morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-08-15
From: Graymoor Friary

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Start: Graymoor Friary @ 0945 Finish: RPH Shelter@ 1715Weather: Rain, humid.Breakfast: Life cereal, granola w/ blueberries, strawberries & peaches, apple.Lunch: 1-1/2 Bagels with frosting, Life cereal. Dinner: Cheddar broccoli soup w/ ham & croutons, M&M¢s.Trail Conditions: Muddy, rocky, slippery, a few climbs.Animals: Frogs, deer, chipmunk.People: SOBO¢s, Israeli guy.The storm of the century didn¢t make it¢s way to Graymoor last night, but we got no shortage of rain. It rained steadily till about 0900 this morning. The Stormtroopers and Terrapin all woosed out and zeroed, as they didn¢t want to walk in the rain.I pressed out on my own and wanted to make good time today. So I hiked at a good clip. About eight miles into the hike the day went from good, to bad, to "this sucks". First it started raining and did so for about two hours non-stop and then misted intermittently all afternoon. The trail was a total mud slide and the rocks were as slick as ice.The day went downhill quickly after the rain started. I next slipped on a rock and fell directly into a mud pit. My entire left side was coated in this stinky gunk and it was in my ear, hair, beard, and mouth. My pack was also loaded up with the slime. I walked about a quarter of a mile before I got to a stream and could rinse off a bit. Then I slipped several more times but was able to avoid falling. My luck eventually ran out and I fell once again in some more mud and missed cracking my head on a big boulder by about an inch. I hate falling.I was glad to make it to the shelter. It is a very nice brick cabin (much like Eckville Shelter) with bunks inside and a covered picnic area. There is a hand pump well to, so I was able to get completely rinsed off and wash out my mud crusted clothes.The water in this area is loaded with iron. Worse than the U.P. The water from this pump at the shelter is actually reddish! And my filter doesn¢t even remove all the taste. You could drink this water with a knife and fork. It¢s awesome.I am spending the night with a kid my age that is from Israel. He recently finished his obligatory three-year stint in the Israeli Army where he was a paratrooper and worked with the Entifada ¢ a military group that deals directly with internal counter terrorism measures. He is an interesting kid and has been fun to chat with.I have only two more days in New York. Tomorrow I am off to Pawling for a food drop pick-up.
Date: 2004-08-16
From: RPH Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: light rain

Start: RPH Shelter @ 1045 Finish: Telephone Pioneers Shelter@ 1730Weather: Rain- thunderstorms in evening.Breakfast: Granola w/ blackberries.Lunch: 1-1/2 Bagels, dried apples, snickers. Dinner: Velveeta shells and cheese, Snickers.Trail Conditions: Muddy, several climbs, relatively flat.Animals: Efts, lizard, frogs, deer, squirrel, chipmunk.People: Spock (SOBO Section), Lawin (SOBO), Alon, Mickey & Mallory.Well, we¢re on day five of rain, and Mickey just informed me we are forecasted to have another seven days of it. Grrrrr! Pretty much everything I own is wet or all damp, and it seems as though it will be staying that way.I awoke to the sound of steady rain and decided to go back to bed. There is nothing worse than starting your day in a down pour. Putting on all your cold wet clothing is agonizing enough. Finally at quarter to eleven I was ready to leave. A chill coursed through my body from my rain soaked clothes and pack.I was determined to make good time today so I hit the trail at full speed and showed it no mercy. There were several steep climbs but most of the trail was fairly well graded. I covered the first nine miles in just under three hours and took a lunch break at the Morgan Stuart Shelter. Refueled I set out for the last 7.5 miles.Once again I made good time. For a brief period the skies actually cleared and the sun came out! It was the first time I had seen the sun in like four days. I filtered some water out of Nuclear Lake ¢ which I later found out was the site of some research facility. The guidebook didn¢t say not to drink from it. But if I glow in the dark tonight or have a third eye in the morning I¢ll at least know why.I rolled into the shelter and cooked up a dinner and chatted with Spock, a SOBO section hiker. As we were eating a huge thunderstorm quickly materialized and doused the mountain in rain for about 40 minutes and entertained us with thunder and lighting. Alon got caught right in the midst of it and strolled into camp sopping wet, as the storm dissipated of course.Much to my surprise Mickey and Mallory came in tonight too. I had thought they were ahead. The three of us will be trying to catch up with Atlas over the next couple of days.The next week will be interesting for sure, depending on what happens with the weather. Hurricane Charlie has really messed things up. This is the longest stretch of rain since early Virginia, and the crummy weather can definitely be a mental burden. All of us hikers are trying to be positive about it, but there is no shortage of grumblings. Either way, I have come too far to quit. As they say ¢It¢s all about mind over matter ¢ if you don¢t mind, it don¢t matter¢.
Date: 2004-08-17
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Ten Mile River Lean-to
Miles today: 13.0

Start: Telephone Pioneers Shelter @ 0928 Finish: Ten Mile River Lean-to@ 1648Weather: Sunny, warm.Breakfast: Vanilla CIB.Lunch: Chris¢s Deli ¢ ¢The Bomb¢ sandwich, cheddar & sour cream Ruffles, pink lemonade. Dinner: 4 cheese lasagna, Starcrunch, dried apple.Trail Conditions: Flat & rolling hills, several steep climbs.Animals: Birds.People: Kevin, George, Alon, Pop-Tart.I almost started singing the Messiah this morning as I saw the fiery orange orb, known as the sun, illuminate the eastern horizon. For the first time in five days I saw the sun. It was splendid.The rain shower last night cooled everything off and there was a refreshing chill to the air this morning. A review of the fall temperatures that should come sooner than later I hope. I donned my sopping wet clothes with the excitement of knowing that they would actually dry today as I walked.First thing on the days list was getting to Pawling, NY to pick up my food drop. I didn¢t even have to thumb a ride. A car driven by a guy named Kevin, who is actually leaving town, turned around and drove me to the post office. Thanks dude. I picked up the food drop and sorted it in the corner of the parking lot for the Chamber of Commerce. I was able to dry most of my stuff out. I also hit the library up and enjoyed a great lunch at Chris¢ Deli. On the way out of town I also didn¢t have to hitch. A car driven by a guy named George, who was going into town, turned around and took me to the trailhead. Very nice that they went out of their way. Thanks again.I was back on the trail around 12:30 and started the days walk. The first few miles were a beautiful stroll through rolling meadows and pasture that skirted the wood line. I caught up with Alon before Wiley Shelter. He was having some terrible problems with blisters and was taking it easy.The shelter tonight is awesome. It is in a wonderful setting with a huge grassy meadow as a front yard. There is a very old stonewall dividing an old growth forest from the meadow. In the woods two large rivers merge into one about a hundred yards from our shelter. All in all it is just a very pleasant place.It¢s only Alon and I here for the night again. Poptart briefly stopped by, he slack packing, I haven¢t seen him since Harpers Ferry. It¢s been a relaxing night. Alon and I shot the breeze for quite some time. He¢s a good dude. He brewed up some Israeli tea, which was outrageously good. He used to make all the coffee and tea for his platoon in the army, and I was totally impressed when in unison we said the line from Blackhawk Down ¢It¢s all in the grind Sizemore. Can¢t be to fine, can¢t be to coarse, this my friend is an art.¢ Ben would have been so proud if he were here for that. HooRah.Off to bed now. I may pull some big miles tomorrow.
Date: 2004-08-18
From: Ten Mile River Lean-to

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Start: Ten Mile River Lean-to @ 1006 Finish: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter@ 1826Weather: Rain and damp in the morning, hot & humid afternoon, rain & humid at night.Breakfast: Granola w/ strawberries & blackberries.Lunch: Trailmix, 2 Twix, Klondike Bar, FPG. Dinner: Creamy potato soup/ ham, fudge round.Trail Conditions: Many steep hills and climbs. A nice flat along the Housatonic.Animals: Frogs, deer, squirrel, dogs, hawk.People: SOBO¢s, Goofy, Atlas, Mickey & Mallory, section hikers.I awoke to the dreaded sound of rain, and looked out of the shelter to a misty cloud filled valley. I sighed and went back to sleep and waited for it to stop. Already I could tell it would be a tough day.I said my farewells to Alon, who zeroed because his feet were so chewed up, and headed out. I walked so slowly today and just felt totally burdened down. The climbs were long and steep, the worst since Georgia, and I completely lacked the energy to really climb these. Plain and simple I was not in the game today physically or mentally.I finally made it to the road crossing for Kent and just walked the half mile into town. I stopped at the outfitter store in hopes of replacing my two platypus bladders, which have ruptured and leak. The store was out of them. They were also out of replacement parts for my broken Leki pole. I left the store. I called home from the gas station pay phone, but no one was there. I really want to talk with the folks. It would lift my spirits greatly. I ran into Goofy and we caught up on the times. I called Leki and they¢ll be sending me a replacement part to Dalton, MA. I then left town.I got back on the trail only to realize I forgot to buy fuel for my stove. So I am all out for the next several days. I felt even worse the second half of the day.There have been days that is has sucked out here. But today nearly broke me. The trail almost won. All I wanted to do is quit. Just take off my pack, chuck my poles and be done. I felt completely torn apart inside and exhausted. The weather has been bad, my gear is failing, nothing was going right, the climbs were steep, the heat and humidity are still terrible, etc, etc, etc¢¦. I could do nothing to see the positive. I just wanted to quit!I got to the top of Caleb¢s Peak and flopped down. I held back my tears, as I refused them to this piece of dirt I am so choosing to tread. It is just hard. It is just plain hard. I am being pushed on my on accord harder and farther than I have ever been.I didn¢t have much to say tonight at the shelter other than some random grumblings and grunting noises. Now I am going to bed and will say some prayers. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Date: 2004-08-19
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter

To: Limestone Springs Lean-to
Miles today: 22.3

Start: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter @ 0903 Finish: Limestone Springs Lean-to@ 1851Weather: Overcast, extremely humid, rain in late afternoon.Breakfast: Granola w/ raspberries.Lunch: Trailmix, Nutella. Dinner: One Lipton Chicken Rice, 1 Lipton Chicken Noodle, Starcrunch, FPG.Trail Conditions: First half many steep PUD¢s, second half leveled out.Animals: Snakes, frogs, houseflies, birds, squirrel.People: Atlas, Mickey & Mallory, Momma¢s Boy, section hikers SOBO¢s.There was a time in my life when I wondered what happened when someone did too many drugs. The moron SOBO, who is sleeping next to me, answered that very question. He is almost thirty and just fried. Nobody is paying attention to him and he just keeps talking. He is going on two hours of nonstop rambling.Anyways, today can be reflected upon in two distinct phases. The first half of the day (10 miles) was very arduous. I am continuing to mentally readjust to the rigors of steep climbs and there were plenty today. It was slow going as we went up and over about six 500-1,000 foot climbs on rocky and muddy trail. I hiked with Mickey & Mallory pretty much all day. We spent a good hour resting at the first shelter before moving on.The second part of the day was 12.3 miles to the day¢s final destination. There was several climbs, but far more gradual, and a long flat section along the Housatonic River. I covered the 12 miles in 4-1/4 hours including about 30 minutes of rest, which was actually faster than it took me to do the first 10 miles. It rained briefly this afternoon, and it still did little to eliminate the repressive humidity.I am beginning to wonder if fall will ever arrive. It is still very hot (80¢s every day) and oppressively humid. I am very anxious for cool dry conditions to arrive.OK, moron SOBO is still talking. I am tempted to smack him. He is now telling us how we can tell he is white, aside from the obvious color of his skin. I can no longer concentrate on what I would like to write. I weep for the future.5 days later ¢ alrighty, this is what I wanted to right a few days back but was distracted.I rolled into the shelter and met Momma¢s Boy, a fellow NOBO hiker and native West Michigander. He lives in a town neighboring Holland. I¢ve known of him via trail journals and local chatter ¢ he is a friend of one of our police dispatchers. Running into him just goes to show it¢s a small world. He seems like a nice guy and imagine we¢ll be doing plenty of hiking together in the upcoming miles.
Date: 2004-08-20
From: Limestone Springs Lean-to

To: Hemlocks Shelter 
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Start: Limestone Springs Lean-to @ 1040 Finish: Hemlocks Shelter @ 2038Weather: Hot & humid with sun for the morning/afternoon. Overcast and thunderstorms in evening.Breakfast: Granola w/ strawberries & blueberries.Lunch: Reuben from LaBron¢s Deli, Wheat Thins, trailmix. Dinner: Velveeta Shells & Cheese, fudge round.Trail Conditions: Steep, steep climbs.Animals: Squirrel, chipmunks, turkeys, birds.People: Atlas, Mickey & Mallory, Momma¢s Boy, Bulldog Nelson (SOBO).Today was a good day. Hard but good.I awoke feeling OK, however, after eating breakfast my stomach started acting up. I had terrible cramps, diarrhea, and came close to puking. After making several consecutive runs to the privy I laid down to rest as everyone else pushed off. Atlas gave me some Pepto-Bismol tabs to take.After about an hour I started feeling better and I headed out for the day. The crew was going into Salisbury to re-supply. I met up with them at the grocery store and we ate lunch and sat in the shade for a good hour or so. There was a squirrel bothering us so Mickey attempted to spear it with his Leki. He gave his pole a mighty hurl and missed it by an inch. Atlas knows how to prepare squirrel, so if we had gotten it we would have cooked it up.The climb out of town was good and steep taking us past Lions Head, and to the summit of Bear Mountain, the highest point in Connecticut. We all stopped at the enormous rock cairn and ate and contemplated the tough climb up Mt. Everett that lay ahead. But, before we hit Everett we dropped into Sages Ravine, which was absolutely beautiful. There was a wonderful cascading stream and several small waterfalls. I took plenty of pictures. We walked out of the gully to sound of distant thunder and strong winds ¢ the sign of a front coming in. Atlas and I picked up our pace to about 3.5 miles per hour, but made sure to enjoy the vistas from the ridge walk along Race Mountain.Atlas and I got to the base of Mt. Everett, which went up 700 feet in only a half-mile. We psyched ourselves up and decided to go balls out and race it against the clock. I gave myself 18 minutes to summit. It was by far the steepest climb since Georgia and was literally hand over foot up smooth rock slabs. I chugged my way up to the top and beat my goal by a mere 4 seconds. I was totally spent. Atlas hit the top about a minute before me. We waited up top for M&M and Momma¢s Boy to arrive.The five of us night hiked the last 1.5 miles to the shelter. It is a very nice shelter with a good stream as a water source. There was a SOBO there, who recently returned from Iraq, served in the Air Force, and decided to hike. Right on dude.After cooking up a good dinner it began raining and I went to bed.
Date: 2004-08-21
From: Hemlocks Shelter 

To: Tom Leonard Lean-to 
Miles today: 14.4

Start: Hemlocks Shelter @ 1040 Finish: Tom Leonard Lean-to @ 1830Weather: Heavy rains.Breakfast: Chocolate pop tarts and vanilla CIB.Lunch: 2 ears of corn, oreos, Snickers. Dinner: Arros con Queso, Starcrunch.Trail Conditions: Appalachian River/ pond/mud pit.Animals: 2 bear, Efts, birds, dogs.People: Atlas, Mickey & Mallory, Momma¢s Boy, No Pain, Ken, weekend hikers.Wet would be an understatement for today¢s conditions. It rained non-stop from about 10:00PM the previous night till 3:00PM today. The trail was a literal stream for half mile stretches with water shin deep in places. I have seen wet days out here, but this was just insane!Bulldog Nelson, the lone SOBO, had the right idea this morning when he saw the rain, rolled over and went back to sleep opting to take a zero day. Reluctantly we all packed up, leaving the shelter at different times, and entering the monsoon that was.In about 30 seconds I was drenched. After about 5 minutes my boots were completely water logged. I literally waded in places up the trail, which was very rocky and slick. I got to the Jug End ridgeline, which was about a mile of slick rock walking. I took it slow. I walked up on two bears and was within ten yards of each. The first was right in front of me on the trail, and the second off to my right. It was an awesome yet somewhat startling experience.I met up with Mickey and Mallory at the road crossing before Shay¢s Monument and we pushed on to the ¢corn crib¢, a roadside produced stand friendly to hikers. We met Momma¢s Boy and Atlas there and we all waited out the rain. The temperatures dropped into the low 60¢s and we all shivered with cold. I enjoyed some fresh sweet corn for lunch, they had great veggies there.Miraculously the rained actually stopped, but the temp kept dropping. Mickey & Mallory and Momma¢s Boy decided to stay at a hostel while Atlas and I opted to tough it out in the shelter.Quite a few people walked into the shelter however, most tented so there were only five of us inside. Atlas and I chatted with No Pain, a veteran hiker and a truly interesting character. He¢s just a funny dude.The weatherman says it will drop down to the forty¢s tonight but be clear and sunny tomorrow. I believe the temperature prediction, but I¢ll just keep my fingers crossed that maybe we get sun tomorrow.
Date: 2004-08-22
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to 

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin 
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: clear sky

Start Tom Leonard Lean-to @ 0901 Finish: Upper Goose Pond Cabin @ 1858Weather: Sunny & cool.Breakfast: Wheat Thins, Snickers, dried peach.Lunch: Oreos, dried peaches, Wheat Thins, fudge round. Dinner: 4 cheese chicken.Trail Conditions: Muddy & wet, several long climbs.Animals: Snake, birds, chipmunks, squirrels, fish.People: Spirit Al & Canada Goose, Atlas, Mickey & Mallory, Momma¢s Boy, No Pain, caretakers of hut.I thought for sure the sun would never show itself again after yesterdays horrendous rains. But as quickly as the bad weather came it also left. It dipped to a chilly 45 degrees last night but by morning the sun shown brightly and there was not a cloud in the sky! It was a beautiful morning and a sign that fall is slowly arriving.After the morning routine I headed out with Atlas. The trail was super muddy and still a river in places. There were several early climbs that were good and steep so the hiking pace was not rushed any. The nice weather also added to the leisure feel of the day.We eventually met up with Mickey & Mallory and Momma¢s Boy and the five of us hiked together. All in all we just slowly chugged along enjoying the wonderful weather an occasional plimpse of glacial ponds.Upper Goose Pond is a beautiful glacial pond surrounded by a shore of mountains. The cabin was very nice and very rustic with no electricity or running water. There was a canoe for the lake so we went for a paddle. The caretakers were very nice and we shot the breeze and had a relaxing evening.
Date: 2004-08-23
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin 

To: Dalton, MA. (Birdcage Hostel)
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

Start Upper Goose Pond Cabin @ 1023 Finish: Dalton, MA. (Birdcage Hostel) @ 2000Weather: Outstanding! Sunny & cool with breeze.Breakfast: Lots of pancakes, hot cocoa.Lunch: Dried peaches, Pepsi, Reeses peanut butter cup. Dinner: Foot long Reuben, Whoopie pie, apple juice.Trail Conditions: Flat with one climb.Animals: Snake, birds, chipmunks, squirrels, crane.People: Atlas, Mickey & Mallory, Momma¢s Boy, Rob, Tom, Spirit Al & Canada Goose, Mr. T, London Len, Beatbox, Tinker, Scorch.Today was a very relaxed day and the weather was good. We all ate a scrumptious breakfast of pancakes and cocoa prepared for us by the caretakers. We all took out time gearing up and enjoyed our stay along the lake.When we finally got moving I was in no rush as the terrain was flat and I wanted to enjoy the day. I fell behind everyone and rested often. I met up again with everyone at October Mountain Shelter. The pancakes gave all of us really bad gas and we were all farting ferociously, more so than we usually do. Mickey & Mallory, Atlas and I decided to call ourselves the ¢gas masters¢ as a pack name.Tooting away we headed on to Dalton. We rolled in at dark and chatted with Tom Levavdi a local trail angel. Word on the trail was of a great hostel called the ¢Birdcage¢ run by Rob Bird. We went to the Shell station, which he owns, and had the attendant call his house to let him know we were ready to be picked up. As we waited for him to come we nabbed some dinner at the local sub shop.We met up with Rob and he shuttled back to his house where about six other hikers were already staying. It was a bit crowded but a great place to stay. After watching some of the Olympics I went to bed.