morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-07-21
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Kirkridge shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

Only one more day of hiking in PA. and then on to N.J. . The weather held for another day. It was about 90 again, but with reduced humidity which makes the hiking less exhausting. We began our day with breaking camp and starting up the trail at 7:15 a.m. . The first part into Wind Gap was a bit rocky, but not too hard. Once at Wind Gap we walked the .2 miles to the Gateway Motel where we bought several sodas and took a break. While we were there a group of hikers came in to do the same. There was Santa, Big Foot, God Speed, Aslan, Jelly Bean and her dog Bizbe. We chatted for a bit and moved on up the trail. In my opinion, this part of the trail North of Wind Gap to Kirkridge Shelter has the worst rocks to hike on in PA. I thought so in 2003 and doing it again just re-affirms my opinion. Anyway, it was a day of punishment for the feet. Beekpr and I are tenting/hamocking near the shelter. Santa, Big Foot, and the rest of their group arrived about 10 min. after us, and are staying in the Shelter. We ate dinner together, having some fun conversation. I did get a blister on my right big toe today and I took care of it as soon as I set up my camp for the night. With only a 6.4 mile day into Delaware Water Gap tommorow I'm hoping it will have time to heal before we head into N.J. on Saturday. Tomorow, after we hike into D.W.G, we'll shower, resupply and do our luandry. It's going to be exciting to hit the trail in Jersey, again. We're looking forward to it.
Date: 2005-07-22
From: Kirkridge shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We had an early start this morning, 6:20 a.m., into the Deleware Water Gap. We were both anxious to get to breakfast and get showers. We arrived in town at 9:00 a.m. and came directly to the Ramada Inn, took a shower, put on some clean clothes, head to the Gap Diner for a big breakfast, and then over to the outfitter to get one of my Leki Poles fixed. I lost the carbide tip in the PA. rocks, it just got stuck between some large rocks as I was moving over them and the forward movement of my arm was enough to pull the tip right off. It went deep under the large rocks so there was no way to retrieve it. That was about 60 miles ago, so I've been improvising the best I could.We got a shuttle to Stroudsberg from the outfitter to do our laundry and resupply at the Shop Rite there. Jelly Bean joined us and it made for a fun afternoon.We'll be heading out to the diner soon for dinner, but other than that the rest of the day is strictly to relax. Its supposed to be cooler with drier air for the next two days, so we're both looking forward to the hike in N.J. starting tomorrow.Hello N.J., goodbye Pa. and all those lovely rocks. Its been pretty tough on the old feet this past week and they're still a bit sore, but N.J should be kinder, or at least that's the way I remember hiking it in 2003. Another state and a new adventure.
Date: 2005-07-23
From: Deleware Water Gap

To: 1 mile North of Blue Mountain Lakes Rd
Miles today: 18.6

Our day started at 6:00 a.m. when we got up, showered, and went to the Gap Diner for breakfast. When we finished, Beekpr and I went back to the motel room, packed up, stopped at the Post Office, and then headed for the I-80 Bridge that spans the Deleware where we had to cross. The weather today was just great. It got warm, in the 80's, but low humidity and very breezy.We first climbed the 1000' to Sun Fish Pond, the first glacial pond you come to on the AT going North. Just before we climbed up to the pond we were hiking along the road when a young man called out to us. He said he met us 2 years ago when he hiked the A.T. and recognized us as we went by. His name is Pez, and we encountered him a few times along the trail that year. He was day hiking with his dad and we talked for a bit before heading up to the pond. It was really great to see him so unexpectedly again.The hike today went really great due to the weather. New Jersey has more vistas, it seems, than Penn. had and the views today were terrific.We made a stop at the Mohican Center for lunch around 2:00 and had our dinner at the Water Pump on Blue Mtn. Rd. . We hiked into the woods about a mile or so as the sun was going down and ran into our old friends Santa, Big Foot, and Jelly Bean and Bizby so we decided to tent tonight with them along an old abandoned forest road. Well, here's hoping for another great weather day tomorrow and more views.
Date: 2005-07-24
From: 1 mile North of Blue Mountain Lakes Rd

To: Sunset Mt. 
Miles today: 16.0

I woke up at 6:00 a.m. when I heard Big Foot packing up and getting ready to start todays hike. We all followed suite and Beekpr and I were hiking by 6:45. Its nice to get an early start when the air is still at its coolest, but in todays case the air warmed up gradually as the sun got higher. With the higher temperature comes the need to drink more, but unfortunately water was scarce today. We did arrive at Culvers Gap at noon where we had lunch at a bar a few hundered yards from the trail. They served us on the back patio on a lake and we proceeded to eat and drink as much as we could. They filled our water bottles as we left and hiked to Gren Anderson Shelter, about 3 miles further and topped everything off. Since it was about 3:00 we knew we better find a good place to camp with the water we had since there wasn't any to be had for the next 9.3 miles at High Point Sate Park.We arrived at the summit of Sunrise Mt. where someone awhile back built a pavillion so that you could sit on picnic benches under cover and watch the sunrise on one side and the sunset on the other. Its too bad we are not allowerd to camp in the pavillion because it would be a beautiful place to sleep for the night. Instead we went down the trail for a few hundered yards and set-up camp in the woods. Sanata, Big Foot, Jelly Bean and Bizby are there too tonight. The way our camp is set up we'll be able to watch tomorrows sunrise just outside our tents.It is supposed to be very warm tomorrow, so Beekpr and I will try to get another early start. Right now we are at the pavilion waiting to watch the sunset. It should be awsesome tonight. Wish us a few cool breezes tomorrow.
Date: 2005-07-25
From: Sunset Mt. 

To: Union Ville, N.Y.
Miles today: 17.7

Our day started out with an unexpected thunderstrom and rain. We packed up and were on the trail by 6:45 a.m. on a muggy wet start. We had several good overlooks, but unfortunately the heavy cloud layer made it impossible to see anything. By the time we enterd High Point State Park the rain had subsided and the humidity and heat sky rocketed. We were glad the park information center was open so we could at least use their rest rooms and splash a little water in our faces.The hike today took us through a variety of terrain, from mountains to farm fields and everything in between, we knew we could get water in Unionville, N.Y. so we rationed what we had to make it last. That wasn't easy with the amount of sweating we did, but we arrived in Unionville with a couple of swallows left in our water bottles.We headed first to the grocery store where they made a couple of great subs for us, along with drinking a couple of 32 oz bottles of iced tea. We heard there was a hostel in town so we checked it out. It turned out to be a tiny room attached to the local bar. The width of the room couldn't have been more than 4' with 4 bunk beds, or should I say shelves, and to say it was god awful hot in there would be an understatement. Fortunately, another hiker came into town and informed us that the town park was open to thru hikers and we could tent there. You better believe we grabbed our gear and headed for the park. When we arrrived we saw our old friends, Santa, Big Foot, and Jelly Bean and Bizby were all there as well. Im tenting on a flat lawn and Beekpr has his hammock in one of the Gazebos. We plan on leaving early tomorrow to try to beat the heat to Vernon, N.J where we'll stay in the hostel there to escape the high temperature predicted for tomorrow so wish us luck.
Date: 2005-07-26
From: Union Ville, N.Y.

To: Vernon, N.J.
Miles today: 11.8

The word for today is HOT!!!! The temperature was predicted to hit in the 100 range with stiffling humidity, so we got up around 5:00 a.m. and on the trail by 6 a.m. to try to beat the heat to the Vernon, N.J. hostel.We had a visitor last night in our camp site at the park. About 2:00 a.m. I was awoken when Bizby went racing by my tent door then started to rub his face in the wet grass. He got sprayed by a skunk and the smell, well I reckon you can figure that out for yourself. Jelly Bean stayed as we all left, so I figured she would try to clean up poor ol' Bizby as much as possible before continuing. The hike this morning, although early, was very humid and breezy, but the breeze didnt go very far for we were sweating with every rise in elevation, and there were many in the first 8 miles.We arrived at the hostel at 11:15 a.m, took showers, ate, did laundry, and shopped for food, so it's been busy since we arrived. There are about 15 hikers here tonight trying to stay out of the heat, so it's a bit crowded.We're heading out tomorrow morning on another hot day, but when your long distance hiking you can't be choosy. We're supposed to have a new front move through late tomorrow afternoon dropping the temperature, Considerably so hopefully. Hopefully Thursday will be a tollerable day. At any rate, Hope for good weather.
Date: 2005-07-27
From: Vernon, N.J.

To: Wild Cat Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: few clouds

It was a warm muggy night in the hotel last night. But I slept pretty well, probobly because of hiking in so much heat in the past few days. We were up at 5:00 a.m. and started packing and getting ready to leave. At 6:00 we went to a local restaurant, ate a big breakfast with Santa, Big Foot, Godspeed and Aslan before we started to hitch out of town. We were picked up in about 5 minutes, so from our point of view this is a very hiker friendly town.I wish todays hike was a little more hiker friendly. We were on the trail by 7:20 in warm and very humid conditions. The temperature, again, hit around 100 today and the sweat poured off us as we made our first climb as it did for most of the day. Water, again, was very scarce with most streams dried up.At one point today we were just about out of water, down to our last few swallows when we came across a flowing stream. There is nothing like finding water when your almost out or catching a breeze on as hot a day as today to make you smile.When we crossed into N.Y. today we fround ourselves walking the mountain ridges on what looked like great pieces of granite. With the sun baking these rocks as we crossed over them the temperature rose considerably.We had a wonderful treat though, after 15 miles of hot hard hiking we got to RT 17A and a brand new ice cream stand only a few hundred yards to our left called Bellvale Creamery. It was like a gift from heaven. They were very hiker friendly and we were glad they were there.Beekpr and I still had a 2.5 mile hike to the shelter tonight. We raced an approaching thunderstorm to our campsite and just got my tent and Beekprs hammock up before the lighting, thunder, and rain cut loose. With this storm came a cold front, at last, and moved all that humidity out of here. At present, things have cooled down considerably and we should have a few good days of hiking in front of us. It will be a welcome change.One thing I forgot to mention, when Beekpr and I were almost out of New Jersey today he said to me, "and we went through all of N.J. and I still didn't see a bear". Not 5 minutes later I heard a stick break to my right there was a large female black bear and her cub not 30 ft away. It was moving slowly away keeping herself between her cub and us, giving us an opportunity to take a few pictures. All in all it was quite a cool experience.With the temperature lower now we are looking forward to some great hiking in N.Y. as for now, I'm turning in for the night. GOOD NIGHT ALL!
Date: 2005-07-28
From: Wild Cat Shelter

To: William Brien Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: broken clouds

No one really thinks about water until they don't have it and that would have been the case today if it wasn't fo the Tuxedo Trail Angles that left water containers at a couple of road crossings. The fact is most of the springs and streams are dried up and we would have probobly run out if it wasnt for these trail angles. So thank you very much. The weather was cooler today and there was still some humidity, but not as bad as yesterday, which was good considering the terrain we hiked through today.We came to several road crossings and between each one were multiple rock climbs. Maybe 50 to 100 ft. high. These became exhausting as the morning progressed. If we put them all together I'm sure it would be a few thousand feet, and did I mention steep. It was a hell of a leg workout.The woods were beautiful here in N.Y. with many large rock formations, many of which we had to climb. The most fun was getting through the lemon squeezer and past the large rock just above it. It was huge and with few hand or foot holds, but very fun to climb over.It wasn't all work today. When we were about 16 miles into our hike today a group of us took a detour on Arden Valley Road, about .3 miles to Tiorati Lake where we made good use of their ice cream and soda machines as well as a nice swim in the lake to wash the days sweat off.Tomorrow will take us to Bear Mt. and a walk across the Hudson River. We're not sure of a destination yet so we'll stay here hoping the weather holds.
Date: 2005-07-29
From: William Brien Memorial Shelter

To: Graymoor Friary
Miles today: 16.0

As usual, Beekpr and I started out early this morning and were on the trail by 6:40 a.m.. Today was hot again but the humidity was a notch or so lower making the early morning a pleasure to be walking in the woods. Walking in the woods wasn't the only thing we did though. As well, we climbed over 4 mountains to get here today including Bear Mt. . It seemed the first mountain went straight up, then straight down, and a walk through the gap seperating the two mountains, and then straight back up to the summit of Bear Mountain and back down the other side to Hessian Lake where we ran into Santa, Bigfoot, Godspeed, Peter Pan, Blaze, and a few more thru hikers at a picnic table covered with cookies, drinks, and other goodies!!! These were brought there by a friend of Santa's which we were more than grateful for.Beekpr and I left to go to Ft. Montgomary, walking the extra half mile or so to resupply. Only problem was the two stores next to the post office didnt stock any hiker food. A local Trail Angel, Stan, heard our dillema and offered to take us to a grocery store and then to the Bear Mtn. Bridge to resume our hike. That was very much appreciated, Stan.We then crossed the Hudson River on the bridge span and it is quite an exhillerating walk along the bridge walkway. We arrived at the Graymoor Friary at 4:15 p.m., set up our camp in their soccer field and at 5:00 p.m., we went to the Friary for dinner that is served to all hikers daily. The food was great and then one of the Friars took us on a tour of building and grounds which was very interesting. One of the highlights today was taking a shower at the ballfield, a cold shower mind you, but it felt great. I was also able to get my shirts and shorts washed by hand, which I'm sure was a blessing for everyone. The weather tomorrow is supposed to be cooler, if so it should be a great hiking day.
Date: 2005-07-30
From: Graymoor Friary

To: Shenandoah Tenting Area
Miles today: 17.6

I woke up to a cool breeze blowing through my tent vents, which made it very hard to get out of my sleeping bag. That is, until I saw a rather large spider crawling down the door netting toward my head. It must have gotten into my tent when I had the flaps open last night. Well, let's just say I didn't want anymore time in bed and the spider ended up somewhere in the ballfield. So, off we went starting our hike at 6:45 a.m. into a cool morning that turned into a very, very hot day to our surprise.Our first big stop was the DennyTown Road where there is a small building with a water spigot that we could use. It was 10:30, so we decided that this was a great place to eat lunch since we had an unlimited water supply. After filling our water bottles we were off again on a somewhat windy, up and down hiking course. I checked the guide book and saw a campsite just .1 mile from the trail and suggested to Santa and BigFoot that we try it and see if there is any water. Well, when Beekeeper, Santa, Bigfoot, and I arrived we were just amazed, what a beautiful place. It had picnic tables, mowed grass, and best of all a water pump that pumped out some of the coldest, best tasting water that I can remember. This place is definitely a real find.We're not sure yet where tomorrow will take us. I guess that will depend on water sources and our energy level, and, oh yes, how long we stay at the deli on RT52. I have a feeling we'll be there for a while chowin down. At any rate we'll make the best of any situation and work our way a day closer to Connecticut.
Date: 2005-07-31
From: Shenandoah Tenting Area

To: Nuclear Lake
Miles today: 14.8

We had another early start today and we stated our hike at 6:35 a.m.. Santa and Bigfoot are both early risers which is good for Beekpr and I, since we both enjoy hiking in the early hours. The Shenendoah tenting area was one of the best camping areas I've seen on the trail, and I highly recommend staying there. Santa and Bigfoot were the first to leave followed by Beekpr and myself leaving Adam, a weekend hiker that came into camp last night. He has aspirations of doing the whole trail someday and I really hope that dream becomes reality. After the first 6 miles we walked down RT52 to the deli .4 miles off the trail and did some major eating. I had a 12 inch meatball sub, a lemon pie, a 20 oz bottle of V8, and a 32 oz bottle Gatoraid. When we were finished eating it was all we could do to just stand up and walk back that .4 miles to the trail head. We're starting to see some South Bounders now and should be seeing many more in the next couple of weeks. When we got to a nice flowing stream, just before RT55, Beekpr and I went in for a swim. God! Was that ever delightful after being hot and sweaty all day. We're staying tonight at Nuclear Lake down along its banks. It's an absolutely beautiful spot with great views of the lake. I must say that our choice of campsites the past few days have been exceptional.Tomorrow should take us into Connecticut. We'll be hiking with Santa and Bigfoot so I know the day will be filled with a good deal of laughter, and I know they are excited about finishing another state. So, a new state and a new adventure.
Date: 2005-08-01
From: Nuclear Lake

To: Ten mile campsite
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Another early start today, 6:30 a.m., with Bigfoot and Santa leaving first and Beekpr and myself following up the rear about 10 minutes later. Today was very humid, but the trail was very merciful with only 1 semi-serious climb and the rest of the day was on rolling hills with some short ups and downs.We got to see some of the A.T. attractions today too, passing the Appalachian Trail Train Station (a kodak moment), and passing the Gates Of Heaven.After the train station we were all headed to Tony's Deli about .5 miles down N.Y 22. We got a hitch each way with the last hitch being in a big landscaping truck where the high back made it a challenge to hop in. We also recieved some welcome trail magic at Leather Hill Road where 2 coolers were waiting for us filled with soda and snacks. That was appreciated by everyone.The best part of the day was when we arrived at our camp site at about 3:30. The tent sites were great along a beautiful flowing Ten Mile River. It also had a water pump, so we had all the water we needed. We set up our camp and then proceeded down to the river where we spent the next hour laying in the fast flowing river. God was that great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!We made another mile stone today passng over the Connecticut border saying goodbye to New York. We'll be heading into Kent, CT. tomorrow for a town stay to clean up and do some laundrey along with resupplying.Well, now its time to enjoy Connecticut and all it has to offer.
Date: 2005-08-02
From: Ten mile campsite

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 8.7

It was hard to leave such a beautiful campsite, but we were also looking forward to hiking to Kent. We left at 6:30 a.m. and with only 8.7 miles to go today and one mountain to climb we figured we'd be there by 9:30 - 10. Well, it was a bit harder than expected. The humidity was really ratcheted up this morning and Schaghtcoke Mt. wasn't just a 1000 foot climb, but a series of ups and downs all along the ridge. Between these 2 factors we emerged from the woods with sweat running off us and exhausted. Nothing seems to sap your strength like heat and humidity.We got to Kent and the Fife and Drum Inn at about 11:15 and immediately hit the showers. Santa and Bigfoot are staying at a B&B a few houses up from us. Our hitch in was pretty easy, getting picked up by a couple of ladies helping a hiker do some slack packing.We did the normal chores, laundrey, food resupply, post office, outfitter, and of course, stuffing as much real food away as we could. Our plan is to eat breakfast around 7:00 a.m. and then hitch a ride back to the trail and continue North.I ran into Godspell at the post office as he just arrived in town with his son. He was diagnosed with a spider bite on his hip that got to looking pretty bad, but he's taking medication, so he should be ok in a few days.It'll be hard to leave this air conditioned room and head back into that heat again, but its all part of the trail, looking forward to a good day of hiking.
Date: 2005-08-03
From: Kent, CT

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-T
Miles today: 17.0

We had a very pleasent stay in Kent and we stayed long enough this morning to have a good breakfast at Cara Lee's Resturaunt.Our hike got delayed when Beekpr had an upset stomach. I had one last night and we think it was due to the AntiPasto salads we both ate. Imodium came to the rescue though and by the time it took affect it was 8:20 a.m., so we packed up and started hitching for a ride. Yesterday I was all sweaty and got a ride within 5 minutes and today were clean and dry and no one would pick us up. GO FIGURE! We ended up walking back to the trail and started hiking at about 9:00. We made plans with Santa and Big Foot last night as to where we would camp tonight. Which was good since they left a little after 6:00 a.m. . It was very hot today pushing the upper 90's and as the day progressed the heat and humidity really sapped our strength, so we were very happy to get into camp tonight.One thing I've been wanting to mention and that is the stone walls we hike past in the mountains and woods since we arrived in N.J. . Everyday we pass a dozen or more as we cross the mountain side in the deep woods. They give pause when you try to imagine the intensive labor it took to pile those rocks into a wall, sometimes for miles, we assume the woods were at one time all cut down with farms covering many of the mountains, and the stone walls the boundary lines. When I return from this hike I'm going to do a little research into what happened to the farms and why they were abandoned to the forest to take over again. At any rate its a very interesting sight to see daily as we hike. We're looking forward to the hot day tomorow and maybe a creek or stream big enought to relax or swim in. Wish us LUCK!!!!!!!!!!1