morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-10
From: Lott Road

To: Furnace Brook
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: clear sky

I got out of my tent this morning with thoughts of a breakfast sandwich going through my mind. After a short hike I came to NJ 284 and went west fewer than ten minutes till I came to End of the Line Grocery and Deli. It looked as if they had just opened up, and they had everything I wanted. I got a big breakfast sandwich, a coffee, a chocolate milk, half a pound of Swiss cheese, and a turkey sandwich to go. Life is good!I sat on the bench out front for a while enjoying my breakfast and talking to the steady stream of locals who were stopping in for their morning coffee and sandwiches on their way to work.I walked for a few more miles and got to the Wallkill Reserve, a huge wetland area that the trail goes around. I met a few birdwatchers and spent some time watching orchard orioles, kingbirds, and indigo buntings as we chatted about the trail.As I walked the next 10 miles, I kept thinking how beautiful these NJ trails are. The trail went through a swamp on a raised boardwalk for almost a mile, it was a bird lover's paradise. I think I have experienced more alone time on the NJ portion of the AT than any other state so far. I would recommend anyone who wants to get a taste of the AT to think about doing the NJ section.Soon after noon I came to the NJ 94 and saw there was an ice cream and produce stand at a farm just .1 mile off the trail, so of course, I stopped and had a blueberry milkshake and an apple. I stretched out in the sun on a picnic table bench and snoozed for half an hour before heading on. After I left the ice cream place the trail went up Wawayanda Mountain following long rocky climbs that is known as "stairway to heaven". I don't listen to music when I'm out here, but I thought how fitting it would be to listen to some Led Zeppelin as I climbed.The trail followed the top of the mountain for a while as it took me over some boulder climbs and descents. As I was looking for a high rocky spot to take a break and eat my turkey sandwich, I heard something moving off to my right. There it was, another bear! I immediately grabbed my phone and tried setting up for a photo. I went back up the trail a little bit and climbed up on a log to get a better view when I saw that she was herding two cubs away from me as well. She didn't give me much time but I got a few pictures. They didn't turn out very well, but I was thrilled to be able to see them.Now it was time to eat and set up camp, and I was smack dab in the middle of bear country. So, I decided to go a quarter mile or so further, where the trail leaves NJ and enters NY. Those were New Jersey bears, I'm sure they won't cross the state line to harass me, if I camp in New York.New Jersey has been fantastic! Six more states to go.
Date: 2015-06-11
From: Furnace Brook

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up this morning after it started getting light out and peered out to see if my bear bag was still hanging the way I left it. I was happy to see that it was, and was proud of my bear hang last evening. It was at least 12 feet off the ground and way out from the trunk of the tree. I left the bag hang down at least two feet so that raccoons can't easily get to it. Everything was as it should have been.I wrapped up camp and decided to wait to cook breakfast until a few miles down the trail. After filling up my water bottles from the less than desirable brook, I shouldered Mr. Maroon and headed out. I didn't go more than a few hundred yards when I thought I saw something black moving through the trees in the distance. I quietly followed the trail for about a hundred feet, until I could see through the trees a little better. There was not one, not two, but THREE adult bears moving in the woods. They looked to be about 250 pounds, and two of them were chasing each other. There was a giant tree that had fallen into another tree and was leaning at about a 45° angle, one of the fighting bears scrambled up the leaning tree about 20 feet, and it's pursuer followed it and was swatting at the upper one. When they saw me they came down from the tree and started moving away. After they moved back a little they both got up on their back legs and started fighting again. It looked like a cross between boxing and sumo wrestling. The whole thing didn't last very long till they moved out of sight. I took some photos, but they were too far away and in too many trees to get anything worthwhile.After the bear excitement was over I went a few mile over some crazy up and down rock climbing. As I was hopping rocks I saw a rattlesnake stretched out on a rock in front of me. It didn't buzz at me at all, but it slowly coiled into a defensive position when I stopped and circled it to take some photos. As I was stepping from rock to rock to get a good photo, I looked down and saw that I stepped over another one that was down in between two rocks. I got a bunch of great photos and moved on.It was warm and humid, and the trail was awfully rugged. There was one place where an aluminum ladder had been attached to the rocks with cables so that hikers could get up over. It was a slow go. Just before lunch I crossed a small road and there was Six Pack. I decided to do an early lunch with him and we ended up talking for an hour or two. Finally I moved on and decided I don't have time to make it to the lake anymore to get a free shower. It would have to wait till tomorrow.I ended up hiking till 8:30 and set up my tent at Fingerboard Shelter. There was a jumble of giant boulders I had to navigate in the last 2-3 miles before the shelter; there was one place, called the lemon squeezer, where I had to take off my pack and hold it up over my head as I went through the giant crack sideways. PA Trail Runner, Bedgie Bear, and a few other hikers that I don't know are in the shelter.
Date: 2015-06-12
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Franciscan Way
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I left camp this morning with the hopes of getting cleaned up at Lake Tiorati. After a short mile or two I got to the park and discovered that the showers are only open on weekends. So I got an ice cream sandwich and a coke at the vending machine, and plugged my phone into an outlet I found that was working. I also cooked some oatmeal for breakfast, since it seemed a bit odd to start out the day just on junk food. The restrooms were open so I washed my dirty clothes in the sink with cold water. It would just have to do until I get to a better place.I passed Bedgie Bear and PA T.R. when I caught up to them again, then made my way to Bear Mountain and climbed Perkins Memorial Tower where I was just able to make out the NYC skyline in the hazy horizon. There was a few vending machines at the top so I added a few sodas and Pringle chips to my late lunch. Just as I was leaving PA T. R. caught up to me. I move faster than he does, but he gets out early and doesn't take long breaks, so he winds up getting almost the same miles per day as I do. I got down to the Hessian Lake area in the late afternoon and took advantage of the vending machines and restrooms once again. PA T. R. joined up with me again as I was getting ready to move on. We went over to the entrance of the zoo, where the AT goes through, but found out that we missed our 4:30 deadline by 12 minutes. We had to take the trail that goes around the outside and then headed across the Hudson River on the Bear Mountain Bridge. I moved ahead again and pushed on until I got to a convenience store/deli at 7:00 just before a small shower rolled through. I purchases a few resupply items then bought a huge plate of Italian pasta and rice with garlic bread for dinner. I went the last mile and a half in the dusk and set up camp in a monastery ballfield that is open to hikers, in the dark. The guide book indicated that there are showers here, but they are cold and I wasn't that hard up. There are a few other tents here, but I don't really know any of the hikers.
Date: 2015-06-14
From: Stormville, NY

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Waking up on a lawn, in a tent, beside a picnic table, behind a deli, along with two very interesting AT thru hikers is a fantastic way to start the day. Breakfast was coffee, chocolate milk, a blueberry muffin, and a bacon egg and cheese bagel. Simply fantastic! I don't usually walk with people for long stretches of the trail anymore. Early on the trail, hikers tend to walk together and form small groups as they learn the ropes, but as time goes on they tend to meet at shelters, towns, and camping spots, but spend more of their time on the trail by themselves. However, today I spent most of my hiking time with Blueberry and MacGyver. It was an enjoyable day.Blueberry is certainly not your average hiker, he doesn't even carry a tent, sleeping bag, or stove. His food is kept in a large plastic party mix barrel, and he carries a number of heavy books in his pack. He sleeps in shelters when he can, and sleeps on the ground with a blanket and a piece of plastic to stay dry if he can't. He wears sandals instead of shoes, drapes an orange and red shawl over his shoulders and usually has a lei around his neck. He is one of the most genuinely happy people I met on the trail. He has an explosive laugh and always seems cheerful. While his hiking style is different, it is also very successful.MacGyver is also an interesting person with an intense curiosity for the world around him. He got his name for his ability to fix things or to build things on the trail. His passion is books. In fact, he and Blueberry try to make their town stops in towns that have used book stores.We walked to the NY 22 where we spent some time at a little garden center that had snacks for sale and offers an outdoor shower and electrical outlets to hikers that come through. The shower was cold, but I still took one. It wasn't too bad once I got used to it. Then we walked about a half mile down the road to a deli for a late afternoon lunch. My food bag should be getting lighter as I go along but it isn't, it seems I always pick up a little something for a snack when I get to a deli, but end up getting to another one before I eat my snack. I think I could have made it across NY without carrying any food.We met several groups of 4x4 radio controlled trucks on the trail today. I guess the trail offer some great terrain for these RC enthusiasts to test their equipment.I also got to see the AT's biggest oak tree today.
Date: 2015-06-15
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

I was tenting on a wooden tent platform a bit away from the shelter last night, and I was glad I was on wood. It rained off and on for most of the night but my tent did not get all dirty from splashing mud. When it got daylight it was still raining and I was dry and comfortable in my tent. I decided there was no hiking to be done that couldn't wait, so I stayed in my caccoon till 8:00. That is when the rain seemed to let up a bit, so I packed up all my stuff. It started raining again before I got everything packed, so I went into the shelter to eat my breakfast. At 9:00 I decided that I had waited long enough and headed out into the light rain. I went till the next shelter and took an early break inside. I was still raining, so I took a 30 minute nap on the floor of the shelter before heading out. The trail had some short and steep climb and descents over slippery rocks. I was slipping and falling way too many times and was thinking about hanging it up for the day when I got to Mt Algo Shelter. But, after I had a bite to eat and checked the weather, I decided to move on, because the rain was over for the day.I went to Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter without meeting another person on the trail. I got there soon after 8:00 and set up my tent in the tenting site. My tent is wet and my sleeping bag is damp. My gear and my clothes have that damp-and-need-to-be-washed smell. I need to do my laundry properly again, and my feet need a break. I think I will only do a short day tomorrow.New York is done and there are only five more states to go.
Date: 2015-06-16
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter

To: West Cornwall Road
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up at daybreak and got out of my damp sleeping bag and tent and made a large cup of hot chocolate to go with my granola bar breakfast.As I broke camp I got to visit with my four neighbors who were camped in the next campsite. They came in late last night in the dark and I still hadn't really talked to them, although their friendly dog had introduced herself as soon as they arrived.The woods were soaking wet and the rocks were slippery when I left this morning. I had decided yesterday that I need a town stop to get cleaned up and to dry out. When I got to a higher elevation I called Bearded Woods hostel and asked about getting a bunk for the night. They said they would be at West Cornwall road to pick up another hiker soon after 12:30 PM and said I could ride with them if I'm there. That suited me just fine.When we got to the house, Hudson and Big Lu showed us to the two rooms that they turned into bunk rooms. There was four bunks in each room, a large common room, and a bathroom with two showers. They had loaner clothes in the closets and they told us to put our dirty duds in a laundry bag and they would be washed. We were served soup and snacks for a late lunch and in an hour or so we got our clothes back that were cleaned. It was quite nice being back in dry clothes that smelled good.At 7:00 we all got together on their screened in porch for a family style Italian dinner. My dinner companions were, Trash bag and Codger, Princess and Rocket Man, Focus, Bear, and One More. I think this is the best best to stay on the entire trail. Don't miss it if you are behind me on the trail!
Date: 2015-06-17
From: West Cornwall Road

To: Brassie Brook Shelter
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Getting out of bed and being able to use a flush toilet, then walking upstairs to the smell of brewing coffee is a mighty fine way to start the day. Hudson and Big Lu, the folks who run the Bearded Woods hostel, always try to make enough of food so that it is impossible to eat it all. After I had three breakfast sandwiches, a pile of watermelon and two glasses of OJ, I was ready to tackle some mountains. Big Lu took me, Bear, Focus, Rocket Man, and Princess to West Cornwall road and turned us loose. Bear, Rocket Man, and Princess were slack packing, but Focus and I were moving on with our packs. We leapfrogged each other for a few hours but then moved apart as the day went on.The trail went past a dam and the falls below the dam on the Housatonic River outside of Falls Village. I stopped to eat on the top of Prospect Mountain and Focus caught up to me just as I was ready to move on. When I got into Salisbury, I went into the outfitter and picked up my watch that I left back at the hostel. I realized that I left it on my bunk on my way out to the trail this morning, and Big Lu told me she would drop it at Salisbury when she comes out today. I stopped at the Bistro and said goodbye to Princess and Rocket Man before I went to the grocery store to resupply.There was six retirees at Bearded Woods last night, and out of those six, four of them are marathon runners. The two that were not runners were the avid hikers who beat me into town and were enjoying an afternoon meal at the bistro. I am amazed at the great physical shape these older folks are in, and can only hope I am still as active when I am retired.MacGyver and Chance were at the grocery store and were getting ready to roll out of town. We made tentative plans to be at Brassie Brook Shelter overnight, then they moved out. Once I got all my town stuff done and ate dinner I left town and started climbing up into the mountains. (I am out of the flat AT states now and am getting into more climbing again.) I passed the 1500 mile mark and lightened my pack with my signature dollar bill on my way to the shelter. When I got to the shelter, MacGyver had left me a note telling me that they went a little further and told me where they intend to camp. It was 8:00, the shelter was empty, and I decide to stay here. I set up my tent inside the shelter, because it was wet and I wanted to dry it out. It would also offer me protection from any bloodsuckers who viewed me as the source for their next meal.
Date: 2015-06-18
From: Brassie Brook Shelter

To: Tom Leonard Shelter 
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: broken clouds

Last night was cool and I slept well. There is something about a cool night and being really comfortable in a sleeping bag that makes it hard to get an early start. Especially since I was by myself and there really wasn't any scheduled place to be by the end of the day.When I did get going I climbed the rest of Bear Mountain and followed the ledge along the rocky edge for a while. After the trail dipped down off the mountain it got a bit dicey because the rocks were still wet from the night's moisture. The trail descended down over big slabs of rock at an angle that was just barely able to be walked. Mr. Maroon literally saved my ass a few times when my feet slipped out from underneath me.I said goodbye to Connecticut and hello to Massachusetts before I started up over Mt. Everett. This state starts it off right, it reminded me a little bit of the Whites. Steep, rocky climbs and when I got to the top there was no big trees in sight. The highest trees were only 10-15 feet tall.I got to the bottom again without slipping and falling too often and stopped to eat lunch at a picnic table by a gravel parking lot. A young couple drove up and asked about directions, I informed them that I'm not from around here and the old maps I have are of the trail. They were interested about hiking the AT and showed a lot of interest in my gear and the food I pack. I showed them my five day supply of food and the girl asked me if I would like to have some fruit. I told her I wouldn't turn that down, so they joined me at the table with a box of strawberries and grapes. What a great addition to my lunch!I got to route 7 at around 4:00, and the AWOL guide said there is a grill that is .4 miles down the road with hours from 5:00 to 9:00. I had Internet service, so I checked their website to confirm the hours before walking any extra miles. I made the walk and sat at one of the outside picnic tables and was happy to wait 30 minutes till they open. Well 5:00 came and went and nothing happened, the place stayed deserted. I walked back to the trail disgusted, and went on to the next shelter for the night. I didn't see a single thru hiker today till I got to the shelter and saw that MacGyver, Happy, and Shadow were here. It felt good to be back in the company of my own people.I came upon a big porcupine that was waddling down the trail a little before I got to the shelter, and we also had to chase one of the prickly things away from the shelter a few times during the night. It kept coming back and chewed on the shelter walls.
Date: 2015-06-19
From: Tom Leonard Shelter 

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning Happy, MacGyver, and I all decided to try getting to Upper Goose Pond Cabin by the evening. Happy headed out before we did because he said he needs a head start on us. After we got started, we didn't go very far till we came across Happy at a trailhead talking to three section hikers and eating grapes. Well, the thing is, when you see a fellow thru hiker getting food from section hikers you do what you can to get included. The three section hikers called themselves the Sole Sisters, and they brought fruit along to share with thru hikers. What a treat, I got to eat grapes on the trail for two days in a row!MacGyver and I leapfrogged with Happy the whole day. We got into Upper Goose Pond Cabin at around 5:30 and asked the caretaker about staying for the night. Upper Goose Pond Cabin is a big cabin with a bunkhouse in the upstairs. It has two privys and a few tent sites. The cabin is by a big lake and there is a small dock with a few canoes here. Everything is free, but they have a donation box out for the guests to chip in.There are few other thru hikers here and a group of AMC first time backpackers. MacGyver took a kayak out on the lake while I enjoyed myself eating my dinner with the group of AMC backpackers. They were nice people with lots of questions about thru hiking. While I was sitting at the table MacGyver tapped me on the shoulder and motioned me to follow. I followed him around the corner of the cabin and he handed me an ice cold Stella Artois. He said he was paddling around the lake and someone offered him a few. What a way to end the day!Rumor has it that the caretaker of the cabin makes blueberry pancakes for the guests in the morning. Yum, yum.
Date: 2015-06-20
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.6

It felt great to actually wake up on a mattress inside of four walls. Granted, I was still inside my not-so-great-smelling sleeping bag, but at least I had my own bunk.The caretaker of the cabin came into the bunk room at 6:30 and said there is coffee in the kitchen and there will be pancakes shortly. That will rouse hungry hikers better than any other statement. We had a breakfast of three blueberry pancakes and coffee per person, and after breakfast the caretaker gave us thru hikers each a few molasses cookies for the trail. The AMC may have a reputation for being a rich peoples' hiking club, but I sure like their digs and their hospitality.MacGyver and I were only on the trail for a few miles till we got to a B&B called Berkshire Lodge that was right off the trail. They had some food for sale for their guests and they allowed us to buy a Coke and a muffin. Around noon we arrived at "the cookie lady" residence where we stopped for some of the legendary cookies she gives to hikers. She wasn't at home but her husband was manning the fort. Happy, MacGyver, Toad, Ukulele, and I spent half an hour or so drinking Coke, eating cookies, and visiting.I had already decided to split a room with Happy in Dalton, MA for the night, and we extended the offer to MacGyver to join us. He wasn't sure at that point whether he was going to be in town for the night, but sometime in the afternoon as we were all leapfrogging each other, we all decided to do dinner together in town, since it was looking like a rainy night. Ukulele and Toad camped in someone's backyard while the rest of us stayed at the Shamrock Inn. We all ate together at Joe's Pub, a popular eating place for the locals in town. All five of us barely knew each other for more than a few days and we're having the time of our lives as the misfits in the center of a packed restaurant. It was truly on of the best nights on the trail so far. I think my facial muscles are sore from all the laughing and grinning during dinner.Tomorrow will be a short mileage day AND it will also be the traditional "hike naked" day. It should be interesting.