morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2023-06-06
From: Pochuck Mountain Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 21.7

I got started around 8:20 today. The sky was not yet hazy, but still unusually cool. There was a steep climb in about 6 miles, but also a place to get snacks and fresh produce right before it. I enjoyed a walk along a boardwalk shortly before arriving to NJ 94 around 10:45, where Heaven Hill Farm is a couple minutes' walk. I got a chicken burrito, a few leaves of red and romaine lettuce, a small crown of broccoli, two scoops of ice cream with oreo crumbles on a waffle cone, and trail snacks with some kombucha. It was a delicious, early lunch break!  I bought some dark chocolate treats to have after dinner some night.An hour later, I started up the Stairway to Heaven. It is a little under 400 feet of gain over 0.4 miles on rocky terrain for most of it. I thought that wouldn't be too bad initially, but by the time I was done slogging up it, I thought it was a climb from Hell.The trail mellowed out as I moved on past Wawayanda Shelter. I had a break at the Warwick Turnpike around 2:15. I was half tempted to stay the night at the drive-in movie theater a couple miles west on the road, which is friendly for considerate thru hikers who can find a ride there. Ultimately though, I thought it would be a hassle to get there. I pressed on to my original destination, a shelter past the New York border.As I pressed on, the sky became hazier. At the NJ/NY border, around 4:30, the terrain was full of rock slabs and some scrambling, which slowed down hiking.Around 7:30, I got to NY 17A, and walked down the road to Bellvale Farms Creamery for my second ice cream treat - a milkshake made with calf tracks ice cream, Reese's pieces, and M&Ms. I had a banana too. I had two miles left to get to the shelter, and that would end up being my dinner for the night. It looked like there might have been a nice overlook there, but it was difficult to see much, due to the now pronounced smoky haze in the sky.I filled up water and returned to the trail around 8:15. Because of some more slow rock scrambling, I didn't end up getting to the shelter until 9:30. I quickly set up my tent, once I could find a decent spot, had some cheesy chip mix to curb hunger a little, and fell asleep.
Date: 2023-06-07
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: William Brien Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 19.8

I started around 8:15. Hazy but cool all day. There had not been rain for about two weeks, which caused even some of the reliable water sources to dry up. Because of all the spigots off of highways from delis and other places, I have been OK so far with water. Occasionally there would be spots with trail magic water, but sometimes all the jugs were empty.I was able to get water at Fitzgerald Falls, around 9. There some highway crossings as I passed through Harriman State Park, around 1.I saw a past AT thru hiker, Odie, near the Arden Valley Road entrance who offered beer, but I had to decline, since I don't drink. I chatted with him about the increasing difficulty of the trail. I get very frustrated and angry with how slow I move, and what I feel are a lack of rewards like great overlooks or falls. He said sometimes you just have to take it one step at a time. It's been a slow process for me to accept that I either need to start earlier -- and last several days, I haven't started very early -- or just accept that I will end up with less daily mileage than I'm used to accomplishing.A little while after a break, I went through a scramble called the lemon squeezer - a narrow corridor between rock walls that I managed to still get my big pack through without detaching it. Then, right after, an interesting climb up a rock that required reaching up to put my trekking poles on a left, level area that was a little too high and lacked handholds for climbing, and then climbing up using the handholds on the right.The Surebridge Brook, a reliable water source, was basically mud with a few puddles of stagnant water. I still had water left, and decided to get some at the Tiorati Circle beach recreation area off of an intersection with Arden Valley Road that I would get to.I passed the junction to the Fingerboard Shelter around 5:30 and, 1.1 miles later got to Arden Valley Rd and then Tiorati Circle around 6. There were vending machines, restrooms, and a water fountain. I supplemented my snacks, had a break and a pit stop. I ran into a group of college aged backpackers doing a loop with the AT and the Long Path, which I crossed at an earlier junction today. They were headed to the Fingerboard Shelter and were glad it was not far.All loaded up with water for the night, I returned to the trail around 6:45, then hiked to the next shelter. I got there around 9:30, tented, and fell asleep. At a hair under 20 miles after a full day, I felt a bit defeated.
Date: 2023-06-08
From: William Brien Memorial Shelter

To: Campsite near South Highland Rd
Miles today: 21.9

Hazy but slowly clearing up throughout the day. The first climb up West Mountain was rough. It was just 3.4 miles to the West Mountain Shelter from where I started, but I didn't get to that shelter junction until about 10. The haze obscured what would have been a great overlook of the Hudson River in the mountains. The trail mellowed out after the initial descent.I climbed up Bear Mountain, then descended on the well-groomed path to Bear Mountain State Park, where I saw views that seemed to reflect a day slowly clearing up. Hessian Lake was pretty. I supplemented my lunch with trail snacks and ice cream from the vending machines, and loaded up on water at a fountain.Around 1, I passed through the Trailside Museum and Zoo, which the AT goes through, then over Bear Mountain Bridge. Something felt uncomfortable on the bottom of my left leg, but I continued through the road walk and, around 2, started a climb up from NY 9D. The pain was uncomfortable, and I was already frustrated with how slow I was going.After another climb and descent, I eventually made my way down to US 9 and NY 403, where the Appalachian Market is. I got there around 4:30 and spent a hood 90 minutes there. I looked at my mower left leg: looked like a little bit of swelling on my shin, so I decided to start taking NSAIDS for the first time for hiking in nine years. I resupplied for a couple days and ate a large meal: three pieces of pork, a heaping of rice and corn, a large tossed salad, and yogurt with some vitamin drinks. I saw a hiker there I ran into a few times today, on and off. He has been having much better luck seeing wildlife than I have. At 5, it showered shortly, which I looked to with hope for the water sources.Around 6, I hiked another 6 miles or so. I knew I should stay at a designated campsite, but it's hard to do that when there is a 22 mile gap between the sites. Given that I didn't even hike 20 miles yesterday, I accepted the makeshift campsite around 8:30, as did several other hikers at various points on my path past the Appalachian Market.Still full from my large meal, I tented, and had some tea with a chocolate bar to tide me over for the night.
Date: 2023-06-09
From: Campsite near South Highland Rd

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 22.4

I started a little past 8:30 today. After about an hour of hiking, I ran into Joker, a retired civil engineer from the Philadelphia metro area who is thru hiking the AT a second time - he first did it in 2017. We hiked and chatted together for the next several miles, passing by the Canopus Lake in Clarence Fahnestock State Park around noon and taking a lunch break closer to 1. Then we leapfrogged with each other between separate breaks.I passed by the 911 Memorial flag painting on a rock slab shortly after the lunch break, descended to the junction with the RPH (Ralph's Peak Hiker) Shelter, where there are bunks and pizza can be delivered. I wanted to head further to the NY 52 highway to Stormville though, because I saw a deli and pizzeria that I thought would be great for dinner.I got to the highway around 5 and walked the half mile to the deli and pizzeria. I hot a couple slices, and the gave me a free cheese slice. I also got a tossed salad that was huge. I ate it all. I chatted with Fizzix, a northbound thru hiker who had started in February. I had two scoops of gelato. The pizza was good, and the gelato was amazing! I would have loved another scoop. This all cost me under $20. I might go back someday just for some of their gelato again.Joker rolled as I was getting some snacks and water. They have tent sites there that he was going to take, but I hadn't hiked as far as I would have liked.So, at 6, I pressed on to the next shelter. On the way, it started raining. I was excited for the water sources. It came down and was steady - this was no shower. Thankfully, it had stopped by the time I got to the shelter around 9:00. I was still full, so I tented up, and fell asleep.
Date: 2023-06-10
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Ten Mile River Campsite
Miles today: 20.6

Today I started around 8:30 again. It was an uneventful morning, though the walk along Nuclear Lake around 10 was nice. I also took a break by Dover Oak, the oldest tree on the AT.Around 12:30, I was about 10 minutes fron the AT Railroad Station when I ran into some people who were just setting up trail magic! The three of them, part of the New York Hiking and Camping meetup group, had taken the train up from NYC and brough a great deal of food: fruit, trail snacks plus snacks from specialty groceries, cookies, hot dogs with grilled onions and peppers, and even empanadas. I indulged for over an hour there. While I was there, Joker rolled in, as well as Plunger and Skippy - what a reunion! We chatted more and talked about spending the night at a place in Salisbury, CT in a couple days.I finally headed out around 2. With 11 miles to go, I wouldn't have any issues making it to my planned destination. I stopped by the hiker friendly Native Landscapes and Garden Center for a few more snacks on the trail near the railroad station, then pressed on.Around 4:30, I took a break near Leather Hill Rd to get some water, since the water in the river near my planned shelter was not safe to drink. Eventually, Joker, Plunger, and Skippy passed by me during it.I passed by Joker, who stopped at the nearby Wiley Shelter. I passed Plunger and Skippy during their swim break at a footbridge - if it was warmer, I might have taken a dip too.I passed the NY/CT border around 6 and got to the Ten Mile River Shelter around 7. Plunger and Skippy arrived shortly thereafter. The camping was crowded with what mostly looked like car campers. I found a tent spot partly on tree roots. Plunger and Skippy joined me for dinner, then we went to bed. Thankfully, it was not noisy.
Date: 2023-06-11
From: Ten Mile River Campsite

To: Cesar Brook Campsite
Miles today: 22.7

Today I left at 7:30. After a little over 20 minutes of walking near the Ten Mile River, I took a right off the AT on Straghticoke Rd, over Bulls Bridge to reach a hiker friendly convenience store for breakfast.There were a few hikers sitting at a picnic table. I got some trail food for a day and a half, plus a spicy chicken waffle sandwich, kombucha, a tangerine, and a cinnamon roll for breakfast. I joined the others. One had already thru hiked the PCT and CDT, so he would be completing the Triple Crown once he finished the AT. I met others, including Bambi and Firefly. I would see Bambi on and off for the next few days.Fortified with a good breakfast, I returned to the trail a little before 9. I passed Mt Algo Shelter and descended to CT 341, where I had a break around noon. Bambi passed me.I had a rough time climbing from Macedonia Brook to Caleb's Peak. The descent was also very slow. It was very slow going, and ate away at my hope for getting a mid 20 mile day, which angered me. It also made the swelling in my shin feel worse.I got down to River Road around 3:00. I had never felt more relieved to have a road walk. I enjoyed the views of Housatonic River and grabbed a bottle's worth of water from a stream. I got to the junction for Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter around 4 where I had a pit stop and a break. Joker passed me as I was eating. I took a dose of Aleve.Just before 5, I decided to press on 6.7 miles to a campsite. I figured it would take me at most three hours. Unfortunately, the climb up Silver Hill took a while, as did the climb uphill with the coinciding Pine Knob trail on the way to the campsite. I arrived there around 8:15. I saw Bambi there. The water source, bear box, and sites were all pretty close together, so I quickly finished my camp chores and went to bed.
Date: 2023-06-12
From: Cesar Brook Campsite

To: Salisbury
Miles today: 18.6

I left camp around 7. Earlier, I saw two people breaking camp at 4:30. I thought it might be Plunger and Skippy, but I wasn't sure. I had a 19 mile day to town, and was looking forward to relaxing. It will have been 350 miles since I stayed in town 8n Duncannon, PA and 200 miles since my last shower in Delaware Water Gap.It was a mostly uneventful hike to town. I did not like the steep climb up to another cracked boulder, but it was neat walking through it once I reached it at 8:30 or so. I took a break at the Belters Campsite junction around 10:30-11.As I was walking along down US 7 in Falls Village around 11:30, I passed by a parking area in front of a big building where I suddenly saw an ice cream truck park. I thought it was probably for the large event, and they wouldn't bother with me. Still, I wish I would have turned around and walked back a couple minutes to ask. The day was warming up. Never turn down ice cream!About an hour later, I passed by an amazing waterfall in Great Falls Reservoir, the likes I had not seen since Laurel Falls in TN. That really boosted my mood. I went up the easy climb to Mt Prospect, and enjoyed the overlook at Billy's/Rand's View in about another hour - probably around 2. I took a break by a stream for a half hour.I arrived in Salisbury around 3:30. After five minutes of walking, I saw Plunger and Skippy at the city hall building, getting water from a spigot. It was indeed them who were up early at the campsite this morning. We discussed plans. I told them about the place I was staying at, which was right in front of us, actually. Prices to stay in town had gone up a lit, and this place only charged $40 per night. They said they would think about it while they were resupplying.I walked over to the home, checked in, took a shower, and got loaner clothes from Ted, a long term tenant. The woman who owned the home, Vanessa, would be back later to do laundry. I went over to the supermarket to resupply. I saw Plunger and Skippy. They confirmed a reservation where I was staying, so I was looking forward to hanging out with them more. Then I went into the grocery store. I made a basic grocery store shopping mistake- going there when you're hungry. I got at least six days worth of food when I needed four days of food at most, plus food for the night. On top of that, the grocery store was also pretty expensive.I returned to the hostel/home. Joker was there too, staying in the same bedroom as I was. I learned that the house dates back to the Revolutionary War, that it had been moved, and that Bill Murray had stayed in the bunkroom! All very fascinating.I spent the most of the rest of the night chatting at the kitchen table with Plunger, Skippy, Joker, and another guest who was retired and section hiking southbound. I attempted to fix a leak in my sleeping pad, but the tub in the upstairs bathroom was broken, and the water and soap method outside wasn't effective, even with the assistance of another long term tenant. Then I organized my food and went to bed.
Date: 2023-06-13
From: Salisbury

To: Glen Brook Shelter
Miles today: 13.5

Plunger and Skippy left early. Joker left around 8. After days of hiking on a shin with a bit of swelling, I thought it would be a good idea to do a half day. I also needed to catch up on journal entries.I got some breakfast at the supermarket and hanged out at that hostel until noon. Then I was at the hiker square in the center of downtown Salisbury for a couple hours, writing more journal entries and charging my phone.I was feeling better. Over the past few days I've been trying to sometimes up or down steep areas on the tips of my feet to take stress off of the left shin. I bought more Ibuprofen at the supermarket in case problems came up, and started hiking at 2. Boy, was that pack heavy! At least six days I could last on that food, plus a liter and a half of water. I might have been carrying 50 pounds.There was quite a bit of climbing, but none of the climbs were that bad. It might have been that I had eaten so well in town, too. The climb up to Bear Mountain in CT (not to be confused with the one in NY), the highest point in CT, took about 2.5 hours for a little over five miles. The view was decent. I took a break there. The descent was steep, very rocky, and slow. It was around 5:30 then.I then passed the CT/MA border and slowly walked through the rocky footpath along Sage's Ravine, a lovely area of cascading brooks, a swimming hole, and a glen.At 6 I started up Mt Race. The climb up and down it was pleasant, and I enjoyed the walk along the ridge of the mountain. Unlike in much of CT, the ridge had more short alpine plants instead of trees, which rewards us hikers with views.The same was true for Mt Everett, concerning the open ridge, though the climb and descent were much steeper. I got to the Race Brook Falls Trail junction at 7:30 and took a brief break before the climb up to Mt Everett. I enjoyed the view at sunset at the summit, and the climb and descent were more fun than Stairway to Heaven in NJ.The last half mile into the Glen Brook Shelter camping area was easy, but it was now about 9. It was dark and several people had set up camp. I found a spot to tent eventually. I finished my camp chores in twice as much time as I would have liked, because of the dark and having to follow the water source to a more rapidly flowing area. I finally went to bed around 10:30.
Date: 2023-06-15
From: Shaker Campsite

To: Cookie Lady Homestead 
Miles today: 21.2

I started at 6:45, as I was hoping to hike a 28 mile day to Kay Wood Shelter. The rain stopped before breaking down my tent, but it would be wet all morning. Plunger and Skippy already left.Initially, there was so much water in the trees that it basically felt like steady light showers as I was hiking. I got to the Tyrringham Rd/Goose Pond trailhead around 9:45 and took a break. A misty, light actual shower began, so I took out my umbrella. I was looking forward to the better weather forecasted later that day. I responded to a text from someone saying I had 650 miles left, which dampened my spirits further. A trail maintainer with a chainsaw walked by and mentioned he cut through some of the fallen trees blocking the path. I thanked him.As I continued up to Upper Goose Pond, the sun came out and it started to warm up. In a couple hours, I crossed the bridges over I-90 and US 20, past a pretty view of another pond or lake.In another hour or so, I climbed up Becket Mountain and descended down Walling Mountain, followed the trail which skirted Finerty Pond, and took a break. To my surprise, Plunger and Skippy showed up. They had stopped at the Becket Hotel to pick up Plunger's new shoes. They were replaced free of charge by a warranty; they had broken down in just 300 miles, with the Pennsylvania rocks being the major issue. We chatted for a bit and they headed off again.I hiked another uneventful, but easy six miles, to Washington Mountain Rd, where I arrived around 5. I followed signs to the Cookie Lady Homestead, just a minute or so down the road. I read in the guide that they offer free cookies and lemonade to hikers, plus potential berry picking, dinner, and camping.I saw Plunger and Skippy there, as well as three other hikers there: 700, Bear Bait, and All Along. The actual cookie lady was not present, but her son Carl and another young lady was there. We chatted for a bit. Plunger and Skippy wanted to weed for dinner. On the other hand, it was a relatively easy 6.5 miles to the next shelter. Initially, I wasn't sure what to do. But then I took off my boots and socks -- I do this on pretty much all my breaks -- and was delighted by the touch of the soft grass. The lemonade and cookies were great too. The three others left around 5:30.By 6, I had decided to help weed blueberry bushes with Plunger and Skippy for dinner, which we did for about an hour. Then I pitched my tent. Carl made some excellent burgers with a large salad with perfectly light dressing for the three of us. It was all absolutely delicious. I had a couple cookies for dessert. Plunger and Skippy decided to sleep in a bus on the property. During twilight, I joined them in it to chat until dusk, then went to bed. Much better experience than arriving to a crowded shelter at 8:30.
Date: 2023-06-16
From: Cookie Lady Homestead 

To: Mark Noepel Shelter 
Miles today: 23.2

I left at 6:15, a half hour after Plunger and Skippy. Pleasant weather forecasted until evening. I took a quick 5 minute break at the Kay Wood Shelter junction around 8:45 for a quick snack, then got to the center of Dalton around 10:15, where I saw Plunger and Skippy. They were headed out shortly after a quick bite at the Cumberland Farm. I ate breakfast at the Java and Juice a minite or two away -- bagel breakfast sandwich and muffin while uploading photos. I stopped at Cumberland Farm on the way back for a few breakfast bars, a beef stick, chocolate protein/vitamin drink, a salad, and yogurt.I left around 12:30. I passed by Gore Pond in about 90 minutes and saw an overlook of the Hoosic River Valley and the town of Cheshire in about another hour.I got to Cheshire around 4:15, and saw Diane's Twist, a cash only ice cream shop right on the trail! They also sell other food, but I was there for the ice cream. This time I did it right, with three scoops of ice cream on a waffle cone: moose tracks, peanut butter cup with a chocolate base, and dark chocolate raspberry truffle. It was only $5! Completely satisfied with the three scoops, and can't believe I was getting my ice cream wrong for so long.I also stopped by the local outfitter for freeze dried meals. It seemed focused on fishing, with just two Mountain House lasagna meals left. I grabbed one.I began the slow climb up to the shelter, which stages hikers for the Mt Greylock summit, just before 5. It started to shower after maybe a half hour on the climb up. By the time I arrived to the shelter, around 7:30, it was steadily raining. I went to the group campsite area and saw Punger and Skippy tents there. I pitched mine nearby. I cooked dinner in the tent vestibule again, and fell asleep.
Date: 2023-06-18
From: New Unnamed Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 23.5

I slept surprisingly well, and started packing up at 6:30. Getting into my wet hiking clothes was very unpleasant. I started at 8:15. I was amused to hear others in the shelter talk out the day, possibly hiking just 4.2 miles to the next shelter, Congdon Shelter - depending on how shitty the trail would be.The day became sunny, but the trail was muddy and my boots and feet were wet all day. I stopped for a breakfast break at Congdon Shelter around 11 and met a couple section hikers. I descended to VT 9 around 1 -- a frustratingly slow rocky descent over the last half mile -- and took a break a half hour later, on my climb up Little Pond Mountain. As I continued further, I was pleased to no longer get see much mud, at least for now. Hiking was becoming pleasant, though my feet were still very wet. They were wrinkly after I removed my boots at each break.I took another break just before the Goddard Shelter, on the way up to Glastenbury Tower, around 5. I made a pit stop at Goddard Shelter around 6:30.After observing that the Glastenbury Shelter was closed, I hiked another four pretty easy miles or so to Kid Gore Shelter, where I arrived a little before 8:30. There is a view there - nothing special, but still a nice plus. I did my chores and went to sleep around 10.