morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-15
From: US 11

To: Duncannon (Doyle Hotel)
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: few clouds

Middlesex Dinner. If you're hiking and haven't passed US 11 yet make the 0.2m west toward the Interstate detour and eat there. It was probably the best restaurant food yet. Prices are reasonable, portions are big, and the service is friendly. It's open 24 hours a day. I'm vegetarian and I only saw two non meat items other than the breakfast and salad menu. I had the eggplant parmigiana which was really good.Now on to today's hike. Almost 18 miles into Duncannon and the Doyle Hotel (http://doylehotel.com/). It's quite a place. Tinman, Gaspar, One Pint, Leon and Rufus, Prairie Dog and Angry Beaver, O.G., and a few section hikers are here now. Looks like it will be quite an evening. The trail changed today into a lot of rocks. That will be slowing us down some. Vickie is very cautious on them because she doesn't trust herself on them. I have to admit that they are difficult to walk on. Dinned is here so it's time I go.Oh by the way I got a nice Fathers Day card and snacks from Pam here so it's cookies after dinner.
Date: 2009-06-17
From: Peter's Mnt Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

Out and hiking at 7:00. Dismal skies finally opened up and soaked us and the ground. Shelter was listed as sleeping 12 but there were already 9 there and no more would fit. Set up the tent between rain drops and had a dry night inside while it was wet outside. Vickie fell this morning and jammed her right hand ring finger. It doesn't appear broke but it may never be straight again. Besides the rain the weather seems very un-june like chilly.
Date: 2009-06-18
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

Rain all night but it slowed enough to break camp. Left at 7:45-in the rain.We are both feeling low energy. Hike was hard and easy. The day made us think why are we doing this? Not sure we have the answer.The shelter was great. An enclosed building with bunks. In addition it was Thursday night when Snacklady usually provides a warm meal. So we got to eat real food. Less than 1000 miles to go!
Date: 2009-06-19
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagle's Nest
Miles today: 15.1

Slept late, not on the trail until 9:00. Fairly easy hike. Had to slosh long swampy areas - no fun. Lots of people in the tenting area, OG, One Pint, Ducky, and Ironman continued on for a longer day. Four section hikers, Cog and us are at the shelter while Prairie Dog and Angry Beaver along with some friends are camped across the stream.Feeling a bit better today, sunny most of the day.
Date: 2009-06-20
From: Eagle's Nest

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: broken clouds

Our "flu" seems to have mostly passed, we were out by 7:15. Started to rain again (big surprise) and continued into Port Clinton. Big disappointment in that our "bounce Box" with batteries and chargers and other items wasn't waiting for us. We mailed it from Chambersburg 10 days ago so it should have been here. End of week 14.
Date: 2009-06-21
From: Port Clinton

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

Father's Day. Walked to McDonald's for breakfast but weren't able to get a ride back so an extra two miles today. Good hike and sunny skies. Saw some Copperhead snakes in the rocks at an overlook. Deb and Bruce left some snacks for us and Yak at the shelter. Surprising how such a little thing can be so appreciated.
Date: 2009-06-23
From: Tripoli Campsite

To: Slatington PA
Miles today: 11.5

Up early, mixture of rocks and more rocks. Got into town by 2:00. Ira from Fine Lodging was super and shuttled me around while I replaced items that we missed from the missing bounce box and took me to the grocery store. He was a great help and took us back to the trail in the morning.
Date: 2009-06-24
From: Slatington PA

To: Campsite
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Tough day today. Started with very steep ascent over huge rocks. Very bad way to start the day. Then walking by a Superfund Toxic Waste cleanup site left us in the full sun most of the morning. Vickie was beat by noon and ready to ...Water has been hard to get recently, long walks down the side of the mountain and then back up again to the trail.
Date: 2009-06-25
From: Campsite

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: light rain

Short day today, trying to recharge. Made the Gateway Motel before noon. The owner was nice enough to take us by the PO to pick up a box and then to the shopping center for lunch and groceries. We called him and he came back to pick us up, really grateful for that.Hoping our spirits lift some, we've both been "down" lately.
Date: 2009-06-26
From: Wind Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Better day feeling better. We need fewer rocks. Shower and clouds in the morning, sun in the afternoon. Stayed at the Church of the Mountains hostel. They run a really nice place. Saw Gritty and Grommet whom we hadn't seen since Fontana Dam. Also OG, Ducky, Hellbanger, Yuki, Egg, and Tsuds among others. Great Diner and a fabulous bakery. Could have stayed another day easily.
Date: 2009-06-28
From: Rattlesnake Springs.

To: Culvers Gap US206
Miles today: 14.8

Warmed up today, not many clouds (or rain). Planned on between 14 and 18 today. Got to the gap and walked a few tenths to a restaurant and had a late lunch. Rather than going another few we decided on the Forest Motel instead. No harm in spoiling oneself. We were tired after the day but I think feeling better.
Date: 2009-06-30
From: High Point Shelter

To: Pochuck Shelter
Miles today: 12.4

Out by 6:45. Rocks continue. Stopped in Unionville for a resupply box and lunch at Horlers General Store. Relaxed on the porch in their rocking chairs but had to push on. There's a place called the Mayor's House that offers hikers a room and food but we had to skip it. From what we heard from others we really missed a good deal. Ran into Gritty and Grommet and Egg who were slack packing back to Unionville and the Mayor's House. Sat out a thunderstorm in a duck blind and got to the shelter at 4:45. Ran out of DEET but got some from some friendly Kayakers.
Date: 2009-07-02
From: NY State Line

To: NY 17A (Anton's on the Lake)
Miles today: 5.2

Awoke around 3:00am to a heavy thunderstorm, rained until morning just as we took the tent down. While we didn't get wet the results of the storm were evident in the wet, watery path. The day was misty and foggy. We made the road by 11:30 and decided to call it quits for the day. Stayed at Anton's on the Lake in Greenwood Lake NY. Next mail drop is scheduled to be picked up July 4th. Opps the PO is closed that day. Tricia at Anton's drove me to Ft. Montgomery to pick up the box. How delightful of her.
Date: 2009-07-03
From: NY 17A (Anton's on the Lake)

To: Arden Vally Rd (Anton's on the Lake)
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Tricia offered us a slackpacking opportunity that we couldn't pass up. Stay with her three nights and she would drive up to the trail each day and pick us up in the afternoon. Even with light packs we had a tough day making 12 miles. Rocks and a lot of small ups and downs, like a washboard.
Date: 2009-07-05
From: Bear Mnt Inn

To: Dennystown Campsite
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Started at 7:30,great weather all day. Had lunch at a local store near the trail. Another day harder than we had imagined it would be. Nice camp area but way too many mosquitoes. A guy on a motorcycle stopped and asked if we need anything, then he brought us back two diet Cokes and two chocolate milks - perfect way to end the day. L-train and Hellbender are also camping tonight.
Date: 2009-07-06
From: Dennystown Campsite

To: NY 52
Miles today: 15.8

Got to the RPH shelter by 1:45 and spent 45 minutes relaxing then pushed on to a road crossing that had a store/deli nearby. Had a great pizza at Danny's and then were pleasantly surprised to find out we could camp behind the store. Ended up there were seven other tents by night fall.
Date: 2009-07-09
From: Ten Mile River

To: Kent CT
Miles today: 8.7

Good day of hiking but again the trail was more difficult than we had expected. Stopped in Kent, CT to pick up a mail drop and decided to stay. Not much more to add. We continue to be challenged each day but are taking it one step at a time. Lodging was hard to find but we were lucky to be given a room in a Real Estate office. If you need property in Kent try http://www.brealestate.net/.
Date: 2009-07-10
From: Kent CT

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean To
Miles today: 17.0

Had a nice stay in Kent, milk with breakfast. Excellent weather continues. Had a nice long flat walk along the Housatonic river. Then the steep roller coaster remainder. Some very steep stone steps down. Shelter is busy with Ducky, Steps, Helbender, and L-train so we're tenting. Plus the bugs are so bad it's better to be "indoors".
Date: 2009-07-11
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean To

To: Salisbury (Maria McCabe's house)
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

Weather continues to stay on our side. Good trail. Coke machine along the trail and a stop for lunch in Falls Village made for an enjoyable day. Staying at Maria McCabe's house. She provides rooms ($35 a person) for hikers. She also took us to the laundry with pizza shop next door. It doesn't take much to delight a hiker. Thunderstorms during the night but stopped by morning.End of Week 17
Date: 2009-07-12
From: Salisbury

To: Hemlock Lean To
Miles today: 14.1

Great breakfast to start the day and then on the trail. Three hard ups followed by three hard descents. Beautiful vistas and perfect weather. Goodbye Connecticut, welcome Massachusetts. Crossed the 1500 mile mark today.Believe it or not a tree fell on Vickie today. We had just finished a break and as we started off again we heard a crack. I was behind her and looked up and saw the tree headed right for her. She was beside it so didn't see it but turned around and started back the trail. I backed up and tripped over a rock and ended up on my back unable to move, like an upside turtle. Meanwhile I watched as the tree glanced off her pack, knocking her down but otherwise doing no damage. The tree had a diameter about the size of my thigh but didn't have any branches at the level that hit her. We (especially her) were shaken but otherwise fine. It took a while for the legs to stop shaking. Who would guess that would ever happen, it wasn't even windy.
Date: 2009-07-13
From: Hemlock Lean To

To: Tom Leonard Lean-to
Miles today: 14.4

Up with the sunshine, hiking by 7:30. Vickie's knee is sore from yesterdays tree incident. Our guide books indicated a store along the trail that sold cokes and snacks. We were sorely disappointed that it's no longer there. Afternoon was challenging, stopped at the shelter instead of 2 more miles and a hostel.
Date: 2009-07-14
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to

To: Main Rd. Tyringham (Cobble View B&B)
Miles today: 14.1

Weather continues to hold, actually a bit chilly at night. Had the hard part of the hike finished by 11:00 and enjoyed the rest of the day walking through the woods with a gentle downward slope. Mosquitoes abound, we are constantly spraying each other with OFF (31% DEET) that seems to help. Had a mile drop to pick up at the Post Office and decided to stay at a B&B across the street from it. Mr. Ed and Lightweight shared the loft with us. ($60 per person yikes). Got a ride to a grocery store and bought way too much.
Date: 2009-07-15
From: Main Rd. Tyringham

To: October Mnt Lean-To
Miles today: 15.8

Got a late start due to the breakfast time at the B&B. Still were able to do 14.1 miles. Trail magic along the way, a cooler full of sodas and snacks what a treat to find in the woods. Ran into a couple hikers that are coming southbound (SOBO) from Maine.
Date: 2009-07-16
From: October Mnt Lean-to

To: Dalton, MA (Shamrock Village Inn)
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Short day into Dalton for some Rest and Relaxation. In town by 1:00. Staying at the Shamrock Village Inn. Lunch at a deli dinner to be determined. Another super day for a hike and a good mostly level trail to walk on. We're soon to start back into higher mountains with steeped climbs. Hope we're up to it. It won't be worse that the mountains we encountered at the beginning of the trip but we've been out a long time and it's taken a toll on our bodies. We're probably cut back the daily mileage to make up for the additional work.Thanks to all for the encouraging words.
Date: 2009-07-17
From: Dalton, MA (Shamrock Village Inn)

To: Thunderbolt Shelter
Miles today: 17.0

Ate breakfast in the hotel room and hiking by 6:50. There's a place called the Birdsnest in Dalton that hosts hikers but we decided to do a motel. Weather was good at first but turned to heavy thundershowers by 6:00. WE stayed on the top of Mnt Greylock and watched the storm move in. Happy to be in the shelter. Trail has been very twisty and turning - up and down - seems like you can't take more than three steps without making a turn. Good day since we stretched the hike to seventeen miles. Felt OK at the end.
Date: 2009-07-18
From: Thunderbolt Shelter

To: Williamstown
Miles today: 6.3

Picking up a box today so decided to make it a short day and enjoy the sunshine. Motels were full but we were able to tent behind the Mountain Goat outfitters. Steep wet downhill into the road crossing where we got lucky and hitched a ride with the owner of the Willianstown Motel. He took us to the outfitters even though we weren't staying at his place. had lunch at a Thai restaurant and dinner at an Indian one. Both time with Ian and Anita who are from New Zeland and hiking the trail (Mr. Ed and Lightweight). End of week 18!!
Date: 2009-07-19
From: Williamstown

To: Congdon Sshelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Good weather continues sunny and cool (almost cold). Seems funny to have this kind of weather in July, not sure if it's normal or if we're just lucky. We entered Vermont today. The trail is OK but very muddy in many spots, seem like you're always jumping from one side to the other to avoid the deep stuff. We both slipped and fell today, but minor falls. Shelter is super crowded tonight, at least 20 others, the most we've seen since early in the hike.
Date: 2009-07-20
From: Congdon Sshelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

As usual up early and on the trail today by 7:15. Tough day, we both seemed to have lost our strength (and desire?) Saw a lot of hikers on the trail today - such a surprise since it's usually quiet. Found out there's a hiker party in Manchester the 21st and 22nd and lots of people are pushing to make it there. We've planned to be in there then but will stay at a hostel rather than the party. Passed the 1600 mile mark today. The trail is still muddy even though it's been a few days since any rain.
Date: 2009-07-21
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: light rain

Got up disappointed that we weren't able to stretch yesterday by four miles. Day started out not so good, cloudy and we still didn't have any "pop' to our walk. Never-the-less we pushed on. Made nine miles to Story Spring shelter by noon. Not particularly fast but OK. Just as we got to the shelter it started to rain, the first sustained rain since Port Clinton, PA. We wanted to make Stratton Pond Shelter (another ten miles) so had to decide if we wanted to walk in the rain. We figured we won't get to Maine sitting in a shelter so put on our rain gear and started out. Surprisingly as we walked we felt better both physically and mentally. It was a hard climb up Stratton Mountain but we made it and the three miles past into the shelter before 7:00. This shelter is run by the Green Mountain Club and you pay $5 each to stay. You don't get anything extra for the money however. It's a large shelter, holds 20 and it was filled to capacity. Rained all night but stopped by morning. It's sure to make a muddy trail even worse.
Date: 2009-07-22
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Manchester Center, VT (Green Mountain House)
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Awoke to a cool cloudy morning. On the trail early but didn't seem to be able to carry forward the enthusiasm. Even though the hike was pretty easy we were slow and didn't make the road crossing until a little past 1:30. We got lucky because Rainman, who's having the hiker party, was running a shuttle from the trail to town was just arriving to pick up a load of hikers. We got to share a ride into town. We weren't sure where we wanted to stay. We read about a hostel that sounded OK but it's a bit out of town and we weren't sure about the shuttle arrangement. Vickie wants to take a Zero day tomorrow so we decided to stay at least one day at the hostel and move it wasn't to our liking. We did some shopping and ran into Matt and Wendy outside the grocery store. Turned out they were staying at the same place. We called for a pickup and were pleasantly surprised to find that it appears to be a really great place so we'll spend both days here. Green Mountain House is the name and I'd highly recommend it. The weather has turned sunny this afternoon so maybe the boots will have a chance to dry out before we start again. We've begun to run in to hikers that started in Maine and are walking to Georgia. They started around the first of June so we've been on the trail much longer but they have done some of the tougher parts in the White Mountains.
Date: 2009-07-23
From: Manchester Center, VT (Green Mountain House)

To: Manchester Center, VT (Green Mountain House)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Hi Everyone,Vickie (Way)here taking my turn at a journal entry. Normally Tim would be doing the update but he turned the computer over to me. As of late, it has been difficult hiking and almost feels as if we were starting from square one. Yesterday we hiked into town with reservations to stay at the Green Mountain House (hostel) and believe me it is just what the doctor ordered! We are presently staying with two other couples in a nice sized house with full use of the kitchen and laundry. The beds are so comfy - mine just cuddled me all night long. After a shower, clean clothes, and relaxation we know we can go on. Tonight there will be 10 people in the house and two of them are good friends from New Zealand. We were a bit concerned to learn that a major weather system will be following us for the next 10 days or so - meaning that we will be wet. Though I have fallen often enough whether the trail is wet or dry, I suspect that I will have to choose each step carefully as we continue our hike through Vermont...still can't believe we have made it thus far...and not too far to go.I was happy to discover that I have lost another 9 pounds for a total of 35. I am anxious to find out if my borderline high cholesterol has dropped. I bought a new pair of zip-off pants - size 10 - and put my larger pants in the hiker box.Some things I have discovered about myself on the trail is that I had a habit of interrupting people too much - working on being a better listener. I also discovered that I like to be the last one hiking. As Tim and I are often the first out of the shelter in the morning, as the late starters begin to pass us, I feel best when everyone has gone by and just "Will" is behind me. When I get trail weary and think I can't do another climb, I step aside and ask Tim to take the lead. Then, when I am all alone on the trail I feel good following everyone else.That's it this time. Thanks for your continued interest and care.Love,VickieJeff who runs this wonderful Hostel has a picture card reader for his computer and I was able to upload some pictures. You can see them by looking at some of the previous entries or look at the photo page.
Date: 2009-07-24
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Peru Peak Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Great night at the Hostel. We'd love to help Jeff out next year if possible. On the trail by 10:15. Ten miles over good elevations but muddy. Sun tried to shine but the clouds won. No rain however. Wendy and Matt were at the shelter among others.
Date: 2009-07-25
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

Up early as usual. Excellent weather sun came out for good around noon and lasted all day. Meet some SOBO's (south bound hikers) and a few families on the trail. Elevations were pleasant and doable. Finished by 4:00. Could have gone farther but were happy to call it quits when we did. No one else in shelter by the time this was written. End of week 19!
Date: 2009-07-26
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: Swansong Shelter.
Miles today: 13.8

Less than 500 miles to go. Overcast day for the most part but no rain. Stopped after 7 mile for lunch at the Whistle Stop cafe. The afternoon was relatively difficult 7 miles. We tenting at Swansong Shelter. It's a shelter on private property. It's about a mile away from an "official" shelter. But that one was close to a road and there's been trouble with people harassing the hikers so somehow a shelter got built on private land. At the shelter, Egg, Intents and two section hikers.
Date: 2009-07-27
From: Swansong Shelter.

To: US 4 (Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 11.4

Big up today, Killington Peak, 3870 ft. We haven't seen that height in a while, we're back in the mountains. It's a big winter ski area and there are ski runs all around, but pretty quiet in the summer, especially a wet cool one like this year. Mostly cloudy, one brief shower and some sun. Lots of rock, roots, ruts, and mud on the way down. Arrived at the Inn by 3:00 so we had some good down time. Egg, Intense, Pittsburgh, and a few section hikers are also here. Had an early dinner at the attached Pub - did laundry and cleaned up. Feeling pretty good.
Date: 2009-07-28
From: US 4 (Inn at Long Trail)

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

We had to go into Rutland (about 9 miles) to resupply a few items so tried hitching. We got lucky. Waited about five minutes before getting a ride into town and about the same amount of time to get back out of town to the trail head. Both rides with young women. Another up but this time in warmer weather with higher humidity. In the shelter Pittsburgh, south bounder Zeus, and section hiker Too Tall. Tenting were Matt and Wendy. Surpassed the 1700 mile mark! Saw a team of Vermont Youth Conservation Corps members doing trail maintenance. They had a camp set up nearby and will be there until August 23rd. The trail certainly can use their help.
Date: 2009-07-29
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: VT 12
Miles today: 13.7

Whoa! When we woke up there were at least 10 more tents that sprung up after we had our early bedtime. Saw some hikers we hadn't see in quite a while including Ms Scarlet, Newt, Half Moon & Sunbeam, and Squeegi. Our destination was a road crossing with a bakery/ice cream store. We were hoping to camp there but no lunch. However right down the road was a house and barn where we were welcomed. Daniel Quinn was nice enough to accommodate about 14 hikers by evening. We were really lucky as it started to rain about 3:30 and continued all night. To our relief it stopped about 6:30 the next morning as we were getting ready to go for the day.
Date: 2009-07-30
From: VT 12

To: VT 14
Miles today: 12.6

The day gradually cleared and by afternoon it was actually hot. We were huffing and puffing as we made our way up and down the trail. Really nice scenery today. The terrain changed from pine forests to fields to streams to heavy foliage to old logging paths. Went by another farm store around noon and stopped for a bit of ice cream. Made the road crossing about 4:00 and had a late lunch at the West Hartford Village Store. Found out that a local family allowed hikers to stay in their workshop/barn so spent another night inside (with Matt and Wendy). It can't get much better.