morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-06-04
From: PA309

To: Blue Mountain at Lehigh Gap
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

The front went through last night bringing in some nice cool hiking weather! Hit the trail at 10:30 and after a couple nice trail miles climbed Knife Edge then shortly after Bear Rocks and Bake Oven Knob. Had a quick lunch at Bake Oven Shelter and a quick break at George Outerbridge Shelter then rushed down Lehigh Gap and crossed the river to end the day rock climbing the steep trail up Blue mountain. They say this is the toughest climb before the Whites. Probably quite a few hikers cave in on this one! Camped on top the mountain overlooking Palmerton. It was a nice day!
Date: 2018-06-05
From: MM 1258.8

To: MM 1277.9
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

It was a cool night on the hill; temps in the low 40¢s. Woke up to a cloudless blue sky and promptly ate my oatmeal ad hit the trail. Took off about an hour to climb the rocks of Blue Mountain with a 360 degree view and videod the same.  The video is on instagram.  The trail today doesn¢t have a lot of up and down but is so rocky my speed is about half normal and my feet and shoes are taking a real beating! These rocks will trash my Trail runners in about three weeks. The clouds rolled in and stayed all day with occasional sprinkles. Water is non-existent on this section but trail angels left some at the low Gap road crossing. Later I had to hike down by the Leroy Smith shelter to get water for the night Thank God for the nice cool weather! This section in the Normal heat would be miserable! I was able to make the unofficial campsite just before Wind Gap by six and met ¢Ambassador¢ from England, African English?? who is NOBO from Harper¢s Ferry.  Sixteen miles to the Delaware Water Gap and New Jersey...Yeah!!
Date: 2018-06-06
From: MM 1277.9

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: broken clouds

This is the last section of Pennsylvania and the last 45 miles exceeds the reputation. Overall I have had a delightful hike through Pennsylvania and discovered worlds I didn¢t know still existed. The last section had almost no water but trail angels helped by leaving jugs at road crossings.  The trail, thank God, was very well marked or I could never have found much of it. The weather for the extreme rocky section was unseasonably cool and dry. I would hate to hike this on a hot dry summer day. I capped the day with an awesome dinner of ribs at the Sycamore Grill.
Date: 2018-06-07
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Buttermilk Fall Trail MM 1314.5
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: scattered clouds

The Delaware Water Gap has awesome eateries for dinner but absolutely nothing for breakfast! I left the Pocono Inn without even coffee! Hiked thru the entire town ... nothing! Crossed the Delaware on the Turnpike bridge, absolutely deafening! And entered the park and set up my stove for coffee and oatmeal on the park table! The trail up the mountain here out of the Gap is smooth and wonderful! Forgot how good it feels to walk on dirt. Pennsylvania was a wonderful hike until the last 45 Miles and, they were brutal! The hike today was absolutely lovely: cool air, broken clouds with a few occasional drops and spectacular views. My feet still ache from all the rocks so I walked off the trail to the Mohican Outdoor Center for lunch and a phone charge. Hiked on to a campsite near crater lake on the side of rattlesnake mountain. With the 20.9 trail plus water and food miles I hiked about 24 miles today leaving only 30.5 to New York!
Date: 2018-06-08
From: Buttermilk MM 1333.4

To: Rutherford Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: clear sky

Had a great sleep: no bears and couldn¢t hear the fox den nearby. Ate the fancy oatmeal from the hiker center.  It was aweful! As the sun warmed up the mosquitoes became unbelievable. Almost stepped on a black snake and while on the phone a corn snake slithered across the trail between my legs!  Heard a timber rattler at the top of the rocky Rattlesnake Mountain and there it was just shaking it¢s tail, not really bothering anyone.  As I passed Jacob¢s ladder trail the mosquitoes became unbelievably thick, darkening the sky and obscuring my vision. When I stopped to add more repellent they covered me.  20 percent Picaridin is the product recommended for New Jersey and it doesn¢t seem to repel them rather it stops them from biting and does so very well. The mosquitoes were becoming unbearable so I planned to stop for lunch at Culver Gap. When I hit US206 Legs and Sauerkraut were helping a young couple get an ambulance.  Their bug spray failed and they were caught in the swarm and received thousands of bites. Incredible! As I approached the road the swarm dissipated and the sky cleared, Amen. Ate lunch at the Mountain House Grill and tavern with Sprinkles and Fingerfood. Great burgers. While hiking I heard Sprinkles screaming. Thought she was injured but she was being chased by a skunk she startled! Fingerfood hit it with a rock but even that wasn¢t sufficient. As she approached me the skunk backed into the woods and sprayed.  Found out later another hiker was attacked so we think perhaps it was rabid.  Ended the day at the Rutherford Shelter for a nice social dinner and great sleep on my last night for this section.
Date: 2018-06-09
From: Rutherford Shelter 

To: Unionville
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: broken clouds

Woke to Whipperwills and beautiful weather. Glad to complete this gap to Unionville yet sad to leave the trail. I was last to break camp and hiked slowly savoring the views and nice weather. Took the side trail to High Point and the Monument. I paused for lunch in a field of flowers with Legionaire from Fayetteville then adjusted my pace to meet Robin in Unionville at 2:30p. Worked perfectly. Now I have completed all of the AT from Georgia to North Adams MA and Vermont. Plan to resume in three to four weeks.
Date: 2018-07-13
To: Pittsfield MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Finally! The end is in sight with mixed feelings.  I left Pittsfield with a bruised/cracked rib and a hematoma. Fully recovered and returning at mile mark 1592.1 about 590 miles left and these include the Green ski slopes of Vermont, the Presidentials of New Hampshire, the 100 mile wilderness of Maine and finally Katahdin. We with the gracious help of all the courthouse personnel were able to continue the dozen cases I have for trial for two months. Hopefully, I¢ll make Katahdin by September 15th. I just lost ¢Okie¢ at the Vermont border. He was passing blood and exhausted. We shared some great climbs and I¢ll miss him. So, I¢ll hike alone for awhile. Moondog is picking me up in Pittsfield and playing shuttle again! Hopefully, he will be up for joining me by the time I reach the Presidentials.. this is the back of the bubble so I expect to see some of the friends I¢ve made along the way to share rooms and resupply rides. I¢m excited!
Date: 2018-07-14
To: North Adams, MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

It was 10:16p when the bus pulled into Pittsfield after 11 stops from NYC! We got up early and began revisiting the past 1600 mile and suddenly it was 12:30! We need a day to catch up then tomorrow I¢ll hit the trail.  Moondog has a doctor appointment and other obligations next week but may be able to join me so we can finish together! We spent the afternoon viewing Nailgun¢s blog: http:/donsathike.blogspot.com as a forecast for the upcoming hike! With some trepidation I¢m looking forward to this section. Mary did an awesome job on this blog. Be sure to check it out.
Date: 2018-07-15
From: MM1592.2 MA 2, Hoosic River

To: Congdon Shelter 
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

Finally, back on my the trail. Temps are up and today in the high 80¢s, hot for climbing. Lots of ups and downs and the trail is nice and dry. Night was nice and cool and water plentiful. Virtually no internet and phone signals in Vermont, at least Verizon.
Date: 2018-07-16
From: Congdon Shelter 

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: broken clouds

Slept late. Another hot 86 degree day. Vermont trail angels are fabulous: left a box with Gatorade and all sorts of food and drinks! Climbed Glastonbury Mtn with a stop for lunch at Goddard Shelter.  Just as I put up the tent we were clobbered with a horrendous thunderstorm. Should have kept my tent dry and gone for the Shelter. Heavy heavy rain with lightning strikes all around all night.
Date: 2018-07-17
From: Goddard Shelter 

To: Story Spring Shelter 
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: moderate rain

Some days really suck and this was one! Packed up a wet tent. Weather radar showed plenty of rain coming but we had maybe a two hour reprieve. Climbed Glastonbury mountain past the lookout tower when the sky opened up. The lightening was striking all around us but we were not on the ridge so I prayed I wouldn¢t get struck. The trail was generally flooded and very muddy. On the bright side the temps dropped 50 degrees! I stopped at Kid Gore Shelter for lunch and rapidly became chilled so got moving right away. I took no pictures today. At lunch I met Chen, a Chinese student, who has two months off and decided to hike from Mass to Katahdin! Slept in the shelter and it rained all night. Temps continued to drop as a front came through. It also appeared I¢m coming down with a very nasty chest cold so I¢m going to take a break in Manchester where Robin can send a relief package.
Date: 2018-07-18
From: Story Spring Shelter 

To: William Douglas Shelter 
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

What a gorgeous day! The storm cleared the air just in time for the climb up Stratton Mtn. Temps dropped to just above freezing at night and warmed to about 60 during the day. Perfect climbing weather. Took me about 4 1/2 hours to summit the Mountain. It was worth it! Without the fire tower there would be no view! But from the tower the view is incredible all the way around. It is said that this is the Summit in which Benton MacKaye was inspired to propose the creation of the AT. The caretakers and their hut at the summit are a treat in themselves. These ladies and gentlemen in their 80¢s climb this mountain with their vintage packs and operate the hut! I spent an hour drying my tent, socks, shoes and gear on the rocks in the sunshine then filled the water bottles with the fresh spring water and descended through the spruce and fir trees enjoying the great aroma of pine. As I walked alone I came across a porcupine that really wanted to walk on the trail. I chased him with the video running until he took off down a creek bed. When I arrived at the William Douglas Shelter I found the same three hikers from the previous three nights: Thor, Just Sam, and RX. All of us had independently arranged to stay at Green Mountain Hostel the next night!
Date: 2018-07-19
From: William Douglas Shelter 

To: Green Mountain Hostel, Manchester
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: few clouds

It was a cold night, just above freezing and I was very toasty in the new REI Marmot 10 degree down sleeping bag.  The others were very cold and got up and out to get warm.  I had a nice breakfast but it was clear the chest cold needed a break. I called Jeff at Green Mountain and arranged a pickup at the Highway and indicated I may stay two nights to rest up.  The shuttle driver, Duffy, seemed familiar but now days everyone does!  Green Mountain Hostel is nicer than any hotel I¢ve stayed at and a welcome break. Since I didn¢t want to spread my cold I had the bunkhouse to myself along with the ponies. Horses have a lot of intuition. I fed them my Apple cores ... friends for life. They wake me up at six by kicking the wall for food!
Date: 2018-07-20
From: Green Mountain 

To: Green Mountain Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Moondog has been following me and  decided to drive up and take me out to lunch...what an awesome friend!! I asked him if he remembered our shuttle driver in Georgia that shuttled us to the terminus at Springer and wasn¢t he in the Navy and named Duffy.  It¢s a small world! Duffy at Green Mountain and Duffy from Springer are one and the same! We had a lot of fun reliving the shared memories and Moondog headed home. Tomorrow I head toward Rutland and a great visit with our adopted daughter Cat. Rain is on the way so I expect it¢s going to be a slow wet hike!
Date: 2018-07-21
From: Green Mountain Hostel

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful day! Duffy had me on the trail with a full shower and breakfast by 7:10a! Climbed Bromley Mtn and took in the ski resort. Met Chen our Chinese student again on the climb. Lunch at the Peru Shelter then walk around Lost Pond... had awesome photos but they are probably lost. Spent the night alone at lost pond shelter ... very quiet and peaceful. Very bad tropical storm scheduled to hit during the early morning and mix with a system over the Great Lakes.  Looks like a soaking week ahead!
Date: 2018-07-22
From: Lost Pond Shelter 

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter 
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: broken clouds

Rain started at 8a on schedule. I was finishing breakfast as Kiwi legs stopped in to put on her rain gear. Rained steady but not heavy all day. Was passed by a large group NOBO headed for the same shelter! Not wanting to get my tent wet for the next three days, I asked them to save a spot for ole Baldeagl: they did! The shelter was packed and a fire going. We had a great evening with Pudding, Orange, Wallaby and the rest. It rained all night.
Date: 2018-07-23
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Governor Clement Sheltet
Miles today: 9.8

This was just a really crappy day. We all slept late. I decided to warm up with a nice restaurant meal at a restaurant/deli not far from the trail. I put my hand and iPhone in its case in the ¢Waterproof¢ marmot rain jacket and in an hour in this monsoon, the pocket was a quarter full and everything under the jacket cold and soaked. I immediately pulled and dried the phone but it wasn¢t looking good. I met Summer Breeze and Sunshine from Capel Hill and Summer Breeze put the phone in a ziplock bag.  That evening it actually started when I heated it in my pocket. I turned it off to let it dry in my pocket all night but one the morning it was dead! What a bummer!  I stopped early to avoid having to tent in this mess at the Governor Clement Shelter. One of the darkest! Had to use a flashlight to see anything in daylight! Joined by Haze and Recall. Finally, two guys who hike at my pace. Haze is a retired ER Physician and Recall Medical Recall specialist of some type from Florida.  We had awesome trail Angels who showed up at the shelter offering pot, beer, and chips! They live near the shelter and enjoy doing this.  This State has outdone all others with trail support. Of course if a Vermonter is not a hiker, someone in their family is!
Date: 2018-07-24
From: Governor Clement Shelter 

To: Hikers Hostel at the Yellow Deli
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: moderate rain

We got off to an early start after a cold wet night. Even everything in my sleeping bag was damp! Cooked oatmeal and coffee and were on the trail at 7. We had a long steady climb in front of us: Recall, Haze, and myself but with a steady pace topped this bad boy by 10:30!  Actually, the top is a steep side trail for .2 miles straight up.  We left our packs by the Cooper Lodge Shelter on the tent platforms and climbed to the summit. The wind was screaming and the clouds slamming us one after another, but still had great views. Recall took photos. We descended back to our packs. I borrowed Recalls phone to call Robin then we started down the mountain. I slipped in the mud and broke a hiking pole on the first step! This is not my day. We parted company as the headed to Killington and I to Highway 4 to try to hitch a ride the 8.5 miles to Rutland.  I have not been successful at this at all the past 1700 miles!, but this is Vermont and Drew pulled over and not only gave me a ride to the hostel but shared a banana and ¢¢tis on where to eat! I entered the Yellow Deli and hostel operated by the twelve tribes spiritual community for donations (financial or work). Yonatan (means gift from God in Hebrew, when you become a member you are given a new name) showed me to a bunk, towels, sheets, etc. and went over the house rules like no alcohol. They are super nice and helpful with a great common area, washers, and deck for drying out everything and, just across the street from Walmart. I shaved showered and washed all my clothes and by then had just enough time to catch a bus for the 3 1/2 mile trip to Verizon ...I thought! I missed the last bus but the one behind it goes a half mile short and the driver told me how to get to the store! I didn¢t have the correct change so he didn¢t even charge me! Robin had already talked to the Verizon folks and they were waiting for me. Could fix the old one so on with the new and this one is waterproof! Looking at a long hike back I left and there was the city bus driver, Tom, pulling over in his personal car to give me a ride back!!  I¢m really liking Vermont! Grabbed a burger, shopped at Walmart am ready to hit the trail tomorrow!! Thank you Robin!!!!
Date: 2018-07-25
From: Yellow Deli Hostel

To: STONY BROOK SHELTER
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: moderate rain

The Yellow Deli folks are really nice! We had eggs and rice then took the bus - $2 to go across the state! and exited at VT4 back on the trail!  Rutland is a nice town with everything a hiker needs, which in my case besides Walmart includes a phone!  Looks like more rain again.  With a broken hiking pole I'm trying to make Cat's house without using the tent.  Had a relatively dry hike to Stony Brook Shelter just as the rain started again!  It rained all night.  The bugs haven't been particularly bad but the tiger mosquitoes are large and really draw blood, even with repellent.  The bugs seem to disappear after dark so you can sleep in the shelter without a bug net and not get bit.
Date: 2018-07-26
From: Stoney Brook Shelter

To: Cat's House
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

Hit the trail with an off and on drizzle most of the day.  Made pretty good time, planning to meet Cat at VT12 at 5p as she got off work.  Cat is our "adopted daughter" who worked with us before going off to law school in Vermont.  Her boyfriend Ben was working in Woodstock very close to VT12.  I made better time than anticipated arriving at 3:30p so Ben picked me up and we drove to South Royalton arriving about the same time as Cat.  We cleaned up and went to South Royalton for dinner and ice cream with Ellie (8) and Jurgen (4) where we were treated to an ump pah band in the town square.
Date: 2018-07-27
From: MM 1724.5

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

Cat and Ben had to work this Friday so I jumped back onto the trail and knocked out some miles to the Happy Hill Shelter.   Most of the day I was dodging thunderstorms.  Somewhere in front of me Haze and Recall left the trail at West Hartford.  I pushed on to the top of Happy Hill. The younger group pushed on to Hanover, NH.  It again rained and soaked my shoes.  There was only one SOBO hiker at the shelter, "Just Jim", whose partner had enough rain and got a ride back home to Maine.  It rained all night but by morning the sun was breaking through!
Date: 2018-07-28
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Hanover, New Hampshire
Miles today: 5.9

Woke to the sun shining and headed down the mountain to Norwich.  I soon got phone signal and coordinated with Robin to meet at Dartmouth in Hanover.  She is driving up from her parents in New Windsor, NY.  I stopped in Norwich at the Episcopal Church to spread out all my junk in the sun for an hour then repacked and headed to Hanover crossing the Connecticut river and saying goodbye to Vermont.  A wonderful section of trail and wonderful people.  Robin met me at the campus and we drove back to South Royalton to spend the weekend with Cat.
Date: 2018-07-31
From: Moose Mountain 

To: Smart Mountain 
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Left Moose at 7:45a. Smarts was a very hard climb, at least I found it so and glad the mountain wasn¢t higher! I can see the Whites will be hard ups. The views from the fire tower are spectacular so check the photos. Slept in the fire wardens cabin. Orange showed up about 8! after hiking straight from Hanover. Met Blue Bear from Australia. So far everyone hikes faster than me! SOBOs are taking 4 to 6 weeks from Katahdin so I¢m barely on schedule!
Date: 2018-08-01
From: Smarts Mtn

To: Ore Hill Campsite 
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Nice night at Smarts left at 7:45a and had lunch with Orange on the summit of Cube Mtn.  Rain began at 3p and no way could I do a 20 with the others to the hostel so I camped at Ore Hill with Orange. Took a swim break at Brackett Brook with Orange. Turns out he is a fellow aero engineer! Finally, had phone signal. The shelter had burned down but there was still a very nice privy. Turns out I didn¢t do a good job waterproofing my tent and everything got damp!
Date: 2018-08-02
From: Ore Hill Campsite 

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: moderate rain

Awoke to a rainy morning. Since this would be a short day, I slept late. Noticed Orange wasn¢t in too big a hurry either.  I struck the tent. The rain abated and made decent time to the hostel, showered and reprovisioned for the next leg. Booked the shuttle to slackpack South over Moosilauke back to the hostel. Passed Spash and Sunshine; they were picked up by a local maple syrup producer who put them up for the night. Ugly old guys like me don¢t get those breaks; we get tents!
Date: 2018-08-03
From: Hostel

To: MM 1800.4
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: light rain

Forecast was for rain all day but it hadn¢t started. We shuttles at 7:30 to Kindmans Notch to slackpack southbound back to the hostel. The climb was steep and really fun with the light pack. It would otherwise have been painful! Beaver Brook falls is spectacular and so are the views all the way up.  At the summit the wind and cooler temps chilled everyone so ... lunch was quick. Views above the Alpine treeline are breathtaking. Photos cannot convey the feeling or experience. It began to sprinkle and I was feeling a lack of oxygen and had to get moving to get feeling back in my hands. Met a researcher studying the Alpine flowers and the interesting way they survive. Loft and Ryan headed down the long trail to the hostel and I followed with Dr Who behind.  He seemed to notice I wasn¢t 100% and followed me until I felt better. Thanks, Doc! The walked down was also fun with trail angels at the bottom.  The rain held off until 3p as I walked back into the hostel.
Date: 2018-08-04
To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Rained hard all night and finally broke around ten in the morning.  Shuttled with Ryan and Lofty to NH112 Kinsman Notch and hiked to Eliza Brook Shelter.  It was a lot of hard wet ups and downs and, there were a lot of hikers other than the AT.  Ben and Wanderer shared the shelter with me.  Ryan and Lofty tented.