ran into some day and overnight hikers. We also saw Drag again who we had seen the other day. We read a hiker's register which included notes from Buttons who we had met a week ago on the trail and Thor who we had met in Georgia/NC last spring. That was exciting to see he made it this far north, which means he may have already finished by now.We had lunch at home and packed and cleaned up the house so we'll be ready to take off early tomorrow morning. We'll be hiking 8.3 miles then driving 6-7 hours to get home tomorrow night. We took a drive on Goose Pond Road and saw a part of where we will be hiking tomorrow.We'll miss the trail after tomorrow's hike but won't miss the uphills. If the weather is nice next Saturday, we'll probably hike up at Harpers Ferry so we can get the Vermont/New Hampshire Guide Book and Trail Map to plan our future hikes.
Date: 2010-10-24
To: Tyringham MA Main Road
Miles today: 8.6

We packed the car and met Cookie Lady for our last shuttle while it was still dark. We said our goodbyes and hurried up the trail to try to get done to avoid heavy traffic driving home afterwards. But, as always, I don't make much time going uphill so it still took us about 35 minute miles to finish the hike.We saw Drag for the third day having caught up with him going South. He was slowly trodding along with a heavier back than before due to the wet gear from the overnight rain. We learned that he's been living in Alaska the past three years, working as a tour guide for a private company in Ketchican. He has until March to hike the A.T. because that's when his 6 months job begins again.It wasn't until near the end that I thought we could have shared some of our goodies with him. So I left some mini Payday candy bars on a rock by the trail and put a single one on the rock in the middle of the path so he wouldn't miss it. We hadn't seen anyone else so we figured he would definitely be the benefactor. I left my business card since I didn't have a pen to say it was from Love and Peace and we wished him well. As we progressed down the trail I thought we should leave an extra water for him because the candy was salty and he'd be extra thirsty after eating them. It's fun spreading trail magic.We had an uneventful trip home which took from about 12 noon to after 8pm due to some backed up traffic. We were happy to see Fireball again but didn't get to see our son Mark til the next day. It was good to be home.Until the next section hike....
Date: 2011-03-05
From: Weaverton Parking Lot

To: Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We hiked from Harpers Ferry Weaverton Road Parking Lot to the Ed Garvey shelter to test new sleeping bags. We wanted to see if they would be warm enough for our New Hampshire Whites AT hike in September. We arrived to find the shelter empty. We enjoyed our vegetarian Chipotle burritos after sweeping out the top and bottom of the shelter. There were a lot of bird droppings both up and down inside, as well as what looked like mice or squirrel nest remains. I hoped it would be too cold to run into any mice and I was happy that I never encountered any.We started freezing as we tried to hang our food bag in the tree. We went upstairs thinking we were going to have the shelter to ourselves. However, we soon heard voices and a large group of boy scouts appeared. We were pleasantly surprised to find that one of the boys was someone we had in our Unity Sunday School class in the past. We visited with the group for a few minutes before retreating back upstairs to warm up.Brrrr! It was cold with the wind blowing. The Big Agnes Lulu 15+ did not keep my feet warm and I could feel the air through the fabric. Peace was fine with his sleeping bag, but wasn't happy with the thermorest sleeping pad since it wasn't cushioning enough.I suggested we leave around 8:30 pm because I could already tell I needed a different sleeping bag and because the boyscouts who joined us were very loud. Peace didn't want to night hike in the dark with the heavy pack. However, after struggling to sleep after the boys quieted down, Peace finally gave in at 3am and agreed to hike out. We were happy to reach home by 6am and sleep for about 3 hours.We then hiked Sugarloaf Mountain, our normal training ground every Saturday and sometimes Sundays. After another hot bath and washing my hair, I discovered that Peace's ThermoRest sleeping pad was missing. We ended up driving back to Harpers Ferry. I hiked back to the shelter while Peace checked with the ATC Visitors Center to see if anyone turned it in. However, we did not have any luck finding the pad. We checked with our boy scout on Sunday and they did not see the sleeping pad either. Oh, well. I hope whoever found it really needed it and could benefit from it.September will be our first time to have to stay overnight on the trail. We'll be staying at Carter Notch Hut for one overnight and Galehead Hut another date. The rest of our trip will still be shuttling so we can day hike. We're starting in the Whites around Gorham, NH down through Vermont at minimum. We may be able to work in the rest of New Hampshire if the weather isn't too hot a few days before 9/1.I bought a new sleeping bag today (3/6) and hope the 0+ will be warmer than my 15+ bag. We'll try it out next weekend.
Date: 2011-05-10
From: Home

To: New Hampshire and Vermont AT
Miles today: 0.0

We're planning our AT hike for 8/31-10/1/2011. Below is our agenda so far:BARTLETT, NH OVERNIGHT 10 Nights beginning 8/31/11:8/31/11 Drive up from MD to NH9/1/11 5.9 (S to N) Pinkham Notch/NH16 to Carter Notch HUT (OVERNIGHT)9/2/11   15.2 (S to N) Carter Notch Hut to US2/Gorham, NH9/3/11                Day off9/4/11   13.5-13? (S to N) Mt. Wash/Auto Rd to Pinkham Notch/NH16        9/5/11 Day Off¢ Visit Mt Wash Observatory, 9/6/11   Take Shuttle 9am up Mt. Wash. And Hike 12.5-13? (N to S) Mt. Wash/Auto Rd to US302/Crawford Notch/Saco River9/7/11   Day off ¢ Drive back up to get other car and park at 3029/8/11        13.0 (S to N) US3/Franconia Notch to Galehead HUT (OVERNIGHT)9/9/11   14.5 (S to N) Galehead Hut to US302/Crawford Notch/Saco RiverFAIRLEE VT OVERNIGHT 8 NIGHTS beginning 9/10:9/10/11   16.3 (S to N) NH 112 Kinsman Notch to US3/Franconia Notch9/11/11 Day off9/12/11   9.5 (N to S) NH 112/Kinsman Notch (N.Woodstk/Lincln) to NH25 Glencliff9/13/11 - 9.7 (S to N) NH25A (Wentworth) to NH25 Glencliff9/14/11 - 14.0 (N to S) NH25A to Lyme-Dorchester Road (before Winslow Ledge)9/15/11 - 11.2 (S to N) Three Mile Rd (Lebanon) to (2nd) Lyme-Dorchest Rd (aft Winslow Ldg)9/16/11 - 8.4 mi (N to S) Three Mile Rd to Dartmouth College/Hanover, NHVT9/17/11 - 9.2 mi (N to S) Tigertown Rd (W.Hartford NH) to Dartmouth College/Hanover, NHPLYMOUTH, VT OVERNIGHT 3 NIGHTS beginning 9/189/18/11 - 13.2 mi (S to N) VT 12/Woodstock to Tigertown Rd (W.Hartford NH)9/19/11 - 12.9 mi (S to N) Notown Clearing/Stony Brook Rd (Killington VT) to VT 12/Woodstock 9/20/11 - 10.8 mi (N to S) Notown Clearing/Stony Brook Rd to US 4 Sherburn Pass (Killington VT)MANCHESTER CENTER, VT OVERNIGHT 10 NIGHTS beginning 9/219/21/11 - 10.2 (N to S) Old Rootville Rd to Mad Tom Notch Rd USFS 21 (Manchester Ctr)9/22/11 - 14.5 (S to N) USFS 71/Arlington-Stratton Rd to Old Rootville Rd 9/23/11 - 20.6 mi. (N to S) USFS 71/Arlington-Stratton to VT 9/Bennington 9/24/11 ¢ Day off?9/25/11 - 11.2 mi. (S to N) County Rd near Stamford VT to VT 9/Bennington9/26/11 - 8.1 mi (N to S) County Rd near Stamford VT to Pattison Rd, N.Adams MA9/27/11 - 13.5 mi (N to S) US 4 Sherburne Pass (Killington) to Lower Cold River Rd (E.Clarendon/N Shrewsbury)9/28/11 - 9.6 mi (S to N) Bear Mt Rd (Wallingford) to Lower Cold River Rd (E.Clarendon/N Shrewsbury)9/29/11- 8.9 (S to N) Danby-Landgrove Rd usfs 10 to 140 or Bear Mt Rd (Wallingford)9/30/11 - 12 mi (S to N) Mad Tom Notch USFS 21 (Manchester Ctr) to Danby Landgrove Rd USFS 1010/1 ¢ Travel home
Date: 2011-09-11
From: Kinsman Notch/112

To: Glencliff/25
Miles today: 9.5

We were pleased that we could hike Mt. Moosaulake in dry weather and that it wasn't as bad as the other White Mt hikes we've done (Webster cliffs, Wildcats, Carter Dome, Mt. Washington, etc.). We hiked N to S as advised. The stepping stones, ladders, and bars were all very helpful in getting up without mishap. It was a very long hike up and a very long hike down, but we did it in 6 hours, about 40 minute miles. That's a big improvement over the other more difficult hikes in the Whites where we were averaging hour miles. Although we didn't have heavy packs since we were day hiking and not going from hut to hut.Our next hikes are:9/12/11 - 9.7 (N to S) Lv630am. Meet Fat Chap/Hikers Welcome Hostel 603 989 0040 7am NH25A (Wentworth). Shuttle to NH25 Glencliff. Hike N to S to NH25A/Wentworth.9/13/11 - 14.0 (N to S) NH25A to Lyme-Dorchester at Lambert Ridge Trail and Smarts Mtn Ranger Trail crossing (north of Winslow Ledge¢¦NOT southern most Lyme-Dorechester road at Canaan Tnpk/Dartmouth Skiway) 9/14/11 - 11.2 (S to N) Three Mile Rd (Lebanon) to (2nd) Lyme-Dorchest Rd at Lambert Ridge Trail and Smarts Mtn Ranger Trail crossing (north of Winslow Ledge¢¦NOT southern most Lyme-Dorechester road at Canaan Tnpk/Dartmouth Skiway)9/15/11 ¢ 8.4 mi (N to S) Three Mile Rd to Dartmouth College/Hanover, NH9/16/11 - 9.2 mi (S to N) Tigertown Rd (W.Hartford NH) to Dartmouth College/Hanover, NH9/17/11 OFF to rest and pack and load car9/18/11 13.6? (N to S) Park car North/Hogan AT Trailhead. Shuttle up Austin Brook Trail as far as possible by car. Hike (2.5?) to Dryad Falls Trail (1.5) to Dream Lake/AT to US2 Gorham NH (10 mi) back to car at North/Hogan.9/19/11 10.5 (S to N) Park car at 26/Grafton Notch AT Trailhead. Shuttle to Success Pond Rd/Mahoosuc Notch Trailhead. Hike Success Pond Rd/Mahoosuc Notch Trail to AT Mahoosuc Notch Trailhead (2.5 mi); S to N on AT (Mahoosuc Trail) to Grafton Notch/ME 26 (8 mi). The remainder to be determined.
Date: 2011-09-12
From: Glencliff/25

To: Wentworth 25A
Miles today: 9.7

9.7 mile hike today was on a "normal" trail - predominantly dirt with intermittent rocks and roots - not the White Mountains predominantly rocks and boulders. We were actually able to do close to our normal 30 minute miles, although we would have done better without the intermittent muddy path. We had one quarter mile stretch of a beautiful pine needle forest before it was back in the mud again. When we got back to our vacation rental in Fairlee, VT, the driveway was blocked by a truck. When I tried to backup, our car went into a ditch. Luckily, the lawn mower staff had a chain and pulled us out. We were debating whether to go swimming in Lake Morie at the Fairlee Beach.Tomorrow, Fat Chap is taking us from 25A to Lyme Dorchester Road/Lambert Trail and we will hike 14 miles.
Date: 2011-09-13
From: Lyme Dorchester Road at Lambert Trail

To: Wentworth 25A Trailhead
Miles today: 14.0

Hiked a long 14 miles. Wanted to stop to see the HexaCube Shelter but didn't want to add .4 mile. Thought we were on the summit of Mt. Cube, but only on an early bump. We were happy to see Hops when we reached the top of Mt. Cube. We met him first at the Carter Notch Hut doing a work for stay on his southbound through hike. There were other southbounders with him - Bear Bait, Sea Hawk (?), and Free Thinker. It was fun chatting with them about the trail.On our way back to our rental home from the hike, we stopped by Fairlee Beach and got in Lake Morey up to our knees. It was too cold to go all the way in but it was refreshing at 82 degrees. We washed off the mud which had splashed on our legs from the muddy path. The cold water felt good on all the mosquito bites I got today. Will have to use bug spray tomorrow.
Date: 2011-09-14
From: 3 Mile Rd Trailhead

To: Lyme Dorchester Road Trailhead
Miles today: 11.2

Another beautiful day on the trail. Great weather, cooling breezes, pine forests, mud paths, long uphills, squirrels, chipmunks, frogs. Saw the South Bound thru hikers - Hops, Possum, Bear Bait, Free Thinker, and Sea Hawk - coming up the mountain on our way down. Invited Hops to contact us when he's near Harper's Ferry so we can get together and possibly take him home for a break/shower/meals and back to the trail. He plans to skip VT and do that when he's back home in MA after hopefully finishing in December at Springer in GA.We're excited about the rest of our plans. After finishing southern NH trails tomorrow 9/15 and Friday, 9/16, we are going to take a day off 9/17 to visit Lost River Gorge and the Flume at Franconia Notch State Park. Then we're going to drive to Baxter State Park 9/18 to tent overnight at Katahdin Stream Campground. Then we'll hike up Katahdin 9/19. That way we'll insure that we can get up the hardest climb on the trail while it is still within our physical ability. That night we'll overnight at the Appalachian Trail Lodge and talk to owner Paul about the best way to hike ME next year. Then we'll try to get 4 more hikes in NH/ME before we go home.
Date: 2011-09-15
From: 3 Mile Road Trailhead

To: Hanover Outdoors
Miles today: 8.4

We had a nice walk today after Steve, thru hiker Stray Cat 1996 and 2006, shuttled us to 3 Mile Road. He plans to thru hike every 10 years.Small rolling hills, pine forests, tiny frogs, chipmunks, bluejays, drizzle, mud, swamps. It was nice to have an easy 8.4 miles. Glad most of the rain was before and after our hike. Hanover Outdoors let us park in their lot until after we had a delicious lunch at Rosey's.We drove to our beginning point for tomorrow at Tigertown Road and Podunk to make sure we could access it. We're now getting ready for tomorrow and planning our Katahdin adventure. We haven't found a shuttle for our other hikes for Mahoosuc Notch in ME and others north of Gorham, NH, yet. Still researching.