morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2022-06-22
From: Bear Mt Bridge mile 1407.9

To: NY 301 mile 1425.7
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

Definitely was a humid night last night with some rain and everything in the tent is slightly damp. Fortunately I get to put on clean clothes this morning. Campground is pretty empty so it¢s nice and quiet although we can hear the Taconic Parkway which is very close.  We got dropped off at the Bear Mountain Bridge to start our day and started a short road walk until we climbed up to the ridge and the intersection to Anthony¢s Nose (which appears to be a popular day hike). The morning trail was quite nice and very different from the Bear Mt / Harriman trails. With the fog and humidity everything was wet and the green of the forest seems to really pop.  Today there was a deli right at the trail as it crossed the road. We stopped and I got a 10¢ ham, egg and cheese hero. I had intended to only eat half but was unable to stop and finished the whole thing for second breakfast. We had one view looking over the valley but it was fairly hazy. We¢re seeing all sorts of rock walls in the forests. Some are just piled up rocks, but others are meticulously built walls with near vertical walls that are still in great shape. There have been a surprising number of them today. I¢d love to get the history of some of these walls. Otherwise there was not much noteworthy today. Terrain has been better than the beginning of NY though. Orchid¢s family walked out to meet us as we approached the pickup point. Her nieces were so excited to see her again and we walked back to the road crossing as a group. Everyone cleaned up and we headed out to dinner at a local Brewery. Food was tasty but the service was very slow. On the way home we stopped for the obligatory ice cream. By the time we got back to camp it was already well after 9 and we were all dragging quite a bit.Steps 31500Weather Forecast: 62/58 light rain (but didn't rain while hiking)Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...
Date: 2022-06-23
From: NY 301 mile 1425.7

To: I84 mile 1439.2
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: fog

Today¢s plan was to slackpack south to make the pickup easier as NY 301 is right near the campground. Therefore we we got dropped off at I84 which is the ¢end¢ point. It¢s also a planned shorter day. The terrain to start the day was pretty nice and we made some good time. We ended up with some good views during the day, including an almost 360 degree view from Shenandoah Mountain. Really seems odd to have the same name as the national park. We stopped at the RPH shelter for lunch were we met Weebles, Cholula and Chum heading the other direction. This shelter is in a fairly residential area and you can get food delivered to the shelter.Orchid¢s family came out to meet us again and it was great to be able to hike with them. The trail was much harder in this section than yesterday but her nieces did really well. After cleaning up, we hung out at the campground and Orchid¢s family cooked dinner on the grill. I got caught up a tiny bit on journalling but not too much. Towards evening we headed out for ice cream again. Pilgrim got a large ice cream cone, but then indicated he would get another one if he finished it before we were done with ours. So we dawdled and he did get a second large cone. Covid¢s neice¢s were very jealous, but those are the perks of thru hiking. One of the benefits of heading south is that you get to see who is around you. Yesterday we saw four thru hikers total (Rabbit, Bloodbeard, Beats, and Crush (was Ang from several days ago). Today we passed 28, in order: EFHutton, Professor, Gumby, Neo, New Shoes, Bloodbeard, Beats, Pegasus, Crush, Dusk, Danial, Oscar, Patrick, Weebles, Cholula, Chum, Outlook, Flash, Pink, Snag, Mainething, McGyver, Biscuit, Bryan, Brent, Forest Lorest, Rob, Cara. Just under half of those were ones we know or we¢ve seen before. Steps 26600Weather Forecast: 69/55 chance rain Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...
Date: 2022-06-24
From: I84 mile 1439.2

To: Wiley Shelter mile 1458.3
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

Today starts a brief split of the trio. All of us are taking a double zero with family but we are doing it on slightly different days. We¢ll be back together Tuesday night if all goes well. We are checking out of the campground this morning so we needed to pack everything up. We¢ll all be slackpacking the first part of the day, but then I¢ll be pushing on to the next shelter while Orchid and Pilgrim head off to family. I¢m using my backpack for the slackpack so packed everything into the waterproof liner.Shortly after we started hiking we passed Cholula and caught up with Weebles and hiked with Weebles for several miles until the next water source. About an hour before we reached Nuclear Lake we started hearing rapid gunshots from a shooting range that continued for several hours. We stopped for a snack at Nuclear Lake and were met by a family of human adapted geese that were right next to us and a snake to top things off.We¢d noticed mosquitos at Fahnestock and some parts of the trail, but today it really seemed like they got a lot worse, especially when stopped to get water. Our lunch stop was cut short by persistent swarms of mosquitos even through we were all mostly covered up.After lunch we passed Dover Oak, which is the largest oak tree on the AT. It¢s surprising close to a road and I would expect that some of the roots go under the road itself. Immediately after we had some nice meadow walks and then some boardwalks through swampy areas. In one of the thick mud places, I planted a pole and it stuck in the mud and pulled apart where the clamp joins the pole. It will work to support the tent but not sure if will stay together while hiking so I switched to carrying it.When we got to NY 22, Orchid and Pilgram headed off for their zero days. I stopped at the food truck for a second lunch. While eating I laid out a bunch of stuff in the sun to dry out. After lunch I stopped at the landscape shop which also sells ice cream and cold drinks to hikers before heading back out on the trail solo. Rather uneventful time up to the shelter. There are only 4 people at the shelter tonight and two are section hikers going south. Not sure were everybody is staying. We also not sure that we saw another NOBO hiker other than Weebles and Cholula all day.Steps 39800Weather Forecast: 80/58 sunny Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...
Date: 2022-06-25
From: Wiley Shelter mile 1458.3

To: CT 341 mile 1471.4
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Doesn¢t seem to mater whether I am by myself or in the tramily, still started out at about 7AM with breakfast and a privy stop. However, was the second to leave camp so that¢s an improvement or maybe just the slower folks were camped with me. A few miles into the day I crossed into CT for the first time. A few miles later we pop back into NY for 2 miles but I think they count the first CT crossing as the official one. I didn¢t have much breakfast food left so I was planning to go into town and have a sandwich at the Bulls Bridge Country Store which advertise a Deli. Unfortunately the Deli was prepackaged sandwiches only and was subpar compared to my expectations.After leaving town I came upon a Boy Scout troop that was just starting their trip and hiked with them briefly until l stopped to get water and celebrate my 600 mile mark. After climbing to the top of the mountain I came across a pair of day hikers and stopped to talk with them fro catch my breath and then followed them chatting or a while. We passed the boy scouts and then I went on my way. I passed a CT ridge runner who was heading south and stopped to chat briefly. I stopped at a nice stream to get water and decided to have a foot soak and lunch to pass the time before the pickup. The day hikers and another thru hiker passed me while I was eating, and the scouts also stopped at the stream while I was there. After the cooling off, the trail ended up going up a long climb in an area that had a lot of Gypsy Moth damage, although there was still a little dappled shade. Looking out over the mountains there are a lot of areas that are completely devoid of leaves. However, at this point it was definitely getting into the mid 80¢s and with the sun and no breeze it felt really bad. Fortunately after the crest of the hill there was a slight breeze.I caught up to the thru hiker, named Pie, with about 2 miles left before the road crossing and we ended up chatting as she ended up cabooseing me to the road crossing. The day hikers were still at the road crossing when we got there and we managed to talk ourselves into a ride to the IGA grocery store in Kent, CT without specifically asking for a ride. I grabbed some dinner and ice cream at the IGA while Pie did a resupply and found a picnic table in the shade to wait for Mrs Duckie. While Pie was checking out a trail volunteer she met the day before was behind her and he offered her a ride back to the trail. The three of us ended up chatting for a while as Pie sorted and prepped her food. Just about the time Pie was finished, Mrs Duckie arrived and we all headed out on our separate ways.I¢m taking a zero on the next two days and then a nero to meet back up with Orchid and PilgrimSteps 34700Weather Forecast: 88/62 sunny Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...
Date: 2022-06-28
From: CT 341 mile 1471.4

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter Mile 1478.4
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

Continued the vacation in the morning then put together all my stuff and headed back to the trail in the afternoon. Relatively long drive to get back to Kent and didn¢t get to the trail until about 5. Short day today so I¢ll still get in before dark. This part of CT looks like it is suffering from gypsy moth caterpillars. Vast areas of the forest are bare of leaves. This leaves many areas significantly more exposed to the sun than one would normally find. Not sure when we will pass out of this area as I¢ve seen comments about the caterpillars at campsites further north.I got several nice views and many partial views through the bare trees. Walked along the Housatonic River again for the last 3 miles today. I didn¢t notice any Mt Laurel blooms, actually not even a Mt Laurel bush, for the first time since day 2. It¢s been a good run for the Mt Laurel and although I hope to spot more blooming, I¢m not hopeful. This shelter has a ton of fireflies. Everywhere you look they are blinking.Steps 18300Weather Forecast: Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...
Date: 2022-06-29
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter Mile 1478.4

To: Belters Campsite Mile 1495.4
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

Bit hard to get going today after sleeping comparatively late while on ¢vacation ¢ and it was also quite chilly. Wasn¢t really hungry for breakfast so only had 2/3 of normal. Got out a little bit later than we wanted with a poorly timed privy stop. Body definitely was having a harder time getting into the groove this morning and felt pretty stiff. Fortunately we had a long flat walk along the Housatonic River before we had to climb.Once we started to climb we entered a region of extensive Spongy Moth (new name for Gypsy Moth) damage. Basically vast areas of the forest are practically defoliated although it looks like some trees are growing back leaves. Apparently they will eat hemlock trees also and we saw a number of them that are probably going to die. Without the shade, the entire day felt really hot despite being in the low 80s. We were sucking down water but all of us were still struggling. We occasionally had a breeze but it was pretty temperamental. The only plus is that there are a number of extra views through the trees. As I write this I hear stuff falling on the tent and surrounding areas, which is probably a mix of poop, leaves, and caterpillars. If you lean on some trees you squish the ones crawling on the trunk. Nothing too exciting about today. The Housatonic River is pretty cool but it¢s also polluted with PCBs so not sure how safe it is to swim in. Bunch of ups and downs today but nothing terrible. We did see some Mt Laurel blooming today although most bushes are done blooming. Applied sunscreen and had the long sleeves down and the hat on all day. Despite that got some sun but hopefully not too bad. Hard to say if splotchy red is sun or still pretty warm. Drank a lot especially as we got to camp so hopefully replenished enough. We saw a bunch of hikers today, including Cool Cucumber (was Bart) from last Monday on his first day. We ended up hiking and chatting for a while with Carjack and Cool Whip. Smooth (who could pass for Pilgrim at a distance) who is part of that group caught up here and there. All three are at the same campsite. Steps 37300Weather Forecast: 83/59Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...
Date: 2022-06-30
From: Belters Campsite Mile 1495.4

To: Riga Shelter mile 1507.1
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up with the plan to head to the Mountainside Cafe for breakfast so without eating we were able to get out a bit earlier than usual. Had some nice French Toast and ham and we lingered over breakfast letting our power bricks charge. We then passed through Falls Village and the Great Falls waterfall on the Housatonic River before climbing up Mt Prospect. Ironically I was just near Lake George which has Prospect Mt. From there we had great views of the three mountains we climb tomorrow: Bear, Race and Everett. Fortunately the Spongy moth was not as bad in this section. Descending the mountain led us into Salsbury CT for lunch and a resupply. We walked into town with 2 other hikers and two more came shortly after that. At one point there were seven hikers and their packs lined up in the shade outside the very bougie market affectionately known as Hiker Trash. It¢s entirely possible I went into the market with a sweat soaked shirt and pants stinking to high Heaven. One of the hikers that joined us was Grits who Pilgrim¢ hiked with for a couple of days over a thousand miles ago. Almost 3 hours after we arrived in town we finally dragged ourselves back to the trail with full bellies and food bags. Naturally we have to climb out of town but we came to a nice stream that was somewhat cold and had a long foot soak. Grits pulled up and we convinced her to join us as well and chatted for a while. Finally dragged ourselves away and started the climb up Bear Mt where our campsite is about halfway up. As we¢re getting settled in for the night we hear a bunch of coyotes howling. Plan is a short day tomorrow with the hills and the heat. Steps 36800Weather Forecast: 81/61 SunnyJen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...
Date: 2022-07-01
From: Riga Shelter mile 1507.1

To: Glen Brook Shelter Mile 1517.2
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

Woke up at 4:55 this morning to catch the sunrise. By the time I got up there was already a nice orange glow in the sky. The sunrise was pretty nice and worth getting up for. Carjack, Coolwhip, Smooth and Cool Cucumber were also watching and we bid farewell to Carjack as her LASH was coming to an end. We were able to get out before 7 but had to stop for water so got out roughly at the normal time. We finished the climb up Bear Mt where we got some good views of the climbs for the rest of the day. The climb really wasn¢t too bad and we had a nice stretch of fully blooming Mt Laurel. Coming down you cross into MA about a half mile down. Continuing down you enter Sages Ravine which is a really beautiful stream through an old growth hemlock forest. We stopped for a long time for a foot soak in the really cold water. It was hard to keep your feet in the water for long but was really refreshing. Climbing down it was still cool and we had a pretty nice cooling breeze. We reached the bottom of the ravine and crossed the stream to start the climb up Mt Race. Immediately we got the sun and the temperature immediately went up by 10-15 degrees. The climb towards the summit of Mt Race wasn¢t too bad but the exposed walk on the ridge was tough in the sun despite the amazing views to the east and north. We were able to see Greylock Mountain (39 miles as the crow flies) which is the first 3000 ft mountain we have since Shenandoah. As we started the decent the temperatures again dropped on the north side of the mountain and we headed down to grab water and cool off in the campsite in the valley before Mt Everett. Mt Everett is the highest peak we¢ve had in a while, but only has a 700 ft climb given the surrounding area. However you do that in about 3/4 of a mile which makes for a steep ascent. Small views but nothing like earlier in the day. Made the decent into camp and am setup in the shelter tonight with threat of TStorms. Hopefully bugs aren¢t too bad. Met a couple Tater Tot and Dirty Girl who were also at the shelter last night. They thru hiked in 2019 and on the spur of the moment decided to do their favorite section again. So they quit their jobs and are hiking from NY to Katahdin. Plan tomorrow is flexible due to scarce water, a long water carry and uncertain water at the place we¢re thinking of stopping. We¢ll see how things look when we get to the shelter. Hopefully some rain overnight will help. Steps 25200Weather Forecast: 90/68 SunnyJen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...
Date: 2022-07-03
From: Memorial Chapel on MA 23 Mile 1533.5

To: Jerusalem Rd Mile 1544.7 
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

Slept good last night despite some mosquito activity as we were falling asleep. One of the downsides of the chapel is that they have not yet figured out the bathroom problem. So it was either walk far away to the woods or driving to the McDonald¢s. So naturally had to take a side trip just as we got started back on the AT in the morning. I then spent much of the morning playing catch-up (like usual).Early on we passed the south Wilcox shelter which is one of the oldest original shelters on the AT. It¢s made out of chestnut logs and built log cabin style. We met a Massachusetts Ridgerunner who gave us a bit of a history lesson and pointed out the areas we¢d been yesterday and where the trail used to go. For the rest of the day we had a couple of views and we passed a few nice ponds, some natural and some beaver ponds. Today was a shorter day as we were aiming for a pick up from friends of Orchid¢s - Lauren and Yvonne. They did an awesome job being trail magicians, surprising us with a delicious chicken pizza, cookies, chips and drinks. They even had a sign for Orchid. The pizza was quickly devoured and then we headed for ice cream. Much thanks for the pick up and all the trail magic.They dropped us of at Orchid¢s sister¢s house to pickup Orchid¢s car. We drove to Orchid¢s house, picking up some snacks and dinner on the way. Spent most of the afternoon doing showers, laundry and just generally relaxing. Orchid¢s sister and her family came over in the evening for dinner and then we headed out for a second round of ice cream afterwards. Overall had a great afternoon and evening socializing with her friends and family but of course did not really get a chance to catch up with things like journaling and social media. Got to bed way too late but can sleep late. Steps 19600Weather Forecast: Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...
Date: 2022-07-04
From: Jerusalem Rd Mile 1544.7 

To: Jerusalem Rd Mile 1544.7 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Spent a while on the plan for next week to determine our resupply needs. Hit the Big Y grocery store, Dollar General and Walgreens to get everything. Spent a little time catching up with social media. Otherwise spent a relaxing day with Orchid¢s family but went to bed really late.Also worked on calorie intact -had ice cream again. That¢s 6 scoops in 2 days ( a months worth pre hike).
Date: 2022-07-05
From: Jerusalem Rd Mile 1544.7 

To: October Mountain Shelter Mile 1561.6
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Got an very early start (following a late night) heading back to the trail. Orchid¢s dad drove us in his Tesla Model 3. First time riding in one and it¢s certainly interesting watching the display showing you what the car sees. Not too much to report about today. We didn¢t get any views and we went past a bunch of ponds but didn¢t really have great views of them from the AT. The largest of them was Upper Goose Pond which has a shelter with a caretaker, and you can get pancakes in the morning. There ended up being a lot of rocky sections that were reminiscent of PA. Fortunately each section wasn¢t too long. We passed through a large section that was full of blowdown¢s. Easily 50 trees had fallen across the trail. A lot of work went into clearing all of them. Walking the trail and seeing the work that is put into the trail gives you a new perspective on just how much volunteering and effort goes on behind the scenes.Despite some sprinkles in the afternoon we made it to the shelter before it really started to rain. The three of us are the only ones here and are dry and snug as a bug in the shelter. Well¢¦ except for the bird that is stuck in the shelter and the mosquito¢s. Terrible cell service, but that means an early night. Plan is stopping at the Cookie Ladies house and then Dalton MA for lunch. Edit: Bird is out, comedy of errors and Pilgrim showed off his geriatric pole dancing skills during the process.Steps 29800Weather Forecast: 78/63 with rain Jen (my awesome video editor) also created a website to consolidate info: https://atwithduckie.wixsite.c...