morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-23
From: Hanover, NH.

To: Hanover, NH.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Zero DayI was up early for a large breakfast and a reading of The New York Times. Several hours later I went to Mass at St. Denis in Hanover.I was sitting at the bus stop by 9 am as I needed to go to EMS to buy a new jet boil stove. I picked that up plus I bought new hiking boots, the same boots I have been wearing. Less likely to have blisters and hot spots if I just keep purchasing the same boots.The bus system was complicated because I didn't know the abbreviations of the stops, so I relied on the bus driver to tell me when to get off or transfer. I was on a total of four buses to get the job done.After returning from West Lebanon, I went to the Richard W. Black Community Center in Hanover to wash my clothes. This may be the only place in town for hikers to do their laundry. This is just one of the many services offered to hikers in this town. Two dollars for wash, dry, and soap. Thank you Hanover, NH for being so kind to hikers.You may recall in my early Prep journals that I mentioned that I am the type of hiker that likes to hike until just before dark and stealth camp wherever I am at that moment. I did this often in Georgia and North Carolina. I camped in some pretty remote areas. Eventually I felt this was an unsafe act. If I became injured, I was all alone with not much chance of being discovered within a reasonable time.I realized that I should be in sight of people, so I started camping more where they could see me, like shelters and established tenting sites.When I walked through the area in Maine where the girl went missing last summer and hasn't been found, I was sure that I wanted to be in the main flow of hikers and not off solo.My wife would not appreciate my being lost or injured and never found. Also in the beginning, I tried to avoid towns so I could just put in the miles. I've changed my feelings about that, too.I discovered that the trail towns along the Appalachian Trail are treasures. I look forward to these towns and it has become a part of Appalachian Trail life for me. When I discovered my weight was going into the 150's it gave me a little more reason to linger in the towns and bulk up. More time to take in extra calories.I just finished lunch topped off with a big slice of blueberry peach pie and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. I am so glad I have learned to adjust to what's safe and proper for me.The Appalachian culture, I'm okay with it. When this journey is over, I will never forget it. I know that every day I will remember some part of the Appalachian Trail and for the rest of my life I will have sweet memories of it and the towns.Thanks for traveling with me.See you back on the trail. I'm gonna move faster , so try to keep up now.Good day.
Date: 2014-07-24
From: Hanover, NH.

To: Thistle Hill Shelter, VT.
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

GOOD BYE NEW HAMPSHIRE, YOU WERE BEAUTIFUL, HELLO VERMONT AND THE GREEN MOUNTAINS. I AM HAPPY TO HIKE YOUR TRAILS.With Hanover, NH in my rear view mirror, I headed for home.In short order I was crossing the border into Vermont. As I went over the Connecticut River at the border, I observed a rowing team doing their morning workout.It was more than two miles of walking through the city streets before I reentered the woods. It was a nice sunny breezy day. The rain that fell throughout the night had mostly soaked into the ground and was not much of a problem while hiking.I passed about ten north bounders today, none of whom I knew.I am in the tenting area of the shelter tonight, tenting.I hope I get a good nights sleep tonight because tomorrow I have a big hike.Good night.
Date: 2014-07-25
From: Thistle Hill Shelter, VT.

To: Stony Brook Shelter, VT.
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER IN LAW SHARY M.I did sleep well last night. It's dark now when I get up at 5 am, so I have to use my headlamp to pack up my tent and gear. By the time I get to cooking breakfast, it's light enough to see without the headlamp.About three miles into my hike I came upon Trail Magic. Energy bars and water. Thank you trail angel, it's much appreciated.Ten miles into my hike, I went off the trail two tenths of a mile to a store that sold food, drink, and ice cream. The store is called On The Edge Farm. I purchased two rolls, cheese, and turkey lunch meat and made two sandwiches. I had three beverages and topped it off with an ice cream cone.I just walked past the next shelter because I didn't need to eat again.Today I saw moose droppings in many places so I know they have moose in Vermont. I was wondering about that.I passed more north bounders today that I knew from the south. The north bounders I am seeing now are more moderate hikers.I can see right now that Vermont will be testing my aerobic conditioning with many long ups and downs. Trying to get to the top of a hill without stopping is pretty tough.I am in a shelter tonight because the tent spaces were all taken.Good night.
Date: 2014-07-26
From: Stony Brook Shelter, VT.

To: Inn AT Long Trail, VT.
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: broken clouds

Last night before falling asleep, I heard the north bounders discussing a storm headed this way for Saturday; 50% chance of severe rain.I was up and hiking by 06:30. I am curious as to how far south the moose live. One reason I am concerned about the moose is that I definitely need to make sure I purify all water. They seem to go to the bathroom all over the place.Today being Saturday and me being close to Killington makes for a lot of people out enjoying their trails.The Long Trail is very close by. The Long Trail is Vermont's famous long distance trail that goes from the Massachusetts/Vermont border to the Canadian border. It is the oldest long distance trail in the country and it follows the ridge line of The Green Mountains. It is approximately 273 miles long and The Long Trail and The Appalachian trail are together for 100 miles. The Long Trail was the inspiration for The Appalachian Trail.There are hikers in The Wilmington Trail Club who have hiked some or all of this trail. Hello out to Gary K. who knows a lot about this trail.I believe I met Sunshine and her husband way back in Georgia or North Carolina and I last remember seeing them in Virginia. I was standing at the intersection of The Appalachian Trail and Sherburne Pass Trail when we met today. They said that they had a nice stay at The Inn At Long Trail which was one half mile off trail. They said it was supposed to rain today and I remembered what the north bounders had said last night. They are a wonderful cheery couple and I was glad to talk to them again. After about five minutes of discussing what lay ahead for them, they helped me decide to go off trail for the night. I congratulated them on being close to the finish and wished them safety and good luck.So I decided to get out of the rain, even though as of this writing it hasn't rained, and go to the Inn. I have eaten in the pub twice, taken a shower, and have done my laundry. These little trail hostels are very helpful and I appreciate them.I think I hike over Killington Mountain tomorrow (3928). It is the highest Vermont mountain I will hike over on the Appalachian Trail.Have a good day.
Date: 2014-07-27
From: Inn AT Long Trail, VT.

To: Governor Clement Shelter, VT.
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

It rained during the night, but it wasn't the storm I was expecting. Coffee hour at the Inn started at 6:30 and breakfast was at 7:30. I went into the lounge at about 7 am for coffee and to sit and relax. I was pleasantly surprised to strike up a conversation with a few folks who were hiking The Long Trail. They were members of The Chester County Trail Club. I told them that I was a member, too, but had never hiked with the club. I said that I had passed them in the woods many times and that I knew a few club members.Breakfast was fantastic and I had a good one night stay. I recommend The Inn At Long Trail for anyone hiking in that area.By 8:30 I was hiking and about one half hour later the storm came. I hiked up Killington Mountain in the rain but I had to hike fast to stay warm. My plan was not to stop at the top but to keep going till I got to this shelter. If I stopped anywhere I would get cold. About three quarters of the way up it stopped raining and the sun came out. The wind blew and started drying me off.When I got to the top, I cooked a hot meal inside the enclosed shelter while outside in the sun my gear was drying.I am following The Appalachian Trail and The Long Trail together as they are the same for about a hundred miles.Refreshed, I started down the mountain to my shelter destination goal for today. I dried out even more as I came down the mountain. Most everything is dry except my socks and shoes and they are the last to dry. Most of the time they don't dry till I am in a town.It's supposed to rain again tomorrow. Tomorrow I plan to go to lunch one half mile off trail. The extra calories I am consuming really help. I only took two thirty second breaks all the way up Killington Mountain (3928). I was cold and trying to stay warm so with plenty of fuel in the tank I was almost nonstop for over four miles. Please note that sometimes my feet of elevation will not be the summit elevation because The Appalachian Trail does not always go over the summit. The summit to Killington today was two tenths higher.Good night.
Date: 2014-07-28
From: Governor Clement Shelter, VT.

To: VT Highway 103
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: light rain

Change of plans.It started raining right after I began hiking at 6 am. With yesterday's rain plus today's rain I was saturated, especially my feet, and I didn't have any spare dry clothes. I have been walking through lots of deep mud. I needed a hotel room to dry everything out, especially my feet, socks and shoes. The brush that I was walking through also added to the wetness.I made it to a restaurant one half mile off trail. In addition to the good breakfast they served me, they helped me get a shuttle. They treated me very well and even though I was soaking wet, they said they would clean the water off the seat when I was finished eating. The waitress offered to pick me up at the hotel and take me back to the trail head when I'm ready. She gave me her number and said to call. They are very hiker friendly and the name of the restaurant is The Whistle Stop Restaurant, one half mile off trail at VT 103.In the hotel I have been cleaning both myself and my gear and currently have the hair dryer on my shoes.While in the restaurant I met a south bound hiker who said I had hiked six plus miles in the time it took him to do one mile. That's how slippery he said it was. I told him I usually don't hike that fast unless I need to get somewhere. I mentioned that I was starting to chill and going fast is how I raise my temperature. Plus I said I was probably daydreaming and all involved in my thoughts.I asked the shuttle lady if she could take this hiker into town too, and she said yes. So two hikers were saved from the elements.This will probably alter my plans for Manchester and I will most likely hike past that town. I'll see when I get near.Good night.
Date: 2014-07-29
From: VT Highway 103

To: VT Highway 103
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Zero DayI found a Catholic Church (Christ The King Church) that served a 6:45 Mass one mile away, so I walked the short distance to the church. I was there early for Eucharistic Adoration. I have been doing regular town chores and eating as much as I can. I also have been icing my knees and continuing to dry out my shoes. I just saw the new Hercules movie and The Rock was born to play this role. One of the best Hercules movies I've seen.See you back on the trail.Good day.
Date: 2014-07-30
From: VT Highway 103

To: Little Rock Pond Tenting Area,VT.
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER BROOKLYNNE G. AND MY NEPHEW RUSSELL P.The shuttle driver had me back on the trailhead by 9 am.As I was climbing the first big hill I could see the Rutland Airport pictured above. There were two chairs at this view point that were left there by the trail maintainers so that people passing by here could sit and enjoy the view.I have noticed that since entering Vermont the trail clubs and trail maintainers do not clear out blowdowns that fall across the AT, especially the trees. And it has been years since they have done so. I wonder why?I hiked up and over Bear Mountain (2263) but did not see a bear.There were a lot of local people hiking the White Rock Cliffs area and also a lot of scouts out here today. Not so many north bounders. Most north bounders that I see now I will not know because in the south I was ahead of them and never met them.Turned out to be a pleasant sunny hiking day.I am tenting on a platform tonight in a designated tent site. They don't want us tenting on the ground here. I'm the only one here tonight.Good night.
Date: 2014-07-31
From: Little Rock Pond Tenting Area,VT.

To: Bromley Shelter, VT.
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: broken clouds

After packing up my tent and eating breakfast, I was off hiking at about 6:15 am.I have noticed along this stretch of trail there are a lot of shelters, spaced every two to four miles. It could be because The Long Trail and The AT run together here and there are more hikers.Much of today's hike reminded me of the hundred mile wilderness in Maine. There were lots of roots, rocks, mud, and steep ups and downs.Despite what I heard south bounders telling north bounders, that Vermont is a cake walk, I have had a lot of challenges here in this state. I don't feel like it's a cake walk. My aerobic endurance has been taxed since entering Vermont more than any other state and today I had steep ups and downs like Maine.Today I hiked Peru Peak (3429) and Styles Peak (3394).While hiking up Bromley Mountain (3260), it rained.It stopped just as I got to the top but the wind started blowing me off the mountain. Bromley Mountain must be a place where skiers go because I saw the lift at the summit, a shelter for the ski patrol, and ski slopes.The shelter where I am tonight is one mile down from the summit of Bromley Mountain.As I was putting up my tent in the tenting area of the shelter, it started pouring rain. I only had time to put the shell of my tent up, throw everything inside including me, and wait out the storm. After the rain, I finished putting up my tent, getting water, eating, and hanging my food in a tree.As I lie here I can hear the traffic from VT. 11 and 30, two miles away. These are the roads to Manchester Center, VT.Looks like tomorrow I have Stratton Mountain to hike up. It's close to 4000 but not quite (3936).Good Night.
Date: 2014-08-01
From: Bromley Shelter, VT.

To: Story Spring Shelter, VT.
Miles today: 23.1

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY TWIN GRANDSONS BLAKE AND BRANDON B.By 6 am I was hiking because I knew I would be having a long day.I stopped at the base of Stratton Mountain (3936) to have lunch and there was a nice lake with a gentle breeze to keep the bugs away. The sun was out and I found a grassy area where I could sit down. Before long about six people arrived and began fueling up for the big ascent.It wasn't bad hiking to the top and it didn't take too long. The hike up was three miles. About ten minutes from the top there was a nice piped spring of ice cold, clean, clear water. Also there was a fire tower at the top that I did not climb and no views from the ground.I called my wife and spoke to her for a few moments and then down the other side of the mountain I went. It was seven more miles to the tent site of this shelter.It's late.Good night.
Date: 2014-08-02
From: Story Spring Shelter, VT.

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter, VT.
Miles today: 17.4

It was pretty crowded in the tenting area last evening. When north bounders and south bounders go to the same shelter it gets crowded. I am starting to see signs of mice again. I didn't see any in Maine or New Hampshire but someone said a mouse jumped on top of their tent last night.I got up late at 5:30, so I didn't start hiking until 7 am.I stopped at The Goddard shelter for lunch and since I felt like eating a hot meal, I cooked. Usually I eat lunch cold. I took off my socks and shoes so my feet could get some fresh air.My high point for today was Glastenbury Mountain (3748). Currently I am tenting in the tent area.My wife and I are meeting soon for the 3rd time so there will be about a five day gap with no journals. When she returns she will enter the blogs into Trail Journals so be sure to stop back.We are going into the last stage of this journey. Let's finish the job together. I have enjoyed you being there.After this week I will meet my wife for the 4th and final time around September 1st.SHE WILL TAKE ME HOME.Good night.
Date: 2014-08-03
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter, VT.

To: Williamstown, MA.
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

GOODBYE VERMONT, I ENJOYED HIKING YOUR TRAILS AND ALSO ONE HUNDRED MILES OF THE LONG TRAIL. HELLO MASSACHUSETTS, HAPPY TO BE HERE.I shouldn't have drunk that cup of coffee last night at supper but because I was so tired I didn't think one cup would keep me awake. My excitement as I was looking forward to today kept my mind busy all night.I wasn't sure of my goals for today. I had options. At the end of the day I could camp two miles from Rt. 2 and go into town Monday morning or go to town tonight if I could find a room. There was a National Teachers Convention in town and most hotels and motels were booked up.I sleepily arose at 5 am thinking that I wished I could have slept more.It's funny to see the expressions on the faces of hikers when they run into me again and wonder how I got in front of them. One young hiker said," I passed you three days ago, how did you get in front of me?" Another lady hiker chimed in and said," You are a strong hiker." I told them that my secret is," While you are sleeping in the morning, I am hiking." I get up at 5 am I told them. That's what an old man has to do to get the miles in.Thirteen point one miles into my hike, I stopped at the Seth Warner Shelter for lunch. It was 2:30 pm.I met a father daughter team who were hiking The Long Trail and they had just started today. We had a pleasant conversation while I was eating and then the clouds covered the sun and it became dark. The daughter said we might get showers this afternoon. In my mind I was thinking this is a good excuse to get into town tonight.Still undecided, I put on my shoes and socks and headed south for the camp site two miles from Route 2.En route I passed into Massachusetts, my tenth state.At the Massachusetts Vermont line it got dark again, so I called the hotel where I am staying and asked if our room was available for tonight? He said yes. I told him I would get there as soon as possible and that I was five miles from Route 2. He said to call him when I got to Route 2 and he would pick me up. I was double timing it. I thought, supper in a restaurant is going to be nice.And so here I an cleaning my gear and waiting for my wife. I'll see her tomorrow. It will be good to see the better half.Good night.
Date: 2014-08-04
From: Williamstown, MA.

To: Williamstown, MA.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Zero DayI was glad to finally be with my wife again.We drove around the Williamstown and North Adams areas and we have developed a plan for the places we will visit over the next two days.Today we visited Williams College, a number one rated Liberal Arts College.Good Day.
Date: 2014-08-05
From: Williamstown, MA.

To: Williamstown, MA.
Miles today: 0.0

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DAUGHTER CATHY.Zero DayAfter an excellent breakfast at a fine restaurant, my wife and I headed for the summit of Mt. Greylock. Not by foot, but by car. The road to the summit is eight miles long. It was a nice clear and sunny day and we learned that on days like this views can extend to 130 miles and into five states.Eighteen thousand years ago this summit was under one kilometer of ice. It has seventy miles of hiking trails and The Appalachian Trail goes right across the top of it. It also has a Lodge Restaurant where we ate our lunch. There is a famous Veterans War Memorial located on the top dedicated to all our lost men and women of the Armed Forces. At 92 feet tall and made of granite, it has six 1500 watt bulbs that are lit nightly except in bird migratory times. These lights can be seen up to seventy miles away. It is presently closed for repairs.Under President Roosevelt's New Deal Program, The CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) camps helped build the roads and trails and replant the trees that we now enjoy today as a State Park on this great mountain. As I walk over the mountain on Thursday, my thoughts will be about my memories of this day with my wife.After we descended form the mountain, she helped me do a little resupply. While walking down Spring Street near Williams College, I had to satisfy a craving I have had for several weeks. A banana split. It was good.I am happy she is here. We both feel better around each other.Good day.
Date: 2014-08-06
From: Williamstown, MA.

To: Williamstown, MA.
Miles today: 0.0

Zero DayOn our last day we traveled around North Adams. Lunch was at Friendly's. We also took in a movie and went to see the Romance Comedy called, "And So It Goes", starring Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton. Supper was Italian. And just as I thought would happen, it was all too fast.See you back on the trail tomorrow. Bring your boots. It's going to be muddy.Good night.
Date: 2014-08-07
From: Williamstown, MA.

To: Mark Noepel Shelter, MA.
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: broken clouds

Our stay at The Williamstown Motel was a good one. The motel owners treated us very well and everything was clean and tidy. They even gave us ten percent off of the bill at The Olympic Pizza Restaurant.My wife dropped me off at the trail head at 7 am.By 10:30 I was on top of Mt. Greylock for the second time, (the first time was with my wife as we visited by car).I purchased and ate my lunch in the lodge and was then off again.As I approached the Mark Noepel Shelter, it looked like it was about to rain so I cut short today's hike and started putting up my tent in the tenting area. While doing so it started to rain and it has been raining off and on for several hours now. I had to eat in my tent.It's a little cold right now but tomorrow is supposed to be warm and sunny.Good night.
Date: 2014-08-08
From: Mark Noepel Shelter, MA.

To: Kay Wood Shelter, MA.
Miles today: 16.9

I packed away a wet tent, but it will dry out tonight when I put it up.I am not seeing many north bound thru hikers anymore as I think most have walked by me. Any north bounder that walks by me now will have to hurry to get to Mt. Katahdin before they close the mountain down, which is October 15th.An unleashed, aggressive German Shepherd ran at me today and bit my pack. The owner apologized and said his dog has never done that before and then he leashed him. Even as they were moving by me the dog lunged at me while on the leash. I guess the dog doesn't like "Go Lite Packs".I walked through two small towns today, Cheshire and Dalton. I decided against stopping and buying food because I have plenty of food that I have to eat to get my pack weight down.It was sunny today, but not many views, I have mostly been in the woods and there has been a lot of canopy. I would call the paths and terrain mostly easy and user friendly, but Massachusetts has it's mud too. Moose droppings, but no moose. I wonder how far south they go?My food is in a bear box. It is a tool chest chained to a tree and there's a lock on the cover. These are used when a shelter has reported bear activity. It's easier for me to use the bear box than for me to put my food in a tree.I am in a tent and there is a family of three tenting here also tonight. So far the shelter is empty, another sign that there aren't many hikers in the area right now.Good night.