morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-28
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: NY/CT State Line, Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

7/28/2008 - 732 miles to Katahdin!! Monday - Rain - up late starting. All had left. Caught up at Rt 55. We found no school bus that sells hot dogs. Hiked ahead to Nuclear Lake. Smelled a dead deer on the side of the trail. Went into Telephone Pioneer shelter to check it out. Met Moses, a SOBO that had a job in Mass., but it came to an end, so he started hiking home to Biloxi, Ms. He had fallen and re-broken his collarbone and pack frame. I watched him for a minute to rebuild his hand made wooden pack frame. He said his collarbone hurt like hell. We talked for a while and he seemed fine. I caught up with the others. Brush Strokes had gotten a call from his friend John Domney who works with him and his art. He met us on the boardwalk before the AT RR station at NY RT 22. We took some pictures and then went to a camper selling hot dogs and sodas for a break. Went up to Wiley Shelter for the night. We had seen Bogie & Bacall at the hot dog stand. They had been into NYC for a visit. They then came into the shelter area to tent. There was also a NOBO called Baggins. She was small in stature, but a disciplined hiker. We also talked to some SOBO's and traded traffic info.
Date: 2008-07-29
From: NY/CT State Line

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 12.0

07/29/08 - Tuesday - The SOBO's got up and got going early. I heard one say - "those old guys sleep late!" That motivated "this old guy" to start getting ready to go. It was downhill 2 mi to Hoyt Rd. I had been calling Spirit Walker and giving him an update on where we were. He was trying to coordinate picking us up and Banjo with Half Elvis at the same time. Banjo and Half Elvis were in Salisbury, CT. I crossed the Ct State Line after Schaghticoke Mtn. I went by Mt Algo Lean-to but I did not go in. Here is where I missed Brush Strokes and Serene. I called Spirit Walker and he said he would come to Kent to pick us up and then go to Salisbury to pick up Banjo and Half Elvis. I hiked down to Schaghticoke Rd. RT 341 and left a message with Brush Strokes that Spirit Walker was picking us up here. I also left a note on a tree. Then I walked into Kent to the Kent Pizza Garden for beer and food. Spirit Walker picked me up there and we went back to the trail head to get Brush Strokes and Serene. They were not there. I called to leave another message and Brush Strokes answered and said they were on their way to town. They had gotten my message and had gone back to the shelter to get their gear and would be down in a few minutes. We then went to Salisbury and picked up Banjo and Half Elvis. Then to Spirit Walker's home. When we arrived we were all impressed with our accommodations. Nice home, hot tub, comfortable bedroom - the works!   6 of us total.
Date: 2008-07-30
From: Kent, CT

To: US7 Ct 112
Miles today: 16.0

7/30/08 - Wednesday - Banjo & Half Elvis decided to take a zero day. Spirit Walker used two of his vehicles. I drove one and dropped it off at US 7 Ct 112 then he drove us back to CT 341. Then we did 16 miles that day. We went back to Spirit Walkers where Funk, Spirit Walker's son Adam, had smoked us some fruit flavored chicken, prepared corn on the cob and lots of liquid refreshment. It was the end of a great day.
Date: 2008-07-31
From: US7 CT 112

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

7/31/08 - Thursday - Spirit Walker fixed us breakfast again. We picked up sandwiches in Salisbury and dropped Banjo and Half Elvis at the CT41 trail head. We hiked by a hang glider launch site that overlooked Lime Rock Park, a race track where Chubby Howe (one of my old supervisors) used to race pick-up trucks. Then back to US7 where we had dropped the van. There we met Hoot and Sundance, a young couple thru hiking. Spirit Walker invited them back to his place for the night. He had also asked the day before, but they had said no then. We got back to the house and cleaned up. I got in the hot tub and felt great. We went to a little take-out eat outside place in Morris for dinner. Then back to the house and I packed up for full pack the next day. I took a little time to look at some of Spirit Walkers art around his house. He has a great artistic eye - most of his pieces are beautiful.
Date: 2008-08-01
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Jug End Rd
Miles today: 17.0

08/01/08 - Friday -Got a chance to slack with the Jersey Girls and do 17 mi from Salisbury to the Jug End Rd. Met Lynn halfway and she gave me the key to her car. Lyon's Head was a steep climb. Took a picture of the Ct-Ma State Line. Got to Jug End and met Peach & Fuzz on their way to Sheffield. At Jug End Rd I waited for Brush Strokes and Serene in Lynn's car. When they arrived we drove to the Under Mtn Rd to pick up the others. When we got there, no one was there. We had no cell phone connection so we were concerned. We drove around town a little looking for Lynn's sister Ellen's car. After no luck we checked in to Marie MCCabe's boarding house. We told her our dilemma and that the car had all of our belongings. She was wonderful and said to come in and have a shower. She also had spare clothes to wear that other hikers had left. When we were ready, she said she would take us to a restaurant for dinner. On the way to dinner, we spotted Ellen's car and got our clothes and gear. They had been to Cornwall to take Babu there where he had left his credit card. Then he wanted to stop for dinner. We sorted out our dirty clothes and Marie took us to the laundromat. She is just an Angel.
Date: 2008-08-02
From: Jug End/US7 CT 112/Mass.

To: Pete's
Miles today: 11.0

8/2/08 - Saturday - Up early and I cooked omelets for everyone for breakfast. Marie took us to US7 CT112 to make up the 11 miles that we missed the day before. It rained all day. We got back to Marie's soaked. The warm shower felt good. Then I called my son Pete and daughter-in-law Andrea to pick me up here and take me to see their new home in Oakdale. When they got here they had brought my granddaughter Ayla. She had made a sign "Free Hugs" for me. I got to their new home and took lots of pictures. They were just moving in so Pete had to put my bed together before Andrea could make it up. They showed me all around. Pete and I got to fix some things that were in need of repair. Andrea got pizza for dinner and we talked until bed.
Date: 2008-08-03
From: Pete's-Oakdale, CT.

To: Tom Leonard Lean To, MA
Miles today: 0.0

08/03/2008 - Sunday - Spent Saturday and part of Sunday at Pete & Andrea's and got to see their new home. Woke up early and made coffee. We sat and talked for a while and then went to Home Depot to pick up some repair items. Then we got on the road back to the trail. I picked up a couple of sandwiches, one for now and one for later. I gave them directions to Jug End Rd, S. Egremont, Ma. It was late in the afternoon - 5 pm when I got started. I went past the Shay's Rebellion Monument . Then it soon got dark. I hiked with my head lamp for a couple hours until 11 pm and I got to Tom Leonard Lean-to. I tented out back so not to wake anyone up. It looked full.   661.3 miles from Katahdin!!
Date: 2008-08-04
From: Tom Leonard Lean To, MA

To: Mt Wilcox South Lean-To, MA
Miles today: 0.0

08/04/08 - Monday - I slept late as it was after 11 pm before I got set up the night before. All had left for the day. I hiked by some roads and a pond. Just before the Ledges, I decided to call Spirit Walker and my wife, Patti. After the call, I put my phone back in its pouch, but did not close the zipper. It fell out just before the ledges. I got to Mt. Wilcox South Shelter before I discovered it was gone. I left my pack and walked all the way back to Tom Leonard and then back to Mt. Wilcox looking for it. Not to be found! When I got back to my pack I was exhausted. I set up my tent and went to bed.
Date: 2008-08-05
From: Mt Wilcox South Lean-To, MA

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

8/5/08 - Tuesday - Got up at 8 am and heard some familiar voices tented next to me. It was Duck and Buttercup, a young couple I met back in NY. We talked for a few minutes. I told them what had happened to my cell phone. Duck offered me his phone to call Patti. After a few moments, I agreed. When I got hold of Patti, she already knew about it. Some nice people on the trail (day hikers) had found it and called her. I was so relieved! It was so nice of Duck to let me use his phone and so nice of the people that found the phone. Patti arranged with them to get it shipped to my next mail drop. Went over to Tyringham Cobble and talked to some local grandparents with their granddaughter. Then I walked down to Jerusalem Rd into Tyringham to get a coke at CobbleView B & B. When I got there, no one was home, so I walked back to the trail. Soon I was at Upper Goose Pond- an AMC cabin with bunks. As I walked in I heard someone say "you're Zephyr". It was Fat Jim. I had met him in the Smokies. He had a pack injury that took him off the trail for a while so he went back home to Ohio. He had been to town and had brought back melons and cookies for everyone. We talked about his son, Conan, who is a thru hiker and was ahead in Maine right now. Jim told a story about how Conan was on a leave of absence from being a stage hand for David Copperfield in Las Vegas. Conan's co-worker called him and asked him what he needed for hiking. He said he could use an IPOD. David Copperfield got wind of the plan and offered to buy the IPOD and the crew could buy the music. Nice Boss!! Met hikers named TroutBaum, Just Mike from Australia, Swami and Darci & her brother, Buko. I went for a swim in the pond and then got my bunk. I cooked some supper on the big gas stove. WOW!!
Date: 2008-08-06
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: light rain

08/06/08 - Wednesday - Up early to a pancake breakfast from the caretaker. She cooked pancakes until everyone had enough. That is quite a feat for a cabin full of hikers! I said goodbye to Jim and headed out. Stopped at the Washington Mtn Rd, at the blueberry farm for water. Roy and his dog came out to greet me with cookies. Wow!! We talked a while until other hikers came in. It started raining, so I hiked on. I hiked late into Dalton and got to Tom Levardi's home. I looked on the porch and saw Serene standing there. He and Brush Strokes had hiked on from Salisbury, when I visited my son Pete. We all went out for dinner at the Mill Tavern. There is a paper mill across the Hoosic that makes paper for US Currency. We got back to Tom's and arranged for a a slack shuttle for the next day. Then Tom found me a bed in the basement.
Date: 2008-08-07
From: Tom Levardi's

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

08/07/08 - Thursday -Up early, Tom and all of us went to Tom's favorite breakfast place next to the Mill Tavern. We got breakfast and they made us sandwiches for lunch. Then Tom drove us to N. Adams to back slack pack into Dalton. The climb up to Greylock was steep. I took a few pictures of the tower at the top. Saw Bogie & Bacall, ChocoTaco and Wakapaca up there eating lunch. I was cold so I went down the other side a ways and found a sunbeam to each lunch in. Patti had arranged for my cell phone to be sent to the Cheshire post office, so I picked it up and immediately called home. I walked to Diane's twist for an ice cream. I saw Duck and Buttercup there and had the opportunity to thank them for the use of their cell phone by buying their ice cream. Outside at the picnic table I saw a hiker that I took a picture of way back in Hiawasee, Ga., but I never got his name. I asked his name and he said Zero-Zero. I assumed it had something to do with his vision, as he carried a blind walking stick. I cannot imagine hiking blind. WOW! Other hikers said that he falls a lot. Brush Strokes and Serene got picked up by Tom in Cheshire and I hiked on to Dalton. When I got to the town garage, I lost or misread the blazes. I turned on Park Ave instead of going down High St. It started raining as I was walking down Main St. When I got to Tom's, they had all gone out to dinner. We were not allowed to go in if Tom's not there, so I left my pack on the porch and walked to the Mill Tavern and had dinner. I could not contact them due to no cell phone coverage. Earlier in the day when I had cell service, I was coordinating a meeting with Spirit Walker. He had taken a week's vacation and was coming to Dalton to hike with me. With the help of Brush Strokes cell phone, we got him to Tom's house. Tom had very little floor space left.
Date: 2008-04-09
To: Running to Neverland
Miles today: 0.0

An endeavor of this magnitude isn't one to be made on a whim. Rather, thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail should be approached with nothing less than tedious care and lengthy preparation. But I can't remember one decision in my twenty-six year past that wasn't entirely reckless.In a mere three days, I will find my solitary self trodding through the quiet of the wood with nothing more than a twenty pound pack and the company of my ipod. "Six months" they say. Six months from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katadyn, Maine. And while this idea may have surfaced only as of recent, it's been another adventure I've been dreaming up from the depths of my soul ever since I first stepped foot on the Appalachian Trail three years prior. Two weeks ago I told a handful of my California friends of my plans and only the day before leaving the sunshine state, I confirmed it by ridding myself of my surfboard and beloved Subaru companion of five years.I shouldn't be doing this so soon. It was only a mere four months ago that I returned from a three month long solo motorcycle trip through the Andes Mountains of South America. But for whatever reason I can't help the illogical within me.Behind my back, I can hear the wondering whispers of those who don't understand as they quietly question, "What is he running from?". And right they are that I am running from something. I am running from the monotony. The tiresome drag of life lived as normal. But to say I am running from something... more importantly requires that to which I run to.Somewhere in the blur of adolescence, the ability to live any dream dreamed was lost. For all but a few, exaggerated and unlikely ideas were to be tucked away in the garage with first bicycles and bow and arrows. And like Tom Sawyer, Peter Pan, and a handful of other storybook adventurers, I am running from the prescribed... and running to Neverland. I am twenty-six years old and the older I've gotten, the less I want to grow up.So. Now in Florida taking in a weeks vacation, I am preparing for the most mentally challenging epic of an adventure I shall encounter to date. Saturday the journey shall begin... not just hiking from somewhere, but equally to... To a place where wild dreams aren't just for kids, but instead for all those who ignore the unwritten rules of an overly prescribed society. I, the non-fictional narrative of Tom Sawyer... shall never grow up.
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Wood's Hole Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: clear sky

I think I am a bit sleepy. I was warned by both my uncle and my guidebook to take it easy to begin but I'm having a bit too much fun out here. After 16 miles yesterday, I uped the ante today and forged ahead 24 some more. I keep expecting my body to collapse on my but muscles are fine, mentality is up and I am blister free!Last nights sleep was my 1st ever in a hammock. I was a bit worried about comfort and the likelyhood of falling out. No such problems. I should have considered just how miserably cold I might end up though. I went to bed under a beautiful night sky at 9:30 to pretyy pleasant temperatures. Somewhere in the middle of the night however, a furious wind brought in an uninvited cold front. For whatever reason, my emergency hand warmers never kicked in and I huddled in my bag with only an opening large enough for my nose. By 7:45 I woke up and my thermometer read 31 degrees.My day kicked up pleasantly with reasonable temperatures though as I hit the trail at 8:30 in the AM. Spring seems to be at war with winter though as common blue violets, downey yellow ones, and toadshade trillium as well as a number of other flowers carpetted the forest floor. Butterflies and dogwood brought color to the rest of the forest, however, winter seems interested in a fight. My final hour of hiking was met by snowflakes speckling the sky in the cold air lingering at 3800 feet.The shelter I arrived at was marked as having a spring though it must be too early for it to be flowing from the seasonal rain. Instead I was forced down the mountain to a river and then back up its steep grade to cook up dinner. Spirits are running high.
Date: 2008-04-14
From: Wood's Hole Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: light rain

Last night snowed in and out of the night though my hammock was strung up in the shelter so I managed alright. Tonight however, I'm at a shelter amoungst a handful of others so I'll be out in the cold. I'm not so sure packing so light is so smart though during the dayit has it's benefits. I am hiking hard and feeling unreasonably good. I'm not in any rush to Katahdin though as long as my legs are in stride and my spirits hight... I'll keep at it. I keep expecting my body to collapse on my though all pain is near non-existant. Every few hours or so I pinch myself checking that I actually can feel pain. All I can think is that my Sector 9 skateboard an 5.10 climbing shoes have prepped my legs well. Maybe it's just my inherited caves that are carrying me though Whatever it is... I am feeling good.Today had a few tough climbs to begin though Mountain Outfitters at Neels Gap provided much inspiration in a hot dog and ice cream sandwich. The rest of the day went by quite pleasant and now I am prepping for another extremely cold night.
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up with the intent to do 23 today, but between a late 10:00 start and a body that's finally catching up to me, I decided to take it easy. Yesterday's blisters needed patching early in the day and a couple new hotspots started making themselves known. This time I had the smarts to pad them at first notice. By noon, I'd found a nice cliff and took an hour for lunch at which point, I decided turning my 23 mile day into a 15 mile day sounded pretty good. And that's just what I did. Most would consider 15 overkill anyway. For me, that's a nice steady day. Today though 15 might as well have been 20. The 4000 foot elevation change is nothing short of a pounding. Kelly Knob was quite a finale on the day. 1000 feet of gain in a single mile. Ouch. I thought the climb would never end. But in do time, I made it to the shelter where 7 otherss join me in what is sure to be a social night. Temps rose quickly today as the sun displaced the constant snow of yesterday. Last night it was so cold I could harldy write a sentence. Tonight, while cool is much warmer and a relief at that. The Smokey's however are looming over my head as high elevation will certainly bring a return to the cold. I think I'm going to need a sleeping pad at my next resuply. All is well an I am feeling good.
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

A great day today but not without noting the fine crew from last night's shelter. Good company was met by Magnet, Krazy Kevin, and a second night in a row with JoeJeff. Krazy Kevin is a Nam vet working his way on a hike all the way from Key West Florida. He was a story teller mostly referencing the time he spend in and broke out of the "luney house" after Nam for knocking off to many cops. Anyone normal might fear for their life around him, though us trail nuts find him to be good company.Today was beautiful and upper 60's all day. I made the mistake of packing no water and the way the springs worked out, I went without a sip for 8 miles... a long distance on a warm day. I faired alright, though a bit parched before guzzling down just over the Georgia/N. Carolina border. Crossing my first state line brought with it some serious tough climbs, but my body and feet continue to be working like magic. No complaints here as my planned 15 mile day turned into a pleasant 20. While long and strenous days, this is a fantastic way to live. I love the Appalachian Trail. I should also note that my trail name has officially been changed to "Che" by a guy I met today. I'm sure the reasons are obvious.
Date: 2008-04-17
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

I now understand what it is like to be an astronaut. That or a pregnant woman. I am now at a shelter just 4 miles from a hitching point to a resuply town and there are three things I desperately want. A cheeseburger, ice-cream with chocolate fudge, and an ice cold beer. Out on the trail long enough and food cravings become a mental barrier far greater than the many miles that lie ahead each day. Rice, Noodles, Tuna, Oatmeal, and Powerbars are old already and I am just one week in. Some notes for the grocery store to add some variety:-Bagels for breakfast... they don't absorb water. Sick of dried food.-Pita bread for lunch. Same story.-And a giant Toblerone Bar to snake a bite off of every night for dinner. Chocolate that doesn't come in the form of Cliff Bars PLEASE!!!And as soon as I get to a gear shop, I'm going to buy myself a bugnet to cover my head as well. With warmer weather has come nats... by the thousands. There is nothing more miserable than sitting around in the early evening at a shelter with good company distracted by a swarm of nats. Sure they don't bite. But they are a nusance beyond the need of explanation.Afte 6 hard days of hiking about 20 a day, I now find myself in North Carolina, past the hundred mile mark with with beautiful vistas and the Smokeys only a few days off. I refuse to let a few pesky bugs and the appetite of a pregant women get in the way. This trip is incredible.
Date: 2008-05-11
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I think I'm going to cease entering blogs on the net for three good reasons.1) There are not as many computers in the woods as I expected.2) It's not my priority to sit at a computer for the few moments I get in towns.3) Largely the stories you wouldn't find that interesting. I hike 15-35 miles a day. I make dinner. I sit by fire. I sleep. I wake. I pack. I repeat. I am having loads of fun, though you might find my fun stories no different than yours. So... the trail journal is officially over I may post some photos up however... maybe...