morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-31
From: Pittsfield Road

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: few clouds

Today was cool and crisp and the hike was beautiful. Terrain varied from rocky boulders to tall grassy mountain tops. It rained again last night so lots of mud puddles. Debbie & I are much more like our usual selves - hiking, chatting, laughing.My feet are hurting me today. That is weird since foot issues are usually not a problem for me. May be all the wet from the rains, etc. Had dinner in an Irish Pub - corned beef and cabbage. Delicious. Dalton, MA is an old mill town on the Housatonic River. The trail goes right through town.
Date: 2012-06-01
From: Dalton, MA

To: Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 9.5

Debbie was up really early today (she says she did sleep well) and we were on the trail at 6:30AM. We ate breakfast at a C-store sitting on the floor - enjoying microwaved breakfast sandwiches & yogurt. It was really cool and crisp - perfect hiking weather. We climbed at first and went steadily up. I continue to feel stronger & more like myself. Debbie did fine also. It seemed like we zipped along. My feet feel better and hopefully will be healed in a day or two. We're going to climb Mt. Greylock tomorrow - highest mountain in MA.Got to Cheshire about 11:30 AM. There was this cute little ice cream /sandwich shop called Diane's Twist. Had a really awesome turkey sandwich - simple with lots of good stuff. Went to St. Mary's of Assumption Church to check in at their "hostel". They basically have two rooms that they let hikers use - have access to BR, indoors from the rain. The room we used had two very comfortable chairs - really nice to sit in comfort.Had a distressing experience with a hiker who had obvious mental health issues. He wanted to stay at the hostel. He had obvious pressure of speech and didn't have normal social skills. His conversation was focused on sexual and religious matters and inappropriate. Ultimately the priest in charge asked him to leave. I'm not sure all that happened by the local police and the state police picked him up. Debbie and I were then interviewed to determine what he had said to us and what we had observed. Because I am a retired nurse who had experience in psychiatric nursing, they requested that I write an signed statement of what I had seen. I think they were planning a 72 hour psychiatric hold. Both Debbie and I were very uncomfortable with him. As all this happened to thru-hikers came through who were also going to stay at the church. I certainly felt better knowing there were others in case the guy came back.We had a great dinner at a little pub and it was fun to talk with the two thru hikers who are flying along on the trail. PaBurt and Noreaster will surely be successful with their thru-hike.
Date: 2012-06-02
From: Cheshire, MA

To: Mt. Greylock, Bascome Lodge
Miles today: 7.8

Slept warm and fry in the church. It started raining hard at 4 AM. Got up erly and put on rain gear. Left and hiked to C-store about 0.2 miles from trail. Had breakfast and was on the t rail at 7 AM. Only light mist/rain for much of the hike as we did a long climb. Rain started in earnest and the wind started blowing really hard. It was COLD. The trail was full of water. Rocks were slick. We took a quick break under a rock overhang to eat a bite then keep pressing on. We went faster than we would have in good conditions. I went faster than I like but had to keep moving to keep from getting hypothermicWe got to Bascome Lodge on top of Greylock. What a negative experience. This was the second day they were open for the season and were NOT welcoming to hikers. We were dripping wet and they were focused on whether we had reservations. Had beds available in the bunkroom but "no sheets"??? They gave us a room but we're to use our sleeping bags instead of sheets. The warmest and most friendly person there was a general manager who got us each two blankets and then brought us complementary wine! nice Both Debbie & I had a hard time getting warm even after a hot shower.Bascome Lodge is a historic bldg and my guess is that the owners are new to the hospitality business. They are not organized. I will try to remember to get information to David Miller re the lodge. The evening meal was a fixed price affair - a fairly nice meal but the price was $28 - to $30. Many hikers would not be able to afford that and none of that info was in the book.It continued to be cold and rainy all day so in spite of all our difficulties, it was good to be inside. Hopefully tomorrow the weather will improve.
Date: 2012-06-03
From: Mt. Greylock, Bascome Lodge

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

Got a late start this morning. The lodge just isn't together. Coffee not ready when it was scheduled. Continental bkfst was blue berry muffins - they were late but delicious! Bkfst to order still wasn't available when we left at 8:30AM Beautiful clear morning. Very quickly we started a steep, long, and rocky descent. It took us forever in that the trail was tough and we didn't want an injury. We arrived in North Adams. The trail goes right through the town then we started the second half of the day. Lots of climb but it was pretty gradual except for a few steep spots. About 1 mile before the MA/VT line we had a steep climb up and over a boulder field. I liked it, really. About 4 miles from the shelter it started raining again. It quit before we arrived but we were wet, of course. I'm not sure if my boots will ever dry again.We hoped to have the shelter by ourselves but shared it with a very nice section hiker. Did get ourselves settled in and got water then it started raining again. It's cold again tonight. Nice hot supper and hot tea.Finished Massachusetts today! Another state that is completed! Tomorrow we'll shuttle up to VT 4 at the Inn of Long Trail from VT 9. Debbie will then have completed VT and I will lack the miles from the Maine Junction to the NH line. We're steadily making progress. Hope the pattern of rain every evening stops soon.
Date: 2012-06-04
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: VT hwy 9 (near Bennington)
Miles today: 11.5

Slept warm -just barely. It rained some during the night buts was not raining this morning. It as cloudy windy and cold. We started on the trail at 6:45AM. Everything is really wet and slick with lots of mud. The black sticky mud for which VT is famous. We worked hard to get to Congdon Shelter for lunch at 11:15 - we then had 4.5 miles to go and didn't have to be there until 2:30PM. We have to meet our shuttle then. Now we will be able to relax knowing that no matter what the trail is like, we'll be there in time. Lots of mud slugs and puddles.I felt strong and if it hadn't been rainy and cold, it would have been a great hike. The last 1/2 mile down the mountain into VT 9 was something else. Huge rocks & steep down. Huge string of big rocks into steps. A slip would not be a good thing (our shuttle driver told us of a guy who fell and had over 30 stitches in his face).Our shuttle driver was a little late but our drive to the Inn at Long Trail was pretty. VT is a beautiful state. It is cold and blustery. We're on the 3rd floor of this very neat inn in a hiker room. Very cozy and the hot shower was super. Awesome dinner in the pub with a cup of especially good mulligatawny soup.Talked with the girls and Mike. It's always good to feel like I can get back in touch. Only 8 more days to hike and should have a lot less time in inns, etc. I'm afraid it will be more in the woods :-) I've thought a lot about Terry Feezel aka Mushroom who I hiked the Long Trail with in 2007. May he RIP. I miss him
Date: 2012-06-05
From: VT hwy 9 (near Bennington)

To: Stony Brook Road
Miles today: 8.7

Starting and ending locations above are incorrect: Slack packed today from North to South. Started at Stony Brook Road and ended at Sherbourne Pass Trail above Inn at Long TrailIt is predicted to rain hard and be very cold tonight. Debbie and I decided to arrange to slack pack so we could avoid tenting in the rain. We didn't get to the trail to hike until 9:45 which is very late for us. There was significant climbing. We really didn't take breaks and felt strong but we seemed slow. Not sure why. Very beautiful and the trail tread was less difficult in many areas. Really neat water fall. Lots of flood damage in VT from Hurricane Irene last fall. Bridges are washed out. Part of the AT was washed out - an area of board walk. I knew that there has been much work done on the trail and more remains to be done.Within in 15 minutes of getting back to the Inn it was raining and it poured off and on during the evening. We, meanwhile, had a great Irish Reuben at the pub. Now that's the way to hike! Forecast is for more of the same weather. We'll be out in it tomorrow.I like slack packing but I really don't like the late start. I guess everything has a trade off. Oh, well.....the name of the game is to adapt.
Date: 2012-06-06
From: Stony Brook Road

To: Winturi Shelter
Miles today: 9.3

Frustrating start to the morning. Debbie was having trouble with back pain and our shuttle was over 30 minutes late. I'm such a morning person that I hate late starts. Didn't get started on the trail until after 10:30 AM. The Stony Brook bridge was washed out by the hurricane last fall and Debbie had trouble crossing by rock hoping because of her back pain and stiffness. Mentally the whole thing got to her and she had a rough start to her morning. She asked me to hike on ahead and wait for her at the overlook. There was quite a bit of climbing and it was clear and beautiful until about 1:30 then it rained and rained. When I got to the overlook, the rain stopped and the sky was fairly clear. There is a lookout platform that is over a small cabin. There is a 360 view from the top and it was neat to see the mtns in all directions. The ladder was rickety - really couldn't believe that they let people climb it....Shortly after I came down from the lookout, Debbie came up the trail feeling much better. Hiked 2.6 more miles to Winturi Shelter and since it was after 4PM decided to stay there for the night. Hiker "phelgm" in the shelter - nice young man. It is chilly tonight. I got my dry sleep socks (one of them) by slipping off a plank while getting water. Oh, Joy! We've gotten a few miles behind on our itinerary - need to look at our plans. Several complicating factors: we have to be able to get a bus to Boston on 6/12 and we have to be at a road crossing where we can get a shuttle and we need mileage that is satisfactory. We'll see what we figure out.Got to try to get warm.
Date: 2012-06-07
From: Winturi Shelter

To: Cloudland Road (Woodstock, VT)
Miles today: 9.3

Up early to a beautiful morning. "Phelgm" went to sleep about 6 pm and was still in in sleeping bag at 7 am. Interesting young man.Did lots of climbing - long slow pulls. Beautiful terrain. Met man and his 12 year old son. Diesel and The Kid. They have come from Springer Mtn and are looking great. At the top of Dana Hill, we met three young mothers with babies in their front carriers - out for exercise for the mom's and naps for the babes. Really enjoyed talking with them and seeing their babies and dogs.Several times today we crossed through meadows with great wild flowers. Saw a huge bunch of wild strawberries - tiny and sweet. We picked and ate. Lovely place. We continue to see wild grouse. As we descended to Cloudland Rd we saw a male hiker wandering back & forth. Debbie and I think that we are weird-o magnets. This gentleman was in his 60's - wearing blue jeans, buttoned sport shirt & and sport coat. He had a huge pack. He sort of staggered when he went by heading south. (Phlegm told us later that he saw in laying in the grass a short ways from this crossing). Not a typical hiker, that's for sure.We sent 0.2 miles on Cloudland Rd to a little store that sold ice cream. While there, I had a signal and checked my phone. I had a message from my sister that my mother had been taken to the emergency room - very ill. I felt such a long way from western OK where my 88 yr old mother lives. I definitely need to be within phone signal range. I couldn't really think what to do but Debbie identified that we were 5 miles away from Woodstock. The owner of the little store took us to a motel there. I found out that mother was admitted with sepsis from urinary infection & is quite ill but being treated. My younger sister is on her way there. Of course she is confused and my Dad who is having more & more memory issues is also really confused. I need to be there but there is no way to get there quickly. Not a good feeling but at least I can be in touch.Had a lovely dinner with some great red wine. Reworked our itinerary. We'll for sure get to Hanover and maybe shuttle north of Hanover and hike back so we can get the bus to Boston. Talked with my sister before bed. This is very hard.
Date: 2012-06-08
From: Cloudland Road (Woodstock, VT)

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

In spite of my anxieties about my parents, I slept well. Wewalked down to a little cafe for breakfast then the motel owner took us back to the trail. Another beautiful morning - crisp & cool. Trail is really nice. Lots of ups and downs. Both Debbie & I have felt knocked off our stride - part of it is that we have not had a day off but I think all the interruptions have also contributed to the loss of continuity and staying with out plan. 13 days without a break is quite awhile. Physically I feel good but feel mentally weary.I talked with my sister when we were at the Full Belly Deli in West Hartford. Mama is stable and will be in the hospital for several days. My older sister should arrive today to assist.We haven't been able to set up a shuttle to get us north of Hanover tomorrow. I'll get my resupply at the post office in Hanover tomorrow.Got to the shelter and got water and settled in before the rain started again. Another unusual hiker arrived - had a huge pack with stuff hanging all over it and this very large dog. He set up a tent down by the creek but talked loudly to the dog for over 1 1/2 hours. Guess he and his dog are very close. To Hanover tomorrow and hopefully a shuttle north.
Date: 2012-06-09
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful morning. I was able to get a signal to make sure things were going OK with my mother. Did have a message from a potential shuttle from Hanover. He cannot do it. Says that Dartmouth is having their graduation this weekend and he is booked up. May be a problem for us.Debbie and I were really enjoying the wide trail - chatting and hiking at a fast clip when we realized that we might have lost the trail. I must confess that Debbie is the one who recognized that the blazes were light blue - not white. I was in denial. We had to backtrack probably close to 3/4 mile. I'd love to blame the trail not being clearly marked but that was not the case. There was a huge rock cairn AND a sign. We both must have been very engrossed in our conversation when we passed that spot. Luckily the trail is very pleasant this morning and we managed to keep our positive attitudes.As we came into Norwich, we passed trail magic from "The Brains" - a previous thru-hiker who had out fresh breakfast bread and watermelon. Delicious. There was also a listing of 4 names of people who would open their home for the night for a shower and a place to stay. We called one of the women and arranged to have her get us after lunch.In Hanover, I picked up my post office resupply box; I talked to my sister about my parents; and we had a delicious lunch. We called the women to come pick us up. There things got a bit dicey - she was very nice but her home was really not prepared to accept other people in terms of space or accommodations. We had been unable to find a shuttle to take us north. With everything that was going on, we explored the option of ending our hike right here. We were both able to change airline tickets; Debbie had a friend who was going to be in Boston tonight that we could bunk with; and we could catch the 5 PM bus to Boston tonight. that is what we did and the connections worked like clockwork.It is disappointing to not do the additional miles (40 or so) that we had planned to do into NH but we are both OK making Hanover our place of beginning when we return to the trail in August. I feel a sense of accomplishment. I completed both Massachusetts and Vermont. Now I just lack NH and ME to finish the trail (never mind that they are probably the two hardest states.....)Onward and upward!
Date: 2012-07-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The past two weeks have been interesting. I went to Rocky Mountain National Park with my family with the usual emphasis on day hiking. On Thursday, the 5th, my daughter, Kara; her husband, Kevin; and I did a three peak climb. We climbed Flattop, Hallet, and Otis Mountains (three 12000+ ft peaks that can be climbed from the saddles between them). On the way down from Otis, the route included a traverse on Andrews Glacier. Both Kara and I fell and slid on the snow. Kara had a frightening ride but was not injured. I crashed into a rock with my right foot and immediately felt pain. We were over 5 miles from the trailhead so I began the long hike out on a painful Right ankle. The Emergency Room doctor the next day took x-rays and told me I had a talus fracture. I was put in a immobilizer boot and was told to be non-weight bearing. I had the sadness of not hiking anymore in our last week of vacation plus the worry that I would not be able to hike the AT in August as planned. He said that I would be non-wt bearing at least 6 weeks. I came home and saw an orthopedic specialist who took new x-rays and told me that I did NOT have a fracture. He ordered PT and is guardedly optimistic that I will be able to hike by mid-August. That all transpired this week. I'm doing what the PT recommended and I think I am getting better. The forced inactivity is NOT my cup or tea but hopefully I can heal and get back to exercise, etc. New Hampshire is notoriously hard and I dread going into the hike in less than peak condition. I'm trying very hard to be zen and just take one day at a time. I am very thankful that I do not have a fracture. Talus fractures are often full of complications. I guess I am truly a lucky dog!
Date: 2012-07-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it is over for 2012 and the AT. It has been over 5 weeks since my fall in the Colorado Rockies and I am still limping. I am much better and can tell that is the case but I have not healed enough to hike - especially not the tough trail that is the NH White Mountains. I am very sad. I have let my hiking partner, Debbie aka Landcruiser, down. We had all kinds of fun plans for her completion of the AT. I definitely am sad.I'm also very concerned about my elderly parents who just celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary. Mother is increasingly having trouble in their assisted living so it may be a good thing that I will be close to deal with the crisis that I feel like is inevitable.I am a lucky dog but my luck ran out on Andrews Glacier!
Date: 2012-07-12
To: Initial Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Dave and I are getting ready to head north for our section hike of the AT. Today will be my last day "on the job" for over a month!! I'm watching the sun come up over our ranch in Texas as I type this, and looking forward seeing sunrises over the mountains in Maine.We're planning to fly up to Virginia tomorrow, visit my kids and my parents, and pack our gear over the weekend. On Monday, we'll drive up to Boston, and stop for a visit with my Uncle. We'll drive up to Monson, ME on Tuesday and spend the night there. From there, we'll get a shuttle up to Baxter State Park and, weather permitting, we'll summit Katahdin. From there, we'll head south through the 100 mile wilderness, and hopefully, all the way to New Hampshire.
Date: 2012-07-17
From: Initial Entry

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After much planning we're finally on our way. We flew from our ranch in Texas to our house in northern Virginia on Friday and spent the weekend organizing food for our trip and packing and repacking our packs to get the weight down. With two full water bottles and 6 days of food, I'm down to 31-32 lbs and Dave is at 38-39.We left NoVa yesterday and drove up to Braintree MA where we had a wonderful dinner with my uncle Elliott, aunt Maxine, and cousins Stuart, Jennifer, and Andrew. After spending the night at Elliott and Maxine's, we left Boston shortly before noon, enjoyed a delicious lobster lunch in Kittery, Maine, followed by and a quick 'curiosity' visit to the LL Bean store in Freeport. We arrived an Monson, ME shortly before dark, and met Phil Pepin of 100 Mile Wilderness Adventures and Outfitters, who would be providing us with use of one his rustic cabins for the night and a shuttle up to Baxter State Park in the morning where we would begin our hike.Phil is a fascinating guy: he has thru-hiked the AT three times, the first time in 1977, long before all the current support systems were in place. I believe he said he was hiker number 176. (I may have the exact figure wrong, but suffice it to say, the number was so low that Dave and I both had to pick our jaws up off the floor.) To put this in perspective,consider the following facts:- Approximately 5,000 people have hiked the entire AT,- About 1,500 - 2,000 hikers attempt to hike the AT each year, but approximately 12% (200 - 300) succeed- It takes most thru hikers (i.e., those who hike the entire length of the trail in a single trip) 5 - 7 months for the entire journeyOur cabin had a photo of a what looked like a somewhat younger Phil, another man, and a dog on the summit of Katahdin. When I asked Phil if that was him and when it was taken, he explained that the photo was from 1990, and the man in the photo was the blind thru hiker-- Phil had helped him summit Katahdin!