morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-07-13
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Clarence Fahnestock Campground
Miles today: 33.6

7-13-2012 Clarence Fahnestock Campground. Yesterday we had our first decent mileage day in a while. We also crossed the Hudson, hit the lowest point on the trail, passed 1,400 miles and got within 800. We stopped at Bear Mt Park for food and the girl at the register gave us free refills on soda, filled our water bottles and gave us all the leftover food when they closed (half a pizza and a mound of chicken fingers and fries). Then we went through the zoo which had cages that were depressingly small. Around 7 we got to a road crossing with an awesome convenience store and pigged out until dark then hiked another mile to Graymoor Spiritual Center. It took us a while to find the ballpark we were supposed to camp at, in the dark, until I pulled up a map of the campus on my phone. We set up quietly to avoid waking the other hikers, when a plane flew noisily overhead, I almost laughed at our futility. The sky was lit up from NYC as we had a couple beers that we packed up. We didn't get to sleep until after midnight. This morning I slept in as much as I could which turned out to be 7:30. We hung out and charged our electronics and made a run to the store for bagels. We finally got hiking at noonish. It was insanely hot and it took us over 6 hours to get here including the mile along the road. I was listening to my audiobook the whole time so it was bearable. We got a site for free for thruhiking and we set up and took showers in the dingy bathroom. And our neighbor brought over a gallon of bottled water when we told him about the lack of water and the undrinkable water here. We thanked him and chatted a bit about hiking. Most people I meet ask the same questions and my answers have become almost reflexive, but I don't mind and it's nice to see people interested in the trail. For now I'm in my tent cleaner than I was when I woke up(which is always a huge plus) listening to the highway down the hill and the noisy campers in the surrounding sites.
Date: 2012-07-14
From: Clarence Fahnestock Campground

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

7-14-2012 RPH Shelter. Today we slept in again until almost 8 and didn't get moving til 9:30. Skinny Rambo and I did the mile back to the trailhead we left off at, and then the 1.5 around the lake to the beach and concession stand where Rocket was waiting (it was across the street from the campground). We got food and hung out with Roller and Sunkissed for a while. I called home and talked with the parents for a half hour which was nice. We did 5 or 6 more to here planning on going to the next shelter but there is a huge group of people staying here doing trail maintenance and they said if we stayed, there was a cookout. So we stayed. While chopping garlic, we met Roger, the hiker the shelter was named for, he was also in the NatGeo documentary on The Trail. There were a dozen thruhikers here for a while but most of them pushed on. We're planning on doing a big day tomorrow to make up. So for now I'mhanging out in my bunk in this awesome shelter contemplating when I want to go to bed.
Date: 2012-07-16
From: RPH Shelter

To: Schlaghticoke Mt Campsite
Miles today: 35.0
Weather: scattered clouds

7-16-2012 Schaghticoke Mt Campsite. Correction to Saturdays post it was Ralph not Roger. Yesterday we got up at 5:30 and started packing. We were each given a honey bun for breakfast from 1 of the volunteers. We got moving by 6:20 which is a new PR for me. We did about 3 miles to a road crossing where we had been told to go up the road for trail magic involving Ben & Jerrys. We found the house which had over a half dozen hikers in it eating waffles. Amy and Bill (who thru'd in the 90s) moved there to do trail magic and are quite the experts at it. In all about 10 hikers got a waffle and a pint of Ben & Jerrys to start off the morning and it turns out quite a few had been invited to tent in the back yard the night before. I was offered a shower and gladly accepted. We didn't get hiking again until after 9. Then 4 miles later we stopped at a deli .4 off trail for a while. We made it up to a shelter and ate some more and as we left around 2 it started sprinkling. It picked up to a steady rain and stayed that way for a few hours. It has been wicked hot and humid for the last 10 days with no rain so the change was very refreshing. There was also lots of thunder for a couple hours but only a few ground strikes. At 7:30ish I got to a long boardwalk through a swamp as the rain let up a bit. At the end I found a road with a nursery at it where the owner lets hikers stay. I found everyone hanging out on the covered patio amongst plants and bags of mulch. It started pouring soon after and I was glad for the roof over my head despite the hourly commuter train waking me up all night. This morning I went to the nearby deli for a bagel while Skrambo (his new abbreviated name) and Rocket got showers. We started our day through a field of wildflowers. Raindancer hiked with us for a while and we stopped for a few at the largest oak on the trail, almost 8 feet across. We also crossed into CT. This afternoon we went down a road over a covered bridge to a store for ice cream and drinks then took a nap by the river for over an hour. We finally continued hiking after 5 and decided to stop when we got here. So for now I'm in my tent sweaty and dirty listening to the mosquitoes outside buzzing around and the occasional hoot of a nearby owl.
Date: 2012-07-17
From: Schlaghticoke Mt Campsite

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 3.3

7-17-2012 Kent, CT. We slept in today. I took my time packing up so Rocket and Skrambo left a half hour before me. That gave me time to use my new favorite privy. It was just a small wooden box with a toilet seat out in the woods. On my way out I said hello to NoKey, Sprinkles and Testamet who were camped further down. Less than an hour later I found Rocket and Skrambo hanging out by the first clean flowing stream we've passed in miles. We all hung out for a bit then went into Kent. We spent the day lazily doing laundry, getting food, resupplying, and going to the post office in the 100 degree heat. I got a new pair of shoes as my old pair had done over 700 miles and had no tread left. I got my replacement pack from Osprey too, so I have new shoes and pack. My new pack is a large and fits much better. The pastor/minister at a church here is kindly letting us tent in his yard so we didn't have to worry about hiking out in the heat. Kent is a very nice, but pricey, New England town and I'm glad we stopped here. For now I'm sweating in my tent ready for sleep.
Date: 2012-07-18
From: Kent, CT

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

7-18-2012 Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter. We got a late start today and didn't leave town til after 9. It was sweltering even then. I was literally dripping with sweat on the first climb of the day and even when I wiped it off with a bandana I'd be dripping again in under a minute. Mercifully the trail went by a decent beach on the river several miles later so we met up there and ate. I was the only one to dunk completely but Rocket and Skrambo waded in a bit. It had been thundering in the distance for a while and as soon as we got out, some wicked dark clouds rolled in. As I was putting my shoes on it started raining so I put on my pack cover and jacket just before it started pouring. It was impressive how much it rained in the 30 minutes to the shelter. Most of the trail was ankle deep water. I laughed at how I had been so concerned about getting sand in my shoes at the beach. The wind was intense and to count the distance of the lightning strikes I had to count until the constant thunder got louder and hope that was the right rumble. There were a number of strikes within a mile but we were in a low area along the river so I was more concerned with falling branches, which we saw plenty of. I spent much of the walk grinning and enjoying the tumult of the storm. Me and Skrambo got to the shelter at 2:30 to find Rocket already there. The wind and rain were so fierce that I had a puddle in the bottom of my pack cover despite the snug fit and drainage hole. It rained on and off for the afternoon and there was always thunder lingering here and there so we decided to stay, as there are several peaks coming up. We passed the time by eating and playing rummy. In a break in the rain we set up our tents, to Skrambo humming Mission Impossible, and got back to the shelter as the rain resumed. We played some more rummy and ate dinner and retired to our tents in a sprinkle around 8. Tomorrow is supposed to be cooler and clear so we are hoping to make up for our almost embarrassingly short days. For now I'm comfy and only slightly damp in my tent listening to the drips on the rainfly.
Date: 2012-07-22
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter

To: Mt Wilcox South Shelter
Miles today: 59.5
Weather: scattered clouds

7-22-2012 Mt Wilcox South Shelter. Yesterday Skrambo and I woke to a clear, cool morning and did a steep mile of scrambles to Mt Everett where we had an awesome view of the valley below filled with clouds. It almost looked like the ocean with mountains poking up like islands. From there we hauled to a road crossing to meet my parents. On the way we did 4 mph for a 3.4 mile section. We also got lots of trail magic including ice water, cokes, clif bars and homemade granola. A big thank you to the anonymous trail angels. When we met up with the parentals we drove to a campground and ate lots of delicious food. We slept in a bit this morning then ate a big breakfast. We got showers and did laundry before packing up. We resupplied and hit the trail by 2:45 but only did 3.3 to here. We've been eating and playing cards since. I'm trying out a hammock in the shelter tonight so for now I'm suspended between 2 beams hoping the prodigious number of mosquitoes will die out soon.
Date: 2012-07-23
From: Mt Wilcox South Shelter

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

7-23-2012 Upper Goose Pond Cabin. I had to put up my tent in the shelter last night because of the bugs. I'm glad I did in the shelter though because it started pouring and thundering in the middle of the night. A couple rumbles even shook the shelter. We slept in and got a late start this morning as it cleared and cruised along until the first major climb. As we started up we heard thunder in the distance and the sky grayed so we charged up full speed. It rained for the last 90 minutes before the cabin but not too hard and it was warm enough that I didn't bother with my shirt or jacket. There were a bunch of hikers on the porch and I let Skrambo take the last bunk but I'm ok with a spot on the floor. It cleared as we ate so I went out in a canoe with Workout. We talked with a family in a motorboat and explored the pond. It was awesome to be on the water after walking for so long. I hung out on the porch for a bit but got tired soon after. So for now I'm comfy enough on the bunkroom floor dreading the supposedly terrible snoring that's about to ensue.
Date: 2012-07-25
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Crystal Mt Campsite
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: clear sky

7-25-2012 Crystal Mt Campsite. Yesterday we woke up and Bob, the caretaker, made delicious blueberry pancakes for everybody. Skrambo and I didn't leave until after 9:30 but it was mostly flat so we hauled for the 19 or 20 miles to Dalton. We did stop at the cookie ladies house and had cookies and picked blueberries for a bit. Just before town we met Christine and Rose hiking up. We caught up on the way down to the trailhead. We went to the Bird Cage, an awesome hostel only known by word of mouth run by the very friendly Rob. Christine took us out to dinner and we got showers and clean clothes at the hostel for a very satisfying end to a long day. I slept in til 8:30 this morning. We all got breakfast and went for a resupply. We ate the blueberries we picked yesterday with cool whip in our pots while we packed up. Christine dropped us off at the trailhead and had to go home to take care of a few things but will be back to hike with us in a few days. We owe her a huge thanks for shuttling us around and picking up Rose. Including the road walk we did, we only had 5 miles to here. The weather was absolutely perfect for hiking, 70's clear and breezy with almost no humidity. We took our time but it was rather flat so we finished by 3:45. I set up my slackline (which Christine brought down for me for a few days) and we messed around on that and ate for several hours. After dinner we got a fire going for the first time since Zip's house on the 4th. We hung out until well after dark as we are only doing 10 miles tomorrow for Rose's sake so a late start won't be a problem. For now I'm tired but more comfortable than usual in my tent ready for a good nights sleep.
Date: 2012-07-27
From: Crystal Mt Campsite

To: Sherman Brook Campsite
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: light rain

7-27-2012 Sherman Brook Campsite. Yesterday I woke up at 6:45 to the sound of rain on my tent and promptly went back to sleep until 9. We took our time getting to town and got lunch. We noticed a liquor store and I told Skrambo I'd pack out a bottle if he bought it, expecting a little one. Instead he walked out and handed me a fifth of rum and a bottle of coke. I carried it up the 5 miles to the shelter and the 3 of us finished it off while playing rummy. The shelter was a big one with a loft and bunks and there were several other hikers there avoiding the big storm that was supposed to roll through, but never did, so it was a nice spot to hang out. This morning we woke up and got moving before 10 in a light rain. We summited Greylock (MA's highest point) and hung out away from the fog on the porch for a while. From there it was 6 miles to a road crossing with a Chinese buffet where we pigged out with Nokey, Sprinkles, Chiba and Testament. It was glorious and delicious and satisfying and many other things. After eating everyone let their stomachs settle for a half hour while sitting on the sidewalk out front and me, Skrambo and Rose made plans for the next few days. While hanging out the skies cleared quite a bit and even the top of Greylock came out of the clouds. From there everyone made it up to this campsite and hung out until just after dark. We all set up in one area and some of us (myself included) are on slanted spots because we didn't notice the other platform and sites down the hill until we went down for water. Oh well. For now I'm cozy in my tent on a slight slope still full of Chinese food ready for a decent day into town tomorrow.
Date: 2012-07-29
From: Sherman Brook Campsite

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 31.2
Weather: moderate rain

7-29-2012 Kid Gore Shelter. Yesterday we got a decent start around 8:30 and had nice weather and good hiking to the VT border. The state has lived up to its reputation for being a muddy green tunnel of trail. It was rather fun despite the damp feet. It rained for most of the afternoon but it was too warm for raingear so I ended up wet. I dried off at a shelter a few miles before the Bennington road crossing and waited for Skrambo and Rose. Sprinkles, Nokey, Testament, Chiba and Owf were hanging out too. Secrets' parents were doing trail magic at the trailhead and gave us a ride into town. We ended up staying at a different hotel than planned because the price of the original was changed when we got there. We got showers and clean clothes and ordered pizza then stayed up late watching The Matrix. This morning we got up later than we wanted to but a nice local guy gave us a ride to the trailhead so we got there at 10:15. We met up after a steep climb at the first shelter and while we were eating Rocket showed up. She has been behind for the last week and it was good to see her again. I was ahead of everyone when my phone buzzed and I got a voicemail from Skrambo saying he and Rose had to go back to town. Rocket caught up and I gave her the bad news. Luckily everyone is planning on being in Manchester Center on Tuesday so it should work out. Rocket stayed at the last shelter to let her feet dry out. It hadn't rained at all today but with all the rain lately stuff can stay damp for a while. It was a good thing she stayed because it rained for an hour right after I left and the trail became ankle deep rivers and puddles in some places. I didn't mind at all as I had full rain gear on and wasn't sweating. Most of that section was high elevation pine forest too which I haven't been in since forever ago and missed. Chiba was already at the shelter and there are several other hikers here including a group doing the long trail and a couple sobos (all of whom have been pretty cool so far). For now I'm in my bunk (avoiding getting a wet tent) ready for bed.
Date: 2012-07-31
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Bromley Shelter
Miles today: 27.7
Weather: scattered clouds

7-31-2012 Bromley Shelter. Yesterday I woke up before sunrise for a few minutes to enjoy (from my spot in the shelter) the orange glow under the dark purple sky where the sun was about to come up. I went back to sleep but got up in time to start hiking by 8. The weather was almost perfect, cool breezy and only a few big puffy clouds. I summited Stratton which was easier than expected and from the fire tower I got my first good view of actual mountains since VA. I also went by Stratton Pond which was beautiful. The rest of the trail was mild and smooth and I got another, even better, view looking up a long, wide valley with a small town that reminded me a lot of home. I got to the trailhead at 7:30 after doing almost 26 miles and ended up walking another 3 before someone finally picked me up and brought me to town. The big miles were a welcome change though and it was the first time in a while I didn't have to wait for someone I was hiking with. The hostel I stayed at was awesome and I owe a huge thanks to Jeff the owner. I got a shower, laundry, a pint of ice cream and a nice bed. I stayed up past midnight reading a Time magazine. In the morning Jeff gave us a ride into town (Skrambo and Rose got a bus to town). We spent the day hanging out, slacklining and watching Batman. The weather was awesome again and after the rain I felt a little bad I wasn't hiking but it was worth it. I resupplied and hitched up to the trailhead (much easier this time). It was 2 miles and about 800 feet of elevation to here but it was smooth and I did it in 40 minutes. Cheddah, Zorro, Grundlehammer, Hanna and Chunder are here too but down in the shelter. I decided I missed my tent after 3 nights without using it so I'm up at a platform. So for now I'm ready to pass out in the cool night air to the sound of the rustling leaves under the clear sky and almost full moon.
Date: 2012-08-03
From: Bromley Shelter

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 57.8
Weather: scattered clouds

8-3-2012 Gov Clement Shelter. Yesterday I woke to a cloudy sky and summited Bromley in the mist. But it cleared up and became awesome hiking weather. I saw my first moose poo and justified stopping at every pond and swamp since the border in hopes of seeing one. It was nice going my own pace again and luckily there's a big group of awesome hikers doing about the same mileage so I have some good company. I was going to end my day at a cliff with a view and as I got to it I had a 'this is why I'm here' moment. The mountains faded to blue in the distance with the wind stunted pines around the bare rocks and there were dozens of big black dragonflies buzzing around. I found a good spot and was reaching for my tent when a big rumble of thunder rolled through the mountains so I put on my pack and booked it to the shelter a half mile north. I made it there by 8 and had it to myself long enough to eat and get ready to pass out. I wanted to do a post, and I should have, but I was rather exhausted.This morning I woke up and got moving by 9 with the weather going from sunny to cloudy and back all day. I hitched into a small town after a bit of walking to send home my slackline and a few extra things for a total of 4 lbs. The difference was great. I had a sandwich in town and hitched back easily. I stopped and dunked at a swimming hole this afternoon and almost stopped at the last shelter which was quite nice but decided that 9 miles was too short of a day. I made it here in more time than I would have liked due to a road walk detour around some washed out trail from Irene. I ate as it was getting dark and everyone else showed up. Cheddah gave me a piece of pizza which was quite tasty. After eating I went straight for my tent. So for now I'm cozy and listening to the rushing stream down the hill happy to be done for the day. Oh almost forgot, I am within 500 miles of Katahdin and 60 of NH.8-3-2012 (for real) Stony Brook Shelter. This morning I forced myself up at 6:30 and got going at 8. AWOL, my guidebook, said it was 6.8 to the next shelter but it was about 5. Even still the first 3 were continuous uphill but the next 2 made up with flat easy hiking and beautiful pine forest that seems to love high elevation. I did the .2 spur to the summit of Killington, most of which was a steep rock scramble. The view was worth it though, even with the clouds it was the best view in at least 1000 miles. (wow that's weird to think about) I got a $.50 shower at a state park and an awesome dinner from Bill the owner of Mt Meadows Inn. I got a massive salad with all kinds of veggies and topped with grilled chicken. It was a great place and I wish I could have stayed, even still a big thank you goes to Bill. After that the 2 missing miles seemed to reappear without mention on my way to the shelter. There was a big climb I was ready for but it still took way too long. For now I'm sitting in front of the shelter by the dying fire hoping nobody snores tonight.
Date: 2012-08-04
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

8-4-2012 Thistle Hill Shelter. I woke up around 6 this morning to the sound of everyone else waking up and packing so I joined in and got moving by 7:15. The terrain was steep and choppy and it felt like the trail went over every hill and through every valley. It was quite tiring. I stopped at the first shelter around 12 and got water at a little trickle of a source(I found out later it was marked wrong). I stopped at a farm stand around 2:30 for some overpriced ice cream and a small bottle of maple syrup(I figured I had to before I leave VT tomorrow). I got quite frustrated with myself after that because my pace was so much slower with the steep hills as I was doing closer to 2mph rather than my normal 3. And the thunder was discouraging but there was no rain. I still got here before 7 though and hung out with Wild Turkey, Huff, Puff, Booterman and a bunch of weekenders plus 2 random dogs that showed up. I'm not sure dinner filled me up all the way and I might need a midnight snack. But for now I'm comfy in my tent and ready to pass out. NH tomorrow!