morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-07-06
From: Mile 1245.7

To: George W. Outerbridge Shelter 
Miles today: 12.2

Morning showers wet the rocks just enough to make for some dangerous hiking. I was slowed to a literal crawl along a few ridge lines and at times felt I could get seriously hurt. I couldn't enjoy the views as the task at hand required full attention: pick a route, plan the next few steps, watch for rattlesnakes (moved one along with a hiking pole), avoid poison ivy, pick blueberries, don't slip! I did slip several times and luckily escaped with just a few scrapes. By afternoon the weather was cool and dry and tonight it's pleasantly chilly as I listen to yet more fireworks in the distance. It's gonna be a tough day tomorrow over more rocks. The guidebook says the water sources ahead are "unreliable" so I'll have to carry as much as I can. It's obviously not a drought year so I should be fine. At least it won't be hot. On we go...
Date: 2018-07-07
From: George W. Outerbridge Shelter 

To: Mile 1272.9
Miles today: 15.0

Cool, crisp, and cloudless. Very nice! Some highlights: crossed the Lehigh River, walked a ridge above a massive closed steel plant, detoured around a toxic superfund site, picked yummy blackberries, and somebody gave me an apple.The climb out of Lehigh Valley was brutal. I had to climb nearly straight up boulders and loose rocks while the weight of my pack threatened to pull me off balance and backward off the cliffs...very scary! The trail ran through rocky and treeless hills for miles. At one point I went under huge buzzing power lines. I've crossed countless utility corridors so far but this was different; the steel towers were not silver/grey like all the others but dark and ominous looking. I know it sounds weird but they somehow looked to me like they were marching in line, War of the Worlds style, over the stark landscape. I was able to get water at one of the "unreliable" springs but drank most of it before stopping for the night. There's a spring 2 miles north of here to quench my morning thirst then it's on to Wind Gap where Brother-in-Law Mike will pick me up and get me home for a lovely root canal appointment on Monday. Happy Happy, Joy Joy! I'll be back on the trail Wednesday...till then...
Date: 2018-07-11
From: Wind Gap, PA

To: Kirkridge Shelter 
Miles today: 14.8

Had a great few days back home: caught up with Joyce, hung out with SDYC friends at Beach Sunday, had a root canal, resupplied, and switched out some gear including a new hammock. This morning my parents dropped me off at the Wind Gap trailhead just as they dropped me in Georgia so many miles ago. There'll be one more trip home in a couple of weeks to finish up the tooth then I gotta finish this thing, still 900 miles to go!Once again the trail was brutally rocky but things should begin to smooth out a bit tomorrow when I cross the Delaware into New Jersey. Tonight I'm camped a few yards from a cell tower facility. The hum of the equipment is kinda relaxing... zzzzzzzz...
Date: 2018-07-12
From: Kirkridge Shelter 

To: Mile 1299.5
Miles today: 11.2

Yay, I'm finally in home state New Jersey! 7 states down, 7 to go. It was pretty rocky as I descend into the town of Delaware Water Gap, PA. I saw Taco and a few others at a church hostel where I stopped for water and a quick clean up. Then I had lunch at a local restaurant before crossing the river on the Rt. 80 bridge into Jersey. Some years ago I hiked this stretch of trail with Denise, J, and Mike (all of whom have helped me with this adventure). Familiar sites in the past few miles have triggered memories of those hikes. Shout out to you guys!!Thankfully it's a bit smoother here, likely because heavy use warrants more maintenance. There are tons of people out in the woods today and many of them stopped to ask if I was thru hiking (Yeah, I guess I do have "that look" about me). A man and his son told me they hoped to thru hike together someday. The kid was looking at me like I was a rock star...or an alien...hard to tell. There are a few dozen campers nearby tonight including a large boisterous group of teenagers and some thru hikers with whom I had a nice chat before retiring to my hammock to watch the sun set. My recollection is that the section ahead is very pretty. I'm curious to see if that still holds true after all I've seen thus far. There are also some Daley cousins who live near where I'll be early next week. Some magic maybe? I think so! Here I come...
Date: 2018-07-13
From: Mile 1299.5

To: Mile 1314.5
Miles today: 15.0

It's funny how few weeks ago it was all about the mud and rain and now it seems there is a drought. The trail is cracked and dusty, the plants are wilting and turning brown, and the water sources are beginning to dry up. On a previous hike through here we got caught thirsty one night without water and lucked out when it rained hard enough to collect water from a tarp. I vowed not to let that happen again! I'm admitadly bias to my home state but I must say that the trail here is the nicest so far. Sunfish Pond was a welcome sight after rugged Pennsylvania, the grades are gentle, the trail a bit smoother, and much of the day was spent walking along cliffs overlooking the farmland below. I also came across a Magic cooler filled with sodas...thanks NJ!I know from experience that the area ahead is extremely buggy, best not camp there! I somehow lost the bug proof headnet that I've been carrying since Damascus so I'll go heavy on the DEET in the morning then run the gauntlet...on we go..
Date: 2018-07-14
From: Mile 1314.5

To: Gren Anderson Shelter 
Miles today: 11.6

Another clear, dry, not too hot day. I felt fatigued and my feet are sore so I  lollygaged quite a bit: slept in, took a long lunch break, and stopped at a pub for a salad and a pint. Hardly behavior that'll get me to Maine before winter but I can't obsess about that. I feel less beat up tonight because of it and that's a good thing. There is really a drought going on here. The fire towers are manned and a ridge runner came to the shelter to make sure there are no campfires. Streams and springs are slowed to a trickle making it important to fill up when I can, hence the pint.  With little or no chance of rain each night I've been sleeping without the tarp overhead and can watch the stars through the trees. Very nice. I'll pass near High Point (highest spot in NJ) tomorrow then the trail begins to turn towards the east following the NJ/NY border. Let's continue...
Date: 2018-07-15
From: Gren Anderson Shelter 

To: High Point Shelter 
Miles today: 13.0

So yesterday I just HAD to mention drought and sleeping the rainless nights away under the stars. At about 11:00 I woke as the wind began to blow and a big thunderstorm came through, then it rained till morning. Fortunately I had my tarp ready to go and was able to get it rigged in time. I passed near High Point tower; it made a nice picture with big puffy clouds as backing. Bugs were not an issue until I got to this shelter where a slow running stream breeds mosquitoes.  Tomorrow evening I'll  stop at cousin Amanda's place just blocks from the trail for some Daley hospitality, 16+ miles to get there though. I hope the terrain continues to improve as I get further from Rocksylvania. Regardless, tough day ahead, might as well continue...
Date: 2018-07-16
From: High Point Shelter 

To: Mile 1355.6
Miles today: 16.5

'Twas a long hot day with a very cool ending. Instead of following the Appalachian ridgelines the more easterly headed trail now crosses over them with farmland in the valleys between. One large tract has been turned into a wetland nature preserve for mosquitoes. The water along the trail is a bit swampy but drinkable after filtering. The National Parks Service has taken over some land along the trail corridor where they have left standing an abandoned 1960s era house. A short side trail leads to the rotting and overgrown building where an outdoor water spigot has been left on for hikers to fill up. Very nice of them. About 5:30 I arrived at Rt. 517 near Kyle and Amanda's house where my Uncle Fred and Aunt Sue spotted me and drove me the few blocks to the house. Soon I was cleaned up and enjoying pizza and beer with Fred, Sue, and Cousins Mike, MaryAnn, Kyle, and Amanda. A huge thank you to Kyle & Amanda for their hospitality, especially for the bagels...I stashed some deep in my pack for the coming days. There are big storms in the forecast for tomorrow. I might start late and finish early so I can be safely sheltered when they come through. Weather is supposed to cool down a bit for the next leg into NY and CT. On we go...
Date: 2018-07-17
From: Mile 1355.6

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

Took my time getting started today and took a break to wait out afternoon thunderstorms. I hiked till 8pm to make up for it but somehow only covered 7.4 miles. Hmmmm...It seemed further. Jersey really hosts a nice section of trail, there was even a long boardwalk through some wetlands, no zepolie, frozen custard, or games of chance though. I came across Magic twice. The first was a man set up at Rt. 94 with what looked like a fruit stand. He's been serving fresh fruit to hikers in that spot all summer and says fewer are passing each day. I guess that means all the bubbles have passed me now. The second time was a cooler filled with Magic sodas as I crossed a road this evening, much needed as I was running out of steam. Thanks Magicians!It's raining again now but should be cool and dry by morning. Zzzzzzz.....
Date: 2018-07-18
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Mile 1376.8
Miles today: 13.8

Crossed the border into New York on this lovely day. New Jersey certainly was nice, it has a little bit of everything: rocks, swamps, mountains, farmland, tough climbs, easy flatlands, spectacular views, and nice towns. It's like the whole trail so far on a smaller scale. And the bugs weren't to bad. I liked it. I took 0.2 mile detour to get hot dogs and a iced cream for lunch and had a nice chat with NOBO's Sunshine, Mousetrap, and Granny Gear while digesting. They camped at a drive-in theatre last night for free! Wish I'd been in on that! I'm trying to not get frustrated again with my pace, but it's hard. I worked from 7am to 7pm and couldn't even cover 14 miles. And no, it wasn't the iced cream slowed me down! Without it I'm sure I'd have run out of energy earlier. I think that almost 5 months of this daily grind is beginning to take its toll mentality and, more so, physically. My feet hurt, the knees aren't much better, and I'm beginning to loose weight again after maintaining for a couple months. All I can do is one day, one mile, one step, and one pint of iced cream at a time. Back to it tomorrow!
Date: 2018-07-19
From: Mile 1376.8

To: Mile 1392.7
Miles today: 15.9

Put in 13 hours today, 7am-8pm. I ate lots more food than I had each of the last few days and it helped a lot. I'm still disappointed that all that work didn't translate into more miles though. Again the terrain was occasionally very rugged requiring short scrambles up and over vertical walls. There were ladder rings drilled into the rock at one point to assist. I crossed over Routes 17 and 87 after an insanely steep downhill section. There's no way I could have done that on a wet day, people have been hurt there I'm quite sure. Later a narrow passage called "The Lemon Squeezer" required me to remove my pack and toss it ahead a few feet at a time while clambering between two rock walls. There were jugs of water at most of the road crossings courtesy of local Trail Angels. Thanks! I've got just enough food to get to a store 18 miles away, that'll be Saturday morning. Trying hard to get to Pawling, NY on Monday for a ride home for my third and last dentist appointment. Tough weekend ahead...
Date: 2018-07-20
From: Mile 1392.7

To: Mile 1409.8
Miles today: 17.1

Had a much better day today because once again I made a conscious effort to eat more. I'm now pretty sure the cause of my recent malaise and lack of progress was insufficient calories. My food bag is almost empty tonight but there's a deli & market a mile up the trail. I'll gorge there in the morning before I shop. Today took me over Bear Mountain and through Bear Mt. State Park and Zoo. The trail goes right through the zoo and the bear exhibit there is the lowest spot on the entire AT at 177ft elevation. I figured I'd finally get my picture of a bear there but it was cleaning time so all I got was pictures of the workers hosing things down. Many of the plants along the zoo path were labeled including two examples of Toxicodendron Radicans, one of my favorites. The zoo path led me directly to the toll booth for the Bear Mtn. Bridge across the Hudson (hikers cross for free) then it was back up into the mountains. I'll try to get an early start tomorrow so I can get my miles in before it starts raining tomorrow evening. On we go!
Date: 2018-07-21
From: Mile 1409.8

To: Mile 1426.5
Miles today: 16.7

Another fine day in the woods. Started with a huge breakfast sandwich at a roadside store where I bought enough junk food to get me through Monday. Nothing extraordinary happened after that, just more walking. I'm camped a few hundred feet off the trail waiting for the rain to start. Very sleepy...a couple of wet days ahead...let's continue...
Date: 2018-07-22
From: Mile 1426.5

To: Mile 1441.0
Miles today: 14.5

The weather turned out to be pretty good today. A few showers kept it cool and a stiff breeze made it hard for the mosquitoes to find me. There was a severe windstorm here a few months ago and many big trees went down across the trail. Most of them have been cut away but it looked like a lot of work and the trail was probably impassable for a while. This afternoon I came across a cloth Old Navy shopping bag left on a rock wall. In it were: a can of baked beans, three cucumbers, and a bottle of Chianti. It was time to cook lunch so I stopped there  and pondered how I might use the ingredients like on one of those cooking competition shows. I've got some olive oil but ate the last of my Parmesan and herbs yesterday, rats! What else could I use: Pop-Tarts? Peanut M&Ms? Powdered milk? No, no, and NO. There're plenty of blueberries around but no tomatoes. My conundrum resolved when three NOBOs came by and took a cucumber and the Chianti. I cooked some rice with bacon, ate one of the cucumbers and left the other with the beans for the next hiker. I wonder what else was in the bag earlier and what culinary wonders might have been made along the trail today. I got caught near a swamp as it got dark tonight and was eaten up by mosquitoes as I set up shelter. Oops, should've stopped earlier at higher elevation. From here I've got to hike 9 miles for my afternoon pick up to go home for one more dentist appointment. Friend and former co-worker Apple and my father will pick me up at the Appalachian Trail train station near Pawling, NY. I'd take the train home but it only stops there on weekends. I'm also way too stinky for mass transit!
Date: 2018-07-26
From: Mile 1441.0

To: Ten Mile River Shelter 
Miles today: 18.7

Monday - 9.0 miles: hiked to the pick up spot near Pawling, NY. Two noteworthy sightings along the way - 1) the largest oak tree along the AT, it looked about the same as the big one I saw in Virginia. 2) a big Crawdad guarding a puddle. He bravely stood his ground and snapped at me as I stepped over him. Apple and my father were waiting at the train stop when I got there and, after I changed into clean clothes, took me home. Tuesday & Wednesday: my dentist put the temporary cap on my bad tooth, it will hold till I'm done so no more trips home for that. In fact no more trips home till I'm done now. I stayed an extra day to "fatten up", rest my bones, and heal the sores on my shoulders caused by my heavy pack. It was good to see everybody again but it's high time I get on with this thing. Thursday - 9.7 miles: this afternoon my parents dropped me off once again and I started walking. Soon I crossed the state line into Connecticut: New England at last! I saw Honey Buns who I remember from way back in the Smokey's and I met Work Horse; he's the only other one near the shelter tonight. The weather is good, the moon is bright, and the bugs aren't too bad. I believe we'll continue...
Date: 2018-07-27
From: Ten Mile River Shelter 

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 8.7

The humidity today was off the charts. I stopped every hour to wring the sweat from my shirt and apply ointment to my sore shoulders. I've got that problem under control now but I probably won't be healed completely until we get a spell of dry weather...not likely. By mid afternoon the skies darkened and thunder started closing in. I had planned on stopping at the Mt. Algo Shelter to cook a meal so I set my sights on getting there before the storms arrived. I didn't succeed at that but continued on to the shelter through lightning and driving rain. When I got there Half Full (NOBO) had decided to stay there, cutting his day short because the next section was reported to be quite treacherous and perhaps best avoided in wet weather. I agreed. We talked as I prepared my meal and he mentioned he might go into Kent, CT, less than a mile away, for resupply in the morning. Wait...Kent? I didn't realize I was already there. I got out the phone and called my Aunt Ginni, who lives nearby, for some Magic. I figured if I wasn't going to be able to continue today I might as well take advantage of some more family hospitality! Ginni has been following my progress closely and immediately offered to put me up for the night. Within a few hours I was clean, dry, fed, and talking trail over some beers. Awesome!We're going to meet Cousins Trevor and Mike for breakfast in the morning and then it's back on the trail. Thanks Aunt Ginni!!! Who's next?
Date: 2018-07-28
From: Kent, CT

To: Silver Hill Campsite 
Miles today: 10.2

Went out for a hearty breakfast with Ginni, Trevor, and Michael then got dropped off to resume walking. Thanks!!!As suspected there was one really long, steep downhill section that would have been difficult in yesterday's rain. After I dispensed with that little annoyance the trail leveled out and ran along the bank of the Mighty Housatonic River for several miles. There was a meadow from where the view of nearby hills was a pleasant change from the the usual looking down on the meadows from the hills. There were lots of day hikers out today, some of them asked about my hike. I saw thru hikers from (I think) Germany and Japan and Half Full passed me around noon having successfully resuplied in Kent. Afternoon thundershowers then came through again. I waited them out inside Ten Mile River Shelter along with 10 other hikers and 4 dogs.I'm at an "official" camping area tonight with 5 others including Work Horse and a Ridge Runner. One hiker has a dog, always nice in bear county. Back at it tomorrow...Ps: electronic music from a rave down the hill thumped well into the night, it sounded pretty close but was a world away.
Date: 2018-07-29
From: Silver Hill Campsite 

To: Belter's Campsite 
Miles today: 12.2

I'm pretty sure I have (or am about to) hit a physical and mental wall. I've felt it coming for several weeks. Don't worry, its  not surprising or unusual as it happens to most thru hikers. Let there be no doubt that I'll push through but it's unavoidable, and perhaps necessary, to sometimes be overcome with fatigue and negative thoughts. Today as I approached a big boulder scramble after a long uphill I became discouraged by the seaming futility of my efforts. I stood there feeling tired and helpless when One Foot and Autumn walked up. We talked a bit and I learned that One Foot started his hike in early March and Autumn started hers just a few days after me. I let them continue up the trail first and as I watched them bound through the boulders I felt reenergized. I saw them later at lunch and thanked them for their positivity and good timing. For months I've been hearing about the "bubble" of hikers that always seems to be just behind me. Well-well: just as I need the company it has finally arrived. Seemingly overnight the trail is full of thru hikers. Scores of NOBOs as well as a smaller group of SOBOs all seem to be passing through Connecticut now. I wouldn't call it overcrowded quite yet but: there are sometimes several people at a water source, there was a line at the privy at lunch time, and the bear box where I am tonight doesn't have room for everybody's food.There's a big group of us at this campsite including Jack Rabit, Nowl, Mariki, BlueJay, One foot, and Autumn. Although we're spread out over an acre or so it's nice to be surrounded again.Way back in February I noticed how easily I referred to myself and the NOBOs around me as "us". As people spread out and I began spending many of my nights alone it became "me" and I rarely mentioned the group. I like "us" better and I hope this bubble lasts. Regardless, thanks to YOU for being part of the group by following along here.  Let's continue....
Date: 2018-07-30
From: Belter's Campsite 

To: Brassie Brook Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

Not a bad day at all, ate lots and lots of food to keep the energy level up. I passed the 1500 mile mark and will enter Massachusetts tomorrow. After following the Mighty Housatonic River for a few miles I came to a hydroelectric dam with a power company maintained canoe launch. I stopped there to see off Tripad (NOBO) who is ending his hike and taking an inflatable kayak downriver as part of his trip home (sweet way to exit!) Then I joined several NOBOs including Jackrabit, Autumn, and One Foot on the rocks below the dam for a snack and hour long chat session. They all eventually got ahead of me and I didn't see them again. Oh well, others are catching up just to meet me. Random things:-There was an interesting roadside sign, it read: "Welcome to Amesville, Hamlet of Salesbury. Never Incorporated"...not sure if they're anti establishment or self deprecating. -I passed three protuberances: Belter's Bump, Lions Head, and the iconic Giants Thumb; a "very peculiar glacial erratic" according to the guide. -A man pulled over to offer me a ride into town...thanks but I'm not going to that town. -A wasp stung my ankle, how very nice. I have a 16 mile day tomorrow to get to a hotel in Great Barrington, MA. I'll resupply there and get back to the trail on Wednesday.
Date: 2018-07-31
From: Brassie Brook Shelter

To: Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 16.3

I hiked hard today to get into town for resupply. Early on I went over the highest peak in Connecticut, Bear Mountain. Soon I crossed over into Massachusetts where, not to be outdone by CT, they immediately sent me over two much higher peaks. I suppose Vermont will do the same thing. By 7:00 I was at my hotel looking forward to a big meal out. As I removed my filthy socks I noticed that my ankle was very swollen and warm. Hmmm, doesn't hurt. Works ok. Itches a bit. That musta been a big wasp that stung me yesterday. Ohhhh...wait a minute...there's two holes in me...and there's two holes in my gaiter...Holy cows! I've been SNAKE BIT!!!Figuring I should have it checked out I got cleaned up and Ubered to the local emergency room where after calling the poison control hotline they gave me a Benadryl and an ice pack. Yeah, that's it...."Rub some dirt on it and get back out there". I returned to the hotel, walked to the supermarket to buy some sandwiches, and fell asleep with crumbs on my lap and my foot on an ice bag. I really shouldn't zero again so soon and the doctor said walking won't  hurt it. I'll try to resupply and do laundry in the morning and get out before check out time. We'll see. It's always something...PS: I know what you're thinking, "How can you get snake bit and not look down and see it?" Well when I felt the pain in my ankle I figured I'd stirred up a wasp nest so I high tailed it outa there with out looking back, expecting to get stung again any second. I went a couple hundred yards before checking my ankle. Never even thought it was a snake until I saw the two holes this evening.