morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-24
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

14.3 Miles todayThe latter part of today was utter agony for me. No matter how hard I tried to convince myself that I could hike an additional five miles, there was no way my body was going to let me. So this afternoon was tough for me - up, down, up, down, up, down, each time covering 200, maybe 300 feet of elevation. But, oph, how that wears on the body. I tried really hard to enjoy the rock climbing today. I think I succeeded, too. I was having fun scrambling over these gigantic boulders. It certainly helps once I've strapped my poles to the outside of my pack - leaving my arms free to support me and allowing me to shimmy freely. The first part of my hike today was great; I felt strong and fast. I thought perhaps I had to do with my dinner from last night - Spanish Rice and FRESH zuchini. After lunch at Arden Mountain is when my energy started to flag. We entered Harrirran State Park (Journey, Morph, Skittle and I) and headed with zeel for the lemon squeezer. THe lemon squeezer is a section of the trail that passes between two rocks that get increasingly closer together. I remember Ox telling me about his lemon squeezer experience and thinking (in Erwin, TN when I heard this) how far away it seemed. Now I'd be tackling it! Journey went through first, full pack on and all; she's tiny enough. I had to take my pack off and rolli it down one of the walls as I walked through the narrowing corridor. Skittles went through next, then Morph. After that excitement though, my energy was spent. I was just glad when we got to the shelter. Bats live here. And there's no good place to go to pee around here; it's really open space. I went looking for a place earlier only to find Blink Blink and Scuba Man scouting for a place to camp; it put a damper on my potty break because it just prolonged my finding of a nice place to relax. I wasn't alone in my exhaustion today, though; many other hikers said they felt as though they walked 20 plus miles today. I guess we're readjusting to the hills and mountains after relatively flat terrain in PA. Tomorrow I'll make it to Bear Mountain to pick up my maildrop then will mosey on to the Greymore Friary. I hope, in time for dinner. If I don't make it there, I won't be too disappointed; it looks like a lot of other hikers are also planning on stopping there. Oh! I met my first southbounder today - Squeeky, from Ireland. Nice fellow. I hope he has a good trip.
Date: 2003-07-25
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Bear Mountain, New York
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

13 milesAnother fairly low mileage day today after a hussle for the Post OFfice. I think I felt a lot stronger hiking today because I stayed hydrated. I must have had a gallong to drink before dinner today. Dinner was delicious tonight - a treat from Journey - she treated me to dinner at the Bear Mountain Inn. I ate French Onion Soup and Penne Pasta with fresh broccoli. She and I hiked a majority of the day together, meeting at water sources or snack stops at shelters along the way. We had left the shelter together this morning, headed to Lake Trattori for water after an early awakening by the resident bats at the shelter. No wonder the bugs weren't so bad at this place. It was really a scenic shelter, built out of stones with two fireplaces, all on top of a huge stone, overlooking a grassy field with sparse trees. It was wonderous to watch the chipmonks play and the deer feed from the comfort of the shelter. Got to the PO too late to get mail. Journey and I were debating about where to stay. Finally, we decided to ask the police how OK it would be for us to camp in the area, which we understand is a No No. Journey went in to the police office ask about the possibilities. The man she spoke with said that it is illegal to camp in the park, but let us know areas that they don't check. So, knowing we were safe in the woods, we took refuge there. We knew we couldn't set up camp until dusk. In the meantime we hung out by the pay phone. I called friends. She called her husband. We saw Teflon and Slug. They had more or less bushwhacked up to the top of Bear Mountain after missing the blazes that lead down the road for a short road walk before re-entering the woods. Instead they followed ancient blazes that had them doing hand over hand scrambling. I believe Slug is beginning to rethink letting his brother take the lead down the trail. They also treated themselves to dinner at the Inn after such a grueling day. We had a photo opp down at the permanent manger scene - using a backpack as a baby. Then, as dusk fell, we headed up the mountain to the woods for a night of rest before a PO pick up in the morning.
Date: 2003-07-26
From: Bear Mountain, New York

To: Dennytown Rd
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

14 miles4:18 p.m. - Hiking in NY suddenly became so much easier. I don't know what change occured in the terrain (less rocks, maybe) to make my hiking so much more quick and enjoyable today. I had a thoroughly enjoyable hike today; I even pulled out my radio and listened to some music for a while - Irish and Celtic music that reminded me a lot of my friend Bridget. I heard Salsa that kept me dancing down the trail, and some hip hop that remined me of the homies I'll see this afternoon - provided that they show up. Maybe hiking was easier today because of my enthusiasm to see Rob and Christina. LATER - So my friends finally arrived - a couple of hours late. I got to relax in the sade of a big tree. I climbed in the tiny red car (three of us up front with a bike and pack in the back) and off we drove towards Fahnstock State Park, where we hoped to camp. The ranger at the station said there were no available sites left but we cruised the park grounds anyways. After scoping out some potential sites, I spotted 1/3 and Trace. We found out they were staying with friends elsewhere in the park but didnt' have room for two more tents. Fortunately the folks they were visiting with - Kim and John - offered us tenting space at their site. They were some local New Yorkers just out for a week at the park. While Rob and Christina set up their tent, I showered. Then we went to dinner. Good food out two nights in a row; I'm really close to being spoiled. After dinner we came back to camp and went up to find Trace, 1/3 and Tunnel Vision with Trace's friends from out of town. Their fire was great at keeping the bugs away while we hung out and talked. So, apparently, I and my pack have some extraordinary funk because Christina and Swan made a point of letting me know several different times. Needless to say, I didn't realize it was quite that bad until they pointed it out ---- repeatedly! I'll have to make a point of getting my pack washed soon. Potential ad for Arm and Hammer baking soda - "Get the Funk OUT"_______This morning when I woke up and packed up my gear, I went down close to the water at Bear Mountain to have breakfast. What I saw was amazing. Tons of Buzzards. Yuck! Red headed garbage eaters. No wonder this park was so littered with garbage yesterday, and this morning. These birds drop in in the evenings and stay all night and in to the morning feasting on leftover picnic scraps. They drag it out of the garbage cans and leave the remnants all over the place. I don't understand why the park hasn't invested in differently designed garbage containers. Journey and I started off these huge birds as we walked through the park searching for a fairly untouched by garbage table at which to have breakfast. I was a bit wary at times that some huge red headed bird was going to swoop down and come in for some of my delicious oatmeal, but none did. Instead they hung out at a nearby table and gawked at us between their flights for garbage pick-up. Walked throught the Bear Mountain Zoo - all was quiet. Then rambled on the rest of the way.
Date: 2003-07-27
From: Dennytown Rd

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

About 9 MilesGrr! Awoke to rain this morning and broke down my tent quickly so I wouldn't have to carry it later laiden with water. After waking earlier than I had planned to pack up my tent, the rain stopped! Oh well! Getting an early start on the day made for good fun with friends. They brought vanilla yogurt and rasberries for breakfast - extra YUMMY! Around 10 we were ready to head back over to Dennytown Rd; Christina was going to hike the 4 with me over to NY 301. The hike was fun. We talked about her upcoming wedding, about how my hike has evloved and the struggles I'm going through in defining what I want to do after the trail. We reached NY 301 by Canopus Lake just as Rob was returning from his bike ride to Fishkill and back. We all jumped in the car and drove over to the beach area. I was really looking foward to a swim. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans for our afternoon. The winds picked up and the rains came after we'd been there just a short while. So, we aborted our swimming mission and went to the Fishkill Flea Market instead and then to lunch. After som killer deli sandwiches and chips, it was time for me to hit the trail and for my friends to hit the road back to DC. They loaded me up with goodies - mini-oreos, slim jims, and M&Ms. Up the hill I stumbled until I reached the shelter. I reached RHP Shelter early and goofed off by reading the register - Cover to Cover! I also did some productive laundering of my undies and socks. As I was scrubbing my super stinky socks this man walks in in blue jeans and a plo shirt. Not a hiker - my alarm goes off momentarily because this shelter is located so close to a road. Then I figure maybe he's the caretaker. Nope, not the caretaker. He is, as it turns out, a trail maintainer for a section of trail that I'll hit tomorrow. Elvis and I talked a long time, maybe an hour or more before Spin, another hiker, showed up. It turned out to be only Spin and I in the shelter tonight. Lots of hikers in front of me and behind me. There aren't too many near me. Funny kind of trail magic happened for me today. I found an unopened bottle of peach tea snapple next to a tree, hidden almost like an Easter Egg. At first I saw it and was going to pick it up to pack it out; then I realized it was unopened. SCORE! I got to have a refreshing peach tea during my hike. I told Elvis about it and he was kind enough to take the glass bottle away for me.
Date: 2003-07-28
From: RPH Shelter

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

9 Miles Talk about a lazy day! Last night when I was planning for today, I figured that I'd do 17 miles or so, but ultimately I just didn't feel like it. Instead, I've exercised freedom that is the trail. I lolligagged and read a book most of the day. I woke up around 6 and did breakfast (not so good - Wheatena with butter buds - BLAH!) and packed my things. My sock liners weren't dry from being washed last night yet. So I figured while they did that I could do some other stuff. I collected well water and - believe it or not - shaved my legs. It's a tiny luxury for me on the trail; I generally do it in towns but haven't had the opportunity or a razor in about a month. Then I grabbed the book that Andrea just gave me to read, Ecotopia, and took it and my wet socks to the sunny spot on the lawn to warm up and dry out. Must have read for nearly two hours. Before I knew it other hikers had arrived - Shelton and Hason. They glanced at my databook and took off. That motivated me to do the same. I walked and enjoyed the hike this afternoon. After crossing NY 52, about six miles in to my hike, I almost stepped on a yellow jacket hive. I guess I came too close for comfort for the little guys because one jumped up and stung me on my shin. Damned it hurt! I limped off quickly, not wanting it to happen again. I left a not for other hikers letting them know that the hive sat in the center of the trail just ahead. Then I figured I'd better break for lunch and an antihistimine. I didn't have the latter, but Shelton did and gave me her last Benadryl. I didn't feel too bad as a result of the sting but the benadryl made me sleepy. I got to this shelter around three and felt like curluing up for a nap. Instead, I called it an end to my hiking day and went to the tenting area, found a nice place to roll out my mat. There I read. I've spent the entire late afternoon reading and not a soul has passed. It's incredibly still here, not even animals are running around. But the birds are singing. Now, I guess, it's about time for dinner. I'd like to get to sleep early tonight so I can get an early strt in the morning to make up for my lost mileage today. In some ways, though, I'm OK with this slower pace. It gives people behind me that I like hiking with a chance to catch up. I met a really cool Southbounder today: Dixie Bound. Had a great time laughing and talking with him. Seems like he'll make it all the way. I think Play-doh would enjoy talking with him, too, so I gave him Play-doh's contact infor in case he needs anything when he's around DC.
Date: 2003-07-29
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Ten Mile Shelter 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

20 MilesGood day but exhausted - My first 20 miler in a long time. I've got achey feet. The morning was fun. The terrain was relatively "flat" and the forest was new. I found a funky classical radio station that provided a neat soundtrack for the scenery I was admiring. I lost the signal after an hour or so but it started me on the right foot. Funny thing happened to me after I crossed the border in to Connecticut today. I said "good afternoon" to a woman Ithat I had come across. After she recoved from being totally startled by me, she said, "I know you." It turns out that while she and ehr daughter wer section hiking in VA I had seen them. We talked for about a half hour on a very wet and rainy morning back then. This time she was just out for a couple of days while her son was attending guitar camp. We hiked the remaining three miles together. It was a good pick-me-up after such a long day. I'm still in a pocket between groups of hikers, I suppose. Only Sheep Stuff and I are here and headed northbound. My first female SoBo is with us - Morning Moose is here tonight as well. This Ten Mile Shelter is beautiful and in a great location. It's too bad that the mice are so active.
Date: 2003-07-30
To: Mass. is next!
Miles today: 12.0

Another update from Leanna:She's in Kent, CT and in about 2-3 days she'll be in Massachusetts. We didn't talk long because she was at a payphone in the hot sun on a black top. I could hear tractor trailers storming by in the background - didn't sound very picturesque to me. She said that New Jersey was pretty. "Overall it was nice." New York on the other hand was "disappointing"... hard in the beginning then the second half of the NY trail was poorly maintained so she felt she was bushwhacking her way through. Christina and fianc© (sorry I can't remember his name) drove up to Fohnstock State Park in NY last weekend to see her. They did some hiking and had a good visit. She's starting to see South bounders now. Otherwise - not much else to report other than Moonshadow is fine and dandy!Tracy
Date: 2003-07-30
From: Ten Mile Shelter 

To: Steward Hollow Campsite
Miles today: 0.0

15.5 milesGreat day of hiking again today. I'm really starting to feel like I've got my trail legs back after being totally demoralized by the tough terrian in Southern New York. Today there were a lot of long ups, which is fine by me. I think I actually feel stronger on these. Plus, the trail was super well maintained, making the hiking enjoyable because I could look around more. So far NY gets a bad reputation in my book for trail maintanance (except your section, Elvis). Sometiems it felt more like I was bushwhacking than hiking. But today...all good. I made it down to the rao that leads to Kent, CT by noon. Mothman and his mom (Mothmom) were there. After they said their goodbyes, she gave me a ride to town. I needed only a couple grocery items (breakfast and snack foods) so I picked them up at a hefty price, then cruised over to the outfitter. Oh, between that, though, I ate a pint of Ben And Jerry's. No matter how good it tastes, that much ice cream makes the tummy hurt. Good thing I was so close to the outfitter's bathroom. The Outfitter didn't have what I needed - Aquamira - to treat my water with. So I bought nothing, opting to use the Iodine I am also carrying. I've been meaning to write Seam Grip a letter about their product - Aqua mira. Anyway, it seems lots of hikers have problems with the "A" part of the product running out before the "b." It happend to me this time; and my "B" bottle is 3/4 full. I think the "A" had a crack at the spout and was leaking all this time. But, it is just unacceptable. Anyway, because I needed to make my town visit quick so I could get back on the trail, I made a feq quick phone calls. The most important was to my sister asking her to send me my 15* bag back. I've been freezing at night (really only between 4:30 a.m. and 6:30 am.) in this fleece one. But I've been losing sleep because of it. So, Hello Warmth, here I come! Then I had to get some Imodium from the gas station. Damned Ice Cream!!!Monster Button and I hiked out together. He was really close to getting off the trail a couple days ago but now it seems like he's going to stick it out. I'd be a shame to quit this far along. Speaking of far along: i'm ahead of most everybody that I love hiking with. I can't decide whether to keep hiking or slow down to a crawl. I think I'll see if I can find Regan ahead of me - just to say hello for a day or two, then pull back. We'll see...
Date: 2003-07-31
From: Steward Hollow Campsite

To: Sharon Mtn. Campsite
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

8:45 a.m. I heard what sounded to me like the soft brek of ocean waves on the shore during the early morning as I walked along the Housatonic River here in CT. It's funny how one sound, one smell can transport you in time and palace to another dimension. I think I'm tking a somewhat slow day today. After looking at the maps last night before bed, I surmized that there will be a lot of short ups and downs (instead of extneded ones); these just seem to zap my energy the quickest. So...because I'm taking it easy, I'm sitting in the shade by the river after only two miles of hiking. EVENING: If I had to give a theme to the day - I'd say "Water." After my morning break beside the Housatonic I walked up to the Silver Hill Campsite for water and saw CC and Chicken Legs. I also met another thru-hiker I'd never seen befor - Pace. I got water from the pmp and, seeing as I was out of Aqua Mira, I drank it untreated. My first drinking of untreated water. It was some of the sweetest water I've ever had. I followed CC and Chicken Legs out of camp and before ong, they had sped far ahead. The trail ambled along a beautiful creek, with mossy rocks and fallen pines around it. It was too inviting to pass it by. I grabbed a piece of break to snack on, a book and a bandanda to dry my feet with and slid down next to the water for a feet soakin'. I stayed there a while dipping my feet in and taking them out from the shock of the cold - then in, again. Out again. I stayed there for a while, then gatehred my things and criused on, enjoying the scenery. Very much in the moment of appreciating so much around me. Before long I reached Ceaser's camping area, which I passed, but just beyond it was a babbling brook with a fallen tree that had my name written all over it. I pulled up a seat and commensed withg eating lunch and reading some more of my book. Some day hikers passed. After an hour or so, I packed up and headed off again. I made it to the Pine Swamp Shelter and had some relaxing conversation with Pace and Karma. Some of the conversation was about my feet. They've been really pale and peeling lately; Karma suggested I go back to wearing just sock liners and the socks (I had recently started wearing two pairs of wool and my liners because they had all become so thin) so that my feet aren't surrounded by so much moisture. He seemed to certainly have a point; I'll definately try going back to just two socks. Around 4:30 it seemed like it might be time to saunter over to Shanon Mt. campsite where I planned to tent. I covered these last three miles in less than an hour. I was surprised how quickly I arrived. Actually, I was surprised by how quickly I arrived at all my milemarkers today. Maybe all the breaks were what set me straight. The mosquitos at this campsite are absolutely voracious. I had to seek cover in my tent. This is the earliest I've been to bed in a long time. Sheep Stuff and Pace are tenting and hammocking, respectively, in the area.
Date: 2003-08-01
From: Sharon Mtn. Campsite

To: Riga Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Talk about a day full of ups and downs - ending on a purely down note. Most recently I got caught in a nasty rain storm - one as bad as any I experienced in Virginia (where it rained most every day). And while avoiding a super slick vertical rock, I tripped over barbed wire, falling face first downhill. Luckily only my gaiter was stuck on the wire and my legs weren't cut by the rusty stuff. But the shock of the fall and being pinned to the ground by my pack still has me shaken up. After all that I got to the shelter to essentially be told that there was no room, at which I burst in to tears. Oh, these tears were flowing like none I've released since the Smokies. I hadn't really intended to come all lthe way to the shelter tonight until after the hard rains started, knowing that my tent was already totally saturated. After my tearful and very pitiful production, they let me come in. Squished but glad to have a roof over my head.The good stuff that happened today was talking with friends - Bridget and Sherita and going in to Falls Village, a cute town in CT close to the trail, where I was able to get a coffee and a muffin. The folks in Falls Village were all really nice and one young couple offered for me to stay the night at their place. Needless to dsay, as I hiked out of town and it really started to rain, I regretted my decision to decline their offer. It was a very emotional day all around today. I wanted to (and did) cry this morning while listening to a radio talk show as they discussed ethics/pros/cons of euthanasia. I thought of my loved ones and immortality. Also felt very homesick for family today. I thought about many more things today - how I express myself to loved ones - and feel like I realized some things that may help me grow on a more personal level. And I have to embrase that it's OK to be sad.