morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-05-18
From: Riga Shelter

To: Great Barrington 
Miles today: 18.0

Today was productive.I woke up at 4:45 with light streaming into the shelter. I was out of my bag with a few minutes to spare before watching the sun climb above the ridgeline and spill light onto the landscape 1000 feet below (see yesterday's picture). I ate breakfast (poptarts and a hardboiled egg) and then participated in a yoga session happening on one of the tent platforms lead by the section hiker Sour Grapes. I was professionally photographed by Cricket and will have some great shots of the sunrise sent to me once they get back home.Uncle Gramps and I left camp at the same time and I caught up with him multiple times throughout the day. I stopped in the privy at the next shelter and Buckeye met me with some section hikers and more trail magic.I crossed the CT/MA state line, summited Bear Mountain, Mt. Race (with awesome views off the ledges), and Mt. Everrit. I forded Sages Ravine (poorly) and got my shoes soaked. I've started to love/hate Massachusetts already for making me go down Jug End with all its steep rocks and insane elevation drop.I met SO MANY section hikers today! It was mid 60s on a Saturday with a slight breeze and clear skies. Absolutely perfect hiking weather and amazing views from 2000 feet.Ran into a table of trail magic setup with an excellent fruit salad (raspberries, blueberries, watermelon, strawberries, grapes) and bags of carrots and celery. There were cold sodas and. French onion dip along with cool whip for the fruit. Potatoe chips and bacon rounded out the offering. Love this community!I hiked the rest of the trail with Uncle Gramps after the trail magic. I wasn't expecting to see him there because he had another 6 to go past the town but I guess he got talking. We managed to get wet again mucking through farmers fields, only this time it smelled like manure and the mud stayed on. Why is it always the lowest, wettest, muddiest corner? I know why, but why? Made a great pace to the road crossing and got there around 6. Got a hitch in a mustang convertible by a really great local who didn't care I smelled and had muddy shoes. Great Barrington is a very cool town. Great local scene of restaurants, music, and outdoors. Little shops on one end and affordable chain stores on the other.  I made it to the store to resupply (4 days, yikes!), grabbed Chinese food, and am now camped out back of a recreation center on a tent platform under the open sky. It really shouldn't rain tonight. It'll be ugly if it does. I have no way to setup my tent on a platform so here's hoping the weather forecast is right!As long as I don't have a critter eating my food in the morning I should be able to get up later, use the showers (AND SAUNA!) at the rec center, pack up my resupply, and grab another camera sd card from the pharmacy on the way out of town. I can mosey the rest of the 6.4 to the shelter and have an easy, relaxing day. Solid plans.More weather like this and I might do this hiking thing full time.
Date: 2019-05-19
From: Great Barrington 

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: broken clouds

My risk of not setting up the tent worked last night. The rain started as I packed my bag.  The pavilion was nice cover as I packed up my resupply. Nope (Treebeard 2011) was sharing the cover and we got to talk about some of the trail ahead as well as the Colorado trail. He's from Longmont, CO. Great source of information. He's a triple crowner and plans to yoyo the CO Trail in 30 days after this. He's retired and does this year round now.I washed up at the Rec Center then hitched from Rite Aid to Staples and hung out at a coffee shop in between (with lackluster hot chocolate). None of them had a memory card for my camera so I hitched back to the trail by 11:30.The day got hot and humid. It was a bit of a climb up East Mtn. and water is becoming important again.  The insoles I picked up in Kent aren't cutting it for arch support so I'll be happy to get to Dalton Thursday morning for my REI order and mail drop which should be there Wednesday.So in the meantime I'm taking it easy with the miles heading into Dalton. With the full pack today I took an easy morning in town and made it to the first shelter. Tomorrow I'll go for a shorter six and hopefully get some laundry done and relax again. Tuesday I'm staying at a shelter with free breakfast(!!!) and hitting 18 on Wednesday with a lighter pack for an easy approach to Dalton Thursday morning. I'll be finishing two weeks early at this pace and I'm looking forward to seeing what can happen once I get my gear strait and my legs stronger.I got to the shelter around 3 and had a long afternoon. The water source is really far downhill, but it's nice and cold. I dried out my gear, relaxed, and made dinner. I swept out the shelter and setup my bunk. This place is cozy.The rain passed over pretty quick and I've been enjoying a (fairly) bug free evening. I'm glad it's still cold enough at night to drive them out.Will I watch GoT tonight?Dun da, dun dun dun da...Levi
Date: 2019-05-20
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Mt. Wilcox North Shelter
Miles today: 7.4

I stayed up to watch GoT from the shelter.  I woke up at 8 and hung around camp till the rain stopped. I took my time today, covering 7 miles in 5 hours. I tested the bug net out today while hiking and it did the trick! Im looking forward to getting the UV arm protectors in my Dalton maildrop. The bugs are getting more persistent.I was able to watch two beavers in the pond today. Massachusetts is proving to be more rugged a landscape with steeper climbs and descents, and it's more remote as a result.  It's nice to have some time alone. I haven't run into anyone since yesterday afternoon and it's been relaxing to go my own pace. The shelter I'm at tonight is off the trail a bit, but the one father back was looking pretty forlorn. This one has a great creek in front and sits at 2100 feet. It's a peaceful place with lots of seating. Tomorrow is a bigger day. Looking forward to an early start.
Date: 2019-05-21
From: Mt. Wilcox North Shelter

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin 
Miles today: 15.0

Good miles today! Last night was drafty and cold. I didn't sleep well and took till after 8 to get out of camp. The miles were pretty easy without too much to see along the way. The weather was 60 with strong winds all day (and last night) which kept the bugs down. I ran into 4 day hikers today. Nothing more than a passing hello and a strange woman who's first question was 'are you going to hurt me'. No I'm not, and that's not a great conversation starter. There were two ponds late in the day, one of which I'm staying next to tonight. Upper Goose Pond Cabin is amazing! It's too bad it's 0.5 off the trail, but I'm so glad I'm here! It's a two story cabin complete with bunks, mattresses, rocking chairs, windows, a wash station, and breakfast in the morning! It's on a beautiful pond and if I had more energy I could be out there now paddling around in a canoe. There's a fireplace and we're going to be toasty warm tonight. Pete and Shawn are here from the AMC and Buckeye caught up. There are also two southbound section hikers here.It's nice to have some company and a warm place to stay. Pete is lighting the fire now. This place really is a gem. Battery is low. Big miles tomorrow then an easy day to Dalton.Levi
Date: 2019-05-22
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin 

To: Kay Wood Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: clear sky

My phone battery was low and we got in late.Buckeye and I hiked together most of the day. It was a flat rolling section which was great except for the lack of views and features. We ended up turning the wrong way out of one of the side view trails and going 0.7 back down the mountain before realizing the mistake. We added 1.4 miles to the day plus the 0.7 side trails to the shelter. I realize my mileage has been incorrect. I've been basing it off the distance between shelters but I realized yesterday they're counting the side trail miles and it's not the true AT mileage. I'm going to make an adjustment tomorrow so my mileage counter stays accurate to the trail.We got in about two hours before sunset which is late for me. Buckeyes pace is different than mine and with the added miles we lost a good hour. I stretched out a bit in the shelter and borrowed Buckeyes spiked rolling ball for foot arches. I'm glad to be getting new inserts tomorrow.Levi
Date: 2019-05-24
From: Dalton

To: Mark Noepel Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: moderate rain

Late start today.  Tom fed Corky and me breakfast this morning. Then I hung around long enough to catch a ride with him to Dicks to get a pair of crocs (which were $40!).I downloaded Guthooks guide using the wifi from Panera next door. Very cool. After eating another donut, I finally left Tom's place by 10:30.My pack feels great! I am thrilled with how light it is. Also, my UV arm sleeves work in cooling and warming and kept the bugs from biting my elbows!I ran into a few section hikers today! Two ladies unloaded some extra food on me. They're here at the shelter tonight! One wants to thru hike next year and is out practicing.I was supposed to stop at Cheshire, but instead I decided to get over half the climb done up Greylock and add another 4.5 miles. I did stop at the Shell gas station and eat two sausage, egg, and cheese sandwiches along with a quart of chocolate milk and a container of banana chips. It helped immensely with the climb and I will definitely be drinking more chocolate milk from now on. In camp now. The climb felt great. I'm very very excited about my new gear. Vermont tomorrow? Levi
Date: 2019-05-25
From: Mark Noepel Shelter

To: Sherman Brook Campsite 
Miles today: 11.3

Had a great start in the morning! Two nice section hikers (who gave me food) stayed at the same shelter and were very chatty in the morning.  Evolution (from the Netherlands) and I made it to the summit of Greylock about the same time. I had a hot chocolate and cookies at the lodge up there before checking out the tower (which was open because of the weekend!). Great views of where we've been and where we're heading. The Green Mountain range looks a lot bigger than what we've been climbing! It was a busy day on the trail with the holiday weekend. One thing that stands out was a pair of section hikers who were tripping over their words in excitement of meeting a 'celebrity' hiking the AT. I'm not used to that kind of attention, especially as a hiker. I was more used to the term 'hiker trash' than anything approaching fame in 2011, but it seems a new wave of hikers are getting into the activity by watching YouTube streamers who have become 'famous' in the hiking community. People will follow these high profile hikers and try to get in on the fame by leaving trail magic or giving them rides into town. It's very different than 2011. While I get the idea behind watching videos to learn, it still made me laugh out loud thinking about watching someone hike. I was called a celebrity three times in the past two days and posed for 2 pictures. I don't mind being friendly, but it's just walking and a lot of free time. I'm not out here because I have answers. That's what I'm trying to find.After the fan girls it turned into a pretty hot day. I must have underestimated my hydration because by the afternoon I had a bad headache and NO energy. I was supposed to push onto the shelter 5 miles farther, but I got to the campsite and couldn't move any farther. I didn't have the energy to setup camp and had to take a two hour nap on the tent platform before I could move around again. It was a good thing I did get up to setup the tent because it rained off and on in the night. No one else was in the campsite and the night was restful. There was an artesian spring that helped with my hydration, but dinner was still hard to get down.Definitely my worst day energy wise on the trail. I'm hoping it was dehydration but I couldn't help thinking it could be a more sinister illness. Way too much time in camp to think about it.Levi
Date: 2019-05-26
From: Sherman Brook Campsite 

To: Congdon Shelter 
Miles today: 12.4

Felt a lot better in the morning after a good night of sleep!I took it slow in the morning getting out of camp. I dried off my tent using my piece of microfiber/shamwow towel and let the sun dry it the rest of the way before packing up.The day was the hottest it's been so far (and humid too!). I lost track of how many people I passed throughout the day, but I think the number was close to 25.I kept up on my water intake and didn't experience the same fatigue as the day before. I'm pretty sure it was dehydration that hit me.I crossed into Vermont in the morning with quite the party at the state line. Between the holiday weekend and the start of the long trail it was a busy day.I spent most of the day trying to get ahead of these groups. I socialized a bit but knew the shelter was going to be at its limit so I kept moving.Moving was difficult. Vermont's trail is pretty much made up of rocks, mud, and roots without much in between. Add in a lot of elevation and you get the picture.Just before the shelter there was a nice beaver pond (pictured) and a strong stream just after that felt fantastic to jump in. I wore my shoes in because I had stepped in the mud up past my shins earlier and wanted to get the dirt off. Not sure how exactly it had happened, but I ran out of rocks to step on and ended up in a deep pool that looked convincingly solid till I was in it (then took another three steps to catch my balance). The water was cold but it felt SO GOOD! Instant refresher and decent shower/laundry.I came into camp soaking wet but had managed to beat (some) of the traffic. I found a tent site next to the shelter and setup. I snacked for awhile then hung a line and changed into my dry clothes. The black flies are out in force now (we call them knats). I put on long pants, sleeves, and wore my bugnet pretty much the whole evening.I'm not sure what the final count was in camp. I want to say 30 or more. There's a bubble of thru hikers that formed a tramily around 10 strong and that added on top of the holiday on top of the long trail starters. It was a weird night in camp with newbie long trail hikers next to trail worn Georgia starters next to first timers out for the weekend. Honestly, I'm looking forward to putting some distance between me and these people and plan to take a short day tomorow into Bennington and then out to the first shelter. I don't mind company, but having to race for a tent site is not ideal.Reception has been bad the last two nights (posting from Bennington now). Looking forward to what's ahead in Vermont!Levi
Date: 2019-05-27
From: Congdon Shelter 

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: clear sky

Short Memorial Day hike!Did an enjoyable 4 miles to the road with a father/daughter duo. She was a maintainer for the Long Trail and it was nice to get some history. I found a nice hitch to Bennington. He took me to the Aldi which was STOCKED for inexpensive hiking resupply at a good price. I went to KFC/Taco Bell and got a 4 piece chicken combo with two soft shell tacos, Dr. Pepper and Lemonade.Charged up my external battery (which is bigger than I need) and posted last two entries. Took me some time to get out of town because of the holiday. Traffic was busy but everyone had plans. Eventually found a very kind ride.A good uphill climb out of town. Took it real slow and had an enjoyable uphill. Ran into some section hikers and a group of long trail hikers. Talked a lot to two section hikers finishing a 21 year journey on the AT next year. "Helped" setup a tent. Ate triscuits with parmesan cheese and bacon. Got distracted and took forever to write this. A group of college kids showed up to do the long trail without a tent between 6 of them. I'll be happy to be clear of the LT and it's traffic.Levi
Date: 2019-05-28
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter 
Miles today: 12.8

Today it rained. I got started around 8:30 after about four hours of sleep. There was a break in the rain and I hiked out of camp with my normal shorts and a t-shirt with my UV sleeves.It was a nice gradual uphill climb all morning. The cold air kept me from getting overheated and the sprinkling of rain wasn't too bad. I didn't take any breaks all morning and made the 8.5 miles to my lunch shelter by 11:30.Skid Mark (21 yr section hiker) was there first and we were quickly packed in as the other hikers from the shleter joined us. The weather picked up over lunch. Heavy rain and wind along with temps in the high 30's.I was thankful for the cup of coffee from Skid Mark which was warming as well as a shot of energy. That was my first coffee in a month and the caffeine rush was real. I left the comfort of the shelter, this time with my rain jacket, and more ran than hiked the 4 miles to this shelter to stay warm. I was first in and grabbed water before getting the shelter secure. Skid Mark helped me hang my tent across the opening to cut down on some of the wind blowing the rain directly into the shelter. After that was up I got into my dry clothes and setup my bunk. It was really cold. As each group got to the shelter the process of dry clothes and warm sleeping bag was repeated by all.  I spent about three hours laying in my bag before getting motivated for dinner (more loaded triscuits but this time with mayo!). I ate in my bunk like everyone else and had a good time laughing about the day and all the other hard times on this trail. I'm currently wrapped in my tyvek ground cover (because my tent is now a door) and it's toasty warm. There are 11 of us in an 8 person shelter and some of the college kids are on the floor under the bunks. I hope I get some sleep tonight. Something tells me I will. Levi
Date: 2019-05-29
From: Kid Gore Shelter 

To: Stratton Mountain Pond Cabin 
Miles today: 15.0

So we lasted the night. Today started foggy but warm. It took a long time to disentangle the mess of gear in the shelter. Everyone took a longer time than normal packing wet gear and redoning soaked clothes and boots. I got out around 8:30?I had a lot of good company today hiking. I walked with Why Not in the morning and met Skid Mark and his father Festivus for a quick snack break at the shelter. I walked with Five Sure for some fast miles to get me to the base of Station having discussed hiking, economics, and politics. The trail was muddy. Like the best way is straight through it, muddy. It's six inches deep in places. Crazy mud. There's no way to get around and everyone has mud running up their thigh. Once the climb up Stratton started, the trail actually became a trail! Really nice grading and drained soil made a great ascent. It sprinkled just a bit and cooled off the day. I went strait up to the top and found the fog had rolled in with the rain. The fire tower view was pretty sad. Backside of Stratton went fast. Made it to shelter first and grabbed and a bunk and water.Currently sitting with my feet in the pond writing this post. Watched the sunset and let the salamanders crawl on my feet. It's a good place. Levi
Date: 2019-05-30
From: Stratton Mountain Pond Cabin 

To: Bromley Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Nice day today. Got off with an earlier start. Cam decided to join me to get into town so we left camp and spent the day together. He's back from his first year at college hiking the Long Trail. He's studying plant ecology and is an Eagle Scout. He's out here solo but met up with the other college group and it's been a pretty good crowd. He kept up with pace and caught a nice view on Prospect Rock. We hiked 10 miles to the road crossing by lunch. Skid Mark and Festivis were completing this year's 100 mile journey and gave us a sweet hitch off the trail. Looking forward to hearing about their completion next year of a 22 yr(?) journey on the AT.Got two footlongs from Subway and charged up my gear halfway. I'm planning my third true zero at the Yellow Deli Hostel which I'll be hitting in a few days so I'll have plenty of time then.We went to the Price Chopper and I paid a lot for this resupply. I got what I typically eat and it came to around $20 a day for camp food!Had a nice hitch out of town. We weren't there 2 minutes before a local came out of their apartment to drive us up the trail! We got up to the trail in time to meet the rest of Cam's group hiking through. The walk up to the shelter was much like the rest of Vermont, nicely graded climbs with a lot of mud. I will be interested to visit in another season, but right now it's just ugly trail. The weather stayed nice all day and it really is pretty through here. Very heavy foliage with nice mossy pine forests at higher elevation. Great streams are running through, but also a lot of rain water runoff. Got to the shelter around 4:30 and went for water and a dip to get my feet clean. Nice clear, cold, mountain water! Made a phone call and ate the second footlong sub I packed out.The college gang got a fire going for awhile before the rain started. It's a nice shelter here and we have plenty of space. I'll be falling asleep to the sound of rain on the tin roof tonight. Levi
Date: 2019-05-31
From: Bromley Shelter

To: Big Branch Shelter 
Miles today: 14.5

Good climb up Bromely in the morning! The last bit when you come out on the ski slope was the worst right at the top.Ran into the group of college friends at the top. I took a few pictures and moved on to Peru Peak.Nice Lake in the afternoon. Still too cold for swimming.I made the shelter by 430 and did manage to rinse off in the stream. I was asleep by 6:30 but got woken by a Long Trail hiker coming in. Glad I got the miles done! The terrain was good once I climbed elevation.Levi
Date: 2019-06-01
From: Big Branch Shelter 

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

Played hopscotch with the college group (and Cam) today.Got a really late start from the shelter. Pretty sure I was in bed for 12 hours. Another good pond in the morning! Took a snack break on the banks before starting the climb.Some weekend traffic on the trail. The weather was nice and the climb up to White Rocks was good. The rocks themselves were white as expected, but stacked in an unnatural way.Climbed another Bear Mountain. Still no bear.I got to my destination shelter, but a high school group of 11 with a pushy teacher (Bombadille) sent me on my way. Never been sent to another shelter on this hike before. Not a big fan of being told to go to the next shelter. Apparently this teacher takes a group out of the Long Trail every year then section hikes from VT to ME every summer. I hope I don't see him again.There's been too much group traffic on the Long Trail section of the AT for me. Just bad timing, but I'm not a big fan of the people.I added another 4 miles and 2000 feet of elevation to the end of my day and got into camp after 6:30 to an empty shelter.Spent the night alone and without cell service. Got washed off again in the stream. There was a folding chair with a backrest along with benches to stretch out on. The privy is "breathtaking" according to the guidebook.At least it puts me closer to Killington tomorrow.Levi