morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-07-11
From: Jug end Road MA 

To: MA 23 by East Mountain Retreat Center
Miles today: 12.9

Crazy BritGreat day started with a great breakfast of French Toast, scrambled eggs, steak and watermelon.We got all our gear packed, ready for the trail, loaded up with water and we are ready to start.Big Lou is going to take us to the trail head today, so we load all our gear get a photo and we are all ready, it¢s about a 35 min ride out to our starting point today, and we are told the first 3-4 miles are going to be easy and flat.For once they seemed to be right, good trail, nice conditions, but we know this cannot last, then the climbs start, not to much at first then they get progressively steeper and longer, back to normal up down, up down, this seems quite normal now, you can almost tell by the down hill you are doing what the uphill on the other side will be.The one good thing is there are less rocks now on the trail, but this lack of hundreds of rocks has been taken up by hundreds of tree root systems, these are nicer and slippery, Oh and they love to trip you up, ask Dave.There are not a lot of big views today, we have a snack sat by a bridge over the Housatonic River, this is where I will do my morning FaceTime with everyone I love to do this as people can share my adventure.We are coming down to MA 23 where we will be picked up and shuttled to a Hostel in Sheffield for the night, on today¢s hike there are a lot of plank walkways, we walk on them, but where these are there is no water at the moment no rain.We come out at the road and only have to wait a few minutes for our ride, on the way to town I ask if there is a bar I could watch the World Cup match England -Croatia, so we search around for a bar, I can¢t find one, then my phone goes it¢s David they have found a bar for me.I get dropped of at the Bar, Bogies, and go in only to be met by 6 men and one woman all dressed in England team shirts, and best of all I get pointed to the Bass Ale ¢ Nivrana¢. All is going good we are one up the place is jumping, beer is flowing, they have opened an hour early for the game. Then Croatia scored heads are a bit down, the game is in extra time second period, those Bas...da score again it¢s over England are out. The place turns into a morque, I get a call from Dave they are coming to get me, just as well I could have been ugly.So it¢s back to the Hostel we have a nice room, get unpacked, go get some dinner, do my journal and have a drink then bed, Goodnight every body.Anyone can walk on the flat you need to walk on the Edge could be Beneficial to youOnly got 660.8 until we climb Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-07-12
From: Main Road Tyringham MA

To: MA 23 car park
Miles today: 12.2

Crazy BritWoke up pretty Chilly, great day for hiking. Had a great breakfast then got shuttled out to the Trail head where we will Slack pack back to the pick up point on MA 23.On the ride out we pass some Beautiful New England style homes, and we are only just in the state, our drop off point allows us to walk for about a mile on the valley floor mostly on Walk boards these keep us out of the marshy area.Of course on the walk out we can see looming over us another what looks like a big climb, but this turns out to be not too bad, and the best thing the bugs are not out as its to cold for them.The hike is great, there were just 3 climbs and these were not too bad, not like we are used to. Wow we are knocking the miles off going great and still no damn bugs, life is good.We come to a fantastic Beaver pond with two Lodges on it. These animals are so smart, when they fell a tree it always falls right into the pond so they can eat the tasty branches in safety of the water. We look at a couple of tree stumps that they have felled, these are big trees, plenty of food for them.The dam that they have constructed is amazing big logs then smaller branches then leaves and mud to seal it. They leave a gap in the dam wall for water to run out so there is movement in the pond and it will not get stagnant, clever animals.Our hike is taking us down thru a pine forest the pine needles are all over the floor makes it nice and cushioned, except when they are laid over flat rocks on a descent, very slippery.We are only doing 12.2 miles as this will set us up for a 9 mile hike into Upper Goode Pond, so we will get a Nero there be able to swim and paddle around in the Canoes that they have there. So by 1:15 pm we are done, we call for our ride then go into town to get some re- supply we need.We get back to the Hostel have a shower and a nap, time for dinner, we have found a great place, in this little town, there is a live show from my local Hiker club Trailwalkers Gear in Bradenton Florida so I watch that for an hour, getting some stuff sent to me to test so now its just to pack my backpack ready for tomorrow, and get some sleep .GoodnightAnyone can walk on the flat , but it takes more energy and its more worthwhile to walk on the Edge gor a bitOnly got 648.5 miles to go before Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-07-13
From: Main Road Tyringham MA

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Crazy BritAnother great Breakfast at Jess Treats Hostel, and we are ready for the Trail. Before we get to the hiking have to tell you what happens I Great Barrington to David. Him and Jess were sat outside a store waiting for me to get back from Subway, when I arrived they both got out of these strings chairs. A guy walked by then stopped and just waited, hanging around looking in the store window, David got in the car and immediately found out that his wallet was missing, he got out of the car walked about six ft to the chair and the guy was sat in the chair, David asked him if he had his wallet, the guy looked in his bag took out the wallet and gave it to David. Bold as brass and said he was going to give it to him. What a low life he must have seen the wallet on the floor and he was waiting for us to go.Back to our hiking.Another cool temp day, obviously a bit of a climb first thing, but its very enjoyable in this temperature, no bugs flying in your eyes , or trying to get in your ears, we have only got a short 7.1 miles to go to get to Upper Goose Pond.Its a great hike thru a lot of Pine forests, lots of pine needles to cushion your feet. No big climbs today just gentle climbs, a nice hike with very little effort. I called Janice this morning she said I should walk faster and a lot more miles, I am going to have to bring her out hiking one day, could be fun. As we are descending, we have to walk along the edge of the pond, actually its a nice lake, surrounded by the forests.The trees come right down to the lake side, it looks great now, it would look awesome with the trees covered in snow and the lake frozen over, the AT Trail Cabin is set back on a bluff overlooking the lake.This is an awesome place the Cabin sleeps 14 people up stairs in a bunk room, they also have room for tenting on wooden platforms you can cook your meals out the back, and they have a communal lounge dining room. There is a big porch with rocking chairs, best of all they have a pancake and coffee breakfast cant wait for that one.David and I sign out a canoe and paddle around the lake, such a treat, wish I had a fishing pole. When we get back to the dock we are ready for a swim, its a bit cold but very refreshing. Now its time to chill out and enjoy the view.Tomorrow we are going to meet up with some Trail friends Matt Paddy and Tea pot, we are going to have dinner with them looking forward to that, they are following my journal to find out our position, I have to text them our eta at a certain road junction.So another day on the trail is coming to a close, and I have the perfect view from my little dock on the lake. So I will bid you all a goodnight and will talk to you tomorrow.Anyone can walk on the flat , but try walking on the Edge you never know where it might take you.Only got641.7 miles to go to Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-07-14
From: Upper Goose Pond

To: Washington Mt Road
Miles today: 11.1

Crazy BritHad a really cool evening at Upper Goose Pond, made our dinners then Hot Chocolate, then for a desert we went down and sat on the dock, and had Jack Daniels and Coke that I had got in the previous town, it was perfect. Great time sat on the dock watching the small amount of boat traffic go thru the canal into the lover lake, whilst sipping a jack and Coke .The night was quite interesting as there were 14 people upstairs in the bunk room, 4 girls, 10 guys. I say it was interesting because of the snoring competition that was going on, obviously with out the Participants knowing anything about it.I hate snoring and ¢Old Scout¢ was by me and he is really loud, hard to sleep.But the best thing was at 6:30 am we all got severed a stack of pancakes with fresh coffee, it was delicious, all things have to end so we got our packs ready and headed out 11.1 miles to meet friends of ours from the trail ¢ Mad Paddy and Tea Pot, they have been following my journal and wanted to meet up, get us a hotel room and hang out together. These are Awesome people.We shared our trail magic with some of our hiking friends, beer and Grapes, they loved it.We had left the Upper Pond Shelter at 7:00 am and had made good time. The terrain was pretty good just a few steep climbs but nothing to worry about, we saw some great Beaver ponds, you could see where they had chewed thru the trees to fell them, clever animals.Here were a couple of really nice Pine forests that we hiked thru, the smell of fresh pine is fantastic, there are a few board walks that we have to walk over not that it is very wet at the moment, bug I would think when it rains you would want these boardwalks.We made good time and were almost at our destination, when Z¢mad Paddy and Tea Pot Hiked in to meet us, awesome. They told us they had Cold Beer in the truck so made us go faster, true to their word they had a cooler full of the good stuff. Of course when the cooler was opened hikers were coming out of the forest all over the place a great time wad had by all especially us hikers.We got in the truck after finishing the beer and headed for Dalton and the Shamrock Village Inn, where they bought us a room , so damn cool, after a nice shower and clean clothes we headed for the bar and some food. Which was very good. Now in my room resting Journal time, then back to the bar for a nightcap so I will see you Tomorrow.Anyone can walk on the flat, the Edge is so much coolerOnly got 630.6 before we climb Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-07-15
From: Washington Mountain Road

To: Crystal. Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 13.7

Crazy BritAnother really great day both hiking and meeting people. Started off having breakfast with Mad Paddy and Tea Pot in a cafe in Dalton great food and company, we can¢t thank them enough for driving over from Cape Cod to meet us and spend some time, Thank You.After breakfast we were driven out to the trail head at Washington Mountain Road, said our goodbyes and we were back on the trail. Great Terrain to start with, thru some Pine forests, I love the smell of the pines and needles on the ground, really fresh smell. We had one nice climb up to the summit of Warner Hill, while we were there a hiker came up and sat down and offered us Ice Cold Cokes and chocolate chip cookies, he was a mobile Trail Angel, really cool guy.He told us to look out for bears as there were a lot of blue berries around at the moment, it wasn¢t long before we dropped into Dalton, this is a nice hiker town, we actually stayed here last night.We had to walk thru a part of the town, and stopped by some young girls selling Lemonade Drinks. Their Grandfather was converting a church into a house, he was doing a hell of a job and he gave me a tour, the whole front of the church Alter and Choir stalls were his kitchen, so much room amazing.We then went to a store called Cumberland to get some supplies and a Smoothie drink.Soon it was time to get back on the trail and head to our campsite 5 miles out of town, as we were walking out one guy was doing his yard and offered us a cold beer other people were waving to us, really nice.We had to walk up a long street, the poles are all marked with white blazes, so we followed them and come across another guy and girl doing Trail Magic, two in one day Awesome! We had hot dogs, a beer and an orange very nice.We headed up the trail only five miles to the Crystal Mountain Campsite, nice place only one other hiker here a guy we meet from time to time his name is ¢ Old Scout¢. He is on the championship snoring team, lucky for us he is a long way away from us, so I have only David to contend with tonight.We have had dinner and a coffee the bugs are biting so I am going to close down get in bed and read for a bit.GoodnightAnyone can walk on the flat , but walking on the Edge takes a little more effort but the rewards are high.Only got 616 .9 miles to go befor we climb Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-07-16
From: crystal mountain campground

To: summit of Mount Greylock
Miles today: 14.0

Crazy BritAnother great day on the trail apart from the alarm going of at 4:45 am, I ever knew that time existed before the trail, unless I was sailing, hopefully coming of watch.We normally haves cup of coffee and something to eat, before we start, but today it is so buggy, we are up and out of there and eat on the go.I have now a broken second toe to contend with and it doesn¢t like early mornings. It must have been talking to my two Arthritic big toes because today they hurt like hell they are in rebellion mood.So I take something that will sort them out. Pretty good trail, couple of ups and downs, no problems, toes are good. We have come down to the town of Cheshire, good news is there ic a Dunkin Donuts right by the trail, so obviously we have to partake.Coming out of Cheshire there is an AT Trail notice board as we pass something tells me to check it out and there is a nice message from our good friends Madd Paddy and Tea Pot urging us on to Mt Katahdin really nice of them to do that it means a lot to David and myself.The sign tells us that it¢s a 8.6 mile climb up to Mt Greylock, our Destination for today, this will make for a 14 mile day, our day has just got harder this is a tough climb, made even worse by the Heat and Humidity, this is always tough on David.Up we go, first thru a hardwood forest then thru a pine forest now we are into small scrub trees, signs tell us we are getting closer, but it¢s now getting steep plus it¢s all small rocks the worse kind.Then we are out of the forest and the Bascom Lodge is right ahead of us, we are staying here tonight, because of the bad storms that are supposed to be coming thru over night. It¢s a pretty cool place and we are told that the food is awesome.Before having a shower we have to climb to the top of the tower, views are Fantastic. We can look right over Vermont our next state, which we will be in tomorrow night, we are in the Hiker Bunk room, typical style tho we do have towels and bed linens.We have showers and wash our cloths in the shower, just put them in the shower pan, soap up and tread over the soap covered cloths. Socks are the worst, you have to soap and wash these a bit more, then all it is, is to take them out to the lawn together with my tent and spread them out to dry, works great.Well we have had dinner a big storm rolled thru more to come, food was great now it¢s time for bed.Goodnight see you tomorrowAnyone can walk on the flat, it¢s kind of cool to step out and walk on the edge .Only got 589.9 to go before we summit Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-07-17
From: Mt Greylock

To: Town of Williamstown still in MA
Miles today: 6.0

Crazy BritWell what a night after having a great dinner, I sat in the lounge and read a book for a bit, then when I went up to the Bunk room the wind was blowing like hell, thunder and lightning, real bad. Now we have a problem one of the windows are broke on the top, not allowing it to close all the way the door was still open and the wind was blowing right on my bunk.So when I closed the door the wind stopped with the pressure in the room bug the damn wind howled all night all around the door, very noisy, not a good nights sleeping I am afraid.Because of the storms we had decided to start later in the morning at about 7:30 am, we went down for coffee we were told it was a Continental Breakfast. So we decided to take advantage as it was free, well we waited for ages, of course we were missing hiking time to get off the mountain before another big storm hit forecasted for 2:00pm.Well what came out was little blueberry Muffins, we obviously thought this was the first of the food, well what a disappointment it turned out to be. Although they were just out of the oven and tasted good, we had wasted time that turned out to be a really bad thing, still the four of us eat the lot.We get our packs and head out we are the first to leave, it was a big descent at first lots of rocks but pretty good going, then about a third of the way down it started to drizzle a bit, we were passing thru the valley mist, so no problem.Well that was until the thunder started, then rain showers, still no problem, then the lightning started, time to get into my waterproofs. Down it came soon the trail started to flood, then the up to now streams that were dry started to fill. Our phones went of on the emergency channel ,Danger Flash Food Warning.Great things are literally going down hill pretty quick. At this time I was a long way ahead of Dave, so for safety reasons I stopped and waited for him, he had fallen twice, lucky no harm done, on we went. Water was now running down the trail the run off channels were overwhelmed, so you just have to walk down the trail with muddy rainwater over the top of your shoes .The Lightning was all around us, banging and crashing. The Thunder was right over our heads, no point in stopping, plus there is no shelter this far down the mountain. Soon we came out into the town of Williamstown and make our way to the Williamstown Hotel. The owner said he could do our washing, so off with our wet gear into the shower, things are looking better, this was a stupid mistake as we would have been off the mountain before the storm had hit.Chilled out had a nap, now just got back from dinner, time to do my journal then bed. Oh one of the guys just told me, you missed it today had a big storm here today and you could see the Lightning bouncing of Greylock Mountain, Oh Really !!!!!!!!Goodnight More storms tonight ???Anyone can walk on the flat, much more interesting in the mountains in a lightning storm , living on the EdgeOnly got 598.1 miles to go before we are climbing Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-07-18
From: Williamstown. MA

To: Congdon shelter in VT
Miles today: 14.6

Crazy BritTwo big things today first we are now in Vermont after leaving Massachusetts this morning, only 2 more states to go then just after that we passed thru the 1600 miles on this adventure, still find it hard to believe we are actually this far North.We made a food change today to up our diet, we bought Tuna in olive oil, Avacado, Vermont Cheese, to have on wraps. Problem came at lunch when we found out we had bought the wrong tortillas. We had picked up the in cooked version so it was just dough, didn¢t work as a wrap also tasted like crap, lot of weight for nothing, got some good advice from one of the hikers so will try another avenue.Today¢s hike was a bit muddy after yesterday¢s thunderstorm, only to be expected. The streams are all running pretty good so our water sources are more frequent now, and it¢s good water after it has been treated. We were met in Vermont by some real nasty climbs, lots of water on the trail.We are also seeing a lot of SOBO hikers ¢South Bound" hikers now they started at Mt Katahdin and will finish at Springer Mountain, they ask us how is it in the South we of course want to know about up North. We are camped tonight at the Congdon Shelter, we have a good water source here so it¢s a good spot and it was only 14 plus miles so a nice day. Tomorrow it will be an 18 mile day, hoping the water will have dried up a bit.Had a talk with some really cool young hikers that we are always bumping in to. It got around to food and what they eat so I am going to go for a higher protein food drink supplement for breakfast and after my dinner and before my hot chocolate drink, they said it will help with my stamina on the rest of the hike.At the moment I feel great apart from the usual aches and pains, I am walking and climbing great, and am happy with my performance, a little bit more zip might help.Well have to close now, we are camped above a cascading river and it sounds great especially after all the water that fell yesterday. Over 2 1/2 inches in the first hour and it lasted for a long time.So Goodnight will see you tomorrow.Anyone can walk on the flat, more fun to slosh thru water and mud living on the Edge.Only got 583.5 Miles to go before Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-07-19
From: Congdon Shelter Campsite

To: Kid Gore Shelter Campsite
Miles today: 18.7

Crazy BritWell so far Vermont has been muddy, cold and endless climbing up mountains. Oh forgot the damn rocks, not impressed at all, but I did climb an old fire tower and the view was spectacular.We left the Congdon Shelter, ¢Two of my Mum and Dads best friends were called Marg and Den Congdon, brought back fond memories for me¢.The Trail has dried out a bit but still some marshy ground even up high on the mountains there are still lots of board walks.It¢s a very rocky trail on the ups and the downs, very rocky and steep on the descent to the VT 9 road into Bennington. Then after the road a really big climb out to Porcupine Ridge, then it was on to Little pond Mtn.On the summit of Little Pond Mtn there is an old fire tower, and with no views on this section of the trail I had to climb up to check it out. Bit wobbly but the view was spectacular, hope we come across more of these.More ups and down and I notice that most of the Forest trees are Fir¢s of different species. The smells are fantastic, there are also a lot of Birch trees. I love to see the bark on these trees, it¢s hard for me as a woodworker to see all these trees that are down across the trail and the trail maintainers have used chain saws to cut a section out to allow us to pass thru.The tree trunks will never be harvested as it¢s illegal to remove wood from these forests, they will just slowly rot away back to dust. We see it every day, and the cut sections have no checks or cracks in them as they are slow to dry out because of the temperature, lots of Bowls and Pens up here.We arrive at our campsite, it is really rough the worse we have camped on yet, we set up our tents, I have an hour nap then it¢s filter some water and cook my dinner. Now doing my Journal and into bed fully clothed it¢s going to be 44 degrees in the town of Bennington so up here on the mountain top should be about 40 degrees.So it¢s a chilly good night from me see you tomorrow.Anyone can walk on the flat , it¢s tough to walk on the Edge, in a sleeping bag fully clothed.Only got a 564.8 miles to go before we summit Mt Katahdin