morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-07-02
From: Tom Leonard shelter (mile 1528.1)

To: Stealth camp at two streams (mile 1541.5)
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

We rose early with the sun to try to beat the heat. One of the water sources for our camp last night was down a steep rocky ravine which I think was the lower end of Ice Gulch, which we passed soon after camp. The gulch forms a sort of wind tunnel that is always in the shade, and is at least 20 degrees colder than its surroundings. It was really bizarre to feel it last night and this morning in comparison to the hot weather we're having.I met a southbound hiker who is also hiking a large section of the trail the summer before he goes to college. He lives in Pennsylvania and has a goal of hiking back home, and is going to try to walk barefoot until he hits the Pennsylvania border! It's cool to know that I'm not the only one who thought to turn this summer into an awesome trip.We stopped at the South Mount Wilcox shelters for lunch. There are actually two shelters here. We ate in the old one, which was built in the 1930s and is still used, with Chili, Stripper, and another hiker.The camp we were going to stay at tonight supposedly has a problem bear and cubs, so we made a plan with everyone else at lunch to all stealth camp at an opening for a gas line that is next to a water source a little ways past the campsite.I believe that Bear Bait has officially earned his nickname now. In the 20 days that I was with Wilbur, we didn't see a single bear. In fact, I had never seen a bear in the wild before at all. Within 36 hours of Bear Bait picking his name, we saw a momma bear and her three cubs on our way to pass through Shaker campsite. A local runner came upon us while we were making noise to try to scare them off (which didn't work at all) and described the shortest roadwalk we could take to bypass the bears. Soon on our walk, however, he pulled up in his car and offered to give us a ride since it was getting late! He even had fresh grapes for us to eat, which were absolutely delicious. Trail magic really provided what we needed at the time and I'm super grateful for the local's generosity. We are now stealth camped an extra two miles away from the bears near two noisy but soothing streams to fall asleep to.Wildlife seen: Bear, bear, bear, momma bear
Date: 2018-07-03
From: Stealth camp at two streams (mile 1541.5)

To: Upper Goose Pond cabin (mile 1549.2)
Miles today: 7.7

Due to our bear evac car ride yesterday we started a little farther along the trail today and could relax a bit on the miles. At our second road crossing we found some trail magic and were able to enjoy some camp chairs and nice cold sodas in the heat. Chili and Stripper showed up and we were able to explain our bear story and why we didn't show up to camp last night. Another hiker named Tunes showed up and we realized he was the one set up in camp when we came upon the bear. We also met some thruhikers averaging 30 a day and hoping to be done by the end of July.We met many dayhikers on the way to Goose Pond who made us excited for our stay at the cabin. We even met a guy with an injured baby squirrel in his hipbelt pocket who was taking it to his veterinarian friend.The pond absolutely lived up to the hype. The cabin has bunks upstairs so we didn't have to set up our tent and there is a beautiful lake with a dock to sit on nearby. There we learned how Tunes got his name when he played guitar and sang to us while we swam in the clear water. The fish will try to nibble on your feet if you sit still for long enough! Another hiker, Picasso, showed us her beautiful artwork and was working on making a drawing of the lake. Soon after we got a bit of early 4th of July celebration in when a party pontoon boat showed up from a connecting lake. The owner picks up hikers to hang out with his friends on his boat on nice days! We had plenty of fun and even did flips off the top of the boat. The cabin has a nice front porch where we talked with an awesome crowd of hikers during dinner. Afterwards I took a canoe with Chili and Stirling to the island in the middle of the lake to look at the rock garden and watch the sunset. Many hikers stayed over from last night and took a zero or stayed late into the day for a nero, and I can see why. This place is beautiful! It's a regular Hotel California. I'm in a very relaxed camping mood now and look forward to the magic that I'm sure is coming in the miles ahead.
Date: 2018-07-04
From: Upper Goose Pond cabin (mile 1549.2)

To: October Mountain shelter (mile 1558.0)
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: scattered clouds

The cabin life kept giving this morning as we got free pancakes and syrup to start the day. We leapfrogged Strider and his dad Mud (which are both around our ages) most of the morning as we crossed I-90 and climbed Becket Mountain.We found more trail magic today and I chowed down on the bunches of chips that were left.We stopped at a lake for lunch. We've been doing that a lot cause they're great places for breaks. That combined with canoeing last night makes me want to travel back to Boundary Waters for another canoe trip sometime.We arrived to camp pretty early today. We didn't have too many others join us tonight - I assume everyone else went into town to watch fireworks. Since I had some extra time around camp I decided to help out by refilling the duff bucket and sweeping out the cabin. I also had plenty of time to flip through the log book. We did share stories while cooking with Four Leaf, who rises late and nighthikes almost every day and was just passing through, and Sheep Dog, who does the opposite and gets up early and stayed in camp with us. One of the best parts about being out here is that everyone has stories to share. Probably Bear Bait and I's favorite question is "What is the most bizarre thing you have seen while out here?"We heard fireworks before heading to bed. God bless the country that gave us these 2,190 miles of beauty, and many more.P.S. I'm hoping there will be some discount fireworks and food when we head into town tomorrow.
Date: 2018-07-05
From: October Mountain shelter (mile 1558.0)

To: Dalton, Massachusetts (mile 1569.8)
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

This morning we headed out early so that we'll have time to get stuff done in Dalton. On the upside that means that we were hiking while it was cool. However, that also meant that it was a little early to knock on the Cookie Lady's door when we passed by so we had to skip that.We saw another young bear scramble up a tree today, but thankfully no other bear showed up and this one was scared of us. We were able to pass under it without issue.We found some great blueberry bushes on top of Warner Hill while looking down into the valley of Pittsfield and Dalton. It's exciting to be able to look miles along the trail at high viewpoints.We rolled into Dalton in good time for a longer day and immediately enjoyed the AC in our room, and the friendly Inn cat. We got a recommendation to stay at the Shamrock Village Inn from a fellow hiker and enjoyed getting to know the friendly owners. I think I've decided that the best part of trail life, even better than food and showers in town stops or beautiful views, is getting to know everyone around you doing the same thing. The number of incredible conversations I've had with people that I didn't know 24 hours ago is astounding. We ate dinner with Strider and Mud, who we just met at Upper Goose Pond. We got our recommendation for dessert from another father-son set of section hikers we met going SOBO today. As I write this I'm listening to a playlist from a college student we saw outside Great Barrington. Other hikers have mentioned this before as well and I agree - being on the trail restores your faith in humanity a lot.Quote of the day: "Anything less than digging in when in the presence of great food is being entirely too damn polite."-Mud, while scooping some leftover food that I was obviously interested in onto my plate.
Date: 2018-07-06
From: Dalton, Massachusetts (mile 1569.8)

To: Cheshire, Massachusetts (mile 1578.8)
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

We slept in this morning, which worked out great because it gave the rain a chance to stop. The rain also cooled things off an we were able to cruise on the roadwalk out of town and up Crystal Mountain.We enjoyed talking with a local couple about Cheshire while at The Cobbles, a large rock outcropping just before town.On the way into town we passed a replica of a 1 ton cheese wheel made here, and there's a cheese fest tomorrow. I guess they're big on cheese here.We're camping tonight in the field besides a church which graciously opens its doors for hikers during the day, so we enjoyed the AC and running water for a bit. After dinner we got a chance to know Pacecar and Pacman, the other hikers staying here, a little better. We even got some trail magic when a boy showed up with his mom to give us fresh fruit, popsicles, poptarts, and other snacks. We had a blast telling jokes and playing cards with the boy and the other hikers (and I gave him the link to this journal, so hopefully he's reading it too!)
Date: 2018-07-07
From: Cheshire, Massachusetts (mile 1578.8)

To: Mt. Greylock (mile 1587.0)
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: light rain

Today was our first morning that was somewhat cold - I think it dipped below 50 degrees. We weren't sure if we should stop at the first shelter or push over Mt. Greylock and do the 12 miles to the next shelter today, so we decided to get up early and see how the day went (even if that meant missing the cheese festival that was in Cheshire in the afternoon today). The climb up Greylock was steep and long, but the cool temperatures definitely helped us out. We stopped for a quick lunch and water refill at the Mark Noepel shelter and decided to push on. While there we met Pete, a trail maintainer who was there to fix up part of the shelter. He remembered being there when the original shelter materials were carried up the mountain by a helicopter!After lunch we continued to climb elevation. The forest changed a little before 3000ft, with the smell of spruce and fir evident in the air. Eventually we reached the summit, which has a lighthouse war memorial at the top and 360 degree views. Today sets my trip high point an additional 800 feet up. We decided to stay at the lodge on top of Graylock instead of pushing to the next shelter. My bunk has a fantastic view and there are showers and breakfast here so there were no complaints from me.After dinner we walked around the summit and spoke with other visitors, including one couple who was so interested in our trip that they gave us a free soda and trail snacks!Throughout the day I've been hearing one particular bird call that was particularly vocal at dusk. I was able to figure out that it is the white-throated sparrow.Some signs on the summit explained that above 2600 feet, the climate on Greylock becomes Boreal Forest because of how exposed the mountain is. The trees are stunted and the winter weather here is impressive. It's the only known area like this in Massachusetts, and is more similar to northern Canada than the surrounding area.As of tonight my trip is halfway over. Incredible to think of everything that's happened within the space of less than a month, and that I get a chance to make just as many more memories.As I write this I am enjoying looking from my bunk window at the twinkling of the stars and lights from mountain cities after the sunset has faded away.
Date: 2018-07-08
From: Mt. Greylock (mile 1587.0)

To: Sherman Brook campsite (mile 1595.0)
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I took a nice walk around the top of Greylock this morning while waiting for our breakfast to be ready. Along the way I read quotes that are engraved on rocks along the trail, including one that Thoreau wrote when he visited Greylock that I really liked. Soon enough we started the steep descent and watched the trees change as we dropped elevation. The first bit of trail follows an old but famously difficult ski run. It was incredibly rocky and narrow, so I can see why.We stopped at Prospect Ledges for a little while and watched skydivers jump out of a plane and soar down to the city below us.Upon crossing some neighborhoods on our way through Williamstown, we found some bikes that are free for hikers to borrow to ride into town. We decided we're gonna take a longer day tomorrow so we didn't need a resupply, but I wasn't about to pass up an opportunity to ride a bike for fun. Bear Bait and I cruised around the neighborhood and even checked out a nearby airport. Whoever came up with that idea is a genius.After passing over some bridges and through town, we began to climb again next to a large flowing brook. The water source for tonight is Pete's spring. The water bubbles straight up through some gravel, and sometimes you'll hear spackling noises from air bubbles rising through.The campsite is pretty packed tonight, even though most people try to stay at shelters rather than campsites. I'm a little tired since I stayed up to look at the stars last night so we're headed to bed early. The sun hasn't even set yet!After getting to camp I realized I passed the 300 mile mark today! My goal is to do at least 330 more miles so that I cross the Maine border before I have to head back.
Date: 2018-07-09
From: Sherman Brook campsite (mile 1595.0)

To: Congdon shelter (mile 1607.4)
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

This morning started out with a real streep and rocky climb - any section that has to have an alternate bad weather route is tough! There was a cool rock garden at the top of the mountain at least, and the Vermont border was soon after. Also at the border is the southern terminus of the Long Trail, which follows the same path as the AT for about 100 miles. I'm excited for the Green Mountains that are coming up. Vermont is known on the trail as Vermud, but thankfully the mud puddles we crossed today weren't too bad since it hasn't rained hard recently. We had another milestone today as well since we passed the trail's 1600 mile mark.Later in the day we met someone who is thruhiking the Long Trail, and is staying at the same shelter as us tonight. She plans to complete the trail in less time than I've been hiking so far! She's probably one of the few people that I've met that aren't dayhikers that's newer to the trail than me, since I'm surrounded by AT thruhikers. Also at our campsite tonight is a Green Mountain Club volunteer who shared some of his experiences with trail work, a couple who met on the trail, and a first time backpacker.
Date: 2018-07-10
From: Congdon shelter (mile 1607.4)

To: Bennington, VT (mile 1611.7)
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: few clouds

This morning we got to relax a little bit heading out of camp and talked with a Vanderbilt grad also starting a Long Trail thruhike. The hike down from Harmon Hill was steep and treacherous, but came with a double dose of trail magic snacks at our pickup point. Pete the Catamount motel owner picked us up and after cleaning up a bit we explored the town, including Chinese for lunch, a rushed 30 minute restock since we had to make the last bus back from the supermarket (where we bought way too much food), and some ice cream (of course). In the evening I got a chance to hang out and watch TV with some other hikers (who make up most of this motel's business - there were no vacancies tonight!).
Date: 2018-07-11
From: Bennington, VT (mile 1611.7)

To: Goddard shelter (mile 1621.8)
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: broken clouds

This morning we enjoyed our last bit of town food and beds before making the steep climb past VT 9. Though the rest of the day wasn't as steep, we did a total of 3900 feet of climbing. Thankfully there were some nice views spread throughout. We passed through the Glastenbury Wilderness today, a particular remote section of the trail. While searching for some information I came upon an interesting article which discusses the history of the abandoned town of Glastonbury as well as the current day folklore and urban legends that surround it, which you can read here.While speaking with some other hikers today we also realized that the mountain we climbed today and are camping just below the summit of, Glastenbury Mountain, is the first major peak of the Green Mountains. I love the scenery and biome here so far, and it's already one of my favorite sections of the trail.Soon into the day I also realized that today is my trail anniversary! I started in DWG exactly a month ago.About 6 miles into the trail today we officially completed Bear Bait's initial goal of 100 miles. Whoop whoop! (as Sassafrass, another hiker, would say).Goddard shelter is a really nice shelter, and there's a fantastic (and cold!) piped spring. We can definitely feel the chill in the air tonight from elevation. I climbed to the summit after dinner to watch the sunset with Sassafrass, Pixie, and G Bolt, who are all camped at the summit, as well as another hiker from our shelter named Clint. While up there I met someone in real life for the first time who has been following my journal! (Shoutout to G Bolt, who we even realized is from the same area of Ohio). The wind was wicked at the top of the firetower, but getting to watch the sunset while surrounded by sky, mountains, and friends was amazing. I have plans to get up in the morning to watch the sunrise, but we'll see how motivated I am to leave my warm sleeping bag.As I write this I've just laid back down from looking at the stars. As I look up in this wilderness the Milky Way lay splayed across the summer triangle while satellites and even meteors whiz by. Almost enough to make me want to lug a telescope up these mountains... almost ;)
Date: 2018-07-12
From: Goddard shelter (mile 1621.8)

To: Story Spring shelter (mile 1630.7)
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: light rain

I managed to pry myself out of my warm quilt this morning and make the trek to see the sunrise. I had much fewer companions than last night! When sitting down for a break from the wind in the lookout tower, the surrounding mountains and trees disappeared as I lay on the floor. All that remained was the clear blue sky, devoid of any clouds or lack of uniformity at all. It almost appeared to my eyes as though I was in a box of windows just floating through the sky.The trail passes by the lookout tower on Glastonbury, making it the fifth time that I hiked that section. With a bit of cell service, we were able to figure out and reserve plans for the rest of my time with Bear Bait and the transition to my next set of hiking partners.I encountered a squirrel today near the summit of Glastonbury who actually stood his ground instead of being spooked away like most squirrels. He stomped his paws and growled at me, which unfortunately for him was too funny to be effective.We took a lunch stop at Kid Gore shelter and chatted with Clint, Tasty, and Pie, who all camped with us last night.A while ago we ate dinner with Easy Pete, who has a bit of a passion for cooking. His meals put all of ours to shame! He used some avocados to spice up one of his pasta dinners and recommended it. I tried it tonight and really enjoyed how it turned out.Galaxy and Songbird, two other Ohioans that I haven't seen since I was with Wilbur, rolled into camp tonight. There are tons of people at the shelter, including the rowdiest group I've met so far. I also enjoyed some time by a fire with Tasty and Pie, who were kind enough to share some marshmallows to roast!I started looking at shuttle options for the return home. Turns out the remote wilderness areas of Maine that are good for hiking, aren't good for finding a flight home...As I write this I'm listening to some very talkative owls converse nearby in the forest. I've been pleasantly surprised by the number of owls I've heard at night this trip
Date: 2018-07-13
From: Story Spring shelter (mile 1630.7)

To: Stratton Pond shelter (mile 1641.2)
Miles today: 10.5

This morning started out nice and flat, until we reached the base of Stratton Mountain. Bear Bait didn't quite like the sound of all that elevation change, so he took a bypass trail and I made the ascent to just short of 4000 feet. I enjoyed the time to check out the log book, leave some creative comments, climb the fire tower, and eat lunch with some other hikers while being checked out by some inquisitive squirrels. The view was beautiful, but I'm definitely beginning to feel the elevation on some of these mountains. I really liked seeing the trees change quickly on the way up the 1700 foot continuous climb.After gliding down the far side of Stratton to rendezvous with Bear Bait we headed towards the Stratton Pond shelter. It's huge and well kept by the caretaker who lives here for the summer. I enjoyed a nice dip at the pond, including a few peaceful minutes of watching the clouds while swimming backstroke to an island. After drying off in the sun and watching the polliwogs play in the water, I headed back to camp to cook dinner. We had some interesting conversation tonight, ranging from forgetfulness to trail books to philosophy and the categorical imperatives. One hiker even knew Cheryl Strayed while she was writing her book Wild! We also got some free cookies for dessert from someone who had too much food - that's a lucky Friday the 13th if I've ever had one!In a bout of creativity, I left a haiku in the log book (about reading the log book), so I'll finish today's entry with that.All the hikers restsave for one dim red headlampenthralled by words past
Date: 2018-07-14
From: Stratton Pond shelter (mile 1641.2)

To: Manchester Center (mile 1651.8)
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Last night while speaking during dinner we realized that one hiker, Sarah, is also going into Manchester Center tonight. We were going to have to hitch a ride into town, which I haven't done yet, but she's getting picked up by her mom and offered us a ride! Bear Bait headed out early while Sarah and I got ready and hiked the 10 miles together. She's also doing a graduation hike, one of only two other people I've found. Many of the other people here are college age or older, and I didn't realize how much I missed speaking to someone my own age! Not too many people (besides Wilbur) love quoting SpongeBob while hiking as much as I do.We had a beautiful view from Prospect Rock of some far away mountain rain. Later on we decided to drop packs and go up a steep rock scramble to Spruce Peak for another view.About a mile out from our pickup point today I fell on some rocks and scraped up my shins. Like a true hiker I doused it in isopropyl alcohol later while at the hostel to clean it up.At the trailhead we met Sarah's mom, who gave us fresh fruit and drove us to the grocery store!Tonight we stayed at the Green Mountain House hostel, which has a great reputation on the trail. They do a great job of catering to what hikers need - they had a 1200 calorie serving of ice cream for $1! We met some other fascinating people while here, including an Australian couple, the owner (who used to be a Philmont ranger!), the man who puts together the Hiker Yearbook each year, and an older gentleman who has traveled all over - more of Australia even than the couple who lives there!