morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-18
From: Backpacker Campsite north of DWG

To: Tent beyond Beaver Pond Outlet
Miles today: 9.8

Hazy, hot and humid today. Rain from 6:30pm thunderstorm cut our hike short, so we found a nice campsite just below the ridge. The downpour didn't materialize then, but seems like it will now at 9:00pm, so I'm interrupting this to put the tent fly back on. It was open to let the tent breathe a bit after the first rain, which lasted just about two minutes. These storms are supposed to be associated with a cooling trend. I certainly hope that's the case, since it was in the 90's when we broke for lunch around noon. Although we started hiking just after 7:00am to beat the heat, it was quickly in the 80's then the 90's. That accounts for the low miles, which are commendable in this heat. There was a great view this morning, even with the haze, and I used the self-timer to get a shot of Becca and me there. We took frequent breaks, and each drank a quart of Gatorade today to replace the electrolytes oozing out of our pores. Becca had no trouble keeping up at all.This morning we started out with very little water, but Sunfish Pond, one of the "seven natural wonders of NJ", was under an hour away and listed as a good source. We filtered water there, tanked up, and carried about 3 liters to last us until we came to AMC's Mohican Outdoor Center, just .2 mi. off the trail.Arriving there at noon, we were determined to get a swim in Catfish Pond, if possible, in addition to the cold Pepsi's at the camp store. The attendant showed us how to get to the "beach" and encouraged us to take a swim. The beach was a nice grassy area where the "pond" bottom had a gradual slope from the shore, and where the bottom had fine gravel easy on the feet. The water was very clear. and the temp was just right. We both enjoyed our swims and had the "dinner" meal there. Afterward Becca had a nap, and I had another dip followed by a short nap. Altogether we spent about 3 hours there.Then on down the trail after topping our water at the spigot, and another cold pepsi for me. We came to a fire tower, Catfish Fire Tower. It was manned today and there was trail magic. We climbed the tower to thank the attendant, Rhonda Wards, and Section Fire Warden, Bob Wolf, for the magic. Rhonda showed us how they triangulate to fix fire locations from two towers. Bob explained that NJ is one of very few states that still man their towers. They've been able to prevent wildfires from reaching several homes and, of course, have nipped many fires in the bud by having early reporting from the towers. Satellite images, the alternative, just don't work as well. Neat!A little later we came by a large beaver pond. It was already thundering in the distance from the first storm, which is what stopped us here about 6:30pm.So far the rain from the second storm has been light. Hopefully, it will cool things off some more.On! On!
Date: 2006-07-19
From: Tent beyond Beaver Pond Outlet

To: Tent at Culver Fire Tower
Miles today: 15.7

Passed the 1300 mile mark this morning about 10:00am. Becca and I were up early, and nearly ready to leave by the time reveillee sounded at 7am in the valley below us at Camp No-Be-Bo-Sho. We made great time, mostly on a road that followed the ridge, to Blue Mtn Lakes Rd., where there was water at the pump. We had run low, since we planned to refill there yesterday evening.The rest of the trail was not so smooth. We took a side trail to Brink Road Shelter, intending to cook lunch there and refill our water. The swarms of mosquitoes drove us away after the one minute it took me to make a harried and hurried register entry.We did stop on top of the ridge at a fairly breezy spot with a bit of shade at 1pm, and I cooked up our dinner -- two packs of Lipton Noodles Parmesan with the large salmon foil pack. We ate it all; Becca must have her hiker appetite. Chilled out until about 2:45.Next stop, a viewpoint before the descent into Culvers Gap, where we stopped at 4:15pm into Cuppa'Jo, right on the trail, for cold drinks, ice cream snacks, and a sub to take with us for lunch. I also took another Pepsi and a large, delicious piece of pound cake at 550 calories. The proprietor was getting ready to close, but let us fill our water bottles and bladders. We filled them to the brim, as we were planning to camp here at the fire tower and there is no water. We completed the climb up out of the gap and 2 mile hike here just before 6pm.The weather today was much cooler and less humid than the previous two days. But the temp still reached into the low 80's, and it was beastly hot in the sun at midday. As the sun sets, the temp is falling toward a predicted low in the low 60's, and there is a wonderful breeze.This is a great location to stealth camp. There are flat, open grassy areas for the tent, and a 12ft long picnic table with a great view toward the west. Plus, if there's a breeze anywhere, it will be here. Also, great 360* views from the tower.Becca is doing very well and set the pace for most of the day today. We are actually a bit ahead of schedule. Tomorrow we'll have a shorter day to get back on schedule. We will be staying at a shelter that's on a lake -- that is, if it's not too buggy.On to Maine!
Date: 2006-07-21
From: Tent at High Point Shelter

To: Village of Unionville, NY park
Miles today: 7.1

"The only thing I won't do is buy a van to haul hikers around," says mayor Dick Ludwick of Unionville, NY. That the "Four Dirty Old Men (FDOM)" are sitting in his dining room drinking his beer is proof of it. How did we get here? Why Dick and Butch, the town fac totem brought us up, of course. Our clothes are in the washer and Handlebar's daughter is in the shower. The FDOM are next in the shower (one-at-a-time, of course) so, temporarily, we'll be the FC(Clean)OM. The Mayor and Butch do everything for the village except the street department stuff. What wonderful hospitality!In addition to being able to camp in the park next to the village building, there is an ice cream/breakfast place right across the street (sadly Sara's Soda Shop has since closed), a great non-chain grocery store, and a bar 'n grill all within 1/2 mile from the trail. Great place! I recommend it.We arose at 5:15am to the sound of thunder, and quickly packed to avoid putting away a wet tent. We ate breakfast in the shelter and finished packing, then waited out the original thunder storm. When the light rain continued, we decided to head out to Unionville for resupply and town food.The hike was easy, but we needed to Deet up twice, as the mosquitoes swarmed around. There was a very long puncheon bridge over a swampy area on the way. When we got to town, there were a bunch of hikers in in the gazebo in the town park. I asked where Veto, BigFoot, and GreyGoose, who hiked out ahead of us, were. The hikers pointed across the street to Sara's Soda Shop, where they were having breakfast. We joined them as they were finishing up. I had a vanilla shake along with my pierogies, and Becca had a large two-egg breakfast and chocolate milk. We had sodas for dessert then went back to the gazebo.Then Butch came by and chatted us up. It didn't take long for us to decide to camp, especially after the mayor's offer for a washing machine and shower. We are now invited for dinner at Chez Mayor. What a guy! Plus he even has a Kerry sticker on his van.A respite from "On! On!"
Date: 2006-07-23
From: Tent at Pinwheel Vista Overlooking NJ94

To: Wildcat Shelter tenting
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at my usual 5:45am, but decided to roll over for another half hour snooze. Then updated the trail journal I entered last night and got packed up and ready to go. Becca was returning to NJ94 where Candace will pick her up. She wanted to carry the tent fly and ground sheet, so my pack was about 4 lbs. lighter and minus 2 liters of water, compared with the climb up yesterday afternoon. The plan was for Candace to pick up Becca at NJ94, then drive around to NY19A where they'd meet me at the ice cream place with my one-man tent and the repaired pack from Gregory. We'd all then hike in to Wildcat Shelter.I made good time in the morning, stopping about 10am for a snack at Wawayanda shelter, where someone had left a snack of cherries in the bear box. I called Becca as I was eating lunch at Bearface Mtn viewpoint on toward Greenwood Lake to let her know I was making good time. However, after lunch the character of the trail changed. There were long sections of granite ridgeline with interspersed short climbs/descents needing both hands and feet. That slowed me down a lot. Instead of reaching the ice cream place at 3:30, I didn't get there until about 4:30pm. Becca and Candace had tired of waiting and hiked southbound to meet me. Oddly the trail surface became good, and I made good time the last 1-1/2 mi before meeting them about a quarter mile from the road. We walked back out to Candace's car at the ice cream place, where I sorted through the food bag Candace brought to reconfigure my food bags for solo hiking going forward. I also filled up on water to avoid pumping at the spring, since it was a fairly level 2 miles on to this shelter.We left about 5:15pm, and Candace and Becca got to sample some terrain like that which slowed me earlier in the afternoon. There was also a great view from atop the Eastern Pinnacle.We got to the shelter area about 6:30pm. The rest of the FDOM were already set up here as expected. I'll be hiking out with them in the morning while Becca and Candace will return to the trailhead at 19A, then drive on to CN to visit a friend.After dinner I finalized the food bags, and got everything out of the loaner pack and ready to put into my repaired pack. Tomorrow I bid the girls farewell.Arriving just as dusk was turning to dark were Keystone, Rael, Shreck, Giggles, and SoulLive who I'd passed as they were breaking camp this morning and seen earlier in Uniontown.On! On!
Date: 2006-07-24
From: Wildcat Shelter tenting

To: Campsite above Tiorati Lake, Harriman St Pk
Miles today: 15.5

Woke up at 5:30am, just as the light became sufficient to distinguish colors to pack up. It was slightly more than usual packup, since I was transferring everything back into my own backpack from the loaner. Got done and went to the shelter to eat. Both Becca and Candace were up, as they wanted to use the Deet before I took off. Candace had used my sleeping bag liner, and, of course, they wanted a hug to see me off. Although she only hiked a few miles in, Candace got a good sampling of the AT.Hiked out about 7:15am with the FDOM, Bigfoot, GreyGoose, and Veto in the lead. It was a very clear and sunny day today with low humidity -- as good hiking weather as one can have this time of year. There were many ups and downs today -- some more like scaling and descending cliffs. I have a couple pics which show what they were like. Just before lunch a SoBo thruhiker came thru, the first I've encountered. He started in Maine on June 1. Then late in the afternoon, we said hello to a young dayhiker who came through the lemon squeezer, a very narrow rock passage, just after we did. His accent gave away that he was at least foreign born. When I asked where he was from, he said to guess. My guess was Germany, close, but further west than the correct answer Poland. Should have guessed. when I asked how he came to be in the US, he said he was a priest on loan and serving at a St. Stanislaus Kotska parish near Newark, NJ. He was hiking in the beautiful Harriman St. Park on his day off in normal hiking attire -- no roman collar. I envisioned Fr. Karol Wotyla, the late Pope John Paul II, hiking in the Tatras as a young priest.Just after the lemon squeezer was an exposed cliff face scramble of about 7 ft. Veto made it up first, and the rest of us handed up our packs and poles for the hands-and-feet-both required scramble. We were close then to Fingerboard Shelter, our intended destination, when we overtook a summer camp group heading the same place. The shelter was trashed, but there was a nice meadow to camp in just above. Veto and I searched for water for all of us and wound up going the half mile to the source which appeared to be a spring. We filtered for ourselves and brought 4 liters of raw water for Goose and Bigfoot.When we returned with the water, I saw that JohnnyK was there. He had been to a hiker feed at this place several days ago,and off the trail a couple days dealing with an infected spider bite and visiting with a girlfriend. He knew that campsites were available here and told us how to get here. Even though we were tired, we decided to hike the extra 1.1 trail miles and .3 off-trail miles, mainly, I think, to check the soda vending machines. There are running water and picnic tables and a large, grassy meadow.We got here about 6:30pm and hustled to set up camp and to cook and eat before dusk. The mosquitoes aren't bad at all, so I took a sponge bath just after it got dark -- felt great.We passed the 800 miles to go point this afternoon.Maine Ho!
Date: 2006-07-25
From: Lake Tiorati Group Camp

To: Fort Montgomery, Bear Mt Bridge Motel
Miles today: 13.0

Today had three big ups, Black Mtn, West Mtn and Bear Mtn; and it was hot and humid. From the summits one was supposed to be able to see the skyscrapers of Manhattan, but it was too hazy. Fortunately, we reached Palisades Parkway at a non-rush hour time where the east- and westbound lanes are separated, but it was still busy and we had to hustle across when there was a break in traffic. Reminded one that we are definitely in metro NYC.Although the 3 ascents weren't especially long, they did pretty much go straight up the side of the mountain. They don't believe in switchbacks here. We decided to come into Ft. Montgomery to resupply and to get town food, and called at lunch for reservations. GreyGoose thinks he's coming down with a bladder infection, as he's got symptoms he's had before. He'll call the doc in the morning to try to get a script called in to a local pharmacy.We studied the hike plan and discovered it will take 4 days to Pawling, NY, our next stop. A friend of Goose's will join us for a week there. I'll need to get one day's food here.When we got to West Mtn we could see the observation tower on Bear Mtn. It seemed very distant, but after lunch it really didn't take that long to get there. Maybe the rumor of soda machines lightened our steps a bit. Veto and I went on ahead, as he needed to get to the post office by 5pm to pick up a package. There were soda machines, and we each drank 32oz of coke and fruit drinks. Next was the long descent to the Hudson River bridge, the lowest point on the AT. At the bottom was a park with concession stand -- ice cream bar and lemonade. We then walked into Ft. Montgomery and made it to the post ofice in plenty of time. Next door was a convenience store -- 20oz pepsi and 20oz peach-mango drink with Hostess orange-flavored, cream-filled cupcakes. Certainly had enough junk food hors d'oeuvres this afternoon.Motel is fine --- very clean and neat, built in the 30,s so the rooms are small. Veto and I shared one room, Bigfoot and GreyGoose the other. After showers we went to the steak house across the road and had a good, but slightly pricey dinner. I had the 16oz NY Strip with a big helping of garlic mashers and a big baked potato on the side. Steak was excellent and green salad and veggie side were a welcome change of pace. Veto and I then washed that down with a pint of B&Js Cherry Garcia as we did our laundry. Then it was lights out way past hiker midnight at 10:15pm.Maine Ho!
Date: 2006-07-27
From: Greymoor Friary

To: Tent above Canopus Lake
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: few clouds

Got an early start out of the Friary ballfield at 6:45am. Nothing unusual about today's hike, except that we passed the 1400 mile mark. The trail took us up and down mountains. Both the tread (less rocks) and design (more switchbacks instead of trail straight up the ridgeline) are improving. We leapfrogged some of the younger hikers who had night-hiked out yesterday, then had lunch at a water source with the leapfroggers.Then it was off for the remaining 4 miles to Canopus Lake where we thought of camping, swimming, and showering, as well as sodas and town food at the concessionaire. Reaching that point involved a 1+ mile roadwalk. Ugh! We finally made it there about 3:15pm, in time to get something from the grill. I had 2 ice cream bars, a cheeseburger, fries and a pepsi. We decided it would be silly to take a shower then hike straight up the hill north of the lake. We took a full load of water, since we planned a dry camp to shorten tomorrow's miles. I planned a 2nd dinner and a sponge bath which takes a liter in itself, so I was full up with 5 liters, yet I'll have to tank up at the first water source tomorrow.It didn't take long for us to bushwhack back to the trail. Before long we found suitable campsites on the ridge about 5:30pm. I got the tent set up, some of my wet clothes onto a line, and had my sponge bath. I also used the bath water to wash out my shirt and skivvies.I then cooked my second dinner, Lipton Sides Noodles Alfredo with tuna and a liberal dollop of olive oil. It makes a good tuna&noodles casserole. Had a brownie for dessert. I feel positively civilized: bathed, fed, housed securely from the upcoming storm -- what could be better?Finally at 7:00pm, I was able to walk back the trail to check the view over the lake. A nice view, but not anything extraordinary. From the viewpoint I noticed the western sky looked ominous, and on my return trip the rumbling of thunder became more noticeable. I decided to batten down the hatches. First, I put the fly back on the tent -- had hoped to leave it off as it is noticeably cooler that way. Then I brought the fully and partially dry clothes in from the line, and stowed the partially dry ones in the tent vestibule.Veto reports that scattered, possibly severe, thunderstorms are forecast for tomorrow. I hope they usher in cooler, drier air. Today was very humid with condensate on rocks buried deep enough to conduct the cold from the ground to the rock surface. We all sweat profusely and consequently carried and drank a lot of water. Hiking in this kind of weather takes a lot out of one. We are all relaxing in our tents as of 7:30pm. I have a feeling hiker midnight will come early tonight.On! On!
Date: 2006-07-29
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter tenting

To: Edward R. Morrow Park picnic pavilion, Pawling, NY
Miles today: 8.3

Today the FDOM was join1ed by a fifth soon-to-be dirty old man. Bud Smith whose trail name is "Mr. O" is a friend of GreyGoose. During high school he and Goose had planned an AT thruhike together. As Mr.O still works, coincidentally, at my graduate school alma mater, the Katz Business School at Pitt, he wasn't able to do the whole trail. Now that the trimester is over, he's joining us for a while.The hike over was uneventful, with just one high viewpoint and a nice walk along the shores of pretty Nuclear Lake. We all wondered how it got its name. We reached the trailhead, where we needed to hitch in at 11:00am. The first pickup that drove by picked us up and drove us to the park, also picking up SoulLive a bit further up the road. At the park we got hot showers at the outdoor shower. I showered in my kilt, knowing that it would go into the laundry, then changed into my town shorts in the adjacent men's room. Then we gathered our dirty laundry and headed down to the road for the 1 mile walk/hitch into town. Again, the first car that passed gave us a ride right to the laundromat. While the clothes washed, we got cash at the ATM then enjoyed a great lunch of burgers and fries right next door at the Tavern. It lived up to the rave reviews in the trail register at the pavilion. After lunch, Mr.O arrived. We got a ride out of town to the supermarket for resupply. Alas, the convenient in-town IGA has closed and the nearest grocery store is about 3 miles from downtown. Then it was back to the pavilion, where we ate the ice cream and other "desserts" we got at the grocery -- for me, a pint each of milk and of orange juice. While eating, we helped Mr.O lighten his pack by removing excess clothes and food.Finally it was time for a swim. The water was a little warm, but the swim was still refreshing. Another shower to rinse off the lake water, and it was supper time. While we were swimming two young women hiked in, and Mr.O offered them a ride into town on our way to the restaurant.The choice of restaurant was a bit of serendipity. All the meals looked great. Mine was a huge slab of prime rib with baked potato, summer squash, and salad. Dessert was soft-serve ice cream from the deli.We are all sleeping atop picnic tables in the pavilion, where Bigfoot and I are using our tents, sans fly, as bug bivies.On! On!
Date: 2006-07-30
From: Pawling, NY

To: Ten Mile River campsite
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: few clouds

Today we entered Connecticut, leaving NY behind -- our 9th state completed. We got up early, and headed into town with our packs in Mr.O's car, for breakfast at the deli at 6:30am. Mr. O then drove to the trailhead and, as the parking looked secure, decided to leave his car there. We were on the trail at 7:30am, much earlier than we had expected. It seemed a little less hot and less humid today, at least after the hike took us into the woods from over a mile of walking in hay fields and pasture. There were two long climbs, one in the morning and one just before we arrived here, each of about 500' elevation gain. That is peanuts compared to what we'll have further north, but in the heat and humidity it is a challenge. There was sweat pouring off us, and our shirts and shorts or my kilt were soaked with sweat after each ascent, and only are drying out this evening on the line.On the way we passed the AT station on the metro north commuter line. There are a few trains stopping there on weekends and holidays. We took pics with us at the station. When an express train headed our way, I had to shout to Bigfoot and Veto to get further back on the platform, as they would have been very close to the train as it passed. After that we moved on down the trail, passing a very unusual water tower just beyond the nearby road.About 11:00am, 8 miles into our hike, we came across 4 chairs and two coolers containing trail magic. There were cold sodas and sandwiches made from onion bagels and cream cheese that really hit the spot. Also, cold water and ritz crackers with cheesewhiz to snack on. We enjoyed this as an early lunch, then moved on another half mile to the next shelter. There we had a second lunch to lighten our load, and fuel us for the final ascent/descent of the day.We hiked the 4 miles to the campsite in 2 hours arriving at 3:00pm, which meant there was plenty of time for camp chores and relaxing. Bigfoot, Veto and I took a dip in the refreshingly cool river, then cooked an early dinner at 5:00pm. After dinner I hiked the .1 miles to the nearby shelter and read and signed the register. When I returned to camp at 6:45pm everyone was in bed except Bigfoot, who was shooting some pics of Veto sleeping in his hammock and the overall camp scene. This is one of the nicest places we've camped as a group.Right now I'm sitting on a large rock where Ten Mile River joins the Housitonic River, doing this journal. Soon, by 7:30pm, I expect to be crawling into my tent, except I plan to do some reading.Onward to Maine!