morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2023-05-14
From: Vernon, NJ (1360.4)

To: Wawayanda Shelter, NJ (1365.4)
Miles today: 5.0

Back in the saddle today after a couple of days off for a business commitment. Hilariously, it involved me driving almost all the way back to my starting point this spring - in 5 hours I covered 2-12 weeks of walking. Particularly resonant while I was driving along the ridge line in PA. All zeros are somewhat frantic, but this one was a bit more like an F1 pit stop than most. Get picked up in Vernon by Mr Right and driven home. Shed all gear and hop in shower. Launder and repair gear, retreat with Permethrin in the never-ending tick battle, and resupply food and fuel. Pack for meeting and drive to meeting. Meet (multitask scheduling hostels and shuttles for upcoming routes). Drive home, unpack. Repack hiking gear and get driven back to Vernon. Happy Mother¢s Day!I am shaking off a bit of the home visit whiplash as well. Comfortable bed, good food (and wine!), husband. It was good to have today¢s Stairway to Heaven to focus my mind. The climb started soon after rejoining the trail, 900 feet of rocky and often steep path. Fortunately, it was not as fearsome as the name - my first clue being the large number of day hikers, including a sizable representation in the 2-8 year old group, that were coming down happily chattering. It culminated in a lovely view near the top. I arrived at the shelter with an entirely new group of section hikers and flip floppers, having shifted places again in the bubble. Some continued on to the Warwick Drivein (there is a drivein theater that allows backpackers to camp in the back), but having just returned from my zero I passed. The wildlife was a little thin today, but I did spot a cute garter snake. Following the journals of those ahead of me, it looks like there will be some rock acrobatics over the next couple of days. Whee!
Date: 2023-05-16
From: Wawayanda Shelter, NJ (1365.4)

To: Wildcat Shelter, NY (1377.7)
Miles today: 12.3

(Today¢s earworm: ¢New York, New York¢)To be honest, New York has kind of worried me all winter. Everyone knows that NH and Maine are the big challenge of the northern half, but NY has some wicked rock formations that turn slick as ice when it rains. She lurks like a shark in the shallows, teeth bared for unsuspecting hikers looking too far ahead in their hike. Many a thruhiker has left a blood trail through the state. So, ready to spit in its eye, I was up and out early this morning. The sunrise light was, as always, beautiful and the trail passed by some blooming wisteria. I crossed into NY by 9am and was soon admiring the view from Prospect Rock, the highest point on the AT in NY. And then the fun began. Rebar. Vertical rock climbs. Cliff walks. No, we were no longer in Kansas. Happily, this piece of chum managed to avoid the sharp teeth today. I slowed down considerably and gave a lot of thought to foot and hand placement. Turns out that spell in the climbing gym this winter actually paid off. There was some payoff, though¢¦another creamery! (Astute readers will note this is the 2nd creamery in 3 days). Bellvale Creamery was only 0.2 miles off the trail, and was a terrific ice cream stopoff with a great view of the valley below. Tomorrow is another day of rock climbing, and then my intelligence suggests it will level out for a period. I will be swimming fast!
Date: 2023-05-16
From: Wildcat Shelter, NY (1377.7)

To: Fingerboard shelter, NY (1392.1)
Miles today: 14.4

So, I have been thinking a bit about the measurement of mileage on the AT. I¢ve noticed that the miles recorded on my watch (normally quite accurate) are running a bit long on the rocky sections. I think this is because I bob and weave as I work my way through, while the trail mileage is supposed to measure the centerline. But the measurement of trail distances is important for all kinds of reasons, and the AT length was first measured by Myron Avery, Chair of the ATC and credited with the construction of the end to end trail, in the 30¢s. He used the wheel shown above and rolled it along the entire span of the trail to get an accurate reading. My question: how did he roll it along the centerline of the trail in sections like this??! (Buchanan Mountain, scaled today). We were blessed again today with beautiful hiking weather, with clear skies and temps in the mid 70¢s. It was the first full day in NY, which has 93 trail miles and lots of trail side delis to enjoy (deli-blazing is a thing). But today was a doozy. After the first 3 miles (including the lovely Fitzgerald Falls), the terrain really stepped up in difficulty. Buchanan mountain (above) was a boulder scramble to get up, followed by Arden Mountain. Then the charmingly named Agony Grind, a very steep and rocky downward slope. The final obstacle was the Lemon Squeezer, a narrow gap between two rock slabs followed by a vertical climb (note to future NOBOs - the best route is to the right). The entire day was peppered with micro climbs and descents, amplifying the challenge. My fellow hikers, as they stagger into the shelter tonight, have a uniformly stunned expression on their faces. From personal experience, this doesn¢t fade for about an hour. I am sure we will look back at this when we are in the Whites and laugh, but for tonight we feel like heroes for making it through. When I got to the shelter tonight, Strobes was resting up prior to moving on to the next shelter. He has a small business manufacturing camping gear, and he gifted me a very cool (and waterproof) DCF wallet. I was very touched, and hope to see him up the trail.
Date: 2023-05-17
From: Fingerboard shelter, NY (1392.1)

To: Bear Mountain, NY (1409.6)
Miles today: 17.5

I crossed this point about halfway through the hike today. A previous hiker had carefully constructed the milepost for all of those heading north. Still about 800 miles to go, though. After yesterday¢s acrobatics, today¢s hike was a bit closer to the normal range. Long, yes. Rocky, yes. And still a bit of scrambling, but all well within the realm of what a thoughtful person might consider. As I had phone calls in the late afternoon today, and a long hike planned, I got an early start. The wake-up alarm was not required, as an insistent whippoorwill serenaded the entire tent site at the crack of dawn. But the benefit was to enjoy the peaceful morning light through the trees. Today¢s route crossed the Palisades Parkway, a very busy highway in NY. Up until last year, intrepid hikers needed to dash across 4 lanes of traffic with questionable sight lines. Unfortunately, a hiker was struck and killed. The AT has been temporarily rerouted until a permanent solution can be found; this added 1.25 miles to the hike today but actually delivered a lovely woodland hike combined with spectacular views from West Mountain.  The day finished with a long climb up Bear Mountain to the fire tower, followed by a zillion steps downward toward to the town of Ft Montgomery. Bear Mountain has a number of beautiful outlooks and hiking trails, as well as some stylish benches to soak in the view. I was exhausted at the end of today¢s hike, but a good exhausted - I had covered lots of territory, climbed up and down lots of elevation, and enjoyed the views throughout the day. I am staying in a hotel tonight without laundry service, so it looks like a bathtub washing machine tonight.
Date: 2023-05-18
From: Bear Mountain, NY (1409.6)

To: South Highlands Rd, NY (1422.3)
Miles today: 12.7

Just kidding. This particular bear was lounging at the Trailside Zoo, the only zoo located on the Appalachian Trail (the trail actually cuts right through it). I hiked through there today, and thought I would take the only calm picture I am likely to get of a bear on this journey. The zoo itself was underwhelming, acting mostly as a refuge for disabled or abandoned animals (the two bears their had been abandoned by their owner). But it is part of the AT legend, and I thought I would take a peek. Today¢s hike was in reverse, as I was staying two nights in Fort Montgomery. I was shuttled up to a trailhead to the north in the am, and hiked back to my hotel. This let me hit the zoo (which has limited hours) as well as make a detour up to Anthony¢s Nose, a prominent viewpoint over the Hudson River with sweeping views. I had the foresight to purchase a great sub at the Appalachian market deli in the morning, and ate it up at the overlook. The weather started off a bit nippy (freeze warning in the middle of May??!), but warmed up enough to be perfect for hiking. The trail was, for once, fairly normal, and I was able to make good time. As I hiked in reverse, I ran into a lot of hikers I knew and caught up on the news. One hiker showed off his new hiking shoes, another cautioned me about the safe way to cross the Bear Mountain bridge, and a 3rd reported on a 4th who it appears has come down with giardia, a distressing waterborne illness that has popped up several times this week. I had a good dinner tonight at the Bear Mountain Inn, a grand old building at the base of the mountain. Laundry (hand washed in the bathtub) and resupply are done, and tomorrow I will head out with the objective of finishing NY in the next 3-4 days.
Date: 2023-05-19
From: South Highlands Rd, NY (1422.3)

To: RPH shelter, NY (1435.7)
Miles today: 13.4

Today¢s trail was the usual blend of green tunnel and rocks, with numerous ups and downs for no clear purpose. With one major exception: the telephone shown in the picture above was positioned next to the path, not connected to any electricity or phone line. Curious. The signage described it as the Telephone of the Wind. Copied below is the explanation:This Telephone of the Wind is for all who grieve. You are welcome to find solace here. Please use it to connect with those you have lost. To feel the comfort of their memory. May you hear their voices in the wind. May you be at peace with your losses. It is modeled after an installation in Japan where, following the 2011 tsunami, thousands found comfort. It caused me to reflect on how many of my fellow hikers (I would guess about ¢) are on a journey of recovery, many from bereavement - and how appropriate it was to find this telephone here in the middle of the forest, which at times can feel a very spiritual place. Just when you think you know what is around the next corner, something surprises you. I find it interesting as we hike through different trail maintenance areas how the style and approach to trail design varies. Vertical climbs vs switchbacks, steps of stone vs steps of wood vs no steps, different approaches to managing water flow to prevent erosion, different standards on blowdown clearance, etc. In this area, the stonework has been notable, and I was particularly impressed today to spot this raised trail section (note the curved stone retaining wall on the right). That is a huge amount of work. Relatively few views today, with only this long shot of Lake Canopus. As I said, a green tunnel day. Tonight I am at RPH shelter, a beloved fixture on the trail due to its 4 sides, large grassy area, lounge chairs, and pizza delivery. Right now it is the lounge chair which is the best feature; I was tired today with no real ¢oomph¢ and have 3 bigger days coming up. Rain is forecast tomorrow, and it is very hard to complain, as the last couple of weeks have been lovely. Mustn¢t get too greedy on the weather (karma, and all that!).
Date: 2023-05-20
From: RPH shelter, NY (1435.7)

To: Telephone Pioneers shelter, NY (1452.5)
Miles today: 16.8

I am currently sitting in my shelter, gazing out at the rain which is streaming down. I am sharing the shelter tonight with a mother and her very active 6 year old daughter out for her first hike. I don¢t think the rain is exactly what they had planned for, and I have played I Spy with her for 45 minutes so far. Do you know how many ¢green¢ things there are when you are looking from a shelter??? And don¢t get me started on brown. The good news is that the shelter appears to be stormworthy and the rain is expected to taper off tonight. The next couple of days should be good hiking weather. I am slightly revising my take on NY. The trail today was relatively smooth, and despite the greater elevation changes it was easier to get the additional miles in. The area that the trail traversed was pretty, possibly with good views, although it was difficult to tell during today¢s rain. I did have the red efts, though. I should mention that there was the obligatory deli stop this morning that fortified me with a PB&J bagel plus a great deli sandwich for lunch. I would say that this could become a habit, but I think the gravy train ends as I enter CT. Some of the NY shelters have a nice feature - a Lending Library at the shelter. This one has an eclectic mix: I am glad I powered through the rain today, rather than take a zero. There is a good deal of satisfaction in continuing to make progress north, even though managing the damp gear and wet feet is not exactly a unicorns and rainbows proposition. Can¢t get those rainbows all the time.
Date: 2023-05-21
From: Telephone Pioneers shelter, NY (1452.5)

To: Schaghticoke Mountain Campsite, CT (1471.2)
Miles today: 18.7

Well, New York certainly saved its best for last. Starting with a beautiful sunrise that pierced the morning mist (especially welcome after last night¢s rain), today¢s trail wound through almost every ecosystem present in the state. I walked through wetlands, bogs, meadows, pastures(with their attendant hazards for unwary hikers), and blessedly smooth forest trails. Even the city ecosystem was represented by the only Appalachian Trail train stop. While all is not forgotten, it was a nice gesture.After 10 miles I crossed into Connecticut, my 10th state and the beginning of New England. There are only 52 miles of trail here, so this state will fly by.  Of course, this state is also known for being ground zero for Lyme disease. The information at the trailheads has been excellent, and convinced me to take one more step to style suicide by tucking my pants legs into my gaiters. Along my route today, I spotted some Chicken of the Woods, an edible orange fungus that grows on dead trees. Some thruhikers forage as they go, using this as a mushroom type supplement for their meals. Ramps are also popular and, of course, blueberries when in season. Today¢s hike was a relatively big day for me in mileage and elevation, but the terrain allowed me to motor through - plus, I think I am starting to get my trail legs. It felt good to be able to smoothly navigate today¢s summits. The climbs only get bigger from here to Maine.
Date: 2023-05-22
From: Schaghticoke Mountain Campsite, CT (1471.2)

To: Cornwall Bridge, CT (1485.5)
Miles today: 14.3

It was a quiet evening at the tent site last night - I had the whole thing to myself. I have noticed the gaps increasing in the thru hiker mini-bubble that formed after the Flip Flop kickoff in late April. Hikers moving at different paces, injuries and illness, rain, zeros- all are creating occasional air bubbles in the pipe. I have not seen another thruhiker for 2 days. Today¢s hike had me thinking a lot about resilience and adaptability. It had both some of the easiest hiking on the entire AT (5 miles of flat path paralleling the Housatonic, shown above), and a steep, rocky, and tricky descent down St John¢s Ledges.A bit of whiplash, to be honest. I am finding that always holding something in reserve is a good strategy to be ready for what is getting thrown at us. Another example of adaptability? Oak galls.I have seen these a lot on the hike, and don¢t recall having seen them before. ¢Oh,¢ I thought, ¢I wonder what kind of fruit this is?¢ Hah. An oak gall is actually a larvae nursery for the gall wasp. According to Wikipedia (the source of all truth), they:are caused by chemicals injected by the larva of certain kinds of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. The adult female wasp lays single eggs in developing leaf buds. The wasp larvae feed on the gall tissue resulting from their secretions, which modify the oak bud into the gall, a structure that protects the developing larvae until they undergo metamorphosis into adults.You will be happy to know that I did not impulsively chow down on one!After today¢s hike, I am now off for 2-12 days to celebrate my mother¢s 90th birthday with my siblings. Ironically, this celebration is in Maine, so once more I am swiftly traversing a distance that it will take me 8 weeks to cover by foot when I return to the trail. We will see who I synch up with when I get back.
Date: 2023-05-25
From: Cornwall Bridge, CT (1485.5)

To: BelterÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs campsite, CT (1496.4)
Miles today: 10.9

I returned to the trail today cleaned, deodorized, fed and rested after my 2 days off for my mother¢s 90th birthday. More importantly, I returned emotionally recharged. Our extended family is unusually close and supportive, and it was wonderful to spend the time with them celebrating my mother (who is a saint, and the only person who didn¢t say ¢You¢re kidding!¢ when I told her about my thruhike). The trail today was primarily a rolling woodland path. Limited views, but the sun played through the trees and the treadway was very manageable. Large banks of fragrant ferns perfumed the air. I have been walking through azalea and rhododendron groves for the past 1500 miles without ever seeing them in bloom. I think we are probably still a couple of weeks away, but I got a peek at some early azaleas. I ran into two LASHers (long ass section hikers) today who are also pitched up at my tent site. Twister is completing her 6 year hike of the AT and Daisy is completing the hike he started last year. We are all planning to head in for breakfast at a local cafe tomorrow before continuing our hikes. The tent site is quite nice, but the privy is a bit breezy!
Date: 2023-05-26
From: BelterÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs campsite, CT (1496.4)

To: Brassie Brook shelter, CT (1512.7)
Miles today: 16.3

700 miles to go!So today I saw both of these signs within about a mile of each other. Both true and accurate reflections of my hike - and both yielding different emotions. I feel great that I¢ve covered 1500 miles so far. This is at least 1400 miles more than any hike I had done to date, and has been filled with wonderful people, experiences, and sights. But 700 miles more gives one pause. That¢s a lot of miles - almost 1.5 MM more steps to go! I am currently clocking about 90-100 miles per week, but with an anticipated slow down in NH and Maine I probably have another 8 weeks to go. I am not concerned or disheartened, just find it fascinating to see how different the emotions are that are triggered by these two converse descriptions of where I am right now on my hike.  Speaking of my hike - today was pretty great. The morning kicked off with a breakfast stop at a farm to table cafe just off the trail that was outstanding, and powered me through the day. This was followed by a particularly lovely section of trail along the Housatonic River that was flat and carefully graded to permit wheelchair access.Lots of songbirds along this stretch, including the Northern and Louisiana water thrushes (first time spotted by my app!). In contrast to yesterday, I was also treated to some beautiful open views, including Great Falls, some meadow views, and this one from Lion¢s Head. I crossed paths with a crew of trail maintainers who were shoring up an eroded section of trail and adding some steps. This maintainer was particularly proud of the retaining wall they had just built. I am at Brassie Brook campsite tonight, which is nicely configured. It is both cool and buggy tonight, so I am wearing the unusual combination of my puffy jacket plus a headnet. This was my last full day in Connecticut, and I move into Massachusetts tomorrow.
Date: 2023-05-27
From: Brassie Brook shelter, CT (1512.7)

To: Great Barrington, MA (1527.2)
Miles today: 14.5

If yesterday was pretty great, today¢s hike was spectacular (if a bit challenging) through the South Taconics. The morning started by scaling Bear Mountain, the highest peak in CT. This little section of the AT in CT may be the only part of the state where one can actually get a ruggged hiking experience, and the climb up was a good wake-up. For some reason, these early morning elevation gains on fresh legs s seem so much less of an effort - almost flowing up the mountain as opposed to the afternoon slogs. Great views at the top. Shortly afterwards I entered Massachusetts, my 11th state. MA has lots of personal associations for me, having lived and worked in Boston and having multiple family members go to school here. It is another short trail state (90 miles), but I am looking forward to Williamstown (where 4 of those family members went to college) and Mt Greylock, made famous in the Harry Potter series as home to Ilvormorny, the NA school of wizardry.I passed through Sage¢s Ravine, a beautiful canyon through an old hemlock forest sliced by Sawmill Brook. So peaceful here - it could entice you to stay forever, listening to the hypnotic sound of the water spilling over the rocks. The next waypoint was Mt Race, which featured a slab rock traverse of the summit with 180 degree views. Best views of the trip north so far, I think - the kind that make you freeze in mid-stride as the scenery opens up around you. And then¢¦Mt Everett. Described in FarOut as a ¢grueling climb¢, it delivered, with a steep enough grade that it required wood steps to be anchored into some of the rock faces. I learned in the south to ¢never look a mountain in the eye¢, eg to focus on the 5 feet in front of you instead of continuously scanning how much farther you have to climb. I just put my head down and ground it out and - before I knew it - was at the top. There I met Man Cub (NOBO), Rick (Flip flopper), and Jem, a ridge runner. Jem was a fount of knowledge about the area, and also provided us with discount passes for upcoming AMC sites (soup and baked goods at the huts). She is a great asset to the trail!After all those climbs, my focus was on descending carefully to Great Barrington. I really rode the brakes all the way down, as the alternative wasn¢t that attractive (another hiker ended up in the ER today after doing a header in this section).All in all, a beautiful introduction to MA. Tonight I am in Great Barrington at a hotel getting resupply and laundry done, ready to launch back out tomorrow.
Date: 2023-05-28
From: Great Barrington, MA (1527.2)

To: South Mt Wilcox shelter, MA (1540.6)
Miles today: 13.4

Today¢s hike was a more tempered experience- fewer grand views, fewer sketchy rock climbs and descents. A reasonable amount of elevation gain, but mostly a green tunnel experience. But Mother Nature compensated with a perfect pair of Pink Lady¢s Slippers, a haze of fuschia in a meadow, and the moss covered base of an old tree. I was dropped off at the trail by Papa Joe, a trail angel in Great Barrington who ferries around hikers on a donation (gas money) basis. He was the first person called by the injured hiker yesterday, and sat with her in the ER while she was awaiting treatment. He¢s full of useful information about both the town and the trail. I¢ve mentioned before that there are people like this up and down the AT who support thruhikers; their generosity of spirit is astonishing. Another trail angel left some hand carved walking sticks (plus water and juice) for hikers on their way out of Great Barrington. I am stopping off tonight at South Wilcox shelter, even though I could probably have made it another 2 miles to North Wilcox shelter. Thought process: it is Memorial Day weekend and North Wilcox is closer to a road. As much as I enjoy spending time with section hikers (who can have a much more nuanced view of the world than blinkered thruhikers), locals partying at shelters is an experience to be avoided if possible. We¢ll see if the gambit works. Follow up note: two other thruhikers came into the campsite and stayed in the shelter. They were subsequently joined by an inquisitive juvenile porcupine that climbed up into the shelter multiple times that night!