morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-05
From: Stewart Hollow Shelter

To: CT 4
Miles today: 4.1

Sandles, Cire, Slickrock and I left the shelter after pumping water(in our dying water pump) to hike our short 4.1 to CT 4. We had such an easy 2 miles along the Housetonic(sp?) river and then a bit of a climb. I think I have mentioned it before but I sweat A LOT!!! Completely wet...Cire's mom(Pat) picked us up and we drove to Cornwall Bridge, CT to pick up our mail and meet the rest of 5 Alive. They werent able to get to us till 12 so we waited a couple of hours for them to arrive from NYC. But they made it and they had a great time! We drove two hours to Chaplin, Ct
Date: 2003-07-07
From: CT 4

To: Sharon Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: broken clouds

It's raining, it rained on friday but it passed pretty quickly so I decided not to mention it really BUT it has been raining for the past 3 hours now and we are in our tents wet. Oh well.It hasnt rained much at all for 2 weeks...which was very nice.Today has been a weird day for me, I woke up early but laid around till almost 9 am. We ate breakfast and packed up to come back to the trail...the whole time I was dreading coming back to the trail. I was tired, and just kept thinking that we still have 700+ miles till we are finished. Also, Slickrock and my food box didnt come in so we had to restock at a very expensive country store. Luckily we thought that it might happen so we bought extra stuff yesterday at Walmart for a cheaper price...AND Diesel had extra toilet paper so we were able to get everything taken care of.The crazy thing is that as soon as we started hiking...I felt GREAT! I am physically feeling better this week (thank goodness) and mentally am pumped to be out here! I do love hiking...I think I don't like down time as much. And it was beautiful and cooler till it started raining...I dont even mind the rain cept that we are gross and it is sweltering in the tent...which isnt too bad. :) I am truly pumped that I am still out here in CT on my way to Maine...what a life.song: "Just a girl" No Doubt
Date: 2003-07-08
From: Sharon Mountain Campsite

To: Plateau Campsite
Miles today: 14.2

What a very nice day. No rain, terrain wasnt too hard and we got to take a shower this morning. We hiked 5.7 miles -during which I did fall pretty hard, was a little worried about my left hand/wrist, but I think I just jarred it- to a hydroelectric plant and they have an outside shower right on the trail!!! So we showered and the girls siestad there till about 2:30. Sandals met us there(he had to pick up a maildrop in a nearby town) and we headed up 700 feet to Mt Prospect. Nice view and a geologic formation called the "thumbprint". We got to camp at 6:00pm...had time to clean, sing and just hang out. The COOLEST part is that Sandals got a new pole for his tent in his maildrop(because it broke a couple of weeks ago) AND he had an extra pole insert that I was able to use to fix our broken pole (it broke on April 21st). I called Sierra Designs right away and they said they would send me the piece right away but it wasnt there when I got to the PO...and I have called...!forgotten to call...had the wrong number...called when they were closed...and recently decided to go the rest of the way with a broken pole fixed by sheath. But now our pole is fixed!!! yippee!!!song: "Don't cry outloud" Melissa Manchester - I loved this song in 1986
Date: 2003-07-09
From: Plateau Campsite

To: Glen Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 13.3

Man, we got moving good this morning. 5.4 miles in under 2 hours and we went from 700 to 2316 feet...we are over 2000 feet for the first time since early Virginia!!! It was a beautiful view too because we are around big mountains again. AND weare hiked into Massachusetts by mile 7.5...our 11th State!Then it started raining. Oh, and it was about 65 degrees...it was sooo amazing!!! Till the rain. Yep, it is wet. We also climbed a rock wall for about .7 miles...yikes, and it was all wet. Kind of scary, noone got hurt but some of us fell. We got to this shelter and decided to stay because we were going to hike another two miles and camp but no one wants to tent in this weather. I met The Hiking Viking, Jesse and two others tonight...the Hiking Viking is from Denmark and he works about 4 months a year and then travels the rest of the year. Nice.Now the day is actually turning out to be pretty...going to sing and enjoy the fire that Oopu has built for us!!!song: "Drops of Jupiter" Train
Date: 2003-07-10
From: Glen Brook Lean-to

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Weather was GORGEOUS today. In the 70's...blue skies...loved it!!! I started off pretty slowly because we had about 3 miles down rocks...and I just dont do that very quickly. But after that I was able to move at a good pace. Some of 5 Alive hitched into town for a meal...but I went .1 to a fruit and veggie store...the Corn Crib. I got nectarines...YUMMMMMMMMMM...and some snapple. Then it was only 6.4 miles to this shelter...the hike was so so so pretty. I enjoyed today so much. we were going to go further but most of the group wanted to stay here. The 4 of us that went to town got us marshmellows to toast so we have a fire and a great group of people here. I already know 2x4, Jessie and Jester but I just met Truckin. He is hiking about 24 miles a day...yikes.song: "Beautiful Friend" Rita Springer
Date: 2003-07-11
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: 2 miles past Tyringham, MA
Miles today: 16.0

Lo and behold, a rainy morning. Slickrock and I woke up at 4 am and had to put our fly on our tent...and werent able to secure it well because we were on a tent platform(the ATC volunteers build a few wooden platforms at shelters where there are no flat spots). I prefer being on the ground...but when there are only rocks...what do you do?We woke up and started down rocks in the rain so that meant I was moving slowly. And can I tell you that I have never been attacked by mosquitos more then this morning?! It was hard to hike!!! No kidding every five seconds one was on me...so Slickrock and I stopped to put DEET on, which helped a lot. I normally dont wear it because it isnt very good for you but it was too crazy this morning. We had a maildrop in Tyringham,MA so we got there around 2:30 but it has weird hours and was going to open again at 4 pm...so we sat in front till then. It's nice to hike 14.1 miles and then take about a 3 hour break and then do 3.4 miles more.
Date: 2003-07-12
From: 2 miles past Tyringham, MA

To: Pittsfield Rd. (Cookie Lady's House)
Miles today: 16.1

Thank you! Whoever prayed for me to have a good day today...I needed it! We hiked about 4 miles to Upper Goose Pond and got to go swimming!!! It was a little chilly but the sun was out and it was beautiful! Ketchup only went wading and for some reason was the only one of us attacked by leeches...it was pretty gross. She had one big one and lots of teeny tiny ones...we had to put salt on her feet to get them all off. Blech. But otherwise it was nice time. Then the rest of the day was just perfect...man, I needed it. A breeze, a good hike and great company. I met Snort and Clover 2 days ago and I met Llama and Two-step last monday and we all hung out today. AND we are all camped together so we actually got to sit and talk and share. Girl time!!! There were 6 of us together and we got to talk all about girl stuff!!! The guys were playing with a hacky sack...it has just been so nice. Thank you!! Tomorrow the trail goes through Dalton, MA so we will get to do laun!dry(even though still no shower since monday...ick) and eat so good food! Yeah!song: "Same old song" David Wilcoxand "One is the loneliest number" Aime Mann from the Magnolia Soundtrack...neither one of these is an original song.
Date: 2003-07-13
From: Pittsfield Rd. (Cookie Lady's House)

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Another very gorgeous day -we were all up and on our way into Dalton quickly...Italian food was calling!!! We got here and found Tom's House on Depot Road. He has let hikers camp in his yard for the past 20 years. Well, the laundromat that we had planned on using is closed on Sundays so we decided to stay here in Tom's yard to do laundry tomorrow. We have eaten, gone to the mall(that was weird, so much has changed in the past four months!), and eaten again. We will have a pretty big day tomorrow because we have to make up some miles from today and climb the 3400 foot Mt. Greylock!!! Hopefully we will make it!
Date: 2003-07-14
From: Dalton, MA

To: Greylock Mtn.
Miles today: 17.0

Gorgeous day, great company and I am so stoked to be this close to Vermont.I did some of my first AT hiking in Vermont and I have actually made! Well, tomorrow in 10 miles. 5 Alive has added 2 Step to our group for the moment and it has been so fun hiking with her! She hiked the Long Trail last year, so she is as exited as Slickrock and I are about getting to Vermont. After hiking 17 miles today, we summited Mt. Greylock..which is 3491 feet...and all 3 of us ran to the summit to see the mountains of Vermont! We were so giddy! Wow. We have 581 miles left on this trail!Some of us did laundry in Dalton this morning-great laundromat by the way- even if it isnt open on Sundays. And then hiked 9 miles to another town*Cheshire* and had a great lunch at T's Treats. Then up a 3000 feet.Ive done a lot of different things out here on the trail...but today I had the opportunity to wash my hair in a Laundromat sink AND ghetto wash in their bathroom. They even gave me a towel to use! We hadnt showered since last Tuesday so it was time. But I have gotten to take another shower tonight...the lodge on top of this mountain offers $3 showers. So I am clean! Anyways, I did spend a lot of time thinking about all the different things that I have gotten to do out here and how much I have already changed in 4 and a half months. And that I am not really sure what I am doing next but I am TOTALLY trusting God with it all because. Really because. He has blessed me so much my whole life and I still worry about where I am going to live, or jobs...or anything...and I just want to live and allow Him to live through me. So...thats what I am going to do.Song: "Paved Paradise and put up a parking lot" by many different artists. Amy Grant and the Counting Crows...at different times...
Date: 2003-07-15
From: Greylock Mtn.

To: Seth Warner
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

Very tired BUT I am in Vermont!! Yeah, time for a Vermont dance! I woke up this morning in time to watch the sunrise on Mt. Greylock- wow - incredible. Then we all took our time getting ready...some of us sat and just looked at the horizon for about 2 hours...again incredible. Then we did a 6.4 mile hike to MA 2...then .7 to an Oriental Buffet. YUM! I ate(we all ate a lot) so much and then we rested and stayed out of the sun till about 3 pm. We only had 7 miles to go but it was hot and straight up. We got to Vermont at 5 pm and all of 5 Alive plus Cire, Sandals, and 2 Step took a picture at the border(by the way 2 Step hiked the Long Trail last year so she is as stoked at getting to VT as Slickrock and I are). My feet are killing me these days...not the same thing as before but similar...and also the side of one of my feet is aching. Going to probably have to get a shoe/boot with a harder sole. Still love the New Balance Boots but need a much harder sole...sigh. 5 Alive also had a pretty big discussion about when we will finish this hike over dinner...I have decided that I will be finished on September 1st so that our parents can begin to make plans to meet us. We have put off making this decision for so long but we are getting close enough now that we have to stick to a schedule...and make it happen. The schedule is VERY duable though so I think we will be okay. 12 and 13 mile days mostly...I think some of the group is worried that they will have to push and wont be able to enjoy but I really think that wont happen(BUT I havent hiked in New Hampshire and Maine...12 miles might be too much?!). So we talked about the possibility of separating...to do what each individual needs to do. We arent separating but we need to be open to that as a possibility. Stay tuned for the next 6 weeks to see what happens to 5 Alive. :)song: "Psalm 13" Shane Barnardand many 80s songs that deal with "Boys" such as "Bad, bad, bad, bad boys" and "Let's hear it for the boys"...who knows...
Date: 2003-07-16
From: Seth Warner

To: VT 9
Miles today: 11.8

Well, Slickrock woke me up at 5:45 am because it started raining and we had to get up and put our tent fly on...I was VERY disoriented but managed to find the fly and we got it on before it started to pour. It was funny though because there were about 9 other tents near us and we were all doing the "mad fly dash". We started hiking in the rain around 8:30 am - motivated by the fact that even though we were wet and would be soaked soon, we were going to a hotel for the evening. :) After a crazy steep and rocky descent, Slickrock, Diesel and I got to VT 9 and Cire's dad and stepmom were already there to greet us!!! They came to spend Cires birthday with him...so we waited for the other five and then got shuttled into Bennington. Since then Diesels mom and sister got here and we had the best dinner at a local Pub and ice cream at Friendly's. Thank you to Cliff and Jane, and Robin for dinner! song: "Under Pressure" - not sure who sings this.
Date: 2003-07-17
From: VT 9

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: broken clouds

Happy Birthday CIRE!!!Took a bath, had yummy bagels for breakfast, spent good time with the visiting parents, and got back on the trail by 4:45 p.m. Only four of us got on the trail; me, Slickrock, Sandals, and 2 Step...the rest of 5 Alive is taking a full zero day and they will hike out tomorrow and try to catch up with us. We did 9.8 miles in 3 hours and 45 minutes...yeah! Had the best conversations today...I love it when people ask me questions about my faith and also have questions about where they are! It helps me so much because I have to figure stuff out so I can answer them. And I have been on such a journey of vulnerability and honesty these past 7 months and its amazing to see how God has changed me and I NEVER want to take any of it for granted! Huge thank you to all of you that continue to encourage me out here...its baffled me why so many of you want to bless me when all I am doing is walking. But I think I am starting to figure it out. And I want to pass it on...song: "Standing Still" - Jewel
Date: 2003-07-18
From: Goddard Shelter

To: .5 mile past Stratton Pond
Miles today: 20.4

Yowzers my feet hurt...we got up early and started our 20 mile day. By 11:00 am it was pouring so we stopped at a shelter for lunch and ended up staying there till 1 pm...but we had already hiked 9.4 miles so we were okay. And the rain did stop! Other than that...we climbed Mt. Stratton which is where Benton McKay supposedly was inspired to create a long hiking trail and it had a fire tower with a pretty amazing view. I have learned to recognize 3 different birds by their song and many different flowers...I am not one to normally know anything about nature...so I am pretty proud of myself. My favorite bird song so far is either the Veery or Hermit Thrush...I am tired now and am going to rest. Song: "Why can't I" Liz Phair
Date: 2003-07-19
From: .5 mile past Stratton Pond

To: Bromley Mtn. Summit
Miles today: 12.9

Gorgeous Day!!! Slickrock and I had a pretty easy 10.1 miles hike to VT 11 where she and I hitchhiked for the first time by ourselves!!! Yikes! We got a ride within 5 minutes with R-Kid and Kate. R-Kid thru hiked last year and was so helpful and passed on some good info to us. He dropped us off in Manchester Center at the EMS and I went in and tried on shoes...my New Balance Boots have been WONDERFUL, but they started to fall apart(I had duct tape all over them) and I think i need a stronger sole so that my toes dont fall off on these steeper uphill climbs. So I got Merrell's...we will see...they have the best sole but I am scared they will hurt my feet like my big boots did the first 3 months. I really liked the New Balance...sigh...Then we wanted to go to the "Hikers Summit" which is a festival for hikers but it was 2 miles from EMS. So we were going to try to hitch there but R-Kid and Kate drove up because they wanted something at EMS...so I asked them if they could help us again...and they did. We got free stuff at the festival...we are both carrying Marmot Pint glasses till we can send them home...our packs are soooo heavy! But I just couldnt pass up some of this stuff.We ran into Diesel, his mom and sister and Cire...ate lunch with them...and then she took Diesel and Cire to the trail about 20 miles behind us to meet up with Ketchup and Oopu. I hope they catch up with us soon!Slickrock and I got back to the trail by 5:15 pm and hiked 2.8 miles up Bromley MTN. and we are camped on a blue ski slope. :) We got to watch the most incredible sunset from the summit!!! Sandals and 2 Step stayed in town tonight for a party and will meet back up with us tomorrow night...so 5 Alive is all over.Got to meet Blue Jay(he thru hiked in 98 and reads our trailjournals) tonight...he is actually sleeping on the fire tower tonight...and there are about 13 other hikers up here with us. Some are tenting and some are sleeping in the warming hut up here.song: "Your body is a wonderland" John Mayer
Date: 2003-07-20
From: Bromley Mtn. Summit

To: 1.5 mile past Big Branch Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Slickrock and I slept in a bit this morning...but we were still hiking by 8:45 am. We had a beautiful hike and just took our time...we met two southbounders(there are more and more!): Little Moose and Smooth. They have both been on the trail for about 6 weeks and mentioned a couple of things to not pass up in the next couple of weeks.We also played leapfrog(not really, just kept passing each other) with Tribe...who is hiking the 300+ miles of the Long Trail. He totally helped us out tonight...toilet paper!!! We were running low, so he let us have some of his. Thank you!!! Have fun on the rest of your hike and your next journey!!We are "stealth" camping really close to two shelters that charge $6 to stay at them...so we are hiding in the woods. Hopefully we won't be found. Slickrock and I will get to go to Little Rock Pond tomorrow-that is where we did our first hike on the AT 2 years ago with mom and dad. Yeah!song: "More than Enough" some Christian singer...can't remember.
Date: 2003-07-21
From: 1.5 mile past Big Branch Shelter

To: VT 103
Miles today: 14.8

You will never guess where I am...actually my mom figured it out. Slickrcok and I had a great day hiking...we went by Little Rock Pond which is where we did our first AT day hike 3 years ago with mom and dad.Then we pushed onto VT 103 because we needed to get a hitch to Clarendon to get our mail. We got to the parking lot and I ran into Gadget and his wife Chris, who Slickrock sort of met on Saturday in Manchester Center. He is slackpacking this section and she is driving him. We started talking and they offered to give us a ride to the Post Office. Which turned out to be very lucky for us cause it was hard to find and a normal hitch wouldnt have worked. They waited for us there and then we all went to dinner at the Whistle Stop Cafe about .5 from the trail. While there it started to pour, so Slickrock and I discussed our options. They then offered to let us stay with them for the night at...Calvin Cooledge State Park! The place we always stay with our parents!!!So now after a shower, a phone conversation with our parents and a nice evening with the most amazing trail angels ever!!!! I am going to bed with thunder and lightning going on big time. And I know that I am very blessed.Song: "Cherish" Madonna
Date: 2003-07-22
From: VT 103

To: VT 4
Miles today: 17.4

I still love Vermont(I LOVERMONT) BUT I didn't so much enjoy today's hike too much. It all started well...at Calvin Coolidge State Park...Gadget woke us up at 5 am...we were at the WhistleStop Cafe for breakfast. I had the biggest 3 egg omelet I have ever seen! And then he and Chris dropped us off at the trail before 8 am. AND it wasnt raining for the moment. But it started soon thereafter and pretty soon both of us were soaked. I think the thing that really got me today though was the mileage...who knows how much we really hiked because none of the signs, books or my calculations added up. So just know that the hike up Killington wasnt the best for me...there wasnt a view either!!! Oh well. Slickrock and I did make it to the Inn at the Long Trail - so we are splurging for the evening...we were able to meet up with 2 Step and Swift Sandals...they pushed 2 twenty mile days to meet us here...so yeah!!!I also heard from Ketchup...and it turns out the rest of 5 Alive isn't just a day behind...Cire had to go to the emergency room on Sunday because of an infected lump under his arm and wasnt feeling good enough to hike so all four of them are back at his uncle's farm in CT. We just found out about this about 2 hours ago. I feel so many different emotions about this because I really, really hoped they would all catch up with us.   But I just don't think it is going to happen now...so do we wait? I can't do that because I have already told my parents to arrange their schedule to meet us on September 1st...and I want to finish on September 1st. I miss 5 Alive. We are a fun group.song: "Lord, let me live in Your moment" by me
Date: 2003-07-23
From: VT 4

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Another hike where I promise you we did more than the book says we did...at least 1 more mile...drives me nuts! We slept in and then had a delicious breakfast at the Inn...we decided to hang around the Inn till about 3 pm and then head out. 2 Step and Swift Sandals let us keep our stuff in their room. Around 10 or so, Tribe(a Long Trail hiker) showed up and he said his friend Rob could give us all a ride to Rutland for lunch and Walmart. So we went to this great little cafe...we all had a great time! Thanks Rob and Tribe for the ride and good luck on the LT!!!! We will miss you guys!When we got back Slickrock and I headed back on the trail...Stoker(19 year old from MD) came with us. I met Birdsong and Grambler...both Southbounders. I has rained most of the day...but it stopped for the past 3 hours...maybe it will hold off for tonight...hahaha...song:"The Gambler" Kenny Rogers
Date: 2003-07-24
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Rt. 12
Miles today: 13.7

Big Day!!! hahaha...started with some rain so Slickrock and I had a lazy morning. Had breakfast around 8:30 am and left the shelter at 10:00am. The rain died down some but not too much...Slickrock was in such a bad mood...her tolerance for rain is getting less and less...we stopped after a big rain for lunch at 1 pm andwe were whining together...and who would walk up!? Gadget!!! Our day got better right away. He knew we were right in front of him so he was trying to catch us...so the last 7 miles went by quickly even with another massive thunder storm. He invited us to join him and Chris at Calvin Coolidge State Park again...so we are watching a sunset and being sprinkled on a bit...they are going to drop us off in West Hartford tomorrow. We decided to skip the 12 miles that we hiked last August...the rain is getting to us. Can you tell?! This will also get me off my feet...the Merrell hiking shoes that I got last Saturday are not working out for me. So I am getting new New Balance boots on Saturday. Love my bunions!!!We met more Southbounders today...at least 11. I can remember the following names: Roamin, Coop, Snail, The Fisher King, and...some other girl...oh, I can't remember.song: "Dancing Queen" ABBA