morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2023-06-21
From: Griffith Lake Campsite

To: Clarendon Shelter 
Miles today: 22.8

I left around 7:30. I passed by the scenic Baker Peak around 8:45, then continued past a couple shelters. There were three different groups on the trail near Big Branch today - it's a cool rapid near a road. A group of about 20 people with a bunch of kids let me and another group pass, then I passed the other group. We passed by some day hikers too. I took a break around 10, and the small backpacking group passed me again.After reaching a trailhead with a lot of cars parked, I continued up towards Little Rock Pond, arriving there around 11:30. I enjoyed the walk around the pond.Once I left it, I got close to two older day hikers/overnight campers who were taking advantage of the tradition of the summer solstice to hike in their birthday suits. I had no desire to do that. Aside from self-consciousness, it seemed like it would be a chafing nightmare for backpackers. Not so bad for day hikers, I guess.I walked for another couple hours to a junction with White Rocks Cliffs, a view point. On my way, I ran into a group of at least a couple dozen day hikers, again in their birthday suits. As a group, they had the right of way whichever way they went. I had no desire to watch them go by, so I stepped off the trail and hiked with my eyes averted. They were friendly, and I was frustrated.There were many delightful cairns constructed along the way to the White Rock Cliff junction. I really needed a break. When I saw that the trail was all downhill, I decided, no thank you, and turned back to the junction. I enjoyed my break by the cairns at the junction, around 3. Maybe if I ever return to hike the Long Trail, I will make sure to see this view. That and Stratton Pond.I continued down to VT 140, and got there around 4:30. On the way, I enjoyed another rapid. I saw signs for trail magic! I continued on and saw two guys starting to pack up. The saw me and stopped. Thank goodness, because I was a lot hungrier than I thought. One of them.made me a hot dog, and I had three large slices of watermelon. I had around 10 double stuf Oreos, 5 chewy Chips Ahoy cookies, another 5 Fig Newtons, a bottle of Gatorade, and a bag of chips. And I got a free small tube of toothpaste. They said they do this once a week. It's very generous of them, and lucky for me. I helped them pack up a tad.Around 5, I continued up Bear Mountain (this one is in VT!), took a pit stop at Minerva Hinchey Shelter around 6:30, then continued on to the next shelter. I loved seeing more rapids in the Clarendon Gorge as I crossed a suspension bridge. Shortly thereafter, I had a rough, steep, rocky climb that I liked a lot less.I finally made it to Clarendon Shelter around 8. I set up my tent and wrapped up my camp chores, then fell asleep around 9:30 or 10.
Date: 2023-06-22
From: Clarendon Shelter 

To: Stony Brook Shelter 
Miles today: 26.7

I started around 7:15. About an hour and a halfIn later, I saw a group of people at the lower Cold River Rd trailhead. I assumed they were day hikers, but then I saw the kiwis among them. A group of thru hikers must have spent the night in Rutland.In another hour, I took a break at Governor Clement Shelter. A couple from PA hiking southbound was there too, and soon the kiwis joined us. A hiker from Boston whom I first saw at Stratton Mountain apparently spent the night with them in Rutland too.I started the four mile climb up to Killington Peak. I got there around noon, walked packless up to the peak, and took a short break to enjoy the great views.The AT in VT has spotty phone service, so I took this opportunity at the top of a tall mountain to make a reservation at a hostel in Hanover, where I expected to arrive in a couple days. There was solid rain in the forecast Saturday, as well as several days beyond that. I wanted to get out of the rain that day and relax.At 12:30, I continued on. I descended down to US 4 around 4. I took a break after climbing to Maine Junction, where the AT and the Long Trail split. Then, around 5:15, I descended to Gifford Woods State Park. The kiwis and company were staying there for the Wi-Fi and showers, but I wanted to press on after a short break there to upload photos, empty trash, and wash myself in the restroom. The ranger also had free icy squeezes by the office.With the weather forecast showing showers in the afternoon tomorrow, and these northern states restricting where people can camp, I wanted to get a solid day in tomorrow between shelters. The way to do that without a low mileage day meant a long day today, due to a longer gap between Winturri and Thistle Hill shelters.For that reason, I pressed on around 6. I passed by scenic Kent Pond and Thundering Falls, then started a 1200 foot climb up to Quinby Mountain. About a half hour later, I was going up and down the ridge for another hour, and saw Plunger and Skippy at a makeshift campsite. We chatted, and I told them my plans to get out of the rain. Then, I continued on to Stony Brook Shelter. I got there around 9, and after camp chores, fell asleep around 10:30.
Date: 2023-06-23
From: Stony Brook Shelter 

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 22.2

I started at 6:45, because rain was forecasted in the afternoon, and I wanted to hike at least half the day in good weather. The clouds ended up staying away all day, however, and it was pretty humid. I discovered a few days later that the stretch I hiked today is part of an unofficial Vermont rollercoaster section.I hiked up and down five hills, with one mile of flat, to VT 12. With no views, I found those climbs unrewarding.I arrived to VT 12 around noon. I read about a farmstead just down the road that was open today, and decided to stop there for lunch. Great idea! The lady there had everything for hikers: cold beverages, personal fruit pies and other baked goods, fresh and packaged cheeses and meats, fruits, and vegetables, plus an array of resupply items. She also had a spigot and port-o-potty, plus many places to sit with flowers everywhere. I got a banana, yogurt, soda water, ice cream sundae, apple, and personal blueberry and peach pie to generously extend my planned lunch food. It was so lovely that I stayed there for well over an hour.I returned to the trail around 1:30. I had nine miles to go to the shelter. I counted six more climbs on the elevation profile. The first three climbs weren't so bad, which I completed in maybe 90 minutes. I dipped my hat in a stream to cool off a couple times. The fourth climb was very steep -- 600 feet gain in 0.4 miles -- and started to make me agitated. There were at least a couple views, though. Around 4, after descending from the fifth climb, I took an extended break at Cloudland Rd to get some more electrolytes and other food. Then I made the last climb. It wasn't so bad, but after all the other climbs, I just wanted to be done.I got to the shelter around 5:30. The forecast called for rain in early morning, which was expected to continue all day tomorrow. I didn't want to break down my tent in that when I was arriving in town the next day, so I decided to sleep in the shelter. Since I arrived much earlier than I usually do, I met and chatted with a bunch of hikers during dinner. The privy has a window around the top of it, which was a nice plus. I retired around 9, after completing chores.
Date: 2023-06-24
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover
Miles today: 15.4

I started at 5:45. The rain forecast had been pushed into laye morning, and I wanted to take advantage of not walking in the rain.It was an easy day. I hiked about five miles to VT 14, passing through West Hartford, where I arrived around 8. There was trail magic in a cooler in someone's yard! There were even chairs to sit in. Naturally, I had a break there - one of the provided Gatorade bottles with my trail food was a nice plus.After another mile of road walking, I went through one climb and then rolling terrain -- six miles -- until I arrived at the outskirts of Norwich, around 11.  By then it had started to drizzle. Then more road walking through Norwich, over the Connecticut River where I passed into New Hampshire, then finally to Hanover, around noon. It was now a light shower, on and off.I walked by The Greens of Dartmouth, then headed down Main St. I had read Lou's bakery and restaurant give a free donut or muffin to thru hikers. I got a delicious, free large chocolate oatmeal raisin cookie! It was a half hour wait for lunch, so I ate at Molly's instead. I got a cup of butternut squash curry soup with a teriyaki breaded chicken and broccoli bowl, which was amazing. The server even gave me some amazing bread and butter with my meal and always kept my water and soda water full.Then I headed over to Ramunto's Brick Oven Pizza, whereI read thru hikers get a free slice of pizza. I got a free slice of delicious cheese pizza that they baked for me, which I drank with a bottle of chocolate milk.By now it was about 1:30. I headed down Lebanon St. As I passed the Dartmouth football stadium, it started to pour. I quickly went over to the food co-op to get a few days' worth of a resupply, plus food for tonight and the morning.I was so glad I wasn't hiking in this weather, but I knew plenty, including friends I had made, were suffering through it. I knew they would be okay, but it still sucks.It was now about 2. I called the Hanover Adventure Tours and Hostel, where I called to make a reservation the other day. They said they would pick me up within a hour. Under a sheltered dining area, I organized my resupply and drank a kombucha and drinkable yogurt while ithe downpour continued.The guy on the phone swang by in about a half hour, and drove me to the hostel, which is actually in Norwich. It was a pretty large area, with two bathroom, a large bunk dorm, large living room, and open kitchen. I checked in and put my perishables in the fridge, then got loaner clothes, took a shower, and did laundry.I saw that the weather forecast showed no rain forecasted until afternoon tomorrow. The lady in charge said she would be able to drop me off back at the food co-op around 7, which was great.I basically spent the rest of the day hanging out, catching up on journal entries, and chatting with people. I went to bed around 10.
Date: 2023-06-25
From: Hanover

To: Smarts Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 22.6

The weather forecast improved this morning: no rain until 3. Still, I felt it was best to start as early as possible. The lady dropped me back off at the food co-op just before 7, on her way to shuttling Max Heap and Gulio -- two hikers I met at the hostel -- to Dorchester Rd for a day of southbound slackpacking. I saw Skippy hanging out at the co-op! She was taking a zero day there, and stealth camping just beyond the convenience store trailhead, as were the other kiwis. I had texted Plunger; he said he was on the outskirts of town and would also be taking a zero. I hoped to see them again, and they have a way of catching up while I relax a lot in towns.After a steep climb up to the Velvet Rocks Shelter, the trail mellowed out for some miles. After a couple hours, I saw a trail magic cooler with homemade cookies and brownies! Grabbed a couple with a short break, then hiked up and down Moose Mountain, not a bad climb or view. I took a pit stop and break at the Moose Mountain Shelter around 11.It was not a bad climb down, and the weather forecast continued to improve; it looked like it would not start raining until at least 5. That said, it was pretty humid. The climb up to Holts Ledge was very steep, and I was sweating a lot. I got to the overlook around 1:30, then continued down pretty easy terrain for the next few miles past Trapper John Shelter, Dorchester Rd, Grant Brook -- great rapids there after all the rain -- to Lyme Dorchester Rd.While I was taking a break there around 4:15, a lady showed up and asked me if I wanted a popsicle. Of course! Her name is Teresa, originally from Hanover, PA. She gave me an orange creamsicle, which I loved. We chatted. She said her son, trailname Boom, through hiked the AT a few years ago and then the PCT the year after. He got his name because he kept saying boom while fireworks were going off on July 4 when he was in the Whites. She said she hadn't seen many thru hikers. I guessed it was because of the rainy forecast, coupled with the miserable downpour yesterday. She gave me another creamsicle (yes!), I thanked her, and she headed out.Just before 5, I began the climb up Smart Mountain. It was rocky and steep. I passed a couple section hikerswhile going through Lambert's Ridge, then met Backoff later on. He's flip flop thru hiker from the Raleigh area, and retired from the Marine Corps, who started at Harpers Ferry. The last climb up to the summit was brutal, but I made it up there around 7. I climbed up the fire tower and saw amazing views.There was still rain in the forecast later tonight. I decided to stay in the shelter -- which is more of a primitive cabin -- again, as did Backoff, the two section hikers, and a couple with a dog later on. I was in bed around 10. I heard the rain start pouring down around midnight, which continued for quite a while.
Date: 2023-06-26
From: Smarts Mountain Shelter 

To: NH 25
Miles today: 20.1

I started around 6:40. Fortnately, it was not raining, but rain was forecasted in the afternoon. Because of the downpour during the thunderstorm last night, the rocks were all slick, and especially easy to slip on the quartz. On the way up to Mt Cube, I met Pops and Jules, flip flop father and daughter thru hikers. After 5.3 miles and 3 hours, I got to the top of Mt Cube and took a break in mist and wind. The sky was completely white from the mist; there were no views.From then on, there was a somewhat steep decline, then moderate ups and downs for the rest of the day. I took a break at Lake Tarleton Rd, about 8.6 miles later around 2:30.I got to NH 25 around 4:15. The guide indicated a hostel just a couple tenths of a mile down the road that had Wi-Fi and an extensive resupply and snack shop. I decided to go over to it. After picking out some things to tide me over a couple more days, I ended up eating an ice cream cone, relaxing, taking a shower.I decided to stay the night, despite my easy day, decent evening weather forecast, a shelter just 1 mile further, and early finish. Backoff did the same. There were a number of other hikers there, including Gulio from Italy, who I first met at the Hanover hostel, and Max Heap, also from the Hanover hostel. I also met new faces like Dr Pepper, from Canada. We watched Beetlejuice, and I got some food for dinner, breakfast, and hiking tomorrow during a run to Apple Knockers.I was hoping for a big day tomorrow, but the weather forecast showed thunderstorms in the afternoon. I decided to be flexible based on how fast I would move and how miserable the rain might make me.
Date: 2023-06-27
From: NH 25

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 16.8

I didn't sleep well overnight at the Hikers Welcome Hostel, due to snoring, but also feeling a little wound up. It also didn't help that the bed mattress seemed pretty worn and was not soft. I started prepping for the day at 5, before my alarm, then started around 6:45.The climb up to the summit of Mt Moosilauke took me about 4 hours. I had been warned that there would be limited visibility and 40mph gusts, which was accurate. There were no views, and there was some drizzle.On my way down to the Beaver Brook Shelter, a few hikers from the hostel last night passed by me. The drizzle had turned to a light shower. Some were slackpacking, but there was also one backpacker - I tend to move very slowly on steep, wet, rocky descents. I got to the shelter around 11:45, where I found others who had passed me. Backoff also showed up. I took a break with them in the shelter, and started the even steeper, rockier descent to NH 112. It followed a waterfall down, which was pretty, but made me nervous with how wet it was.I made it down the mile and a half to the road by 1, then started the climb up to Mt Wolf. My knees hated me. The showers became steady, and the climb up was muddy with many stretches of ankle deep water on the trail. It was chilly, and I was moving very slowly. I think I hiked about 3.3 miles in about three hours.I took a break around 4:30 and called The Notch Hostel to make a reservation for tomorrow. I would only have about nine miles on trail, but based on how I was doing today, I could use a break.I still had about four miles to hike to the shelter. It started to rain, then there were a few downpours that lasted for several minutes. During one of them, I screamed at the top of my lungs in anguish. It was a miserable day.I pressed on and made it to the shelter around 7. The shelter was completely full, and many had already taken tent spots. I found a relatively flat spot, but had to spread the base of my tent over a large rock and some roots. It downpoured most of the time while I set up my tent. I got into my dry clothes after getting my pad inflated, then got water and cooked dinner in my vestibule. I finished up camp chores, and turned in around 10.
Date: 2023-06-28
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 8.8

It is always unpleasant to break down camp when your tent and hiking clothes are drenched. I wringed out my clothes for the second time before putting them on, then started hiking a little past 8. While it would just be a nine mile day, I would be hiking over the Kinsman Twins, two 4000 footers, so that would slow things down.The climb up to South Kinsman was rocky and, had some scrambles I would have appreciated more without the showers. There was water runoff going down the trail most of the way up. I passed a pond area, where even the wooden planks were submerged. I got to the summit around 11, then to the North Kinsman summit an hour later, which featured rock slabs.There were a lot of steep rock slabs on the way down too, on which I took my time. Plenty of stream crossings were overflowing with water, and the runoff went down the trail.I got to Lonesome Lake Hut around 2:30, and took a break. I got some soup and a brownie, plus some free old bread and leftover oatmeal from breakfast. Max Heap and Backoff stopped in later. It was surprisingly busy there; a few small groups of day hikers and one large group.I continued down to Franconia Notch at 2. The trail mellowed out a lot, but it was raining. I bumped into some people who were curious about my journey on this cold, rainy day, but I indulged them. They warned me about a stream crossing coming up that was a little beyond waist deep for one thru hiker they saw. I thanked them and continued on.When I got to that stream crossing, Max Heap and a hiker new to me, who I later would learn has the trailname Skip, caught up with me. Skip and I found an alternate path across, while Max Heap forded through, with water reaching his waist.We hiked together to Flume Visitors Center, arriving there around 3. A few other thru hikers who had slackpacked were there from the Notch Hostel, and they had already called for a ride. I grabbed some food and snacks quickly.The van showed up, we piled in, and headed to the hostel. I checked in, got loaner clothes took a shower, and put my clothes in the laundry. Many of us took a free ride into the Lincoln Price Chopper to resupply through the next fifty miles, and get food for the night.The rest of the day I spent eating, chatting, catching up on journal entries, or web surfing and napping.
Date: 2023-06-29
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 10.3

I woke up at The Notch Hostel around 5 without an alarm, relaxed, made pancakes, ate a big breakfast, took another shower, and caught up on my journal entries. The next free, scheduled drop off to the Flume VC was at 11. The forecast was looking partly cloudy with no rain and the weather was pleasant at the hostel, so I got my backpack ready.I got there around 11:30, ate more bread and cream cheese, and then headed up the long climb to the Liberty Springs Campsite at 12:30, and got there around 2.I decided to press on to the next campsite- another 7 or 8 miles. I was hoping to see some views on Franconia Ridge on a somewhat decent day of weather, with an overcast sky. No luck. It was foggy the whole way. I ran into a group of about ten young adult hikers on my way there and took a break with them around 3. Shortly thereafter, it started to shower lightly, but stopped around 4.I'd been here before, when I backpacked the Pemi loop with DCUL in 2016 - several years ago. I can't believe how the time passes! Back then, it was a clear, pleasant Columbus Day weekend, and Franconia Ridge was amazing. I hardly could walk for a minute without taking a panorama. The climb up to Franconia Ridge was steep, but not too taxing. Nor were the climbs up and down Mt Lincoln and Mt Lafayette while on the ridge. It was the climb through Garfield Ridge that was unpleasant, which I started around 5. Multiple steep decents and climbs on rocky terrain, with multiple rock slabs that were wet from yesterday. It was easy to slip and fall, so I had to move slowly.I made it to Mt Garfield around 7, then to the Garfield Ridge Campsite in another 20 minutes. In the White Mountains, the walks off the AT to these campsites are a chore.I spoke with the caretaker, who gave me and Seeker -- an older thru hiker different from the young Seeker I met in PA -- a spiel on etiquette at AMC campsites. It's basically the same as it is with other designated campsites: use bear cables or bear boxes, cook in designated area, nothing but TP in the privy. The difference is that they are dry composting privies, so you are asked to pee in the woods, away from people and water. He asked for $10 fee for thru hikers instead of the typical $15, and gave us AMC discount card thru hiker passes. After that, the fee is half off at all the other campsites with the pass, plus you get two free baked goods, a bowl of soup, and discounts from other places like the Highland Center near Crawford Notch, and the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center.I shared a tent platform with a couple, finished up my camp chores, and turned in around 10.
Date: 2023-07-04
From: US 2

To: US 2
Miles today: 0.0

I decided to take a zero because of the thunderstorms in the forecast all day, plus I still needed to get new trekking poles and try to ship my Leki poles to see if Leki would repair or replace them. That, and it was a holiday, and I could use a break.No one was available to drive us into town that early, so Grit and I walked the 1.7 miles into town, getting there around 8:15. It was clear out. Grit had other things to do like resupply, so I headed into the outfitter store in Gorham. Thankfully, they had a relatively inexpensive pair of Black Diamond poles. I got that, along with a new Platypus water reservoir, fuel canister, and bug spray. They said they could not ship my broken trekking poles for me, and the PO was of course closed today.I ate a breakfast burrito and meltaway bar, then hanged out in the bookstore at the White Mountain Cafe for a while. I got some fudge at a local souvenir shop. It showered for about 20 minutes.I headed over to the Barn Hostel in town to ask about shipping the poles. An owner said that if I packaged them and gave him money for shipping, he would send them tomorrow. He recommended going to Dollar General to get a box. In the meantime, I finally got a hold of the shuttle driver - Bruce said he could pick me up and bring me back to White Birches in an hour from The Barn.By now it was 11. I headed over to DG and got that box, plus a couple snacks. I also got a sub and cup of spinach from Subway, and some more snacks at Cumberland Farms. Then I went across the street to the Barn Hostel and got the poles ready for shipping, and handed him $20. Bruce was there too.I headed back to White Birches. Grit had already returned. It was basically beautiful all day, except for a brief rain in the afternoon. I relaxed for the rest of the day, read, and did some catching up on journal entries. I bought some ice cream a few times, then settled my bill. Fireworks were in town, but there was no guarantee about a ride back, do I just stayed there and listened to them from 2 miles away.