morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-01
From: Ten Mile River Lean-to

To: River Road campsite
Miles today: 11.4

The 10 miles into Kent were okay for me. There was a 1000' elevation gain over Schaghticoke Mtn then lots of dips off the ridge then back up onto the ridge again and again. This wore me down. The latter stages of that hike were some of my lowest emotional stages of this entire trip. I guess the heat & exhaustion make me depressed but cleaning up my clothes (there was no inexpensive way to shower), eating and hanging out with other hikers boosted my spirits. Kent is a town for wealthy people and we (hikers) don't fit that scene very comfortably. Nine of us blue-blazed (road walked) to the River Road campsite rather than do the mountain trail which seems to have been planned and engineered to make it more difficult than necessary to get to the same spot.Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-08-02
From: River Road campsite

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 16.7

Today's hike had a lot of ups and downs but it rained on me for about 1 1/2 hours so I stayed cool for the first time since May. What a difference that made in my energy level! I fell twice today - slipping on slick roots - but didn't get injured. It slows you down having to be more careful where you place your feet, however. I remembered the Sterrett picnic was today (at home) and I miss being there but I miss Mary Lynn very much all the time so it's not much more to add to that which I'm already missing. From PA to here I've been feeling that those things I'm missing out on cost too dearly to make this hike worthwhile. I think those feelings may change as I get further north. All the SOBO hikers confirm that what is ahead of me in VT, NH and ME will be the best part of the trip. Hope so.Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-08-03
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to

To: Plateau Campsite
Miles today: 14.0

Last night the temperature fell to a coolness that really made for good sleep in the tent. There were 6 of us at this campsite & no one stirred until 9:00 am! It being Sunday I figure it's a good day for rest. I hiked the 6 miles into Falls Village with Key Chain & T-Bone and ate the best burger I've eaten on the whole hike at The Toymakers Cafe. We now see more of these quaint New England villages so I suppose I'm officially in New England (?)It was an easy hike over Prospect Mtn to this campsite just outside Salisbury, CT. I'm going into that village tomorrow to pick up my bounce box @ the P.O., get some coffee and supplies and try for a shower.Later . . . Alec
Date: 2008-08-04
From: Plateau Campsite

To: Sages Ravine Brook Campsite
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a town visit day. I had to regress on the trail .2 miles from the campsite then road walk .6 miles into Salisbury. I needed a few grocery items, my bounce box from the Post Office and breakfast. Breakfast I got right, it was great and I had the pleasure of T-Bone's company. We ate in a cafe w/ tablecloth and real napkins too! I made a greenhorn mistake by getting the groceries next then going to the PO. I forgot all the items I had bounced forward from Unionville, NY and thus had some duplication in dinner meals, no huge deal unless you are carrying said meals on your back and they have weight. These couple items did and my backpack had to weigh over 40# again. I mulled whether to bounce items again over a pint of ice cream and decided to just carry the stuff. There were a lot of hikers in town this morning so I didn't hike out as early as I should have lolling around until 1pm visiting w/ the likes of Brahma Bull and Sweet Potato, Snackies and AB Barracus. The hiking got strenuous but puts you high enough to see some spectacular views thus making the work worthwhile(in spite of unplanned additional wt.)I'll get photos on here from today at some later date...I got some good photos atop Bear Mountain. I am entering the Berkshires now so am beginning to be back in "real" mountains for what seems an awfully long time just bumping along over rocks and rills. Lots of beer for the beer drinkers since entering NJ but not much in the way of fulfilling hiking. Later, Alec
Date: 2008-08-05
From: Sages Ravine Brook Campsite

To: US Rt 7/The Corn Crib
Miles today: 14.6

I fear this journal has become pretty dull. I get tired hiking and after getting in a campsite, setting up the tent, and getting the stuff into it,cooking, eating, cleaning up and maybe doing any hygene I still need to journal. It isn't going all that well and I apologize for the brevity and lack of detail. Today I might do better because I am writing of the 5th on the morning of the 6th. I can't usually do that because I need to cook,eat,pack everything and get hiking. Today it's raining so I can journal. Yesterday I had two good climbs, Race Mtn. and Mt. Everett. The views were very nice once again as yesterday. You can see farms, far off villages, lots of forests and other mountains here. On Race the trail follows a rock spine which froms the eastern edge of the top of the mountain for at least a 1/4 mile rising to its height of 2430' all the while exposing you to vistas eastward. The ledges are the edge of the spine so a misstep could lead to a nasty fall. I was thankful to have a clear day for this passage. Near Juggs End I met a couple from Williamstown who showed me Mt Greylock far(very far) of in the distance. It's distinctive in appearing as two close together peaks w/ a saddle between. The guidebook says it's about 70 trail miles to it's peak so I suppose I am looking 40+ miles North to it. Later the trail dropped much lower and passed a monument denoting the battlefield the ended Shay's Rebellion. I don't remember much of that piece of my American history but these local western Massachucetts farmers must have found it ironic to be rebelling just after a revolution. Their monument needs a bit of shoring up as it's listing somewhat. I hiked on to the Corn Crib w/ a new acquaintance, Gonzo, who attended U of GA and had taught English in France. There the proprietor allowed a group of us that grew to 6 to tent out back of her vegetable/plant/fruit/ice cream shop. You could tell this had been a dairy at one time. The added onto again and again, worn down concrete out back told that tale. She(regretfully I forget her name) discussed the farm's change from dairy to vegetable production and sales over the years and I found the story of the decline of local dairying(only 3 remain in her county) again born out. The ice cream was local tho and Berkshire Creamery makes a product I find superior to Ben and Jerry's which most hikers adore. That stuff(B&J) is too sweet for my tastes. My dinner consisted of peaches, plums and ice cream. Not too well rounded but it saved me a meal for later.I got a shower, albeit cold, there too as we were allowed to rig a hose over the door of an unused greenhouse and wash away! Gonzo's was hot since he went first and got all the solar energy trapped in the water in the hose which the sun had heated.Later, Alec
Date: 2008-08-06
From: US Rt 7/The Corn Crib

To: Mt Wiocox North Lean-to
Miles today: 13.5

Today didn't offer much in the way of news. Luckily the rains stopped early and didn't return. The wetness did make some of the hiking more difficult as you must be more careful walking on wet rocks and roots. I fell only once tho. I've been lucky w/ falls so far in that I have done no damage to myself. I pray that continues because falling on rocks would HURRRTTT. The mosquitos are horrible here and every time you stop walking they attack. At least it cleared off in the afternoon and cooled down so tonite will be a better sleeping nite.Later, Alec
Date: 2008-08-07
From: Mt Wilcox Norht Lean-to

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Mosquitos are bad at Mt Wilcox lean-to. Keychain and I got a fire going last nite by aiming a pocket rocket up under our kindling. Try that w/ most stoves! We kept throwing wet sticks on there along w/ "dry" stuff so we got enough smoke to drive the mosquitos away from the fire ring at least. This morning I have NO drive and took til 10:50 am to get going. I ate breakfast twice. I don't know if I am sluggish because I am low on energy from not eating enough(I dont feel hungery) or if its just that I am fatigued from the work of hiking. There were rumblings of thunder most of the day after I got going. These MA thunderstorms are sort of strange in that often I am in sunshine and there are towering thunderheads all around. It threatens for hours before anything happens. Or not. Today it finally rained as I strolled up the .5 side trail to this Cabin. There are at least 25 hikers in here. Some SOBO, some NOBO and some sectioners. Its a nice place w/ two floors. Bunks upstairs, kitchen and "living" room down w/ a nice porch. There was a fire going last nite when I arrived so it was warming since I was wet. That helped me dry out. Racoon and Lipstick were here. They had been to DC for the wedding of their niece. They hiked in to here a couple miles to see who was at this juncture of the AT before starting hiking again from up ahead(Dalton I think). I really enjoyed getting to chat w/ them as I hadn't seen them in ages. I guess the last time I saw Racoon was in my house and Lipstick was back at Trail Days. We get pancakes and coffee cooked up for us here in the morning so I look forward to that!Later, Alec
Date: 2008-08-08
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Kay Wood Lean-to
Miles today: 17.6

I hiked w/ Keychain today. It's not a pretty day and it really started raining just as we got in here to the shelter...oh yeah.. lean-to here in MA. Luckily it has a nice overhang to shelter the cooking so we could do that in the dry. Tonite we are staying in the shelter instead of setting up. There is a youth group here that is occupying the tenting area but I think I'd rather just lay out my pad and bag in here and get to sleep. Tomorrow Dalton and a shower and laundry!!Later, Alec
Date: 2008-08-09
From: Kay Wood Lean-to

To: Tom Levardi's house(Dalton,MA)
Miles today: 3.0

Keychain and I got out pretty early and hiked the short mileage to Dalton. As we walked into town we stumbled onto Tom's house which had a yard FULL of hiker trash all heading off for different tasks. Keychain and I dropped our packs on Tom's spacious porch and headed for Duff and Dell's Variety for a fantastic breakfast. Brahma Bull and Sweet Potato joined us there and we got to catch up. Sweet Potato related in vivid description the opening of the Bejing Olympics. Brahma took my laundry and did it while I went back to Tom's for a shower. GOD shower's feel SOOOO good. I hadn't had a real shower(I don't count cold shower's or cat baths) since Unionville. Not that I stink or anything. After the shower I headed to get some supplies but wound up just eating junk food and enjoying the company of Rookie, one of the few guys my "maturity level" on the trail, in the general store. Later I ate again at the Mill Town Tavern w/ Keychain, Thinker(who had just walked into town catching up from his visit to his sister's in Boston),Cookie Monster,Holler,Bulldozer,Brahma Bull and Sweet Potato. The late afternoon I just hung out at Tom's then set up my tent out back and got to bed early. Alec
Date: 2008-08-10
From: Tom Levardi's house(Dalton,MA)

To: Shack just shy of Greylock Summit
Miles today: 16.8

I hiked out of Dalton today with some decent climbs ahead. I also had the runny nose phase/sore throat phase of a cold going. If my normal cycle of these holds I'll have the runny nose for one more day then a week of snotty-ness. At least I'm outside where I always found the most relief from the fresh air. The trail rises over Crystal Mtn and affords great views of Cheshire and the Hoosic river. It also reveals thunderheads all around. I was hiking w/ Thinker and we lucked into getting to Cheshire and a small deli/ice cream shop just as the storm broke over us. The rain didn't last long but the clouds pushing in over us threatened more rain. It looked as if we were on the edge of what was moving along at the monent so we took off for Mt Greylock despite the warning of dire storms heading this way from a concerned lady who drove by on the road we were walking out of town. Keychain was now w/ us and the three of us decided that given the reliability of "predictions" about weather we had noted all the way on this journey we had even chances of making a shelter dry as wet. The climb to the summit of Greylock was reminiscent of climbs early in NC. It was only to 3491(and we stopped just shy of the summit) but it actually felt good to just go up and up again. I don't have a lot of food in my pack since I now have a scheduled meeting w/ Mary Lynn who is coming to meet me at Manchester Center VT. Water is abundant due to frequent rains so I am also relieved of carrying more than 1 liter at any time and I drink that as fast as I can avoiding weight "on" me. Somehow "in" me weight carries better. Go figure. We forgo the last shelter before Greylock's summit (Mark Noepel Lean-to) since it's crowded w/ 3 youth groups and it's early enough to hike the 3+ miles to the top. The rumbling of storms still sound distant. Most of the elevation gain is behind us so these 3 miles go quickly and we arrive at a hut which appears to be some left over storage shed just below the top of the mountains. It has a concrete floor and is small, approx 12'X20' but plenty space for 3 and the rain arrived within minutes of our stopping here. That quelled any questions about trying to finish the hike up to the top and then locating better accomadations which we knew were likely there since the guides mention a warming hut somewhere atop Greylock. We go to sleep hoping the clouds clear during the night and we have the views akin to the one I had of this mountain from Jugg's End over a week ago looking North. Alec
Date: 2008-08-11
From: Shack just shy of Greylock Summit

To: Sherman Brook Campsite
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: light rain

This morning afforded views akin to my early viewing on Blood Mtn, Tray Mtn, Albert Mtn, Wayah Bald and Beauty Spot. I hiked inside clouds. I hope this isn't indicative of how my hike finishes. Not only was there no view, it rained on and off for the first couple hours of the day. I still have the cold and the nose thing is progressing normally w/ lots of mucous production. So far I feel good tho. It was also slightly depressing that we are meeting a number of slackpacking thru-hikers whom Tom Levardi has dropped off North of here and who will be back in Dalton tonight while we hike on on sloppy trails and possibly soaking wet. I had wanted to get in on slackpacking this section but hadn't gotten in on Tom's shuttle because it's first come first serve and people who had been there the day before my arrival got all the slots in his SUV yesterday so we just hiked out. The rain quit for the morning tho and we got spectacular views from promenineces lower on the North side of the mountain during our descent. By midday we were at MA 2. Keychain and Thinker wanted to hitch into Williamtown and I decided to go along to buy batteries for my dimming headlamp and a dinner meal to complete my food supply to make it to my meet up point w/ Mary Lynn. Real food creates allure too. I knew Willams College was in Williamstown and I thought it would be kewl to take a look at a yankee version of W&L. Someday I will attend the Division III National Football Championship game which is in Salem, VA and watch Williams College's football team which is almost always in the title game. For today I just saw part of the campus and town which is another beautiful quaint New England town. Our hitch back was compliments the Bartender at the Water Street Grill who had served up GREAT burgers and great beer according to the two beer drinkers in our party. Back on the trail we had an easy hike to a nice campsite above a roaring Sherman Brook. Rain fell off and on overnight heavy at times.Later, Alec
Date: 2008-08-12
From: Sherman Brook Campsite

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: moderate rain

I started out slow today. Keychain started out the same but Thinker got a better start to go into Bennington to meet his brother who is hiking w/ him until the weekend. After I finally did get going out of camp I had a steep altho not very long ascent up a pile of rocks. They were wet so the climbing is harder since you have to be so very careful not to make a mistake which results in a fall. Once up, things got better although no drier. The trail is muddy as all get out and rains threatened all day. The rain held off until I was eating lunch at Seth Warner shelter. Keychain had gotten there ahead of me, as was Fat Jim and a section hiker who owned a large dog who was lunging against his chain claiming to be ready to eat hikers for his lunch. The dog's owner was in the process of moving his tent from inside the shelter to a spot close to the dog, all the while holding the kind of conversation with the dog a Mom might have w/ a 3 yr old who is marauding grocery store shelves{to no avail). I was mighty thankful for the chain and it's application. Strange guy. I crossed into VT today and am now hiking two trails. The Long Trail and the AT are one and the same from the MA/VT state line up to Rutland, VT. The rains have turned the trail very muddy and it's a real mess trying to hike it. Everybody is trying to step along the sides and not in the middle of the muck which means walking agains the laurel or whatever else borders most of this trail. Nice for getting tics. I still have the cold and it's taking energy from me noticably now. I think a LOT about my upcoming visit w/ Mary Lynn and all I can see is the rear end of our car heading away from me as she departs. I don't really think I can watch her go again. We'll see. Tonites shelter is in the middle of a quagmire. I've never seen a setup like this. You have to hop rock to rock to get to it w/o slogging in mud. I should have skipped checking the register and just headed for the tent sites. Walkie Talkie is tenting w/ me here as well as Josh and Kenny a couple of section hiking guys who joined us at lunch. They are really cool and lift my spirits w/ their enthusiasm. I hope I can get good rest tonite. Later, Alec
Date: 2008-08-13
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

I felt better this morning since I did get good sleep last night. There were several acquaintences of mine here this a.m. that came in after I went to sleep last night. Tailgate(the male) and Joggle and Becca. I got a visit w/ Joggle and Becca during the mornings chores. Josh and Kenny too. Tailgate and Walkie Talkie had gotten out early. The hike is still a muddy mess but I got to dry out my wet equipment(tent,ground cover and pack cover...sleeping bag and food bag were damp so those too) I had stepped out to a beautiful overlook above Bennington VT and it had an open grassy area and sunshine. I snacked as I waited for the drier to work and visited Josh and Kenny as well as Joggle and Becca. Kenny gave me food!!! I needed one dinner and a bit of lunch and he filled out my deficit. I had intended on stretching the food I had to cover today and tonite until tomorrows pick by Mary Lynn at Stratton/Arlington road and now I can eat normally! Josh and Kenny had decided to switch to slackpacking the next sections and wouldn't need all the food they carried in. It's nice hiking to a short term goal like my meet up w/ my soulmate rather than a way off goal like Katadin. Now I am really struggling w/ the idea of quitting this whole thing. I push those thoughts back in my mind and just focus on the good time I will have being with Mary Lynn for 5 days(or more...she has time to move on up to Rutland or beyond if I slackpack some while she's here). Something Zen told me back in PA resounds in my mind. It went something like "You'd be a total idiot to hike when you could be spending time w/ Mary Lynn when she comes for these visits". HHMMMMM Hike or visit a Goddess.These kind of thoughts were on my mind for the afternoon hike. There is very steep descent/climb for the gap where the road(VT 9) to Bennington lays. Tiring. I had the pleasure of the company of people who'd been into Bennington last night at Melville Nauheim for lunch, namely No Amp, Spidey and Cookie Monster. After lunch I paced myself w/ Cookie for a while on a level and downhill stretch. I couldn't keep up w/ him on the ascent up the mtn. to the shelter. In fact I had to stop repeatedly. I even began to wonder if I have something wrong physically to get so fatigued. I finally got there and only Cookie and one sectioning hiker were there so I took a spot in the shelter since I was too tired to bother setting up the tent.   A gang arrived as I cooked including No Amp, Spidey, Brahma Bull, Sweet Potato, Thinker and his brother Tom. Joggle and Becca were there too having been "leaving" as I arrived but threat of rain cancelled that plan. It did pour too, off and on around dusk. Later, Alec
Date: 2008-08-14
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Arlington/Stratton Rd
Miles today: 12.5

I see Mary Lynn today! I got on the trail early It's amazing what motivation can do. After a short climb to the top of Glastenbury Mtn. I was treated to spectacular views of VT,NY and CT from a fire tower. I could see Greylock off to the south and the rises and falls I'd be encountering to the North. The highest parts of the trail now have that smell unique to fir, which I haven't smelled since the Smokie Mountains Nat'l Park. It's sort of a coffee kind of smell and magical. The trail had some long stretches of mud-bog but at least it was decent as long as you are up high on the mountains. I stopped briefly at the two shelters I passed, for a break and to check the registers, and had a snack at Story Springs Shelter w/ a south bound section hiker who traded me an enery bar for my gas canister as he was running low and needed to get to North Adams or Williamsville CT on the gas he's got left. I won't be needing to cook for a few days!!!! I made it to the road crossing by 1:30pm after slogging a really bad section of mudddy trail for the final 2 miles. There was a moment when I almost hurt one of my heels trying to run a short downhill section. I still have tightness in those achilles tendons. Mary Lynn found it more difficult to find the road I was on that she'd thought but arrived at 3:30. (She was coming from Allentown PA having driven part of the trip yesterday) I had spread all the damp equipment out on a guardrail (socks and boots were really wet) and gotten things in pretty good shape. We are staying at Manchester Center, VT for a few nights. Steak tonite then I get to sleep w/ my LOVE tonite!!!!!!!Alec