morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-08-01
From: Gorham NH

To: Glenclliff, NH
Miles today: 8.0

LB here,Budget & Buffalo summited Mt. Moosilauke today around 1:00pm. They met a game warden who shot a moose. It was sick with ringworm. Our guys are at mile 398.7. They made it to the Hiker's Welcome Hostel in Glencliff, NH. Kurtis & I looked at the terrain graph in the AT guideook, and the guys will soon be in Vermont! From what we can recall, Vermont was easy hiking! 1,790.4 more miles to go
Date: 2016-08-03
From: Wentworth, NH

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

LB here, Deb got a text from Budget tonight!They hiked 15 miles today. They made it to Trapper John Shelter as planned, & he said the trail is getting easier!His new pack is working out good, and they are pooped. They've walked 425.5 miles in 50 days.They have 17.5 more miles until Vermont!
Date: 2016-08-05
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Pick up from Bill
Miles today: 0.0

LB here,I received a picture from Budget last night with a text:"Misty morning on Mount Cube. Stealthed last night at Brackett Brook mile 410.8. Two days of rain. Nice to be out of Whites. We are stealth camping near Hanover. We are going to have lunch tommorrow with Uncle Bill. He's only 30 minutes away." Uncle Bill picked us up 4 years ago during our thru hike. Uncle Bill you are officially a true AT Trail Angel!The further south the guys walk,the more trail angels they'll meet, and the more trail magic they'll stumble upon. Kurtis & I would meet day hikers who would welcome us to their homes, offer us rides to town, or maybe just buy us a beer that would be waiting for us at the next trailhead. I personally would feel like a little kid on Christmas morning when we would find trail magic as we crossed a road. Coolers full of soda, gallons of water, pop tarts, heck even toilet paper.Evan & Laura are our next trail angels family, waiting for the guys to walk into Pennsylvania!
Date: 2016-08-06
From: Norwich, VT

To: West Hartford, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

The guys arrived in West Hartford, VT.I got an email from Deb about the guys:"Upstairs in a barn. They also get watermelon and sodas! Everything is free!!! Trail magic at it's best! Glad they found this place because it was raining. No wet tents! the Nobos told them about it. Just hope the mice do not get into their food!"DebBuffalo's son Josh will be meeting the guys tomorrow. Email from Buffalo:"Plan is for Joshua to drive here early tomorrow morning and meet us. We will hike towards hostel in Rutland. He will get a ride back to W Hartford on Friday morning.">> MarkReaders don't forget to check out Buffalo's Trail Journal's photos! http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=1055252
Date: 2016-08-07
From: West Hartford, VT

To: Dana Hill
Miles today: 36.8
Weather: clear sky

Budget wanted to shout out to Lynda, the Trail Angel at the Blue Barn. Her passion for hiking is obvious as she welcomed smelly hikers to her home. Budget said he had a great time there. He got free sodas, a swimming hole, & a hearty breakfast.Also, Josh Scheimann arrived & hiked 13 miles with the guys today. Budget said he did a great job.The guys passed the largest contingent of Nobo's ever today. All of them have been super friendly, & very helpful in what lies ahead. Budget said he's going to miss them because soon all of them will be gone. He also said that these VT trails are awesome. The Mahoosucs & The Whites are just a bad memory now.Photos added of Josh.
Date: 2016-08-08
From: Dana Hill

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

LB here,Buffalo texted that Josh was applying duct tape on his feet to prevent blisters. Budget is still adjusting to his new pack. No hiker could comfortably walk all day with weight shifting to one side of his pack. The guys hiked 14 miles today & are staying at Stony Brook Shelter tonight. Who remembers the Kolkebecks living in Stony Brook neighborhood? I wonder if BK picked this shelter tonight?
Date: 2016-08-09
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Rutland VT
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: mist

LB here,I added a few photos. Below is a text from Budget:"Mark having jaw pains. Had to pull off at The Inn at Long Trail and catch bus to Rutland. He went to Urgent Care. He is ok. My knee is giving me some problems but ok".Less than 1,700 miles to go, but it's the smiles that matter, right?
Date: 2016-08-11
From: Rutland VT

To: Rutland,VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Budget here, Buffalo and I decided to come down from the trail to get some things checked out. Buffalo's mouth wasn't getting better and he needed to see a dentist. I had problems wih my right knee started hurting bad two days ago. So I had to see a doctor. Not the best scenario but we came down from the Trail after 18 miles over Pico and Killington Peaks. My knee needs ice and rest. Buffalo will need to remove his wisdom tooth. He is going to wait.Josh is going to head to Ohio to see his grandmother. He ran us all over town for supplies. Its been great hiking with him the last five days. I think he got a good idea of Trail culture in the 56 miles he hiked with us. He got to stay in a hostel, shelters and stealth sites. We re going to miss him.
Date: 2016-08-14
From: VT 103

To: Mt. Bromley
Miles today: 0.0

LB here,The guys hiked 16 miles yesterday. At the end of the day they had to back track a half mile   to Big Branch Shelter to get out of the thunderstorm. Today lunch was on top of Baker Peak. Below is an update from Deb:"At 10am Elizabeth heard from Mark that they were at Big Branch Wilderness at mile 521. Huge thunderstorm last night and they hiked a half mile back to be in a shelter. I heard from Bruce today at 1:00pm. They are hiking over Bromley Mtn. BK says this is where Kurtis & LB, he rode the chair lift. Still hiking. Need to get Mark to the dentist in a week so need to make miles. Mark's tooth is still hurting but he is ok. Good news is that BK's knee is feeling better"
Date: 2016-08-15
From: Mt. Bromley

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

LB here,1pm 8/15/16. The guys are in Manchester. They're gonna eat McD's, pick up mail, & grocery shop... probably in that order! :-) I just received the Bromley Ski Lift picture today (listed in photos). I remember Kurtis & our dear friend Achy Breaky making tank sounds on top of Bromley like it was yesterday. Our buddy came from Germany to hike this trail & we still keep in touch with him. Anyway, on this particular day at the Bromley Ski Lift, Kurtis & Achy were yelling in American & German at each other throwing "hand grenades". Here it is almost 4 years later & not a day goes by trail life doesn't cross my mind.Keep going guys! 1,650.2 more to go.
Date: 2016-08-16
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Springer Mtn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

LB here, good morning!Elizabeth texted me last night. Budget & Buffalo have walked 545 miles. They have completed the first quarter, & the hardest quarter I must say of the AT! They've been on the trail (and including zero's) for 62 days. Buffalo said the terrain is getting easier by the day. I expect them to be crossing into MA in less than a week!
Date: 2016-08-17
From: Prospect Rock

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 28.1
Weather: broken clouds

Kurtis & LB here,A special thanks to Elizabeth for her steller journal, without her contact with Buffalo we would know nothing about both our hikers.Gonna make it short here, as you can read Buffalo's journal for details.The guys hiked 15.3 miles yesterday to Story Spring Shelter. Seriously strong winds kept them in the shelter last night. The picture posted here is of Glastenbury Mountain & all the fog they enjoyed today on that peak.They're at Melville Nauheim Shelter tonight, & will be dropping into Bennington, VT tomorrow morning.
Date: 2016-08-18
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter

To: Sherman Brook Campsite
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

LB here,Budget & Buffalo left Vermont today & walked into Massachusetts.Elizabeth said the guys got Trail Magic doughnuts/ bearclaw pastries too! What a way to enter into a new state. Anyway, the guys hiked hard totaling 18.4 miles. Budget's knee continues to hurt when he goes downhill. As soon as they walked into Massachusetts, they were able to contact family. They're staying at Sherman Brook Campsite at mile 595.3.
Date: 2016-08-19
From: Outlook Avenue 

To: Mount Greylock
Miles today: 10.0

LB here,The guys hiked hard over the highest peak today in Massachusetts. Mount Greylock. They are mile 610. The guys are hiking as much as they can in order for Buffalo to be picked up on Sunday. He is scheduled for oral surgery on Monday in Pittsfield, MA. Budget will continue to hike on, & they will meet up later.
Date: 2016-08-21
From: Cheshire

To: Dalton,MA
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: moderate rain

LB here, below is an email from Budget:"We checked into a motel, The Shamrock Inn in Dalton MA. Our skin was breaking out from wearing dirty clothes and never being dry so we stopped here for free laundry and a church barbecue. The text and phone is not working. Don't know why but Mark's isn't working either so we are using the house computer." They're at mile 620. A friend of Buffalo is picking him up tomorrow for his oral surgery Monday morning. Budget will continue to hike south. Buffalo will catch up later.
Date: 2016-08-22
From: Dalton,MA

To: Tyringham MA?
Miles today: 12.0

Kurtis & LB here,No word from Budget today, however he sent a text yesterday at mile 632. He said he was at October Mtn Shelter, & Buffalo has left for Pittsfield. His oral surgery was scheduled for today. We will keep you posted as soon as we here from BK! We know he's got his trail legs, & wants to keep moving. We're sure it's a whole new world without Buffalo in his company. It's gotta be tough, no doubt about that.1,546 more to go. Please don't forget to look at all the photos Buffalo has uploaded from the past couple weeks! http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=1059530&back=1
Date: 2016-08-23
From: Tyringham, MA

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

LB here,Budget hiked 17.5 miles yesterday. He gave Deb an update today around noon via text:"At mile 657 at Mt. Wilcox, did 17.5 miles yesterday, been camping with a guy named Tim the past 2 nights. Seen a few NOBO'S pass by still. Water filtration system is broken. Cell signal still sporadic.Berkshire Mtns are beautiful. Should be in CT in 2 days."LB again,its 7:15pm & he made it to mile 662 at Tom Leonard Shelter. He'd gong I to Great Barrington,MA tomorrow & plans to be in Salisbury, CT Thursday!
Date: 2016-08-24
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

LB here,Deb got a call from Budget today:He's at the Hemlock Shelter tonight at mile 676.5. The water on the trail has been unreliable & low in places. He lost one of his tevas while hiking, so he trashed the other one. Tim, the dude Budget had been recently hiking with, found the lost one on the trail. Bummer!BK got $10 crocs at Wal-Mart today in Great Barrington, MA & obviously are nothing like his tevas! He'll need to get another pair of tevas asap! After hiking all day, your feet are undoubtedly gross. Tevas are versatile because you can break away from your boots & hike in tevas to air your feet out. Budget also thinks he needs new boots because his feet may start to become wider. This happened to us on the trail. I started as an 8.5 & needed a 9.5 after a couple of months thru hiking.Buffalo will meet Budget tomorrow in Salisbury, CT at the Bearded Woods Hostel tomorrow! We are all excited to hear he's getting back on the trail sooner than we expected!
Date: 2016-08-25
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

BK hiked into Salisbury, CT today and is now reunited with Buffalo. He hiked around 16 miles and below is a text from him:Sorry for all the pictures. No wifi at hostel. Absolutely the best meal I've had since we left home. Bearded Woods hostel is a private home that brings in about eight hikers maximum. Very nice and owners sit down with you for a family style dinner. Hudson and Big Lu are great hosts. Hiked over Everett, Race and Bear Mountains. Rocky in places but love the Berkshires. A very beautiful mountain range. Only 8 nobos today. We will miss them.
Date: 2016-08-26
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

LB here, They're at mile 705.4 below is a text message from BK:"Everett, Race and Bear Mountains in background. I hiked them all yesterday. 15 Miles today. Very hot and no water. Pine Swamp Shelter tonight. Mile 705.4 Passed 4 nobos only today."I added photos of today's hike.1,483.7 more to go keep going guys!
Date: 2016-08-28
From: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter

To: NY border
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: scattered clouds

LB here & good morning,Got a text from BK about what happened yesterday: "Went into Kent CT last night. Buzzed hiked to Mt Algo Shelter after an expensive supper with adult beverages for 17.6 miles. A bachelors party gave us shots when we got there. New York State today!" The guys will be walking into NY today.1, 466 to go
Date: 2016-08-29
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: few clouds

Kurtis & LB here,Our hikers have officially entered the happiest section of the trail they'll encounter! The Deli Walk! Sometimes it can be a long distance between gas stations or delis. Other times, you may cross a road with a gas station or restaurant every two miles. This kind of probability can make thru hiking the entire AT a lot more appealing. This will be the easiest section they'll have. Enjoy it guys! The hardest part is definitely behind you now. Y'all have paid your dues. You deserve it!1,437.4 to go
Date: 2016-08-30
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

LB here,What a day today! At 11:15 this morning I get a pic of 3 dudes with chocolate milk & deli sandwiches. A text follows with "we are deli blazing champions". Budget & Buffalo are hiking with a young gentlemen from Germany "Walking Bear". At 1:00pm a pic from a pretty NY mountain view at mile 758.8 comes in! Then at 3:30 a pic of Budget at a 9/11 memorial with our nation's flag painted on the AT! (See photos link) Below is the last text from our hikers today:"Today has been very hot & hard to find water. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park for the night. A great guy named Joe gave us trail magic of an egg sandwich and soda. What a suprise! He does this all summer for AT hikers. We got showers today too!"Buffalo said this Joe Trail Angel has been doing trail magic for 18 years. I'm telling you, it is such a treat to get simple things we can easily stop & get at gas stations. Keep going guys!
Date: 2016-08-31
From: Fahnestock State Park

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 12.0

LB here,Budget & Buffalo are at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center tonight. They are sleeping inside a ball field pavilion within the Life Center's premises. Our Uncle Bill (Budget's brother) is in driving distance of the guys! The plan is for Bill to pick them up & take them to Campor. He did the same thing for me & Kurtis 4 years ago! They're at mile 779.5, 1,409.7 to go.
Date: 2016-09-01
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

To: Bills House
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light intensity drizzle

Kurtis & LB here,Budget & Buffalo hiked 15 miles today in the rain. I asked Mark if they were staying hydrated, and a reply text said: Does getting rained on count?". They walked across the Hudson River on the Bear Mountain Bridge. On the bridge is the pic of the SOBO bubble they ran into. Budget's brother Bill picked the guys up today at the Palisades Parkway. Kurtis & I remember when Bill & Shirley did the same generous offer for us 4 years ago. Below is an email from Bill:Guys are now showering. Washer going full blast. Loaned them each a set of shorts, tee shirt, and underwear so they could wash everything. Nice to know you walked on the same incline four years ago!I picked them up where the trail crosses the Palisades Parkway at about 4. We made trips to Campmor and to REI. Bought the shoes at Campmor. Neither store had the Tevas Bruce wanted so he is going to order them and have them shipped to the lake house.
Date: 2016-09-02
From: Bills House

To: Orange Turnpike & Sunset
Miles today: 15.0

LB here,Photos added in photo gallery of today. The guys resupplied this morning & dropped off back at Palisades Parkway from Bill. The guys faced the "Lemon Squeezer". That was a bad memory for me. I was behind a hiker who wore a kilt that day. Anyway, check out the pics! Below is a text from BK at 7:30:"Camped above Orange Turnpike. Mile 807.7 We hiked 15 miles even with resupply and late start. Kicked the Lemon Squeezer's butt and the Agony Grind. Thanks to Bill for his help. New boots are great."1,381.5 more to go!
Date: 2016-09-03
From: Orange Turnpike & Sunset

To: NJ
Miles today: 16.1

LB here,Today was opening day of dove season, & the first time BK wasn't there with us at the crack of dawn this morning.They are now in NJ! At mile 824. The mile counter is wrong & I don't know how to reset it. The guys have walked 16.1 miles. I received today's pics at 6:45 tonight.
Date: 2016-09-04
From: Orange Turnpike

To: Surprise Lake
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: few clouds

LB here, 8am Sunday & just received a text from BK about yesterday:"Hope you got to kill some birds. It was a tough day yesterday. We put in 17 miles yesterday over some really Rocky stuff. We talked to a section hiker who told us about Surprise Pond and how nice it was. So we decided to take the trail to it and it turned out to be hard and Rocky as well. It is a very beautiful place not far from Greenwood Lake. It was tough watching all the boaters drive around Greenwood Lake and thinking about you guys and how I'd really rather be on the lake drinking a beer and riding in a boat. Looks like a hurricane is on the way and we're going to try to make it to High Point Shelter as quick as possible."Below is an email from Buffalo's wife:"Pretty nice lakeside campsite. The lake is Surprise Lake on the Ernest Walter trail, kind of a loop trail off mile 824. Just a little hard to get to, as the sun got behind the mountains. But definitely worth the trip this morning." Pictures of their campsite are in Photos.
Date: 2016-09-04
From: Surprise Lake

To: Pochuck Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

LB here, Budget met some bear cubs and later Mama Bear! Below is his text:"While walking on the trail this morning I heard a crack and three bears fell out of the tree right in front of me. They all look like Cubs and I was looking for Mama Bear to be nearby. It was like something out of a cartoon, the players were falling in all different directions, it was raining bears. Mama Bear turned around and looked at me like,"what are you looking at, buddy?" I talked to her for a minute to let her know we weren't going to be of any trouble and let her cubs run away. Then she walked away and kept an eye on us the whole way. We are at Pochuck Mountain Shelter. 16 Miles today. Slowed down by day hikers on the "Stairway to Heaven" and the boardwalk over the Pochuck Swamp.
Date: 2016-09-05
From: Pochuck Mountain Shelter

To: Mosey's Hostel
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: mist

LB here,The guys hiked 15 today, and walked over High Point Tower in NJ at 1,701 feet. The picture shown is "Murray Property". In the AT Guidebook it's description says it's been a private cabin open to the use of long distance hikers as it has been for nearly 20 years. The guys refilled up with well water here at 1:00 today. They are staying Mosey's Hostel tonight. For $20 they get a shower, a bed, and laundry done. BK said they ran into Jeremiah who they last saw in the Whites before Deb & Sarah picked them up. Buffalo texted this week they will have walked further then Bill Bryson & Katz did in the book "A Walk In The Woods". They're at mile 853.6. 1,335.5 to go. Please see today's photos!
Date: 2016-09-06
From: Mosey's Hostel

To: Green Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

LB here,The guys are hiking with Jeremiah again. BK says there are a lot of bear sightings in the trail log books. Almost every shelter has a composition book & pen for hikers to write in about what's ahead for upcoming Nobo's/Sobo's. We would like to read it to see where our trail friends were at. It's a go-to about upcoming trail magic, rough terrain, or maybe a bee's nest. (And I still stepped on it). Two pics added for today. They are decreasing their mileage as they only did 12. They don't want to over shoot Poppop's pick up point Friday morning! Kurtis & I are so excited to see them at the wedding! Keep going guys! We'll see y'all on Friday!
Date: 2016-09-07
From: Green Anderson Shelter

To: Camping at Mile 879.7
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

LB here, below is a text from Budget:"Now we are dealing with Outward Bound groups taking campsites. Good day 15 miles. Very dry up here."The guys have 15 more miles to do before Budget's Dad & Brother pick them up Friday morning. Friday is the beginning to a memorable weekend celebrating Bill & Merry's wedding!
Date: 2016-09-08
From: Camping at Mile 879.7

To: Church of Mountain Hiker Center
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

Kurtis & LB here,Budget & Buffalo are now in Pennsylvania. They walked 16.5 miles today. They will be picked up at the Church of Mtn Hiker Center for his brother's wedding tomorrow morning. They're staying in a church basement tonight in the Delaware Water Gap.
Date: 2016-09-10
From: Zero Day 9/9-9/11

To: Bill and Merry's Wedding Day
Miles today: 40.0
Weather: few clouds

One of the joys of being on the trail is to have the opportunity to see my New Jersey family. My Dad and Mary Anne along with all of my brother's kids, their great wives and grandkids made for a noisy reunion that I loved so much. It was so great to have Kurtis and LB there to join in too. I was honored to see my big bro tie the knot. Bill and Merry had a beautiful wedding at Mohawk Lake. Both have been through so much they deserve all the happiness they will get.We had a wonderful time playing at the lake afterwards. All the kids got out the kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes. We went fishing and swimming. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the day. Buffalo got a dental appointment on Friday afternoon and the Dentist came back on Saturday to do a root canal that had been the problem all along. He is in much better spirits and thinks that he'll get a good night sleep now. It has been a few week since he has. We'll be back on the trail tomorrow. With all the good news there always comes some bad. Katie Meseroll who was a fixture around our house when our kids were very young passed away last week. I have carried a bracelet with her name on it to remind me to say a prayer for her every day. I always hoped I could give it to her after my trek. All my prayers go out to the Meseroll family to find comfort during this tough time. I will always remember the little girl who played in our backyard. She will be missed.
Date: 2016-09-12
From: Campsite at mile 923.2

To: Campsite near Bakeoven Shelter
Miles today: 46.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Have spent the last 3 days trying to make good mileage. The rocks in Pennsylvania have slowed us down a bit. They are as bad as everyone has told us about. The elevation gains/losses are mimimal. it's just that the rocks can be very tough on your feet.Today we went past the Superfund Site in Palmerton. Looks like this mountain is healing very well. we were both surprised to see the mill up and running. Maybe all ended well for the smelter. The town looked very prosperous. We may try to catch up with my son Evan this weekend.