morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-09-07
From: Unionville NY

To: Wawayanda Shelter 
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

Patti got us back to the trail by 8:00am.  Shortly thereafter we missed a turn and kept right on walking.  We finally turned around and retraced our steps, we had walked an extra mile out of the way.  I did the same thing again later in the day. We loved Wallkill Reserve and all the boardwalks today.  In the afternoon while I was hiking ahead of Deb, I saw a bear much bigger and much closer than I wanted to, probably only 30-40 yards away.  Late afternoon we climbed the Stairway to Heaven, which I think I would rename for a different location. It was a steep rock climb just over a mile long.   Because it was a weekend, between the boardwalk and the stairway, there were probably over 100 dayhikers.  I developed a huge blister under my right big toenail that I had to pop to get some relief.  These shoes were great earlier this year but I think my feet have expanded from all the hiking and I need a bigger size already. We met Patti at Barrett Road two miles from Wawayanda Shelter.  We took all our gear from her car and loaded our packs. She brought a gallon of water for us so we filled out water bottles.  We finally got to the shelter about 7:00.  Susan B was already there.  We set up our tents and sleeping things quickly.  I could not find my stove.  Someone else boiled water for me on their stove.  I messaged Patti and she found it in her car.  I¢ll get it back in two days.  We fixed dinner and ate in the dark. Music drifted up from the nearby state park. There was a full moon.  We were snug in our tents by 8:40.What a long day! I¢m glad we were slackpacking most of it!
Date: 2019-09-08
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter 
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

We packed up and were on the trail by 8:30.  One of today¢s highlights was crossing the NJ/NY line on a rock slab ridge. We met a nice local dayhiker up on Prospect Rock, the highest point on the AT in NY.  He pointed out the skyline of New York City in the distance and gorgeous Greenwood Lake at the base of the mountain we were on.  Most of the day was spent climbing over rocks, sometimes on our hands and knees, and navigating down them gingerly, sometimes on the seat of our pants.  There was even one section with seven or eight rebar handholds. With a couple miles to go to the shelter, we detoured .2 mile down the road to Bellvale Farms Creamery for ice cream. There must¢ve been a hundred people there.  We decided to settle for getting water from their outdoor spigot.  Deb decided to stop hiking there and called an Uber from there to the hotel for the night.  She will shower, eat, spend the night, and go home Monday.   Susan B and I headed back down the trail for the final two miles to Wildcat Shelter.  We traversed the rocky Eastern Pinnacles and Cat Rocks, both rather sketchy rocky areas that I would definitely avoid in the rain.  Travis and the other couple from last night¢s shelter were already at Wildcat Shelter when we arrived.  It was already close to getting dark so I decided not to set up my tent and just slept in the shelter.   We ate quickly and were all ready for bed before 8:00.  It was another tough day, but I¢m glad I spent it moving north on the AT.
Date: 2019-09-09
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: NY-17 to Tuxedo Motel
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Susan B and I were last to leave the shelter, about 8:00.  The trail began gently enough but in a couple miles we were climbing steep rock steps up the side of the almost dry Fitzgerald Falls.  Somewhere this morning three large dogs came bounding over a rise barking at us.  We froze.  Within a couple minutes three older women came over the rise and saw us and began calling the dogs.  None of the dogs listened to them.  I was seconds away from using my pepper spray when they finally backed off.  I would¢ve liked to use it on the dogs AND the women who didn¢t bother even to apologize until after I told them their dogs almost got pepper sprayed. Most of the streams and brooks in this section are dry.  Thankfully trail angels are leaving jugs of water near road crossings.  We joked that only on the AT would we even consider picking up a jug of water on the side of the road and drinkin from it.  Mombasa High Point, Buchanan Mountain, and Arden Mountain tried their best to kick our butts today, but we conquered them all.  So many times today, we came over a rise or around a curve and looked at a rock wall or pile of rocks we would have to go up and over and I would say  ¢Oh crap! Another one!¢  There was more rock scrambling, bouldering, and steep uphills and steep downhills.  Again, I would avoid this section in the rain.  I¢m very thankful it was dry and we had reasonable temperatures today. As we faced yet another tough section about noon, we decided to stop for lunch before tackling it.  Just as we finished eating and were strapping on our packs, we saw Travis coming over the top, heading toward us.  We hollered up at her, ¢Why are you coming this way?¢ She asked if she was heading south and we told her she was. She turned and headed north and we never saw her again that day.  That  .1 uphill rock climb and the corresponding .2 downhill rock climb took us an entire hour to complete. We finally made it to NY 17 where we arranged a lyft ride to the Tuxedo Motel.  Showers, hot meals, and beds!!Good news! I got a call from Susan K and her opthamalogist cleared her to hike.  She will drive up Wednesday and meet me at Bear Mountain for the next week!!
Date: 2019-09-10
To: Palisades Parkway 
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

We got a lyft ride back to the trail about 9:00.  I¢ve heard you¢re not a real thru hiker unless you¢ve crapped in your pants at least once.  Well, if so, I¢ve achieved that status.  I could feel it coming while crossing a open field and could not get to the woods quite in time.  I had to use all of my little toilet paper roll AND take off my underwear.  Thankfully I had an extra ziploc bag to put my dirty underwear in for the rest of the day .  Then I had to go commando for the rest of the day.  There were gentle inclines and descents for about two miles.  We leapfrogged with a young couple from NYC out for the day (Angelica and Enoch) and got to the Lemon Squeezer just before them.  We took pictures of each other there.The Lemon Squeezer is a tight crevasse between boulders.  If we had our full packs, we would¢ve had to take them off and push them ahead of us.  We barely made it through with our daypacks on. The young people climbed up the vertical rock section after the Lemon Squeezer before us and let us throw our packs and poles up to them.  I managed to climb up the right side.  Susan tried but eventually took the blue-blazed easier trail around.  I am so proud of myself for that little rock climb !!Whoever laid out today¢s section of the AT was a much kinder soul than those who did yesterday¢s!  The inclines have been much gentler and less rocky.  The leaves have begun to change and the acorns have begun to fall.The climb up Black Mountain began shortly after a snack break at William Brien Shelter, an old, dark, damp, gloomy, CCC-built stone shelter.  From the rocky outcrops at the top of Black Mountain, we could see the Hudson River Valley and the skyline of NYC again. On a clearer day, the views would¢ve been even better.We made it to the Palisades Parkway about 4:45 and crossed the two eastbound lanes safely into the median, then walked .4 to the visitor center.  We got there about 5:02; it had closed at 5:00. The bathrooms were locked up inside. There was no cellphone service, BUT WAIT, there was a pay phone; never mind, it ate my 50 cents.  I was not loving New York right then.  Susan walked around trying to get enough cell service to schedule a lyft driver and finally managed, but it would be a half hour wait. Not a great ending to an otherwise good day.We finally got back to our hotel, showered, and went out dinner at TGIFridays.
Date: 2019-09-11
From: Tuxedo Motel

To: Bear Mountain Bridge
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

We left the Tuxedo Motel about 8:00 and picked up breakfast at Dunkin Donuts down the road.  I got a ham,egg and cheese croissant with hashbrowns.  I asked if they had sweet iced tea and they said they could make me some.  I should have known what that meant but I ordered it anyhow.  It was not southern sweet tea, to say the least.  We ate in our trucks on the half hour trip to Bear Mountain Bridge Motel.  We left our vehicles there and got a lyft ride back to where we stopped yesterday where the AT crosses the Palisades Parkway to hike back to the hotel.  We had a gentle climb up West Mountain and were rewarded with views of the Hudson River again.  We could look across the valley and see Bear Mountain and its mountaintop tower where we would be hiking next.  We hiked down West Mountain and crossed Seven Lakes Road for the third or fourth time in two days.  Then we began on a winding rock step staircase about 2.1 miles to the top of Bear Mountain.  Somewhere along the way, we caught up with Travis again and we enjoyed her company to the top of the mountain and down the other side into the zoo. I kinda felt guilty slackpacking whike Travis was carrying her full pack.She is from NYC and is only out for a week this time.  She seemed to be interested in my plan next year with Steve supporting me through MA and VT.  Susan B is also interested in joining me for some or all of that section.  Since this day was going to be a short mileage day, we took our time, taking pictures, clowning around, and enjoying ourselves.  We got cold Powerades from vending machines for $3 each at the top of Bear Mountain, climbed to the top of the lookout tower, and talked with a local couple about our section hiking.After descending, we walked around a beautiful lake through picnic grounds.  The AT went straight through Bear Mountain Zoo.  We saw a statue and tribute to Walt Whitman and his Song of the Open Road.  We watched the bears in the zoo at the lowest spot on the AT, 120 feet above sea level.  We left the park and were picked up by the owner of the motel.Susan B showered and left for home in PA. Susan K is driving up to meet me for the rest of the hike. I did laundry and showered and enjoyed a brisket sandwich and sweet potato fries at a bbq place right across the street from the motel.  I made a trip down the road to RiteAid for a bucket and Epsom salts and watched the Braves beat the Phillies while soaking my feet and waiting for Susan to arrive.
Date: 2019-09-12
From: Fahnestock Park

To: Graymoor
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: clear sky

Susan K arrived late last evening so we slept in this morning and then leisurely got ready.  We had to drive about 15 minutes to Graymoor Spiritual Life Center to park my truck and start our hike.   Graymoor is a huge Catholic complex of a retreat center, nursing home, nunnery, friary, book store, gift shop, offices, etc.  The AT runs right beside it and they allow hikers to park cars in a special part of their parking lot.  They also allow hikers to camp on their ballfield or under their picnic pavilion and even have a portapotty and outdoor shower there for hiker use.We parked there, found the trail by 10:45, and hiked south back to Bear Mountain.  It was a short mileage day of moderate elevation.  It was cool and breezy but only a few drops of the expected rain came.  We ended the day crossing the Bear Mountain Bridge and being picked up about 2:30 by our hosts from the Bear Mountain Bridge Motel.My hair has been driving me crazy this trip.  Since we were back at the motel and cleaned up before 3:00, I called around and scheduled a haircut for 4:15.  It is very short, definitely a wash and go style, so easier for the trail.  I hope I don¢t regret it.  We drove by West Point and then had dinner at Barnstormer again.  Back at the motel we organized our packs for the next section of our hike.
Date: 2019-09-13
From: Fahnestock Park

To: Graymoor
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

We drove to Fahnestock State Park and were on the trail heading south toward Graymoor by 8:00.  We stopped for a snack at Dennytown Road after 4 miles.  Even with stopping to talk to a couple of people we were averaging 2mph. We talked to Brian a guy our age from NC who was section hiking. Since we were going south we met Travis again.  We only saw one sobo guy all day.  We met two older ladies and one single young guy dayhiking.  We made it back to Graymoor before 3:00, got my truck, drove to pick up Susan¢s car, and headed north.  We stopped for gas, cash at an atm, and dinner at When Pigs Fly South BBQ, and arrived at Bearded Woods in Sharon CT about 6:30.  Hudson and Lu have a wonderful hostel in their basement with bunks for 8 and a large living area. Everything was neat, clean and organized.  Hudson section hiked the AT from 2004-2008 and thru-hiked in 2014.  He had just recently returned from hiking the Wonderland Trail in Washington state with his nephew.  Eric, the nephew, was now headed to Parris Island to be a Marine.  We showered, had our laundry done, and sorted through our food resupply.  I got to watch the Braves beat the Nationals 5-0 on YouTube tv on my phone while packing up and was asleep before 10:00, enjoying having clean sheets and fullsize pillows.
Date: 2019-09-14
From: Fahnestock Park

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

It was cool even inside and we dressed quickly, stowed our ¢town things¢ in our vehicles and lugged our fully loaded packs up the stairs. Lu had breakfast ready at 7:00 - omelets, hashbrowns, toast and jelly, OJ, and hot tea.  Lu drove us south to Fahnestock Park and we began hiking north by 9:00.  We arrived at RHP Shelter about 12:30 and stopped to the use the privy and eat lunch with several sobos.  Two trail maintainers were there digging around the root system of a huge tree that had been felled in a tornado some time ago.  They told us how many cords of wood had been  chopped from the fallen tree.  It was a huge number that I do not recall now.We had made better than 2 mph but still had 9 miles to go to reach Morgan Stewart Shelter for the night.  It began sprinkling in the afternoon as we crossed I-84.  It rained lightly most of the rest of the day.  About two miles from the shelter, Susan was starving and stopped to eat.  It was going to be mostly uphill to the shelter so I continued on, thinking she¢d catch me, but I arrived alone by 6:00.  A German guy was tenting there, but we would have the shelter to ourselves. I immediately threw a bear line in a tree while it was still light, swept out the shelter and set up my sleeping area.  Then I started worrying about Susan.  She arrived about 6:30 and by the time we fixed our dinners it was dark and raining harder.  As soon as our chores were done, we hung our food bags.  In the dark and rain we struggled to find our way back to the shelter but finally located it and got ready for bed.  The rain was only supposed to last through the night. Tomorrow will be another 16 mile day but we should be able get an earlier start than we did today.
Date: 2019-09-15
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: light rain

We stayed nice and dry though it rained all through the night.  This shelter had a nice old fashioned water pump, but we had to go down a steep trail to reach it.  We had eaten breakfast and were on the trail by 8:00, knowing we had another long day ahead of us.  We met up with Susan B at a rocky outcrop in West Mountain.  She had driven from her home early this morning to hike two more days with us so she could finish NY.  We hiked as a trio for the rest of the day.  I think we met more sobos today than any other day, plus because it was Sunday, there were many dayhikers out.  We crossed the railroad tracks where hikers can get a ride into NYC right from the trail.  We stopped at Native Landscapes and Garden Center where I had a Klondike ice cream bar and an ice cold lemonade while sitting in their gazebo.  We also used their restroom, washed up a bit, and filled our water bottles from their outside spigot.  I am very thankful for businesses along the trail that cater to hikers!After finishing our break, we started a two mile uphill climb.  The first mile was over three stiles and through open fields exposed to the sun.  It was much cooler once we were back in the woods, but we continued uphill for a second mile.  I was just trudging for the final .2 uphill and .2 downhill.  Two 16+ mile days in a row had about done me in.  I¢m glad tomorrow will be less mileage!The German guy who tented near us last night was also tenting at this shelter.  We quickly set up our tents while it was light, then fixed our dinners and ate by the light of our headlamps.  While we were eating, a huge dead tree branch came crashing down right where I ALMOST had set up my tent.  I am so thankful I had changed my mind about where to set up my tent.  There is a reason those kind of limbs are called ¢widow makers¢!By 8:30 we were in our tents for the night looking forward to recuperating while we slept.
Date: 2019-09-16
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Bulls Bridge Country Store
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: moderate rain

We ate breakfast with our German friend and got on the trail about 8:15.  Susan B needed to get to CT 55, the NY/CT border where her truck was parked so she could drive home by 1:00.  She had gallon jugs of water in her car so we skipped filling up at the pump at the shelter and hiked a couple miles to her car.  We filled up with water and took pictures at the CT welcome sign and said goodbye to her.  Susan K and I hiked on.  Almost immediately we were trudging up a mile ascent.  The mile descent was just as long obviously, but much easier and quicker.  By 11:00 we were at the Ten Mile River Shelter, taking a break, using the privy, and refilling our water bottles. As we sat and talked, we both decided we were ready to end this section.  Back to back 16+ mile days were tough on this 61 year old.  We messaged Hudson and Lu at Bearded Woods and made arrangements to be picked up at Bulls Bridge Country Store.  We enjoyed the mile walk in the crisp New England fall along the Housatonic River with cool breezes and the soothing sound of running water.  When we reached Bulls Bridge Road, we walked off trail .4 down the road, through a covered bridge, and into the tiny town of Bulls Bridge.  I was enjoying a deli sandwich, a fresh apple, and a bottle of juice when Lu arrived.  We enjoyed her stories and the beautiful rural countryside and small CT towns we passed on the drive back to Bearded Woods.  We cleaned up quickly and drove two hours back to ¢Aunt Patti¢s¢ in Middletown NY for the night.  After dinner at a local Italian place, clothes were washing and we were ready for bed.It was a nice ending to a great few days on the AT.  Tomorrow will be the grueling 13+ hour drive home.  I hiked 137.9 miles on this section hike.
Date: 2020-11-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I spent hours over the winter elaborately planning in detail how I could finish the last 730 miles of the AT from CT to ME in 2020. I poured over my AWOL guide and read several books and trail journals.  I gave my plans to Susan and Steve who both suggested a few changes.  Finally I sent the plans to everyone I¢d ever hiked with to see if anyone wanted to join me. Steve volunteered to support me a couple of weeks.  My husband John agreed to support me a couple of weeks.  Seven different hikers committed to hiking certain sections with me.I stockpiled food supplies all winter.  Then in the spring, COVID derailed our plans. The New England states did not want any visitors. The ATC was strongly urging all hikers to stay off the trail.Disappointed, I found ways to hike closer to home.  Non-AT miles.  I thruhiked the Foothills Trail along the SC/NC border with Susan and Steve.  I hiked a few days with Susan and Gene on the Mountains to Sea Trail in NC, beginning at Clingmans Dome. Susan B joined me as I hiked again on the MST with Susan K, Gene, and Janet.  I did countless boring laps on pavement through my neighborhood.Now I am reworking 2020 plans and hoping to finish the trail in 2021. The new plans have been sent out to all who were going to be involved in 2020 with the changes and new dates.  Stay tuned for my next adventures on the AT.
Date: 2020-11-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Here are some words I use in my journal that may need an explanation:NOBO - North-bound hikerSOBO - South-bound hikerFLIP-FLOP - Someone who hikes in one direction then switches and hikes the rest of the trail back in the other direction (ie, Georgia to Harpers Ferry WV then Maine back to Harpers Ferry)YO-YO - Someone who hikes the entire length of the trail then turns back and completes it in the other direction alsoTRAIL MAGIC - Anything provided to a hiker at no charge  (ie. food, drink, shelter, ride, etc.)TRAIL ANGEL - Someone who provides trail magicZERO - A non-hiking dayNERO - A short amount of miles hiked in a day (nearly a zero)SLACK-PACK - To hike with just food and gear for a day, usually with assistance from someone shuttling your packHOSTEL - Low cost accommodations for hikers, usually a bunk room and shared bathroomWHITE BLAZE - 2x6 white rectangles marking the Appalachian Trail
Date: 2021-05-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

My 2020 plans to finish the AT have been reworked to fit other 2021 family plans. I will be starting mid-June.  I am planning 11 weeks to finish the trail this year.  Steve will be slackpacking me through CT and MA for my first couple of weeks on the trail.  My husband John will be meeting me at Gifford Woods State Park in VT and slackpacking me for another week or so. Four other friends will be joining me for certain sections along the way. It is an intricate plan as different ones come and go. I have a new pack, a new tent, and some other new lighter gear.  I didn¢t plan zero days in my shorter section hikes, but this year¢s plan includes a zero every week or so. We also have plans to stay often in hostels, hotels, and AMC huts. I am hoping that these adjustments will make it possible for this 62 year old to be strong enough to hike 730 miles and summit Katahdin before the end of August. I¢ve done a lot of day hikes this past year but I¢m ready to be on the AT and add to the 1458 AT miles I¢ve already completed.  Stay tuned for more of my exciting AT adventures!
Date: 2021-06-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I only have one more full day at home before I begin my 2021 AT Adventures! My backpack is packed. My truck is packed with supplies for the first weeks when I am being slackpacked. Several hostels, hotels and huts are already reserved. Four resupply boxes have been mailed to hostels.  If all goes as planned I¢ll summit 8/25.   My mind is ready to go; I¢m hoping my 62 year body will be!
Date: 2021-06-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I left home about 6:45am. First I drove about two hours to Sylva NC to meet SusanK. Next we drove about an hour to Asheville NC to meet Janet. The three of us then drove to Chesapeake VA to Steve and Sharon¢s home.Everything went smoothly according to schedule. After unloading our gear, the five of us went out for sushi and hibachi, got subway sandwiches for the next day¢s drive, and ended the evening at a frozen yogurt shop. It¢s good to be finally starting on this plan that I¢ve been working on for two years!
Date: 2021-06-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

After a good night¢s sleep, we loaded onto the truck and the four of us headed north via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. 17.6 miles of bridge, tunnel, bridge, tunnel, bridge. It was incredible!We traveled through VA, DE, MD, NJ, NY, and into CT, making good time, with minimal stops until NY rush hour traffic slowed us down. We finally arrived at Bearded Woods Bunk and Dine around 8:00. After talking to Hudson and Lu we chose our bunks and organized our food and gear for the next day¢s slackpack and enjoyed some time around the fire pit before heading off to our bunks.