morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-08-14
From: Ethan Pond Shelter

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: few clouds

Last night's rain pounded the shelter's metal roof, and sleep was a bit hard to come by. I was already tuckered out from my adventures in the Presidentials, and thus hoped that today's hike would be easier --physically, mentally and emotionally. Happily, I got my wish. The miles passed without incident and, after summiting the 4,902-foot South Twin Mountain, I arrived at Galehead Hut at 2:30 pm, giving me some time to dry things out when the sky brightened a bit. Only my shoes remained wet, and they were probably the one item I most desperately wanted dry. I have stayed at Galehead Hut twice before: first in 1973 with my brother, Andrew, when we went on an Appalachian Mountain Club backpacking trip together (photo of the 1973 Hut Register), and once about ten years ago when Sandy and I spent three days hiking in the Whites. It's very familiar territory. Still, I have not hiked the AT west of Galehead before, and that's exactly where I am headed tomorrow. I'll be hiking along the Franconia Ridge and summiting Mts. Lafayette and Lincoln, the last two 5,000 foot peaks of my AT trek. When I descend off of Franconia Ridge tomorrow afternoon, I will have finished the third section of the Whites, that between Crawford and Franconia Notches, and have just two more days of hiking before I complete the White Mountains altogether!I ran into Cinderella and Waterboy today to discover that we will be staying at the same hostel on Monday night in North Woodstock, NH. We also commiserated with each other about our mutual friend, AJ, who, we just found out, had to leave the trail to tend to an injury. I wish my friend a speedy recovery.
Date: 2016-08-15
From: Galehead Hut

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 13.0

Leaving Galehead Hut, I was bound for Franconia Ridge, one of the highlights of the White Mountains. Fully above tree line for two miles, it allows for stunning views in all directions before sending its hikers down sharply to Franconia Notch. Hiking under threatening skies, I first had to summit Mts. Garfield, Lafayette and Lincoln. The first proved to be a bit more difficult to climb despite being more than 500 feet shorter than the other two. I then emerged above tree line and tackled Lafayette, at 5,263 feet. Someday, I would love to come back and climb this one again, given my sense that it is indeed spectacular. Unfortunately, visibility was again extremely poor and and I wasn't able to fully appreciate the fruits of my strenuous hike up. Instead, I was treated to strong winds and blowing mist that made the summit uncomfortably cool. By the time I got to Mt. Lincoln, another 5,000 footer, little spots of blue sky showed themselves from time to time, but I was again in the clouds for most the time. Finally, as I climbed down from Lincoln onto Franconia Ridge, I dropped enough elevation that some views appeared of the ridge itself. Looking back up to the two 5,000 foot peaks, however, yielded nothing but cloud-shrouded summits. From Mt. Madison to Mt. Lincoln, over the course of four days, I hiked a distance of forty miles, all in the clouds. Not a view to be had from any summit. It was often blowing hard, often cool, often mist-filled, and sometimes raining. It's been one of those weather patterns that won't give way, and, when combined with the peculiar micro-climates of the high peaks region, it's resulted in tough hiking conditions. Thankfully, I've stayed in a hut, hostel or shelter each night since arriving in the White Mountains, so at least I've been dry at night. Still, it's been an exciting stretch, and I feel that I have experienced a side of the Whites that probably shows itself more often than not. I still have two more days of hiking in the Whites, and perhaps the weather will turn for me.
Date: 2016-08-16
From: Franconia Notch

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 16.3

After five straight days of strenuous hiking through the Whites, I had planned to zero today, but, in a repeat of Gorham, I decided instead to hike with Cinderella and Waterboy when we ended up together at the Notch Hostel in North Woodstock, NH. Leaving from Kinsman Notch and hiking north to Franconia Notch so that we could finish up back at the Notch Hostel, we covered the sixteen miles somewhat quickly. The climbs up South and North Kinsman, both over 4,200 feet, were steep in places, and we were able to get most of the ascents in before the rain started falling. For the bulk of the afternoon, we hiked in showers, but thankfully arrived back at the hostel before the really heavy stuff hit. On our afternoon descent, we stopped at the most western of the AMC huts, Lonesome Lake Hut, and were immediately taken with its layout, lake setting and the spectacular view it offered of Franconia Ridge and Mts. Lafayette and Lincoln. To a person, we agreed that this hut was worth a return visit, and would be a great base from which to hike Franconia Ridge. Tomorrow, I take my well-earned zero. Since my last one in Gorham, I've hiked seventy miles through the heart of the White Mountains, and my legs are feeling the effects. I've a number of trail chores to do, phone calls to make, and relaxing to squeeze in, and the morning's forecasted rain won't bother me a bit. On Thursday, I complete my run through the White Mountains with a rather tough climb up Mt. Moosilauke. Somewhat hard to believe, but at 4,802 feet, it will be the last 4,000-footer of my Appalachian trek. The good news is that the forecast calls for sunshine(!), and it appears I'm in for an extended period of nice weather.
Date: 2016-08-17
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Notch Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a massive trail chore day. With rain lasting into the afternoon, it was a good day to zero. The forecast, however, looks quite promising for the upcoming week. Today's photo was taken on the way from Mt. Madison to Mt. Washington, just before the Presidential Range was engulfed in clouds, rain and hail. It shows a string of cairns, topped by quartz stones, to improve their visibility in poor weather.
Date: 2016-08-18
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Ore Hill Campsite
Miles today: 16.6

Heading out from Kinsman Notch, I started to immediately climb Mt. Moosilauke, the last White Mountains peak heading south. Despite a somewhat steep ascent, I was soon on top of the rather large mountain with a generously- sized summit (photo). Just to remind me that I was still in the Whites, Mother Nature threw a little rain at me as I emerged above tree line. Fortunately, it didn't last long and was over as soon as I made it back down into the trees. Once I finished my descent of the 4,802 foot mountain and had left the White Mountains National Forest, I found myself in a world that I had forgotten existed. The steep slopes, very rocky and wet trails and omnipresent roots of the White Mountains were replaced by the rolling terrain and pine needled trail beds of the Connecticut River valley. While I still have a couple of last climbs tomorrow before I fully hit the river's plain, the change from the past eight days of mountainous ascents and descents couldn't have been more stark. Even with the rather substantial early morning climb over Mt. Moosilauke, I managed to put in 16.6 miles as I cruised through the afternoon's terrain. If this is a glimpse of things to come, then give me more!
Date: 2016-08-19
From: Ore Hill Campsite

To: Smarts Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Lethargic, with aching feet and sore knees, today I felt every bit a man who had recently hiked 1,440 miles through the mountains. On a beautiful, cloudless day, my energy level was low for the first time in a long while. I don't know to what I can attribute it, other than perhaps a letdown after finishing the Whites. I certainly hope it doesn't stay with me. I'll find out tomorrow!I managed to work through 12.8 miles, but it was strained, so much so that I stopped hiking at 2:30 pm. In the morning, I climbed Mt. Cube, a devilish little mountain topping out at 2,911 feet. In my weary condition, it took more of an effort than it should, and I was tired after summiting. In the afternoon, I had to climb the 3,230-foot Smarts Mountain to reach my intended campsite. While a complete bear to climb when headed north, the ascent when heading south, my direction, is a completely different animal. Gentle, gradual and soft on the feet, it was exactly what I needed. I am now camped just off the summit of Smarts Mountain in a lovely campsite with a tremendous view. Tonight's sunset (photo) was beautiful. I hope my early finish today will yield more energy for tomorrow, when I undertake my final two climbs in New Hampshire.
Date: 2016-08-20
From: Smarts Mountain Campsite

To: Mink Brook
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I awoke this morning to another beautiful day, and curious to see in what hiking shape I found myself after yesterday's less than stellar performance. I was bound for Mink Brook and would have to climb two small mountains to get there. They would be my last climbs before passing into Vermont. First, though, I would have to descend from the top of Smarts Mountain, where I camped last night, and that would test my shaky knees. The trip down was uneventful, and my knees came out of it in fine shape, a little sore, but no cause for concern. On the subsequent climb up Holt's Ledge, the site of the Dartmouth Skiway, my energy level seemed to recover as well. As I descended Holt's Ledge, my knees began to ache a bit more, but, again, didn't give me much pause. I ended my day with a 1,200 foot ascent of Moose Mountain and, while a bit tired at that point, I was reasonably confident that I was on the rebound from yesterday. I have a very easy eight-mile day tomorrow to arrive in Hanover, NH, by noon, and that should further help my recovery. On the way to Hanover, the home of Dartmouth College, I am meeting my fraternity brother, Alpo, who wanted to hike in with me. (Alpo, a Dartmouth nickname, will suit him just fine as a trail name, too, if he's interested.) The eight miles will be more enjoyable with him along, and we'll grab lunch after. Alpo, a Providence native, was very helpful to Alison and me as we got settled there ten years ago. I hold both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Dartmouth, earned eight years apart. I disappointed myself as an undergraduate, and, after all these years, the regret is still fresh. My return to Hanover, and, ultimately, Harper's Ferry, as an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, goes a long way to reset, in my mind, my story. The power of this journey I do not underestimate. By my hike's conclusion, I expect that I will find that I am more at peace with myself, and where I am in life.
Date: 2016-08-21
From: Mink Brook

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I met Alpo at Three Mile Road just before 7:30 am and we walked the eight miles into Hanover together. The terrain was as easy as advertised, and we quickly made our way without effort. Upon arriving, we had lunch and took a memory tour loop around campus. It was great to spend some time with Alpo, and I appreciate the effort he made to come hike with me. I have now finished two-thirds of the trail, a major milestone. Tomorrow, crossing the Connecticut River first thing, I move into Vermont. With that, I begin the "easiest" third of the trail, and hope to make good time through Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. I will then be tested when I hit Pennsylvania and have to walk a week of its infamous rocks, but I get ahead of myself. Before I leave Hanover tomorrow morning, I stop at Lou's, a Hanover institution, for breakfast, and then hit the post office, where I pick up a food drop and a pair of shoes Holly sent from home. My first pair of North Face Ultra Fastpacks lasted me 800 miles. The pair I just wore through Maine and New Hampshire are shot after only 440 miles. I guess the terrain was tougher!On to Vermont!
Date: 2016-08-22
From: Hanover, NH

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: heavy intensity rain

This is Hat Lady. She made my day! More in a bit. After breakfast at Lou's and my stop at the post office, it was just after 9:30 am when I hit the trail. Only "trail" is a bit of a misnomer in this case, as the AT travels along roads for more than three miles as it moves through Hanover, down the hill and over the bridge that spans the Connecticut River, and then into the lovely town of Norwich, VT. As a line of thunderstorms passed through last night, cooler weather moved in, and, when I started out, I could tell I was in for some delightful hiking. Under a day where sun and clouds shared the blue sky, temperatures remained in the sixties and one could feel Autumn in the air. A big, blustery, breeze rustled the maple leaves all afternoon, yielding the kind of day that my daughter, Holly, and I, just love. As the AT left the Connecticut River behind, it steadily climbed all day, preparing to meet the Green Mountains as they rise from central Vermont. With stands of sugar maples and pine trees sharing the forest, the trail was soft underfoot, without rocks and roots to disturb a hiker's rhythm. It was an utterly delicious day to hike, and the 14.7 miles between Hanover and Thistle Hill Shelter went by as if in a dream. In the morning, I crossed the bridge over the Connecticut and moved into Norwich. Heading down Main Street to the center of town, I stepped into a crosswalk to turn onto Elm Street. When I reached the far side, a voice called out, "Blue!", and I focused my attention on a minivan idling at the stop sign. Inside, the woman behind the wheel excitedly told me through the passenger side window that she had been following me on Trail Journals, and deduced from yesterday's entry that, after my stops at Lou's and the post office, I ought to be happening along Main Street just about this time, and she hoped to see me. I couldn't have been more surprised, or pleased. She told me that a friend of hers was on the trail this year, that she got hooked reading a number of other hiker journals, and mine was one. We held up traffic a bit, neither wanting the conversation to end. Hat Lady couldn't have been more kind or more excited. Here was a woman I had never met, captivated by my account of the trail, and waiting and hoping to see me where she knew I should be. I thanked her for making my day, and she said I had made hers. We said our good-byes, but I knew she would be with me every remaining step of my hike. This was trail magic of the best kind. To find out that my story is resonating beyond my circle of family and friends. That someone would take the time to plot my progress and put themselves in my path, with the hopes of saying hello. Today, in Norwich, I met a Trail Angel. Thank you, Hat Lady!
Date: 2016-08-23
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Stream at SoBo Mile 473.4
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: few clouds

Over the past few days, I have crossed paths with a number of the NoBos that I had met during my time in the South: Mr. Coffee, Clancy, Mowgli, Tao and El Jaife, and I hear there are more to come. It's fun to catch up, share stories on what has transpired on our respective hikes, and offer advice to each other. I ask about water availability and hostels not too miss, and the NoBos are quite interested to hear my insights and thoughts about the White Mountains and southern Maine. I covered 16.6 miles today of rolling Vermont hills under another postcard-perfect day. That puts me in good position to reach Rutland, VT, on Thursday afternoon. I would have liked to put a few more miles in, given the favorable weather and trail conditions, but my knees held me back. Right from the start of today's hike, my left knee in particular was quite sore, especially on the downhills. It has now been almost a week since I hiked pain-free, and I'm getting a bit concerned. I have decided to start taking the prescription anti-inflammatory pills that I've had in reserve to see if they help. If they don't, I'm beginning to think that I may need a few days of rest from the trail. Of course, it's too early to make that decision, but I'm preparing myself should I need to go that route.
Date: 2016-08-24
From: Stream at SoBo Mile 473.4

To: Churchill Scott Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: clear sky

I'm so excited! Alison is coming to Rutland tomorrow! I haven't seen her in three weeks, and it will be wonderful to catch up. I'll zero on Friday to spend the day with her.Today was another exquisite one. Warmer than the past two days but incredibly comfortable under tree cover, blue sky ruled. I hiked close to seventeen miles and ended up at Churchill Scott Shelter at an elevation of 2,602 feet. Tomorrow, the AT climbs up Killington Peak, but skirts its summit to remain below 4,000 feet. I have the option of taking a side trail to the top, and I'll make that decision when I get there. On top of Killington, I can get ice cream, which is always a draw. In fact, I've been able to stop each of the last two days and get ice cream around lunchtime, first in West Hartford, VT, and then at Gifford Woods State Park. At this point of my hike, more calories are appreciated!Lucky me, I ran into Cinderella and Waterboy again today. I had seen them in Hanover, but wasn't sure when I'd see them again. We hiked together for my last two miles of the day. They always put a smile on my face. After climbing, and then descending, Killington tomorrow, I'll report on the condition of my knees.
Date: 2016-08-25
From: Churchill Scott Shelter

To: VT Route 103
Miles today: 15.8

Leaving behind Churchill Scott Shelter at 2,602 feet of elevation, the trail climbed gently towards Killington Peak, taking its time to reach 3,908 feet. The AT does not summit Killington, Vermont's second highest mountain at 4,241 feet, leaving instead that chore to a side trail that many thru-hikers choose to climb. Through the summer, the gondola that services Killington Peak is in operation, as is the restaurant at the summit lodge. For me, then, the draw of ice cream was too strong, and I decided to hike to the top. Munching on an ice cream bar at 10:00 am, I found myself on yet another summit without a view. Clouds were obscuring the valley and surrounding mountains, just as I had found time and time again in the White Mountains. I was beginning to feel like Pig Pen, but with clouds around my head instead of his ubiquitous dirt. Getting off of Killington was going to test my knees. Heading south from the summit, the trail offers a long, slow descent, dropping 2,700 feet over five miles. This is exactly the kind of descent that one with aching knees would love to avoid. Much better to have a short, steep, decline than a drawn-out one. But, without a choice, I was really hoping that the anti-inflammatory pills I had been taking for three days were up to the task of relieving any pain. I started out quite tentatively, taking it slow and steady. As I made it through the first few miles of descent, I was pleasantly surprised at how little my knees hurt. Yes, they ached a bit, but nothing like the pain that had been with me before I started in on the pills. By the end of the five miles, I declared the pills a complete success, and my attitude about the remainder of my trek improved greatly. Once I finished my 15.8 miles for the day, I hitched into Rutland, getting a ride right away. I arrived at our hotel, put my laundry in, showered, shaved and waited for Alison to arrive. It had been three weeks since I had last seen her, and I was anxious to reconnect. I didn't have to wait too long before her knock on the door announced her arrival. We found a great restaurant in Rutland's historic district to kick off our time together, and caught up over dinner. With my zero, we have all tomorrow together, but I imagine the time will go too quickly. While in Rutland, we will have lunch with Cinderella and Waterboy, who will also be in town. Alison has yet to meet them, and I imagine we'll have a few laughs together.
Date: 2016-08-26
From: VT Route 103

To: Rutland, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

This is one of my favorite photos of Alison, taken when we were hiking together in California. When I first raised the topic of perhaps hiking the AT in 2016, Alison didn't hesitate in her support. From the beginning, she has been 100% behind me and my expedition. I don't think, though, that either of us fully understood what it would mean to have me away for half of a year. Over these past four months, we have learned just how big an undertaking this truly is, and how it simply wouldn't have been possible without a Herculean effort by Alison. I can't thank her enough. I will never know all that she has done to support and keep me on the trail, while holding down the fort. Answering my various hiking needs, assuming my responsibilities at home, having two college-aged girls coming and going, and busily following through on her own endeavors, Alison has somehow found a way to do the work of two and remain in good cheer. If I succeed in completing all 2,189 miles of the AT, it will be because I had the ability to focus all of my energies on the task at hand. The work and sacrifices required from Alison to allow me that focus have been wholly unfair. In essence, she has permitted me to be totally selfish for six months. I cannot dream of a better partner, in life or on the trail. I am so fortunate to call her my wife, my best friend and the love of my life.
Date: 2016-08-27
From: VT Route 103

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: clear sky

Saying good-bye to Alison at the VT Route 103 trailhead with a fully resupplied pack (photo), I started to immediately climb, but the trail soon leveled out. The day's hiking, pursued under a brilliant blue sky, proved to contain some ups, some downs, some rocks and some roots, all in moderation. With my knees again aided by a dose of anti-inflammatories, I was quite comfortable and completed 17.6 miles on the day. Coming out of New Hampshire's White Mountains, I wasn't sure how quickly Vermont would allow me to begin putting in bigger mileage days. Now, after five days of hiking in the Green Mountain State, I think I have my answer. For my remaining four days here, I am confident that I can put in 17 to 18 mile days without much trouble. That bodes well for me in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey and the easier terrain I will find there. NoBos have been telling me that I'll be cruising through southern New England, and I'm now becoming a believer.
Date: 2016-08-28
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Waking to more beautiful weather, I hoped that this would be my day to finally enjoy a summit view. I would be climbing four peaks between 2,600 and 3,500 feet, not tall by AT standards, but certainly high enough to see the surrounding countryside. I didn't have to wait long. Summiting Baker Peak before 9:00 am, I had clear views in two directions. Then, on Bromley Mountain around lunchtime, I found myself with a 360 degree view of Vermont. With the day a bit hot and humid, I decided to take a break and ride the Bromley summit chairlift down to the base lodge and grab a hamburger. Overpriced and not terribly good, the burger still hit the spot. I rode back up to the summit and resumed my hike. I put in 17.6 miles for the second day in a row, confirming my view that 17 to 18 mile days in the mountains of Vermont were quite acheivable. Given the thunderstorms forecast to arrive later tonight, I've decided to stay in the Spruce Peak Shelter. Still preferring to be in my tent, I wouldn't mind some rain to justify my decision. I continue to run across more of the NoBos that I had met in the south, this time, Padfoot, Hoot, Rambler and Pyro. With time running short to get all the way to Katahdin, I wouldn't expect to see many more.