morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-08-06
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: NY 17
Miles today: 21.9

Tonight I am sleeping in a house. Pop Tart, who is from New York, invited me to stay over at his parents. He has been planning on going home for a few days and after he scared the shit out of me jumping out from behind a rock as I was coming down a hill, he invited me over to spend the night. I gratefully accepted. I got a shower, had dinner at an A.Y.C.E. with his family and then was able to do my laundry. Today was a beautiful day for a hike, clear and cool. I crossed the NJ/NY state line and shortly after got a view of the New York City skyline from Prospect Rock. Maybe it is 40 miles or so from Manhattan. Later on during the day¢s hike I came to a road crossing and there was a Hot Dog stand right near the trail. A few miles past that I caught up to Pop Tart, who I thought was behind me and found out he had missed the shelter turn off last night and camped out somewhere past it. I hiked the last seven miles with him. Then we got picked up by his mom and took a 40-minute ride to their house. They bought me dinner and are treating me very well. This is a very nice family to be around.
Date: 2004-08-07
From: NY 17

To: Bear Mountain Bridge
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up this morning and was offered an opportunity to slack pack today with Pop Tart and then spend another night with his family. I hadn¢t slack packed up until today and it wasn¢t something I was going to do but I¢m glad I did. It allowed me an easier hike without a full pack on and I was able to spend more time with Pop Tart¢s family. After the hike his mom picked us up and we got back to the house and had burgers and Hot Dogs. I had a great time listening to some great stories and hanging around with wonderful people who treated me like family.
Date: 2004-08-08
From: Bear Mountain Bridge

To: Dennytown Road Campsite
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I got dropped off at the trail at 12:30 after spending the morning just hanging around. Pop Tart¢s taking a few days off at home. I had a great time the past couple days. Another reminder, that it¢s the people along the trail more so than the places along the trail that will leave the most lasting memories. New Yorkers aren¢t so bad! Camped out tonight with three guys, who started a weeklong section hike today. They asked me earlier about what some of the best places have been, a question that is often asked, and out of habit, I rattled off a few places like the Grayson Highlands, Shenandoah National Park, Roan Mountain area, etc. As I sit here now thinking about that question, I realize that I won¢t remember the places as well as I¢ll remember the people along the way. The A.T. is not only about what¢s around the next turn or what there is to see at the top of the hill, it¢s also about who might be there to meet and to talk too.
Date: 2004-08-09
From: Dennytown Road Campsite

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

The weather is great, wish you were here. What else can I say, another beautiful day on the A.T. I saw some nice views today, good conversations along the way with some North bound thru¢s and South Bound thru¢s and locals at a deli that I stopped at a half-mile off the trail. The hiking went well, a couple of climbs, but nothing too extreme. I am staying at the shelter with Reverend Yukon Jack who is not a Reverend, is not from the Yukon, and is not Jack. Also here are two South Bounders.
Date: 2004-08-10
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Ten Mile River Lean-to
Miles today: 20.6

I¢m out of NY and now in CN, which means I¢m in New England, visions of Maine dancing in my head. I had lunch at Tony¢s Deli, about a half mile off the A.T. I have been coming across places like this for the last few days and it makes for a nice stop burring the day. I passed by a train station called Appalachian Trail Station. It¢s simply a platform along a set of tracks that will take you to New York City. I got to the shelter or ¢Lean ¢to¢ as they are called in New England, and had a nice chat with some kids who are out for a couple days and were very interested in the A.T. and the idea of hiking from Georgia to Maine. It¢s always the usual questions and comments but I¢m glad to talk about the experiences I¢ve had. Also here tonight is Yukon Jack and London Len. I am enjoying their company and conversation before bedtime.
Date: 2004-08-11
From: Ten Mile River Lean-to

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 8.7

Got into Kent around noon and then met up with my sister and her friend from Italy, Cristiano. I¢ve been looking forward to seeing them since talking to her last Sunday. I had lunch with them and then gave them a good taste of the A.T. as we hiked three-tenths of a mile up hill to Mt. Algo Lean-to, which is just south of Kent. A nice rugged section of the trail that was still wet and slippery from some earlier rain. They got to see the shelter, sign the register, meet and talk to some thru-hikers. They seemed to enjoy the experience and found out that the A.T. is not a Dirt path but rather a rocky, root filled trail. They also got a good whiff of the thru-hiker smell all day, as I hadn¢t showered or done my laundry before seeing them. Tonight I am camped out in Kent at the Episcopal Church with Beat Box, London Len and Yukon Jack. My compliments to the Pastor who was is very friendly and helpful. It was a wonderful day. I re-supplied and am ready for more Northbound.
Date: 2004-08-12
From: Kent, CT

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 17.0

I left Kent this morning and hiked in what were probably the heaviest rains for an extended period that I have had to hike in. The trail became a fast flowing river and I trudged thru it all morning. Around 1:00pm the rains slowly ceased and the rest of the day was actually very enjoyable. I stopped at the first shelter, 7 miles out of town and had lunch. I was surprised to see Katie there. I hadn¢t seen her since Atkins in Southern VA. London had gotten no sleep last night due to mosquitoes keeping him up all night. He is using a tarp with no bug netting, so he decided to stop for the day. Yukon Jack has had a sore shoulder the past two days and was planning to stay there as well. It had rained pretty hard overnight and I had to pack out a wet tent, not a problem but for the extra weight, easily two pounds heavier when wet. Here tonight is Froggy Pete, Bernie, Brood X, Katie and Tarzan. I think they are all planning on going into Salisbury, CT tomorrow to re-supply and spend the night where as I packed out enough to get me to Dalton, MA, hopefully five days away or a little over 100 miles from Kent. That means twenty-mile days for me but I don¢t mind. I have been feeling great and having a lot of fun. Hopefully I¢ll be seeing some of these people up the trail somewhere. I¢ve really enjoyed their company.
Date: 2004-08-13
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to

To: Riga Lean-to
Miles today: 19.8

Lying around in the shelter listening to the Olympics Opening Ceremonies on my radio. I was surprised to find no one here. I didn¢t get here until 8:30pm, after spending three hours in Salisbury eating Ice Cream and talking on the phone. One thing I should mention here is that there is a noticeable difference in the way people react to hikers lately. I had gotten so use to being in the south where people wave as they drive by and say hello as they pass you on the street. In Kent and Salisbury, tourist towns for sure, the reaction is to avoid eye contact. I suppose they just don¢t know what it is that we are trying to accomplish out here and think of us as smelly bums, one of life¢s losers. There¢s a song by Tim McGraw (I¢ve been listening to country music if you can believe it) about a guy who finds out he has cancer, if I¢m remembering it right, so he goes out and really starts living; Sky diving, bull riding, mountain climbing, finding time for fishing, etc. Anyway, one of the lines in that song is, ¢And I loved deeper and spoke sweeter¢. I think that captures maybe the most important thing I¢ve come to realize while doing this. To simply appreciate being alive and the people who touch my life, from family and friends to some crazed looking, unshaven, smelly guy with a backpack who said hello as he passed by. I pray I take that home with me.
Date: 2004-08-14
From: Riga Lean-to

To: The Hemlocks Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0

Actually I did more like 18 miles today. I woke up this morning to the news of Hurricane Charlie and the devastation it caused on Punta Gorda, Fl. My thoughts turned to my two brothers who live in that area. I hiked four miles back down to Salisbury to get to a phone and find out the situation. During that hike back to Salisbury it was the furthest I had felt from home. I found out all were OK and I happily hiked back up the mountain. Good hike with great views over Race Mountain today. Tonight I am staying in the shelter with lots of folks: Katie, Bernie, Gorbo, BroodX, Tarzan, Chef Vegan, and Joanne who is a weekend ranger. Having a great time.
Date: 2004-08-15
From: The Hemlocks Lean-to

To: Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Short day into town today, I decided to get a hotel room and get cleaned up. My plan is to put together some big mile bays coming out of town tomorrow. That¢s the plan; we¢ll see how it goes. Got a ride into town from a ridge-runner with Gorbo. He took us to Subway and then dropped us off at the grocery store. I hung around there for a bit eating my Sub sandwich and decided to find a hotel. Moments later an older couple, Walter and Barbara, began asking me about the trail and my trip from Georgia. Walter then offered to drive me to a hotel. As we were headed there he asked if I wanted to drive around and see the area. I accepted his offer and we went off down some back roads. They pointed out some old 1700¢s and 1800¢s homes and took me down to see a nice water fall. Then, before taking me to the hotel he showed me where they live and said if I need anything while in town to stop by. Very nice folks, glad to have met them. After that, usual town stuff: eating, laundry and shower (I hadn¢t showered since staying at Pop Tarts in New York). Spent the rest of the night watching the Olympics.
Date: 2004-08-16
From: Great Barrington, MA

To: Tom Leonard Lean-to
Miles today: 6.4

Yes, only 6.4 miles today. I walked the two miles out of town got back to the white blazes and five minutes later the sky threw down rain, heavy rain. Rained all afternoon and I was so miserable walking thru it that I got to this shelter and quit for the day. I¢m so tired of the rain. It has rained so much lately I never get a chance to dry out. I was clean and dry and in good spirits coming out of town. As the rain kept falling my attitude fell with it. I was miserable and angry and fed up with it all. The trail became a river; the ground is so saturated that it can¢t hold any more water. I was trudging thru the mud, slipped and fell a couple times. Got more angry and swung my hiking stick against a tree. I now have half a hiking stick. Stupid move I know but I felt like ¢f**k it all¢ (Pardon the obscenity but it¢s the only way I can describe my mood). Got to this shelter, put on some dry clothes and ate. Feeling better now and in a much better mood. Hopefully tomorrow will be nice out because I don¢t know how much more of this I can take. All I was thinking today is I just want to be home. Does the sun ever shine in New England? If I¢m ever going to make it to Maine I¢ve got to put down some big mile days while the terrain isn¢t to tough.
Date: 2004-08-17
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: few clouds

Woke up to sunshine, oh Joy! Also woke up to find Beat Box and wipeout at the shelter. They¢d gotten in at 11:30pm last night and I didn¢t even notice until this morning. Hiked most of the day with them and it really lifted my spirits. Went thru an odd section where the trail seemed to dome down a hill only to go back up the hill southbound. Sometimes I wonder what they were thinking when they laid out certain sections of the A.T. But so it goes, I just follow the white blazes knowing eventually they will get me to Maine. Got into upper Goose Pound Cabin under headlamp at 9:00pm and was greeted by Pete who is the caretaker at the cabin this week. He showed us the bunkroom and the rest of the cabin and reminded us that he¢ll be making pancakes in the morning. We¢d heard about the pancakes for the last three days and the thought of them kept us moving all day. I¢m amazed at how much my attitude has changed over the last 24 hours. Yesterday I was cold, wet, and miserable. Today the sun was out and I was in good company and happy to be where I¢m at, the A.T.
Date: 2004-08-18
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: haze

Woke up, downed 10 pancakes and 5 cups of coffee, compliments of caretaker Pete at the cabin all for a three dollar donation. Got hiking at 10:00am and hiked the whole day with Wipeout and Beat Box. At the one-mile mark in the hike we crossed interstate 90, next time I see that I¢ll be on my way home. Made it to Dalton, MA at 7:00pm and I am staying at Rob Bird¢s house, known as ¢the Birdcage¢. Rob lets hikers stay at his house for free. He did our laundry and he took us to get dinner. A really nice guy whose only interest in doing this is to help out hikers, a true trail angel. Plenty of hikers here tonight besides us three, including Katie, Bernie, Gorbo, and Dig Dug. Rob also keeps a photo album of all the hikers that have stayed here and it was neat to see so many familiar faces of people who are ahead of me. Everyone is beginning to talk of Maine and getting excited at how close we are. I¢m planning on hiking out tomorrow but not sure as this is such a great place and Rob doesn¢t charge anything to stay here. One of the best places I¢ve stayed the entire trip.
Date: 2004-08-19
From: Dalton MA

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: haze

Day 136I planned on hiking out today. At about 1:00pm I strapped on my backpack, went to the store and re-supplied. After that, I stopped by the post office to mail home my journal and film. Then I went to the library to check my e-mail and send out an e-mail. I had 17 pages I had been writing for the last 3 weeks to type out. The library only allowed me an hour on the Internet (Hour Nazis as one hiker calls it) and after typing 4 pages I realized I only had 15 minutes left. So I scratched my plans and sent out a quick e-mail to say hello to everyone. I then used the copy machine to make a few copies of the 17- page letter. After making copies I went back to the post office, addressed some envelopes and sent out the letter. By this time it was after 4:00pm and I decided to get something to eat before leaving town, figuring I¢d still hike out 4 miles to a campsite. After I ate I put on my backpack and walked back to the Birdcage to see if Rob had any room left for me to stay one more night. When I got there he said ¢once you¢re here you¢re family¢. He has truly made me feel like family. I spent the rest of the night hanging around with everyone and watching the Olympics. Having such a great time I don¢t know how I¢ll ever leave.
Date: 2004-08-20
From: Dalton, MA

To: Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 9.3

Day 137Went to sleep last night figuring I¢d hike 20 miles to the second shelter. Hung around the Birdcage until 1:00pm and decided I¢d go 13 miles to the first shelter. Ended up going 9 miles to Cheshire when I heard about a massive storm heading my way with rain and hail and wind. Got here an hour before it arrived and felt some sort of victory as I looked out the window watching it, ¢you didn¢t get me this time¢, I was saying. I¢m at St. Mary¢s church of the Assumption where Father David let¢s hikers use the parish hall. I could have, as a few other hikers did, slack-packed 17 miles Southbound back to the Birdcage, (Rob slacks people) but I still have this thing about doing the whole trail Northbound. I kind of wish I would have slacked as now I won¢t see any of the people I was with for a couple of days. That said, I¢m glad to be at the church and to have met Father David, another angel on the trail. I went down and got a shrimp dinner at a local restaurant and came back to the church, not long after Brood X and Tarzan showed up and I went, with them, back to the restaurant and got a cheese burger and fries. I came back to the church and talked to Father David for a little while. It is still raining off and on, I¢m glad to be here, stomach full and in good company.
Date: 2004-08-21
From: Cheshire, MA

To: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to
Miles today: 11.0

Day 138I woke up to the rain, rain that lasted all day. Rain that made my climb up to the summit of Mt. Greylock (the highest Mountain in Mass. At 3491 feet) a miserable, muddy, mess. Sometimes the trail was like climbing up a waterfall, the way the water was coming down. Sometimes the trail was like walking thru a mud pit as my foot would sink four inches deep, and when it wasn¢t like that it was like walking thru the middle of a creek. I got to the top, where there is a lodge. I went inside to find Brood X and Tarzan, who had arrived a few minutes earlier, warming up and drying out by the fireplace. I took off my wet clothes and shoes and socks and hung them by the fire and then had some hot chocolate. The people running the lodge were very understanding of what we had all just been thru. There was, however, one lady sitting by the fire in her warm dry clothes. As Brood X, Tarzan and I were talking and even laughing about the day, she made the most ignorant comment I have heard on this entire trip. We¢re soaked to the bone, muddy and cold and miserable, having just hiked 8 miles up a mountain in the rain and she says, ¢It¢s not that bad out there and besides, you guys must be immune to the rain by now¢. I¢m not sorry to say that I wanted to get up and slap her upside the head, brag her outside and throw her down the mudslide I just hiked up. I just looked at her in disbelief and shook my head saying something like ¢no, I¢m not immune to being wet and cold¢. We sat around the lodge for a few hours and after debating staying at the hostel they offer hikers for $10.00, decided to hike three miles to the next shelter. At this point the rain had finely stopped and although it was still foggy and windy and muddy it was a pleasure compared to earlier in the day. There was a time during those three miles when the sun pierced thru the fog and left a golden tint on the world around us. It was a surreal experience and a little payback for a tough day on the trail. One thing for sure, I¢ll never forget my climb up Greylock, the comfort I found at the lodge and the way the forest looked when the sun, desperately trying to break thru the fog, cast a golden halo on the world around us.
Date: 2004-08-22
From: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to

To: Wilbour Clearing Lean-to
Miles today: 3.0

Day 139 When I wake up it¢s a bit cool out but the sun is shining and all¢s well with the world. I hike down the rest of Greylock and who do I see¢¦Rob Bird dropping off London Len, Flint, Mr. T and Scorch. It was like a family reunion. London, Flint, Mr. T and Scorch were slack-packing Southbound back to the Birdcage. I went to breakfast with Rob when he mentioned ¢There¢s room at the Birdcage, if you want to go back.¢ So back I went. A surprised Beatbox, who¢s still here healing a sore foot, greeted me as I walked in. Saying ¢Chicago!? Chicago, what are you doing here?¢ I don¢t really have an answer for that question only to say it¢s a fun place to be. Good friends around having fun just being thru-hikers and a host who enjoys being helpful and being a part of the A.T.
Date: 2004-08-23
From: Wilbour Clearing Lean-to

To: Mass 2
Miles today: 0.0

Day 140This is a zero day at the Birdcage with Beatbox, Mr. T, Flint, Schorch and London. Mama¢s Boy showed up latter with a few other hikers and Otter, who hiked the trail in ¢91 and is doing a section Southbound, came by. Just hanging around enjoying the Bird Cage. Eating a lot of food, putting on some weight, which I could use. It¢s a continuous battle for me to keep the weight on out here. I came to really appreciate all the shuttling of hikers Rob Bird does. Dropping people off at the store, the hospital, movies, and the restaurant. Doesn¢t ask for a dime. Just does it to help out. He seems to enjoy it all, being a helping hand to hikers who are trying to thru-hike the A.T. I¢ve never met anyone so generous with the way he opens up his house to hikers and helps them out in any way he can.
Date: 2004-08-24
From: Mass 2

To: Mass 2
Miles today: 0.0

Day 141Taking another zero at the Birdcage. I was going to hike, packed up, got in Rob¢s van, drove to the top of Greylock to drop off a few hikers, who slacked down Greylock back to the Birdcage and then I decided to zero again. Had a great afternoon hanging out with Otter and Scorch. I wonder how I¢ll ever leave Dalton. As it turns out my decision to zero will workout perfect because of my mail drop in Glencliff, HN. I would have ended up getting there Labor Day weekend and have to wait for the post office to open on Tuesday. It was nice to see Greylock in all its glory on a nice clear day. It became the joke all day that Greylock is my Katahdin, or as Beatbox asked ¢Chicago Rob are you thru-hiking or are you through hiking?¢ I still have my sights set on Maine but I really needed this break. I¢ve gained 12 pounds since being here and more importantly, I¢ve added some great memories and gotten to know good friends.
Date: 2004-08-25
From: Mass 2

To: Harmon Hill
Miles today: 16.6

Day 142Today, I made it into Vermont, finally. I got dropped off with scorch and we hiked together all day. Beatbox also hiked today, his foot seems to be healing. Dropped him off at the top of Greylock and then he¢s slacking back down to Dalton. Hope to see him again up the trail. As Scorch and I were hiking we met up with Freebird who hiked the trail in ¢96 and has some great stories and knows how to tell them. Camped out tonight-on top of Harmon Hill with Scorch and Freebird. After my extended stay in Dalton it feels good to be back on the trail and back in the woods. I feel re-energized and am excited about making the push for Maine.Since getting back on the trail after those two weeks off in Harpers Ferry I¢ve been having so much fun I sometimes feel like a little kid. I used to concern myself so much with the hiking and the miles that I had forgotten how wonderful it is to be out here doing this. I may be repeating myself but the trail is much more about the people I¢ve met and gotten to know than it is about hiking 2174.1 miles. The only times I get miserable is when it rains all day and even with that I end up laughing about it at night.
Date: 2004-08-26
From: Harmon Hill

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: few clouds

Day 143 A gorgeous day for hiking and hiking with Scorch all day made the miles go by. Caught up with London, Mr. T and Flint at the shelter tonight. Also here is a southbound thru-hiker and two northbound long trail thru-hikers. The long trail runs from the MASS-VT border. It is a distance of about 270 miles. The AT shares the same route as the LT for the first 100 miles in Vermont before heading east towards New Hampshire at Maine Junction near Killington, VT.
Date: 2004-08-27
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 144I am not feeling very well today, didn¢t sleep much last night as my stomach was bothering me. I made it up to Stratton Mountain, seven miles into the hike and crashed out for a good hour or so. After leaving Stratton Mountain Scorch and I took the wrong trail for 8/10¢s of a mile before realizing our mistake and having to back track making a long day even longer. Made it to the shelter. I am feeling exhausted, no sure what the problem is, I must have eaten something that didn¢t agree with me.Tomorrow we have a short day into Manchester center to re-supply. I hope I feel better.