morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-07-22
From: Pine Swamp Lean-to

To: Billy's View campsite
Miles today: 13.2

I was trying to find my pace this morning. I was going uphill slow, but without a break. Lately, I've been taking many breaks. On a downhill section I saw a big rattlesnake, 5 feet long and 3 or 4 inches in diameter. Train and Raindrop came along and we had a photo opportunity. As I got to the bottom of a mt and to a road, I thought I would get some ice cream. I walked a little ways and Chubster's dad Abel stopped and talked with me. We went to Lime Rock, but there was no store, so we came back to the trail and found Chubster there. We went to breakfast down another road. SamIam and Origami were there. Abel is Chubster's transcriber and does it thru talks with Chubster on his cell phone. Abel worked in publishing for many years and told a few work stories. One guy got a million dollars to do a book on Howard Hughes and made up much of the story. He spent 800 thousand when the publisher found out. Thanks for the ride and breakfast. Back on the trail, I walked a mile to a hot dog stand where Giggles and Box of Fun were eating and being interviewed by a local paper. I'm in part of the story and should be sent a copy of the paper. These girls graduated from SUNY in environmental studies. What do you do after college? Hike the AT. The article is basically about the hot dog stand in a pulloff by the road. A nice lady runs it and gave Jax and me some local stories. The place was in the shade and had a cool breeze and food. ..not much is better than that. Jax and I hiked toward Great Falls and went swimming down stream in some small eddies. Then we went to the Great Falls where the dam was being worked on. Some locals filled us in on how nice it is most of the time. The sky is cloudy and the temp is cooler...still hot but bearable. The giant's thumb is a big rock coming out of the ground like a thumb. It's there by itself. Billy's view has a perch over the valley.
Date: 2005-07-23
From: Billy's View campsite

To: Laurel Ridge cs
Miles today: 11.9

Last night it rained hard and I stayed dry. The tent works good on a good site. The morning hike started easy and then went almost straight down to the road. I walked into Salisbury for a resupply. The store had a lot of good foods. I hiked to the Lion Head that was a super view and then to Bear Mt the highest point in CT. Now I'm in MA. Mateo told me that a father and daughter were looking for Graybeard in Kent. They keep up with my trailjournal. The daughter asked some hikers if I was around and they said I was around the corner hitching. She saw me getting a ride back to the trail. They were planning to ask me to dinner. I missed out. Thanks for the thought. Leave me a message in my guest book. I'm going to have to read my guest book more often. Mateo thanks you for the meal and laundry and good company.
Date: 2005-07-24
From: Laurel Ridge cs

To: N Homes Road cs
Miles today: 15.6

I was out early and on a beautiful ridge. The ridgerunner said it was super views and he was right. The MA valleys, farms and mts were there to see. Later Box of Fun's family gave Mateo and me some magic...water, orange, mango, muffin. Giggles was there too. Later Mateo, Giggles and I saw a fat rattlesnake and took its picture. He just didn't want us bothering him. Later I went into Great Barrington for groceries, laundry, water bladder, head lamp, and spoon. It's nice to get some new camp toys. It's amazing I didn't have these things already.
Date: 2005-07-25
From: N Homes Road cs

To: Shaker campsite
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I was off by 0700 and going up the mt. The water bladder is neat and I don't have to take off my pack to drink. Yesterday I saw 3 South Bound (sobo) hikers and talked with them briefly. Already I passed 4 sobos, who look pretty intent. My nobo gang gets off at 8 or 9 and seems laid back and worn. The sobos still look fresh, but only have half the distance. I wonder what they'll be like next month. Their equipment still looked good and only a little dirty. I need to stay in a shelter, so I can talk to some sobos. After a day of hiking the shelter is a good place for talk. People are relaxing and eating, while waiting for bed. I had a good talk with Claudia Cook from NYC about meditation, satori, and mosquitoes....50mg of B6 daily. Someone left some water by the trail..thanks. The afternoon turned hot. I saw a mama and baby porcupine. The baby was the size of a small cat and black. Giggles, Box of Fun, Gizelle and mom, Mateo, Train and raindrop are here. Everyone is in their tent to escape the mosquitoes. I'm tired and had a light dinner of pb, butter sandwich, gorp, and chocolate.
Date: 2005-07-26
From: Shaker campsite

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

After another buggy nite, I was leaving camp without breakfast. Lately I eat oatmeal with butter in the morning. I met section hiker Gordon from Hartford, CT and hiked with him off and on to the cabin. About 8 hikers stopped at the trail magic cooler for sodas. This was a good lunch break. I went swimming at Upper Goose Pond. The hikers kept coming and there were 18. I talked with Ramblin man about his last years hike and his radio, his night time entertainment, news and weather. I had smores with the Laugh Factory and Wayne's kids.
Date: 2005-07-27
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: ---
Miles today: 0.0

Upper Goose Pondzero dayThe body is ready for a rest and the weather is in the mid 90s with thunderstorms. Tomorrow should be in the mid 80s. I'll be in Dalton in a few days. I took naps and swam. I talked with Fletcher, the cabin co-ordinator. He brings in the pancake batter regularly. He gave me a brief history of the place. The upper pond is mostly natural and the lower pond is developed with big houses and power boats. We're a mile south of highway 20 and at night I hear the trucks. The mosquitoes are not too bad. Last night there were 18 hikers here and at 1640 there are 5. Will there be more later? It's looking like rain and the temp has dropped. I'm sleeping on a tent platform and should be dry. With a little more wind the mosquitoes would stay away. I'm glad I had enough food to take this zero. Mateo went into town and came back. He says it's too hot! Wayne the caretaker is taking his kids on a treasure hunt around the lake. He makes good pancakes..thanks.
Date: 2005-07-28
From: ---

To: Warren Mt cs
Miles today: 14.9

After a big pancake breakfast, I went north. The temp dropped yesterday and I was chilly. The terrain was mild and I passed some beautiful ponds. I also went thru some swamps and got a dose of bugs. The rest helped me, but my back is still sore. Mateo, Chainsaw, Nipmuck, Southpaw, and I stayed last night. There's a big difference between 18 and 5. It felt like the 5 of us knew each other. Tomorrow I should be in Dalton, MA.
Date: 2005-07-29
From: Warren Mt cs

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: scattered clouds

The hike into Dalton was mostly downhill. After I got to town, I talked to a retired banker about 20 minutes about many things. I left my pack at 83 Depot and went to Duff and Del's for a sandwich. There I saw Slow and Steady and Thunder, who I hiked with in MD and hadn't seen in a while. Thunder and I ate together and went to the PO. Next door at the Shell station, I talked with Rob Bird who lets hikers stay at his house. Thunder and I walked to his house and left Thunder's pack there. At the time, I didn't realize what a good place this was to stay..shower, sheets, laundry, and a ride to the bus staion. This really makes my trip home for R and R much easier. Thunder and I went to the library, where I got my plane ticket and checked on the bus schedule. Then we went to the Crane museum, where the paper for currencies is made. On the way back, we stopped at the Depot for a steak. What a treat! I got my pack at Tom's and met him. Thanks for letting me put my pack in your back yard. When we got back to Rob's, many more hikers were there..Pogo, Princess, Mechanical man, Midnight, Scared of the Dark from Gadsden, AL, Nemo, Spud. Rob has photo books of hikers and notes from 2003, 2004, and 2005 in the house. It's amazing all the hikers that have stayed here. I played a little guitar in the yard and went to bed.
Date: 2005-07-30
From: Dalton, MA

To: Huntsville, AL for R&R
Miles today: 0.0

Thunder and I went back to Duff and Del's for breakfast. Did I say how good the chocolate shakes were? Rob took some hikers to Mt Greylock to slack, and me to the bus station. I got the scenic route. Thanks Rob!! Congratulations to LB for being Rob's 1000th hiker! The bus was late getting to Albany and I missed the bus to the AP, so I took a cab. The driver was a dead head and very entertaining. It was strange to be with so many people flying and not talking trail. I had junk food and made my way home via cab and will see my wife tomorrow.
Date: 2005-08-08
From: Huntsville, AL for R&R

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: haze

Rita took me to the airport at 0600 and the trip began. The planes were on time and I had a breakfast sandwich. The bus was 45 minutes late and I missed the bus to Pittsfield. The next bus is in an hour and 40 minutes, so I have some extra time. I complained to the Greyhound bus manager, who didn't care. My reply was next time I'll find another way. I don't know if it really matters. The bus station is such a different world than the airport. People are dressed poorly at the bus station and I fit right in. The cheeseburger and fries are so-so, but would be better if I hadn't eaten so well at home. I left home hours ago and I'm in this mess..I mean adventure. The words and moods make it a different story. There are a fair number of older people here and the crowd comes and goes. In Pittsfield, I walked thru part of downtown and got a ride to the trail..good luck. I almost got to the Cobbles, but camped because I was tired and it looked like rain.
Date: 2005-08-09
From: Dalton,MA

To: Mt Greylock hiker room
Miles today: 11.4

The day was overcast and good for hiking. In Cheshire, I lost money in a coke machine at a closed store, but there was a water faucet outside. I needed the water! Near Greylock, I hiked with Wolfman, a retired Navy man. It was only 230pm when I decided to stop for the lodge's dinner. I also decided to stay the night and eat breakfast in the morning. At the dinner table, I talked with some bank auditors who were curious about the AT. Hikers Cocomo, Big Foot, Santa, and Wolfman were also there. I sometimes forget that this AT is a strange life style. We exchanged hiking stories for bank audit stories...both worlds are strange.
Date: 2005-08-10
From: Mt Greylock hiker room

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

Some time thoughts occur. In regular life, TV, music, and a busy mind lead the mind to strange places. On the trail, the mind has nature and itself to change the thought and the speed is often much slower with fewer distractions. Once in a while the mind gets to see itself and decides not to go down the rerun path. After the basics are done, nature has a chance to reveal herself. When the weather is nice, nature is great. On the other side when things are not so nice, the mind gets a chance to grow. Wolfman and I hiked together most of the way to Williamstown. Wolfman and Cocomo got a ride into town ahead of me. I took the bus for $1.50 and got the tour. I saw them at the outfitter, where I got some fuel. In VT, I saw them again and hiked to the shelter with them. Some sobos and Long Trail hikers were having dinner at the shelter. Nomad was there after a week with Rob Bird to let his infected foot heal. I last saw him in Delaware Water Gap. I'm in a new state.. bye,bye MA. !It was fun!
Date: 2005-08-11
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

I was out early. Wolfman caught up to me in a few hours. I have not seen much wildlife, because the animals have a lot of land to roam. Some hikers saw a moose yesterday and showed me a picture. At Congdon shelter I met Dispo, Pokey, and Bumfoot; sobos. I'm heading into some beautiful country. I resupplied In Bennington and got an easy ride. Ashtray 04 gave many of us a ride. He's trying to start a hostel in Bennington...good luck. At dinner, I talked with Bear who is doing the Long Trail and hopes to do the AT next year. His dad 89 still worries about him. I'm still getting back into shape and the groceries sure feel heavy.
Date: 2005-08-12
From: Nauheim Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: overcast clouds

The weather is pleasant and the trail is soft and rolling. It's called the green tunnel, but not as green as the south. There was one good view this morning, so I stopped. Later I stopped to eat my cherries and do pocketmail. Ideas about control went thru my head. Control really drives alot of people. Often it's a reflection of money and the work place. One major control is that of my mood. The other controls come and go and the weather changes. Later down the trail, I saw my first moose. He was big and brown with a hugh rack. How can he carry that. As he escaped from my view, he tore up a lot of tree limbs. Ragman filled me in on Sleeveless's rabies story.. much like her trail journal. There's a light rain and I'm at a shelter with a few mosquitoes. Some rocks get wet and some don't.
Date: 2005-08-13
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Stratton Pond campsite
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

Rocky, her husband, Jim, and Snowman came into the shelter last night. We were in the Smokies together. I talked with Rocky and Jim for some time this morning before they went south. Rocky will continue hiking in New England and says she'll finish next year. Jim gave me a good talk about NH and VT. VT is greener and doesn't let money-people buy everything. The hike went well with trail magic before Stratton Mt...first magic in a while. I met Sideways and her son Strider who are going south. He cooks and does the resupply while she hikes. Snowman and I saw 3 moose. I camped by the pond and looked for meteors, but saw none.
Date: 2005-08-14
From: Stratton Pond campsite

To: Manchester Center
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I was out by 0730 after talking with a weekender about pond fog in the night. After hours of walking, Snowman caught me and we made our way to town for resupply. We caught a quick ride, bought groceries, and went to the book/coffee store. This is one of the best book stores I've seen. There are many hikers here doing internet and eating. One guy said he saw Wolfman here yesterday. Figure that. I'm having a decaf and slice of key lime pie. I'm planning another 2 miles after I leave town.
Date: 2005-08-15
From: Manchester Center

To: Lula Tye Shelter
Miles today: 16.5

The good shelter is .7 miles more and I'm too tired. Yesterday, I talked with my wife Rita about songs and how they say I love you and you're the one. Rita has Angel Eyes. Snowman and I went up Bromley Mt and shared the warmin hut with 12 summer campers. We were all glad to be out of the rain. I walked in the morning rain and in the sunny afternoon. I ate an extra sandwich and 2 candy bars to get me the extra miles.
Date: 2005-08-16
From: Lula Tye Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

Last night, Ranger Rick checked me in and said I should go swimming and camp near the pond...one tenth of a mile. After my swim, I sat on a rock watching the sunset. Rick took me for a canoe ride to watch the moon rise. My campsite was really good. I was off at 0730, the same as Rick, who is finishing his job. His pack was humongous...70 pounds. I stopped at WhiteRock for some great views. There were two cairn rock gardens, which fascinated me. A cairn is a pile of rocks to mark a trail. The rocks can point, curve, balance and pyramid. They remind me of zen rock gardens. It rained in the afternoon. I ate dinner half a mile off the trail at the Whistle Stop. So good to have Shepard's pie and a chocolate shake.
Date: 2005-08-17
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Churchill Scott Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

I was thinking this would be an easy day so I slept til 0800. The weather was nice...warm and sunny. The mountains were tougher than I thought. Yesterday I saw my first VT deer. There are not many views, because the trees are so thick. I'm at the shelter alone, which hasn't happened in a long time. Several hikers did the rush to town. I need to get ready for town so I can do my things and move on.
Date: 2005-08-18
From: Churchill Scott Shelter

To: Rutland
Miles today: 1.9

It was an easy walk to US4. I walked up to the Inn at Long Trail and had breakfast. I saw Santa, who took the old AT that goes straight to the Inn. This makes more sense, but the ATC is trying to get all the trail on public land. The conflict of public and private conti±ues. In Rutland, I stayed at the Back Home Again Hostel by the Twelve Tribes. The food and hospitality were great. Wolfman and I had a super dinner with brownies ala mode. The Christian commune is based on Paul's book Acts.
Date: 2005-08-19
From: Rutland

To: Chateauquay Road campsite
Miles today: 14.7

Last night's sleep was fitful and I got up early to catch the 0715 bus back to the trail. At Gifford Woods State Park, I saw Nipahatchee and Southpaw from Upper Goose Pond. They're off the trail due to injuries and have found work in VT. After lunch Snowman passed me. The sky clouded up and looks like rain.. maybe tomorrow. I'm in bed early and will listen to some radio.
Date: 2005-08-20
From: Chateauquay Road campsite

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

Late last night, Lojak came by night hiking. It's strange how dancing headlights can catch my mind. Later, it began to rain, so I put up my fly. I cooked in my vestible and packed in a light rain. I walked thru the fog in the morning and thru a cloudy afternoon. There were many ups and downs with some road crossings and some nice rock walls. Their shelter was full, so I'm camping nearby. Santa, Big foot, Chattanooga boys, sobos, and sectioners are in the shelter. After cooking and some trail talk, I went to my tent for my chores...journal, foot care, rash care, cleaning body and teeth.
Date: 2005-08-21
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: light rain

After last nights rain, I got up at 0800. I packed up while the trees dripped and put my fly in the mesh pocket of my pack. I've been getting rashes at most points where the pack and clothes rub. I'm using A&D cream which seems to help. My body is getting a little stronger and the pack a little heavier. Aaron Copland gave me a gatorade (thanks) and asked about his former teacher Santa. For the last week, many have asked if I'm Santa. My beard's a little longer. In Hanover, I got lost, so I stopped for a pint of Ben and Jerry's. I talked with some locals and checked my map. This is the home town of Dartmouth. During the long road walk to town, I noticed a parking problem. Visitors have no place to park at student housing and signs all over say the car will be towed. I got food at a upscale grocery with exotic foods. While eating outside at a picnic table, it rained on me. My cell phone worked poorly, so I did pocketmail and called home from the grocery. I almost did some night hiking getting to the shelter, which I had to myself. The other hikers are enjoying the luxury of town. The shelter log talks of the vortex of Hanover and the hikers have a hard time leaving a nice college town.
Date: 2005-08-22
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

After a night alone in the shelter, I had time to do chores from last night. I was on the trail at 0730 and looking for water. The spring was not much, but enough. I walked to a store in Etna for breakfast and got a ride back to the trail. Thanks, Susan and friend. The walk went well enough except for my rash. When I put my food at the bottom of the pack, the belt rubbed. I put my sleeping bag back on the bottom. Moose Mt was nice and it was a long way up to the ledges. I got to see NH swamps today. Santa and Bigfoot are at the shelter with me as we watch the fire.
Date: 2005-08-23
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Brackett Brook campsite
Miles today: 15.1

Santa, Bigfoot, and I had a morning fire and cocoa. This is a first! I listened to my radio much of the day and reflected on the 60s and 70s from the oldies station. One station lasts all day. I stirred up a group of falcons? (most likely grouse) near the mt top. Mt Cube had super views with clouds all over except near the sun. I could see far off themountains.
Date: 2005-08-24
From: Brackett Brook campsite

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 11.6

After a nice night by the brook, I had a clear morning for walking before a light rain. I got to the hostel about 2 and met Fat Chap, who I met in GA and Tricks. Rat Pack owns the place and showed up later. In the afternoon many hikers came in, did chores and left. Snowman, Cola, Chuck, and I stayed the night. We had a fire and did trail talk.
Date: 2005-08-25
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: few clouds

Trek, VA creeper, Doc, Fatchap, and I went to Peg's in N Woodstock for breakfast. Bacon and eggs are so good! I saw the Redstone missile in Warren near the quick stop in the middle of town. The guy got several tickets bringing the surplus missile up from Huntsville, AL. This reminded me of when my father took a redstone missile to NYC for the world's fair in 1960? Dad got several tickets and did not have the paperwork for NYC. He put it up without the permits and got tickets, which he sent to the federal government. Von Braun told him to put the missile up. I left around 0930 and got to Mt MOOSILAUKE, which is my first time above tree line. The sky had many clouds and some sunshine with moderate winds that made it cold. The 360 view was the highlight. A glider sailed by the summit as I sat behind a rock wall. Many hikers are at the shelter, so I set up my tent on a slope.
Date: 2005-08-26
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Last night Peanut let me try some Yerba Matte tea...pretty good. The mt view from the shelter was great. I was off early and heading down a tough downhill with rebar and steps. The stream next to the trail had many waterfalls and cascades. I thought the day was going well, but found out how hard the Whites are. Two good uphills and downs wore me out. I was glad the weather was good and most of the rock were dry. Today I got my first good taste of the Whites. Dingles, the caretaker at the shelter, gave me a casadea and education about the AMC. Trek and I are sharing the shelter.
Date: 2005-08-27
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter

To: Liberty Spring campsite
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

It seemed like a regular day. After the morning routine, I was out for my first hut, Lonesome Lake. Trek amd I thought others would be doing work for stay there. The other hikers just kept marching. I had cold, free, leftover pancakes, which were good and a slice of pumpkin bread with a lemonade. At 93, Trek and I were going to Lincoln for resupply. An AMC bus picked us up and took us to the Flume. At the tourist place, we had lunch. Trek went back to the trail and I went to town. After getting groceries and fuel, I walked to the road. Neighbor Dave 05 saw me and said he would take me back to the trail. Chickadee was with him and they summitted Katahdin on 19 August. I met them in Damascus and several other times briefly on the trail. The climb up to Liberty Spring was hard enough that I thought I would do a short day. Tomorrow I'll be above tree line again and do some hard climbs.