morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-09-09
From: Glen Brook Shelter

To: Brassie Brook Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: moderate rain

09.09.08, hemlock leanto, 0.1 miles not makling big miles today. i left glen brook shelter just in time for it to start raining. the lightning sealed the deal, and i stopped at the next shelter. no idea why shelters are so close, or why they didnt put up a sign saying "nice new big shelter, .1 mile away". oh well. im going to wait out the lightning here, mt everett is amile away and i dont want to risk it. plus, i can start reading "the count of monte cristo"! more to come... 9.9.08 second half of the day, 9 miles total. the rain and lightning finally let up around 1pm, and i took off down the trail. i climbed up mt. everett first. very steep and due to the rain the trail was a river. finally got to the top and was rewarded with a fine view...of some tree's. nice, why did they put the trail here? the climb down was much worse, i ended up falling and bashing my elbow and wrist. i cursed the trail in mass. next i climbed race mtn. not so steep or slippery, but it did have a great view of a valley. very nice. a short while later i amde it to my 5th state, connecticut! i was immeadiately punished with a harsh climb up bear mtn. it had a great view, and an interesting monument due to it being the highest point in conn. the climb down was nice, and i made it into brassie brook shelter before long. i was happy to be in a new state (thats me being nice about my dislike of mass!)
Date: 2008-09-10
From: Brassie Brook Shelter

To: pine swamp lean to
Miles today: 21.0

09.10.08, pine swamp lean to, 20.75 miles my love affair with new england was rekindled by connecticuts charm. i got around 9 am and had a nice liesurely stroll into salisbury. i met 'im good', probably the last nobo i will see, cool guy. i got a hitch into salisbury from dave, je took me straight to the market where i consumed $11 of fried chicken and coke, yum! next i resupplied and then stopped by a coffee house. i read my book and charged my cell phhone, and even talked to some cool locals. then i got a hitch out of a town from barbara, nice lady from california. i cruised through the next couple miles, stopped at giants thumb and ate some of the treats i got in town. i love deli hopping! made it down to the housatonic river and had a great walk along the river. very cool area. the trail climbed back up into the mountians. i had dinner, which consisted a a huge sandwhich from the market. i could get used to this! i made it to a campsite at 7, but decided to push on. i hiked 2 miles in the dark, not a smart idea but it payed off. i met 2 sobos there, wheeler, chef, and chefs dog cheyenne. very cool guys, im happy to meet up with some fellow sobos again!
Date: 2008-09-11
From: pine swamp lean to

To: sterwart hollow brook lean to
Miles today: 10.0

09.11.08, sterwart hollow brook lean to, 10 miles im still loving connecticut. i was going to walk into kent today, but instead went into cornwall bridge with chef and wheeler. why do you ask? because the store ther gives a free beer to thru hikers! we each got fosters oil can and downed it int the parking lot, good times. i also bought a bottle of johnny walker black for later. nest we went to the local store for lunch and i had to make the hardest decision of the day: eat my hot cuban sandwich first or my snickers ice cream bar? the cuban won out, and it was delicious! i was too tired after all that eating and drinking to up and down another pointless mountain (they love to do that out here!), so i took a road walk with chef along the river. we met up along the trail, which then also followed the river. nice! we made it into the shelter around 4, only to find a homeless guy had taken up residence there. tonight we're tenting. i finished off the johnny walker with chef and wheeler due to some great news i got, but i cant share it until nest week. its great to be alive!!!
Date: 2008-09-12
From: sterwart hollow brook lean to

To: Mt. Aglo Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

9.12.08 mt.aglo shelter, 7.3 miles got out of bed earlier, around 7, but still didnt get going until 8:30 or so. today was to be a short day, needed to resupply in kent and do some laundry. i left chef and wheeler and took off down the trail, which is again following the housatonic river. i decided that the trail wasnt as flat in connecticut as i would like, so i followed the river road into town when the trail veered up a hill. kent was a neat little town with a very $ prep school. also ran into a neat group of houses that formed their own little village, maybe it was an old shaker settlement? got into kent and hit the outfitter, but they pretty cleared out. no sleeping bags, looks like i will have to mail order a new one (itgetting colder!) i washed my clothes and tried to get a shower, but the shower was $10, and i couldnt find the gym. oh well, looks like i'll go about 2 weeks without a shower. lucky too many people arent around to smell me. got luch and grociers, then got a hitch out of town from a cute girl. i made it to mt algo shelter around 4:30 and was soon joined by chef and wheeler. we enjoyed some really good beers left by someone they met in town, thanks! i sat around reading for a while. it started to rain bad, jut in time for 2 guys from england and 5 kids fom israel to show up. they stayed in tents though, so we were able to keep the shelter to ourselves. lucky i didnt get a warmer sleeping bag yet, it got warm.
Date: 2008-09-13
From: Mt. Aglo Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

09.13.08, wiley shelter, 12.5 miles this morning we had a treat for breakfast when chef cooked up some spam and eggs i hiked in the precius day. delicious! i hiked over some smal mountains and ran into a ton of weekend and day hikers. probably 25 or 30 people today total, more than ive seen in the past 3 weeks combined! made it into bulls bridge via an old covered bridge george washington himself was said to cross thrice (not my words...) i downed a roast beef sandwich, pint of ben and jerrys, and some ice tea, it was mildy filling. i talked to lucky too, a sobo this year that is currently hiking nobo. i made it back to the trail and ran into lots more day hikers. at ten mile shelter i ran into chef and wheeler. they where staying put, but decided to move on. i made it to wiley shelter around 5. it would be nice to go farther, but shelters are spread out here. this place is old dirty and smells like soething died here. home sweet home. a day hiker and a section hiker joined me so at least i have company.
Date: 2008-09-14
From: Wiley Shelter

To: morgan stewart shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: broken clouds

09.14.08 morgan stewart shelter, 16.25 miles the forecast called for rain all day today, so i wasnt too excited to get up and get moving. it rained all night, but i stayed dry in the stinky shelter. i finally got out just before 10 as the rain subsided. it turned out not to rain at all, but it was very muggy and hot. so far i find new york agreeable, in that its flat and not too rocky. oh yeah, and the deli hopping rocks my world! at noon i went .5 miles off trail to tonys deli, where i devoured a gigantic philly cheesesteak, 2 arizona ice teas and (surprise) a pint of ben and jerrys. i was actually full this time. i hiked on to telephone pioneers shelter and took a break and talked to some secttion hikers. it was such a nice break from the heat an hour passed before i realized it. i got going again, but it was still super hot and muggy. i got to a place called nuclear lake, which although it used to be a toxic dump it supposedly was cleaned up. i couldnt help myself and went for a swim, very very refreshing. plus now when i pee, it comes out glowing orange and i can cut a large tree in half. i think that makes me a superhero... i finally made it into morgan stewart shelter just before dark. nice place, and there are 4 other section hikers to keep me company.
Date: 2008-09-15
From: morgan stewart shelter

To: fahnestock state park campground
Miles today: 15.75

09.15.08 fahnestock state park campground, 15.75 miles today turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day, but a little warm. i declared it no pants monday and hiked the majority of the day in my underwear. i only ran into 2 people, no one said anything, it felt great, so i declare it a sucess! got into a deli around 10:30 am and asked if they were serving lunch or breakfast. they said i could have whater i wanted, so i got both! i had a breakfast sandwich there and a rueben to go. nothing like roughing it in the woods. made it to rph shelter around 1 and devoured the reuben. very nice shelter, cinderblock shelter with bunks and a cement floor. not at all stinky. i moved on though. the rumor was that thee state park was free for thru hikers AND they had hot showers. its true. after 10 days without bathing, i have to say this shower was heavenly! i even had to turn the temp down it was so hot. might have to take another shower in the morning! btw, in case you were concerned, no pants monday only applies on the trail. the shorts go back on for a deli stop. wouldnt want to offend anyones sensibilities now...
Date: 2008-09-16
From: fahnestock state park campground

To: graymoor spiritual life center
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: moderate rain

i think having a hot shower last night softened me up a bit. having a second hot shower this morning just made me lazy. i eventualy got up and ready to go by 9am, but then i had to make some phone calls. first i called REI, my sleeping pad is starting to leak and i got a replacement. the lady on the phone convinced me to buy more stuff since the shipping would already be paid for (makes sense...or maybe i just like to buy stuff?) got another pair of underwear to hike in and a sleeping bag that should be effective (north face cats meow, NOT lafuma!) next i called my friend mike to discuss my camera. its broken, that sucks, i need to buy a new one. oh well. i have been hiking with Buzz lately, a section hiker from houston, cool guy. we both decided to stop by graymoore center, a monastery type place that lets hikers stay at their fieldhouse. not much to report today. stopped for lunch and drowned my tuna with colemans english mustard. bad idea, that mustard kicks like wusabe and i wanted to throw up. i thought i might go 16 miles today, bit still felt bad so i stopped at graymoore. nice place here, just a pavillion but its a roof. it does have running water, cold shower, electricity and lights, and a pizzeria close enough to deliver. buzz and i ordered $40 worth of "wedges", calzones, and antipasto salads. life IS good...and my karate powers are getting stronger everyday, mousetrap!
Date: 2008-09-17
From: graymoor spiritual life center

To: William Bryan Shelter
Miles today: 15.5

Big day today, I even saw three live bears!Started out early for once and got going before 8am. I ran into Izzym right away, a flip-flopper who camped out at the spiritual center as well but in a differnt spot.After almost 1 mile of road walking, i was back on the trail and cruising along. The trail was pretty nice and flat with a little up and downs, but not too bad. I ran into a few groups of people, but pretty much had the trail to myself. Soon I was down on the highway and I got to cross bear mountain bridge over the Hudson river. Cool bridge with nice views, kind of high up but heights don't phase me anymore. I got to the other side and started my way through the trailside wildlife center. I asked some people working there where I could resupply for food, they suggested that I walk 5 miles to the nearest grocery store. But don't worry, it's all flat! Right, I'll go to the convienience store. It was 1 mile away, but I left my pack at the center so it wasn't too bad. I also got a shrimp and steak sub at the deli, very good!I got back to the wildlife center, the AT actually goes through the middle of this place which is kind of a zoo. I stopped by the bear cages and watched them for a while (you didn't think I see bears out in the woods, did you?) Buzz made the comment that the bears were eating better than we where. That made me think that in addition to this being the lowest elevataion on the AT (125 feet), its also probably the only place where the bears have to worry about the hikers stealing their food! I walked by the fox exhibit and waked the poor guy up with my stench. He stood there and stared me down, even when I went back and forwards past his cage. He didn't pay any mind to anyone else, guess I need to shower more often.I finally left the zoo, crossed the highway, and followed the trail around a lake until it disappeared. This is normal in New York, they apparently can't afford white paint here. I picked up the trail after searching for 15 minutes and climbed up bear mountain. Not a bad climb, and the view up top was great. Too bad I don't have a working camera, but the memories are still there. I climbed up the perkins tower for a look around then took off. I ran into a SOBO section hiker soon after, but i lost him when we hit an uphill. Lots of nice views today, i even saw the NYC skyline!I finally made it to William Brien shelter and was dissapointed. No water, no privy, the shelter was disgusting and so I tented. I forgot my rope at graymore, so I couldn't bear bag it tonight; my food slept with me instead. Not a good idea, but not much of a choice. After i ate and was in bed, Izzy showed up, having hiked through the night to get there. We sat around and talked for awhile, turns out he worked automotive in Southeast Michigan before he came out here too. Cool.
Date: 2008-09-18
From: William Bryan Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: broken clouds

Let me get this right out there to start - I hate hiking in southern new york. No water, lots of rocks, lots of up and downs, really nasty shelters (William Brien and Fingerboard), very sparsely marked and generally no fun whatsoever. I bet I spent over an hour looking for the trail today.I'd like to thank Johnny Trail for giving me a ride to get some spring water, and the Tuxedo Trail Angels for putting out drinking water just a mile later. And wildcate shelter was very nice, if difficult to find in broad daylight (seriously people, they're called blue blazes. Don't be afraid to use them, they don't hurt!!!)If I continue on with todays journals it will just be negative. Hiking southern New York sucks big time. Done (norhtern new york is nice, though).
Date: 2008-09-19
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 17.3

It was a cold night. The shelter was dark too. This is why I didn't get up until 9am, and why I didn't hit the trail until 10 am.It's OK though. Why? because southern new york SUCKS! I hate it! What on earth where the idiotic trail blazers thinking? Rrrrrr. I can't begin to describe how much the trail in Southern New York sucks. I decided no to use profanity here, but I sure want to.I ran into Izzy right before New Jersey, he had stealthed the night before. he is generally positive and wouldn't join in my hate for New York. When I got to the border, they had a register for New York. I signed as follows:Name: D-WreckClub: New York HatersNumber in Club: All (I wanted to say anyone who's ever hiked here, but no room!)Suggestions: Please route trail around the state of New York.OK, so north of Bear Mountain, New York is enjoyable. South, it just sucks.But I was in New Jersey, and the best part about NJ is that it's not New York! The trail magically got better immeadiately. No more crazy up and downs, very little rocks, the trail was actually marked (see New York, white paint actually won't kill you!), and the chipmunks where making ice cold magaritas for the thru hikers. Seriuosly, it was delicious!I really like New Jersey, its beautiful here. No, I'm not hallucinating. The walk down Wawayanda mountain was brutal, but walking through the meadow into Vernon and watching the sunset was breathtaking. It reminded me of Vermont in some ways. Oh yeah, I got trail magic too! Just when I was out of food and water, someone left a cooler overflowing with grape soda and granola bars. Thanks! That really lifted my spirits up and gave me the energy to hike into town.i got a lift from a nice couple and they dropped me off at St Thomas Episcopal Church, they have a nice little hostel here. I took a very cold shower and ate some burger king (fast food is disgusting, I can't stomach it anymore!). Izzy joined me later too. I'm liking New Jersey!Remember: Don't Vermont up New Jersey (in response to snooty comment "Dont Jersey up Vermont. Losers who say that don't deserve Vermont.)OK tommorow I will be more positive. Just need to get New York out of my system.
Date: 2008-09-20
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 11.8

This morning I was feeling pretty guilty about all my New York negativety, I should be more positive.Got up around 8 am this morning, late night last night playing on the internet at the hostel. I finally signed up for facebook and talked with Izzy for a while too. I got going around 9:30, went to burger king for breakfast, and hitched a ride back to the trail.I have been hearing about the Mayors house in Unionville, NY ever since I started on the trail. I think NoCar had convinced me to stop by when we where on top of Chairback mountain (this was shortly after I almost got struck by lightning there). Well, the time has come and Unionville is only 10 or 12 miles away. I called the mayor (Dick, he really is the mayor!), reserved a spot, and took off.The first part of the day was amazing, a nice walk through swampy meadow kind of place. There was a boardwalk that went on for miles, it was nice walking. I ran into a lady and her gaggle of kids, the had an endless amount of questions and it was fun talking with them. Next I ran into a really cool section hiker from Virginia, she even recognized me from this journal! Hi Courtney! That was pretty cool. I ran into a day hiker on top of some hill and we had a good conversation too.The next part of the trail went through a national wildlife refuge that was kind of wetland swampy kind of place. It was really beautiful and full of alot of wildlife. I made it into Unionvill a little while later, around 4pm, and found my way to the mayors house.It's very similar to Rob Birds hostel here. Dick has opened his home to hikers here, and it's just a great place to stay. Bill and Butch help out around the house too, really great guys. We watched a video on Paul Potts (english opera guy), Dick likes everyone to watch it as a source of inspiration. It worked.I can't say enough about how nice everyone on the trail is. Staying here at the Mayors is great, I'm in a much better mood than yesterday. I'm going to slack pack north back here tommorow for a 23 mile day. Can't wait!Oh yeah, the good news I was talking about last week, I'm an Uncle! Hi Broadie!Remember, Don't Vermont New Jersey!
Date: 2008-09-21
From: Culvers Gap, NY

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 23.0

Today was my biggest mileage yet, 23 miles! Granted it was a slackpack in New Jersey, but it was still pretty tough!Got up at 6:30 sharp, had breakfast with the mayor, and Butch gave me a ride to culvers gap. I took my full backpack, but only carried 4 liters of water (water is scarce here), a rain jacket, some snacks and a deli sandwich for lunch. I was on the trail around 8:30am.Trail didn't start out too bad, and I had some good views pretty early on. Then things got pretty rocky and stayed that way. I didn't see too many people today, even though the weather was perfect. I did run into Izzy, he wasn't too happy with the rocks either. My feet were hurting pretty early on in the trip, they would only get worse.I've been having trouble sleeping at night, I think my feet are throbbing too much and I always forget to take something for it. I never sleep well in a hostel either, my tent is the only real place I'm comfortable with anymore. I ended up finding a nice cold rock and taking a 1/2 hour nap halfway through the day, very nice.I also reflected on the merits of slackpacking, especially when it's in the wrong direction. It sometimes feels like I'm just turning the hike into a chore, I just want to rush back to wherever I'm going and I tend not to enjoy the hike itself. I think I need to readjust my attitude, or just not slackpack huge miles in the wrong direction. I've since forgotten all my insights I discovered earlier.I made it back to Unionville around 6:30, and I was pretty wore out. I had a great suprise waiting there - the Vermont Mafia was in town! I haven't seen these guys since Maine and it was really cool to catch up and talk with them again. Beef and EKG played guitar and harmonica later, it was cool. I briefly thought about zeroing here so I we could hike together later, but I think they will catch up to me when I take 1/2 day in Delaware Water Gap on Tuesday.It's 3 am and I can't sleep again, I need to change something.
Date: 2008-09-22
From: Culver Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

this morning i left the mayors house after a very pleasent 2 night stay. i got a ride to culver gap from butch and shared the truck with the vermont mafia. the mafia did a 23 mile slack back to the mayors, while i headed south. i.stopped by the local coffee shop for a cup of joe and ran into izzy, nice to see him again. lots of rocks today, i guess the pennslyvania rocks include half of jersey! i had a nice ridge walk with izzy, lots of nice views. the rest of the day was a mix of rocks, pleasent fire road walks, and nice views. i got to the mohican outdoor center around 6:30, real nice place. the caretaker chris was very nice and offered me a chance to watch heroes premiere, but i ended up falling asleep first. i got a 30 person cabin to myself. not only did it have beds, comfy chairs, kitchen and a hot shower, but they where tearing it apart the next day so i could be a slob and no one would care. cheesewhiz and izzy showed up just as i thought i was alone, but we still each got our own bedroom and bathroom. izzy even treated us to a pizza. thanks izzy! dont really think i am roughing it, but i sure am having fun!
Date: 2008-09-23
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

i wasnt in a big rush to get going this morning, not very far into town. i finally got going around 10 am, enjoyed all the nice views and was generally upset by all the rocks. my register entry for the day was "who pennsylvanied new jersey?!", since all the rocks are supposed to be in PA. i made into the water gap aroound 2:30 and dropped my gear at the church hostel. got a chance to talk to Pastor KAren there for a while, nice lady. next i hit up the post office and picked all my packages. thanks aunt rosie for the care package! got my maps for PA amd my new sleeping bag and pad. delaware water gap is a neat little town, but no where to buy a new camera or grocieries. the local outfitteers run a shuttle to the next town, but only at 10am. looks like ill be here another day! spent the rest of the day organizing gear, eating and sleeping. spent some time with cheezewhiz, his dad came and picked him up so he could take a few days off. church hostel is very nice, and i had a greaat nights sleep in my new bag.