morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-19
From: Just before VA 611

To: Dismal Falls
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I didn't leave camp until 930 this morning. I had a liter of water and 5 miles until the next shelter/water. That is one of the downsides to stealth camping away from a water source. I was fine, but had to be aware of it. Didn't pass anyone in the morning until I saw the same guy who had told me about his bear encounter yesterday. After figuring out how he had made it further north on the trail, I told him my bear encounter which he was very interested in. He then told me about how he had ran into a group of 10 to 15 wild boars in Georgia and they along with barracudas are some of the few animals that will attack unprovoked. I took notice and thanked him for telling me. I heard a few male voices while I was eating lunch at the shelter, but didn't know who they were and then three females came by who I chatted with. Next stop, Trent's Grocery which is right off the trail. I got gatorade, soda, chicken fingers, and potato wedges. It got real busy while I was in there and I felt weird being the only hiker. I pushed on another 2 miles to Dismal Falls which is .3 off the trail, but has a swimming hole! There was a couple in jeans and sweatshirts taking in the scenery, and I stripped down to my boxers and jumped in. They laughed at me. It was freezing, but refreshing and clean. I also came across a frisky couple who were surprised to see me. I met Lieutenant Dan who I had met at Trent's Grocery and he just joined me at camp. He is a very nice guy.
Date: 2012-06-08
From: Tye River

To: Erin's Apartment
Miles today: 15.5

Got picked up at Dripping Rock Parking Area along Blue Ridge Parkway by my parents and Kaitie. They brought trail magic and I got there with Rampage so we had strawberries, beer, soda, gatorade, fritos, donuts, no bake pb choc cookies, grapes and water. Heading to Harrisonburg for the weekend!
Date: 2012-07-22
From: Hotel w/ parents

To: Backpacker Campsite
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Slackpacked to Delaware Water Gap and met parents towards end. Got new socks(Darn Tough...strongly recommended) and bug spray at outfitter and had a burger in town. Bumped into Shine, Chatty Kathy, Sacagewea, Brawny, and Spam and hiked with them and camped together. Great people.
Date: 2012-07-23
From: Backpacker Campsite

To: Buttermilk Falls Campsite
Miles today: 15.6

The stars were really bright last night. I woke up for good around 7-7:30. Packed up and hiked with Chatty, Sac, Spam, Shine, and Brawny for a while. Walked along a glacial lake and saw a bear right beside it. Bear #15. Two in three days. That's New Jersey for ya! Stopped at Mohican Outdoor Center and got a sandwich and soda for $9, but it was good and I filled up water and charged my phone. I hiked mostly with Shine in the afternoon and then climbed a 5 story high firetower. Catfish Lookout Tower. Metup with Sac, Chatty and Spam and there was a storm-a-brewin. I didn't put my pack cover on right away in hopes that it would miss us. Eventually, I gave in and stopped to put it on. When I caught up to the others, they were by the swamp and all had their packs off. They had decided to setup a makeshift shelter with their tarps. The five of us sat under the structure for a half hour or so as it stormed. We stayed mostly dry...After that, I continued along on my own and setup camp by myself for the night. There were more storms throughout the night and I could feel the ground shake from the thunder.
Date: 2012-07-24
From: Buttermilk Falls Campsite

To: Stealth Camp by Stream
Miles today: 14.6

Today i got stung by multiple bees and when I went to brush them off me, I bent my pole. Joe to Go was also not very friendly. I think this is why I stopped at Gyp's by the water and enjoyed a cold beverage in the afternoon w/ Shine. There was also a fire tower that I climbed and then I camped by a stream because water was limited.
Date: 2012-07-25
From: Stealth Camp by Stream

To: Wit's End Tavern
Miles today: 16.0

Stopped by the Secret Shelter and got a shower. Thought about staying, but decided to do another few miles and get a beer and camp at Wit's End Tavern. There I met a fellow named Steve who immediately upon talking to me calls his daughters boyfriend Austin and puts me on the phone with him. We chatted briefly and then Steve bought me two beers. Thanks!
Date: 2012-07-28
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: James Motel
Miles today: 8.2

I saw a black squirrel today. It also rained buckets, and as I approached a road I caught up with a few day hikers. They offered me a ride into town and I couldn't refuse. I was drenched, but they took me to Subway where I tried to clean up and then got the cheapest room I could find. It wasn't classy, but I was able to walk to the pizza place and I watched Wheel of Fortune. No joke, while I was watching, one of the answers was Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2012-07-30
From: Black Mountain

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up this morning on top of the mountain in the clouds. Wild Bill and Long John soon passed. Climbed Bear Mountain and saw a lot of day hikers even though it was a Monday. The descent down Bear Mtn was maintained incredibly and stairs were put in the whole way. Hiked through a zoo today and across the Hudson River. Stopped at the Appalachian Market for food before camping in the ballfield at the spiritual life center. Thought about buying beer at the store, but held off. Luckily, Detective showed up with two 6-packs so I got a couple Dogfish Head 60minute IPAs. Hung out with him, Long John, and Wild Bill who talked about how he pulled 35 ticks off himself in the Palmerton Superfund. I decided I would probably never wear socks and sandals hiking like him. Didn't see any monks.
Date: 2012-07-31
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: broken clouds

Finally cooled down a bit. Today made me appreciate the little things. It was an awesome hiking day with a light breeze and high of 80. The next ten days are supposed to be upper-80's. Long John's foot is swollen. I didn't leave until around 11 and Wild Bill and Detective were still in hammocks. Prana also had camped nearby for the second night in a row. I saw 2 red frogs and a ton more little guys. Only saw one SOBO and another group of 20 girls until the end of day when I saw a few more hikers who told me you could order pizza at the RPH Shelter.
Date: 2012-08-01
From: RPH Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

Today was hot and humid as you go downhill and get closer to the water and/or roads. Only half a mile or so up the mountains, it cools down. I stopped at another deli for food and stopped for trail magic because of a sign I saw on a bridge. Amy made waffles for me and her two younger children while she did my laundry and I then showered. It was unusual, but very nice. While hiking I heard automatic weaponry that sounded like a gun battle on nuclear lake. I then saw a beaver and a man who has won two ironmans. He lifted his had to me and said it is harder than what he does. He also said there is a gun club by the lake. I found out today that SOHO had gotten off the trail in PA I believe. My iPod is fixed!
Date: 2012-08-02
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Stealth Site w/ a view in CT!
Miles today: 15.9

I startled a heron just before crossing a newly built footbridge before Rt. 22. At the road crossing, there was a woman planning a thru hike next year that was providing trail magic. I saw pinotes who hasn't seen anyone who he was hiking with since he got back from NYC. I stopped at the Native Landscapes and Garden Center which allows camping and was told about the wood oven pizza food truck across the street. Obviously, I stopped for a slice and had successfully? completed 3 miles by 1:45. I got even more trail magic in the way of cold water and lemonade, cookies, and bug spray which was great because they were getting bad. I also called REI, but no help about my pack. I probably need to get a new one. As i tried to salvage the day, I hiked 7 miles from 4:30-7:30 and finished w/ a 900 ft climb. The first that steep in a while and I had entered CT! I considered this my official entrance into New England and that was exciting. On the way up I saw a guy on top of a very large rock not dressed in hiking clothes. He said Hi and offered me a Gatorade! Three trail magics in one day! I managed to do 16 miles and got to camp at 7:30 and had a great view. I love a room with a view! I watched a great sunset while I made dinner and then called Kaitie who was at cousins weekend.
Date: 2012-08-03
From: Stealth Site w/ a view in CT!

To: Stealth Site by Housatonic
Miles today: 15.0

Today and yesterday were really hot. I was up at 545 and out by 620 partially due to the heat and partially due to not being allowed to camp where I was. Today was a town day! I hiked the 5.5 miles plus .8 road walk into Kent, CT by 9 and found out there happened to be a large sidewalk sale that morning. It was crowded, but I pressed on towards the Villager. First priority - breakfast. I got two poached eggs over biscuits with sausage gravy and hash browns. It was fantastic. On this morning's hike, I had passed a woman at Mt Algo Shelter named Bright Flower who gave me a message for Kokopelli. I had never met either of these hikers before, but was able to deliver the message after passing Kokopelli on the street in Kent. I also met Cookin Beans and his girlfriend. Second priority - maildrop. After receiving my package and buying deet from the good people at the Backcountry Outfitters, I charged my phone and sat outside for a while. I met a hiker named Squatch who thought he'd met me before, but he was going south. Before long, I was hungry again and got a fancy panini along with all of the other folks who had been shopping all morning. Eventually, I decided it was time to leave this lovely place with air conditioned buildings and delicious food. The bugs after Kent were terrible. By far the worst so far. They swarmed around my head and my pack at least 100 at a time. The deet didn't work so I resorted to using my poles to fan them away. It was surprisingly effective, but I looked forward to receiving my head net in my maildrop in Great Barrington, MA. I saw two more herons along the Housatonic River and one was just next to the trail which flew away. I camped right next to the river.
Date: 2012-08-04
From: Stealth Site by Housatonic

To: Falls Village, CT
Miles today: 15.7

This morning as I sat on the bank of the river eating breakfast, I watched a bat crawling up and around a tree about 15 feet away. As I neared the town, I ran into some familiar faces and was told of a party for Sacagawea's birthday tomorrow. After watching polo and having a bloody mary at the Falls Village Inn, I went across the street to the liquor store and then back to the park by the road with the other hikers. I had planned to stay at the Toymaker's cafe which allowed free camping. Instead, after seeing 15-20 fellow hikers planning to camp in the woods right by the trail, I hung out with everyone at picnic tables in the park until we had had our fair share of fun. It was the first night I decided it was a good idea to pitch my tent in the dark after not accounting for the dropping sun. It all worked out.
Date: 2012-08-05
From: Falls Village, CT

To: Limestone Spring Shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Everyone was slow moving this morning and we only had 5 miles to hike to get to the shelter where the party was going to be. A group of us walked down the road to use the free shower by the Hydro Plant. We watched a guy do slalom kayaking down the Housatonic. We resupplied at the liquor store in preparation for tonight's event. I bought a large bottle of wine per Sacagawea's request and a six pack. I don't know why I didn't look for boxed wine, which probably would have been lighter. This birthday party in the woods was by far one of the most memorable nights of my trip. There were at least 20 hikers singing, playing music, drinking, and carrying on all night. Or at least until the lightning and thunder started. I had never even bothered to set up my tent when I had gotten there. This was a mistake. I decided to try and set it up in the middle of a downpour. This was also a mistake. It was the second night in a row I setup my tent in the dark. The rain did not let up, but everyone pitched in and we setup three or four tarps high enough for everyone to stand under.  We were shoulder to shoulder for what felt like hours and it was the most fun I have had in a while.
Date: 2012-08-06
From: Limestone Spring Shelter

To: Stealth Site w/ Stream and View
Miles today: 12.9

Craziest party ever. It thundered and lightninged all night long. When I woke up, the storm had cleared, but I had a few inches of water in my tent. Luckily, my sleeping pad is more than a few inches high, so I wasn't bothered by it. I did get a couple astonished looks when I dumped out a gallon or two of water from my tent. I stopped in Salisbury, CT after a really slow start this morning/afternoon! Not as slow as about 20 other hikers though. I got lunch with Spam, Uncles, and Gerber. It was a beautiful hiking day! I saw Flapjack and Danger Foot who also had left the shelter relatively early. I met a guy at the first climb out of town and talked to him for a while at a nice overlook. He was away for the weekend getting some alone time from his wife and kids and he was very jealous. I saw about 6 SOBOs today including a couple and a solo sobo female which is the first I've seen. One of them had told me of a good stealth site with a stream nearby and a view and he was right! Just made dinner and about to call Kaitie. Tent is almost dried out from last night.
Date: 2012-08-07
From: Stealth Site w/ Stream and View

To: Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Passed into Massachusetts yesterday. Only three states after this one. I woke up at 530 to a spectacular sunrise, but it was cold! 54 degrees. Went back to sleep for a bit and hiked towards Great Barrington. I passed by the Shays Rebellion monument and saw a hawk. I got to the road crossing for Great Barrington, but the town was 3 miles away so it was time to hitch! I stood out there for at least twenty minutes and nobody pulled over for me. Thai Dye showed up, I sat down for a bit out of the way to take a break, and in less than five minutes someone had pulled over for him. I think that I look much more homeless than he does, mostly because of his shorter hair. He had plans to go to a hostel, but I needed to get to the Post Office, so we went our separate ways for now. I hadn't yet decided where to sleep tonight. I hung out in town for a while after getting my package. I considered going to see a movie at the local theatre, but decided instead to get some pizza. I realized the hostel was sounding like a better and better idea, so I hiked to it and set up my tent. Buttons and Bear Walker have opened their home to hikers and allow them to camp in their yard, shower in their bathroom, and eat their food. It truly is amazing the type of people you meet out here.
Date: 2012-08-08
From: Great Barrington, MA

To: Stealth Site by East Brook
Miles today: 14.7

I am glad I decided to stay at Buttons and Bear Walkers house. It was a great night with Thai Dye, Yogi and Booboo, Kokopelli, and 5 SOBOs. This morning as I returned to the trail, I met Tennessee Pusher who started May 13 and is planning to finish September 1. He has already taken two weeks off. That's a three month pace! Towards the end of the day, I stopped by a pond and watched a beaver swimming by. This reminded me of our cabin in Maine and also that I was getting close!
Date: 2012-08-09
From: Stealth Site by East Brook

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: clear sky

I had been looking forward to staying at Upper Goose Pond Cabin for some time. I had heard that the SOBOs will bring freshly picked blueberries from the Cookie Lady's house and blueberry pancakes will be made by the dozen. What I did not know about was the canoe that was available to take out on the pond, and this was the highlight of my day. After arriving and getting settled into this very cool shelter, I went straight to the pond. I canoed around for a while and saw multiple bald eagles fishing! This too reminded me of Maine. The Cabin is donation based, and run by a caretaker who has to canoe across the pond in order to get fresh water from a spring each day. When the first SOBOs arrived for the evening, the first question was not hi how are you, what is your name, where are you from. The first question was did you bring blueberries? Luckily for us, and them, they had! They reached into their packs and pulled out a few bags of blueberries! We ate our dinners at the picnic tables outside and had a wonderful evening. I was looking very much forward to seeing Kaitie tomorrow!
Date: 2012-08-16
From: Parking Lot off rt. 9 by Bennington

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

This morning Kaitie and I saw Bam, Stone Kicker, Duck Soup, Detective and Long John in the parking lot as we said our goodbyes. We spent the night in the tent a few yards down the trail from the road crossing to Bennington, VT. We had spent a few days in Bennington, and it was time to continue my trek north. It was a beautiful day for a hike and at times it was nice and cool. Will definitely need my heavy sleeping bag tonight. Arrived at Kid Gore Shelter and saw Golden who I had last seen working for stay at Woods Hole Hostel, and Wild Bill and company(Long John and Detective). Trying for an early start tomorrow!
Date: 2012-08-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today's highlights began with watching a hummingbird fly around the water source with Atom Bomb and some Sobo's. The source was a huge well pump that you really needed to put some muscle into. While I was taking a break at Styles Peak, a dragonfly landed on my leg. Vermont is great, it is so green and looks ancient at times. I saw moose droppings again today for the second time overall. I am about to meet the parents for a night and stay in Rutland.
Date: 2012-08-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Had a great hotel stay with my parents and filled up at the continental breakfast. I was anxious to see how my new shoes would do and was hoping they would last until the end of my trip. I had been wearing my trail runners for over 1,000 miles so I sent them home with my parents, wrapped in a few plastic bags mind you. I will not throw them away, but hopefully I can clean them up. They are filled with holes and have very little traction.  My shoes held up and felt good for the 11-12 miles today. Hopefully the same will be said for the 20 miles tomorrow. Today I met Mr. Brown, Saulsbury, Hook, Gator and his dog Rudy. Hung out for a while at a pond with them in the afternoon before continuing on by myself. They were talking about road walking to skip 3 miles tomorrow. I stayed by a shelter with 4 section hikers and setup my tent, ate, and went to bed. I woke up in the middle of the night to coyotes or wolves howling. It was just a few at first, but after a few minutes more and more joined in. There must have been at least 5 to 10.
Date: 2012-08-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up at 6:30 and was out by 8. Climbing Killington today! Hiked the .2m to peak which was tough and steep, but the view was worth it. I was way higher than even the top of the Gondola that I've previously rode(in Winter). Today I met and hiked with Bo'az. He followed me up to the peak and then convinced me to climb the firetower! This was not a typical firetower in that it did not have steps... After the peak, I headed on by myself and scared away a turkey which was very loud and startling. It reminded me of the ones that scared Kaitie when she was hiking by herself. I came across About Twenty going into Dalton, MA whilst slackpacking.
Date: 2012-05-20
To: 3 weeks to go!
Miles today: 0.0

The AT bug has bitten me again. I thought I would be hiking the Camino this summer, but a root canal last month took my savings for that trip...and Robert and I were finally going to go somewhere together....maybe next year. I hope to start somewhere in North Carolina and end somewhere in Virginia. I will go as far as my body will let me. I was diagnosed with a liver disease in January. I do not know how long my body will let me hike. I have been in considerable pain the last few weeks, but trip planning does wonders for my Spirit. If it is going to hurt, it will hurt just as much sitting in a chair all summer as it will hiking the trail. At least I will get some Spirit time in-the greatest healer of all!My goal is to spend a few nights in the highlands of Virginia...I want to see the ponies again...I do not have nay obligations this summer, no expectations that would pull me from the trail. My training will consist of riding my bike and pushing my legs...I am going to walk the dog tonight with my back pack loaded...Otherwise, I will just have to hit the trail cold. Looking forward to finding new pathways to the future.
Date: 2012-05-25
To: Strange Week!
Miles today: 0.0

This week has been full of emotions and extreme physical pain. I was told I would be changing classrooms. There is a difference between packing and stashing for summer and packing for a move. It is like being .25 away from the finish line of the Boston Marathon and being told that you have to go back to the start line...However, at the same time, my best friend from Virginia arrived, the person who is responsible for me ever hiking in the first place. i also met a thru hiker over the phone and look forward to possibly seeing him on the trail. If I can't hike, I will do some trail magic, me thinks. Enjoying the weekend with my friend! Hoping to get a few training miles in as well. I can only do what the body will let me.