morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-23
From: Jailhouse hostel, Palmerton, PA

To: Flowerfield Inn, Stroudsburg, PA
Miles today: 5.0

A really nice day. Great hike, beautiful weather, and a relaxing afternoon. Woke up and left by 9 am and stopped for a quick breakfast at BK. I hit the trail and Hannah left to move the car ahead to where she was going to pick me up at about 10:30 am. I immediately got lost and couldn¢t figure out where the trail crossed a very busy highway. After 25 minutes I found the trail and started the climb out of Lehigh Gap. It was 1600 feet over 1.5 miles and had the biggest rocks and most rock scrambling I have seen so far on the trail. There were parts that were near vertical. If I was planning on doing a long day it may have been miserable, but given circumstances, it was relaxing and really fun. The trail continued along a ridge covered in fallen dead trees and sun bleached rocks, it was a kind of eerie wasteland. Hannah met me about a mile from the car and we hiked together for a while. When we reached the car, we drove into the nearest big town and got a room at the cheapest motel we could find. We spent the rest of the afternoon checking out Stroudsburg, PA. It¢s kind of a cool town. We ate at a Chinese place and spent a few hours looking at used records at a record shop. We bought some snack-food and fruit and went back to the hotel to organize our stuff. I packed up for the next 6 days on trail and sorted out my gear. I nearly had a freak out because I couldn¢t find my camera, but it turned up in Hannah¢s jacket sleeve, so it was fine. We watched half of the Karate Kid and are going to bed about 10:30 pm. It was an amazing day, but I couldn¢t help but let it be overshadowed by the fact that Hannah is leaving tomorrow. I will be back out alone and I have a feeling it will be tough after getting used to having a companion for 3 weeks.
Date: 2008-05-24
From: Flowerfield Inn, Stroudsburg, PA

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: broken clouds

Slept so well last night, but woke up dreading Hannah¢s departure. We woke up at 7 am but laid in bed not wanting to admit what had to be done. We loaded the car and left the motel by 7:45 and stopped to get the last few items of my resupply. We went to the Laundromat where we ate breakfast as my clothes washed. She drove me back to the trail and she was on her way home by 10:30 am. Saying goodbye was really tough. I really enjoyed her being here. I had to slow down my hike a little, but it was worth every mile. She was the best company I could have asked for and she relieved the loneliness that has plagued my trip. As she left I knew I was going to get lonely again quick and it might be a tough day mentally. The hiking went easy, with no real stand-out climbs or views. The trail was pretty rocky, but I made it through without incident. There were a lot of people on the trail for Memorial Day weekend and I got worried that the shelter would be full. I finished my 24 miles at about 7 pm and was relieved to find an almost empty shelter. There are a few guys tenting, but I am the only person inside. There are a lot of people tenting about .3 miles away and it sounds like a big party with fireworks and music. I ate tortellini for dinner and climbed in my bag. The weather is nice, perfect temp. I am a little lonely not having Hannah here for all of the things we did together over the past 3 weeks, but I am doing better than I expected. It¢s nice to know that I will be with her again and heading home to the rest of my friends and family in about 5 weeks. I miss Houghton sometimes and having Hannah here reminded me why I love it. I am meeting Mike and Hampton tomorrow night and going to Mike¢s house in New Jersey. Out of PA tomorrow morning.
Date: 2008-05-25
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Mike's House
Miles today: 34.8

A long day with a great reward. Had a hard time getting up this morning. I woke up at 5:30 am but went back to sleep and I didn¢t hit the trail until 7:40 am. I think living the easy life with Hannah for the last 3 weeks made me soft. The hiking was easy, lots of rocks, but some nice views. Went through Delaware Water Gap National Rec Area and left PA for New Jersey. It was really hot all day 80-85 degrees and the trail was crowded with day hikers. I met some nice people and a few crazies. The trail was poorly marked and I got lost more today than any other so far. I saw two bear at the end of the day, which was a nice way to end a long hike. Mike and Hampton were going to meet me at Culver¢s Gap to head to Mike¢s house for the night. They took a zero day in NYC today. I finished my 35 miles at about 7:40 pm and I laid in the grass in front of some store for 45 minutes talking to my parents and Hannah while I waited. Today was mom¢s birthday, so it was nice to be able to talk to her for a while. When I got to Mike¢s house his mom made an amazing dinner and I got to take a shower. We sat around and talked for a while. It¢s nice to get some off-trail conversation. I am going to take a short day tomorrow and come back here so Mike, Hampton, and I will be in the same place on the trail and can get back to hiking together. This really doesn¢t help my big push to Maine, but it¢s good to have the company and some rest because I need it. I feel good, tired and sore after a big day, but satisfied with the effort. I am getting to the point where hiking is getting monotonous and I am getting anxious to get to Maine. I still enjoy the adventure and experiences I am having, but I am getting an itch to start something new. Less than 900 miles to go. It¢s gonna fly.
Date: 2008-05-26
From: Mike's House

To: Mike's House
Miles today: 9.0

I decided to take a short day to allow Mike and Hampton to catch up and was definitely worth it. I slept late and spent the morning relaxing and sitting in the shade around Mike¢s pool. It is the most relaxed I have been since I started and that¢s saying a lot since this is a pretty low stress endeavor. I did some reading and called a few friends back home. It¢s nice catching up after being disconnected for months. It was sunny and warm and a perfect day for relaxing. At about 3PM Mike¢s sister drove me back to the trail and dropped me off where I stopped yesterday. I sat in the shade and waited for Mike and Hampton to get to that point and I hiked the last nine miles of their day with them. They were finishing a 27-mile day and we pulled in around 8pm. The trail was generic mid Atlantic terrain with lots of rocks but there were a few nice views to break the monotony. Mike¢s brother picked us up and drove us back to Mike¢s house where we ate lasagna and watched some of the Piston¢s game. It was such a good day even though I didn¢t get much ground covered. Motivation is starting to slip and I know days like this will make getting back to the grind really tough but they also make the grind a little more bearable.
Date: 2008-05-27
From: Mike's House

To: Mike's House
Miles today: 14.1

We got up and got rolling early with the intention of a 26 miler, but it¢s hard to be motivated when you leave such luxury. The forecast called for rain all day, but the hike started under beautiful blue skies. The miles went by fast with nothing really exciting happening and no great views. Around lunch time the sky darkened and let loose a barrage of thunder and lightning and poured buckets of rain on us. Mike called his mom and she agreed to pick us up early in Unionville, NJ. The storm became severe and it poured so hard that it killed Mike¢s cell phone as he arranged our escape. We got to Unionville and, naturally, the storm cleared up. His mom picked us up and we went to his house for some relaxing and swimming. We had steak for dinner and relaxed a lot. I put the audiobook for the Alchemist on my iPod so I can do something scholarly while I hike. We planned the next few weeks and I am settled back on the futon for another good nights sleep. Tomorrow is our last night here. It¢s been great and will be really tough leaving for our return to trail life, but Maine isn¢t getting any closer.
Date: 2008-05-28
From: Mike's House

To: Mike's House
Miles today: 26.8

A much better day than yesterday. Slept well and got a good start on the trail. Pretty generic hiking for the most part, just hours spent cruising through the long green tunnel. Felt really good after a few short days. I am well rested and it was nice to stretch my legs a bit. Toward the end of the day we started climbing some big rock outcropping and caught some nice views. We crossed the state line into NY. It¢s nice knocking down another state. Mike¢s mom picked us up again for our last night of pampering. It has been such a luxury. I have had it too easy with my parents, Hannah, and now Mike¢s family taking care of me. I am getting soft, but back to the real world tomorrow.
Date: 2008-05-29
From: Mike's House

To: William Brien Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: clear sky

The real world hit like a ton of bricks today. We were slow to get rolling this morning and didn¢t hit the trail until almost noon. It was tough leaving the luxury of a real house and my pack was nearly at its heaviest point on the trip. Mike¢s mom made us sandwiches for lunch and froze us a huge piece of lasagna for dinner. While these are awesome and much appreciated they are also really heavy to carry. The hiking was tougher than usual even though the terrain was pretty mild. This combined with my slumping motivation made for a tough day. Motivation is a tough factor for most hikers by this point on the trail. The hiking is unrewarding with bad footing, few great views and no epic climbs. The miles seem never ending and Maine seems so distant. But all this should end soon. Maine is getting closer, however slowly, and we are getting to New England where the big mountains start back up. We entered Harriman State Park and passed through ¢The Lemon Squeezer¢. This is a spot where the trail runs through a narrow gap in a rock where people often have to remove their packs because they can¢t fit. I had heard of it prior to my trip and was excited to see it but it didn¢t live up to the hype. Pulled into the shelter after dark and am exhausted. Twenty one miles hasn¢t been this hard in a long time but I have lasagna for dinner and am hopeful that tomorrow will go better.
Date: 2008-05-30
From: William Brien Memorial Shelter

To: Campsite after Canopus Hill
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Definitely not an improvement over yesterday. My pack was lighter after eating yesterday¢s weighty meals but the hiking was still really tough. Even given its difficulty today was one of the more interesting days in a while. We climbed out of camp this morning intending on doing a big 35-mile. On the top of the first hill I got a view of New York City to the south, which was cool, as I have never seen it before. Next came Bear Mountain with a great view but the observation tower was locked and a huge park at the bottom full of tourists, which was completely overwhelming after being the woods. The trail ran through the middle of a zoo in the park complete with coyotes and bears. It was neat but the miles that followed the park were slow and draining and I hard time hacking it. I felt terrible. I am worried I may be worn out from the hard 1400 miles I have already done. I should be so well rested and I am struggling so badly. We pitched camp at 6PM in a flat spot between two rocky hills and decided there is no point in fight it. If we aren¢t feeling it resting might be the thing to do. The mosquitoes are starting to pick up and I am getting to bed early. I¢ll try again tomorrow.
Date: 2008-05-31
From: Campsite after Canopus Hill

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: light rain

Miles came easier, but still not as good as before my long period of easy living. Nothing special today. A few rocky climbs, but nothing really tough and no great views. Just a lot of miles in the long green tunnel. Out of NY tomorrow and into New England. I feel like I am getting my rhythm back.
Date: 2008-06-01
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Mt Algo Lean-to
Miles today: 28.7

Thing are definitely starting to look up. Today was the best day since Hannah left. Mike and I stopped and went swimming in a lake we passed and relaxed a bit in the morning while Hampton hiked ahead. We looked in the guidebook and saw that the lake was labeled ¢Nuclear Lake Outlet¢. I figure we will either get superpowers or cancer from the radiation. I am hoping for the former over the latter. After swimming, Mike and I hiked to a deli half a mile off the trail and ate ice cream and the biggest donut I have ever seen. We got sandwiches for lunch and hiked in to meet Hampton and surprise him with a cheesesteak. The hike after lunch was nice and easy with some cool miles by a river. It was good to get a big day with a bit of down time in it. Feels like early in the trip and is definitely a confidence booster. Hopefully the slump we¢ve been in is coming to an end.
Date: 2008-06-02
From: Mt Algo Lean-to

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3

Another generic day of hiking. The lack of excitement is starting to wear on me. We got up and hiked into Kent, CT to pick up a package Hampton had waiting for him and we ate breakfast. It was a typical New England town. We got back on trail after eating and slogged through the miles to the shelter. No big views or any cool landmarks, just miles under trees. My feet are starting to bother me and hurt all the time, but I just deal with it and keep waiting. There isn't much I can do at this point.
Date: 2008-06-03
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to

To: Riga Lean-to
Miles today: 19.8

not a big mileage day, but really good nonetheless. Got up early and got moving so that we could get to Salisbury, CT for a resupply. It got really hot almost immediately and Mike and I started looking for somewhere to swim. We found a big waterfall and swam at the bottom of it and jumped off it and had a good time. We got to Salisbury a bit later than planned and relaxed, ate, and bought food for the next 4 days. We bought some wine and decided to celebrate our travels a bit and headed back to the trail to hike the few miles to the next shelter. I drank some wine, ate a good dinner and I'm going to bed feeling pretty good about myself. Rumor says rain and storms the next few days, so I have that to look forward to.
Date: 2008-06-04
From: Riga Lean-to

To: Egremont Inn, South Egremont, MA
Miles today: 14.4

Woke up to pouring rain and a headache. It was tough moving and walking into a downpour, so we didn't hit the trail until almost noon. The rocks were slippery and hiking was miserable. I slipped and fell a few times and was not having a good day. We climbed the highest point in CT and then crossed into MA. By this point we'd had enough of the rain and treacherous footing so we hitched into town and got a room at the inn. It's an old place from the late 1700's or early 1800's and pretty fancy. We ate dinner at the restaurant in the inn and talked to an old local couple who told us of their adventures in Nepal and Patagonia. Another couple bought us beers and everyone was extremely nice and interested in our hike. It's a good way to end a crappy day. Me and my gear are dry, I am well fed, and I had a fun night. Not many miles today, but oh well, better off for the experiences.
Date: 2008-06-05
From: Egremont Inn, South Egremont, MA

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 31.0
Weather: broken clouds

Making up for lost miles. We couldn't get a ride back to the trail because we got out early so we walked the 1.5 miles back and started hiking. The miles went easy and I moved fast to avoid the huge number of mosquitoes. The trail was wet and slippery but I manage not to fall. The hike was nothing special and we finished at about 7 pm. The shelter is a cabin on a lake. There is a caretaker and it has beds with real mattresses. It is nicer than some of the hotels I've stayed in. I feel good for getting in a big day that went well. We are doing another 30 mile day tomorrow so we can get to Williamstown, MA, by Saturday so that we can meet Mike's mom who is taking Mike and I back to NJ for 2 days off while Hampton attends his sister's graduation in NC. It will be nice to have 2 days where I don't have to hike.
Date: 2008-06-06
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church, MA
Miles today: 30.0

Woke up to pouring rain at 5:45 am. Somehow we found the motivation to get moving and the caretaker made us pancakes before we left at 6:30. The rain didn't stop until afternoon and the trail was a torrent and all of the rivers were swollen so crossing them was harder than usual. Given all the bad weather, it was still a pretty good day. We stopped in Dalton, MA for lunch and some locals gave us a beer before we did the last 9 miles to Chesire. The trail was easy and the hiking was leisurely. We are staying at a free hostel in Chesire that is run by a church. It is nice to be in out of the bugs and rain. We're getting out early again to meet Mike's mom and go to NJ. It's supposed to be 90+ degrees tomorrow and the following 3 days, so we picked the perfect time for some zero days.
Date: 2008-06-07
From: St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church, MA

To: Mike's House
Miles today: 14.0

Got out early and it was hot from the get go. The only thing that stood between me and relaxation is 14 miles and the 2000 foot climb over Mt. Greyock, the highest point in MA. The climb was easy, even with the heat and the view up top was nice. The descent was another matter, 3000 feet over 4 miles made for a lot of steep sliding downhill. In the heat this was less than enjoyable. Mike's mom was waiting for us at the bottom and, after a 3 hour car ride south, I am relaxing by the pool. Back to being spoiled.
Date: 2008-06-10
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 25.9
Weather: clear sky

Much cooler than yesterday. Forgot to mention yesterday that I finished MA and am on to Vermont. Vermont is the nicest state in a while. The trail is nice, the views are spectacular, and you don't cross a road every other mile. Today was a kind of slow readjustment after the break. Legs felt off and my pack was heavy, but I kept moving and got some miles covered. The mountains are getting bigger, which is nice, but that means that the climbs are getting bigger too. The temperature was about 75 and it was sunny, perfect weather for hiking. I saw a lot of signs of moose in the area, but no moose. I am tired and the shelter should have a nice sunrise view. My feet are bothering me still it will be nice to finish and let them recover.
Date: 2008-06-11
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Bromley Shelter
Miles today: 27.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up early to a beautiful sunrise and the sound of a porcupine gnawing on the wood of the shelter. I shined my light on it to scare it off, but it didn't care so I poked it with one of my poles and it waddled off about 10 ft and then I had to chase it off. I hit the trail and made some good miles today. I feel tired and I'm waiting for my rhythm to return but it feels good being back out here. The terrain is getting tough with lots of steep, big climbs, but the views are also rewarding. I ate lunch on the fire tower atop Stratton Mt, which has huge views of VT, MA, and NH. After 24 miles we hitched into Mancester, VT for dinner and a resupply. I ate whole pizza and we didn't get to the trail until dark. Finished the hike by headlamp. I'm feeling dehydrated and tired, but it's nice to knock down some miles.
Date: 2008-06-12
From: Bromley Shelter

To: Clarenden Shelter
Miles today: 31.4
Weather: clear sky

A long tiring day with nice views. Bromley and Baker mountains were both great. Had a nice few miles along a river and a good morning. All this felll apart as evening rolled in. Had a great sunset but I was exhausted and still had 4 miles to go. The twilight was nice wit lots of fireflies and an easy meadow but then I climbed 400 ft in 1/4 mile through some tough boulders. I ran out of water miles before finishing and am severely dehydrated. I missed a turn in the trail and ended up walking about a mile out of my way down a logging road before turning and walking back. Eventually Mike and Hampton saw my headlamp and I got to the shelter, got fed and watered and things might be alright. What a day... One I won't soon forget.
Date: 2008-06-13
From: Clarenden Shelter

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 26.4
Weather: clear sky

Started the day feeling good considering how poorly things went last night. The first 6 miles were nice and rolling followed by a 4 mile 2400 ft climb up Killington Peak. The bulk of the climb was easy and I just cruised up listening to my iPod. The AT doesn't actually go to the summit of Killington but I went up the .2 mile side trail to the top. The trail was incredibly steep and rocky and the view was amazing but the blackflies were so bad I had to leave quickly. On the decent a big storm rolled in and soaked me and my stuff. It made my remaining miles a struggle. I feel weary after the last few big days but I see no respite in the immediate future. The rain continued on and off for the remaining 15 miles. I barely stopped for lunch and just kept cruising. Mike and Hampton fell behind after Killington. I made the shelter at 7:30PM, soaked. Even my journal got wet. Mike and Hampton haven't showed up yet and I don;t think they will, it's already 9:30PM.
Date: 2008-06-14
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 30.3
Weather: broken clouds

Poured rain all night and Mike and Hampton never showed. Woke up to rain and got on trail at 7:30 am. About a half mile down the trail I went down a ladder over a small cliff. I got a photo but my camera died on the spot. I think it's from all of the moisture in the past 2 days. All of my gear is damp and my cloths were soaked this morning. Nothing is worse than putting on cold wet cloths in the morning. The miles went by fairly easy with a few steep climbs. I was bummed about the camera and it ruined my whole day. I pulled into a town about 6PM and was hoping to get a burger but the only place in town was closed so it was even more disappointing. A guy on the side of the road called me over to his house and let me fill my water bottles and made me an awesome bowl of cereal with bananas and strawberries. I got to the shelter after dark and am just waiting for Mike and Hampton.
Date: 2008-06-15
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Firewarden's Cabin
Miles today: 29.2
Weather: few clouds

one of the most depressing days yet. My camera was still shot, which was hard on morale. Got on trail at 7 am and made the 6 miles to Hanover, NH by 9 am. Hanover is a cool town, home of Dartmouth University. I ate breakfast at a bagel place and got a call from Mike while I resupplied at the Coop. They were 20 miles back and not moving today because Hampton broke up with his girlfriend and was having a hard time. So it looks like I'm hiking solo for the rest of the trip. Another big blow to morale. I'm really feeling bad and lonely. The miles passed slow and hard but I made my goal. The day ended on a huge climb and the shelter is a cool old cabin. I'm in with 4 section hikers. hope tomorrow goes better. Today was rough.