morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-06
From: West Mountain Shelter

To: Bear Mountain Bridge
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: few clouds

Last night the views were nice. I could see lights from several nearby cities. I don't know their names but it was a unique viewpoint. I shared the shelter with Salam. During the night I got up to go, walked away from the shelter and while I was looking out at the view I turned on my headlamp and realized I was standing next to a copperhead. Luckily the snake was sleeping and/or not interested in me. This is an old stone shelter, built on a stone base. I'm glad I stayed here, it was worth the .7 mile to walk out here. This morning I walk the .7 mile back to the AT and head north again. This section has many ups and vistas and is a pleasant walk. I eventually arrive at the Bear Mountain Tower and find a vending machine. I have been rationing my water and drink many bottles and cans of sodas and sports drinks. This is a big find for me as I am very thirsty. While there a group of four local doctors arrive out on a day hike and headed back down the mountain. We strike up a conversation and I enjoy their humor and knowledge of the area trails. Mark Rosenblatt offers to show me the original AT and tells me the trail gets changed back and forth due to excessive use and erosion. We head down and he points out the old blazes of the original trail which will soon be used again. Before leaving the summit we pose for a photograph. We arrive at the park, he leaves and I head toward the merrygoround building where I find a concession stand. After refueling I have a bright idea, why don't I call Enterprise again and get a car and go see Lynne again? I am homesick again. As I walk through the park and then the zoo I am trying to get the arrangements worked out for an Enterprise pick up. I am shuffled around and the local offices say I am out of bounds. Eventually I am told the West Point office can pick me up. In the mean time I have walked across the Bear Mountain Bridge and then back to the Bear Mountain Circle where I get picked up and driven to the West Point office. We go through base quickly and then I am driving my rental towards the Jersey Shore again. About 3 hours later I am in a different world. I am with Lynne again and enjoying our place and being together. I realize that I am not progressing as I should on the trail but feel the need to see Lynne more than the need to hike. This will have to be worked out so I can get this through hike finished.
Date: 2007-07-07
From: Bear Mountain Bridge

To: OGNJ
Miles today: 0.0

Zero miles, many smiles. Lynne and I spent the day at the beach. I washed all my gear, including my backpack which has been so wet with sweat and then drying that it was stiff from the salt and was funky smelling. Tonight we enjoyed some delayed fireworks at the beach that had been rescheduled due to a rainy 4th.
Date: 2007-07-09
From: Bear Mountain Bridge

To: Greymoor
Miles today: 6.3

Today started out with Lynne and family at the Jersey Shore. Then came the drive to West Point, getting lost and going through security checks at West Point. Anthony at Enterprise Rentals drove me back to where he had picked me up last Friday. I put my clean pack on and walked across the bridge for the third time. It's a great view walking across, once I got over my knee issues. It's a short walk along a busy road then I'm back in the forest. I'm back in Trail World. Even in the shade of the forest it is hot. All I can say is thank God it isn't humid. It's late afternoon by the tie I'm back walking. Immediately the trail goes up, it's not too long before the heat is rising. I have to make myself stop and slow down. I hike a relaxed pace to keep from overheating. After a couple of hours I need a break. It's a shirt off, sit in the shade and cool down stop. A bonus - the temperature appears to be falling. After the break I find I have a spring in my step. I am walking at my normal pace. It feels good. I did have two mistakes - I walked up a dirt road and missed the double blaze across the road. And I missed another double blaze and walked along a very nice trail that did not have blazes. After all this fun I arrived at the road to Greymoor where I found a pavillion, picnic tables, water and a shower. This is too good to be true. The evening's entertainment is when someone gets in the shower. It is very cold and everyone emits a shocked gasp for all the hear. I am in my tent to get away from the mosquitos and other flying insects. Tonight I meet Gimpy, Tom Dooley, Puck, Rockhard, Bocephus. I am free and heading north and tomorrow is another day.
Date: 2007-07-10
From: Greymoor

To: Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 12.0

I woke and listened to the birds singing as the sun warmed the air and my tent. I broke camp early and started out in what was already a hot and humid day. Everyone knew this was going to be a tough day. As I hiked up the hills my body temperature rose and I would have to stop. I am sweating so that I am dripping wet. I know I must stay hydrated and carry much water, so I have toted as much as possible. The terrain is nice, the forest is beautiful, there are rock walls in the forest along the trail. I reach the Dennytown Road where there's a water faucet. I had Bocephus, Pouch, Tom Dooley and Rock Hard breaking in the shade. I take my pack off and get as much of my body as I can under the faucet. A shade break with much water follows, along with lunch. I am 4 miles from a lake where I plan on swimming and taking a shower. The lake is over a mile off trail and none of them get me towards Katahdin. I reach the park and just make last call at the grill. I have a cheeseburger, fries and a drink with an ice cream bar, then a swim in the lake, then a long shower and I wash my hiking clothes in the shower. I then hike to the camp, set up my tent, hang my food bag and hang a clothes line. Today was only 12 miles but it kicked me good. Today I ran into Wingheart, Castanets and am camping with them and Bocephus, Tom Dooley, Pouch, Rockhard and Jeff. They are all at the picnic tables and I am in my tent trying to cool down and escape the bugs. I have much chafing and my feet are always wet. I hope to dry out tomorrow and get a good rest. When I fell in Harrington State Park. I know it is part of the thru hike but the heat and humidity is the biggest obstacle I've had to face. I need to pace myself and take it easy. Soon the weather will improve and I will be better able to hike.
Date: 2007-07-11
From: Fahnestock State Park

To: Morgan Stuart Shelter NY
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: haze

I started the day off moderately early. I hiked by myself out of the camping area then a mile up a road to the trail head north. I hiked for a long time up to a ridge that, after several miles, gave a look back on the beach where I swam yesterday. The trail takes you up and around the lake. Now that I felt like I made a big loop to get to where I was when I started I now was ready to start again. The trail here was easy to lose. I had to backtrack several times to get back on trail. When I reached the RPH cabin I took a late lunch break. The heat was building and the sweat was pouring and dripping, always running in my eyes. WAH WAH WAH... I was jammin to my IPOD and the miles were coming. In this heat it's hard to keep motivated. At RPH I had 5 more miles to the road where there's a deli close by within walking distance. It's a pleasure to walk on. Challenging, but with great rewards. Back to the deli, I came, I ate, I drank, I sat there waiting for the rain to let up. I have 4 more miles to the shelter area where I want to set up my tent. I walk down off the road in the rain. I re-enter the forest and work hard enough to hopefully make it there before dark. It's raining and that makes it feel cooler. Even though I am wet I am now comfortable. The trail is up and I am warm enough to fog my glasses. The trail continues to please and continues to punish. As the light is leaving I pull in to the shelter area and erect my tent as the rain pours. Actually it is a good thing to practice so I am happy. Inside the tent with my wet belongings I write in my journal. The soundscape is big raindrops falling and popping all around the forest. My tent is taut and the drops ping off the roof. Today was not a big mileage day but I think it was a success. The heat and humidity were oppressive but I was still able to walk what I had planned. That's good for me lately. As the rain drops increase I think it's late and I am ready for sleep. As I am closing things up I notice thumping against the screen by my head. It's a frog jumping the eat the many insects attracted by my headlamp. Good frog, keep on eating.
Date: 2007-07-12
From: Morgan Stuart Shelter NY

To: Leather Hill Road NY
Miles today: 16.0

Since I got in wet and late last night I had a lot of wet clothes all over my tent this morning. I saw some sunny spots near the shelter and started drying my socks, shorts, shirt, boots and tent. I finally changed back into my damp clothes and started hiking at 10am. The day is perfect, it's cool and the humidity is low. There's a light breeze and the sky is blue with small fluffy clouds. Most of the time I can't see the sky because of the leaf canopy above but when I get a meadow or open vista I enjoy my window to the sky. The hike today was over nice rolling hills with some stream crossings and some areas where there are long boards to keep hikers out of the wetlands and mud. I climbed up West Mtn and then came to the Telephone Pioneers shelter which is a nice spot. It's too early to stop and only 8 miles from my starting point today so I must go on. While there I ran into BooBoo and we talked for a few minutes, then she took off. I continued hiking until I arrived at the Appalachian Trail Train station where you can go into NYC on the weekends, then I was on NY22. I walked right about 1/2 mile arriving at Tony's Deli where I had a great Italian combo sub. I then walked back to the trailhead and walked across farmland and then back into the forest. The terrain rolls and I felt like I didn't have much to go up. The downs were good but up was an effort. I crossed Leather Hill Road and came upon trail angels restocking their offerings. I had some cookies and cold water and then the magic went to another level. Kate and her mother offered to take me home to get cleaned up and I was happy to say yes please, take me away. Kat and her husband Rob (Mac and Cheese) love the hiker community and help many get through their area. They brought me to their beautiful home, fed me dinner, loaned me clean clothes so I could launder my stuff and I took a hot shower in their outdoor shower. It was fabulous. I have my spirits lifted. I am sleeping here tonight and returning refreshed and cleaned up first thing tomorrow morning. This means I can skip Kent CT and I will probably take it easy tomorrow. I'll see how it goes. The weather should be good with thunderstorms predicted in the late afternoon or evening. I am blessed and amazed at the generosity and kindness of this and other people that I have had the pleasure to have met along the way. I called Lynne and have decided not to go to the shore this weekend. It's so close and such a pull on me. I am having a hard time staying on goal, but I will try to resist and keep hiking. That is what I am here to do. It's late so I will sign off for now, goodnight.
Date: 2007-07-13
From: Leather Hill Road NY

To: Mt Algo Lean to CT
Miles today: 13.0

It's a beautiful morning and I have packed and enjoyed a great breakfast and conversation with Kate, Rob and their mom. Rob drives me back to the trailhead, I thank him again and re-enter the forest. I am treated to more beautiful trail. I walk up to the Wiley Shelter and read the register. I take a break and move on. At Hoyle Rd I cross into CT. The trail rises up over 10 mile hill then back down to the 10 mile River Lean to which is a short distance from the 10 Mile River. The lean to faces a large open and grassy meadow and is within sound of the river. It's a nice site for a break. After starting back I walk along the river then eventually along a gorge with a loud river echoing the rapids and rushing water sounds against the rocky steep walls. The nice rocky trail goes up and over a couple of hills and I eventually need a lunch break. I find a breezy spot in the shade with a comfortable rock for sitting. The view is short range but it is a great stop. After lunch I hit the trail and go over more hills, eventually finding a place or two where I can stride out, but most of the time is spent going slow. It's a challenge today, but good. When I finally arrive at Mt Algo Leanto I decide to call it a day. There's a small stream for water and flat spots for tenting. I don't consider the shelter because of the mosquitos and other insects. I am in my tent early not sure if I feel like dinner. I am tired and my muscles are complaining, so I am looking forward to tonight's rest. Dinner was made and was satisfying. I have gathered water and the bag has been hung. There are 2 ridgerunners at this site tonight. One of them offered two apples and I consumed them as fast as I could. There is no cell service here, which seems odd to me. I mean, this is Connecticut, come on. After steri-penning my water I am ready to sleep.
Date: 2007-07-14
From: Mt Algo Lean to CT

To: Pine Swamp Brook
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I could hear thunder in the distance and then close. I was spared and the temp fell. I became cold and had to put on my wool shirt and long pants, but still shivered in my light summer bag. This morning I did not want to get up and change into my damp hiking clothes. I had a late start. I hiked down the road into Kent Ct and kept on going back into the forest. I am on the trail there is a nice breeze blowing and I am sitting on a rock looking out at a beautiful vista of far-ranging hills and ridges, nice fluffy clouds and I am fine. Some other hikers have said that CT people are not friendly. I should be nice first and see if I get a good response to keep things upbeat in Trail World. As the day goes on I meet several locals and they all could not have been any friendlier. When you hike alone it is nice to stop and have a short conversation. Sometimes you get good info about the trail or a weather report. So the word was wrong about CT or at least my personal experience was good. The trail was challenging in some sections then climbs over Caleb's Peak. Coming down are very steep steps and I can't imagine the work that must have gone in to making them. After, there's a nice walk along a wide river then a climb on the other side. The end of my hike had many climbs and I arrived at the shelter "leanto" where I tented wet. The mosquitos attacked from the time I arrived until the time I dove into my tent. The water source here is a creek draining a swamp. It has suds and is brown with a strong lake taste. I steri-penned my water and some nice CT guys offered me some iodine tablets so I double zapped it just to be sure. Yummy, it tastes medicinal yet leaves a swamp aftertaste.
Date: 2007-07-15
From: Pine Swamp Brook

To: Limestone Springs Lean to
Miles today: 12.3

I get a good start at Pine Swamp. As soon as I cross a good looking stream I dump my swamp water and re-up with something a little clearer and a lot sweeter with no aftertaste. I hike over several rises and steep descents. The mosquitos force me to hike in a head net for awhile then I get too hot and take it off and just swat them with my bandana. The trail goes along the Housatonic River for awhile then crosses farmland and meadows. I am noticing that the farmland is taking on a more northern feel. It's hard to explain but the trees are changing, the rocks are different and the trail is old, sometimes with rocks that have a boot patina. I come out of the forest at the end of a nice river walk and find the free shower at the hydroelectric plant. It's cold water but feels great. I get clean and my hiking shorts and shirt also get clean. Right after my shower the rain came. So much for drying off. I wait out the storm hugging the side of the building as there is no overhang. I am clean and walk off a happy hiker. Soon after I am beside the great falls. There are locals swimming in the pools made by the limestone rocks. I eat a quick lunch and move on. The thunderstorm finds me but I find a large hemlock tree that keeps me dry. I climb up Prospect Mtn and then see the shelter sign for Limestone Springs Leanto. As is it Sunday and too late to hit the grocery in Salisbury I decide to call it a day. The blueblazed shelter trail is a bear, it goes steep down for a half mile to a dreary area. I can't sleep in the shelter because the mosquitos are way hungry. I get water from a great spring and enjoy drinking a quart while I sit by the spring smacking mosquitos. First thing I do then is get up my tent so I can change and get away from these bugs. Dinner is eaten and my food bag is in a bear container. I am alone here. I guess I'm the only one stupid enough to climb down here. I worked out my plan so I can get in and out of town tomorrow. The birds are singing, it's that magical time of day just before dark. I can hear thunder in the distance but it sounds so far away. Today I ran into some more nice CT people and some nice young people at the falls. Tomorrow I will cross the CT/MA state line. I'm getting closer. Today I passed the 700 mile to go mark. I'm more than 2/3 finished. This journey is alot longer than I thought it would be. Can you imagine being someplace different every day and constantly moving all day long? It is an amazing journey but once more, I am tired, a good physical tired. I worked hard today and got somewhere.
Date: 2007-07-16
From: Limestone Springs Lean to

To: Laurel Ridge Camp MA
Miles today: 12.8

Last night was weird. For one thing I heard voices when I was in my tent and I had left my food bag hanging by the shelter when I cooked dinner. By the time I got out of the tent and to the shelter, they were gone, but a big chocolate Lab came running down from the water source with a big bone that looked like the rear leg of a deer. He ran full speed past me and down the trail out of sight. Then again in the night I heard a sound like a dog whinning or crying. It occurred about every 5 or 10 seconds all night long until the morning birds starting singing. It kept me up all night long. I think it was a bird. I got up and got packed. I retrieved my food from the bear container which was a large metal box with a latch and a metal clip to secure it shut. My bag is almost empty. I eat my breakfast and take off up the steep climb back to where the AT. It was actually easy climbing up today as compared with down yesterday. I reach the top and walk a ways to Rands View where I hear voices and find Sniper and TrailBlazer. After a nice break we hike into town at a good pace. They go ahead and I play catchup. We walk into town, have a meal at a bistro and then grocery shop and finally hit the tap room before heading out of town. They go on and I go at my own pace. The trail climbs to Lionshead, then Bear Mtn. There's a steep down to Sages Ravine where there is a nice stream and stand of trees in a steep ravine. I then pass the CT/MASS line and start up, eventually reaching the Laurel Ridge campsites where I draw my water and set up my tent. My tent pole for the rear of my tarptent broke and I have to rig it up to set up. After a nice dinner with a fresh salad I am in my tent working on my journal and tomorrow's plan. The mosquitos are buzzing around my tent and the forest is so quiet tonight that the buzzing is very loud. I'm glad I got my tent up and all is well. The weather today was perfect. I had not heard much about CT but I would have to say it is a nice section of the trail and this is pretty country.
Date: 2007-07-17
From: Laurel Ridge Camp MA

To: Tom Leonard Lean to
Miles today: 19.1

 Well it rained last night so I dried off the tent before stuffing it. I had a problem with it last night and figured out I could reverse the broken pole. Here I am in Massachusetts and it is beautiful. The hike goes up to Pace Mtn with great views then down and across a ridge, then a challenging up to Mt Everett, then another steep down after the Jug End to Jug End Rd where a nice little spring can be found. I break and drink. I've got a lot of hiking left and wonder if I have enough time. I hike over mountains, through dark mature forests of hemlock trees. It looks like another forest. I am walking north now. I can feel the difference. I cross boardwalks through low areas and walk through mosquito alley. I have to swat myself constantly with my bandana. I think they have bitten every square inch of my exposed skin today. I reach US7 and run into Sniper and Trail Blazer returning from a small store where I get ice cream and drinks and a brownie. It's about all they had. I decide to go on for the final 6 miles to the Tom Leonard Shelter area. I walk with purpose as it is late and I know I will arrive after dark. Sure enough it is 8:45pm and it is dark when I arrive. I quickly set up my tent and cook dinner. Everyone is turning in so I am the late bird again. Here I am in my tent doing the journal and listening to the bugs trying to get into my tent. There's an owl hooting and it is time to sleep. I did not gather water as the trail was steep and dark. I'll do that in the morning.
Date: 2007-07-18
From: Tom Leonard Lean to

To: Shaker Camp
Miles today: 11.2

It rained last night and it is pouring rain this morning. It's not a good day. I lay in my tent readjusting the hiking pole holding up the tent because the tent is too loose and is sagging. Now it is tauter and I have more room inside. I plan on waiting inside until the rain stops or I get anxious to get going. The only sound is the rain falling on the leaves and the tent walls. It's a wet forest out there. So far my tent is keeping me mostly dry but everything is very damp. The rain lets up spme and I take my stuff to the lean to then take my tent down and hand it in the shelter to drip while I make my water run down a steep ravine to a pretty good and cold water source. I come back up and was glad I was wearing my boots as the water trail was rocky and muddy. I leave, headed out in what looks like a rain forest. Everything is dark green and dark brown mud. It is beautiful. When it is not raining it is misty or foggy. I walk by a very nice pond and take a few photos. The trail is interesting, always changing. There's rocky steep cliffs, flat soft dirt paths and sections with boardwalk planks to help get through the muddy sections, there's ferns and hemlock forests, pine forests, steep direct course sections and long sweeping switchbacks. I stop at the Hemlock lean to for lumch and push on. I get to the Glen Brook lean to and find Trail Blazer and Sniper both set up in the lean to with all their stuff hung up and dripping. The humidity is 100% so I don't foresee much drying. I decide to get water at the stream and go on up more rolling hills and finally down to the Shaker Campground. I can hear thunder and it is starting to rain harder. I quickly pick a site that looks relatively level and set up my tent in the pouring rain. I put everything inside, strip dosn, blow up my thermarest and put on dry clothes. The rain comes in earnest and I am captive in my tent with my food bag still needing to be secured against bears and other varmits that roam the forest rain or shine. I am getting slammed with rain and hope to stay dry. My day wasn't long today but I was wet, had blistered wet feet and the terrain was slippery. I didn't fall, that's a good thing. I am solo and missing some of my trail friends.