morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-14
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Hwy 17A NY
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Got up pretty early and was hiking by 7:30. Not bad. I only had 10 miles to go so I set an easy pace. Which was a good thing. It wasn't long and I realized why the AWOL Guide Book said this section is more difficult than it appears. All I can say is "dayum"! Rocky jibberish for the unfamiliar. One of my toughest days. The rocks were huge, wet, covered in moss, and did I mention big?I managed to fall 3 times today. Not proud of that mind you, just stating my situation. My only injury, other than my pride, was a single puncture wound to my left palm. Was so glad to see the road. I made it to town, was picked up at the trail head by the proprietor of Anton's, picked up some groceries and Chinese food, and now I'm on beautiful Lake Greenwood here in New York. Living large! Yes? I'm in another state. No more New Jersey swamps, the skeeters are Brutal.
Date: 2014-07-15
From: Hwy 17A NY

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Boy was that 16 miles tough! Normally it's just me complaining but tonight it's everyone. New York has some serious technical climbing.The best part of the day was trail magic times 3. Two water drops, and did I need it, sodas and snacks, thanks to Honeypie (2004). These treats were perfect. The water here in NY has a slight orangey-brown color so the water drops were really great.There are 8 of us here at the shelter. It's pouring, and the storms are suppose to last all night. Glad to be inside the shelter tonight. Not making the bigger miles I had hoped for but there is still lots of time. I just need to keep a positive attitude, and get up every day and hike as far as I can given that days trail. Tired, a little beat up in the head, but still in the GA-ME!
Date: 2014-07-16
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Fort Montgomery, NY
Miles today: 0.0

Not sure how it happened but my mileage counter has some how jumped ahead. No problem, I'll just enter zero till I catch up with it. That will be just one more day.So, today was another short day, only 15.4 miles. Only two of the eight people in the shelter got up early this morning, the rest of us didn't get up till around 7:30 am. It was nearly 9 am before I got started. The woods were still wet from all the rain but at least the rain had stopped. The trail was mostly good trail today with three good climbs. West Mountain was the toughest. These profiles in the guide book just don't do some of the climbs justice. They are sometimes harder than they look.I was just in town 2 days ago, but I am just not feeling well. I felt sluggish all day. Like my feet were made of lead. As I sit here and type I am wearing my down jacket and I am still cold. Not good!!! I have done laundry, eaten a 16 oz New York Strip fries and chocolate pie, and I feel fine. Just not sure what to think about being so cold. The temperatures are dropping as the cold front moves in but I just don't feel normal. Plus, my right knee has been hurting for the last three days. No injury, just a nagging achy deep bone pain. Like being "old"! Wait, I am old!!! So, the truth is the trail is just beating me right now. I was talking to another hiker who is about my same age and he said he feels like his body is just starting to break down. I guess that is pretty normal for our age group after nearly 1400 miles. I will be heading home next Wednesday for about 7 days, so I hope that this time will allow the "old bones" a chance to heal bit.I will head out in the morning, unless I wake up cripple, and try and get as many miles as I can in before returning home. As the weather cools I wonder if my 45 degree bag and the clothes I have will be enough. Hope so! I'll upgrade my sleeping bag, and some clothes, while I am home for sure. If all goes well I will continue to the finish when I return without any further delays or trips home. Beat up for sure, tired?, yes, but still motivated. I could use some prayers and good vibs from everyone to help me through this "normal" trail stuff.Thanks everybody!!!
Date: 2014-07-17
From: Fort Montgomery, NY

To: Clarence Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 17.1

It was actually a 20.2 mile day, remember my trail journals mileage counter was off so I had to fix it. A good day! Walking across Bear Mountain Bridge really put my fear of heights to the test. This bridge is spooky high. But quite an engineering marvel. After the bridge was the usual morning lung buster climb so nothing new there. Then I walked through some very open forest with very little undergrowth. You can definitely tell the forest is changing. It has been a long day but a good day. My attitude is much improved. My right knee hardly hurt at all today. I'm in my tent now with my base layer on and my down jacket at the ready. Suppose to get down to 52 degrees here tonight.
Date: 2014-07-18
From: Clarence Fahnestock State Park

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 14.0

Well it got cold last night. I had my base layer on and at 1 am I had to put my down jacket on. I slept nice and toasty after that. I slept well and when I got up I felt fine but this was not to last. Not sure why but after only a couple climbs I was spent. I just had no energy. I ate snacks but just couldn't seem to overcome it.Around 10 miles I came to NY Hwy 52 and walked the .4 miles east to the Mountaintop Market Deli for some town food. Hoping this would give me some energy. I ate a huge ham sandwich with L&T, chips, and drank a liter Pepsi. I actually felt worse afterwards. Then I just wanted to lay down. So that's what I did. I laid in the grass for an hour by the Deli. I never went to sleep but it just felt good to lay there in the sun. After an hour I still didn't feel like moving so I went back inside and bought a liter Mountain Dew and a Mounds. I thought this should get me to the next shelter 4 miles away. It definitely help! I Yogi'd a ride back to the trail and made it to the shelter in about an hour and a half, so the Mountain Dew did it's part for sure.I've made dinner, hung my food bag, and now I'm in my tent for the night. Everyone is in their tents because the skeeters are insane. I have hunted in some dark wet swamps in South Carolina so trust me when I say the skeeters are bad, I know what bad is!I sure hope I feel better tomorrow. This was like day 24 straight with no zero, so maybe Im just tired for a reason. Just 4 more hiking days then a nice break.
Date: 2014-07-19
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Made a pretty good start this morning. Was up early and hiking by 7:30. I felt fine for the first half of the day but then I started drag'en again. Just not sure why I feel so tired. I'm sleeping well, eating good, but still just feel like I have no energy. I guess my miles today are acceptable. Made it to the AT Train Station at about 1:00 where Obsidian will catch a train the New York to meet his girlfriend who is coming from Germany to visit him. Waldo was there doing Trail Magic and Obsidian, Wetdog, and I joined him for a cold Mountain Dew. I was hoping this would give me a pick-me-up. It did for a while but it didn't last. I'm at the shelter now, had dinner, and feel fine. Hoping another good nights sleep will also make a difference. We'll see.Tomorrow will be a short day and so will Monday. I need to be in Cornwall, CT on Monday so I'm going to take the next two days to do those 24 miles. Then on Tuesday make my way to Hartford, CT to catch a flight home on Wednesday. Should be back on the trail by the 30th. The skeeters are still insane. Everyone is again in their tents, no one actually inside the open shelter.
Date: 2014-07-20
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Mt Algo Shelter
Miles today: 12.4

I decided to sleep in a bit this morning seeing as how I only had a 12 mile day. Didn't get started on the trail till 8:50 am. Late even for me!It was a nice hike this morning even though our biggest climb came early. It was nice trail. When we reached Bulls Bridge Rd there was trail magic there. Thanks Trails and Jodi! Then we walked .3 miles to the country store. I had a Turkey sandwich, chips, a Mountain Dew and 2 Gatoraids. Then headed back to the trail.The highlight of my day came when I was stung 6 times by hornets . Titan was stung 5 or 6 times about 30 minutes later in the same place. I was the 4th person in line hiking up this ridge and "bam"! I was doing the high step dance trying to figure out if Id been snake bit or not then I shot up the trail and ran by everyone like a bolt of lightening. After we figured out what had happened Wetdog says "damn Sleeper, you can move for an old guy"! Righttttttt. I told him he could move just as fast if he was getting stung repeatedly too. I must admit they hurt, and burned for hours. I can still feel each one of them even now. The good news, the first two people in that line of four hikers were both allergic to bee stings and carry epi pens. Sure glad it wasn't Swiss Miss or Nobody that was stung. God is good!After all that the rest of the day seemed uneventful and pretty normal. We have all had dinner and are in our tents. The skeeters are still horrible. It does feel good to finally be in New England. GA-ME!I'm still drag'en! Trying to eat and drink more.
Date: 2014-07-22
From: Mt Algo Shelter

To: Cornwall Bridge, CT
Miles today: 11.4

7/21/14 11.4 miles. This should have been entered yesterday but I was just "to" busy to bother with it. LOL The truth is I was having the time of my life at the Bearded Woods One-of-a Kind Bunk & Dine. More on that in a minute.Yesterday was a good day. Got up early, had my pop-tarts, which are failing me by the way, and was hiking by 7:45 am. It was straight down hill, which severely violates the AT code of torture, most mornings it's straight "up" hill, but no problem. At the first road, like .3 miles, was trail magic. Cold Cokes and snacks. We have had so much trail magic, and everyone said that it would end after Virginia. Then we had several PUDS (Pointless ups and downs) which had a little bite to them, but again, no worries. We only had 11 and some change to do today as I am logistically planning my trip home. Hopefully my last trip home, then I can come back on the 29th and just focus on the journey.The day included a 5 mile flat walk along the Housatonic River which was so nice, and the water was peaceful too. At the end on the 11 miler what do you think we had? Yes, a steep climb", you are getting better at this. There is always some kind of nasty climb at the end or nearly every day. But we made it to CT Hwy 4 at about 2:30 and called Hudson for a pick up. We, Wetdog and I, had planned to stay one night at his hostel, which was a great decision.If you have never stayed at the Bearded Woods Hostel, opened in 2012, then you need to put it on the top of your list for stays. It is "all inclusive", and I mean everything. One price!!! No dollar for this, dollar for that, just one straight forward price. Hudson, and wife Big Lu, were so nice and really wanted to get to know you as a hiker. It was just amazing. Two family sit down meals, bunks with linen, laundry, shower, and shuttle to and from the trail all for $50.00. Plus their home is so cool, and I mean something for everyone to see and get excited about. The ladies have Big Lu to mingle with and the guys have Hudson. He has done all the hand crafted wood work around the place, and is an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He has also hiked the AT multiple time, along with many other trails too, and was a wealth of good info for the upcoming 700 mile dash to the finish. Well, not dash, but you get the picture. So, by all means everyone, stay at the Bearded Woods Hostel. You will no regret it (p. 149 2014 AWOL Guide).So this morning Hudson gave Wetdog and myself a ride to Torrington, CT to pick up a rental car, and now we are checked into a hotel in Hartford, CT. I will be flying home in the morning, and Wetdog is heading up to Maine to flip-flop south so he has more time this fall and not have to rush. I am not happy about coming home but I still have plenty of time to finish my hike. There is still lots of hiking to do but I up for the GA-ME.
Date: 2014-07-30
From: Cornwall Bridge, CT

To: Falls Village, CT
Miles today: 14.0

Today was wonderful. I felt great, well except for the knee pain. When I take time off to go home my knees start hurting on day 2 or 3, then they don't stop hurting till I've been back on the trail for about 3 days. Odd? Yes, but it's been the same each time. Oh well, no pain no Maine. The day started with my first fording opportunity. I just took my boots off, put on my crocs, waded across, put the boots back on and continued on. Pretty easy! Then the rest of the day was some nice trail. I thought a 14 miler was a good choice for first day back, plus I wanted to come back to The Bearded Woods Bunk & Dine one more time. Hudson and Big Lu are wonderful hosts. If your headed this way you have to stay. You will be so glad you did.We have all cleaned up, had an amazing dinner, and now we are just sitting around chatting. Another great day on the AT. I could get use to this!
Date: 2014-07-31
From: Falls Village, CT

To: Laurel Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 15.9

It was a sad moment leaving the Bearded Woods Bunk & Dine. Hudson and Big Lu are wonderful hosts. Thought I was doing a 17 today but no matter how you do the math it just 15.9. Oh well, I'm still tired so I guess it was enough.Crossed the 1500 mile marker today and entered MA. I can't spell it so you just get MA. LOLI'm in my tent now, light rain is falling, so I should sleep good. Tomorrow is another day on the AT. What a life!
Date: 2014-08-03
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 41.7
Weather: few clouds

The last three days have been busy to say the least. Probably one of my better three day stretches. First things first.To Texas Tornado, I live by a simple philosophy, do what ever it takes to stay on the trail, what ever it takes to stay happy, and what ever it takes to stay safe. If you do those mental things you'll be good to go. The Trail is in your head mostly, so be happy.I was asked if I would consider a flip-flop. Only as last resort. I really want to finish on top of Katahdin, but if something happens, the weathers turn bad, or something off the Trail comes up, then yes I would flip-flop to complete my thru-hike.Okay, the last three days. A 19.3, a 21.1, and a 20.6 today. That's about the top end of what I can do. I needed to push myself a little harder while I have good trail because those big days will end soon. I should still be able to put up some good numbers till the Whites, but then my daily mileage will drop. So, got to make hay while you can.Trail magic everyday for past three days. A couple pulled up at a road crossing and ask if I wanted an ice cream? I said sure and they gave me a strawberry nutty-buddy, so good. Walked into a parking area yesterday at a trailhead and there was water, sodas, and beer. I don't drink but snagged a coke and some water. Today, crossing a road was more sodas, thanks Rob. Everyone said that the trail magic would end in Virginia but that has not been the case. We have been so blessed so often.Its been getting cooler at night and staying that way. It doesn't appear to be warming back up either so I have sent for my winter gear two weeks sooner than planned. I sleep cold anyway, so got to have the 25 degree bag back.The forest is changing every day, and you can feel the weather starting to change as well. It's a great time to be on the Trail.
Date: 2014-08-06
From: Dalton, MA

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 41.9

As you have figured, no data service for past 3 days. Was able to get out a few tx so people know I'm alive. They say the cell service is pretty sad the farther north you go but I'll try and keep on top of it.Lets see, Dalton MA was awesome, definitely one of my favorite towns on the trail. We stayed at the Shamrock Inn which was pretty nice by hiker standards. The people were so friendly too. We left Dalton at about 10 am because I had to wait on the Post Office to open then carry my food drop back to my room and break it down. At about noon we came to Cheshire MA and stopped at Diane's Twist, an awesome deli and ice cream shop right on the trail, and wasted a whole hour there eating sandwiches, ice cream, and laying in the sun. It was wonderful. We finally got going but it was tough.Yesterday we left the Mark Noepel Shelter at a reasonable time and hiked into Vermont late that afternoon. Boy did Vermud give us a welcome. I was able to get my tent set up and cook dinner at the Seth Warner Shelter before the bottom fell out. As the rain started I threw everything into the tent, grabbed my dinner, and climbed inside. It poured! I never came back out the rest of the night.This morning when I woke up it was still raining so I just laid there for another hour. When I finally got up, cooked, and packed up it was almost 9 am. Everything I have was soaking wet and covered in rain splashed dirt. When we got to Bennington the first order of business was to clean my gear and get it all dried. That took about an hour. Then showers, dinner at Morrison's Pub, and everything packed up for tomorrow. Pretty sweet. The trail today was the wettest, muddy, river I have ever hiked on. I guess that's why they call it Vermud. Yep, it fits. I feel pretty good, the knees are a little sore still but no problem. As long as I am moving they don't hurt, it's only when I stop that I notice the pain. So, just don't stop, right?
Date: 2014-08-08
From: Bennington, VT

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 37.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow! 2 good days. First, it got so cold last night. I was so happy to have my 25 degree bag back. Also, I slept so well. I was tired and warm, a great combo.8/7/14 19 miles. We left Bennington and was dropped at the trail at 9 am. Not a happy camper at that moment because we were looking at a 10 mile steady climb for the first part of the day. But, we made it! Stopped for a late lunch and headed on. We were trying to reach Story Spring Shelter, and we did but it was a long day. It got really cold but that was nice because it kept the bugs away. A great night too.8/8/14 18.3 miles. We got up early this morning, hard to do when it's cold and the sleeping bag is warm, and were on the trail by 7:30 am. The first 4 miles were easy enough, but then came Stratton Mountain. This is our 1st 4000 ft'er since Virginia. We spent an hour at the fire tower on top, so nice just laying in the sun. The caretaker Q was there and gave us much information about the mountain and the area. Pretty nice. Then it was on to where we are now. There are quite a bunch here tonight. Sl¶th, Skippy, South Bound, Looking Pretty, To Long, Racewalker, and Walkabout. There is a Rummy 500 game going and lots of fun'en around.Another great day on the AT.
Date: 2014-08-10
From: Spruce Peak Shelter

To: VT 103 Rutland
Miles today: 35.2

Well we have made some good miles the last two days, and met some interesting people. The interesting people part is continuing as I type. So lets recap.8/9/14 19.3 miles. Spruce Peak Shelter to Big Branch Shelter. This was a good day. Started out well with a good early start. I'm the only one still cooking hot breakfast so I have to get up a little sooner but no problem. The hot oatmeal and hot coffee really make a difference. I'm hiking with To Long and Reboot now and we are truly having a blast. So much chatter and fun as we hike and talk. We make good time and take fewer breaks but it's worth it. Nothing really spectacular to report about the hike, but when we arrived at Big Branch Shelter we found a young man there asleep, we thought, it was still early and lots of daylight so it seemed odd. He mumbled a bit from time to time but never got up. Let's just say he was under the influence of "something"! So we kinda tiptoed around and made dinner, played in the creek, then went to bed. I flicked two mice off my head last night too. Im about to get used to this! 8/10/14 15.9 miles. Big Branch Shelter to Rutland. This morning when we got up the young man who was asleep in the shelter woke up and seemed pretty normal. I suppose he slept off what was "influencing" him. So we packed up and headed out. We have had a couple tough climbs but a short day. Reboot and To Long needed to resupply so we pulled into Rutland. We are now at the Yellow Deli / Hostel. I'll explain more about this place later. I'm pretty tired but clean and no bugs. Maybe a few people who snore but that's nothing new either.All this hiking is interfering with my Trail experience!
Date: 2014-08-11
From: VT 103 Rutland

To: Cooper Lodge Sh5
Miles today: 11.1

A had a little trouble getting out of Rutland this morning but we were hiking by 10:30. Pretty late by our standards. So recap of the day goes like this.Walked to the post office and was waiting when they opened the door. Second customer. I say to the lady I want to mail home my sleeping bag. She says you got to tape the box closed and label it. I say which label and do you have some tape? She says just write on the box and you got to buy tape. I look puzzled thn step away from the counter and buy tape. Then I come back with my box properly labeled and taped and say I would like to donate my remaining tape to the hikers who come after me. She says why didn't you say you were a hiker Da? No wonder people have problems at the post office!!!Okay, The Yellow Deli, was a very interesting place. A real deli with awesome food, and a hostel. It is also a "community", religious in nature, and has a "farm" you can do work for stay. You can also join the "community" and stay for ever if you like. The are some dress code requirements, some hair cut and beard standards, and some clothing requirements for the ladies as well. Super nice people, great food, and communal hostel. I chose not to join!!!Okay, 11.1 miles isn't much but getting started at 10:30, then having Killington Peak to climb, with storms rolling in, we just were spent by 6 pm when we finally got to Cooper Lodge Shelter. There are many wet hikers here, a girl scout troop, and a wet dog, but still a great time. This will all be but a memory some day.
Date: 2014-08-12
From: Cooper Lodge Shelter

To: Inn at The Long Trail
Miles today: 8.2

The Inn at The Long Trail rocks. Great place. I had planned to be here today with a nero in of 5 miles but as fate would have it it was 8.2. As you know we stayed at Cooper Lodge Shelter last night, Mostly because Killington Peak put a beat down on us, and the rain was moving in also. Today was a nice day, and a good walk. We made to the Inn right at noon and checked in. Then ate lunch and did laundry. Reboot decided to push on which has bummed out To Long and myself. It was a pleasure hiking with him. Hope we catch up in the future. The big story is the weather that's heading our way. Maryland has already had major flooding with roads being closed and they are calling for flash flooding here in Vermont tonight with 2 to 3 inches of rain. Maybe more in some areas. It will be hard to head out into that kind of storm in the morning so To Long and I may have a tough choice to make. We are dry and warm, well fed, and tucked in at The Inn. We may have to take a zero here tomorrow, we'll see. I have several zeros in reserve so it wouldn't change my end date but it would spare us the worst of the storms and the worst of the flooding trails. After all, this is Vermud! LOLAnother wonderful dilemma on the AT? Stay dry or get wet? No rain no Maine! I don't think that means "flash flooding"! We'll see?