morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-20
From: campsite

To: campsite near Brinks Road
Miles today: 8.5

What is the first thing I do in the morning? Make sure the food is still hanging where we bear bagged it. Last night was a marginal job but thank goodness no bears. A park like ridge line woods walk started our day. We signed the trail register at Blue Mountain Lakes Road. The seasonal water pump was still inoperable, no handle. When are treking poles useless? When 'the Trail traverses the face of a steep escarpment'. I has filled up my 1 1/2 litre Camelback a half a mile back so the climb was a bit more challenging hand over hand hoisting and balancing than need be. I did feel a sense of accomplishment after my initial "you've got to be kidding" mumble. Crater Lake was a short side trip for a quick photo with a lunch stop shortly following.The rest of the day was the usual ups, downs, some rocks, some views of the Wallpack Valley and Pocono Plateau from rocky summits. Wildlife sightings; a quick black snake that spotted me first and slithered away and our first bear scat. Tonight we camp once again pretty much out of water, leaving enough for tomorrow's coffee. We will water up at the Brink Road Shelter then head for town to clean up and resupply and of course eat!
Date: 2014-04-21
From: campsite near Brinks Road

To: Forest Motel Branchville
Miles today: 4.0

Sorry for not posting earlier. To make up I will post photos. We were right! Last evening we thought we were within a half mile or so of the Brink Road Shelter. A hiker came the other way and said that the shelter was a good 2 miles away and over another mountain. We were incredulous! We double checked our maps and thought we were on Bird Mountain and had already crossed Rattlesnake Mountain. We tromped on for 15 more minutes, found a nice site and set up camp.  This morning we asked a hiker as we continued down the hill where the shelter was. He pointed to a dirt road at the bottom of the hill and said it was just to the left. I went and collected water, took a few photos while Ted walked on. We only want to camp at a shelter for water and bear cables or boxes.  The rest of the day was a bit rocky but not too bad, mostly downhill to Culver's Gap. We stopped at Joe to Go and had a sandwich. The start of our deli to deli hike! Called the motel and the owner came and picked us up (2 miles off the trail) and said we could get a ride to get supplies and back to the trailhead tomorrow morning.  Showered, bought some food, lounged under the gazebo and pondered our next section. Tonight we dine on pizza, watch some tv and sleep in comfort.
Date: 2014-04-22
From: Forest Motel Branchville

To: none
Miles today: 0.0

Last night the forecast was for 80% chance of rain starting at 4:00. We figured we could get in a day of hiking and stay dry. This morning the forecast moved the start of rain to between noon and 1:00. What to do? Decided to stay put, eat the rest of last night's pizza, drink the remaining litre of coke, watch the clouds roll in as the temperature drops and winds pick up and most importantly stay dry. Tomorrow will be less of a chance of rain but windy and cool so we will bundle up and head out in the morning.
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Forest Motel Branchville

To: Mashipacong Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

A day at the beach, at least that is what it sounded like. All day like the crashing of waves; sometimes loud and in quick succession, other times a soft background noise that would raise to another crescendo. We were dropped off from a shuttle ride from the motel at Joe to Go so stopped in for a cup of java and a breakfast sandwich. 45 degrees,15 mph winds, gusts to 35mph and a spritz of rain. Yesterday it finally rained late afternoon. So much for weather forecasts. We got back up on the ridge. I was in my usual 2 layers of shirts plus had my rain jacket on, zipped and the hood up ( mostly to keep my hat on). A typical ridge walk. Reached the manned Culver Fire Tower. We could hear the radio crackling. Had a quick lunch at the Sunrise Mountain pavilion. Nice view but mighty windy. Availed myself of the facilities then moved on hoping to get back in the cover of trees to block some of the wind. Hardest and most frustrating part of the day was trying to find the trail where it went into a small rocky ravine and a large tree had crashed into sizable pieces. I looked for the tromped down leaves for the trail but all around it was crushed leaves where others had obviously had the same problem I was having going first one way then retracing and going another. Finally after about 5 minutes I thought I spotted a blaze off to the left. Hurray!  Tenting at the waterless Mashipacong Shelter. I filtered and toted that water for the last mile and a half from a tannin colored stream. The other option was to walk an extra .6 miles past the shelter to a spring then haul it back. Typically springs are down hill and it is no fun carrying water uphill. We are snugged in our tent listening to the constant wind. At least most of the clouds have dispersed. It will be a chilly night.
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Mashipacong Shelter

To: High Point Mountain Hotel
Miles today: 5.5

An oops kind of day. Woke at 6:30 to sunshine in my sleeping bag. Overnight I had scrunched down into my cocoon that I had to work my way out. Heeded nature's call. Got back in my sleeping bag because we were planning a short day and it was 45 degrees...in the tent! Still windy too. Reawoke at 8:00! Had a warm breakfast; 2 oatmeal packets and coffee. Battled the wind packing the tent. Hoisted my pack and look looked for my hat. Bummer, I think I rolled it up in the tent which was now packed in Ted's pack. I put on my bandanna and sunscreen cursing my inattention to details. A rocky walk but nothing like the crazy, should be illegal rocks of Pennsylvania where there is not even a place to horizontally plant a foot. We moved slowly and deliberately since rocks are unforgiving. Found 2 trekking pole tips today, counts toward the 4 or so I have lost over the years. At the hotel. Clean again, will do laundry later and order Italian delivery for dinner.
Date: 2014-04-25
From: High Point Mountain Hotel

To: Pochuck Mt Shelter
Miles today: 12.0

Well not really 14 miles but close.  Dropped off at High Point State Park at 8:30 smelling fresh and clean and coffeed up. Started the day with an up to near the High Point monument. Took pictures of it and a view from the observation tower right on the trail. The next several miles were park like. Easy walking. Lots of stone fences to cross and streams. Some crossings were on stones others on footbridges. Lunched quickly to make time to Unionville to resupply and have a hot meal. Walked along a lot of puncheon bridges over swampy ground. Vernie Swamp was just before Unionville.  First stop was at Horler's General store for ice cream. Next to Witt's End Tavern for a brew and a meal. Very tasty grilled cheese and fries. Back to Horler's to resupply for our final days. Bought instant oatmeal, cheese, wraps and Pringles. Ted bought a sandwich for tomorrow.  Now for the yellow blazing...we followed the road out of town instead of getting back on the trail and following the white blazes. So we did about 12 miles of walking not the 14 if we had done it all on the trail. Well, we did not intend to climb Pochuck Mt as dusk was settling. Wallkill Preserve is a wetlands bird habitat at the base of Pochuck. We hoped to find a campsite at the start of the mountain. There was no flat area so we kept climbing. Heavy with food and water since there is no water on the mountain I was desperately scanning for a tent site. Up one last switchback and there was the sign to the shelter! We put the food and packs in the bear box then set up the tent getting the rainfly on just as the first drops hit. Yes the 70% chance of rain for tonight started at 8:15pm. So far the rainfly is not leaking, I seam sealed it before we left. Listening to the rain and thinking I should have taken a bit more time setting up to make sure the rainfly was good and taut. At least there is no freeze warning for tonight.
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Pochuck Mt Shelter

To: campsite
Miles today: 6.0

Woke to a slightly wet foot of the tent but otherwise warm and dry. We rushed getting the tent up and paid the consequences. At some points the fly sagged onto the tent. It rained on and off last night. By 9am the mist had burned off and the skies were blue. Had a late 10am start after our 12 hour day yesterday. One the bright side we did get the fly and tent dried before packing up. First thing was a rocky up to the ridge. After that is was one swampy area after another. One misstep from rock to log and I ended up with a wet and muddy right boot. Good thing it was a sunny day, my socks and boot dried relatively quickly.  Best part of the day was the approximately one mile boardwalk over Pochuck Swamp complete with a suspension footbridge over the creek. Very cool walking. Worst part of the day was slipping on a muddy bank while filling my water filter. I thought I went from hot spot to blister in that instant.  Decided to stop for the day before steep Wawayanda Mt. Ted asked two hikers about campsites and both said they didn't see any except for the shelter way past the summit. It started to sprinkle so Ted found a secluded spot. We set up the tent doing a much finer job of it than last night, hung the food and now are listening to the patter of rain, roll of occasional thunder and the peepers. It is bear country so no cooking or eating in the tent. I will have a monster breakfast tomorrow! I will upload photos when I get a better internet connection.
Date: 2014-04-27
From: campsite

To: campsite
Miles today: 8.0

Ron, it was a pleasure meeting you. We were ever so gingerly navigating down over an old stone wall when a gentleman in a group of three said "You must be the Appalachian Snails!" Ron introduced himself and said he recognized me by my hat. He is doing the AT in sections and was out enjoying his day hike.  Our day started with second breakfast at Heaven Hill farm. Chatted with a volunteer who was setting up for Earthfest. She suggested the view at Pinwheel's Vista that today we could see all the way to High Point. A very steep rocky 1 and 1/2 mile up. She was right, the view was super.Most of the day was a mild woods walk. Unfortunately there were some boggy spots and I ended up taking a wallow in one. I confess I cursed profusely. Nothing but pride damaged.  Had a hot lunch at Wawayanda Shelter. Nothing hits the spot like a nice sweet cup of hot tea. Moved on and decided to stop for the night near a water source. Ted scouted for a site while I fetched and filtered the water. We are running low on fuel so saved the fuel for tomorrow's hot coffee and oatmeal. Our last night out and our best textbook bear bagging!
Date: 2014-04-28
From: campsite

To: Greenwood Lake
Miles today: 5.0

Wow, what a tough 5 miles. Started early for us Snails a little before 8am. When we hit the steep ups that were hand over hand climbs, full body workouts and butt slides we knew we were in for a long day. As the guide books warned even though there was little elevation gains/losses there were lots of rocks and steep ascents and descents. I can't imagine doing this section in the rain. Rocks become slick and there was almost a mile of walking on nothing but smooth rolling rocks. On the bright side we could see the NYC skyline hazily in the distance from Prospect Rock. There was even a metal ladder for one exceptionally dangerous wall. When we finally 'descended into the woods' I hugged that first blazed tree. Yes the rocks would have been fun on a day hike but lugging a pack I was becoming way too intimate with the rocks. Often my face was just inches from the rock. I collected a scraped elbow and scuffed knee on slips. We took the side trail into town only to find the hotel we had chosen booked by a film crew for 'Inheritance'. A lady who had just settled in to a spot by the lake volunteered to drive to the hotel to see if they had a room, returned with the bad news and drove to the other hotel in town and gave us their rates. We decide Warwick offered more amenities. Took a taxi to Warwick and got a room, walked to town, dined at Blarney Station, strolled back and now doing laundry, snacking and watching 'The Shawshank Redemption'.  Our journey has ended for the time being. I always find my opinion of humanity expressed by the kindness of strangers increased on my hikes. It amazes me the number of people who go out of their way for total strangers, owners of hotels I would not even consider staying at if driving by in a car are extremely good hearted, the hundreds of hours trail maintainers put in to create this footpath and the the joy on people's faces. What could be more revitalizing?  Physically I enjoy the challenge of hours of hiking, the simplicity of routine, the sense of getting from point A to B, soaking in the views and the doing it all over the next day. We plan to hike New York later this summer. The journey continues.
Date: 2014-06-19
From: Greenwood Lake

To: Wildcat shelter
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Goal for today was not to fall down. Success! Started in rain which makes rocks wet and slippery. I have a history of not doing well on such terrain. The rain stopped by the time we got the mile up onto the trail. As we collected ourselves a fit and nimble hiker passed us and commented on how slick the rocks were. We moved cautiously even though almost all day was a woods walk. The photo is one of the 2 boulder scrambles we took the bypass around. Day one I am just getting my legs back and took no chances.Tenting with several hikers, some thru hiking others section hiking. Chatted some then everyone went to set up. A sunny and pleasant but mosquitoey evening.
Date: 2014-06-20
From: Wildcat shelter

To: near Kloiber's pond
Miles today: 5.0

Fitzgerald Falls was the highlight. 25' cascading falls were lovely so we dawdled for a while. Otherwise a fairly typical walk in the woods day. Had planned lunch at Mombasha High Point but to be honest not much of a view. Maybe my expectations were too lofty. Did see my first ripe blueberry up there. Met Piece of Cake, the recently renamed Hot Dog, 20 Minutes and No Name all section hiking like us on the extended plan. They all seemed to be enjoying themselves.Early stop as we are not yet trail conditioned. The next 10 miles or so have little water. Bummer. Low point was the bonus half or so mile. In my eagerness for Mombasha I marched off onto the Highlands trail that appeared to hug the ridge. Nice view but totally the wrong trail!Note to self: when tossing the line to bear bag triple check to make sure I am not standing on the line. Almost caught the toss rock on my face. My attempts at tossing it onto too high a branch was Ted's entertainment. I did redeem myself and got it over a lower branch on my second toss.
Date: 2014-06-21
From: near Kloiber's pond

To: Tuxedo motel 
Miles today: 4.8

Pardon if the photo is blurry. So overjoyed and in a hurry to get a drink and banana I took a hasty shot. Stretched out on a rock with my feet up and enjoyed my surprise 1st lunch. Trail angels have let gallons of water at each road crossing since West Mombasha Rd. That is an act of selfless kindness and so greatly appreciated by hikers. Today we started with an interesting "cross jumbled rocks on a very steep section" on Buchanan Mt. (per my guide book). No photos as I was concentrating on staying on the rocks. A lot of hoisting myself up so early in the morning. Little Dam Lake was not breathtaking by any stretch but the mountain laurel and water lillys were worth a stop. Once again a short day to rest. The Tuxedo Motel is a perfect stop. The grounds are pleasing and well maintained. The price is reasonable. A motel from a different era. Advantages to being short, few but I don't bonk my head on the low branches. Unfortunately disadvantages far out weigh; rock steps often feel like Paul Bunyon made them and I must take twice the normal amount of steps as an average person.
Date: 2014-06-22
From: Tuxedo motel 

To: near Tiorati Circle
Miles today: 5.7

Dinner at Lake Tiorati at a picnic table! Had pre-dinner ice cream and soda then fixed rehydrated spaghetti amid the delectable smells of people picnicking and grilling. The family next to us had a cauldron bubbling mightily, corn grilling and a table loaded with food. Started the day by sighting a bald eagle flying near the hotel. Our cab driver to the trail serenaded us with Elvis' first song he recorded after his military service. Cabbie had a fine voice. First nice view was of Island Pond. Great campsites all around.Next milestone was the lemon squeezer. I had to take my pack off to get through but really not so bad. Chatted with a few hikers and when questioned about my water filtering talked up the Sawyer. Other wildlife sighting a gold finch flitting from blueberry shrub to another searching for insects having finished one off on a tree. Lastly was a deer tick firmly imbedded in my arm. Shiny black dot about the size of a period. My tick key lifted it but I am too uncoordinated with my left hand to manipulate it correctly. Had to use my tweezers.
Date: 2014-06-23
From: near Tiorati Circle

To: campsite on Bear Mt
Miles today: 9.1

Deer day! Saw 3 deer, none bothered by us. One was a out 15' away, took a look at us and continued grazing. They must have been Ace of Base fans listening to the music leaking from my ears.Had a snack at the William Brien Memorial Shelter built by the CCC in 1933. Lunched and refilled our water at Beechy Bottom Brook. Almost stepped on a couple of well camouflaged frogs (photo in Photo section). Stopped on West Mountain to admire the view of Bear Mt. The climb up was a bit more taxing than I thought!Set up camp about a quarter mile up Bear Mt. It sure looked like a rain cloud was forming so quickly ate and bear bagged. Directions to the bag were along the rocks past the deer skull. Of course it didn't rain.Plucked off 2 more deer ticks, both were still crawling on me looking for a choice spot. Maybe the DEET worked!
Date: 2014-06-24
From: campsite on Bear Mt

To: Ft Montgomery
Miles today: 5.0

Glad we are slow! Took our time climbing the Perkins Memorial Tower and reading the history of the park. Harriman and his widow were far sighted in their preservation of land. There are hundreds of stone steps on both sides of Bear Mt. The NY-NJ Trail conference volunteers are constructing more steps to combat the erosion due to the heavy use the Bear Mt trails receive. Amazing the amount of work they have done. Walked thru the Bear Mt Zoo. Very informative signing regarding the area's flora and fauna. Yes I read every plaque. The statue of Walt Whitman greats visitors. Clean and doing real laundry vs sink laundry and drinking lots of sweetened coffee. This evening; a salad! Hopefully my poison ivy will subside with more Tecnu. For those who know me this will come as a shock...I downed a 20oz Gatorate before Ted was half way thru his 12oz Coke!
Date: 2014-06-26
From: Ft Montgomery

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 5.3

After a relaxing zero day a late start. It rained last night, the rocks were mostly dry by the time we got going. We watched a bit of Wimbledon before we left. Don't know if Nadal won or not.Fairly easy walking today. Walked over the windy Bear Mt Bridge holding my hat and trekking poles. I had no idea how tightly I was grasping them until I tried to uncurl my fingers! Then back in the woods with the obligatory up. It always takes me a half a day after a zero to get my stride, today took a bit longer as the humidity was oppressive. I had my own cloud of gnats and some free loaders on my glasses. After a while I gave up trying to shoo them away. Mosquito's were also relentless and I found 3 deer ticks on me.Lunched at the Appalachian Market, the veggie delight sandwich; eggplant and veggies on a hard roll with cheese (of course) was most satisfying as was a half litre of coke.Walked the mile to the friary ballfield where the Sisters and Brothers allow hikers to tent for the night. Chatted a bit and now it is dusk and everyone is settling in for the night.
Date: 2014-06-27
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

To: Dennytown Rd campsite
Miles today: 8.1

Not a very exciting day. The history is different here, Revolutionary war monuments and ruins vs the Civil war commemoratives I am used to seeing in Maryland. Once again a mostly woods walk this time on various woods and carriage roads. A few short steep sections. It is a welcome change when approaching a rocky up ahead then to see the double blazes indicating a turn an the trail then just following gently below the ridge.Tomorrow we are hoping to get to a shelter where pizza from two restaurants can be delivered! Bummer of the day; took a 300 yard long blue blazed side trail to a supposed overlook only to find it is probably a winter view when the leaves are off the trees. Who knew?
Date: 2014-06-28
From: Dennytown Rd campsite

To: RHP
Miles today: 10.7

When is a stream not a stream? When I am thirsty! It hasn't rained for a few days and some streams are really slow flowing and a bit mucky looking. Today was another fairly easy day, lots of woodsy paths and even a stint on an old mule pulled narrow gauge rail bed used to haul the mined iron ore. Trail maintainers were building the green trail from the AT to Lake Canopus beach. Lunched to the thump of sledges and rocks being levered about. Four volunteers working hard.Ordered pizza, salad and drinks with a couple other section hikers and ate a chatty meal. Tonight we plan tomorrow's short term resupply at a convenience store.
Date: 2014-06-29
From: RHP

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A woods walk on a beautifully maintained, weed whacked and blazed trail. The footpath is easy walking with just a few rocky spots. Heard the highways for most of the day and crossed over 1 and under another.We had to stop at the convenience store to resupply. Ate and relaxed, 'grocery' shopped and refilled water. First thing I did when we stopped was have an ice cream; can't food shop on an empty stomach! Took a sub for the road and thoroughly enjoyed it for dinner.The weather has been terrific which helps our spirits. When I stop for a rest I am amazed when I look down at the vegetation how much diversity is just at my feet. Tonight is my worst bear bagging effort. Bears don't seem to be a problem, I am hoping there are not any on this ridge.
Date: 2014-06-30
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Native Landscapes
Miles today: 10.6

Nuclear Lake so named because there was a nuclear fuels processing research facility there until 1972. The lake has been tested as is clean. The outflow streams were flowing so I did collect and drink the water. Much more enticing water than from the swampy stream we crossed earlier. The walk around the lake was scenic with some beaver felled trees and rock walls.Took a few more photos today including the 20' wide Dover Oak. A varied walk today. We walked on a lot of puncheon bridges over marshy ground (an incredible amount of work to construct), the usual woods path, a few rocky spots and a view of rolling farmland is soothing but rolling farmland can be a bit of a grind going up it! Had hoped to get a hotel but they never returned our calls. Oh well. Tenting at the Garden Center nestled in the 20" between the 55mph road and the NY commuter train tracks. Train runs every 75 minutes. Should be an interesting night.