morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-16
From: Allentown Shelter

To: Little Gap
Miles today: 22.7

I'm sitting in my tent waiting for the t-storm to hit and am making couscous with cold water. It's been that kind of a day, and that's not a bad day--it's the kind of day when nothing can phase me.I picked and ate the first ripe, wild blueberries I've seen this year, and I climbed the worst rocky climb (out of Lehigh Gap) that I've seen on the trail so far. Both things were exciting. The rock climb involved an elevation gain of 1000 feet in 1 mile up a bare, rocky mountain, which was so polluted by a zinc mining operation that all vegetation is gone. It's a superfund site (funny that they would route the AT over it). The climb was both treacherous and fun. Some hands and feet stuff but mostly hopping from rock to rock--tough work!I'm hiking again with Apostle (his name is Paul) and am enjoying his company for a few days. Like most hikers on the AT, we'll soon part company with separate and various stops and zero days along the way.We had to find water this evening, as a few of the water sources listed in the guidebook are dry right now and then had to hurry to set up camp before a severe t-storm hit. We were lucky on both counts.What can I say? Just another great day on the AT.Editor's note: Chuck almost sent his stove home with me as he now doesn't bother to heat anything up--hence making couscous with cold water. Is that hard-core or what!?
Date: 2008-06-17
From: Little Gap

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: broken clouds

I can't believe I hiked 24+ miles through these rocks today. I guess I'm really looking forward to meeting Black Betty at Delaware Water Gap, PA tomorrow. I must say that I'm also looking forward to finishing another state when I reach the Delaware River.Detleff (a German thru-hiker) just came in the shelter and told us of a huge bear with cub that he just saw nearby. I'm hoping that they don't pay us a visit tonight!Peace.
Date: 2008-06-18
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: broken clouds

I hiked into Delaware Water Gap, PA this morning with Apostle. We immediately went to the DWG Diner for breakfast where we sat with Padre, who was already there. We had an interesting discussion about spirituality, religion, the trail, community, etc. The food and discussion were both excellent.I am at the Presbyterian Church of the Mountains hiker hostel waiting for Black Betty to arrive. I'm really looking forward to seeing her.
Date: 2008-06-19
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Black Betty arrived about 6pm yesterday evening, and I introduced her to my thru-hiker friends at the hostel. We went to the neighboring town of Stroudsburg and got a motel room. We then went back to DWG and had supper at the cool, old, Deer's Head Inn. We stayed there after we ate and played a fun game of trivia with some fellow thru-hikers and locals.
Date: 2008-06-20
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Zero day with Black Betty, just relaxing and eating good food. I also got treated to a well needed hair cut. I'll be hiking out tomorrow in my new shoes. They will be my third pair of the hike. My last pair were purchased in Damascus, VA and lasted 820 miles. I am pleased with that. Maybe this pair will get me all the way to Katahdin.
Date: 2008-06-21
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Brink Rd Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: few clouds

I said good-bye to Black Betty this morning at DWG and then immediately crossed the Delaware River on the I-80 bridge and arrived in New Jersey. New Jersey is state #8 on this journey. The trail climbed an easy 1000ft in elevation and wound around Sunfish Pond, the first glacial pond one encounters as they travel north on the AT.Lots of weekenders and day hikers out on the trail today. I talked to several who were interested in my trip. I found more ripe blueberries and ate them as I hiked along the ridge. I arrived to camp tired after a 25 mile day to find my old buddy, Rethinker, whom I hadn't seen since the snow storm on Mount Rogers on April 29. We caught each other up on info about our fellow hikers. It's good to see him again. Oh yeah, I left the shelter area to go to the water source this evening, and could not find my way back to camp. After walking around for a while, I started hooting, and Rethinker hooted me back into camp. Jeez.
Date: 2008-06-22
From: Brink Rd Shelter

To: Jim Murray property
Miles today: 24.9

Rocky, yet beautiful, today. I am impressed with New Jersey so far. I stopped at the Cup O'Joe at Culver's Gap on US206 and had a delicious breakfast sandwich and coffee. Had some morning showers and got somewhat damp. Met up with Rethinker during my lunch break, where some section hikers gave me a cheese tortellini MRE (it was good!). I also met up with Lukasz and Karen (Melon) and am camping at a former thru hiker's property, which includes a cabin , well, hot shower, and privy. The owner, Jim Murray, allows thru hikers to stay at his property for no fee. It sure is great that there are people like him out there...More AT trail magic.
Date: 2008-06-23
From: Jim Murray property

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: moderate rain

The trail here skirts the NJ/NY border, and Rethinker and I hopped into Unionville, NY for coffee and bagels at Horler's General Store. We crossed swampland on a long boardwalk and jumped off the trail on NJ94 to eat ice cream and fruit at the Heaven Hill Farm for lunch. After the ice cream lunch, we had a steep 900ft elevation rock climb up Wawayanda Mountain, where I sweated out all the sweets.Arrived at the Wawayanda shelter and am camping with Chowder (and her dog, Buddy), Baggins, and Rethinker.
Date: 2008-06-24
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Green Pond Mountain
Miles today: 23.0

We entered New York state today, and it hit us with a venegance! I guess NY wanted us to get our money's worth and it proceeded to run us up and down ridiculously steep, rocky, ridges. We climbed one after another. The so-called Roller Coaster in Virginia has nothing on this trail. It was a hard and, at times, dangerous 23 miles today.Now for the good news! Rethinker and I went to Belvale Farms Creamery and an 82 year old World War II veteran treated us to chocolate milk shakes for lunch. We are sometimes at the right place at the right time. It's an honor to meet kind folks like this gentleman. Another bonus of trail life!
Date: 2008-06-25
From: Green Pond Mountain

To: Fort Montgomery, NY
Miles today: 17.5

We had a nice hike early in the morning through the pretty Harriman State Park. Water seems to be somewhat problematic in NY. The streams are pretty low, slow flowing, and tannic. Yesterday, there were several places where trail angels had left water at road crossings for us thru hikers. This morning we took a detour to Lake Tiorati to fill our water bottles. Our hike today took us through the "Lemon Squeezer," a rock cave which exits through an increasingly narrowing rock chute. We climbed Fingerboard Mtn and then Black Mtn where we could see the NYC skyline in the distance. Two more mountains finished us out--West Mountain and Bear Mountain. We could hear the sporadic booming of ordinance all morning coming from West Point Military Academy and joked about them firing on us.The trail took us through the little zoo at the Trailside Wildlife Center and over the lowest point on the entire AT (124 ft). At this point, we made an error in navigation and walked across the Hudson River on the Bear Mtn Bridge. When we got across the river, we looked at our directions to see which way we should turn to get to Fort Montgomery, and whoops! We should have turned before we crossed the river. An extra couple of miles! Oh, well, I guess I get to cross the Hudson for a third time tomorrow! At least I'll get a good look at it!
Date: 2008-06-26
From: Fort Montgomery, NY

To: Dennytown Group Camp
Miles today: 14.5

I had an enjoyable dinner last night at Ritchie's Restaurant with Rethinker and his lovely wife, Jill. I spent the night at the Bear Mtn. Bridge Motel and had a leisurely breakfast with Rethinker at the Bagel Shop this morning before he drove me back to the trailhead. His wife came to visit yesterday, so he'll take a zero today; I'll meet up with him in the next week.I don't know if I mentioned this earlier, but I am no longer carry fuel to cook with. Once the weather got hot, I no longer felt like cooking, so I thought I'd try going without (cooking not food). So far so good. I do not miss it. I even quit fooling with coffee in the morning. I just drink it when I can get it in town. I still love it but seem to be able to live without it.Anyway, hiking has been pretty smooth today. I passed by the Graymoor Monastery, where the Fransican friars have welcomed AT hikers for decades. I would have liked to stop, but it was too early in the day. I did find a little Latino shrine to the Virgin Mary on a little hill above the monastery and took a few pictures. I also talked to several southbound section hikers today. It seems that some of my fellow northbound thru hikers are just ahead of me. I took a short mileage day, have set up camp in a nice grassy field, and am eating the Italian sub that I carried out of town this morning.Just another sweet day on the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2008-06-27
From: Dennytown Group Camp

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I am in the midst of my "deli to deli" hike. I hiked 16 miles to NY52 today where I left the trail to eat a hot sub at Dave's Pizzeria, and then I ordered a sub from Mountain Top Deli for supper tonight. This way I don't have to carry much food, as long as the delis hold out. Otherwise, hot, humid, and buggy in New York today.
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Ten Mile River 
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I continued the "deli to deli" hike today with a trip to Tony's Deli on NY22. Man, they pile the meat on these sandwiches, I do love me a big Italian grinder! I also hiked into New England this afternoon when I arrived in state #10--Connecticut.Hot and humid again. I'm drinking lots of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. I was welcomed to CT by a cute little skunk. "Great," I thought, "All I need is to be sprayed by a skunk!" I had a nice conversation with him as I waited for him to allow me to pass. The AT corridor in Connecticut seems to be fairly rigidly regulated as to where you are allowed to camp, also no fires are allowed at all. However, I am at a beautiful campsite tonight where I took a great swim and bathed in the Ten Mile River and enjoyed conversation with Hiker Dude and Ridgerunner.
Date: 2008-06-29
From: Ten Mile River 

To: Silver Hill Campsite
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

The trail in Connecticut seems to be a study in contrasts. Today, I climbed over a mountain or two, hiked on a road, descended a horrific and dangerous 400' of slippery rock steps, and hiked a well-groomed trail beside a river. You never know what you'll end up on.My deli to deli side trip took me into the town of Kent, CT today. This town looks a little high brow for a thru hiker, but the folks seem friendly enough. I managed to wash my clothes in the only laundry mat in town but declined a $10 shower at a health club. Good thing I bathed in the river yesterday! I got a great burger at a grill and bought a few days worth of groceries.
Date: 2008-06-30
From: Silver Hill Campsite

To: Billy's View
Miles today: 20.0

I awoke about midnight last night to heavy rain and lightning. I stayed dry in the tent, but when I got up this morning, I found my shirt laying soaked in the dirt. I had left it hanging on a line under a covered pavillion; I guess the wind took it, so I started my day off shirtless.My deli stop today was on US7, near the Housatonic River. Hiker Dude (from Mass) and I went to the Mountainside Cafe where I had the cheese quesidilla--it was quite good.We then hiked over to the hydroelectric plant where we enjoyed a nice, cold, free, outdoor shower. It felt wonderful to be clean.I am stealth camping on a beautiful view point on a breezy ridge tonight. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxing evening.
Date: 2008-07-01
From: Billy's View

To: Jug End Spring
Miles today: 20.1

I hiked into the pretty little town of Salisbury, CT early this morning and found a coffee shop for coffee and pastries. Yay, coffee!!! There was no pay phone in town, but the coffee shop had a computer, so I sent Black Betty an email. Hiker Dude and I then climbed to the top of Connecticut's highest mountain (2316') and were soon in state #11, Massachusetts. Mass introduced me to the Berkshire Mountains, and I climbed up and over Race Mtn (2430') and then up and over Mt. Everett (2602'). The climbs were steep and rocky as were the descents. This area is beautiful; the woods are really no different than back home in western North Carolina. We even have nice, flowing springs again from which to collect water. That's a change from the handpump wells in CT.My hiking partner for the past few days has developed a toothache, so he is getting off the trail temporarily to find a dentist. I will miss our good conversations and his great company. But my plan is to meet back up with Rethinker tomorrow in Great Barrington, so everything seems to have a way of working out here on the trail.Another beautiful day on the AT in the Berkshires! Peace.
Date: 2008-07-02
From: Jug End Spring

To: Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: few clouds

I had a quick hike into the pretty town of Great Barrington, MA. I quickly found a motel room and was soon sitting in a caf©, enjoying a pizza. As I looked out the window, who do you suppose I spotted walking down the road? Yep, it was my trail buddy, Rethinker! We had a great reunion, It'll be nice to have his hiking company again. I'll head back out to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2008-07-03
From: Great Barrington, MA

To: Shaker Campsite
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: broken clouds

Rethinker and I got a shuttle to the trailhead this morning from the motel owner. I got a headstart since Rethinker had to backtrack 6/10 of a mile to cover trail that he missed coming into town. He, like me, is a purist (one who wants to hike every foot of the trail). However, I hiked a few miles to June Mountain and got on the wrong trail for a good mile or so before I noticed the absence of white blazes. I had to backtrack down the mountain to find the AT. Rethinker ended up ahead of me all day!The good thing about my error in navigation was that I got to see a bear. It looked to be a young adult or juvenile, and it was not afraid of me. It was curious enough to stop and stare until I was gone. It was a little unnerving, and as I hiked, I kept looking behind me to make sure it wasn't stalking me. Haha.I got good and totally soaked by a heavy rainshower coming into camp tonight. Rethinker was already here and got set up before the rain, he was wondering where I got off to. I also fell in the mud a few times to make it even more fun. The rain was coming down so hard, that I had to stow my pack in the privy, while I set my tent up in standing water. This might be the wettest camp I've made on the AT. I'm sitting in my soggy tent right now smelling like a wet dog. Life is great!
Date: 2008-07-04
From: Shaker Campsite

To: October Mtn
Miles today: 18.6

I got a late start, rolled up a wet tent, put on wet shirt, pants, socks and shoes, and threw my wet pack on my back. We hiked through swampy bogs in the Berkshires all day. Squish, squish, squish. Who would've thought? No wonder the mosquitos are so bad here. Stopped at Upper Goose Pond Cabin, which is owned by the National Park Service and managed by AMC volunteers. It's a nice lodge-style bunk house with a relaxing front porch, overlooking the pretty pond. There we met a German section hiker named Hobbs, who was hanging out in the kitchen. He's a psych grad student in the Netherlands, and he offered to cook Rethinker and me pancakes for lunch! We gratefully accepted his offer and it truly was a wonderful 4th of July meal. At this stage in my hike, the pure joy of unexpected food almost brings tears to my eyes. Happy 4th of July, everybody, although I doubt I'll be awake late enough to see any fireworks tonight.
Date: 2008-07-05
From: October Mtn

To: Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 21.1

I had no idea that the Berkshires were so swampy. I think we've been slogging through bogs for two days. Rethinker asked if I had heard the fireworks last night. I didn't so must have slept right through them. To be honest, I'm generally so darn tired when I lay down, I'm out for the count almost immediately. It would be difficult, perhaps even impossible to even wake me. I wish I could discover how to sleep like this in my off-trail life. We had hiked into the town of Dalton this morning by eleven this morning and ate a delicious breakfast at the Dalton Restaurant. As we left town, it started raining on us, and we ended up soaking wet again. The trail took us to the town of Cheshire, MA where Father David Raymond and the good folks of St. Mary's Catholic Church let us stay in their parish hall. Father Raymond even came and visited with us for a while and chatted about our hike. They've been putting up hikers at this church for 30 years, I think it's a fine outreach. At least, I know I'll be dry tonight. Thanks! We hit a pizza pub for supper, and had a grinder and chili. Oh yeah, I found a single ski pole in the hiker box to replace one of my broken trekking poles. It seems to be about the right length, I think I'll take it to Maine. Once again, all is well on the Appalachian Trail!
Date: 2008-07-06
From: Cheshire, MA

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: clear sky

I'm now in Vermont! Good-bye Marsh-a-chusetts, the state that gave me trenchfoot.I climbed Mt. Greylock (the highest mountain in MA at 3491') this morning. It was enshrouded in fog when I arrived. It has a huge memorial on the summit dedicated to those who died in World War I. I guess they weren't planning for additional wars back then or they might have started on a smaller mountain. Rethinker took a hard fall as we were descending Mt Greylock. He snapped one of his hiking poles in half. I was glad that he didn't hurt himself. He cut a replacement pole out of a cherry sapling, and we trekked on. We went to the town of North Adams this afternoon for a long and slow lunch at Friendly's (where they did not seem to be too friendly) and then resupplied at a grocery store. Got into camp late after the long town stop. Nevertheless, I am glad to be in Vermont, state #12 of my AT journey.
Date: 2008-07-07
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: haze

I had a long, hard 21 miles today. The weather is beautiful, and we met our first southbound thru hikers today. They started around June 1 in Maine and are making their ways south, toward us now. The hikers were a German woman, Alpine Strider, and a man, Solo.We had a tough 10 mile uphill hike to Glastenbury Mtn, where we camped next to the shelter. I don't feel like going into details, but while we were away from our tents, Rethinker had some valuables stolen from him. The worst loss was his personal journal. The people whom we highly suspect are not hiker-types. I think they may be out here squatting at the shelter and attempting crimes of opportunity. We will notify the caretakers at Stratton Mountain tomorrow. The day ended poorly.
Date: 2008-07-08
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: overcast clouds

A great day of hiking in Vermont. We are finally getting back into the mountains. We climbed Stratton Mountain at 3936' in elevation; it's the highest we've seen since VA. We met the gracious caretakers at Stratton, Hugh and Jeanne and reported the theft to them. They were very concerned, as any crime on the trail is rare. They fed us fruit and delicious chives, as they took the information and reported it to the Forest Service, who will send a Law Enforcement Ranger to shakedown the suspects. Hugh and Jeanne were incredible people to have met; they have been seasonal caretakers up here for 40 years, living in a tiny one room primitive cabin on the top of a mountain. It made us feel good knowing that such people are out here, looking after the safety of thru hikers.After the visit, we went downhill to beautiful Stratton Pond where we got a refreshing swim and washed out our clothes. The water was fantastic! What a gorgeous spot on the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2008-07-09
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Resupply day.We had hiked down to VT11 by 10am, and I threw my thumb out at the first car going by; a young woman named Amber stopped and drove us into town. We hit the bagel shop, the outfitters, the laundromat, and a pizza joint as the rain started falling. I ran into the Tennessee Twins, Two Shoes and Pseudo, along with Start. They were coming into town to resupply and eat a bite. We are staying at a boarding house (Sutton's) that takes in hikers. It's a decent place for a reasonable price. Bad Idea and Noah John are also here. It's good to be out of the rain. Did I mention that I love this town?
Date: 2008-07-10
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Big Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: broken clouds

We awoke to beautiful, cool weather this morning. Rethinker and I walked to the Bagel Shop at 6am for coffee and bagels, and when the breakfast restaurant opened at 7am, we had a second breakfast. After weighing myself and discovering that I'm down 27lbs, what's a second breakfast going to hurt!? We then quickly hitched back to the trailhead, which only took about 5 minutes.A word about Manchester Center, VT. It's one of my favorite trail towns; I rank it up there with Waynesboro, VA. It's lovely and quaint, sitting in a valley surrounded by the Green Mountains. It has everything a hiker needs (especially if one stays at Sutton's), and the people seem to love hikers. Everyone was friendly and helpful and good looking. Oh yeah, and they have coffee, too! I love coffee....Back to the hike. We hiked up Bromley Mtn (3260') and had beautiful views (supposedly of 5 states) from the tower on top. We ate lunch with thru hiker friends Noah John and Bad Idea. We met southbounders Classy and Neptune on Styles Peak.We are camped tonight on Big Branch where Rethinker is trying to catch a trout. I'm sitting on a huge slab of rock in the creek and am grateful to be a trail bum on the AT in beautiful Vermont. Life is sweet!
Date: 2008-07-11
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 21.9

We hiked up and down through the Vermont mountains today. The temperatures have been mild and we had a good cloud cover for most of the day. Bad Idea saw a moose cow and calf, but all Rethinker and I saw were a groundhog and a C-130 Hercules.We were disappointed this afternoon when we hiked a half mile down VT103 to the Whistle Stop Restaurant only to find it closed and shut down. Trail magic made up for the fruitless search, though. We found a cooler of cold sodas and a box of cheese crackers on the trail with an invitation to stay at a "secret shelter" on private land. This is a beautiful oasis provided by Swansong and Riverdog. We are camping tonight with NOBO's Bad Idea and Certain, SOBO Kimchee (from South Korea), and Long Trail hiker, Claylock.