morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-22
From: RPH Shelter (360')

To: CT55
Miles today: 27.2

There was no rain this morning either which surprised me because the forecast called for rain all day. I passed a nice lake right before Telephone Pioneers Shelter and after that shelter it started pouring down rain. The rain cleared after an hour and I came to a section of trail that had been rerouted due to possible flooding or something. I didn't want to do the reroute because it would have been several miles of road walking and I figured they would've closed the trail if it was actually anything bad. I was fine hiking on the actual trail and didn't see the point of the reroute. I passed a couple of southbound section hikers and some cows which just stare at you very creepily as you walk by. I called Pop-Pop around 2 to confirm the pickup and I was getting bad cell phone reception so I ended up yelling into the phone to try and get the message to him and thankfully no one saw me. It rained again right before the pickup point but it didn't matter because Pop-Pop was there and I just hopped in the car. We went into Kent for new boots because mine were falling apart. They weren't hurting my feet or anything but there were no more treads, the rubber on one toe had fallen off, and the laces were deteriorating. The lasted me from Springer (1442.9 miles according to my book and about 2 summers in the Whites before that). I don't carry camp shoes so I've been wearing them all the time since March 6th which includes towns so I've gotten all the use out of them I could have. My new boots are a little lighter than my old ones and have more coushin on the inside so I'm not too worried about breaking them in. We headed to the house and I got cleaned up and am so happy to be in New Hartford. It's not home but it might as well be. Its so relaxing. We ate dinner at the house and I was able to just lounge on the couch and eat cookies. I couldn't ask for much more.
Date: 2008-05-23
From: CT55

To: New Hartford, CT
Miles today: 0.0

At the end of my first zero day I didn't feel like leaving so I took another one. I got to take my time grocery shopping, eating, and getting organized. I made an alcohol stove out of cans which is a lot lighter than my old stove and made me feel real crafty. I also repaired a leak in my thermarest and went through my pack and got rid of some things. I got rid of my sleeping bag liner, clothes bag stuff sack, replaced my 3 lighters with one new one, and stripped down my med kit. I called Stevo and Guilds as well, neither of whom I have talked to in a while and it was nice to catch up with them. Apparently Stevo has a bet on when I'll finish but he won't tell me with who or what date he picked. I hope my zeroes aren't throwing him off. It's been great just relaxing in New Hartford and not thinking about much of anything and getting to spend a lot of time with Pop-Pop I can't wait to be back again and leaving to go hiking will be tough. I got to eat a lot of food but had a hard time sleeping in now that my sleep schedule has me getting up so early. I also talked with home and Aunt Connie and Uncle Rob and received some positive encouragement. Maybe a third zero day?
Date: 2008-05-26
From: Silver Hill Campsite (980')

To: Sages Ravine Brook Campsite (1380')
Miles today: 30.0

Today was another beautiful day. I felt great, especially mentally. There was some nice walking and I went past the Housatonic which had some great falls and swimming areas. It was really hot and I drank a ton of water. There was a bunch of motorcycles driving around and for a while it sounded like they were racing. Must be for memorial day. At the end of the day I climbed over Bear Mtn. It was only 2300' but I actually felt like I was climbing a mountain for the first time in a while. I'm really excited for more in Massachusetts. Where I'm camping is 0.2 miles past the CT-MA border. CT was nice, not too many great views until Bear Mtn. but had good river walks and nice streams. I saw a huge rattlesnake today and it is the first one I've seen on the trail and was the biggest snake I've seen so far. It was right on the trail and I didn't even notice it until it slithered away a couple feet. It didn't coil or shake its rattle at me it just stared. A snake that big probably isn't scared of much. I thought about killing it so it wouldn't bite anyone else on the trail but I didn't want to mess with it and piss it off. Right afterwards one of my hiking poles got stuck in a rock and snapped. I guess the snake was a bad omen. The piece that broke off was just at the bottom and I jammed the tip into the hollow part of my broken pole so now one of my poles has an upside down bottom section. It worked fine the rest of the day but I will have to replace it. I never expected my pole to snap just because its held up so well so far, but I think I just bent it funny when it got stuck. The flies are awful at my campsite and is definitely not something I'm looking forward to more of as it warms up more and I get further north. I was able to get some good relaxation at my campsite before it got dark. It felt nice and is something I haven't done for a while. Right before I got in my tent for the night I looked up into the woods and saw two big eyes reflecting back at me. At first I thought it was my first bear but eventually I could see it was a deer. Frightening though.
Date: 2008-05-27
From: Sages Ravine Brook Campsite (1380')

To: Mt. Wilcox South Lean-to (1720')
Miles today: 26.3

Today started with two beautiful climbs over Race Mtn. and Mt. Everett. The elevation is getting a little higher and those two actually felt like mountains. I really enjoyed them and I hope there are more like it coming up. They slowed my pace down a bit, but thats expected. The weather was beautiful and there were thunderstorms just as I was going into Great Barrington but I stayed dry and the storms didn't stick around. I had my best hitch so far. I got picked up right away and the woman who got me took me into town to the outfitter for fuel, then to the grocery store, then back to the trail. I can't remember her name unfortunately, but it was so nice and helpful of her. I bought 4 tuna wraps, 2 lbs of potato salad, a Dr. Pepper, and a pint of Ben&Jerry's for lunch and I sat in the shade by the road and chowed down. I saved 2 tuna wraps for dinner and got water at a flower shop next to the trail. The rest of the walk was nice with a bit of rain for about 30 seconds but that was it. I was going to go to the next shelter which is only 1.8 miles North but it was too late to do that and there really was no point in pushing it past 7 o'clock. The shelter I'm at has a brand new shelter near the old one but I'm staying at the old one because it's closer to water and there is no one at either shelter anyways. Its staying light out a lot later now and it was really hot today. The seasons have caught up to me after my zero days I guess. The bugs are awful and every outfitter I've gone to since Boiling Springs, PA hasn't had a bug net. I don't want to use bug spray because I don't believe it will work on these bugs. Esra has offered to meet me in Williamstown in a couple of days to bring me new hiking poles but I am going to decline the offer. Every time I meet with someone it gets harder to get back on the trail and I don't think I could deal with that. I'm in the groove now and would like to stay on the trail for a while.
Date: 2008-05-28
From: Mt. Wilcox South Lean-to (1720')

To: Kay Wood Lean-to (1860')
Miles today: 33.4

I woke up with my watch saying 39o out and it certainly felt it. It was beautiful and cool out all day with not a cloud in the sky. There are alot more pine trees out and those combined with several ponds today made the walk really enjoyable. I passed a hiker named Hunter who did a thru-hike in '96 and has since section hiked the trail again and almoust a third time. I asked what has changed in the 12 years since his thru-hike and he said the culture is very different now. The number of thru-hikers went up in the late 90's early 2000's and has since been declining to now when the numbers are below '96 levels (which is contrary to what I had been thinking all this time). Hunter said that thru-hikers knew a lot more about living out in the woods back them and were much better prepared. Also there apparently used to be a lot more hostels that were mostly free or really cheap and that they have closed due to misuse by hikers. Although the culture has changed the trail is still the trail and thats what matters. On top of Beckett Mtn. there was a register and Southside had signed it saying he was back on the trail today. I couldn't believe it since it has been about 700 miles since I last saw him. I knew he was dealing with some injuries and I thought he was going to stay off trail. There was a section of the trail that had been flooded by beavers and required about 5 minutes of bushwaking to get around. At the next shelter I stopped for a very late lunch and saw that Southside was headed into Dalton so I thought I would just see him tomorrow but when I rolled into the shelter tonight he was there lying down reading just like I remember him doing all the time when we hiked in VA. I got the scoop on what happened since I last saw him and basically he's back on the trail now for good if his body cooperates. It has been over a month since I last saw him and I can't believe that I happened to be hiking in the same place at the same time he decided to get back on. It really is a great coincidence and it is nice to see a familiar face. Its been a while.
Date: 2008-05-29
From: Kay Wood Lean-to (1860')

To: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to (2325')
Miles today: 23.3

Southside was gone when I woke up and my other shelter mate got up after me. He had a lot of stuff at the shelter and said he was an artist. I got into Dalton and stopped at the post office and bought some candy at a gas station. It was a beautiful day out and on my way to Chesire I ran into two thru-hikers, Stormennorm and Waterbear. I stopped in Cheshire for ice cream and mini hot-dogs with chili and ate with Stormennorm and Waterbear who were headed to the same shelter as me. I was real excited about the climb up Greylock. Right after Chesire, two guys were standing by the trail and said that there was a mother bear and 3 cubs in the area. I didn't see the bear and still have yet to see one on my hike. Greylock was fun and is the highest elevation I've come across in a while. There were lots of pines near the top and a good wind blowing. The views weren't spectacular but you could tell how high up you were. There was some scat on the way up that looked like a moose but I couldn't believe that moose would be this far south and at that elevation. Double cheese was at the shelter when I arrived and he got a fire going and then Stormennorm and Waterbear showed up. It was a great day for hiking and the first time in a while I've been at a shelter with this many other thru-hikers.
Date: 2008-05-30
From: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to (2325')

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter (2330')
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

No sign of Southside today. He was out way before me yesterday and I haven't seen him in any registers. He might have gotten off in Dalton if his knees were bothering him. I walked into the Supermarket in Williamstown to resupply and I got some chicken legs and chicken salad. Double cheese and I were headed to a shelter 20 mi from there and Stormennorm and Waterbear were gonna stay at one 14 mi away so I said goodbye to them. It was a nice day and I crossed into Vermont and the long trail. Not many views today but there was a steep up and down right before the shelter. This is the first time since VA that I've stayed in the same spot as someone for more than one night. There are 6 total in the shelter and there was a fire I cooked on. Its supposed to rain tonight and tomorrow which will keep the bugs away and will be the first real rain for me since before my zero days. Its nice now that the terrain and trees have changed again. The new scenery wakes me up a bit and keeps things interesting.
Date: 2008-05-31
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter (2330')

To: Stratton Pond Shelter (2550')
Miles today: 27.9
Weather: light rain

I got my earliest start this morning (I was hiking by 5:40) and it was easy because it was light out and warm. There were clouds everywhere and a bit of rain early but nothing long. It really started coming down when I was going up Stratton Mountain. It was quite nice and kept me cool but prevented any view at the top. Stratton Mtn. at (3936') is the closest I've been to 4000' in a long time. The shelter was only 3 mi from there and I got in real early after 28 mi due to the early start. The rain had stopped and the bugs were out. Its Big Bob, Double Cheese, and I in the shelter and when Big Bob and I went to get water the trail went past Stratton Pond and there was a Loon out on the pond. It is the first I've seen on the trail and Big Bob's too (he keeps a list which is something I said I'd do but never did). It really made me feel like I was up north. There have ben a lot of signs of moose and I keep passing the beaver bogs I usually would see them in, but none yet. I ate as much food as I could tonight because I know I'm resupplying tomorrow. I might try and get a shower and internet/phone in town as well and then hike out. I'm a little over a hundred miles from the NH border which is very hard to believe and I've been out for 86 days. That's a long time when I put it like that. Double cheese and I checked out the pond again and the clouds had cleared a bit and made it a really nice spot. There's a shelter 20 mi away that is supposed to be nice and that plus a half day in town should make for a big day tomorrow.
Date: 2008-06-01
From: Stratton Pond Shelter (2550')

To: Peru Peak Shelter (2605')
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I got up early again and headed into Manchester Center to resupply. The hitch in took a little while but I think it always feels longer than it actually is. At the EMS I got a new knife because the one I have is a leatherman that just has too much stuff on it I don't need. I also got a spoon (my old one broke) and a new tripod. Double cheese and I ate at McDonald's (my first time so far on the trail) got groceries and Ben&Jerry's. We tried to find internet but had no luck. While we were walking through town about to go back to the trail a guy offered us a ride and we didn't even have our thumbs out or anything. We hopped in the back of his truck and were on our way. It was cool out with a nice breeze, perfect hiking weather except the sun wasn't out. The bugs weren't bad today. We went over Bromley Mtn, Styles Peak, and Peru Peak. There were all covered in Pines and had good views. I can't say enough how nice it feels to be in the pines and mountains. I got a fire going at the shelter and it looks like its just Double cheese and I tonight. I'm not sure what the terrain is like tomorrow but its been getting better everyday.
Date: 2008-06-02
From: Peru Peak Shelter (2605')

To: Governor Clement Shelter (1870')
Miles today: 29.1
Weather: light rain

It got a little cold last night for the first time in a while. I had almoust gotten rid of my cold weather gear and if I had and it had been about 10o colder last night and rainy (both of which are possible) then I could've been pretty miserable. Slackpack showed up at the shelter last night after pulling 30 miles in his second full day on the trail. Today was good hiking weather and mostly flat. Not too much scenery because we weren't at elevation but there were some nice ponds. I haven't been seeing too much wildlife lately but there are signs of moose everywhere and I can't wait to see them. I didn't have cell phone service so I couldn't call home to have them send me stuff to Hanover, NH. The shelter is really crappy and is close to a road so it gets vandalized a lot and I guess the GMC doesn't care about maintaining it. Tomorrow I will go over Killington which is a very high peak (possibly over 4000' my book doesn't say) and I'm excited for the views. I'm also resupplying tomorrow and will have another adventure with hitch hiking.
Date: 2008-06-03
From: Governor Clement Shelter (1870')

To: Stony Brook Shelter (1380')
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today started with a nice climb over Killington and I took the spur trail up to the top. The views were nice but obstructed by some towers on the top and i was real windy so I headed down. I went into Killington (the town) with Double Cheese and got some food, resupply, and mailed home a couple of things. The post office scale said the stuff I was mailing back weighed 1lb 9oz. We got some free doughnuts at the Deli and headed out. There was a real steep climb that wasn't bad but made me drink all my water. The shelter is nice compared to the super crappy one from last night. I called the Dartmouth Outdoor Club from Killington to find out about lodging and there wasn't anything the book didn't list. They did say that Dartmouth's commencement was this weekend so we made reservations. It's only one more night until then and it will be my first night off the trail since my zeroes in CT. It will be nice to relax and I am going to try and get in early to have a full day.
Date: 2008-06-04
From: Stony Brook Shelter (1380')

To: Happy Hill Shelter (1425')
Miles today: 30.3
Weather: light rain

Not much to see today due to rain. It was a long day though with some real muddy and overgrown sections of the trail. There were a lot of little ups and downs that wear on you. Its Slackpack, Double Cheese, and I in the shelter tonight and its 6 mi downhill tomorrow into Hanover, NH and I'm excited for a good day of rest. This has been a long stretch staying on the trail (290 mi) and I've really enjoyed it.
Date: 2008-06-05
From: Happy Hill Shelter (1425')

To: Cheiftan Motor Inn; Hanover NH
Miles today: 5.3

We walked into NH this morning. Passed some trail magic in VT before the border which is the first in a long time for me. We got picked up by the motel on the NH side of the Connecticut river and were able to clean up immediately. The motel was a couple miles from Hanover so we took a bus (which was free) into Hanover and stopped first at the Dartmouth Outing Club. My mail was there so I charged my phone and camera, got my new maps, some cookies and other food, my iPod, and notes from home. I got on the internet at the DOC and then we got lunch at a burrito place similar to Chipotle but not as satisfying. Outfitters, Ben&Jerry's and Post Office were next. I mailed a box to myself in Maine and mailed home old journals, maps, and camera memory card. We took the bus to West Lebanon to resupply and Double Cheese needed new shoes. By the time we were done with everything the buses were no longer running and we tried to get a ride by ordering a pizza from the Dominos near by and riding with the delivery guy to our motel. It didn't work but a woman in Dominos did give us a ride back. It was much nicer than riding the bus and was very kind of her. Back at the motel I was finally able to just relax and watch TV. The NBA finals were on, Game 1 so I caught that. I had been looking forward to just relaxing off the trail and not worrying about mosquitos. Last night the mosquitos were awful in the shelter and I had to sleep with my smelly bandana/dish rag/pot holder over my face so I didn't get bit. I was dirty and hot in my bag and did not sleep well so its nice to be relaxed tonight.
Date: 2008-06-06
From: Cheiftan Motor Inn; Hanover NH

To: Moose Mtn Shelter (1850')
Miles today: 11.5

I slept in well this morning. Packed up in time for check out and was able to get an amazing continental breakfast at the motel. I would list all the food but I would just get hungry thinking about it. The motel owners Carl and Jenny were real nice and gave us a ride back to where they picked us up yesterday. It was raining and we went into the DOC for more internet and I made some phone calls. We hiked out of town in the rain in the afternoon but I wasn't worried because the shelter was only 11 mi away. The walking was nothing special but it felt good to know the ground under my feet was NH soil. It still wet out and I'm pretty sure our shelter is in a cloud. Looking at the book I realized Mt. Moosilauke is only 2 days away. This will be the first section of the trail I've done before and is something I've been looking forwards to for a long time. It's been 3 months out now. Very exciting to imagine. 1,745 mi down and 431 to go. Some math: I'm at 431 miles to Katahdin on June 6th. It took me 29 days to go 431 miles from Springer. That puts me on Katahdin July 5th. In the past month (I left Harpers Ferry May 6th) I've hiked 744 miles. So thats two very different paces for my first and third month (15 miles per day vs. 24 miles per day including the zeroes) and it will be interesting to see how my miles change in the next month. I think it will be slower than the last month but I don't know by how much.
Date: 2008-06-07
From: Moose Mtn Shelter (1850')

To: Ore Hill Shelter (1800')
Miles today: 25.0

It was chilly last night and this morning everything had condensation on it due to the whole being in a cloud thing. The morning was real wet and my feet are not happy. My new boots aren't waterproof at all and don't dry out as quickly as I had hoped for. It was like hiking through a rainforest (I would imagine) with everything so wet and humid but that cleared up. I had some good uphills up Smarts Mtn. Mt. Cube. There were good views and the heat didn't get to me as bad as I thought. Double Cheese didn't show up to the shelter tonight and I still owe him money. I'm going to leave it with the hostel in Glencliff. I'm planning a short day over Moosilauke tomorrow after resupply so maybe he'll catch up. I hope its clear again tomorrow because the views from Moosilauke are amazing. The bugs are bad right now and I hope I can get some sleep.
Date: 2008-06-08
From: Ore Hill Shelter (1800')

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel; Glencliff NH (1140')
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

Last night was incredibly uncomfortable buggy night. They were just as bad as at Happy Hill Shelter but my bandana is clean and I slept in my rain gear to keep away the bugs (no sleeping bag) so I wasn't as hot. I got eaten up on the way into Glencliff and when I arrived in the Hostel it felt nice and cool. I had originally planned on just grabbing some snacks and hiking out but the cool bug free room was asking me to stay. I hung around and ate, used the phone/internet and then Double Cheese showed up. I was glad I could give him the money in person. I stayed the night tonight mostly because I was hot, hungry, and very sick of mosquitos. I got a bunch of food and watched movies and game 2 of the NBA finals (just the first half). There were some hummingbirds as well hanging around. The hostel had quite a few people there and I was able to relax. I got in touch with Stevo and it sounds like I'll be staying with him in a couple of days and some of the staff should be around as well.