morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA Church Hostel

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 31.4
Weather: light rain

Got a hot breakfast + an early start, beating everyone other than Bass Master out of the hostel. He didn't exactly beat me, I got lost in town + it took me a while to find the trail. Crossed the Delaware river into New Jersey + claimed the fourth state on my trip. I caught Bass Master at Sunfish Pond who had gotten lost with Free Spirit. The three of us hiked together until they slowed down + I went off the front. When I stopped at Catfish Fire Tower, they caught up + we ate lunch together. I reached the shelter at 4:45 + decided I could make it to the next one 6-7 miles away before dark. Seems fitting that I got some well deserved time alone + avoid over crowded shelters. Wonder if anyone will catch me tomorrow. Doubt it as I plan on going ~25 mi tomorrow. Most likely I'll be doing the catching.
Date: 2005-05-25
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Unionville, Ny BackTrack Inn Hostel
Miles today: 20.1

Yes, I'm in New York. No, I'm not really in NY. So happens that 0.4 mi west of the trail puts me from New Jersey into New York. Decided around 6PM that I was ready to stop when I read that there was a hostel just down the road. Shouldn't have decided to do a 25 mi day to follow a 31mi day. I probably could have made it if the goretex in my boots wasn't put in backwards. Seems that every time I walk through wet grass, water soaks into the toebox of my boots. Had a blister on my right foot that popped a couple days ago + 2 on my left heel that keep growing. Duct tape heals all wounds. My feet are actually holding out pretty well other than the occassional burning sensation. This hostel is almost not worth the $3 I paid to stay here. At the widest point it's about 6 inches more than my wingspan + maybe 15 feet long. One bare light bulb hangs above my head + the noise of cars roaring down the road 50 feet away will probably keep me up all night. *Ponders these cold, dark, bear infested forest* I think the creak of a dead hanging tree last night was worse. At least I know the cars won't kill me. *locks door* Tonite I sleep to bar music + automobiles in hope that one of my 2 pairs of socks will dry out by morning. Is that too much to expect? RAWR!.... [had to fill a page... hehe]
Date: 2005-05-26
From: Unionville, Ny BackTrack Inn Hostel

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up kinda late + fell back asleep. Finally got out of the hostel around 9. (yes 9AM is late) went to the general store to pass Jay + Free Spirit along the way. Jay was heading off to start a 30mi day + Free Spirit was eating in front of the store. I got 2200 calories worth of cheese danish + dug in. The full stomach propeled me onto the trail but my left hell was itching me the wrong way. I took off my boot to find that the two blisters I discovered the night before had merged into one superblister. *see photo* Walked slow to keep it from bothering me. When I got to the shelter I took off my boots to find that the superblister continued to grow throughout the day. I whipped out my medical scissors to let it drain. Hopefully it'll heal by morning so I can make the P.O. by noon Saturday. It's either 31 miles tomorrow or 25 + wake up early. I doubt I'll want to do another 30 mile day until I flip + go south in Virginia.
Date: 2005-05-27
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Camping North of Mombasha High Point
Miles today: 15.8

My welcome to New York was blue skys + a warm Sunday. The trail's a lot tougher than I thought it would be in New York. There are more technical steep climbs + knife's edge ridge walks up + down bolders. Just before my campsite, I ascended up a hill just to the right of a waterfall. I actually prefer the slower pace as it allows me to enjoy my time out here as well as extending it. Speaking of enjoying my time, as I peaked the Mombasha what I thought would be blue skys was actually dark clouds + lightning in the distance. I rushed ahead trying to find a suitable camping spot before the sky opened above me. I found an open area, strung my rain fly between two trees + held on. Wind gusted + tried to pull away my fly like a sail. Lightning flashed above me + branches got blown into the tarp. Somehow everything managed to stay relatively dry by the time the storm passed. From my bivy I made dinner + am now settling in for the night. Hopefully I've seen the worst of it + will wake tomorrow to sunshine.
Date: 2005-05-28
From: Camping North of Mombasha High Point

To: William Brian Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

The past 4 days I've felt like I'm running on empty. I don't think it's that I'm hungry; just that I'm tired. Maybe it's because of the 31 I did a number of days ago. I kinda wish I had done more miles the past few days so that I would have been able to reach the post office before Noon Saturday. Now I find myself having to go very slow so that I'll reach Ft. Montgomery, NY on Monday morning. I've thought about staying at a motel in Ft. Montgomery but would prefer to share the cost with another hiker. I wait to see who arrives tonite + possibly call the motel tomorrow to see if they have vacancies/hiker discounts. Otherwise, I'll do about 8 miles tomorrow + aim for the Graymor Spiritual Life Center Monday night. *Later* Bass Master showed up at the shelter + told me that everyone was planning on staying the night at the next shelter. I packed my bag + started off behind Bass. Looked like a storm was rolling in + had planned to get a shower at the visitor center along Arden Valley Road, did the mile down the hill in record time getting under cover just before the storm unleashed its fury. I took a great cold shower, bought a soda + ice cream to make my insides cold as well. After the Storm calmed down I hit the trail in my impermeable fortress of water resistance singing bonanza at the top of my lungs. It was the best I've felt in days; running down the trail in the rain singing. I arrived at the shelter just before 8PM by riding my trekking pole to make a grand entrance. The shelter was kinda packed, Chino, BassMaster, Frank, Crow, Free Spirit, Sunshine, his girlfriend + a guy who's name I cannot recall at the moment.
Date: 2005-05-29
From: William Brian Shelter

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Got out of the shelter just after Chino to find him two miles down the trail at a highway rest stop. Here I met Patio, full time trail angel that showers his magic all along the trail. I got some choco-milk, a cinnamon roll, some cookies + pepperoni slices. I hiked the rest of the day with Chino, meeting Bass, Frank + Crow at the tower on top of Bear Mountain. We met again at the bottom of the hill just before the trailside zoo. Inside the zoo I saw my first Bear along the trail + Chino caught a photo of me saying rawr. We crossed the Hudson river to discover our resupply was on the other side. Instead of going back 0.6 miles we decided to skimp + push ahead to resupply the day after tomorrow. Hopefully I have enough food. We got to the shelter early to discover it was overrun by soccer players. They did have food to sell of which I liberated some fries, two hotdogs, two fried hotpockets w/ maybe goat cheese and a sprite. A monk at the Friary came to show us a less crowded shelter as well as water + soda/candy machines. The candy I got should get me through tomorrow + into a resupply the day after. This evening PJ, Scrubbs + Pacer caught up to us + will probably be with me for a good day or two until they zoom by.
Date: 2005-05-30
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: few clouds

Woke up to see the sun rise only to fall back asleep. I finally got up around 6:15 + was out on the trail by 7:20. After getting lost I was easily caught by Frank, Pacer + Scrubbs who only assisted in getting me lost again. I was eventually caught + passed by everyone that stayed with me in Graymoor. I blame my slugishness on my apparent lack of Calories this morning + the day before. To my surprise, after getting water Jukebox + Running Moon came up behind me. I thought they had been way ahead of me but it seems as though they got off the trail for a couple days + are now getting slack packed to catch up. (slack packing is where someone drives a portion or all of your equipment ahead so you carry less weight / hike more miles in a day) They zoomed ahead only to have me catch up an hour or two later where everyone had massed in a large circle. Running Moon's parents had brought snacks/sodas for hikers as their Memorial Day treat. I was saved. I ate countless oreos, teddy grams, pudding, honey maid cinnamon sticks, fruitsmiles + a couple sodas. This would prove more than sufficient sustainence than my Mrs. Freshley's Texas Cinnamon Roll alone could provide. To really make my day, Running Moon offered to slack any hicker that was interested. I jumped at the chance to take it easy + let my body recover. With so much extra time in the day myself along with Frank, Crow + Free Spirit decided to go swimming. Crow + I swam a good length across the Lake to a rock, climbed up to find a copperhead snake + jumped off the rock to evade the snake. We swam back to find Free Spirit + Frank had left. No matter, we took our time, enjoyed the views, smelled the roses (there weren't actually any roses) + arrived at the shelter to find everyone waiting, I will be spending the night with PJ, Srubbs, Yoplait, Pacer, Crow, Frank, Bass Master + Free Spirit.
Date: 2005-05-31
From: RPH Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I haven't written this entry yet but I'm sitting in front of the post office + need to mail this last page. If you wish: send me stuff @ Palton, Massachusetts 01226 ^_^ Second to last out of the shelter this morning just before Crow. I had eaten my last poptarts + had about 10 cookies to make the 5 miles onto NY52 where I hit the deli up for some resupply action. They had Entemann's pastries so I grabbed the walnut coffee cake + some whole milk to eat on the spot. There was a pizza place next door but they wouldn't open for another hour so I moved on. Yoplait had mentioned that there was a hotdog stand along NY55 so I visited that establishment for a 3 hotdog lunch. The miles went slow + I reached the shelter just before dark w/ enough time to make dinner before I fell asleep.
Date: 2005-06-01
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Steward Hollow Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 19.7

The 8.5 miles into town seemed to take forever but I finally made it into Kent, CT. (New Day, New month, New State). I got to the post office just after 1PM when the P.O. closes for lunch so I decided to do the same. Heading over to the pizza place across the street I passed Chino who joined me to lunch. We ordered a medium BLT pizza which turned out to be excellent. The cheese and bacon bits mixed in + was covered in tomato lettus smothered in some sort of sauce. It may just be me hungry in the woods for a month but I loved it. I visited the P.O. after it re-opened to take delivery of the massive food box my mother sent me. This sends me from being near my base weight of ~20lbs up another 15 to 20 pounds. The weight of my pack was almost unbearable. Just before leaving town I visited the library + the outfitters. Got some email taken care of + bought some glue as well as a food bag. Using a plastic bag hasn't worked too well lately. I finally got back on the trail at 4:30 to begin the ascent back into the mountain. The weight of my pack out into my hips + shoulders as I labored up a steep hill. I would have to bear this weight another 7 miles until the first shelter. Luckily the hill was well graded with numerous switch-backs to lessen the intensity of the climb up onto the ridge. At the top of the hill I realized that I was almost out of water + there was no water sources listed until the shetler. I was pouring sweat all the way up the hill + would soon become dehydrated w/o water. Passing a couple stagnant trickling streams I found a suitable water source an hour or so after running out of water. Within 3 miles of the shelter I was forced to descend an extremely steep hill. The steps were up to four feet high which strained my knees the worst I have felt this trip. I figured I was either going to kill myself on this descent of die trying. Somehow I managed to stay upright, catching myself the few times I did start to slip. At the base of the descent was a river that the trail followed which provided a perfectly flat walk to the shelter.
Date: 2005-06-02
From: Steward Hollow Brook Lean-to

To: Camped Illegally along the Mohawk Trail
Miles today: 16.3

Today I was the first to wake up but the last person to leave the shelter. The night before I ate two servings of chili which made me quite gassy most of the day. Good thing there was no one walking behind me. The terrain was easy at first but the weight of my pack still put a tremendous burden on my back + hips. After the initial flat warmup the trail moved straight up into the hills. Every ascent today caused me to break a sweat, usually a great feat as I rarely sweat. I took one long break + a second longer break when I reached the 1st shelter. I had passed Crow, Frank, + Bass Master just before who gave me some candy bars. When I reached the shelter I had some PB on tortillias + passed out for about an hour. It was just before three PM + I still had 6 miles to g. I packed my bag + began to stumble down the trail. I remembered the pain in my legs, hips + back but was disturbed to find that my head, stomach + feet were in pain as well. I forced myself to push onward so I could meet Chino, PJ, Scrubbs + Pacer in the evening. When I finally reached the Mountainside Cafe, the lights were out + there was nobody waiting outside. A gentleman arrived to find the same situation, walked behind to the cottage to discover on was unlocked. He advised me to take the room for the night if he didn't return within an hour. I took a spot at one of a picnic table, made dinner + checked out the empty cottage. The shower seemed tempting but I decided to give some time before I calimed the cottage as my own. The woods just in front of the Cafe seemed like a good spot to lie in wait. The sunset so I checked the cottage to find it occupied + decided to reject the idea of squatting. I have made camp here in the woods + hope to fall asleep shortly.
Date: 2005-06-03
From: Camped Illegally along the Mohawk Trail

To: The Hemlocks Lean-to
Miles today: 24.5

I woke up, packed my bag, headed up to find the Mountainside Cafe open + stuffed myself with all the food within my limits as a mortal human. Just as I was getting ready to leave, I hear someone yell, "No Hikers!" I threw my hat to the ground, yelled, "dammit" and looked up to see Night Rain + Free Spirit in a pickup truck. We were in Night Rain's state so it seemed fitting that he was here but after he left me in Duncannon I didn't expect to see him anytime soon. I had just eaten + it was already late so we didn't have much time to catch up. He seemed impressed that I was still on the trail which probably inspired some confidence. The day flew by, I was moving upwards of three miles an hour for most of the day. Even though I left the Cafe at 9AM I had reached the shelter at 2PM. Had lunch instead of dinner + decided I knew where the crew was + could make it before 7PM. The later miles didn't go as easily as I had anticipated. It was much hotter now + the exit from CT into Massachusetts was my first climb up over 2000' followed by an ascent of 2600' on the peak of Mount. Everett. Nevertheless I made the shelter before dark to find Chino, PJ, Scrubbs + Pacer just where I expected them. This shelter is massive compared to what I had become accustomed to in CT so there is no overcrowding discomfort. Good fire, good meal + hopefully some sleep.
Date: 2005-06-04
From: The Hemlocks Lean-to

To: East Mountain Retreat Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

There was a steep climb down out of the shelter into a mosquito infested swamp. A south bounder warned me of the bugs but Chino's rule #2 is take the advice of the hikers with a grain of salt, better yet don't listen to them. I carried on to find the first swarms of mosquitos in the largest breeding area of Massachusetts. The buzz of mosquitos behind me sounded like a swarm of bees. These were not bees + they hungry with a taste of for blood. They landed in groups of 2-5 on my arms, the back of my neck + legs. As I moved deeper into the swamp the cloud of mosquitos behind + around me continued to grow. I swear that I was temporarily suspended in darkness before the overwhelming urge to run took over me. I ran as fast as I could with 30 pounds on my back only to find that the mosquitos had collected in the draft behind me. Out of breath I was forced to slow my pace back to a brisk walk. Wave after wave of mosquitos attacked my oxygen rich blood only to be slapped into oblivion. I wish I had kept a body count as I must have killed 20-40 mosquitos through the course of 2.5 miles. The swamp let up as I reached a road where I caught Chino. We hiked together for a bit trading war stories from the marshland now behind us. At US7, my planned resupply point I began the 2 mile walk into town with Chino when we found a hitch to the supermarket. I ate my fill + got , hopefully, enough food to make it to Dalton. The rest of the day was hot with several steep climbs but I still managed to make it early to the hostel w/ enough time to order pizza, take a shower + get my laundry done [the first time since Duncannon, PA] (Yes I know it's disgusting), at 10:30, it's extremely late + I probably have a long day tomorrow.
Date: 2005-06-05
From: East Mountain Retreat Great Barrington, MA

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: few clouds

Found out this morning that I left my spoon in the pizza box last night + the caretaker throw it away, she gave me a cheap plastic spoon to replace it, "thanks..." I suppose I'll spring for a titanium spork at the next outfitter. I've also consulted my backpack + we agree that it's time for a shake down. It's much warmer now then early May so I doubt my colder weather clothing is necessary anymore. Tomorrow in Dalton when I pick up my mail drop many items will be going home. The rest can probably wait until I meet my parents around the 12th. I'm hoping I can drop some pounds before I get into more serious climbs. I don't need a repeat of, the hike out of Kent, CT when I'm climbing from 2,700' to 3,800' to 5,250' on MT Lafayette. Today was another day of mosquitos biting the back of my arms and hot sweaty climbs. M feet are getting red sploches + itch like crazy. Scrubbs said that it might be from my socks but I disagree. Might be Athlete's foot or a rare flesh eating bacteria. I'm leaning toward Athlete's foot... I'll get it checked out in town tomorrow. On a better note, I found a bag of trail mix, cliffbars and white chocolate covered raisins. Carried it 14 miles only for everyone at the Cabin to deny owning it. Therefore it is now mine. It helped suppliment my dinner + will probably be consumed before the day ends tomorrow. Looking ahead I will either be in Manchester Center, VT on the 12th of North Clarendon,VT on the 13th depending on how fast I move in the next week. Either of these would be fine locations for my parents to pick me up for the ride back to Massachussets where I will take a couple zero days at the time share my mother arranged before my trip. I'm looking forward to getting some time to relax + let my body heal. Food will be nice as well. Showers, beds, pillows, not having to carry 30lbs 20 miles... All the comforts afforded by modern luxories. I can wait one more week. Even though it's tough at times I know I'm going to do it anyway. Chino's rule #3. I won't remember the tough times when I get off the trail. Speaking of tough times, "you ain't seen nothing yet" The worst is yet to come but it'll be worth it when I'm in Maine.
Date: 2005-06-06
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Trail Angel's Home Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: clear sky

I woke up to the smell of blueberry pancakes this morning. Ate my fill + topped off my tank with a few cups of coffee. I was caught early by Pacer + PJ who were moving slower than usual. The three of us ended up hiking together the rest of the day. Midday we met up with Free Spirit + Chino at the Cookie Lady's house. After a cookie + some sodas we were off to Keywood Shelter. Roy warned us of tornado advisories for the area reminded by the wind picking up. Darkness settled over us as a combination of nature breaks + natural seperation between hikers left me alone with 2 people in front + 1 behind me. Alone, I walked through the calm before the storm. When I reached the shelter I realized I would not make the Post Office before 5PM. After considering staying at the shelter instead of pushing the last 3 miles into town I figured a warm bed + shower would be worth the fear/mysery of walking through a potential tornado producing thunder storm. Pacer + Free Spirit left the shelter just before I did as I put my pack cover + dry socks on. [Dry socks because my feet were burning... probably a bad idea considering the oncoming deluge.] When I got back to the trail, Chino had caught up I ran down the trail to catch them. By this time it looked dark enough to be 8:30 yet it was around 4. We were hauling ass, nearly running down the trail trying to beat the storm. Powering up a 300 foot climb at break-neck pace I was pouring sweat + gasping for air. While coming back down the hill, Pacer caught his leg on a branch taking a nasty fall, landing with his knee on a rock. His injury turned out to be superficial but dragged back behind for a while. The trail opened up at a traintrack as we got to the outskirts of town. It was 4:50 so I thought if I ran I might be able to make the P.O., I ran through town for 8 minutes arriving at the Post Office just before 5PM only to find that it had closed at 4:30. After screaming for a moment I realized that I was just next to where I was told to find the trail angel that took in hikers for the night. His store was closed. After that second strike I noticed the crew coming down the street. Nevertheless, Free Spirit was able to get his phone number + no more than 10 minutes he came + picked us up. Everyone took a shower + we headed to the Country Buffet for some all you can eat goodness. I attempted to take a sample of every item the buffet had to offer. After a salad, just about every entree, every sidedish, some chocolate milk, a rootbeer float, + a sunday w/ every topping available I was stuffed beyond reason. Back at the house Rob played his guitar and Tinker (not Rob) licked my feet making sure to get in between my toes(Sorry for the confusion, dont ask Rob to lick your feet). A zero day here seems tempting but I know the zeros I'll be taking w/ my parents will really set me back from this crew. We'll see when I get up in the morning.