morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-22
From: RPH Shelter (NY)

To: West Dover Road, Pawling (NY)
Miles today: 17.3

There was a deli just off the trail so "Too Much," "Enuff," "Birdman," "Cornbread," and i stopped in for some breakfast and ice cream. in NY and CT there are numerous deli's that are within a half mile of the trail and it's called the "Deli Circuit." most thru-hiker's food bags remain untouched on deli days. it rained this afternoon so when Birdman, Cornbread and i got to the shelter we read a sign that was left there that advertised: HOT TUB, HOT SHOWER, LAUNDRY, DVD's, HOUSE PRIVILEGES and for LAID BACK THRU-HIKERS ONLY. so we said..."that's us." and hiked less than a mile down to the next road where Jesse picked us up. the disappointing news of the day is that Jesse's hot water heater broke so therefore there was no hot tub and no hot shower...haha but we enjoyed ourselves anyway. Jesse lives close to the YMCA where we went swimming in the lake. he also lives a short distance from Pawling so we went into downtown and ate some good food. for the rest of the night we watched movies with Jesse's friends and crashed on his living room floor and couches. i have to tell you...the north is definitely different from the south. Jesse and his friend Pauly are straight up new york city with accents and attitudes. they are loud and funny and treat you like family immediately. he grew up in an artistic family so it was great to see beautiful photography, paintings and ceramics everywhere. his home was our home, and his friends were our friends but it was nothing like the south. not one is better than the other...they're just different and it's great to be able to experience them both.
Date: 2006-07-23
From: West Dover Road, Pawling (NY)

To: Schaghticoke Mountain Campsite (CT)
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: light rain

Jesse dropped us back on the trail in the morning. Thanks Jesse for sharing your home. Pass the Appalachian Trail Station, which takes you to New York City for 23 dollars round trip and thought about how i miss Puffy Nipples, Cheeto, Homecooking & Double Zip. They went to NYC a couple of days ago and tried to get me to go, but i have to watch my funds. Hope i see them again. Entered into Connecticut after 9.5 miles, my 10th State.
Date: 2006-07-24
From: Schaghticoke Mountain Campsite (CT)

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to (CT)
Miles today: 10.2

Birdman, Cornbread, and I hiked into Kent. We went to The Panini Cafe for breakfast. We split up and did our own stuff and met later for lunch. I went to the library to update my journal and stopped by the Post Office to pick up a package from my Dad, which had some eagerly awaited pages from a Wingfoot Handbook. We met for lunch and split again. I met up with Birdman at 3:45 and we hiked out and met up with Cornbread later. There was a great overlook on the way to Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to. We went swimming in the river, a great way to end a hiker's summer day.
Date: 2006-07-25
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to (CT)

To: Belter's Campsite (CT)
Miles today: 15.2

Today Birdman, Cornbread and i hiked a pretty good day. the scenery was very pretty and the trail to Belter's Campsite started easy and then got very up and down near the end. The campsite itself only had really a small area for tenting so the three tents were right together.
Date: 2006-07-26
From: Belter's Campsite (CT)

To: Sages Ravine Brook Campsite (MA)
Miles today: 18.0

Today Birdman, Cornbread and i started out together and took a short detour, .2 of a mile on the Mohawk trail, which led to a restaurant. i had yummy Chocolate chip pancakes. We hiked past Great Falls and swam at the Falls. It was so nice we stayed and relaxed awhile. Cornbread stopped at Brassie Brook Lean-to and we continued on to the next campsite which is in my eleventh state, Massachusetts.
Date: 2006-07-27
From: Sages Ravine Brook Campsite (MA)

To: Tom Leonard Lean-to (MA)
Miles today: 21.0

Today it was really hot. Birdman and I hiked to Great Barrington, where Birdman was catching a bus home for a family reunion. I think I was a bit dehydrated., so I stayed until I felt well enough to hike to the Tom Leonard Lean-to. Cornbread had to stay in South Egremont, Mass. To wait for a tent he had ordered.I was surprised to see ¢Blackfoot¢ at the Lean-to. I haven¢t see him since Georgia. Check the photo on April 12, to see ¢Blackfoot¢.
Date: 2006-07-28
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to (MA)

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin (MA)
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: light rain

Today I was kinda bummed because it was my first morning in a while that I didn¢t hike out with Birdman and Cornbread but as the day went on I met up with Bofus, Lebowski and Eggshells. I made it a long day to make it to this cabin on a pond because there was a rumor that a caretaker for the shelter served pancakes in the morning. It started raining with about 3 miles left but it was all good b/c it made it that much better to arrive at the cabin. Bofus, Lebowski, Eggshells, Crabapple and I stayed at the cabin.   The cabin was two stories tall, on a pond for swimming, with a porch and a hammock¢¦it was perfect.
Date: 2006-07-29
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin (MA)

To: Pittsfield Road (MA)
Miles today: 11.0

This morning we were served all you can eat pancakes in the morning. Now it¢s not like the caretaker just makes A LOT of pancakes¢¦it¢s like the caretaker continues flipping pancakes until you say STOP¢¦.it was amazing¢¦I ate 8 12¢¦and I have to say that my ¢hiker hunger,¢ has kicked in because I just said to stop b/c I felt bad not b/c I was full. Today I decided to take it easy and walk to the ¢Cookie Lady¢s¢ house because, let¢s face it¢¦what thru-hiker can turn down homemade cookies. The Cookie Lady makes oatmeal raisin cookies with chocolate chips and has a blueberry picking farm and lets thru-hikers camp in her yard. Crabapple, Montreal, Eggshells and I got sucked in.
Date: 2006-07-30
From: Pittsfield Road (MA)

To: Gulf Road, Dalton (MA)
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: few clouds

Today i hiked into Dalton and it was surreal, i looked in the driveways and the license plates all say Massachusettes...and the houses are how you picture them, the town is quaint with history and unique (to new england) architecture. i can not believe that i'm here. i went to a coffee shope to wait for my parents and while i was waiting i had a german chocolate flavored, sugar loaded iced coffee drink with whipped cream...it's times like these where i realize that it's really great to burn 6000 calories a day. my parents met me at the coffee place and my mom and i hiked another mile through a neighborhood on the AT to the next road crossing. now back to the important part...WE ATE FOOD. we went to Ninety Nine (an official family restaurant for the Red Sox). we had dinner and a colossal DESSERT (see picture). time to sleep in a bed...sweet dreams
Date: 2006-07-31
From: Gulf Road, Dalton (MA)

To: Mt. Greylock, MA
Miles today: 16.0

Today i slack packed to the highest summit in Mass. the terrain was easy with few steep ups and downs and the top of Mt. Greylock was definately rewarding. i met my parents at the top and my dad and i climbed to the top of the monument where you have a 360 degree view. i'm glad i was there on a clear day b/c that's a view i wouldn't want to miss. there were plenty of day hikers up today and i had a small congregation around me asking me about my hike and treating me like i was an immortal marvel achieving something miraculous. when thru-hiking, you begin to forget the "honeymoon" stage of your trip where you're taking on a new lifestyle that will end in a great achievement. you start to accept it as your "way of life," without much thought of it being that exciting. but when you meet people that have never even thought of living this way, it brings your mind back to why you appreciate what you're doing. thru-hikers complaints consist of stubbing toes, faulty equipment, why doesn't lipton have more choices?, the frustration of pick-up trucks not stopping, bugs, mud, rain...and other unique characteristics of hiking...but these are all tolerable compared to the complaints in societal civilization. thru-hikers have their own civilization and sometimes don't realize the unique-ness or importance when in the midst of other thru-hikers for long periods of time. i'm really enjoying this trip however, i know it will be one of those bittersweet endings. well...now i'm off for more food with my parents
Date: 2006-08-01
From: Mt. Greylock, MA

To: Massachusetts Ave. (MA)
Miles today: 6.5

What a difference a day makes in New England. This morning the top of Greylock was complete fog (see photo). Today my mom hiked most of the miles with me. The terrain was rocky coming down from Greylock and then a steep slick downhill into Williamstown. After my short hike my parents and I drove to VT to the next road crossing (Mill Rd.) but we had a hard time finding it on some gravel back roads. We decided that it would be best to take the afternoon off and then start back up tomorrow with a more definite road crossing for a pick up. We stayed in N. Adams, which is a quaint college town with little shops and wide sidewalks but the heat wave made it too warm to spend extended periods of time outside.¢¦hence it was a good day to hike light miles.
Date: 2006-08-02
From: Massachusetts Ave. (MA)

To: VT9 - Bennington (VT)
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: haze

WOW¢¦4 MONTHS¢¦A NEW STATE¢¦AND ABOUT 6 WEEKS LEFT¢¦oh and we found Mill Rd. (see previous entry). The term ¢Ver-muck¢ has been coined for the southern part of Vermont, b/c there are many sections that are completely mud with 6 inch deep shoe sink marks. Luckily most places have strategically placed rocks, roots or logs for you to jump to, to avoid mud sink-age but there is no way to get through this area un-mudded J The terrain was easy but had no views¢¦so I¢m looking forward to seeing more of VT with overlooks. Off the trail: Bennington is a great little town, with restaurants, shops and art museums. There are neighborhoods and Vermont-ians walking around and little traffic lights, and they have free bikes for hikers to use while cruising around town and running errands. It¢s not a perfect hiker town b/c it¢s 5 miles from the trail and it¢s services are spread out but it¢s a great town to visit.
Date: 2006-08-03
From: VT9 - Bennington (VT)

To: Stratton-Arlington Road (VT)
Miles today: 22.6

The trail in Vermont is beautiful with beaver ponds, moss covered rocks and pines. And I¢m finally getting to mountains over 3000 feet again, so there¢s a temperature change and some views. I keep hoping to see a moose in the beaver ponds, which are quite amazing. The beavers make a wall that the water runs flush to without overflowing (see photo). Thanks again to all of you that have signed my guest book. If you rather drop me a note, i will have a mail drop in Hanover, NH.Michelle BollingGeneral DeliveryHold for thru hikerETA - 8/11Hanover, NH O3755
Date: 2006-08-04
From: Stratton-Arlington Road (VT)

To: VT11/30 - Manchester Center (VT)
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

So far Vermont¢s up hills are great¢¦they have switchbacks or are so well graded that they don¢t need them and the summit¢s have had rewarding views. Today I climbed Stratton Mt. and then climbed the fire tower for the real view, but the haze from the morning rain was still drooping in the valley. On the other side of Stratton Mt. is a large pond great for camping, swimming and lunch-ing. There I saw Lance and John G., who I first met during my first week in Georgia but this time they were going south. They flip flopped, meaning they started in Georgia and hiked halfway north and then went to Maine and are hiking the rest south. Flip flopping allows for more time to hike if you need it because of injury or leisure. The rest of the day was easy hiking and barely any annoying bugs. When I got to the road my parents took me into Manchester Center for my last afternoon of spoiling in a nice town with shops and food. Saw G-Walk & Brainfreeze at the laundry. Back to the true life of a thru-hiker tomorrow morning, parents are flying home to Virginia.
Date: 2006-08-05
From: VT11/30 - Manchester Center (VT)

To: Big Branch Shelter (VT)
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

Started hiking alone, about 7:30am from VT11, after 3 miles I came to Bromley Mountain where there was a observation tower, that looked like a space ship, it was real cool with a 360 degree view. There was also a warming hut there. Thru hikers still there were, Slick B, Mule, Tek, Tears of Clown, Treehouse, Rusch Hour, Indiana, Cool Hand & Identity Crisis. We came to a suspension bridge which for safety, only allowed one person to cross at a time. At the campsite Slick B played the mandolin & Treehouse played the Steel hand drum.
Date: 2006-08-06
From: Big Branch Shelter (VT)

To: Clarendon Shelter (VT)
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

Started the morning hiking with Rusch Hour, Treehouse & Indiana, came to Little Lake Pond which was really nice. From the Lake we climbed White Rocks Mtn. and had lunch at top of White Rocks. There where cairns that people had built over the years, really cool. After lunch i came to Clarendon Gorge a really nice swimming hole which i took advantage of. When we came to VT103, we (Rusch Hour, Indentity Crisis, Indiana, Treehouse, Slick B, Tek, Cool Hand & Mule) went about .5 miles to the Whistle Stop Restaurant and had dinner & ice cream. Slick B & Treehouse played at the campsite again tonight.
Date: 2006-08-07
From: Clarendon Shelter (VT)

To: Rutland (VT)
Miles today: 16.4

it rained last night so the trail is a little muddy today. When we got to the road crossing US4 into Rutland a large forest ranger truck came by and gave about 5 of us a ride 8.6 miles into Rutland. we stayed at the 12 Tribal Back Home Again Hostel. Baldylocks, Slick B, Knock Knock, and me worked for our stay at the Hostel. we swept, mopped and did the dishes in the cafe. Rusch Hour helped in the bakery the next morning. Rutland is a great little town with a movie theater and nice places to eat. the hostel had great food for dinner and breakfast for us. they ask for work for stay or donation and it felt like they'd rather get to know you and work with you in the kitchen than take your money. i also met Bama & Little Wing and Pie at the Hostel.
Date: 2006-08-08
From: Rutland (VT)

To: Gifford Woods State Park (VT)
Miles today: 3.2

Today we were going to go 10 miles...but we got held up being in town and then took the town bus to the trail head. we ended up going about 4 miles to a campground, where Mule, Treehouse, Tek, Slick B and i camped out and hitched to the store down the street for hot dogs. we had a great time listening to music and dancing. the boys called one of their friends from early on in the trip, rasta legs. it's always great to reunite with people you knew at the beginning of the trip b/c you share something with them that you'll never duplicate later on. people are always saying "yeah! i knew this kat back in GA," like it was a really long time ago...when it's really been a couple months.
Date: 2006-08-09
From: Gifford Woods State Park (VT)

To: Wintturi Shelter (VT)
Miles today: 16.7

Today was a swift kick to the rear with all of the hills we were climbing. i met Moe and Ponch and caught back up with Bofus and Lebowski. the scenery was great today...and there was a observation deck off the trail up to this cabin that had a 360 degree view...i think we could see the whites. and it was crazy b/c we could look back and see killington that we had come over the day before. it was amazing! after hanging out there for a while we went to the shelter. it was Slick B, Bofus, Lebowski, Mule, Tek, Treehouse, Identity Crisis, Baldilocks, Windtalker and Mom. we stayed up again tonight talking and playing/singing music. i camped down by a stream with some of the others and there weren't any mosquitoes...we are having some hiker bliss weather.
Date: 2006-08-10
From: Wintturi Shelter (VT)

To: Thistle Hill Shelter (VT)
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today i met up with The River Weasel and FDR. we walked about 4 miles to a road where we took a break. some people were playing frisbee, slick was playing the "mando," but we shortly got up to walk to an ice cream place down the street. i got ice cream AND bought a blueberry pie. i strapped the pie to the top of my pack and then slick and i hiked to the next road crossing, Cloudland Farms. Cloudland made their own organic ice cream and root beers so we ate again and waited out some rain in their horse barn. when the rain stopped slick b and i hiked to the next shelter and met up with windtalker and mom. slick and i stayed up eating the blueberry pie and playing music. it was a great day and night!
Date: 2006-08-11
From: Thistle Hill Shelter (VT)

To: Hanover (NH)
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: broken clouds

NH baby!!!! i can't believe i'm in a new state! the state of my good friend Amy Mitchell...haha. i called Amy and she may come out and hike for a couple days next week when i get closer to Franconia. it's been great fun with the hiking group that i've been with for the past week but seeing how close they all are makes me miss having someone that i'm close to to travel with. so hopefully amy and i will be able to get our ducks in a row for this. the hiking today was so easy and beautiful. i could actually walk without having to watch every step i was taking, however in this carefree-ness i tweeked my right knee a bit and now it's really sore with sharp pains....soooo...hmmm...i guess we'll see what happens with that when i get back out on the trail. the first people i saw when i rolled into hanover were Baltimore Jack and FDR. Baltimore Jack has hiked the trail before and has spent this summer helping out at outfitter stores and hostels along the trail. Baltimore Jack is a house hold name for Class of AT '06 because he's out to meet hikers, have fun and help out. he offered for a bunch of us to campout in the back yard of the house that he rents out in october. the house is back in the woods with a nature reservation behind it so no one can build on the land and it is on a river with a nice swimming hole. The River Weasel, B Jack and i went swimming and then we all went into town for dinner at a burrito place (Mule, Slick B, Bofus, Lebowski, Tek, FDR, The River Weasel and me).
Date: 2006-08-12
From: Hanover (NH)

To: Hanover (NH)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

This morning went to the Post Office to get my mail drop and the Library to update my Journal. my knee was not any better, so i decided to take it easy today, knowing i have the Whites (Mountains) ahead of me. Spent the day in the Library, and walking around town a little. Dartmouth College campus is right in town. Also taking a zero and staying another night in Baltimore Jack's backyard are Tek, Bofus, Mule and Slick B. we went to a great little pizza place, which gave free slices of pizza to thru hikers. Slick B played music again tonight at our campsite. Weather has been great today, but cool at night.
Date: 2006-08-13
From: Hanover (NH)

To: Trapper John Shelter (NH)
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Leaving town today was an easy hike with one real climb to rock ledges. i took a nap at one of the look outs today. it is getting colder outside...i'm using my long sleeved shirt during breaks now. it feels really nice to be at higher altitudes now with rewarding summits. mule, slick b, carbomb, lichen, windtalker and mom stayed at the shelter. a former thru-hiker that we met in hanover at the burrito place hiked in some drinks to the shelter and talked to us about his trips for a little bit at the shelter.
Date: 2006-08-14
From: Trapper John Shelter (NH)

To: Ore Hill Shelter (NH)
Miles today: 19.3

Today was a long day but there were great views on vistas and a fire tower. i got to talk to my good friend Matt White of Richmond on his birthday...and his band, The Great White Jenkins, is on tour. everyone should check them out b/c they're awesome if you like to jive and like it funky www.TGWJ.com. i decided to go to the ore hill shelter b/c i typically like to have short days into towns and i'll be hiking into Glencliff for a package tomorrow. FDR, The River Weasel and Lebowski stayed there too.
Date: 2006-08-15
From: Ore Hill Shelter (NH)

To: Jeffers Brook Shelter (NH)
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today's terrain was easy into Glencliff...great weather, nice hiking. when i got to the hiker hostel i met back up with Birdman. i was so psyched to see an hold hiking buddy. he got a job offer to do some field work so he only has about 10 days left to be on the trail and decided to finish with the whites. there were a bunch of hikers here today and we all sat around and watched movies, ate food, showered, did laundry and got a ride to resupply. i decided to hike out to the next shelter, which was about a mile out instead of paying to sleep in the hostel. Fat chap, was one of the caretakers at the hostel and he was great but the other caretaker wasn't very friendly or hospitable...and in a crabby mood...not good for business. FDR, The River Weasel, Bofus, Lebowski, and G-walk stayed at the shelter too.
Date: 2006-08-16
From: Jeffers Brook Shelter (NH)

To: Stream near bridge (NH)
Miles today: 8.3

i couldn't sleep at all last night b/c i was so amped to start the whites today and climb mt. moosilauke. it was a long climb but i didn't feel it, i had too much energy. my first time above treeline, it's so awesome and unreal. we climb for hours and work up a gnarly sweat and then reach the top and it's in the 50's and have to put all our winter clothes on (i'm glad i got them in my mail drop yesterday). i stayed up there for hours enjoying the every changing views b/c of incoming fog. windtalker, mom, birdman, bofus, lebowski, FDR, the river weasel, baldy locks, g-walk, tek, mule and slick b summitted moosilauke today. the downhill was extreme with wooden steps in the rocks. mule, slick b and i stealth camped near Kinsman Notch, NH112.
Date: 2006-08-17
From: Stream near bridge (NH)

To: Stream mile pass Kinsman Pond (NH)
Miles today: 12.7

Today was intense hiking again with awesome views and some rock scrambling towards the end of the day. the AT followed along what is called the Kinsman trail up to the Kinsman peaks. i had to use my hands to climb up the southern peak. the trail is so gnarly and unreal...the views are overwhelming! baldy locks, birdman, mule, slick b and i hiked to the kinsman pond campsite to eat dinner. baldy locks and birdman ending up paying the money to stay there, but mule, slick b and i walked about another mile until the trail flattened out. our options were paying $8 each to camp at the pond or shoveling stinky compost out of the privy to stay there for free...so we hiked on it was one of the most peaceful nights on the trail...i slept hard.
Date: 2006-08-18
From: Stream mile pass Kinsman Pond (NH)

To: Franconia Notch (NH)
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: scattered clouds

mule, slick b and i slept in late and then hiked to the lonesome lake hut to check it out. it costs between 60-80 bucks to stay at these huts and they allow thru-hikers to do work for stay. i'll have to try it out at some of the huts b/c they are really nice and they serve FOOOOOD we made it in time for free left over pancakes...yum. slick and i stopped at a swimming hole before I-93 and then we met up with mule, birdman, baldy locks and g-walk at the tavern in north woodstock. we spent some time in town while waiting for my great friend amy to come pick us up after work. it was so awesome to see her and we picked up just where we left off...it felt so great to be sitting in her car again and reminicsing. amy's brother dennis also dropped by to say hello, which was great to see him again too. mule and slick came with me to amy's and we watched the sunset at her house b/c she lives on a christmas tree farm and has an awesome view of the mountains including mt. washington (which got snow last week!!!). then we made awesome chilli and watched the simpsons and crashed.