morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-25
From: Drive in movie theater, Warwick, NY

To: Fitzgerald Falls
Miles today: 13.4

We awoke to a chilly morning and I knew it was going to be a good day when Blood Orange's friend (Racheal) arrived with warm bagels and cream cheese. It was an odd feeling to be camping in a vacant drive in movie theater. Everyone was jovial as we packed up. Rachel gave us a ride to the trailhead which was nice since hitch hiking is illegal in New York. THANK YOU trail angel Rachel!!!Hat Trick got some nice trail magic when he received a phone call saying that he had been accepted to a paid externship in ICU at the medical center in Macon, GA. He is jazzed!The guidebook states that "Despite the unimposing profile, rocks and abrupt ups and downs make this section challenging". That statement nailed it. It was a pretty hike but very challenging. One section was so steep they have permanently installed a ladder (see pics). We accomplished another milestone today. We are now officially out of New Jersey and into New York (see pic). Eight states down and 6 more to go!We were taking a break when Beerdra walked up. We were so happy to see her - we thought she was several days ahead of us. We also leapfrogged with Indigo. Late in the afternoon we came to a road crossing with a sign for a hot dog stand and a creamery nearby. The hot dog stand was closed but there was a guy set up with a pizza oven in a trailer and he was making fresh pizzas. Hat Trick went for the pizza while I went to the creamery and had a banana split and then we shared. What more could a hiker want? Well, OK, they had a flush toilet . . . that is pure luxury!!!Snow White and Thumper were at the pizza place as well. They are section hikers who we hadn't seen since the pavilion on top of Sunrise Mountain during the storm. They decided to call for a shuttle and went to a dry bed in a hotel. Their anniversary was the next day so they decided to give themselves an early present. We are planning to camp at Fitzgerald Falls and Hat Trick decided to hike ahead. I met Patio on the trail who was packing in trail magic. He gave me a quart of frozen Gatorade and 2 packs of brownies. THANK YOU Patio!!!When I arrived at the falls Hat Trick, Beerdra, and Indigo were already set up. Beerdra had a beer from Patio. I gave Hat Trick the Gatorade and a pack of brownies in honor of his last night in the woods. I gave Indigo the remaining brownie since she didn't get any trail magic. Hat Trick and I sat by the water fall and ate our dinner. I am going to miss him soooo much!!!
Date: 2013-07-26
From: Fitzgerald Falls

To: Arden Valley Road
Miles today: 8.5

Today my post is dedicated to my buddy, my hiking partner for 600 miles, and the best son a father could ask for . . . Hat Trick. This is our last day of hiking together and I will miss him immensely. It's not every father and son that get to experience what we have over the past two months and I am so thankful we've had this meaningful time together. Hat Trick, I know you will be with me in spirit each step of the way. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!!!We started out the day with the steep climb beside the waterfall. As a farewell to Hat Trick, this section was some of the most difficult 8 miles that we've hiked. It was interesting and had great views, but was constant up and down with a lot of rock climbing. It took us nearly 8 hours to go 8 miles. At the bottom of one climb we met Open and Flare, a couple from Germany. When we were introducing ourselves Open said "oh, so you're Hobo". I asked what that meant and he said he had read my letter to Pain Sylvania and loved it. In addition to posting it in this journal I had Written it in the last shelter logbook in PA where he read it. He said he had taken pictures of it to share with friends and family.Shortly before lunch I caught up with Hat Trick who was standing on some rocks at a spectacular overlook. We were chatting when I noticed something in my peripheral vision moving near my left foot. I looked down and about 6 inches from my foot was a copperhead that was slithering into a crevice. I was surprised at how calm I remained and remember thinking "that's a copperhead, I think I'll take a step back". We carefully walked around the crevice and were even more surprised to see 2 copperheads in there! We left a caution note for other hikers and weighted it down with a rock. Later we ran into Indigo who had eaten lunch at another rock. She said she had looked around carefully and didn't see any snakes. While she was eating lunch she notice a copperhead heading for her pack. She didn't want it to get under, or worse yet in, her pack so she tried to move her pack. When she did the copperhead coiled up and actually struck her pack. I'll be glad when I'm out of snake country!It was warmer today than the last two days. At two road crossings we had trail magic in the form of water that someone had left us. After one final steep descent we came to the parting lot where Anita will pick us up. While we were waiting Beerdra came by and later Ripper, so they both got to say goodbye to Hat Trick and wish him well. After taking Hat Trick to the airport tomorrow morning, I will zero with Anita. Sunday she will slack pack me and I'll be in the woods alone again . .. sniff, sniff.
Date: 2013-07-27
From: Arden Valley Road

To: Arden Valley Road
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We got Hat Trick on the plane without any problems. Then we went to run errands and resupply. We stocked up on lots of drinks and snacks so we can provide trail magic if we run into other hikers. Hat Trick sent me a pic from the airport of a bird in the water fountain and texted me the following message "despite everyone smelling wonderful, all this free wifi, and the rather large portion of Chinese food I just ate there are still birds in the water sources and I already miss you and the trail..."We drove to places where Anita will meet me tomorrow while I'm slacking and then drove to the parking lot where she picked us up. I was totally shocked to run into Tracy McGee who I hadn't seen in months. We also ran into Orion, Davey Crocket, Hipsy Gypsy, Oak, and Bojangles. They were excited to get the cold drinks and snacks. It was a lot of fun to be on the giving end of trail magic. Everyone saw our note about the copperheads and were appreciative of the warning, but there are 3 now. While we were talking, Head Butt arrived. I was sad to hear that Oxy got off the trail yesterday.
Date: 2013-07-28
From: Arden Valley Road

To: Bear Mountain State Park
Miles today: 14.7

Anita slack packed me today. It is so fun to have her meet me at road crossings for lunch and to be there when I'm done. The hike in the morning was fun - especially the Lemon Squeezer which is a narrow passage. The Voice and Dunt were there and we took turns taking each others pictures as we went thru the Lemon Squeezer. There were some steep climbs and descents over rocks. I hiked past a beautiful mountain lake called Island Pond where weekend hikers were camped. I'd like to come back and stay when I have more time. At one point the trail crosses the Palisades Parkway which is an insanely busy 4 lane road. It seems to be a tragedy waiting to happen. In the early afternoon I saw a fawn nursing. I actually heard it before I saw it. The rain started mid afternoon and continued the rest of my hike. Anita had checked into the beautiful Bear Mountain Lodge and had a towel waiting for me. I was cold and soaked to the bone. It is GREAT to be together!
Date: 2013-07-29
From: Bear Mountain State Park

To: Chapman Rd
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: few clouds

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my daughter Sarah!!! I wish I could be there to celebrate with you. Today I had the very special pleasure of meeting trail angel James West. James is a college friend of my good friend Brian Williams. He was been tracking my progress and wanted to help me out when I got close to this area. His help has been beyond anything I could have imagined. We met for the first time at breakfast at the Bear Mountain Lodge. With Anita's help we planned the day. James will hike with me today and then slack pack me for several days after that. After breakfast we drove his car north, then Anita drove us back to where I left the trail yesterday. By the time we accomplished all that it was around 10:45 before we actually started hiking. James and I spent the first several miles getting to know each other. The trail across Bear Mountain was often like walking through a garden with steps and a well manicured path. At the top of Bear Mountain you are supposed to be able to see the skyline of NewYork City but it was too hazy for me to see it. You're supposed to be be able to also see it from Black Mtn that I crossed yesterday but I couldn't see it from there either.On top of Bear Mtn we met Clinker and hiked with her down the mountain. When we got to the swimming pool she decided to go for a swim so we hiked on. The trail goes right through the Bear Mtn zoo and it was fun to see the animals and all the families out for the day. The bear cage is the lowest point on the entire AT. I texted my daughter, Sarah, to wish her a happy birthday. It was fun to text her from a zoo since she works in a zoo in Albuquerque. Soon after the zoo we crossed the Hudson River and the 1,400 mile mark. We hiked for awhile with Hipsy Gypsy and Oak. They are a husband and wife team from San Diego and I enjoy talking to them. The final few miles were very rocky and I was glad to arrive at the car. It was fun getting to know James during our time together. We drove back to his house were we enjoyed pizza with his family. One of the kids let me sleep in their room where I have my very own bathroom!
Date: 2013-07-30
From: Chapman Rd

To:  NY Hwy 52
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I've decided I need to pick up the mileage in order to finish in a reasonable time. Consequently, I've made several tactical decisions. 1) I'm now hiking in sandals. It has helped my little toe immensely. For those of you who aren't hikers its not as odd as it sounds - there are many hikers hiking in sandals. 2) I'm going stove-less in an effort to walk more and do other things less. I'll probably go back to cooking as it gets colder. 3) I will make shorter journal entries, again to give me more time to hike and rest. My trail angel James drove me an hour to the trailhead, drove back an hour and then caught a train into Manhattan to his job on Wall Street. Wow, THANK YOU James!!!At a road crossing I met Socks, 2005 thru hiker, who was doing trail magic. THANK YOU Soaks - I enjoyed talking to you. I hiked some with DeLorean and enjoyed getting to know him. While climbing a mountain I ran into Yodi heading southbound. We looked at each other stunned and almost simultaneously asked why are you hiking southbound. Both of us thought we were northbound but suddenly neither of us was sure. Yodi said he felt like he had been abducted by aliens and had his memory erased. As it turns out, he stepped off the trail to pee and then continued up hill. Unfortunately that was where the northbound trail took a turn downhill. Poor Yodi hiked several extra miles. I hiked some more with Hipsy Gypsy and Oak. I also leapfrogged withThe Voice, Dundt, and Danger Dave. The last 10 miles of the day were on a very smooth path and I was able to finish in time to meet James at 8:00 p.m. We returned to his house for the night. I want to give a big shout out to my step mother, Millie, who sent me two bags of homemade spiced pretzels. They taste soooo good on the trail and they are a big hit with my fellow hikers. THANK YOU Millie!!!
Date: 2013-07-31
From:  NY Hwy 52

To: NY/CT border
Miles today: 21.7

I got up at 5:00 so we could drive an hour north where I'll meet Anita and she will take over the slack packing. Once again, trail angel James spent 2 hours driving BEFORE going to work. This will be the last day that he slack packs me. A final THANK YOU James, you have been amazing. We met Anita and she will slack pack me, Hipsy Gypsy, and Oak. She has also been carrying a cooler of drinks and snacks to do trail magic for other hikers. She has really enjoyed meeting my trail friends. I hiked some with Hipsy Gypsy and Oak but I was really dragging today. When I stopped for lunch I fell asleep for 25 minutes and that perked me up some. The trail was interesting with a combination of mountains, swamp, and fields. We passed the oldest tree on the AT - estimated to be over 300 years old. I also passed an AT train stop - I could take a train into NYC from the AT! Some of my younger fellow hikers are planning on doing just that. Anita picked us up about 7:00 and we went to a nice hotel in New Milford, CT. We dropped Hipsy Gypsy and Oak off at the grocery store while we got some take out food for everyone. I felt like one of those kids who falls asleep face first in their food . . .
Date: 2013-08-01
From: NY/CT border

To: Kent, CT,
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

I decided to make today a short day to catch up on journaling and to avoid the forecasted afternoon and evening rain. Hipsy Gypsy made us all delicious breakfast sandwiches before we hit the trail. The beginning of the hike was very pleasant and we spent more time talking. I love the way Hipsy Gypsy and Oak are so tender with each other. They clearly have a great marriage. We hiked along a beautiful river and enjoyed the relatively flat trail. Hipsy Gypsy and Oak decided to stop at a shelter and I hike on. The trail began to climb and I was shocked when I came across a large rattlesnake across the trail. I didn't think there were rattlesnakes this far north. He seemed to know that he was the boss and was in no hurry to move. I tried my best "snake whisper" technique but he just flicked his tongue at me. I pounded my poles on the rocks but he just squinted his eyes and looked at me. There was no way to go around him so I decided to just wait him out. Finally after about 15 minutes he moved off into the woods. Soon afterwards I met two SOBO thru hikers and warned them. They hadn't seen a rattlesnake and were excited about the possibility. I'm meeting SOBO thru hikers almost everyday now. When I reached the road I hitch hiked into Kent, CT where I met Anita. We gave Balloo, Persistant, and Mud Flap a ride back to the trail. It had been raining for several hours. I was soaked, cold, and happy to be in a car!
Date: 2013-08-02
From: Kent, CT,

To: Canaan, CT
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my daughter Hannah!!! May your birthday be filled with all the things that make you happy!Today's hike was harder than I thought it would be. The ups and downs were steep. Coming down off of St Johns Ledge it was insanely steep and the rocks were still a little wet from last night's rain. The reward was nearly 5 miles of flat beautiful trail along the Housatonic River. I didn't see a lot of hikers today. I hiked with and then leapfrogged with Open and Flair. They are a nice young couple from Germany. I saw one SOBO - Smiles from Seattle. I also met a group of young camp kids as they were getting off the bus for a hike on the AT. They immediately asked if I was a thru hiker and bombarded me with questions about where do I get my food, where do I sleep, etc. As I was hiking away I heard a little girl exclaim "we met a thru hiker" and it made me smile. Little did they know that their enthusiasm helped power me over the next mountain. As I was getting off the trail Indigo came hiking by. It's good to know she is still in the area.
Date: 2013-08-03
From: Canaan, CT

To: Saliabury, CT,
Miles today: 17.5

Today was a great day! The hardest part was the first mile where after a steep climb I went through another Lemon Squeezer type crack in a rock. At the shelter I met up with Open and Flair. We hiked to the next road in the guidebook to meet Anita and she will slack us. Little did I know that it would be a one lane dirt road. Anita couldn't get through because of a tree across the road. She had to go around to the other end of the road and came up the other direction. There was no cell phone reception so I had no idea what was going on. The weather was pleasant, the trail was in good condition, and I hiked all day with Open and Flair. I've really enjoyed talking with them and learning more about Germany. Anita brought us pizza for lunch and Dr. Who ad Indigo joined us. Chris, a section hiker, also joined us. He wants to do a thru hike so he asked lots of questions about what we had learned. We also ran into Mudflap reading a book by the Housatonic River. The slacking and lunches will end so but it has been so great to have this time with Anita and to have the ability to help out other hikers. THANK YOU Anita!!!Tomorrow I'll be Massachusetts!!!
Date: 2013-08-04
From: Saliabury, CT,

To: Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Two milestones were accomplished today: I have now hiked over 1,500 miles and I'm in Massachusetts! Ten states done and 4 to go. I have 668.2 miles to go. When we picked up Open and Flair, Clinker wanted to know if she could get in on the slack packing. Unfortunately there weren't a lot of roads to slack her to so Anita could only slack her 8 miles. I hiked all day with Open and Flair and thoroughly enjoyed their company. They are from the Kassel area of Germany. Other than a brief brush with a thunderstorm it was a great day for hiking - cool and breezy. We encountered many day hikers who were curious about our journey. One woman even wanted to have her picture taken with us. The trail was much more difficult than yesterday with bigger and steeper climbs and descents. During lunch a day hiker asked for assistance after he gashed his leg open on a rock. I helped him get it cleaned up and steri-strips applied to keep the wound closed. This week has been a much needed break from the grind and loneliness of the trail. First it was James slacking and keeping me company. Then it was such a treat to be with Anita for several days and for her to slack me. This may sound strange but I'm actually beginning to believe that I'm going to make it all the way to Katahdin. It's a good feeling!!!
Date: 2013-08-05
From: Great Barrington, MA

To:  Mt Wilcox South Shelter campsite
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

We had a leisurely breakfast which was a nice way to say goodbye to Anita. She dropped us off at the trailhead about 10:30 on a perfect day for hiking - cool, breezy and sunny. Again, I hiked with or near Open and Flair. I was ahead of them and walking down a road that the AT follows for a short distance when Alicia road by on her bike. She asked where I started and was astounded when I told her Georgia. She invited us to her house for water, a bathroom break, and to rest. She is from Boston and this is a weekend house she shares with other family members. They remodeled the house and had a kitchen with huge windows (see pics). We chatted with several family members who were equally interested in our journey. Today's climbs were steep but pretty. I'm definitely ready for bed after carrying a full pack for the first time in a week.
Date: 2013-08-06
From:  Mt Wilcox South Shelter campsite

To: Upper Goose Pond campsite,
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: haze

I awoke at 4:30 to the sound of a hoot owl directly overhead. I smiled and drifted back to sleep. It was a cool night and great for sleeping. Apparently I slept soundly. Open asked if I heard the coyote last night. He said it was howling and sounded very close to my tent. He couldn't believe it when I said the only thing I heard was the owl. It was another great hiking day. The morning terrain was interesting and the trail was well maintained. The afternoon was more difficult with steeper climbs and a rockier trail, but still enjoyable. I have not heard hikers talk about Massachusetts much but I think it's one of the nicer sections of the AT and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I saw Open and Flair intermittently. I hiked for awhile with two teachers from Waterbury, CT and they were a lot of fun to talk to. I'm camped tonight at the Upper Goose Pond cabin. The cabin is really nice but its nearly full so I opted for my tent. There are canoes and kayaks, but best of all there is a pancake breakfast. A number of old and recent trail friends are here. I had dinner with Hipsy Gypsy, Oak, Open, and Flair. Green Blaze is here and I haven't seen him since May 9th - almost 3 months. Whirled Peas is camped beside me and we have been lying in our tents talking and catching up on events since we last saw each other.
Date: 2013-08-07
From: Upper Goose Pond campsite,

To: Kay Wood Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: few clouds

Happy Birthday to my daughter Meghan - I'm so proud of you for getting out of your comfort zone!!! Happy Birthday to my sister Beth. Thank you so much for your support!The 6 pancakes I ate this morning were absolutely delicious. The caretaker of Upper Goose Pond cabin serves pancakes and coffee to all the hikers. What a wonderful treat!I was packed up and ready to go when breakfast was over. Open and Flair left a few minutes ahead of me and must have been really moving because I didn't see them for the rest of the day. It was another beautiful hiking day. Before long I was crossing I-90. The young guns soon began to pass me. At my morning break Pressure D caught up with me and we hiked the rest of the day together. He is a few years younger than me and is a high school basketball coach. It really made the time pass quickly to have someone to talk to. At a road crossing where everyone goes to the cookie lady's house there was trail magic from a couple who just finished the trail. I hated missing the cookie lady but it was fun talking to someone who just finished. For the first time in a long time we made a fire tonight and I roasted hot dogs. Since I will be in town tomorrow I had enough to share with Hipsy Gypsy, Oak, and Pressure D. Other people who are staying at the shelter are Walmart, Fancy Feet, Mouse, and Bojangles. I decided to stay in the shelter since the forecast is for rain.
Date: 2013-08-08
From: Kay Wood Shelter

To: Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 12.3

I was the first one up but Pressure D was the first one on the trail. He left about 45 minutes before me. The wet rocks were a little slippery so it was slow going initially. After hiking the 3 miles into Dalton, MA I stopped at Tom Levardi's house were there were about 25 hikers camped in his yard and staying in his house. Tom is famous on the trail for helping hikers. It's a little odd because his house is just in a regular neighborhood. I said hello to all the hikers I knew, thanked Tom for all he does, and headed to a coffee shop were I was told that Pressure D had gone. At the coffee shop I ate a second breakfast while Pressure D and I charged our cell phones and chatted. Cat Lady and Hobo Feet also stopped in. Pressure D and I hiked together up and over Crystal Mountain for the remaining 9 miles into Dalton MA where we found Open and Flair at a small ice cream and sandwich shop. Guru, Rock Dancer, Catnap, and two section hikers from Illinois also stopped by. Open and Flair decided to stay at the same B&B that Anita and I are staying at. We hiked the half mile to the road the B&B is on and hitchhiked the mile up the road to the B&B where we waited on the porch for the owner and Anita to arrive. When Anita arrived we grabbed a quick bite to eat, got laundry done, and resupplied. Tomorrow is supposed to be stormy so we shall see what it brings.