morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-07-26
From: Rutherford Shelter

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 23.2

What a day!So much to write about but it is 10:20 PM and I just want to go to bed.First off, it is funny how some days I am strong and others I am not. Today was a strong day! I knocked out over 23 miles on a day where it was 95° with a heat index of 103°. I know it was hot, but I did not think it was that bad. I was pretty determined to day because 1.        I needed to get to Vernon to resupply2.        I read a note in the shelter register from Fester mentioning how I was close behind.3.        I wanted to do a big day to set myself up for a few easy ones into Bear Mt.It also helped today that there was a deli at the 11-mile mark. I pushed hard in the morning so I could get there for lunch. I had a great ham sandwich, PowerAde, Cherry Pepsi, chips and a pint of Ben & Jerry¢s strawberry cheesecake.The terrain was fairly flat for the rest of the day but it was through a lot of open fields exposing me to the sun. As I mentioned earlier, I know it was hot but the sun did not totally zap the energy out of me like others today.So when I got to the road crossing that brings you to town, I saw a little store and stopped in and got an ice tea and a big piece of watermelon. It was the perfect ending to a hard hiked day!I got to the church hostel and guess who I saw? Fester! It was great seeing him. I met him way back in the beginning and he is a good guy. We went through that really bad, near hypothermia night back in Franklin, NC together, so I feel a special bond with him. It will be great to hike with him for a little until the Massachusetts section anyway.I was also pretty excited to get to this hostel because for $5.00 you get a place to sleep, laundry, Internet, shower and more.   After setting my pack down I went to the grocery store to resupply and Burger King for dinner. When I got back I found out that there was too many people at the hostel and I had to go to the firehouse pavilion to sleep.   I was a little disappointed but I figured whatever. So I get over here to the firehouse and they are doing road work about 50 feet away with heavy machinery. It was really loud so I found another spot around the corner. It is really hot out right now and it is going to be tough to sleep. There is no breeze at all and my whole body is sweating. I also see lightning off in the distance. It is now 20 till 11 PM. I am exhausted...going to sleep.
Date: 2005-07-28
From: NY 17A

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

It was a beautiful day today, finally.   The storm that came through had a cold front behind it so it took away the humidity and dropped the temperature into the 80¢s. It felt great being able to hike in comfortable weather. It was a pretty challenging day as well. There was lots of climbing up and down mountains as well as rock climbing. The most challenging was Lemon Squeezer inside Harriman State Park. It is hard to describe but I had to walk, then shimmy and then climb between two pieces of granite that got narrower and narrower. Not a good place for a fat person to go! After getting through that I had to climb over a HUGE BOULDER. The ¢white blaze¢ gave an option to hike around it but I chose to go over it. I had to take my pack off and throw it up before standing there for several minutes trying to figure how I can get over. Again, very hard to explain, but even harder to climb. This was true rock climbing!The water situation was pretty rough again today. I only had a couple places to fill up and the water looked and tasted pretty nasty. The last place I filled up was at a lake with a stream running from it. The water was brownish with lots of particles floating in it and it tasted like tree bark. But hey, it was water and it kept me hydrated.I spent the night by myself at a shelter. It was the first time I slept in a shelter in a long, long time. I honestly could not remember the last time. I think it was in Vermont over a month ago.This shelter was also kind of strange because as I was writing, I could hear music coming from down in the valley. I do not know if it was live or just playing loud. The strange thing is that it sounded like kid¢s music or nursery rhymes, very strange but kind of neat.
Date: 2005-07-29
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Bear Mountain Inn
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: few clouds

The weather stayed pretty nice again today and the hiking was a little easier. I only needed to do 13 miles to get to Bear Mountain where Sheri was meeting me.   I got to see the NYC skyline from the top of Bear Mt. It is about 35 miles away and was just barely recognizable through the haze.I met up with Sheri around 6:30 PM after she got off work. We figured out a plan to try to park the car somewhere in the Peekskill area and then hike South back to Bear Mt.   We drove around for a while trying to find the trailhead and after a while found Graymoor Monastery. This is a well-known place that feeds Thru-Hikers and gives them a place to tent. We decided to park the car there and stay the night. A bunch of my hiking buddies were already there so we went to a store and picked up a case of beer. Sheri is now officially a ¢Trail Angel¢.
Date: 2005-07-30
From: Graymoor Friary

To: Bear Mountain Inn (apartment)
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

I had a short 7-mile hike with Sheri this morning. I went south on the A.T. from Graymoor to Bear Mountain. This was a first going South. Same old trail just different direction.I was excited to get the hike over with and head into NYC. We got in to Grand Central Station around 5:00 PM and we got some pizza on the way over to Sheri¢s friend¢s apartment. I was pretty nervous showing up to some person¢s place that I do not know smelling the way I do but I ended up finding out that her sister just finished thru hiking the A.T. about a month ago. It was still a little weird but at least she knew where I was coming from. After getting my stuff run through the wash, we headed out to dinner in the Lower East Side. The food was good and reminded me of a little mix between Pippo¢s and The Columbia back in Tampa. Boy, I miss my Pippo¢s roasted pork special! After dinner we met up with Marty Mahalchick (my neighborhood friend growing up). Sheri and her friends were getting tired so they went home. Marty and I got caught up on what we¢ve been up to since we last saw each other 6 years ago. We stayed out until 4:00 AM when Sheri called wondering where I was. Hey, I¢ve been living out in the woods for almost four months and haven¢t seen my childhood friend in 6 years. That¢s were I¢ve been! I got lost a little trying to find my way home and stumbled in as it was starting to get light out at 5:00 AM.
Date: 2005-07-31
From: NYC 

To: Graymoor
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I felt a little bad about staying out all night the night before and I felt even worse having to get up on less than 5 hours sleep. Sheri and I went to a Yankee¢s game and what a game it was. The Yankees pulled it out in eleven Innings after being down by four runs in the 8th Inning. Sheri and I have now been to games in Oakland to see the A¢s, Chicago to see the Cubs and now New York to see the Yankees. I was hoping to go get dinner in Chinatown before taking the train back to the trail but it was getting late since the game went 4 12 hours so we just ate Chinese at Grand Central Station before heading back. It was nice getting to NYC and seeing Sheri.
Date: 2005-08-01
From: Graymoor Friary

To: Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 14.3

I slept well last night after only 5 hours of sleep in the past 39 hours!I took the saying ¢the city that never sleeps¢ and made it a reality.Anyway, as I was getting my stuff together this morning, I saw two guys walking toward the pavilion from a distance. It was Brad and Trent, who I started with on Day 1. I hiked with them some during the day and then we spent the night at the state park. We got a hitch into town and got hot dogs and beer. What a reunion. We had Fester, Brad and Trent who I all started with on Day 1.
Date: 2005-08-02
From: Fahnestock State Park

To: Nuclear Lake
Miles today: 17.9

Not much to report today. I was really excited though when I got to my final destination at Nuclear Lake. Despite the name it looks so beautiful.I have stealth camped here as you are not allowed to camp. It was the end of the day and a perfect spot so I decided to put up my tent right next to the water. I also jumped in and cooled off after a long day of hiking. It felt so good!Today is my 4-month anniversary on the trail!
Date: 2005-08-03
From: Nuclear Lake

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: few clouds

It was another hot one today. Sal and I decided we are going to take the train at Wingdale, NY into NYC to see a Mets game tomorrow. I only had a 12-mile day because of this. Since it was not an easy day I took a 4-hour break from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM under a nice big shady tree. This was after my 1-hour lunch at a road crossing delay, Easy Day!This puts me back pretty far though, with wanting to get to Klicker¢s by Wednesday.I wanted to mention one last thing, as I am only 1.2 miles away from Connecticut. I was talking to Burr the other day and I told him how I was now in New York. His response was, ¢Dude, if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere¢!   Is that a Burrism?
Date: 2005-08-04
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Stealth Camped
Miles today: 15.2

I decided late last night that I better not go into NY for the Mets game. It would have made for a very stressful week trying to get to Dalton where Matt is picking me up. It was yet again a very hot and humid day. I busted out 13 miles by 1:00 PM today and got into Kent where I needed to take care of some stuff. It worked out well as I did all this in the mid-day heat.More importantly, I hit a couple more milestones today.1        I finished New York and entered Connecticut2        I hit the 34 mark in mileage.I am feeling good about both milestones. I am also feeling pretty strong again, despite the severe heat, humidity and increasing climbs. I really want to get my moral up over the next 5 days because after that I will be back in New Hampshire and the hiking is going to get tough. I think I am in pretty good shape.
Date: 2005-08-05
From: Stealth Camped

To: Stealth Camped
Miles today: 20.7

It was a pretty normal day of hiking until late in the day. We had a pretty big thunder and lightning storm come through. I am getting used to them and did not even hunker down.   I just walked right through it. It was pretty neat how the trails become a temporary rushing stream.I ran into Moonshine right after the storm and we hiked together for a little when we decided we would go to the Mountainside Caf© for dinner. I was dying for a cold drink and figured dinner would be great too. My book makes it sound like the restaurant is right on the trail but I could not find it. Moonshine asked a guy at an old tire shop and the guy gave him a bunch of attitude. I guess because Moonshine wears a kilt? Anyway, we finally found the restaurant and we walked in soaking wet. I got a cold Sunkist soda and good dinner. The service was even better. Our server, Shannon, told us how the servers are all going through rehab for alcohol and drugs. She was quite open about her past and how she is trying to overcome it. I wish you the best, Shannon. Keep up the good work!So, Moonshine and I left our packs at a high school while we ate. We decided to just throw up our tents right here in pretty good view of this intersection. Oh Well! We¢ll just try to get out at the crack of dawn.Good night!
Date: 2005-08-06
From: Stealth Camped

To: Guilder Pond Picnic Area
Miles today: 23.2

It was a good, hard fought 23 miles today. I knocked out the first 11 miles by 10:30 AM and had hopes for my first 30-mile day.It was at this point that I was on a road walk and getting confused as to where the trail was going. When I finally figured it out, I realized I was supposed to go back into the woods and then pop back out on the road about .7 miles later. The road walk I did must have been the trail at one point because there were faded blazes leading me. So, after I reconnected, I was faced with the dilemma of just hiking on or walking back and forth on that little wooded area where I had walked the road. I really did not want to but the average hiker probably would not, but it would have bothered me if I did not go back so that is what I did.My boots were still soaked from the rain the day before. I got to dry them out during my lunch break, but only after I got another huge blister on my left heel. Not good!What is good is that I completed another state. I have now completed 11 states! I have also hit the point where I am less than 500 miles away from Katahdin. I can¢t believe I have come this far! Well, I am awfully tired after a long day of hiking.Oh, one other thing, the weather was much nicer today and there were lots of springs with cold water today. That is all you need to make this hiker happy!
Date: 2005-08-07
From: Guilder Pond Picnic Area

To: Tom Leonard Lean-to
Miles today: 14.8

It was a pretty disappointing day for miles. I got off to a late 10:00 AM start but banged out some easy miles in the morning. The problem is I think I have come down with shin splints from the day before. I was walking a little differently yesterday because of my blister and I think that helped cause it. I also had been putting a lot of stress on my legs going up and over Mt Everett¢s steep and rocky hills. In any case, I hope it goes away over night because I don¢t want this becoming a problem. Speaking of problems, so many people are coming down with Lyme disease. It is carried through ticks and ticks are everywhere out here. I was not that worried about it when I initially heard about the danger, but lately I know of at least three people personally that have gotten it. I have only found one tick on me and it was just the other day.   Maybe I should get a tick and flea collar and put on some Frontline?Just a few days left until I get to Dalton, MA and jump up to New Hampshire.
Date: 2005-08-08
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: haze

I had a good solid day of hiking after a poor performance yesterday. I was pretty nervous about my shins and foot after the pain I had yesterday. I felt pretty good for most of the day. I decided to take a couple ibuprofens late in the day, which is the first time I have taken pain medication while I hike. I have only taken ibuprofen after hiking because I am nervous about numbing the pain while I am hiking. I do not want to further injure myself because I can¢t feel the pain.Anyway, I hiked 21 miles today and was finished by 5:15 PM today. I am staying the night at this nice cabin that is owned by the AMC Berkshire Chapter. It is located right on a lake and I took a dip in it and washed all the scum off me. I also lounged around the lake in a tube and could have taken the canoe for a paddle if I wanted. The best part of this place is the caretaker makes blueberry pancakes in the morning. Can¢t Wait!
Date: 2005-08-09
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Pittsfield Rd (Cookie Lady)
Miles today: 11.0

I spent most of the day today doing nothing. I hiked about 2 miles this morning to a town called Lee. Right before I got to Lee I walked over a footbridge, crossing the Mass Pike. It was pretty special to me because when Matt and I drove out to Syracuse, he pointed out this bridge that I would eventually have to walk...pretty neat!Anyway, I got into Lee and just hung out and ate most of the day. I had Pizza Hut lunch buffet and then three McDonalds double cheeseburgers for dinner. It was 5:15 PM when I got back to the trail and I busted out over 9 miles in just three hours.I am spending the night tenting in the Cookie Lady¢s yard. She has a blueberry farm and I am going to pick some berries in the morning before I leave.The mosquitoes here are like nothing I have seen before. As soon as I put down my pack, they started attacking.   I got my tent out and set it up as fast as possible to escape them from eating me alive. I got into my tent as soon as I got here and now I am sticking here. I am not exaggerating when I say this, but there are over 100 skeeters on my tent trying to get in. I am thirsty and have to go to the bathroom but I am not going anywhere with them waiting for me. I also have my food bag in here with me. I would rather get attacked by a bear than have to face those skeeters!I am looking forward to completing another state tomorrow and seeing Matt. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.450 miles to go!
Date: 2005-08-10
From: Pittsfield Rd (Cookie Lady)

To: Dalton
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

I started the day picking and eating a boatload of blueberries from the Cookie Lady¢s blueberry farm. I filled up my Walgreen bottle, which holds a liter and will find many uses for them at Matt and Shaleigh¢s. After picking berries, I hustled into Dalton as Matt was meeting me at the ball field where he dropped me off nearly two months ago. Luckily, I walked off the mountain and into town about 20 minutes early and ran into Tom Lavarde. The trail goes right by this guy¢s house and he offers thru-hikers ice cream sundaes among other things such as a place to stay or just a nice conversation. So, after hanging out with Tom for a little, I had about 5 minutes to get across to meet Matt. With about 30 lbs on my back, I decided to run to the ball field. Running with 30 lbs on your back is not easy but I didn¢t want to be late and on top of that I was excited to see Matt; running as if it was a victory lap, with this marking the completion of my 12th state. I am really excited to be picking up in Hanover, NH, when I get back on the trail this weekend, I cannot believe I have hiked over 1,700 miles now and only have 441 miles to go!! I am seeing the light, finally, at the end of the tunnel.So, Matt and I drove nearly three hours back to his house after a quick lunch in Dalton. It was great to see Matt again and I really appreciate him coming this far to get me. I gave all my equipment a good cleaning and look over before I get back on the trail for the final section. I washed my tent for the first time and my sleeping bag for only the second time. My sleeping bag still smelled horrible after washing it at Ocean City, MD but I did a much better job this time and it actually does not smell anymore! I also washed my backpack really well getting rid of the days on end of back sweat that gets trapped into the bag. I will be getting back on (the trail) feeling clean, that is for sure. We ended the day with Matt and Shaleigh cooking an awesome dinner. Doesn¢t get better than this.
Date: 2005-08-11
From: Dalton

To: Minneapolis, MN
Miles today: 0.0

Yeah, that's right, I'm in Minneapolis, MN.But no, I didn¢t walk here. I am out here for an interview with the Minnesota Timberwolves/Lynx Organization. I have actually been interviewing with them since I was in Pennsylvania and they invited me out today. I got in late and will be meeting with them tomorrow before flying back to Manchester, NH later in the afternoon. I hope I get some time to also check out the city since I have never been here before.
Date: 2005-08-12
From: Minneapolis, MN

To: Merrimack, NH
Miles today: 0.0

First off, let me tell you how nice the hotel bed was that I slept in last night. Wow! Every Thru-hiker deserves at least one night in a nice big bed like that! Unfortunately I was up late and woke up early to prepare for the interview so I did not get nearly as much sleep as I wish.Anyway, I had a good day meeting with a bunch of people in the organization. I was impressed with them and I hope they were with me. I had a couple hours to kill after the interview so I was able to walk around town and get a good feel for the area. Minneapolis seems like a really cool place. It is definitely bigger than Tampa and has an actual city feel.I was not scheduled to get back to Manchester until just after midnight, but it ended up being 1:00 AM. After landing at about 12:30 AM we waited on the tarmac for a half hour while a ceremony was being performed for a soldier who had died in Iraq. He was on the plane in front of us. It was a long day and late night getting in but I am thankful that I will wake up the next morning with the great life I have.
Date: 2005-08-13
From: Merrimack, NH

To: Merrimack, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Not much going on today, which is exactly what I am looking for. I am just relaxing one last day at Matt¢s before getting back on the trail. Matt and Shaleigh cooked up another awesome meal and great dessert. Matt has become quite a chef since we met and I am happy to eat what he makes! Also, got to watch some little league baseball on TV. I can¢t seem to get enough of   baseball at it¢s best. Also got a call from the Spring Breakers at the Friendly Tavern Karaoke Night. Wish I could have been there!
Date: 2005-08-14
From: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 1.5
Weather: light rain

I am back on the trail after my last big break. I took a bus from Manchester, NH where Matt lives up to Hanover to restart where I left off nearly two months ago when I did a section up here.I got into town around noon. It was pretty neat because the bus dropped me off right where Hane picked me up at the Dartmouth Green. I also got a picture of myself again on the green looking very different this time. This time I have a shaved head and clean-shaven. If the campus were able to pick up smell, it would have none on me since I had been off the trail for a few days. I decided to walk over to the DOC when I first got into town and that is where I ran into Brad, aka Mad Chapper.   I had not seen him since the Smokies and I was hoping I would run into him during this last section. He is one of the guys that I truly liked the best and found most in common with during the early days when I met him. We hung out most of the day and got lunch and dinner before I headed off into the woods. I was planning on doing an 11 mile day until I ran into Brad, but I ended up doing my shortest day on the trail, with just 1.5 miles to the first shelter. It was a short hike but rainy and dark. It was also the first time I have night hiked. I did not really like it and do not plan on doing anymore. Well, I am glad to be back and looking forward to finishing.
Date: 2005-08-15
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

The weather was not on my side today. The forecast from the day before said the rain would end by mid morning. I decided I would try to wait it out since I slept until almost 9:00AM. The rain continued to fall and I continued to wait. I got going around 10:45AM, as it appeared to stop raining. I got a couple miles in and the rain picked back up. It continued off and on for most of the day. Every time I thought it was done the skies continued to dump water on me. None was more frustrating than when I had my food all spread out on the trail for lunch and it started to rain really hard. Frustrating! Despite the late start I got 15 miles done and even finished early.The hike was not that difficult but I know it is going to get much harder very soon. The day ended with an awesome view from Holts Ledge. It was only at 2,100 feet but I was on a cliff that probably went 500 feet straight down. The view was beautiful but what I enjoyed most was throwing rocks over the ledge and watching them fall for a long time until they broke through the trees way below. If I wasn¢t too scared to get close to the ledge, a ledge that I had to jump a fence over to get near, I would have also peed over it just because I am a boy and that¢s what boys do on cliffs.... throw rocks and pee over. With that being said, I am going to bed.