morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-05-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 36.3
Weather: overcast clouds

May 20Staying at the very full Wiley shelter. There are also 8 tents set up including mine. I walked 16.6 miles today for a total of 430.9. And I am happy to report that my leg feels better than it has all week! I got an early start and the trail was mostly easy in this area. But I was very careful about every step and at Jack's suggestion I crabbed or walked sideways down the hills. Even occasionally backwards. Maybe a day or two more and I hope it will all be back to normal!!!About mid-day I came to a highway crossing and I knew there was a deli a little over 1/2 mile away. So I tried my hand at hitch hiking with immediate success! A man quickly pulled over and ran around to the passenger door of his pickup and started throwing all his tools in the back seat. He took me to the deli and then waited for me to get my order and then took me back to where he had picked me up!! Angels!!Tomorrow will be interesting. I will be approaching an area that has been closed due to fire. I have heard that the fire is out but they will still probably detour me around the area. Also I need some groceries and other supplies. We will see!May 21I am at Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter. The mileage today was 19.7 and total for the trip is 450.6. 7.1 miles today were by car because of the detour around a wildfire. I am now firmly in the embrace of Connecticut! The trail started very easy as a welcome to the new state. I came to where the detour began and saw that it would mean a 7.1 mile walk on a very busy highway. Nope. Hitchhiking time. Got taken to Kent where I bought a few things I needed and had a wonderful southwest salad and some ice cream. Then back to the trail for some pretty difficult hiking including a very steep descent down a wall. The last 2 miles were along the Houstatonic River and since no one was around I took advantage and did a little skinny dip to wash me and also my clothes with some camp soap I have. It felt great!!!I have pushed my leg more today and it did very well!! I think it will be back to normal and well within a couple of days. Everyone wish my darling daughter DeAnna Mayo a happy birthday! Tomorrow is her special day! Foghat
Date: 2017-05-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 331.7
Weather: overcast clouds

May 2215.3 miles today and 465.9 totalI am tenting at Belter's camping area tonight. Alone so far. There is a light rain falling but I was able to get my tent up before it started. Connecticut started off very mild so far as the trail goes. But then she took off her gloves. Some pretty steep and rocky ups and downs. The forests are beautiful! I have seen hundreds of chipmunks over the last few weeks. Alvin, Theodore, and Simon have lots of brothers and sisters. And they don't wear those silly long dresses or smocks or whatever those things were. The trail demanded a lot of my body and I am tired but my leg did well. I didn't baby it today and it performed faithfully. Tomorrow I am planning on walking 9.8 miles and into Sallsbury, CT. Hopefully I will be there for a good lunch and then stay in a hostel for the night getting a shower, laundry, groceries, charge up my devices, eat a couple more times, and then back out on the trail. May 23I am at Vanessa's House in Salisbury, CT after 9.5 miles today making me 475.4 total. I will add the missing mikes to my trail journal to see if that corrects the difference. Vanessa takes in hikers and puts them up in a room in her home. There are bunk beds for 4 people but so far I am the only one here. She did my laundry and I took a shower and hung my wet tent out to dry. Then I went looking for something to eat. Problem is, the restaurants within walking distance are closed on Tuesday!! There was a bakery/sweet shop open so I had a brownie and ice cream and the ordered delivery from a place that brought me a hamburger and fries! I found a picnic table and chowed down!! Happy!! I then bought some groceries and other supplies and am ready to get back out there tomorrow. Looking forward to another meal tonight and breakfast in the AM. The trail today was a mix. Climbed one mountain. But mostly easy with some good views.
Date: 2017-05-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 33.5
Weather: broken clouds

May 24I am at the Hemlocks shelter eating my ramen to which I have added tuna, olive oil, and cayenne. Hmmmmm good! I walked 13.8 miles today after having a biscuit and a cinnamon roll from Sweet William's treat shop for breakfast this morning. Total miles are 489.2. The shelter is fairly large with bunks and also a loft area. It will sleep 10 easily. So far (5:35) there is only one - me. It is on a hillside surrounded by big hemlocks and a spring just below where I got my water. Today's hike was up, over, and then down two significant mountains. My legs got a real workout. But there were also some great views from the tops. While I can always show you a great view from the top of a mountain, please don't take for granted the amount of work it took to get there. And the valley floors and pathway to the top is mostly beautiful too. I saw several more chipmunks, a deer, and tried to imitate some birds that were singing to me. Maybe God will translate. I crossed another state line today. I am now in Massachusetts. The stream that marked the boundary was gorgeous!! The pictures that I show you on Facebook to announce a new post are only the ones I have taken with my phone. There will be hundreds more taken with my camera that will show more beauty than a selfie!!!! But I won't get to go through that process till I get through and back home. May 25Tonight I am with others at the Mount Wilcox South shelter. I did 19.7 miles today bumping my total over 500, to 508.9. Today was a drizzly, cool, windy day that took me over a couple of smaller mountains, through pastures, next to a river, and also a jog through a low lying wood where hoards of millions of ravenous, vampire, mosquitoes wanted my blood in a desperate way. They were horrible! I survived but if they had caught me I would have looked like one of those mummified corpses in the Indiana Jones movies. Going to be cold tonight and more rain. Need to wrap up tight in my bag!Foghat
Date: 2017-05-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 33.4
Weather: light rain

May 26I am at the Upper Goose Pond Cabin tonight. 15.8 miles today and 524.7 total. It rained all night and most of the day. The trail was soggy and with many standing pools of water. All the streams were swollen. Mosquitoes were hungry. And the rocks and roots were wet and slippery and conspiring to make you slip onto your backside or worse. And yes, I did a couple of times. Still it was a good day. I saw probably over a hundred of these eggs you see in the picture. Beautiful. This cabin is maintained by the ATC and has a caretaker who is on site. I am responsible for my own meal tonight but tomorrow the caretaker will be making blueberry pancakes and coffee!!! 27 MayI am at the Kay Wood shelter tonight. 17.6 miles today and 542.3 total. I am now just 5 miles short of completing 25% of the trail. Yay!!No rain today but the trail was still very muddy and soggy. The terrain was mild. My socks from the day before were soaking wet so I tied them to the outside of my pack so they could dry while I hiked. I lost one. Shoot!Last night the cabin was full. All beds were taken by folks trying to get out of the weather. This morning, Pete, the caretaker, was up early fixing pancakes and started serving at 5:45. They were great! Pete is also a retired MD. A radiologist who also spent time in the Navy as an undersea medicine specialist on one of our nuclear submarines. I enjoyed swapping stories with him! Foghat
Date: 2017-05-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: light rain

May 28I am tenting at the Crystal Mountain campsite. I walked 7.2 miles today and am at 549.5 total. Today was intended to be low mileage semi-rest day. I got on the trail this morning and went 2.8 miles into Dalton, MA. I stopped at the Juice and Java for breakfast, coffee, juice, and battery recharge. All was good and then hiked about 4 1/2 miles to the campsite where I have pitched my tent. Looks like more rain is coming so I am glad I got it done before it started. No one else is here yet. Tomorrow I should be well rested and fed to take on Mt. Greylock, the tallest mountain in MA. (3491 ft. )I learned a couple of things over the last few days. 1) Do a better job when you tie your socks to your pack. 2) Quit trying to avoid the mud on the trail. Go ahead and get your shoes muddy and your feet wet. It took way too much time and effort trying to find ways around or over the muddy areas and Vermont will be even worse. And also the two times I fell wasn't because of mud. It was because I slipped on a rock or root trying to beat the mud! Lesson learned!!May 29Wilbur Clearing shelter 16.3 miles today and 565.8 total. I broke camp this morning and headed downhill about 4 miles & then through Carlisle, MA and then toward Mt. Greylock. It was raining nearly the whole time. Mt. Greylock is MA's tallest and as I climbed the temperature dropped to between 40 - 45 and the wind was blowing 10 - 12 mph. COLD! My exertion kept me from hypothermia but when I got to the top I found there was a lodge and restaurant. I didn't know that. What a blessing!! I went inside and asked where they wanted me to put my pack. But my hands were so cold I couldn't undo my buckles. I finally got it off and ordered a hamburger and a Russian Imperial Stout. The girl wanted me to sign the receipt and gave this huge pen that I gripped like a child holding a giant crayon. I did my best but could not read my own signature. Maybe like someone from Coldasheckeslavia!! There was no view from the top with the rain and foggy cloud cover. Now I am lower on the mountain and out of my wet stuff. Tomorrow I am headed into Williamstown for 2 nights, rest, cleanup, laundry and a little shopping. Foghat
Date: 2017-05-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 3.0

May 30I only walked 3 miles today from the shelter and into town. The manager of the motel picked me up and safely deposited me into my room. Total miles so far - 568.8. Planning on getting clean and eating and resupply. May 31Zero day. Staying at the Williamstown motel resting. All cleaned up and re supplied. I also got a package from Tammy and bought some groceries from Walmart. I used Uber for the first time to get to Walmart. Ahmad, my driver does the driving when he is not looking after his kids since his wife works. So when I finished at Walmart there were no Uber or Lyft drivers available so I took a cab. I walked a couple of miles to Williams College where there were shops and restaurants. I got some more socks and have been eating some really good meals. Back on the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2017-06-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 32.8
Weather: clear sky

June 1I am back out in the trail after a little R & R in town. I am at the Congdon shelter after a 14.1 mile day and I am now at 582.9 total. I got here a little after 3 but decided not to push another 6 miles to the next shelter. So tomorrow's plan is to aim for a shelter 18.7 miles away. My knees and ankles have been hurting most of today. But on a positive note, I am now in Vermont! The famous Long Trail and the AT share trail space for the next 105 miles. Vermont's reputation for mud is well deserved. Black gooey mud that tries to pull your boots off. I saw 2 or 3 garter snakes today and I also got really close to a momma and child porcupine couple. How do porcupines mate? Very carefully!!! Besides the mud, the woods and the trail through them are beautiful!! June 2 I went 18.7 miles today to get to the Kid Gore shelter. That is 601.6 total. I had some pretty steep ups and downs today. I am tired and was glad to see the shelter. One of the benefits of doing a Flip Flop hike like I am doing is that you get to follow Spring. I just keep on seeing such beautiful blooms in the woods and next to the trail. Also, now that I am further north I am seeing more evergreen trees. Fir I think and they are pollinating. There is a grayish green dust all over the trail and rocks. The picture of my boots shows mud, the dusty pollen, and wear. I am glad you can't smell them! The white straps are flea and tick collars. One way I try to prevent ticks and Lyme disease. Foghat
Date: 2017-06-04
To: Manchester Center
Miles today: 27.7
Weather: few clouds

June 3 I am at the Stratton Pond shelter. I hiked 15 miles today and am at 616.6 total. Today's task was to get to, up, and over Stratton Mountain which in season is a ski resort. It is 3936 feet high. I didn't see the resort. Must be on the other side of the mountain. There was a caretaker up top who was delighted to talk for a while letting me know about the names of a few things blooming right now. There are some very annoying gnat-like bugs that are swarming right now. And they bite like crazy. You have to be covered up or covered in DEET. The caretaker also recommended going into Manchester Center tomorrow for resupply and lunch. Think I will. Will have to hitch a ride though. June 4Bromley Shelter12.7 miles today and 629.3 total. Actually I am at a laundromat in Manchester Center, VT right this second. I did 10.7 miles to get to a highway and then hitched a ride into town. Ate at a burrito place and walked to a grocery store and now washing some clothes. At home my washer is on the left and the dryer is on the right. Well I moved my washed clothes to another machine thinking I was going to dry them only to find out it was another washer! It wasn't marked. Now they are correctly being dried and hopefully I will be able to get a ride back up to the trail and hike another 2 miles to the next shelter listed above. Always the adventure!!Foghat
Date: 2017-06-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 31.4

June 5I am at the Little Rock Pond shelter after 17.8 miles and a total of 647.1. It rained all night so the trail all day was mush, water, mud. This morning it was still foggy, drizzly, and cold. The first mile was to climb to the summit of Bromley Mt. which is a local ski area. At the top the fog was so thick I could not see more than 25 - 30 ft. ahead. I found the ski lift and a warming hut. But I could not find where the trail continued. So I used my phone app, Guthook's AT guide and its GPS pointed out the way and I was back in business. Let's talk about animal droppings. I know you have been wondering for years about this. Most of you know what rabbit pills look like. Well deer poo is very similar in size but in larger amounts. The picture you see is of moose droppings. Size is like large grapes. Large volume. The moose seem to be very productive, fecally speaking. I did not see any moose. Just their leavings. Aren't you impressed?!Expecting more bad weather tomorrow. Will still likely hike. June 6I am soaked at the Clarendon Shelter after 13.6 miles making my total 660.7. It poured rain most of the night and during the whole hike. I am now in the shelter and it is still raining. The trail was very muddy, rocky, rooty, and slippery. I fell twice. Now, since no one saw me, I am not obligated to admit that. But confession is good for the soul - Once! After that grace abounds. Roots laugh at you when you fall. Rocks don't care. They have no sense of humor. But you can fall over a slippery root and hear it giggle, giggle. There was one stream crossing I had and it was raging from all the rain. And the crossing was 15 yards above a very angry looking waterfall. There was no safe way. Just jump in and walk. In cases like that there are very few appropriate words. "You want me to cross that?" The S word is entirely called for. I personally prefer the two syllable version spoken so well in the south. Sheee-it. Foghat
Date: 2017-06-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

June 7 I am at the Churchill Scott shelter and did 14.8 today for 675.5 total. Finally, some good weather! The sun was actually out today. I had to get reacquainted with my shadow whom I have not seen in several days. And the temperature was in the upper 60's and lower 70's. Very nice! I climbed Mt. Killington today and went to the very peak for some pictures. One I posted today. (Yesterday?) Vermont has been the worst state so far as keeping a cell phone signal. I do try to keep in touch and keep posting but it isn't easy. The climb was hard and of course the trail is still sopping wet. Shoes sock and feet never get dry. I use Mom's Stuff (https://www.momsstuffsalve.com/) on my feet at night. A good smelling, soothing, healing, salve made by Lee Bennion in Utah. We met Lee when Tammy and I rode miles to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. She was there and we hiked with her and some of her Utah friends. She makes a wonderful product and sells it online. I am planning on a short day tomorrow and staying somewhere where I can clean me, my clothes, eat, and get some groceries. June 8I am at Mountain Meadows Lodge in Killington, VT. I walked only 5.8 miles, now at a total of 681.3. I am apparently here alone for now. Not even any manager. I had to find the washing machine on my own. Sitting on my room in my rain pants since EVERYTHING needed washing. And I have what seems to be the usual weekly shower. Another nice day. No rain for now but I understand it is on the way. I said good bye to the Long Trail today as it split off from the AT and it heads in up towards Canada while I head towards New Hampshire. I walked to a deli very hungry and they sold the usual sandwiches but also some breakfast stuff. I told them I had been in Vermont for over 100 miles now and still had not had any pancakes with real Vermont maple syrup. Well she took pity on me and fixed me some French toast with maple syrup and didn't charge me for it!! I also bought a sandwich, a beer, and groceries there. So nice! May walk to an Irish Restaurant later. Back on the trail tomorrow. Feeling fantastic!!Foghat
Date: 2017-06-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 36.4
Weather: clear sky

June 9I am at the Wintturi shelter after a 16 mile day and 691.5 total. I had a very good day yesterday with getting cleaned up, fed, resupplied, etc. Got kind of a late start this AM because the lady at the lodge came in at 7:15 to fix my breakfast. (I was the only guest there) it was fabulous!! I had several climbs today. It is still a very beautiful forest and a little less mud today. It tried to rain early in the day but that fizzled out. It is interesting as you walk through a forest to see how the types of trees change as you go from one side of a mountain to the other, wet vs dry, north vs south. Always a competition for the predominant species. And of course, man's role can't be ignored either. No signal on my cell phone tonight. Can't get weather report and can't call Tammy. Need an early start tomorrow for a 20.4 mile day. June 10I am at Happy Hill Shelter. I did 20.4 miles today and am at 711.9 total. It was a long day. Too tired to to do much with journal tonight and I don't have a signal anyway. Got into the shelter later than normal. I have had supper, cleaned up a bit, and am now ready for bed. The weather today was clear but hot for hiking at 85 degrees. A few miles were over open fields and pasture land. I found 3 ticks on my lower legs. No where I was wearing my treated clothes. The reason for the high miles today was the spacing of the shelters. One was at 11.6 miles and then next was this one at 20.4. No in between. I have a blister on my left little toe I will have to deal with. I will try to post tomorrow when I am in Hanover which, by the way, moves me into a new state! New Hampshire! The trail goes right by or through the campus of Dartmouth College. I think they are having their graduation ceremony tomorrow. Hope I don't get into the wrong line! Foghat
Date: 2017-06-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

June 11Velvet Rocks shelter. Just 7.3 miles today and 719.2 total. I know the trail journal number is off a bit and will try to correct it next post. Today was a light day to make up for yesterday. I made my way into Hanover and across another new state line, New Hampshire! It was a hot day!! But Hanover is all about Dartmouth College graduation today and I could hear the names and majors being announced as I went by the school. I found a place that gave me a free doughnut because I am a thru-hiker. Then I went to a restaurant and had a good meal and desert. Then I stopped by a co-op for some groceries and then up to the shelter. I am tenting tonight because of bugs. Last night I set up my tent inside the shelter to protect me from the vicious mosquitoes. I will need one more shipment from Tammy before she comes up here next month. I will need the next section of my guide book, Maine. So we have been planning on my progress and places I might stay to see the best place to ship to. I have some anxieties about the White Mountains and how I will do in them. So I will continue to need your prayers and encouragement!June 12I am at the Trapper John shelter after 15.2 miles today and 734.4 total. I climbed Moose Mountain South Peak, Moose Mountain North Peak, and Holt's Ledge today. And the temperature was between 85 - 90 in the shade of the forest. Hot, hot, hot! I drank lots of water. I even took my shirt off and soaked it in a stream and put it back on to help cool off. Dipped my hat in the water too. It is supposed to cool off on Wednesday with morning temps down into the 40's. That is much better! New Hampshire is where the real meat of the big mountains are on the AT. In figuring my daily itinerary I have to consider the mountain I have to climb, how big, how tall, the weather, how I feel, and location of the next few shelters, campsites, or towns. It can get complicated. I am tenting tonight to get better airflow and to try to escape from the bugs!!