morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Garmanhaus B&B, Boiling Springs, PA

To: TheDoyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Decent start today @ 0815, not bad considering we had to wait a bit to find our "fabulous" breakfast.Walked thru a few more fields a up/over around some more Pennsylvaia rocky ridges. 70's and a lite breeze. Wish it was a little stronger.Got to the Darlington shelter to rest the dogs and let em out for a bit.Signs said porcupine has been seen in and around the shelter. Chewin up the wood. Guess he's attracted to salt (sweat) and snacks. Hmmm. Go figure.Only 4 miles to go.Ugggh. Lots of PA rocks and ridges. And more tomorrow we here. But we descended into Duncannon.Guthook was well outta site. Very cool view of town as I walked down the main street. Old small town. And The Doyle a very old classic Hotel with a huge year round banner "Welcome Hikers!". Walked in the front door to find it was really the bar. Several folks cheered, but I retreated. Went to the next door and voilla. The same. Guthook was there and everyone said "Come on in." Thought I was Norm at "Cheers".Very cool classic old bar. Immediately got me a beer and a pulled pork sandwich. Mmmmmm. Went down so well. Another draft please. And wicked cheap for local microbrews and domestics.Up to our room classic old no frills but vintage. A shower felt great. Then back down to the pub for DINNA.Guthook got an appointment to see a local doctor tomorrow to look at a blister that won't heal and hurts more when he stops hikin then when he is hikin.No need for laundry cuz we did that yesterday at the Nazi B&B.Knocked down another brew or two with dinna. A monster 1/2 pound Doyle Pubburger with the works & fries. So full. Guthook got a monster Greek Salad. And more pub food after. Don't know where he puts it, he's slim and trim as I.Slept great. Ahhhh..Good breakfast across the street, French Toast at a great price. Then Guthook ordered his 2nd full breakfast, omlet & home fries, I just got home fries.Walked to resupply at market while Guthook went to Dr Appt.All packed up. Hit the internet here to update the journal, grabbing lunch here at the pub (GREAT FOOD!!) then hit the trail.Gotta go.FedExps- NEED ANY HELP IN TOWN? A RIDE SOMEWHERE? QUESTIONS? CALL THE OWNERS AT THE DOYLE. THEY'RE MOST EAGER TO HELP!!!
Date: 2007-05-12
From: Slackpackin NJ - County 517

To: Greenwood Lake, NY
Miles today: 17.5

Noel & Mike dropped us off for our last day slackpackin NJ. We will have slackpacked the entire state of NJ and eventually almost the entire state of NY, without camping in a tent or a shelter. Never sleeping outside! [FedEx will have to suck it up once-the last day in NY.]Started out with chilly but good weather. Immediately hit the mile long "bog bridge", a series of connected wooden platforms across the entire bog. Pretty cool actually. Nothing particularly out of the ordinary. A few climbs. Then we finally crossed into NY!! Almost immediately climbed to Prospect Rock, the high point in NY state, 1433 feet. (Bear Mtn is actually slightly less). For the finale we hit the road for the pickup point and hit the Baleville Ice Cream store. I got a huge Malted Peanut Butter & Marshmallow Shake, Guthook some kinda ice cream, I forget. Mmmmmmmm!!Anyway, Kerry O'Brien, another AMC friend of Noel & Mike's, whom WE didn't even know picked us up, drove us to his house overlooking the lake, we showered and went to town to hit a diner for dinna. AND Kerry paid! Slept great at his place. What more could we ask for?! He offered us movies to watch but we were beat, so called it a nite.Guthook's AMC friends sure were nice to us. Mucho Appreciato.Next morning Kerry drove us to the same spot to drop us to hike North into NY.[Kerry lives on the lake in NY, but we only hiked NJ to get there.]FedEx
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Greenwood Lake, NY

To: Arden, NY [Vasser College]
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Next morning Kerry dropped us off at Rte 17A where we left off.Nothing spectacular, just our last day hikin NJ into NY. A few climbs, pretty hot & humid. Finished with Arden Mountain & Agony Grind.Mother's Day, so we called home to say hi to Mom. Got to Arden,NY pretty easily (motivation!)Guthooks's college buds picked us up with Aaron drivin. Took us straight to a restaurant in New Palze, NY. Sushi! Mmmmmm! Sooo good. the fish smelle much better than we did!Drove back to Pougkeepsie to Vasser College, our new home for a few days.Met Guthook's friends who so graciously (foolishly perhaps) agreed to put up with us ..er put us up I mean for a few nites and get up at the butcrack of dawn to drive us to the trailheads, some days 45min to an hour one way.Got my summer sleeping bag (shipped from home-thanks Mom & Dad!) Kristin spent some time searching for it & risking her life in my overstuffed storage area at home-thanks! Recall I moved outta my apartment for the hike). Brother Scott made a second effort with new info/insight from me and was somehow able to find it-thanks!I will be happy to lose another half pound and sleep cooler now that it's warmer most nites.That's all for nowFedEx
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Arden, NY [Vasser College]

To: Peekskill, NY
Miles today: 24.4

Left Vasser College campus @0600. Uggh. Dunno if it's worse for them or us. They're in study week before finals and all have final papers to complete etc. Guess Guthook has pretty cool friends willing to go through a lot of hassle just to see him. We could've just hiked the trail with full packs. It was much easier hikin for us and we got to eat great meals & hang out. Plus sleep inside. But the hassle was all theirs-Thanks so much!35 degrees outside, frost on he grass, but will warm quickly with the sun. Probably our best day hikin in NY. Lots of cool stuff. The lemon squeeze (slippin between to huge bolders with footing pitched to one side was a challenge but fun. Lots of big bolders to climb on. Low Humidity & not too hot. Good climbs up and down fun stuff. Good views.Crossed the Palisades Pkwy - that was tricky - just run across two lanes of traffic at 60-70mph during a lull. Into the trees in the median. then do it again for the lanes going the other way. Yikes!Finally climbed West Mtn with great views of Bear Mtn and finally the long awaited Bear Mtn. Fun but more symbolic-almost the end of NY. Descended into a very interesting but bizarre finale. Got to see several bears, coyotes, porcupines, and lots of other critters! All in the same day. The AT literally passes through Bear Mtn Zoo & Museum, an outdoor event. When it's closed there's a bypass trail via road. But we got too see the works. For free. No charge for thru-hiker scums. Probably cuz they know we got no $$$ and would jump the fence anyway.Finally crossed thru the toll booth and crossed the Bear Mtn Bride across the hudson. Pretty cool. Free now. Used to have to pay a nickle back in the day.Pretty windy. ALMOST the lowest elevation of the entire AT-280feet above sea level. It's pretty scary lookin down. Makes your head spin. But actually the lowest point on the AT was just before entering the zoo, we descended into a tunnel to cross the road-124 ft above sea level. Pertty cool.Climbed back up and down a few peaks to the endpoint today, US 9, Peekskill, NY.Caught our ride and went straight to the Everready Diner with a bunch of folks. Pretty cool place. Classic huge stainless steel looking jazzy diner. Ate lots of food, then finished with everyone orderin the usual, a HUGE milkshake-Oreo Malt for me. SOOOO FULL...but SOOO GOOOOD!Drove home, packed everything up for tomorrow. Tomorrow we'll slack pack, but at the end of the day Guthook will return to Vasser for a zero day tomorrow. I'll pickup the rest of my stuff (sleepin bag,stove, fuel, clothes, etc) sleep in the shelter right near the pickup and continue hikin north tomorrow. That way when I meet up with friends in CT/MA I'll have already "made up" some of the miles I'll lose. Guthook will catch up quickly once he leaves town.FedEx
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Peekskill, NY

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 28.4
Weather: clear sky

Big day. Not planned that way, though. Left Vasser at 0630. Hit the trail by 0800.Guthook's AMC friend Joe joined us for our 20 mile slackpack hike today. Pretty good day. A little warmer-70's and more humid than we'd like but it went quickly. Predropped off Joe's car at the end for an easier end of day, rather than waiting for a ride & my other stuff.A few decent climbs and a good view of the lake.We finished early-by 1515 hours! Not bad for 20 miles.Time for me to load up my pack with lots of weight. My (lighter sleeping bag-Yea!!), ALL my food, stove, fuel, "other" set of clothes, etc. Ugggh. HEAVY. It's been SO LONG since we've had to hike with a full pack. ~25 lbs for me with 4 days food/almost 3 L H20. usually slackpacking was less than 14 lbs even with stuff we probably cooda left behind, like rain shell on nice days,plenty of snacks, first aid blister kit, etc.Damn too early to quit now, despite the heat. Guthook & Joe headed out to get some food & milkshakes. JERKS!I on the other hand loaded up my hefty pack in the high 70's and fairly humid day and hiked ANOTHER 9 miles to a further shelter! Of course I did stop for 2 slices of pizza, fries and a soda on the way. Barely squeeked in by dark ~2015 hours. 28.4 miles. Pretty big day, especially with the sun, AND a late start.For big days I usually start ~0600 or earlier.But it was worth it cuz it changes my plans for gettin to CT.Now I'm 9 miles closer to CT and Kent, so if I suck it up tomorrow I can do a 30 into Kent and be there by 1800 tomorrow (if I leave wicked early) and hit the gear store, grab some dinna & a beer or two. Stay somewhere and grab breakfast on the way outta town.Two big days in row. Ouch, but gotta do it. Can't waste the opportunity. Otherwise I'll end up in Kent early morning, like 9 or 10 ish if I bang out the 12 miles quickly. Hopefully will meet some friends for a lunch or dinna, perhaps a beer or two. Maybe even hike a day with one or two if it works out. [That's why I'm crankin out the big days, using the opportunity to get miles in the Bank so I can chill a little and not HAVE to do our 20.3 mile day every day til NH as planned.] then finsih up CT in the next day or two and meet more friends in MA.When I left Guthook "we" had 9.0 miles "in THE BANK". That means we could hike just 11.3 miles one day and screw off the rest and still be on time to get to Hanover NH by June 1st. (leaving a whole month for the whites and Maine, all tough stuff)Since I did another 9 miles, MY Bank is now 18.0 total. Excellent. And if I bang out another 30 into Kent tomorrow I'll be ahead a bunch. But it won't last.Slept well as you might imagine!FedEX
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Kent, CT [via Bull's Bridge]
Miles today: 22.2

What another bizarre day.Pretty good start @0530. 30 mile day. Plan was to crank to Kent and make the gear store by 1800 closing time. Gonna be close if I have ANY setbacks. Usually can maintain 2.5mph with breaks but it's been long time since hiked with full pack AND a big day. a challenge.Wanted to be out by 5 but will half to do."Nuclear lake" apparently has been cleaned up a lot and looks prety nice now. Experienced some minor shin spints in right leg-first time ever. Tolerable in the morning. Got to first shelter 7.6 miles in shin splints getting worse. Took break, signed register. Ahhh. Shep is back on the trail-cool. Looks like I'm right behind her and Quinn.Actually saw the big Oak tree this time, unlike the othe two south of here.This Dover Oak is 20 ft 4 in in diameter, though it doesn't look it in my picture. (can't upload here, sorry.)Cranked along. Started hearing thunde rumbling, hurried to shelter. In pain.Then it began to fall apart by the second shelter, 17.6 miles. Shin splint is pretty bad now. May not make Kent in time for outfitter. Tried to suck it up anyway. 9 miles to go. Hopefully won't get deluged rained upon.On the way, I jumped off at Bull's Bridge Rd to checkout the falls/rapids. Usually pretty cool, kayakers, etc.Today, not so big. got a ride up the hill to save some walking. LEFT MY DAMN TREKKING POLES IN HIS SUV!! He drove away then I reallized it. Damn. AND these are the same poles I use to pitch my tent!Have NO idea how he will find me when he reallizes it. I beat feet to the gas station just down the road hopin maybe he stops there for gas. Nope.Damn. Went inside just as it started to POUR RAIN.Arranged a ride down the road into Kent. Already called earlier and got permission to pitch tent at church yardin town.Went to outfitter hopin to leave name & number in case he thinks to go there.RAN INTO THE GOODFELLAS & FRUITFLY there. They looked soaked-LIKE drowned rats-no offense fellas. I'll have to come back and hike the miles from Bulls Bridge to Kent tomorrow.Worse part is I need my poles to pitch my tent! Luckily the guy ran into Quinn, The Fellas & Fruitfly on the way to drop my poles off at the trailhead. Whooh. The newly relocated outfitter sucks now. Just Kent clothing and hike stuff for wanna bees. Lots of stuff "not currently in stock".Went next door to rectory but no luck talking the pastor   into me staying in the basement.Rain stoppin now. Good.Time for dinna in Kent at local pizza tavern.!!Mmmmm.Dinna, then SLEPT STEALTH on the front porch of the rectory behind the shrubs. Amazing how dark it is when you unscrew the porch lightbulb!Tough to get internet access now, so expect MUCH fewer updates and NOT timely.FedExSomeone else at the parkin spot told me It's about
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Kent, CT [CT 341]

To: Bull's Bridge Rd, Kent CT
Miles today: 7.8

Awoke early to grab some breakfast then bang out the miles from Bull's Bridge to downtown Kent. Slept well in stealth mode on the front porch of the rectory, right on main street at the main traffic light, blocked from view by the shrubbery. Saved me $112, the cheapest room I could find! Breakfast- French Toast,etc at the Market across the street. Mmmmm. Hit the trail by 0700, hiking South and I'll catch a ride back like yesterday. At the first shelter, Mt Algo, ran into Shep! She and her two shelter mates for the nite were still wakin up. Apparently she just got back on the trail very recently headin north. Chatted for a while and moved on.Got to Bull's Bridge by 1030. Waiting for my ride. Caught one into Kent, but couldn't seem to find any denatured alcohol without buyin whole container at hardware store. Only need couple ounces. but just another thing the outfitter was "out of". Soon they'll be "out of" business if this is their idea of how to stock hiking stuff. Finally, the highlight of my day, met an old friend who's been chompin at the bit to come out and meet me for a beer since before I started hikin-the infamous Fred K. Potter. I was psyched to see him. Grabbed a burger & a beer and chatted for a while. Great to be home and see old friends-Thanks for lunch! And thanks for the support, Fred!Congratulations on your retirement from the state-RETIREMENT from the state??!That's like no change at all. State workers don't really do any work. But I guess you don't have to make the drive every day now, that's the difference. ha ha.Back to the trail to hike north.FedEx
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Kent, CT

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 0.0

The budget for the witness protection plan has fallen off sharply.This witness, no longer a priority since he already testified has been reassigned. Previous assignement as State Worker, Capt of Fire Dept was too costly, given no actual work output. Thus he has been terminated. Cover story says he retired, but nobody will actually beleive that. Who would "retire" from state job where you get great pay & benefits to do nothing all day? This new assignment as an AT thru hiker should prove more cost effective to maintain. Setup of this profile was extensive as you can see. If it proves too costly to shelter him (free) and feed him (He's on his own) he can simply hike to another state to maintain his own cover.
Date: 2007-05-18
From: Caesar Brook Campsite

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Awoke but layed in the tent, chattin with Shep, the roarin brook for background. Neither of us too motivated, but finally got moving. She's jumpin off to retreive her car and head home for a few days, I'm off in Salisbury for overnite rehab. Laundry, food, a long needed shower and a real bed.Packed up my wet tent, hit the trail, late by 0800. A few moderate climbs, overcast, not too humid, light drizzle all morning. Ran into QUINN at first shelter. Rousted her from bed-she too looks pretty damn fine in the mornin! We talked and decided to split a room in Salisbury. Shep & Quinn headed out, I chatted with 2 section hikers and then followed. Caught up to Shep, stopped for a break. Never did catch Quinn. Along the ridge by Sharon or Easter mtn a good view of Limerock race track, in use. pretty loud up here! Snapped a pic or two. (sorry can't upload here).Shep hikes well, but is carryin 35-40 lbs. Eventually it was takin its toll on her rate. Especially the climbs. I had to keep movin. I think she stopped for lunch, didn't see her again when I stopped for short break. Anyway, I need to try to catch Quinn by town. Stopped at the Great Falls, very cool view. Some pics - someday I'll upload them.Made town, but never found Quinn. Stayin at a private house, two of which in town claimed discounts for two in the Hikers Companion Guide, but both said not such, same price one or two guest when i actually called. Guess it doesn't matter if I hookup with Quinn. Though I'd certainly like to! She's a looker!And great company.Lucked out and just squeaked in to grab very few minutes of internet at the library, then a great dinna at The Country Bistro, formely Holly's Place. Very hiker friendly. Great people. Only open 16 days now. they'll do well. And staff lives upstairs and MAY soon offer rooms to hikers!!Hit my house, showered, laundry! Headed out to The White Hart Inn for a few beers & more food. Mmmmmm. Met some great folks, chatted most of the nite. In late, 1230. Ugggh.Naptime.Breakfast in the morning and INTERNET at The Roast. Mmmmm.Now it's off NOBO to South Egremount, MA (17.8mi)where I'll jump off for Sat nite church, hopefully. And on the way I hike up over Lion's Head, and Bear Mtn, two of CT's nicest features. And the beautiful Sage's Ravine, just into MA.Havin a blast. Gotta go. Gettin late. It's just after 8am now.FedExps-can't wait to eventually find out how the Goodfellas & Fruitfly got across the "brook". And Guthook too, since it will still be high when he hits it!
Date: 2007-05-20
From: Mountain View Motel, Great Barrington, MA

To: Main St Tyringham, MA
Miles today: 20.5

0900 hit trail after church. lite drizzle overcast. 50's; long slow day; tough to keep focused and motivated trying to reach Shaker Campsite as the Wilcox South & North Lean-tos would be a short day. That means I'd have to camp, likely in the rain or drizzle overnite & pack it up wet. Sucks. Not looking forward to that. trying to get in 17.6mi with a late start and no zip is makin me walk slower, worsening my saga. Early afternoon ran into the Goodfellas slackpacking south. Said they got on in Tyringham. Hmmmm. That means if I hussle today and hike extra miles I might not be far behind them, which is a bonus since they've been consistantly 2 or 3 days ahead, hiking similar miles.That added a little zip. Then ran into a couple trailrunners who were moving pretty quick and conversation inspired me to keep moving through the cobbles area where "The Wanderer" got his knickname last year. Anyway, I inquired about town food nearby and they offered to drive me into Lee via Tyringham. DONE! I cranked up my pace to keep up with them. Got my ride, ate at Friendly's including huge shake of course, bought Dunkin Donuts coffee-Mmmmm...and bagel w/cream cheese & donuts for breakfast-BONUS! Walked/hitched back outta town 4 miles and stayed just 1 mile from the trailhead under a covered pavillion at local vol. Firehouse-cowboy camping, sorta, under a roof, while it rained. And I slept by the river running by adding ambience. So nice.Slept well.Gettimg up early hoping to do big miles to Dalton to meet friend from CT!FedEx
Date: 2007-05-21
From: Main St Tyringham, MA

To: Rte 8 Dalton, MA
Miles today: 27.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Awoke 0500, packed up quick to hit the road. Big day, 28 miles to Dalton. Maybe even see the Goodfellas. who knows.Bagel & Donuts were delish breakfast! Mmmmm.Got text message from Dan Miles driving by @0530 on Mass Pike I-90 Lee area saying he just passed under a bridge labled Appalachian Trail. Ironically that's 10 minutes from here where I was last nite, and will hike over that bridge today! Called him right back. Chatted for a bit. Nice to here old familiar voice. Hope that medicine clears that condition up. Ha ha.Hit trail by 0630 after refilling water at town hall spigot & walking a mile or so to trailhead. Ugggh.Trails are muddy & soggy mostly after rain all nite. Shoes & socks wet quickly; Better chance of blisters, some hot spots developing. Stopped at lunch/break after 16 miles to air out the dogs. Feet appreciated it, though its chilly and they got pretty cold pretty quick. Duct taped the hot spots hoping to fend off blisters, hit the trail. ONLY 12 miles more to go and it's 1330hours. Not so great, but not horrible normally, but on a big miles day that's still a lot more.Gotta keep motivated. Can't quit early. Scott Cummings, AMR Hartford coworker is meeting me in Dalton Mass! His parents live nearby in Cheshire, so he's putting me up and he'll hike with me tomorrow. Can't wait! More food. Shower. Soft bed. and oh yea. a beer or two, no doubt. And of course GREAT to see another friend. I'm psyched!Used the privy while there. Second stop today. You know how you hate to use those portolets? Accept when you really need them. Then you're happy to see them even though they're sometimes disgusting. Even when they're clean you cringe. But you're so happy to find one sometimes. That's every day for us out here. We're always happy when there's a privy at the shelter!Finally made it to Dalton. And there I stood on one side of the tracks, Scott on the other, awaiting a huge freight train passing between us. We exchange guestures between train cars. Ahh. A familiar face! Stopped at EMS gear store on way home. Got VT/NH Maps. My trailrunners look horrible. My tread is almost completely shot after only a few hundred miles. Look shot compared to new ones. Dunno if this is all just from PA rocks or just wearing quicker than last pair. Might be an issue very soon though, before The Whites in NH and numerous peaks in ME. May be buyin something else to walk on very soon. Picked up some beers and headed for the house. Chinese delivery already here. We chowed. Then a shower, planned our hike for tomorrow and chilled a bit. Nice just to relax.Updated my journal here. Then naptime.Dunkin Donuts breakfast I think. Can't wait.Thanks so much to Scott & his parents for putting me up. Makes the miles go by so much easier. Ahhhhh.FedEx
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Velvet Rock Shelter

To: Smarts Mtn Fire Wardens Cabin
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: few clouds

slept in til 0930 after the renunion in Hanover. Was worth the hike back into town.Was good to see The Fellas & Fruitfly, to actually hang with them, not read about them. Too bad we gotta move on and they aren't ready yet. Nor Guthook. It's unlikely they'll catch back up thru the Whites if they take a zero today.Hot & VERY Humid today. Sucks. some drizzle off/onn too.Grabbed steak & cheeze & ice cream sandwich, GatorAde at general store @1100. Mmmmm. A day without food is like....a bad day....Just another chapter on the trail and the wilderness experience.The afternoon was brutal. Humidity and mega climb up to Holtz Ledge and then AT THE END OF THE DAY the steep climb up to Smarts Mtn. Uggh.Roughly 2500 foot climb to just under 4000 feet. If this is any indication of what's to come, the Whites will be intense, many peaks over 4k and some over 5k feet! Yikes.The views from the firetower were hazy but massive peaks await us.Glad to be inside the enclosed cabin tonite, rained all nite. Yee ha!FedEx