morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-24
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Cookie Monster and I left the shelter at the same time. He is faster, then me, and was about a half mile ahead, when he saw a bear. I didn't see it. I caught up to him at the Wind Gap road crossing, when he stopped to get water. The hike to Delaware Water Gap was uneventful, and we arrived at 3:30. He stopped at the Church Hostel and I went staight to the Post Office, to pick up my old boots. I had switched to a heavier boot, Asolo Fugitive GTXs, at Harpers Ferry, because I thought they would be better on the PA rocks, but they needed more of a breakin period, which I did not provide, thus they caused a lot of problems, for me, ie: blisters, toenail problems, and general footpain, plus they were a lot heavier than the Montrails. So I am switching back to my Montrails, which only have one hundred miles, on them. Thanks, again, to Dennis for mailing them to me, on such short notice. I had planned to buy a new pair, at the Port Clinton Outfitter, but they had gone out of business. I have now completed PA, except for the half mile walk to, and across, the bridge to NJ. The AT, in PA, is well known for having a lot of rocks and black snakes. I saw plenty of rocks but was lucky enough to get through the entire state without seeing a single snake, actually I have not seen a snake since the timber rattler sighting south of Waynesboro, VA, which is fine, with me, because I don't like snakes. NJ has a lot of black bears, but they usually won't bother you and I look forward to seeing them. I am taking a zero day, tomorrow, to let my feet rest, before starting NJ.
Date: 2010-05-26
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: One mile south of US206, NJ
Miles today: 27.4

Started at 7:20 this morning. Caught up to Sweeper just before lunch. It was a very hot day. There were about 15 groups of private high school kids (approx 8-10, including staff, per group). They were from a school in Newark, NJ. Due to the heat, we had to stop frequently for water. We missed the sign for the Brink Rd Shelter, thus we camped about a mile south of US 206 (Branchville NJ).
Date: 2010-05-27
From: One mile south of US206, NJ

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 24.1

Hiked with Sweeper. We stopped at Culvers Gap (US 206) for breakfast and water, both of which we had to pay for, as Larry would not let us refill our water bottles, from the tap, instead we had to buy a gallon container of water, or go without. Around lunchtime, we saw a small bear, probably a one year old. He ran off quickly, before I could take a picture, of him. We arrived in Unionville, NY about 5 minutes before a big thunderstorm hit. We are staying at the Back Track Inn's bunkhouse, which is very basic, but only cost $3 and we are inside where it's dry.
Date: 2010-05-28
From: Unionville, NY

To: NY 17A, Greenwood Lake, NY
Miles today: 26.6

Hiked today with Sweeper and Cookie Monster. The first part of today's hike was pretty easy, but the section after Wawayanda Shelter was a lot harder than expected, there were a lot of short, steep climbs and a lot of big boulders to climb over. Sweeper decided to stop at the shelter, for the night. We crossed the official NJ-NY state line. At the road trailhead, Cookie Monster's mother picked us up, he is taking a couple days off, at home. They gave me a ride to Anton's on the Lake, where I am going to take an unplanned zero day, to let a sore foot heal. (Todays mileage was 26.7, subtracted .1 so the total would match the AT Guide book totals). Also, I'm not able to download any pictures, today, due to the wrong computer connection (at the library).
Date: 2010-05-30
From: NY 17A, Greenwood Lake, NY

To: William Brien Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: few clouds

The zero day helped my foot, because it feels a lot better, today. I got a late start, because the earliest shuttle, back to the trailhead, was at 8:30. It was sunny and very warm, today, but the constant breeze made the conditions tolerable. The trail profile looked flat, but was actually a series of small steep hills, this caused it to be a hard and slow hiking day. At the Mombasha High Point I could see NY City, although it was too hazy and too far away to take a good picture. I had a large black snake scare the crap out of me today, because I didn't see it until it darted across the trail way too close to me. This was actually the first black snake that I have seen, I saw a cooperhead snake in both NJ and NY. I stopped, for the night at the William Brien Shelter, where approx 15 weekend hikers were tenting, they are from NY City.
Date: 2010-05-31
From: William Brien Memorial Shelter

To: Dennytown Rd, Dennytown Camp
Miles today: 23.4

It was a hard day, due to the high temps (upper 80's) and high humitity. I had to take a lot of breaks, including a lunch break at the Bear Mtn Park, on Hessian Lake. The park was full of people celebrating Memorial Day, with cookouts, etc. There were probably a couple thousand people there. The first half of todays hike was like yesterdays, a lot of short, steep hills. The second half wasn't as bad, and actually contained a couple short flat sections. I stopped at Dennytown Camp, for the night, along with 4 or 5 section hikers. There was supposed to be water available, from a pump building, but it is turned off, thus I have to ration my water until tomorrow morning.
Date: 2010-06-01
From: Dennytown Rd, Dennytown Camp

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 27.5
Weather: light rain

Got an early start, due to the heat. It was hot, upper 80's, and humid again today. The trail was easier today, with a lot less climbs. I did have a couple of weather delays, twice for thunderstorms, first at NY52 at a pizza place and.second at the Morgan Stewart Shelter. Tomorrow I cross into CT, and plan to stop in Kent, CT.      PS (ZDC - Bay 6, Ray and Mike, I highly recommend turning in your paperwork. It was the best decision I ever make).
Date: 2010-06-02
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: CT 341, Kent CT
Miles today: 21.4

Stayed at the shelter, last night, with Tommy, who is hiking from Boiling Springs, PA to Maine. He started, last month, after getting out of college, for the summer. He doesn't have a trail name yet. I got an early start, 6:15 and crossed the stateline, into Connecticut, today. I also passed the AT's 2/3s point, which is 1453. I am in Kent CT, where I will resupply and get cleaned up, because I smell pretty bad, mostly due to the hot temperatures. I am staying at the Fife and Drum Inn, which is very nice, but also kind of pricey. My next resupply will probably be in Great Barrington, on Sat. June 5th, I don't remember what state it's in. I was able to download some more pictures to the website.
Date: 2010-06-03
From: CT 341, Kent CT

To: Belter's Campsite
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: broken clouds

Last night, after doing laundry, I went to the IGA food store. As soon as I entered the store, they started to turn the lights out, seems that they were closing, at 7pm, so I had to quickly buy supplies. I Departed Kent, CT around 7:15, walked the mile back to the trailhead. I ran into Tommy, and we hiked togather for part of the day, he had to stop at a post office, to pick up a mail drop. I stopped at the Pine Swamp Shelter, for a late lunch. Lucky and a section hiker were there. I continued on to a campsite, for the night.
Date: 2010-06-04
From: Belter's Campsite

To: US 7, Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 32.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I got an early start, 6:20. I was planning to do a 24.7 mile day, stopping at Glen Brook Shelter, for the night, followed by a 7.9 mile day tomorrow, to nero into Great Barrington. I felt good today, so I decided to continue all of the way, to Great Barrington, so I could take a "free" zero day tomorrow. My actual mileage was higher, then listed, because of a reroute around the Housatonic River Bridge, due to repair work. I'm not sure how much longer the reroute was, but it was at least 2 or 3 extra miles. I don't count the extra miles because I want the totals to match the AT Guide Book totals. I exited Connecticut, today, and entered MA. I spoke to Sweeper, this morning, and was going to meet him, at the shelter, but he must have stopped at the second to the last shelter, because I didn't see him. I haven't seen or heard from Cookie Monster since he visited his home last week, maybe I will see him after my zero day tomorrow. I'm sitting in a Friendly's Restaurant, as I write this, it's located across the street from my motel. It sure is nice to be away from the flies and nats, for a few hours.
Date: 2010-06-06
From: US 7, Great Barrington, MA

To: Tyringham, MA
Miles today: 20.5

I got a late start, due to the Taxi company not starting Sunday service until 8 am and the difficulty in leaving the motel's free breakfast. I didn't start hiking until 9:20. It was a slow day because of slippery trail conditions, due to yesterday's and today's rain. I saw Camel today, I. Had not seen him since the Smokys, when he was riding in the snowplow truck's cab as our snowstorm convoy made it's way, down the mtn, towards Gatlinburg, TN. Camel said that he injured his ankle, near Marion VA, so he went home, to let in heal. He is now doing a flip-flop, having started in New Hamspire and hiking southbound. He said that I was the first NOBO that he had recognizied from his previous hiking down south. I cut the mileage short today, due to the slow conditions, and stopped in Tyrington, for the night. It was too far to get to the next shelter and the trail area was a no-camping area, thus I stayed at a little B & B.
Date: 2010-06-07
From: Tyringham, MA

To: Kay Wood Shelter
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: few clouds

Very nice weather today, esp after yesterday's thunderstorms. Today the humidity was low, temps around 70, and a little wind (which helps keep the bugs away). Today was uneventful, I didn't see any other thru-hikers, just a few section hikers. I was planning to go to Dalton, but decided to stop at the shelter 3 miles short. I will stop there tomorrow, for breakfast.
Date: 2010-06-08
From: Kay Wood Shelter

To: Williamstown, MA
Miles today: 26.3

Started hiking early, 6:20. Stopped in Dalton, MA (after 3 miles), for a big breakfast. Then after almost 9 miles, I stopped in Cheshire, MA, for lunch. While there, I was fortunate to miss a heavy rain shower, since I was inside. Next came a 2500' climb to the top of Mt Greylock (elevation 3491'), it's MA.'s highest peak. I then descended a steep trail into Willianstown, where I am staying tonight and buying some supplies.
Date: 2010-06-09
From: Williamstown, MA

To: VT 9, Bennington Vermont
Miles today: 18.4

Wet and cold day. Normally temps in the 60's would be great for hiking, but today's rain made it feel pretty cold, esp with wet feet. The stream, I mean trail, was already wet and muddy before it started to rain. With the rain, the trail turned into a river, in a lot of places. Goose Creek, at flood stage, would have been more fun to hike in. To make matters worse, I saw two snakes today, for a grand trip total of 14. I crossed into Vermont, today, and have two more states after Vermont. I decided to go into Bennington, VT, for the night, so I could dry out and do laundry.
Date: 2010-06-10
From: VT 9, Bennington Vermont

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

Wet, wet, and very muddy (deep mud), otherwise it was a nice day. There were 2. Big thunderstorms, in the afternoon, I made it to the Kid Gore Shelter just prior to the first, but got caught, on the trail, for the second. The trail became a raging river, again, it was pointless to try to keep my feet dry. I stopped at the Story Spring Shelter for the night. Sweeper was there, as well as Scripts and 1/4 Mile (college student - who are hiking the Long Trail).
Date: 2010-06-11
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Bromley Shelter
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: light rain

Sweeper and I passed the AT's 3/4 point today, after passing Stratton Mtn. (1634.25 miles). Today's weather was a lot better, compared to the previous days, it was partly sunny and the bugs were not bad. The trail was still wet and muddy, but due to the higher elevation, it wasn't as bad, as yesterday.
Date: 2010-06-12
From: Bromley Shelter

To: Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: moderate rain

The good news was that the bugs didn't bother us today, that is because they were all grounded due to the day long rain. The rain started at 8 am and continued pretty much all day, varying from light up to heavy intensity. The trail was extremely muddy, once again, thus it was impossible to keep boots and feet dry. I was planning to hike 22.6 miles to the Greenwall Shelter, or if the trail conditions were not too slow, to hike all the way into Rutland, VT (29.4 miles), so my planned Sunday nero day could be changed to a zero day. There was a suggested 3+ mile reroute, which was not part of the AT. The reroute was due to a damaged, and thus removed, creek bridge. Sweeper and I decided to skip the reroute and simply cross the creek, which we did, without any problems, and our feet were already soaking wet from all of the rain, so it didn't matter if they got wet while crossing the creek, which they did. As we continued north, as we were crossing a road, we noticed white blazes along the road, thus we assummed the trail followed the road before returning to the woods, which it has done many times before. Unknown to us, the road's blazes were the markings for the beginning of the southbound part of the rerouted trail. We hiked down the road until it became obvious that we should have returned to the woods a lot sooner, so we flagged down a Sheriff's Deputy and asked if he would give us a ride back to the trailhead, since he was going back that direction anyway. He was nice enough to comply with our request. We estimate that we hiked an extra 4+ miles (not included in today's mileage total). It would have been nice if there had been a sign at the road crossing to prevent our mistake. We continued on to Greenwall Shelter and we both stayed the night, since I no longer had enough time to continue into town, and even if I had time, I was too tired to continue.
Date: 2010-06-13
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: VT 103, Rutland, Vermont
Miles today: 7.8

Today Sweeper and I hiked to the road, which leads to Rutland, VT. We stopped at The Whistle Stop Restaurant, where we both ordered enough breakfast food for three people. I ordered breakfast twice, and switched to lunch food for the third serving. A couple, at the next table, heard us talking about calling a taxi to get into Rutland, to resupply (I also needed to stop at an outfitter to buy some clothing, ie: new rain coat and rain pants, etc). They offered to give us a ride, which was very nice, especially since we smelled bad (we ate at an outside table, to avoid disturbing the customers who were eating inside the restaurant). I am staying at a motel tonight, so I can get cleaned up and wash my clothes. I am considering taking a zero day tomorrow since I have a few aches that I would like to get rid of, before they progress to anything worse. I believe that Sweeper returned to the trail, if so, then I will try to catch up to him, again, in a few days. I will decide about the zero day tomorrow morning. I estimate that I will be in New Hampshire in three hiking days, either Wed or Thurs. I also added some new pictures, to this site.
Date: 2010-06-15
From: VT 103, Rutland, Vermont

To: Stoney Brook Shelter
Miles today: 27.4
Weather: broken clouds

I am very glad that I decided to take a zero day yesterday. My boots did not dry out until this morning, and it rained yesterday afternoon. Today was a great day to hike, it didn't rain and even though there was some mud, I could get around it without soaking my boots. It was so nice to be able to hike with dry feet. I spoke to Sweeper, this morning,via celphone, and he was having some foot problems, as a result of wearing wet and dirty socks/boots (Sunday, he continued hiking after resupplying). I put in some extra mileage, since the weather was so nice, originally I was only going to hike around 20 miles today and hike 27 tomorrow, but they are calling for some afternoon rain tomorrow, so I reversed the plan.
Date: 2010-06-16
From: Stoney Brook Shelter

To: Tigertown Road (West Hartford, VT)
Miles today: 26.7

Overall, today was another great hiking day, except for some light afternoon rain. There was not as much mud as in the previous Vermont sections, thus the trail was a lot more enjoyable and faster. I did have a little bit of a boot problem (Montrails), a couple blowouts on the side seams, in the same area as with my previous boots. The previous wet conditions caused the stitching to loosen and then the seams started to separate. Thus, when I stopped, for lunch, I sewed the seams back together. I realized that this pair of boots would probably not last until I complete my thru-hike, so I decided to extend todays hike, by about 5 miles, to get to the next town, where I could stop at a motel and use their computer to order a new pair of boots. I shipped the boots to the AMC Highland Center, which is where I am planning to stop, next Monday.
Date: 2010-06-17
From: Tigertown Road (West Hartford, VT)

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a late start today, 9:15, because I used the motel computer to order a new waist-hip belt for my backpack. I need a smaller size, since.I have the belt as tight as it will go, with no further adjustment possible. I had the hip belt and my new boots both sent to the AMC's Highland Center. I plan to arrive there on Monday. Today I feasted on the motel's free breakfast, then hiked 8 miles to Norwich, VT, where I ate lunch and resupplied, I then crossed into New Hampshire and stopped in Hanover, for another lunch. I stopped for the night at the Moose Mtn Shelter, which was full Tsection hikers)n thus I set up my tent. There was a nice family, with four teenagers, whi had just gotten on the AT and were hiking all of the way to Katahdin.
Date: 2010-06-18
From: Moose Mountain Shelter

To: Ore Hill Shelter, NH
Miles today: 24.8

Hot day, with two big climbs, up Smarts Mtn (2000+) and Mt Cube (1500+). I stopped at the Ore Hill Shelter, for the night, along with Sweeper, section hiker Karen & Haley (her dog) and Stretch, who was section hiking (2008 thru hiker). The bugs were pretty bad, at the shelter, I should have slept in my tent. I saw my first SOBO Thru Hikers, today, three college students who were hiking at a fast pace. They reminded me of myself, Charlie Brown, and C-Biscuit when we left Gatlinburg, when we were young and na ve, full of piss and vinegar. I would like to see want they look like when they pass through Franklin NC, in 2 or 3 months.
Date: 2010-06-19
From: Ore Hill Shelter, NH

To: Eiza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: clear sky

Big climb up Mt Moosilauke, today. I spoke to Heckle and Jeckel, on the descent,which was very steep, and hard on my knees, but talking to them (they are locals) helped pass the time and made the descent seem easy. I continued the 9 miles to the shelter, but it felt like a lot longer, because the trail, with so many big rocks, is very slow. I started at 6 am and didn't arrive at the shelter until 9 pm, a 15 hour day.
Date: 2010-06-20
From: Eiza Brook Shelter

To: Lonesome Lake Hut
Miles today: 5.9

I started today with hard 1800' climb and descent of South & North Kinsman Mtnd. It was tough, with wet rocks and a lot of hand/arm climbing and descending. It was very hard on my knees. It took me 4 hours to cover 4 miles. I stopped at the hut, at lunchtime, and had resumed hiking, when some big thunderstorms started to move in. I didn't want to geet caught on the ridgeline, during the storms, si I returned to the hut, where I stayed the night.
Date: 2010-06-21
From: Lonesome Lake Hut

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: few clouds

I ate breakfast, at the hut, thud I got a late start hiking, because they serve breakfast at 7 am. I climbed Little Haystack Mtn, Mt Lincoln, and Mt Lafayette (5249'). It was a continous climb and was not that difficult. The views, from the summits, were great, I will post the pictures, when I am able. The descent was difficult, due to the big rocks (hard on the knees). Then, I climbed Mt Garfield and stopped, from the night, at the Galehead Hut. There were some section hikers and approx 10 boy scouts, at the hut.
Date: 2010-06-22
From: Galehead Hut

To: Crawford Notch US302 (AMC Highland Center)
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

Today's hike was short and easy, which was nice, for a change. I hiked to the trailhead, where I caught a ride to the AMC Highland Center. I called Trail Angel John Bartlett and he gave me a ride, a long ways, to the closest outfitter, so I could get new tips, for my hiking poles. The rocks had caused my tips to completely wear away. He was very nice and only requested gas money, which was very inexpensive, compared to what a taxi would have charged. He does a lot of hiking and climbing, in the area. The lodge had family style dining, and I sat with some very interesting people, a landscape artist, and two hiking/sports equipment gear representatives. They were interested in my choice of hiking gear and even asked if they could have my old Montrail boots (since I had just received my new pair).
Date: 2010-06-23
From: Crawford Notch US302 (AMC Highland Center)

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: fog

Today I climbed from 1270' to 5020'.I'm 1268' below Mt Washington and will summit it tomorrow. Today's climb was continous, going uo Mt Webster, Mt Jackson, Mt pierce, and Mt Franklin. It rained, lightly, all day, with strong winds, esp on the ridgelines, which were also in the clouds. Thus - didn't take any pictues, today. I heard on my MP3/radio that there was a minor earthquake, centered at Ottawa. They said that people in NH felt it, I didn't notice it, if I did, I would have assumed that it was just the wind blowing me around.
Date: 2010-06-24
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Mt. Washington
Miles today: 1.4

The weather forecast for the summit was bad, with very high winds, up to 80 mph, and thunderstorms. The planned hike (13.5 miles), to Pinkham Notch, would take me along the ridgetops to Mt Madison, about 7 miles exposed to the bad weather. Most of the hut guests decided to either stay another night or take a short, below ridgeline, trail (4.7 miles) to Pinkham Notch. I was going to stay another night when I spoke to two nice ladies, from Connecticut, who were planning to leave early, before breakfast, to hike the 1.4 miles to the summit, where their car was parked. They offered to give me a ride to the lodge, at Pinkham Notch (which was preferable to the hut, due to so many people snoring). I accepted their offer, and arrived at the summit before 8 am. The trail conditions were not too difficult, except for the last .2 miles, which was completely exposed to the wind (later reported as a peak wind of 66 mph) and visability of about 20 feet.
Date: 2010-06-25
From: Mt. Washington

To: NH 16, Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

Due to yesterday's weather problems, I actually started at Pinkham Notch and hiked southbound, on the AT, to cover the trail that I missed yesterday. Thus I summited Mt Washington twice, first northbound yesterday, and again today, southbound. Today's weather was very nice, with scattered clouds. Today's hike involved a 2800+ foot climb up Mt Madison, which wasn't too steep, just rocky and time consuming. The trail summitted Mt Madison, and also went up, but did not summit, Mt Jefferson, Mt Clay, and Mt Adams. I saw Sweeper hiking northbound, and he was also planning to stay at the lodge. There were a couple of big patches of snow on Mt Jefferson. At Mt Washington, I saw the cog railroad in operation and saw a lot of tourists, who drove up the mountain. In the summit shop, I saw Walleye, No-Point, and Naptime, they have been sackpacking since Monday, and were covering some big miles. I last saw them in the Shenandoah Nat Park. I took the shuttle bus back to Pinkham Notch.