morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-06-15
From: Greg's house Tappan, NY

To: streamside stealth camp
Miles today: 14.7

Sang and I had a lovely breakfast with Greg's parents, Donna and Art: greek yogurt, bananas and a honey bun. Art drove us back to the trail and off we went.Our first stop was Bear Mountain Tower, where we could just barely see the NYC skyline. But there it was! We rain into Spice Kit taking a snack break up in the tower. Snag and I then went on to visit the Trailside Museum and Zoo - the AT goes right through it. There were cinammon black bears in an exhibit, foxes and porcupines in cages. Lots of school kids were there and one asked me why I hike. "It's fun!" I said. He stared at me wide-eyed and then ran off. The raptors in cages give me mixed emotions. I love birds, but I don't really love birds in cages. The Bald Eagle was so imposing. The town of Ft. Montgomery was nearby and we had a couple of boxes waiting for us at the P.O. Cookies, cookies and more cookies! Thanks mom and dad! We had so many that I sent some ahead 4 days and we'll eat more there. We were going to eat lunch at a sandwich place in town, but instead we ate in the post office lobby and walked back to the AT to cross the Hudson River. The view was great. At this point my legs were already tired for the day. I felt like we had done so much, but we had only completed 6 miles of the trail so far. So much to go! The terrain in NY we're finding is rocky with short ups and downs. It's not one of those hike-up-to-a-ridge-and-stay-there deals. At 6PM we decided it was time to look for a campsite. We found water at 7PM and set up right next to it for the night. Spam and stuffing mix for dinner.
Date: 2012-06-16
From: streamside stealth camp

To: campsite Deli -- Stormville, NY
Miles today: 19.6

Snag and I awoke to over dozens of slugs that overtook our tent and gear during the night. I got to work picking each one off packed up the tent as Snag made breakfast. Before leaving camp, thru-hikers Trainwreck and Two Medicine passed by. They stayed for free at a Monastery 4 miles back - they must have gotten up early (about 5AM) to pass us this early in the morning. (They have a facebook page: "Bill and Bob's Excellent Adventure")The sun was out in full force so it was warm all day, but not too hot in the shade. At noon we passed Canopus Lake and has an opportunity to stop at the concession stand. With the thought of hot dogs and ice cream in our heads, peanut butter on a tortilla didn't seem so appetizing anymore, so we hiked the 1/4 mile down to the lake. It was worth it. We wanted to do 20 miles today, but it was looking pretty daunting after lunch to do 12 more miles, so we just started walking. The terrain hadn't been too intense (not like our first day in NY) but our legs beg to differ. Mine are protesting much like they did when we were back in NC/TN on those big hills!We're finding that New York as many delis and concessions, because at 5PM we hit another opportunity for town food at the Mountain Top Deli and Pizzeria. We convinced ourselves it was a good idea to stop and before you know it we were eating salad and spaghetti. We resupplied at the deli and the owner, Lilly, offered her backyard to tent in tonight. Perfect! So here we are in an unexpected place: the beautiful grassy lawn in the back of a deli.
Date: 2012-06-17
From: campsite Deli Stormville, NY

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We slept peacefully with our full bellies and with finally going to bed before 10:30PM. Breakfast sandwiches at the deli were awesome and we were back on the trail by 7:30AM. We were feeling good. The clouds were out most of the day, so it was cool and comfortable for hiking. No deli stops this afternoon so we got into our peanut-butter and jelly tortillas. Snag put an airhead candy in his (because he likes to experiment). He said it tasted alright, but I don't believe him. The stream in front of the Telephone Pioneers Shelter, which was the water source, was all foamy (again with the bad water). A mile down the hill, though, a woman in a purple house offers water to hikers from her spigot. I'm not sure how many years she's done this, but it was a big help! As we got back on the AT we passed the oldest oak (a white oak) on the AT. It's estimated to be 300 years old and has a 20 foot girth. We made our one "big" climb of the day and then wandered into Wiley Shelter by 5:15PM. Time to relax and eat. We're starving! Note: We saw no thru-hikers today. Either the crowds are thinning or we really are in a dead zone. No one at the shelter tonight, either.
Date: 2012-06-18
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We camped practically on the NY/CT border last night - within 1 1/2 miles of our hike, we were in the state of Connecticut!The day wasn't too difficult, it just wears on you to go up and down so much. Now that my feet are hurting less (we're out of the rockiest sections in PA/NY), my knees are starting to bother me. I'm not worried yet, though. It's pretty normal after coming down the section called "St John's Ledges". It's about 1/4 mile of very steep stone steps. It almost feels like going down a rock ladder forwards. Then you immediately meet the Housatonic River and we walked along it for 2 miles until the shelter. A very nice day today! Cloudy in the morning, sunny but breezy until the evening. Can't ask for much better than that.
Date: 2012-06-19
From: Steward Hollow Brook Shelter

To: Toymaker's Cafe camp -- Falls Village, CT
Miles today: 18.1

We were serenaded by the sounds of the river last night, and woke up to a cool, overcast morning. I met hiker Rabbit with his dog, Cash and another hiker, Marky Mark. We're not sure if they're thru-hikers yet, but I get the feeling they're moving pretty slow.Snag and I had a 2-mile flat walk along the river this morning before starting to climb up into the woods. Ups and downs all day (what's new?). As seen on the elevation chart I look at in the AWOLs guide, these climbs look like little speed bumps. Hardly "climbs" at all, but it feels different. Actually getting out there and putting one foot in front of the other and walking every mile, I feel every bump. And apparently it's "nothing" compared to Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. That comes later.We've had to pay attention to the water sources lately. They're rarely springs anymore, and sometimes they're pretty far off the trail (within 1/2 mile), so we try to look ahead and plan accordingly to find reliable, close and hopefully clean water. Luckily it rained plenty in May and most streams have good flow.The day seemed to pass quickly - I'm trying to enjoy the cool weather (mid-70s) because tomorrow it's supposed to be HOT. We're in the town of Falls Village, CT tonight. Quaint. Old. Rustic but somehow very clean at the same time. Hiker friendly. There's a showerhead stuck on the side of a building near the hydro-electric plant. My guide says it's a free shower, but it's cold and completely exposed, so I'm not sure how you can shower there any time - FYI. There is free camping by the Toymaker's Cafe so that's where Snag and I find ourselves tonight. It's been buggy with black flies and mosquitoes, so we're happy to be in a tent.
Date: 2012-06-20
From: Toymaker's Cafe camp Falls Village, CT

To: Sages Ravine Campsite
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

So I've gotten pretty bad at planning when we go into towns. Snag and I woke up this morning, expecting a cafe breakfast when we discovered no breakfast is served in Falls Village on Wednesday. Also, Wednesday is the only day of the week when the library opens late (2pm) so we will miss our computer time (and I will have to wait to update trailjournals again...). I looked ahead to the town of Great Barrington, MA where we will be in 2 days to find that the library there closes early that day. No computer time there, either. It's starting to feel like a conspiracy. I guess the lesson is to look ahead when planning and not to assume certain hours, and also to be flexible. It certainly tests my patience.We stopped at the post office where we had sent ahead some cookies and food. At 9AM we were on the trail and it was in the 80s already, sunny and very muggy and buggy. Snag and I each had our very own fan club of mosquitoes and flies encircling us on our every move. The black flies especially like to throw themselves at our eyes and just blinking them out is best. Let me say that today was not fun hiking.US 44 popped up around noon and the town of Salisbury was just 1/2 mile west, so we went in for lunch and to use the library in the heat of the day. It worked out nicely, actually. By 4pm we were making our way over the rocky Lion's Den and Bear Mountain to our campsite. Cheese is a thru-hiker we've seen all day today. We passed him going up Bear Mountain - he was sitting on a rock clearly enjoying the view. Then he passed us going down the other side. He doesn't have trekking poles and just lopes down the rocks without stopping. He exclaims as he passes, "I feel like a mountain goat!"A ridgerunner and other campers are tenting here at this campsite. Snag and I ate dinner, threw the tent together and got in. The mosquitoes are bad tonight!
Date: 2012-06-21
From: Sages Ravine Campsite

To: Monument Mountain Motel -- Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

Our plan today was to get up early and be on the trail by 6AM. It's supposed to be in the upper 90s and by 8AM we are really feeling the heat. The air was so humid it seemed the rocks themselves were sweating. Some of them were slick with moisture but it hadn't rained in days. Snag submitted that some of them might be porous and are absorbing some of the moisture. I guess that makes more sense... Race Mountain provided great views for 1/2 mile as we walked the ridge, inches from a steep ledge. We were eager to get back in the woods though, because of the brutal sun. Next we hiked up Mt Everett. Right before we ascended, we met a couple of section-hikers coming down off the mountain. The man looked at me, laughing, and said "Have fun getting up there!". I guess it was pretty rocky and steep. "Thanks!" I said, almost as sarcastically. Sometimes I don't need to know how bad the climb will be. I'm going to go up no matter what! The views weren't very spectacular from there unfortunately, but remains of a tower were sitting at the top of the 2600 foot mountain.I put my thumb out on the road to Great Barrington and a nurse on her way to work picked us up. The AC felt so very good. She dropped us at our motel and we immediately went to the gas station to get icees. Then we did laundry and showered. It's good to be inside on this hot day!We had dinner at the Berkshire Brewery and then we stopped at McDonald's on our walk back from dinner to get a milkshake. An older man also drinking a milkshake asked Snag if he forgot to shave this morning. Ha! His beard is getting really full with 3 months of no maintenance.
Date: 2012-06-22
From: Monument Mountain Motel -- Great Barrington, MA

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: broken clouds

Downtown Great Barrington was full of fun things like clothing stores, pharmacies and a hardware store. We walked into town before getting a lift back to the trail. We stood in stark contrast to the wealthy town of Berkshire nearby. I felt like no one wanted to give us a lift. No one would look at me from their cars and a man even shook his head disapprovingly. I kind of felt bad imposing myself upon them. As we continued to walk on the road toward the trail, though, a hiker named Barley Corn pulled over and asked if we needed a lift. Apparently he started hiking in Georgia recently, but drove up north because it was too hot, but then the northeast got this terrible heat wave. He's waiting a couple of days and then will section-hike up in the northeast.We didn't quite reach our hiking goal today, but Snag and I did accomplish getting out of town. It was difficult because our room was nice and cool. We even talked about zero-ing to stay out of the heat, but then we found ourselves at noon starting our hiking day. Great timing! We will be hiking in the hottest part of the day and it is still hot - in the 90s.By 2pm though, we heard thunder and got some cooler temperatures. By the time we reached the first shelter north, it started to rain so we called it quits for the day while we were still dry. A ridgerunner is staying in the shelter tonight along with a couple, The Lionkillers, who just finished a Farm for Stay on a farm in Mass. They said it was hard work but worth it! They are doing a flip-flop and started in Harper's Ferry 5 weeks ago. We also met Inchworm, a young guy from Knoxville, TN who started 4 days before Snag and I.
Date: 2012-06-23
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

No more rain last night after that first sprinkle and so we got to pack up a dry tent this morning. We got up early and left by 6 to beat the heat. It was cooler today, in the mid-80s, and windy.We went up Baldy Mountain just after lunch and I felt like a hiking machine - well rested and I could go all day. In the early afternoon the wind picked up, bringing clouds with it. Thunder threatened us with a storm and some light rain fell, but then it passed without any event. By 3:30 my knees and feet hurt, feeling the long day. Goose Pond appeared on our left and we walked along it for a mile or so until we hit a blue-blazed trail to the "shelter", which is really a hostel-like cabin. It was 1/2 mile to get there off the trail, but it was worth it! There were bunks with mattresses and a caretaker that would make us pancakes in the morning.It's 5:30 now, we're settled in and going to spend time at the pond's beach for a while.
Date: 2012-06-24
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Shamrock Village Inn -- Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

Blueberry pancakes this morning prepared by the caretaker, Joann. They were much appreciated! We slept well on the comfy mattresses in the cabin.Although perhaps still on the warm side, the hiking today was great. We covered a lot of ground and the terrain was fairly even. About halfway through our day, we made a visit to the house of the 'Cookie Lady', who has been handing out cookies to hikers for 20 years! She has a register for thru-hikers to sign on her porch and we can use her picnic table for lunch and her spigot to refill our water bottles. The cookies were delicious. We ran into Boxhead and Switchback there, who stopped in hopes of cookies as well. It was an easy 10 mile stretch from her house to Dalton, Mass., where we decided to stay. Pizza and a movie tonight.
Date: 2012-06-25
From: Shamrock Village Inn -- Dalton, MA

To: St. Mary's Church -- Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 8.8

We didn't get far today, just shy of 9 miles to Cheshire, MA. We left Dalton mid-morning after a resupply at the gas station. It was slim pickings there, but we're getting pretty good at putting together meals from meager gas station options.The news called for isolated showers for the next couple of days. While we were looking down onto the Hoosic River Valley from Cobble Ridge just outside of Cheshire, thunder and lightening started on the ridge over. We got moving. 10 minutes later, a deluge of rain came down upon us, soaking me through in record time. It was as though the sky was holding onto this rain for 2 weeks and it all came down at once. Snag said he was running from a river of water that was cascading down the trail behind him. It caught up to him, though, and we all were slopping through the mud and water until we got to the road into town.We stopped at the church hostel in town, and by that time the rain had subsided. It rained again an hour later, though, and so we decided not to make our way up to Mt. Greylock tonight. The church lets us sleep on the floor in their designated hiker room, where there are newspaper clippings of stories on the AT and pictures of hikers that stayed here in the past. A local fourth grade class put together the nicest trail magic bag ever with coke, candy, muffins, gum, fruit snacks, etc. Section hikers Cardinal and Skybird are here (both teachers with summers off) and thru-hiker Beacon.
Date: 2012-06-26
From: St. Mary's Church Cheshire, MA

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: light rain

It was only 3 days ago that we were getting record highs in this part of the country. Today, the sun didn't come out fully, and we were downright chilled. Amazing.Snag and I were determined to get some miles in today, and to reach Vermont this afternoon. We first had to hike up the steady hill to Mt. Greylock, where there is a tower and lodge. This marks the highest point in Massachusetts at 3,491 feet. It was foggy, so we couldn't see any views. It was cold and windy and we were wearing our rain jackets. When we went up our next mountains, Mt. Williams and Mt Prospect, the fog cleared to reveal a town below (Williamstown perhaps?), but on our descent to the Hoosic River and MA 2, sprinkles started to fall on our heads. We had 7 miles left to go for today, and I was hoping it wouldn't come down on us. It could have been a lot worse, but 2 hours from our shelter, it rained good and hard, enough for us to put on our full rain gear and to soak our socks and shoes. Then it let up allowing us to dry out a little, just before reaching the Mass/Vermont border. Nice! Now for the next 227 miles, the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail are one and the same, until the AT breaks off from the Long Trail to head into New Hampshire. At the shelter, hiker "Coach Toes" is here. He is a 7th grade teacher from Virginia, thru-hiking the Long Trail and it is his first day. Glad to be in Vermont!
Date: 2012-06-27
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: broken clouds

The rain yesterday was like a cleanse and today I woke up refreshed, with a new outlook. We're in Vermont now and that somehow feels a lot different. We were chilled this morning, the temps are in the low 50s I think in the AM, and we have wet shirts and shoes from yesterday's rain. The air is crisp and clean and I feel like Vermont will bring good things.The sky was half blue and half dark clouds, like it could go either way. Luckily by 9AM, the clouds cleared and we could relax. Snag pointed out that there is less hickory and oaks these past few days and more birch, maple, and beech. The forests are changing, and we are finding ourselves creeping up in elevation.Snag and I stopped in Bennington, VT for a resupply to get us to Manchester 2 days away. The hitch in was easy. The hitch out of town took a while, but eventually a green van stopped for us. 2 kids jumped out and started walking away from us. Apparently their parents made them walk to their friend's house the rest of the way while they took us to the trailhead.10 more miles on the trail over Porcupine Ridge brought us to Goddard Shelter. The clouds came back and swirled around us, coming and going the whole way there. We were unsure of the rain this afternoon, but it held off! We met Long Trail hikers Mike and Fidel and we rain into thru-hiker Trailmix, who we haven't seen since Harper's Ferry. Another thru-hiker that we've seen only in the registers, Sketch, showed up with her friend Kat. Kat has just met her in Bennington and will join her all the rest of the way to Maine. We had a fire and stayed up late to talk.
Date: 2012-06-28
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: few clouds

It was a foggy, chilly morning, but by 8Am the fog cleared and we had just left the shelter to start the day. The morning flew by. Snag and I hiked up and down, down, down to the base of Stratton Mountain where we had lunch with Trailmix. Then we hiked up 3 miles from 2200 feet to nearly 4,000. It was steady and manageable, thank goodness.At the top we met thru-hikers Sarge and Weaver again. They have been piecing together their hike from last year and are finishing tomorrow at Spruce Peak Shelter. I can't imagine that feeling of finishing! I think they have mixed feelings of needing to go back to life and wanting the trail to last forever. Section-hiker Stripper, who is doing Harper's Ferry to Katahdin this summer has been their hiking partner the past 2 weeks and will be saying goodbye to Sarge and Weaver soon. The view from the tower there at Stratton was amazing!We all hiked down to Stratton Pond, apparently the most popular shelter on the Long Trail. Lots of folks here tonight. Mosquitoes are out, but having a fire helped. Sarge read us all a bedtime story, some poems from a book he has. It was a nice way to end our day and his last night on the trail.Also, we updated some photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/76874496@N05/sets/72157629748095459/
Date: 2012-06-29
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Green Mountain House -- Manchester, VT
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

Lots of snoring kept many people awake last night, as well as the mosquitoes. Snag and I slept in "late" until 7AM and we were in no rush to leave. We ate breakfast with everyone, talking about our plans for the day. Sarge, Weaver, Stripper and 4-star will be at the Green Mountain House hostel. We reserved a room there a few days ago and it may be crowded there. Snag and I booked it for the short day today and got a hitch into Manchester, VT. After completing our chores of eating lunch, buying groceries and a new pair of shoes at Eastern Mountain Sports, we called Jeff at the Green Mountain House for a ride to the hostel. Thru-hikers Avatar, Bunny & Speedstick were there cooking in the full kitchen that is provided. Jeff and his wife gave their house over to the hikers while they live in a smaller house next door. The Green Mountain House is a gem! It is kept so clean and organized and has everything a hiker wants or needs: a shower, laundry, bed, couches and a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream with your stay.Sarge, Weaver, 4-star and Stripper showed up later and made a huge barbecue dinner to celebrate Sarge and Weaver's last day on the trail. Weaver made an amazing apple crisp and we stayed up chatting and telling stories.
Date: 2012-06-30
From: Green Mountain House - Manchester, VT

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Snag made use of the kitchen in the morning to make breakfast burritos. With all of the hikers here last night, there is lots of extra food: donuts, canteloupe and chocolate milk. Hiker fuel for the trail!Jeff brought us out to the trail by 830, but about a mile into our hike, I felt my toes being smashed uncomfortably into the sides of my shoe and they felt too tight. It was enough for me to realize I had the wrong shoes or just the wrong size, so Snag and I had to hitch back into town, wait for EMS to open, and exchange my shoes. Props to EMS, they dealt with it really well. I went with Montrails, we'll se how they do! (On a side note: I'm using the same green Superfeet since Springer Mtn. There aren't any cracks in the plastic support, so they are still good as new!)Back on the trail at 11:30, we had 15 miles to go. Plenty of time! Views atop Baker Peak were worth the rocky climb. The mountains outside of Manchester are taller than most of what we've seen lately, almost 4,000 feet high.It was downhill in the final stretch to Lost Pond Shelter where there are lots of hikers tonight. We are the only "thrus". Hikers include: Fidel (hiking the Long Trail), 4-star (sectioning from New Jersey to Maine), Noah (hiking the Long Trail until Hanover, NH), and a hiking club of 6. A group of 3 ladies are here, too, hiking south for a bit on the Long Trail. They are seemingly on their first backpacking trip. They told us that we could laugh at them because they are still learning to use their gear. It was a bit painful to watch them try to light their stove and figure out how to set up tents and hang a bear bag. They'll get it, though. There is a bit of a learning curve.