morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-08-07
From: Glen Brook Shelter

To: MM's house in Salisbury (RTE 44 crossing)
Miles today: 14.2

Froze again during the night. I was trying to get by with just bag liners but I have to get my bag back. 50s is too cold for liners. Mary (ltl) will bring me my bag on Sunday. Today had some of the best views in MA. Race Mtn ridge line was awesome. During my hike today I met a NOBO, Sweaty Yeti, and Bandit, his dog. If I didn't know better, this kid was my old high school friend Billy Irwin reincarnated. We talked for awhile and the kid just seemed like a nice kid. I also met a SOBO by the name Still Smoking. I hiked with him for awhile but he is a bit faster than me. He hitched into Salisbury from RTE 41 but I went on the RTE where I called MM. I was amazed at what a generous and kind person MM was. MM fed her sweeties, her wild animals that she has as pets, and then we played cards before I went out to dinner with Rob, big Sal, Kal and her beau. I think MM let me win to make me feel at home. MM had a thousand stories and they were all funny. When I returned from dinner I had to play cards until MM beat me soundly. She then gave me cookies and ice cream for dessert. This by far was the best social experience I have had since coming on this hike. MM is a true angel and I will keep in touch with her. 0/0/0 on the N/T/S but I did see a rabbit. I tried to take its pic but it blended in with the bushes.
Date: 2015-08-08
From: RTE 44

To: Bearded Woods Hostel (West Cornwall Rd)
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

MM sleeps in so I got up early and cooked breakfast that MM had left out - eggs, raisin toast, a banana, and a bagel. I hiked back to the trail. The hike was pretty easy today - 15.9 miles to West Cornwall Rd where Hudson from Bearded Woods Hostel picked me up. Today I went by my favorite spot on the trail, Rands View, where I stopped for a break. Thanks to the Angels that had water along the detour, which went by a private house and Episcopal church.
Date: 2015-08-09
From: Bearded Woods Hostel (West Cornwall Rd)

To: South end of River Rd., Kent
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

 Day 57 8/9/15 After a great breakfast at Bearded Woods, Hudson brought me and the kid from Middletown back to the trail head. I went south and he went north. I met several NOBOs today and as I was crossing Rte 4 I met a girl doing trail magic. It was the girl from Winsted that I had met in Monson with her husband. She said that she had gotten sick and had to come off trail but was going to be coming back on. She said the SB pack was still in VT. I took some food and beat feet because I was meeting Mary ("BLT"- new trail name...she didn't like the last). The last 4 miles of the day was flat and along the river. I think I almost did all 4 miles in an hour and 15 minutes. BLT and I went to a bed and breakfast for the evening after doing chores. While at dinner I saw Kev-o and a few others from the SB-band in Kent.
Date: 2015-08-10
From: South end of River Rd., Kent

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 58 8/10/15BLT brought me back to the trail early because she had to go to work. My pack was extra heavy because I packed 7 days of food. I weighed it at the bed and breakfast, a crushing 43 pounds, and the first thing I had to do was walk up St John's Cliffs. The day was filled with ups and downs and the pack was dragging me down. During the day I met NOBOs Octopus and Blue Beard. Both were very helpful and nice and warned of bad water in NY. I made it to the top of Ten Mile Hill and saw a sign indicating that I had completed a third of the trail. I made to Wiley Shelter but set up my tent even with the threat of pending rain. I met another NOBO girl who gave me pointers about places down south to visit and to pass on. Today's mileage was 17.4 - excellent with such a big load.
Date: 2015-08-11
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Depot Hill Rd., Poughquag, NY
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 59 8/11/15 Well it didn't rain during the night and the barred owls took care of me again. At about 5 a.m. there were 3 or 4 of them hooting and calling as if to tell me it was time to get up. I got my stuff packed and as I was rolling up my ground sheet it started to rain. Rob and Sal had warned me of the coming rain so BLT and I put together a plan where I would hike 15 and she would meet me and take me to a hotel for a shower and to dry out. I hiked most of the morning in the pouring rain. My bug gators did nothing for the rain and my boots filled up - I had to empty them 3 or 4 times. I know NY needed the rain so I just dealt with it. The newts were happy - the NTS was 46/0/1 - I think an all time high. Saw several NOBOs dealing with the weather. By noon the rain had subsided but it got wicked humid so when my clothes dried from the rain they filled with sweat. I made it from Wiley Shelter to Depot Hill Road 15.5 in just over 7.5 hours. Not bad for sloshing along. It was great to see BLT and the shower and dry clothes were nice. Did chores and had a nice night. Also startled a white tailed deer in the rain today.
Date: 2015-08-12
From: Depot Hill Rd., Poughquag, NY

To: Fahnestock Campground
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 60 8/12/15 BLT returned me to the trail a little later than normal and I headed out. The Newts were still out as the ground was damp but they disappeared after a few hours (NTS 24/0/1). What I thought was going to be flat had a lot of PUDs today. I made good mileage - 17.1 plus a 1 mile road hike to the Fahnestock Campground. Sal I didn't know your broker had a camp ground. The water in NY is really bad. What is not contaminated tastes weird. I have gone to almost carrying a gallon of water. At the campsite there was a trail angel, Joe, who fed all the through hikers dinner and breakfast. He also had resupplied us with good water. A life saver as far as the water goes. Met another SOBO. I think his trail name was Not in a Hurry. Camped at a site right near the road with a light on me all night so it was a bit tough. Plus a chipmunk chewed a hole in my food bag, little rat.
Date: 2015-08-13
From: Fahnestock Campground

To: Bear Mountain Bridge 
Miles today: 18.2

Day 61 8/13/15 Did the mile hike back on the road which was not fun as the cars were close and going fast. I was headed to Hemlock Springs campsite but reports of water from the NOBOs were not good. I figured if I stayed inside somewhere I could replenish my water so I made a reservation at the Bear Mountain Bridge Motel. I hiked the 18.2 miles to cross the bridge and was picked up by the motel owner. Also did the extra mile road walk. The water in the Bear Mountain area tastes odd like salt water so I went to a gas station and bought two gallons of bottled water. Thinking of carrying a gallon and a half. Slept ok and had a good dinner. The NTS during the day was 0/3/3 with the biggest garter snake I ever saw, and a 3 foot black rat snake. Also during the day I stopped at the Appalachian Deli at US 9 and NY 403 and had some of the best homemade Italian Ice I ever ate. Will definitely have to go back there.
Date: 2015-08-14
From: Bear Mountain Bridge 

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: few clouds

Day 62 8/14/15Hiked from Bear Mountain Bridge to Fingerboard Shelter for 15.5 milesThe owner of the motel told me he had to bring me back to the bridge by 9:00 a.m., so at 8:45 I got a ride. The zoo gate was open but they would not allow me to pass through because they said the keepers were working with the animals. I sat in a small park near the bridge as I waited for the zoo to open. I saw a big barge go up the river and a few trains pass. At 10:00 I walked through the zoo after looking at the coyotes and the bears. I was nervous about water so I had tied a half a gallon of water to the back of my backpack and I lugged it up to the top of Bear Mtn. The day was filled with hot sweaty climbs. I was lucky that it was Friday and not the weekend because there were a few people but not as many as I heard were there on the weekend. At one point in the day I had to run across the Palisades Parkway, 4 lanes of people doing 80 mph. The hikers joke it's like Frogger. Just before I made it to the shelter I went down to a state park 3/10s of a mile off the trail to get water and use the bathroom. While there met a guy named Pattio doing trail magic. He was the best, he treated me and 2 NOBOs to hotdogs, calzones, donuts, and drinks. I pigged out. I was dark as I headed up the road to find the shelter. With my head lamp on I found the shelter, but set up camp just before it so as not to bother the others.
Date: 2015-08-15
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: NY 17A
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: broken clouds

Day 63 8/15/15 Fingerboard Shelter to just after NY 17A for 17.9 milesAs usual I headed out early so as not to bother the others. The day was filled with climbs over knobs of stone. It seemed like NY wanted to impress so every time there was a rock pile they made you go over it even if you were going the other way. During the day I passed a guy by the name of Deek and his little white dog, Chalupa. I also met two NOBOs, Sea Bass and Spits. I went through NY's Lemon Squeezer which was no big deal but I did have to take my pack off. Not that skinny. All the rivers or brooks that day were piles of rocks. I even went by one waterfall and felt bad because there was no water to fall. I do have to thank all the angels in NY because without them the hikers would have no water; at each road crossing there were huge water caches. I had set my camp up at the top of a knob about a mile before 17A and Deek arrived and was going to do the same when some NOBOs informed us of trail magic at 17A - sodas, water, and treats. Deek took off running and I followed as soon as I had packed my tent. When I got there Deek had divided the treats - 3 for him and 2 for me - at least I got something. I drank 3 sodas when the trail angel showed up and we thanked him immensely. Deek decided to camp right on the spot but I went another mile into the woods as I don't like camping near the road. This will be instrumental in a following blog post.
Date: 2015-08-16
From: NY 17A

To: Warwick Turnpike
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 64 8/16/15 NY 17a to Warwick Turnpike for 9.0 milesI got going early because BLT was coming and I was hoping to get in 15 so that the zero the next day didn't seem as bad. It was very hot and muggy and the trail folks in NY had me going up and over every rock knob again. The heat seemed to sap me. BLT got there early so I had her meet me at a different location and called it quits after 9 miles. I just had nothing left and it was 11:00. We left some trail magic at the trail head and headed home. On the way home I made it a point to go by the Appalachian Deli and get BLT some of that Italian Ice.
Date: 2015-08-18
From: home

To: Murray property
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 66 8/18/15 Back to Warwick Turnpike with James to Murray property for 19James and I drove back to Warwick Turnpike and hit the trail at about 9:30. We both had bathroom issues so there are quite a few cat holes on that section of the trail. On the way back I had told James of Deek and Chalupa and he called me when he got home and said he had passed them on his way back to the car. James hiked out 5.5 miles with me and it was nice to have someone to talk with. To get a workout James carried a pack with about 40 lbs of dead weight. I think it gave him quite the workout. He came down a thing called the stairway to heaven and had to go right back up. About an hour after I left him I saw storm clouds headed his way but he said he only got sprinkled on. I had made it to the shelter before he called and said he was headed home so I pushed on. Just before the Murray property, a place where Mr Murray has a cabin, outdoor shower, well water, and privy on several acres of land, I met a couple from NYC who were headed north. I told them of the Murray property and they followed me back there. When I got there Still Smoking, Side Show and Two NOBOs were there. Later on No Rush arrived. It's a beautiful place. And I had a good night sleep. In the morning I would rewalk what I had done in May and beat it this time.
Date: 2015-08-19
From: Murray property

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: light rain

Day 67 8/19/15 Murray property to Gren Anderson Shelter 18.4I was the last to leave the Murray property and didn't see the others the rest of the day. Mismatch and Still Smoking had plans of doing 26 miles in order to get to Delaware Water Gap for Thursday so they could attend a hiker feast put on by a church hostel there. I stopped at the High Point Visitor Center and remembered how this is where I was at my worst and Psycho gave advice about take breaks as I hike which has gotten me as far as I am. I was feeling good and forged ahead; I made it to the Mashupaugh Shelter where No Rush said he was going to spend the night but there was no sign of him. I did find water and trail magic in the bear box though. Oreos and Ice Tea for lunch. I covered the rest of the way to Gren Anderson shelter with a vengeance, getting it back for last time. When I arrived at the shelter there was Still Smoking and No Rush. Still Smoking was debating about going on to catch up with Side Show but never did. I set my tent up on the shelter with the threat of rain that night. Later that night a kid by the name of Mismatch showed up after just doing 31 miles. As he was talking with No Rush about Deek, No Rush stated how he had seen Deek camped next to the road and he said it was his second night there. No Rush also stated Deek was eating the second grinder of two that the trail angel had given him the night before. I told them that the second grinder was probably meant for me but I decided to camp in the woods so when the guy returned with grinders for both of us Deek took both of them. No Rush also told me I missed out on a soda at the High Point Visitor Center where all you had to do was sign their log. Later that night Still Smoking got up at 3:30 he said to beat the rain but I think he was shooting to get to the Gap for the hiker feed and he had to do a 30 mile day. It rained during the night but was ok in the morning.
Date: 2015-08-20
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Mohican Lodge
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

Day 68 8/20/15 Miles today 20.6 from Gren Anderson Shelter to Mohican LodgeLast night the forecast for today had called for rain all day so Still Smoking got up at 3:30 to beat the rain. It had rained during the night but had stopped in the morning and was now not suppose to start back up until 3 pm. Mismatch had planted the idea of going to the Mohican Lodge where I could get a bunk and a hot shower. No Rush and I headed out together at about 7:15 and made it to the Coffee shop by about 8:30. We both got something to eat and as I started to head out No Rush said "It's this way Plank, I was going to turn this corner around the building and make a decision - do I go up the trail or do I go into town?" Needless to say I didn't see him later in the day so he must have headed into town. I made good time but at about 2:00 p.m. the sky opened up. It wasn't all that bad because my shirt was drenched and sweaty and needed a good washing. When I went to get water I saw a group of Outward Bound kids getting water. They were soaked and getting wetter. Their lead attempted to fix the spring pipe and moved some leaf litter but from then on the water had leaf particles in it so I opted to forge on with the water I had. The rain stopped for an hour or two and I started to dry out. As I made my way down the trail I saw a black animal coming my way and it took me a minute to realize it was a black Shepard with his master Catdog, and not a bear. I had just passed them and made it around the exposed ridge line when the sky opened up. I had less than 2 miles to go so I quickened the pace. The rain was falling so hard that the trail became a river in no time. I remained focused and didn't fall, making to Mohican Lodge by 5:15 pm. My boots were full so I had to wring out the insert and my sock several times. The deli was still open so I ordered two sandwiches and chili which I inhaled in no time. I went to my assigned lodge and there was Mismatch and a family from Spain. Mismatch stated it took him longer to get there than he thought. We spoke to the family from Spain who were on vacation in the US. They had been to NYC and to the Mohican Lodge and were headed to DC before going home. I suggested taking their kids to the Smithsonian when in DC and they liked that. One of their sons helped me put my boots and other clothes on two heaters and then I was off for a hot shower. I spent the night talking to Mismatch and the folks from Spain. Mismatch had I had some similar ideas on hiking the trail and he would be fun to hike with but there is no way I could keep up with him. The day before he had done 31 miles.
Date: 2015-08-21
From: Mohican Lodge

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: broken clouds

Day 69 8/21/15Distance- 17.2 from Mohican Lodge to Kirkridge Shelter. I slept in today and didn't get up until 6:30. I was able to say goodbye to Mismatch. He is a good kid. I probably won't see him again because he is just too fast for me but I wish him well in his journey. I made my way over the ground I covered in May but a bit quicker. I completed the same section it took me 4 and a half days to do in May and made me sick in 3 days. NTS count today was 16/8/0 but I did pick up a rattle snake skin for BLT. I'm nervous about the rocks in PA because all the NOBOs said they were really bad. So far they have been no worse than NJ. In the shelter tonight by myself. The NOBOs are starting to wain. I think I only saw 5 today. Going to do a nero tomorrow and meet up with BLT to resupply. Maybe No Rush will catch back up.
Date: 2015-08-22
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: PA 33
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 70 8/22/15Kirkridge Shelter to PA 33 - 9.2 milesToday I was meeting BLT so I rose at 6 and was on the trail by 7, trying not to wake the guys who had showed up late last night. I got a little more taste of the PA rocks. Not as bad as I was told they would be but maybe that is to come. Met several college groups doing orientation hikes and some weekend hikers but I think the NOBOs are about done. I met BLT at about 11:15 and we went off and did our thing, eat and chores. It took a while to find a hotel that wasn't booked up. I'm not sure why because there is nothing out here. We finally got into a Marriott in Easton about 20 minutes from the trailhead but it was the best we could do.
Date: 2015-08-23
From: PA 33

To: Stealth site north of Little Gap Rd
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Day 71 8/23/15PA 33 to stealth site north of Little Gap Road for about 14.BLT and I packed in the morning then went to breakfast in the hotel before checking out and going to church. She got me back to the trail by 10:45 and I was off to deal with the rocks again. In PA when you are not hopping over rocks and looking for rattle snakes you're busy dodging PI because where the rocks are not, the PI is, and vice versa. I did get 14 miles in by 5:30 and settled into a nice stealth campsite. Even lit my first campfire to try to keep the bugs down. Tomorrow I have to hike through PA's superfund site - no water drinking there.
Date: 2015-08-24
From: Stealth site north of Little Gap Rd

To: PA 309, Blue Mountain Summit
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 72 8/24/15A stealth site north of Little Gap Road to PA 309 Blue Mountain Summit for a total of 20.9.I hiked through the superfund site early in the morning. It was weird - I didn't know if where I was hiking or down in the valley, Palmerton, was the contaminated area. I think the fumes from the zinc smelting in the valley killed off the plants on the ridge. This portion of the hike went quick, as there was a nice flat path. The climb down into the Lehigh Gap was a challenge in a few spots but not too bad. At the bottom of the descent was the best part, trail magic left by the Washington County Trail Angels. I had a soda and snacks and headed up the next ridge. As I climbed out of the gap I met the critter in the pic right in the middle of the trail. He was only a foot long but he acted like he was ready to fight. BLT says maybe it's a young rattle snake but it didn't have a head like a rattle snake and it flattened its head as I got close. Needless to say I gave it a wide birth and went on my way. I was watching the ground the rest of the day as I hopped over rocks. There are a lot of rocks in PA and they are very pointy but I don't think its as bad as the NOBOs have made it out to be. I pushed the miles thinking that I was going to sleep inside at the Blue Mountain B&B but found out later it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. With my mind thinking of staying inside and thunder in the distance, I called Common Ground Farm and stayed there. It cost more than I wanted to pay for the shuttle and a place to stay but it was nice and so were the owners.
Date: 2015-08-25
From: PA 309, Blue Mountain Summit

To: Windsor Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 73 8/25/15PA 309 Blue Mountain Summit to Windsor Furnace Shelter for 20.6 miles.The owner of Common Ground Farm had me back to the trailhead by 8:30 and I was off. Today was a day of snakes, first a three foot black timber rattler sunning himself on the side of the trail. I surprised him as I tried to sneak by and the snake actual jumped a foot into the woods. Lucky it wasn't a foot towards me. The second snake was a 5 foot black snake right in the middle of the trail. I tried to scare him so he would move but he didn't care and took his sweet time getting off the trail. I spent the rest of the day watching the rocks and watching for snakes. I've come this far I don't want to have to call it quits for a snake bite. I had a late lunch at the Eckville Shelter, watered up and made my way to the top of the ridge and the Pinnacle. Towards the top of the ridge there were signs saying it was illegal to camp anywhere but Windsor Furnace Shelter so I had to push to get there. I got in late and had to eat my dinner in the dark. PA is tough with the rocks, the snakes, and a bunch of PI but for the most part the trail walks along the ridges and there are nice flat stretches mixed in with the rocks.
Date: 2015-08-26
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: stealth camp site north of Eagel Nest Trail
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 74 8/26/15 Windsor Furnace Shelter to a stealth campsite just north of the Eagle Nest Trail for 16 miles. I made my way into Port Clinton by 10:45 where I was going to get an early lunch. I went to the candy store because the Port Clinton Hotel didn't open until 11. When the hotel opened the owner said I could eat at the bar but then told me I would have to leave my pack outside so I left. I walked another mile to the only other restaurant in town but even there I originally got treated poorly. The owner looked over at me 3 times before a waitress came and seated me. Like I did last time at lunch I ate too much at midday so the afternoon hike was wicked tough. I also had a big climb right out of Port Clinton. Not fun on an full stomach. I am starting to see fewer and fewer people on the trail, I go for long periods of time without seeing anyone. Like yesterday I had gone too far and was looking for a camping sight when along came a father and son. They chatted for a bit and told me there was a site a mile down the trail. As I walked on I turned and noted I was at a camp site so that is where I stopped for the night. No snakes today but a huge white-faced hornet's nest hanging right over the trail. Man, PA has it all.