morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-06-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Crazy BritNo miles chilling out in Greenwood Lake, done a bit of shopping for re-Supply not a lot of choice here in this town.OH I did find an Irish Bar and they pour a mean Guinness or two then on the way back to the hotel I got Hijacked by a couple in a upscale Biker Bar. I had to go in to the Tiki Bar and have a beer, after all it is the July 4th weekend, and a Brit has to up hold the true British tradition, so I accepted a free beer or two.Now back at the Hotel watching the weekend warriors complete with Coolers attacking the outdoors and nature.It can only get better, kind of strange being a sailor everyone checks out each other¢s sailboats, here they are checking out the Pontoon boats, I find it very disturbing.We will have dinner later nice restaurant across the bridge, not to far to walk.Anyone can walk on the flat, takes a super hero to ride on a Pontoon boat , I have done it and love it if it has a cooler of beerSame mileage as yesterday. !!???
Date: 2018-07-01
From: Greenwood Lake

To: footbridge over a stream mile 1392.6
Miles today: 19.5

Crazy BritHad a good night at the Anton on the lake Hotel after writing my journal I sat outside with a beer watching the Pontoon Boats coming back in to their docks, kind of cool, beautiful Evening to just sit and relax.We were up and out the door by 5:30am and stopped by the small supermarket to get a coffee and something for breakfast, there was a guy there getting coffee he saw my pack and asked about hiking, when I told him what we were doing, he offered us a ride up to the trail head, ¢Yes please¢ our bags a put in the back and off we go.These two people were awesome, real Trail Angels, we had a photo op, and once again we are off into the Forest and back on the Trail, it¢s going to get hot as Hell today, we are told it¢s going to be a record setting 4 Days, what other records can we set on this AT 2018 year Snow, Rain, now Heat.The trail in New York is really tough Pennsylvania is tough because of the pain on your feet because of the rocks, NY is tough for loose rocks and real tough climbs, but it¢s the heat at the moment.There are some nice Beautiful Lakes here would love to fish in them, but not getting a fishing pole until I get to New Hampshire or Maine, we are aiming to get to the Lake Tiorati Beach where they have a Vending Machine with Cold drinks and Ice Cream.But first we have to go thru the lemon squeeze, this is a thin crack in the rocks and it gets really narrow so you have to take off your pack and lift your pack over your head and put it on a rock shelf, ¢Again¢ is this a hiking trail ????We arrive at the Tiorati swimming beach, and yes there is a Coke Vending Machine and an ice cream machine, there are four other hikers there enjoying their cold drinks, such a little thing but "Boy" does it taste great. The place here is packed with people swimming, and grilling out, we grab a picnic table and cook our dinners, not much when you look around at all the food being grilled.We all look at the food being consumed but no one offers any left overs, this action is called Yogi-ing or in other words Scrounging.It¢s now time to head out to our camping site, just a short walk up the road then about a 1 1/2 mile hike in and find a good site to pitch our tents, as we are finishing one of the other guys with us shouts out ¢BEAR¢! Sure enough there was a Big Mommy Bear with two cubs checking us out looking over some rocks, we shout at them and they just ran away, could be an interesting night.Now it¢s time to have a hot chocolate and into bed, it is really, really Hot in the tent, no need to get inside a sleeping bag tonight.Anyone can walk on the flat, but it¢s really cool to walk on the EdgeOnly got 798.3 miles to go before we climb upMT Katahdin
Date: 2018-07-02
From: mile mark 1392.6

To: Bear Mountain Bridge Hudson River
Miles today: 12.3

Crazy BritWell no bear attacks last night, a stroke of luck, Momma Bear must have told the young Cubs that Humans are Dangerous, and of course she¢s right, they can hunt them up here.What a hot night just laid on my sleeping bag and pad , it¢s going to be a record setting hot day again today, good job we loaded up on water yesterday going to need it today.Again it¢s a rough trail today it¢s hard to do big miles over this Terrain, worse still it¢s so damn hot, we have lots of short hard climbs but we do have three big climbs. The first is Black Mountain, it¢s from here you can see the Skyline of New York City but not today as it¢s to hazy with the heat.On we go to tackle South Mountain again it¢s a long hard climb, we were hoping to find water tent by the hiking clubs, or trail Angels, but not today. From the ridge top I can look across at Bear Mountain this one looks really tough, they have got a lot of steps but it is a long hard climb, the heat just draws your strength out.On one of the viewing points there is a nice wooden seat set on the rock, it¢s in remembrance of a Chief Forestry worker, nice view, we eventually get to the summit, and ¢YES" there is another Coke Machine. ¢Oh Yes¢ after getting Hydrated we start back on the trail and come to the Tower, I walk up the stairs to check out the view, but the Haze is so bad there are no views today.We start down over the mountain heading to the Inn on the side of the Hudson River, it¢s a long walk down. We have some great views of the river, when we get down to the lake by the Inn there are several groups of Hikers sat around sitting in the shade trying to keep cool.After a couple of drinks we head out to the Bear Mountain Hudson Bridge, but first we have to walk thru the Zoo. This is a really sad place animals like a fox, bobcat and black bears are kept in concrete lined cages, they looked really sad in this heat laid on Concrete, I Hate Zoos.We are waiting for an Uber driver to take us to a hotel so we can get a shower and get some laundry done.We can cool down start again tomorrow refreshed.Anyone can walk on the flat, but why not try living on the Edge you might like itOnly got 786.0 miles to go before we summit Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-07-03
From: Bear Mountain Bridge. Hudson River

To: Greymoor Spiritual Center
Miles today: 6.4

Crazy BritWe had to go to a Hotel last night to cool down and have a shower and do some laundry a luxury in this Atrocious Heat. It was David¢s first time using Uber on his phone, real cool to watch him see the driver coming on his phone.The hotel was miles out of town, nice place, just down the hill was a cool restaurant, good food and cold Beer, also we were in the air conditioning.Lazy start to the day as we are only going 6.4 miles to the Greymoor Spiritual Life Center. But just before that is the Appalachian Deli, this place is awesome. They only sell Boars Head Products very clean and most important they have a machine that makes Smoothies and Milkshakes and they are very good at that. I had two Smoothies and one milk shake plus a sandwich then a coke with some ice, life is good.It¢s hard coming out of the cool air conditioned store to once again put on your pack and start hiking as usual David has left. I am still finishing my coke, so I follow on. A Little later just a small climb out, we only have to walk a half mile to our campsite. When I get to the road I went right across following the trail. I walked another 3/4 of a mile before I called David, I had missed my turn of Point to the center whilst I was talking to two other hikers. I walk back and find the Ballpark where we will camp tonight, nice place has a shower and porta potties.My tent is all set up so I decide to walk up to the Cemetery where all the Monks are buried very serene place. They have a cross made up from steel and a piece of reenforcement bar, these steel parts come from the Twin Towers in New York that were attacked on 9-11, amazing.So now relaxing going to cook my dinner, so will say goodnight.Anyone can walk on the flat, try walking on the Edge it¢s FunOnly got 779.6 miles to go before we climb Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-07-04
From: Greymoor Spiritual Center

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

Crazy BritWow what an evening just after I did my Jounal last night and was cooking my Dinner a Trail Angel came into our campsite there were at least a dozen hikers there. He brought all flavors of Klondike Bar ice cream, strawberry¢s, blueberries, candy bars, cold drinks, ice cold water, and cold Melon. All hikers favorite¢s, what a cool guy of course I have forgotten his name, but I know he reads Trail journals so thank you again Sir.Next day was going to be a short day as we had decided not to go to the hiker party. So David had packed up first, so he left I was to catch him up, I was in no hurry so I just strolled as it was only going to be a 10 mile day to Canopus lake, nice easy hike.I stopped at a Beaver pond to watch the Beavers play, unfortunately to far away to photograph, really cool hard working animals, very clever how they construct the dams. I got to the Lake and half of New York City was there, it was packed out with still more people coming in, we decided to carry on hiking to RPH Shelter and go to the hiker party, it¢s again a really hot day. I let David go ahead, as he is going a bit slow with a hurting knee, and we don¢t want to stress it.On Top of Shenandoah Mountain there is a big Old Glory painted on the rock, good place for a photo shoot, on this Special day for the USA.I get to the shelter and within minutes we are on our way to the party, Ickes up by the Hostess, couldn¢t be any better. When we got to the house we were shown where the shower was the Laundry, then upstairs to the deck where the party was going on .A Keg of ice Cold Beer, all the food you want, great Music, great Party, with really great people.Never had time to do my journal so doing it the day after.Anyone can walk on the flat, but try living on the edge at a hiker Bash it¢s really coolOnly got 760.8 miles to go before we summit MT Katahdin.
Date: 2018-07-05
From: RPH Shelter

To: NY 22 Pawling
Miles today: 19.9

Crazy BritGreat Party last night got to bed a little bit later than normal, had a good time, great Host and Hostess and their friends helping out. I had to get a ride back to the RPH Shelter so I can complete my 3.5 miles of the AT.Had breakfast and coffee, then later got my ride, left my pack at the house, just took my poles and some water. I was soon back at the house where a bit of commotion was going on someone had misplaced his sleeping bag. I think it got sorted out, anyway I was back on the trail chasing David down.It is a hard climb out from the house, in fact there was lots of climbing today, plus it¢s hot as hell. Up down up down all day it¢s almost a 20 mile day so in these conditions with the trail and the heat, and having to stop for drinking water, it¢s going to be a 9 hour plus day of hiking which is a long day.I get to Dover Road which is a road into Pawling, I am so pleased with my hiking speed, but now things don¢t add up about this location, so double check myBook and my Guthook App on my phone, damn!!!!!!! This is the first road the one I want is 5.6 miles further up the Trail. I am crushed it¢s so hot, I sit down and drink a whole liter of water I have been saving. Don¢t worry Janice I have more, so on we go to the right road.Our campsite tonight is at a diner on the NY 22 road, we have a nice level site sandwiched between the Road and a busy Railway line should be interesting.Now my phone has sent a warning of Extream weather with Flash floods in our area for the next 8 hours, got to love the weather we are having on this ATHike. So far it¢s been the worst year in 15 years, oh well time for bed Goodnight.Anyone can walk on the flat ,live on the edge it¢s funOnly got 740.9 miles to go before we sit a Frog on Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-07-06
From: Deli on US 22 in Pawling

To: Ten Mile River Shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: broken clouds

Crazy BritWow what a night, the traffic from the US 22 combined with the Main line Railway line made for an interesting Albeit semi sleepless night. The railway Engineers in the US must love blowing their horns day or night. Seems like more times the better, and the Traffic on US22 is going right into the Bronx, don¢t think they can drive any faster, very noisy place to camp overnight, no wonder David said it would be an experience.The Deli is open until midnight, sells everything, the food is awesome. They again open at 3:00am for Breakfast, we got in there about 6:00am, lot of people there, I had a double Bacon and Egg with Cheese Sandwich, Oh so good.We were on the trail after getting a ride from one of the owners, back to the Trailhead, as is usual a big climb out so we can once again get up on top of the ridge, we had a good trail today .We came to a sign board Welcoming us to Connecticut, this is one of three times we will be in and out of Connecticut, as we descend to a road in the Car Park is a Father and Son, set up doing Trail Magic, perfect!!! We sit down and are served hot coffee and a fried Egg Sandwich, it tasted great. This his Fourth day at this spot, his Son hiked the trail in 2013 and his DD just want to give back, awesome.At this site was a trail maintainer we had a long talk with him and he told us of a good spot to camp at, which is where we are at the moment camped at the Ten Mile River AT foot Bridge. I am sat by the river with a hot chocolate doing my journal, great place, nice and peaceful.So I will finish my Journal have my Dinner then a beer, then catch up on my sleep from last night.See you laterAnyone can walk on the flat, it takes an interesting person to walk on the EdgeOnly got 731.2 miles to go befor we summit Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-07-07
From: Ten Mile Shelter

To: Stony Brook Campsite
Miles today: 16.3

Crazy BritEarly start to the day, and yes it was. Tough climb out again today, but the good thing was it was pretty cool temperature wise had to wear a extra shirt and my rain jacket, but half way up the climb I had to strip them of back to just a tee shirt, I was sweating so much.The Trail was lots of ups and downs we had 16.3 to go to our campsite at Stony brook Campsite, but we are hoping for some Trail Magic at one of the road crossings, one of the hikers called Sublime his parents were coming to collect him for a few days off trail so they were going to set up to do Trail Magic, Awesome.As we were approaching Bulls Bridge Road our hopes were up then from the forest we could see a pop up tent with some people standing around, YES Trail Magic.They had everything even New Darn Tough Socks, Hats and all the food. Sublime Mum made the best sandwich, had doughnuts for desert, candy bars, even beer and all the drinks, a really good spread, thank you so very much From all the Hikers.Of course we waited for Sublime to arrive, that was pretty cool to see, when we left we had another Monster climb out, which was pretty hard going the rest of the trail was pretty good except for St Johns Ledges, these were really steep steps full of loose rocksThen we came down to the Housatonic river from here it was just a flat walk to our campsite at Stony Brook, set up our tents and made our dinner got water, going to be early to Bed the Mosquitoes are eating us alive.So goodnight see you tomorrow.anyone can walk on the flat , try walking on the Edge you may be Surprised Only got 714.9 miles to go befor we climb Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-07-08
From: Stoney Brook Campsite

To: US 7 parking by the Housatonic road bridge
Miles today: 15.4

Crazy BritGreat to wake up early and get going on the trail which is right along side the Housatonic River, would love to fish here but we have seen a lot of dead fish, and one of the guys said that the river used to be badly polluted, and it¢s catch and realest only, they don¢t want you eating the fish.We did watch a Beaver swimming in the river, he really wanted to go to his Lodge but just hung around until we left him alone, this morning the mist is rising up from the river, makes it look pretty special in the sunshine.Well today we have a 15.4 Hike to the US 7 Housatonic bridge parking area where we will get picked by the owner of the Bearded Woods Hostel. It¢s a tough trail with about 4 long steep climbs, the first was up from the river, in between these climbs we have lots of short steep climbs which really test your legs.At one time thru the trees we can see a motor racing track way down in the valley, you could here the engines being warmed up, no time to watch from here, that¢s a pity but we have to press on with our hike.David has called Hudson the owner and we are on time for our ride, up down, up down all day, with a big descent down thru the huge Pine Trees to the US 7 Highway. When we get there we have to walk all around a huge corn field.This little Trail deposits is right into the car park where we will get our ride, we take off our packs and sit on the ground, in just a few minutes Hudson arrives and brings us to his home.They are closed at the moment but because David has stayed here before they are letting us stay here, we will do some Slack packing tomorrow, and maybe the next day, get us rested for tackling the White Mountains later on our trip.This Hostel is Awesome they usually only take 8 hikers at a time, we get shown our bunks, beautiful showers, our clothes are taken away and laundered for us. They have a honest system so if you need anything to eat from the stock that is on the counter, you just write it down, in fact they have this system on all the better class of Hostels.I am now sat in the garden writing my Journal sipping a beer which the owner just brought out. Oh there are humming birds feeding on the nectar from flowers growing in the garden, it doesn¢t get much better than this on the AT hiking Trail.Mosquito are coming out time to retire to the covered Lani.Goodnight my friends will talk to you tomorrow evening.Anyone can walk on the flat, but if you want to see real life walk on the Edge it is so much better.Only got 699.5 miles to go before we climb Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-07-09
From: US 7 parking lot by the Bridge over the Housatonic River

To: AT on Cobble Road Salisbury CT
Miles today: 9.3

Crazy BritWOW what a day, started off great with a breakfast made by Big Lou, which is Hudson¢s Wife they both run the Bearded Woods Hostel, this is one of the best Hostels we have stayed at so far on our Marathon Hike.After breakfast and coffee we were shuttled back to the Trail head at US 7, a really nice trail to start the day off. Just a couple of little climbs we pass some really nice homes, very clean looking New England style, we pass Falls Village pity the Coffee Shop was closed on a Monday as they have a British Motor Cycle Museum there, maybe next time????The Water falls are next, these are awesome and you can get right on top and look down, would love to see this when there is a lot of rain it would be a sight to behold. We spend some time there as today we are in no hurry it¢s only a 9.3 mile day so we will be done by lunch time with no problem.The hike continues to be good, great trail one of the best days yet, with no pressure on us to get to a campsite.There is a long descent thru a pine forest to the road leading into Salisbury, we have to walk the quarter of a mile into town along the road, we have now learned that there is a Tail to Trails pathway leading right into town, will do this tomorrow when we are Slackpacking South.We enter the town which is really smart very clean and Quaint, there is a nice looking coffee shop so we sit outside on the sidewalk under an umbrella drinking a Latte, watching the world go by, no hurry, we have a look around the town then head to the food store to check out for re-supply tomorrow, nice store, with New England Prices.We meet up with one of our Trail group he is in on a re-supply mission. There is a nice Bistro next door so we sit in the shade of a big tree and plan our next section, we will pass him going South tomorrow.Time to be picked up and taken back to Bearded Woods when we get back I have a nap didn¢t feel to good. Now I have ordered a take out meal for the two of us from an Italian Restaurant in Town. It¢s just arriving as I am writing this journal, so time to close as it¢s dinner time.Anyone can walk on the flat, you want to try walking on the Edge it¢s more Healthy for you.Only got 690.2 miles to go before Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-07-10
From: Jug End Road MA 

To: AT on Cobble Road Salisbury CT
Miles today: 16.5

Crazy BritToday was a hard 16.5 Miles, lots of climbs and some big downs which are hard on the knees, but some awesome views, which makes it all worth it.We were shuttled to Jug Road by Lou, she filled us in on all the local history, it¢s really beautiful countryside around this area.We arrived at the Trail Head, got all ready and immediately started a big climb out, this was going to be alot all day. We have 16.5 miles to do and we are told it will be like a 25 mile day, this climb out takes a lot of work especially as there is no chance to warm up on some flat stuff first.The first climb is up to the summit of Mt Bushnell, as soon as we are up we are on our way down, then it¢s up again to the summit of Mt Everett this is a tougher climb. There is a picnic area part way up with two five gallons of iced water and about 10 one gallon jugs to refill them.It¢s a big down then we have to get ready for Bear Mountain the summit is the highest point in Connecticut, it¢s a hard climb, in many places you are going hand over hand up an almost vertical slab of rock, this will surely get us in shape for the whites.There are several big groups of young people hiking north, hope they can find room to all camp on the trail, we may see them again tomorrow when we are hiking North, it looks like they were in different camps of some sort.Bear Mountain has a pile of stones on top that you can stand on and enjoy the view, it¢s all down from here to the Cobble Road, then a short walk along an old railway line into the center of town. David is off to the ice cream parlor for a milkshake. I have to go to the bank then get some resupply stuff for tomorrow¢s hike.I follow David to get a milkshake, but they are almost out of ice cream, no flavors I like, so I go to the Bistro and have a beer to cool me down perfect. Our ride arrives and we are taken back to the Hostel where tonight we are having a home cooked dinner, we are spoiled, now it¢s relax get our gear ready for tomorrow¢s hiking.So it¢s goodnight from me after this hard day, GoodnightAnyone can walk on the flat, but it is defiantly more fun to walk on the EdgeWe have only got 673.7 Miles until we summit Mt Katahdin