morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-22
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Camp Ken-Etiwa-Pec, New Jersey
Miles today: 17.8

I got up about 6:25 AM and ate breakfast at table outside the Church. A very pleasant morning, but looking like rain.I got on the Trail about 7:50 AM. I'm tired today and my butt hurts. I guess my body is getting used to hiking day after day again. I should have planned a short day today.Right after getting on the Trail, I crossed the Delaware River and I-80 and was in New Jersey in about 20 minutes. It's a nice feeling to complete one state and get into another.Stopped for lunch at the Mohican Outdoor Center, operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). This camp is a wonderful mountain camp. I thought about stopping, as I was tired, but decided to hike on.I got to Blue Lakes Road about 6:30 PM and decided to go to the nearby YMCA Camp. The Guide Book had good things to say about the camp, but it was not as advertised. The camp was run down and is now run by a group called Student Conservation Association. Not hike friendly.They had two run down enclosed shelters for through hikers, although it was beside the lake. I was the only one there and ate supper and watched beavers play in the lake, and the lovely sunset. One of the campers, a 17 year old guy, came over and talked to me. After about 10 minutes, he asked me if I had any Weed. I politely told him no and thanks for coming by and goodbye.Later, about 9:30 PM, as I was going to sleep, Du Wa He, Mash, Last Minute and Just Mike came in, wearing their headlamps. Suddenly, I had lots of company.
Date: 2008-07-23
From: Camp Ken-Etiwa-Pec (Blue Lakes Road)

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

We all slept in until about 9:45 AM. It was raining most of the night and continued into the morning. It was nice to sleep in.I was the last person to leave and got on the Trail about 11:15. I saw a large Black Bear early. He was standing on the Trail as I approached. Since he did not move, I turned around and went back up the Trail out of sight. I waited a couple of minutes then hiked north again. The bear was gone.It felt good to be on the Trail, perhaps because I got a good nights sleep last night.It was a cloudy humid day for the most part. About 4:00 PM, it started raining lightly and started getting darker and darker. I hurried down the mountain to Culver Gap, falling once in the process. I got down to the road at Culver Gap about 5:30. It was pouring rain by then. I went to the nearby Kevin's Steakhouse, dried out and had a couple of beers, a great hamburger and salad. The owner of the restaurant drove me a couple of miles down to the local motel, but they were full. He took me back to the restaurant and started out hiking about 6:45 with it still raining.I hiked up a mountain from the gap and got to Gren Anderson shelter at just about dark. Shua, Truckin' (two NOBOs) and Alpine Strider, a German woman SOBO (who had done the Trail NOBO last year), were there. I slept in the Shelter. It rained all night. I had trouble sleeping, probably because I had slept so late this morning.
Date: 2008-07-24
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It rained all night. I finally got up about 9:30 AM. It was wet, but had stopped raining. I got on the Trail about 11:00 AM.A nice hike but lots of rocks.I got to High Point State Park about 4:30 PM. I hitchhiked and got a ride into Port Jervis with a guy named Martin,going home from work. He dropped me off at McDonalds and told me he would come pick me up in an hour. I ate, then went across the street to the supermarket and resupplied my food.. Martin and his girl, Jessie, came back and picked me up about 5:30 and took me back to the Trail. I think that Jessie came back with him because she was afraid that he had picked up some homocidal maniac and wanted him to be safe. I think they both thought I was homeless, as they asked me a couple of times if I had a home. They dropped me off and I hiked on. I got to High Point Shelter, but decided to camp in my tent next to a stream instead of staying in the shelter. Extra and Jack arrived and stayed in the Shelter.Beautiful evening!
Date: 2008-07-26
From: Liberty Corners Road

To: 1 Mile Inside New York
Miles today: 17.1

I got up about 6:00 AM and went upstairs in Mayor Ludwick's house and had coffee. One of the Section Hikers, Rod (aka Bandanna Man) cooked omelets for us all. After breakfast I packed up and Butch drove me up to Liberty Corners Road, where I had hiked back from the day before.Hiked well all day. I stopped at Heaven Hill Farms and had ice cream (Roger Shulz had told me not to miss this.In the afternoon I went over Wawayanda Mountain. It was probably the hardest part of New Jersey.I got to the New Jersey-New York state line about 5:00 PM and kept going. It felt good getting into New York. However, the terrain immediately changed from wooded area to large boulders/ formations of rock that I walked over. Thank goodness for plentiful white blazes on the rocks to show me where to go.After about a mile, I found a level place beside the Trail and set up my tent. I had supper and went to bed about 8:00 PM. It started raining about 9:00 PM and I went to sleep to the sound of rain.I'm in New York!!
Date: 2008-07-27
From: 1 Mile Inside New York

To: Arden Mountain
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

Got up around 7:00 AM. The ground was damp around my tent, but it was not raining.The rocks lasted for a while, but then changed to forested Trail. Did not meet any other hikers today. There were, however, several strenuous climbs up rock faces of hills and mountains.Buchanan Mountain was a very tough climb, about 200 feet up simply a rock wall. At one point I pulled myself up, but lost my grip and fell backward. Somehow, my feet landed on a piece of flat rock and I stopped very quickly. Otherwise, the fall could have been catastrophic.A bit after that, about 6:00 PM, I believe, I climbed up almost to the top of Arden Mountain and stopped and camped out for the night. I was the only one there. I had supper and went to bed early as I very tired. I saw Jack, Smiles Davis and his brother earlier, but they went on farther. I had a lovely campsite on the side of the mountain to myself. I watched a beautiful sunset.
Date: 2008-07-28
From: Arden Mountain

To: Goshen Mountain
Miles today: 9.8

I slept late (til about 9:00 AM)and was very tired from yesterday. I decided to make it a short day. That is, I hiked slowly.About mid-day, I went through the Lemon Squeezer, a narrow path between two large boulders. it was tight, but I squeezed through. I was glad to get past the Lemon Squeezer. One of my hiker buddies, Mr. Burns, had fallen here (on wet rock) and broken his ankle. So, I was glad to get past it.In the afternoon, I went about 4/10 of a mile east to Lake Tiorati. I showered there and hung out for a while at the Pavilion. Had several snacks out of the machine and talked with a couple of cyclist and a NOBO named Smiles.I got back on the Trail about 4:00 and hiked on. I hiked about half way up the mountain and camped in a lovely open wooded area. I was the only one there. I have camped out several days by myself and am missing people being around at the campsites or shelters. I think that it brightens my spirit to be around people at shelters.
Date: 2008-07-30
From: Graymoor Monastery, New York

To: Clarence Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 11.8

Got up at 7:30 AM, but didn't get on the Trail until about 9:15 (due to talking to the other hikers). Tired today, and very slow, after a fairly long day yesterday.At a water stop (with a pump), I met a local guy named Mark, who had just come down to look at the Trail. I asked him if he had any Coleman fuel (since I was low)and he said no, but told me that his cousin lived nearby and probably did. So, he left and came back with the fuel, along with some G2 electrolyte drinks for me and others. SmilesDavis, Hot Blaze and Freestyle were also there at the stop. Mark was very gracious and helpful and refused any payment. Later, Smiles Davis told me that after I left, Mark took him and his brother to a grocery store some miles away to resupply. The Trail is amazing and Magic truly happens. When you need something, it often just shows up - Magic!I hiked on. I met a former throughhiker named Sarah, doing a day hike.I got to the highway near Clarence Fahnestock State Park about 5:10. Although it was a long way, I hiked .9 miles to the camping area of the Park, thinking that I might get a shower and possibly some hot food. I checked in with the Ranger and he told me to pick out a campsite and that there was no charge for throughhikers. I set up camp in a strangely deserted campground. I did get a delightful shower, but alas, no concessions or other food places were nearby or open.After I showered, I looked in the mirror and saw a suspicious looking red spot on my side. It looked much like the heralded Bullseye, that occurs when you get a tick bite and Lyme disease. I called Nancy and my daughter, Shannon, and told them that I thought I had Lyme disease and scared them both. Later, actually the next day, I looked again and the redness had gone away (due to the shower, I'm sure) and the red 'spot' turned out to be a mole, that I had forgotten was there! So much for jumping to conclusions.Anyway, I spent a quiet evening at the campsite, caught up my journal and turned in about 9:00 PM.
Date: 2008-07-31
From: Clarence Fahnestock State Park

To: Depot Hill Road in New York + .3 Miles
Miles today: 17.4

I left the campsite about 8:00 and got on the Trail about 8:30. I was regretting a bit that I had 'wasted' an hour (1/2 going and 1/2 coming back to the Trail) in going to the campsite, but overall it was a good place to camp.Since the Park had been in a low area, with a lake, there was a lot of climb.In the afternoon, I got to a road and went .4 miles East to a Deli, in Stormville, New York. Other hikers, Freestyle, Smiles Davis, Hot Flash, Gonzo, Jack, Extra, Wolf and Hungry were there already, eating and lounging about. I had a great deli sandwich and brownie. Since it was about 4:00, it would servd as supper. One note about Stormville, everybody there was friendly, the Deli Staff, Customers coming in and out and people passing by. One guy came out of the deli, a burly guy with much muscles and kind of hard looking. As he passed me (I was sitting on a bench outside), he said to me, before I spoke to him, 'Have a nice day'. I have a wonderful impression of the people of Stormville, New York.I left about 4:30 PM (all the other hikers were still there) and hiked on. I met a very friendly SOBO named Chatterbox and we chatted for perhaps 20 minutes. I went past a shelter and got to a road called Depot Mine Road about 7:00 PM. I camped out there by myself in an area off the Trail near a stream for a water source.
Date: 2008-08-01
From: Depot Hill Road in New York + .3 Miles

To: 10 Mile River Camping Area, Connecticut
Miles today: 19.2

I got on the Trail about 8:00. It was to be a long hike for me today as I need to get to the Post Office in Kent, Connecticut but 12:30 on Saturday to pick up a package that Nancy had mailed to me.It was very hot today. My main concern is running out of water. So far, I've done okay. I probably carry too much water, but I've not run out so far, and I drink a lot.My clothes are so soaked with sweat, due to the heat, that they never get dry. I need to wash and dry them soon.The hike today went well, with a moderate amount of climb. I passed the Appalachian Trail Train Station, literally a train platform where the Appalachian Trail and the commuter trail line cross. No buildings, no facilities!. Some hikers caught the train here and went into New York city to visit for a couple of days. I hiked on.I stopped at a road crossing and went to Tony's Deli and had an excellent deli sandwich. I don't know what it is, but the deli sandwiches in New Jersey and New York have been excellent.Oh yes, I crossed from New York into Connecticut in the afternoon. Another state down!!I got to 10 Mile River Camping area about 6:45 PM. It is a very lovely camping area next to the river. There is a privy there, but no shelter (it's further South on the Trail). Party Animal, a NOBO who is doing his third throughhike was already there. I set up camp and had supper with Party Animal. Later, Barrackus and Gonzo came and camped and Orion was camped out down near the river (according to Party Animal; I never did see him).
Date: 2008-08-02
From: 10 Mile River Camping Area, Connecticut

To: Kent, Connecticut
Miles today: 8.7

I got up early today, at 6:00 AM. I got on the Trail at 7:00 AM, in order to get to the Post Office by 12:30 PM, to pick up a package that Nancy had sent to me. It was a tough climb over Schaghticoke Mountain as it went up, then down, then back up again, and I got down to the road into Kent later than I expected. I expected to get there at 11:30, but it was actually 11:50 when I got there. And, it had started to rain. It was a mile into Kent, and I was afraid I might not make it by 12:30, the Post Office's closing time. I stuck out my thumb and got a ride with the first person that came by - a guy in a large pickup truck. The cab was full of stuff, but he let me ride in the bed of the truck and he took me to the Post Office. Got my package in time (Thanks, Nancy, and Kent Post Office).I stayed the night at one of the few places in town - The Fife and Drum Inn. It is expensive ($100.00 plus per night, but everything here is expensive). The Fife and Drum sounds so, well, Olde New England, but this one is owned and managed by a group of folks from Oaxaca, Mexico (that is Olde Mexico). Very nice place, though.I'm staying there tonight to take a break. I've been hiking for the past 15 days, and need a bit of rest.I had a very pleasant and relaxing afternoon and evening. I had lunch at the Fife and Drum Restaurant,and had an expensive hamburger and beer as it poured rain outside. After lunch, it had stopped raining and I wandered around town. I resupplied at the Grocery Store, washed my clothes at the laundromat, and went to the library and caught up my journal on one of their computer. Kent is a very interesting town, mostly tourist-oriented, with lots of money around, apparently. It is home to the Kent School, a toney boarding school. I went to the local outfitter and got more fuel, and looked for a new food bag, but they did not have much true hiker equipment, but did have a lot of great looking outdoor clothes.I took a nap in the afternoon, then went to the local Pizza place for dinner. With a couple of Long Trail Ales, and pizza, and a dry place to sleep, all is well.
Date: 2008-08-03
From: Kent, Connecticut

To: Silver Hill Campsite
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept late at the Fife and Drum Inn; didn't get out until the official checkout time of 11:30. Went to Caralee's (pronounced Carlee's) Restaurant (since I had met her and her husband at the laundromat yesterday) and had a great breakfast.I hiked out of town to the Trailhead and got there at 12:30 PM. There I met Da Wa He and his friends Mike and Mike's son, Will. They were doing Trail Magic and we had great sandwiches and fruit (yes, I ate again).Got on the Trail and after some uphill, got to Silver Hill Campsite about 5:50 PM. The only other person there was Milk Man, the Ridge Runner. We had a pleasant conversation.It was a nice cool evening.
Date: 2008-08-04
From: Silver Hill Campsite

To: Belter's Campsite in Connecticut
Miles today: 12.0

Got up about 6:30 AM and got on Trail about 7:45 AM. This seems to be more and more my pattern.I was really tired today and had a slow day. Saw Bear Bait (she), Slow Train and Easy Does It (NOBOs) at lunch at one of the shelters.When I got to Belter's Campsite, I was really tired. I got water, then set up my tent and took a nap. Got up about 6:45 and had supper, then to bed. Don't know why I'm so tired, but it was a tough day today. I talked briefly to a couple of SOBOS but otherwise did not see anyone.
Date: 2008-08-05
From: Belter's Campsite

To: Sages Ravine Campsite (in Mass)
Miles today: 18.0

I passed two milestones today: 1) I have come more than 1476 miles, which means that I have less than 700 miles to go and 2) I crossed from Connecticut into Massachusetts (barely in Massachusetts, but there).I slept a bit late (until 7:40) and did not get on the Trail until about 8:40 AM. I even stopped at Mountaintop Cafe and had breakfast.I made good time during the day, and even stopped in Salisbury and had a sub sandwich and a chocolate milkshake. The biggest challenge was near the end of the day, climbing over Bear Mountain, the highest point in Massachusetts. I hiked late and got to the campsite about 7:20. For being so tired yesterday and this morning, I had a great day. I was the only camper at the campsite.And, I'm in Massachusetts.
Date: 2008-08-06
From: Sages Ravine Campsite (in Mass)

To: South Egremont Road
Miles today: 12.9

It rained last night, and I slept until 9:50 AM. Rocks were wet and difficult.I went over Race Mountain and Everett Mountains, which are very steep up, but worse going down. I slipped and fell three times, on down-sloping slick rock. I injured my hand on the first one, and it made me gun-shy (of the wet rocks). I was coming down a very steep section late in the day, and the light was fading, and for the first time on my hike, I was unnerved or fearful of the terrain. I got down okay and got to a pine forest and stopped and put up my tent. Glad to be down off the mountain and still more or less intact!
Date: 2008-08-07
From: South Egremont Road

To: Mt. Wilcox South Lean-To
Miles today: 15.3

Got an early start on Trail, about 6:40 AM.At U.S Highway 7, I hitchhiked into Great Barrington, MA, and went to grocery store for resupply. Took me only about 1.5 hours (including eating lunch at Deli).It was a pleasant hike today, some climb but not a lot.When I got to the Shelter, there were actually two shelters there, an old one and a new one. Worm, Party Animal and Bar Fight stayed in the new one and K1 and I stayed in the old one. It was threatening a serious storm, and I actually put up my tent in the Shelter and K1 hung his hammock in the Shelter. We had a ferocious storm and lightning and thunder were crashing very close around us. The Shelter was dry, though, and I went to sleep to the sound of rain on the roof and slept very well.
Date: 2008-08-08
From: Mt. Wilcox South Lean-To

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Got started about 7:45 AM. It was a good hike, but there is lot's of mud. The bugs are medium (not nearly as bad as Connecticut).Met K1 and had lunch at road crossing. Also met German Tourist, a female SOBO throughhiker there.Got in about 5:30. Upper Goose Pond Cabin is a primitive old cabin, owned and maintained by the AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club). There was a volunteer caretaker, Peggy, there for the week.I slept in a bunk in the bunkroom with some dozen other hikers.
Date: 2008-08-09
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Kay Wood Lean-To
Miles today: 17.6

The Caretaker cooked a pancake breakfast for us and had real, perc'ed coffee. It was wonderful.Got on the Trail about 8:00 AM.Perhaps the only break was when I stopped at the Cookie Ladie's, for a break. She is an institution on the Trail. She was not there, but her husband, Roy was. I got three of the cookies. They were small, but tasty.It was boggy and muddy in many places.I camped out near the Shelter in my tent. I am glad to be staying near Shelters again. I was feeling lonesome, camping out by myself so much. I find that I'm in much better spirits when I hang out with other hikers.
Date: 2008-08-10
From: Kay Wood Lean-To

To: St. Mary's Church, Chesire, MA
Miles today: 12.3

I hiked from Kay Wood Lean-To (Lean-To is same as Shelter) into Dalton, MA. I met Party Animal and we went to laundromat and did our laundry (I went next door to store and got a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, while I was waiting. After that, Party Animal and I went to the local Sub Shop and had lunch. We met Joggle and Becca there.After that, I hiked to Cheshire, MA. It rained a medium rain on the way. I really don't mind hiking in the rain, unless it's pouring. I simply put my pack cover on my pack and my raincoat on and hike along. Most of the time, unless it's muddy, it's enjoyable.When I got to Cheshire, it was still raining. I went to Diane's Twist (a sandwich and ice cream shop) and had a monster open face meatball sandwich. It was great. While I was there, Party Animal and K1 both came by. K1 knew that the local church, St. Mary's Catholic church, had a Hostel for hikers. Since it was raining, and looked like it would continue, we all went there for the night. And, it continued raining all evening and night. We met the priest, Father David Raymond, and he was very welcoming.
Date: 2008-08-11
From: St. Mary's Church, Chesire, MA

To: North Adams, MA
Miles today: 14.0

Got on Trail about 7:45 AM.The big challenge today was Mt. Greylock. We had heard that it was difficult, but it wasn't bad. It did rain, and that complicated things with the wet rocks and mud.I met Party Animal at the top and we had lunch. It was grey and cloudy at the top, and there was no view.I hiked on down. The sun came out for a while, then it got very cloudy again. I hiked down the steep part of the mountain (very steep) and then it came a torrential downpour. The Trail was extremely muddy and it felt like skating. I slipped with every step, but fortunately didn't fall.When I got into North Adams, it was still pouring rain. When Party Animal came along, we went to the close by Redwood Motel and shared a room. We were dry and ordered in pizza and enjoyed the evening. It rained all evening.
Date: 2008-08-12
From: North Adams, MA

To: Congdon Shelter, VERMONT
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: moderate rain

To my great surprise, as we were packing our packs, Party Animal, who I was sharing the room, announced that he had decided to go home!   He had through hiked the AT twice before, and did not feel the need to finish, did not want to deal with all the mud, and missed his girlfriend. So, while I packed, he went and caught the bus. I got a message from his girlfriend on my cellphone, that he had arrived home that evening.I resupplied food at the supermarket nearby, and hiked out of North Adams. It was a difficult climb out of North Adams, with lots of mud and water on the Trail. It rained midmorning.About 11:30 AM, I crossed into Vermont, which was a very pleasing milestone.I saw Vachon and Keychain heading North (they passed me). It was good to see Vachon again.It was a long, difficult day. It rained in the morning and thunderstormed in the afternoon. The mud was very difficult. I nearly fell three times, but did not go down.I got into Congdon Shelter about 6:00, later than I expected. I put up my tent and went to bed early. Vachon and 2 Section Hikers, and 2 SOBOs were there.
Date: 2008-08-13
From: Congdon Shelter, VERMONT

To: 3 Miles South of Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: few clouds

I got up about 6:15 AM and got on the Trail about 7:30 AM.I am really tired today from the difficult day yesterday. There is also lots of mud to go through.At road crossing, a bus was there, and I took it into Bennington and had lunch. Bennington is a charming town and the people are friendly. I had a fine burger and fries at the Full Bellies restaurant.   I went to the local outfitter, Nature's Closet and purchased a new clothing stuff sack. They were quite helpful. I caught the bus back up to the Trailhead and hiked up the mountain.I was heading for Goddard Shelter, but was very tired and did not go fast. About 6:30, I stopped and camped beside the Trail.   I was the only one there. Some young guys, Section Hikers, came by and wished me a "Nice Night". I thought, what a friendly, pleasant thing to say.After I was in my tent, about 8:30, it thunderstormed. I was warm, dry and secure in my tent, and it was wonderful to go to sleep to the sound of the rain.