morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-01
From: Native Landscapes

To: Ten Mile River shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: light rain

Today was a hot (upper 80's) and humid day compounded by the lack of sleep made for a long day.Started around 7:30 with a walk up a field, past a restored wood water tower, over wood stiles over electric fences and finally into the woods. Worked up a good sweat before 8am. Once again many puncheons. Lunched and took a long break after 5 1/2 miles. Then AME the long mile up Ten Mile Hill. Seems unfair to have sweat pouring off me climbing a hill. We stopped at each decent stream and wet our bandanas and kept them on the back of our necks. Lots of recent trail maintenance here at the beginning of Connecticut; stone steps created, newer puncheons and some weed whacking. We plan a short day tomorrow since today sapped us. I am so impressed by the thru hikers who glide past us and disappear before the next bend, most of the smiling! What I learned last night: when trains go by the ground rumbles like a minor earthquake.
Date: 2014-07-02
From: Ten Mile River shelter

To: Shagticoke Mt campsite
Miles today: 5.3

Snug in our tent hoping the 5 hikers who were watering at the brook and left just before we arrived are safe. The predicted thunderstorms are on top of us. We barely had time to set up the tent before it poured. We can hear the cracks of lightning. Enjoyable morning. Crossed the scenic Ten Mile River on the metal Ned Anderson Memorial bridge, followed the river to covered Bulls Bridge, snacked at the convenience store (Ted had second breakfast and I a mocha coffee) then we started the true part of the hike. A driver on the dirt road was kind enough to stop when he spotted us so we would not be walking in a dust cloud. Small acts of kindness speak volumes.It was a hot and muggy day (my thermometer read close to 90) and once again took its toll on us. I even carried a Gatorade from the store and my oh my did it taste good.Right now the storm seems to have subsided; less rain pelting the rainfly and close to 15 seconds between the lightning and thunder. Over an hour of the storm right on the mountain. The sound of the brook is now as loud as a noisy air conditioner. As soon as the rain and thunder stop I will get out of our dry cocoon and fix dinner and admire the transitioned brook's flow.
Date: 2014-07-03
From: Shagticoke Mt campsite

To: Kent CT
Miles today: 3.2

Slept to the sounds of the brook. This morning the flow had really subsided but was still at least twice the volume as before the storm. The humidity is oppressive even at 7am. Glasses are constantly fogging making walking on slick rocks and logs even more challenging. We took itsy bitsy baby steps, not my usual stride at all. The good thing was water was plentiful; camelled up at each stream so I wouldn't have to carry too much water. It was a delight to drink to satiation. I was concerned that I would be butt sliding my way down the mountain and was pleasantly surprised to find the trail mostly a woods walk down Mt Algo. Did a few town chores. Ted had to buy new shoes as both the soles of his boots separated from the uppers this morning. Had ice cream before dinner then a hearty meal. That is one of the trail perks. Thunder is again rolling and the forecast is for the same tomorrow. Zero day for us.
Date: 2014-07-05
From: Kent CT

To: Stony Brook campsite
Miles today: 7.4

St. Johns Ledges was a surprise decent. Yes there are stone steps (90 according to my guide book) but what a jumble of boulders the rest of the half mile down. We stretched muscles and limbs like they haven't been in years! I did at least a half dozen butt slides. I can't imagine how anyone navigated it yesterday in the rain or on the wet rocks. I stand in awe of those intrepid brave souls who were hiking in the rain.So after a day in town, a bit of the women's Wimbledon finals and a huge breakfast we walked the .8 miles back to the trail. Lovely day as everyone was commenting. Sunny, breezy, low humidity and about 75 degrees. Lots of us section hikers out today. Never really broke a sweat until the bouldering down. The Housatonic River is fast flowing and muddy from the last 2 days of rain. The trail is dry thank goodness.On the repair front the tubing from the hardware store is working well for my reservoir. The original was disgusting and I have bleached it to no avail. A well spent 83 cents.
Date: 2014-07-06
From: Stony Brook campsite

To: Carse Brook
Miles today: 8.4

I have used every blue blazed bypass trail and today was no exception. At Guinea Brook a sign posted advising using the bypass in times of high water. We looked at each other and quickly decided on the bypass. I did go down to the brook after the bypass to fetch water and glad we did not attempt to cross. A few of the stepping stone rocks were under several inches of rapidly flowing water.Not often I can smell the pines but was lucky enough at the summit of Pine Knob. Made the up worth it.A few thru hikers passed us today, all friendly and enthusiastic. Our goal today was the next shelter but we ran out of steam prior to the last mile. Listened to some Abba and Beethoven when I felt my tank getting low and it did help.
Date: 2014-07-07
From: Carse Brook

To: Falls Village
Miles today: 9.3

Our day: bit of an up to start the day with Roger's Ramp (like the Lemon Squeezer), a view of an operational small racecourse where Paul Newman and others raced cars, a road walk, an interpretive trail walk and ended with a fine dinner at a local restaurant where I requested outdoor seating as far away as possible from the other patrons. All in all not a bad day.I did not think that we would have done 9 miles after yesterday. I thought we would have to take it easy. Tomorrow is a 3ish mile up back to a ridge since we are low at the Hosatonic River. Tenting at the Toymakers Cafe listening to the rain on the fly and rumbles of thunder.
Date: 2014-07-08
From: Falls Village

To: Salisbury
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: moderate rain

What a delightful and intriguing person Maria McCabe is! Our day started with a quick Tecnu shower at the vine covered building at the power plant, a walk across an iron bridge now used solely for foot traffic, a view of the Great Falls that was pretty with the water cascading down and then what we feared would be a long hard up. Surprise! The up Prospect Mt was a smooth trail, like walking on mulch. We met a hiker who said she had a great stay at Maria's so when we got to a high point again we called and made our reservation. For me I always seem to underestimate the steepness and terrain of decent. I should have known that coming down from a plateau to a road would be time consuming. The roots and rocks were still slick from last night's rain which slowed me down that much more. When headed to town I seem to instinctively quicken my pace so had to really hold back my ponies to stay upright. At the road used the last of my water to try to rinse off some of the mud on my pants. I wear long pants no matter the temp because I am so sensitive to poison ivy. Maria greeted us and made us feel at home. Boundless smiles, stories and energy! She shuttled us and 2 other hikers who were staying to the next town to the laundromat and pizza restaurant. Watched Germany crush Brazil while chomping on my salad. Back at Maria's now and ready to call it a day. Looks like there are bigger mountains ahead.
Date: 2014-07-10
From: Salisbury

To: Sages Ravinee campsite
Miles today: 7.1

Maria dropped us off at the trailhead and gave us another farewell hug. Last night the lightning was directly above the house. She came upstairs to make sure we were ok. Amazing woman.  We had planned a short day since we had Lions Head to climb and usually are a bit sluggish out of town. Well surprise surprise! We were still fresh after the up to Lions Head and decided just to lunch at Brassie Brook where we had anticipated our day ending.Ah...Bear Mt. The highest peak in CT. A plaque and remains of an observation tower crown the summit. And there are ripe blueberries! The north side is much steeper and rockier so we gently butt slid and crab walked our way down the mountain. I think I may have seen the last of the blooming mountain laurel. Got to the campsite in plenty of time to have first choice of sites. The spring is cold and clear and the water delicious. All in all a good day. Tomorrow we are hoping to make good for us moles over 2 mountains.
Date: 2014-07-11
From: Sages Ravinee campsite

To: Hemlocks shelter 
Miles today: 6.1

What a great way to start the day! A .6 mile walk along tumbling Sawmill Creek with the morning sun slanting thru the hemlocks. We got our boots a bit wet crossing the creek but they dried quickly. Two big for us ups today. One and a half mile up rocky Race Mt. View from the summit of Housatonic Valley. Then a half mile walk along the rocky escarpment. Thank goodness it was a sunny day. Then the down to a saddle to the next mountain Mt. Everett (2600'). We were running low on water so I went to a campsite .2 miles off the trail for water. Met a family out on a day hike. We all started on the AT towards Mt Everett and wouldn't you know it there was a small intermittent stream less than a quarter mile later. Oh well.The climb up was steep. At the summit were just the concrete blocks the old fire tower stood on. Not even a view! The down was easy along a woods path. Tenting at a beautiful shelter that sleeps 10. So far only 3 others are here.More blueberries today. Walking trying to watch my footing, spot blueberries on an uphill side and checking the views slows me down but that is what I am out here for!
Date: 2014-07-12
From: Hemlocks shelter 

To: Great Barrington
Miles today: 8.0

We are meeting such nice people along the trail. Thru hikers, section and day hikers all smiling and enjoying their journey. Today's surprising steepness was on the down from Jug End.Once again the guidebook description as "steep, rocky and use extra caution in wet conditions" is accurate. It took a lot longer than we blithely anticipated. Great view at the summit. Mosquitoes are vicious up here. The 2nd part of today's walk was through fields and boggy terrain. Poor Ted was feasted upon. For the oops of the day: Never did find the spring .25 miles on Jug End road. Even asked a runner at least .25 miles along on the road where the spring was. She said it was somewhere but it was very overgrown. I watered up at the stream I passed at .1 mile down the road. Oops 2; fell off a poncheon. Turtled-landed on my back, stuck in the mud with a heavy pack on and felt very stupid. Thank goodness it was not over a part of the bridges that crossed the watery swamp. Nothing hurt but pride. Dined and purchased egg salad for tomorrow's trail lunch (fingers crossed). The next couple of days are 50% chance of thunderstorms. We will decide tomorrow morning our plan of action.
Date: 2014-07-13
From: Great Barrington, MA US 7

To: Great Barrington, MA Mass 23
Miles today: 8.4

We had a delicious and filling breakfast at the restaurant across from the motel. Called the cab and started our day. Not 10 minutes later stopped to but on the last of our DEET. Ted swatted the mosquitoes off my back as I fetteched the spray from my pack. I could feel the buggers biting me thru my shirt. The walk was mostly a woods walk with just a few rocky areas. At one point we climbed up some rocks, caught the view then looked for the blazes. There below us was the trail bypassing the rocks! My old map showed a bad weather bypass but there has been a lot of work done on the trail that a bypass is not necessary. At the shelter we decided to press on to Mass 23 and back to town since it was early and the weather good. Got to the trailhead but there was no cell reception so we started the 4 mile walk to town. A trail angel stopped and gave us a ride. At the hotel I did my usual tock check and my neck looks like a vampire got me. These mosquitoes are relentless. Tomorrow is a resupply zero day.
Date: 2014-07-16
From: Great Barrington, MA Mass 23

To: Mt Wilcox North Lean-to
Miles today: 5.1

Thank you to everyone who has signed my journal. Water everywhere. Woke at 6 to rain, went back to bed. Woke at 7 to drizzle so decided go get the continental breakfast. Flash flood watch was in effect until 9am. Back on the trail at 10:45. A bit late for my liking but the weather was improving, the rain had stopped and the skies were clearing. Easy walking but boggy and muddy. Twice I had a boot sucking step; once I wasn't watching closely enough and the second I sincerely thought I was stepping on a rock not a mud mound. Water coursed down the trail in parts and others were puddles of standing water. Thanks to new boots my feet stayed dry. I had on my rain pants and completely muddied them calf high.Passed a few beaver ponds but not much else of interest. Stopped early and went the .3 miles down to fetch water from the "prone to go dry in late summer" stream in front of the lean to. It was beautifully clear. Looks like more of the same for tomorrow so we will DEET up early.
Date: 2014-07-17
From: Mt Wilcox North Lean-to

To: spring 
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

Trail magic grilled lunch by Pat-agonia and his wife! He thru hiked a few years ago and has twice set up his roadside lunch for hikers. It was a relaxing way to spend a half hour.The terrain is surprisingly pleasant, no crazy ups or downs just lots of muck. A view of Tyringham Valley was the only real view of the day along with the views while crossing the fields.The mosquitoes are not as bad as they were yesterday. No swarms or clouds. A SOBO told us to expect the pests until Mt Greylock.I did not mean to mislead yesterday, we camped at the top of the side trail to the lean-to so the .3 miles for water was from the AT to the stream by the lean-to.
Date: 2014-07-18
From: spring 

To: tributary of Mt Washington Brook
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke again to birds chirping and clear skies. Easy walking to Upper Goose Pond. Crossed I 90 on a pedestrian bridge then debated at US 20 whether to call for pizza! Did not and started up never ending (1 1/2 mile) Becket Mt. Most of the day was a woods walk with a small rocky stretch after Finerty Pond. Side note that Finerty Pond was once a swamp and dammed by the CCC for water for Lee MA. Had to get pond water since I did not want to haul too much water up Becket Mt. As soon as we set up camp at the stream I dumped the pond water for not quite crystal clear stream water. Sure do miss the spring water we had from yesterday.
Date: 2014-07-19
From: tributary of Mt Washington Brook

To: Kay Wood lean-to
Miles today: 11.6

What do I think of when walking? Today it was how delicious the raspberries were. We stopped at the "Cookie Lady" and they had a roadside card table with pints of fresh picked raspberries for sale. We bought a pint, made some lemonade and had a snack at their picnic table. No cookies but a fine break.More food, at the summit of Warner Mt. we could see large to be climbed in a few days Mt. Greylock in the hazy distance and blueberries at our feet. Of course I picked my fill and then we headed on. Not a difficult hiking day at all.The muck is drying so I am less particular where I step. I can sometimes walk on top without sinking in but there were a few times I muddied my boots. Still wearing the rain pants for good reason.Tomorrow we stop in Dalton to resupply, do laundry, get a hotel room and have a sit down meal or two. Yes I thought about what I will order. Have not decided yet but I think a slice of warm pie a la mode sounds yummy.Three thru hikers passed us today taking long joyful strides. They were gone in a flash. I am in awe!
Date: 2014-07-20
From: Kay Wood lean-to

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 3.0

Short day into town. Woke to the soft patter of light rain on the fly. Got up and rescued my socks. I left them outside to air overnight and they were still dry under the tree near the tent.Quick breakfast and to town. First stop after the convenience store was the hotel. We were told by a couple coming out of town that last night the hotel was turning people away; there is a softball tourney in the area. 9:45am we got the last room!Before we could check in we had 2 breakfasts and took a little walk around town. Well kept large lawns front main street along with some small businesses. On the agenda is laundry and forming a tentative plan for the next few days. Looking forward to a smoothie lunch and pie for dinner. Hotel has WiFi so catching up on the uploads. Not many pictures but I promise one of Mt. Greylock next time.
Date: 2014-07-21
From: Dalton, MA

To: Cheshire
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I honestly did take pictures of Mt Greylock! For some unknown reason I can't see them in my phone gallery. Maybe by tomorrow I can figure out what I did wrong. Another fairly easy day. An up out of town on a full belly and hauling sandwiches and potato salad and peaches for lunch! Stopped at the blue blazed side trail to the Cobbles ahead of where I thought we were-always a pleasant surprise. Saw the mountain across the valley and the town of Cheshire below. A friendly group of day hikers were there enjoying the view. Got to town and had ice cream and soda while checking the bus schedule and our options. A thru hiker said he was staying at the church so we went there and asked if we could stay. So here we are. Tomorrow a 2500' climb to the summit and the Bascom Lodge bunkrooms. It will be a long snail day as the weather will again become hot and muggy and there is little water available on the way up the mountain.
Date: 2014-07-22
From: Cheshire

To: Mt Greylock
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: broken clouds

A not too bad a day! Climb was noticeable in a few spots but mostly a gentle woodsy up. We had a breakfast at Dunkin much to Ted's delight. I was still full from last night's dinner. I think we were the only ones who did not walk out of the restaurant by the lake with a doggie bag! As we went from fields to woods Ted noticed the waist high blueberry bushes. I had two big huge perfectly ripe and sweet handfuls. He was the observant one today also catching the double blaze to turn off the street to what looked like a yard. We lunched leisurely after Ball Mt since most of the climb and milage was behind us and drank copiously. Listened to a marvelously complex bird song. Never did see the bird but heard it again a short distance away. Stopped for the day at the lodge. Very rustic and CCC built. Showered and feeling fresh as a daisy. Walked around the summit reading the natural and cultural history plaques and enjoying the breeze. Tomorrow a steep down to town to resupply. From there to the Vermont line is 4.1 miles. Deleted some photos last night so now can upload new ones. Guess that was the problem.
Date: 2014-07-23
From: Mt Greylock

To: Williamstown
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

My day was made meeting the work crew volunteers and thanking them. Selfless hours of annoymous toil. This morning we had scrumptious blueberry and almond muffins and coffee with half and half. Decadent! I can easily get spoiled on this restaurant meal to meal hiking we have done the past 3 days. I love food! We knew that today was going to be a grinding down. Our ankles and feet were rarely at 90 degrees once we started the last down. Not rocky unless you count the rounded slick one I slid on and landed unceremoniously on my rear. Got cocky and thought I could balance on anything. Reached Mass 2 and decided to walk the 11/2 miles to the hotel. My little thermometer read almost 90. It is so much different road walking on a busy semi highway in the sun versus the quiet shaded woods. I was getting grumpy. Checked in and got my bounce box then showered and put on clean clothes and felt human again. Turns out the laundromat here has closed so tomorrow we take the bus a couple of miles to shop and do laundry. Dinner was huge so no room for desert. I am trying my dardest to not overeat in town however I am already thinking of tomorrow's dinner! Zero day for chores and gastronomic delights.
Date: 2014-07-25
From: Williamstown

To: Seth Warner shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light rain

Vermont! Shuttled to the trail and started at 9. The fog was dissipated and the sun shining, temp around 60. Perfect. Not too bad of a first day after just strolling around town yesterday. Climbed the rock slide (which has a bad weather bypass) and the rest of the walk was pretty easy and a bit muddy. Hardest part besides the rock slide was getting over a large tree trunk that was over a mud pit. Hard to find solid footing on either side and I ended up straddling it with legs flailing. Luckily I did not kerplop in the mud.Lunched at the southern terminus of the Long Trail at the Massachusetts/Vermont line. The AT and Long Trail coincide for about 105 miles. For us it is a milestone. Initially I gave us a whopping 20% chance of making Vermont. I am no odds maker and very happy to have been wrong.
Date: 2014-07-26
From: Seth Warner shelter

To: Congdon shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

Slept in till 6:10! I was tired all day yesterday. Even though it was brisk I was not cold, slept curled up but warm.Fetched the food bags and one had been chewed through and a bag of ramen noodles had been sampled. I thought there was a bear box but it was a box for tools and was padlocked. Hastily I hung the food and paid the price. Bummer. The fellow in the tent at the next site also had his food bag raided.A mucky woods walk. Passed some beaver ponds, one was an old one that is now a marshy open area. I read in my guide book that beaver were all trapped out in Vermont by the mid 1800's. They were reintroduced in the 1920's and 1930's and have done quite well since then.Lunched at Consultation Peak, with many comfortable sitting spots. We made good snail time and got to camp early. A southbounder said the mice for the next few shelters are everywhere. He was kind enough to give us half his empty plastic bottle so we could fashion a mouse deterrent to put on the rope. Hope it works.
Date: 2014-07-27
From: Congdon shelter

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained on us for the first time in a long time. Ted's percect bear bagging kept the critters away. Hit the trail by 7:15, no breakfast, no coffee. As we crossed a fairly open summit with raspberry bushes the thunder started. Paused ever so quickly for the few ripe berries and then put on the rain gear and pack covers. At 9am it was so dark I toyed with the idea of getting out my headlamp. Then the storm arrived. We had a steep down on rock steps that we negotiated very slowly. The rain stopped by the time we got to VT 9. Tried to hitch for a few minuted but decided to hoof it until we could get cell reception. Our clothes dried a bit on our walk. Did get reception at a bridge and the fellow from the hotel picked us up. Walked to town, had dinner, walked to Dunkin, found the PO and bus stop for tomorrow. Currently doing laundry and repacking. Ted is going home as planned and I will continue northward. Today's bummer: a hiker pointed out a well camouflaged barred owl sitting on a tree stump. I got closer for a picture but just as I was about to take it a small bird flew in front of the owl and it took off. I must not wait on nature photos.