morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-18
From: Bake Oven Knob Rd

To: Bake Oven Knob Rd
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Lovely, beautiful zero day. Started off with a tour of the original Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville PA - the best part of course was the tasting at the end! I tried the fancy Lord Chesterfield Ale and the Yuengling Premium, both of which I'd never had before. They were excellent but we went home with a case of Summer Wheat. It's so good!Then we resupplied and stopped at a BBQ truck for lunch. This place must be famous because my mom found it during her research and it was INCREDIBLE. I had the pulled pork sandwich and I think I could have eaten three. It was that good.We finished our day with an assortment of naps, wine, television, Polish food, and beer. Shoe and Chrome had never tried Polish food before and since my family loves it and my mom found an authentic restaurant in town, we went!! Haluski and pierogies for everyone!! It was delicious and filling and I took some back to the hotel to have for breakfast A few Summer Wheats later and it's hiker midnight and time for bed. Back to trail tomorrow to clamber down and up the formidable Lehigh Gap.
Date: 2016-06-19
From: Bake Oven Knob Rd

To: Campsite
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

I miss my family so much!!! I had a very difficult time leaving the trail magic that my parents had set up just before the Lehigh Gap climb. It was a very hot morning and although the Lehigh climb looked intimidating, I wasn't concerned about actually doing it. I was just overwhelmed with homesickness - when my parents are so great and my friends are awesome and my life is wonderful sometimes it's hard for me to remember why I'm out here living in the woods and hurting my body and exhausting myself every day. I'm grateful for Shoe, my trail bestie, and his unending patience when I have an "elle moment". In the end, I hoisted up my pack and kept going (with tears in my eyes, but I was still hiking). View back down to the gap. This climb was HARD!Now I'm snug in my tent in a little stealth site, and remembering all the fun I had this weekend and feeling very grateful for this life. And on the topic of quitting: I've come this far. Just finish already, elle!
Date: 2016-06-20
From: Campsite

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

Today I experienced crappy PA water sources, rocky trail, and wonderful trail angels! Alan and Carol picked up the group of us from Wind Gap and generously allowed us to lounge by their pool, eat their hummus and cheesesteaks, drink their beer, and sleep in their beautiful home. Trail ANGELS, I tell ya! I felt nothing like a hiker for a whole afternoon! It was glorious.We were fed authentic eastern PA cheesesteak for dinner (though I had mine 'California style' with lettuce and mayo) and I enjoyed myself immensely with the great conversation and incredible hospitality. It's a shame that it's back to trail life tomorrow! A girl could get used to sunshine and pools
Date: 2016-06-21
From: Wind Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

The climb out of Wind Gap wasn't bad. The 'bad' part of the day was getting out of bed and back on the trail!! I knew it would be a rocky, tough day - and it was - but New Jersey is only a few tenths of a mile away and I'm so excited for tomorrow. I stopped in Delaware Water Gap for the night at the local church hostel. After seeing the same few thru-hikers for the last week, I'm surprised to realize that I know hardly any of the hikers here! Maybe hikers flock to free/donation hostels?In any case, I'm tenting on the lawn to avoid the hostel noise and hoping that the church bells won't be ringing every hour all night. This town is adorable but I'm excited for New Jersey tomorrow!!
Date: 2016-06-22
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Campsite
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was nearly perfect. Gorgeous weather, great trail, sandwiches at MOC, and Shoe and I saw a huge bear!! I hadn't seen one since the Shenandoahs and though I'd heard rumors that New Jersey had the most bears per square mile, I didn't think I'd see a huge one only two miles into the state! Mister Black Bear was very close and very unconcerned that Shoe and I were loudly asking him to please move further away. After he ambled slowly southward, we continued onward and upward to Sunfish Pond. I didn't quite expect this glacial pond to be so beautiful but it was pretty gorgeous!Lingering for an early lunch by the side of the lake was tempting, but Mohican Outdoor Center and the deli inside was calling and I wanted a sandwich (I was inspired by Quirks and his quest for reubens!). Most of the day was filled with beautiful views and nice hiking. I did see a dead timber rattler and a dead baby turtle, both of which made me very sad, but my very pretty campsite on a ridgeline made the whole day worth it. I think we are camping in an area that was supposed to be a lawn in a housing development but the idea got scrapped when the Trail took over the land. Enough work was done to the area that there are nice flat tentsites everywhere! Hooray!
Date: 2016-06-23
From: Campsite

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Today was hot and hard! Luckily there was a town with food and the Appalachian Deli Market only a few tenths from the trail. Unluckily, the deli is CLOSED!! Luckily (again), Gyp's Tavern is open!! I highly recommend a stop there - the food is good and the view of the lake is very relaxing! There were a lot of hikers relaxing by the water and most of us only made it a few more miles to the nearest shelter after our extended breaks The tent sites at Gren Anderson are not great. They're rocky and awkward. Shoe and I decided to share the best space we could find - I'm glad that our tents are so little!I saw two more bears today!!! New Jersey is full of the dang things!I also forgot to mention that I sent my Jetboil Minimo stove home with my parents during their visit. I barely use it and when I do, it's only to barely heat up some water to make instant mashed potatoes. I decided that cold potatoes are perfectly delicious when it means I can get rid of some pack weight!Yummmm, right?
Date: 2016-06-24
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Secret Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Eighteen miles is very worth it to get to the Murray Property. What a wonderful place!!These donkeys are named Jake. They live at the secret shelter.But before discovering the secret shelter. I saw the highest point in New Jersey! I didn't quite realize that the trail doesn't actually go over the top of the highest NJ point... There's a blue blaze half mile trail. I did it anyway because how could I pass that up!?I did not climb up the whole tower, though. Too many steps!!! But gorgeous views!And then it was onward to the secret Murray shelter. Stop there! I'm telling you it's worth it! Just follow the obscure sign for water
Date: 2016-06-25
From: Secret Shelter

To: Vernon NJ
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

I forgot to mentioned that yesterday I finally met Bombadil, another Trailjournaling hiker who I have been trying to catch for many weeks! Unfortunately I managed to catch him (sans Goldberry) because he is injured. I hope he heals quickly and runs ahead again!Today was very, very hot. I stopped in Unionville, which is actually in New York!, and resupplied while chowing down on a delicious fresh breakfast sandwich. It was a fairly flat morning but the bright sun baked me during all the exposed road walking and Wallkill Preserve wandering. No trees = no shade = sweaty hiking! By the time I had to pushed climbing Pochuck Mountain, the smelly and disgusting 6-days-worth of dirt and sweat and grime were driving me insane. I needed a shower. NEEDED. But, it's the weekend, which means everything is booked solid. Ugh, weekends! They're important to everyone except us hikers.Vernon is nearby and has a church hostel. I'm usually not too thrilled about hostels because I feel too crowded, but this place is incredible! I am still going to sleep in my tent outside (it's a gorgeous night!) but the church basement is clean and the shower is excellent. For a ten dollar donation this is my best deal on the trail yet. I'm happy that Quirks, Simple Man, Shoe, Echo, Orion, and Bombadil are all here. Good crew!Some photos:Boardwalk lifeUnionville marketWallkill Preserve (pretty but so hot!)Real boardwalk life! Again, so hot. I'm so happy that I'm currently showered and full of food and in my cute little tent. Not a big mile day but hey, it's about the journey!
Date: 2016-06-26
From: Vernon NJ

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

Ouch.Ouch ouch ouch.Today hurt. New York rock faces and cliffs are no freakin' joke, man.Ouch.Simple Man climbed a pile of rocks after the first big climb, called Stairway To Heaven. Things were still fun at this point.Many hours later, I passed into New York!! Then, even more painful hours later, I arrived at Wildcat Shelter. Here at Wildcat, the water source is a tiny dirty crap puddle, the tent sites are weird and downhill, and the bear box is too small, but my friends are here. I'm so happy to be in state #9 but oh god, my feet are dying. New York is HARD.
Date: 2016-06-27
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

Fourteen miles felt like forty today. New York is still hard!! It's usually very sunny and hot and that makes me sweat like a pig. Add in crappy water sources (dirty, far apart, and usually dry anyway) and most days are a tug-of-war between potential dehydration and pack weight management. Water is heavy! 2.2lbs per liter stacks up when you have to carry a few Nalgenes up a mountain because you're nervous that the next source won't be flowing. Yuck. It started raining toward the end of the day as I struggled toward Fingerboard Shelter in Harriman State Park. Fingerboard, by the way, has no acceptable and reliable water source unless you consider a 0.7mile downhill hike to a lake "acceptable". I do not. I carried in water. I'm also sleeping in the shelter (which I dislike) but there are lots of hikers here whom I adore so I'm glad for the dry spot tonight!
Date: 2016-07-04
From: CT 341, Kent

To: Dawn Hill Road
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Following the zero at the hotel on July 3, Flamingo dropped elle off on CT 341, where she had picked her and Water Buffalo up on July 2. The plan was for elle to hike the five miles up and down Fuller Mt. and Caleb's Peak to River Road, where Water Buffalo would join her for the easy, flat river walk. Then we would say our goodbyes and head home.Paraphrasing Burns, the best-laid plans of mice and men go oft awry. After some Keystone Kops Konfusion regarding the meeting location, we met elle on River Road. She was clearly in pain, and her face was wet, although not with sweat. Her foot had gotten caught in some rocks during the descent from Caleb's Peak, when she slipped and wrenched her knee. We suggested taking at least one more zero at home, and possibly obtain a medical opinion. elle thought she might be able to loosen up on the flat Housatonic River walk with Water Buffalo. We went with the experienced hiker's plan.Housatonic River walkThe five mile river walk was peaceful and flat, as advertised. However, elle's gait, although smoother, continued to be uneven. Upon reaching Flamingo at Dawn Hill Road, the decision was made: home and rest until healed.
Date: 2016-07-08
From: Dawn Hill Rd

To: Salisbury
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: scattered clouds

After a 3:30am wakeup and a 4am start from the house in NH, my mom dropped me back on trail exactly where I left CT on Monday. The hiking today felt easy after three full days of rest and relaxation with my parents and I flew into Salisbury around 7pm. But let's talk about my days off. I hurt my knee on 7/4 as I descended from Caleb's Peak (those rocks are awfully steep and I got my foot stuck and slipped. It hurt so bad. I cried.). Luckily my parents were meeting me at the foot of the mountain so my Dad could hike another day with me - unfortunately my knee was so jacked up that I could barely handle the easy riverwalk miles. I decided to head home to recover.My three days in NH with my parents in my childhood home did heal my knee.. but more importantly: they healed my spirit. I've been feeling very negative about the "grind" of this hike and each day feels like a struggle. I know the heat isn't helping (humidity saps my energy faster than anything) but it has been nearly impossible to find joy in my hiking. I needed those days at home with my two biggest supporters and #1 fans of Team Elle. I'm so grateful that my parents are so close and were able to visit AND take me home and spoil me when I stupidly injured myself. I probably could have come back to the trail after one or two days of rest but I was having so much fun that I decided to stay for three! And now, I feel renewed and excited about hiking and I'm flying!!!
Date: 2016-07-09
From: Salisbury

To: The Hemlocks 
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Climbed the vertical, smooth rock face of Mt Everett for 0.8mi in the rain. I think they should rename it Mt. Everest. It sure felt harder than 0.8mi. Due to the slick rocks and frustrating lack of actual footholds, I fell many, many times. Luckily I didn't slip and twist my recently injured knee, but the falling did yield sore wrists and butt. I think I'm going to sit in an Epsom salt hot tub for seventeen hours straight when this is all over. Thick fog prevented the cliff walk from being scary, but I think I would have rather seen the neat views. I'm staying in The Hemlocks shelter with a young, respectful, and very energetic Boy Scout troop who call me "Miss Elle", which makes me smile. The sun just went down and they've fallen silent - they're very well mannered!! Must be due to their very funny and awesome troop leaders. Troop 8 - you boys are great!By the way, I'm into MA and past 1500mi!Big milestone!
Date: 2016-07-10
From: The Hemlocks 

To: MA23 (Great Barrington)
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Of course it rained today. Of course it was steep and slippery and humid. Of course I was tired. Of course of course of course.I call this: What The F-Bomb!?!?My hiking enthusiasm is quickly evaporating. I still feel SO MUCH BETTER than I did before I spent a few days at home but oh man, I'm remembering why hiking makes me insane. At camp, at night, when I'm not hiking, I feel pretty great. I feel accomplished and excited about the next states and I make mileage plans and talk to other hikers about upcoming challenges. And then the next day comes and I'm hiking and sweaty and exhausted and everything hurts and I just get so frustrated that I wish a helicopter would appear and take me away from this crazy trail. Why does that happen!? I keep going because I know that I'll feel fine once I get to camp for the night but I wish that the actual hiking was more fun. Maybe the hiking will be more fun when there are better views (or better weather!). I'll hold on to that hope for NH - I need something to combat my nervousness about The Whites!
Date: 2016-07-11
From: MA23 (Great Barrington)

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

(I'm having issues with my photo uploading again. Imgur.com is super frustrating. Pictures will get added later if it starts behaving)Imgur making elle angry.Today was weather-perfect. It was cool and shady for nearly the entire day and the trail was gorgeously soft and gradual (well, mostly). Even the excellent weather and pretty trail couldn't make me thrilled to be hiking. I did fly down the trail this morning and was sincerely happy to be outside in a comfortable temperature with no rain (!!) but I am still so ready for this challenge to be over. Is that a terrible thing to say? Am I an awful thru-hiker for wishing that the miles would fly by quickly? I think that's why I'm trying to crank out big miles again. I keep telling myself to do short miles but then I plan 17s and 20s. WHY DO I DO THAT!? Big miles make me broken and miserable!! I guess I'm just excited for Vermont - only 50 miles to go!In better news, Upper Goose Pond Cabin is AMAZING. It's a cute red cabin next to a beautiful pond with an enclosed second-story bunkroom. The bunks even have mattresses with plastic covers that don't squeak!!! It's a tiny slice of paradise. There are also caretakers that stay during the summer and help manage the canoes and general upkeep of the place. They even make pancakes and coffee for the hikers in the morning! The half mile blue blaze trail is definitely worth it and I'm glad I stopped here for the night.
Date: 2016-07-12
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I have no idea why I did 20 miles today. I mean, the hiking wasn't very hard and the weather is still nice, but 20 miles is crazy! I wanted a shower.This is the Mass Pike:This is how hikers cross the Mass Pike:This is trail magic!!It's a cooler full of cold drinks (another was nearby with fruit) left by Patriot's parents. I met Patriot back at the "secret shelter" and though I haven't seen him since then (he's FAST!) I guess his parents must live nearby. Thanks Patriot's Mom and Dad! The hiking was nice and flat for most of today, after the Becket Mt climb, and I didn't take many other pictures. I did see yet another high elevation pond and enjoyed the view but I bet those pictures are a bit boring for you guys. I'l try to take better, more interesting ones in the future.I'm in Dalton tonight and trying to decide whether I should do a short day into Cheshire or try to climb Mt. Greylock tomorrow. My right leg is having issues - something is wrong with my IT band and it's causing intense pain and some weird numbness in my lower leg/foot. The numbness is okay. The pain is not. Maybe I really should stop with the 20 mile days?
Date: 2016-07-13
From: Dalton

To: Mark Noepel Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

My leg hurts. That right IT band is still way too tight and very difficult to walk on. I still busted out nearly 14 miles and most of the Greylock climb in spite of the pain. Heck yeah!To be fair, I did cry a lot today. Then, as I was climbing this steep mountain and feeling like death, my dad (Water Buffalo) kept texting and calling me. I believe he thought I was already camped for the night and was trying to cheer me up, but between the spotty service, my painful leg, and the fact that I was actively CLIMBING A DANG MOUNTAIN, it was mostly an exercise in futility. I finally made it to Mark Noepel shelter and met two very nice section hikers. I used one of their phones to call my dad and confirm plans to meet up this weekend in Vermont (!! VERMONT!) near Bennington. Maybe he'll bring some trail magic? Unfortunately my mom (Flamingo) is in Florida, so the spread of home baked goods that has been the staple of their visits won't be available this time. Trust me, Water Buffalo's baking skills are NOT up to par.Dalton has silly road signs:More pretty ponds on top of mountains!This "Cheshire Cobble" view is supposed to be very beautiful. I read that you can see the town of Cheshire below with Mt. Greylock framing it in the distance. I decided to bypass the view because I really did not want to see the huge mountain that I had to climb later. I was already limping from my leg issues and staying ignorant of the scale of the next climb seemed like a good idea. I think I made the right choice.I'm happily sleeping in the shelter with the two friendly sectioners. Tomorrow: the last bit of Greylock and VERMONT!
Date: 2016-07-14
From: Mark Noepel Shelter

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: few clouds

Vermont. Vermont. VERMONT!!Greylock was extremely disappointing - totally socked in with fog and I saw NOTHING. It gets very frustrating to keep climbing these mountains just to have no views - especially the highest point in MA Dang. The only exciting part of the day was crossing that MA/VT border. And man, oh man, I was excited.Water Buffalo says I look crazy. Well, I feel crazy!It feels great to be in the third to last state. I'm still in a lot of pain from my leg but I'm hoping it will fade away before the big mountains really start... I'm really, really hoping. I'm also starting to meet SOBOs and LT hikers. I wonder if they will outnumber us AT NOBOs at the shelters now? Hmmmmm.Hey, did I mention? VERMONT!
Date: 2016-07-17
From: Manchester hotel with Dad

To: Bromley Mt.
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: broken clouds

(Some more lazy photo journal entries)Water Buffalo Obstacle CourseSir Isaac Newt!Marked as a Scenic View spot in the guide. Sure.Plaque at the summit of Stratton. The AT was born here!Water is plentiful on the way from Stratton to BromleyNow this brings up an idea...Go home now and come back in the winter!But the top of Bromley does look really nice now.
Date: 2016-07-18
From: Bromley Mt.

To: Big Branch
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

I'm being good and stopping before 14 miles today. Hiking "smarter" is boring but I really want my leg to stop hurting so much. It barely twinged today - hurrah!!I met "Mouse" at this shelter. He's a Long Trail SOBO, so he's almost done with his hike, which is awesome! He's incredibly nice and we had a great conversation before bed. He's also a hammocker and nobody else showed up to stay the night so I pitched my tent in the shelter to block out the wicked mosquitoes. On to Minerva Hinchey tomorrow!
Date: 2016-07-19
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: VT103
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Trying to get mosquitoes out of the tent, got some Deet in the eyes.MY FACE!!! AAAHHH!!I pushed extra hard to get into Rutland to try to handle it with a dose of Benadryl and a shower. It doesn't hurt, per se, but it's very uncomfortable!
Date: 2016-07-20
From: VT103

To: Swansong Shelter
Miles today: 11.5

I went southbound today! It was weird. I must be in between bubbles because I saw hardly anyone I knew... Oh well. I did only do 11.5 miles so I suppose they probably passed me after I stopped.I changed everything around because I'm getting picked up tomorrow to spend the weekend off trail and I wanted to stay at the Secret Shelter (Swansong) just south of Killington. However, I didn't want to hike Killington in the morning since my pickup will be here around 11AM - the reasonable solution was to hike the mountain today and stay at Swansong tonight!!I am SO glad I did!! This shelter is incredible and truly a secret - I only knew about it because a Long Trail hiker (who also happens to be my high school biology teacher!) gave me specific directions. It's near AT mile 1689 so if anyone is interested, I'm happy to pass on the secret.It's an awesome shelter. It's privately owned and was built by an awesome guy named Aaron back when the other nearby official shelters were in poor shape due to frequent visits by the non-hiking crowd. Since the other shelters have recently been renovated the Swansong Shelter isn't used as often but I really enjoyed my quiet stay. There's even a "secret privy"!!!!!
Date: 2016-07-21
From: Swansong Shelter

To: US4
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: clear sky

Just imagine that The Proclaimers are singing in your ear because ELLE ONLY HAS FIVE HUNDRED MILES LEFT!!!I was so happy to see that tree. I know I technically passed the 500 mark yesterday while southbounding but the sign makes it truly official.Also saw some neat views on my way to the road.And more snowmobile trail signs!! I swear these are taunting me...And now it's back to Rutland for a long weekend of relaxation and non-hiking adventure. Matt is visiting and I assumed he was bringing his Jeep so we could simply drive around town, get resupply, eat lots of food, and sleep in late. As it turns out, he's a crafty guy and brought me a surprise!!!!MY BELOVED AND BEAUTIFUL MOTORCYCLE!!!We're going to cruise around VT rather than drive! I'm so excited. I've missed my bike so much and with the beautiful sunny (HOT) weather lately the only thing more frustrating than seeing snowmobile signs has been hearing the motorcycles roar by as I cross twisty mountain roads. Now I can spend the weekend zipping around and making other hikers jealous!!