morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-09-11
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Mt. Wilcox South Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: broken clouds

I pulled out earlier than Tortoise, who was planning to end his hike at the next road. The weather was oppressively hot and humid, without a breath of wind. The trail was deserted - perhaps most hikers had the sense to stay somewhere air-conditioned. I did meet two ladies who were walking their poodles around Benedict Pond. I was standing by the inlet, treating some water, and being quite the klutz, drenched with sweat. The mosquitoes were out in force. I have a hat, styled after Chairman Mao's, that includes a netting that can be stowed away when not needed. It's hard to breath freely through the mesh, but it's helpful on rest stops, to get some respite from the nasty little critters. I hate the sound when they dive bomb and crash land in my ear. I made it a short day, for the simple fact that I don't handle heat well. My friend Phoenix had to end his hike due to heatstroke. So learning from his experience, I had the option of Mt. Wilcox South or North, or even Shaker Campsite, but I took the first. The place was deserted. I elected to tent, for respite from the mosquitoes, although it was oppressively hot inside it. There were hints that it might rain, so I set up the rainfly, which reduced the air circulation. By 10:00 pm, a thunderstorm set in, and I had pitched in a nice flat spot that turned out to be a puddle. Some water got in so the floor of the tent was wet, as well as the footprint being soaked. Before it rained, and in the morning, I hung things up to dry, without much success.In retrospect, since the shelter was empty, the best approach would have been, to pitch tent in the shelter, without the rainfly. That way, there would be some air circulation, and also protection from the mosquitoes. The batteries on the headlamp gave out, as did the batteries on the Steri-Pen. I had spares. Then I noticed that the fuel canister was very light, and gave a hollow swishing sound when shaken. The larger ones last so long, that I had got out of the habit of carrying a spare. Poor planning, the normal standard is to have a backup or spare for anything critical. I cooked carefully, without the usual reheating or heating of "dishwater."Being in a tent during a thunderstorm is an experience. The flashes are bright as day, and there is always the count from flash to thunder, to see how far away it is. Sooner or later, you get the Flash/boom, simultaneous... My parents always encouraged us to sit on the back porch and watch the thunderstorms, as a kind of natural fireworks spectacle, and I don't have much fear of it. But I just seemed more comfortable after I turned my headlamp on.
Date: 2013-09-12
From: Mt. Wilcox South Shelter

To: Jerusalem Road
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

Slept a little late and took my time doing breakfast and treating water. Almost everything I have was wet and much of it had a faint, unpleasant smell of mildew. The weather was cooler and I enjoyed hiking along from pond to pond. Some of them were made by beavers and I saw gnawed trees, dams and lodges. I met a young couple who were southbound, filling in the final 78 miles of their hike. Sunshine got sick and they missed a small gap, being purists they were taking the opportunity to complete the last few miles. They're from the Washington, DC area. Not Yet has a government job, from which he was able to get a furlough with benefits, since sequestration has put pressure on the budget. She's a teacher, and expects to be able to find work in the area. We discussed the Washington, DC school system briefly, since I had read an article to the effect that it's dysfunctional. I decided to go back to Great Barrington to retrieve the car, as well as do my laundry, shower, eat real food, and sleep in a nice comfy bed. I got off at Jerusalem Road in Tyringham, Mass, and walked an easy half mile down to the Post Office, which appears to be the center of town. It was late in the day, and many of the locals greeted me or chatted as they picked up their mail. There's no delivery. There was a nice fountain, with an old-fashioned hand-pump, at the junction of Jerusalem and Main Roads. Taking a shuttle, the driver gave me a guided tour, to include the Gingerbread House (in pictures). We also went by a nice house and farm for sale. I had admired the barn from the trail coming in, and after I got home, I checked the price - $1.5 million. Too bad, I had visions of opening a hostel as a hobby business, planting an orchard and blueberries, making a nice bunkroom in the barn, etc. Plans included a laundry room, a rec room, Wi-Fi, a drying room, and two full baths. There would be a guitar, mandolin and banjo in the rec room, in case anyone wanted to make music. The car was in good shape where I left it. The occasional northbounders who passed me usually noticed it and they would tell me it was OK. Took a room at Days Inn, showered, went to the laudromat, picked up spare triple A batteries for the headlamp and C123's for the SteriPen. I couldn't locate propane for the Snow Peak so I left that for the next day. Prime Rib was on special at Bogies, a very good feed and well under $20, no drink and a good size tip. And so to bed.
Date: 2013-09-14
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: October Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Breakfast at Upper Goose Pond Cabin was a treat. Bambi served us blueberry pancakes, as much as we could eat. After the pasta last night, it's almost like carbo-loading. I figured it would give me a lot of energy for the day. I headed out a little bit later than usual, after hanging around a bit to let breakfast settle. Within a mile or two the trail crosses I-90 and Rte 20. There is a pedestrian bridge over I-90, which my wife and I drive under from time to time when heading West into New York for vacations. After that the trail went past a number of ponds, as well as various flat, marshy areas where ponds had been filled in by vegetation. Many of them showed evidence of beaver activity. Well-rested, stuffed with calories, and hiking in cooler weather, I made good time. October Mountain Shelter is a good one - in a pine woods area with lots of needles on the ground and a strong flowing stream for water. The shelter itself has four large bunks, plus room for more in a loft above the overhang. The picnic table is under the overhang and stays dry. I had the shelter to myself. A young couple came in as I was eating supper, but decided to move on, for privacy, I guess. It was their first hiking experience, and they had questions which I answered as best I could. I made a fire, which required a lot of tending since the wood was wet and I kept it small. Anyway I tended it for an hour or so and then went to bed. The moon was shining extremely bright, and I actually got up around 11:00 to see what was the light source, I thought it must be someone out there with something that was real bright. It got down to 40 degrees, and I fiddled taking layers on and off in my sleeping bag. Eventually I got it right and slept comfortably for the rest of the night.
Date: 2013-09-15
From: October Mountain Shelter

To: Washington Mtn Rd/Pittsfield Rd
Miles today: 2.2
Weather: clear sky

It was a short hike to Pittsfield Rd where I planned to finish. It was Sunday morning, quiet and sunny, and much of the walk was through a tall pine woods that had the usual cathedral effect. I was remembering as a child at summer camp we would have services in the woods sometimes, and I had a number of the hymns we would sing going through my head. "This is my Father's world" for one.I reached the road and called a shuttle. While waiting, I chatted with Ed Hicks who is age 78 and still active doing maps for orienteering. He filled me in on some of the details of how it's done. For those who don't want to compete, it can be viewed as a walk with a purpose. I also met Mike, age 63, a teacher looking forward to retirement. He was there with his dog Bob, age 14 and deaf, but still very happy to get out for a walk in the woods. Mike has been thinking about having a knee replacement, since he has quite a bit of pain when hiking any substantial distance. It's surprising how many late middle-age or elderly hikers get the benefit of medical advances, just a few days ago Tortoise was telling me that a new heart valve helped him with his stamina. During the hike I experimented with a regimen of pushups, toe touches and sit-ups as a way to reduce tenderness in my back. It seemed to work. I wonder if carrying a pack for extended periods holds the back in the same position too long, so just doing something else with another set of muscles improves things. That and what I've read suggests that you lose strength in the upper body on extended hikes, so why not compensate with exercises? In the picture, I passed what appeared to be an abandoned camp-site, a two tarp arrangement that would not have worked well in a downpour. We used to camp that way, but the way I remember it was the second tarp was set up as a tent, with a rope or a stick holding up the peak, so the water could run off. It's easier to carry a light weight tent. The next section will be in Tennesee. My wife and I will be driving down to Rte 19E where I ended the through-hike. Staying at a local resort, I'll be doing slack-packing for a week. Jeanne is not a hiker, so there will be a day or two of sightseeing or other tourist attractions.
Date: 2013-09-26
From: Dennis Cove Road

To:  Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 0.0

After a two day drive from Connecticut to Tennessee, we settled in at the Black Bear Resort, where we had a cabin. It was neat and clean, and featured a hot plate, microwave, small fridge and toaster, kitchen sink and full bath. Not roughing it.The drive up Dennis Cove Road from Hampton was an attention getter, as the road is narrow with numerous switchbacks. I spent the morning checking out the various pick up and drop off points for slack packing. The terrain is mountainous and some of the roads are gravel. Locating The trail where it crosses Walnut Mountain Road took a while - I missed the blazes and drove quite a distance on gravel roads. The trail is 1.4 miles from where Buck Mountain Road meets Walnut Mountain Road. In the afternoon Jeanne and I walked about a mile on the AT, heading toward Laurel Fork Falls. It's on an old railroad grade, pretty easy walking until you reach the descent to the falls, which is steep and features a lot of stone steps. The area was heavily logged at one time and a standard gauge railroad, with several large trestles, was built to take the lumber out. Tomorrow's hike will start at 19E, where I ended in early June.
Date: 2013-09-27
From:  19E

To: Walnut Mountain Road 
Miles today: 10.2

The trail north from 19E is a gradual climb through a mix of meadows, woods and farm land, with some very nice views. I met Scott who was standing by the side of the trail looking somewhat glum. His knee was acting up, and his partner Tony was hiking on without him. We talked for a while, he decided to go back down to 19E and call it a day. He was at the Black Bear Resort when I got back that night.I leapfrogged a bit with section hikers Billy Goat, Sparky and T Rex. Hiking with just a day pack is less tiring. I made much better time than I expected.I thought a little bit about leaving the trail back in June. Part of the motivation to do the through hike was to push back against old age. You can make quite a bit of progress with that, but if you push too hard then old age pushes back. The other thing is, there is this tendency to get on a mission. When that cuts in, fatigue, cold, hunger and pain don't register quite as strongly. Unless you really and truly are on a mission it's best to respect your limitations. I reached Walnut Mountain Road earlier than planned, so I called the resort to have them pass a message to Jeanne to pick me up. Due to the narrow and twisty roads it takes a while to do the relatively short distance, so I walked down the gravel road to Buck Mountain Road which is paved and waited for her there. Back at the resort, Scott was sitting by the river, reading a book and enjoying a beer. His knee was only hurting on and off, and Mary (one of the owners) gave him a brace which helped some. Supper was chicken gumbo with rice. I sat on the porch and played the guitar for a while, then went to bed early.
Date: 2013-09-30
From: Walnut Mountain Road

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

The terrain was moderate, other than a relatively steep descent at the end of the hike as the trail descends from White Rocks Mountain to Dennis Cove Road. Within the first few miles is the Vango Memorial Bench, inscribed "In loving memory of Ron G. "Vango" Frey who received so little yet gave so much." Opposite the bench the woods have been cut back, creating a view that would otherwise be obscured. I sat and rested briefly and enjoyed the view. There was also a view at Moreland Gap, before reaching the shelter. The shelter itself is small, 6 persons, concrete block and shows signs of heavy use, hard packed ground around it and a lot of graffiti. I signed the register, and noted an entry by T. Rex. He stayed there the night of 9/29 amd was harassed by a bear for several hours during the night. I'm a little puzzled at the way they manage the bear/human interaction in the area. It's all about food, and there are no bear cables or bear boxes such as are found elsewhere. Instead they post warnings and close off areas of trail. The next day I met a crazy looking guy who had a six inch hunting knife with him, and warned me about the bears. I suppose he was going to make like Wild Bill Hitchcock if attacked, and battle the creature to the death. Hitchcock won his battle, and spent months recuperating. Before Dennis Cove Road, there is a blue-blazed sidetrail that leads off to Coon Den Falls. It's the former AT trail, which has been rerouted to take in a couple of nice views. I hiked it the day before, as something to do in the morning before Jeanne and I went to Boone, NC, for some shopping. My favorite part of the hike was the last mile or so before Dennis Cove Road. Descending through farmland, there is the small log structure shown in the photo above, very picturesque.The hike at 14 miles was the farthest I've walked in one day since I was a teenager. With a very light pack I made reasonably good time and walked along Dennis Cove Road back to Bear Mountain Resort. Supper was fried ham slices with corn, a quick meal and one I enjoy.
Date: 2013-10-08
From: Washington Mtn Rd/Pittsfield Rd

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 9.6

The plan for the next several days is to head noth in Massachuetts, climb Mt Greylock and stop short of the VT border. The weather is predicted to be good - highs in the 60's and lows in the high 30's. The high point of the hike was Warner Hill at 2,050 ft, with a mediocre view. Rain and high winds had stripped a lot of leaves, so much of the color was underfoot. There are a lot of plank walks, but it's still hard to keep the feet dry. Goretex boots aren't completely waterproof and mine are getting old and worn. I met Zook, he started NOBO early in the year and flipped at Sallisbury, CT. So he is very near to completing his hike. Some of the difficulties included 4 days in Gatlinburg when the Smokies were snowed in and the mosquitoes in June in CT, they would eat you alive. Well done Zook.I reached the Kay Wood Shelter too early to stop for the night, so continued to Dalton. The trail runs thrugh town. I talked for a while with Jeremy, who had just finished a day hike and was waiting for his ride. He's done most of NE and is very familiar with the Dalton area. Dalton is easy on/easy off. Bypassing Tom Levardi's, I went to the Shamrock Inn, a basic 1950's type motel but clean and well maintained. Showered, had a nice charbroiled hamburger at the Shamrock pubPub, got back to my room and crashed. I was tired. Breakfast was coffee and blueberry muffins at Juice n Java. I'm planning to get a sub from Angelina's on my way back to the trail, pack out some real food for lunch.
Date: 2013-10-09
From: Dalton, MA

To: Cheshire
Miles today: 10.5

A pleasant walk in the Autumn weather, sunny but not too hot. I met Juno shortly after leaving Dalton. She has a journal here at trailjournals.com and was hiking SOBO home to NY. She will have 1, 800 miles when she gets home, after starting in the Spring down in GA. It waas nice to meet another hiker, mostly I have had the trail to mself.I browsed a few beechnuts. They are edible, Jeanne used to eat them as a child. There were some large beech trees near the playground at school and all the kids ate them. I put a few in my pocket, left the rest for the squirrels or chipmunks. The trail passes beside Gore Pond and then croses the outlet. At the outlet it looked like three beaver dams. I didn't see any beavers or lodges.The high point and main scenic attraction is Cheshire Cobbles. One of them has   a bronze USGS maker, the other can be reached by a blue-blazed side trail. There is a nice view of Lake Hoosic and the town of Cheshire. The stone is quartzite, very fine grained but it erodes and the trail has patches of white sand on it. This is a geologic formation known as the Cheshire Quartzite.Reaching Rte 8, I left my pack beside the trail and walked 0.6 miles to the Cobbleview Pub for a half lb hamburger and fries. I left a note on the pack - "Went for pizza. Back in ten minutes. Swamp Fox." After I got back I called the Harbour House B&B for a shuttle and a room. Eva picked me up in about ten minutes and I'm settled in a very nice room with WIFI. One of my fellow hikers down in GA when I started came in for criticism from his wife for doing a "hotel hike." He only did it every three or four days to avoid the various torrential downpours that are a feature of the hike. So here I am, hiking from motel to B&B to Bascom Lodge tomorrow at Greylock if things go according to plan. I enjoy it, why not? HYOH. Got to go and take a nice warm shower, more later...
Date: 2013-10-10
From: Cheshire

To: Mount Greylock
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: few clouds

Breakfast at Harbour House was delicious. Enjoying both food and conversation , it was 10:00 by the time Eva dropped me off at the trail. The hike to Mt Greylock had a 2, 500 ft gain in elevation. By way of comparison, the approach to the trail at Amicalola Falls is 1,800. It started with a gradual climb through a meadow, soon returning to the woods. I noticed a lot of Mountain Ash berries on the ground and in the trees. I didn't know what they were until I reached the summit and read the signs. They're toxic to humans.I met three sectiin hikers who were headed south. We talked for a while, they have done quite a bit of the trail in sections but were interested in how the through hike is by comparison. Also a hiking club, they were surprised that I hike alone and suggested I try Meetup. The ascent doesn't have anything too steep, but the tread is not good. The hemlock forest erodes easily and the trail is really a streambed in places. There is a lot of boardwalk and erosion control. The last mile I was tired and got to Bascom Lodge just in time to miss lunch which ends at 4:30. Dinner is at 7:00. I got a bunk, with sheets and towel.It was cold and cloudy by the time I got there. I'll try to get pictures of the tower and views tomorrow.
Date: 2013-10-23
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

I left the shelter relatively late, with a short hike planned I took my time getting up and eating breakfast. I met a number of southbound hikers - Moose, who was completing a flip-flop of the AT ending in Kent, CT; Duncan and Nicole, a young couple completing the Long Trail; and Black Cloud, southbound on the AT since August. I was telling Moose that the profile didn't do justice to the difficulty of the trail behind me, he laughed a little bit, he's noticed that's how it works. There was a pond, (in pictures) with a dam where the trail crosses in front of it on a plank walk. I was puzzled: it seemed awfully long for a beaver dam but too thin and insubstantial for anything man would build. The water was right up to the top and it wasn't eroding. My right knee started to complain a bit, I think it was the uneven footing walking along the stones that were placed in the muddy areas. From the footprints, a lot of hikers just barge along through the mud. So I placed my feet a little more carefully and used the poles to reduce the strain on the right leg. The Congdon Shelter is small. At one time it was a cabin, and still has the windows. The door and stove were removed, although the signs of where they were are still there. It's a pleasant little place. The book says it sleeps eight; I saw four bunks, each of which would arguably hold two hikers. I had the place to myself - again - and spread my stuff out on one of the bunks.Previous occupants had attempted to burn their trash in the fire circle, but it was still sitting there all melted together. The fire circle had been built up to be higher on one side, which had the effect of blocking the flow of air and making it hard to get a fire going. I took the trash out and reduced the fire circle to a normal configuration. The place was littered with pistachio shells. I picked most of them up and burned them in the fire. There was a lot of blowdowns and dead wood near the trail just before the shelter. I dragged enough of it to keep a fire going after supper until 7:00, when I turned in. Supper was a Knorr pasta side, chicken flavored, with a pouch of tuna. I added some olive oil and salt. The trail version of tuna glop is edible, but that's about it. Usually one to enjoy my solitude, I wish there were a few more hikers out this time of year.