morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-09-02
From: Upper Goose Pond

To: Mt Wilcox South Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

We had amazing pancakes for breakfast this morning, with berries that Mama Duck and Fleet brought yesterday. I'm glad they got them, since the Cookie Lady wasn't in when I went past.I had really low energy again today, and even felt lightheaded or shaky at times. It took a lot of effort to get to this shelter. I'll blame it on forgetting to take my vitamins last night?I got really excited when we went past a farm stand today that was supposed to have soda and hard-boiled eggs, but they were out of both and I had to walk away broken-hearted.There are mountain laurels now, and lots of oak trees. Today we went through our first pasture that actually had cows in it.It's nine o'clock, and therefore apparently time for a fireworks display somewhere nearby. I just wish we could see them.There are two shelters here, the smaller of which has two tents pitched in it. I don't even understand the motivation for doing that, and may have talked passive-aggressively about how rude it was as I walked past... not polite, but I was pretty tired and grumpy when I got here. We're having to squeeze people into this shelter on the floor because of it, too.
Date: 2017-09-03
From: Mt Wilcox South Shelter

To: Sheffield, MA
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: broken clouds

It poured last night, and we all learned what it means to have oak trees around this time of year when it's windy... The shelter got pelted with acorns, and they are quite loud in a metal roof. Still, we stayed warm and dry.I continued to struggle today, feeling completely exhausted going up even tiny hills. I think a lot of it is in my head, though. I did over 17 miles early in Maine over Moxie Bald and Pleasant Pond Mountains, so why is it so hard here where it's flat? I think a lot of it is my own self-doubt- can I hike over a thousand miles alone after Greg leaves? Can I push through the cold rains and snows and actual mountains again without someone to reassure me that I don't suck at everything like I get convinced I do sometimes?I think I can, Greg thinks I can. My parents probably expect me to give up and go out to California. No one else cares.I have always lacked self-esteem and confidence. It's why I hide my personality for a long time after meeting people for fear of judgment. It's why I fail at things. Now, to do this, I just need to find that confidence somewhere in myself. The biggest reason I struggle up that hill is because I expect to. The biggest reason I worry I can't do this is because I doubt too much whether I can do this. Maybe no one but Greg will ever believe in me, so I have to start believing in me.Plus, I probably need to get more sleep. And make sure I'm eating enough during the day.We're staying at the lovely Jess Treat's tonight, and we got pizza and garlic knots and fries and jalape±o poppers delivered, so now I just need to focus on the "getting enough sleep" thing.
Date: 2017-09-04
From: Sheffield, MA

To: Brassie Brook Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

The weather today was beautiful, and I felt great. Maybe it's because I wrote out my frustrations last night? The terrain today was also a lot rougher and rockier, so I felt like it was okay to go slowly, which meant I was less down on myself, which meant I went at a normal pace after all, despite the rockiness. It also helped that today was actual mountains with incredible views, too. The parts of it that didn't have views were still along the ridge line, so it felt great to just be up close to the sky.New state! I'm really glad we climbed Bear Mountain today, rather than in the rain that is coming. It was quite rocky and slippery enough already.It's just me and Greg in the shelter tonight, although there is at least one person renting here. We could have pushed another mile or so to Riga Shelter, but I didn't want to deal with possibly setting up the tent in the dark.
Date: 2017-09-05
From: Brassie Brook Shelter

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: clear sky

We took a short day today to rest, finalize stuff for the move to California, and make sure we're under a roof tonight when the rain is heaviest. We're staying with Maria McCabe, who is incredible. She's 88, hard of hearing, sharp as a tack, and the Italian grandma hikers never knew they had. Hanging out and chatting with her was a great way to spend part of the afternoon, plus we got some really good eggplant parmesan subs delivered.We spent time at the library, which is a beautiful old historic building- the first public library in the country!With the shoe inserts I picked up back in Manchester, my hip pain is almost completely gone. Sure, my feet hurt because my toes don't fit in my boots as well, so I have to balance tying them tight enough my heels don't move around but loose enough my toes don't painfully fall asleep, but not so loose my toes rub and get blisters on the tops... but that is so much better than the level of pain I was in before. I can deal with this. I just wish that when I had seen a doctor several hundred miles ago he had been at least a little bit interested in the cause of my hip bursitis. Shoe inserts seem like a pretty simple fix to at least suggest? And I would have been hip-pain-free almost 300 miles sooner.
Date: 2017-09-06
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 0.0

Yeah, yeah, I need to take fewer zero days, but it was raining really hard and Maria is so nice and we needed to figure out how Greg was going to get back to Maine anyway. I looked up ways to lace my boots differently to help with some of the issues I've been having since getting the new insoles.
Date: 2017-09-07
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: moderate rain

We passed some really cool spots today- the giant's thumb, product of glacial weirdness, and some really nice views. We got lunch at Toymaker's Cafe in Falls Village, which was pretty okay.I felt occasionally shaky and lightheaded again, but managed to keep pushing. I was going to stop at Belter's Campsite, but figured I could work really hard and get to the next site 3 miles later. When we got there it was pouring, so I pushed on to here, which was the original plan for today anyway. It might not be the longest day, but I'm really happy with how I pushed through.We also helped a group of students from Princeton who had somehow gotten lost on their way to Belter's Campsite... I'm not entirely sure how.  I wish I had told them about the privy, just to get their reactions- "open box" privy apparently means "buildingless" and I don't know how these kids would like that.
Date: 2017-09-08
From: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter

To: Mt. Algo Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

Today took a lot out of me, even with five miles in the middle that were entirely flat. Connecticut is very bumpy, even though those bumps tend to seem pretty much identical to one another.Today's actual "challenges" we're very much over hyped. There was a stream with signs around it saying we'd have to ford it or take a detour, and then it was an easy rock hop. St. John's ledges were supposed to be tricky to climb up to, but it wasn't too bad- steep, sure, but not impossible. Once we got to the top and had only 4.4 miles to go, I put on Japandroids and just cruised. That music makes me so happy.I saw two vultures pretty close today, as well as two white-tailed deer and a beaver.I was worried this shelter would be busy since it's a Friday, but none of the three SOBOs we were with last night are here, just two section hikers who seem very nice.
Date: 2017-09-09
From: Mt. Algo Shelter

To: Wingdale, NY
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

I took it easy today so Greg and I would have plenty of time to split our food and stuff up. I got a little bit emotional on the one-mile climb up ten-mile hill, realizing that it was Greg's last few miles out here. I'm going to miss him, but I think I'm ready for some adventuring on my own.We're staying at the Dutchess Motor Lodge in Wingdale, which is pretty crappy, but it's only a half a mile from the train station Greg needs to get to tomorrow morning.I hand-washed my socks and underwear, and there are reruns of Family Feud from the 80s on tv.
Date: 2017-09-10
From: Wingdale, NY

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: few clouds

I have no idea why this shelter has its name.Greg said goodbye early this morning. I slept in a little bit then caught an Uber back to the trail. I made really good time, spent a bunch of time at a deli hanging out with a SOBO I hadn't met before called Sequoia, then came up to the shelter and helped Fleet get a fire going. It's nice to be out of Connecticut and able to do that again.I met some really nice NOBOs today- four total. I keep wondering when I'll run out of them.It was good to have an easy day to readjust to hiking alone. I'm looking forward to getting my one-person tent in Fort Montgomery.
Date: 2017-09-11
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: clear sky

The weather today was beautiful. I took a really long break at Nuclear Lake early on, but overall I did pretty well with breaks today- they're the main thing slowing me down at this point. I'm planning on my longest day yet tomorrow, but I should have no trouble. I did almost as much mileage today, if you include the side trip to a deli and a half-mile wrong turn at the lake.I got Chinese delivered here for dinner, and as that arrived another car pulled up with the license plate "AT HIKR" and gave me a shopping bag filled with sodas, gatorade, and juices. I think he said it was because it was 9/11? I was really confused and startled or I would have asked about the license plate, or gotten his name- clearly a cool dude.There are 6 of us here tonight. It's good to have company.It's weird that I've been seeing more wildlife recently even though the trail is much closer to "civilization." I saw three turkeys yesterday, and a trio of deer not more than 15 feet from the trail today, plus a big owl. There is also a massive today sitting out on this shelter's patio. (Side note: this shelter has a patio. And, as previously mentioned, can have food delivered because it's on a residential street.)
Date: 2017-09-13
From: Greymoor Monastery Ballfield

To: West Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

I forgot to mention yesterday that I took a great cold shower last night. Super cold, but felt so good.Last night in the pavilion a skunk wandered in around ten. It was cute, and I was very glad I hung my food.I walked into Fort Montgomery today to get my tent from the post office. Gatorade powder had exploded all over the inside of the box, so that took a little while to deal with the mess. I got a tasty Gatorade to drink and some more stove fuel at a nearby convenience store, too.Went up Bear Mountain with Sequoia and Sweet Monkey. Lots of stairs. Most Skyrim Mountain yet.So tired, still.
Date: 2017-09-14
From: West Mountain Shelter

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: broken clouds

I was absolutely exhausted still today. Went .4 out of the way to a visitor's center on the Palisades Parkway that was supposed to have bathrooms and vending machines, and the sign said it was open 8-5... Got there at 9:20, sign on the door says today they open at 9:30, so I got water from the spigot and waited... 9:40 rolled around and it was still closed, so I gave up and hiked on. I'd been hoping to get a room at the Tuxedo Motel, take a short day, and do laundry for the first time since Massachusetts, but when I called they were booked up. I settled for just a short day, then, and stopped here. This shelter is lovely and in a really nice spot (albeit without water or privy...) but it's had bears recently. I made sure I had a really good bear bag hang, but I'm not too worried. The bears have just been stealing food bags, not coming into the shelter. And there hasn't even been anything like that in weeks.I got a little fire going in one of the shelter's fireplaces to try to dry my sweaty clothes out and hopefully act as an additional bear deterrent.I'm the only one here tonight, and sleeping with my trekking poles close at hand, just in case.
Date: 2017-09-15
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Route 17a
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: broken clouds

No bears last night, but I did wake up with a caterpillar six inches from my face. That's a pretty crazy wildlife encounter.I went slowly at first today since it was really pretty, but eventually had to try to speed up because the terrain got really rough. It was seriously Maine flashbacks. Lots of rocks, and climbing, and sketchy blazing. If I'd kept up a slow pace, I wouldn't have made it to the shelter before dark.I did get to the shelter before dark, but there was no water so I had to keep walking... there were some spots with a little water not far from the shelter, but I passed them up because I knew that there was an ice cream place at this road that has good water, and is also open until 9, so I wanted ice cream for dinner.I made it here after sunset and met Guru, who I hadn't seen since the Yellow Deli, and a woman called Running Water who thru-hiked in '98, bought me a milkshake, and gave us her business card so I can call her for a ride into town. Such an incredible bit of trail magic at the end of a rough day.I had a milkshake for dinner, and I'm sleeping under the stars on a hawk watching platform. Good day.
Date: 2017-09-16
From: Route 17a

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: mist

Woke up this morning covered in dew, dried out my sleeping bag in the sun, and texted Running Water to give us a ride into town. Guru and I got groceries and hung out, then got a ride back to the trail.It was a short hiking day because of such a late start, but it was pretty rocky. It finally rained for a little while in the afternoon, which was great because it was really, really warm today and lots of water sources are just totally dry.There are lots of mosquitos here, but I'm staying in the shelter anyway in case it rains again. The past few days I've just been getting eaten alive.
Date: 2017-09-19
From: Vernon, NJ

To: "Secret" Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up early so Greg can drive a long way. It was really hard to say goodbye to Greg this morning. If this takes me 3 more months, it'll be the longest we've been apart from each other.I took it easy today and stopped early. I chatted with Jim, who owns this place, and met the donkeys who are both named Jake. Later on when other hikers got here, the Jakes came and hung out by the shelter.
Date: 2017-09-20
From: "Secret" Shelter

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

I woke up and got going early (for me- 7:30) so I could take today at a leisurely pace. It worked, and I got into camp with time to cook, set up my tent, and hang out before dark.I'm in my tent tonight to get away from mosquitos- my first time tenting since Cheshire and my first time this trip in my one-person tent. I love my tent. It's just a happy place for me, so I'm sitting here writing and listening to music in my headphones and dancing around. I did 18 miles today and don't feel beat down! Woo!The rocks have started to pick up, but they're still manageable. My big worry is my hip, again. It's been hurting more the last few days, and for the first couple of miles today it was as bad as ever. Maybe I've worn down the arch support in my insoles? I'll see about getting new ones in Delaware Water Gap. Until then, ibuprofen and paying attention to the way I walk.
Date: 2017-09-21
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Campsite not far from FVL
Miles today: 14.7

Today was rocky, but there were lots of nice views. My hip hurt most of the day, but not so bad I couldn't push through. It helped that I was planning on this shorter day, so I could take lots of breaks.The trail went within a mile or so of my old summer camp, so I stopped in to visit with my old friend Paul who works there. It was strange being somewhere that hasn't changed in the nine years since I last saw it. I got to eat camp food for dinner, with vegetables and bread and rice. There were brownies for dessert, and I got two extra because they would have thrown them out otherwise. I am very much against food waste, and very much for brownies.It was almost a shame that I got tap water because the spring on the way down to the camp was the nicest water source I've seen in ages. It has been so dry!I packed out my water and found a nice flat spot for my tent about a mile down the trail. I got my bear bag up and tent pitched before dark! Go me!
Date: 2017-09-22
From: Campsite not far from FVL

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I saw a porcupine not five minutes after I started hiking today! Finally! It ran (waddled quickly) across the trail ten feet in front of me. Between that and the bear I saw yesterday, NJ is great for wildlife.The trail just followed the ridgeline today, with views all day through the trees. It was incredibly beautiful, and the hot weather was worth it for having a clear day on this bit of trail.I got lunch at the Mohican Outdoor Center, which was good.My feet hurt like hell. The trail was pretty rocky, and then there was a long roadwalk along I-80. (Which was mildly terrifying, by the way. The bridge over the Delaware shook when trucks went past.) Hopefully the outfitter tomorrow will have insoles that will solve my hip problems and maybe help my feet.I'm getting eaten alive by mosquitos again, but the bites aren't as bad as the sound of a mosquito in my ears. They wouldn't leave me alone on a tricky rocky stretch by Sunfish Pond today. That buzzing is maddening.
Date: 2017-09-23
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: few clouds

I slept in a little, then ran errands in town and got out late. I got a new smart water bottle since the area ahead is so dry, and got new insoles. They're not the same as my old ones, and didn't have so much arch support, but they have more cushion, so we'll see how they work.It is so hot. These are not normal temperatures. The heat is exhausting.
Date: 2017-09-24
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: scattered clouds

At one point last night I rolled over and felt something cold on my cheek on my pillow. It was a millipede, one of the big ones.I hiked for lost of the day with Will, U-turn, and their dads were behind us. It was good to have people to chat with while staring at my feet all day. We have hit the rocks of Pennsylvania.The rocks are not as bad as the heat. It was mid-to-upper 80s again today. That kind of heat just saps all energy.The spring here is cold, but it's a long way away. There is no water tomorrow until town.I am exhausted. The new insoles put a blister on the bottom of my right heel. Worst of all, I lost my headphones sometime today. I usually listen to podcasts to fall asleep. I hope I can sleep. I need to be up early tomorrow before it's too hot.
Date: 2017-09-25
From: Leroy Smith Shelter

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It was extremely hot again today. The first ten or so miles all looked the same, and were very rocky. It's really demoralizing to feel like I'm going nowhere.The Superfund area was really pretty, but very exposed to the sun. My dad said it looked like a wasteland when he hiked it in 1976, and it gave me a lot of hope that it had been restored so much. It was really pretty, with lots of butterflies. Maybe the world isn't a lost cause.So tired. The heat just takes all energy.
Date: 2017-09-27
From: Palmerton, PA

To: New Tripoli Campsite
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

I had trouble sleeping last night, probably because I'd barely walked all day, so I slept in a little this morning and got to the trail late. It was hot again, but much drier and therefore far more pleasant.I like to think that I have a good tolerance for bugs, spiders, and other creepy crawlies. When I put my face down on a millipede the other night, I just made a face and flicked it off. My tolerance was greatly tested today. I saw no other people for about 8 miles between the shelter outside of town and Bake Oven Knob, and clearly no one had gone that way but me, because there were tons of spiderwebs on the trail, high and low. My trekking poles had a visible sheen of webs in them, as did the top of my pack and my hat. I can still pick strands out of my hair.Despite this seemingly-high spider population, I was surrounded by a large cloud of gnats and flies all day long. Swallowing a fly or getting a gnat stuck in my eye are normal parts of the day, but today seven gnats lodged themselves in my eyes, I swallowed two, and had another one go up my nose. None of that was as bad as the buzzing, though. The buzzing is what was really getting to me.I was having this really buggy day, and then decided to take a break at Bake Oven Knob shelter. I picked up the register, opened it, and there were a dozen critters on the page, alive, that if they weren't stink bugs they had the same body type. Then I noticed that there were many of that bug, crawling on the logs of the shelter and occasionally flying through the air with a buzzing noise that seemed as loud as a small aircraft. They either weren't very good at flying or didn't care where they were going, though, since they repeatedly flew into me and bounced off. I checked into the register then decided to take my break somewhere else. There must have been hundreds of them.This spot is less buggy, though, and I'm in my tent. The spring here is flowing well, clear and cool. And tomorrow should be significantly cooler than it has been in a while!
Date: 2017-09-28
From: New Tripoli Campsite

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Today had absolutely incredible weather, and even some views.I was planning on going a bit further today, but I got stung badly by a wasp about a mile and a half before here, and here there are bunks and power outlets and a shower.It was very windy today, so the flies stayed away and the spiderwebs didn't stand a chance.
Date: 2017-09-29
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Port Clinton Pavilion
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

I woke up in such a funk today. I slept until almost 8. I had a headache and just felt down and didn't want to hike. I miss Greg, and Pennsylvania is getting to me. The boring terrain, the rocks... I decided I would make it here tonight, then try staying at Rock n Sole hostel tomorrow because they have a good reputation and could hopefully boost my spirits.The views from the Pinnacle and the Pulpit were really nice, although there were lots of day hikers. Some of the day hikers were really nice. The guy who I talked to on the phone at Rock n Sole was really nice. I was feeling a little better toward the end of the day.I got into Port Clinton and saw a woman with three dogs. Two of them immediately ran up and started nipping at my shorts until I warded them off with trekking poles. They only broke skin a little. Welcome to Port Clinton, I guess. The town seemed honestly run down and a little sketchy. A nice woman at the historical society let me get water, though, and when I got to the pavilion I ran into Mama Duck, who I hadn't seen in ages, and a trail angel with food. I had a portobello burger and a sweet potato, and hung out by a fire chatting with a bunch of people. My day has been turned around, and I have an awesome hostel to look forward to tomorrow night. I can do this.It really is amazing how the trail provides. This isn't the first time my day has been turned around by surprise with a dinner and a fire. I am so grateful and will pass it on in time.
Date: 2017-09-30
From: Port Clinton Pavilion

To: Rock n Sole Hostel
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

I stayed up late (9:45!) last night playing pool in the table in the pavilion. I am terrible at pool.I made really good time today, managing 2 miles/hour including breaks. Maybe I'm getting used to these rocks. If I can stay positive, I'll be so good at this.