morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-07-22
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Mt. Algo Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We planned a short day today so we could end our day near Kent, CT. Kent has a laundry, showers and a grocery store - everything we need to keep us on the trail. Our original plan was to make a big push from Greenwood Lake to Great Barrington - ten or 11 straight days on the trail, but we still need to clean up every few days.Foggy's sister was kind enough to meet us at the trailhead and shuttle us into Kent. We arrived a little late and the rec center providing shower facilities closed. But we made it to the grocery store and laundry before they closed. But other than the cold shower at the Franciscan center I haven't bathed in six days!Passed the 2/3 mark today and put New York behind us. Nine states done.We got a bit of a scare today when I found out why the other guys got in so late last night. Foggy's knee was becoming quite a problem and he woke up this morning thinking he would have to leave the trail. He struggled to the shelter last night, going slow all the way. He took it slow and decided to keep pushing through. We'll see how it goes.Almost forgot! With Foggy's help I saw my second bear today, about 50 yards in front of us, crossing the trail. When it spotted us it scampered away down the trail.
Date: 2017-07-23
From: Mt. Algo Shelter

To: CT Highway 4
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: moderate rain

After leaving Kent without a shower and after reviewing the weather forecast we decided to abandon the plan to stay on the trail until Great Barrington. Tomorrow brings rain most of the day so we decided to hole up in Cornwall Bridge, CT.Walked into town and found the Hitching Post Motel. The proprietor quoted 125 a night which was quite a surprise since the guidebook reported rates of 65 and up.  We had a long conversation and finally got it down to 85 a night.  New England is getting expensive!Today's hike was mostly a flat easy walk along the Housatonic River, a relief for sore feet and tired legs. But the guidebook warned that we had to make a long steep climb down to the path along the river and, indeed, we did. The trail had a long section of random rock steps that in places went down at a 45 degree angle and in other places even steeper than that. But it's not something we haven't done before.Tomorrow will be a much needed day off. My body feels spent at this point and my legs are dead. Not sure if I have another 700 miles in me but I plan to keep trying.
Date: 2017-07-25
From: CT Highway 4

To: Falls Village
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

We walked out of Cornwall Village feeling good that we missed the rain yesterday and that we had another day of rest for weary legs.  After agreeing to shuttle us up to the trail head the owner of the Hitching Post told us this morning that it would be $5.00 - so we just decided to walk back; a little less than a mile.We saved some time choosing to take a high water side trail, rather than risk the creek crossing at the trail head.  It had rained a couple of days prior and there were posted warnings about potential high water in the creek.  After taking the side trail and avoiding the creek we got conflicting reports about the water.  One section hiker said she was in water up to her knees, another through hiker said she had no trouble getting across.  Better safe than sorry.The hike today was pretty uneventful.  The only interesting part was hearing the noises of a loud car, obviously taking advantage of some open road.  The noise was consistent and louder as we walked on.  turns out we walked by a road course raceway nestled in the Connecticut hills and there was a single car practicing.  We had a reasonable view of part of the course and stood and watched for awhile.  The car was a LeMans style race car and was loud even from a distance.Sometimes the trail is like this - just hiking through the woods for hours with little in the way of interesting stuff.  This was one of those days.
Date: 2017-07-26
From: Falls Village

To: Sages Ravine Campsite
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

Last night we tented in the yard of a wonderful couple who owned the Toymakers Cafe.  The cafe was open only Thursday through Sunday so we didn't get to enjoy the food but we certainly appreciated the free tenting site with water and electricity.  The yard was very full with tents as we are now beginning to meet up with the southbounders who left Mt. Katahdin in Maine some six or seven weeks ago.  It's interesting meeting the SOBOs (as their called; we're NOBOs) to hear their impressions of the trail behind them - our future. I find it curious that I'm also meeting up with NOBOs that I met very early in the hike, including one I met my first day on the trail.  You go for weeks and even months without seeing people and then they pop up.  I'm always sure that they are long gone but for some reason or another they end up at about my same space.The walk out of town was beautiful.  For about the fourth or fifth day we walked along the Housatonic River and not far our of town we cam by the Falls.  By late morning we were in Salisbury, CT a very pretty, quaint town that brings to my mind the stereotypical New England town.  We lunched at the grocery store deli and enjoyed a short break to do some people watching and relaxing.After that the real work began.  We climbed to the top of Bear Mountain, Connecticut's highest peak.  The climb up was steep and rocky and the climb down was worse.  We had intended to make it to Massachusetts today but we found a great tenting site near an active little creek - a peaceful babbling brook - and decided to call it a day.The big milestone today was crossing the 1500 mile mark. We posed for a little group picture at the impromptu marker, although Barrel was not around.  Barrel is younger, walks faster and sleeps longer than the rest of us so it's not uncommon that we lose track of him during the day. Tomorrow we say goodbye to Connecticut.
Date: 2017-07-27
From: Sages Ravine Campsite

To: US 7 Great Barrington
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

A short walk into today's hike and we crossed into Massachusetts. Ten states behind us, four to go.  Mass. is Foggy's home state and he was glad to be home, and looking forward to more visits from family and friends.We climbed Mount Everett today, a rocky and steep climb and a tiring and challenging welcome to Massachusetts. Mount Everett took us up over 2000 feet for the first time in a long time, topping out around 2600 feet.  We're walking toward some 3, 4, and 5 thousands foot peaks so getting the legs accustomed to climbing again is probably not a bad thing.  Coming down Mount Everett was steep and rocky, not a lit of fun at all.  My first impression of the Massachusetts trail is not a good one.Our little group had agreed in the morning to hike past US 7, the getting off point for Great Barrington and do some stealth camping in the wood north of the crossing.  Barrel had arranged for a zero day at a lake cabin owned by friends and it was still another eight miles up the trail. But as chance would have it just as we crossed US 7, Joe the shuttle driver pulled up and asked if we were the guys who called for a ride.  It's bad form to take someone else's ride so we admitted that we indeed were not those guys but that we'd still love a ride into Great Barrington.  The lure of dinner at McDonald's and a cold coke or beer was too much.  Joe agreed to come back for us as soon as he could and we waited maybe 30 minutes for our ride to the Great Barrington Community Center for a night of free tenting.  Use of the showers, sauna and pool was available for $7.00 but we decided to pass on that because we'd be at the cabin tomorrow.The tenting was in the woods, up a hill behind the Community Center and the mosquitoes were fierce.  I pitched my tent as fast as I could, got my stuff together and got out of the woods before I drained off too much of my blood supply!
Date: 2017-07-28
From: US 7 Great Barrington

To: SR 23 (Lake Buehl)
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: light rain

As I mentioned yesterday, Barrel arranged for us to tent in the yard of a lake cabin of old family friends.  We hiked the 8.4 miles up to the trailhead parking lot and were met by Foggy's wife.  She treated us to cold soda, beer, sandwiches and cake and then we all rode to the cabin for a well needed day of rest.  Tomorrow will be a zero day to enjoy the lake, do some resupply and laundry, and relax the day away.It's only been four days since our last zero day but we certainly can't pass up the free tenting lakeside and the chance to grill some burgers and chill for a while.
Date: 2017-07-30
From: SR 23 (Lake Buehl)

To: Shaker Camp Site
Miles today: 9.2

We said a goodbye to new friends and enjoyed a big send off breakfast.  Foggy had to say goodbye to his wife and I'm sure he was a little sad about that. But he's looking forward to more visits now that he's back home in New England.As typical with the day after a zero day we were late getting back to the trail so we planned a short day, probably less than 10 miles.I started the day with new boots and a new headlamp thanks to Linda.  She was able to send those on to Great Barrington and I spent part of the off day at the post office.  I'm back to wearing low cut hiker boots instead of the trail runners that I've used for the last 12 or 13 hundred miles.  I'm thinking that I'll need the extra ankle support as I begin climbing the mountains again.I continue to meet SOBOs along the way and hear about what's ahead for me.  This final section of the trail is considered the hardest part of the 2190 miles so I'm a little concerned; but the SOBOs assure me it will be better than I expect.  I certainly hope so.The hiking was easier today.  Massachusetts let us know she was there with the rugged first day, but the trail since then has been pleasant with mild ups and downs and not a lot of rocky parts.
Date: 2017-07-31
From: Shaker Camp Site

To: October Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

I had been obsessing a little the last few days about whether I would be able to wish my oldest daughter a happy birthday.  We're getting a little more remote and the cell connections are not as reliable as they were back in New York and New Jersey.  But I had some bars so I was able to wish her a happy birthday with the promise that I'd help her celebrate a bit when I got off the trail.  These are some of the little things you worry about on the trail when you have more time than you need to think about things. Today presented the choice of a short day or long day if we wanted to follow the rules and camp only at shelters or designated camp sites.  Lots of hikers cheat on these rules because - well - no one is out in the woods at night time making sure we're following the rules. We opted for the long day.It was long in miles but the trail was relatively easy today so we made the 18 or so miles in reasonable time, feeling good at the end. Days like this are heartening because you make some good miles without being total wasted by the time you're done. There were no big climbs or descents today and that helps a lot with making the miles.I extend the walk another mile by taking the half mile side trail to Goose Pond Shelter.  It's a shelter that gets talked a lot about by other hikers so my curiosity got the best of me.  The shelter is a small house tucked into the woods near Goose Pond and is managed by live-in caretakers.  They provide breakfast in the morning, which is a real treat on the trail.  I got there and enjoyed lunch on the porch, feeding myself out of my food bag.  There was no view of the pond from the shelter and I didn't bother to walk down to the pond.  I'd seen it on my walk into the shelter area so that was good enough for me.
Date: 2017-08-01
From: October Mountain Shelter

To: Crystal Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 16.0

Today I walked through Dalton, MA, the last town before the Vermont border. Dalton is a sleepy little town but is worth the stop because they have places to lunch and rehydrate.  Stopped at Jacobs for some chicken tenders and a beer (or two, I lost count).I found out later that Dalton's claim to fame is that it's where the paper for US currency is made. didn't see any references or hints in town that this was the site - perhaps they like to keep it low key.I've been at this for about four and a half months, although the time has gone by quickly.  It still seems like I started several weeks ago.  Probably seven or eight weeks to go.
Date: 2017-08-02
From: Crystal Mountain Campsite

To: Wilbur Clearing Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

Today was my third long day in a row.  This is largely due to the terrain, some climbs but nothing too bad, lots of ridge walking with flat or gently rolling sections.I crossed over Mount Greylock today, the high point of Massachusetts.  There's a large, ornate monument at the top of the mountain, dedicated to those who have lost their lives in defense of our country.  This seems common at high points - to dedicate them to our war dead; I can think of two or three other high points we went over with similar dedications.The climb up Greylock was a long slope so it was not too tiring.  the last mile up and first mile down were steep and challenging but overall it was a nice hike. There's a lodge near the monument at the top and I packed out a ham and swiss sandwich for dinner and enjoyed some soda and snacks while I was there.  These places are always expensive but it's an easy way to get some good food and extra calories.In the evening I bumped into three people I walked with across the Smokies - Red Squirell, Miles and Stoic and we chatted a bit about 'old times' a few months ago.  It's always fun to catch up with people you've not seen for a while.  Stoic is the young man that I took a picture of showering in a waterfall back in North Carolina.
Date: 2017-08-03
From: Wilbur Clearing Shelter

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

Walked a little over 17 miles today which is a little noteworthy.  Today's total made it a little over 68 miles in the last four days.  I'm not sure but I think that's the farthest I've traveled in a four day span throughout the entire trip.  I wish I could maintain that pace but the mountains and big climbs ahead are more likely to move me back to a 10-12 mile a day pace.Passed three milestone today - 1600 miles done, under 600 to go and walked into Vermont.  Eleven states down, three to go.Today was also the second day in a row that we raced against thunder and rain late in the day.  Both today and yesterday we made it to the shelter in time to set up before the rain started.  Great timing on our part!  I think I'm getting better at anticipating the rain and creating a strategy to avoid walking in the downpours - it's been a while since I've been soaking wet from the rain.Was luck wasn't completely good because as I sat in the shelter fixing and eating dinner the skies opened up.  I tried to wait it out but it poured for a couple of hours and I had to make the dash back to my tent in the downpour.  But it was certainly better than walking through the rain for a couple of hours.It seems like there was a steady light rain all night but it's more likely that I was hearing the "second rain" on my tent all night.  Whenever it rains out in the woods you get three rains instead of just one.  The first is the actual rain.  The second is the rain that drips off the leaves of the canopy after it has stopped raining.  The third are the very brief downpours you get when a gust of wind rustles the tress and all those drops come down on your head all at once.  Sometimes you even get the second and third rains the morning after a night time rain storms.  It's hard to avoid getting wet in the woods!One highlight today was a quick detour to the Stop and Shop in North Adams for a donut and some chocolate lunch; what hikers call second breakfast (followed by lunch and sometimes second lunch).  The extra calories were worth it because we had three moderate climbs today - all at a gentle slope but still long climbs.  It never hurts to have a little sugar surging through the veins during those climbs.
Date: 2017-08-04
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Highway 9 - Bennington, VT
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: few clouds

We saved a short walk into Bennington so we'd have some extra time to rest.  It was just over 4 miles down the mountain to the highway and a ride into Bennington.Foggy and I are walking together now.  Barrel went ahead because he is leaving the trail for a couple of days to attend a concert with a friend of his.  Chilli Dog decided to go on and not take a zero in Bennington.  Not sure what that's all about.  Hope we can catch up to him, although I'm not willing to give up my day of rest in Bennington.We came off the mountain and got a ride in to the Catamount Motel - well priced, clean, hot showers and a nice location.  Seems like a perfect place for a zero day.  We'll take tomorrow off (with a chance to attend a local craft brewery tasting fair on Saturday) and move on Sunday morning.Got a call through to Linda to wish her a happy birthday.  I have to say that it's at times like this that I realize how long I've been away.  It'll be five months in another ten days.  I'm missing home and I'm especially missing the people at home.
Date: 2017-08-05
From: Bennington 

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 0.0

I don't usually talk about the zero days on the trail because they are usually all the same - resupply,  naps, and meals fr real food. But today we had the opportunity to attend an annual Bennington event, the home brew festival. About 40 home brewers showed up from a wide area and we got to try a fair number of unique and tasty beers. The trail provides these encounters in a serendipitous way and we were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.
Date: 2017-08-06
From: Highway 9 - Bennington, VT

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

We're all Green Mountain Boys and Girls these days as we follow Vermont's Long Trail through the Green Mountains. The Long Trail goes from the Massachusetts line to Canada due north through Vermont and predates the AT by a couple of decades. We continue to meet many south bound AT hikers and with the addition of the Long Trail hikers the shelters and tent areas are filling up. Today we had to hike about half a mile past the shelter just to find an open spot to set up tents.Pete from the Catamount Motel gave us a ride to the trailhead this morning  so we didn't get a real late start. That made it possible to get in a good 14 miles. We're going back into the bigger mountain ranges so there are many ups and downs with a few big ones. Good practice for the Whites, coming up in a couple of weeks. Spent some time on the zero day repairing some gear and replacing worn patches on the tent. I'm getting nervous about my gear holding out for another seven weeks. Seems like everything has some small problem so I'm just hoping to hold everything together through the end. That includes my achy body as well.
Date: 2017-08-07
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Tent Site
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: heavy intensity rain

The trail took us over Stratton Mountain today, a pretty good but comfortable climb. A plaque on top declares this site as the place that inspired Benton McKaye to propose and begin creating the Appalachian Trail.  The plaque sits at the base of an observation tower that provides incredible views in every direction.The AT turns 80 this month and it all began with a hike by McKaye on Vermont's Long Trail. The Long Trail goes from Massachusetts to Canada and the AT shares a little over 100 miles of the Long Trail.Other than the peak the trail seems to meander through the woods today so it offers little on interesting stops. This is the part of the hike that people call the green tunnel - the seemingly endless forest that we spend the better part of the day walking through.
Date: 2017-08-08
From: Stratton Pond Tent Site

To: Bromley Summit Warming Hut
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Today's goal was to get to the top of Bromley Mountain. To get there we had to walk the last half mile or so up a ski slope. The slopes are not too steep and the grass is pretty short so it's a good walk up. The top of Bromley is the drop off point for a ski lift and provides access to three or four slopes back down the mountain. In the summer it has the feel of a ghost town, but I'm sure it is a busy place in the winter.We slept in a ski patrol warming hut that was enclosed and had real glass windows. The windows keep out the bugs so it's worth staying in the shelter. But it turns out that we would have been better off in tents because we had a world class snorer (way worse than even me) in the hut and it turned into a long night.The sunset was amazing and it was a peaceful place to spend the evening. Another day worth all the work and all the hiking.
Date: 2017-08-09
From: Bromley Summit Warming Hut

To: Little Rock Pond Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: clear sky

We decided to make a longer day today because most of the trail was downhill. Turns out we pushed our luck a little too far.Two days early in the week we raced to tent sites trying to beat the rain and both times were able to set up, get dinner and settle.in before the rain started. But today the sky opened up and rained hard for the last two hours of the hike. The forecast said no rain and the surprise shower caught us and a whole lot of day hikers racing down the trail as I was going up.Rather than try to fight the rain I stayed in the shelter - the first open sided shelter for me in the last couple months. I cant exactly remember the last time I stayed in an open shelter. The rain kept the bugs down and it was a tolerable night. The tent site was along a beautiful large pond and it was a great place to tent, except for the rain. When we left Bromley the skies were blue and it looked like another beautiful day on the trail - but the trail is always full of surprises
Date: 2017-08-10
From: Little Rock Pond Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

I'm carrying a wet and heavy pack today after yesterday's soaking but most of the hike was easy to moderate. We had a big climb up Bear Mountain with long rocky and steep stretches near the top. But all in all it was a good day - made even better by Foggy's wife meeting us at a trail crossing to take us into town for a good dinner.We ate at Appleby's and had ice cream at a Ben and Jerry's and returned to the trail for one more mile to the shelter. The last mile turned out to be the worst with a very steep climb including some vertical rock climbing.  During the day we stopped for a break at a shelter and met a Yong lady who had her pack stolen near the top of Killington Mountain. We heard about it the day before and today we got to meet her in person.The trail goes near the peak of Killington Mountain and commonly when a side trail leads to a peak hikers drop their packs and climb up the side trail. I've done it many times along the trail. The young lady dropped her pack and when she got back it was gone. Some locals figured out where the thief accessed the mountain and called the police. By the time the thief made it off the mountain the police were waiting for him. It would be tragic to lose your pack but the common joke is that after 1700 miles there's nothing of value left in the pack so who knows why the guy stole the pack. Thank goodness for the hiker that the thief wasn't too smart. I guess he didn't know that you can't make a quick escape from the top of a mountain. Thank goodness for stupid criminals.