morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-07-15
From: Glen Brook Lean-to

To: MA23
Miles today: 16.3

I woke up at 2AM to the sound of rain pelting the rain fly of the tent. I never have to get up in the middle of the night - except today. I'm sure the pouring rain had something to do with it. So I answered natures call and jumped back into the tent just ahead of a swarm of hungry mosquitos. I slept until the sun came up and just didn't want to get out of the tent. Packing up wet gear is not one of my favorites. I finally got moving and made some strong coffee. I had to keep moving to keep ahead of the bugs. I began hiking at about 8AM. Wicomico Walker and I decided to head into Great Barrington today. But first we had to survive a lot of slippery, wet rocks. It is hard enough to navigate the tough rocks but to do it while you have bugs flying in your eyes and up your nose is a challenge. After a few days of rain the rocks were so slick you just had to try to get around them. A few times you wound up sliding down on your butt. Anyway, we made it to US7 and I called the motel to see if they had a room available and could come out and pick us up. They were full. We decided to hike another eight miles and then walk 1.5 miles to the East Mountain Retreat - where they have a hiker hostel. All day long we were not able to stop moving because the mosquitos were so bad. I have been using deet but they get around that by biting through my shirt and pants. When they don't get you the deer flies do. And deer flies hurt. Earlier today we passed another big milestone. I have now completed over 1500 miles. Anyway, we were just about to pass Tom Leonard Lean-to when the skies opened up. A mad dash to the shelter and we hardly got wet. We got moving again as soon as the rain stopped. At MA23 we left the trail and walked to the hostel. Once there we ordered pizza, did laundry, and took a wonderful shower. I unpacked all my wet gear so it would dry. Now I am ready to crawl onto my bag and get some sleep. I am tired from giving blood today - not willingly. Goodnight Lwop
Date: 2004-07-16
From: MA23

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: light rain

I was up early getting my gear organized. WW (Wicomico Walker) and I had our gear spread all over the room drying. After packing I made us each a cup of coffee and had some breakfast. I am running a little low on food and will have to find some place to get some supplies within the next day or two. We left the retreat shortly after 7AM and walked the 1 1/2 miles back to the trail. We immediately started to climb. We passed Benedict Pond but didn't stop for a swim. On and off today the skies threatened us with rain. I am beginning to think the sun never shines in Massachusetts. Even on a cloudless day it is doubtful that the sunlight would penetrate the swarms of mosquitos. Later we passed a beaver dam and could see their dwelling in the middle of the pond. We enjoyed our Italian Subs that we had delivered with our pizza yesterday. After lunch we had another long climb. We were both getting a bit tired and couldn't really stop for a break. As soon as you stopped moving you would have five or six mosquitos feeding off of you - with another swarm waiting their turn. So we just kept moving. We passed Just Do It taking a break on the side of the trail. He had just been treated for Lyme and was taking it slow. When we finally arrived at the blue blazed trail to the cabin I noticed a six pack of beer - still cold sitting on the ground. Written on the carton - "please save one for Lwop". I drank one in record time. It was oh so gooood. Thanks Slim. A short time after we were selecting our bunks at the cabin and then washing off in the pond. I could not bring myself to jump in - the water is too cold for me. After dinner and chatting with some Sobo's I headed up to my bunk. I am tired. With the hike to the trail and to the cabin we walked over 21 miles today. I hope to get a good nights sleep in spite of the mosquitos that are buzzing around inside the cabin. Goodnight,Lwop
Date: 2004-07-17
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, Ma.
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: few clouds

I got up this morning and to my surprise the caretaker was making coffee and blueberry pancakes for everyone. It was a great surprise. After a nice breakfast WW and I hit the trail. Again the sun was not shinning and it looked like rain. After a short while we crossed over the Mass Turnpike and then started climbing. It came as a bit of a surprise to me that the area could be so swampy even at elevations above 1500 feet. We passed many beautiful ponds today - some created by very industrious beavers. We even had to follow a long, temporary reroute because of beaver flooding. We climbed Becket and Walling Mtn and Bald Top (which wasn't bald). We stopped at the October Mtn Lean-to to sign the register and then rushed over to Pittsfield Road. There we visited the "Cookie Lady". Actually Marilyn wasn't home but her husband greeted us and brought us out warm cookies and a cold soda. It seemed funny seeing grown men stopping by to get cookies. Actually, the conversation with such nice people is more of a treat than the cookies. I was also able to get some cold water and get rid of some trash - including the empty beer bottle I'd carried since the cabin. At this point we decided to try for Dalton - ten miles away. It was already 3PM so we had to crank it up a notch. The trail was fairly level but with the usual MA obsticles - wet rocks and mud and mosquitos. We made it to Dalton shortly after 6PM. Tom Levardi graciously allowed us to set up our tents in his back yard. We changed into cleaner clothes and went out to eat. Both of us were looking pretty beat and I was ready to pass out after having two beers. But before going to sleep I stopped at the store and had an ice cream cone and a quart of chocolate milk. That was on top of the salad, Buffalo Wings, and Calzone I had for dinner. Oh, did I forget to mention the large order of fried onion chips? I had some bellyache when I got back to my tent. But I can't wait till breakfast. Goodnight,Lwop
Date: 2004-07-18
From: Dalton, Ma.

To: Cheshire, Ma.
Miles today: 9.3

Got up this morning and enjoyed a cup of coffee with Tom. WW and I arranged to slack into Cheshire where Tom picked us up and brought us back to Dalton. We had a nice breakfast - actually two of them. We didn't hit the trail until about noon. It was a nice day to hike today - relatively cool and overcast as usual. The first half of the hike was a gentle uphill. We passed a number of beaver dams and ponds. The view from the Cobbles was beautiful with the town of Cheshire and Mt Greylock behind. We arrived in Cheshire and happened upon an ice cream shop. I had a great root beer float. Tom picked us up and brought us back. His place was packed with hikers. I got to see Grass, Uncle Ben (Toke), and Longshot. Longshot reunited me with the FTA bandana I had dropped a few days back. We all went out to a buffet dinner with Tom making three trips to transport everyone. I wasn't feeling too great today so I only made two trips. My stomach was upset all day and I felt like I may be coming down with a cold. Right now I feel very sleepy. So, goodnight,Lwop
Date: 2004-07-19
From: Cheshire, Ma.

To: Mt. Greylock
Miles today: 7.7

WW and I joined Just Do It for breakfast this morning in Dalton. We then got a ride from Tom and picked up where we got off the trail in Cheshire. A short stop at the post office and we were out and on our way - in a driving rainstorm. We climbed and it rained. We climbed more and it rained more. We were in mud and water to the top of our boots. It was a long climb. Especially with wet boots. We started out at an elevation of about 900 feet and climbed to the summit of Mt Greylock at almost 3500 feet. On the level spots was water and mud, on the climb water was running like a stream down the trail. As we got to the higher elevations you could smell the spruce. It smelled like Christmas trees. You could tell that there would be some beautiful views on a nice day but not today. None of the surrounding mountains were visible through the fog and rain. We made it to the summit about 2PM and checked into the lodge. After peeling off our wet clothes and taking a warm shower we were much happier. We had clothes drying all over the place. We then had a nice lunch at the snack bar and arranged to have dinner at the lodge. They had not planned to serve dinner because the place was pretty much empty on this rainy Monday. At 6PM they served up a great meal (family style) to only four guests. The Crew are wonderful to have put in that much effort to accommodate us. Later they lit a fire in the fireplace so we could dry our boots (mine never did dry though) and seven guests sat in front of the fireplace and chatted till way past hiker bedtime. There were five hikers and two cotton people - all very nice and interesting. The rain had cleared out and there were stars shinning. I walked out to the scenic view and could see the lights from all the surrounding towns - and a lightning storm off in the distance heading this way. The approaching storm was spectacular when viewed from this height. In the few minutes I was outside the stars disappeared into a fog, the city lights were gone, and the War Memorial Tower with its bright becon was producing and erie glow. The lodge, only about a hundred yards away was barely visible. I quickly headed back to the lodge and headed up for bed. I don't know exactly how long I've been in Mass but I don't recall ever seeing the sun since I've arrived. Tomorrow I should be entering Vermont. Maybe they get sunny days...I received an email from Pez today. He is back on the trail for now but will be leaving for good once he reaches the Vermont border. He is a great hiking partner - we shared a lot of good times - and I will miss him. I wish him the best of luck and a lifetime of well blazed trails. Goodnight, Lwop
Date: 2004-07-20
From: Mt. Greylock

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

Got up this morning and looked out the window. I could not see the tower a hundred yards away. Actually, I could not see the ground from my upstairs room. But it was only fog and not rain. I climbed back into bed to await breakfast which wasn't served until 8. We had four guests for a family style breakfast which was excellent. We then packed up and put on our still very wet boots and started hiking a little after 10AM. The trail down from Greylock to North Adams wasn't as bad as I was expecting. You descend almost 1500 feet in a little over a mile. While we never did have any views today the sun actually peeked out a few times. It was the first time in as long as I can remember - maybe since back in CT. Anyway, the trail goes through part of North Adams so we took a little (little over a mile round trip) detour and went to Friendly's. WW had never had a Jim Dandy and I had been telling him about them for over a week. So we first had a big lunch and a salad, and then finished it off with the Dandy. WW looked like he might burst. We stopped at the laundromat and I threw some wet and dirty clothes into a dryer. I was tired of hiking in wet socks and tired of carrying the weight of wet dirty clothes. If you think wet, sweaty hiker clothes smell bad, you should smell them when they come out of the dryer. Anyway, I put on my stinky socks and we hurried back to the trail. I'll do a wash tomorrow in Bennington. We crossed the Hoosic River and started climbing 1500 feet or so. Near the top we had a long rock scramble - not my favorite with a pack on. At least this one had a bad weather trail. We did the rocks because for a change it wasn't raining. After the scramble the trail turned into mud. For most of the next four miles we walked through mud that at times was over the top of our boots. I guess this soil just never drains. My boots had almost dried outside the laundromat. They are wet again and covered with a thick crust of mud. Shortly after 6PM we passed a sign welcoming us to the Green Mountains and the Long Trail. We are now in the state of Vermont. Eleven completed - three more to go. We also broke the 600 mile mark today - 589.4 miles remaining. And the Long Trail is going to be long if the rest is as muddy as what we did today. We arrived at a very busy shelter and found a quiet space to set up our tents. I loaded up with water and had a quick snack. Hung the food from a tree and I am ready to get some sleep. We plan on getting an early start so we have time to do chores in Bennington tomorrow. For some reason it feels especially exciting entering Vermont. For one thing it is good to be back in some real mountains - not those 2000 foot hills we've been hiking. And I know that I will soon be tested in the Whites. We have been talking about the Whites since we left Springer. I am looking forward to the challenge. But that is still a ways off yet and I take things one day at a time. And today is finished. So, Goodnight.Lwop
Date: 2004-07-21
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: VT9 (Bennington)
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: few clouds

Had a good nights sleep last night. WW and I had set up our tents a good ways away from the crowded shelter. When we got up there wasn't a cloud in the sky. This is not Massachusetts. I got out of my tent in my underwear without putting on Deet. Not one mosquito attacked me. This is definetly not Massachusetts. I made us both a cup of coffee and had a relaxing breakfast and enjoyed eating without the annoyance of buzzing insects. The plan was to get to Bennington as early as possible because we had a lot of errands to attend to so we broke camp in a hurry and headed out. It became obvious that we were not going to hike very fast today. In spite of the sunshine and the fact that it hadn't rained yesterday the trail was one huge mud slick. The trail was mud like I've never seen in my life. Mud to the top of your boots. Mud that tried to suck your boots off with each step. Mud that tried to slide your feet out from under you. I had mud on my boots, my gators, my bandana, and my shorts. Heck, I think I even had mud up my butt. It was an interesting hike and the added resistance made the hike physically taxing. Some steps your forward motion was less than the backward slippage. I never did fall but came close a few times. A couple of times I would step down too hard and mud and dirty water would fly up as high as my face. Mud, mud, and more mud. I figured the mosquitos don't like mud and that is why there are none in Vermont. The climb down to VT9was tough too. No mud but alot of rock steps. We descended about 800 feet in about a half mile. I wouldn't want to do that in the rain. At VT9 we met a nice couple who were just finishing a hike. They drove us into Bennington and dropped us off at the hotel. It was a long drive from the trail. This hike would be alot tougher without the kindness of such good people. Once at the hotel it was the usual routine. Shower, walk a mile to do laundry, eat, and organize. I am looking forward to taking a zero one of these days. A zero with no chores. But until then I will just continue to plug along. I am just grateful to be clean and to have clean clothes. Now if my boots will just dry...Goodnight,Lwop
Date: 2004-07-22
From: VT9 (Bennington)

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

Slept late this morning to take advantage of the wonderful feeling of sleeping in a real bed with sheets and pillows. We were planning on only hiking 11 miles so there was no need to get an early start. I even took another shower. After eating a hearty breakfast we packed our bags and called for our shuttle to the trailhead. The motel (Knotty Pine Motel) advertises that they will shuttle you back to the trail when they have the personel to do so. They could not shuttle us so instead they paid our cab fare. A pleasant surprise for us. We started hiking about 10:30 and as usual we started to climb. I met a couple out for their first backpacking trip. As the women looked up to say hello she slipped and landed on her butt. She was ok but I think they may have some gear for sale. This is a tough area to introduce someone to backpacking. We took a nice break near some powerlines to enjoy the breeze and sunshine. We then continued climbing until we got to Porcupine Lookout. Here we stopped to enjoy the VERY heavy subs we had purchased yesterday. As we were starting to eat a women came by with her dog. When WW turned to talk to her the dog grabed his sub right out of his hands. Pieces of meat flew all over the place. He managed to get the sandwhich away from the dog and picked up all the pieces and cleaned it up as best he could. He ate it anyway. I would have considered eating the dog. After lunch we continued our climb and arrived at the shelter before 5PM. It is a beautiful shelter so we decided not to set up our tents. I was told that today they were expecting record high temps but it didn't feel too hot to me. The air was cooling fast and I expect a very cool night here at 3500 feet. After dinner and a snack I decided to take a stroll and headed over to the Glastenbury Mtn observation tower. It is an old fire tower that was left standing so hikers can enjoy the view. I climbed the tower and enjoyed the view and the cool breeze. In fact, I was a little cold up there. I stretched out on the floor of the tower and enjoyed the peace and solitude. While there were few clouds the sky was very hazzy and the long distance view was limited. It still was well worth the effort. As the sun was starting to set it disappeared behind the clouds. It wasn't the sunset I had hoped for so I headed back to the shelter to catch up on my journal. Someone had made a fire so I sat there for a while and chatted with some section hikers. There is a good crowd at the shelter. This area has been very busy as you have NOBO's, SOBO's, and Long Trail hikers all meeting up at the same time. I don't know which group brought all that mud here. Speaking of mud - it was a little better today. The sun did dry some of the puddles and you could avoid hiking through most of the muddy areas. And the weather for tomorrow looks good. Tomorrow we should be meeting a friend of mine who will be slacking us over the weekend. It will be a nice change of pace and we should be able to put in some extra miles. But tomorrow, like today, should be another short mileage day. Goodnight,Lwop
Date: 2004-07-23
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Stratton-Arlington Rd.
Miles today: 12.5

I am glad I checked out the fire tower yesterday because the rains moved in during the night. You could see your feet if you looked real close. It was one of those mornings when you hated to get out of your sleeping bag. We had arranged to meet someone at 3PM so we finally got our butts in gear. We started out in fog with very light drizzle. Then we heard thunder. Then the skies opened up on us. The trail was a river of mud with slick rocks hidden here and there. The going was very slow and deliberate. No matter what gear you have you are going to be wet on a day like today. My Packa (raincoat/pack cover) worked well and was much improved since I seam sealed it in CT. But my boots were soaked inside and out. We made it to the road crossing about 3PM and the skies really started dumping on us. We walked around to keep warm and visited the Daniel Webster monument. I could not remember his place in history but was surprised to see that he addressed 15,000 people at that locacion. What were 15,000 people doing up there? Was it a massive thru-hike? Or did they all hear that Pink Blaze was passing through? I'll have to check my history books when I finish this hike. Anyway, my friend Wendy picked us up and we ditched our plans to camp out tonight. We found a nice dry motel and got a suite. We used hair dryers to dry most of our gear and then headed out for a good but very slow dinner. It is now about midnight and I have a lot of hiking to do tomorrow. Pray for some clearing skies. Goodnight,Lwop
Date: 2004-07-24
From: Stratton-Arlington Rd.

To: VT 11/30
Miles today: 17.5

We were up early and loaded up a day pack that Wendy happened to have brought along. After a few thousand calories at Friendly's we headed to the trailhead. It was a long drive and we didn't hit the trail until about 8:45. The skies were a little threatening but the air felt cooler and much drier. As the morning progressed we had more and more sun - the sky turned a beautiful blue and everything looked so green and smelled so nice. We started our hike up Stratton Mountain through a hemlock forest. Largely because it was a steady climb the trail was relatively mud free for many miles. We made good time up the 1500 feet to the summit. There we met the caretakers and climbed the old fire tower. It was very high, very windy, and very cold up top. The view, in spite of the haze, was spectacular. We opted to not ride the gondola down to Stratton Village. I imagine it would be a crowded place on a nice Saturday. Instead we headed on down the mountain. We came to Stratton Pond and pondered what made it a pond and not a lake. It looked big enough to call a lake. But by any name it certainly is beautiful. Continuing on we hiked on Old Rootville Road to Prospect Rock. From the rock you get one of the nicest views to be found on the AT. You look down at Manchester Center surrounded by big green rugged mountains. We enjoyed a short break and hiked on. A mile or so before VT11/30 we met Wendy. She had hiked in with soda, candy, and subs. We turned down nothing and ate like the starving hikers we are. That was second lunch. We arrived at the road crossing and decided to call it a day. We had a long ride into Rutland and I wanted to get to bed a little earlier than last night. We ate a nice meal with a huge sundae desert and headed back to the motel. I took a dip in the hot tub and then went back to the room to seal my boots. My legs are tired of lifting wet, muddy boots. All errands are finished and so is my journal. Goodnight,Lwop