morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-09
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 79.0
Weather: light rain

7/6: Hiked 16 miles to Delaware Water Gap and a hostel. Although technically still in PA, I will cross the Delaware (like Washington) into NJ near dawn tomorrow. DWG used to be a country hangout for the wealthy. It is administered by the National Park Service, and the Delaware River attracts rafters (photo). Heat is an issue now, especially here at low elevations. My bug pants are causing a rash on my knees from the sweat and rubbing. I am trying to shower and do laundry (not that I have much) whenever possible. My pack smells bad and I plan to wash it too. I will cross the 1,300-mile mark tomorrow. My summer pack is down to 12 pounds not including food or water. I'm looking to make big mile days in NJ/NY. Tick surveys in PA and MD were almost negative (1 deer tick). Locals tell me tick populations are way down.7/7: I hiked 25 brutal, sweltering miles today. NJ is almost as rocky as PA. A highlight was Sunfish Pond, a glacial lake! Of course, the Trail was very rocky as it circled half of the pond. Some hikers saw bears and ticks today. I saw one tick on the picnic table, but this is not a sample location. Mosquitoes are bad here.7/8: Hiked 18 miles to Port Jervis and stayed in a motel to clean up and rest. Saw two bears.7/9: Hiked 20+ miles to Vernon, NJ, to a church hostel. No sewer service so I hosed off in my clothes. An AA meeting was in progress. Pleasant hike for a change; not too rocky, and interesting boardwalks through swamps. The heat and sweat the last few days is causing some skin issues to work through. I am getting to towns whenever possible to try and get clean. I'm almost done with NJ. Tick surveys the last few days have yielded a few dog ticks.
Date: 2013-07-13
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 52.0
Weather: broken clouds

7/10: We hiked 17 miles to Wildcat Shelter and we're in NY today! There were many small rocky climbs, including third-class scrambling plus a ladder. Some water sources were brown with tannins (photo). My right shin is taking a beating from climbing over rocks and fallen trees. I need to be more careful. Keeping clean is hard. There are no lakes to wash in and few streams. Can't wait until NH, which is more like Colorado. I'm hiking with Mash, Professor, and Robin Hood. We did a tick video last night. All are leaving the trail briefly for family reunions this week.7/11: Hiked 19 miles to a shelter. The first 10 miles were brutal rocky walls as hard as any on the Trail so far. We thought NY would be easier. We could hear constant artillery fire from West Point all day. We stopped off at Harriman State Park for sodas, ice cream, a swim and shower. Tomorrow we're into the Hudson River area - halfway through NY. I met Grim who had to leave the Trail briefly with Lyme disease. No ticks on me yet. My treated bug pants are working but are torn. Along with sweat, they also chafe my knees creating sores. Tape seems to help.7/12: It was an easy 10 miles to Fort Montgomery where I picked up a mailed food box from home. Mash and Professor left for family reunions, so I decided to nero (half-day off) in a nice motel and to do laundry, clean up and rest. I even washed my pack, which was pretty smelly from accumulated sweat. I saw a bear this morning. The hike over Bear Mountain was exceptional. I am maintaining my weight (less 5 pounds) by eating everything in sight, especially in town stops. I've been on the Trail 3 months and 1,400 miles.7/13: During my rest day, I stitched up my bug pants and mailed my hiking boots and some other gear not needed to Hanover, NH. Continuing my rest day, I hiked 6 miles to the Graymoor Friary that allows hikers to tent free with some amenities. I am feeling pretty good. Main complaints are my sore feet, which seem to have stabilized, and humidity causing sores and chafing, which I can treat. One hiker here has had enough and is quitting.
Date: 2013-07-15
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 39.0
Weather: broken clouds

7/14: I hiked 19 miles today to RPH shelter where trail volunteers were having a BBQ. We enjoyed grilled, marinated pork steaks with onions and peppers, and corn.I am still experimenting with hiking shoes. I bounced my Oboz shoes forward 340 miles to Hanover, NH, where the trail gets rougher. Now I am hiking in Montrail Mountain Masochist trail runners. They may be too light. I will be shopping at "outfitter" (East Coast term) for different shoes. Today I learned that hiker friend Buloo went off the trail with Lyme Disease. Another friend, Grim, is hiking while being treated for LD. He allowed me to video him to talk about the experience.7/15: I hiked 20+ relatively easy miles today. It's nice to see the rocks abate some. I learned that the AT does not use many switchbacks because of its narrow 90-foot corridor. I had breakfast trail magic with Bill and Amy (photo), trail volunteers from last night's BBQ. Both of them and Amy's dad are being treated for LD. It's very common around here. I'll be into CT tomorrow, the home of LD. I have rash on my butt. Is it LD or just chafing? Tune in tomorrow for the answer.
Date: 2013-07-17
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

7/16: Hiked 18 miles to Kent, CT. Yes, I am in a new state, my 10th. I plan to zero here to wait for Mash. I'll do laundry, resupply and try to find a shower. Also I will shop for poles and maybe shoes. Motels in Kent are expensive. T is sending me her new bug pants to replace my torn ones, which I will send back to her to repair with her sewing machine. I credit these pants for keeping ticks off me, but they aren't so good against mosquitoes when sitting. I collected deer tick nymphs today and pulled one attached deer tick nymph off a hiker. Everyone is spooked about them. Note how small they are in the photo. Mosquitoes have also been bad the last two weeks. I wear a head net most of the time. I expect them to be a problem for the next few weeks. At least I will miss black fly season in NH/ME. 7/17: Zeroing in Kent today. It's a prim, wealthy New England town. I like it after the woods. I met Warren Doyle in town, another AT icon. It is very hot here.
Date: 2013-07-19
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 34.0

7/18: I met up again with hiking partner Mash last night, and we hiked nearly 17 miles today to West Cornwall and Bearded Woods, a very nice hostel. With the heat wave, I needed a shower, clean clothes, and a cool bunk so bad! We may slack pack tomorrow and come back to the same hostel. We found great trail magic along the Housatonic River where we took a dip (photo). The heat and humidity are almost unbearable with the heavy exercise. 7/19: We slack-packed 17 miles today to Salisbury, a nice village. I completed a tick survey, which was negative, surprising considering all the Lyme disease cases I've found. In fact, I added another case today. My data so far indicates that hikers are getting exposed to ticks from the trail more so than from the shelters. It would be an interesting study to systematically interview hikers and total the number of cases and incidence rate. We are back at the hostel tonight, then on to MA tomorrow. Oh, by the way, the rash I mentioned a few days ago must have been chafing and is slowly improving.
Date: 2013-07-22
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 61.0
Weather: light rain

7/20: Hiked 21+ miles today over three mountains, just beating a storm. I am in Great Barrington, MA, and more than 1,500 miles since I started April 13. This is my 11th state. Thankfully, the weather is slightly cooler today. 7/21: Hiked 17 miles today and did two tick surveys (low numbers). I'm tenting at an old Shaker farm site. It's kind of crowded here after seeing almost no one on the trail today.7/22: Hiked 21+ miles today. A highlight was visiting Upper Goose Pond, (photo) an AMC hostel/shelter. We missed the blueberry pancakes, but I took a swim. Saw several lakes - a nice change of scenery. Tented at the Cookie Lady's farm (thru-hikers get homemade cookies). It's very nice to get out of the woods and bugs. On to Dalton and Cheshire towns tomorrow.
Date: 2013-07-25
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 54.0

7/23: Hiked 18+ miles to Cheshire, MA, stopping in Dalton for lunch and new trekking poles. We met Faceplant and her dad, and Nuge who we knew from VA and have been behind. (You can keep track of people hiking ahead of you by reading the shelter registers). Faceplant's dad kindly drove me to and from EMS. What a trail angel! Tomorrow we climb Mount Greylock, MA's tallest mountain, a 2,000-foot climb.7/24: Hiked 16 miles today over Mount Greylock. Photo is a small pond near the summit. The weather is cool and altogether a nice day. I'm actually in my down sleeping bag tonight. We called Occupy (remember him from NC and VA, hiking with his dog Helga?) and he's only two days behind so we expect to be reunited with him. He aquablazed (kayaked or canoed down the river) in Shenandoah National Park and hiked it too, so we got at least a week ahead.7/25: Hiked 18 miles to Bennington, VT, my 12th state. It's a major rocky descent at the end. We are at 1,610 miles total. We are moteling it, resupplying and I am resting my feet and knees.
Date: 2013-07-28
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 49.0

7/26: Hiked 19 miles to a shelter. We traversed Glastenbury Mountain. It was a nice climb in the a.m.; rocky, rooty p.m. Moose are in this country. Tomorrow we traverse Stratton Mountain, which has a ski area and a restaurant if we can figure out how to get there.7/27: Hiked 19 miles to a shelter near Manchester Center. It was a nice climb over Stratton Mountain (photo is of Stratton Pond). Some hikers reported seeing moose. The AT is coincident for 105 miles with the Long Trail. The weather's good, bugs fine, trail muddy. My tick survey was negative. I suspect the elevation is too high: >2,000 feet.7/28: I hiked 13 mi today as we resupplied in Manchester Center (and stuffed ourselves). We had several hours hiking in the rain, but had dry clothes, sleeping bags and a nice shelter to be cozy in. We plan a big day tomorrow and hope the weather cooperates.
Date: 2013-07-31
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 56.0
Weather: moderate rain

7/29: Hiked 22 miles today from Peru Creek shelter to Rutland. I also completed another negative tick survey -- no ticks for several hundred miles. The photo is of hiker sculptures at White Rock Cliffs. While I only have about 500 miles to go, my confidence in finishing is sometimes lacking. My sore feet combined with the tougher, rocky terrain of the White Mountains and Maine worry me. My family will be meeting me soon on the Trail and that helps. If I can stay mentally strong, I hope the body will follow. A few rest days will help.7/30: Hiked 17 miles in a southbound slack pack from Killington, over Killington Mountain(>4,000 feet) and back to Rutland and a return to our favorite hostel. The mountains are getting bigger as we near NH. We met old hiker friends from our northbound hiking bubble that are a day or less behind. We get confused looks when they see us hiking south! 7/31: Hiked 16.5 mi today to Lookout Cabin, which has a ladder to its second-story roof and viewing platform. Great views of NE Vermont. I'm now at 1,715 miles total. Hanover, NH, is only 30 miles away. T and M will be joining me there to hike for a few days. I am so looking forward to NH!
Date: 2013-08-03
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 35.0
Weather: light rain

8/1: A new month on the Trail. For those who are counting, we hiked 14 miles to a shelter, stopping twice for pie and ice cream. Only on the AT. Rain and cool in the pm, but we made it to a dry shelter. Trail soft but many up/downs. Tomorrow Hanover, NH!8/2: After 15 miles, I arrived to Hanover by crossing the Connecticut River. Go figure. It is my 13th state and gateway to the amazing White Mountains that have alpine summits. It will be like Colorado, which I miss a lot. T sent me a photo of the Indian Peaks that made me gasp with its beauty. I'm lucky to be staying tonight with trail angel Sally since lodging is expensive here. The trail winds though town, the Dartmouth campus and nearby shops.8/3: T and M joined me today for an easy afternoon hike of 6 miles. M held her first newt in her hand. We're staying at Tiggers Tree House tonight.
Date: 2013-08-06
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 41.0
Weather: light rain

8/4: We hiked 11 miles to free ice cream at a trail angel's house and then hitched to Dowd's Country Inn in Lyme for late afternoon tea and scones. What a life! Earlier we traversed Moose Mountain and Holt's Ledge. The inn was very nice as was the general store. We were all tired, but I watched pro football on a giant TV in the historic carriage house until I got too sleepy.8/5: We hiked 13 miles to Mount Cube where we watched sunset and camped on the other side. We earlier had crossed Smarts Mountain and climbed the watch tower. I am sad that T and M will be leaving in the morning ... Crazy night-hikers with head lamps went by in the total dark, stumbling over the boulders.8/6: T and M hiked with me down Mount Cube, about 4 miles, to a road where a shuttle driver picked them up. A bit lonely, I hiked 13 miles and stayed in Glencliff since the next mountain (almost 5,000-foot Moosilauke) is a major climb with no place to camp. I hear the descent on the north is ridiculously steep and rocky. I'm using the time to organize, rest and plan the next few weeks. I have about 400 miles and 1 month to go.
Date: 2013-08-11
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 67.0
Weather: broken clouds

8/7: Hiked a tough 17 miles my first day in the Whites over Moosilauke to a shelter. This mountain has timberline at about 4,000 feet. It's nice to be out of the green tunnel. The descent down Moosilauke was 1,500 feet of damp mossy boulders in a mile. It was harrowing and exciting at the same time. It was the hardest descent in my 50 years of hiking. There are wooden steps somehow carved into the stone, and rebar hand bars. The trail after Moosilauke was a parkour obstacle course of large boulders, walls, roots and mud pits, not to mention the ups and downs.8/8: Hiked another tough 12 miles today over Kinsman Mountain and up most of Franconia Ridge. I made an effort to hitch into Lincoln to resupply, but no luck after an hour and decided to hike on. I hope I have enough food. I plan to stay at several of the fancy AMC huts where you can get food and work for stay. I stopped at the Lonesome Lake Hut (photo) and had soup and pastry (yum). I have heard loons calling and seen plenty of moose sign.8/9: Tenting in the rain this morning. My tent leaks so I need to swap it with a more weatherproof one at home. Hiked 4 tough miles in the rain on Franconia Ridge, then bailed out and descended a long way to Greenleaf Hut where I am drying out and did work for stay. The huts offer bunks and gourmet meals to (mostly) day hikers and are expensive. They are spaced 6-8 miles apart in the Whites for hikers. They try to accommodate a limited number of through-hikers with work for stay. I washed windows, defrosted a freezer and gave a 30-minute program on my tick research and through-hike.8/10: The weather forecast was for clearing but 60-80 mph winds! I re-ascended 1 steep mile to the AT on top of Mount Lafayette. It was gusty but not as advertised. I hiked north 14 miles, ending at Zealand Falls Hut where I was allowed work for stay. The meals are leftovers and tend to be cold but are delicious. I had some nice views including of Mount Washington, the highest in New England. I also stopped at another hut for lunch.8/11: Hiked 20 miles in the Whites! Made Lake of the Clouds Hut at 7 pm. Hiking the approach in the early evening was fantastic and included several miles above tree line. Mount Washington definitely looks like a 14er (in Colorado).
Date: 2013-08-15
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 36.0
Weather: scattered clouds

8/12: Hiked a sunny 15 miles today over Mt. Washington, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Madison, and bypassed several other of the Presidentials. I enjoyed the alpine walk. There is considerable lichen ground cover in the Whites (photo). I did not enjoy the 4,000-foot descent off of Mt. Madison, an exposed bouldery ridge followed by a long, bouldery steep ditch. Not many switchbacks in this country, so the trails are heavily eroded exposing all the rocks and roots. These are serious mountains notwithstanding the trails. I stayed at the White Mountain Inn in Gorham, NH - very nice.8/13: Another rainy day. I am getting a cold. Thankfully yesterday was nice for the alpine traverse. Westerners have no idea what it's like to hike downward on a wet, boulder-strewn, jumbled stairway that is routine in the Whites. I hiked a steep 6 miles over the Wildcats to Carter Notch Hut and paid for a stay. I've enjoyed the AMC huts and their food and lively crew. I'm getting close to Maine!8/14: Hiked 15 miles back to the hostel. It's confusing but counts. Another negative tick survey today; 12 negative surveys in a row. I resupplied in Gorham but want to go back into town to look at boots during business hours.
Date: 2013-08-18
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 53.0
Weather: overcast clouds

8/15: I bought new boots in Gorham, NH, to replace the old ones, and I now have better traction and ankle support. I hiked 12 miles in them and my toes feel less numb and the swelling in my feet is perhaps less. I hiked an extra few miles due to a navigation problem and also encountered a pair of hikers where one is clearly not in physical shape to do the upcoming most difficult 3 miles of the trip - Mahoosic Notch and Mahoosic Arm (mountain). He is 73 with a heart condition and chronic Lyme syndrome, not to mention a too-heavy pack. 8/16: Entered Maine! I hiked only 10 hard miles today. I would have gone farther but the Notch and Arm are next and I want to be fresh for them. The Notch is a 1-mile, narrow downhill ravine choked with car-size and smaller boulders. One negotiates the obstacle course crawling or any way possible. Often packs must be taken off and pushed or lowered. I hope for dry conditions. This is followed by a 1-mile, 1,500-foot ascent up a rocky chute of the "Arm." I am still fighting a cold. I felt pretty low today with thoughts of quitting. It's one rocky chute or wall climb or mudhole after another, not allowing any hiking rhythm or speed. Andover, ME, is two days away where I will stay at a hostel and maybe slackpack.8/17: The days are slipping away. I have to summit Katahdin (the end of the AT) by 9/5 to meet my son and his girlfriend, leaving me just 19 days to go 260 miles. Today I hiked 15.5 miles, including the Notch and 4 mountains. The Notch was crazy fun and I took a lot of action photos of hiker friends. Tomorrow I go into Andover.8/18: I hiked 15 miles today. In 3 miles, I descended 1,600 feet and ascended 1,500 feet! Don't let anyone tell you the AT is easy. I'm in Andover now to get my mail drop, eat and get cleaned up. It's a cute little town. I'm feeling more positive now with the support I'm getting (thanks for writing on my guestbook). The weather has been great too.
Date: 2013-08-21
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 51.0

8/19: I picked up my mail drop box and hitched out of Andover back to the Trail at 9:30 a.m. Nonetheless, I hiked 17 miles today, my most since the day before I summited Mount Washington. It was nice feeling of accomplishment to get the miles done. I like Maine a lot. It has many lakes and ponds. I missed seeing a moose by only minutes today. Tomorrow should be a big mileage day. I'm a little more confident in making Mount Katahdin by 9/5. I completed another negative tick survey and will do one tomorrow. Only one more left after that. Stayed with Raven in a shelter - we and another in a tent were the only ones.8/20: Hiked 17 miles over Saddleback Mountain and the Horn. Great alpine walk for at least 4 miles. I'm the only one staying at this campsite. Raven went into Rangely to resupply. I'm getting a little more confident of finishing by 9/5 if I can average 13+ miles a day. The terrain eases after three more days. I'm at 1,973 miles; tomorrow I'll have less than 200 to go!8/21: I made 17 miles again today. It had a scary, steep 1,200-foot descent to the Carrabaset River. I rewarded myself with a swim/bath and foot soak. My feet are better (not yet normal) after 1,500 miles of pain, swelling and numb toes. I met two interesting hiker groups today. One was a college class from Harvard. The other was a trail runner/backpacker who passed me in a flash, easily doubling my speed -- and I am faster than average. I wonder how he can do it on such jumbled, steep terrain? The weather was sunny and warm, as it has been nice since the Whites where I had some rain. I hope it continues. I'm at 1,998 miles; only 182 to go.
Date: 2013-08-24
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 44.0
Weather: clear sky

8/22: Today I needed to stop in Stratton (at 1,998 miles) to resupply. Since a thunderstorm was predicted for the afternoon/evening I decided to Nero (stay overnight). This enabled three restaurant meals (lobster lasagna), and a shower and bed! Earlier today I hiked 7 miles over the Crockers; tomorrow is a big climb over the Bigalows, then it's relatively flatter until Mount Katahdin. The paper birch and maples are already dropping leaves. Toads are numerous along the trail, as is moose sign.8/23: I had a big day hiking 18 miles over the Bigalow Mountains to Flagstaff Lake. The lake is huge but we hikers have a private beach - very nice. I'm sitting here at sunset reflecting on the tranquility. No more big mountains until Katahdin, which will probably be on 9/5. Tomorrow I must get to the Kennebec River ferry by 4 pm, necessitating a very early start and long day (19 miles). The Kennebec is 75 yards across and too deep and variable to ford. At least one hiker drowned trying to ford it.8/24: I made 19 miles to the ferry by 1:30! There was a young hiker who tried to ford, but the river rose from dam discharges, and he had to swim his pack back and take the ferry. It's lucky he's alive. I saw a moose. The hike today went past several "ponds" or what we call lakes. They're all scenic and with loons abundant.
Date: 2013-08-26
From: Springer Mountain, Georgia

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 37.0

8/25: I hiked 19 miles to Moxie Bald shelter. The shelter looks out to a pond as some others in Maine have. I met Whoopie Pie, a trail angel, on the trail today and she gave me a beer and a whoopie pie. Today, I crossed two of the final three mountains before Katahdin. Tomorrow is 18 flattish miles to Monson, then the 100 Mile Wilderness. The 100 Miles is so named due to the lack of roads or towns, but it has more rivers, bogs and flatter terrain. This shelter had mosquitoes so I tented near the shore tonight (photo). Listening to the loon show was fantastic; similar to coyotes, but much more exotic. Great weather continues and the extended forecast looks favorable.8/26: Hiked 18 miles to Monson. After a clear evening, it rained last night and was drizzly this morning. I never saw the sun all day. The hiking was tedious but challenging. I'm staying at a hostel and plan to zero (take a rest day) tomorrow. I have not taken a day off since CT and need some recovery time.
Date: 2013-08-27
From: Springer Mtn

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0

I'm at Shaw's Boarding House taking a rest day before starting the 100-Mile Wilderness. To correct a few inaccuracies, there are some mountains in the first 50 miles, there are some gravel roads, and it is challenging. I hear it is rocky and rooty even in flat terrain. All I did today was rest and eat. My pack will be heavy with 6 days of provisions. My hiking buddy, Mash, caught up to me today but will zero tomorrow. We may summit on the same day - Sept. 5. I may take a zero on the 3rd-4th, and climb Mount Katahdin on the best weather day between the 4th or 5th. I have a couple more tick surveys to do, but I don't expect to find any. My other collected ticks have been identified and are being analyzed for pathogens by the U.S. Army lab. Because of lack of cell service, don't expect any more posts until the 3rd.