morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-11
From: Shenandoah Mtn, NY

To: West Mtn, NY
Miles today: 19.7

I was really ready to get going and out of my tent after spending about 36 hours in it. I did manage to stay relatively dry. I do not want to spend a 33 degree rainfall in this "sucker" though. The feet and sides get very wet and with a down bag; it is tricky. It was a long 36 hours thinking about: miles, miles, miles, miles. I was out of water and went down to the Shenandoah Tenting Area. It had a nice covered picnic table and a pump water station and a privy. I wish I could have got here the other night and stayed under the shelter and drank water. I was a little dehydrated; so, I drank alot of water and carried less water because there were more sources today than in the past weeks. I cooked up some good cooked food and got going. I went down to this really nice shelter called the RPH Shelter. It had a hand pump and a very sturdy three walls and bunks. This would have been a good place to wait out the storm as well. I met a south bound section hiker from vermont. She did not have alot to say to me. Then "BigFoot"(not the legendary hiker in the 80's) northbound through hiker came in. He found a coke and asked if it was mine. I said no and went over to drink it and opened it up. He stared or should I say glare at me. I thought to myself, he wants this coke. I said do you want to split it? He said no go ahead. I said it's yours buddy, you found it and gave it to him. Im glad that I thought and was not so rude as to drink that coke, I almost did. I found some fairly new Leki Makula hiking poles that had been left at the shelter and left my beat up Swiss Gear poles. I also took a white onion that someone had left. I got going under the Taconic Parkway and made the big sweaty climb up over Hosner Mtn. I was excited because on the other side was NY 52 and a .3 mile walk to Stormville and a deli. I went there and drank a bunch of coffee and ate a big "mountain man" deli sandwich. I talked with the two young men that ran the deli. We talked about Yankee baseball and Giant football and strangely enough; one of the guys used to be a Cowboy Fan years ago. I, even stranger, was wearing a NY Yankee cap that I had found. It was brand new and I found that I get a bettter reception from folks when I wear a cap vs wearing my dew rag. My brother, Micah, would kid me to death if he saw me in that cap. I got going very fas, all jacked up on coffee; sports talk; and local girl smiles(in tight shorts). I did the NY up and down hill thing and got to The Morgan Stewart Shelter(what there are Stewarts in NY!?) where there were about 15 southbounders(thru hikers) who freaked out when they heard that I started in January. I left there around dusk and was going to try to get as close to Pawling, NY as possible to pick up a package that I had at the chamber of commerce. I did pretty good; stopping 1 mile from county 20. I felt a nice breeze up on West Mtn and put up my tent.
Date: 2007-08-12
From: West Mtn, NY

To: Pawling, NY
Miles today: 5.0

I woke up and went down to county 20 where the biggest oak tree on the trail is located. I then walked about 2 miles hitching, where I did get a ride. A young man took me into the center of town where I did my laundry and had a couple beers at the Pawling Tavern where the bar tenders girlfriend came in and asked to use the phone. He said that she could not and she went off. She cussed him "six ways to Sunday". This was the second time that I saw this in NY. When I was climbing up Bear MTn; a car was stopped and a woman in the passenger seat was just cussing something terible at this guy. I sure hope I dont ever get a "tongue lashing" like these fellas got. The chamber of commerce was closed on Sunday; so, I had to spend the night in town. There is a pavilion down by the Edward R Murrow town park where hikers can stay. I walked the mile down to the park. I saw the pavilion and the beach. It was closed though. A local told me to walk a mile down to the old YMCA camp and I could swim. I walked down to the park and as I was walking up; a guy named "Jerry" asked if I was a thru hiker and we talked for a bit and he gave me a bottled water. I also talked with a woman named Paula as well. She said I could leave my pack here and I could go down to the beach. I went down to the beach and swam at the ready made lap lanes. I am starting to get in pretty good swimming shape with all the swimming I am doing: freestyle, swimming under water as long as I can, breast stroke, and back stroke. After getting enough sun, I walked back up and Jerry offered me a nice grilled lunch and some Amstel lights. I ate 2 burgers, 2 hot dogs, 2 lasagnas, two pieces of chicken, 2 pieces of corn, 2 small bag of chips, 10 donut holes with cream filling, and 6 Amstels. It was awesome. I had a great conversation with Paula and her husband, Al. He was the top ranked boy scout in 1969 and in great shape. He had hiked all through the mountains. Paula invited me to stay in their camper; but, I declined as I did not want to trouble them. I left around 6pm and walked back to Edward R Murrow Park. I was visited by the local sheriff and several young locals; but, I slept well.
Date: 2007-08-14
From: .5 miles north of Schaghitoke Mtn Campsite, Conn

To: .5 miles north of Conn 341(1st hilltop), Conn
Miles today: 5.0

Woke up around 8 pm and talked to a couple of south bounders and a female north bounder named "Topo". I got my stuff together and did the up and downs to Conn 341 and walked into Kent, Conn. It is a nice clean trail town with a good library that will let you stay awhile to update ones journal which I did till around 5pm. I then was walking out of town and met "Lumpy, Yogi, and No Pain". They were having a little party just outside of town at an old blue blaze trail that goes up to the AT. It is just past The Kent School on the right and has a nice "stealth" campsite. The blue blaze trail goes up from here north to the AT/St Johns Ledges. It is the old AT. I stayed awhile and dranks a few swigs of Jim Beam green label and then made a weaving path back down Conn 341 & up north to the first hill out of town and set up my camp. A story From "No Pain"(he has done several thru hikes starting in 2000) He is retired Army Special Forces and only the second "man of color" on the AT this year that I have met). One of the grossest stories ever is where they said a girl had a backpacking towel that rode in between her legs with the towel sticking out the front and back of her pants. She did this to absorb all of the excess sweat. They said she came up all sweaty and pulled that towel out from her shorts, in between her legs and popped it to get the moisture out. She did this against the wall and they said it left a stain! Gross me out, man.
Date: 2007-08-15
From: .5 miles north of Conn 341(1st hilltop)

To: Stony Brook Campsite, Conn
Miles today: 7.0

Got going around 11am and had some good climbing up and over Skiff Mtn and then up to and along The St JOhns Ledges. There was a nice view back to Kent and along the Housatonic River. It is a very polluted river with all kinds of signs warning anglers not to eat their catch. I made a very steep all fours descent down to the River road that was a very easy walk. It was nice to finally have some easy walking. The trail then went back into the woods and followed the Housatonic for several miles which was nice and sandy. I was still totally soaked from all the sweat, even though it was much cooler. I stopped at The Stony Brook campsite and ate and totally lost my will to hike. A jogger came by with his two dogs that jumped in the creek and then shook alot of water on to me and grossed me out. I then went up and set up my tent and made it an early night. I felt upset with myself for not doing bigger miles. I was in a real funk here. I went to bed "doing the math" to Katahdin. Lets see 60 maybe 75 days left and 700 plus miles! It feels very daunting! The weather pattern has also changed. It looks like rain everyday; but, has not rained the last 2 days. Well see how long this holds out.
Date: 2007-08-16
From: Stony Brook Campsite, Conn

To: Great Barrington, Mass
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: few clouds

I woke up with the decision to just hike and dont worry about "Kathadin Math". So, I climbed up to Sharon Mtn and followed hwy 4 down .9 to a gas station and drank some coffee and ate 2 cans of ravioli. I then walked the 1 mile to Hausitonic Meadows State Park(along hwy 7) and found that my food drop had been destroyed by mice. It hit me kind of hard; but, softened by the ranger offering to drive me into town & get supplies & then drop me off on the trail. With this simple kindness and coffee; I was able to hike into the evening along the lovely, polluted Hausitonic. The people up in this area of the trail do what they can to help hikers. And as a thru hiker, I will tell you that it is well needed and appreciated. In this case: I had just walked 2 miles of pavement with no one picking me up and then my food was gone. Add this to having to walk 2 miles back to the trail or blue blazing up the PIne Loop Trail. So thanks Conn State Parks. I got going and made some big climbs over Pine MTn and a few others. WHen the trail leveled out around the river, I turned it on and got to Falls Creek, Conn. There is a hydro-electric dam here and a free cold shower. Anyway, as I walked up: someone said,"are you a thru hiker?" It came from out of the pitch dark near a pickup truck. I kindly cautiously said that I was. It was a local guy named, Avi. He offered to take me to Great Barrington, Mass. I would then come back here tomorrow and do a 30 miles hike tomorrow. As we were driving to Great Barrington; I did some good counseling with AVi. He was in a dilema with his girlfriend. She went to a Hasidic jewish womens retreat and now she cant see him anymore. We talked about moving on and how hard it would be since she was "the one". Avi, dropped me off by the G-Barrington PO where I tried to call "Mr Happy". I left him a message and went back to a local ministers house where they feed me; aloowed me to bathe; and washed my clothes.
Date: 2007-08-17
From: Great Barrington, Mass

To: Great Barrington, Mass
Miles today: 32.0
Weather: broken clouds

yeah, that's right: 32 miles. I woke up around 8am and ate a good homecooked breakfeast with plenty of coffee. Kathy(the minister) and I drove back to Falls Creek, Conn where I would slack pack back to Barrington and stay at their house. To hike 32 miles; I had done 33 miles into Damascus, Va northbound in 2000; so, I knew I had "the juice". We had a good conversation about my experience in Bear Mtn State Park. It was interesting to see conservative Muslim, Jewish, and Christian folk all intermixing and how similar they were in their appearances and values. All use the old testament and the women all dress with little skin showing, etc. Anyway, she dropped me off and I moved all day long. I would take short 5 minute breaks; probably 10 such breaks from 10am to 10;30pm. I did drink a cup of coffee in Salisbury(walking .4 in and out of town) and pick up a food drop. I hiked in the morning with a couple from Nevada that were doing a section. They kept up with me for about 2 hours at 3 miles an hour. One elder lady that I met back at Falls Creek said that she was going to Salisbury to check her mail. I saw her at the post office. We were moving. I then did some of the toughest and poorly maitained/conceived ascents and descents up Bear Mtn, Conn; Race Mtn; Mt Everit; and down the deadliest bit of trail: The Jug End. The ATC should close that descent off of the Jug's End. In this area; I met 2 thru hikers; brother and sister. Her name is "Cul DE Sac"(I dont know). As I walked along the trail after dusk; about 9:30pm: I ran into two guys sleeping in the middle of the trail. I kind of "spooked" them. 30 minutes after this; I looked up at the sky and thought to myself, "what a beautiful night!"; then the wind went from no breeze to 30 miles per hour in an instant; and in 5 seconds it was pouring. I did about 2 more miles to Hwy 7 that goes into great Barrington. I was completely and absolutely soaked. It also dropped about 20 degrees to the 40's; I was soaking wet; and my hands began getting numb. I was getting the first signs of hypothermia and I hit the Hwy 7. I went the wrong way at first. I then went towards GB and stopped at the Route 7 restaurant and pub. I asked them to Call Kathy. They did as the bar looked at me. I was soaking wet and shaking. Kathy pickedd me up and I ate; took a shower; and waited for my feet to quit hurting so I could go to sleep.
Date: 2007-08-18
From: Great Barrington, Mass

To: Tom Leonard Lean-To, Mass
Miles today: 6.6

Kathy drove me back to the AT intersection with Hwy 7 as we talked about "THe Liminal Hwy". Her daughter did her college thesis on the AT and this continual community that goes along the trail that we are all apart of. It is a very deep philosophical paradigm that I cannot fully explain her; but, I will in the book. As she dropped me off; we saw several other thru hikers walking into town and several others at a vegetable/fruit stand right next to the trail. She said that she would give them a ride and start another relationship of support. I hiked north thru several blooming meadows and along the Housatonic River. Hard to believe that a river so beautiful could be so polluted. I was really feeling my full pack with 5 days worth of food, especially since I was hardly carrying anything yesterday on my slack pack. All in all, I felt pretty good for walking 32 miles yesterday. I was a little sore under my arms and my triceps from using my hiking poles much more vigorously and powerfully. My legs were fine and my feet were just a little fatigued. I walked down Homes Rd(what's up Homes?) and began to climb East Mtn where I saw my new favorite trail food: cold canned ravioli; so, I sat down, opened the can, and ate the contents. I then hiked up to a very nice view back towards the valley that makes up Sheffield & Great Barrington, as well as views over to Race Mtn, Everitt Mtn, and Jug's End. It is good to finally be getting some elevation again. ALso the trees are changing over to conifers and there is much more water. As I sat warming on the rock drinking a celebratory 50 ml bottle of Makers Mark bourbon(celbrating hiking 32 miles); I was engulfed with other thru hikers:"the 3 hobbits, Skip, and Big Foot." THere was also Skip's friend Dan, whom I named "Dashboard Accessory Dan". He carries a GPS. We all sat there looking at the views and not wanting to move and relishing the moment and loving being in MAss. We did move on and all stayed at THe Tom Leonard Lean-To along WIth thru-hikers "Cul De Sac" and her brother "Moosehead". They were from South Carolina; so, we had some things in common. Later, an ex female thru hiker(2001) amd her male friend and her daughter showed up. It was a full house and full tentsite area. The Hobbits built a nice fire and we all roasted marshmallows and talked about our adventures and enjoyed watching the little girl enjoy the wilderness. DA Dan was it total awe of this experience. He said, "Skippy, you really ran into something here. This experience right here is what the trail is about!" SO true DA, so true. We all soon went to bed and I was continually awakened by a little mouse. He would not leave me alone. It also was down in the upper 40's and I could see the condensation from my breath. THe cold is coming!
Date: 2007-08-22
From: Thomas Lavardi's House, Dalton, Mass

To: Thomas Lavardi's House, Dalton, Mass
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I am taking a Zero here because it is pretty chilly and still looks like rain; but, mostly because "Cheese" kept saying, "your staying Zero" and when I would start packing up, "where are you going Zero, your not going anywhere!" When I woke up "Cul De Sac" was here. I did know see her last night. She was friendly to me and had a good smile when we said good morning. I found out that she was a hygienist(you know she has good oral hygiene). She was leaving because she had to catch a couple of her female friends that were meeting her in Bennington, VA. Her brother was staying behind because his feet hurt. I went to the library some and hung out all day. I was real antsy all day.
Date: 2007-08-23
From: Thomas Lavardi's House, Dalton, Mass

To: Mark Noepel Lean-To, Mass
Miles today: 14.0

I milled around Tom's till around 3pm when "Worldwide" and I walked through town and hit the trail "a runnin". I could not keep up with him, though. He is such a fast hiker. I was hiking well by myself making good time. I dont remember a whole lot in the area towards Cheshire, Mass, except that it was pretty easy for a though hiker. I got to Cheshire and was completey out of water. I walked down to a church that sometimes takes hikers in. It is a Catholic church, I cannot remember the name. I walked around the whole church compound and saw no signs of anyone; so, I walked down to a gas station where I filled up my water bottles. The weather was still the same as it was for days: cool, breezy, cloudy, and no rain. As I left town it was beginning to get dark and I put my headlamp on. I hiked over a hill to Outlook Ave. and sat down and ate a good meal and drank alot of coffee. I then began the gradual 7 mile climb that goes up to Mt Greylock(the highest peak in MAss). Everyone in town kept saying that it was an intense climb; the biggest since Va. I had my psyched up. I climbed up and up. I was feeling good and having delusions of going all the way to North Adams! Well as the AT goes, that was not going to happen. As I went higher and around the Old Adams Rd; a fog blew in. I could not see a thing and It dropped about 10-20 degrees. I know from experience that means rain fairly soon; so, I really started busting butt. When I finally got down to The Mark Noepel Shelter; it was full, except for a section near the entrance. I took that spot. I was sopping wet from sweat. The trail down to the shelter was scarey. Since I could not see anything. I was not sure if I missed the shelter. I slept OK and it began to rain 30 minutes after I laid down. That was a big bullet dodged.
Date: 2007-08-25
From: .5 north of North Adams, Mass

To: .2 miles north of Sherman Brook Campsite, Mass
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: haze

I woke up and was feeling very lethargic and feeling the pressure of trying to get to Danby, VT to meet my friend, "Ya Done Good". I woke up and thought about what I needed to do to get there in time and fell back asleep. It was a very peaceful and tranquil setting with a full canopy above me and a nice brook babbling right next to me. Ive read that falling water sets off ions that are condusive to a human's well being. I dont know if this is true; but, I fell back asleep. When I woke up, I could see that there was only about 2 hours of daylight left; so, I ate a big meal and alot of coffee and put my pack on with all the desire and wanting of a thru hiker to finish his trip. ANd guess what? I heard, "BOOM". I was like, what? I was hoping it was a plane or a garbage truck dropping its load; but, then I heard it again and I knew it was thunder....son of a biscuit eater! I then began going as fast as I could up hill. The thunder and lightning got closer and I still thought that I could outrun this thing to The Seth Warner Shelter. I eventually gave in to safety and set my tent back up .3 miles north of The Sherman Brook Campsite. I am getting really good at this and had it up with everything secured from the rain in 10 minutes. As soon as I did; a big wind came and then the rain. It was intense. I made a good decision for safety; but, for making miles? I dont know. It hit me hard. I laid there as the rain pounded all caffiened up and prayed and sang and did "the Katahdin math".
Date: 2007-08-27
From: .2 miles north of Sherman Brook Campsite, Mass

To: Cortina Inn and Resort, Killington, VT
Miles today: 4.0

Woke up late and went back into Williamstown, Mass. I had to call my friend "Ya Done Good"(YDG) who was coming to see me and help me get farther up the trail. I was suppose to be way up near Danby, VT.; but, nope. Anyway, as I was waiting to get picked up: I met "Google and Sunshine"(Female)(NOBO's). They let me use their phone and we talked for a good while. It is such a small world. Even though she is from Romania and he is from Atlanta. They have spent alot of time in Murfreesboro, Tn where I went to college at MTSU and they have spent time in Texas. It is always interesting to listen to eastern european women talk. They are so strong and real. She actually was "dogging" her husband on the trip. His feet were wore out and she was fine. She said that she cold not believe how so many men and women(in particular she said) were soft. She said all this was easy compared to her upbringing. Soon YDG was there and we spent the day catching up and driving all the way to Killington.
Date: 2007-08-29
From: Cortina Inn and Resort, Killington, VT

To: Cortina Inn and Resort, Killington, VT
Miles today: 0.0

Spent the day nursing my blisters and resupplying. It's gotta get cold soon! As "No Pain" says, "your walking the plank, one wrong step and your off!" Like pirates, having a captive "walk the plank" into the sea. I asked No Pain, "Are my hands tied?"
Date: 2007-08-30
From: Cortina Inn and Resort, Killington, VT

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: haze

"YDG" dropped my off and I made the 1.6 miles up to The Melville Nauheim Shelter with a 60 pound pack(at least) and sweated like "a goat herder". I was sopping wet when I got to the shelter. I just stayed here as it was already 3pm and a thuderstorm was supposed to be coming in and I could see it clouding up. I was carrying so much weight because I was going to go from Burlington, VT to Hanover, NH without re-supplying. I was going to list all the food that I was carrying; but, it is just too much. I hung it up in the shelter and it took up two large grocery bags. Soon the SOBO's started coming in. First it was a guy and a girl. They did not give me their names; but, she was a real looker. Just wearing some tight running shorts and a sports bikini top with boots and low gaiters. She said her and her guy friend were just that. He did not seem to happy about that statement. Then came in a young guy whose name that I can not remember that sat up his hammock out on some trees. I asked him if he had ever rode out a storm in that hammock and he said no; and soon took it down as he noticed the clouds. Then "Burt" came in. He was an older guy. He asked if he could lay on the lower bunk with me. I told him that I would go up top. I said that I would not be able to sleep that close to him. The rain then came and we drank some red wine that I had carried up the hill. I could not get to sleep. I had 46 days till oct 15th and 576.3 miles to go!