morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-06-05
From: Home in New Jersey

To: Home in New Jersey
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The more I thought about hiking the entire AT as a section hiker rather than a thru hiker, the more I came to like the idea. I started to do some detailed planning about how I could complete the trail by next year by hiking an additional 500 miles this year and 625 next year. I¢ll go back on the trail to complete New York on Sunday for five days followed by ten days in Massachusetts. Then I hope to hike New Hampshire with Second Chance in July and Vermont in August.How will it feel to say ¢I hiked the entire AT mostly over the course of two years¢ versus ¢I thru hiked the AT¢. It doesn¢t carry the same level of pride, at least for me. But there are some definite benefits to taking the section hiker path. Without the time constraints of a thru hike, I can take time off to rest my shins should they continue to flare up. And I can target shorter daily miles to try and avoid this and other stress injuries. There¢s also the opportunity to come off the trail now and then to take part in other fun activities with Joan.So yes, I¢ve made a decision to hike the Appalachian Trail as a section hiker rather than a thru hiker. I¢ll be able to take pride in completing the entire trail, one of the most difficult long-distance trails in the country.Farfar is signing off for now and will resume journal entries on Sunday when I get back on trail.  I'll be camping at RPH Shelter that night (Sunday, June 10).
Date: 2018-06-10
From: Home in New Jersey

To: RPH Shelter 
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Well hello again. I¢m back on the trail. This time hiking officially as a section hiker rather than a thru hiker. I¢ve got plans in place that will have me finishing the AT next year, hopefully by summiting Katahdin. Rough outline as follows.2018 - finish NY, hike MA, NH, VT and the Smokies 2019 - finish VA, hike PA and MEHappily I won¢t be doing this all alone. Second Chance and I will hike the Smokies, NH and ME together. We¢ll both be completing the trail next year. To complete what I¢ve not hiked in NY will take just four days, today being the first. Christine, a long time friend who lives not far from here generously offered to meet me at the CT border where I left my car and drove me to today¢s starting point. This way my car is waiting for me when I finish NY. We hadn¢t seen each other for quite a while and it was fun catching up. I¢m wearing new shoes and they¢re not trail runners. It¢s risky wearing a new style of shoe without taking the time to break them in first. But so far so good. They¢re Keen low rise hiking shoes, not waterproof. They have a sturdier sole and protect my feet a little better on the rocks.With the car shuttling this morning I didn¢t start hiking till after 10:00, getting me into camp here at RPH at 5:15. And here¢s the amazing part. When Christine dropped me off at Dennytown Rd, guess who was crossing the road at that very instant? If you guessed Durwood and PT you¢d be 100% correct. Last I heard I thought they¢d be a day ahead of me. It was nice hiking with these two gentlemen and Durwood caught me up with the goings on of various hikers we both know. The AT may be 2191 miles, but somehow it¢s a small world. Pizza can be ordered and delivered to this shelter, but I passed on it. I¢ve been eating home and town food for the past six days and the three of us stopped at Canopus Lake Beach where there¢s a concession stand. I lunched on a hot dog and fries, two bottles of lemonade and an ice cream sandwich.
Date: 2018-06-11
From: RPH Shelter 

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 9.0

It was a short nine mile day today. Up at 5:00, hiking by 6:30, at camp by 12:15, and that¢s including a one mile round trip detour south on Rt 52 to the Mountainside Deli. There were a bunch of hikers, including Durwood, who decided to visit the deli. He and I ordered bacon, egg and cheese on a roll. They were excellent, as to be expected in the state of New York. Really nice shelter tonight. The water source is a hand pump but the water still needs to be treated. I¢m now lying in my hammock at 2:30 after eating lunch and making two trips to the well. It¢s such a luxury to be all set up so early in the day, especially when the weather is perfect. I¢ve got my ridge line strung but my tarp is draped over one end so I can look up at the trees. Should it rain, and it¢s not supposed to, I¢ll just need to pull the tarp over me and guy it down. Speaking of gear, I¢ve got a new light weight down blanket which I used for the first time last night. It keeps me warm without the sweating of my heavier down quilt in this warm weather. It takes up about half the space of my quilt in my pack. I think I¢ll take it when I hike MA next week. There¢s a guy named Robbie here at the shelter. We were chatting at the picnic table this afternoon and I asked him about how he¢s able to take the time to hike the trail as he didn¢t seem old enough to be retired. He said he was taking a break from his work as an opera singer and church musician in the Catholic Church. He was explaining how many people don¢t realize that church musicians are often mercenaries who get paid. He was amazed when I told him that I too studied church music, went to Westminster Choir College and hold a Masters degree in choral conducting from Yale. Obviously we had a lot to talk about. He has a doctorate in voice from Manhattan School of Music. I never thought I¢d run into another church musician on the trail. Lots of other fun people tonight. Holly and her daughter Trish got on the trail two days ago headed to Katahdin. There¢s a curious man from Colorado who claims to have already hiked the entire AT and is doing it again. Yet he¢s wearing a cotton t-shirt and blue jeans. He¢s sleeping in a tiny light weight hammock and carries no tarp. I hiked through a short section of trail today that in my experience was quite unique. It appears that on this section the trail maintainers actually removed the rocks from the trail and stacked them alongside the trail. It was aesthetically pleasing to both my eyes and my feet. PT passed by as I was photographing this abnormality and suggested I send it to the Pennsylvania trail crew. I had planned on hiking to the next shelter tomorrow but that would make for an even shorter day than today. Do I really want to pull in for the night at 11:00 AM? So I¢m thinking about 16.6 to the shelter after that. That would make day 4 back to my car a less than two mile day.
Date: 2018-06-12
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter 
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: light rain

Because my plan for this four day hike finishing New York was made with shin splint prevention in mind, I was going to have a very short 7.8 mile day today with a ten mile hike to my car tomorrow morning. But last night I decided to try for the second Shelter, a 16.6 mile day, leaving a mere 1.2 mile walk to my car. I¢m glad I decided to push on. I arrived at the first shelter with the cool name of Telephone Pioneers Shelter at 10:15 in the morning, a tad early for setting camp. The weather and the trail these past two days have been perfect. Sunny, not too hot, and the trail was never too difficult and passed through some scenic countryside. We hiked alongside the beautiful Nuclear Lake, so named for the plutonium testing facility along its shore, shut down in 1972 after a chemical explosion. We passed by the Dover Oak, the largest on the trail. We saw the Metro North Appalachian Trail train stop at NY 22 where a most excellent food truck was parked nearby. I enjoyed their fishamajig, seasoned fries, a strawberry shake and a Coke. With a full stomach I hiked on through pastures and the longest sustained climb of this segment. I¢m happy that my shin splints have not returned and that my heel is holding up well. My new hiking shoes are comfortable and are super grippy on the rocks. After meeting Robbie yesterday I was inspired to listen to some music today. During the later morning I listened to Tchaikovsky¢s 6th symphony. The third movement is such a powerful expression of joy that, with the help of exercise induced endorphins, I was literally moved to tears. Discerning readers may question why I didn¢t just hike the additional 1.2 to my car today. I like camping and chatting around the dinner table. I¢m also giving two hikers, Leslie and Brooke, a ride into Kent, CT and it works better for them to arrive there in the morning. Leslie is a sixtysomething section hiker and she¢s hiking with Brooke, a twentysomething student of forestry. I¢ve been enjoying their company. This has been a most enjoyable section and it has left me with a good feeling about the AT in New York.
Date: 2018-06-13
From: Wiley Shelter 

To: NY-CT border at Hoyt Rd
Miles today: 1.2
Weather: light rain

My destination for this 4-day hike was to finish the trail in New York, which I did with this morning¢s 1.2 mile hike. Leslie, Brooke and I left camp at my usual 6:30 and got to my car at Hoyt Rd by 6:53, relieved that my car was still there. And that I had my keys. I drove the ladies to Kent, CT where their car was parked. They have a long drive back to central Virginia, so an early start was appreciated. I had a two hour drive back home to New Jersey.I have enjoyed these four days in New York. I was lucky to have good weather for this stretch and wouldn¢t you know, it started to drizzle just as we got to my car. It¢s nice to be home again and I look forward to celebrating Joan¢s birthday on the 20th and leaving for my hike of Massachusetts on the 21st. After that it¢s New Hampshire with Second Chance in July, Vermont in August, and the Smokies in September. I¢m signing off for now and will write again once I get to MA.
Date: 2018-06-22
From: Elbow Trail Junction

To: Tom Leonard Shelter 
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: broken clouds

I¢m back on the trail for eight days to hike the Massachusetts section to Bennington VT. A friend, Karin, in Salisbury, CT put me up and fed me last night and took me to the trail head this morning. I had planned on starting at the Jug End Rd trail crossing thinking that my brother Nate and I had finished our Connecticut section there years ago. But when we got there this morning I knew we hadn¢t hiked that far. So I asked Karin to take me back 2.8 trail miles to the Berkshire School just over the CT-MA border on Rt 41 because I think that¢s where Nate and I had stopped and I did not want to cheat. Well that extra 2.8 today turned out to be a serious addition to my planned day. First, I had to climb the 1.5 mile Elbow Trail from the school to the AT. Then, most of those 2.8 miles on the AT were a thousand foot rocky descent. After being at home for a week, today¢s total 15.2 was pretty challenging. It took me 9.5 hours.As is typical on a first day out, my right heel pain was worse than usual and as I lie in my hammock my legs are cramping. Fortunately these maladies subside after two or three days. It¢s good that I have a short day tomorrow as I pushed a little to hard today. Definitely some pretty trail today, walking through many pine and spruce forests. I love the dark cozy feel and the fresh smell. And there¢s no better hiking surface than a bed of pine needles. And speaking of needles, the shelter shows evidence of porcupines munching on the edge of the shelter floor where sweaty hikers have sat. They love the salt and I saw quite a few of their quills on the ground in front of the shelter. It¢s mostly flip-flippers tonight and one section hiker. They made for good dinner time conversation.Today¢s highlight was running into MizMan who was hiking southbound. It happened just after lunch. We sat and snacked and caught each other up on our hikes and what¢s up with other hikers we know. He informed me that Hawk, like me, had just decided to take two years to complete the trail. I had hiked a while with MizMan and Hawk back in the early days of my hike. MizMan holds a secure place on my short list of favorite people I¢ve met on my hike.
Date: 2018-06-23
From: Tom Leonard Shelter 

To: Shaker Campsite 
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: moderate rain

In yesterday¢s post I mentioned the evidence of porcupine activity near the shelter. I was tucked away in my hammock in lights out mode on my way to sleep when I heard a strange buzzing sound, a sound unlike any I¢d heard. I wanted to believe it was a newcomer setting up his tent and the buzzing was the tent¢s zipper. But then I thought maybe it¢s the porcupine. Then I heard ¢oh shit¢ from the tent near me and he confirmed my suspicion. He also said they¢re known to eat shoes. We¢ll sure, and packs too. They love the salt we filthy hikers impart to our gear. I bravely left my hammock, grabbed my shoes and socks and stowed them between my hammock and underquilt and hung my pack on a tree. After a while the buzzing stopped and the critter began gnawing at the shelter floor. That went on for well over an hour.In the morning I shared the breakfast table with a nice woman from Atlanta. Call her Two Words as I can¢t remember her trail name but know it was two words. She had her own problems with noise last night and was not a happy camper. There were two hikers near her who were talking till 4:00 in the morning. Though they were not near me, I heard them during one of my nocturnal potty breaks. ¢Hiker midnight¢ is generally considered to be 9:00 and all hikers should respect that. It was overcast all day and surprisingly cool. There were a few light sprinkles. After I had stopped for an early lunch I was happy to get moving again as I had become rather chilled. The food really rejuvenated me and I was able to cruise along at a respectable clip for most of the rest of the hike. As predicted my heel pain was much better today, though I developed an annoying trouble spot right at the top center of my foot, as though my shoe had a pressure point. I hope it doesn¢t come back tomorrow. I¢m at a campsite tonight rather than a shelter. Of course that means there¢s no place to hide from the rain other than under my tarp. Fortunately I¢d set up my hammock and tarp and had fetched water before the rain started. I hope it doesn¢t rain all afternoon and with no cell service here I can¢t look at the forecast. Arriving at camp at 1:00 is nice, but today may mean a whole lotta hanging in my hammock. They call this place the Shaker Campsite because it¢s on the site of a former Shaker community. There¢s one side of a stone building still here though not a whole lotta shakin¢ going on.Tomorrow calls for an 11.2 mile hike to US 20 where Peter, an office friend will be taking me to his home for the night. I¢m looking forward to spending time with him and his wife Meredith along with a shower, laundry and resupply. It¢s been nice hiking with only three days worth of food. A couple of days later I¢ll be atop Mt Greylock where I¢ll stay at Bascom Lodge. Then two more days to Bennington, VT and a shuttle ride back to my car in Salisbury, CT.
Date: 2018-06-24
From: Shaker Campsite 

To: Peter and MeredithÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs bungalow 
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

This was one of my favorite days on the trail. I got off to my usual early start, looking forward to staying with friends Peter and Meredith in Stockbridge. Then early in the day at the first road crossing I ran into Jimmy who was doling out trail magic from his truck. He recorded a short video interview with me as I enjoyed cold sodas and Twinkies. After the interview he mentioned the AMC hut at Sages Ravine and so I told him my AMC story. He loved the story and asked if I¢d repeat it on video. You can watch it on YouTube. Jimmy started talking about how he¢s been helping a hiker named Ringo, who I¢d hiked with down south. A minute later up walks Ringo. After a hug and more food and drink we hiked off together. But not before Jimmy offered to take my pack to Rt 20 so I could slack pack the rest of my day¢s hike. What a treat it was to hike with Ringo the whole way and with almost no weight on my back. We practically flew up Baldy Mountain, chatting the whole way like two school girls. It was amazing: virtually every hiker he or I brought up was known to both of us and we could catch each other up on the latest intel on them. We were hiking so fast that I arrived at Rt 20 an hour and a half earlier that I¢d planned. I had alerted Peter of my early arrival and he showed up minutes after me. Meanwhile Jimmy was stationed at a second road crossing along with his wife Sherry and a third trail angel named My Friend who had two dozen donuts on offer. Turns out My Friend lives in New Milford, NJ, a bordering town to mine. It¢s absolutely remarkable how many small world examples the trail provides. Peter took me to his cottage (Meredith prefers ¢bungalow¢) where I took a much needed shower and threw my filthy soaking wet clothes into the wash. After that they took me on a tour of the charming towns nearby and to Pittsfield where they shopped for groceries and I resupplied. Back home to a marvelous dinner of steak, tomatoes and mozzarella, corn on the cob and grilled vegetables. Fresh strawberries, ice cream and whipped cream for dessert. I heard from Peewee this evening and it turns out she¢s at the shelter I¢d have stayed at tonight had I not been staying at Peter¢s. I hope to see her tomorrow. All in all a great day!Pictured above is Ringo, Jimmy, Sherry and My Friend at the Jerusalem Rd crossing.
Date: 2018-06-25
From: Peter and MeredithÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs bungalow 

To: Kay Wood Shelter 
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Yesterday I wrote about the small world events that seem to happen a lot out here. Today, coincidences. You may recall a couple of weeks back when my friend Christine dropped me off at the Dennytown Rd crossing to complete my New York section. We had just said goodbye when Durwood and PT showed up. What are the odds that they¢d be at that road crossing just as I was being dropped off? Fast forward to today when my friend Peter dropped me off at Rt 20 this morning. Who should cross the road just as I was donning my pack but Peewee! That¢s quite a coincidence especially considering that it happened twice.Peewee and I chatted briefly as we began hiking but soon enough she was off at Peewee speed while I, no longer slackpacking, hiked my usual slow pace. In just a little while Ringo came along, still slackpacking. After a minute or so I waved him on. I saw them later leaving October Mountain Shelter where they had both lunched. I was happy to see them together as they had not yet met. With thousands of followers, Peewee is this year¢s premiere AT video bloggers on YouTube. You can catch her videos under her real name, Amanda Bess.Today¢s hike was easy enough though 16 miles is still a long hike for me. It was raining lightly in the morning but soon enough I saw a sunbeam lighting up a white birch and I shouted ¢Sun!¢. The rest of the day was sunny and blessedly cool. I think I want to try for a 17 mile hike to the next shelter tomorrow, but not only is that two long days back to back, but the last few miles take me most of the way up Mt Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts. I may decide to stop short and camp in Cheshire just before the climb. There¢s a church there that lets hikers camp on their lawn. If I decide to do that I may find no trees suitable for hanging my hammock. Fortunately the AT passed right through town so I wouldn¢t have to go far out of my way to check it out. If I can make it to the shelter I¢d have a very short hike to Bascom Lodge atop Greylock the next day. That would be super nice.
Date: 2018-06-26
From: Kay Wood Shelter 

To: Mark Noepel Shelter 
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: moderate rain

I wasn¢t sure if I could make another long day today after yesterday¢s 16. Not only did I make the 16.9 miles, including hiking most of the way up Mt Greylock, but I did so with no pain. I feel like I¢m back to being a strong hiker again. It didn¢t hurt that today¢s weather was beautiful and ideal for hiking. The trail passed through two towns today, Dalton and Cheshire. Both were fairly long street walks. In Dalton I ran into Peewee again and stopped at a Cumberland Farms where I grabbed a breakfast sandwich and some OJ. I also picked up an Italian sub and chips to carry for lunch. When I passed through Cheshire I stopped at the Dollar General for water and root beer. At both stops I met other hikers, some of whom are here at the shelter tonight. I had an interesting encounter with a bird today. I saw a smallish bird, I think a female blue jay, moving about on the ground, hopping and flapping as though it were injured. It seemed only to be able to jump and fly short distances. I stood still watching it as it began moving closer to me in short hops from branch to branch. I began speaking to it and the bird moved closer yet. When I moved a bit closer it didn¢t flinch. At less than three feet away, I don¢t think I¢ve ever been so close to a bird in the wild. Maybe I¢m becoming a woodland creature myself. Tomorrow¢s a nero; less than four miles to Bascom Lodge at the top of Mt Greylock. I¢m looking forward to a shower, decent food and a relaxing day. Then on Thursday I¢ll hike through Williamstown and into Vermont.