morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-07
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Graymoor Friary
Miles today: 20.5

Thursday, June 7, 2007, Day 102Hitting the trail is key to get the cool weather. But today it seems to last all day. the morning hike is awesome and I feel great. I take a break 7 miles into the day at the first shelter along the way. I am scared nearly to death by a dead rattlesnake on the ground. If you ever kill a rattler - be sure to cook him up as snake is very good. Not to sound cliche but it tastes like chicken.After several climbs we reach Bear Mountain (I'm assuming it's the same Bear Mountain Bob Dylan sang about years ago.) We decend the mountain and trek through a trailside museum. A zoon that the AT runs through. Like all zoos I've been through I find it depressing.I hit the wall along the next 6 mile stretch. I get myself squared away mentally and push on.Ren. Man, Hasty and myself stay at the Graymoor Friary. A friary that's been taking care of AT hikers for decades. We discover we can order pizza from the pavillion we are staying at and enjoy a delivered meal after a long day. We stay up late, talking to section hikers about our trip and drink much whiskey and beer. Thank you to the monks for the stay. I had a great time.
Date: 2007-06-08
From: Graymoor Friary

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: clear sky

Friday, June 8, 2007, Day 103A pretty boring hike today really. I am feeling the effects of the big days. We (Ren. Man, Hasty and myself) plan to hit a beach at Canopus Lake and go swimming. When we get there, I'm wiped out. I let the other two go down while I continue on to have a relaxing afternoon at the shelter. I get in before 5:00 and take a nap after chatting with Walking Stick and Ancient Mariner. I feel much better.I also discover we can have food delivered to the shelter as it's near a road. Ren. Man and Hasty roll in and we order up 3 large pepperoni pizzas. I have 3 slices saved for breakfast tomorrow.Again, I'm beat and ready for some sleep.
Date: 2007-06-09
From: RPH Shelter

To: NY52
Miles today: 5.1

Saturday, June 9, 2007, Day 104Today was the best. I still can't believe what happened so I'm going to try to do it justice here in the journal.It started out as a normal hike. I was still quite tired from the previous big days we had done. As a pick-me-up I swing into a small convenience store/deli for a coffee and newspaper. I enjoy the morning sun and wait for Ren. Man. Gojo and Hasty. When they arrive we relax on the picnic table and talk about where we'll hike today. I go to the side of the building to fill up on water at a faucet. When I return, Ren. Man is smiling and asks me "Would you like to hike more today or would you like to go to a party?" I glance over to an SUV with a lady witting in the drivers seat. She is Mandy and has invited the three of us to a get together at her house this afternoon. I'm tired and need a rest. "Yes". I answer, "Let's go". Mandy brings us to her beautiful home deep in the woods and we help her set up for the party. We shower at an outdoor shower and get cleaned up before the guests arrive.The party is great, lots of food and beer. Hasty wins the pie eating contest, I come in second. Everyone is interested in who we are! We tell the story of Mandy inviting us to her home and they all say that is very like her. Once again we talk to a lot of people about our trips. There is a water ballon fight during dinner, then in the evening we watch movies from a movie projector shot on the side of her house. Sitting on hay bails, eating popcorn. All day and night we can't believe that we're here. We finish the night around a bon fire roasting marshmellows and making smores! Thank you, thank you, thank you to Mandy! We needed a break from the trail and we had an excuse to take one. This act of trust and kindness will always be remembered. I will carry this day with me all the way to Katahdin.We camp out in her yard and get a great night of sleep. Thank you to all of Mandy's guests for the hospitality.
Date: 2007-06-10
From: NY52

To: Wiley shelter
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Sunday, June 10, 2007, Day 105I wake up a little hungover, but feeling refreshed. Mandy and her friends have a huge breakfast going for everyone from the party that spent the night. We all eat on a large table on her deck and talk. Eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes. It's all delicious. Her friend Tom gives us food for our hike. Good luck to Tom on his kayaking trip to Belize and thanks for the food. We say our goodbyes to our new friends and repeatedly thank Mandy for the evening. A guest at the party, Rick, shuttles us back to the trail and we're back in the woods. Thanks to Rick for the lift. We hike all day and it's pretty uneventful. I see two Canadian geese with five small goslings and later two beautiful ducks. We put in 20 miles and call it a day. Just before the shelter we find a cooler full of food and cold water. How great are New Yorkers being to me? Mack and Cheese - thank you so much for the trail magic just before the Wiley shelter. After a quick dinner it's off to bed early after a great couple of days. 130 miler to Vermont. 1.2 miles to the Connecticut border. New England, here I come!
Date: 2007-06-11
From: Wiley shelter

To: Mt. Algo Lean to
Miles today: 12.4

Monday, June 11, 2007, Day 106The spot where we camped last night gave me the creeps and I was glad to be out of there in the morning. Pretty average hike, nothing spectacular, but a nice part of the world.Hasty, Ren Man and myself have a short 12 mile day to do then empty our packs at Mt. Algo Lean to and hike 0.8 miles to Kent, Connecticut. We bring dinner and beers back to the shelter. It's the 2/3 mark of the trip and we decide we need to celebrate. When we're in town I go to an outfitter and buy new boots. The old boots made it 1,451 miles but died a week or so ago. I could probably get 150 more miles out of them, but the outfitter had the boots I wanted. They're over a pound lighter a boot than the ones I've worn til here.We buy a mini-keg of Heineken, a bottle of Chardonnay and a pint of Jack Daniels. We pack all of it back to the shelter to find Eleven and Orange there and the party begins. I'm a little worried to find out Orange is a recovering alcoholic. Sober 18 years. He doens't mind us drinking. But I can't help but feel bad as the four of us drink late into the night. Off to bed, knowing we're sleeping in and going back into Kent tomorrow. Then a short hike in the afternoon out of town.
Date: 2007-06-12
From: Mt. Algo Lean to

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean to
Miles today: 7.0

Tuesday, June 12, 2007, Day 107The hangover was predictable. I feel ok actually, but a little groggy. We pack up and head into town. We meet up with Many Names and Bisquits, who got into Kent last night and have a huge breakfast.We resupply and hit a laundromat in town to get the clothes clean again. After we wash our things and are packing up to leave a woman has some choice words about our presence there. I all but tell her to go to hell, as she's just being mean for the sake of being mean. This hadn't happened until today on the trip. Your appearance let's people presume things about you, and this woman presumed things that weren't true. To hell with her. It put me in a bad mood for the rest of the day.We have a late lunch and get back on the trail none too soon. We hike a ridge through lots of thunder and lightning, but thankfully no rain.I take a quick swim in the Housatanic River near the shelter and I feel worthy of wearing my clean clothes.A day and a half to Massachusetts. Each day that passes now is like a countdown to Katahdin, which is exciting as far as completing the trip, but it will be the end of the best vacation ever. I love the AT.
Date: 2007-06-13
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean to

To: Limestone Springs Lean to
Miles today: 22.3

Wedneday, June 13, 2007, Day 108We've camped about four miles away from the road to Salisbury, CT. Tomorrow we'll grab a quick meal in town and resupply for the next leg of the trip. I love going into town!Today's hike was pretty average. Typical northeast forest. I spooked a turkey and about 12 chicks this afternoon. My camera batteries died as I tried to get a picture.Tonight I discovered my MP3 player has also died. Oh well. This was my second one to bite the dust on the trip. I miss music just thinking about it. I said I wouldn't buy another one, but I might when I'm home. Tomorrow I'll be in Massachusetts which will be great. The profile map shows that I'll also be climbing mountains again tomorrow. Bring it on.
Date: 2007-06-14
From: Limestone Springs Lean to

To: Hemlocks Lean to
Miles today: 17.5

Thursday, June 14, 2007, Day 109Limestone springs shelter was awful. Not only was it 0.5 off the trail, it was bug infested. The hike to the AT was dreaded, but once back on we cruised a quick 4 miles to Salisbury.I had a double cappucino and relaxed all morning. Did a quick resupply then hit the trail by noon.Three peaks today - Bear Mt., race Mt., and Mt. Everett. My stomach was bothering me in the afternoon so I skipped lunch. It settled but I ran out of juice during the final climb on Everett. Got to the top and ate. Not only was runnng out of energy the problem, but I haven't done climbs like this in ages. These are the signs of things to come and will get me mentally set for the White Mountains of New Hampshire.Got to the shelter a bit late and totally exhausted. Chatted with Ridge Runner (an employee of the AMC who patrols sections of the AT) about his job, ate and passed out. Psyched to be in Mass and out of Connecticut. Every day is closer to my next break of 4 zeros! After that the epic run to Katahdin begins.Forgot to mention I met Leader of the Pack and Gus yesterday.
Date: 2007-06-15
From: Hemlocks Lean to

To: Tom Leonard Lean to
Miles today: 14.4

Friday, June 15, 2007, Day 110Today was awful. I woke up not geeling well. As the day went on I developed a fever. The mosquitos are especially bad throughout the day to make matters worse.Ren Man has discovered a tick on Gojo with an odd rash around it. They are off the trail early to see a vet. Hasty and I only go 14 miles and call it a day. He is bushed and I have a fever and the flu.I eat and go straight to bed. I hope I feel better tomorrow. This is bad.
Date: 2007-06-16
From: Tom Leonard Lean to

To: zero day at Tom Leonard Lean to
Miles today: 0.0

Saturday, June 16, 2007. Day 111I wake up worse than before. I'm dizzy and not going anywhere. I spend the whole day in my tent. Hot, humid and a bad fever. I choke back more Ibuprofen and pray.Around six oclock I start to turn a corner a bit. I get up, eat and start to come around a a little.Just as I'm about to turn in, The Brain and Diablo roll into the shelter! I haven't seen either of them in a month.
Date: 2007-06-17
From: zero day at Tom Leonard Lean to

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: few clouds

Sunday, June 17, 2007, Day 112Back on the trail with my old friends. I did not sleep well again last night, but I have to hike today. Once going, I start to feel better. I take it slow. But the flu seems to have passed. I end up getting to my destination. Upper Goose Pond Cabin.The cabin in gorgeous and is complete with soft mattresses. I finally feel like I can sleep well and know I'm getting a pancake breakfast with coffee from the caretaker tomorrow morning.At the cabin, Bisquits, Many Names, Hornblower, The Professor, Scoops, Walking Stick, Ancient Mariner, Diablo and The Brain.
Date: 2007-06-18
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, Massachusetts
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

Monday, June 18, 2007, Day 113Blueberry pancakes for breakfast and everyone heads out on their way to Dalton, Massachusetts. Feeling better today and ready to tackle another 20. The day zips by and is fairly uneventful with the exception of the terrible water I had to drink. I reup'd at the Cookie Lady's house only to be disappointed with sulfur tasting water.In Dalton we stay at Rob Bird's place (the Birdcage). Rob is very accommodating. We get showers and hit a buffet in Pittsfield. I'm able to watch the Sox, but they lose to Atlanta. Many beers later, I fall asleep exhausted.
Date: 2007-06-24
From: zero days in Portsmouth, NH

To: Mark Noepal Lean to
Miles today: 13.7

Sunday, June 24, 2007, Day 119Back on the trail with my brother, Ben. We get to Dalton and park his truck at Rob Bird's house. On the trail by 1:00 pm.We hike a full afternoon and get in at twilight. I meet Chips and Hellbender and see Patrick again. Later I would see Leader of the Pack again.Greylock tomorrow, Vermont the next day. I'll slow up a bit hiking with Ben and get ready for the big push afterwards.
Date: 2007-06-25
From: Mark Noepal Lean to

To: Sherman Brook Campsite
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

Monday, June 25, 2007, Day 120We sleep in a bit knowing we're not gong too far. Hit Greylock around 11:00 am and had an early lunch. We evaluate the mileage till Ben's shuttle arrives Thursday afternoon. The new itinerary makes sense and gives us some options.Not much excitement. Ben talked me out of hitchhiking into town for food and beverages. I'm glad I didn't as it was nice to lounge around camp late afternoon. Vermont tomorrow .....AND MY BIRTHDAY!
Date: 2007-06-26
From: Sherman Brook Campsite

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Tuesday, June 26, 2007, Day 121When we wake up, it's obvious Ben's in no shape to hike. He was fighting off a stomach flu yesterday and was very tired. We talk about it and decide getting him off the trail is the right choice. No use hiking big mountains sick.I call Rob Bird back in Dalton to see if he can help. "I'll be there in 45 minutes" he says. Ben and I hike back down to Rt. 2 for the pick up. Rob shows up and takes Ben back to Dalton where his truck is.Did I mention today is my birthday?! Ben feels bad about everything bur really I'm just glad he was able to get off the trail when he needed to.So I hike back up the hill. It was kinda neat hiking southbound back to Rt. 2. I hadn't really gone south on the AT much.It's hot and there are mountains to climb. I cross into Vermont (the 12th state). This gives me a boost and I feel like I could do exra miles. I stop though at the place Ben and I were going to stay tonight. It's my birthday and I'm alone. This suits me just fine, it's peaceful.Thank you to Ben for carting my ass all over New England for this trip. I wish things had gone better. Thank you to Rob Bird for picking up Ben and 100's of other things he's done.Thank God the birthday's out of the way. Back to work tomorrow.
Date: 2007-06-27
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: few clouds

Wednesday, June 27, 2007, Day 122Off early ready to do big miles. Beautiful morning. I saw a bear cub scamper through the woods across the trail at 7:30am. It pays to get an early start, I consider the bear cub a belated birthday present.I meet up with the Iron Chefs - Broadway, Stroder and Shaggy. Guys I had heard about, but not run into. They are hiking with Hellbender, Chips and Patrick. I bump into them throughout the day.Determined to do the 23 today I quickly summit Glastonbury Mountain and roll off the backside. A ridge separates me from my destination. About 5 miles plus I'm ahead of schedule. As I ascend the ridge, the thunder starts up behind me. By the time I summit the ridge line, it's a downpour and there is lightning everywhere. I run the mile across the top. It doesn't let up. As I roll into the shelter it's only a drizzle.I hang out with some sectioners staying dry at the lean to. Eventually the 6 thru hikers hit camp and we have a nice evening as it clears up in the skies.On to Manchester Center tomorrow - 21 miles. A hotel is in order and a resupply. Did I mention the black flies? Just how I remembered them.
Date: 2007-06-28
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: VT 11/30 Manchester Center
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: broken clouds

Thursday, June 28, 2007, Day 123I'm up before anyone and pack up and head out. I see Hellbender get out of her tent and tell her to tell everyone else I'll be in Manchester Center probably at Sutton's Place.The day goes by quickly. I climb Stratton Mountain and run the ridge north. I want to get to Manchester Center in time to gram my box at the Post Office. It closes at 4:30. I get to VT 11/30 at 3:30, plenty of time. As I put my thumb out to hitch into town, Patrick and Shaggy come out of the woods. They did 8 miles in 2 hours (running) and caught up with me. As they get ready to cross the street my thumb still out, a red pickup pulls over and we're into town like that. I get my box at 4:25, 5 minutes before they close.Sutton's we find has no vacancy. We call a cab to get to another place - The Avalanche Motel. Teh cab driver is a talkative French Canadian with a ridiculuous accent. He was very entertaining.The Avalanche was perfect. We split two rooms between 7 of us. There is also a bar there.No Red Sox game, but the NBA draft was on. Shaggy, Broadway and Strider (The Iron Chefs) are all big NBA fans. The Celtics, as always under Danny Ainge's control, did something odd and traded for Ray Allen. We'll see. Many drinks and laughs lead to soft beds and late night TV. I love hotels.
Date: 2007-06-29
From: VT 11/30 Manchester Center

To: Zero day in Manchester Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Friday, June 29, 2007, Day 124All 7 of us go to breakfast and the talk of a zero day ensues. Before I know it I'm caving into the idea and we're walking back to the motel to inform Kyle, the owner, we're staying another night. We celebrate by going swimming in the hotel pool. We even make some headwat in teaching Chips to swim.We go into townm, eat McDonalds, do laundry, resupply, etc. Walking down the other side of the street, I see Hike (now Cotton Top) and Caterpillar. I haven't seen them since Central Virginia, a month and a half ago. They are going back on the trail today, but we catch up for a while and know I'll catch up to them in a couple of days.I get to watch the Red Sox win a 2-1 game against Texas. They we go back to the hotel bar and live it up again. Patrick and I order many shots for the crew and we have a blast...till about 2 in the morning. I fall asleep to Eddie Murphy's "RAW" with Chips and Patrick passed out from the long night.
Date: 2007-06-30
From: Zero day in Manchester Center

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Saturday, June 30, 2007, Day 125Everyone is a little hungover so it's late out of bed. We stumble over to the diner down the street and have one lat meal in town. It's an easy hitch back to the trail and I'm back in the woods.For some reason hiking hungover made the miles fly by. I was up and over Bromley, Styles and Peru peaks in no time and down into camp.The shelter isn't a shelter -It burnt down last year. No big deal because we all tent now to avoid the bugs. However, it pours, it's raining very hard. It wasn't in the forecast. I'm trying to read Henry David Thoreau's "The Maine Woods", but the rain on the tent is too loud. Going to sleep.
Date: 2007-07-01
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Sunday, July 1, 2007, Day 126Everyone is slow out of bed again. The night of rain has made it hard to motivate. I leave camp first and bump into 3 people I've heard about but never met. Pinky, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I know stories about all 3 but here they are slack packing sounth towards me having never seem them in over 4 months.The rest of the morning drags. Shaggy catches up to me at White Cliffs and we have lunch. Shaggy says he wants to do 3 miles an hour all the way to the shelter (10 miles away). I'm game, and w're there before I know. it.I meet another British hiker - Pack Horse. He had hiked with The Iron Chefs months ago and caught up today. Everyone is talking of going into Rutland tomorrow, but I may keep going. We'll see...
Date: 2007-07-02
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Tucker Johnson Shelter
Miles today: 17.4

Monday, July 2, 2007, Day 127I was last up today (I keep sleeping in) but able to catch up to everyone by the summit of Killington. The morning was all trail magic. Two seperate coolers of soda. One left by Mountain Knome and Outhouse Repairman, and one by the Mad Hatter. Thank you to everyone for the morning caffiene. It surely helped the climb.The Chefs, Chips, Patrick and Hellbender are all going into Rutland, VT to resupply and stay at the Twelve Tribes hostel. I have enough food to get me to Hanover, NH and think the Twelve Tribes Organization is a cult. I don't want to make a big deal about it but that's what it is. They have an AT hostel and that's great, but not for me. So I'm alone in the woods for the first time in two months - (Shenandoah's). It's nice. Everyone will catch up with me tomorrow night.I'm at a shelter on the Long Trail, off the AT. A half mile back is the Maine Junction, where the At turns off The Long Trail and marches to New Hampshire and then Maine. 487 miles left. It will be tough, but I'l still shooting for that 31st - 1st summit of Katahdin.
Date: 2007-07-03
From: Tucker Johnson Shelter

To: Winturri Shelter
Miles today: 18.9

Tueday, July 3, 2007, day 128Wake up and I['m off. Psyched for a big day. Then the mountains start. I'm exhausted after the first one, Mt. Quimby.It's a whole day of ups and downs. I feel good as I hit the shelter, but not sure I can do consecutive 20's like I could in flatter sections. I hang out with a father and 2 sons and s sectioners at the shelter and talk about the hike. Early to bed as I will try to do another 20 tomorrow to put me within 6 miles of New Hampshire and Hanover.
Date: 2007-07-04
From: Winturri Shelter

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday, July 4, 2007, Day 129Today was harder than yesterday. It was quiet on the trail and I was glad as I suffered through all 7 major climbs today. Vermont chewed me up as I hike the mountains against the grain. I made it to where I wanted to be - Happy Hill Shelter. And I am happy, now. The last 5 miles here, it poured. Threatening with clouds all day I thought it might. It did and I got soaked. I was worried it would be a full shelter. But no. It's a cozy stone cabin and I'm alone in it. It continues to pour outside and I pray it's over tonight. Tomorrow I'll be in Hanover, NH and want a nice day.But it's good bye Vermont, hello New Hampshire raine or shine. State # 13 and 1 step closer to home.
Date: 2007-07-05
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: broken clouds

Thursday, July 5, 2007, Day 130I wake up to the rain at 5:30 am. This sucks. I want to get to town - eat, find a place to take a shower. But don't want to walk in the rain. So I sleep. I listen to the rain hit the roof of the shelter. Then I see blue skies, the rain stops. I'm off. Packed in no time.Quick hike out of the woods into Norwich, VT - across the Connecticut River into New Hampshire - Hanover/Dartmouth College. I eat, relax, make phone calls from the campus quad. I try to call a local hostel for a shuttle with no luck. Just as I give up and hike outa town, I see the Cheffs and Crew walk into town. We all talk about the past couple of days and grab a bus to a motel out of town. The Sunset Motor Inn.Broadway's gilrfriend shows up and surprises him with a visit from D>C> Everyone has known about this visit for weeks and managed to keep it a secret. The Chefs are zeroing tomorrow for sure now.