morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-08-04
From: Stealth Camp at Buttermilk Falls

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

What another earned great day! A nice morning w/Mr. Smee and Alex, now SheRa, but a bit of a late start. It was a pretty nice hike up and thru more rocks but not too bad although the air was humid and it was going to be hot! I would look forward to the Mtn Dew magic Smee¢s mom would be bringing to the next road! Only 4 miles to water but then 15 to the next! The last 7 miles from water to the road were tough! NJ was hot and much of it up on the ridge in the sun! That plus the many noises from suburbia down below, the bugs and the TP left every 50¢ made it quite unpleasant. Thank goodness the climbs were small and short. After a good cursing session to NJ, the sun and the ridges I slipped on a big slab of rock TWICE-the rocks are baking in this sun, why are they wet I wonder¢¦ 15 minutes later I had another mobile venting session over the bugs, noise and trash to which she (the NJ Trail) responded by sending me over the steep edge of the trail and down into the brush about 5 feet! I grabbed a small, well rooted tree to keep from rolling down the mtn and just laid there! I decided right then I would never curse my dear friend, the trail, again. After recognizing the pack must come off to get up I unbuckled and slowly got up! I fetched my pack and poles, collected myself and slowly started walking down the rest of the mtn. This is what Bill Irwin must have done SO many times EVERY day! It took me 1100 mi to wipe out like this so I am most grateful! Turns out I was closer to the road than I thought! Yeah!! And wait¢¦yes¢¦that¢s a hammock hanging down there! It¢s Shags!! He decided to wait that morning as he knew I would be rolling in soon. Reunion! It was so great to see him! Little did I know the road crossing had a store, bar and gas station-right there! Like 50¢ from the trail!! First we decided to cross the street, get Smee¢s Dew magic and ponder our plan. We decided to eat at the bar, catch up & decide how far to hike! It was great! (Talked to LT who called the ATC for my CT/MA maps I never got!) We hiked out 2 hours later and took it easy! Views everywhere! We only went 3 miles but had the best time taking it easy and telling trail stories! We got all set up had dinner and visited!! Big R/Dirty Hippie and Turtle visited for a minute as they paused before moving on to the pavilion which was fun. They¢re both so nice!
Date: 2010-08-05
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

After a great, late night telling stories, some good sleep, some breakfast, a visit with our first SOBO¢s (Bad Idea and One Way) and also Grizzly and Hazzard as they passed through, we finally hiked out @ 9am. A great morning and nice terrain of short rocky climbs was nice. The weather was fairly cool and overcast. We stopped at the Mashipacong shelter well advertised as NO WATER to find a 5 gal jug of water left by the Maintainer! We decided to stop and eat! It was lunch time but since we had water I would make my hot dinner and just eat a cold lunch tonight. It would be a late one as we only had 6 mi in so that would be perfect. Grizzly, Hazzard and the kid came along and we had a nice break. Next stop was the forest ranger station office spigot 2 12 mi away. We had a nice quick hike there and enjoyed another nice break w/the gang. High Point shelter was only 7 mi so we¢d at least go that far! After a good few miles we came to Monument observation deck. It was cool w/a great 360 degree view! The sun was starting to set so we de-packed and took that in for a good while! We took back off w/a little light left and headed down the mtn! A little night hiking would be fun! It was rocky though so a little slow going. Fun none the less! It wasn¢t long before we saw a light. Must be the shelter! Turns out it was Hazzard and Grizzly and a small Indian fire by the trail to the shelter. W/a lot of camp fire restrictions lately it was a great sight to see! I went and scoped out the shelter for camping options since there just hadn¢t been any trailside options today and¢¦yes! There was a ton of space, plenty for all! There was a big grassy opening by the creek (rare lately) about 75 yards before the shelter. We stayed by the fire for a good while and decided around 10-10:30 we¢d better move along and get set up! We did and man, was I hungry! Not wanting to spend 30 min on it I decided to eat some snacks. Grizzly and I chatted a while as Shags and Hazzard checked out. Better! I needed that! I discovered the bear box @ the shelter, grabbed Shags¢ food & gathered mine up. Grizzly got Hazzard¢s and took them all over! Such a huge gesture when it¢s so late and you are SO tired! I was ready for bed! Another, different, fantastic day on the AT!
Date: 2010-08-07
From: Unionville, NY; Mayor's House Hostel

To: Stealth at top of Wawayanda Mountain
Miles today: 13.2

Early start with our breakfast call, ate, packed, visited and killed my 1/2 gal of ice cream and were off. The terrain was flat, went through a bird sanctuary, many benches and breaks and a big climb! We detoured .1 off trail to a kids sleepover camp where a kind woman gave us water and granola bars! Reenergized we hit the trail. Before I knew it we were at the famous, seriously long, boardwalk! Over 1 mile, it was cool! They ground wasn't swampy but must get that way. I can't believe how many butterfly bushes grow wild out here! It really has been beautiful!! Before too long we found ourselves at a road with a Farmer's Market and ICE CREAM!!! I thoroughly enjoyed some "Maine Blueberry" ice cream and cokes! We visited with Turtle, Hazzard and Grizzly then they took off for the church hostel just down the road since Turtle's ankle was hurting. Shags and I headed out for a ROCKY, STEEP but short climb where we found a great spot to camp at the top/vista! We enjoyed a wonderful sunset, set up camp, had dinner to some fireworks across the valley, enjoyed some stars and SCI and Pink Floyd (via my ipod) and hit it! Life is SO good out here!!HANDWRITTEN ENTRY:-Up early w/breakfast call, packed, visited and killed my ice cream, -flat terrain, sanctuary, benches, breaks, climbing, pitted at a kids sleepover camp-farmers market (orange soda, Maine blueberry ice cream, coke,) -rocky, steep but gentle climb up Waywayanda, awesome sunset and camp up with a view!, new chicken was GREAT & quick!, some fireworks across the valley, great stars, listened to some SCI & Pink Floyd with Shags and called it a night. -today was also the day of the enormous NJ boardwalk! It went on and on and on. It was very cool and I am very grateful it was there!
Date: 2010-08-08
From: Stealth at top of Wawayanda Mountain

To: Stealth Camp 1/2 mile N of NY17A
Miles today: 14.1

A great morning view and slow start we headed out about 8:45. We saw 2 bears within the first 30 minutes! We covered 2 miles in 45 minutes! SWEET! Took a break at the shelter with Grizzly, Hazzard and Turtle and then off again. Shags and I stopped for lunch at the NY/NJ border!! Yahoooo!! SO LONG Jersey!! Unfortunately NY did not greet us kindly! The sun was out and HOT and the trail had us doing major boulder walks on the ridge top! It was AWFUL in the sun...give me my tunnel back, I think over and over! We finally made it to the descent which brought us to a creamery only .2 from the trail!!!! Yeah!!! ICE CREAM AND WATER!!! After the ice cream did a number on us we decided to hike just a bit and found a spot to stealth camp .5 up the way. It was another really hard day and low miles, but with a creamery in the picture, I should have known Hard perhaps, but still a great day on the AT!!!HANDWRITTEN ENTRY:Great morning w/a view, slow start, saw 2 bears w/in 30 min of each other!! We did 2 mi in 45 min, took a break and I called Lea and Songbird, slow morning after! Stopped @ shelter for food break w/Griz, Haz & Turtle and finally got to the NY/NJ border in time for lunch. After that came a major boulder ridge walk-AWFUL in this beating sun and low water! Finally made it to the creamery for water and ICE CREAM! The creamery was cool and had an awesome view to watch the sunset. We sat and enjoyed a bit and then headed out with some light left. We stealth camped .5 back on trail. Hard day-low miles Thank goodness for extras like ice cream! Bed by 10
Date: 2010-08-09
From: Stealth Camp 1/2 mile N of NY17A

To: Island Pond
Miles today: 13.2

The morning started out w/10 mi to water! Glad I have some, I should be ok. I came across an unexpected creek where I found Griz, Haz and Turtle! Break! We then climbed up a dry waterfall then a big rock wall!! I passed a hiker, Andy, who turns out shortly after bit it and tumbled down the rocky terrain, just as Shags was approaching. He¢s so lucky Shags came along. This guy was beat up pretty bad and certainly couldn¢t have carried his pack down. Thank goodness the road wasn¢t very far! Turns out the others convinced Grizzly to go to town and a hospital and have his toe drained/looked at, well Shag¢s and Andy just missed him and his ride (I think he hitched, but not sure) when they got to the road so luckily when we passed this earlier we discovered some Trail Angels left their info and said to call if you needed anything! They came after Andy and Shags was back on trail, Northbound! I was out in front today and was unaware of all of this until I saw Hazzard and Turtle, who brought me up to speed. I decided to keep hiking and that Shags would catch up later or tomorrow worst case. After climbing Arden Mtn¢s rock walls and steep down I saw some trail magic just before the road crossing. Water and Raspberry Lime Seltzer. The water was fabulous! I also found Hazzard and Turtle and Mr. Smee. They decided they would do some road walking today and tomorrow and eventually headed out. As I decided to wait 10 more minutes for Shags the next crew rolled in: Thor, Cornbread and Pierre! Reunion!! Shortly after Shags arrived! With a nice long break in I was ready to hit it! Excited to get going and find home for the night so I took off, the boys would catch up. I pushed on to Pond Island outlet hoping for some water and possibly a view and boy was I glad! Score!! They arrived shortly after and we were all swimming in a matter of minutes! Funny what they consider a pond out here! We call those Lakes in IN!! So we got cleaned up, set up, dinner going and visited. Cornbread went with a pesto and cheese cornbread tonight and it was FABULOUS!!! Thanks again for sharing your wealth!! It was a long day, hard miles, hoped for more but most importantly I succeeded at accepting what the trail threw at me! I really hope I get a big day in tomorrow after the infamous ¢Lemon Squeezer!¢ Our site has fantastic views and it will be another night w/o the rainfly! It just doesn't get any better than this!
Date: 2010-08-10
From: Island Pond

To: Stealth 1/2mi S of Bear Mountain Summit
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

A nice easy morning started the day and we arrived at Lake Tiorati, and found the gang (Turtle, Hazzard, Squatch, Smee and She-ra) I enjoyed an orange soda, fudge-pop and mini cold shower. It was a pretty nice walk to the shelter, had lunch and began our afternoon rock climbs: Black Mtn and Timpe. It went slow and I did pretty good for the head and being the end of the day. We found a spring before the Timpe climb and met an "experienced" hiker who thought they start their section hike with 19 and his sons. I'd love to know how far they made it that day! Hehe! We enjoyed views on both sides of the Mtn for .5-1 mile. Wonderful breezes made the heat bearable. Got to 7 Lakes Drive and found the Captain's water/trail magic!! We pushed on to find a campsite near Bear Mtn. Town stop there tomorrow, mail drop from Turner and Shags' friends for a visit. Will resupply, eat lunch and head back out. The trail passes thru a zoo tomorrow! HANDWRITTEN ENTRY:It was a nice easy morning; we arrived at the beach of Lake Tiorati and found the gang: Turtle, Hazzard, Squatch, SheRa & Smee. Enjoyed an orange soda, a fudge pop and cold, mini~shower! It was a pretty nice walk to the shelter, had lunch and began the afternoon rock climbs: Black Mtn and Timpe. It went slow but did pretty good for the heat and it being the end of the day. We found a spring before the Timpe climb which is a score! We met the ¢experienced¢ hiker and his sons, sure hope they made it out! Enjoyed views on both sides of the ridge for .5-1 mi. Wonderful breezes made the heat bearable. Got to 7 Lakes Drive and found more of the Captain¢s water Trail Magic which was much needed! We pushed on to find a campsite near Bear Mtn. Town stop @ Bear Mtn tomorrow, a maildrop from LT and Shags¢ friends arrive for a lunch visit! Should be a lot of fun!! We will resupply, eat lunch and head back out. The trail also passes thru the zoo tomorrow! The zoo is the home to the lowest spot on the whole AT, 124¢!I¢m back to worrying about miles. The heat, extra stops and breaks are really showing. I guess we¢ll just have to have longer days and shorter nights. I also need to consider less 0¢s! I feel like I¢ll need them but nero¢s help and I hope I can just take a couple 0¢s on trail-just not every week! It¢s been fun w/Shags but we had better get a move on!
Date: 2010-08-12
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: broken clouds

Pizza delivery to the RPH Shelter!!What a great day!! Got up @ 6:30 and moving about 7. Had a nice easy morn and hit the trail about 9. Shags and I went nice and steady all morn. We shared some breaks and lunch with Mr. Smee and She-ra and headed for our last 11 mi. The terrain has been very pleasant! With the threat of rain all day we only got a few sprinkles, yea!! The temp has dropped and boy does it make a difference! As we were about .5 mi from the camping area Shags takes a pit stop and I keep going...I saw the trail split and thought it was too soon. As I walk along I run into Biscuit and Frisbee (temporarily hiking SOBO) who came from the shelter-a mile PAST the camping area! Since it was all downhill to the shelter (therefore UPHILL BACK to the camping area) AND there was pizza delivery (it's right by a road) I decided to keep going and figured Shags would see I passed the camping area and would follow. I soon arrived and called for pizza and soda right away in case they might close soon. Shags never made it but the pizza did!! I sat on the porch as it sprinkled again and enjoyed the deck furniture and dinner!! Chairs out here are a SERIOUS bonus!! Those with hammocks get off the ground, but I do not have one of those! Logs are nice, but no back support you see! Hence a great appreciation for REAL chairs! After eating 1/2 of the large pizza I was able to text Songbird who can come out to hike with us in Kent! I can't wait! I finally made it to bed @ 11:30! (VERY late night, but well worth it!) An especially fantastic day on the AT!!
Date: 2010-08-13
From: RPH Shelter

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

Great Day! Got up and ready then enjoyed that furniture again while I waited for Shags (1 mi back at the Shenandoah Camping Area) He arrived @ 8:30 w/apples and I offered pizza and pepsi! We headed out for the 5 mi to the deli and pizza shop! There I ate 2 XL pieces of pizza and what was to be an XL order of fries, Mtn Dew tall boy, grape juice (to pack out) and a quart of choc milk! Squatch arrived then Smee and SheRa who would wait on his mom as they are taking a few days off @ home in CT. Shags got a loaf of bread from the bakery delivery man and almost a whole case of bottled water from the pepsi delivery guy! Score and Score!! With belly full of food and much liquid we finally headed out. I was MISERABLE! God love shags for not minding another break .5 mi in! I managed to get to the shelter only 4 mi from the deli and he didn¢t mind to call it a day, thank goodness! I clearly OVER DID IT! There was a bushfire this morn which was interesting to see and the trails they make to stop it, we set up and ate AGAIN! We BS¢d a bit and called it a night!! As long as we get the 27 mi to Kent in Sat and Sun we¢ll be fine to meet Songbird! I can¢t wait to see and hike with her for a few days! 8:45pm
Date: 2010-08-14
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Stealth .7 N of NY/CT line
Miles today: 18.5

Today was fantastic! Shags and I finished NY and started CT! CT is my 10th state! We had a chilly morn and hit the trail just after 8. The terrain and weather were absolutely fabulous all day! The hot dog stand and shower @ the landscaping place by the RR station & road (yes, there is a RR station for NYC ON THE TRAIL!) didn't pan out but that's ok! We headed out for the CT border! Through some pastures, a cornfield and back to the woods we go! About 7:45 and .5 from the shelter we crossed a road and found some trail magic!! Water, cookies and lemonade mix! We made some milk and enjoyed it thoroughly!!! Thank you Trail Angels!! At the shelter I was reunited with Wandering Jew who I hadn't see since All Good! I was so excited to see him and catch up! Shags and I weren't ready to stop so we pushed on 1.5 miles to the NY-CT border! We celebrated, Shags with his treat and me with my pink lemonade!!, and moved on to find a campsite, hopefully before the 2mi climb and descent of 10 mi Mtn! Just in time I spotted an area that would work, thank goodness! With no cell service, we would have to wait until the morn to see what time we would meet Songbird, who we are so excited to see and hike with again! ANOTHER wonderful day on the Appalachian Trail!! I am SO blessed to be able to do this and retain the health and strength required!
Date: 2010-08-15
From: Stealth .7 N of NY/CT line

To: Mt Algo lean-to/Kent CT
Miles today: 10.7

We got a great early start and had awesome weather with only 10-11 miles to Kent, CT where we would meet Songbird and get to hike with her for a couple days! We had great terrain and moved along and was there at the road where we found her! She ran us around to launder our clothes and resupply, thanks SO SO much Songbird!! We were then off to her uncles where she would leave her car and her Aunt drove us to the trail! It was raining now so we decided to head S .3 miles to the shelter and get camp set up. Rain and all, we had so much fun visiting and catching up with her and Toasty (they are still in touch and planning their next adventure!) I am very excited to be out of NY. Water's beginning to flow and starts getting better through MA. Once we hit VT there will be no worries again! We sure took the great and plentiful spring water of the south for granted! The flat terrain is over Back to serious work but I am strong and ready! Cool weather will really help too!
Date: 2010-08-16
From: Mt Algo lean-to/Kent CT

To: Stealth 1mi S of River Rd
Miles today: 8.4

This was a wet, slow, lazy and sad morning. I was happy we had Songbird with us but I got the news that Turner would be saying goodbye to our girl Casey and setting her free. Casey is Laura's dog we saved 14 years ago from the streets of Franklin. She was such a good girl and I am really sad I didn't get to say goodbye! She was old and aching so we all knew it was best for her. I only wished there was something I could do and some way to get her one last hug and belly rub! Cherokee and Balki will be glad to see her though, this I know! So after some mourning, I started moving and shaking so Songbird could get some hiking in while she was out. The rain lasted into early afternoon and we were so glad when it quit. We had some flat miles and a couple climbs until we came to a wonderful spot where we would camp. A nice pine forest completely covered in pine needles! Soooo soft! Songbird made an Indian fire and before we knew it we were eating hot dogs! It was a nice way to end the day! It sure was nice to hike with our friend again! We hadn't seen her since Fontana Dam, just before the Smokies! Months ago!!
Date: 2010-08-17
From: Stealth 1mi S of River Rd

To: Pine Swamp Brook lean-to
Miles today: 8.6

This was to be our last day with Songbird (see 8/15) so we had a nice morning and the rain quit so it was perfect! We hiked slow and had fun over several climbs and breaks! We saw a hawk and an owl (I got great pics of the owl...it was COOL!) We arrived at the road to meet Songbirds mom much sooner than expected and had fun visiting and waiting. She was so kind to bring us water and deli sandwiches!!! She also brought Doritos and Yoohoo!! FANTASTIC!!! Thanks so much for all of your trouble! Songbird...Pierre took some of the water you left and was so grateful to find it there! After Songbird parted about 6, we hiked up one more rocky climb and stopped at the shelter...We only had 15 miles left to Salisbury where I will get a much needed shower and break! Another fantastic day on the AT!!!
Date: 2010-08-18
From: Pine Swamp Brook lean-to

To: Billy's View
Miles today: 13.2

This was an awesome day! Shags and I hiked with Pierre (who is solo right now since Cornbread had a bit of an accident~thank goodness he's ok!) We had a great lunch in a picnic area with a port-a-let, water, trash cans and picnic tables! Ahh, life is good! After lunch we saw and hiked right up to some great waterfalls, climbed this crazy balanced rock that was 10' high and only 3' wide...got a great pic! We had trail magic of water and camped on top a mtn at Billy's view! Although Billy needs a chainsaw hehe, we still had a pretty nice view and watched an amazing sunset followed by a beautiful bright moon and stars! With only 2 miles to town, the day couldn't have been any better!
Date: 2010-08-19
From: Billy's View

To: Room/Private Home/Salisbury,CT
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: haze

Nero dayHi everyone!! It's me! I am back to civilization and actually get to stay in it for a minute! Shags and I arrived this morning about 9 and were sitting ordering a real breakfast by 9:15! We have resupplied, laundered, showered and after some more eating and laying will head out again in the morning! I am currently at the AWESOME library here in Salisbury, CT! I'm afraid I can't put my memory card in this computer so no pictures I have some GOOD ones but just don't know when I'll be able to get them uploaded! I am going to go back and update the entries, this time I will start with yesterday and work back (Updated now 8/7-today, I hope you'll start there and read forward). I am also going to try and keep them brief to get you more days info! The trail has been OUTSTANDING lately!! I can not tell you how much fun and growth is going on out here! I am feeling stronger everyday! I get to use my legs again now that the terrain is no longer flat and I am confident the break didn't affect me too bad. I am ready for the climbs which is good because they are coming!! Thanks to ALL my friends and followers for the kind messages! Bambi, Twizzler and Roadrunner...I'm SO sorry I missed you! I have not been hitting too many shelters lately so I didn't see your notes I would love for you to call my cell and let me know where you'll be...I think there was a link for Twizzler in the message so I'll try to send it to you! Turners...I love you guys and can't wait to see you! Chase~congrats on your tooth! I hope Aunt Laura gave you my gift..if not make sure you get it! Margie-I didn't know Don was out here, when you hear from him let me know where he is, I check messages so feel free to leave one! Dara-I love you and can't wait for that hug either! Say hi to Beck for me! Kelley-thanks for the encouraging words! Ok, off to update! Peace and love to you all! I'm afraid I'll be home before I know it to share this incredible journey with you all!