morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-01
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: haze

Rain, it rained on and off during the night and I was glad to be in the shelter except for one small problem. Mosquitoes! I was battling them for quite awhile before I fell asleep. What Hillbilly said about mosquiotes being bad in MA is true. I battled them during the day yesterday as well as last night. They come in droves and they have no fear. They will try to bite through anything, they are big, and repellent seems to be an appetizer for them. Simply amazing! Second to them are the deerflies! These things are slow but if they bite you, you know it! They seem to love to come out after the rain. It was still pretty wet when I left camp and within 45 minutes it began to rain again. This was a normal rain, no thunderstorm, and it lasted for a half hour or so. I was in cruise mode so it felt kinda good to have the cool water hitting me. When it ended it stayed cloudy, but humid, for most of the morning though the sun was trying to break out. I had a fairly long day planned, 21 miles, to Upper Goose Pond Cabin. I had heard good things about this place and I wanted to get there at a decent hour hence, cruise mode. Around 12:30 I was only 7 miles away and at the road crossing to a small village. I headed into town real quick to find a phone real quick. Town was about 3/4 of a mile in and as I was walking back to the trailhead a car stops and I hear a voice ask if I want I ride. It was Camel and Roamer. I had met them in Delaware Water Gap. The big surprise was who else was with them, Sunshine!, I about fell over. She was laughing and said they had been taking it slow the last couple of days. I knew that Gypsy and Touk were about a day ahead but I figured Sunshine was ahead of them! It was good to see her. The three of them were also heading to the same place for the night. As I was making my way to the cabin I ran into another batch of people, Crazy Legs, Professor Nutbag, Che, and Peanut. Crazy Legs was glad to see I had caught back up and said they had taken a couple of days off. They were planning on going past the cabin so I said I would probably see them in Dalton. I reached the cabin and I wasn't disappointed. What a cool place. It is situated right near a large pond (speaking of ponds, what the heck is the difference between a lake and a pond? This is a lake in my book). You can take a swim or paddle the canoe around. Very relaxing and one nice thing, there would be few or no mosquitoes for the rest of the afternoon or night in the cabin! Apple Pie was there but she was getting ready to do a few miles. She thought I was ahead of her and was surprised to see me. I spent the rest of the day and afternoon relaxing and trying to get some of my stuff dried out. Others here tonight are; Lightning Rod, Sunshine, Camel, Roamer, and Ug. Ug is aother Florida boy, whom I had met outside of Duncannon.Tomorrow is going to be another big day, 20 or so into Dalton.
Date: 2005-08-02
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: few clouds

I had to hold the horses back this morning. I was up and ready to go by my usual time but I knew that pancakes and "real" coffee were to be had around 7:00 AM. Real coffee, in my book, is percolated coffee. Nothing better tha a fresh perked cup of coffee! Peggy, the caretaker, was up by 6:30 and she got the coffee going followed shortly thereafter by pancakes. The caretakers get to spend one week at a time here each year. Sort of a vacation for them and this is Peggy's tenth year. It was an excellent breakfast and by 7:15 I was on the trail. It was going to be a 20 mile day but I had heard that the terrain was supposed to be good. I hoped so because my feet have been feeling the effects of the last couple of weeks. The knee problem is gone, has been gone for a few days, and now it is tired feet with a couple of blisters forming. No big deal, but a pain in the butt! Around nine or so I ran into Crazy Legs and crew. They were also going to push into Dalton and they said the walk was supposed to be a good one. I pushed on and around noon Crazy Legs caught up with me. We both went to the "cookie ladys" house, a working blueberry farm, where you could get blueberries for a 1.25 a pound. 1.25 a pound is damn cheap and these were big berries! Too bad you could only pick on weekends! In any case, she gave Crazy Legs and I cookies, which were excellent. We chatted awhile and then moved on. Crazy Legs stopped for lunch but I knew he would pass me because he can move! Can't imagine why due to his name! It was excellent hiking terrain and I was making great time. I came to a road crossing where I ran into Hazy Sonic and Firefly. They, too, were heding for town and soon we were flying down the trail. We got to town and found there was still some room at the "Birdcage". The Birdcage is Rob's house, and he puts hikers up. He soon pulled up and the first people I saw were LiveStrong and Mouth. I soon found out that Gypsy, Touk, and believe it or not, Linux were here. I thought they were still a day or so ahead. It was a grand reunion and the evening was a lot of fun. I think I am going to zero here tomorrow. I have been pushing it pretty hard the last two weeks and my feet could use a little break. Speaking of Break. She is back on the trail and will be jumping to somewhere around where we are. I will be seeing her again real soon, I hope!
Date: 2005-08-03
From: Dalton, MA

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I think the long days over the last while have caught up with everyone. Almost everyone has decided to take a zero day and just relax. So, the cast of characters zeroing at the Birdcage are: Gypsy, Touk, Linux, Glory Bound, Navigator, Mouth, and myself. Hazy Sonic, Firefly, Livestrong, and Crazy Legs were heading out. It was the perfect zero. No running around, no nothing. The hardest thing I did all day was go to the library. The group of us just sat and became couch potatoes for the day. The agenda consisted of movies and TV and eating, not neccesarily in that order. During the course of the day others joined us. Sunshine, Roamer, Tink, Camel, Noodle, and Lightning Rod. The Birdcage was full! The company was fine! The day was perfect! Rob, the owner of the house, is the epitome of all that is good about the sub-culture that is the AT. An incredible man who is "salt of the earth". Many thanks Rob, for all that you do! We all will be leaving tomorrow. I am still a day behind Gypsy and them because they had slacked back into Dalton. Everyone's plan is still to get to NH and then slow way down. I told them all I would see them in a week or so. That is when I figure will catch up. It may sound easy to catch up to someone if they are only a day ahead. It is, if that person isn't doing big miles, and you put in some bigger miles. When they do the same as you, especially bigger miles, the only way you can catch up is to chip away at the distance or hope they take a zero before you do.
Date: 2005-08-04
From: Dalton, MA

To: Mark Noepal Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

It was a bustle of activity this morning as everyone got ready to leave. Rob was going to have to take different people to diferent trailheads so it was broken down into two groups. I was walking out from where I was and since I only planned a 14 miler I was in no hurry. As the first group was getting ready to go Stilts and Clearwater came in. We caught up and after the first group left Touk slapped "The Last of the Mohicans" into the DVD. So, once again, we became couch potatoes until Rob came back for group two. It was around 12:30, the movie was over, the second group was gone and I too, shouldered the pack and headed out. It was a warm day, but nice. The hike was starting a gradual climb toward Mt. Greylock. Greylock is he highest point in MA, at 3491 feet. I won't actually hit it until tomorrow morning. About 3 miles from the shelter I ran into Stilts. He was slacking back to Dalton. We talked for awhile and then headed on. I arrived at the shelter around six. Looks like I will have the shelter to myself tonight. I ate and read my book and by dark I was ready for bed. }f I haven't mentioned it lately the hunger has kicked back in. Ever since we started climbing more and not just walking on level land the hunger has come roaring back!
Date: 2005-08-06
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

Longhaul, Break, and I left shortly after 8:00. It was another beautiful day yet I was wrestling with what I wanted to do as I hiked. I needed to push ahead because I had to get to Manchester Center by Monday for a variety of reasons, none of which I could really put off. I also, really wanted to stay and hike with Break, for another variety of reasons, but sometimes, you have to take the harder path. I decided I would push ahead after lunch. We stopped at a beaver pond and took a break where I got a couple more pictures. I tried getting a couple of cameo shots of Break but she is getting wise to me. The last cameo I got of her, in Waynesboro, she said she was going to smack me upside the head with something if I didn't quit with the cameos. I, of course, played mister innocent. So, this time, I had to settle for the posed shots. From the pond we moved on until we got to the stream close by the shelter. We stopped but Longhaul wanted to get to the shelter before he stopped so he moved on. The stream water had a brownish tinge to it and Break said it was from the tannic acid from the hemlocks. We moved on and arrived at the shelter shortly thereafter. We had lunch and there was another potential cameo shot which I got called on. I laughed and said I wasn't planning on taking it because I already had one like it. The one I had told her I would delete from back in Fontana. I did delete it, after I had it burned to a disc. Soon it was time to go and I said my goodbyes. This time I really did not think I would see Break again, but I will keep a glimmer of hope in the back of my head. There is always a possibility. We will see. The rest of the day wasn't to bad and by time it was all said and done I had done a full 21 for the day. I stopped at the Goddard Shelter, but did not quite make it in time to climb to the tower to catch the sunset. I decided I would try to get up there for the sunrise. I set up and while I was cooking dinner I realized that I was actually getting cold. Cold enough to put on the old Frogg Togg top! Stilts pulled in and he noticed the chill also. Time to make arrangements to get the cold weather gear back up here. I was planning on having it here when I reached Hanover but I might move it up a bit. Have to look at a long range forecast. I definitely want it before I hit the Whites, where we go above treeline. After dinner I crawled into the sleeping bag and read awhile before lights out.
Date: 2005-08-07
From: Goddard Shelter

To: William Douglas Shelter
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: broken clouds

I got up thinking the sun was going to rise like it did at Mt. Greylock. What I didn't take into account was there was no mountain range it had to climb past first. When I got to the top of the firetower the sun had already broken the horizon. It was still a magnificent view so I have no cmplaints. I ran into Sunshine, Camel, and Wilderness Bob up there. Gypsy, Touk, and crew were behind. They had gone into Bennington. I was officially caught up but not in the circumstances I would have liked. Stilts and I cooked up breakfast and after eating breakfast I moved on. Today was one of those days. I haven't had many, if any, like this out here but today was one. I hiked at a fairly good clip but my mind was elsewhere. My thoughts were all over the place and it seemed my feet were picking out the trail without thought. My mind was running possibilities of when I could finish if I did "x" amount of miles per day, so on and so on. I felt like I needed to be done and I have never thought that before. I don't know why, but, I was not having a good day. At the top of Stratton Mountain I ran into Crazy Legs, Low Bridge, and Professor Nutbag. They said I should climb the firetower and I almost didn't because of the mood I was in. I did climb it however, and it was a good view. From there we descended to Stratton Pond and still being a little "testy" I didn't hang around long. I just kept walking and if my feet weren't getting so tired I would have kept on walking but I did stop and set up camp next to a stream. Crazy and crew showed up a little later. They were going to move on a little more but they wanted to cook up dinner first. We all cooked and by time dinner was done my mood had brightened considerably. They moved on and I crawled into the tent to read some more. At this point I still feel like I have to do miles and get done but my pissiness has fallen. We will see what tomorrow brings. Things can turn on a dime out here.
Date: 2005-08-08
From: William Douglas Shelter

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: broken clouds

Up and out early again today. I made it to the road to Manchester Center around 7:30 and it only took about 10 minutes to hitch a ride into town. Again, it was a woman and again, it was someone that knew about and could relate to the trail. She dropped me off at the post office where I was expecting a piece of mail. It had not arrived yet so I knew I was going to be in town till tomorrow. (It was something I really needed to get so forwarding was not an option) I headed over to the outfitter not quite sure what I was going to do. I wasn't too happy about having to wait a full day and since I don't slackpack I wasn't going to do that. I checked my pocketmail and that is when everything changed. Remember how I said things can turn on a dime out here! Brownie and Souleman had emailed and said they would be in the area this coming weekend and that the crew and I were invited to stay with them if we so desired. I immediately started thinking about ways to pull this off and, just by a chance question to the outfitter, I found a way. There is a local bus that runs between here and Rutland. It is free and runs several times a day. I checked into it and found that I could hike on for a couple of days, catch the bus back to Manchester. I would worry about getting back to the trail later! There was another real good possibility that I could see Break again by doing this. All the pieces were falling into place. Brownie wanted me to pass the word to others and I started to do what I could. Some of the rest of the crew should roll into town tomorrow so that wouldn't be a problem because I still had "stuff" to take care of. Since this came about and I had to do the mail thing tomorrow I decided that I wouldn't get out of here till late tomorrow afternoon. My mood had brightened considerably since yesterday! Later in the afternoon, Stilts, Hazy Sonic and Firefly, and myself went to the bookstore in town. All I have to say is, wow! What a great place. The kind of bookstore I would love to own. It was quite large and had that homey ambieance. We spent a couple of hours there and then went to set up our tents at the stealth site we had heard about. After setting up we sat up and talked till a little after dark. Firefly was going to get off the trail tomorrow. Work was waiting for her. She started laughing, and told me earlier that I was with her and Hazy the last time she got off for a month. This was way back at the Dutch Haus, and now, here we are in Vermont, about 800 miles further, in the same situation. Speaking of miles, today we officially completed 3/4 of the trail. We have 530 or so miles to go. Amazing when you stop to think about it. In Dalton, Touk and I had talked about how doing 100 miles in the beginning was a huge accomplishment. We do 100 miles now in about 5 days and don't even think twice about it.
Date: 2005-08-09
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Bromley Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: light rain

Stilts and I went for coffee early this morning. He wanted to get a jump on the day because he needs to do big miles for the next week. He is getting off for a week and wants to be able to hook back up with the group when he gets back. He left and I went to the post office to get the letter that I was waiting for. From there I went back to the "hangout" spot and sat with Hazy Sonic and Firefly while I did what I could do to try to get messages to Gypsy and crew about this weekend. I had it all figured out but it all came to naught when Clearwater rolled in. He told me the group would be in that afternoon, all except Sunshine and Camel. Sure enough, around 2:00 Gypsy, Touk, Mouth, Tink, Linux, and Navigator came in. I told them what was up and plans were made to get back to town this Friday. It was good to see Gypsy feeling better. She had gotten pretty sick the day we left Dalton and she's doing 100% better now. That is why I was able to catch up so quick. She wasn't able to do the miles. We were all heading back out today. Not very far, just a couple of miles to the next shelter, so there was no big hurry. We all trooped up to the bookstore and hung out there for awhile. I could spend days in that place. I did write down a bunch of titles that looked interesting. If I hadn't I know I wouldn't remember them when I got home. Eventually I hitched back to the trailhead and made the short trip to the shelter. I got there around 6:30 and got set up. The rest straggled in at various times. I didn't last long because I was pretty tired so I hit the sack pretty early. I think today ranks right up there with one of my lowest mile days yet!
Date: 2005-08-12
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Cabin in the Woods
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

We are sitting at the cabin belonging to Brownie's family. It is awonderful place and I can already tell it is going to be a great weekend. Brownie came into Manchester around 4:00 to pick up the first batch of people heading to the cabin. It was really good to see her again! At first, we didn't recognize her, being in "real" clothes and all! By 6:00 we had all been transported to the cabin. The crew here for the weekend include; Gypsy, Touk, Linux, Mouth, Tink, Jax, Clearwater, Longhaul, Hazy Sonic, myself, and of course, Brownie and Souleman. The shower process began. As we got clean our thoughts turned to food. Tonight's fare was going to be a spaghetti dinner, mainly prepared by Linux, Gypsy, and Tink. Amazing how much food you have to prepare to feed 12 people! I think we cooked up 4 pounds of pasta! There was definitely not a lack of food nor was there a lack of drink. It is a tight group we have here. All of us started within a day or two of each other and we have spent the last five months in close proximity to one another. We get along well and the banter is constant and sometimes hilarious. A great bunch to spend the weekend with! We were up till quite late. I fell asleep when the second movie went in, around 1:00 AM.
Date: 2005-08-13
From: Cabin in the Woods

To: Cabin in the Woods
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Even with the late night I was still up early. I went upstairs and started the coffee. When I said cabin, I should have said house. Tis place is big and it has all the amenities a house has. It is in no sense of the word, a rustic cabin. I had offered to make breakfast for everyone so shortly after 7:00 I started the bacon frying. Amazing how people start getting up when the smell of coffee brewing and bacon frying fills the air. Breakfast consisted of bacon, sausage, pancakes, and eggs. Tink jumped in and started making french toast so there was plenty to be had. A great way to start the day! The rest of the day was spent having fun. There were games of four square, frisbee throwing, trivial pursuit, and taboo going on. There were people reading, talking, and best of all people playing music. Since I have the musical talent of a rock I love to listen to those that can play and in this group there are many. Someone was always playing the guitar or mandolin or the penny whistles. Did I mention food? There was food, lots of food, and it was available all day. We had eached chipped in on Friday night and the run to the grocery store was made. Brownie and Souleman had come back with enough food to feed a small army! Around 1:00, more food arrived when her parents came! Mr. and Mrs. "Brownie" were going to treat us to a little cookout this evening! Then there were the movies. We had two TV's to work with and there were different movies being played at all times. Funny how us thru hikers could care less about what's on TV but, give us movies and we are glued to them. Some of the ones that were watched during the day and night included, The Goonies, Sixteen Candles, Shanghai Knights, Napoleon Dynamite, Hairspray, Riding in Cars with Boys, and Pirates of the Carribean. Definitely a wide mix! Once again, it was another late night. Tomorrow I will have to go hike again. Something Tink and I were laughing about earlier. Since Monday, I have hiked a total of 23 miles! Not setting any records there! Tink thought it was pretty cool that I wasn't going nuts on the miles though, I am now 32 miles behind the group again! Guess I will have to bust some out over the next few days to get caught up. The crew isn't planning on big stuff so I should be able to catch up by the end of the week or so. I can't express enough how much I and the others appreciate the hospitality of Brownie and her family for letting the bunch of us come here for the weekend. Wonderful people, all of you! It has been a fantastic couple of days!
Date: 2005-08-14
From: Cabin in the Woods

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

The day started with another breakfast prepared by Tink and myself. After that it was time to start getting ready to get back to the trail. We weren't moving that fast because we did find time to put "A Beautiful Mind" into the player. By noon the first carload headed out which consisted of Jax, Hazy Sonic, and myself. The others had further to go and I did want to get some miles in today. By 1:00 I was back at the trailhead and on my way. It was an overcast day. I knew it ws going to rain before it was all said and done but I didn't care. There were a couple of climbs today. The first led me up White Rocks Mtn. At the top I ran into Mule, Che, and Peanut. We chatted and I then headed to the White Rocks Cliffs to check out the view. It was a pretty impressive drop off, if nothing else! From there I climbed Bear Mtn. and after I started down from there the rain began. It didn't come down real hard and I was able to avoid most of it by waiting in the stand of trees I was by. When it let up I took off. I knew I was within a mile of the shelter and if I hurried I might beat the heavier stuff that was coming. I got to the shelter in time and it is raining lightly as I am sitting here typing this up. There is one other person here, a section hiker who is just getting on. A nice guy and we talked while we cooked and ate. It was good to be on the trail again but I sure am glad I didn't miss the weekend with Brownie and Souleman. It was a lot of fun and I got some good pictures. After I got to the shelter I realized that today is the 5 month anniversary of my start date. The journey is winding down but from everything we hear the best is yet to come.