morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-10
From: High Point Shelter, NJ

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 7.1

Three miles into today¢s hike we cross into New York for the first time. Eight states done, six more to go! The trail zigzags back and forth over the two states¢ borders for the next 25 miles until we permanently re-enter NY at Greenwood Lake.We are apparently going set another temperature record today. After hiking only seven miles to town, we are totally wiped out.I visit the Post Office at Unionville and pick up a care package from home. Inside the PO we meet Mayor Ludwick. Noting our obvious discomfort, the Mayor offers us Trail Magic in the form of staying at his home overnight. We ask, why not? It¢s just too hot to be outdoors, and besides, there are no motels or hostels here.Mayor Ludwick must be on a personal mission today: saving all the thru-hikers he can find in his town. All together he rounds up four sufferers from the heat. When we arrive at the Ludwick residence we find Bucket and Water are already there. We all have a wonderful dinner and sleep on the floor without complaint. The AC runs all night.This is the first time on this trip that I¢ve had Trail Magic at someone¢s home. Thanks so much to you Mayor Ludwick! You¢ve made our stay in Unionville, NY memorable.
Date: 2007-07-11
From: Unionville, NY

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 11.8

I think Mayor Ludwick may not have a lot of official duties to occupy his time today. He offers to slack us by taking our packs all the way to the church in Vernon, tonight¢s planned stopping point. This probably entails a drive of 30 miles for him. The Mayor¢s Trail Magic surely exceeds anything we could have expected.Despite the terrible heat again, the four of us hike fast today for a very good reason: the church can only accommodate 12 hikers. If we¢re quick we can grab a spot in the air conditioned basement tonight. Otherwise, we will be forced to sleep in the pavilion next to the firehouse. If the siren lets loose we could be in big trouble. C¢mon group, faster, faster!About 2 miles from our destination we navigate the boardwalk over and along Pochuck Creek. The boardwalk carries us for at least 1000 feet through the marsh. We have a good opportunity to get close-up to the marsh plants. We keep looking for wildlife but don¢t see any, suspecting that, instead, this place gets really active at night.Our group of four arrives at the Episcopal Church in time to secure floor space for our sleeping bags. For a cost of $10 we receive kitchen privileges, take a shower, and use the wash machine. In town we buy many pounds of veggies and other good stuff and prepare a gigantic stir-fry. Liberal usage of Montreal¢s favorite Tamari Sauce stinks up the entire basement.
Date: 2007-07-12
From: Vernon, NJ

To: NY Route 17A
Miles today: 15.2

We arrange for another slack today. We are dropped off at the trail crossing with NY Route 17A near Greenwood Lake. We hike south back toward Vernon where we will spend another night at the church.Six miles later we see painted on the rocks the official state line between NJ and NY. If we were heading in our normal north direction this point would indicate our permanent arrival in New York. Because we¢re heading south into New Jersey, well, it just kinda gets confusing.There is a register here for hikers to sign. I don¢t know why anyone cares who goes through here, except that maybe they just want to keep count. Or maybe, because this is New York, they¢re going to send us a tax bill for walking through the state! I think we¢ll just fill in names and forget the addresses.A mile before we get back to Vernon we stop for a long time to enjoy the scenery from Pinwheel¢s Vista, elevation 1300 feet.
Date: 2007-07-13
From: NY Route 17A

To: Island Pond Road, NY
Miles today: 13.6

The trail through here is really nice. We travel at a fairly constant elevation of 1200 feet. There are numerous vistas of the surrounding countryside. We cross about a dozen streams, some with bridges but many with just stepping stones. We occasionally get our boots wet.Our mileage today is a little on the low side. Reason is that we want to leave 4 miles for our final sprint tomorrow to the Fat Fest in Harriman State Park. For the last week word of this hiker get-together has spread up and down the trail. We have planned carefully so we can be there and join the festivities.
Date: 2007-07-14
From: Island Pond Road, NY

To: Seven Lakes Drive, NY
Miles today: 12.8

We have no reason to rush today so we don¢t leave camp until ten o¢clock. Soon we come to some truly massive rocks, and unbelievably, the trail goes under them, not over them. We have fun negotiating one section called the Lemon Squeezer. It is a very tight fit while wearing our packs.At Arden Valley Road we find the Fat Fest just as promised. We are informed that Night Eyes, a 1998 thru-hiker, sponsors this extravaganza each year. Everyone downs steaks, hot dogs, salad and desert until we¢re ready to burst. I figure it must cost $1000 to put this party on for the 20 hikers that are here.Since we traveled only 4 miles today, we decide to leave around 3 pm and put in another half-dozen miles before dark. Night Eyes does not want us to leave, so he makes an offer we can not possibly refuse. He will slack us 9 miles up the trail and we can walk back south to the Fat Fest where we will spend the night camping. Sounds like a great idea!Night Eyes drops us off at Seven Lakes Drive and we immediately head south back to the party. At Black Mountain, elevation 1160 feet, we have a nice view down the Hudson toward NYC. To the north we see Bear Mountain, our destination for tomorrow. In short order we arrive back at Arden Valley. As there is plenty of food left we dive into Fat Fest Part II. What a day!
Date: 2007-07-16
From: Graymoor Monastery

To: NY Route 301
Miles today: 11.9

At daybreak two angry friars hustle over to the overnight intruder and run his ass right off The Sacred Soil. They are really upset! I didn¢t think that emotion was permitted. Must have been the barrage of Latin insults that made the intruder scram so fast. Our breakfast proves to be much more enjoyable than the previous night was. Thank you, Friars, for watching over us.This morning¢s trail is deficient in elevation, we don¢t even get over 1000 feet high. Twelve miles into the hike I pull out the map and see that ahead is NY Route 301, a major cross road easily accessible from the Interstate. Connecticut is not very far away to the east. All of a sudden I realize THIS IS IT, we¢re not going any further, I¢m tired of hiking! TIME TO GO HOME for a few days!Trainman is working so I call my father who is about 75 miles away. Of course he will be glad to pick up Montreal and myself. I give him precise instructions where to find us in 3 hours, and by golly, 3 hours later it works perfectly.This evening Montreal and I stay at my parents¢ home in Forestville, near Bristol, which is about 40 miles south of my home in East Granby. We are so tired and dirty. We just need to relax for a few days, gather up some supplies, and formulate the plan of attack on the Mountains of the North.The Appalachian Trail definitely saves the best for last. All 1800 miles up to the southern edge of the White Mountains are just a warm-up practice for what lies north of that point. Because I¢ve been through there before, I¢m wise to the tricks of New Hampshire¢s White Mountains and Presidential Range. My experience will guarantee my success. I know how to use the shuttle bus system in the Whites and I¢ve got the hut system all figured out. I hope everyone else has done their homework. And of course all the first-timers think that once they finish NH and cross into Maine they¢ve got it made. Guess again, rookies! You had better be prepared (like I am) for southern Maine because it is going to kick your butt hard!Montreal and I will take two days to work out the details for finishing this hike. But this evening we must first make the obligatory trip to my parents favorite AYCE Chinese buffet. Somehow it tastes better than I remember. For sure I will still want to drink a gallon of water later tonight.
Date: 2007-07-17
From: Forestville, CT

To: East Granby, CT
Miles today: 0.0

Dad takes Montreal and me to my house in East Granby this morning. As we drive into the yard I am startled to see Chester the Tree Man with chain saw in hand. Fearing the worst I take a glance in the back yard. Sure enough, another huge eighty-foot tall tree has fallen. Unlike a year ago when a hundred-footer fell, this time there is no real damage. But what a mess! The out-of-pocket cost will be $2000. Oh well, Chester¢s got kids to feed, too.The near-empty refrigerator offers no encouragement, so Montreal and I head off to the grocery store. I haven¢t driven a car in 4 months, so since it¢s a nice summer day, we do a topless cruise in my convertible. At the store we pick up about $300 worth of food and supplies, some for now, some for later. It is a relief to get Powerbars for $1.25. Many times on the trail they individually cost 2 bucks, and that¢s when you¢re lucky enough to find them.On the way home we stop at the Post Office to retrieve a package sent from Canada by Montreal¢s wife Martine. Inside are clothing items that he needs for the remainder of the journey into cold country. We pick up a dozen Priority Mail boxes. Tomorrow we will start filling each one with the prescribed quantity of meals and snacks.For supper we are joined by son Chris, his girlfriend Rachael and my good friend Deb. Montreal treats us to the identical veggie-chicken stir-fry that he prepared back in the church in Vernon. The quantity of food is huge, but as we are still running on pumped-up trail appetites, there are few leftovers.
Date: 2007-07-18
From: East Granby, CT

To: East Granby, CT
Miles today: 0.0

The weather is terrible, overcast and rainy, just really ugly. What a great day to be indoors! Montreal and I have a lot of work to do. We must plan all of our mail drops, where they will be, and how much food will go into each box. Complicating the situation is consideration for when we will be in towns, when we will stay at hostels, and when we will use the AMC¢s hut system through the Whites. There¢s no need to be carrying food at any of those times.Anyway, after hours and hours of calculating locations and distances, we have the plan. We will pack up 9 boxes of food and supplies. They will be sent ahead to Post Offices in Hanover and Gorham, New Hampshire, and Rangely, Stratton, Caratunk and Monson, Maine. The Monson box is critical as it is the last re-supply before entering the infamous hundred-mile wilderness.We rely heavily on freeze-dried everythings to keep us going. Having extinguished my stash here at the house, we place an internet order for $400 worth of the food from Campmor in New Jersey. Delivery is promised in 2 days. That works for us. When we receive the food pouches we will stuff them into the boxes to be mailed up the line.
Date: 2007-07-19
From: Jug End Road, MA

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 95.3
Weather: haze

After two days at home in CT for some R&R, Montreal and I are back on the trail. I¢m concerned that Montreal¢s time is running out. His visa for visiting the U.S. is valid for 6 months. As the hike itself takes about 5 12 months, there¢s not much time to play with on either end. September 18 is the last day Montreal is allowed to be in the US. I must make sure he gets to the border before the Feds come calling. It¢s going to be close.To ensure meeting our finish date we jump ahead by about 80 miles to start today¢s hike. Montreal probably cannot come back and make up these miles lost in NY and CT, at least not this year. Although disappointed, he is willing to accept that. Better skipping miles than going to jail. For me, some or all of these miles were hiked early this year while practicing. I¢ll have to check my logbook. Necessarily I will return here in the fall and make sure I have hiked all 2174 miles. I don¢t want anything to jeopardize my achieving official "Thru-Hiker" status.We make our task a little easier by slacking ourselves using the technique called ¢Car Spotting¢ (which is not remotely related to the cult movie ¢Train Spotting¢). Here¢s how it works. We take 2 cars with us to the trailhead this morning, about 50 miles to the west of East Granby. We park one car at the day's end point, drive back to the start point and leave the second car there, hike all day to the end point, drive back and retrieve the first car, find a campsite, and repeat the next day. This procedure allows us to have a continuous slack; we only need to carry daypacks while we hike. At the end of each day we have access to all of our gear which has been stored in the car.Today we hike southbound from Jug End Road near South Egremont, MA to Undermountain Road, near Salisbury, CT. The real distance is only 16.6 miles. (Trainman¢s Interjection: April¢s fast-forward of 80 miles really messes up the mileage count. Bear with me for the next 3 or 4 postings while I try to make sense of her hop-scotching around.)We decide to reverse the normal roles and give Trail Magic rather than receive it. We set out a cooler of sodas and snacks at Jug End. As we hike south we meet a lot of hikers, some we know by name, but others we have never met. We encourage all to partake of the Trail Magic further along the way.Even worse than yesterday, the rain comes down hard for much of the time we are hiking. Because we are slacking and trying to make fast time along the trail, we do not carry our quality raincoats. Big mistake! We get soaked! After a wet seventeen miles we arrive at our second car. A quick road trip back north returns us to Jug End and our campsite. We find that the cooler is completely empty.
Date: 2007-07-20
From: Beartown Mountain Road, MA

To: Route 20, MA
Miles today: 20.7

Because we have vehicles available we offer Trail Magic to Ziplock and Nitro. First we all have breakfast at a diner in Great Barrington, then we pick up a package at the Post Office. We leave our friends at a motel in town; they are taking a zero day for the remainder.Montreal and I work our way back to Beartown Mountain Road where we start our hike north through the Berkshire Mountains. We encounter a fair amount of elevation change along the way. The climb out of Tyringham, MA is a trying 900 feet up.Thirteen miles into the hike we come to Upper Goose Pond, a very nice recreational area run by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). The location is so beautiful (now that the rain has stopped) we decide to spend an hour paddling around in a canoe. The AMC provides a nice cabin for those wishing to stay overnight. We don¢t stay because our car is waiting at the trailhead on Route 20 a few miles further north.(Trainman¢s Interjection: In today¢s mileage count, April skipped the section from Beartown Mountain Road south to Rt. 23, 5.7 miles. She¢ll have to make it up later.)
Date: 2007-07-21
From: Route 7, MA

To: Route 23, MA
Miles today: 12.9

We must get back to East Granby today to finish our trip preparation. But first we have half a day to hike north from Great Barrington, traveling the short distance between Rt. 7 and Rt. 23. At noon we drive both cars back into Connecticut for the last time. Our car-spotting episode is concluded.As promised, the big box of food from Campmor has arrived. We divvy up the meals making sure that a variety goes into each box. And finally we are DONE.Today is Saturday and son Patrick visits from Albany so his father can adjust the brakes on his new car. This activity keeps them occupied all day. Trainman just loves spending his Saturdays doing brake jobs.Tomorrow¢s plan is for Patrick, on his way back to Albany, to take Montreal and I to the trail head. He also will hike with us on Mt. Greylock. After Patrick departs we¢ll be on our own again. No more home, no more cars, no more conveniences, only our legs and our fortitude will carry us northward to Maine.My stay at home was nice. I had a chance to relax and visit my family and friends. It¢s unfortunate that Trainman was working nearly the entire time I was home. At least I had time to give him a hair cut (takes 5 minutes and saves 20 bucks). I leave a huge stack of boxes for him to send to us as we advance up the trail.(Trainman¢s Interjection: In today¢s mileage count, April skipped the section from Rt. 7 south to Jug End, 4.5 miles. She¢ll have to make it up later.)
Date: 2007-07-22
From: North Adams, MA

To: Mt. Greylock, MA
Miles today: 42.3

The three of us have a wonderful day. We hike southbound from North Adams to the peak of Mt. Greylock, highest point in Massachusetts at elevation 3491 feet. Since we start at elevation 650, this is quite an up-climb. On top is the immense granite War Memorial. Wish we could have seen it at night with the globe illuminated. The views are terrific on this beautiful day. Having Patrick with me makes it even better.We return the same way we came up. Going down 3000 feet is harder than you think. At least we are slacking so the lessened weight helps minimize the pain in our legs and back.(Trainman¢s Interjection: In today¢s mileage count, April skipped the section from Mt. Greylock south to Rt. 20, 36 miles. She¢ll have to make it up later.)
Date: 2007-07-24
From: MA-VT State Line

To: Congdon Shelter, VT
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: mist

Still raining a little bit today, but at least we can get a photo of the state line sign. We make the acquaintance of Bloody Nose, a peculiar trail name for sure.Starting here at the state line the Long Trail runs concurrent with the A.T. for the next 105 miles. North of Rutland the two trails split with the Long continuing due north another 168 to the Canadian border while the Appalachian heads off northeast toward New Hampshire and Maine. Chances are good that during the next week we will meet a different kind of ¢Thru-Hiker,¢ one who is doing the full length of the Long Trail.We encounter a tough stretch of rocks on the trail. Reminds me (not fondly) of what we endured back in Pennsylvania. But complaining won¢t help, there are tons more rocks ahead when we get into the White Mountains. And further up in Maine at Mahoosuc Notch we¢ll have to negotiate the gorge filled with rocks as big as houses. I¢m not kidding!
Date: 2007-07-25
From: Congdon Shelter, VT

To: Glastenbury Mountain, VT
Miles today: 14.7

Today presents the first difficult hike in a long time. All fifteen miles are just one steady climb, raising our elevation by 1700 feet. Because of numerous streams to cross and mud bogs to skirt around, we are plenty wet by day¢s end.Idea: let¢s use the fire tower here on Glastenbury Mountain to accelerate the drying-out process. There should be a good stiff wind way up on top. And while we¢re at it, let¢s just camp out in the observation cabin all night. Should be cool and won¢t have to worry about mosquitoes or porcupines 100 feet above the ground.Our plan works out very well. No one falls through the railing or rolls down the stairs. The sunset is amazing. By morning everything is dry.
Date: 2007-07-26
From: Glastenbury Mountain, VT

To: Stratton Pond, VT
Miles today: 19.1

What a nice day to be in the woods. I start at elevation 3700 feet at Glastenbury Mountain, drop down to 2300 to cross the Deerfield river, then climb back up to 3900 at Stratton Mountain. That¢s a combined down-and-up of 3000 feet. No wonder I¢m tired.Now that we¢re getting up into the north woods, we start to see lots of beaver ponds. It¢s rare to actually see a beaver, but we know they are around judging by the fresh teeth marks on the trees.Stratton Pond looks cool and swimming is allowed. Since I haven¢t had a real shower in five days, I dive right in with all my grungy clothes on. I¢m sure some of the sweat and slime is washed away.A short distance further we find the North Shore Tenting Area. The caretakers thoughtfully provide raised wooden platforms. These prevent our tents from getting too muddy in this perennially wet area. The platforms also define where the tent sites are, otherwise campers set up wherever they want, tending to push the camping area out of its boundary.
Date: 2007-07-27
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

It¢s pretty wet in this part of Vermont. The trail takes us over 5 major streams and the Winhall River. We¢re pleased that the trail is fairly flat with just a bit of downward tilt coming to the crossing of VT Route 11. Here we decide to hitch into Manchester Center, about 5 miles west, and stay at a hotel so we can get clean and dry.Perhaps because Manchester is a college town or because Vermont has a high percentage of hikers, we get a ride in an uncharacteristically short time.In town we select Sutton¢s Place which has a shower and wash machine. Don¢t really need anything else.In the evening there is a concert on the Green. We don¢t know who is playing or why, but that doesn¢t matter. The music entertains us into the night.
Date: 2007-07-28
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Big Branch Shelter, VT
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: moderate rain

Same as last night we get a quick pick-up back to the trail this morning. Strangely, the fellow driving told us that earlier this year he was at Springer Mountain (GA) about the same time I was there. What a coincidence.The weather is menacing but it doesn¢t rain. At the top of Bromley Mountain, elevation 3260 feet, we crest the summit and have a strange encounter with an alien spacecraft. It just hovers there, making no noise whatsoever. Isn¢t that what aliens always do in the movies? I think that¢s also what chair lifts do when they are not running. Anyway, we pretend that it IS running and that we¢ve just finished our ride. I set the camera timer for 20 seconds, carefully place it on a railing, and race back to my seat. Another one is captured for posterity.We figure that the middle of Big Branch is as good a place as any to have our freeze-dried supper. We carefully make our way out onto a semi-flat rock. The noise of the rushing water makes our all-too-familiar meal go down a little easier.
Date: 2007-07-29
From: Big Branch Shelter, VT

To: Clarendon Gorge, VT
Miles today: 15.8

It¢s another hot day. At eleven o¢clock we come to the Little Rock Pond and cannot pass up the opportunity to cool off, at least for a little while. The caretaker for the pond and the nearby shelter has got his tent set up to stay dry no matter what. Many times I wish I had a tarp to drape over my tent. I might have stayed a lot drier on those nights.We discover the odd Caron Rocks right on the trail. This is a most bizarre assemblage of balanced rocks. Someone really spent a lot of time putting together all this ¢Creative Art.¢Toward the end of the day we come to Clarendon Gorge. There is a swimming hole used by locals and hikers. Of course we jump in. A neat suspension bridge carries the trail (and a few tourists) across the gorge. It¢s too dark now so we¢ll have to wait until morning to get a picture. Our campsite waits just up around the bend.
Date: 2007-07-30
From: Clarendon Gorge, VT

To: Cooper Lodge, VT
Miles today: 11.3

This morning we traverse the Clarendon Gorge suspension bridge. It is about 80 feet high and just a little scary. At the bridge we find Trail Magic provided by Hiking Gnome and Outhouse Repairman. After hiking three miles we find more magic, this time presented by Madhatter, a 2004 thru-hiker. He said that he remembered seeing me on the trail that year!The climb to the top of Killington Peak is not easy, requiring a day-long steady push from elevation 800 feet to 3800 feet. From the summit a side trail takes us another quarter mile to the chair lift station and the restaurant. Many tourists might squawk at the prices, but we don¢t. We¢re glad to have ice cream and beer no matter what the cost.
Date: 2007-07-31
From: Cooper Lodge, VT

To: VT Route 4
Miles today: 6.2

Short and easy are the words of the day. The trail is downhill all the way from Killington Peak to the crossing of Route 4 at Sherburne Pass. We lose 2000 feet in elevation. Not to worry, we¢ll probably just have to make it up tomorrow. We stay at the Inn at Long Trail.