morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-03
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 105 0 miles on trailTonight I'm staying in the home of Jim and Betsy Steere. Betsy and I have been friends since high school and I met Jim when he first started dating Betsy in College. Unfortunately they aren't here, but Jim's Mom and Dad (Phyllis and Jim) are, and they treated me like royalty. This place is fabulous. There are deer in the backyard and a magnificent view out the front windows. The house has a smart layout and lots of room. I'm quite at ease here and am thrilled that Jim and Bets are doing so well. Back on the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2003-07-04
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Blue Mountain Lakes Road
Miles today: 17.8

Day 10617.8 miles on trail.5 off trailWow it was nice staying at the Steere's. After a hearty breakfast they brought me right back where they got me. I crossed over the river and I was in New Jersey. New Jersey has rocks too. Some are as bad as PA's, but they don't last all day long, and they come with spectacular views and walks by ponds. It is startling how much prettier my one day walk in NJ was than my 2 weeks in PA. Hope that keeps up.The weather today was hot and humid. There were scattered showers, but it didn't rain where I was when I was there. The mosquitos are out with a vengeance, but tonight I'm at a YMCA camp off of Blue Mountain Lakes Road. The shelter has a screen door and is mostly mosquito free. The frog song is loud and constant, but I'm pretty sure it will put me to sleep quickly.
Date: 2003-07-05
From: Blue Mountain Lakes Road

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 10713.6 miles on trail .7 miles offHot Humid day with millions of mosquitos. I can hear the high pitch whine of them outside the mesh of my tent. I've been killing them all day long. They come in swarms so some swats hit multiples. New Jersey is beautiful, but there are tons of these flying vampires. I'm hoping for a strong breeze by morning.I'm tented by Gren Anderson Shelter. My feet are sore, I itch and it's hot and sweaty. Oh well it can't always be fun. I used my first bear box tonight. NJ has boxes by the shelters instead of hanging the food. Then there is the privy. This one is just a Throne sitting out all by itself. No walls at all, no roof, just sitting there. I'm sure I haven't seen it all, but I'm getting closer. The mice in last nights shelter ate my socks. The only reason I sheltered was that there was no un-rocky place for a tent. Fortunately it was screened. I plan an easy day tomorrow, but we'll see if the rocks and mosquitos will cooperate.
Date: 2003-07-06
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Goldsmith Road
Miles today: 18.0

Day 10818 miles on trail .6 offGreat day. Sunny hot and humid. Rocky trail-bed for the first 13 miles. What makes it so great is the place I'm staying. It's called the Secret Shelter. It's just off Goldsmith Road. Well-water, hot shower and a soft lawn to set up my tent. It feels great. I had planned to stop at the previous shelter, but something made me go on in spite of sore feet. I'm so glad I did. The last 5 miles was only rocky in parts. There are 4 of us hear, Patience, Mr. Ed, Freemont and me.There were some great vistas today and I saw several deer. I also killed a lot of mosquitos.This place isn't mentioned in my books , but it is mentioned in the Wingfoot book, and it is just beautiful. Thanks to the builder/owner. I'm headed through a swamp in the morning and saw a southbounder (SOBO) who had been through it. He had hundreds of welts on him. I'm glad I've got this 5 mile head start on tomorrow. I'll get through the worst of it before it gets too hot. At least thats the plan. Wow, there are lightning bugs flashing all around, and there is a beautiful half moon in a clear sky. Wow!!
Date: 2003-07-07
From: Goldsmith Road

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 13.9

Day 10913.9 miles on trailTonight I'm staying a the St. Thomas Episcopal Church hostel in Vernon, NJ. Great place. I got here early. The trail wasn't very rocky, but the mosquitos drove me ever onward. I used 2 bandanas as "active repellant". It works ok but I cant use my trecking poles at the same time. The Skin So Soft bug formula works fine until I start sweating. The people using DEET say the same thing. The next town stop is in Bear Mountain. I picked up enough food to get there.There are 12 of us here and it is very orderly, although many of the hikers are not tuned in to the idea that donations need dto be made and shores need to be done or the next group doesn't get the benefit.Tomorrow starts with a big up after I hitch to the trail head. Water is scarce tomorrow so I'll be carrying a couple extra pounds.
Date: 2003-07-08
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 11017. 3 miles on trail .6 off trailHot humid day. Water on the trail was scarce/or not listed. I ended up getting a little from some day hikers that kept me from completely running out. Thank YOU.New York. It's good to be back in New York. The trail today had some challenging rock scrambles and a few good vistas. All in all it was a tough day but pretty. The water sources look to be more frequent tomorrow, but not available ant the shelter.Got a great ride to the trailhead this morning. I went to the bagel shop in Vernon, NJ and ordered. A fellow came in w/ dreadlocks and said he southbounded in 2000 and offered me a ride. I didn't even have to stick out my thumb! Pretty cool.Anyway tonight I'm tented near Wildcat Shelter. Good spring on the way in/out. The mosquitos tried to suck me dry and I can hear their frustrated hum as I write. Perhaps it will lull me to sleep.
Date: 2003-07-09
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Seven Lakes Drive
Miles today: 17.6

Day 11117.6 miles on trail.8 miles offWhat a day. The weather was overcast. It spit on me a little as I broke camp, but not enough to wet anything. It only rained briefly. Of course that was right as I was going through the "lemon squeezer". The lemon squeezer is a rock formation that is incredibly tight. I had to lift my pack up and over. Then there is a tough tree/rock scramble right after. Again I had to throw my pack up before I climbed. The first time I didn't get it wedged in well enough and it took a tumble and kept rolling for about 20 ft. Better it than me. Tother than that NY is much more challenging than any state yet for hand assisted rock scrambling. Thank goodness it was cool today.I'm tented close to Seven Lakes Drive. Long story. I got some bad information and acted on it. It is an almost flat site, but it is too close to the road and marsh. Another fellow was tented here when I got here (Hamlet) and daylight was fading so...
Date: 2003-07-10
From: Seven Lakes Drive

To: Hemlock Springs Campsite
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 1127/10/200313.1 miles on trail.8 off trailWater is the key word in NY. There just aren't enough sources and some of the listed aren't very good at all. Some that do exist aren't listed.Today I went over Bear Mountain and through the park. The views were good except at the top of Bear Mountain. It was raining lightly when I got to the top. A day hiker started asking me questions about the trail and then shared her lunch with me. More magic!The Bear Mountain Park is in a hideous state of disrepair. Funding apparently is just not available for state parks. It is shameful. The Zoo at the park is interesting but is lacking many exhibits most notably Bears!!!NY is tough, a lot of steep ups and downs and a fair share of rocks. NY does pay handsome dividends for all the work. There are plentiful overlooks and the forest is open and magnificent. I'm amped about 3 miles N of Bear Mountain Inn at a place called Hemlock Springs Campsite. The spring is NOT flowing well, but Skipper and Sundance had pumps and helped me out I have just enough for breakfast and to get to the Friary, I think. Nothing I can solve tonight.
Date: 2003-07-11
From: Hemlock Springs Campsite

To: Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 16.0

Day 1137/11/0316 Miles on trailIt's 7:45 and it's raining. I woke up at 5:30 to the sound of rain. It rained enough to make the rocks slick but not enough to knock the mosquitos out of service for the day. the mosquitos are tough taskmasters. They kept me moving all day. If I stopped they swarmed so bad I couldn't beat them all off. No insect repellant on earth would keep them at bay. Anyway they kept me moving, snacks on the run. I'm at Fahnestock State Park tonight which is a little further than I had planned. I wanted to make sure I would be on time for my rendezvous with my brother. It's a long walk from the trail in here and the tent sight they set aside for hikers is very close to a road, but it will work. I is leve and it drains well.There weren't quite as many ups and downs today. At least they weren't killer like yesterday. Oh yeah yesterday, remember I had water problems. They got worse. My platypus sprung a leak during the night so my tent was wet inside and out, and my carrying capacity went from a gallon to a quart. I rarely carry mort than a half gallon most of the time. It's been dry though. Bad choice of words. Water sources have been scarce, sou I would like to be at full capacity. My platy must be upside down to carry that second quart. Good thing I'm taking some time off. I've got a few equipment issues to solve. It seems that all the ranting I did about the PA rocks was for a reason. The soles of my boots have huge cracks in them. So they will have to be replaced too. They lasted over 1000 miles, some of which was very tough. Between the rain and the rocks they've given me good service. I'm also going to try to lighten my load yet again. We'll see how that works.I miss traveling with people. Perhaps this break will give some of them a chance to catch up.One of those little buggers got in my tent and now there is a new smear on the ceiling of my tent.
Date: 2003-07-12
From: Fahnestock State Park

To: Taconic State Parkway
Miles today: 7.3

Day 1147/12/20037.3 Miles on trail1.2 miles off trailWhat a beautiful day! I couldn't imagine better weather. There was even enough of a breeze to keep the mosquitos to a minimum. I didn't have far to go so I could take my time, and the trail was pretty nice for the most part with a couple of spectacular views. My tent had all but completely dried out when I got up this morning. The lake that was part of my walk back to the trail was also a special treat. Very Clear with great banks. Good photo day.There was a privy demo/reconstruction going on at the shelter 0.3 miles before the point where I was meeting my brother Wing. Sure made me appreciate how much effort goes into the making of a privy.I got to the rendezvous early and so did my Bro. He and his kids Skyler 6 and Walker 11 came to pick me up and take me to their home in Saugerties. My niece said when I got in the car, Uncle Pete you need a baff, a little while later Uncle Petey you need a ha'aah cut, and finally Unca Petey you need a shave. Gotta love it!!I managed to get to an outfitter and get some new boots. I hope they treat my feet well, as the selection in my size was quite limited.I've got lots more chores for tomorrow. Wash the stinking clothes and sleeping bag. Find the stuff the outfitter (I only use that word loosely) didn't have online and get it next day to here so I'll have it by Tuesday. All is well and I'm quite tired. Goodnight.
Date: 2003-07-13
From: Taconic State Parkway

To: Taconic State Parkway
Miles today: 0.0

Day 115 7/13/20030 miles on trailWonderful day with family. Found an outfitter that was much better today. Still didn't get everything, but had a great time. We went to a lake in the afternoon in an incredible valley in the Catskills. It's great to be with family.I touched base with Babysteps' mom today. She's so excited to be involved in her daughter's hike. Babysteps called me from Vernon. I figure she'll be 2 or 3 days behind when I get back onthe trail on Wed. It was really good to hear from her. Sorry to hear that Pippi is probably off the trail. Wanderer is ahead of Babysteps by a day or so. The Big Red, Tadpole, Strappy, Hover contingent will probably pass me by while I'm here. Oh well I need the break. I'm sure I'll have more to write tomorrow.
Date: 2003-07-16
From: Taconic State Parkway

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: light rain

Day 1187/16/20038.7 miles on trailA relatively easy day after 3 zero days. I needed it because of the new boots. I probably would have tried to go further, but because of a lot of normal family stuff with 2 kids, Wing couldn't get me to the trail till 10:30. THANKS Bro.Again it was perfect! It made me stop after the 8.7 instead of going on. Better to break in the new boots. I met my first two purist South-bounders tonight. Cool folks, but I missed their names. I'm tented outside of Morgan Stewart Shelter. I re-waterproofed my tent floor and I might get the chance to see if it worked. I hope it worked, but could forgo ever finding out if it did indeed work.It was drizzling this morning when I got on the trail, but it never really got me wet. The sweat did, the rain did not. It wasn't uncomfortably warm and is's quite comfortable now. The vista was kind of spoiled by the clouds and mist.The rest did me a world of good. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
Date: 2003-07-17
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 1197/17/200316.6 miles on trail.6 off trailWhat a beautiful day. Another one of those gorgeous days, low humidity with a breeze. NY has some ups and downs. Not too bad today though. I walked through some VERY over grown portions of the trail today between Telephone Pioneers Shelter and Wiley Shelter. Good thing I ran into Rustling Leaves and Cloudwalker. They gave me some pointers that probably saved me an hour or two of hunting for the trail. I tried to mark the trail a little better. Hope the message gets passed along. There were two ladies in their 50's or 60's doing trail maintenance. They were bushwhacking in the swamp. Very hot, very hard, work. It is so wonderful to see people who really love this trail and the hikers that use it.I am alone tonight. I'm tented by Wiley Shelter. The bear was here for a visit. He's here a lot I gather from reading the shelter register. I'm headed to a Hostel in Kent tomorrow. Perhaps some folks will catch up to me there.
Date: 2003-07-18
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Kent, Conn.
Miles today: 12.7

Day 1207/18/200312.7 miles on trail1 mile offStayed at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Kent last night (didn't journal before going to sleep). One SOBO named Blue Grasshopper was there with me. We were on the floor in the congregation hall. They were setting up for a rummage sale. Nice stop. My feet hurt bad when I walked in. It was raining on and off all day so I couldn't give my feet a break. My left hip acted up too. Hope it was just the day.
Date: 2003-07-19
From: Kent, Conn.

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 17.0

Day 12117 miles on trail1 mile offI don't think the weather could have been any nicer today, and the mosquitos didn't start getting obnoxious till about 45 minutes ago. There were some spectacular views today. and I ate lunch on a rock on the banks of the Housatonic River. It was great. I had passed up some ok spots and had all but given up on eating on the bank and exactly what I wanted to find popped up. I'm tented outside of Pine Swamp Brook Lean-To. The water source here is a little tea colored, but it is ok. All in all a pretty great day.Neil from Scotland and Mr. Ed are here too. My feet didn't start hurting till mile 8 today. A little better than yesterday, and my hip must have been just a little out of whack yesterday. Today it was just fine.The terrain has gotten much more vertical and some of the climbs/descents are quite steep. They put Albert Mountain to shame.
Date: 2003-07-20
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-To

To: Limestone Spring Lean-To
Miles today: 12.3

Day 1227/20/200312.3 miles on trail.5 offI'm tented near Limestone Spring Lean-To (they call shelters "lean-to"s here, but it's the same thing). The weather today was almost a carbon copy of yesterday, maybe a couple degrees warmer. The trail was a lot less steep today, but I'm going pretty slow when I'm walking because my feet hurt after about 6 miles. Hope the get used to the new boots soon!!!Niel from Scotland is here. There are also a couple of day hikers (seven in all), the ridge runner, and a couple of long section (22 days, just out from Kent) hikers.I had another gorgeous lunch spot. There were more spectacular views and there was a waterfall today.The steepest part of the day was the descent to the shelter. 1/2 mile off the trail. The ascent awaits me first thing.
Date: 2003-07-21
From: Limestone Spring Lean-To

To: Laurel Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

Day 1237/21/200312.7 miles on trail1.3 miles offMassachusetts YEEHAW!!! Can't really say why, but I am thrilled to be in Mass. I'm tented at Laurel Ridge Campsite. This is the best constructed campsite by far than anything else on the trail. It even has a privy.It threatened rain most of the day and it was hazy. The views suffered some but it is so beautiful now. The trail went over another Bear Mountain. This one had a very steep Norther slope. It would have been extremely hazardous in the rain. As it was the rocks were wet in a lot of places. Very tricky descent.I hear the thunder rumbling in the distance. It'll probably rain tonight. The spacing of the lean-tos is a bit awkward (for some reason they call shelters lean-tos up here, it may be a better name for some of the ones I've stayed at down south too). I may spend the night in town tomorrow. I'll make that call based on weather and feet.Here comes the rain and perhaps hail by the sound of it. Hope the tent holds up. Oh yeah, I wanted to mention that the water sources have gotten increasingly better since the tea colored stream at Pine Swamp lean-to. Good cold clear springs.Good night.
Date: 2003-07-22
From: Laurel Ridge Campsite

To: Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: moderate rain

Day 1247/22/200312.7 miles on trail.3 off trailToday started like yesterday ended. With an amazing thunder storm. It stopped before I left camp and I got my tent dried out at the top of either Race Mountain or Everett Mountain. There were some fabulous views and some intense ups and downs. The end of the walking part of the day was rain and a swamp walk. The mosquitos were as intense as the ones in Jersey. The spacing of the campsites and shelters is unfortunate so I stopped in Great Berrington, MA. Got a ride in without even sticking out my thumb. I'm staying at the Barrington Court Motel and the owner is taking me back to the trailhead in the morning.Everything is dry and I'll have a nights sleep inside. My feet are still very sore. They tighten up when I stop and get very stiff. Oh well.I've come over 1500 miles and that is cause for celebration! So I ate a pint of ice cream.
Date: 2003-07-23
From: Great Barrington, MA

To: Mt. Wilcox North Lean-to
Miles today: 13.7

Day 1257/23/200313.7 miles on trailI'm staying in the shelter at Wilcox North. Strappy, Big Red, Tadpole, Hove and Euchre showed up just when I thought it was going to be me and the mosquitos.It's very nice to have some familiar faces around.There was a beautiful lake on the walk today (the mosquitos are eating my back as I'm writing). I got an orange from some day hikers and sat and played my flute. The 'skeeters got to me.
Date: 2003-07-24
From: Mt. Wilcox North Lean-to

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Day 1267/24/200314 miles on trail.7 offOk, I stopped journaling abruptly last night, the mosquitos were so bad I couldn't continue. The idea of staying in the shelter was not a good one. I ended up pitching my tent at 10:15 in the dark. It was much cooler and bug free. It did end up raining in the morning at about 4:30 am. So I had a wet tent.It didn't rain too much after so I didn't have to walk in the rain but the bugs were quite bad.I'm staying tonight at Upper Goose Pond Cabin, a great place right on Goose Pond. It has a caretaker that makes breakfast in the morning, a canoe and a great swimming lake. It got warm and nice enough to take a swim. Wow did that feel good. The added bonus was that there were 11 people there, and 5 I've known for a long time.Bugs. Bugs are bad. Mosquitos, black flies, and deer flies are quite pesky. They especially like to attack on steep climbs or slippery rocks. It's like they know you don't have an extra limb to swat them.The rocks and bog logs have been slippery and I fell twice yesterday and twice today, and I'm being extra careful. Euchre, Big Red, Strappy and I played euchre and laughed a lot.I'm tire and happy. The way the shelters (lean-tos) and campsites work out is awkward so it'll probably be a long day tomorrow. I'm going to go see if the screens work better upstairs.
Date: 2003-07-25
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, MA (The Bird Cage)
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: broken clouds

Day 1277/25/200320.6 miles on trail.5 offWow the magic is back. I'm staying with a trail angel named Rob Bird in Dalton, MA. I'm so glad I decided to do the extra miles. There is more of a story here. Another fellow in town allows hikers to tent in his yard. He is listed in the handbook. Rob is strictly a word of mouth. He does your laundry. Gives rides to people who want to slack pack, provides shower w/ towels soap and shampoo, and has bunks/beds/sofas for 7 people a night. Strappy, Hover, Big Red and Tadpole stayed at the other place. I walked on to the unknown and found this super kind person. The weather couldn't have been better today and the bugs were minimal. I ate a huge roast beef sandwich for dinner and washed it down with a quart of orange juice. The night is cool. The forecast is nice. Life is great.
Date: 2003-07-26
From: Dalton, MA (The Bird Cage)

To: Mark Noepel Lean-to
Miles today: 13.7

Day 1287/26/200313.7 Miles on trail.5 offToday was cool, breezy and partly cloudy. The views were a little hazy but good. Passed by another beaver pond. Went through a town called Cheshire and climbed 2/3's of the way up Mt. Greylock. The trailbed was pretty and good all day and I felt great for the first 9 miles, after that my feet and right achilles started hurting.I ran into Soy Nut (Shannon) and Kevin (her fiance) headed southbound on a section hike. It was great to see them again.The stream of SOBO's is getting thicker every day. I'm hoping it'll taper off by the time I get to the White Mountains.The Big Red, Tadpole, Hover and Strappy crew zeroed today at Rob's. They finally wised up. Euchre went on ahead to the summit of Greylock (another 3 miles). I'm tented by the Mark Noepel Lean-to. There are 2 married couples staying at the shelter on an overnight. The shelter and privy both show lots of signs of porcupine attention. They gnaw on anything that is salty, and sweat is salty. That along with a SOBO bear sighting and all my stuff is hung or in my tent.Time to sleep.
Date: 2003-07-27
From: Mark Noepel Lean-to

To: Seth Warner Shelter and Primitive Camping Area
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: haze

Day 12916.5 miles on trail 1.2 off trail (to town and back plus shelter)Well today I broke under 600 miles remaining, climbed and descended Mt. Greylock, and crossed into Vermont. Plus a town stop for groceries to make it to town again tomorrow for a mail drop.I awoke to the sound of drops on the tent. I have begun to really dislike that sound. It never rained enough to get my tent wet. It stayed overcast, hazy and windy all day. The views from Greylock were obscured. I'll bet they are awesome on a clear day. It's very dark because I got here late and it just takes time to do the chores and eat (yup I ate a full dinner even though I had AYCE chinese for lunch).I'm tented at Seth Warner Shelter and primitive camping area. I figure it will rain tonight, but the shelter is full.Well off to sleep so I can get moving early to get my mail drop tomorrow.