morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-21
From: Maria McCabe's House/hostel

To: Maria McCabe's House/hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up in my comfortable bed at Maria's around 6:30am. She had warned she normally did not get up until 8pm. She said to help myself to making some coffee and watching some television.The town library opens at 10am on Saturdays. (I think they are open every day (including Sunday except Monday). Headed over there to post these entries. Next, a trip over to the food store. I just got my maildrop that will carry me to Dalton, Mass., but it's always nice to get some "pig-out" food.Well, today is Summer Solstice. In other words, "hike nude" day. I haven't seen all that many thru-hikers around here, so I'm not sure how many will be nude. My guess is not many. Won't be me. Here it is a sunny, Saturday and I can just imagine some local families taking their kids out for a hike. The last thing they want to see is a stinky, naked hiker passing them. Forgot to mention something about "Sailor" in an earlier journal entry. I knew I had seen him earlier on my my hike, but could not remember where. Turns out he was at the 501 Shelter (in Penn.) when StormenNorm, Water Bear, and myself did the icre cream challenge. Sailor has a pretty colorful past - his job was to ferry/sail large sailboats in the ocean from port to port. He did this by himself, in the rough seas. Now he is retired and doing a thru-hike. I'm seriously considering taking a full zero today and spending a second night at Maria's. It's such a pleasure to relax for a bit around here. Plus, there is another hiker due in at noon - and I think it might well be Sailor. We shall see what happens.Hope all hikers are having are having a great time. If you decide to hike naked today, don't get yourself arrested, okay?Decided to make this a zero day and spend a second night at Maria's.
Date: 2008-06-22
From: Maria McCabe's House/hostel

To: Hemlocks Lean-To
Miles today: 14.0

Up at 6am and ready for a ride back to the trail, via Maria. Pretty good climb up "Lion's Head." Then met a local couple who spent last night at Brassie Brook Lean-To. They had a lot of good information about the upcoming portion of the trail.Climbed Bear Mountain - no view due to fog and clouds. This mountain used to be listed as the highest in Connecticut, but then another location was found elsewhere in the state. There is a stone, observation tower on top. Going down is a careful proposition with all the mud and wet rocks. There weren't many handholds to use, either.Crossed into Massachusetts about 1/2 mile later. There are a number of campgrounds in this area. Began to hear thunder in the distance. Soon the rain began to fall.While climbing Race Mountain, the thunderstorms began to get nearer. The top of Race Mountain consists of a series of rock ridges. I probably should have stayed below the treeline but went ahead and traversed the rocks. Then, you go down into a valley under the treeline before climbing another mountain - Mt. Everett. This climb took place in heavy rain and really muddy ground. You had to watch the rocks, also. On top of Everett there is not as much exposed area, still the thunder was going at it.During this time I managed somehow to lose my Crocs that were attached to the rear of my pack. That really sucked later that evening when I needed them at the shelter.Got to Hemlocks Lean-To around 3:30pm. Kinda early in the day, but given the weather I was happy with how far I got. Already at the shelter were two section hikers and thru-hiker "Major Miles." About two hours later "Climber" showed up. To my great surprise and appreciation, she had found my Crocs in all the mud and been nice enough to carry them with her. I owe her a nice lunch somewhere down the trail.The Weather Gods announced that there will be a second day of thunderstorms tomorrow. And, just to make sure everyone appreciates their power, a full day of rain on Tuesday. If that were not enough, there was a heavy rain during the night.
Date: 2008-06-23
From: Hemlocks Lean-To

To: Tom Leonard Lean-To
Miles today: 14.0

Up at 8am but no real rush to get onto the trail since the weather is so bad. Finally began hiking at 9:30am and climbed over Mt. Bushnell. As expected, rain and thunderstorms began in earnest. I've finally developed my technique on how to stay dry in the rain - don't worry about. I keep the rain gear dry in my pack and put it on if I stopped at a shelter where my body heat is lost and I begin to chill. Otherwise, I just get all my clothes wet and not worry about it. Usually, I would be just as wet from sweating all day."Major Miles" opted to head into South Egremont. He needed a refill of his snuff. He'll catch up later.Passed by the Shay's Rebellion monument. Brought back memories from my 2006 hike. A bit later climbed over June Mountain. Here you get a taste of real "hands and feet" climbing up. There was a brief spell in the rain, so that helpted some.Met a couple of SOBO local hikers who said they had tried to locate the Tom Leonard Lean-To last night. They couldn't find it and went on to a camping spot. Since that was the Lean-To I wanted to stay at, I payed closed attention as I got near to where it should be. Turned out indeed there was no shelter sign, only a blue-blaze trail. But the trail led to the shelter.My fellow shelter occupants for the night were three 12-graders who were on a six day camping trip. The amount of gear they carried was unbelievable. It was spread all over the shelter and I had to ask them to clear space on one of the bunks. It was obvious they didn't know much about shelter etiquette.
Date: 2008-06-24
From: Tom Leonard Lean-To

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: few clouds

Got up before 6am and the teenagers were snoring away. Ate, packed and on the trail by 7am - not too bad of an early start. But I was motivated by the hope of making it to Upper Goose Pond Cabin for the night.For the 3rd consecutive day the rain came down and down and down . . . But no thunderstorms that I could hear. At Jerusalem Road (near Tyringham) the trail crosses a field full of dairy cows. I've done this before but never saw cows that would just stand on the trail and not move out of your way. I had to walk around them. Patted a couple, too. They are all cows (no steers) because the cows are artificially inseminated when it's time to do so.During the afternoon the weather was much better. I was beginning to think I wouldn't reach Upper Goos Pond Cabin and would hammock. But decided to push for the cabin because I had heard some great things about it.Got to the cabin around 6pm and met Nancy, the caretaker. The caretakers are volunteers and rotate in/out every week. The cabin is a four-sided, two-story structure that sleeps about 15 upstairs. The downstairs has a living room (with fireplace), dining room, and kitchen. There is no electricity or water. They do have propane for the lantern lights and for the stove. Hikers can stay for free (there is a suggested $3 donation).Nancy was nice enough to make a fire so we could to to dry our boots and clothes. Then, in the morning, she made a large platter of blueberry pancakes with syrup and coffee to drink. A really appreciated thing for her to do.
Date: 2008-06-25
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Kay Wood Lean-To
Miles today: 17.0

Out of Upper Goose Pond Cabin by 7:30am and pushing for Kay Wood Lean-To. That would just leave three, additional miles to Dalton on Thursday.Crossed over the Massachusetts Turnpike and saw there is a large sign there announcing the Appalchian Trail. Shortly down the road is another sign announcing entry into the Berkshires.It was hard to believe but today the sun came (and stayed out). Still, for some reason this was a hard hiking day. The heat wasn't that bad, although the humidity might have been a factor. At least most of the "ups" today were pretty gradual.Met a hiker coming towards me who had a lot of tips about Dalton and other places. Found out exactly where the "Cookie Lady" lives near Pittsfield Road. I didn't go by but another hiker told me that she and her husband seemed a bit weary.I slowed my pace down and still managed to get to the Kay Wood Lean-To by 5:15pm. All alone so far but another thru-hiker showed up about an hour later. We were it for the night. This is a shelter that gets dark early because it is on the non-sun side.Tomorrow is a 1.5 hour hike into Dalton. Will need to pick up a supply package at the post office and update journal entries at the library.
Date: 2008-06-26
From: Kay Wood Lean-To

To: Dalton, Massachusetts
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: haze

Got into Dalton and stopped at 83 Depot Street to say "hi" to Tom Levardi - great friend of hikers. Then on into town and decided to get a room at the Shamrock Village Inn. They now charge ten dollars more than in Wingfoot's book ($72). But they are about the only real motel in town. The motel will wash/dry your laundry. Cost $6 but was worth it since the laundromat is a bit of a walk.There are no large food stores within waling distance. There are a couple of small convenience stores. Also several restaurants. Enough to get by on.Had lunch at the restaurant just in from of the motel. Pretty good food and they serve beer if you want one. Later walked down several blocks to the town library. One-hour limit on the internet and they enforce it. The post office is located about a block down from the Shamrock Village Inn.Next to the Post Office is a Shell Gas Station owned by Rob. He runs a hiker hostel out of his nearby house. A great guy - think the only charge is by donations. Rob makes several daily runs into nearby Pittsfield. There are a number of restaurants, Wal-Mart, pharmacy, etc. He will drop you off and pick you up about two hours later. Rob also does slack-packing trips to the surrounding area. While I was walking through North Adams he just pulled up out of the clear blue and gave me a ride a couple of miles down the road.Managed during the day to get my boots dry by putting them near the beaseboard heater in my motel bathroom. A pretty good way of drying things out. Unfortunately, the prediction for tomorrow is more rain, so the boots probably won't stay that dry.
Date: 2008-06-27
From: Dalton, Massachusetts

To: St. Mary's Church Hostel, Cheshire, MA.
Miles today: 9.0

Stayed at the Shamrock Village Inn until check-out time at 11 am. Only planned on going today to the Mark Noepel Lean-To (about 14 miles away).Wouldn't you know it - around 2pm another thunderstorm passed through just south of Cheshire and dumped a lot of rain. After about 30 minutes I was soaked (again) and wondering when this rain had to end. Just as the rain stopped I hiked into Cheshire.The trail goes through part of the small town and passes a ice cream business. Stopped in for three root bear floats. Lady there told me there is a Catholic Church just down the street that takes in hikers. So I hiked down to St, Mary's Church and found I was the only hiker there (about 3:30pm). Checked into their gym/large activity room. One of the two hiker rooms had a lot of food and other hiker accessories. Had restrooms and water, but no showers or place to wash your clothes. The rooms did have baseboard heating so I spread out my wet items near the vents and cranked up the heat. It was good just to dry off.A bit later I met Father David, the pastor of the church. He welcomed me in and showed me his dog, Dutch, which was rescued from the Katrina hurricane. Father David recommended a nearby restaurant (Bass Water Grille). I went there and found he wasn't kidding. One of the best steaks I've had in a long, long time. And the had Guinness Drought beer. Wonderful meal.When I got back to the church I met Toots and Burples, two lady thru-hikers who stopped in for the night. From what I understand they are putting in some serious miles.For those interested, there is a BRTA (Berkshire Transit Authority) bus that runs between Dalton, Cheshire, the Berkshire Mall, etc. There is a printed schedule - it runs many times during the day. The Mall has a EMS outfitter and over 100 shops, including a movie theater.
Date: 2008-06-28
From: St. Mary's Church Hostel, Cheshire, MA.

To: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0

Up at 6:30 am and made breakfast out in the church parking lot. Father David came over and we both took some pictures. He has a poster board that has all the past hiker's pictures that have stayed there.Climbed up Mount Greylock. Didn't think it was so hard climbing this direction. The road and all buildings on top are closed for rennovations. But hikers can still climb up. This is the first 3,400 foot mountain in a while.Ran into Toots and Burples during a break. I think I have them beat on the uphill climbs - but they kick ass otherwise. Also met two section hikers and 2 local hikers during the day.Wilbur Clearing Lean-To seemed liked a good place to call it a day. More rain later today and tomorrow.
Date: 2008-06-29
From: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to

To: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0

Decided to take today as a zero day at the Wilbur Clearing Lean-to. A great, cheap way to zero is by staying at a shelter. You can wash your clothes (or, in my case, dry them); read a book; meet new hikers as they stop buy; wash off some of the sweat and grime on your body; work on any problem gear; etc. Given that more rain is due, today seemed like a good opportunity for a break.Tomorrow morning I'm planning on getting to MA2 (highway) and hike into North Adams for a breakfast chow run and a few food items at Price Chopper. Only three miles away, so won't take too long. A quick cup of coffee in the morning - then on the trail.Looks like I'm on track to get to Manchester Center by Thursday afternoon when Trail Boss will be coming up for the 4th of July weekend. Only problem may be the weather - thunderstorms are predicted for everyday except Wednesday. We will stay somewhere in the greater Manchester area and enjoy the shops, restaurants, etc.I want to take a look at the hiking shirts and shorts at Mountain Goat Outfitter and EMS (both in Manchester Center). I think there are some newer materials available that wick/dry moisture quicker than my current shirts/shorts. Someone mentioned Capilene 2 - I'll check it out. My problem is not the rain so much because it does not really rain all that much (even though it seems like it does). My problem is the amount of perspiration I put out in warm weather. I can have a shirt/shorts soaked within 30 minutes when it is really hot and uphills are involved.So far today (5:30pm) there has been no rain and no hikers. Just the sound of birds and a lot of playful chipmunks running around. The chipmunks are even bold enough to come into the shelter with you.Did have one hiker show up around 8pm. He is a SOBO thru-hiker who started on June 1st. Says he has been putting in 30-mile days consistently.Checked the weather radio forecast just before going to bed. Now they are saying "sunny" for the next three days, and no rain. Who knows?
Date: 2008-06-30
From: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Last day of June. Did not eat breakfast since I plan on being in North Adams, at Friendly's, within a couple of hours.It's about a mile hike in town to Friendly's. They serve fantastic vanilla malteds. I also got their Lumberjack breakfast which consists of three eggs; three pieces of bacon; and three pancakes.After breakfast I walked over to a nearby grocery store for a couple of days of food (until Trail Boss gets up here on Thursday). Also bought a new paperback book by Dean Koontz to read.Back on the gtrail after about two hours intown. Several hours later I arrived at the Connecticut-Massachusetts border. The sign on the tree had faded wording but I took a picture anyway.Called Trail Boss and finalized our plans for the 4th of July weekend. She will be picking me up before Manchester Center, so I can take it slow until then.Today I opted to stop at the Seth Warner shelter. Not far (10 miles) but good enough. Weather folks saying more rain tomorrow. But Wednesday is supposed to be sunny and dry.No one else at the Seth Warner shelter when I arrived. But soon after a family of three arrived. They didn't seem to know what they wanted to do - sleep in the shelter, put up their tent, or go on to the next shelter. They decided to tent but did not put on their rain fly. Hope, for them, it doesn't rain tonight.
Date: 2008-07-01
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Melvin Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Up at 6am and on the trail by 7am. Supposed to have afternoon thunderstorms. But the morning is thus far sunny. Depending upon any rain, I'll stop at the Congdon Shelter (8 miles) or the Melville Nauheim Shelter (13 miles). Don't have any real reason to go any further since Trail Boss is picking me up on Thursday.There is a lot of mud on the trail in Vermont - as I remembered back in 2006. A lot of gripes from other hikers about the same thing. Part of the problem is the lack of water bars and bog logs in this area. This may be due to a lack of maintenance or intentional by the maintainers. The problem is this - wherever there is a lot of mud, hikers have gone around the side of the trail to escape the mud. This results in a wider, damaged trail.The trail coming down to VT9 (road to Bennington) is really steep. This consists of large bouldars that were wet and slippery. Need to be careful.As you get near the Nauheim shelter there is a large bouldar ("Split Rock") that the trail actually passes through.Made it to the Melville Nauheim Shelter around 3pm. No one else so far.Thinking about sending home my synthetic jacket. Also, my rain pants. Haven't used them in quite a while. Thinking to replace them with another shirt and shorts to hike in. The other two pair are currently getting soaked in sweat on a regular basis. I'm hoping to find some newer material that dries quicker.
Date: 2008-07-02
From: Melvin Nauheim Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

On the trail at 8am. Called Trail Boss to coordinate final plans. She arrives tomorrow afternoon.Looks like I'll shoot for either Goddar Shelter or Kid Gore Shelter today - probably Kid Gore Shelter (13 miles). Got to Goddard Shelter mid-day. Very nice shelter - only built a couple of years ago. There is a wonderfully cold and tasty spring nearby. Also gets plenty of sun and has a wooden-backed bench. I stayed for an hour drying clothes.Have not met anyone on the trail today except for the mother of the family I saw hiking in the past few days. She said her family was supposed to be meeting her at the shelter for lunch. I think someone mis-communicated their plans.This is probably the only day of the week it is not supposed to rain. A beautiful, blue sky with only a few clouds. Nice breeze. Supposed to get up into the upper 70's.Stopped at the Glastenbury Mountain observation tower less than a mile past the shelter. A pretty high, steel tower you can climb. At the top is an enclosed structure. Some hikers have slept in it in the past. As far as I'm concerned, I'd prefer to not even go to the top of the tower.Got to Kid Gore Shelter 3:30pm. The family of three out camping was there debating if they wanted to stay or hike on. They went on. At the shelter were two young guys who are out on a section hike until the latter part of July. They decided to head on to Story Spring Shelter for the night.There is another shelter nearby (Caughnawga). It has been closed down because it is in poor shape. But there are some good tenting spots nearby. Looking out of the Kid Gore shelter is a great view of the mountains in the distance. I pulled out my book and read for a couple of hours.
Date: 2008-07-03
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Arlington, Vermont
Miles today: 8.0

Woke up with a chill in the air. Had zipped up my sleeping bag during the night. Heard yesterday that the high temp at Mount Washington was 55, in the sun. So I may still get some use out of my 32-degree bag afterwards.Checked my weather radio. Supposed to be up in the 70's and sunny the first half of the day. Then heavy thunderstorms in the afternoon.Hiked to Story Spring Shelter (5 miles) and spent several hours with the two guys I had met the afternoon before at Kid Gore. Some good conversation. A number of hikers showed up during the day and we chatted until they moved on. I needed to leave by 4:30pm to meet Trail Boss at Stratton-Arlington Road (about three miles away). As soon as I left the shelter, the rain began to pour.Soaked, I got to Stratton-Arlington (Kelley Strand) Road. Trail Boss was right on time and picked me up. She had made reservations at Cutleaf Motel in Arlington. The Cutleaf Motel (802-375-2725) costs $60 per night. They allow pets. A pretty nice place to stay. The owner says she will also shuttle hikers from the trail. Don't know how much it would cost though. Arlington is 10 miles from the trail and does not have any laundry or outfitter services. Since we have a car, we went to Manchester Center for laundry and outfitter.There are a lot of good restaurants in the Arlington area. We headed over to a restaurant for dinner and tried out their Long Trail Beer, which comes from a local micro-brewery.I'll be off the trail until Monday morning. Will update as appropriate throughout the weekend. Hope everyone has a great 4th of July.
Date: 2008-07-04
From: Arlington, Vermont

To: Arlington, Vermont
Miles today: 0.0

First of three zero days with Trail Boss in Arlington, Vermont. About 10 miles from Manchester Center, Vermont. We found a nice motel at a decent rate ($60 per night).We headed into Manchester Center and ran a number of errands. Stopped in at the Mountain Goat Outfitters. I wanted to see if I could find some newer hiking shirts/shorts that will dry faster. The store's owner suggested trying Capilene 2 material in the shirt/shorts. So I bought one of each and we shall see how they work.I've been through Manchester Center on past hikes, so I new where to take Trail Boss. Headed over to the bookstore and browsed for a bit. Then Trail Boss began to hit the outlet stores while I washed my hiker clothes at the laundromat and got some food at the Price Chopper.There is a Mexican restaurant that had been recommended to us - Candeleros. So we headed over there for a early dinner. It was okay, but nothing special. There is another recommended Mexican restaurant in town (The Bean) but we didn't get the chance to try it out.On the way back to our motel we found a package store and picked up the makings for some Margaritas and Mudslides. Then back to the room to call it a night.
Date: 2008-07-05
From: Arlington, Vermont

To: Arlington, Vermont
Miles today: 0.0

Today I sacrificed my personal needs to go with Trail Boss to a number of outlet stores in Manchester Center. I think I must have visited at least 10-15 stores. But I'm happy to report that Trail Boss found some new sandals that she really likes.There is also a small movie theater in Manchester Center - next to the Price Chopper. There were two movie choices - Get Smart or a kid's flick. We opted for Get Smart. It was better than we expected and was nice to actually get to see a movie for the first time in over five months.Tonights dinner consisted of ordering-out a large pizza and some drinks. Back to the room to eat and watch My Cousin Vinnie on television.