morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-07-05
From: Anton's on the lake

To: William Brien shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: clear sky

21.7Well it did not turn into a very early night. What's Up, and Oompah showed up with a few beers and we all sat around outside and watched a few random fireworks and talked. There was also 2 other couples from Brooklyn, originally from the Soviet Union, 10 years ago, Oompah is from the netherlands and can speak 5 languages, one of which was Russian. With my small amount of German I could understand a small amount of their conversations. It was pretty entertaining. Went to breakfast at the Buzz Cafe and had a Big omelet and coffee. It was very good. As I was leaving Oompah and What's Up came in. Doc was just getting up as I got back. He is taking a zero day. I said see ya up the trail, and I know we will, since I will zero when I meet Peter and Jane, that we hiked with in 2009, later in CT. I caught a lift back to the trail from Mr Anton and was going uphill by 8:30. The trail went over many large rocks and was not slippery as before. The Fitzgerald falls were pretty and I stopped got photos. There were a lot of small steep climbs today that required hands. The lemon squeeze was fun. I put my pack on in front and just walked up until I could flip it up on the ledge. When I got to Finger board Shelter it was still early so I decided to move on. I stopped at Lake Tiorati and fixed dinner in the park then went back up to the trail for the last part into William Brien shelter. Arrived just as the sun set. Wisconsin and Saturday are here as well as at least 4 others. Since I had already ate dinner I just had to hang the hammock and bear bag and get ready for bed
Date: 2011-07-06
From: William Brien shelter

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Up and gone before 7 Am. Had a nice morning on a good but not really well marked trail. The views from West Mountain were good. I caught up to Saturday and Wisconsin and hiked with them up to the Perkins Memorial Tower. The trail up the side of the mountain had been worked on a lot and has had stone steps put in many areas. The views from there were great. The trail down dropped about 1000 feet and was also rock steps. At the bottom is the Bear Mountain Lodge. There is a carousel building with a small concession, which I got hot dogs and washed my clothes in the sink. The zoo was pretty interesting. There was quite a Dan Beard, Boy Scout leader, display and I spent over an hour there. The hike across the Hudson River was neat also. The hike up and out was slow and steep but I finally got over the last hump and into the gap near Peekskill NY where I had dinner in a convenience store. I met a few more hikers today, Quest Seeker, All In, Mother Ship, Delaware Dave. And more I can't remember. Little Knee and Mingo are here also. Hung up in the pavilion and ready for bed. By 8.
Date: 2011-07-07
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

To: Hosner Mountain
Miles today: 22.2

22.2Good trail again today. Not very much wildlife though. The first 10 miles flew by and there was a building with a spigot on the outside, so I rinsed out my bandanna and shirt and refilled all of my bottles. Total I am using about 100 ozs every 10 miles. In this heat and humidity it still is barely enough. There was another cut stone building very close by the water building. No roof or windows but I sure would like to know more about the history of it. After leaving the area I saw a south bound hiker, Wild Bill and his very well behaved dog. This is his 7th thru hike. Saw a youth group that was out for an overnight outing , and not very happy with the hiking or the heat. It was a good thing they were less than 30 min from the pickup spot. I arrived at RPH shelter at about 4 Pm refilled water and Little Knee got there. He was heading for the next shelter. I did not find any trees it the area for my hammock, they are all very large and so far apart so I decided to move on also. I headed up the trail about 3 miles and hung on the side of the mountain where I can watch the sun set. There is no way you could do this with a tent. Had a light dinner and will eat breakfast at the next cross road to morrow
Date: 2011-07-08
From: Hosner Mountain

To: Telephone Pioneer Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: moderate rain

14.9It started to rain about 6 Am but not enough to even put on rain gear. I made the road where mountaintop market was by about 9. Had a "grand slam" breakfast which was 2 of each, eggs, sausage, ham on a big muffin added a quart of milk and a big bowl of fruit salad. Also bought some more food for the next section and another sandwich for dinner tonight. NY has the most stone stacked fences that I have seen anywhere in my travels. As they cleared a space to plant crops more walls were made. They're sure are a lot of them. As I passed Nuclear lake I stopped for a short break and swim to rinse all of the salt off. It felt really good. Today I have seen a lot of grey squirrels, and a couple of deer. It as been thundering for a bit and by the time I got to Telephone Pioneers Shelter it was lightening. I decided to call it a day before the rain started. Sat at the shelter for a few minutes and here it came. A day hiking couple stopped for a minute but decided to make it to the road before it got worse. After I got water Lemer and. Captain Planet Came in. We all ate dinner and are now getting ready for bed. I hung up my hammock in the shelter, hope I'm not to much in the way. Tomorrow I am meeting a couple that Anne and I enjoyed hiking with in 2009. They are going to pick me up at a cross road. I am looking forward to seeing them and catching up.
Date: 2011-07-09
From: Telephone Pioneer Shelter

To: CT 55 
Miles today: 9.9

Awoke early this morning and got up. The rain stopped during the night but the trees were still dripping. Lemur left the shelter first and I was second. I caught up at the first road crossing where there was a big oak tree. We. both got photos and moved on. All of the grasses are wet and soon shoes and socks were soaked. There were a few stiles to cross fences as we went where cattle were grazing. There was an old wooden water tower in one field that was interesting also. I got to CT 55 at about 11 Am and changed clothes to dry off. Took a couple of photos of the state line markers and the had a snack of wild blackberries as I waited for Peter and Jane to pick me up. They arrived at 11:30. They are house sitting for a friend and have along a very mellow dog named Gatlin.   We sat around with trail magic for other hikers. Lemur showed up and had some cokes, cookies, fruit and other snacks. We left some cokes at the trail for others then headed into town. We took a nice drive getting there and I was able to see more of the area, which I thought was great. We stopped at EMS in Avon CT to get some socks and had the pleasure of meeting Bob the foot guru. He was very helpful and we re fitted my boots with Superfeet insoles as the Orthosoles had started to fail. I also got 2 pair of socks and some water purification tablets. Next we stopped at a market for a bit of food. We arrived at their place and I hung up gear to air and took a shower. We then headed to a local brewery for a beer. On the way they stopped at the Dewy-Grandby Oak, a 450 year old tree, which was huge, and then back home for dinner. Nachos, steak, veggies, baked beans, potato salad, and burgers to fill any void not fully filled yet. Topped off with ice cream. What a great day!! We sat and talked of lots of different things before finally heading off to bed
Date: 2011-07-10
From: CT 55 

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Sheltee
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

15.9I had a great pancake breakfast this morning before heading back to the trail. I was back on the trail before 9 Am. We all said our goodbyes and I sure hope we can get together again. Thanks again Peter and Jane for showing me more of CT and all the other help you gave. There were a few climbs and one pretty steep decent on rough stone steps today. The trail varied from good to better. I met a trail crew setting stone steps in one area and we talked for a bit. The last 2 miles into Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter are on the road and a bit boring. Got in and made dinner, then hung the hammock and made ready for bed.
Date: 2011-07-11
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Sheltee

To: Limestone Spring Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: clear sky

22.3Had a nice morning walk along the river where the trail was pretty flat. Tri W left about the same time as I did so we hiked together until we hit the uphills. There was another interesting rock crack that the trail went through, similar to the lemon squeeze. I thought of getting water at Pine Swamp Brook shelter,but when I saw it was basically a beaver swamp I changed my mind and walked on to a small stream. I saw 4 deer in the trail that did not move until I was pretty close. I also saw a large group of turkey which ran down the trail ahead of me for quite a while. Today there have been quite a bunch of quick climbs and decents. I was going to go into Falls Village for a ice cream but I missed the turn and was to far past by the time I noticed. I arrived at the intersection to Limestone Spring shelter and went down as far as I needed to find good water. Cleaned up and cooked dinner and set up camp in an old growth area.
Date: 2011-07-12
From: Limestone Spring Shelter

To: Race Brook Falls Campsite
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: few clouds

15.5There was a lot to see today. As I left camp this morning I saw a Barred Owl fly from a tree and down the trail. It is amazing that they make no noise at all as they fly. I went into Salisbury for breakfast of a large omelet. Did a bit of shopping at the market, and stopped at the library to use their computer for a minute. I left town about 10:30. There is a very nice spring near Riga shelter where I filled up on water. The walk trough Sages ravine near the river was great. There was a song bird singing in one area and I just stopped to listen. The views from Mt Race were fantastic. It was a clear day and visibility was very good. I decided not to go all the way to the shelter and stopped at Race Brook Falls camp. There is a youth group here and they are a bit loud. I hope it gets quiet soon.
Date: 2011-07-13
From: Race Brook Falls Campsite

To: East Mountain Retreat Center
Miles today: 19.4

19.4I was right, the youth group was pretty loud, pretty late. I did not really mind the noise, it was when they started running through the camp site that I had to draw the line. There was only one adult with the group also which for me would have been a concern. They quieted down around dark and I was able to sleep after that. Got another early start again today. I was hoping for good morning light on MT Evertt bet instead it was cloudy and windy. I stopped at the edge of Great Barrington at a small store and got a water refill and washed up in their wash room. It gets pretty salty very fast in these temps and humidity. I broke a pole tip today and need to call TI Goat about a replacement. I got it caught in a crack and before I could pull it free it bent pretty bad. I did not sign into any shelters until late afternoon when the rain finally drove me into Tom Leonard Shelter. I did not stay very long as the rain stopped and the sun came out. I went to East Mountain Retreat Center. It is a mile from the trail and the driveway is .5 miles uphill. $10.00 PP and $3.00 for laundry. Blue Eyes is here also and had no cash so he bought the pizza and I paid for the room and laundry. This is a pretty nice spot. I need to start thinking about having more clothes sent for the cooler weather soon
Date: 2011-07-14
From: East Mountain Retreat Center

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

19.0I ate leftover pizza for breakfast and left early. The miles and time seemed to fly by and before I knew it I had covered 10 miles. I got a water refill at a very nice piped spring at Jerusalem road. I met 2 other hikers today, Boulder and Art Gypsy. Boulder is from an Amish area in Ohio and Art Gypsy is from Florida, she is a professional photographer that is documenting the trail and hopes to write a book after. I arrived at Upper Goose Pond Cabin at about 3 Pm jumped in the lake and got a bunk. I met Yogi, the caretakers grandson and saw his day's catch of fish. We all prepared dinner and there was extra pasta and a fish left over, which I made short work of. Art Gypsy wanted to get some pictures of the full moon on the lake and the sunset so I went along as paddler. We came to a group of folks that were in kayaks and having a full moon gathering on the lake edge. They invited us to have some and we did not decline. They had a vegetable tray, beer, wine, spinach 0uiche and a bunch more. We ate and visited until the moon started to rise and then got a bunch of photos of the moon and the fading sunset. After a bit of a paddle back to the dock we were back to camp and now ready for sleep.
Date: 2011-07-15
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

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

17.6Last night another thru hiker came in called Giggles. He was making a big dinner when I got back with the canoe. This morning we had PANCAKES, syrup and coffee. It was a good morning spent talking about a lot of different stuff. I finally left around 9:30. The others were thinking of taking a Zero day. There was only a bit of a climb coming out of camp and then the day was quite level. I stopped and talked to a. couple of other hikers and was soon at the Cookie Lady's place. She offered me cookies which were very good. I also got 2 cokes and 3 boiled eggs. While there I met her husband who had been weeding gardens. Another hiker was also there, Stardust, this is her second thru hike. She was going to stay there tonight. I moved on and stopped at a view from Warner Hill that was. Very good. I met Coach there, a southbounder, we talked and spotted a whole bunch of ripe blueberries which we both picked a bunch and ate. When I arrived at Kay Woods Shelter there were 2 section hikers there, Pigpen and Dogbowl. Both having a good hike but a bit foot sore. Dinner was completed and hung the hammock. Going to head for Mt Greylock tomorrow after breakfast in Dalton
Date: 2011-07-16
From: Kay Wood Shelter

To: Mark Noepel Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

16.9Left early and had a trail filled with picker bushes most of the day. It became a bit irritating on the nerves and arms and legs are all scratched up. All just part of the game. Got to Dalton and hitched to Walmart for supplies, then to the Price Chopper for a quart of chocolate milk, yogurt, and a fruit tray. I stopped at the library and did a bit of stuff on the computer and finaly headed out of town about 10:30.   On the way to Cheshire I met Art Gypsy and Boulder, slackpacking south back to Dalton. In the town of Cheshire there was an ice cream store right on the trail and I just had to have a big malt. I chatted with the bicycle riders on the rail trail and finally headed off again. From there it was more picker bushes and ALL uphill for over 5 miles. I finally decided to call it a day at Mark Noepel Shelter even though I had hoped to go farther. Here I met another thru hiker, Arrow, we chatted a bit, he also was going farther but halted here. Dinner completer and all ready for the night. Tomorrow maybe breakfast at Mt Greylock at the lodge.
Date: 2011-07-17
From: Mark Noepel Shelter

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: clear sky

23.7Got an early start today and had all of my clothes rinsed out by the time the dining room opened at the Bascom Lodge. I had second breakfast and took photos of the monument. There was a lot of downhill leaving Mt Greylock. I again met Boulder and Art Gypsy slacking south. Tomorrow they will again start north. And it finally happened. I had been concerned since I had broke the hiking pole tip a few days ago about falling. As I stepped over a rock I got my toe caught in a root and the pole slipped off the rock it was on. I fell downhill onto the trail. I was able to turn sideways so did not get banged up at all. Just embarrassed and covered with dirt all over. I checked myself out and did not even find any abrasions. At the bottom of the hill was a creek so I washed the dirt off. As I walked down Phelps st into North Adams there was a fellow in a van setting in the school parking lot. He hollered "Are you thirsty?". The answer is always yes. I strolled over to the van and Onefoot introduced himself. He pulled out a cooler filled with all sorts of drinks and sets it down. With a comfy place to sit I started looking through the cooler of drinks. He then pulls out a big bag of snacks and then a coleman stove and griddle and cooked me ae cheese burgers and 2 hot dogs. It was really great. I asked him how he got his trail name, I checked, he had both feet. He said his wife gave it to him as he had told her more than once. "Just put one foot in front of the other" and keep going. We chatted for quite a while and finally I had to go. There was a good uphill leaving town. Right at the VT border I met a scout group. I took a group photo for them and asked where they were stopping. They said Seth Warner Shelter. Since it was only 3 Pm I decided to go the 10 more miles to Congdon Shelter. I arrived at about 8 Pm. Hung up and ate and to bed.
Date: 2011-07-18
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: light rain

18.7Got a bit of a late start this morning. The trail was good but it was threatening rain all morning. There was a steep downhill to Vermont 9 and then a parking lot where I took a short break. After starting again there was more trail magic in the form of bottled waters. I took one and drank it on the spot and left the bottle. Another steep uphill followed. It started ti rain pretty hard right at the trail to Melleville Nauheim Shelter so I stopped there for a bit. There were 3 other hikers doing the same and Bait came in shortly from the last shelter. 2 others arrived soon after seeking refuge from the rain. We all talked and pretty soon the rain stopped so I took off again. There were really no landmarks all the way to Goddard shelter so it was a bit hard judging how far I went. I arrived at a very nice piped spring just before the shelter and filled up again. Goddard is a very nice shelter but a bit windy. I changed clothes and sat and read the shelter log. To Long and another, I did not get the name arrived and we chatted for a bit. I had decided to go on to Kid Gore shelter and got into my wet clothes and headed off the last 4.3 miles. I passed an old lookout tower on the way but because of the rain and mist there were no views. I arrived at Kid Gore to find about 8 others sitting inside. I found a good hammock spot and hung up my gear, changed to dry clothed, and made a hot dinner. Then I just got in the hammock.
Date: 2011-07-19
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: William B Douglas Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: few clouds

19.9The trail was wet and had many mud holes that had to be navigated around today. The elevation changes were pretty mild, but the 3+ mile uphill to the top of Stratton Mt was a long but rewarding climb. At the top was a caretakers cabin built in the 1920 period. It had at least 14 inch planks for the walls. The caretakers were there so I got a look inside also. I climbed the lookout tower and had the first cell signal in 2 days, though not a good one. I visited for over an hour then headed down to Stratton Pond. When I got to the shelter Willing was there waiting for Able that I had met coming up the other side of the mountain, and loaned my phone to so she could call family from the tower also. At the shelter I changed socks as the tops of my toes were starting to wear from the damp boots and all of the mud. The Stratton pond is a very nice view but I did not stay long but headed on to William B Douglas shelter where I stopped at the trail junction and made camp.
Date: 2011-07-20
From: William B Douglas Shelter

To: Green Mountain House
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: clear sky

5.8Had a nice walk to the highway today. After changing into town clothes the first truck stopped to pick me up. Clyde Baker has a construction company and has been in VT for 47 years. He dropped me at the post office and I retrieved my package of warmer clothes and new pole lower sections. I was pleased to find a batch of Anne's no bake cookies inside. It was really great. I re packed things to ship back and talked to folks as they passed. I shipped off my returns and a fellow offered to give me a ride to Mountain Goat Outfitters. I accepted and there I found Ron. He is a podiatrist, specializing in shoe fit. We worked for a bit and I found a pair of Solomen trail runners. With a bit of work on special in soles, so far these are the best fitting shoes I have ever had. After that I had lunch across the street. I then caught another ride to the market for supplies. Another fellow picked me up and dropped me at EMS where I looked for epoxy glue to repair one of my pole expanders, no luck, but spotted a barber and got a haircut. From there I went to an auto parts store and glued my pole, hope it works. Then I went and had a steak at Sirloin Saloon. All good, but for a supposed rest day I sure have been busy. I called Jeff from Green Mountain House, 330 388 6478, he came and picked me up and took me back to his place. This is a very nice, renovated house for hikers to stay. Here I met Pete, who helped me schedule some re supply points. Jim and Donna, Fire Marshal, Deal, Steadee, Leak, Chutes, and Smooth. Able and Willing came in later. Willing fell yesterday and cut his head, 2 internal and 4 external stitches. Jim and Donna provided a meal of burgers, we all shared a great meal and talked about life in general and the trail. I got all of my clothes clean and me also. We finally went to bed in clean sheets after 10 Pm.
Date: 2011-07-21
From: Green Mountain House

To: Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: few clouds

24.6we all had breakfast together at Green Mountain House and were taken back to the trail by Jeff in 2 groups. I was in the 7 AM run. There was a father and daughter doing trail magic in the parking lot when we got there. We did not need anything so left it for the other hikers. I started north with an uphill, quite long and over 1000 feet. There were no views all morning due to clouds in the valleys, and I had heard they were pretty good from the ski slope on Bromley Mt and Peru Peak. At Peru shelter they were replacing the lower logs and had it jacked up about 2 feet all around. They were next going to put in a new floor. The trail was generally downhill with only a few bumps and flooded areas that the pinchions were floating in that had to be worked around. It was early still as I passed Lost Pond, Big Branch, and Little Rock Pond shelters so I decided to go on to Greenwall Shelter. I met Click again on the trail and Tigger. I arrived at the shelter after 7 Pm and a bit later Smooth, Leak, and Chutes, he just changed his name and I am not sure of the new one, arrived. Behind them was Click. Here tonight also is Longtime, Country Gold, a fellow we met south of Catawba in 2010, and a couple of others I don't know.   Dinner was tuna steak and Spam in a tortilla.