morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-28
From: Trailhead on Hwy NJ519 just above High Point Park

To: Viewpoint 1342.2
Miles today: 15.5

Today is the first day back on the trail. Linda drove me to the trailhead on NJ519 and I started my hike. I had been asked by a friend to look for bird feathers for her. She makes Indian attire and feathers are hard to get. someone had hit a turkey with their car and the bird was within easy reach. So I spent a few minutes with my foot on the dead birds neck trying to pluck feathers from it's wing. Not so easy. I gathered as many as time would permit. I placed them in the truck, kissed Linda goodbye and off I went. It was 8:30 AM when I entered the field. Soon I was in a swamp and there I stayed until near 11:30. I was proud that I had managed to keep my feet dry. No easy task but I gracefully stepped from stone to stone as I walked around the mud and water. Later in the day, I came to a bird sanctuary and lingered. I took pictures of many flowers. My camera could not zoom in on the birds out in the marsh. Around 4:30 I came to the last water source before I reached my planned campsite. It was a creek about 35' wide. While filling my waster containers I slipped on the muddy bank and I took a bath from the armpits down. I advanced to the first camping spot I could find and set camp. I had planned on hiking another 2 miles instead I may have made 1/2 mile. The days hike is 15.5 miles. My bath frustrated me and hiking in wet clothes is no fun.
Date: 2009-06-29
From: Viewpoint 1342.2

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I crossed the NJ/NY border. They moved us on the ridge that separates the states for several miles. I took pictures of the Hudson river and vista scenes as well as boulder shots. The day was exhausting. I only covered 18 miles but considering the terrain I was satisfied. I saw a wild Turkey, a deer, a rattlesnake drinking water from a boulder and at the very end of the day as I approached Wildcat Shelter a giant bear came around a bend in the trail. I saw his head and stopped. He came on around the bend then saw me and he stopped. We were 50' apart. I reached for my camera and when I unzipped my camera pack it spooked him. He bolted off the trail and stopped 20' from the trail. I tried to position my self so I could get a better shot. My movement caused him to move off the ridge and into the woods. This was a bear larger than any I had seen or bear pictures that others had taken. When I reached camp I was exhausted and my right knee was talking to me. I'll not boulder hop again. My aggressive climbs and body lifting steps are not advisable given by pre-hike concerns about my right knee.
Date: 2009-06-30
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Near Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

This morning early I knew yesterdays hike was ill advised. I did not have much energy and I seemed unusually weak. From time to time a sharp pain could be felt in my right knee. I took it easy. I averaged less than 2 miles an hour this morning. I took a longer lunch break and had more energy in the afternoon. At 3PM the sky grew dark as a thunderstorm approached. I passed through the lemon squeezer when I felt sprinkles of rain. I came to a spot that would make a good tent site and quickly set my tent. Just as I finished setting the tent it started to rain. I threw my pack into the tent and quickly followed. It rained until 6PM. I was dry and all my possessions were dry. After the rain stopped I went outside and saw two deer eating grass in the meadows. Today's hike was only 14 miles but I had time to rest my body and reflect on many things. Tomorrow will be a better day.
Date: 2009-07-01
From: Near Fingerboard Shelter

To: Bear Mountain, NY
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: mist

I had a good day. The weather was good, I felt strong and had a good hike. I didn't see much wildlife or flowers, but I did see New York City. I had lunch on a vista spot on Black Mtn. My handbook says you can see NYC. Sure enough I could see it clearly. Later in the day I reached Bear Mountain, NY. I went to the Trailside museum and wildlife center, then I walked to Fort Montgomery, NY to re-supply. I came back across the Hudson river on the Bear MTN Bridge. A thunderstorm was brewing so I pitched my tent a little earlier than I wanted but rain was very near. I've caught up with four of my hiking friends. The hike distance was 17.1 plus the 1.6 off the trail and at the end of the day I was not tired.
Date: 2009-07-02
From: Bear Mountain, NY

To: Near Three Lakes Trail
Miles today: 18.5

As I write this journal entry its raining. This is the fourth time in 24 hours it has rained. today all the streams were flowing and high. The trail was muddy and the rocks were wet and slippery. Late in the afternoon, one fast moving stream had stepping stones to cross over but they were underwater. I had to take my shoes and pants off and step on the stones to cross. it was tricky and the pressure on my legs was strong. I made it but I hope I don't have to do it again. I didn't start my hike today until 7:30 because it was raining and lightning. I covered 18.5 miles and stopped at 6PM. today all I saw was mosquitoes and there were plenty of them. I am 42 miles from Kent, Connecticut. My re-supply will be there Friday but I won't make it there by 11:30 Saturday. I arrive Sunday and will be there when the Post Office opens Monday morning. Then I make some fill in purchases and off I will go. Hope the weather clears.
Date: 2009-07-03
From: Near Three Lakes Trail

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

To arrive in Kent Sunday, I need to hike 14 miles a day. This will put me at the Kent Post Office at 8:30jMonday when they open. If I arrive earlier, I'll need to spend money on a hotel. they are not cheap in Kent. Also, I'll waste little time off the trail. today I hiked 15.1 miles. I was taking overlook pictures on top of a mountain when I saw a thunderstorm approaching. I've never seen a thunderstorm from the top of a mountain. Suddenly, it occurred to me it was coming my way. A shelter was nearby but I wasn't sure if I could make it. I did and very shortly rain was all about with lightning and strong winds. I sat in the shelter alone, after the rain stopped I set my tent. Later, three of my hiking friends showed up. Wet they were, and had horrible things to say about the rain. It was all I could do to keep from grinning but I did manage to keep a straight face. This morning a trail angel left a ice chest on the trail and to my surprise and delight there were plums and nectarines inside. I love fruit and had thought how much I missed fresh fruit. It was a treat and I could have eaten all the plums in the ice chest. I didn't, there are other hikers behind me. I saw two deer before they saw me it was fun watching then without their awareness of my presence. If anyone is concerned about New York's mosquito population let me assure them they are plentiful along the trail. Tomorrow is the fourth and I hope all of you enjoy the day.
Date: 2009-07-04
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Wiley (Webatuck) Shelter
Miles today: 14.0

Today was a beautiful day. Sunny, a good breeze and a dry trail for the most part. I hiked to Wiley (Webatuck) Shelter. I'm just over 1 mile from the Connecticut border. Kent CT is about 12 miles from here. I hike to a shelter just outside Kent tomorrow. I'll enter town Monday and re-supply. Today I saw the Dover Oak tree. They say its 350 years old. I took a picture and marveled at its size. Other than that the trail was without much to see. The rocks were different and I noticed them as I walked. The stream where I lunch was filled with rocks of different colors and varied types. I walked through a marsh and saw three new wildflowers. There were many day hikers on the trail today and I took time to visit with several of them. it was fun meeting these people and talking to them.
Date: 2009-07-05
From: Wiley (Webatuck) Shelter

To: MT ALGO LeanTo
Miles today: 14.0

It was a pleasant hike today. This morning as I left camp I looked at the temperature and it read 58 degrees. This was at 7:30. The sun was bright and there was a good breeze. There were few mosquitoes and my feet were dry. This is a very good start. As I entered Connecticut there was trail magic waiting. today nuts and nut mix. I love nuts and stored them until lunch. I had lunch on a vista boulder. A group of boys with several adults joined me. I had my picture taken eating my peanut butter sandwich. A couple of hours later I came to a stream and rigged a way to bath without contaminating the stream. I used some garbage bags to hold a gallon of water to wash with and another gallon to rinse with. I disposed of the wash water a 150' from the stream in a broadcast manner. The trail was an easy walk and I stopped to notice trees, rocks, ferns and basically relax as I hiked. I reached the shelter at 3PM.
Date: 2009-07-06
From: MT ALGO Lean To

To: Silver Hill Campsite
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today's hike was from MT ALGO Lean To to Silver Hill Campsite. 10.5 miles is the distance. What I wanted to share with you today is a sketch of a resupply day. This one in Kent, CT is perhaps indicative of most resupply days. I had pre-positioned myself so I could spend as little time as possible off the trail. I awoke at 4AM and was ready to travel at 6AM. The only problem was that I was 1 mile from town and the Post Office opens at 8AM. I waited until 7AM and off I went. At 7:35 I was sitting in front of the Post Office in Kent, CT. The grocery store also opens at 8:00 and the outfitter opens even later. When the Post Office opened its doors I went in and ask if they had a package for me. They were not sure, they ask me to give them 30 minutes to sort through the new shipment. No package for Mr.Holloway. I said that my package should have arrived before the holiday. It was sent priority mail. Well, why didn't I say so, sure we have one for you. The grocery store was next on the list. Here you wade through what taste good to get to what doesn't, pack weight and nutritional value always takes priority over taste. Noodles, peanut butter, energy bar. Maybe, some small treat for that evening. A small package of cheese, and ultra light wafer cookie to go with coffee. Today, I will treat myself to a special treat, three nectarines, one apple and a slice of watermelon. I'm hungry and I'll eat this fruit while I wash my clothes at the laundry mat. I did just that, I also put way to much liquid soap in the machine and my clothes came out of the sashing machine with suds. No problem, I'll rinse the cloths with a garden hose and sun day them. No outside water on site. I put my clothes in a garbage bag, strapped it to my backpack and I walked to the outfitter. He didn't have the size fuel cell I needed so I purchased two smaller four oz cans. He did have an outside spigot and I rinsed my clothes. I couldn't wait for them to dry so I strapped may pants on the back, my socks on the left side, my underwear on the right side and my shirt on top of my backpack. Back to the trail I went. I wish to point out that after each stop I would need to empty my backpack and reload on the sidewalk, a sitting bench or in front of the store. When all the shopping is done a final reload is done. Each time I resupply the arrangement and order of the pack is changed. It's always aggravating but it must be done. I started back for the trail at 11:30 and took lunch around 1:00, reached the campsite at 3:30.
Date: 2009-07-07
From: Silver Hill Campsite

To: Sharon Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: light rain

Today's hike started well enough. At lunch I could see dark clouds forming and I figured an afternoon thunderstorm was in store. I was right in about an hour it started to rain. I put on my rain suit and covered my backpack. The rain continued for an hour and a half. I stopped at Sharon Mountain campsite and set my tent. It stopped raining but I was wet and decided not to advance. Just after dark the rain returned and it rained all night. Today's hike was 9.5 miles.
Date: 2009-07-08
From: Sharon Mountain Campsite

To: Riga Lean To
Miles today: 17.4

This morning the zipper on the tent door grabbed and I broke it trying to get it open. I worked an hour, but could not fix the problem. I started my hike at 8AM and was not a happy fellow. Linda is going to send her tent on the next resupply. I'll have to make do until then. Today's hike was from Sharon mt to Rigar Lean-to. 17.4 miles is the distance. I also went into Salisbury for lunch and a few items. This is an additional 1.3 miles that doesn't count. The view from the shelter is gorgeous and I should have a beautiful sunrise view. I'm at 1800 ft. with an open view of the east and a mountain range for the horizon.
Date: 2009-07-09
From: Riga Lean To

To: Camp near the railroad tracks
Miles today: 17.8

The morning sunrise I had hoped to see this morning was obscured by thick clouds. It was cool last night around 50 degrees and there was a breeze that came directly into the shelter. I started the hike at 6:45 and had a good morning. I had three climbs. Bear Mt. Race Mt. and Everett Mt. They took their toll. What really caused discomfort was the descent and the final descent from MT Bushnell. It was a steep 1000' drop over boulders and surface roots. I slipped down three times today. I think I'm fine just a small cut on my elbow. Mud, rocks and steep descents are a difficult combination. At 9:05 this morning I crossed into Massachusetts. I met the ridge runner today and we talked for a bit. I found out what is permissible in Massachusetts. Today's hike was 17.8 miles and I stopped at 5 PM. I had hoped to reach 20miles today but there is tenderness in the right knee.
Date: 2009-07-10
From: Camp near the railroad tracks

To: Wilcore Shelter
Miles today: 12.5

I camped at an area that was a little swampy and the mosquitoes were thick last night and this morning. They have had a great amount of rain and the mosquito population is plentiful. As I started my hike the mosquitoes were relentless, I could not stop and they were everywhere. At 9 AM I stopped and put on my long pants and rain top. I couldn't hike in the rain top it was far to hot. I hiked and swatted mosquitoes until noon. the wind picked up and the sun was brighter. I didn't have a mosquito problem in the afternoon. I did have a problem with leg muscles. They were tight and I kept feeling cramping in the left thigh. At 2pm I had to take a break, both thighs and buttocks were cramping. After a rest and water I stretched my muscles and resumed my hike. The first rise I attempted my left thigh started to cramp. I decided to stop the hike as soon as possible. Wilcore shelter was a mile and a half away. It took me an hour and a half to get there. When I got there and rested everything seemed fine. I set my tent got inside and had a cup of coffee. I tried to get out of the tent to finish setting camp when my left quad and hamstring cramped severely. This was quite painful. I squeezed my muscles and after a few minutes the pain subsided. I tried again to finish setting camp. This time the right quad and hamstring contracted and I applied pressure to the muscles. I had the same results. I waited a little while and tried again. This time no problem. Today's hike was 12.5 miles and I hope I don't have this problem tomorrow. There were no scenes, wildlife or sights of significance. it was a walk in the woods.
Date: 2009-07-11
From: Wilcore Shelter

To: Camp near the trail
Miles today: 16.0

Started today's hike at 7:30 and did not have problems with the legs. I took lunch on a summit. The sun was shining and there was a breeze. Not one mosquito but there was a endless parade of local weekend hikers that ask the same questions. All were friendly and I enjoyed talking with them. However, I would have preferred natures sounds and the view as I ate my lunch. After lunch I entered the forest. Within 20 min. I saw out of the corner of my right eye, movement that caused me to turn my head. There was a sight I had hoped to see. A mother bear with 3 cubs. Mother bear was eating something and the cubs were busy playing. I watched this scene for a few minutes and decided to take a picture. Because it was so dark in the woods the camera flashed when I took the picture. This alerted the cubs and mom arose to her feet. Two of the cubs quickly raced deeper into the woods. The third cub climbed a nearby tree. Mom went with the two cubs. I slowly advanced toward the cub that had climbed the tree. I wanted a picture of the bear cub. As I approached the tree, I scanned the woods for mother bear. I didn't think she would abandon her cub. About half the distance to the tree as I scanned the woods I saw her. She was perfectly still with her eyes fixed on me. She was about 200 ft. from me. I figured I ran the risk of provoking her if I advanced toward her cub. I didn't have a clear view of the cub because of branches of other trees. I decided to slowly withdraw to avoid a possible confrontation with mother bear. I backed slowly toward the trail and once on the trail moved northward. As I walked I thought I should have just watched the bears play. They were unaware of me and the sight of those cubs playing was priceless. I soon cleared the woods and found myself on a boardwalk that went through a marsh. I took pictures of several new field flowers. I think an Iris, a daylilly that faced down and a small yellow flower that faced downward as well. It was forecast to rain this evening and the skies are growing dark. I'll camp on the trail but I need to find a suitable camp site and make camp before the rain starts. Around 4Pm I found the best of the available and make camp, cooked supper and set bear bags. Around 7PM it started to rain and as I write this it is raining with thunder in the background. Today's hike was 16 miles and I felt fine. I could have hiked further but weather was a concern.
Date: 2009-07-12
From: Camp near the trail

To: Kay Wood Lean-to
Miles today: 20.0

This morning I was slow getting started. I finished my morning regimen and started walking at 7:30. The weather was nice. Sunny, windy and a little colder made for a good hiking day. I met a hiker close to my age this morning. He was enjoying trail magic just north of I-90. A trail angel had left an ice chest of soft drinks. We talked for a bit and I moved on. Within an hour I came across another trail magic box. This time someone had left moon pies on the trail. I took two for my lunch. The wind was strong enough to keep the mosquitoes grounded. That in itself made for an enjoyable hike. I hiked 20 miles today and camped at Kay Wood Lean-to.   Today's hike was a walk in the woods. There was a grand view on the summit of Warner Mt. 2050'. I lingered there and took pictures. At the shelter I met an mother/son hiking team from Newfoundland, Canada. We talked and I enjoyed their company. It was cooler than I expected.
Date: 2009-07-13
From: Kay Wood Lean-to

To: Dalton, Massachusetts
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: broken clouds

This morning the temperature was 48 degrees at 7:30. I hiked 3.5 miles to Dalton Massachusetts. I'll resupply here and spend the night. I'm staying at the Shamrock Village Inn. The day has gone by quickly. I've had my bath, eaten fruit, and generally reloaded my backpack. I called a couple of my best friends and it was good to talk with Joe and Burt. Last night I finally got to talk with Frank and of course Mom. Because of the mountains, I never know if I'll have cell service at my campsite.
Date: 2009-07-14
From: Dalton, Massachusetts

To: Mark Noepel Lean-to
Miles today: 13.7

Today's hike was uneventful. I started my hike at 7:30 and stopped at 2:45. The shelter was Mark Noepel Lean-to. I had to stop in Cheshire to get my resupply from home. The hike was 13.7 miles and I had no problem. The next shelter was 6.7 miles but the skies were growing dark. I thought it best to make preparations for rain. Also I needed to spend time reconfiguring the contents of my backpack.
Date: 2009-07-15
From: Mark Noepel Lean-to

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

Started today's hike at 6:30. It was 48 degrees at that time. I did not sleep well last night. I was cold and I stayed in a shelter. One of the other hikers snored. Last night I stayed at Mark Noepel Lean-to and tonight I'm at Seth Warner Shelter. At 8AM this morning I reached Mt. Greylock summit 3491' and lingered there to take pictures and have a break. This is the highest mountain in Massachusetts. At lunch I entered North Adams, MA and had lunch at the grocery deli. It occurred to me that I would enter Vermont this afternoon. So I went to the bakery and purchased a muffin that I would carry to camp and eat for desert to celebrate my entry into Vermont. My entry into the Green Forest and when I camped tonight I would be less than 600 miles from Katandin, ME. I tied the muffin on the back of my backpack. It was 7.5 miles to the shelter. Along the way I encountered two trail work crews and I took their picture. I crossed into Vermont at 3:33 PM. At 3:45 I slipped in the mud an took a fall. My side took the brunt of the fall. I thought of the muffin but was afraid to look. I would need to remove my backpack to see if the muffin was still in one piece. Less than a mile from the shelter, I took a second fall. This time mud on my shoe cause me to slip on a rock. I went down fast and hard. My chin hit a rock. More than a little upset, I went on to the shelter and removed the muffin to see if there was anything left. To my surprise the muffin was damaged but still retained its shape and was eatable. I had supper with some hikers I had met before. It turns out one of them has hiked the AT 4 times and is now 76 years old. He has also written two books. His trail name is "Model T". He is a retired Marine Pilot that spent a lot of time in Pensacola. When I returned to my tent I called Linda and as we were talking I looked up to see a bear in the tent area. He was about 50' from me and he had just entered a ladies tent that was not occupied. I took pictures then tried to scare him away. He is not afraid of people but he did leave. I went to tell the lady a bear had entered her tent and as we returned the bear had returned to her tent. We finally scared him away. He will be back after dark that's for certain. I made a cup of coffee and had the muffin for dessert. I'm in Vermont and looking forward to finishing this hike.
Date: 2009-07-16
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Camp near the trail
Miles today: 21.4

I was right. The bear came back around 5:20 this morning. I was busy gathering my gear. The bear had climbed a tree 30' behind me and was getting (Candy-Man's)food bag. Another hiker from across the camp emerged from the woods where he had relieved himself and started shouting at the bear. It was too late. The hiker(Solo) gave chase but could not catch the bear! We all donated food to Candy Man so he could continue his hike until he reached the next town. I said my farewells and off I went. Within four miles I looked up and there on the trail was a moose. I took several pictures and resumed my hike. At 5:15 I heard thunder and the skies were getting dark fast. I sat camp. I had not reached my destination and I had 1 and a half liters of water for supper and breakfast. I managed with a dry supper and a cup of coffee.
Date: 2009-07-17
From: Camp near the trail

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It didn't rain last night. When I began my hike this morning, I realized that I was within a quarter mile of the shelter and water. Yesterday's hike was 21.4 miles and I was surprised. Today I was a little weak. Supper last night consisted of dried fruit and a pop tart. I stopped the hike today at Story Spring Shelter. My shoes are starting to fail and I need to make some phone calls. it started to rain at 2:00 and it rained all night. Today's hike was 9.5 miles.