morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-06-30
From: Pochuck Shelter

To: Stealth Camp 0.5 Miles After Cascade Brook
Miles today: 17.7

I finished and left NJ today for good. Up at 6:00, hiking at 7:50 in 72 degree temperatures and overcast skies. We packed and ate in full mosquito body armor. The mosquitoes were bad. I had to go down the mountain 0.5 miles to get water and was the last to leave the shelter area. The other hiker heard something in the camp last night. I did also, but did not look because I thought it was another thru-hiker. Guess it wasn't. The morning hike was through mosquito-infested swamps and woods. It was hot and humid (got up to 90 degrees at one point) and the sweat just dripped off my legs, arms, and face. The insect repellant became almost ineffective, so it was a constant battle to brush the bugs off. At 11:10 I reached PA94 and went off the Trail 0.1 miles to Heaven Hill Farms and got a day-old pecan danish, a pint plus of French Silk ice cream, and two 20 oz. Cokes, and tanked up on water. Water is now becoming a problem because it is not available as often or it is not very good. The food was good and I headed on at noon for a 1000 ft climb. On the way up, we were hit by a thunderstorm with lots of noise and light but very little rain. Near the summit, I was passed by Dirty Bird and Fido. I hiked on and missed the turn for the Lawanda Shelter where I was going to get water, but did not go back because there were a number of streams listed as water sources. I passed up 3 of them, 2 others were dry, and settled on Cascade Brook. The water is tinted but I got and treated 1 liter and one 20 oz. bottle for tomorrow morning if I need it. I passed the NJ/NY border marker at 5:30 and have now completed NJ. I will remember NJ as starting with rocks and ending with mosquito-infested swamps, with many of their shelters privyless and waterless. They also have very well-maintained trails and there are many that are smooth and good for "cruising". After crossing the border, I saw another turkey and also on the climb up the ridge to camp, I met a vulture blocking my climbing path up the rock face at the ridge. He eventually moved. I am stealth camping on the east side of the ridge, so am not getting as much wind as I would like, but it is a good site. It is 70 degrees in the tent, 10:00 pm, and time for bed. I will be lulled to sleep by the buzzing of moquitoes and black flies trying to get in the tent.
Date: 2003-07-01
From: Stealth Camp 0.5 Miles After Cascade Brook

To: Island Pond Mountain
Miles today: 18.5

I woke at 5:10 to see a bright red sun rising in the east, then went back to sleep. I got up at 6:15, ate, packed, and was hiking at 7:15 in 68 degree temperatures, dry air, and under clear skies. It was a perfect hiking day and stayed that way all day long with a high of 79 degrees and usually in the mid-70s in the woods. My first concern was water and I needed to make it to the next shelter (Wildcat Shelter 6.1 miles away). I had one liter of AquaMira-treated water from a tea-colored stream that I really didn't want to drink. I got really thirsty and drank it on the hike (and I survived). I arrived at the Wildcat Shelter at 10:20. It had a nice spring and I filled and treated 2 liters plus 20 oz. of water. I hiked on at 11:15, meeting Wally Gator as I was leaving. He was in for water and lunch. The morning hike was a piece of cake.   The afternoon featured a lot of difficult rock scrambling ups and downs. My goal of making the next shelter and having a 20 mile day were quashed by those time-consuming ups and downs. Water is also becoming a concern. Many of the streams that are listed as sources have dried up. Some of the ones remaining are tea-colored or dirty. I am now packing 2 liters plus 2 x 20 oz. of water. I was pleasantly surprised at one road crossing - a Trail Angel had left a cooler filled with gallon jugs of ice water. At another road crossing, the Tuxedo Trail Angels (see pictures) had left a half-dozen gallon jugs of water and I got there before it was all gone. Thank you, Trail Angels! The mosquitoes were really good today and not a problem until evening. I cooked dinner at 6:00 at a nice spot on the Trail and then hiked on, arriving at the summit of Island Pond Mountain at 8:00. It was a pain setting up the tent and hanging the bear bag since the black flies and mosquitoes were out in force. I saw a doe and her fawn with spots still. I came to a road crossing and 30 yards to my left on the opposite side was a doe. I swear it was looking both ways to see if any cars were coming. Once it was satisfied, it bounded across the road. The fawn bounded across after it. It is nearly 10:00. I am going to attempt a baby wipe bath in the tent (the bugs are too bad outside) and then turn the lights out and listen to the hum of traffic on the NY State Thruway.
Date: 2003-07-02
From: Island Pond Mountain

To: Bear Mountain, NY
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Today I reduced the miles remaining to less than 800 (786.5). Up at 6:15, hiking at 7:10 under clear skies and in 72 degree temps. It was a real pain packing because black flies were out in force. I had been out about 15 min and spotted a deer by the trail about 30 yards ahead. I stopped and then saw 2 fawns close by. Don't know if they were twins or the doe was kid-sitting. I took a picture, moved closer, and took another picture but still pretty far away. I moved still closer and they took off. It was a pretty scene, seeing the doe and the two fawns bounding through the grass just like the mother. I hiked on, made it to the Fingerboard Shelter at 8:10 for water then figured out it would be shorter to hike on and go to the Tiorati Center Park from the Trail directly, instead of from the shelter. I reached the Tiorati Center, found a nice spigot for water, and tanked up. I also found a Coke machine and had 2 12-oz. cans at $1 each and finished my chocolate shells while drinking them. I hiked on to the William Brien shelter at 12:25. This is an old (1937) shelter built of stone. The spring was dry. I hiked on to the Palisades Interstate Parkway Visitor Center to get water from their water spigot. I reached there at 1:40 pm to find that they had no water! Even the people using the rest rooms could not wash their hands. But they did have a soda machine, so I bought 2 20-oz. cans of Coke and drank them while eating an ice cream sandwich. As is becoming obvious, getting water is problematic. Many of the springs and streams are dry and many of the remaining are questionable. I needed a little water cushion so I broke down and bought a half liter bottle of Poland Spring water for $1.25 out of the soda machine. This really hurt. But the next part of the hike was over Bear Mountain and I wanted to have enough water. Note they had also turned off the usually reliable water spigot at the top of Bear Mountain. I hiked over the mountain and decided to take a room at the fancy Bear Mountain Inn, arriving at 6:00. It was a long day - there were a lot of rock scrambling ups and downs. It seemed like I had climbed 10 Mount Monadnocks. I was just thankful that the rocks were dry, otherwise it would have taken much longer. Tomorrow is planned as a "rest" day, hiking to Graymoor Friary.
Date: 2003-07-03
From: Bear Mountain, NY

To: Graymoor Friary
Miles today: 7.1

Up at 7:15, had a very good and filling continental breakfast, packed up, finished my journal for last night, checked out, and started hiking at 9:33. Lost the white blazes at the Trailside Museum and Zoo, which was locked. Turns out the AT goes right through this and the hours are 10:00 ¢ 6:00. It is one of the oldest AT sections and by the black bear den is the lowest point on the AT. When I sorted this out, it was 9:50 am. I waited the 10 minutes for it to open. They waive the normal $1 admission for thru-hikers. It was worth the wait, a really neat place that describes different types of trees, plants, and animals, and has examples of each. I confirmed the chestnut oak ID there. The exit comes out at the south end of the Bear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson which the AT crosses. At this point, I had to leave the AT and walk 0.8 miles for resupply in Fort Montgomery. I did this, got supplies, a Coke to drink there, a ham and cheese sandwich to eat for lunch later on the Trail, and mailed my latest journal pages. I hiked back to the AT and at 11:15 started crossing the bridge. I hiked on, having my ham and cheese sandwich lunch by the trail at 1:00. It was quite good. The trail had some slow, rocky climbs and descents, but for the most part was smooth today. Again, I am thankful for the rocks being dry on the climbs. I arrived at the Graymoor Friary at 2:50 for the night. They have a ballfield with a pavilion that has cold showers and good water where hikers can stay. They also provide AYCE dinner for the first 12 hikers that arrive before 5:00. I was the first one there. I took a shower and washed my clothes again. We ended up with 6 hikers for dinner with Brother Fred (Trog, Sumac, Undetermined, Clover, Snort, Easy Money). The dinner was very good. This has been a great way to spend my rest day. Several other hikers arrived later and are spending the night here ¢ Hot Spur, Mighty Mouse, Dirty Bird, Fido, and Bishop. I am writing this in my tent (again, because of the bugs) as I hear the bells from the Friary chime 8 times, indicating it is 8:00, and I can go to bed. Like I said, it has been a good rest day.
Date: 2003-07-04
From: Graymoor Friary

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: haze

Today I passed the 1400 mile mark (1412.1). Up at 6:15, hiking on the AT at 7:15 in moderate fog and 68 degree temperatures. As the day progressed, the fog lifted. The sun came out, and it was very humid and the temperature reached 86 degrees in the afternoon. It was hot and sweat was dripping from everyplace. The trails were not demanding but the heat made the going slow. This morning I saw a deer after it saw me and ran. Then it stopped to watch me from a distance. It is really tough to see them unless you know exactly where to look. I also saw two turkeys after they took to flight. Finally, after crossing a bog of reeds on bog bridges and stepping up on stone steps to the second step, I saw my first copperhead on the 3rd step ¢ coiled. I slowly stepped back to the first step and judged that the snake was not going to strike, then took out my camera and took one picture. I then prodded it gently with the tip of my hiking staff to urge it to move. It eventually slithered down in the hole to the left side of the rocks. I carefully stepped up the right side of the stone steps and reached the dirt after the top step. I was then startled to see a second copperhead at the left side of the dirt. I think it was different, but am not sure. It looked smaller. Anyway, I quickly moved on. I reached the info board at Denny Town Road where there is water from a spigot, got water, and had lunch with Bishop, who was also there. We discussed strategies for getting to Fahnestock State Park. I decided to hike down from the Trail on an ¢unmarked gully path¢ 0.25 miles before the Vista. It took 3 attempts, but I found the path and had 3 20-oz Cokes, 1 hamburger, 1 cheeseburger, 1 hot dog, and one ice cream. This should serve as dinner. There also were: Hot Spur, Bishop, Mighty Mouse, Clover, and Snort. I hiked back up the gully and on to the RPH Shelter, arriving at 7:30. I dried my tent, rinsed my clothes, and am writing my journal. Here with me are Easy Money, Clover, and Snort.
Date: 2003-07-05
From: RPH Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneer Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today I took a swim in Nuclear Lake. Up at 6:00, hiking at 6:50 in 75 degree temperatures and fog. The fog lifted and it seemed somewhat drier than yesterday in the morning but in the afternoon it got up to 93 degrees F. It was very hot and I was drenched in sweat. In the morning I hiked to NY52 (saw 2 deer on the way) and then 0.4 mi to the Mtn Top Market where I got a toasted bun with butter, a pint of ice cream, and 2 20-oz. Cokes to eat there. I also got 4 danish for the next two mornings and a large Italian combo sub for later in the day. Clover and Snort soon joined me. I hiked on at 10:45, reaching the Morgan Stewart Shelter at 12:40. Foot Slugger, Sumac, and Undetermined were there also. Clover and Snort arrived shortly after. We discussed stopping at The Hot Dog Elite stand 0.2 miles off the Trail at NY55 and taking a swim in Nuclear Lake. I hiked on and, at NY55, hiked off 0.2 miles looking for Hot Dog Elite. I could not find it. I talked with a construction man in a truck and he said it was a hot dog stand in a truck. He gave me the water he had left over from his workday. I was grateful since I had planned on resupplying water at the hotdog stand. I hiked back to the Trail, read 93 degrees on my thermometer, and hiked on, arriving at Nuclear Lake at 3:40. Snort was already swimming and Clover was looking for a better spot. I decided this was too good to pass up, so I stopped and joined Snort. Foot Slugger arrived at about the same time and joined us, too. It was refreshing and just great. Snort swam to an island about 100 yards out and sunned herself on the rocks. My swimming skills and endurance have degraded and I decided to stay close to shore. I swam a few strokes now and then, but mostly just bob-floated, enjoying the refreshing coolness of the lake water. We were back hiking at 4:20. It was not long before the refreshing feeling after the swim was a distant memory and the sweat started to again pour off my body. I arrived at the Telephone Pioneer Shelter at 5:45, have pitched my tent, eaten my dinner, written in my journal, and am ready for bed. Tonight I met Redman, Tumbleweed, Jett, Fish, and Two Paws.
Date: 2003-07-06
From: Telephone Pioneer Shelter

To: Campsite by Ten Mile River
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Today I entered Connecticut and New England. Up at 6:00, hiking at 7:00. Had to pack up in a significant amount of black flies, requiring an application of Repel to the legs and arms. Once I got hiking, the black flies were no problem. In about a mile I reached Country Road 20, took a picture of the Dover Oak ¢ which is the largest tree on the AT ¢ there, and went to the gray house and used their spigot to fill up all my water containers. The people that own this house are friends of thru-hikers and allow this. I then hiked on to the Appalachian (railroad) Trail Station and NY22.   Then going 0.5 mi off the Trail to Tony¢s Deli, I had an egg, cheese, and ham sandwich, a liter of Pepsi, a pint of ice cream, and purchased an Italian sub to eat later. It was a hot hike down and back on NY22 but well worth the effort. In places, I hiked over long stretches of bog bridges, pretty smooth hiking except for the heat. It did get hot today. At the next shelter (Wiley Shelter), the thermometer there registered 93 degrees in the shade. My thermometer read lower, so it was probably someplace in between. I tend to wilt in the high 70s and 80s and really have to slow down. We will see what happens if it reaches 90+ degrees. I may have to stop hiking and take a nap. We will see¢¦ I saw a number of interesting flowers that I could not ID; there are pictures in the file for later use. I also saw a garter snake slither across the trail in front of me. I ended up camping in a grove of Hemlocks by the Ten Mile River. It was just too good of a site to pass up even though it would be only 13 miles today. Here also with me are Two Paw, Foot Slugger, Fish, Redman, and Tumbleweed. We all took a swim in the river to cool down ¢ it was very refreshing. It has been relatively bug-free until just now, so I have moved into the tent to finish this journal. Into Kent, CT, tomorrow for some needed rest. I entered CT today on the Trail at 2:04 this afternoon.
Date: 2003-07-07
From: Campsite by Ten Mile River

To: CT341/Kent, CT
Miles today: 8.6

Today I completed NY (AT loops back into NY approximately 2.3 mi) and passed the two-thirds mark (1448.4 mi) on the AT. Up at 5:30, packed, ate, and was hiking at 6:15 in 65o temperatures. It was overcast with moderate humidity. I saw a deer before 7:00, but only after it spotted me. The trails were good but there were a number of 1000 ft climbs plus some smaller ones. The sun came out and it got hotter. The going was slow. I reached CT341 at 11:00 and hiked the road into Kent, another 0.6 miles, then got a room at the Fife & Drum Inn. Got my 30 min on the internet at the library, had lunch, did laundry, and got supplies at the hardware and grocery stores. I celebrated at the Fife & Drum Restaurant with a dinner of onion soup and London broil. It was good and it was filling. I also picked up my maildrop earlier with new maps and new boots. My boots were wearing through the soles in the heel area. The rest of the boot was in good shape. This is pretty good after 1450 miles on the AT plus break-in ¢ a credit to L.L.Bean¢s Cresta Hiker model. The old boots have been shipped home and I am wearing the new ones. They are a little tight across the ball of the right foot that has always been a problem area. My foot must have expanded over the last 1400 miles. Hopefully the new boots will stretch out like the old ones did. When I went to dinner it began raining hard, but has since let up. The forecast calls for rain tomorrow. I plan to hike out regardless. I read a message posted July 6th on Highlander II¢s trailjournals.com congratulating him on finishing. I also congratulate him on his success ¢ especially in doing it in less than 100 days.
Date: 2003-07-08
From: CT341/Kent, CT

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 17.0

It was late last night getting all the paperwork done so I slept in this morning to 7:30. I finished packing, took postcards and journal notes to the post office, found someone to take the hiker box stuff, and had a 3-egg Western omelet with cheese at Caralee¢s Restaurant that was very good. Before I forget, I must mention that this Fife & Drum Inn (which cost $110/night ¢ thru-hiker rate) had phones in the room that would not let you use phone company calling cards or call 1-800 numbers or the operator. I had to go out last night and find a pay phone to call home and to call Highlander II who finished on Day 97 (July 5th) and is now home also. Back to today. I got my backpack checked out, stopped at the Kent market and deli to get the fixings for two ham & cheese sandwiches to eat on the trail for lunch and dinner, and also got the 20 oz. Pepsi to which I am now addicted and drank it there. I said ¢good hiking¢ to Hot Spur, Bishop, Mighty Mouse, and A1 who were also there and walked to the corner and started hitching. I was lucky. It took 30 seconds to get a ride. Chip, who lives locally, is starting to do some small sections of the AT and was going out to do one today. He gave me a ride to my trail head even though it is not the one he was going to.   Thanks, Chip. As it turns out, we met later in the day ¢ Chip was traveling south on the same section where I was traveling North. I started hiking at 9:30 with overcast skies and a temperature of 65 oF with moderate humidity. The temperature did reach 85 in the afternoon after the sun came out and it was almost oppressive. The trail was good for the most part. There were a number of 1000 ft, 500 ft, and smaller climbs and descents. I stopped at the Stewart Hollow brook Lean-To for lunch at 1:30 and had one of my ham & cheese sandwiches plus some chocolate chip cookies from the maildrop. It was all good. The trail then followed the banks of the Housatonic River for approximately 5 miles. It was a very smooth trail. I again met Two Hats (she is a section hiker who had done from Springer to Bear Mountain, NY, earlier). This year she is doing from Bear Mountain, NY, to Kinsman Notch, NH. She is doing about 10 miles/day. I reached the Pine Swamp Brook Lean-To at 7:45 and most were either in bed or close to it. I picked a remote tent site so as not to bother them. Here with me tonight are Truckin¢, Fish, Paparazzi, Two Paws, and Foot Slugger. Also here tonight with me outside my tent are a ton of mosquitoes buzzing. They, together with an occasional bullfrog, will lull me to sleep tonight.
Date: 2003-07-09
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-To

To: Lower Cobble Rd/Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I reduced the miles remaining to less than 700 (689.5). Up at 5:30, packed, ate, hiking at 6:30 in 68 oF temperatures and overcast skies. Hiking was cool and easy and without bugs initially. Around mid-morning, the mosquitoes got bad so I had to put Repel on my legs. When I got to US7 at 10:00, I spotted a U-Haul place around the corner so I walked over to inquire. It was a really run-down place but the man there said they had Coke, and for me to wait while he went around the back side of the garage. He came back and said the 12 oz can he had was $1.20. Now that¢s a major ripoff! I kept my mouth shut and gave him $1.25 and told him to keep the change. He waited for me to drink the Coke and took the returnable empty can before returning to the truck he was working on. I hiked on and shortly after crossing the Housatonic River on a bridge, I hiked by the Housatonic Regional School Building. It occurred to me that they might have a soda machine so I walked over and into the secretary¢s office to ask. She was very nice and directed me to the Coke machine. Here the coke was $0.75/12 oz can. I had two cans and ate one of my Twix bars with them. I also filled up all my water containers. When I left, it had started to sprinkle so I put on the pack cover. The temperature had reached 75 oF but it was still pretty comfortable hiking. Today there was a several mile stretch of trail along the Housatonic River that was very easy going. By noontime, the sprinkles had turned into a full-fledged heavy rain. I hiked on in my shorts and T-shirt. The cool rain felt good. I now had a 1000 ft climb up Prospect Mountain. By the time I reached the summit, the temperature had dropped to 59 oF. There was a wind, and it was still raining moderately ¢ and I was getting cold. I put on my rain jacket and that helped, but it was not enough so I had to also put on the rain pants. These conditions are classic for hypothermia. I did not stop at Limestone Springs Lean-To because it was 0.5 miles off the Trail. I hiked on to Lower Cobble Rd/Salisbury where I needed to go to get a few supplies, reaching there at 3:45 pm. I hiked into town, met ¢Tom from Maine¢ who was waiting for a shuttle ride. I decided I would stay there for the night for a little extra rest and as an application of my attempt to ¢not overdo it¢. I have a room at the White Hart Inn that is very nice. And the phone does work.