morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2021-06-04
From: campsite

To: Town of Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: moderate rain

The forecast was correct. We avoided the storms in the morning, but that was it. After lunch we got caught in a huge T storm 2 miles after we left a shelter and 3 miles from the town of Delaware Water Gap. No where to run or hide. Lightning flashes directly overhead and heavy rain. The trail flooded and we had to walk through several puddles over ankle deep. But trail magic was also in the forecast. Former EPA colleague, Carl, who was my inspiration for hiking the AT. Carl hiked the AT when he retired in 2014 and posted his journal too. I would eagerly wait for every Friday to read his weekly postings. I contacted him yesterday t let him know we were in the area and he immediately offered to drive from Philly (2+ hours) to drive us around. WE came off the trail drenched and he loaded us in his car and took us to the hotel, then to dinner and to Walmart to resupply. It was great to catch up with him. WE loved talking hiking-talk through dinner. Carl is preparing to complete the Colorado Trail shortly. He has already completed the AT and the PCT. Many thanks Carl, and safe hiking the CT!
Date: 2021-06-05
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: campsite
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: broken clouds

After a great breakfast at a local bakery and reuniting with Spotts and Snapshot, and Deep Fried and Trippin', we headed out knowing that even more trail magic awaited us. Former AT through hikers Hungus and AZ grilled burgers and hot dogs and provided beer and water. Current through hiker, Meta and Grasshopper also assisted. It was great to just hang out with a bunch of hikers and talk and laugh. Good Times!! 8 of us found a great campsite with sky views.
Date: 2021-06-06
From: campsite

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

Planned on an early start but yesterday's heat just sucked all of our energy. WE got out at 7:30am and the day heated up quickly. But we learned there was a restaurant on a lake 11 miles ahead so we beelined there. Met many of the hikers we saw yesterday there. Good food, more beer and a beautiful lake to soak our feet in. Perfect! We planned on doing more miles after that late lunch, but the heat was too much. We only got another 3 miles. We all drank several liters of water today.
Date: 2021-06-07
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Secret shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

So when we left Delaware Water Gap, we entered New Jersey and it has been beautiful! The trails are well maintained, as are the shelters. There have been bear boxes since black bears are plentiful here. No sightings yet, though. I saw another porcupine and a bunch of snakes. The main problem has been the intense heat and humidity. It has been reducing everyone's miles. We got more trail magic for AZ, Meta and Grasshopper. More hotdogs, burgers, beet, fresh fruit, humus and veggies! Always welcome toward the end of a long, hot day of hiking. We are staying at a secret shelter tonight. The local celebrity, Jake the Donkey, entertained us and begged for food. Sorry Jake!
Date: 2021-06-08
From: Secret shelter

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Jake slept in his barn last night, but was up bright and early to visit us while we ate breakfast. Hot and humid again, with T storms forecasted at noon. They got it right! We struggled with the heat all morning, then caught caught in a thunderstorm while on a long Pochuck boardwalk through a wetland. We had to hustle to get to the treeline because we were so exposed on the boardwalk. After 1.5 miles, we made it to Vernon, NJ/ After much contemplation, we opted to grab a motel. We were overheated in the morning and then cold and wet. A hot shower felt great. More rain forecasted for the next couple of days. At least we are dry and comfy tonight.
Date: 2021-06-09
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

We managed to dodge the T-storms today, but it was still hot and humid. We crossed into NY today (m1368.7) NJ was great. NY has gone back to the traditional AT, PUDs (pointless up and downs) There are rocky outcrops at the top of every mountain and because of the heavy rain yesterday those outcrops were slick! both Gadget and I fell at least once with many close calls. We met up with AZ who brought me a birthday doughnut. We relaxed and talked on top of Prospect Rock with a great view. Then Sticks, Ranger, Baked Potato, Meta and Grasshopper showed up. We all walked together to town and they bought me a banana split and sang happy birthday! AZ drove me to the post office where I picked up a box Cap sent me--new Salomon trail runners, a new sleep pad, and a resupply. I mailed my Keen hikers, old pad and my stove home. I haven't cooked in a couple of weeks, so...I just eat cold foods (sandwiches, wraps, etc) What a great birthday, even though I was without my family, but my tramily filled in nicely!
Date: 2021-06-10
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

Our goal today was to make it to the second shelter 19.9 miles away. The trail had other plans. NY is really tough, it beat us up all day, but we had fun! Feet were sore, so we stopped at Island Pond to soak our feet. Then came the "Lemon Squeezer." Squeezing our way through a narrow gap in the rocks. Not really a problem since we are all skinny now. Right after the squeezer, we had a pretty challenging rock climb, and then a couple of more after that. More "texture" for the hike, but it slowed us way down. By the time we got toe Fingerboard Shelter, we were done and called it quits for the day. We are seeing the same people at camp or the shelters every 2-3 days, so it is fun catching up with hikers. We saw our 1st bear. He was small and walked past the shelter.
Date: 2021-06-11
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Hemlock Springs Campsite
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: moderate rain

Got an early start to try to get more miles, but again the trail was tough. Beautiful weather, beautiful views, but brutal terrain. Anyone who says NY is easy has not hiked in NY! I hiked alone this morning and saw my second bear, and he was a BIG ONE! He knew I was there before I heard him. He started "huffing" at me. I quickly backed up the trail 20 yards and started blowing my whistle. He kept looking at me, but was unconcerned. Finally he wandered off, but I did get a video of him. The trail goes right thru the Trailside zoo, which is free to thru hikers. I caught up with the gang at the zoo. We camped at Hemlock Springs Campsite.PS: My new sleeping pad is awesome!
Date: 2021-06-12
From: Hemlock Springs Campsite

To: Clarence Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow! What a difference! The trail was very kind today and the weather was comfortable. A little "Seattle drizzle" kept the temps in the 60s and I just scooted along. After a 5 mile hike from the campsite, we got to the Appalachian Deli, which was right on the trail. I got a big breakfast burrito and a sub to go, plus a small resupply. The rest of the day was relatively easy. Camping at the Clarence Fahnestock State Park tonight and I even got a shower!
Date: 2021-06-13
From: Clarence Fahnestock State Park

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Again, what a difference a day makes. It was warmer and really humid. I found the trail really difficult today. I opted to take a side route 1/2 mile to a deli for lunch and takeout a dinner, so that added another mile. I just didn't want to eat another tuna wrap. I made it into Morgan Stewart shelter and was just exhausted. I stretched really well, then ate my deli sandwich and headed to bed in the shelter. Calling for rain in the morning, so I don't want to set up my tent.
Date: 2021-06-14
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Thunderstorms woke me up, so I rolled over and went back to sleep. Left after the last T storm rolled past. IT rained lightly all day, but that kept the temperature down. I'm in dire need of a zero day; I'm kinda in a funk. I was hoping not to take a zero for a couple more weeks, but I need it now. Former thru hikers have said the 1st third of the trail is physical, the 2nd is emotional (fun!), and the last 1/3 is mental. We are just trying to gut it out now without injuring ourselves. We all just want to get this finished. I really want to go home. Every step I take puts me closer to home. Stopped at another deli (1 mile round trip), got lunch and dinner again. I made it to Wiley Shelter in decent time. Not a bad day, I'm just really tired.
Date: 2021-06-15
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: clear sky

I slept really well-my new sleeping pad has really improved my sleep. I didn't wake up until 7am; I consistently wake up at 5:15. Obviously, I was exhausted. I'm going into Kent, CT for a zero day. The trail seemed difficult to me, but then again I am really tired. Kent is a nice town that was established in 1720--it is exactly what a small New England town should look like, but very expensive. It is, after all, Connecticut.
Date: 2021-06-17
From: Kent, CT

To: Pine Swamp Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I had a great breakfast before leaving town. The initial climb out of town was challenging, but a 3 mile walk along the Housatonic River was very pleasant. However, the caterpillars were everywhere and it was raining caterpillar poop! It sounded like rain, but it was a clear day. All of the leaves on the trees were eaten away. I made it to Pine Swamp Shelter; I had the shelter to myself, everyone else tented.Cappy's note: One of my sorority sisters was hiking in New York and said it was the year of a Gypsy Moth infestation. All of the leaves had been eaten off of the trees and it was like a horror story.
Date: 2021-06-18
From: Pine Swamp Shelter

To: Brassie Brook Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: few clouds

We got an early start; we wanted to make it to the Mountainside Cafe in Falls Village, CT. It was a good brunch and I got lunch to go. I enjoyed hanging out with Kimberly, Side Hustle, Sketchbook and Gadget. We aimed for Riga Shelter, but because it was such a great view, many locals were staying there, so it was very crowded. So Orange and I moved on to Brassie Brook Shelter, where we met Kimberly. We all stayed in the shelter due to rain.
Date: 2021-06-19
From: Brassie Brook Shelter

To: Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

This was one of the toughest days on the trail! It was hot and humid and we had 3 big mountains to cross. I ran out of water at the top of the last mountain (Mt Everett) I was trying to conserve my water since water sources are scarce. I got slightly dehydrated and struggled up the mountain. But the trail provides when needed most. Fellow hiker, Orange's tramily members from last year (Ladybug and Duraflame), were waiting for us at the bottom of the mountain with trail magic! McD's, fruit, an most importantly drinks!!! As we sat there recovering, more hikers came down in as bad shape as we were. Duraflame then offered to shuttle us all into town for a resupply or to stay in a hotel. Most of us chose to stay the night. I have to 0 again due to annoying knee pain. I will RICE it tomorrow and pick up a brace. Plus I am really tired!
Date: 2021-06-21
From: stayed at hotel

To: Shaker Campsite
Miles today: 17.7

Caught a shuttle to the trail with Sticks and Ranger. It was a hot and humid day and we all struggled. MA is a tough state with solid elevation changes. Even with a knee brace, my knee hurts. I can't quite figure out why. It hurts the most on the steep inclines, but a times I just turn it wrong and it will shoot a sharp pain whether I am going up hill or down. I caught up with Orange and then rain into Smiles at the Shaker Campsite.
Date: 2021-06-22
From: Shaker Campsite

To: Lee, MA
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light intensity drizzle

It rained all night and all day. The forecast was 40% chance of rain...hmmm. Walking in the rain is better than walking in the hot and humid though. I walked with Orange all day and we discussed slack packing to reduce pack weight to give our injuries a chance to recover. She has a knee and hamstring injury. We picked up the package Cappy sent me at the Berkshire Lakeside Lodge. Cap sent a new wool shirt and water filter. Since Orange I decided to start slack packing, and the fact we were completely soaked, we opted to go into the town and get a couple of rooms at the hotel in Lee, MA. We did laundry and had a big dinner. Contacted Tie Dye, who we saw earlier this morning, who was slack packing with his long time buddy, Bill. Bill offered to take our packs ahead to our next stop.
Date: 2021-06-23
From: Lee, MA

To: Holiday Inn, Pittsfield, MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

Bill and Tie Dye picked us up and even brought us breakfast! What great people! It was perfect weather today with low temps and a kind trail today. Met thru hiker Bananas and then bumped into Meta and Grasshopper. Since Grasshopper is a retired orthopedic surgeon, we discussed our injuries with him. He felt that I would not likely cause long term damage by continuing my hike. He suggested a different knee brace and liked the idea of slackpacking as much as possible. So I felt better after our conversation. Walking without weight was awesome. We were able to do a 20 mile day!
Date: 2021-06-24
From: Mt Greylock Southbound

To: Southbound down the mtn
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: few clouds

Today we had the shuttle driver take us to the summit of Mt Greylock and we hiked southbound. Without heavy packs, the downhill hike was easier on our knees. Plus we got to see many of our friends hiking northbound! The view from Mt Greylock was the best we've had since the Shenandoah's. The trail was well maintained and the weather was perfect. A good day and then back to the hotel
Date: 2021-06-25
From: Mt Greylock

To: Killington, VT
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: clear sky

Happy birthday Cap! Shuttled back to the summit of Greylock with full packs and walked NOBO. A little overcast, but very comfortable. Easy, short day into North Adams, MA. Then caught a shuttle north to Killington, VT, about 110 miles north. We decided to join Suzanne (Smalls), who is also battling injuries and has mapped out a slack packing plan up to Maine. Since we are both section hikers, we will go back later and hike the 110 miles we skipped. This also takes 5-6 days off my projected finish date. Since I've accepted a teacher assistant position at Cap's school, I need to be back sooner. I should be able to make it now without the added stress of rushing my hike. Staying in a condo with Orange, Smalls, Freefall, and Small friends Sam and DeeDee
Date: 2021-06-26
From: Killington, VT

To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

Nice hiking today. There were good elevation changes, but with slack packs, we did well. Both knees bothered me going down the steepest decline. We finished at 2pm and iced both knees at the condo, who joined us at the condo. Samantha had to go home today. We got a really early start and were on the trail at 6:30 am. Same tomorrow.
Date: 2021-06-27
To: SOBO
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: broken clouds

Crazy hot and humid! I ended up drinking 4 liters of water today. WE hiked SOBO and saw several hikers we haven't seen in awhile. We also met hikers we haven't met like The Suttons! My hike is complete!! I've met 5 yr old Harvey "Littleman", a YouTube sensation. Cap and I watched their videos before I left for the trail. Harvey will be the youngest thru hiker, carrying his own pack, to complete the trail. He posed for photos and then asked us to be on their video, so Hot Hands (his dad) videoed us while Harvey introduced us. Mom is "Straps"  So cool! It was the highlight of the day, because we just melted the rest of the day.
Date: 2021-06-28
To: New Hampshire trails
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: few clouds

Got up at 4:30 am so we could get an early start to beat the heat. We went SOBO again to avoid the worse declines and saw many of same hikers. IT is still hot and humid. Walked into Hanover, NH, home of Dartmouth College. The trail goes right through campus. I ate lunch on the on the green and of course we crossed the VT/NH boarder (going the wrong way) It is the last night in the condo and we are moving on to a hostel. DeeDee will take our packs to the hostel and then head home to babysit her grandkids. Thanks so much DeeDee for setting up the condo, giving us tips on the sections we hike (she was hiking guide here) and shuttling us. HOpe to see her again soon.
Date: 2021-06-29
From: Goose Pond Rd

To: Jacobs Brook Rd
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: few clouds

Slack packed NOBO from Goose Pond Rd to Jacobs Brook Rd. That took us over Smarts Mountains. A little warm, but some good views. DeeDee took our packs to Hikers Welcome Hostel where we will stay 2 nights. The Shuttle driver failed to pick us up, so we hitched a ride from Michelle, who runs a local campsite for rock climbers. The hostel was pretty shitty, but in a great location.
Date: 2021-06-30
From: Jacobs Brook Rd

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Shuttled back to Jacobs Brooks Rd and headed north over Mts Cube and Mist. It was uneventful. We hiked right to back to the hostel. Celebrated Wikis 74th birthday with apple pie. The Suttons were there so Harvey "Little man" Sutton shared some pie with us.
Date: 2021-07-01
From: North of Mt Moosilauke

To: Over mountain
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: broken clouds

We caught an early shuttle north of Mt Moosilauke. 8 of us slack packed SOBO up the steepest face of the mountain, then walked back to the hostel. It was only 9.5 miles. The climb up was great-- Very exciting and challenging. The decent was brutal, knee screaming torture. For a "nero" it was as tough as any day we've had.
Date: 2021-07-02
To: Kinsman mountain
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: moderate rain

We opted to take on the 2 peaks of the Kinsman SOBO thinking to summit both peaks early in the day when we were fresh, and then have the "more gentle" decent in the afternoon. It rained all day. Ascent was more difficult in the rain, obviously. The decent was awful, slick, treacherous, and took forever--the most difficult day of the entire journey. Small's husband, Tony, met us and drove us to their ski house. What a beautiful house!
Date: 2021-07-04
From: Nowhere

To: Garfield Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: moderate rain

Independence Day! We hiked with full packs NOBO over Little Haystack Mt, Mt Lincoln, and Franconia Ridge, and finally Mt Garfield. IT was overcast all day, but little rain. The temperature stayed low, thankfully, but unfortunately there were no views. We stayed in Garfield Ridge Shelter. We squeezed in 15 thru hikers into a 12 person shelter
Date: 2021-07-05
From: Garfield Ridge Shelter

To: South Twin Mt
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

It was forecast for good weather, so we all left the shelter early. Got to Gatehead Hut too early for coffee. We weren't willing to wait 30 minutes; we had a big mileage day ahead of us. But got soup at Zealand Hut for 2nd lunch! It was so good. Good views from South Twin Mt, Mt Guyof and Zealcliffs. We then hitched back to the ski house.
Date: 2021-07-07
From: Pinkham Notch Visitor's Center

To: Mt Washington 
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: clear sky

7/6= Zero DAyMount Washington! I checked the weather-35 mph winds. The plan was to hike SOBO over Mts Madison, Adams and Washington. Suzanne's daughter, Frankie, dropping us off at Pinkham Notch Visitors Center and we headed south. It was a solid climb straight up Madison. As we climbed, it got more windy. When we got above the tree line, it was really windy with gusts up to 80 mph. We got on the rock field, totally exposed, and could barely stand. We never made it to the summit of Mt Madison. We ran into 2nd shot coming the opposite direction and he said it was the scariest part of his entire hike. He had to scoot on his butt from rock to rock. We opted to turn around. I spoke with other hikers, all of whom said it was really dangerous. Weather report was for 63 mph sustained wind and 85 gusts. We wasted 6.5 miles.
Date: 2021-07-08
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Rattle River Hostel
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Since our plan to summit Washington and stay in the Lake of the Clouds Hut and then descend over Mts  Pierce, Jackson and Webster yesterday was aborted, we had to come up with a hike for today. We opted to cover a section just south of the Maine border. The shuttle took us up a logging road where we had to hike 1.9 miles straight up to get to the AT near Gentian Pond Shelter. We headed SOBO. After the initial climb, it was an easy hike to US rt 2 near Rattle River Hostel.
Date: 2021-07-09
From: Wildcat section

To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today, we decided to knock off a small chunk of the Wildcats on a forecasted day of 100% rain. It was a serious 2K climb up to Wildcat D Peak- had a couple of good views when the clouds shifted. ON the trip down, I slipped and fell in a mud puddle. No injuries, so I just sat in the puddle and laughed, covered in mud! I jumped in a creek to rinse off.
Date: 2021-07-10
From: Top of Mt Washington

To: Pierce, Jackson, Webster
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

DeeDee came back to support us again and drove us to the top of Mt Washington. The weather was perfect! We hiked SOBO over Mts. Pierce, Jackson and Webster to Us RTE 302 where DeeDee waited on us. It was a great day of hiking. We stopped at the Lake of the Clouds hut for coffee and then Mizpah Spring Hut for a bowl of soup. The descent off Webster was really hard on the knees. I hate the steep descents. I'd much rather suffer burning quads and glutes going uphill than the knee jarring descents.
Date: 2021-07-11
From: Webster mountain

To: The Presidentials completed
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Happy Anniversary, Cap! Sorry I am not there with you to celebrate. Today we need to connect the dots on the Presidentials. This is the last section. We blue blazed up the Daniel Webster side trail to get up to Mt Madison. Webster was a steady incline for 2 miles, then straight up for the last one. It was a rock climb and I loved every minute of it!! the weather was perfect and the views were amazing!! I kept stopping to turn around an look at the sights-breathtaking. Webster put us 40 yards just south of where we stopped the other day in the wind storm. So I ran over the little rise and touched where I last stopped...dots connected!  We then headed south towards Mt Washington. The entire way was rock hopping- completely different terrain than the rest of the AT. As Sticks would say, "It adds texture to our hike" Again, I loved this stuff. Rock hopping requires complete concentration for every step, for 7 miles! It was very exciting. Day hikers were out in force. Everyone was happy to be outside and it was great to talk to everyone. There's a thing up here called "Peak Bragging" where people hike up all 48 4K peaks in New Hampshire. Today was a perfect day to bag several peaks. It took about 4 hours to summit Washington and we caught the hiker shuttle down the mountain to Pinkham Notch Visitor's Center where Tony picked us up. The Presidentials, considered the most challenging section of the AT, are complete!The 7.3 miles does NOT Include the 3 Blue Blaze trail
Date: 2021-07-12
From: Brook Trail

To: Several mountains
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: broken clouds

The other part of the Wildcats. Blue blazed 19 mile Brook Trail to the AT Stopped at Carter Notch Hut for coffee and headed on over Carter Dome, Mt Hight, South Carter Mt, Middle Carter Mt, North Carter MT, and finally Mt Moriah. The Wildcats are done! Caught a shuttle from US RTE 2 back to the ski house.PS Wiki fell and got a nasty gash on his elbow, but Nurse Ratchet (Smalls) patched him up. I fell twice, no injuries, so I just had to laugh at myself.