morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-30
From: Pochuck Mountain Shelter

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: few clouds

Today we only did 11.5 miles to the Wawayanda shelter. The spacing of shelters, weather, and physical ability we had to stop just short of NY. Very hard day today. We stopped about 2p and soaked our feet. Then about 3p I saw a Black Bear! My first on the AT. No pics except the ones I put to memory. This was a boardwalk .8 miles long. Having a Blast! Feet are getting better. Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-01
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we hiked 10 miles to Bellvale, NY by noon to enjoy 2 hotdogs, sodas, and chips for $5. They were closed!! So we went across the street to a local Creamery. The best ice cream. A father and son out for the day gave us a ride to town. I had lasagna and a Dr Pepper. Then the father and son gave us a ride back to the trail. Our hike to the Wildcat shelter was only 2.1 miles. On the way there Phil and I saw this cub. Two days 2 bears!! Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-02
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: William Brien Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Skeeter showed up at the shelter about 6:30p yesterday. But today Neco went off trail for a few days, Phil is stopping for a night in town tomorrow, and skeeter and I are doing 55 miles in 3 days to get to where her Aunt & Uncle are picking us up for 2 down days! We are all getting back together a few days later to continue north. Today we hiked 19.6 miles to the William Brien shelter. 8 miles into our hike we came across Hedley's trail magic. He had placed a cooler by the trail and we 4 pigged out. Oranges, apples, apple sauce, gatorade, and much more. Then 4 miles from our destination another Trail Angle named Paddyo gave us root beer, beer, and gatorades. Life is good on the trail! Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-03
From: William Brien Shelter

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: broken clouds

Yesterday we went through the Lemon Squeezer. Skeeter made it. I didn't. I had to take my pack off and throw it up to the top then squeeze through. Today was much easier hiking. 16.6 miles and we are at the Monastery for the night. Graymoor Spiritual Life Center let's us use the shelter at the ball field for free!   Phil hiked with us until he got to town. Skeeter and I have 18.8 tomorrow then 2 down days! We came across a monument on Bear Mountain today. There were vending machines. We had Powerades and Pringles! Life is good! Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-04
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

Yesterday I forgot to mention we crossed the Hudson river, saw the NYC skyline, and saw my first black snake. Today we hiked 18.8 miles to the RGH shelter and were picked up by Skeeters Aunt and Uncle Jackie & Jerry Carey. 2 much needed down days. 26 miles from Connecticut. Temp was in the mid 80's today. We will be back on the trail Thursday. Boomer
Date: 2015-05-05
From: RPH Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today we ate, slept, ate, ate some more! Went to the church to put up tables with Jerry. Met several great people. Might have to rethink my ideas of New Yorkers. The people honk and wave when we cross over a highway, and ask lots of questions about our adventure. A man met us on the Hudson Bridge walkway, we talked for a long time. He thought he was holding us up from our walk. Talking to people has become one of our favorite parts of the hike! We met 2 ladies in their 60's yesterday carrying heavy packs out for 4 days. I'm amazed how many people use the trail. Hikers are the heart & soul of a great country and I'm glad to meet as many here and at home as I can. Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a repeat of yesterday. We are rested and feeling better. Jerry & Jackie are running out of food so we better leave. This has been a much needed rest but Skeeter and I are ready to go explore some more and meet a few more people! We will finish the 26 miles in NY by Friday and be in Connecticut. Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-07
From: RPH Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

We made it back to the trail about 8:30a. Jerry & Jackie took such good care of us! We did 16.8 miles to the Telephone Pioneers shelter. Saw some huge trees, a nuclear lake, and the canopy of green today. Tomorrow we leave NY behind and tackle Connecticut. The heat is the hard part now along with the Black Flies. One cooks ya and the other one eats ya! Having fun and movin North! Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-08
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Ten Mile River shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

We left Telephone Pioneers shelter and had a easy hike into Connecticut by lunch. Beautiful farms and one Nuclear Lake. There was an accident years ago and the lake is supposed to be contaminated. We got to Ten Mile River shelter early and beat the heat! Lazed around in a big green field at the shelter. I weighed the other day and was sown 37 lbs. I'm carrying more food (and weight). Trying to double up on meals and snacks. Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-09
From: Ten Mile River shelter

To: Stewert Hollow Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

We covered 15.7 miles today from Ten Mile River to Stewert Hollow Brook shelter. We went slow on the ridge with clouds hanging low the trees were raining on us. Which brought out the Salamanders. These guys were everywhere. Cooler today which helped make the miles fly by. We are tent (Skeeter) and tarp (Me) camping tonight. Several locals are in the shelter. No rain here forecasted. Starting to find ticks every day. Having spaghetti for supper! Yummy! Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-10
From: Stewert Hollow Brook Shelter

To: Belters Campsite
Miles today: 15.3

After cowboy camping last night we hiked 15.3 miles to Belters Campsite and we are Cowboy Camping again. No tents. The low tonight is only getting down to 64. Stopped a lot today to get water. The springs are super cold but the frogs don't mind. A lady at the shelter last night gave us about a dozen brownies. Great score. She felt bad for hogging the shelter last night. Tomorrow we are going through Salisbury, Connecticut for lunch! Gonna be great! Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-11
From: Belters Campsite

To: Laurel Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 18.3

We left early after a long night of bugs and college kids. We did 10 miles by 10:30a made it to Salisbury, Ct for lunch at a Bistro, we ate outside and did a little shopping at the market. Then hiked over to the Cemetery where they have a spigot in the middle of the cemetery on a mound and filled our water bottles. We then hiked 8.3 more miles to Laurel Ridge Campsite for the night. The privy here has walls and a roof. Last night our privy was a throne with no walls or roof. Just you and nature! Saw a porcupine today. They sure can climb trees fast! The ticks are becoming a problem. Pulling them off every day. Town tomorrow to shower(ticks), laundry(stinky), shop(hungry), and maybe a movie! Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-12
From: Laurel Ridge Campsite

To: Great Barrington
Miles today: 12.9

We crossed over into Massachusetts yesterday and today we hiked 12.9 miles to the town of Great Barrington, Ma to shower, resupply, laundry........ Mosquitoes were so bad today I might need a transfusion. I am tick free again and ready to hike tomorrow! Skeeter tried to eat her dinner but the flies were making it hard! Lol now to watch an old movie or go see the new Avengers movie? Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-13
From: Great Barrington

To: Mt. Wilcox Shelter
Miles today: 13.5

We hiked 13.5 miles today to Mt Wilcox shelter (N). The rain came in last night but we were indoors in Great Barrington. The cold weather gas returned. High today 55 low tonight 37. Burrr! Better for hiking and fewer bugs to deal with. It's hard to believe we are in Massachusetts and there is so much wilderness! I expected more people than trees. Not so. Phil is back with us today but Nico has gone home. These small towns along the AT are awesome! Almost every business is mom & pop owned. Very few franchise businesses. Subways mostly. Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-14
From: Mt. Wilcox Shelter

To: October Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: clear sky

Today was a long day. We Followed a porcupine up the trail for awhile then I saw a bear this evening only to be out done by Skeeter who saw a Moose. We hiked 23.8 miles today. We are at the October Mountain shelter. Awesome shelter with a loft. Phil sent his winter bag home yesterday only to freeze last night when the temp got down to 35. Tonight it is supposed to get down to 30. Phil checked into a motel about 8 miles back. Tomorrow we get into Dalton, Mass for a beer (2) and burger. Then check in to our hotel. Not a down day just hot showers and de-tick session. I hope you can appreciate a privy like this! Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-15
From: October Mountain Shelter

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 11.8

Today we hiked into Dalton and checked into a room to clean up and check for ticks. I had 2 attached but not to attached. We did 11.8miles today. The flora on the trail has really taken off! We have one more full day in Mass and then we start Vermont! Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-16
From: Dalton, MA

To: Mark Noepel Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

Yesterday when Skeeter and I walked into Dalton a man pulled up and offered us a ride. He was a trail maintainer who had completed the hike in sections from 1963-1995. We told him we wanted to stop at the tavern down the street for beers and a burger. He drove down went in and paid for our food & drinks before we got there. Great trail magic! Today we went 13.9 miles to Mark Noepel shelter. Phil is back with us after buying another bag. Walked through Cheshire today bought a soda and kept walking. Tomorrow is Mt Greylock. You know they are getting harder when they name them. Our last few miles in Mass will be tomorrow. We enter Vermont tomorrow afternoon!! Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-17
From: Mark Noepel Shelter

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

Today we were up early and headed 4 miles to the summit of Mt Greylock for breakfast at the lodge. What a treat! Then it was off to Vermont! We did 16.5 miles to the Seth Warner shelter. We are getting closer to Maine! I have less than 350 miles to go! We visited with several locals in Williamstown, Mass before leaving their state behind. Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-18
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: few clouds

I cowboy camped last night. Shelter was a little crowded. Saw shooting stars! Kept hearing noises like twigs snapping in the night. With Moose and Bear in the area I put my ear plugs in and went to sleep. Started the day with 2 bowls of oatmeal 2 cups of coffee and a nutri grain bar. For break I had a sleeve of oreo's and a bottle of water. For lunch I had a pouch of tuna a Butterfinger bar and a bottle of water. For dinner I had 3 cups of soup and 4 servings of mashed potatoes and a bottle of water. Average days food intake. Think I'm down about 40 lbs. we hiked 21.6 miles today to Goddard shelter. Expecting rain tonight and into tomorrow. Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-19
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Stratton Pond shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: light rain

It rained most of the night but quit by the time we headed out. We kept the pack covers on most of the day. The big climb today was up Stratton Mtn. Right at 4000ft. We did 19.3 miles to Stratton Pond shelter. When you enter Vermont you are on the Long Trail/AT for 105.2 miles. It is older than the AT. Their has been Moose skat on the trail but no moose yet! We are heading for town tomorrow for 2 down days! I'm tired and need a rest. 1 more week and we will be in Hanover, NH. Then I have 2 sections, 1 in NH and 1 in Maine. Should finish on the 12th of June. Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-20
From: Stratton Pond shelter

To: Manchester Centerq
Miles today: 10.7

Today we traveled 10.7 miles to the road into Manchester Center by 11a. Our ride was picking us up at noon but showed up at 12:30p. The temp was 37 wind 15mph and sprinkling. Burrr! We are in town for 2 days to resupply and other chores. Sorry to post late but was busy eating all day. Still up and it's way past hiker midnight and real midnight. Watching old movies! Life is good! Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-21
From: Manchester Centerq

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Today I finished my chores and settled in for old movies marathon. Dirty Harry! I normally sleep about 4 or 5 hours a night. At the shelters you have about 9 or 10 hours in my sleeping bag. Too long! Here at the hotel I am sleeping about 3 or 4 hours and watching old movies. Eating fruit, salads, and lots of liquids! Life is good! I may shave soon, getting a little warm with all this hair!Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-22
From: Zero Day

To: zero day
Miles today: 0.0

This was a long day but needed. By the 3rd day after any event I do I'm back to 100%. Tomorrow we hit the trail. I'm rested, fed, hydrated, and my muscles are ready to go. I just had dinner and drinks with 3 lovely women. Wow what a great 2 down days! In 57 days on the trail I wore my rain suit 4 hours one day. Awesome weather on this trip! Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-23
From: zero day

To: Big Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

Today we made it back to the AT. We hiked 16.5 miles to the Big Branch shelter. It's Memorial Day weekend and the trails are crowded. Some folks don't seem to follow any rules. Tents go outside the shelters! Great to be back on the trail! Weather still holding up. Day 58 and I have worn my rainsuit a total of 4 hrs. Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-25
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Mountain Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 20.3

Today we hiked 20.3 miles to the Mountain Meadows Lodge. My phone and charger are both drained and need charging. The rains started this morning but didn't last long. We hiked Killington peak today. The ski resort is still open for skiing. They keep saying the rains will start any day. Maybe maybe not. Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-26
From: Mountain Meadows Lodge

To: Winturri Shelter
Miles today: 16.0

We are so far in the woods we can barely see sunlight and phone signal is bad. Sorry for the delays. We hiked 16.0 miles to the Winturri shelter today and had it to ourselves. Us and 10 million mosquitos! Slept with a head net all night. Rain was supposed to start today but never happened. Vermont has had no rain for awhile but that may be changing! Temps are in the upper 80's. Having a blast! We are flying through the states! Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-27
From: Winturri Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: few clouds

We only had to go 11.6 miles today to the Thistle Hill shelter so we left late so we would reach the "On the Edge Farm" for apple turnovers cookies and Gatorade. Then 6 miles later we stopped at the Cloudland Market for a few cold drinks. Most places up here don't like franchise anything. The cold drinks were local, no preservatives, and great! We were able to get a signal and saw there was a storm coming so we hurried the last 2 miles. Got to the shelter and fetched water. The bottom fell out of the sky! Hard rain pouring down. But we are nice and dry in the shelter. Tomorrow we leave Vermont and enter New Hampshire. I only have a section in NH and a small section in Maine. Getting close!! Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-28
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover
Miles today: 15.4

The weather today was foggy and wet. We covered 15.4 miles to Hanover, Nh. Everything was damp. Great to be in New Hampshire. Another state done. 2 sections to complete. 1 in NH and 1 in Maine. Taking a few days off and then tackle those. Skeeter and I have hiked together for over 600 miles and today was our last day hiking together. She should have no problem completing her flip flop. Signal strength has been low so I might get behind for a day or two. Still having fun! Nice and dry compared to Oklahoma. Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-29
From: Hanover

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I drove down and got my truck in Virginia. Ive been slack packing the NH section. Next week I will finish the Maine section and be done with my hike. The signal here is bad so I will update when possible. The cold weather and rain have moved in this last week but are moving out tonight. Back in the 70's starting tomorrow. If it's cold the bugs are not out. If it warms up the bugs are relentless. Still having a great time! So close! Boomer!
Date: 2015-05-30
To: NH & ME
Miles today: 0.0

I'm officially calling this hike done! I had great weather, good company, and a wonderful time! I might drive down to Delaware and Rhode Island to say " yep I've been there. I think that will complete my New England Tour! Last night I ate at "Skunk Hollow Tavern". Staying at our time share in Ascutney, Vt. Driving across covered bridges and eating in small town cafe's. Tomorrow I am heading to the trail to do trail magic. Gatorade, snacks, maybe a ride or 2. Then heading west. Should be home soon! Boomer!
Date: 2015-02-08
To: 2015, Our Second AT Experience
Miles today: 0.0

2014 was a great year. We finished our thru-hike on top of Mt. Katahdin on August 19. I went back in October and November to finish the sections of trail (mostly Massachusetts and Vermont) that I missed when I picked up Lyme¢s disease along the way. I loved the hike, but vowed that I was finished with the epic adventures. Princess wasn¢t so adamant and started probing other possibilities - PCT, Camino de Santiago, Benton MacAye, John Muir, etc. And as I worked to organize our AT photos, I began to feel the pull. I showed Princess the slides in January and at the end she asked if I wanted to do it again. I said yes and she agreed, so we¢re back to try it again.So this is the Intro to another TJ site for our 2015 hike. We¢re looking forward to a new set of adventures and more new friends. We¢re less than 3 weeks away from the starting line and busy making preps. We are planning to do things differently this time, I¢ll tell you more in the next couple of entries.
Date: 2015-02-10
To: Some changes from last year
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We¢re moving right along with preparations for our 2015 AT adventure. The planning doesn¢t seem as daunting the second time around. I hope I¢m not getting too complacent, we¢re leaving in just a couple of weeks. Princess on the other hand is spending considerable time and energy putting everything together. She¢s been busy updating our gear and laying out a baseline plan for the whole hike. Our packs are going to be lighter this year. When I get a few minutes I plan to put together a gear list that includes only what we plan to take this year. (My gear list last year included a lot of items that fell by the wayside, literally, as we gained experience along the trail.) We have decided to forego the food preparation efforts we went through in 2014, when we spent almost 4 months preparing, dehydrating, and vacuum-packing 3 to 4 months of breakfasts, snacks and dinners. Our plan for this trip is considerably different, we plan to eat and resupply in the towns and stores along the trail. That saves a lot of weight. The disadvantage is that we lose control over exactly what we eat. But neither of us have special dietary considerations, so it¢s not a big issue. And frankly, last year after several months of oatmeal breakfasts and dehydrated chili, pasta, etc., it all started to taste the same and we got really tired of our prepared meals. But there are still some items that we plan to purchase in advance and have them sent to us when or if we need them. I¢ll post a list of those when we get closer to the start.
Date: 2015-02-12
To: Planning on company during our AT hike.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I¢m sitting in a nice, warm coffeeshop sipping my latte and watching the snow swirl around the workers heading home outside. We¢ve had some pretty warm January days here in Norfolk recently, but a front is going through and we¢re bracing for some cold nights. I¢m beginning to wonder if heading back to the AT so early in the year was a good decision. We had some snow and cold on the trail last year, but mostly it was mild. When we started last year, there were 3 of us: my wife, Princess; her brother, Ranger; and me - Rocketman. This year we didn¢t expect that Ranger would join us. But recently, he¢s offered to help us out at the start and hike at least a few sections with us. That¢s great news and we¢re really excited about it. He¢s the one among us who knows the most about hiking, camping and the outdoors in general. In fact, if he weren¢t with us at the end last year I¢m not sure how we would have made it up Mt. Katahdin. He (and his wife Gay) are going to support us as far as Fontana Dam, and we¢re hoping that he will join us for some camping in the Smokies. This is fantastic news. With their support, we¢ll be able to enjoy some warm showers and real food. Plus, he enjoys camping much more than we do and there¢s almost no way to get through the Smokies this time of year without camping.Last weekend we had brunch with Glen and Frances Sachse. Glen plans to join us for a short section somewhere in Virginia. We showed him last year¢s pictures and gave him more equipment pointers than he bargained for I¢m sure. We're hoping to have more of our friends join us this year and share the experience. So things are looking great. We plan to leave Norfolk on Feb 24 and visit Princess¢ parents in Huntsville, AL. Then head back to Ranger¢s house in Blue Ridge, GA. Ranger & Gay (and their dogs, Tootsie and Sadie) live only about 30 miles from Springer Mountain.   We¢re checking things off our todo list. Today we updated our wills, a somber task. Not that we¢re anxious, but it¢s been 10 years - so it¢s time. And we¢re making the doctor and dentist rounds. Last year our doctors gave us prescriptions for some meds just in case. Like doxycycline for Lyme¢s, and meds for giardia, and infections in general. Unfortunately, some of them turned out to be necessary.