morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-16
From: Hanover NH (Maddie's house)

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

7:20 p.m. Yesterday was nice. We walked (mostly downhill and road walks) into NH, and Hanover. We were in town and at the Dunkin Donuts by a little before 9, where we stuffed ourselves silly (Lockjaw had a pint of B&J's for breakfast). We went to the P.O. after a while. I personally was just giddy with being in Hanover, my future home and a big milestone. We were going to take a bus to a nearby hotel (there aren't any really right in Hanover), but got a call back from a friend of Lockjaw's who lived nearby and he had contacted about being in town. She said we could stay at her house in West Lebanon (a town or two over) and came to pick us up. We got to her house and we stayed in an enclosed, finished gazebo behind the house. It had a carpet, screens, a futon, chairs and a couple of mattresses. It was perfect. Maddie (Lockjaw's friend from college) was very nice, and had 6 siblings! We socialized with the whole family, and Maddie basically shuttled us around all afternoon to do our errands. In the evening we went to see the end of the youngest son's little league game, then ate dinner with the family. I was pretty upset last night, because Lockjaw decided for sure to take a zero today to let his shin heal. It's definitely a good idea, because he's been hurting a ton, but I can't help but think that I might not see him again. Yes, we'll be doing much shorter days through the Whites, but injuries are unpredictable and aren't conducive to catching up. He says he will. I hope so. We'll see. Today I actually briefly considered taking a zero, because I pretty much knew Lockjaw would take a zero and I would essentially have to make the choice between him and Kaptain. The stress was way too much like home. All I want is for us all to stay together and summit together and perhaps that is still possible. In the end, I decided that I wanted to stay on schedule to finish my hike on time, and therefore hike out with Kaptain today. I figure if I miss Lockjaw too much, I can always slow down. Slowing down's a lot easier than catching up. So this morning after eating some and packing and puttering, Maddie drove us all back to Hanover. About 24 hours after we first arrived there, we were back at the D'n D's, eating. Then again to the P.O. We said goodbye to Lockjaw, who was wearing his Crocs. It was weird. Then we hiked out. Today was actually really nice. Beautiful weather, and a short day. Except for a bit of a bugger of a hill at the end of the day, the terrain was pretty easy, too. The hard part of NH is still to come. And the beautiful part, we're told. I think tomorrow's going to be a hard day. Longer than today, and more hill. Wahoo!(not) Oh well. You can't win 'em all. I felt pretty rested today, though, which was nice.
Date: 2006-06-17
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Ore Hill Shelter
Miles today: 19.3

6:42 p.m. looking for truth on Ore Hillthe climb is over and there is no sense of accomplishmentno pride, just one thousand morefeet of vertical space masteredthere is no use in trying to think great thoughts or work things outnothing to do but drinkeat and bat at one moremosquito and build a fire from wet logs and dry leavesthere is no more truth on Ore Hill than Katahdinit is inside all along waiting to be discoveredduring the climb, not at the top7:38 p.m.The mosquitoes are awful here. I'm so itchy, but I'm also kind of sick of being slathered with Deet all the time. But you have to wear it while you're hiking or you go mad. Today was longer than most days will be for the rest of the trip, which is great because it felt short. We got a pretty early start (Kaptain was up at about 5:15, but I didn't hike out till about 7) and had a morning with quite a decent uphill. All told, we climbed 5000 feet today, over three major hills, which was more than we've done in quite a while and seems like it might be pretty typical for the Whites. I saw moose tracks today. Also, on the summit of the mountain we did this morning, there was a fire tower that afforded a very nice view. Mt. Cube, right after lunch, was also in a pretty spot. Moses is a generous genius. He has two pots that nest, and turned them into a kind of double boiler-esque thing in which he steams muffin mixes to make amazing muffins. He shared with Kaptain and myself last night and tonight. Delicious, moist, banana nut muffins. I must remember to try steaming muffins at home, because they produce a terrific texture. I actually have enough food for this section, which is nice. We got into this shelter very early today. Kaptain and I arrived before 3:45. We sat around, chatted, ate, and spent quite a while fighting with a fire that kept looking like it was doing well, then dying. It's a smoky fire, but that helps keep the mosquitoes down, so we hardly mind. Another project was rigging up a moose hanger, because this shelter didn't have one. The trail maintenance on today's section really sucked. The DOC (Dartmouth Outing Club) will be hearing from me when I get there! I haven't talked to Lockjaw yet today, so I don't know if he's hiked out yet or how he's feeling. I kind of think that if he took a zero, he probably won't catch up, even though we're doing smallish miles. I don't know whether I might take a zero later on to wait for him or not. My priority for now is to get myself up to summit the second week of July, hopefully the 12th. Waiting for Lockjaw is tempting, but injuries are unpredictable. I don't know. I miss him. It's about time to try calling him again, but in one of the messages I left earlier I sounded like a real bitch, so I'm a little apprehensive. Oh well, I'm not really super apprehensive, which is how I know it's a good relationship. Hard to think that no matter how the rest of the hike goes, the relationship will be over in 3.5 weeks. PS - This privy has a draw bridge!
Date: 2006-06-21
From: Galehead Hut

To: Crawford Notch (Crawford Campground)
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

9:21 p.m.In a bunkhouse. Will write properly tomorrow. But should remember: work-for-stay work, wrong turn/detour, lunch at Zealand Hut, easy afternoon. Tomorrow slacking Mt. Washington. Today was "Hike Naked Day" too. Got photos for that. Can't think of anything else, but I'll try tomorrow. Laughed a lot today, seems like. Can't remember what was so funny, but I suppose it doesn't matter much.
Date: 2006-06-26
From: Gorham NH

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

8:21 p.m. Well, I've walked from Georgia to Maine. When people would ask where I was headed, I would often respond "Maine." Today we crossed the border into my home state, and our last of 14 on the trail. That said, it was kind of a crappy day, weather-wise at least. The terrain was easy though. It was like as soon as we officially passed out of the White Mountains, they truly ended and were replaced with comparatively easy terrain and trail conditions. Towards the end of the day the trail was rather rough, but it was only really an issue because of the rain. It rained all day. Steady , real rain that soon had us completely drenched. Fortunatey it wasn't too cold, although it was hardly balmy either. Today was definitely one of the wettest days on the trail. Tonight we're staying with a SOBO, Pyro, who's nice. Left Lockjaw a message, but haven't heard from him. I'm tired. Haha, no surprise there. But I'm warm and dry now, so I'm alright.
Date: 2006-06-27
From: Carlo Col SHelter

To: Baldpate Lean-to
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

8:41 p.m. Well, today was interesting. It was, it is said, the hardest secion of trail on the A.T. Mahoosuc Notch, for one thing, then Mahoosuc Arm. The Notch is a much talked-about section of trail, just over a mile long, that lies in a deep space between two mountains. There is year-round snow and ice in the dark places between and beneath the boulders, and the temperature fluctuates by at least 10 or 20 degrees repeatedly as you climb up and down. It is as if you periodically enter a walk-in refrigerator, then emerge again as you stumble over a rock as big as a house. For me, this section of the trail was very challenging. A lot of upper body strength was required, as was reach in arms and legs that I lack on my 5'2" frame. In addition, Kaptain and Moses both have experience climbing, caving, and the like. They know what is a reliable foothold or how much pressure to apply to create adequate friction to hold their body weight. Many people take multiple hours to traverse the Notch, even though it is not long. In the end , we spent an hour and 20 or 30 minutes in it, although the guys would have taken less time if they hadn't been waiting for me. Several times Kaptain helped me by steadying my foot on a slippery rock slope. The bits he helped me with were things I could probably have done alone, but I might have had to take off my pack and I would have been a lot slower and more nervous. I was scared at times. In places there were deep, dark cold holes to fall into if you slipped, or at least some places to break a leg. I imagine if I get into the "Intro to Climbing" orientation trip for Dartmouth that it will be no rougher than what we saw today. Plus I'll be in a harness. Mahoosuc Notch wan't actually uphill, actually it was overall a gradual downhill, but the whole time we were climbing and scrambling over, under, around, and between enormous boulders. It was definitely more of an upper body workout than I've had in ages, and I can feel it. I made it though. I'm proud. Kaptain kept telling me how well I did, and that made me feel good. Moses was all talking about how it wasn't a big deal and wasn't that hard. Personally, I was tired and it felt like a part of the trail that wasn't as exaggerated as most are. But I lack the experience to know what mental and physical challenges to expect on such a section of trail. The climb that follows the Notch, Mahoosuc Arm, is supposedly one of the toughest on the trail. Thru-hikers actually voted it the hardest, over even Katahdin. Certainly it was made harder by the fatigue left from the Notch, but I didn't really think it was any worse than other recent climbs.
Date: 2006-06-29
From: Andover ME (The Cabin)

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I feel a bit like a town rat. Last night we decided to skip tenting in favor of going into town and staying in a hostel. Originally the plan was to hitch into Andover from the first of two road crossings, resupply, and get back out. Instead Kaptain suggested that we hike straight through to the second road and go to "The Cabin" The only problem with the plan was that we hadn't packed lunch for yesterday because we were going to go in at lunchtime. So we started hiking fairly early and around 11:30 it started raining steadily. That really sucked, and it certainly made us glad we were planning to stay inside. We stopped at a shelter for lunch, where Kaptain drank some olive oil. He's so father-like sometimes. He actually gave me two of his energy bars that morning because I siad I was a little worried about having enough food for the day. He gave me his food. Thru-hikers don't do that. It seems small, but when I saw him there eating some of his leftover ramen from the night before and drinking olive oil, I realized how much he cares about me, and how much I'll miss him. Life without Kaptain is hard to imagine. Anyway, somehow the day ended. After lunch we still had the toughest terrain aghead, a steep down, then a steep up, and another descent. It wasn't actually too bad though, and the trail maintenance was terrific, especially on the uphill. We had already called to arrange a shuttle to The Cabin, so that worked like a charm. THe guy who picked us up, "Bear", was great, and took us to the P.O. and store for snacks. THe we went to the place itself, where we were able to shower, do laundry, etc. They serve meals there too, AYCE dinner and breakfast. And when they say AYCE, they mean AYCE. The stuffed us until we could eat no more. Great food. Great place in general actually. I'd say The Cabin is among my favorite hiker spots on the trail.
Date: 2006-07-02
From: Stratton ME

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

As of this moment, I've walked 2002.1 miles. We passed the 2000-mile point today. Tomorrow we'll pass the road that has "2000 mi" painted on it (because ther is no road close to the actual 2000 mile mark, the marker is 5.9 miles later).   Anyway, it's a pretty momentous and exciting occasion. 172.5 miles to go. 9 more normal days of hiking, then Katahdin. Yesterday was long, but not really too hard. We went up and over the Crocker Mountains, then cruised down to the road crossing, where we got a hitch in a pickup after about 20 minutes. The ride was kind of scary, but we made it to town, and settled in at the hostel part of the Stratton Motel. Stratton was a very convenient town, with the store and restaurant both across the street. Side note, we were trying to think of the last time we saw the stars, our last clear night. We couldn't. Also, we talk about Lockjaw a lot. About how he used to have man-boobs and about the time I was a retarded caterpiller and about how he'd get grumpy if he didn't eat. I thought about him a lot today. After spending the night in Stratton (using the internet, talking to Lockjaw finally on the phone, watching "Appalachian Impressions" again), I slept in until 7:30 and we ate breakfast. We packed our bags, bought last minute things, and got a ride from some random nice people that we were chatting with as we started to hitch. Today we climbed the Bigelows. Big mountains that weren't that hard. 3000 foot climb in all. It rained in the morning, but it turned out to be a mostly nice day. We stopped for an early lunch at a shelter with caretakers who talked to us about "leave no trace". Avery Peak was a highlight, and all the summits of the Bigelows were very windy. At the end of the day we had a bath in "the tubs", which was a beautiful stream with deep pools periodically set along it. Kaptain, of course, went righ in , but it was too cold for me to do anything but wash a bit. After dinner, we had a huge thunderstorm, seemingly right overhead. The rain came in buckets, but as is usual with such storms, it was short-lived. No cell reception here.
Date: 2006-07-04
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 18.7

6:03 p.m.Today was...I'm not sure. We woke up, and soon after it started to rain. It looked like it would last all day. Very depressing. By the time we got to the Kennebec, however, it was starting to clear up. Because the river is very ford, the MATC has a ferry system, consisting of a guy in a canoe who shuttles hikers across. That only runs from 9-11 a.m. from June to July 15, when more hours are added. Anyway, we got to the river kind of early and hung our under the clearing sky until we got taken across at about 9:15. From there we hiked about 6 miles to an unremarkable shelter, where we ate lunch. All of those miles were quite easy and flat, and zipped along despite the increasing heat and humidity. We had 9 miles to do in the afternoon, starting immediately with a steep 1000-ft climb. It only sucked because it was so hot. Otherwise I don't think it would have been too bad. I sweated buckets. From the top, the trail descended slowly, going over many bumps along the way. The progress seemed really slow even though we were walking at a decent clip. There were a fair number of blowdowns, but not as many as I had anticipated after all the complaining we had heard from SoBos. My feet and knees started hurting and the weather was looking ominous again. We had 2.8 to go.   As a thunderstorm developed, threatened, and started, we hurried along, completing that distance in about 40 minutes. The stormed passed a few minutes before we reached the shelter. I was able to avoid getting completely soaked. Now it's raining again.
Date: 2006-07-07
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

7:35pmToday wasn't as hard as I expected. It was hard, yes, but more tiring than anything. My feet (especially the outer part of my left foot) are killing me. I'm ever so slightly worried about the possiblitiy of a stress fracture, but I'm probably just being paranoid, and anyway, it's basically the same distance to Abol Bridge as back to Monson now. I wouldn't quit now. I have 78.6 miles to go. Four days until Katahdin. THe hiking today wasn't too exciting. We had a big climb first thing, but it wasn't too hot yet and we were rewarded with a fire tower and nice views. Lunch was several small peaks later at a shelter in a gap. We ate with maybe 6 SOBOs traveling as a group (the largest group of SOBOs we've seen, and the most reminiscent of our early days as we've seen too). THey seemed to be having a great time so far, but several seemed to think it very hard and one guy started with 70 lbs (including 4 cotton t-shirts! ahh!)
Date: 2006-07-08
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: scattered clouds

7:10pmI'm tired right now, as ususal, but I felt really good today. The miles to the top of White Cap went by very quickly as we ascended four short climbs to increasingly higher peaks, culminating in White Cap itself. There is an opportunity to see Katahdin from White Cap on a clear day. Today was cloudless and beautiful, but too hazy to get a view of Katahdin. All day had beautiful weather, which makes for quite a long stretch of it, or at least it seems that way. Word has it that tomorrow will be nice too, although who knows. I'm really hoping our summit day is nice on Wednesday. Kaptain keeps insisting that it doesn't matter as long as we are allowed to go up and we can see the "Katahdin" sign. I see where he's coming from, but I'd hate to end the hike with anotehr long, crappy, wet slog and tricky, slippery, dangerous descent. This afternoon we had a lovely swim at a beach 3 miles before the shelter. There are tons of SOBOs here too, so I'm in my hammock tonight, which I don't mind because it's comfy and bug-free. THe bugs weren't that bad today. There was a bit of a breeze. The day was hot, but not muggy. The SOBOs are all so fresh and new, only about 3 or 4 days into the hike. It's incredible to try to remember our thoughts and feelings that far back. We're almost done. What, I wonder, do I have that 75 percent or so of people don't? Why am I the one finishing? As well as Kaptain, Lockjaw, Moses, Sunshine, and Team Steve. I think they'll all finish and I wonder why us and not so many other people. I don't feel like I'm different or tougher or braver or more stoic or more crazy or more or less happy than others. Maybe I am, and I don't realize it. But it's one of the mysteries of the trail. My feet hurt a lot. The last 5 miles today were great trail. Tomorrow is dead flat. Long, but easy. I hope the bugs and mud aren't too bad.
Date: 2006-07-09
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: light rain

7:26pmToday was mixed, which is no surprise really because every day out here is. THe morning was lovely. Time and miles flew as we hiked over 3mph across smooth, flat trail. We stopped at a beach at about 10am and hung out there. We had an early lunch, and after lunch was rough. We did get a view of Katahdin, though. I started to cry upon seeing it. It was amazing. There was nothing else but this gigantic mountain, standing alone. When you see it, you start thinking that maybe this whole AT thing isn't so stupid after all. We saw today what we've been walking towards all this time. It's a beautiful mountain and we're really, really close. 38.j2 miles to go. We swam .4 before the shelter too. There are 14 boys here from a Kieve camp here. They're doing the 100-mile wilderness and Katahdin. I need to go to bed. I hope they eventually go away (the boys, because for now they're talking to us)
Date: 2006-07-10
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

4:34 pmI'm trying to not eat. We're almost done. I'm almost out of food. Tomorrow morning 3.6 miles in is Abol Pines Campsite where we can get food and coffee. I'm going to be hungry before then. I've been hungry all day. Oh well. It was hard to carry so much food from Monson. Today I felt tired. The morning wasn't hard, and the last 3.8 was absurdly fast to lunch at a spot near a campsite, spring, and lake. We were left only 7.7 more miles for the afternoon, mostly flat. By the way, this morning we went over our last steep hill. Nusuntabunt Mountain, which was only a 750 ft climb. But fairly steep. Anyway, this afternoon went fairly quickly too, except that I hit my head on a rock.6:20pmI got distracted. Anyway, I hit my head SMACK! on a large boulder. RIght on top of my head. It was excruciating. I was walking along (with hat on, of course) and stepped up onto a rock, not seeing what was ahead because of my hat. Ouch. So that added to my woozyness from hunger. Soon after, however, at the top of the little hill, we came across wild blueberries. That was very exciting. We stayed up there for awhile, picking and eating. We got a view of Katahdin from up there too. A storm started to form quickly so we raced it down to the shelter. We won. We were here by 3:30 and then pouring rain, hail, and lighting that hit a tree that was just barely out of sight behind other trees followed. After awhile, though, it stopped. And now it's beautiful again. Tomorrow we'll be at the base of Katahdin. I will miss Kaptain so much. It's incredible.
Date: 2006-08-15
From: Hanover NH

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 1.5
Weather: few clouds

Made it from my apartment in NJ to the train to White River Junction (8 hours) and got a ride to Hanover with a very nice girl I met on the train named Carly and her mom, Mrs. Lindgren, her brother and Carly's boyfriend. Met my first new friends Wiggy and Home Worrd (from Maine, get it?) at the shelter. Slept in the hammock for the first time in a while and tried to get used to the idea of being back on the trail.
Date: 2006-08-16
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

Nice views today, bugs not too bad. Didn't eat enough, still getting the hang of this snacking thing. Last hill kicked my butt. Very questionable water from lunch shelter (see pic). Had to pre filter with my bandana. Met Cornbread and G-Man during the day and stayed at Trapper John with them.
Date: 2006-08-17
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Brackett Brook
Miles today: 15.0

Pretty rugged trail. I am out of shape and my pack feels like a refrigerator. Lots of mud and rockhopping for the first half of the day. Saw squirrels, chipmunks and baby toads. The smell of pine is everywhere. Great views and good pics from fire wardens tower. Mt Cube and Smarts Mtn were hard at the end of the day. Feel pretty exhausted and nauseous. I hope tomorrow is better, It's my birthday!
Date: 2006-08-18
From: Stream after Hexacuba

To: Glencliff Hostel
Miles today: 5.0

Happy birthday to me! After a nice stealth experience next to Brackett Brook, my appetite and energy are still low. At least there were no critter visitors last night. Made special Easy Mac birthday lunch by river and saw a Fischer (cute brown river weasel) run by. Great pick me up. Ran into Montreal and Kutsa (from my hike in '02) first thing at the hostel. What a great suprise!
Date: 2006-08-19
From: Glencliff Hostel

To: Kinsman Notch Stealth Camping
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Great evening at Hikers Welcome Hostel. Kutsa and Montreal greeted me (2002). Kutsa is attempting another thruhike (something about heights) and they are going about as slow as me since Kutsa's getting over an illness. Climb up Moosilauke was decent and steady for about six miles. Great view of Whites, glad the weather held! First mountain above treeline! On to the notch to stealth with Kutsa and Montreal. Bday yesterday was plantastic. Bought a case of beer for the other hikers, they seemed pleased. I even drank one myself!