morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-06-25
From: Pa. 873, Lehigh Gap

To: Pa. 873, Lehigh Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Saw that there was rain in the forecast for today so Trips Alot and I decided to take a zero. Justification is Trips Alot wanted to rest his leg since he tweaked a muscle coming down the steep drop into Port Clinton several days ago and we also didnt think walking on wet rocks was a good idea. Forecast looks good for tomorrow and we'll head out after we settle up our bill which is $48 for 2 nights total each...Not bad! Today was mainly teaching Trips Alot how to hitchhike which I think he's enjoying a lot. Took us 5 minutes to find a ride back from the grocery store...not to shabby!
Date: 2012-06-26
From: Pa. 873, Lehigh Gap

To: Leroy A. Smith Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The Owner of the Fine Lodgings took Trips Alot and me back to Lehigh Gap this morning and we Hiked 16 miles to the Leroy A. Smith Shelter. Shoes are falling apart. Can't wait to get my new ones tomorrow! Had really strong winds that were so gusty that I could lean foward without falling sometimes. Tripped over a rock on the trail that I didn't see. Besides that and the scarcity of water sources, the trail wasn't that bad. Had a rocky climb that was actually kind of fun at the beginning of the hike before Little Gap.
Date: 2012-06-27
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Pa. 611, Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: clear sky

Hiked 20 miles to the Presbyterian Church of the Mountain Hostel. Highly motivated today to get my new shoes. Don't think my feet could have made it any further. Got to the post office at 4:00pm to pick up my mail drop then proceeded straight to the Hostel. Opened up my mail drop and took out my new shoes. Man was it an awesome sight. Will cross into New Jersey tomorrow and will have less than 900 miles to go. Hippity Hop, Metric, and Sticks are here. I haven't seen Metric and Sticks since Harpers Ferry.
Date: 2012-06-28
From: Pa. 611, Delaware Water Gap

To: Brink Rd Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: clear sky

Hike around 25 miles to Brink Rd Shelter. Nice views today. New shoes felt great but I did get a little blister on my heel. Swarmed by Mosquitos as soon as Trips Alot and I got to the shelter. Cooked dinner and ate as fast as I could so I could hurry and get in my tent away from the mosquitos. Passed a few ponds and lakes. Warmed up later in the day. We were going to take a dip in Crater Lake to cool off but ended up passing the turn off the trail so we decided to push on. Hopefully won't make that mistake again...
Date: 2012-06-29
From: Brink Rd Shelter

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Hiked around 20 miles to High Point Shelter. Very hot and humid and I was soaked in sweat for most of the day. Probably drank up to 10 liters of water. Hippity Hop joined me and Trips Alot for most of the hike. We got to the High Point State park, signed in, and got a free coke, and then decided to take a swim at the beach there to cool off.
Date: 2012-06-30
From: High Point Shelter

To: N.J. 94
Miles today: 18.9

Hiked to N.J. 94 and stayed at a hostel hosted by a church which was conveniently located. Resupplied and did laundry. Total miles was close to 19. Trail was really easy today which included a couple of miles of walking on wood planks and wood walkways (flood zones), through a few of pastures, on flat trails (few hills), and less rocks. Same hiking partners...Hippity Hop and Trips Alot. Temperature in the low 90's. Oak, Knief, and Blue skies ended the day here as well. Good day on the trail.
Date: 2012-07-01
From: N.J. 94

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Ate at the Mixing Bowl Diner for breakfast. Afterwards, we decided to get a hitch back to the trail. Only problem was that there was too many of us so I decided to move on further up the road hoping my chances would be better. Then I realized I'd forgotten my cell phone and had to walk back to the Church Hostel to get it. Luckily, there was a nice lady there that felt sorry for me and gave me a ride back to the trail. Hot today but not too bad. Got a coffee chocolate milkshake at a place right off the trail. Hiked 17 plus miles to Wildcat Shelter with the whole crew; Hippity Hop, Trips Alot, Oak, Knief, and Blue Skies, which was the first time we all hiked together. Lots of rock climbing which was cool. Crossed into New York today...sweet! Will have under 800 miles to go after tomorrow!
Date: 2012-07-02
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: William Brien Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Moved fast getting ready this morning so I could get away from the mosquitoes. Hiked around 20 miles to the William Brien Memorial Shelter. Found a good camp spot. Love sleeping in my tent! The scenery around the shelter was pretty cool. Good weather today. The hike lasted longer than I wanted it due to nursing a muscle. Some places during the hike were pretty strenuous. One place I had to squeeze through between two huge boulders...which was fun. I really thought there was no way I would fit but tried anyway and made it.
Date: 2012-07-03
From: William Brien Memorial Shelter

To: Bear Mtn, NY 10911
Miles today: 9.0

Hiked around 8 miles to the park beside the Bear Mountain Inn. The plan was to meet up with Highgear and chill for the rest of the day. Candace, Highgear's mom, was already at the Bear Mountain Inn when I got there which was very convenient. She walked over to the park from the Inn and I introduced myself then we walked back to her car. Next, we went to pick up my mail drop and eat lunch. Highgear was at work so his mom volunteered to help me run my errands. She would not let me pay for my lunch and was overwhelmingly generous. Same goes for their entire household! Being on the trail so long, I lost track of the day and was reminded that tomorrow is the 4th of July. Decided to take a zero and enjoy the great hospitality and fireworks, and ice my high ankle sprain I got from skipping bolders a couple days ago. A needed stop!
Date: 2012-07-04
From: Bear Mtn, NY 10911

To: Bear Mtn, NY 10911
Miles today: 0.0

Just hung out today. Didn't do much but iced my ankle and resupplied. Great day of relaxation. Went to the Peekskill Inn with Highgear and his dad to watch the fireworks over the Hudson River. Will hit the trail in the morning. Ankle feels a lot better but is far from 100%. Plan on a short day tomorrow.
Date: 2012-07-05
From: Bear Mtn, NY 10911

To: Dennytown Rd
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

Watched the fireworks last night at a dude's house behind the Peekskill Inn with a great view of the Hudson River from his back deck then went back to Highgear's house and got my backpack ready before I went to bed. Highgear dropped me off back at the Bear Mtn Inn this morning and I hiked around 15 miles to Dennytown Rd. I found a nice camp spot not too far off the trail. Ankle is still sore but I was able to move a little faster today. Didn't want to hike any further on it. Tomorrow I may do 20 plus if my ankle allows it. Walked up on a gas station around lunch time that served food so I ordered an omelette, hash brown, and toast. Then I had Ben and Jerry's for desert. Bush Goggles and Thirsty were there as well. Pretty hot, In the 90's today but there were plenty of water sources. Looks like I'll be the only one camped here tonight...nice!
Date: 2012-07-06
From: Dennytown Rd

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

Hiked 19 miles plus to the Morgan Stewart Shelter. Had a few good views. Ankle hurt, but loosened up more as the day went by. Read in my hiker's companion that there was a Deli 4 miles before the shelter so I decided to drop in. Got a turkey BLT and two gatorades. Really hot today but was not as humid. I took a lot of breaks to cool down and rest the ankle. At one break on a gravel road, a man replacing a bulldozer tire gave me two peaches and a couple of granola bars...
Date: 2012-07-07
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Ten Mile River 
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked around 21 miles to the Ten Mile River. Crossed into Connecticut today. I can tell each day my ankle is getting better but still feel the pain. The terrain really hasn't helped. Just sucking it up! Came across a few cool things like the Dover Oak Tree which is the biggest oak on the trail. Also saw a snake that I couldn't tell what kind but it was mean. It actually started at me so I used my hiking stick to keep it at bay. Went a little past the shelter to a nice camp spot beside the Ten Mile River. 2 guys who hiked the trail before, Skywalker and Rat Funk, were there and offered hotdogs. I ate three plus an apple. They pretty much took care of me for the night. Really cool dudes. Good stop!
Date: 2012-07-08
From: Ten Mile River 

To: Conn. 4 Cornwall Bridge, CT 06754
Miles today: 19.8

Last night, a bird in the Privey pooped on my arm. It was dark and as soon as I opened the door and stepped in, the bird flew around and hit me in the head. It's nest was in the privey. When I went back to the campfire, there was poop on my arm!  It's always so hard getting out of my tent. I never need an alarm clock because the birds start chirping at the same time every morning...4:50am! My goal has always been to get on the trail at six but it's around seven before I get started. Hiked about 20 miles today to Conn. 4. It was Hot and humid. Ankle is probably at 80%...still sore. Usually hurts more going down hill but today felt a lot better than yesterday. Had some tough climbs and steep drops. Also had some flat terrain...a section that ran along the Housatonic river for about 5 miles which was nice. Came across several day hikers during different times of the day who had questions or just wanted to talk.  I knew the day was running short so I had to turn it up a bit to get to my destination...the Hitching Post Motel.
Date: 2012-07-09
From: Conn. 4 Cornwall Bridge, CT 06754

To: U.S. 44 Salisbury, CT 06068
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: light rain

About 689 miles to go based on my 2010 Hiker Companion book and tomorrow will enter Massachusetts. Close to 22 miles hiked today. Destination was Salisbury. Mrs McCabe, a lady who lives there, host hikers in her house. Awsome weather today...low 80's with a constant wind blowing. Didn't get on the trail till 8:30am. Had to wait for the owner of the hotel to finish my laundry. The guy was really hiker friendly. Ran low on water after lunch so decided to stop at the Hydroelectric plant for a refill. A man pulled up in his truck and showed me where it was. I'm glad he did because I was very thirsty! Hiked into a swell view right after Prospect Mountain. It's one that you have to stop and look at for a few minutes before moving on...
Date: 2012-07-10
From: U.S. 44 Salisbury, CT 06068

To: Mass. 41
Miles today: 18.5

Mrs. McCabe was so nice. She set me up last night on her day bed in front of the TV in her living room per request. She gave me sodas and this morning let me cook my own breakfast. Afterwards, back on the trail again. My hike has been full of great stops and had another one today at the Bearded Woods Hostel. I had to pick up my mail drop and resupply so started my hike close to 10:00am and hiked around 18 miles to Mass. 41 and was picked up by Hudson (the owner of the hostel). When I got there dinner was almost ready so jumped in the shower and headed up to eat. Dinner was superb along with desert...strawberry shortcake with icecream. The hiker area was immaculate! Definitely recommend this place which is all inclusive. Had a scary height moment on Race Mtn when I hiked up on a cliff with nothing on one side except a view and a very long drop! Took me a few seconds to get adjusted. Tough hike all in all. Slid and landed on my butt and backpack twice coming down Jug End...
Date: 2012-07-11
From: Mass. 41

To: Mt. Wilcox North Lean-to
Miles today: 17.1

Got dropped off back at the Mass. 41 trailhead by Woodchuck and Rocky (hikers that stayed at the Bearded Woods Hostel).  Rocky had a bad fall and is not sure if she will return to the trail. Close to 10:00am when I hit the trail. That's kind of late for me.  I had nothing left by 5:30pm. The hotness drained me! I prefer to start early, get a lot of miles in before 12:00 while it's still cool then coast the rest of the day.  Tomorrow will be an early start!  Lots of trail magic, mostly drinks. Hiked 17 miles to the Mt. Wilcox North Lean-to. Bad choice... NO WATER!  Good thing I had enough water left from the trail magic I hit earlier.  Started a fire to keep the Mosquitos off me.  Looks like I'll be the only camper here tonight...
Date: 2012-07-12
From: Mt. Wilson North Lean-to

To: Finerty Pond
Miles today: 18.7

Man, these Mosquitos are crazy! They were buzzing around this morning waiting for me to get out of my tent so they could start their attack! I had to come up with a plan. I decided to put my fleece on and rub bug repellent over me which would give me some time to eat breakfast and break down my tent. The plan worked for about five minutes then they broke through my defenses. Turned to plan B which was get everything packed and take off running! Hiked around 19 miles to the backside of Finerty Lake. Bush Goggles, Fauzy, Thirsty, and Lasagna caught up with me at Ma. 20 and we ordered Chinese at a lodge that was .1 miles off the trail. Took almost an hour for delivery. It was getting late so I found a place to stealth camp beside the trail. I quickly put repellent on and started a small fire which was pretty effective in keeping the mosquitos away.
Date: 2012-07-13
From: Finerty Pond

To: Mass. 8 Mass. 9 Dalton, MA 01226
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Hiked 16 miles into Dalton and caught Trips Alot and several other hikers I've never met before at The Bird Cage, a place that takes in hikers free of charge. Rob the owner is great and provides hikers with drinks, shuttles, showers, and laundry. I've been in gap where I haven't seen any through hikers for the past few days until today.Out smarted the Mosquitos this morning by starting a small fire and packing my bag right next to it! I made sure the fire was put out before I left. Started hiking about 6:30am and knocked out 13 miles by 12:00pm which only left 3 miles to Dalton. Trail had a few hills but was good enough for me to actually keep a normal pace now since my ankle is almost 100%. Still feel a little soreness but not bad.
Date: 2012-07-14
From: Mass. 8 Mass. 9 Dalton, MA 01226

To:  Wilbur Clearing Lean-to
Miles today: 20.5

Hiked 20 miles to the Wilbur Clearing Lean-to.  Trips Alot took a zero yesterday and decided to head out with me this morning.  Decent climbs today but nothing we haven't seen before.  Stopped at a convenience store for lunch and to fill up on water.  No good water sources on the trail today. Filled up again at Bascom Lodge. Nice view from Mt Greylock Summit.  Had a big rabbit hop right up to us on the trail which was pretty neat so I took a close pic. My guess is that maybe it had been fed before by people and was expecting us to feed it...
Date: 2012-07-15
From:  Wilbur Clearing Lean-to

To: Mass. 2 North Adams, MA, Williamtown, MA
Miles today: 3.0

Hiked 3 miles to Mass. 2 and Rob (owner of The Bird Cage) picked us up and gave us a ride to the Ho Jo in Williamstown. Trips Alot and I decided to take a Nero for some needed R&R. Feet were also a little beat up. Lately, my shoes have been uncomfortable, felt too tight, and have made my feet really sore. So today I went into town and bought a pair of Salomon shoes a size up. I guess my feet have swollen more! Went from a size 9, to 9 1/2, and now to a size 10...Have 596 miles to go and will be in Vermont tomorrow. My plan is to slow the pace down a bit to really enjoy the final miles I have left.
Date: 2012-07-16
From: Mass. 2 North Adams, MA, Williamtown, MA

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Called a taxi service to take us back to the trailhead and the cost was $8.  Afterwards, hiked 20 miles to the Melville Nauheim Shelter.  Entered Vermont about 6 miles into the hike. Rocks were really slick and wet from the rain last night and the high humidity today. I tried to be really careful but slipped and fell anyway just a few miles  before the shelter. I think I May have restrained my ankle from the fall. All other body parts seem OK! I know I will feel it in the morning.
Date: 2012-07-17
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter

To: Stratton-Arlington Rd
Miles today: 21.0

7/17Woke up this morning and my ankle wasn't as bad as I thought. A little swelling but not like it was from the first sprain.  Besides that, I had a little hip bruise and a cut on my knee. Hiked 21 miles to a camp spot before the Stratton-Arlington Rd.  Hard to keep a consistent pace today due to the terrain! A squirrel joining us for lunch at the Goddard Shelter and a nice view aftetwards from a Hightower were the high points today...
Date: 2012-07-18
From: Stratton-Arlington Rd

To: VT. 11&30 Manchester Center, VT 05255
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: moderate rain

Thunder storms and lots of rain woke me up twice last night. Tent held up nicely and I was dry when I woke this morning! Hiked around 17 miles to VT. 11&30 and Hitchhiked into Manchester Center to resupply and to get my mail drop. Walked up on a caretaker's house on Statton Mtn and no one was home then came to another Hightower but it was cloudy so we passed it by.When we got to VT. 11&30, it Didn't take long for us to find a ride. Once in town, Trips Alot and I decided to stay at the Green Mountain House, a place for hikers. Cooked a couple of steaks, zucchini, and rice since the kitchen was open. For desert, a milkshake with chocolate ice cream and chocolate milk. Great stop! Still weighed 153 lbs but that was after dinner and desert. On empty, I'm probably around 150 or a less.
Date: 2012-07-19
From: VT. 11&30 Manchester Center, VT 05255

To: Big Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

Hiked over 16 miles to the Big Branch Shelter. Met a section hiker a few days ago that didn't have a trail name so I called him Big Happy because he's a big and happy dude and it stuck.  Hiked up Bromley Mtn. to a ski resort that had ski lifts and great views. Sat on one of the lifts and ate a snack. Big Happy was there and continued with Trips Slot and me to the shelter.  Today we learned what a compound leaf was from some hikers taking a break on the trail. A compound leaf is a stem with leaflets instead of a single leaf...Botanical lesson for the day!
Date: 2012-07-20
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

Hiked close to 17 miles to the Clarendon Shelter.  Great weather the last couple of days for hiking. Body feels good for the first time in a while! Decided to sleep in the shelter to let my tent dry out. It's been kind of damp due to the rain a few days ago. Had to fight off the mosquitos by pooring repellent all over my face which was the only body part outside of my sleeping bag! These mosquitos are ruthless and still attack with the temp in the 50's! Ate at the Whistle Stop Corner Cafe 1 mile before the shelter. Really missing the wife, kids, the inlaws, mom and dad, my church family and friends.A shot out goes to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Dupree for the birth of their new child! Look foward to seeing everyone again really soon. After today, I'll have less than 500 miles left...
Date: 2012-07-21
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Willard Gap, Maine Junction, Long Trail, Tucker...
Miles today: 17.4

Today our destination was Vt. 100. There was a detour due to past flooding but southbounders said it was ok to take the trail so we did. There was a place where a bridge or road of some sort was washed out but a ladder was constructed so we could pass.Made a mistake at the Maine Junction and ended up hiking 7 miles north which included 2 big climbs on the Long Trail that split from the AT. Thought I had made a mistake at the junction but noticed white blazes and kept moving. Come to find that the Long Trail is marked with white blazes as well. It got really late so decided to camp by a small mosquito infested creek and will backtrack in the morning. Will probably take a Nero when I get to Vt. 100 tomorrow!!
Date: 2012-07-22
From: Willard Gap, Maine Junction, Long Trail, Tucker...

To: Vt. 100, Gifford Woods State Park...
Miles today: 2.3

Hiked back to the Maine Junction then a little over 2 miles to Vt. 100. Total including the Long Trail was 9 miles for the day, only 2 on the AT! Got a 2 dollar bus ride into Rutland and stayed at the Yellow Deli Hostel.  4 hikers there heading south from Maine  were from GA. Rutland was very convenient  and everything was within walking distance so decided to stay, take a Nero, and resupply. We will do a short day tomorrow as well so Trips can nurse his shin splints then will pick the pace back up...
Date: 2012-07-23
From: Vt. 100, Gifford Woods State Park...

To: Stoney Brook Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Met a cool couple a few days ago on the trail, Jeff and Jill Thomas who had a lot of questions about the AT and I think are debating on hiking the trail in the near future. It worked out that Jeff was off for the day and  he gave Trips and me a ride this morning back to the trailhead at Gifford Woods State Park (Vt. 100) which was pretty awesome! Jeff sounded pretty excited about the AT. Afterwards, we hiked close to 7 miles to the Stoney Brook Shelter.  Rain is in the forecast...
Date: 2012-07-24
From: Stoney Brook Shelter

To: Cloudland Rd
Miles today: 19.2

Loud thunderstorms last night and very early this morning. Didn't sleep good! Got going early and was on the trail by 6:40am. Came across a bakery and could not pass it up. Bought a blueberry peach pie and Ben and Jerry's Black Rasbery Icecream. Hiked over 19 miles today. Found some trail magic in a manilla envelop with my and Trips names on it. The sad thing was that someone had opened it already. There was 2 granola bars, 2 packages of gum, one apple, and a letter from Jeff and Jill Thomas. Wow, these guys are great! I put the package in my backpack so Trips could see it when he arrived at our destination which was a nice farm located .2 miles off the trail and west on Cloudland Rd. I figured we would rock, paper, scissor for the apple but Trips grabbed it and had it consumed before I could say "rock"!A couple of good views today. I think Vermont is one of my favorite states on the trail. Will Be in New Hampshire tomorrow. Looking foward to the Whites!
Date: 2012-07-25
From: Cloudland Rd

To: N.H. 10 Dartmouth College Hanover NH 03755
Miles today: 16.9

Entered NH today. Total miles hiked around 17. Trail had it's climbs and drops called "roller coasters" but by far was the smoothest terrain since the Shenandoah.. Ate a 2nd breakfast at a place after the Iron bridge in West Hartford...mmm good! Got to Dartmouth College around 2:00pm. Proceeded to the Rec Ctr,took a shower, and did Laundry for $5. Trips found a Frat house to chill at and will probably zero tomorrow. We plan on meeting up again before the Whites. I got a list that had phone #'s to call for hikers to stay for free at the recreation center. I got to the last number on the list and thankfully a lady named Betsy answered. She picked me up in Hanover and took me to her house in Norwich. A few other hikers were there. The plan is to push on until Glencliff and thenrest up before the Whites...
Date: 2012-07-26
From: N.H. 10 Dartmouth College Hanover NH 03755

To: Dartmouth Skiway, Lyme-Dorchester Rd
Miles today: 17.6

Got a ride from Betsy's Husband back into Dartmouth College. He dropped me off at the campus cafeteria which is where I ate breakfast then got back on the trail. Passed Oak as he was headed back into town for breakfast. Oak slowed down a while back to meet someone and has caught up with me again. It was good to see him. Light rain started the day but mostly held up. My plan was to stay at the Trapper John Shelter but some southbounders last night told me the shelter was dry soI proceeded to Dartmouth Skiway, Lyme-Dorchester Rd and got a ride to the B&B in Lyme, NH. Good choice since there were late afternoon thunderstorms! Over 17 miles on the trail today...