morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-06
From: George W. Outerbridge Shelter

To: Wind Gap, PA
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: light rain

Started the day with the epic climb up out of Lehigh Gap. It's a steep rock scramble up some denuded rocks. The day was foggy, and by the time I got to the top of the climb, I was in the fog. In fact, I spent much of the day in the fog. It didn't rain today, but my shoes and socks still got saturated from the dew and moisture in the air. The hiking was again brutal. Miles and miles of walking on rocks. I took two falls today. I caught myself on the first fall and just bruisedmy hip. But I took a hard fall the second time, slipping on a wet rock and completely losing my feet from under me. My right shin scraped along a tree stump that was nearby. Fortunately, I didn't land on any rocks. Besides a bloody shin, I was okay. The day ended on a positive note as our foursome made it to Wind Gap, PA. We stayed at the Travelers Inn and had pizza for dinner. A quick resupply at Walmart, and I'm ready to get out of PA.
Date: 2012-05-07
From: Wind Gap, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA/ Church of the Mountain Hos
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I was planning on doing my first thirty mile day today and head into New Jersey, but I thought better of it and decided to do a shorter day to finish PA. Couldn't leave town until I stopped at the post office. Got to the trailhead by 9:15. After a short climb up a mountain, the rocks began in earnest. The rocks were relentless today. For the past two days there were at least short 100 meter sections with largely devoid of rocks. However, today there was no such relief for the first eight miles. I hit my low point of the journey today. I contemplated sitting down and feeling sorry for myself, but I was stubborn enough to keep walking. Eventually I hit a road crossing after eight miles. A shelter followed shortly thereafter. Little did I know that the road crossing signaled a lessening of the trail's rockiness. The trail didn't suddenly become smooth, but at least I coould see myself finishing today's hike.Eventually, I made it into Delaware Water Gap, the last trail town in PA. I stopped at the outfitter and post office. Staying at the Church of the Mountain Hostel. Nice place.So happy to be leaving the state of Pennsylvania tomorrow. All I have to do is cross a bridge. No more rocks. Not sure if I'll ever hike the AT in Pennsylvania (or should I say Rocksylvania) again.
Date: 2012-05-08
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA/ Church of the Mountain Hos

To: Brink Rd. Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Finally made it out of PA. Left really early around 6:30. It was supposed to rain all day, but the rain didn't come until about 12:30. That gave me about 6 hours without rain. I made some good miles in some windy, cool weather. NJ is much better than PA. There were still rocky sections similar to PA, but they didn't last long. There were also nice stretches on old gravel roads. Some good views today. Started to rain lightly around 12:30. Around 1it was a steady rain. I was really wet when I hit the first shelter around 3. I had wanted to hike a 31 mile day, but I settled for a 24 mile day to get out of the rain. More rain is forecasted for tomorrow. Maybe the forecast will be wrong. Praying for a sunny day. Haven't had one in more than eight days.Here with Mav, Goose, and Groundhog, plus two section hikers named Fig and Brillo.
Date: 2012-05-09
From: Brink Rd. Shelter

To: Pochuck Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 32.0

My first 30+ mile day! Actually hiked 32 miles. New Jersey made me earn it. It rained more last night, which meant that the rocks were good and slippery for most of the day. The first 18 miles were wet and rocky. I took one tumble but no injuries. The trail seemed very similar to yesterday's experience, and there were times when things looked eerily similar. Was able to stop at a coffe shop at a road crossing in the morning for a second breakfast. My first breakfast consisted of two Little Debbie Honey Buns and a Snickers Bar. My second breakfast consisted of a egg and sausage sandwich on a bagel, a chocalate donut, a pint of orange juice, and a pint of chocalate milk. And yet I still lose weight. Of course, I'm walking with 25-30 pounds of weight up and down mountains 9-10 hours per day.The last 14 miles were much nicer. Gradual downhills. The terrain was less rocky and much softer on my feet. I made good time in the afternoon. Saw my first beaver. Even had time to walk 0.4 miles at a road crossing to a deli/grocery store. Had a sub sandwich for dinner and four poptarts for desert.Hiked the last 4.4 miles after dinner. Happy that I don't need to cook dinner. Will finish New Jersey tomorrow, only three days. Then on to New York.
Date: 2012-05-10
From: Pochuck Mtn. Shelter

To: Warwick, NY
Miles today: 19.0

Got a late start after my first 30 mile day. Didn't leave until after 8:30. It rained overnight so the trail was somewhat wet. The highlights of the day were the boardwalks through marshy areas. Also got some Fresh donuts at Heaven Hill Farms. Goose caught up with me there, and then we hiked up Wayawanda Mtn.  and eventually into New York. Everyone had looked forward to crossing into New York, but NY had some rude surprises for us - steep climbs on up and down rock slabs. We were blessed that the rain had stopped early that morning and that the rocks weren't freshly wet. For future thru-hikers or northbounders who are behind me, the first five miles after crossing the border is a potentially dangerous area when wet.The rock slabs and constant rock scrambling really slowed Goose and I down. We didn't find the blue-blazed trail into Greenwood Lake until about6:30. Once into town we found Anton's on the Lake but nobody was home. We called the number, but no one answered. Eventually, we called a cab and got a ride into Warwick, NY and stayed at the Warwick Motel. Clean place with a nice owner who gave us a ride to the trail head.
Date: 2012-05-11
From: Warwick, NY

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Got another late start. Didn't hit the trail until about 9:45. We got a ride back into Greenwood Lake, because we needed to hike back up the blue-blazed trail and to the spot where we got off the AT. The trail was really tough today. Lots of short, steep climbs up rock walls. New York was definitely proving to be much tougher than we anticipated. The sunny day was great, but the miles were tough because the rocks really slowed us down. We hiked about 2mph most of the day. Eventually we made it to Fingerboard Shelter just before dark.
Date: 2012-05-12
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: clear sky

Hit the trail really early today because I was planning on meeting my sister at Bear Mtn. Got up by 5:30 and was on the trail by 6:00 am. Made six miles in the first two hours but then got lost for a half hour after crossing the Palisades Parkway. Eventually, I met my sister on the backside of Bear Mtn. She had driven from NYC where she lives.   It was such a treat to see my sister. While I haven't gotten homesick on the trail, I definitely miss my family. Spending time with her was the highlight of the month. My sister and I hiked back up to the summit for views of the NYC skyline. We then hiked down to the parking area, and my sister brought out the reinforcements: chocolate rice Krispy treats and banana bread. She had made them especially for me and my companions on the trail. After adding literally 8-10 pounds to my pack weight in food, my sister and I hiked the zoo portion of the AT through Bear Mtn. State Park. Eventually, we said our goodbyes, and I crossed the Hudson River. She ran into Goose, Mav, and Groundhog as she walked back to her car.Hiked another seven miles to the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center. Tented in the field.
Date: 2012-05-13
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 27.8
Weather: clear sky

Got an early start because I was trying for big miles. Left the Spiritual Center by seven am. Hiked with Goose and Mav for the morning. Today was sunny with highs in the eighties.The trail through New York has gotten progressively easier as we've hiked through the state. Most of the trail was dirt pack today with a handful of rocks thrown in for good measure.In the afternoon I hiked 0.3 miles to a pizzaria/deli and had two slices of pizza, two ice cream sandwiches, and a grape soda. Called Mom to wish her Happy Mother's Day.Hiked the final four miles to Morgan Stewart Shelter. Ran into a large group of Yale students who were out training for their orientation trips in the fall.
Date: 2012-05-14
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

It rained a little last night, and today's forecast was calling for rain all day. I hit the trail by 7:30 in hopes of getting in as many miles as I could before it rained. Hiked alone for part of the morning and then hiked with Groundhog in the afternoon. We made it to Wiley Shelter by 2 pm, before the rain hit. Woohoo!Spent the afternoon building and tending a fire and catching up on my journal. Heading into Kent, CT tomorrow. Another state completed.Felt tired today. Glad it was an easy day.
Date: 2012-05-15
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 12.7

It rained all night long. Light rain but still enough to make the trail wet. When I woke up, I checked the weather radar on my phone. It appeared that we had a window before it rained. It was 13.5 miles to Kent, CT, so I knew it would be close.Left the shelter around seven thirty and hit the trail. After a couple hours of hiking in NY, I crossed into Connecticut, marking my ninth state completed.About an hour before Kent the rains came. It wasn't a downpour, but it was a steady rain. The early terrain in CT was rocky, and the rain made it that much slower. When I hit the road into town, I started walking towards Kent while simultaneously trying to get a hitch. After about five minutes of walking in a steady rain, a gentleman turned around and offered to give me a ride into town. We chattedf for a few minutes as he drove into town. He said he was headed to a pizza place for lunch and offered to buy a beer. Not wanting to appear rude, I accepted. So, Bill, as I learned, drove into Kent and bought me a burger and a beer at a local restaurant. He said he was a sous chef at the Kent School, a prestigious boarding school on the edge of town. Eventually, Bill took me to the outfitter where I got my trekking poles repaired. The tips had pushed up inside the shaft, so I had to get a new lower shaft for each pole. Only cost $20. Lot cheaper than new poles.Went to the post office where I got a food package and maps from Mom and Dad. Went to the IGA to round out my resupply. Met up with Mav, Goose, and Groundhog and we struggled to find a place to stay for the night. There were lots of B&Bs in town, but they were either too expensive or it was clear that hikers weren't welcome. Eventually, we decided on the Hitching Post Motel, a motel in a town about nine miles up the trail. The owner offered to give us a shuttle, and we were excited to get out of the rain and go where we were welcome.That evening one of Groundhog's sisters met up with us and took us to an excellent Mexican restaurant for dinner. A happy ending to a long day.
Date: 2012-05-16
From: Kent, CT

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Left the hotel by nine am. The rain stopped overnight, but the day was still cloudy and the grass in the fields were still really wet. The trail was easier out second day in CT. There was a nice five mile flat section along the Housatonic River. Mostly uneventful day. The sun eventually came out and the temps got up to the mid-seventies. The four of us had the shelter to ourselves that night.
Date: 2012-05-17
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Laurel Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 25.1
Weather: clear sky

Absolutely gorgeous day. Cloudless and abundant sunshine. Had beautiful views on top of Bear Mtn. The climb down into Sages Ravine was one of the toughest that I've experienced on the AT. Shared the campsite with Rehash, a section hiker from Elkins, WV. Got bitten by a deer tick today. Sat down to eat lunch and dry my socks in a grass field and must have picked it up. Found the tick about two hours later and removed it. Will be sure to monitor myself for symptoms of Lyme's disease for the next month, but I should be fine.
Date: 2012-05-18
From: Laurel Ridge Campsite

To: Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: clear sky

An easy day into Great Barrington, MA. Slept in until 7 am and didn't leave camp until after eight. Another gorgeous day. Sunny without a cloud in the sky. The highs were in the low seventies. Made it to the road crossing by 2 pm and got a hitch into town to the Holiday Inn Express. We ate some lunch at McDonalds and then ate a great dinner at a local brewery. Shared the hotel room with Mav, Goose, and Groundhog.
Date: 2012-05-19
From: Great Barrington, MA

To: Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zeroing today. Our bodies need a rest. Got a haircut and a beard trim today. For those of you hoping I would wait until after the trail to do this, I'm sorry to disappoint. It's just simply too hot.Groundhog pushed on today. We're hoping to meet up with him near Hanover, NH. He's from NH and is planning to take some time off at home.
Date: 2012-05-20
From: Great Barrington, MA

To: Shaker Campsite
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: broken clouds

Left the hotel by 9:30. We called for a taxi and got a $15 ride back to the trail. Today was hot and sunny. Highs were near 85 in the valley. Wasn't quite as warm up on the mountain, but it was still one of the hottest days on the trail.Not a really hard day. Been trying to do easier hiking days coming out of towns since our packs are a little heavier and we usually get a later start.Pretty uneventful day. Trail wasn't too hard today. Some climbing but the trail wasn't too rocky. Plus it was dry. Surprised I didn't see any snakes today. Usually I see at least a few on sunny days. Mav saw lots of little toads today. Passed several ponds at higher elevations and we saw some beaver dams.Only hiked about seventeen miles today. Got to Shaker Campsite by 6:30 and immediately went about trying to get a fire started in hope of driving off the mosquitoes. They're starting to get pretty bad. In fact, they drive all three of us to our tents early tonight, before dark. Anyway, I was easily able to get a fire started with some dry pine needles, pine combs, and some kindling. It didn't do much to deter the bugs; hence an early bedtime. Tomorrow is a big day - 27 miles. It's supposed to start raining tomorrow afternoon/evening, so I'm hoping to get as early of a start as possible.
Date: 2012-05-21
From: Shaker Campsite

To: Kay Wood Shelter
Miles today: 27.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Big day. 27.5 miles. Beat the rain too. It was supposed to rain in the afternoon, but it only sprinkled on me. I made it to the shelter before the rain really started to come down. Today's hike was beautiful. Passed mountainous lakes like Upper Goose Pond. Didn't stay at the shelter because the miles didn't work out.Wound up staying at Kay Wood Shelter with a large group of section hikers: Little Chipmunk, Ranger Phil, Chris, Cosmos, and one other guy whose name I can't remember. There were also three older ladies who gave me their leftover salad. What a treat in the woods!Mav and Goose stayed there as well.
Date: 2012-05-22
From: Kay Wood Shelter

To: Wilbur Clearing Shelter
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: light rain

Tough day. Light rain greeted me as soon as I left the shelter. I started hiking by 6:30, intent on making it to Dalton and being first in line at the post office. Made it into town by 7:30 and stopped at a gas station to get out of the rain and eat some breakfast. Eventually, the post office opened and I got my food package and some gear. My sister had tried to send me some homemade granola, but the package was nowhere to be found. The USPS failed me once again.Left Dalton and then climbed over Crystal Mountain on my way to Cheshire. I hiked as fast as I could because I needed to be in Cheshire in time to pick up a fuel canister for my stove and some more aqua mira. Rain intensified as I walked through grass fields on the way out of town. I basically just hiked in my shirt and shorts. No rain jacket as that would quickly cause me to get overheated. Of course, my socks and shoes were soaking wet, and I could feel the back of my ankles were being rubbed raw with the friction of a wet sock. After walking nearly two hours in the rain, I finally made it to a shelter and spent about an hour and a half drying my feet and eating lunch. I applied some'more duct tape to my feet in hopes of preventing any further chafing of my feet, but it was no use.Met up with Mav and Goose and we made the final push up Mt. Greylock. The whole mountain was fogged in, so there were no views. Eventually made it to the shelter. When I go to the shelter and took off my shoes, I then realized how raw the backs of my ankles were from the constant rubbing in wet socks the past two days. Was able to clean the affected area with alcohol pads and Goose let me have some Neosporin.
Date: 2012-05-23
From: Wilbur Clearing Shelter

To: Williamstown, MA
Miles today: 3.0

The backs of ankles didn't miraculously heal overnight, so I pretty much decided that I was going to need to get off the trail for a few days to let them heal. Hiked with Mav and Goose into North Adams, MA and did our resupply at the Price Chopper grocery store.Said goodbye to Mav and Goose and told them I would try and catch them in New Hampshire. Got a shuttle from the motel into Williamstown and spent the rest of the day doing chores and tending to my wounds. Basically, I cleaned the areas and then applied generous portions of Bacitracin.
Date: 2012-05-24
From: Williamstown, MA

To: Williamstown, MA
Miles today: 0.0

Wounds are looking better. Spent the day healing. I walked around the town some today in my sandals (which didn't backs to rub against my wounds). Williamstown is actually a pretty good place to stay if you need to rest up or heal. Lots of restaurants and shops. Williams College is in town.
Date: 2012-05-25
From: Williamstown, MA

To: Williamstown, MA
Miles today: 0.0

Wounds are healing nicely, but I'm giving my wounds one more say to heal before I start hikng. Actually taped up my wounds today and walked around in my trail runners without any discomfort. Should be able to take off tomorrow full throttle.Got some disappointing news today. One of the hikers that I hiked a lot of the trail with is getting off to tend to a medical issue. I'm hoping that it's temporary and that he can finish the trail this year. He'll certainly be in my prayers.Planning a big day tomorrow. Around 33 miles.
Date: 2012-05-26
From: Williamstown, MA

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 32.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up today around 4:30 and left the hotel by 5:15. Had to walk about a mile and a half to the trail head. Started hiking the AT by 5:45. I was hoping for big miles today; hence the early start .Lots of climbing today. The trail early was very muddy, but I was able to make good time despite this because of nearly three days of rest.  My taping job on the back if my ankles held up pretty good today, and I didn't feel any real discomfort. Very glad that I could walk nearly 32 miles, including some big climbs without problems.The only thing that was difficult about today was the bugs. I had black flies buzzing in my ear constantly, but that was only annoying. The real trouble started when I stopped to get water at Goddard Shelter near the summit of Mt. Glade berry. Hordes of black flies were near the spring. With little or no warning I was bitten five times in the span of about a minute. The black flies had driven nearly everyone except a few foolish souls into their tents. I didn't waste any extra time at the shelter. As soon as I had treated my water, I started hiking again too get away from the flies. As long as you're hiking, they aren't too bad. But don't stop to rest. And you had better hope you don't need to poop when there isn't a privy.Made it to Kidd Gore Shelter by 7:45 and the black flies weren't nearly as bad. Perhaps that had something to do with the small campfire near the shelter. I'm sharing the shelter with three section hikers: a couple, John and Paula, and then another guy named John as well. Really nice folks. Paula gave me an energy bar which I quickly gobbled down as I waited for the water to boil for my instant potatoes.Might have afternoon showers tomorrow. The bottoms of my feet are definitely barking after nearly 33 miles. Definitely going to get a mosquito net at the next outfitter.
Date: 2012-05-27
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 25.7
Weather: broken clouds

Hit the trail around seven hoping for big miles, but it was quickly apparent that my 33 mile day yesterday was having an effect. I felt lethargic most of the day despite pretty moderate terrain. The bottoms of my feet were pretty sore, so this was a slight annoyance.I ran into Rehash at the first shelter that I passed. He's from Elkins, WV, near where I used to teach. We chatted for a few minutes, but I didn't chat too long because the black flies were attacking with purpose.Struggled to climb Stratton Mtn. This is the first time in a long time that I haven't been able to summit a mountain without stopping. Climbed the fire tower at the top and had stunning views of Vermont. I could even see Mt. Washington through the haze. I managed to a eat a quick lunch in the fire tower to escape the black flies. However, upon descending, I was swarmed yet again and bitten multiple times. I talked to one of the caretakers at the top of Stratton, and she asked me if I had known about how bad the black flies were going to be. No, I didn't know. She told it was going to get worse the further north I went. The only positive note is that apparently there are no black flies at 6,000 ft. So I guess I can look forward to Franconia Ridge.The rest of the hike was basically downhill. I walked for about six more hours and was repeatedly bitten by mosquitoes and black flies. Anytime I stopped, I was quickly swarmed. The bugs made the decision easy for me. I decided to stay in Manchester Center for the night so I could hit the outfitter in the morning. Definitely need a head net so I can at least rest without getting my neck and face destroyed.Stayed at Sutton's Place. Frank is a nice guy. Gives discounts to hikers. $70 for a room. It's like a B&B without the breakfast. But there was no air conditioner and the room was in the eighties. Hardly slept. Wouldn't recommend unless you stand sleeping in hot temperatures.Met a thru-hiker named Yogi. She's famous for a hiker, haven't written a guidebook about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Her book is considered to be the authority on the PCT.