morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-08
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: William Brien Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

Day 94 Today was not as bad as yesterday, but far from great. It rained most all morning, not heavy, but enough to keep you wet. The Trail forced me to wade through creeks, so my boots and socks were soaked early. Lots of rocks but not as many ridges to cross as yesterday, and not as threatening. Went through Lemon Squeeze, a narrow rock-lined passage where I almost got my pack stuck. The camera got moist and the display is messed up-don't know yet if the pictures are being taken okay or not. Just woods walking today - no views, no variety. Walked most of the day with Two Shoes. It was good to not walk alone for a change. Here are Restless, Two Shoes, Messenger, and I. The shelter is large but inefficient. Two bunks on each side (sleeps 4). My bunk is narrow and has no edges...hope I don't fall off.
Date: 2006-06-09
From: William Brien Shelter

To: US 9 (Peekskill, NY)
Miles today: 14.7

Day 95 Friday I didn't fall off the upper bunk last night, but I was nervous and aware of it every time I woke up to change positions. A skunk came into the shelter to rummage through a garbage pile left by previous visitors; thankfully I ignored him and he left. Got out at 7:10AM. Have decided to go into Peekskill,NY, with Restless, Two Shoes, and Messenger instead of hiking on alone. I need to get the trekking pole and my camera replaced or repaired. Cloudy so far but no rain at 8:45AM. Climbed a couple of rocky NY mountains and back down on the way to Bear Mtn. State Park and a zoo, where Restless said he'd wait for us. When I got there, I walked through the Park-picnic area, vending machines, restrooms, zoo, etc.-but did not see the other 3, so figured they had gone on. I crossed the Hudson River and started walking along a busy 2 lane road, looking for the Trail. After a few minutes I met Messenger, coming toward me; he had walked past the point where the Trail leaves the road and had to backtrack. His story is the park was similar to mine, no note, no other hikers. We hiked the next 6 miles or so together and came to the road to Peekskill, where we found a note to us from Two Shoes and Restless. They had gone on into town and gave us Restless's cell #. After thumbing for about 5 minutes, a Trail Angel named Phil gave us a ride into town and even let us use his cell phone to call Restless to find out where they were. Phil is doing a day hike tomorrow and would like to do the whole AT someday. Phil, if you read this, "Thanks"! We got to the motel where Restless and Two Shoes are staying; the price is so high we're all staying in one double room-I feel like I'm back in college on a road trip or Spring break. Have had a shower and called Leki about the pole. Will have to wait until Kent, CT, to get it replaced. Restless has gone to do all the laundry and Two Shoes is at the Post Office. When everyone gets back, we'll go to dinner, then back here to crash. Today I was hiking for Keith Church and Munsey Church, both of which have been very important parts of my life.
Date: 2006-06-10
From: US 9 (Peekskill, NY)

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 96 Today I'm walking in honor of my wonderful sister, Mary Dew, on her birthday. I got to talk to her and Mom last night...their support is so encouraging. So far today (10:45), the weather is great...mostly sunny, windy, mild. The forest I've been walking through is similar to that around home...mature deciduous trees, some hills and some swampy creek bottoms. Lots more rocks here, though. We took a cab from the motel in Peekskill to the Trail head, starting about 7:30. All 4 of us walked together for about an hour, then split up when I stopped to call Jane on Restless's cell phone. Why call her? Another equipment problem. When I was lacing up my boots this morning, one of the grommets pulled loose, unfortunately at the key 45* point. I decided right then to have Mahoney's send the new boots to me ASAP. I called their toll-free # but it was too early, so I used the motel's computer to send an e-mail to have the boots sent to the outfitter in Kent, CT, where I'll be on Monday. If Mahoney's gets the message in time to send the boots out today with overnight delivery, I should be okay. If lucky, I can get new boots and a new pole at the same place. Then the only piece of gear needing repair or replacement is the camera. Canon's customer service department is only open on weekdays, 9 to 5, which doesn't seem very customer-friendly. Maybe Kent will have a camera shop or Best Buy. This afternoon I walked with Two Shoes into the shelter. It was nice to be walking with someone, not alone. We got here at 4PM, and Restless had just ordered pizza and soft drinks for delivery. This shelter is nice...a concrete block building about the size of a one car garage. It has 3 bunk beds (no mattresses), benches, windows, a table inside for writing, and a roof extension over a picnic table. OBSERVATION: Trail maintenance in New York is worse than in any other state so far. The Trail in many places is overgrown with weeds; water ponds up in low places where a small drainage ditch could easily carry off the water; fallen logs and trees are left on the Trail; the Trail goes back and forth through streams and bogs with no footbridges, and many footbridges are rotting and need replacing. To bed early tonight.
Date: 2006-06-11
From: RPH Shelter

To: Leather Hill Rd.(Trail Angels)
Miles today: 25.2

Day 97 Today I'm walking for Mom and Mary Dew. Hope they had an enjoyable trip to Crossville. Got up early and out by 6:05AM. The weather is perfect...sunny, windy, cool. No mosquitos. After 5 miles stopped at a deli 1/2 mile down the road to eat another breakfast, buy some supplies, and fill my water bottles (the water at RPH was rusty from a well). Messenger called a guy who left his phone # on his web journal, offering to put him up when he came this way. We're planning to call the guy when we get near Wiley Shelter for a ride to his house. First time I will have experienced this kind of hospitality. Being Sunday, there are lots of day hikers and section hikers out on the Trail. I met a West Point cadet and his girlfriend out for 3 days. Also met Flannel, who is yo-yoing. He started at Springer March 21 and walked to about I-77 in VA, then had to go home to CT for awhile. Now he is headed south to VA from CT. He camped with The River Weasel for a few days. Also met a dayhiker named Peter from near NYC. He rode the train out to the AT stop, got off, and walked into the woods. He said he had smoked 3 joints and offered me the 4th one; I declined. TRAIL REPORT: Most of today was in mature woods, but also walked through hay fields, wetlands, overgrown orchards, pastures...a real variety which was a welcome diversion. The condition of the Trail also varied widely. I have to qualify some of the negative things I said about NY Trail maintenance. In at least 2 sections (north of Taconic Parkway and north of Telephone Pioneers Shelter) the Trail alignment was logical, and there was actually evidence of significant Trail maintenance. Unfortunately, there were also sections where Trail maintenance is only a distant memory. Especially the last 2 or 3 miles in Pawling Nature Preserve...pig sty would be more descriptive. Long sections were just wide mud holes with no way to avoid the ankle-deep mud. For shame! Messenger and I are staying in the private home of a family who does Trail magic daily, monitors Trailjournals.com, and invites certain thru-hikers to join them for a night. Last year they hosted 30 to 35 hikers. This year Messenger and I are the first ones they've had. We were picked up at the trailhead by Rob, our dirty clothes are being washed, we've showered and been fed a gourmet meal, and are going to sleep on a beautiful enclosed porch. What fantastic hosts! More on this later. Now to bed. I did 25 miles today, and my feet and ankles are protesting mightily.
Date: 2006-06-13
From: Mt. Algo Shelter

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 17.3

Day 99 Today I'm going to walk for the Johnson City Rotary Club, which pledged $1.00 for every mile I covered to the Rotary Foundation in my honor. So far they're in for $1459.10. Another beautiful day to walk. Mostly sunny and warm. Thank goodness the leaves are out and providing shade. When I write in this journal I focus on the things that are unusual or special to me; some readers might be interested in what an ordinary day is like out here. First...what you see(or look at). The great majority of the Trail lies in forest, usually fairly open forest. You learn early that the first priority (visually) is where to step. Much of the day is spent looking down, choosing where or where not to put the boots for the next step. Depending on terrain, rocks, and narrowness, this could be constant or occasional. Second, you watch for white blazes and other Trail markings to make sure you stay on the right path. Often it's easy because there are no options; other times the Trail could go in several directions, so you have to be alert for the blazes. Third priority, depending on weather and surroundings is snakes. Although you don't see too many, you certainly would like to have as much advance notice as possible if one is on the Trail. The last priority for looking, unfortunately, is what's around you...animals, flowers, rock formations, ruins, historic markers, vistas, etc. When I started out I would stop periodically and just look around, to see and appreciate where I was. I don't do that as much now than I'm trying to make milees, but I still try to look around as much as I can and take in the scene. 7:30PM at Pine Swamp Brook Shelter: Today was a day of extremes...in Trail condition, hiking, and level of frustration. There was an extremely steep, long, rocky descent this morning that ended at the Housatonic River. Then the Trail followed a dirt road or dirt path 2 or 3 miles with the river on one side and forest or fields on the other. There were plenty of ups and downs and stream crossings in the woods...but the beauty and fun was cancelled out by a few missing, hidden, or camoflaged Trail markings. I went the wrong way twice at road crossings, wasting 30 to 40 minutes. I also missed the Trail on the last rock climb of the day, when I was tired, hot, and frustrated. Had to climb back down and search for a new route. To top it off, I pumped a water pump for 5 minutes and never got any water at Silver Hill Campsite...when I was almost out of water in the early afternoon. Finally, while trying to cross a large creek I lost my footing and had to step into the water, soaking my socks and the insides of my boots. Saw 2 small snakes and a beaver hut in a pond. I'm in this shelter with Cedar Moe, whom I met yesterday in Kent. The 3 guys I have been staying with went further and tented, so they would have a shorter walk into Salisbury tomorrow. Mosquitos are thick and hungry. We need a strong dry wind inside the shelter.
Date: 2006-06-14
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-To

To: Lower Cobble Road(Salisbury,CT)
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: mist

Day 100 I'm walking today for Jane, whom I miss more every day but at least will get to talk to tonight in Salisbury. Clear skies early. The Trail today was more walkable than any for the past several weeks. Of course rocks are around and can't be avoided, but very few times did they obstruct a steady pace. I was up at 5 and out at 6; made town by 1 PM. The criticism of yesterday's marking deficiencies changed to praise today. I ran into 3 ridgerunners/trail maintainers and gave them the feedback of my personal experiences. Nice guys...seemed genuinely interested in what I said. Miscellaneous nature notes: Saw 1 deer, 2 small snakes, and 1 turkey today. The turkey was walking in a freshly tedded hayfield...does anything smell sweeter than freshly mown hay? Ahhhh ! I hear lots of birds in the woods but can identify few of them by their calls. In almost every shelter is a phoebe nest...either in the rafters or joists. New York and Connecticut have very few blooming wildflowers at this time; almost the only ones in bloom are mountain laurel and multiflora rose. It seems I've been walking with the mountain laurel blooms since central Virginia. I'm now in Salisbury, CT, with Restless and Messsenger; we're sharing 1 double room. My maildrop and bounce box arrived, as did a small care package and note from Mary Dew. Also got a sweet note from Jennifer and Audrey (with pictures) and some special items from Jane. Will be sending the bounce box out tomorrow morning...don't have time to get it ready to go out today. I had originaly planned 4 long days and a short one to get to Bennington in 5 days. However, the last few days have convinced me to slow down and not push myself to exhaustion and my feet and ankles to the point of revolting. I'm going to take 1 or 2 more days to get to Bennington with days of 14 to 19 miles instead of 22 to 27. I am surprised that the trip is wearing down the body. I thought I'd get stronger as I went, not weaker or more damaged.
Date: 2006-06-16
From: Hemlocks Lean-To

To: Mt. Wilcox South Lean-To
Miles today: 19.7

Day 102 Today I'm walking for Lyn Jeffers, Debbie Neves, and Tommy Riden and their families. All three are battling cancer of various types. Please pray for them. Up and out at 6:20AM with a brilliant red sunrise. Weather so far is warm, breezy, mostly sunny. 7 PM-The day was a good one, overall. Rocks were common, especially early, but on average a pretty good trail. At mid-morning Messenger and I took a 0.1 detour to The Corn Crib on US 7...a nursery and plant center that stocks a few things for hikers...ice cream, cokes, some fresh fruit in season. They let hikers use the bathroom, fill water bottles, and hang out in a display gazebo. Nice place, but you have to know about it beforehand...there's no indication from the road of anything but a garden store. The Trail went through a variety of environs today...mostly woods, some rocky ridges with nice views, wetland bogs, field edges, and the mosquito Disney World. The bugs were on vacation and hungry, hungry, hungry! Deet helped a little, but it's not foolproof. One of my highlights late this afternoon was a side trip to Benedict Pond in Beartown State Forest. The pond is a glacial pond with campsites, a restroom, picnic area, swimming beach, water fountain, and pay phone. I waded in, rinsed off my body and rinsed out my shirt, cooked supper and cleaned up, called Jane (left messages), and got back out by 5:45 PM. Unfortunately, the 45 minute walk to this shelter was mostly uphill, so I got all sweaty again, but the break was great while it lasted. NATURE REPORT: Saw my daily garter snake and a pink ladyslipper. MEDICAL REPORT: My feet, ankles, and legs are hurting less, probably due to (1) fewer rocks, and (2) fewer miles. No blisters with the new boots...a great relief. This shelter is small and older. Only 3 of us here tonight: Restless, Messenger, and Mango. The sleeping floor is growing shorter and shorter thanks to porcupines. Apparently they like to chew on the ends of boards for the salt. I had my head up against the back wall and my feet hung off the end...glad the porcupines didn't chew on my toes.
Date: 2006-06-17
From: Mt. Wilcox South Lean-To

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

Day 103 Today I'm walking for all the folks who have signed my on-line guest book. I appreciate these notes of encouragement so much...they inspire me and remind me that others(friends, relatives, strangers) care about what I'm doing. Please don't stop! The hike today was short in time and miles...to a cabin on a small lake called Upper Goose Pond. I've heard compliments on this place (and the pancakes for breakfast), so I planned to stop here for the night. Got here about 2 PM but the place is locked up: the caretaker is in town, apparently. Sure hope he or she shows up soon. We're spread out on a porch right now. Seven of us are here: Messenger, Cedar Moe, a family (parents and 2 teenage boys in for an overnight camping-fishing trip), and me. On the Trail today the rocks, mud, and roots were present in equal amounts, not really a bad hiking day, except it sprinkled most of the morning, generating a whole new crop of mosquitos. I saw a beaver and a beaver hut this morning but no snakes. The caretaker (a sub) showed up at 7:30PM...almost hiker midnight. We were almost to the point of setting up tents. Another section hiker, Possum, showed up. He is northbound, doing Great Barrington, MA ,to somewhere in ME. Three dogs are also here and have the run of the cabin, even the attic where the bunks are. My vote would be to keep all dogs outside, but two belong to the caretaker. The "Pond" is a small lake, about the size of Ripshin, and similar to a Boundary Water Lake. Two other thru-hikers have come in late...Southern Comfort (Phillip) and Fruity Pie. Southern Comfort went to Furman and starts grad school at VA Tech this fall. He and Fruity Pie had updates on several people behind us. They are doing high mileage days. Probably will pass us up tomorrow and leave us behind. Late P.S. another thru-hiker showed up later...Mothra. He is from Northern VA.
Date: 2006-06-18
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 104 Father's Day Twelve people and 3 dogs sleeping in the same bunkroom can make some noise, but I slept okay...no bugs, at least. Up at 5:05 AM, packed to go, waiting for pancakes. Pancakes were great. I ate only 14. Was on the Trail by 7 AM. No rain; forecast is clear, hot, humid. 11 AM at October Mt. Shelter...experiencing second wonderful Trail Magic of the day. At US 20(1.5 miles from Upper Goose Pond) was a cooler with sodas, juice, pastries, candy, fruit, etc. Here are pretzels, homemade cookies and cake, candies, oranges, and Minute Maid Coolers in the creek. Somebody hauled a lot of stuff in here for unknown hikers to enjoy. Thanks, Trail Angels! 6 PM in the Shamrock Inn in Dalton,MA,...I need a shower and a clean bed badly after 3 days and nights on the Trail. I'm here by myself. Messenger went to Cheshire tonight(a 30 mile day) so he could get to Williamstown tomorrow evening to meet friends. You know it's a good day when the roots and mud are worse than the rocks. Today was such a day. The walking wasn't great, but it probably is as good as I'm going to get in New England. Weather was very warm and humid, so the bugs were out in force. Saw no unusual wildlife today. The most notable natural observation was this...large sections of hardwood forest have been stripped of leaves by caterpillers. It was like going back in time 2 months, to when trees were just beginning to leaf out. I walked today in memory of my father, Ray Moody, and in honor of Erik Larsen, the father of the #1 granddaughter, Audrey Jane.
Date: 2006-06-19
From: Dalton, MA

To: MA 2 (North Adams)
Miles today: 23.3

Day 105 I'm walking today for my son, James. Catching up from yesterday...on the way into Dalton I met Tom Levardi, who lives along the Trail and provides water, soft drinks (occasionally) and a kind word to hikers. Also 3 thru-hikers who came in late to Upper Goose Pond (Southern Comfort, Fruity Pie, and Mortra). They stayed at the Shamrock Inn where I stayed; we had supper together at a restaurant next door. May see them again for several days. Our schedule stops are similar. Today was interesting in some ways and boring in others. I walked alone all day, saw no unusual wildlife, and sweated a lot. The weather was hot and humid and hazy. Several potentially good view points were obscured by the thick haze. The Trail was rockier than I would have liked, but overall the walking was tolerable. What was different were the climbs and descents...longer and steeper than any since Virginia. For the first time in several states, the Trail went above 3,000 feet, to Mt. Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts. The last mile or so were reminiscent of the Smokies above 6,000 feet in vegetation and topo. The hemlock,spruce, and fir forests were definitely alpine. I guess I'll see a lot of that from here on. On top of Mt. Greylock is a large tower/monument and a beautiful, old CCC era stone lodge. I would have liked to have stayed there tonight, but it was only 2:30 PM when I arrived, and I wanted to get closer to Bennington, VT, today, so tomorrow will be shorter. I'm sharing a motel room with Restless down on MA 2, near North Adams. The last descent was very steep, but I moved as quickly as I could, trying to beat a coming thunderstorm. Almost made it, but not quite. Arrived soaked but not smoked. Could have been worse. Tomorrow I'll get into Vermont, the 12th of 14 states on the AT. The end is drawing near, and I'm ready!
Date: 2006-06-20
From: MA 2 (North Adams)

To: VT 9 (Bennington,VT)
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: few clouds

Day 106 Today I will be walking in honor of my lovely wife, Jane, who is dealing with lots of responsibilities by herself in my absence. I miss her so much and look forward to getting home. Forecast is similar to yesterday...warm,humid, hazy, chance of thunderstorms this evening. If things go well, I'll be in Bennington tonight for a maildrop, grocery shopping, and "new" camera. 8 PM in Bennington, VT...at a motel a couple of blocks from the center of town, with Restless. Today's walking was pretty boring and difficult to do at a consistent pace...lots of rocks, roots, and mud puddles. The highlights were a few beaver ponds, one with lots of surrounding marsh and grass. Also saw some moose droppings, the first sign of moose on the Trail. Didn't see a moose yet, but am hopeful. Met a thru-hiker named Dreamer who is about my age. He started in late February. Saw Southern Comfort, Fruity Pie, and Mothra at dinner. They got in late and are exhausted (so am I).