morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-06-27
From: mohican outdoor center

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

This morning we decided to sleep in until 9:00am and were on the trail by 10:00am. The trail went back up to the ridge line then passed under a fire tower so we climbed up and the wind was really blowing up there so we were able to dry off our sweaty clothes. We continued on and passed by a swamp that was damed up by beavers and parts of the trail was under water so we had to bushwack a little to keep our feet dry. After that the trail went back up to the ridge line and followed an old fire road for a few miles which was a nice change. Todays weather was a repeat of yesterdays so I was very happy with that and with the nice flat trail I was so happy that I was skipping down the trail for awhile. We then saw two bears eating blueberries but they ran off once they saw us.Unfortunately the trail soon turned off of the fire road and went back into the rocks for the last four miles of the day. The trail did go up up to three grassy mountain tops and there were some great views up there so it was not too bad. We got to the shelter at around 4:30pm and found that Long Haul was the only one there and he was tenting so we had the shelter to ourselves. Later on Almost Awsome and Opossum showed up and they tented also. Tomorrow we are going to pass by a few restaurants and I am sure we will stop in at all of them so its time for bed...night all!
Date: 2012-06-28
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: Rutherford Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: few clouds

This morning we were up and on the trail by 9:00am, we were the last ones to leave and by the time we had left two hikers showed up to take a break. We only had 4 miles to hike till we got to the road crossing with all the places to eat so it did not take us long to get there. We got to the road crossing at around 10:15am and went to Joe-To-Go and both got a BLT sandwich, a drink and a few snacks. Yosemite was already there having a sandwich so we stayed and talk to him for a while before we left to go up the trail.The trail went back up the mountain and we soon came upon a fire tower, i climbed up hopping there would be a breeze but it was as still up there as it was down on the trail. After the fire tower the trail followed the ridge line for a few rocky boring miles and i don¢t really remember much other than i did a lot of looking down at my feet. Today was a lot hotter than yesterday and there was no breeze so i was very happy to find a nice pavilion on top of the mountain with benches and there was even a nice breeze. We took a break there then continued on to the next shelter where we ran into Long Haul again. There was no water source there but there was a lot of gallon jugs filed with water that someone took up from the road and it was really needed because i only had a quarter of a liter left.From that shelter we only had three miles to the next shelter and the three of us decided to head there for the night. As the day went on the humidity seemed to go up so the last three miles were the hardest. The trail went up and down a bunch of little rocky hills that were very little but there was so many of them it just drained us. Plus it was swampy between every hill and the mosquitoes were eating us alive. We finally got to the side trail to the shelter and found that it was .4 miles back down the mountain we just climbed. It was too late to keep going so we had no other choice but to head down to it. The trail there was very overgrown, muddy and the mosquitoes just got worse.We finally got to the shelter to find a really run down shelter that gets very little use, luckily there was plenty of space to tent and the three of us quickly put up our tents and we dove into them to get away from the bugs. We stayed in our tents all evening and just talked about what to do tomorrow because it is to be very hot. We decided to possibly go to Unionville just 11 miles up the trail but we will see how the day goes. The three of us are the only one here at the shelter tonight so it should be a good quiet night tonight...time for bed night all.
Date: 2012-06-30
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 11.8

This morning we got a ride back to Unionville and slack packed back to Vernon. The trail went around Unionville then went down a road for a while then got to the Wallkill Reserve which is a big swampy lake area. The trail went around the lake for two miles then turned towards Pochuck Mountain. We headed up to the Pochuck Shelter that was 500 feet up the mountain. We got there and took a break for about half an hour then continued on.We got to the top of the mountain then started down the other side. Once we got to the bottom we crossed a road and headed into a swampy area where there was a board walk that went through the swamp for two miles. It was very hot in the open but there was a cool breeze blowing and we made good time on the flat board walk. Once we got to the other side of the swamp the trail went through some fields then passed the road that went into Vernon. There was a farmers market right beside the trail so we went there and got a cold drink and some ice cream. We waited there for a while on the front porch then asked two ladies if they could give us a ride back to the motel and they said they could. We got to the motel and just relaxed for the rest of the day. Tomorrow we will be hiking to Greenwood Lake NY and will be staying the night and slackpacking the next day so it¢s time for bed...night all.
Date: 2012-07-01
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Greenwood Lake, NY
Miles today: 15.0

This morning we could not get a ride back to the trail till 10:00am and it was already hot out. First thing right off the bat we had to climb 900 feet up to the top of Wawayanda Mountain. The trail was very rocky and steep and it took us almost an hour to climb it. We finally got to the top and had to go right back down the other side. By then we were getting low on water so we took a side trail into Wawayanda State Park and refilled our water bottles and took a break there with a few other hikers. The trail after the state park got flatter and less rockier so we made good time till be got close to the New Jersey/New York where it started going straight up and down little 50 foot rocky cliffs. There was also a thunder storm right on our heels and we were getting into a section of the trail that was right on the exposed rocky ridge line. We were going as fast as we could trying to get down off the ridgeline before the storm got to us and before we knew it we got to the border and we were done in New Jersey and in New York. The storm passed right by us to the south so we slowed down on the rocky ridge because we were both really tired and with all the little ups and downs over and over again we had no energy left.   The trail finally went down off of the rocky ridge and back down into the woods. It was already different looking from New Jersey, we were in a pine forest with moss and lichen covered rocks. We got to a brook and ran into Caveman there, we have not seen him since Virginia, he took a few days off at home in Pa. We took a short break there with Caveman then continued on.The trail continued on through the woods for a while then went back up to the rocky exposed ridge line. At one point there was a wooden ladder we had to use to get up and over one of the boulders. For the rest of the day the trail stayed on top of the ridgeline. We finally got to NY 17 and called the motel we were staying at and they drove up and picked us up. We got to the motel at around 6:30pm and we were exhausted, we quick showered then went into town to eat. Tomorrow we are getting a ride from the owner of the motel up the trail then we are going to hike southbound back to the motel so it¢s time for bed...night all
Date: 2012-07-05
From: West Point, NY

To: Somewhere in the woods
Miles today: 12.2

This morning we were up and ready to go by 7:30am but when we called for a cab to take us back to the trail they said it would be an half hour to an hour until they could pick us up. We waited an hour then called them back and they said that they forgot about us and that it would be another half hour until they could pick us up. We did not get on the trail until around 9:30am and it was already really hot. The first mile the trail went on the Bear Mountain Bridge, which went across the Hudson River then up another road to where the trail finally went back into the woods.From the road the trail went up a steep mountain then back down the other side. Big Sky's mom was keeping up with us but did not expect it to be this hard. We were about six miles in and we got to a road crossing with a gas station right beside the trail and it had a deli. Out front we saw a few tables which were all filled up with hikers who were eating food and drinking cold drinks so we decided to join in. While we were having lunch Steps, Frodo, Pancake and Jaws also showed up and did the same. We ended up staying there for an hour and a half then continued on up the trail.From there we had 12 more miles to go and it was looking like we were not going to be able to make it to the campground before dark. We decided to go each water source and see how we felt at each one and then decide if we wanted to keep going or not. We got to the second water source and decided to fill up all our containers with water and stop at the first good flat non-rocky spot we could find. We were there for about half an hour filtering water and continued on.We found a good spot after hiking another half hour and set up camp. Soon after we were set up Steps, Frodo and Pancake passed by and said that they were still going to try and get to the campground that was six more miles up the trail. Jaws also showed up but he decided to camp with us so it¢s just the four of us here for the night. Tomorrow we have planned another 12 mile day because I am getting a cold and it is really sucking the energy out of me and Big Sky's mom is getting a few blisters on her feet so we will be taking it easy during the next few days...plus there us another heat wave coming so it will be hot once again (yippee.) Its time for bed now...night all.
Date: 2012-07-06
From: Somewhere in the woods

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

This morning we were heading north again by 7:30am. This morning I really was not feeling well because of my cold. Luckily the first few miles today were not bad and soon I was over my morning grogginess but I still had no energy all day...I really hope this goes away soon. After hiking 6 miles we came to a side trail that went to a state park that had a food concession stand. We decided to hide our packs in the woods and went to the park to take a break and eat some food. We passed Jaws, Miss Maggie and Sasha on the way into to park and they said that they had good food and at good prices. When we got there I got a large fry, a hot dog and a drink then we sat in the shade for a while then moved on. The trail slowly went uphill for the next 5 miles then went down 900 feet to the shelter. On the way down, my head kept hurting more and more from the pressure change. Both my ears closed up so bad that I could barely hear and I had a pounding headache. We finally got to the shelter and I just collapsed on one of the bunks and took a nap for an hour. When I woke I felt much better because I adjusted to the different pressure at the lower elevation while I was sleeping. This shelter is right beside a road and we can order pizza from there so we decided to get a pizza. Later on Hippity Hop and another hiker showed up and they ordered too. We got to talking to the other hiker and found out that his pack only weighs on average 12 pounds and he averages 25 to 30 miles a day. Since we know a lot of hikers that are ahead of us we told him to give a bunch of them messages from us. We then decided that should be his trail name so for now on he is known as The Messenger. Tomorrow we are planning on doing 16 to the second shelter so its time for bed...night all.
Date: 2012-07-07
From: RPH Shelter

To: Wingdale, NY
Miles today: 12.3

This morning we were up and on the trail by 7:15am and started up the other side of the valley. Once again I woke up feeling terrible and I felt even worse once we got to the top of the mountain because the pressure changed again but as the day went on I did feel a little better. On the way up the mountain Sparrow passed us, we had not seen him since PA and figured we would not see him again but he took some days off in New York City with some friends. We told him we were planning on going to a deli at the next road crossing and he said he would meet us there.When we got to the road crossing, we found that it was a half mile up the road so we decided to just keep going up the trail. We got to the next shelter and took a break there; when we got there The Messenger was just heading out from his break. He stayed a little longer and chatted with us then headed out. Soon after Sparrow showed up and was wondering why we had not stopped at the deli, we explained why then he proceeded in telling us all the good food they had there...on second thought, maybe we should have gone there. Sparrow did not stay for long and he continued up the trail. We left soon after him because it was starting to look like rain.We got about two miles from the shelter then it started to rain on us so we put on our pack covers and hiked through the rain. We got to a road crossing and decided to call a motel up the road and they said they would pick us up and take us to the motel so we jumped on that offer. We had originally planned on going further to the next shelter but we wanted to get out of the rain and I looked at the radar on my phone and it looked like it was going to be an all-day rain. We got to the motel, showered and then got a ride to a Wal-Mart because I needed to get cold medication and Big Sky and I both needed new compression shorts. We got back from Wal-Mart at around 7:30pm and the rain had stopped by then so we walked down the road to a BBQ restaurant to eat supper. We then headed back to the motel and called it a night...night all.
Date: 2012-07-08
From: Wingdale, NY

To: Ten Mile River Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

This morning we got a ride back to the trail from the owner of the motel and we were heading north by 8:30am. The trail was easy for the first four miles and we got to the first shelter by 10:00am. We took a break for half an hour then moved on. Today I was feeling worse than yesterday and once we started hiking up and down some of the more bigger climbs I really slowed down. We got to the Appalachian Trail Railroad Station at around noon and decided to take a break at the garden center right beside the tracks. Three times a day the New York Metro comes to the station and hikers can get a ride into New York City. We were thinking about going in but we decided not to once we got there. We refilled our water bottles at the garden center. Big Sky and her mom decided to go on ahead of me because I wanted to take a short nap in the shade. I took a nap for about half an hour until I was woken up by a cat that jumped up on me. I eventually caught up with Big Sky and her mom and we finished out the remaining four miles to the shelter. We got to the shelter by 3:00pm and found a group of section hikers so we decided to take a break with them and then to go another four miles to the next shelter. After taking a break for an hour, we continued on down the mountain. The trail was flatter once we got down off of the mountain and then we crossed into Connecticut! We got to the next and last mountain of the day and took another break there because I was really not feeling well. The trail went up 540 feet then back down 700 feet to the shelter. I was going supper slow but eventually I made it to the top and started down the other side. Once we got to the bottom we walked beside the Ten Mile River for awhile then finally arrived at the shelter by 5:20pm. We set up our tents then I went back to the river and took a swim and it felt great. After I dried off I headed back to the shelter, ate supper then called it a night at around 8:30pm...night all.
Date: 2012-07-09
From: Ten Mile River Shelter

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 8.7

This morning we were up at 7:00am and on the trail by 8:00am. We are only doing 8 miles into town but we wanted to make sure we had enough time to get everything done we needed to once we were in town. Today the trail started off easier then got a little more difficult as the day went on. We went back up to the ridge line after hiking in the valley for awhile then went back down to a campsite where we took a break and filled up our water bottles. While we were breaking, Pancake and Steps showed up, they said that Frodo was ahead and that they took a zero yesterday and just sat by the river all day.Both Pancake and Steps moved on and we followed not long after they did. After the campsite, the trail stayed on the side of the mountain then it went up and down two decent climbs then started to descend down into town. We got to the road that went into Kent CT at around 2:45pm and we got a ride to the Fife and Drum Inn. We all took turns taking showers and went to do our laundry before it closed. While we were doing laundry, a southbounder showed up to charge his phone. His trail name was Angry Bird and he was from Gettysburg PA! We had a lot in common and we talked for a good while...its nice to talk about home with someone who lives close to me. Once our laundry was done Big Sky, Big Sky's Mom, Angry Bird and I went out to eat supper at a pizza place. Once we had our fill, the four of us went back to the inn and we talked a little bit more while Angry Bird fully charged his phone. At around 7:30pm Angry Bird headed back out to the trail and was going to stay at the first shelter which is less then a mile out of town...good luck Angry Bird hope you have an awesome hike. Well I need rest so my cold will go away...night all!
Date: 2012-07-10
From: Kent, CT

To: Silver Hill Campsite
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning we did not get on the trail until around noon because we were only planning on doing 10 miles today. We walked back up the road to the trail and headed back into the woods. The trail went back up to the ridge line and up to the top of Calebs Peak. From the top, the trail went down very really steep over the rocky side of the mountain. There were a bunch of rock steps the whole way down and it took us about 45 minutes to go half an mile but once we got to the bottom, the trail followed the Housatonic River, so it was flat for the next 5 miles. After hiking the flat 5 miles, we headed back up another mountain to the campsite where we planned to stay the night. We got to the campsite around 6:30pm and we were the only ones there so far. There was a really cool swing at the site that Big Sky and I sat on it for a while before we set up our stuff because it was very comfy. While we were setting up our stuff, two southbounders came, Fire Hazard and Dragon Fly. They were sectioning CT and was on their second day out. Later in the evening it started to drizzle so we all headed into our tents and called it a night...night all.
Date: 2012-07-11
From: Silver Hill Campsite

To: Toymakers Cafe
Miles today: 14.8

This morning we were up and on the trail by 7:00am and first thing in the morning we climbed up the rest of the mountain and down the other side. Today is going to be a tough day because we have 12 little but steep climbs today with no flat sections to rest our legs. Luckily today I am feeling much better and I can tell that my cold is going away which is great. We hiked up and down four more climbs and took a break. We were all getting low on water so we decided to stop at the next water source we passed to fill up on water. We got to Carsar Brook and it was all dried up...as were the next two streams but thankfully we got to a road crossing and found two gallons of water but we only took enough water to get us up and over the next mountain to the next shelter. We got to the shelter and found that the water source for the shelter was a beaver pond and there were notes in the register that some hikers were getting Giardiasis (note I think this is what Diesel was trying to say!) from the water. So we decided to filter the water and only drink it if we could not find any water for the rest of the day. We hiked another three miles to the next campsite and found a good water source there so we dumped out the pond water and filled all our bottles with clean water. From there we had three more climbs then it was all down hill and flatter into town. We got to the bottom of the last mountain and walked around a corn field and then had to road walk for a little over a mile. The trail went back into the woods and rollercostered up and down for a mile which wore us out. We finally got to the road that went into Falls Village CT at around 5:30pm and into town we went. Falls Village is a very little one-road town with very little to do and everything closed at 5:00pm. We found the Toymaker's Cafe and they close at 2:00pm everyday and the owners were not home so we waited at the picnic tables outside hoping they would showed up. They eventually did about half an hour later and they showed us where we could set up our tents. We set up our tents then headed into town to eat at the Falls Village Inn which was the only restaurant that was open. The restaurant was in a big old farm house and was very fancy. We were still smelly and dirty and got a few bad looks from the dressed up folks there but they just sat us outside on the deck in the far corner. I got the cheapest thing on the menu which was mac n' cheese, and I couldn't taste it that well, because of my cold, but I think it was good. Once we had our fill, we went to the only store in town...the liquor store, to get Gatorade for tonight and hiking tomorrow then headed back to the cafe. We were the only hikers there still so we just sat around at the picnic tables hanging out until the mosquitoes got too bad then we headed into our tents for the night. Tomorrow morning the cafe opens for breakfast at 7:00am so we are getting up at 6:00am so we can get all packed up and ready to go before they open so its time for bed...night all.