morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-12
From: Glen Brook Lean-To

To: Mount Wilcox South Lean-to
Miles today: 19.6

Believe it or not Trail Trash was up and ready to leave before me this morning. Scout had barely climbed out of his tent as we headed for the trail. Most of the day was pretty uneventful. We crossed a long dry open area. At US 7 near Great Barrington, we were told the ground water was contaminated. The store clerk said most everyone drank bottled water. How sad it is that people here have reason to be scared of the water. I can remember drinking directly from springs down south. Now I'm evaluating every source we find. Unfortunately there are not that many. Scout was with us for lunch, then he and Trash hiked on ahead. I hike a little slower than them and we planned to meet at Tom Leonard Lean-to. So I hiked over East Mountain alone. I just took an easy pace and enjoyed the afternoon.At Tom Leonard a couple of hikers were planning a birthday party for Thin Mint. We had never met her so decided to hike on so we could make Upper Goose Pond by tomorrow. Scout decided to stay. He said he would see us up the trail. I reminded him the last time he stayed back it was three months before we saw him again.Just after crossing MA 23 a hiker asked our destination for the night. She told us to check the new shelter for a treat. When we got here there were oranges and cookies. The oranges disappeared immediately. We shared the cookies with a couple of section hikers.It looks like we may get some rain so we're sleeping in the shelter tonight. Hopefully we will not get eaten by the State Bird. It's the mosquito.
Date: 2010-07-13
From: Mount Wilcox South Lean-to

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

The mosquitoes buzzed most of the night except during the rain. Needless to say we got up at first light and started hiking. We saw Sideways and Moonshine in front of us. We also ran into Breeze and Bumper. We leap- frogged each other all morning.About 2:30 PM I walked into Upper Goose Pond Cabin. The caretaker, Grampy suggested a swim to clean up. The water was warm but the air was cold when I got out.Tonight we will be here sleeping inside. Since it is raining we will sleep great tonight.
Date: 2010-07-14
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

In the movie "Men of Honor" the Master Chief tells "Cookie", "There's an old Chinese saying, be careful what you wish for, you just may get it." Well I've been wishing to see other hikers and I got it. By 10:00 PM there were eighteen hikers at the cabin. The bunkroom heated up with all the smelly bodies and I decided to move downstairs. The floor was covered with hikers. After trying a couple different locations I settled down in front of the screen door and slept until about 5:00 AM. That's when hikers started moving around upstairs.Grampy had breakfast started by 6:30 as promised and everyone enjoyed the blueberry pancakes. While we were waiting for pancakes a thru-hiker named Ray asked me if I was already for my second day of hiking. When I told him I had been hiking since March 12th he was so embarrassed. He had mistaken me for a section hiker. The hikers that knew me got a good laugh out of it. Trash and I were on the trail by 7:00 AM. About an hour later we were joined by Kricket. We stopped at the "Cookie Lady's" house for water and her husband served us homemade cookies. Freighttrain also stopped.Trash and I continued on to Dalton. It was another 10 miles. As we got to town we discovered a box full of cold drinks. We then set out to find Rob Bird. He runs a hostel out of his home called the "Bird Cage". We had been told to ask for him at the Shell station. He was in Adams but would be back to meet us in a half hour. While we waited I went next door to the Post Office to pick up new shoes sent from home. Then we went down the street to get something to eat. Rob met us there.At Rob's house we were given the front (enclosed) porch to sleep on. We got showers and stacked our dirty clothes in front of the washer. Eventually 16 hikers wandered in for the night. One of them was Aikido Joe. We had a great time catching up. When we were all clean we headed to the "Country Buffet". I ate mostly vegetables but the desert bar saw me several times.After supper we went to a Price Chopper for groceries. We didn't buy much since we will pass one near the trail in two days.The room should be cool and quite tonight. Off to get some sleep.
Date: 2010-07-15
From: Dalton, MA

To: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to
Miles today: 20.3

I slept really well last night. The temperature on the porch dropped enough that I needed my quilt over me. By the time the sun came up I was ready for a full day of hiking.All but three of us were slackpacking.   We didn't get an early start. I needed to drop something in the mail and it was 9:00 AM when we left town. The walk to Cheshire was fairly easy with a few ups and downs. Trash, Aikido Joe and I covered the 9 miles in about 2 1/2 hours. In Cheshire we went to Reynolds General Store. This is a true old timey store with everything from lawn mowers to hair ribbon. Of course they had Ben and Jerry's and that's exactly what I needed. After lunch we started the climb up Graylock. It is the highest peak in Massachusetts and the first peak over 3,000 feet since Shenandoah. The first part of the climb was moderate. None of us were having any trouble. About half way up we starting meeting the slack packers. They warned us it got steeper up ahead and it did. The last mile seemed almost straight up and the air temperature was rising too.   I got to the summit about 4:30 and went directly to the water spigot for water. I downed a liter and then sipped on another as the three of us talked with some tourist.After our recovery we climbed the stairs to the top of the memorial to see the views. As usual there was haze but the Green Mountains ahead looked big.We hiked another 3 miles to Wilbur Clearing for the night. Tomorrow we will be in Vermont!
Date: 2010-07-16
From: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning's hike was 3 miles downhill to MA 2. We left the trail and went into North Adams to resupply. About .7 of a mile from the trail was a Price Chopper Food Store. We've about got this resupply down but every once in awhile we get distracted, like this morning when Ben and Jerry's was on sale. That required pulling spoons out of packs and eating a pint each.As we headed back to the trail we saw Rob Bird. He had just dropped off the guys that slackpacked yesterday. Before long we were climbing up to the ridge to Vermont. There was a nice stream next to the trail so we stopped for water. As Trail Trash stepped down to fill his bottle, he fell in. His feet were soaked. As we approached the ridge we could hear Green Dog talking to someone. It was Little John and Mojo. We all walked talking and I said something about North Carolina. Little John asked where I live in NC. When I replied in Haw River just outside of Burlington, he said he and Mojo live in Carrboro. He also attended Alamance Community College. What a small world. We crossed into Vermont just before lunch. We took pictures of the sign and congratulated each other. At the Seth Warner Shelter we stopped to eat lunch. All of the hikers from the Bird Cage were there. Everyone was cutting up and having a good time, so I told Trash I was going to start walking since I am a little slower than everyone else. He was having such a good time I knew he would want to stay a little longer. Freighttrain left a few minutes later and we hiked most of the way together. When it started raining he picked up his pace and I couldn't keep up.The 7 miles to the shelter took a little longer than expected. Vermont is sometimes referred to as Vermud. The trail is a series of mud puddles. Twigs had told us it was muddy but I cannot believe how muddy it is. Well at least there is plenty of water here.At Congdon, there are a couple of section hikers out to lose weight. Alpine, a girl hiking the AT from Australia and two Long Trail hikers are also here.We have been invited to some trail magic at the next major intersection tomorrow. We will hit it early since the hike will be 20 miles to our next camp.
Date: 2010-07-17
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: few clouds

It rained during the night so this morning I packed a wet tent. I headed out just before 8:00 AM and told Trash I would see him at VT 9. Landfill's folks were doing trail magic in the parking lot there. The hike was just like yesterday's, muddy. Then it became a steep decent, hopping from boulder to boulder. The trail magic was great. There were sandwiches, drinks, chips, candy, oranges and apples. I had some of all of it. Everyone had a great time. I even got to spread out my tent and let it dry.After awhile I told Trash I would see him at Goddard Shelter. He was having a good time with the other hikers and I told him to stay an enjoy himself. As I hiked out of the gap, I met a SOBO. I informed him of the trail magic. He said "What's trail magic." He was delighted to hear they were giving away food.I stopped at the first shelter to use the privy and read the shelter journal. In the few minutes I was there Trail Trash passed me. He was real puzzled when he reached Goddard Shelter and I was not there. I walked in not too long after he got there. Aikido Joe arrived about 20 minutes later. On the way up to Kid Gore Shelter, I stopped to climb an old fire tower. The views were hazy but I could make out Mount Graylock to the south.When I arrived at Kid Gore there was a SOBO there named Easy. He is from South Carolina near Clemson. Trail Trash, Easy and I exchanged information about where to eat and resupply on the trail. Finally a SOBO that can hold a conversation!Looks like we may get rain tonight. Tomorrow we're stopping at Stratton Pond to swim and clean up.
Date: 2010-07-18
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

It rained most of the night. This morning the clouds were hanging low over the mountain peaks. It took awhile to dry the tent so we had a late start.On the way up to Story Spring Shelter we met two SOBOs. They asked about Easy. They were surprised they were about to catch him. At the shelter several more SOBOs were hanging out for the day. Joe and Trash hung out there but I headed out after a snack and refilled my water bottle.At Stratton-Arlington Road I found a cooler full of drinks. Trash and Joe came up soon after and were happy to see the trail magic. After the short break we started the climb up Stratton Mountain. It was a gradual climb. Nothing really taxing. I stopped near the top and got water from a spring. Trash and Joe were eating a snack under the fire tower when I got to the top. They climbed the tower while I called home. Sydney was with Susan and I could hear her in the back ground. After I went up the tower, we all headed for Stratton Pond. We dropped off our gear at the shelter and then went for a swim. The water was cool but the air was chilly. Once all the sweat was washed off we went back to the shelter and started supper. There are a number of people here tonight. Most are Long Trail hikers. They smell better than AT hikers. Breeze and Bumper came in about dark. Tomorrow is Manchester Center.
Date: 2010-07-19
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Manchestre Center, VT
Miles today: 10.7

The shelter was full last night. Not only with hikers but there were also a few mosquitoes. Aikido Joe set his tent up in the middle of the night to escape the little buzzing creatures.At first light both Joe and Trail Trash were up and ready to go.   I guess the lure of town food had a hold on both of them. It seemed appealing to me too.The 2 of them set a very fast pace from the start. There was no way I could keep up so I settled into a 3 mph pace of my own. I'm not sure of their speed but they disappeared in just a few moments.I passed several SOBOs this morning. They are more frequent and are getting friendlier. Their information about the trail is also getting more reliable.I caught Trash and Joe just before VT 11. They had scrambled up Spruce Peak. We stuck out our thumbs at the road and caught a ride in a dump truck. The woman driver dropped us off at the Steak Saloon but unfortunately it was not open. We ended up at Manchester Pizza. The food was good but the service was slow.Next order of business was resupply. Price Chopper was a couple of doors down. It was not as big as the last two and selections were limited. It took awhile but we got three days worth of food. I had to get alcohol for the stove so I left Joe and Trash with the packs and walked to the auto parts store for Heet. The owner looked at the bottle and then at me and asked, "how¢s the trail". I guess no one else would be buying gas dryer in this heat.I called Jeff at Green Mountain Hiker Hostel on the way back to Price Chopper. He said he would pick us up in 20 minutes. While we waited Peace-o-Cake and Buckwheat came up. They were sure we were in Maine. They were staying at the Green Mountain Hiker Hostel too. Jeff showed up a few minutes later and drove us to the hostel. It is about the nicest hostel we have stayed in. Trash and Joe have enjoyed the high speed internet and big screen TV. I've enjoyed the Ben and Jerry's ice cream.There are only six of us here tonight. Along with Peace-o-Cake and Buckwheat there is a SOBO named Pluto. Our plans are to be ready to leave at 6:30 AM in the morning. We're going to do a 20 mile day to a lake. Hopefully we will get to swim some and wash off the sticky sweat that coats us every day.
Date: 2010-07-20
From: Manchestre Center, VT

To: Little Rock Pond Tenting Area
Miles today: 19.8

We left Green Mountain Hiker Hostel at 6:30 and were on the trail by 7:00 AM. Our first climb was to the top of Bromley Mountain. The sky cleared and we were surrounded by mountains with clouds hanging low in the valleys. We stopped at Mad Tom Notch to use a water pump. The water was a little rusty but drinkable. Lunch was at Griffith Pond. The plan was to take a dip but the air was too cold. I hiked on ahead of Trash and Joe. When I got to the intersection of the Old Job Trail there was a notice about the Big Branch bridge being out. There was a detour adding 3 miles of road walks. I decided to skip the detour and ford the branch. The trail climbed over Baker Peak for some more great views and then started a gradual decent to the stream. I found a spot near the bridge with rocks all the way across. In Maine some of the crossings will not be so easy.I got to Little Rock Pond about 5:00. Trash and Joe arrived just minutes later. They had stopped to talk with a SOBO that Trash had worked with at Philmont. The sun is out and the boys went for a swim. I decided to take advantage of the quiet and write in my journal.
Date: 2010-07-21
From: Little Rock Pond Tenting Area

To: Cooper Lodge Shelter
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Trash and I left Joe at Little Rock. He is going into Wallingford for a maildrop. The plan is he will meet us on Friday. Hopefully that will work out. He and Trash seem to enjoy each other's company. It also allows me to hike a little slower pace. Trail Trash can move so fast with no effort and I just can't keep up. Today had several steep climbs. The toughest was Button Hill. At times it seemed we were going straight up the mountain. Finally near the top there was a series of switch backs. What a welcome break.Lunch was at Minerva Hinchery Shelter. I was soaking wet with sweat. I laid down on the sleeping platform and rested awhile. After eating I went down to the water to fill up. It was a piped spring. We haven't seen many of those since North Carolina. The afternoon was a series of ups and downs. I thought I had returned to Georgia with all the PUDS (pointless ups and downs). At Upper Cold River Road we got a surprise. I was telling Trash we had just 500 miles left to go. As we turned the corner we found a cooler of Cokes with a message congratulating us for only having 500 to go. I can remember Sonic high fiving everyone at Old Orchard the day we crossed 500 down south. It seems so long ago. I told Trash we had also covered 286 miles since we got back on the trail 16 days ago. It is only a month to Katahdin.We stopped briefly at Governor Clement Shelter and talked with a couple of Long Trailers. We didn't stay long because we had to climb Killington Peak (3850') before dark.As we made our way to the top a storm moved in on us. It rained briefly and the rumble of thunder stopped as we got to the ridge. Just as we got to the shelter there was a loud crack of thunder and wind blew rain all through the shelter. It lasted about 30 minutes and then there was a beautiful sunset under the edge of clouds.I was about to start supper and all of a sudden I had an attack of heat cramps. Trash kept bringing water (from another piped spring) and I was dumping in Elixar (an electrolyte replacement). They eased up after awhile but it left me feeling weak. I'm hoping sleep will help.
Date: 2010-07-22
From: Cooper Lodge Shelter

To: The Inn at the Long Trail
Miles today: 8.2

It was a slow crowd getting out of the shelter this morning. Everything was wet from clouds drifting through the windows. I got up and cooked last night's supper since I didn't feel like eating last night.I had a cell signal so I called my wife to wish her a happy birthday. I think being away on days like this are the hardest, but it will not be too much longer.We hit the trail about 8:30 with another series of ups and downs. At about 7 miles out the Long Trail and the AT split. The LT heads to Canada and the AT continues on to Maine.At the Inn Patrick greeted us and told us how to get laundry done and how to get to Rutland to resupply. We dropped our gear in the room, threw all our clothes in the washer and walked into the bar in rain gear for burgers. They were tasty.Showers were next and then a bus trip to Rutland. My camera has been doing strange things so I decided to replace it instead of missing shots in the Whites. Good ole Wal-Mart had a waterproof Olympus that will do just fine. I like the bigger LCD screen on the back. My eyes are so blurry these days.We picked up some food and got back to the bus depot with time to spare before the last bus.I was still feeling weak from last night so I caught a nap before supper. Trash went downstairs to watch TV. When I got up we went to eat. My appetite was not great. I had the waiter cancel half my meal. I called home to talk with Susan again. She is going to Erin's for pizza. Me, I'm going to bed in just a few minutes.
Date: 2010-07-23
From: The Inn at the Long Trail

To: Rutland, VT
Miles today: 0.0

I spent most of the night sick. I was convinced there was more going on than just dehydration and heat stress. After Trash enjoyed what looked like a very delicious breakfast we took the bus to Rutland so I could see a doctor.There is a clinic in town and the people there where very nice. The PA had a long talk with me and told me she had seen a number of patients with the same symptoms. But because I had been hiking so long she wrote me a prescription for an antibiotic that would cover giardia just in case. She said it was wide spread in Vermont, even her husband has had it. After the doctor's office we visited Price Chopper for chips and Gatorade. We are at the Rhodes Inn which is okay. At least the sheets are clean.I talked with Joe Ryan, a friend in Boston. He plans to drive down tomorrow to see us. I¢m hoping we're somewhere on the trail hiking when he gets here. We'll just see how I feel.
Date: 2010-07-24
From: Rutland, VT

To: Rutland, VT
Miles today: 0.0

I got up this morning with all intentions of hiking, but that soon disappeared. As I moved around I could feel the nausea build. I reserved the room another night.My appetite started coming back at lunch and Trash and I walked to Applebee's. I got a 1/2 rack of ribs but couldn't finish the fries. After lunch I walked to CVS and got some Pepto Bismol tablets. I immediately got relief.Late this afternoon Joe Ryan from Boston came by. His daughter was with him. He offered a number of suggestions on the next 500 miles. He also offered to help at the end of the trail getting home. He got a couple of pizzas and fed us supper. Pizza is what started our friendship in Georgia several years ago. It was good to see him again.Several people called or texted me today and I appreciated all the contacts. The best was a get well card from my granddaughter Sydney. She drew me a picture of my dog Bonnie. Thanks Syd.Tomorrow we hike!
Date: 2010-07-25
From: Sherburne Pass Reail

To: Winturri Shelter
Miles today: 18.0

For two days I've held up in a motel room waiting for this thing to clear up. While I feel much better, the problem is ongoing. However it is manageable so we're busting out. The first order of business was a shower and some breakfast. The shower was forceful and hot. When another hotel guest flushed it was scalding. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It should be balanced and nutritious. I opted for chocolate doughnuts and waffles. The syrup was not from Vermont. It was corn syrup from Illinois. So much for all the "buy local' signs you see around town.Now a bus back to the trail. Trash and I hustled all the way to the station only to find out the bus would be late. We were both covered in sweat from the 1/2 mile near run we made to the terminal. Finally the bus arrived and we were on our way. As it made its way out of town it was passing all the places we had just seen as we rushed to meet it. The bus stopped. One block from our motel a man hops on the bus. As we pull away I see a sign that says "The Bus stops here". Well, the important thing is that we are on the bus.The driver slows down as we approached the crossing for the AT. I tell him no, to continue, we have already hiked this section. Soon we are at the Inn. We go in briefly to use the restroom and wait out a little shower, then start hiking up the trail connecting us to the AT.As soon as we get to the intersection we meet two SOBOs. While we talk (and I rest) Freighttrain comes by. He had been spending time off the trail with a friend and was surprised to see us. The hike took us past Thundering Falls and then up Quimby Mountain. It would be our biggest of several climbs today. The weather continued to change. At the Inn it rained a little and then stopped. At the falls the sun was out. As we descended the mountain the skies were clouding up again. Just as we got to Stony Brook Shelter the bottom fell out and rain the rain came down. Freighttrain and a few other hikers were there eating lunch. We sat in the shelter and enjoyed lunch and being with other hikers. One of Freighttrain's friends had worked at Philmont so he and Trash had lots to talk about.The afternoon was full of ups and downs. One of the downs included a ladder climb. About 5:00 we stopped at an overlook of sorts. We had to climb to a deck on top of a cabin. It was worth it. The sky was clear and we could see back to Killington Peak as well as into New Hampshire.At Winturri Shelter there were 8 or more hikers including Freighttrain and his friends. We all talked as we prepared supper. The temperature is dropping so sleeping will be easy tonight.