morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-30
From: Ron Orner's house

To: Pochuck Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

      Ron gave me a lift to the trail head at High Pt Hdqtrs this morning to begin the next leg of my hike. Nice walk today but it was a HOT one! I had to ration my water the last few miles. I traveled along the Jersey / NY border during part of the day and the good news here is that there are very few rocks and no great big rocks like in Pa.       Today I decided to take my time and see the sights along the trail. I climbed up the observation platform near High Point (1,680') and took some pictures of the views. NYC was visible and the views were pretty spectacular. I checked out the High Point monument and continued the walk through some wet, swampy areas that had boardwalks to get you through. Walking thru fields, pastures and meadows I kept a steady but slower than usual pace. Lot of streams and ponds in this area which I always like to see. Tug would have had a great time on this section of the trail. Not sure why but at one point the trail is routed around what looks like some kind of drying beds and it is really buggy. The perimeter has a trough with murky and muddy water and the walk here is 1.5 miles that could be avoided with different routing. No one would miss this section if they changed the routing since it is not very appealing. Over the past few days of hiking, I have been noticing that there is a lot of poison ivy starting to pop so, be aware as you do your hike.   Met a hiker today named "Janitor" who is doing about a 100 mile section hike. He hiked the trail last year but got caught up in the hot weather which took a toll on his body. He got off the trail and it took him most of the summer to recover.    The water source for the shelter is about half mile away. It is in the back of an empty house with a sign saying use the spiggot. So, I washed my clothes and myself up while I was there and after hydrating up and filling my water bottle I headed for the shelter. There are signs all around here that the bears are out and about so my food is in a steel Knaack box that is chained to a tree.       I changed boots to my Keenes which are lighter but seem to be hotter than the Zamberlands. The Keenes could never have made it through Pa with all those rocks. I am here at the shelter alone so it looks like a quiet night.LATA...Southside as told to Pam
Date: 2010-05-01
From: Pochuck Mtn Shelter

To: Warwick Turnpike
Miles today: 12.0

   Man it was hot today! Blistering hot with no breeze to cool me off. Todays hike was pretty interesting with a lot to look at and since it is a Saturday there were people out enjoying the outdoors.    The hike took me over Pochuck Mountain and across Pochuck Creek. I walked part of the trail along a beautiful boardwalk that took me thru a swamp like area. To cross Pochuck Creek they built a handmade suspension bridge out of cable and wood and it sits about 15' above the creek. Pretty cool! Stopped at Heaven Hills Farm Nursery for a soda and washed up a little before I tackled Wawayanda Mountain. Wawayanda Mountain is about a 1,300' climb and it was a good climb for me. On the way up I met a young father with twin boys about 3 yrs old. These little guys were stepping up about 18" - 24" during the climb and they are only about 3 feet tall. At one point I looked back and he was carrying them both. He had told me that he was going to the top and it looked like they were going to make it.    Today I just missed seeing a black bear I came upon a waterfall with four high school kids goofing around and they had just seen a bear about ten minutes before I got there. I really would like to see a bear while I am out here. Met a hiker named "Sorefoot" from Seattle today. He had a bunch of blisters and was taking it slow. Ironically a great name choice at this part of the hike. Not sure where he will end up tonight.    When I got to the turnpike I hitchhiked into Warwick, NY and was dropped at the grocery store. My friend Paula picked me up and we headed over to Warwick High School to see my friend Ron and his son Dan. Dan was doing a football camp on kicking and we hung out for a while. Great to see Dan since it has been a while. I am spending the night at Paula's and she will drop me at the trail in the morning. I will slack pack tomorrow and return to Paula's for the night and then on Monday I am off again. Today was a great day! The trail, friends and a bed to sleep in. Can't ask for much more.Lata...Southside as told to Pam
Date: 2010-05-02
From: Warwick Turnpike

To: E.Mombasha Rd
Miles today: 18.3

   Turns out that Paula is a top shelf trail angel. She sent me off this morning with two PB&J sandwiches and a couple of bottles of water after providing me with a bagel with cream cheese for breakfast. I slack packed today which is hiking with a lighter load (8 pound pack) and leaving part of your gear behind at your base. I got dropped at the trail and then called Paula who picked me up at my destination.   My hike today had a lot of puds (pointless ups and downs) Basically speaking I spent the day going up and down over a lot of small mountains. The trail runs up the side then left to right along a ridge and then down. Most of the mountains are under 1,400 feet but it is rugged with small cliffs. Crossing into NY from NJ today I did climb the highest point in New York which is Prospect Rock (1,433'). Hiking through the Eastern Pinnacles and passing the Fitzgerald Falls was great scenery. At Mombasha High Point where you can see NY City on a clear day there wasn't much of a view. It was too hazy and you couldn't see even ten miles.    I saw a 3' black snake just sitting on the trail nice and calm waiting for a mouse to come by for lunch. He was a beauty! Then I saw a quad and 2 motorcycles and I am not sure how they got up there but they were certainly disturbing the quiet. There was some beer cans and a lot of trash where they had been. What a shame that people just don't get it! Pack it in, Pack it out...whatever it is.   Today was hot and humid again which is quite a change from last week. The nats are out in full force and truly are pesty. I have a net but hate to wear it because it obstructs the vision. I have also found a couple of ticks on me but not imbedded so I breathed a sigh of relief and have caution on high alert.    When Paula picked me up we went to lunch for an early Mother's Day with her family at an Irish Pub. Had a good lunch and then went to do laundry at the laundromat. Later we had a roast beef dinner and i headed to bed early. Tomorrow I am on my again and will spend the night on the trail. Thank you Paula for your wonderful hospitality.LATA...Southside as told to Pam
Date: 2010-05-03
From: E.Mombasha Rd

To: William Brien Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: moderate rain

   What a day! Rained and humid until about 11 o'clock then a little breeze came along and the humidity seemed to drop. Bugs, bugs and more bugs! Yes, I went from complaining about the rocks to complaining about the bugs. Nats and mosquitos abound because of all of the wet weather that we've had this spring. I expect that it won't get any better so I need to just deal with it which is easier said then done. I really hate mosquitos and ticks so it won't be an easy thing for me to do.       A lot of puds today again. Up and down, Up and down. The humidity made it a tough hike but there were some really nice sections of the trail and I took a few pictures as I went along. The trail takes you through the Lemon Squeezer which is a crack between two big granite boulders that are just huge and really cool.    I arrived at the shelter mid afternoon. This shelter is nothing to look forward to;actually it is pretty bad, really kind of a shit hole. This shelter has bunks but I set my tent up on the floor. The shelter is in bad shape, the wood is rotted and it is wet inside. I am looking forward to heading out of here in the morning. If you are hiking and reading this journal you may want to route yourself to miss this particular shelter. LATA...Southside as told to Pam
Date: 2010-05-04
From: William Brien Shelter

To: Bear Mountain Bridge
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

               Just when you think that the trail is starting to get the best of you,you have a great hike day like today. First the humidity went down, the bugs all but disappeared, and the temps came down to about 80*. Even though Brien Shelter was a little shaky I had a great nights sleep. I was up at 5am and hit the trail at 6:oo. In the first 3 miles the trail went down 600' then up 600' and then right back down to elv. 650. Next in line was Bear Mountain; my knees were shaking at the thought of this monster. 650' straight up to an elevation of 1305'. So on I went but this was one of those reputations that were exaggerated. Yes it was tough but no worse than the last 10 1500' mountains even the 1100' decend wasn't bad.             When I got to the top of Bear mountain I called Ron, standing next to him was Gina. She got on the phone and told me she was coming to get me. "YES! So I told her I would be down at the entrance to the Bear Mountain bridge at 11:30. I had a nice stroll through the Zoo bought a soda and made it to the bridge by 11:30. Now I have known Gina for 17-18 years she is a great athelete. Basketball and bike riding. She is truly one person who, if she says she would love to do what I am doing I believe her. She picked me up at 11:30 and brought me to her house to shower and do my laundry. Then we drove to the shop so I could visit with all of the people I have known for so long. What a great day, what a nice person, Gina thanks it was so nice seeing everybody.            Gina you are a TA "you always have been.LATA...........Southside
Date: 2010-05-05
From: bear mountain bridge

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I had a little project all set up for Thursday-Monday but I just got word that it has been put on hold. Sure could use the money. My freind Squire is starting back up in Vermont on Friday I might just head up that way and hike with him. Then in Oct finish the few miles in Conn. and Mass. Oh well thats the way it goes. LATA............Southside
Date: 2010-05-08
From: ny

To: Virginia
Miles today: 0.0

Took a little detour this weekend to spend time with my favorite trail angel Jerry. Jerry's birthday weekend surprise fishing trip on Chesapeake Bay with the guys. Weather is not good, boats not going out so we headed to DC for the an over night. Heading back to NY tomorrow and will be back on the trail on Monday at Bear Mountain. LATA...Southside
Date: 2010-05-09
From: Virginia

To: Rons House
Miles today: 0.0

               Happy Mother's day to all on the trail. Back out there on Monday. I will pick it up again at the Bear Mountain Bridge. I am hoping to pick up the miles and knock out the rest of NY, CONN, and MASS, then it is on to the big three.                I am here at Ron and Maries house, had a little dinner and maybe an ice cream before I head out tomorrow. Again a big hug and a kiss to the Orners for the help and wonderful meals. Happy bday to my friend Jerry and a big kiss to Carol both are awsome. To my beautiful wife Pam who I saw for 10 hours... "too short a time,but still nice". It's not the trail that touches your heart but the people you meet and the friends who go so far out of their way to support and help even in a small way. Thanks so much for being with me and for me on this selfish little quest.LATA...........Southside
Date: 2010-05-10
From: Rons House

To: Clarence Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 18.2

   I am back to the business of hiking the trail. After 5 full days off for a variety of connections and celebration, I was looking forward to getting back out here and moving closer to my goal. Started out this morning with a ride to the Bear Mountain Bridge from Ron and after we said our goodbyes I got moving.    My destination was the Dennytown Group Camp but when I got there, there was no camp. All that was left was the tap for water on the side of the building so I continued on to the State Park. Hiking today involved numerous puds ranging from 180' to 950' and it was a lot of up and down work. The trail is excellent and actually in this section there are some switchbacks which help relieve the up and down action.    Met up with a two brothers "brother connection" that have been working on completing the entire trail for 13 years. They only have a few small sections to go and are camping on the trail tonight. I ate good today with two turkey sandwiches courtesy of the Orners and then I had a sausage sandwich from the Appalachian Market which is in the Shell Station.    I am in the camp ground at the state park and there are a lot of people around but individual camp sites. I took a hot shower and am settling in to what I think will be a cold night because there are no clouds in the sky and the temp is dropping quickly. For some reason my feet and calves are spasming so I took some potassium supplements. I drank a lot of fluids today including a couple of powerade drinks. I will sleep in my silk inside my bag again which worked out great on other cold nights. A little concerned about bears because there is no place to put my food bag. I couldn't find a tree that I could get a rope over the limb to hang the bag so it is in my tent with me.    Totally out of gas...need a good nights sleep!LATA...Southside as told to Pam
Date: 2010-05-11
From: Clarence Fahnestock State Park

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

   Had a really good day today. My feet and legs calmed down over night and I was nice and warm in my bag with the silk liner. With a cold start out this morning the hike took me along the trail with some really awesome views. At one point I hiked in a horseshoe around a big lake that was beautiful. The scenery along this section makes it worth taking the time to photograph and take in the beauty. I went past the RPH shelter which is well built out of cement blocks with a door and window. It also has a hand pump for water. One of the better shelters in the area. I met a couple of day hikers there that were from Long Island. Not sure what they had planned but it is always good to meet people out here.    At noon I walked off the trail and up the road about .3 mile to a little Deli and bought a sandwich. I was talking with another hiker "Pokey Man" and just about ready to head back when a jeep pulls up. A woman pops out of the jeep and says "Southside"? So, I answered "yes". "Socks" told me that she had been following my journal and thought she had missed me when I didn't come out of the trail where she was waiting for me. She then thought that I might be down at the Deli so she drove there to see if they had seen me. "Socks" told me that she was excited to meet me. Go figure ! She came out to give me some trail magic consisting of bananas and soda. She offered to give me more food but I declined because I did not want to carry more weight. I suggested that she could give me a ride back to the trail and she did.    Yesterday I told you about the Denny Camp not being there but "Socks" explained that it was up on top of the hill across the street on an angle from the pump house. I saw that area but the grass was about a foot high. Not for me. Also, I want to thank Marie for going out of her way to try and get the smell out of my backpack and gear. Marie bought this special detergent that is supposed to remove "hiker stink" and washed my stuff not once but twice while I was off with Jerry. Thank you, thank you Marie!    Anyone that has hiked the trail has many stories of good hearted, warm people offering helping hands and kindness. Today's story about 'Socks" coming to meet me is a great example of how it is out here. You can forget the fast paced world we live in for a period of time and just enjoy the simplicity of how life could (should) be. You can't make this stuff up and I continue to be humbled by the true goodness in people. Yes, it is me...LATA...Southside as told to Pam
Date: 2010-05-12
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: NY 22
Miles today: 11.0

   Spent the night at the shelter alone and woke up at about 2:00 a.m. to the rain. It continued to rain and I stayed in my bag until about 8:30 and then decided to get moving. The rain continued for most of the day but lightened up as the day went on. By mid afternoon it was pretty much just a heavy mist and looked like it would clear out by the end of the day. The hike was a good one taking me through some swampland and grassy areas. My boots and pants were soaked from the rain and the terrain. They are building a new boardwalk out here but it is not done and not accessible. What is accessible was slippery so I stayed off of it. When I got to the Telephone Pioneers Shelter today there were a lot of hikers there. I had not seen them so they must be just about 3/4 to 1/2 a day ahead of me.    My sleeping bag and gear were wet and needing to be dried out so I made the decision to head into Wingdale,NY to take care of it. After standing out on the road while about 25-30 cars passing me by I called the Duchess hotel and Gary came and picked me up. I will stay the night here. Did my laundry and met another hiker. Mike is from New Zealand and is starting his hike from here to Kahtahdin tomorrow. He sees to be pretty young so I expect that he will be able to fly. LATA...Southside as told to Pam
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Mt.Algo Lean-To

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 17.3

   Woke still in a funk and got moving at 6:00 thinking that would help my mood. I walked for a long way along the Housatonic River on a relatively flat trail. The hike was nice and the river is beautiful. There are a lot of viewpoints and vistas on this section of the trail and I took quite a few pictures of great scenery. I came down St. John's Ledges which is 450' climb down rock steps and some of them are 5' tall. At points I had to throw my poles down and slide down on my rear. This was a good challenge for me. Somehow I missed the Stewart Hollow Brook lean to and made it to Cornwall Bridge in time for lunch.    In Cornwall Bridge there is only a gas station and I got 2 hotdogs for lunch and relaxed for a while. This seemed to help my mood change a little and I was ready to get moving on to my goal for today.    I saw this big animal pulling a tree down and tried to sneak up on him with my camera but when I got there (only a few seconds later) he was gone. Not sure what kind of animal it was but it was big. Disappointed that I didn't get to see it better so that I could identify what it was.    Took me a long time to get to the shelter today. LATA...Southside as told to Pam
Date: 2010-05-15
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-To

To: Riga Lean-To, Salisbury, Ct
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

   Up and out early today starting my hike at 5:00 a.m.. Nice day for a walk and a lot of people are out enjoying the outdoors. It's Saturday and this section of the trail is accessible to many weekend day hikers. There are also some boyscouts camping near the shelter. In fact a couple of different groups of scouts are out in the area.    I have started to notice the change in the tupe of trees from maples and oaks to birches. The scenery is definitely changing. I hiked a good while along the Housatonic and had plans to stay at a hostel in Salisbury and try to resupply (a couple of days ago my bread was moldy when I opened it) since I really don't have much with me right now. One of the hostel's was full and the other just wouldn't work for me. So, I took a shower and ate in Salisbury and then pushed the four additional miles to the Riga Shelter. In Ct. they call the shelters a lean-to.    Todays hike had a lot of puds again and I went past the Giant's Thumb which is a rock formation that was pretty cool. A lot of interaction with other people which is always nice. Thinking about heading home when I get to the Mass Pike but will make the decision on Tuesday or Wednesday when I get there. LATA...Southside as told to Pam
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Riga Lean-To, Salisbury, Ct

To: Mt. Wilcox South Lean - To
Miles today: 29.7

   Had a great hike day today. With the sun coming up early I have been out early and enjoying the nice weather. The trail goes through a lot of tall grass and swampy areas in this section. I am near Sheffield, Ma / Great Barrington, Ma and the trail is rolling with some decent ups and downs. The grassy and swampy areas are pretty buggy which drives me a little crazy. Those that know me know that I really hate bugs and especially hate ticks! Have to do a really close tick check tonight.    I had originally set out for the Tom Leonard shelter this morning which would have been a 24 mile day. When I reached the shelter it was only 1:30 and the water source was not that appealing so I decided to go the extra 5 miles to this shelter. Big day for me and my feet are complaining. I feel pretty groddy since I haven't had a water source where I could really wash up and wash my clothes for a couple of days now. Running low on food and need to make a decision on resupply or pack it in and head home. Lata...Southside as told to PamPam here: Today I dropped Chad "Bull" off at Rt 7 in Ma so that he could surprise Southside and hike with him this week. Since it was a surprise and planned for a couple of months that this would be the week, Bull had been talking to and watching Southsides miles to see where they would meet up. Based on the information that Bull had on Friday he figured that he would be ahead of Southside by about 12 miles. This plan would give Bull the opportunity to hike two short days on Sunday and Monday then be at the Mt Wilcox shelter when Southside arrived on Monday night.   They would then hike the rest of the week and I would pick him (and maybe Southside) up on Sunday in Vermont. Great Plan!   Well, the plan did not work because Southside has been putting in some big miles the last couple of days. By this morning we actually thought that there was a chance that Southside would be crossing Rt 7 as I was dropping Bull. The new plan was for Bull to surprise him at the Tom Leonard shelter tonight. Well, Bull got to the Tom Leonard and Southside had been there and gone a couple of hours before. So, Bull is heading to the Wilcox shelter and Southside is there already. It is now 8:00 and I have not heard that Bull has made it. You just cannot make this stuff up!