morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-06-04
From: Campsite at mile 1250.1

To: Campsite at mile 1258.9
Miles today: 8.8

Short day.  I had to stop short or go way too far.  The next section is waterless and through a superfund site.  Took my time leaving camp because I knew I had tons of time. It was downright cold this morning.  I had on my base layer bottoms and my puffy for breakfast.Very pretty view at Bake Oven Knob.  Just after that, at the shelter with the same name, I met a mother daughter pair (Madre and Enough).  They started just 4 days ago.  They wanted to go SOBO but Katahdin is still closed so they live close by and decide to hike a bit in PA as they waited.Stopped at the George W. Outerbridge shelter for lunch and met a little slip of a hiker named FlyBy.  Then continued on looking for some tenting sites nearby.  There was supposedly no water for quite a ways (20 miles) so I loaded up 3.5l (which is heavy!).  Shortly after I met the ridge runner (Smat).he told me of an ¢unknown spring¢ at a campsite just a short ways down the trail.  That ended up being where I camped.  The spring was terrific and close to camp.He also told me of an incident that happened at the next shelters coming up (where I had planned to stay). The short story is that a food bag was stolen at the Kirkridge shelter.  There were 2 odd hikers ( one in blue Jean cargo pants and cowboy boots, the other carrying a lot of zip ties) that were suspected.  I had been warned of this in an text from Swiss Opa. Anyway, I should be careful around these 2.Otherwise, I met Fargo ( ex-navy guy and welder) at the campsite. Nice guy.Spent the rest of the day working on a blog post.
Date: 2019-06-05
From: Campsite at mile 1258.9

To: Campsite at mile 1277.8
Miles today: 18.9

started hiking at 6:40am because I knew it would be a long day.  First it was a steep decent down to PA248 then up up up a very challenging climb to The superfund site.  This was a true scramble and I had to take my pack off once and scoot it up the rocks because I was concerned that climbing with it would destabilize my balance.  The view from the top was unbelievable.  Almost 360 degrees and looking over the Lehigh River.The walk along the ridge had views for a long ways.  The site was an old zinc mine that is being ecologically restored. It actually did not look bad at all.  I was really tempted to pick some nettles (the first I¢ve seen on the trail) but I don¢t know if they bioaccumulate zinc... and I didn¢t take the chance.I walked at a slower pace today to save my feet for the long haul.  Johnny Walker and Muffet cached some water at a road crossing ( they were slack-packing this section).  That was super helpful. They also told me of another water cache at Smith Gap.  So water was not an issue in this dry stretch.  Just before that gap, I passed the 2 sketchy hikers going SOBO.  I was only about 4 miles from the Leroy shelter and I made the decision to go farther.Just before seeing these guys I had met Sir Stops A Lot.  Another retiree that was section hiking. We had discussed the incident.  He knew the guy who had his food bag stolen ( including his white or kitchen).  He also was leary if staying at the next shelter. Once I saw the characters, I thought I¢d leave him a cryptic note in the shelter log.  When I got to the shelter, there was no log so I had no way of contacting him.When I did get to that shelter I saw 3 deer. They were just foraging.  They seemed not to care about me at all.  I went down to the spring to get water and while I was there a black-and-White warbler landed just a foot from me followed by a red-eyed vireo.  It was like the creatures of the woulda were showing me that all was well.On my way out of the shelter area, I saw two more very peaceful deer.I finally arrive at a great campsite with a great view.  When I got there I had multiple texts and a voicemail fromJohnny Walker and Muffet because they had seen those 2 guys as well .  I called nd reassured them I was fine.  I did hide my food bag that night just in case.
Date: 2019-06-06
From: Campsite at mile 1277.8

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 17.6

Lots and lots of rocks today.  I¢m officially sick of the rocks.  My feet are really tired and sore form rocks rocks rocks!Got to Kirkridge shelter by noon.  Met Peach and his dad Gopher there.  They gave me more info on the ¢incident¢.  I guess the food bag theft happened here.  Then at the Leroy Smith shelter, a thru hiker pulled a gun on the 2 suspects.  The thru hiker ended up being arrested by the police.  I guess there were lots of police officers including a helicopter on the job!  (Update:  no one was charged with anything ultimately).After they left I had lunch and Smat ( the ridge runner) showed up.  He hiked with me the rest of the way out to DWG.  I found out that ridge runners pick up trash ( which is why the trail really is spotless), they clip branches the grow into the trail, they inform other trail crews if there are trees across the trail, and they talk to hikers both to teach and as ambassadors for the trail.  My hike with Smat made the rest of the day go quickly!  I got to DWG a day early and went to stay with my old college roommate Kathrine.
Date: 2019-06-08
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Campsite at 1310.3
Miles today: 14.9

Katherine made me a fab breakfast of eggs, cantaloupe and bagels with cream cheese.  Then she dropped me off in DWG.  I immediately crossed the bridge over the Delaware and entered NJ!  2 states done! At Sunfish pond I saw a small northern water snake with a green frog in its mouth.  A larger snake tried to pull the frog from the small snake.  The poor frog was chirping away.  The small snake successfully retained the frog bit the big snake was still hanging around when I left.Sunfish pons is a pretty glacial lake.  There were lots of bull frogs calling.After that I climbed up to Kitatinny Mountain.  Gorgeous view from up there! NJ is looking a lot better than PA!  All along the ridge after that I saw nice views.At Rattlesnake spring I filled up with 3.5l of water as I knew I would be dry camping.  I met a troop of Girl Scouts there.  It was their first backpacking trip so they were excited. They told me about some trail magic set up just about 1/2 mile away.  Sure enough, when I got to the parking lot for the trailhead I found Monkey Head with beer, soda, water, watermelon and bananas!  I had a beer and lots of watermelon while we chatted.  Took a banana to go.Got to my campsite on the ridge about 5pm.  Tried hard to do a good job of hanging my bear bag because the word is that there are lots of bears in NJ!
Date: 2019-06-09
From: Campsite at 1310.3

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

No bears got my food bag last night ... yay!  Slept great.  Lots of interesting wildlife today:  a dead Luna moth (they only live one day), a small snapping turtle right in the path, and an ovenbird nest!Met some more hikers today: Mountain Calf (NOBO fromGA and moving fast), Karl ( flip flopper from HF started 5/10...seems like I should see him again, I believe he¢a From Lithuania), Chewgatch (fromAK, flip flopping from Front Royal, and a complete boor).Went to the Mountain House Tavern for a veggie burger and sweet potato fries and beer. It was really hard to hike 3 additional miles with all that food in my belly!Passed 300 miles!
Date: 2019-06-10
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: High Point Headquarters
Miles today: 11.3

So last night Ricochet showed up about 8:45pm and woke me up.  I had passed him during the day yesterday.  He is a nice guy who is hard of hearing so sometimes he seems like he¢s ignoring you.  He¢s from TN.  Hiked 180 days last year and only got to Damascus because he takes all the blue blaze trail and fishes in all the lakes and streams.I did not sleep great so got up and on the trail by 6:30 am so I could get miles in before the rain.  It started dripping a little about an hour before I got to High Point Park Headquarters.  As I was eating lunch and enjoying my free soda, I met Sleeves and Pirate.  We were discussing our options.  I could walk 2 miles or 7 miles to shelters.  I was pretty sure my feet were not up to the longer distance.  Then I thought why would I get soaking wet for 2 lousy miles when I could stay in a hostel.  So I gave Mosey¢s a call and there was one bunk left.  She could pick me up at 3:30pm.  It was 1:30.  So I decided to sit back and relax.She showed at 2:30 and said some friends of mine were there.  It was Johnny Walker, Muffet and Papa John!  Mosey was great.  She had us shower, do laundry and took us to resupply all for $30.  Ricochet was also there.  And I met Tennessee who had been there a few days waiting for his girlfriend.I¢m ready for the next 5 days after that!
Date: 2019-06-11
From: High Point Headquarters

To: Pochuck Mtn shelter
Miles today: 14.1

Mosey made a great breakfast os eggs and home fries and coffee.  She had 2 shuttles to run so I didn¢t get in the trail until 9 am.It was a varied day.  First stop was the High Point monument.  I left my pack at the bottom of the blue blaze trail and headed up.  It was so windy up there I could barely stand up!  Great views though.Went through some hay fields and along some ponds.  Beautiful countryside.  The trail shorted the Wallkill wildlife preserve.  I talked to the ranger there.  The area is managed for waterfowl.  There is currently a sand hill crane on a nest.  A first for this preserve.I travelled along 1000¢s of feet of boardwalk today.  Unbelievable how much work goes int this trail!The wind kept up all day so the air was cool...a picture perfect hiking day!I stopped at Horlers store in Unionville to resupply snacks. While there I got a huge egg salad sandwich with pepper jack cheese, lettuce and tomato on an onion took... yum!I had to get water about 1/2 mile before the shelter.  That and a full resupply (29# at Mosey¢s) and that last bit of trail was a killer!
Date: 2019-06-13
From: Wawayanda shelter

To: Campsite at mile 1379.8
Miles today: 16.1

It was a full shelter last night.  Me, Bella ( from Uruguay), salamander ( a grumpy pharmacist), cricket ( her side kick from IN), grumper (a really nice older gentleman, and G Ma ( a young guy from Germany).  GMa and I have been sort of hiking together for the last day.  He started in GA with a friend who recently quit the trail.  He let his friend take the tent back with him because it was heavy.  So he has to stay at shelters.  He reminds me of our work-away guy Sven.When I woke at 4am it was not raining! So I checked the forecast and it was supposed to start at 5:30.  So I got up at 4:30 , made breakfast and packed up before the crowd started moving around and I could still cook breakfast out of the rain outside.I was on the trail at 6 am and shortly after that it started raining.  I started with just my umbrella up.  Eventually I was getting pretty wet and it was cold so I put my rain coat on and put the umbrella away.  By then I was already wet under the raincoat and my skirt got soaked. I was literally running down the trail trying to warm up.  My feet were soaked of course because the rain flooded the trail. I was hoping to get to the Bellvale creamery ( a trail legend) where I could maybe get warm.  That was 10 long miles away!  I just got wetter and wetter.  I was hiking either in water or over very challenging slippery rocks.  I should have had gorgeous views... but alas...I got to the creamery at 11:15.  They opened at noon.  The rain had stopped. I put in a dry shirt and my puffy coat.  Laid out all my wet stuff to dry in the sun!  And made a cup of hot miso soup and a wrap ( peanut butter and trail mix).  I was warmed up when the creamery opened so I got 2 scoops of super homemade ice cream in a homemade waffle cone!  Delicious!I stayed there about 2 hours drying everything out.  My shoes were the only wet thing when I left.The trail continued over more rocks... but at least they were dry now.I ran into Sleeves at Fitzgerald falls.  We both filled up with water and continued to a stealth campsite.  A short while Salamander and Cricket showed up.  Salamander went off by herself.  Cricket was a little more sociable.
Date: 2019-06-14
From: Campsite at mile 1379.8

To: William Brien Shelter
Miles today: 15.6

Started at 7 am. Lots of ups and downs today.  The ups were steep and rocky so there was lots of scrambling.It was a magical day in the woods ( when it wasn¢t rocky).  There was lots of open forests with carpets of sedge, ferns.  Some areas were mountain laurel forest in full bloom.  We also got to experience the lemon squeezer.  A rock gap that got narrower as you traversed it.  Some people have to take their packs off to get through.  I did not!There was another vertical wall that you were supposed to go up.  There was a sign for the ¢easy way¢ around it.  I looked at the climb and decide on the very challenging easy way...The shelter here is a CCC construction of all stone with a boulder as the back wall.I met another flip flopper from HF, hotdog.  He is the guy who had his food bag stolen back at Kirkridge. Nice older guy.... lots of us older folks out here.
Date: 2019-06-15
From: William Brien Shelter

To: Graymoor spiritual life center
Miles today: 16.6

Woke to aWhippoorwill that was so close that I could here the ¢chuck¢ before the call.  I knew it would be a long day so I got up early and was on the trail by 6:30am.Lots of views today, including the NYC skyline.  Also lots and lots of stone steps...1000¢s of them!  My phone says I walked 282 flights of stairs!I went over Bear Mtn and then through the zoo.  It was a sad little place. The interpretive signs along the trail were well done but the caged animals were in very small quarters and did not seem happy.Walked over the Bear Mtn bridge over the Hudson River.  That was amazing.  In the woods the Mountain laurel is still spectacular.Eventually made it to the Appalachian marketplace... a deli and small supermarket.  I got an eggplant wrap that was delicious! Did my resupply and the. Got some fruit salad and hard boiled eggs to pick out for dinner.  It was only another mile to the campsite.I made myself a rain kilt out of the piece of tyvek I had.  It¢s supposed to rain tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-16
From: Graymoor spiritual life center

To: Clarence Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 13.8

It rained overnight so I packed up a wet tent.  Luckily we had the pavilion to use for breakfast. I left early to try to beat the forecasted rain.The rain overnight made for a wet trail.  Hiked for awhile with Papa John talking about the history of the area.  There are lots of stone walls.  Mostly these were built to get the stones out of the fields.  We came to a stone foundation that was where George Washington had kept horses that were used to make a vaccine for smallpox.  It was very interesting.We also trekked over an old mining ¢road¢. It was probably more like a cart path.  It was pretty elaborate with stone wallsHolding the roadbed up so that it had a gradual change in elevation.  I think the mines were all iron mines used to make stuff for both the revolutionary war and the civil war.Very interesting day on the trail!I got to try out my new rain kilt for the last hour or so and it worked great.  My skirt stayed dry!When we got to the park, we made the mistake of setting up the tents in the beach.  We did go up to the concession stand and had veggie burgers, fries and orange juice.  The veggie burgers were fantastic ... with real vegetables in them!  I also had an ice cream sandwich.When we got back to the tents, we were told we had to maybe them to another location ( which was like 0.25 miles away!) At least it was a nice grassy spot.  It started raining as soon as I got in my tent.
Date: 2019-06-17
From: Clarence Fahnestock State Park

To: Morgan Stewart shelter 
Miles today: 16.0

Well Johnny Walker, Muffet and I started out following Papa John on a ¢connector trail¢ to the AT.  After about 0.5 miles we turned back because we were certain we were missing a big chunk.  That detour meant we started about 1/2 hour later than we wanted to.   First we climbed Shenandoah Mtn.   There is a painted flag on the track up there commemorating 9/11.Then we stopped at the RPH shelter for a snack.  This shelter is a brick building where one wall has been removed.  There are bunks and a nice little porch. There¢s also hiker feet sticking down from the ceiling!After a lot of ups and downs (239 floors worth!) we made it to the Stormville deli.  I laid my tent a quilt out in the sun ( the tent got a lot of condensation last night due to being on wet grass.  So my quilt got pretty damp.Then I bought a fabulous eggplant sandwich on a giant onion roll.  Had Doritos and a Bali Sri k to go along.  And of course finished that up with an ice cream sandwich!Much of the trail was easy walking today.  In some places the rocks had been removed from the trail. Quite a change from PA!We did pass through an area that had a tornado last year.  There were hundreds of large oak trees that had been uprooted or snapped off.  The trail has been rerouted through the tangle of trees.Muffet showed me an app called ¢peak finder¢ which labels all the peaks on the horizon. I can¢t wait to play with that!
Date: 2019-06-18
From: Morgan Stewart shelter 

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

Left the shelter at 6:20 am and it started raining within an hour.  It rained all day. Johnny Walker, Muffet, Papa John and I all got super soaked.  My kilt worked great for the first 2 hours and then wet through.  On rainy days I guess I¢m just going to get wet!Got to the Wingdale Garden Center  at 11:15 and hung out in their gazebo for an hour to get out of the rain.  I could have taken a shower there but it seemed pointless.We pushed on to the shelter, arriving about 2:45pm.  We saw some spectacularly big oaks today!  That was the real highlight.
Date: 2019-06-19
From: Wiley shelter

To: Dawn Hill Rd
Miles today: 22.3

Left camp at 5:55 because I knew it would be a long day.First thing that happened is I entered CT!  Another state done!Went over the Ten Mile River bridge right where that river meets the Housatonic. Got to CT3341/Kent by 11:40.  That was a fast 12.5 miles!  I took a lunch break there.After lunch there were some nice views at Caleb¢s peak and St. John¢s Ledges.  It was a super steep climb down from there.The walk along the Housatonic was spectacular.My feet really started to hurt after about 18 miles.  I had to stop multiple times in the last 4 miles but I did eventually make it to my friend Beth¢s.Took a shower, did laundry had a great meal with Beth and Ginni.  And then crashed!
Date: 2019-06-20
To: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

My legs felt like lead after yesterday¢s long hike.  I was glad to have a short day.Before I started, Beth drove me to the store so I could resupply my snacks.  I was not sure I had enough calories in my food bag to get me to my meeting with Jim tomorrow!  Can¢t wait for my surprise visit home!Misty but no rain in the morning.  Got to the shelter by noon.  I took it slow.  Lots of rocks and another lemon squeezer today.Lots of red efts in the trail today. I also found a great sulfur shelf that I left for JW, M and PJ to see. I texted them the picture and location.Staying in the shelter with Diamond Blue (a 70 year old hiker finishing his thru hike from last year) and DaveNitup.
Date: 2019-06-21
From: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter

To: Water St Parking, Falls Village, CT
Miles today: 8.0

There was a fourth hiker in the shelter when I woke up this morning.  I never heard him come in and I left before he got up.I was on trail by 6:05 because I had to hike 8 miles before 10 am. It rained the whole way and I got soaked again.I did almost step on a mama turkey with 5 chicks!  She did not seemed phased by my at all.I had a ¢sort of view ¢ at Belter¢s Bump.  Otherwise it was an uneventful morning.  I got to the meeting point at 9:40.  Jim came an hour later.  I got really cold waiting.  Finally warmed up in the car on the way home.  Jim had hot coffee.  It was really terrific to see him and head home for a day!
Date: 2019-06-22
From: Home

To: Home!
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day!  Surprised niece Mandy and Crystal last night and everyone else today!  Jim and friend Debbie has gotten ready for the solstice party.  Mandy and Crystal did tons of work during the day keeping the party running smoothly.  I didn¢t have to do a thing!I did manage to shower, laundry and resupply when home.  I also had new tips for my trekking poles sent home so I changed those out.  And there were new shoes waiting for me.  I¢m going to try the Altria Lone Peak 4.0s now because I can¢t get the 3.5s anymore.I¢ll be back on the trail tomorrow!
Date: 2019-06-23
From: Water St Parking, Falls Village, CT

To: Brassie Brook Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Jim dropped me off at 11:40 and I got trekking!  So nice to have new tips in my poles. They had been sliding around a lot.  Now they seem to stick like glue to everything. Much safer!I have my new shoes on. I decided to try them without the inserts.  So far they feel fine.My first feature was Great Falls.  There were lots of people swimming in the pool at the bottom.  Some were sliding down the falls.Had a sweet view at Rand¢s view and then lunch at Giants thumb, an interesting rock formation.Found trail magic at the parking area in Salisbury.  Had a cookie, Doritos and Mountain Dew.  Met Fancy Free, Maple leaf and her dog yankee and saw Diamond Blue again.Back on the trail there was a gorgeous view at Lion¢s Head... the prettiest view in CT so far.I stopped at Riga shelter to see the view. Wontgetup was there and had set up her hammock so she could watch the sunrise.  I decided to press on to Brassie Brook shelter.Overall an easy day on the trail.
Date: 2019-06-24
From: Brassie Brook Shelter

To: Rte 7 Sheffield 
Miles today: 16.8

I was the only one at the shelter last night.  I think most people stayed at Riga for the view.  Brassie Brook is actually a nicer location!Hard day today.  I climbed over Bear Mtn, Mt Race, Mt Everett and down Jug end. All of it challenging.  I originally planned to go a few more miles but when I came off Jug End, I was whooped and I still had 4.5 miles to get to anywhere.  I called Jess Treat who runs a hostel.  She had room so I told her I¢d be out to the road by 5...figuring I¢d take my time.  Well the mosquitoes were so bad I practically ran out and got to the road at 4:20!The views from the mountains were really spectacular today , especially from Race Ledges. I could see all the way to Mt Greylock.I stopped for lunch at a nice overlook that has a stone shelter and a bench! I sat in the grass in the shade and had the view to myself.  I could hear hikers going by but no one knew enough to stop!  Just as I was packing up 2 guys walked up the road to this spot.  They told me there was trail magic about 1/2 mile down.  So off I went!Casper the friendly ghost had his trail magic van in the parking area.  He does trail magic up and down the AT.  I met Honeybun there and he said he had seen this guy (Rob) back in TN!  I had an orange and a little Debbie cupcake.When I finally got to the hostel I met Swiss Miss, the only other person staying the nights.  She has come from GA and was taking a zero tomorrow.  After a shower the 2 of us walked down the street to get pizza and local beer (Big Elm IPA for me!). Then we stopped for ice cream on the way back.