morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-18
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel 
Miles today: 4.2

Today is a Nearo day, less than 5 miles and a very early end to walking. I was up and on the trail by 6:10 and walked into Uncle Johnny's before 8, even before they opened for the day. I needed to re-provision for the last section into Hot Springs figuring it would take me a full 4 days. And there was talk about bear activity at No Business Shelter which is were I would have landed tonight so I am just planning to stay here tonight. This morning I experienced severe left foot pain right off the bat as I left the shelter. I did everything I could to ease it including pain relievers and after a long while I was able to suffer through today's mileage. Looking back I know it was plantar fasciitis that would plague me for the rest of this hike. Anyway, I settled in to the hostel, cleaned up, and relaxed the balance of the day, even went to lunch and dinner on the shuttle into town. I had no cell service here but I was able to use the hostel computer to catch up on e-mails.
Date: 2015-06-19
From: Uncle Johnny's Hostel 

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up and on the trail by 6:30 and after 2 short stops arrived at this shelter at 3:15. Today was warm with sun and some clouds and a short shower after I was in the shelter. I have been rather fortunate on this hike to avoid having to walk in the rain, only a couple of times and when there is rain it has been late in the day or at night. It truly has been a walk though Camelot. The number of hikers heading north are way down these past several days.
Date: 2015-06-20
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: moderate rain

I was up, packed, and out of the shelter by 6:45 AM and arrived at Flint Mt Shelter around 7:30 PM. I shared the shelter last night with Twizzler who was on a one night hike in from Sam's Gap. The day was cool and much of the trail was wet with dew from the rain and cool night. My feet were wet and my right shoe started chaffing my ankle so I had to make similar modifications to it as I had done to the left shoe in Troutdale. There were some fantastic views from both Bald Mountain and Big Flat. During the afternoon twice there were heavy down pours that absolutely drenched me.
Date: 2015-06-21
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: scattered clouds

...and I did. Probably 2 miles in the early morning and did not encounter a single soul. I did wear shoes and, of course, I had my pack on so a strategically placed bandanna would save the unsuspecting casual hiker the embarrassment of meeting me in the buff. The day started muggy with fog so my 6 AM start and early antics were only noticed by the natural wildlife of the forest. Later during the day I passed many hikers, this being a Sunday, but none were hiking naked. I arrived at Spring Mountain Shelter around 7 PM after a long but not too difficult day. Much of the trail has high grasses and weeds encroaching it and in the morning before the dew dries walking along it soaked my clothing and footwear. So my feet are starting to take a beating and I'm experiencing some blistering in odd places on them. This section of the trail had some nice rock scampers and exposed areas with great views. At Allen Gap I took a nice long break next to the shuttered cafe, Mom's. Good thing I only have one more day of hiking this section.
Date: 2015-06-22
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 11.0

After a 6:45 departure from the shelter this morning, I walked into Hot Springs at 12:45 but was delayed getting to Elmer's by having to wait 15 minutes for a freight train to clear the road crossing. There was no shade to wait in and the temperature in town must have been 96 degrees with 90% humidity.This is the last day of hiking on this particular section because I ended my 2009 thru hike attempt here. I have fond memories of that year's hike and having spent 3 days here at Elmer's I looked forward to being there again. This time both Elmer's and the town are much more quiet. This time I have a nice large room to myself located upstairs in the back. Since I again had feet problems I went over to the Dollar General store and bought some flip-flops, then showered and went up to Bluff Mt. Outfitters to arrange transportation home and to get a cool looking hiking shirt.Today the terrain was mostly dry, relatively easy with warm and clear conditions so I needed lots of water. The first water was more than 5 miles from the shelter just before Tanyard Gap.On the way to Hot Springs today I passed 3 day hikers and about 10 NOBO's who probably will run out of time to finish at Katahdin Mountain before it closes in October. That is unless they flip-flop.
Date: 2015-06-23
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Spring's Layover
Miles today: 0.0

I had a fitful sleep last night so I was up at 6:30 and went down way to early to talk with Elmer as he prepared a fantastic Spanish omelet for the couple of us that were here. The rest of the day was spent doing laundry, relaxing and trying to stay off my feet. I ate out lunch and dinner at a couple of other local establishments and made a reservation at the Hot Springs Resort for a soak tomorrow.I didn't want to walk to much as I still have pain in my left foot and the blisters on the tops of my toes don't hurt when I am walking in flip-flops. It seems that all my physical issues both this year and in 2009 and 2010 are related to my feet.  I really did not have any issues with my body above my ankles.
Date: 2015-06-24
From: Hot Spring's Layover

To: Tennessee
Miles today: 0.0

Carolina was not on my mind when I booked my bus connections yesterday. I am due to take the 8:30 PM bus from Greenville, TN so I most of the day to enjoy my last hours in Hot Springs and the southern AT experience before returning home on Friday. I will meet my shuttle at Bluff Mt.Outfitters at 6:30. But before that I will go to the one local hairdresser for a haircut and then take a full one hour soak in the hot tubs at the resort. It was recommended by a local to book either  #7 or #8 tub and my choice of # 8 had a great setting.I will relate the saga of my return on the next entry but I can now be happy that I've completed everything on the AT between Springer Mountain and Kent, CT.
Date: 2015-08-24
From: Kent, CT

To: Stewart Hollow brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

Linda brought me out the the trail head at Kent, CT but not before some gear issues which contributed to me having some other issues as well. To be realistic, I am doing this section totally off-the-grid. No cell, no camera, no headlamp, broken hiking poles, no money or credit cards. And I don't know how I might get myself home. I inadvertent packed glove liners instead of sock liners and I don't even need gloves. I totally forgot to pack a small towel or handkerchief. Anyway, I started on the trail at 2:00 PM after having brunch with Linda and running into a couple of other hikers. We helped one Nobo with a ride into Kent and another Sobo, Snow, who Linda gave a ride to the airport as she was leaving the trail. The weather today was humid and muggy and in the 80's with bugs. Today's hike went over Caleb's and St. Johns Ledge and finished with a 2.5 mile road walk. I arrived at the shelter about 6:15 and shared it with 5 others as well as others in a tent and hammock.My shoes have over 750 miles on them and I immediately earned blisters. Also one hiking pole would not adjust at all so when I went to the Outfitter in Kent they could not fix it nor did they have any poles in stock. I had to shortened the other to get by. My headlamp battery was dead and by mistake I had left fresh batteries in the car.
Date: 2015-08-25
From: Stewart Hollow Shelter

To: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

This section mileage total is 17.0.I walked today with great difficulty. I must have pulled a muscle during yesterday's walk as my left hamstring is very painful especially going downhill. I have to take frequent breaks and it took me from 8:15 to 4:30 to walk the 10 miles I needed to do to get here. I am very discouraged and am not embracing the Connecticut portion of the trail very well. It is warm and muggy, in the high 70's with little wind that makes for annoying insects.Today, I encountered hiking groups from both Yale and Trinity College on pre-semester trips as well as 6 SOBO's but nobody heading north. Fireball started this morning from Limestone Spring Shelter where he reported seeing a cub and mother bear.I am in the shelter and there is a brook nearby with good water but also swampy areas so the bugs are bad here. I am considering my options for getting off the trail sooner rather than later and Salisbury may be my best option.
Date: 2015-08-26
From: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter

To: Belter's Campsite
Miles today: 5.9

Again, pain was the issue for today. So, I am up to 22.9 miles on this section.Last night I slept with no one else but the mice and they did not sleep so neither did I. I always hang my food bag or put it in the bear box if there is one available and then leave the zippers on my pack open so that mice can come and go as they wish without having to eat holes in the pouches of the pack. I always check my shoes before putting them on so for the most part I co-exist with the mice and they haven't been much of an issue for me. Yet last night I did get up a couple of times to shoo them off so I could get a little sleep. Four other hikers, NOBO's, came in last night and tented. I was up late at 8 and decided to only do short mileage because of the pain in my legs.On my way here, I was having lunch at the Hang Glider Viewpoint just a mile from Belter's when a NOBO section hiker stopped and I asked to make a call with her phone. I was able to talk to Linda who confirmed that she had all my important items in a zip lock bag that I had left in the back seat of the car. So I asked her to meet me after work on Friday in Lee, MA and I would be able to somehow get myself there be then. The hiker I borrowed the phone from was doing the entire Connecticut section, a little under 50 miles in 2 days. Very impressive.I encountered another large group of Yalie's during my walk today and also as I was finishing my dinner yet a third group from Yale arrived at the campground to stay the night. This campground is in a forest of evergreens and I was careful to pick a spot that didn't have to much of a canopy so as to avoid tree sap on my rain tarp which I just draped over my bag. I hope there is no rain tonight.
Date: 2015-08-27
From: Belter's Campsite

To: Limestone Spring Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up at first light with a quick bite to eat and packing up didn't take long. The day dawned with morning fog and mist. The trail descended into the Falls Village area but because the bridge over the Housatonic was out I had a 3 mile road walk and did not even go through the village. At the end of the detour just before the falls I relaxed at the county park across from the power plant. The sun broke out and I was able to spread my wet gear out to dry before heading on up the trail. The Falls were flowing well and the path was interesting with some nice views. I think I made the shelter around 1 but don't know for sure as I have no time piece with me. I told you I was "off the grid". During the hike I saw one NOBO and one SOBO.Anyway, I wasn't going any further today so I just relaxed and enjoyed the sunny afternoon. This shelter is one half mile down a side trail and in a very beautiful setting with a good water source, well worth visiting. The weather was nice, partly cloudy and low humidity, in the hi 60's mostly. There are a couple of ladies with a dog that are tenting here tonight and even though I put my food bag in the bear box I don't think there will be any visits by the mother bear and cub.
Date: 2015-08-28
From: Limestone Spring Shelter

To: Salisbury, CT, RTE 44
Miles today: 3.7

Yesterday before my dinner, a German couple arrived, Katie and David, and joined the other ladies for conversation while we finished eating before it got dark.I was up at first light again and this morning there was the barking of coyotes to waken me. On my way down to Rte 44 the pain returned in my legs so I was glad to be done with this section and I had reached the same point I had hiked to from Great Barrington several years earlier. I had a couple of hitches before I made my way back to the Town of Lee at around 1 PM. The local visitor center was open and I was able to use their phone to call Linda and confirm that she would pick me up later that evening. I hung out at the library and the park next to it and then when Linda arrived we had dinner before driving back home.(Ed note: I came back to this section of the trail in September of 2017 and did several day hikes to take photos of the shelters and Falls.)
Date: 2015-09-17
From: Massachusetts Rte 2

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

After leaving my house at 8 AM and taking public transportation (commuter rail, 3 buses and the local BRTA shuttle bus from Williamstown) I was on the trail at 3:30 and into the shelter just as dusk settled in at 7:00. At South Station in Boston I met a hiker named Reed and rode with him to Pittsfield but then he caught me on the trail into Seth Warner Shelter. There was one other hiker in a tent and Reed and I only in the shelter.Today's weather was nice, in the 70's and dry. As I was settling into the shelter, I discovered that I didn't have my water filter or purification tablets so I will have to take my chances and just use the best sources for water. Also, before I left for this trip, I was given a prescription for antibiotics to treat a blocked sinus so I think this might also help protect me from getting sick due to bad water. So far my new boots and hiking poles are working great.
Date: 2015-09-18
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Total miles on this section is 20.1  The weather was very nice, clear, dry and in the 60's and 70's. I arrived at this shelter just after 4:00 PM after having lunch at Cogdon Shelter around noon. I am pleased with my pace and the fact that I am not having many aches and pains. The only challenging portion of today's walk was the descent before reaching RTE 9. At the parking lot, a car had it's window broken out. People!  During the day I encountered 3 - 4 SOBOs and then while I was fetching water I met a sectioning SOBO named Tigger from Groton, MA. After my dinner and camp chores I settled in by myself as it was getting dark. But that did not last.
Date: 2015-09-19
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: clear sky

Total mileage so far on this section is 32.9 miles. Weather is nice and dry and in the 60's. Physically, I seem to be holding up well.I saw a Moose! a Bull Moose! in the woods! and it made a lot of noise! sounded like a freight train! It was gone before I could get any pictures. Much of the trail at that point going forward had moose tracks and poop. I first heard it, then saw its backside running away from me, then its head rose majestically and gracefully to where the whole rack was visible. Then I could see the animal bounding away as he ran on and into the woods.So getting back to last night. After retiring for the evening and the darkness settling in, several hikers came into the shelter and everyone was talkative and just being social for awhile. I wasn't used to this many people in the sleeping area and I kept getting disturbed until well into the morning hours. I eventually fell asleep about 3 AM but was up and again on the trail by 8. The moose was spotted just after a mid-morning break around 9:30. I then continued on the trail and had lunch at Goddard Shelter. This being Saturday and a good warm day, many day hikers arrived at Goddard on their way up to Glastenbury Mt. Tower. After climbing the tower and getting some great pictures, I continued on the the shelter arriving at 3:15.At the shelter, I met the volunteer shelter maintainer who hiked in from a side trail and brought a new register. One of the NOBO hikers from last night arrived but after fixing himself a meal moved on to the next shelter. There are a couple of other hikers here in tents and I understand some rain is coming tonight so I expect more hikers will arrive later.
Date: 2015-09-20
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

Total section mileage is 47.9 miles. A thundershower last night and then cool morning with a clear and breezy afternoon. Cool on top of Stratton Mountain.Only one other hiker came into the shelter last night, very talkative, headed south but wanting to get off the trail at Pawling, NY. I left the shelter in cool and cloudy conditions with no rain but water still dropping from the trees. I had shorts on and 3 layers on top and couldn't walk fast enough to warm up. By the time I reached the next shelter I wanted to take a break, make a cup of hot chocolate and climb into my sleeping bag to warm up. But I couldn't do that because there was a trail crew there (at Story Spring Shelter) doing repairs and sprucing up the area. I stopped only for a short time to eat a snack and visit then moved on. At Kelly Stand the trail starts its ascent of Stratton so I rested there a while, had lunch, and sat in the sun to warm up.Stratton was a haul but worth the climb. There is a caretaker, Jean, that, during the season, lives at the top of Stratton and it being a nice Sunday day there were many day hikers there. Stratton Mountain has a fine tower and exhibits that describe the early days and the creation of the AT. It is an important place and has been designated as such by the US Park Service. It was good to see our tax dollars at work on the AT.I moved on down the mountain to the shelter at the bottom near the pond. Stratton Pond Shelter is a fee based shelter but only $5.00. It sleeps 16 and has a large sleeping area and also a loft but there were only 4 of us there. Just as it was getting dark, the caretaker, Carly, came to chat and sign us all in. She also had the Patriot game results for us (they beat the Bills). She said it would be cold tonight.
Date: 2015-09-21
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Bromley Mountain Hut
Miles today: 12.7

At a ski warming hut on top of Bromley Mountain. Total section mileage is now 60.6 miles. A cold night and morning but warmed quickly into the 60's.Last night after dark, 3 more long distance hikers arrived at the shelter so even this late in the season there are still many hikers doing big miles. In fact it was cold all night and my feet never really warmed up. Even so I was on the trail by 8 wearing long pants and 3 layers on top. I was able to avoid getting water out of the pond by filling up at a small spring that is practically on the trail very near the shelter. So far so good with having access to good water sources in Southern Vermont. By 11 AM I was down to the usual shorts and Tee as the sun warmed the day. I stopped in at Spruce Peak Shelter where a woman hiker was still inside trying to get warm. This shelter is 4-sided and has a working wood stove but is in a forested area with little light, not at all on a peak. I sat out in the sun at the picnic bench to eat lunch. Then I moved on with no other interaction with the sequestered hiker inside the shelter.At Bromley Shelter, I took another long break before pushing up the slopes of the ski area to the summit. A NOBO that I had seen at Kid Gore came in for a short break, we caught up on trail news then he left. His name is Homey and he had just come back from a night in town, that being Manchester Center. After a good break, I climbed the last mile to the summit and this warming hut where I plan to stay the night. I watered up at the last shelter as there is no source at the top. Homey was there and we talked some more. He convinced himself to stay the night so it was just him and me there. It is about 550 feet higher in elevation tonight from last night but quite a bit warmer in the enclosed hut. I am glad of that. This being at the top of the mountain I have cell service so I was able to talk to Linda some.
Date: 2015-09-22
From: Bromley Mountain Hut

To: Little Rock Pond Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: broken clouds

Total for this Southern Vermont Section is 77.3 miles. Btw, the trip miles is the sum of all my miles for this year since that is the way I have managed my journal. Cloudy with some afternoon sun and temps in the 40's and 50's. Wearing long pants and 3 top layers then gradually down to shorts and T by 11 AM.Last night after a hot meal of instant potatoes and tuna, I was asleep at hiker midnight (8 PM ) and slept well. Then I was up and on the trail by 8 AM after a quick breakfast. My progress was steady with occasional breaks at the shelters I passed along the way and I arrived at Little Rock Pond by 4 PM. I passed several couples SOBOing the LT but no other AT hikers. Homey arrived around 5 and there also is a mother and her adult daughter staying in the shelter tonight. This shelter is of the newer design and only a few years old so there is plenty of sleeping space. Down by the pond the caretakers tent was setup but they didn't make their presence known. This is a very pretty setting for the shelter and the pond and there even was a conoe to use. I would definitely enjoy coming back to this section of the trail.
Date: 2015-09-23
From: Little Rock Pond Shelter

To: Yellow Deli
Miles today: 12.6

I'm in Rutland, VT at the Yellow Deli Hostel. This place has such a great vibe and I would recommend it to anyone who needs to get off the trail to recharge their batteries.Today's walk is the last one of the season and amounts to 89.9 total miles for this section. The weather again started off cool but warmed from the 40's up into the 70's.I was up at first light and on the trail by 7:20 after a nice cup of hot tea that the mom gave me. Later, while hiking, I passed a large group of day hikers and one of them gave me an orange. My food bag is getting down to very little choices so I am happy to have a little variety on my last day on the trail.As you can see by the many photos I've posted this is the infamous Rock Garden section of the AT in Vermont. I must have spend most of an hour there because the morning light was so good. I feel very lucky on this trip to experience Vermont in all its Fall glory with very little rain and No Mud.After getting off the AT at Clarendon Gorge, I was looking forward to getting a real meal at the Whistle Stop Cafe just down the road so I walked there but when I arrived it was dead quiet. Not a soul in sight and when I approached the front door I noticed that they are not open for business on Wednesdays.So I hitched into Rutland and my ride brought me right to the Yellow Deli. There I was met in the restaurant and given a very refreshing fruit smoothie. They asked if I needed to order lunch and told me to do that before going up to the hostel as they were about to close for the day. I had a great cranberry salad and coffee, casually enjoying them as I watched the staff closing up. When I asked for the check they had closed the register so they only ask that I give them what I wanted to. I think I gave them a $10 bill.Going up the stairs to the hostel, one passes an AT blaze on the stairs. There were some other hikers here and also Homey came in after the restaurant had closed. I got cleaned up and settled into my bunk, then went to the AMTRAK and the bus stations to figure my plan to get home tomorrow. For dinner I went to a local pub then met Homey and we went to a 7 o'clock movie. We were back in the Hostel by 10.