morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-15
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, Pa.
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: broken clouds

Another milestone of our trip has been reached. I am staying at the Doyle Hotel tonight! Known to every thru hiker, because the trail goes right past the hotel and right thru Duncannon. Right now, I am sitting in the corner of this noisy bar updating my journal. We bathed (first time since last sun. at Harper's Ferry, except for creek baths), did laundry, and went to the grocery store for re-supply. Oh, and we have already eaten once, but we still have dinner to go. I'll let you know more in my next entry. We're just spending the night - back on the trail tomorrow!
Date: 2004-05-16
From: Duncannon, Pa.

To: End of Horseshoe Trail
Miles today: 20.8

(Sorry it has taken so long to get to a computer). Got our of Duncannon a little later than usual. The trail wasn't too bad today. You never know what to expect from the PA. section of the trail. So far we've had really, really steep ups and downs and really, really rocky climbing. Day before we walked in cornfields. I kept thinking of three movies: Circles, Field of Dreams, and Children of the Corn. The next day we had to walk thru fields of really high grass (like way above my waist). It had rained the night before, so everything I had on was soaked - just like I'd been thru a car wash. The stay at the Doyle Hotel on the fourth floor with no elevator or air conditioning - PA. is unique.
Date: 2004-05-17
From: End of Horseshoe Trail

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 25.4
Weather: scattered clouds

We've seen several deer and two black snakes the past couple of days. Two other hikers said they had seen two rattlesnakes - we're keeping a watchful eye out! The hike was pretty boring today. It was like being on the treadmill with no T.V. Not that I would complain about long, flat miles. PA. is coal country and a lot of the rocks underfoot today were coal. We hiked about 4 miles longer than we had planned because we heard that the 501 shelter was a 4-sided shelter with a solar heated shower. It really is a great shelter. It's better than some hostels. It's like a house and it has a huge skylight in the center. It has bundks, the shower, and of course a privy. It has a big table and chairs inside and a picnic table outside. It was worth the extra miles - even though we got caughts in the rain.
Date: 2004-05-18
From: 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton, Pa.
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: light rain

We busted out buns to get here before the Post Office closed, and my package from had had not arrived. DRATS! It was mailed over a week ago. Oh, well. I really have enough food to get me thru Fri. which is when we're expected to meet up with our spouses for a zero day in Deleware Water Gap, Pa. The trail today was another "treamill day," but the descent to Port Clinton was straight down. Yesterday (I forgot to tell you) there was miles and miles of blackberry (raspberry?) bushes - hikers in a few weeks will have a real treat waiting. There has also been areas where there are miles and miles of ferns - as far as the eye can see - like a path thru a bright green ocean. The Columbine has been really beautiful thru this part of PA. and my hiking partner spied a stand of "Quaking Aspen" - a tree we do not have in the south. We had town food at a restaurant and we're slepping in the town pavilion (like a big picnic shelter - they allow hikers to sleep in). The only hotel here was booked up and the Bed & Breakfast that was posted at $25 in the hiker companion was asking $65 per person whenever hikers showed up (without breakfast, so it was just for a bed). We refused to do that! It was the principal of the thing - who needs a bath anyway? WE DO!
Date: 2004-05-19
From: Port Clinton, Pa.

To: Allentown Shelter
Miles today: 22.6

Remember yesterday when we stayed in the Pavilion because the B & B was over-charging hikers? Well, if you ever decide to stay in the Pavilion be sure you have ear plugs. It's situated between a major highway and the railroad tracks. Constant, constant noise all night! There were about 5 other hikers there. We were all up early so I assume they didn't sleep much either. The PA. rocks have gotten terrible today. For all of you who don't know, the trail in PA. is mainly rocks - sharp, pointy rocks - like a witch's hat! The next couple of days are supposed to be the worst - my knees and feet are screaming for mercy!
Date: 2004-05-20
From: Allentown Shelter

To: N. of Little Gap Road
Miles today: 25.0

We're tenting tonight. The choice of shelters today was at 10, 16, or 32 miles. The climb out of Lee High Gap was said to be one of the toughest bouldering until we get to N.H. It was tought - hand over hand climbing - but I enjoyed it. After getting up on the ridge we walked for miles in some of the saddest terrain you've ever seen. The devastation is the result of nearly a century of Zinc smelting. In 1980 the E.P.A. shut down the durances and put this area on the superfund clean-up list. I guess someone should have paid attention!
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Fox Gap

To: Fox Gap
Miles today: 0.0

We had a really good zerio day. Washed clothes, picked up packages at the Post Office, did a little bit of shopping and a lot of resting my feet. Tomorrow may be a light hike, too, so that we can spend part of the day with out spouses before they have to head back home. We probably won't see them again until we get to Katahdin.
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Fox Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Crossed the Deleware River and into N.J. today. There was a lot of traffic on the trail - a lot of Sun. hikers and a lot of kids. A school was having a picnic at the Recreation Center. So far N.J. has been really interesting. We have passed the first glacial pone - Sunfish Pond. The views have been great! You can only camp in disignated areas in N.J. so we planned to tent at the Mohican OUtdoor Center but just as we came off the mountain we got a tremendous thunderstorm - so we forked over the $12 to stay in the bunkhouse (with bathroom, showers, and kitchen). Today was a snake-sighting day. There was a big brownish, green snake around the pond, and I stepped about 4 feet off the trail to use the bathroom, looked down, and 2 copperheads were at my feet. I yelled, "Steven, copperheads." He yells, "Are you O.K.?" And I answer, "yes, but wait, I have to pull my pants up!" One of the snakes had crawled right toward my pack and we couldn't find it, but the other one I kept my eye on until it crawled away! I hope I don't have a psycho-block when it comes to peeing in the woods!
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: light rain

We raced another thunderstorm to the shelter again today, and this time we not only beat it, the thunderstorm went around us and we didn't get a drop of rain. The bugs are getting worse. The shelter tonight has 4 citronella buckets and we have them all burning. We saw deer today, and entries in the shelter register say there's a bear who has been harrassing campers here. Views were beautiful again today, and the hike was pretty easy. I'm really enjoying N.J. -especially sinces the rocks are beginning to get better.
Date: 2004-05-25
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Pochuck Shelter
Miles today: 25.0

Did not have a bear sighting last night, and I kept my camera handy all night. N.J. has been just great today. We climbed to the highest point in N.J., then we went thru swamps, and then we walked thru a Natl. Wildlife Refuge where we say a doe and two of the tiniest little fawns I've ever seen. There's a lot of talk about bear sightings in this area too. I guess I'll sleep with my camera agains tonight - just in case.
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Pochuck Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Tonight we're in N.Y. Today's hike was strenuous - a lot of ups and downs, and the ups are rocks/boulders which I love but I'm banging up my shins and knees. I had rained, too, so the rocks are really slick. We had planned a stop at Fort Montgomery on Fri. to re-supply. Someone mentioned that that is the weekend for West Point's graduation, and sure enought everything is booked up. We'll probably go in and resupply and then hike back out. It will be 6 days since bath and clean clothes - oh, well, maybe in the next town.
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Brien Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

Aother good hiking day even though it poured rain all night. Lots more of the ups and downs in steep rocky mountains. These mountains are glacial mountains so you have glacial ponds all over them. Thwne you get to the top it's bare rock and you walk the rock across the ridge top. Yesterday when my hiking partner started across the ridge top and crow starts squawking (really raising a racket). We then noticed a big nest on the ledge near where we were crossing. We went thru the "lemon squeezer" today. It's a rock formation that is so narrow you have to take your pack off and walk sideways. What fun! Tomorrow we'll cross the Hudson River and actually hike thru a zoo.
Date: 2004-05-28
From: Brien Memorial Shelter

To: Graymoor Shelter
Miles today: 15.0

Started today in the pouring rain again. There were two mtns. we climbed today that you were supposed to be able to see the New York City skyline from, but it was so foggy we could hardly see the blazes on the trees. NO VIEWS! The trail went thru a zoo and tonight we're staying at Graymoor - a friary. My hiking partner and I agree that as we get farther north we've become a whole lot more cautious with our hiking. It's like the farther we go, the more we have to lose by an injury. I mentioned this to "Trek" (who has hiked the trail before) and he said, "Wait until you get to Maine. You'll worry about every headache." Sometimes though you really have to choose - we were on top of a bald ridge today when it started lightnight - and boy did we boogy off that mountain. When you weight the chance of falling and breaking a bone to getting struck by lightning - WELL! Today is day 80 on the trail.
Date: 2004-05-29
From: Graymoor Shelter

To: R.P.H. Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: clear sky

The weather is beautiful again today. The sun was shining when we got up (5:30) and the temp is around 55. It stayed in the high 60's all day today. Our night in Graymoor pavillion was very quiet. The chines from the chapel sounded the hour and even though I went to sleep early, I woke up to hear the chiming at 11:00. The sky was clear and the stars were bright. The hike was pretty easy today. We saw deer and a lot of week-end hikers.
Date: 2004-05-30
From: R.P.H. Shelter

To: Wylie Shelter
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: light rain

Oh, No! It's cold again. It was in the low 40's last night and boy, I wasn't prepared for that. I put on all the clothes I had in my bag, and I was still cold. The hike was pleasant today. Some mtns. some farms lands, and even a hike around a nuclear lake. We even passed by an old cemetery on the grounds of an abandoned mental hospital. This is our las day in N.Y. We cross over into Conn. tomorrow. I have really enjoyed N.Y. We've seen a N.Y. that the world rarely sees. Everywhere we've stopped people have been friendly, helpful, and have given us a pat on the back and lots of encouragement. We've had trail angels leave treats (especially water - water is scarce in N.Y.) at the many road crossings. Thank You!
Date: 2004-05-31
From: Wylie Shelter

To: Kent, Conn.
Miles today: 12.7

Into Conn. and what a beautiful introduction. The beginning of the hike took us along the Ten Mile Rive and the Housatonic Rivers - beautiful white water. There were some steep ups and downs and then the first car we flagged took us into Kent. The geltlemean drove us around to show us where everything was (grocery, laundramat, etc.) and then deposited us in the motel parking lot. Wow, love the northern hospitality. I'm calling my husband tonight to tell him t send me my sleeping bag liner and my mid-weight underwear. It's still chilly! Kent is a beautiful little town - we really enjoyed this stop.
Date: 2004-06-01
From: Kent, Conn.

To: Pine Swamp Book Lean-To
Miles today: 17.0

Didn't get back to the trail until about 10:00 so we had a short day - although not short enough. We were within about 4 miles of the shelter when it started pouring rain. I took off my safari shorts and walked in my gym shorts and rain jacket. I didn't want everything to be wet when I got to the shelter. About 5 miles of today's hike was a walk along the river, but then there were some really steep ups and downs. We're definitely getting back into the mtns. and our legs are feeling it. Tomorrow we get back up to over 2,000 ft.
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Pine Swamp Book Lean-To

To: Brassie Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 21.0

Yeah! We beat the storm to the shelter tonight! This is our last night in Conn. We go into Mass. tomorrow. There were some interesting sights today: a hang-glider view point; a hydroelectric plant that generates the electricity for Great Falls, Conn. (and the Great Falls); and a rock formation called the Giant's Thumb - guess what it looked like? Right! A giant's thumb. Looks like we might be the only hikers in the shleter tonight - two nights in a row.
Date: 2004-06-03
From: Brassie Brook Lean-to

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: few clouds

First day in Mass and the walk was fantastic - long and hard, but the views from the mountain tops were spectacular. We met 3 groups of Middle School age kids on Bear Mtn. I was huffing and purffing up the mtn. - and yes, even after 1400 miles I'm still huffing and puffing - and here come these kids just bouncing along. I made me really homesick for my grandkids, but gee, we're nearly finished. Vermont, N.H., and Maine to go! We got rained on briefly this afternoon - that's three days in a row - my feet haven't been dry since Monday.
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

Have I mentioned how the forests have changed? We are now walking thru huge pine forests ( with huge swarms of mosquitoes chasing us). There are still swamps, too. But the treat of the day is Upper Goose Pond (which to me is a lake, but they call it a pond) and the trail cabing that overlooks the pond. Hikers stay her for $3 and get blueberry pancakes for breakfast. It's 1/2 mile off the trial, but we had been told by a former thru-hiker not to miss it. That was great advice. We're dry, warm, and mosquito free! This will be one of the high points of our trip.
Date: 2004-06-05
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, Mass.
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

Today we met a true angel - trail angel that is. We were told at the cabin last night there was a gentleman in Dalton who lets hikers stay in his home - no charge. After checking at the only motel in town ($90), and knowing we had to stop to resupply, we looked up "Rob." He took us to his house, we showered and washed our clothes. He had drinks in the refrig. if we wanted them and he left us and two other hikers at his house while he went to play with his band. There's plenty of people all along this journey who have been eilling to help out a hiker in any way they could. It really makes me want to be more generous and hospitable with my personal resources when I get home.
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Dalton, Mass.

To: N. Adams, Mass.
Miles today: 23.0

The plan for today had been to hike to Mt. Graylock and spend the night at the Bascom Lodge (they have a hiker room for $10), but the weather was terrible (rain, fog, and cold) so we decided to do a slack pack from N.Adams back to Dalton and stay at "The Bird Cage" one more night. I was so excited to finally see Greylock - I had read about it in all the trail journals. The view was spectacular for about 15 mins. and then the rain and fog rolld in. The temp. was about 49 and the wind was blowing hard. We came down off the mtn. as fast as we could. We're ordering pizza and everyone is wrapped up trying to stay warm.
Date: 2004-06-07
From: N. Adams, Mass.

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

We got a late start today. Had to go to the Post office in Williamstown and the grocery to re-supply. When we did get out our packs felt like they weighted a ton.! We're in Vermont! I haven't been happy with the trail - it's muddy, overgrown, and has a lot of blowdowns (big trees down across the trail - some you have to go over, some you have to go under, and some you have to go around). I fell off a rock crossing a creek and got a pretty good lump on my right shin and my bottom soaked! We saw Moose today! Two big ones standing right in the middle of the trail! I got so excited I didn't even get a picture! That's all I can write - I have to turn my headlamp off because the mosquitoes (and moths) are attacking!
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Didn't see any moose today. We heard a beaver flap his tail at us as we passed a pond, but didn't see him! This part of the A.T. is alson part of the Long Trail. Today we saw a sign that said Canada - 252 miles; Katahdin-545 miles. I really hadn't thought about the Canadian border being that close. I have a question that none of you out there can answer - where are all of the female hikers? I haven't been in a shelter with anything but men in ages. We see an occasional female day hiker or section hiker, but Nails, Cricket, Zena, Scarves - I haven't heard from since back in Va..It was really warm today and is supposed to be 90 tomorrow. We'll need lots of water breaks.
Date: 2004-06-09
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Manchester Center, Vt.
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The climb up Stratton Mtn. was the first thing on our agenda today. It really wasn't a bad climb - not nearly as hard as yesterday's hike. We climbed the fire tower on top of the mtn., but had only limited views because of the haze. We had to come into Manchester Center to resupply, and once again had a hard time finding a room. There's a car show in town and a very helpful lady at the Chamber of Commerce called around until she found us a room (at a reasonable price). We thought about just getting our food and heading back to the trail, but the next shelter was 3 miles and it was already 6:00. Severe thunderstorms with hail are forecast for tonight, so we're glad we found the room.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Manchester Center, Vt.

To: Little Rock Pond Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Getting hitches in Vt. has been a piece of cake! Yesterday a lady and her daughter picked us up at the trail and took us into town. She drove us around and showed us where the grocery, the outfitter, etc. was. Then when we realized we heeded to go somewhere else to another motel another car stopped and the lady asked us if we needed a ride. When we went back into town to do our shopping the motel manage took us in and when we were waling back a young couple stopped and gave us a lift. The next morning we easily got a ride to the Bagel Shop (a high-schooler) and then we got another ride back to the trail! In all, 6 different individuals stopped and helped us out with rides during this one town stay - how cool! The hike today was really good with fantastic views. We hiked up Bromley Mtn. to the top of the ski slopes. We hiked up Baxter Pass and the view was spectacular. The shelter tonight in on the ridge above Little Rock Pone and it is a beautiful, beautiful pone. There are five girls in the shelter tonight doing a summer school session on hiking for college credit. They've been out for ten days. When we told them we had been "out" since March 9th they looked at us like we were aliens that had just been dropped off by an UFO. It was a fun evening.
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Little Rock Pond Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: clear sky

What a beautiful hiking day! The hike up Killington Mtn. was tough but a good hike. The spruce and fir forests are so nice - my hiking partner said yesterday it always smells like Christmas, so all I would think of were Christmas songs. I had a "cry baby" day today! We got up at 5:30 and started walking at 6:30 because we knew we had a long, hard hiking day (23 miles0. I've fallen a couple of times in the past few days, and my right shin is banged up and bruised; my pack has rubbed a sore spot on my back; I crossed one of the many blow-downs in the trail a ran a stick in my left calf; and to top it all off, I went to set my pack down and my walking pole snapped back and hit me in the face. I have a busted lip and will probably have a black eye tomorrow. When the last incident happened I just thought - this is the worst day since I started the trail, but then you know what they say (and it is true), " The worst day on the trail is better than the best day at work."
Date: 2004-06-12
From: Cooper Lodge

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

Another warm and sunny day after nearly freezing on Killington last night. It was about 40 when we got up. We stopped for lunch at Mtn. Meadows Lodge which is right on the trail. The Lodge is by Kent Pone - a beautiful setting. Our lunch was a bag lunch but it was delicious - sandwich, chips, strawberries, cookies, drink. There was a wedding to take place there at 2:30 and things were bustling (guys in their suits, etc.). We thought we were going to be alone again tonight, but Uncle Walt came in late. Tomorrow is our lst hiking day in Vermont. On Monday, we plan to be in Hanover, New Hampshire. The Long Trail and the A.T. split today, and it was only 152 miles to Canada and the sign said 479 to Katahdin.
Date: 2004-06-13
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was really hard hike but a beautiful one. From the top of "The Lookout" the A.T. companion says you can see the White Mtns. of New Hampshire. We had a beautiful clear day, so we were probably seeing the Whites for the first time. The Vt. mtns. really remind me of our Va. mtns. Our walk today took us over mtns, fields, farm lands, etc. Tomorrow we go into Hanover, N.H. to resupply and hopefully get a bath and wash clothes. I had another "freaky" fall yesterday. A stick got caught in the laces of my right shoe and simply "flipped" me off the side of the trail. Thank goodness, there were leaves, not rocks, because I went tumbling! Oh, well, back up again and still heading north.
Date: 2004-06-14
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover, New Hampshire
Miles today: 14.6

We're in New Hampshire! The trail goes right thru town and right thru Dartmouth College (hence, I have been sitting in Robinson Hall using a computer and have my journal completely updated). We had a good lunch and will stop by the grocery store to resupply before we go to a motel tonight. Tomorrow will be another big hiking day, and everyone tells us the hardest is coming up soon now. I say - one step at a time!
Date: 2004-06-15
From: Hanover, New Hampshire

To: Firewardens Cabin
Miles today: 23.4
Weather: light rain

Long day and boy what climbs. We climbed Velvet Rocks, Moose Mtn., Holts Ledge, and Smarts Mtn. Very steep ups and downs. The views were great today and tonight we could watch the sun set from the firetower. We saw quite a few hikers today. We met Lefty and Dusty, thru hikers who had just taken 3 zero days in Hanover for their son's graduation from Dartmouth. We need to get to Glencliff tomorrow before the p.o. closes - another 20 miles.
Date: 2004-06-16
From: Firewardens Cabin

To: Hikers Welcom Hostel
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

No Rain! Blue skies! Temps in the 80's, but in the woods and on the mtns. this is comfortable. Today's climbs weren't as hard as yesterday's. Tonight we're at the Hikers Welcom Hostel in Glencliff at the foot of Mt. Moosilauke - our 4800 ft. climb for tomorrow. The next bad news is that we had a mail drop today, so our packs are full (6 days supply of food). We've been seeing a lot of snakes - small black ones with yellow stripes - harmless - I hope.