morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-06-30
From: Glen Brook Shelter

To: US 7 at mile marker 1520.6
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: broken clouds

Shop Teacher and I hiked a meager 7.9 miles today, down Mt. Bushnell, across several footbridges, and through level woods.  Diane picked us up at US 7, gave us sandwiches, watermelon, and soda, and then drove us to Westborough, MA, my home town, almost two hours away from Great Barrington.  It is odd to be home; it feels like I never left, and yet I've been away for four months.  My dog, Archer, greeted me at the door with nervous barks, he obviously not recognizing me on account of my hat, white scraggly beard, pungent smell, and emaciated frame.  Not until I started speaking to him did he recognize me, and then he greeted me affectionately.We spent the evening cleaning ourselves and our clothes and feeding our faces.  That evening I climbed into the familiar side of my familiar bed, melancholic that in just a couple of days I would be leaving again.  I'm glad Shop Teacher has come to Westborough with me; otherwise the temptation to remain here might have been too great to overcome.  Diane assures me, though, that she is going to bring me back to the trail, no matter what, unconscious if need be.
Date: 2017-07-01
To: Westborough, MA
Miles today: 0.0

Month five begins at home taking a zero, a lazy, do nothing, chill out, slow motion, no motion zero. When we do move, Diane, Shop Teacher, and I get ice cream cones at Uhlmans, and later we resupply at the friendly neighborhood Walmart. Dinner time seemed to follow quickly after. Shop Teacher treated Diane and I to a scrumptious, high calorie meal at Ted's Montana Grill. We buy a carrot cake for dessert at home. We eat in preparation for the great challenges ahead, the Berkshires, Green Mountains, White Mountains, and Maine.
Date: 2017-07-03
To: Mt. Wilcox North Shelter 
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: few clouds

After breakfast, Diane drove Shop Teacher and I back to the trailhead on MA 7, situated between Great Barrington and Sheffield. Upon our arrival, we proceeded to have a second breakfast. I simply can't get enough calories. While home these past few days, I managed to pack on three pounds, but it's weight I'm sure to lose in no time. Nonetheless, I intended to stave off the weight loss as long as possible; I packed a chicken sandwich out with me.We hit the trail at 10:45 a.m., my mood being somewhat lethargic. Part of me wanted to return home with Diane. Conditions for hiking, though, we're near perfect. While off the trail, we missed two days of big rain. Now the sky was sunny and the air cool.Because of the late start, we hiked a short day, stopping after 13.5 miles at the Mt. Wilcox shelter, which sits at over 2000'. I'm starting to see elevations creeping up over 2000' more frequently. At the shelter were members of Camp Becket, including three counselors and eight twelve year old, out on a two-day hike. The counselors, Giles, Logan, and Clay were young men, in their late teens, all quite mature and capable of handling the boys. Their wards were well behaved and peppered us with questions about thru-hiking. We felt like celebrities that eve.
Date: 2017-07-04
From: Mt. Wilcox North Shelter 

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

The Upper Goose Pond Cabin enjoys a good, widespread reputation on the trail, particularly because its volunteer caretaker makes coffee and pancakes each morning during the summer. The pond is a large one, located just south of the Mass Pike.  The cabin is a two-story structure, painted red like a barn, having bunks upstairs, living quarters and a kitchen downstairs.  The bunks sleep 16.  Around the cabin are several tent sites, which appeals to me. Thus, the cabin, about 14 miles away, was today's quest.Hiking conditions were once again magnificent, but I still wrestled with a homesickness hangover.  Contrary to the old adage, I found that you can in fact go home, but perhaps you shouldn't.  In a short while, though, the pull of morning pancakes was greater than the draw of home. When we reached the cabin we found several tents already pitched and many hikers occupying the porch or milling about the grounds.  As a latecomer I had some difficulty finding a place to pitch my tent.  I'm sure my neighbors felt I had encroached upon their space, but I was not going to sleep among the bunks; rumor had it that a big snorer was among tonight's crowd. A small, hot fire burned in the firepit. The caretaker, Wade, brought out graham crackers, chocolate, and a bag of marshmallows.  Suddenly grown men and women were thrashing through the woods looking for marshmallow sticks.  Diane will attest that I am not one to indulge in a s'more, but tonight an exception was made. Mmm, good.  Among the other indulgents were Shop Teacher, Daddy Longlegs, Action Jackson, Not Tonight, Rocket Man, Mr. T., Blaze, and other anonymous, shadowy figures.That night I fell asleep to the sound of fireworks, as revelers celebrated our nation's birthday.
Date: 2017-07-05
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: broken clouds

Some days our cups runneth over. Today was one of them.  Shortly after a breakfast of pancakes and coffee, Shop Teacher and I came upon coolers in the woods containing sodas, Gatorades, water, and beer, a common thru-hiker staple. I drank a Gatorade and filled my water bottle with another.  Around lunchtime we dropped in on the famous "Cookie Lady", who lives on Washington Mt. Rd, near Becket, MA. She gives free cookies to hikers who ask, like me.  I bought hard two boiled eggs, soda, and a Klondike from her, and a dozen of us enjoyed a relaxing lunch on her lawn.  We hikers are akin to nomads, moving from oasis to oasis to eat, drink, replenish resources, exchange news about the trail, and inform each other of the next good place to visit. Word had it, the next good place was just around the corner.That corner was three miles later, where we came upon Rob's Friendly van and wallowed in more soda and snacks. Rob invited five of us to stay at his Lanesborough cabin for the night, where we could shower.  Because of the late hour, he drove us first to a diner. Because of the ripeness of our aroma, we were given our own separate room to eat in.The cabin was small, so Shop Teacher set up his hammock in the backyard, Action Jackson and I set up tents, and Daddy Longlegs slept in the van. "Oh Yeah", a youngster from Wisconsin who was more interested in pink blazing than white blazing, slept on a bed in the cabin.On our walk to meet Rob in Dalton,  we passed through a tidy residential area. Two young girls, about 7ish, had wisely set up a lemonade stand where hikers walked by.  We were lured over by their innocent charm.  How much for a cup of the Powerade, we asked.  Two dollars. Our hearts skipped a beat.  Pretty steep, I thought.  I'll have a banana instead. How much for the banana, I asked.  One girl looked at me shrewdly.  Three dollars, she replied.  I removed my hand from my pocket and slowly drifted to the back of the line. Shop Teacher and Action Jackson did not want to disappoint them and placed their orders.  For two bucks, Shop Teacher received about a swallow's amount of Powerade, and we were all part a hilarious moment that we will remember for a lifetime.A side note: over the course of 30 plus years I have driven under the overpass that carries the AT over the Mass Pike (I-90).  Today I walked over that overpass.  It was a strangely satisfying moment.
Date: 2017-07-07
From: Mt. Greylock 

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

Some days I feel like an exile, made to walk the day away until I find the next place to sleep.  I can understand the viewpoints of those who say the trail can get boring at times.  The rocks, the trees, the roots, they all begin to look the same.  But the trail brings something new each day, in the form of the ever changing weather conditions that you face, the people you meet, the towns you visit, the places you eat, the bridges and train tracks you cross, the neighborhoods you pass through, the chipmunks, squirrels, birds that accompany you, and the innumerable lakes and ponds and mountains you see. This newness keeps the sojourn fresh for me.  What gets old is the pain in my right pinky toe.This morning we tarried at Bascom Lodge for a few hours, drinking coffee, eating blueberry muffins and a large omelet, all the while its raining. We packed to leave and miraculously the rain stopped.The first part of the day entailed a steep descent of Mt. Greylock, and with the rocks wet and slippery from.the rain, we moved deliberately.  We stopped at a Stop & Shop in North Adams, to buy lunch, which we ate at a picnic table strategically placed on a nearby grassy knoll.By late afternoon the sun shined strongly and dried the rocks, just in time for an arduous climb of the Pine Cobbles. It was a foretaste of the White Mountains; MA ended like a lion.Tonight we sleep in Vermont, the 12th of 14 states through which the trail passes. Less than 600 miles to go.  If I peer into the distance, I can almost see the peak of Katahdin.
Date: 2017-07-08
From: Seth Warner Shelter 

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

Bennington is a beautiful town in southern Vermont, and our objective for the day.  Shop Teacher and I have reserved a room at the Catamount Inn, which encourages us mightily, despite the rain. Along the way, we entered a shelter for a break and a snack. We were silently munching our energy bars when a topless woman backpacker entered. This was not the kind of trail magic to which we had grown accustomed. Then a male hiker came in.  He was completely naked, and I was afraid.  I could not look either of them in the eye (or anywhere else, for that matter, in case you're wondering).Is this hike naked day? Did we not get the memo? Shop Teacher figured they did not want to get their clothes wet. I chalked it up to this being Vermont, the land of nudist colonies. The couple chatted with us as though nothing was out of the ordinary. They clearly were comfortable in their own skin. So, we, too, acted as though nothing unusual was happening. We would show them that we were comfortable in our own clothes.  But, in truth, it was awkward.Later, as we hiked to VT 9, we joked about what we had just witnessed. What if the shelter had been filled with boys or girls? We had seen several just groups on the trail. How comfortable would they have felt then, under the curious scutiny of giggling youths?Catamount Inn sent a shuttle to VT 9 to pick us up.  We showered, had our laundry done, and walked a half-mile downtown to eat at the Madison pub and restaurant. Afterwards we went to a corner Cafe for some coffee.  Kim and Terry Barton came by to say hello.  They were vacationing in So. Vt., and went out of their way to wish me well and bring me some delicious homemade bread. I carried it out on the trail and ate it over the course of three days, sharing very little of it with Shop. Outstanding stuff.
Date: 2017-07-09
From: Bennington, VT

To: Kid Gore Shelter 
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Shop Teacher and I had breakfast at Friendly's, a 0.4 mile walk down Main Street.  Never thought I'd walk so far for a morning cup of coffee.  When we returned to the Catamount Inn, the proprietor drove us to the trailhead. We got a late start at 9 a.m.  The major highlight of the day was climbing Glastonbury Mt., at 3748 feet. The summit had a six- or seven-story fire tower from which I was able to see in all directions of the compass and down upon the tops of the pine trees. The wind at the top of the tower was strong, gusty, and chilling.  Four reassuring thick, wire cables secured the tower to the mountaintop. Still, I felt the tiny box sway in the wind.  I snapped a few photos and descended quickly to terra firma.At the Kid Gore shelter, named after one of Al Gore's children, we learned from the hiker log that bears were running amok at the next shelter, the Story Spring Shelter, and that there had been sightings at this shelter, too. Because there are many new hikers on the trail (they are hiking the Long Trail, which extends from the MA border to Canada and shares the same path as the AT through So. Vt), who are unfamiliar with good bear bagging practices and hang their goods within easy reach, the bears are emboldened by the easy pickings. We took extra bagging precautions that evening.
Date: 2017-07-10
From: Kid Gore Shelter 

To: Stratton Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Stratton Mt. is a few feet shy of 4000.  On its summit, too, is a fire tower providing 360 degrees of viewing.  The view did not disappoint, it being a clear afternoon.  The mountains of VT to the north, NH to the east, MA to the south, and NY to the west were easily discernible, but to my untrained eye, unidentifiable, except for Mt. Greylock on account of its towering monument. Climbing to the top was the biggest climb of the day, and most likely of the past several hundred miles. We ascended over 1700 feet to reach the top. Fortunately, the climb was gradual.  Since the climb came relatively late in the day, we hiked just a few miles further to camp at the Stratton Mt. Shelter.  My reticence to shelters, notwithstanding, I chose to sleep in the building that sleeps 16 because rain was in the forecast for the overnight and next morning.  I suppose I'm willing to throw away a good night's sleep in exchange for a dry tent in the morning. As I lay in my bunk, my eyelids growing heavy, I heard the hum of nearby mosquitoes, a sound I cannot abide. I slid as deeply as possible into my sleeping bag, but my head remained uncovered.  I felt vulnerable, so I coated my face and forehead with repellent, a wonderful facewash just before bed.  But, its effects last only six hours at best. Perhaps it would be just long enough.
Date: 2017-07-11
From: Stratton Pond Shelter 

To: VT Rtes 11 & 40
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

Shop Teacher, Daddy Long Legs, Action Jackson and I needed to resupply, and the next town in which we can is Manchester, VT, an easy 10.6 miles away because it is mostly flat according to our guidebook.  But it's expected to be muddy, as rain fell throughout the early hours, and mud tends to slow things down. Still, we reached the trailhead in under four hours, a heady speed in my case.Another thru-hiker, a young man called Sunny, lives in Manchester, and picked us up, including a fifth hiker, Batman, at the trailhead. This made a quorum for a party.  We laundered and showered and snacked at his parents' home, Judy and Taxi. Throughout the afternoon several other hikers called them for rides. About ten of us had pizza, courtesy of these trail angels.That evening they drove us into town so we could resupply, then drove us back to the trailhead on VT 11 & 30.  Since it was already late, past 7 p.m., we camped at the first flat area we came upon, just 0.1 miles from the trailhead parking lot.
Date: 2017-07-12
From: VT Rtes 11 & 40

To: Little Rock Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

Today we passed the three-quarters done mark.  This sounds like a lot of mileage, and it is, but we've much more to go, over 500 miles and probably 40 days or so.  Some folks are getting anxious, not because they want the hike to end, but because they don't want it to end. Admittedly, I'm not in this camp. Though there are still many breathtaking mountains to climb, streams to cross, and towns to visit, part of me is looking forward to returning home. I think it's the El Vago nature in me that longs for the creature comforts and the lazy mornings. This has been a long, very long strange trip, and one-quarter of it has yet to be traveled.  So close, and yet so far. But I'm in it for the duration. Shop Teacher and I are still racking up the miles together.  We did a near 20 miler today. After a foggy start, it turned into a gorgeous day for hiking, and since the forecast for tomorrow is none too good, we decided to make hay while the sun shined.  The morning saw us climb Bromley Mt., where we found a ski lift chair to relax upon. The big challenge for today was Baker Peak, a rocky climb along a steep ridge, a rarity for the trail in VT.  For the most part, VT has been a long, muddy, green tunnel.
Date: 2017-07-13
From: Little Rock Pond Shelter 

To: Clarendon Shelter 
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I awoke to the sound of rain pounding on the tent. It was 5 am., scarcely light. I had a decent, refreshing night of sleep, but I couldn't imagine breaking camp in the middle of this deluge.  I waited a while in my bag for the rain to subside. When it did, I hurried to pack in a light drizzle.  The entire campground of about ten of us huddles in the shelter because it has covered benches and a picnic table.  Everyone is wearing rain gear.  One couple complains about water in their tent.  You can sense everyone's reluctance to begin hiking. We eat breakfast slowly.  Yet, the rain falls harder, as if to spite us. And the weather forecast is discouraging. A first brave soul ventures out, then another.  Eventually Shop Teacher and I leave the relative comfort of the shelter, covered in raincoats and rain kilts. We move cautiously, every rock and root slick as ice. Mud abounds. Countless times I slip, but catch myself from falling. We are satisfied to reach Clarendon Shelter, though it's only 14 miles for the day.  Progress slows down considerably when everything is wet. You also feel chilled when all of your clothing is soaked through. Granted, it's not hypothermia conditions, but you can get cold in a light drizzle and a breeze.We climbed another Bear Mt. Every state must have one by this name.  Unlike those in NY and CT, VT's Bear Mt. had nothing particularly noteworthy at its summit, not a tower, not a monument, not even a view. Vermont is not quite winning me over.  One person said it's his favorite state.  Another said it started off crummy but became a surprise enjoyment.  For me it's been mud, rain, and a green tunnel, meaning, the path cuts through the trees and gives few views from the mountain tops. At the end of the day, it's quite pleasurable changing into dry clothes and crawling into a warm sleeping bag.  Putting on those soaked clothes for tomorrow's hike is tomorrow guy's problem. For now, it's a well deserved rest in my simple creature comforts.
Date: 2017-07-14
From: Clarendon Shelter 

To: VT Rt 4
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Killington, a 4000 footer, came between us and an overnighter at the Inn at Long Trail.  It is perhaps the most famous of Vermont's peaks, having a top notch ski resort and slopes. We had to climb over 2000 feet to reach the summit.  The last 0.2 miles was a hand over hand rock scramble.  It was exhilarating.  It mattered not that the mountaintop was cloaked in clouds.  The air was cool, and we had accomplished something great.We passed the 500 miles to Katahdin marker, a sign nailed to a tree commemorating the achievement, and later passed the 1700 miles traveled milestone. Slowly but surely the miles add up though each individual day's contribution may be small.  I can't wrap my head around it.  Northstar, a 2016 thru-hiker whose acquaintance we made in Rangeley about a year ago, drove an hour from his home to meet us at VT Rte 4 and take us to Rutland to eat and resupply.  For this i am most grateful.  It was a pleasure seeing him again.  He spoke fondly of the trail and said he misses it. I hope to soon reach that point where I, too, can look back at the trail and say I miss it.Tonight we sleep at the Inn. Presently it's raining, but it's warm and dry inside, making me realize we took a break from the trail at just the right time.
Date: 2017-07-15
From: VT Rt 4

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

The Inn fed us breakfast that excelled in quality and quantity. Several cups of coffee later, I sat about the lounge to call Diane and catch up on my journal. Turned out neither Shop Teacher nor I was in any particular rush. Such is the power of a big meal and easy chairs. It was close to half past eleven when we reached the trailhead. I couldn't help notice skies looked ominous as we entered the woods. We had a fairly uneventful start, the usual rocks and roots and plants and things. A minor milestone was reaching Maine Junction where the Long Trail and AT split off from each other. The Long Trail continues north to Canada, while the AT turns east towards NH. As we approached Gifford State Park the skies let loose a deluge. My clothing was drenched in minutes, a mere half day after I laundered it.  But I have grown accustomed to wearing wet clothing; such is the trail life. However, I have yet to get used to putting on wet clothing in the morning.  Instantly you feel clammy.  But, once again, that's tomorrow guy's problem. To escape the downpour, we took cover under a kitchen tent in a campsite, and sat out the storm for 20 minutes.  At first we thought it was a campground shelter, but it turned out to be someone's campsite.  Fortunately, the residents were not there and did not return while we squatted under their tent.  In short order the rain stopped and the sun reappeared.Later we climbed Quimby Mt., which was a strenuous, a 1200 foot rise in 1.3 miles. Shades of things to come.After we reached the shelter, we cooked dinner and contemplated pushing on, particulary because a rogue bear had visited this shelter for the past three days. But then it started raining hard again. Daddy Long Legs pulled into camp, and set up his tent in the rain.  I waited for the rain to let up and did the same.  Bear bags were hung with great care.
Date: 2017-07-16
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: VT 12
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: scattered clouds

From the onset, our intention was to go to the On The Edge Farm for some homemade pie, ice cream, and drinks.  We did not plan to stop for the night.  But we did.  Hiking weather was ideal, the sky blue, with an occasional white puffy cloud floating lazily by, and a nice warm temperature.  As we approached the store, we found Daddy Long Legs was already sitting by a picnic table. He got trapped by the idyllic scene of delicious treats on a nice sunny day.  We were soon trapped, too.Just down the road from the store is a hostel where Mr. Quinn allows hikers to camp in his yard.  The grass is green, flat, and soft to walk upon. I set up my tent near a creek. The white noise should help drown out the sound of passing traffic (we are on VT 12). Shop Teacher and Daddy Long legs also set up in the yard.The Northern Lights are supposed to be visible tonight.  It's an additional excuse to stop; Mr. Quinn's yard has a good view of the northern sky.  Now, if only the low lying clouds would go away.Lastly, before we reached VT 12, we stopped at the Lookout, a privately owned shelter made available to hikers.  It has a 20 foot ladder leading to a deck built upon a roof. From that vantage point you can see for miles, even to the Whites.  It was intimidating to climb up to the deck, but it was well worth it. The view was breathtaking; one could see for 60, 70, 80 miles.  I couldn't tell what that HUGE mountain was in the distance. I hope we don't climb it. Mt. Washington perhaps?