morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-08-08
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: fog

I got about 15 hours of rest, probably 12 hours of sleep, which made me feel much better this morning. I was on the trail by 8:00am. I chugged right along until my first stop at a lookout on a cabin. Some dayhikers were impressed with my thru-hike and I compared boots with a Sobo with the same boot type.Down at VT 12, there is a store that sells all sorts of stuff only 0.2 miles west. I even got a ride there in a commercial shuttle van along with some trail magic cookies. I had I've cream and Mountain Dew with Lightfoot and Orange Crush (from Canada/England) and Stinker-Bell, a section hiker doing a week or so before she goes back for her last year of high school.I was the last to leave but caught up to Stinker-Bell whose knee was causing her pain on the downhill sections. Unfortunately the profile read like a cardiac arrest heart rythm. We had 8.2 miles to go, so I slowed down to make sure she was ok. At a road crossing we got peanut butter and jelly sandwich trail magic along with ice water.We donned headlamps with about a half hour to go and reached the shelter by 8:15pm. We found Lightfoot, Orange Crush, Spongebob, Birdman, and Packman in a cluster of tents.Birdman and Spongebob are family doctors / knee specialists so Stinker-Bell got free medical advice. 21.5 miles were hiked: 1710.8 (Stony Brook Shelter) to 1732.3 (Thistle Hill Shelter).
Date: 2016-08-09
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 15.4

The tenting area was covered with uncrushed leaves, so every animal larger than a beetle made a racket, but I slept well. I got a pretty good start and found a trail magic mountain dew in a cooler. At VT 14, there's a house where Linda Hart gave me scrambled eggs, a muffin, and a can of pop. It was great to sit on her front porch and relax a little bit. There was some road walking and then I got trail magic #3 (by 10:45am). It was a man and woman related to the hiker Kansas who I don't think I've met.I stopped at Happy Hill Shelter and traded stories with some Sobo's. It was a solid 2.4 miles of road walking at the end of the day. I crossed the Connecticut River and crossed into New Hampshire. I got an 80 cent PBR and two slices of pizza at Ramuntos and met Mothly Stud and Little Debbie there.I set up my tent just inside the woods and walked back with Mothly for the movie, Suicide Squad. I managed to call home, and thus ended my day. I ran into Shoe Leather, who I hadn't seen since Hamburg, PA. 15.4 miles were hiked: 1732.3 (Thistle Hill Shelter) to 1747.7 (NH 120 Trailhead, Hanover, NH).
Date: 2016-08-10
From: Hanover, NH

To: Trapper John Shltr
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Camping in the woods behind the Dartmouth baseball field wasn't as bad as it sounds. It started raining this morning anf complicated running errands in town.I got laundry done at the community center (with Tater) and got a shower (solo). I recharged my phone & battery and did a resupply at the Co-op Food Store. It was noon before I finally departed. The hiking wasn't particularly noteworthy, although 0.7 miles was almost too far to the first shelter/privy.I ran into Shoe Leather at Mink Brook, and I hiked a little bit faster than him to Moose Mountain Shelter. I cooked dinner there and left around 6:15pm on a solo hike to Trapper John Shelter.Water was in short supply at the small streams near the shelters, but was still flowing at the base of the mountains. I filtered some from a creek that flowed under the road, put on my headlamp, and made my way up to Holt's Ledge.The night hiking was a little scary, by very memorable. I reached the shelter at 9:45pm and a Swiss couple's dog (Sobo) woke everyone up. I found Joker (non-dutch) there.My phone did a hard reset and wiped the entire data storage including photos, videos, and contacts. 15.9 miles were hiked: 1747.7 (Hanover, NH) to 1763.6 (Trapper John Shelter).
Date: 2016-08-11
From: Trapper John Shltr

To: Brackett Brook
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: fog

Absolute exhaustion contributed to a good night's sleep. I woke up and had a good time chatting with Joker, Monster, and her husband whose name I forgot. I made it down the road and found Lightfoot and Orange Crush. They stopped to get water and I moved on.They later came up the hill and reported I missed some first class sausage breakfast trail magic. It was a long climb up to Smarts Mountain. I was so tired I curled up and took a nap on a wood plank table/bench in the fire wardens cabin for about an hour.I made my way down to South Jacobs Brook, resupplied my water and rested a bit more. I decided to bypass Hexacuba Shelter and made myself dinner on top of Mt. Cube, with beautiful views. If it becomes known how enjoyable eating dinner on a mountain is, they'll make a rule against it and post signs on every mountain.I found Orange Crush, Lightfoot, Hammer, and Renaissance down at Bracket Brook, and joined their camp for the night. I was relieved to make it here by tonight because this sets up a shorter day to Glencliff tomorrow. 15.3 miles were hiked: 1763.6 (Trapper John Shelter) to 1778.9 (Brackett Brook).
Date: 2016-08-12
From: Brackett Brook

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

Camping was great. The soothing noises of Brackett Brook lulled me to sleep. I woke up early and was out of camp by 6:30am. I got some water trail magic and talked to Walloby (Sobo) at Cape Moonshine Road.I technically entered the White Mountain National Forest according to a small sign, which seemed undersized since this is all Nobo's have been talking about since Springer Mountain.Coming down to NH 25, I found "Forn Fioren" (Elvish for Forest Wanderer) who was so turned around at least three people had to tell him which way was North before he believed them. This is my second experience with this and ironically, Smiley, the other hiker I redirected near McAffee Knob, was right behind me. We hadn't seen each other in several states.Forn Fioren eventually made it to the Hikers Welcome Hostel where I was. I got a quick shower and then was shuttled to Plymouth where I rented a car and made it to the Residence Inn in Hanover, one mile from where I camped in the woods three nights ago.Karie used multiple forms of transportation to meet me and it was great to see her. 11.5 miles were hiked: 1778.9 (Brackett Brook) to 1790.4 (Glencliff, NH).
Date: 2016-08-13
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Zero
Miles today: 0.0

I decided to celebrate the five month anniversary of the start of my hike with a zero day. There were plenty of hiker errands to run. I bought my precious freeze dried food at EMS and added all the winter gear that my wife brought to my inventory.We ate at Lou's Bakery and saw Patches, Yosamite, and Doc there. Sickness and equipment issues contributed to a 5-day stay in Rutland for them, but they've planned some slackpacking to catch up. Lou's was very good by the way.It was Margarita's for dinner for the second night because it was close and good, and then we watched Michael Phelps get his last (?) gold.
Date: 2016-08-14
From: Zero

To: Zero
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

All of the other resupply logistics were addressed on this double-zero day. I ate to my hearts content at the hotel breakfast and a place called Restaurant 99 for lunch.We toured Hanover, Lebanon, and briefly a place called the Shaker Museum before I drove Karie to the airport to catch her flight. Lebanon Airport is quite pleasant, and I wasn't sure how to behave without people yelling at me.I said goodbye and drove to the Hiker Welcome Hostel where I did five days worth of journaling and rejoined the hiking world. Tomorrow, The Whites!
Date: 2016-08-15
From: Zero

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: broken clouds

The Hikers Welcome Hostel is a one of a kind experience. It provides a large number of hikers with a last blast of civilization before entering the White Mountains.I had my pancake and egg breakfast and then drove my rental car back to the Enterprise in Plymouth. The free return shuttle took me as far as Rumney, then I was on my own and tried hitchhiking but was unsuccessful. I stopped into a convenience store and on my way out met Steve, a hiker who drove me about 20 minutes to the trailhead. Thank you!The mission for the day was Mt. Moosilauke, a 3800 foot climb over 5.5 miles. Surprisingly, aside from a short break at a shelter, I powered all the way up in a great show of physical fitness.The North side of the mountain was steep and semi-dangerous relative to everything I've seen since Dragon's Tooth in Virginia. My knee started hurting from the repeated two foot steps down onto boulders.I was exhausted and surprised by the difficulty, despite everything I've heard. I reached Kinsman Notch and met Refill who's Nobo from Germany. We got a ride from the Notch Hostel.Refill found an IPad laying in the grass that coincidentally was lost 4 days ago by the hostel owner. Warm showers felt great. 9.3 miles were hiked: 1790.4 (Glencliff) to 1799.7 (Kinsman Notch).
Date: 2016-08-16
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I slept soundly at the Notch Hostel - I definitely recommend it. I decided to slackpack today and went Sobo for the day, starting at Franconia Notch. I saw lots of familiar faces: Can-Do, Backscratcher, Shoe Leather, Little Debbie, Mothly Stud, Nemo, and Mud Puppy, who I last saw in Harpers Ferry.I also saw all the other Notch Hostel slackpackers who went Nobo. I stopped in at Lonesome Lake Hut and got leftover pancakes and eggs. I then got asked to do dishes and washed breakfast dishes for about 15 minutes.Getting up and over Kinsman Mountain was challenging but with a light daypack didn't feel overwhelming. I'm getting a feel for the difficulty level of The Whites.It started raining lightly around noon, and around 3:00pm, it started into a steady rain. I was surprised by some of the deep mud, and some submerged boards that I had to feel with poles to avoid going thigh deep into a swamp (like Little Debbie). Wet rocks and roots were a consistent challenge. I flipflopped a bit with T3 and Shiv. When we got back to Kinsman Notch, they split the remaining 3 cookies and 3 cans of pop in a trail magic cooler with me. I gave them a movie quote about seeing providence and not coincidence and they gave me a ride to The Notch Hostel. Imperial Palace provided dinner, and I got my laundry done. 16.3 miles were hiked: 1799.7 (Kinsman Notch) to 1816.0 (Franconia Notch).
Date: 2016-08-17
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: fog

Absolute exhaustion would accurately describe how I felt last night. I didn't even sign up for the shuttle because I wasn't sure I'd make it. I started out the day by pulling my stuff together and catching the hostel shuttle to Franconia Notch.Scorpion, who I last saw at the RPH Shelter started out with me, and we passed each other throughout the day. It was lightly raining for a couple hours, then wind blew rain off trees for awhile.I stopped for lunch with Scorpion amidst random rain drops, and then it was above treeline for about an hour and a half. Winds were ferocious. 10-15 mph winds at the base of the mountain translate to 40 to 50 mph winds with gusts to 90 mph above treeline.The mist made it feel like I was on the business end of a pressure washer. I apparently passed Lady Katherine today who was Nobo, but is now flip flopping Sobo. I last saw her in Hot Springs. I found this out from Hiker (non-Dutch) who did a work-for-stay with her last night at a hut.I hiked with Joker for several hours, but chose to go to Garfield Shelter for $10 rather than chance a work-for-stay. I am here with Wookie, Amelia Earhardt, Bear Bag, Sleeping Beauty (all part of The Warrior Hike), and Lightning.I am tired and wearing most of my winter gear. Visibility was about 150 feet most of the day. 10.3 miles were hiked: 1816.0 (Franconia Notch) to 1826.3 (Garfield Shelter).
Date: 2016-08-18
From: Garfield Shelter

To: Ethan Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

I slept well. Garfield Shelter is really nice, redone in 2011. I continued down Mt. Garfield which was steep, wet, and tricky. Down at a relatively flat section I fell making a half jump over a mudhole to a slippery wood board.I crumpled on the wood board with my spear of a hiking pole sunk more than a foot deep in mud on one end and wedged in my gut on the other. My ankle twisted a little but seems fine. That's fall #8 total, #4 serious.Galehead Hut was a nice break. I bought lemonade, a Hershey bar, and some cake there. South Twin Mountain was the last serious uphill of the day, but it wasn't too technical relative to what we've seen.The rest of the way down to Zealand Falls Hut was one long boulder hop. It was a constant effort to step in the right places to avoid slipping or falling. At Zealand Falls Hut I saw Robi-Dobi who's now Sobo, I think. I last saw her about 30 miles North of Hot Springs.I was very tired and had only gone 9.6 miles in about 8 hours. I pushed on to the next shelter and the terrain became very easy for about five miles to the campsite. I cooked dinner with Sleeping Beauty, Lightning, and a Harvard freshman orientation group.Amelia and Wookie showed up late. A moose was blocking the path and wouldn't let them through. A branch across the path nearly fell on me as I swung under it, but I was unharmed. 14.5 miles were hiked: 1826.3 (Garfield Shelter) to 1840.8 (Ethan Pond Shelter).
Date: 2016-08-19
From: Ethan Pond Shelter

To: Lakes of the Clouds
Miles today: 13.9

I slept well - almost 11 hours in the shelter with Cardinal & Yard Sale (Sobo) and Lightning. The day started out with a dive down to US 302. I resisted the temptation to walk a mile to the general store for an ice cold mountain dew. I was on a tight schedule today.I climbed up over 2600 feet to Mt. Webster up some very steep slopes.   I felt like a real mountain climbed at times. The weather all day was clear and sunny, with temps in the 50's, just about perfect for hiking. The views were great all day. I climbed Mt. Webster and Mt. Jackson before stopping for a snack at Mizpah Spring Hut. I saw Joker and Mud Puppy there and met Scuba Steve. Next up was Pierce, Eisenhower, Franklin, and Monroe prior to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut.I showed up with Joker. He requested work-for-stay and got it. I requested to stay in "the dungeon" for $10 and got the last spot. Unbeknownst to me, Scorpion had already asked about the last spot but went to set up her stuff rather than sign up or pay, and Mud Puppy and his friend were waiting to see the resolution of the whole situation when I plunked my $10 down and got the last spot.Scorpion vacated the bunk in the dungeon and did a work-for-stay, sleeping on a bench in the dining room. Mud Puppy and his friend hiked on. I'm sure lessons were learned. I got reception and a call home, and the sunset was stunningly beautiful. 13.9 miles were hiked: 1840.8 (Ethan Pond Shelter) to 1854.7 (Lakes of the Clouds Hut).
Date: 2016-08-20
From: Lakes of the Clouds

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 15.0

I slept well in the dungeon. I woke up early, partly by choice, partly because once the door is opened and the room is flooded with light you don't really have a choice.I hiked up to Mt. Washington and got a snack break with some fellow thru-hikers and about 100 locals, up to see the conclusion of a bike race up Mt. Washington. I took some photos and made my way down, crossing the cog railroad, which I did not moon, despite the tradition.Coming down the mountain was not terrible terrain, but the perfectly sunny weather contributed to heavy crowds of dayhikers. About every minute or two I was stepping aside or passing another person.I took a break at Madison Spring Hut and continued on down a long exposed ridgeline from Mt. Madison. It was a lot of boulder hopping, and even the average winds made it more difficult. I was happy to get below treeline.I made it to Pinkham Notch and arrived just as Lightning (the hiker) arrived. We called for a shuttle, and about 30 minutes later, Paul from the Barn Hostel took us to his hostel.It is within walking range of a lot of stuff in town, and I got a queen bed. Lightning and I ate at Subway and shared a load of laundry. Refill and Firestarter are here among others. Tomorrow is a zero day for me. 15.0 miles were hiked: 1854.7 (Lakes of the Clouds Hut) to 1869.7 (Pinkham Notch / Gorham).
Date: 2016-08-21
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Gorham Zero #1
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept very well in my queen bed. It was a leisurely day. Cumberland Farms (convenience store) is almost across the street, so I ate a lot, if not entirely well. I had an all you can eat bigger at Welch's for a late breakfast and stopped at the outfitter in town which had reasonably priced fuel and freeze-dried food. The rest of the day was mostly rest oriented, although I did get a game of ping pong in with Ponder.Tomorrow I have decided to slackpack 21.1 miles which is a lot. I intended to hike that in about two days, but this way I get real food and a bed, so I think it's worth it. 0 miles were hiked today.
Date: 2016-08-22
From: Gorham Zero #1

To: US 2, Gorham, NH
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: moderate rain

After dropping Scorpion and Monarch off at Route 2, Paul dropped me off at Pinkham Notch and I hiked north, slackpacking. It was a technical steep climb in places, but I enjoyed it with the lighter pack.I passed the ski gondola and continued on the ridge. It was fairly cold, in the 40's with steady 30 mph winds when you popped above treeline. I was constantly changing my clothing to reflect the weather of the minute.I made my way down to Carter Notch Hut and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. There were some ghost stories being traded, and I enjoyed a couple $1 lemonades as I listened in.I felt pretty good most of the day but was fairly tired by the time I reached Mt. Moriah. It was all downhill from there, but still plenty steep in some locations. I got to Rattle River Shelter and saw that Cheese and Acorn (A.T. '14) had just signed in. She has a great blog and is the reason Acorn the Elder is "the elder". Unfortunately, it was fairly late and she was probably in a tent somewhere. The last two miles were easy and Paul brought me back to the hostel. 21.1 miles were hiked: 1869.7 (Pinkham Notch, Gorham) to 1890.8 (US 2, Gorham).
Date: 2016-08-23
From: US 2, Gorham, NH

To: Gorham Zero #2
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I rested my weary body today with a zero. I ate at local establishments, watched most of at least three movies on T.V., and replenished my food at Cumberland Farms. I'm not sure how long it's going to take to get to Andover, Maine, so I'm winging it.In general I'm feeling good, but I did start to get reflective. With about 300 miles left and a little more than three weeks to go, I'm adjusting to the concept that the trail will not go on forever. At the same time, I'm really looking forward to being done with it, and going home. Sometimes it's better not to have the time to think about these things, and just focus on one foot in front of the other.0.0 Miles were hiked today.
Date: 2016-08-24
From: Gorham Zero #2

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

I slept well as usual at the Barn Hostel, packed up my stuff and hit the trail with Tater (aka Tater Swift) who I did laundry with in Hanover.It was an 1800 foot climb right out of the gate up Mt. Hayes. The views here and at Cascade Mountain were very scenic, just not as epic as the Presidentials.I stopped in at the Gentian Pond Shelter, partly for a privy break, partly in my quest to see a moose which is sometimes at this pond. No moose. But I did run into T3, Shiv, Salt, Pepper, and Seadog. Those last three, Mothly Stud, and Little Debbie all took a break on Mt. Success with me and then we moved on together down a fairly inhospitable trail.The worst half mile I've been through so far came right after we crossed into Maine. There was no good way to get down - lots of dangling by fingertips on slanted cube shaped boulders and then sliding down and hoping to land safely.Being in a group helped though. It wasn't an easy walk 0.3 miles down a side trail to the shelter due to the fading light. Total hiking time was over 12 hours. I cooked freeze-dried chili mac by headlamp and found a spot in the shelter. Torch was in the shelter who I haven't seen since Wind Gap, PA. 17.0 miles were hiked: 1890.8 (US 2, Gorham) to 1907.8 (Carlo Col Shelter). 1900 miles complete!
Date: 2016-08-25
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Bull Branch Camp
Miles today: 7.1

I slept pretty well and enjoyed three Cumberland Farms donuts I packed out - uncrushed due to my bear canister. It was a difficult day of hiking. There was Mt. Carlo, three separate peaks of Goose Mountain, and Fulling Mill Mountain, all within 5 miles of the shelter. There were big bridges, ladders, rebar drilled into the side of the mountain, and plenty of unimproved mountain to navigate.I leapfrogged with most of the same people from yesterday plus Snickers and Elsa. I have learned that I am a little faster than average climbing, perhaps due to my longer legs and arms.I reached Mahoosuc Notch and felt blasts of ice cold air battling with warm currents of air. It's supposed to be the hardest mile on the trail. It's about scrambling over boulders and through small tunnels, dragging your pack behind you because you won't squeeze through some obstacles if you have it on.It's a full body workout for our neglected upper halves. I finished it in about an hour and twenty minutes, including getting some ice-cold water, so that's quicker than average.However, I was spent. I found a campsite and set up camp around 4:00pm. By 5:45pm I was sleeping. 7.1 miles were hiked: 1907.8 (Carlo Col Shelter) to 1914.9 (Bull Branch Camping).
Date: 2016-08-26
From: Bull Branch Camp

To: Frye Notch Shelter
Miles today: 12.8

13 hours of sleep was not enough. My body protested as I made my way up Mahoosuc Arm, a steep scramble up a lot of slick granite slabs moistened by the brief morning rain shower.I met Snickers and Elsa at the top and hiked with them for a couple hours. It is well established that Mahoosuc Notch is the most difficult mile on the trail, but in my opinion, the first 13 miles of Maine are the most difficult section of the trail so far. Thankfully, the trail eased up a bit and then the Maine A.T. Club took over and constructed about a thousand stone steps up the mountain. Baldpate West Peak and East Peak were stunningly beautiful and involves a long hike up an exposed rock face. But it wasn't too steep. The trail down to Frye Notch didn't seem to be nearly as steep as shown in the profile.Despite a relatively short day, I was exhausted. I am a little concerned that my body is not recovering like it used to. I have planned a short day for tomorrow to get some extra rest. Thin Mint and Badger are splitting the shelter with me tonight. 12.8 miles were hiked: 1914.9 (Bull Branch camping) to 1927.7 (Frye Notch Shelter).
Date: 2016-08-27
From: Frye Notch Shelter

To: East B Hill, Andover
Miles today: 4.5

Frye Notch Shelter was a standard shelter experience. The nights are getting chilly which is actually preferable to me. I hiked a little bit and called the Pine Ellis Hostel who said they could be at the pickup point by 10:30 - 10:45. I hiked and got there by 9:45.I finally caught The Count, who I'm pretty sure I haven't seen since Virginia. He is looking much more like a typical thru-hiker and less like a Parks Department part-timer. My food canister was out of granola bars which is what I was craving at the moment. Two women stopped to ask for directions to a waterfall and asked if I wanted any food. I accepted three granola bars. The trail provides!I found a bunk at Pine Ellis and got a shower. Laundry was done before the horde of people showed up. I got lunch and dinner at the Little Red Hen and bought a few snacks for tomorrow at the general store. I intend to slackpack 10 miles or so to hopefully give myself a little more rest. I snacked on a tub of moose tracks ice cream to replenish my calorie deficit. 4.5 miles were hiked: 1927.7 (Frye Notch Shelter) to 1932.2 (East B Hill Rd., Andover).