morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-26
From: RPH Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: light rain

Today's hike: 16.6/1430.7 RPH to Telephone Pioneers ShelterMoney spent:$9.22-Mtn Top Market DeliToday's Wx:Overcast and rain, cool with low 50s.In the office at 8:30 and at the shelter at 6:30.I declared today as a "health and wellness" day because: I got going from RPH too late (8:30) to accomplish my goal; there were too many folks to talk to, especially Tex who I met this morning; it started to rain at 9AM; and finally, the lure of the deli run was much too great to resist!So, instead of a 25-miler to get to Wiley Shelter, I relaxed for three hours at the deli and Morgan Stewart Shelter and made an early stop at 6:30 for the night.Tomorrow, a 22-miler to Kent, Connecticut or more if I decide to press onward. Note: Morgan Stewart Shelter has four Tang plastic containers suspended by the lids for use as a "hiker box", a water filter, a bow saw, and lopping shears for use by hikers-a pretty neat set up.I really enjoyed meeting and talking with Tex (Greg C from Missouri). We are the same age group and both have college age children, so we had a bit in common. Happy hiking Tex!Tonight at Telephone Pioneers we have Dis and myself, along with a nice cowboy TV.Also, I really enjoy all the rock walls in N Pa, NJ, and NY.This hike is dedicated to Jim and Carol the owners of the Mountain Top Market & Deli, located on NY 52. They have hiker portions and are extremely hiker friendly. This off-trail eatery should NOT be missed!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GACT 05
Date: 2005-05-27
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Conn 341
Miles today: 21.7

It is so wonderful to be in Connecticut-one of the fifty best places on earth!CT is my tenth state on the AT!Today's hike:21.7/1452.7 Telephone Pioneers to CT 341 (Kent)Money spent:$84.16-supplies 58.28, Kent Pizza dinner 20.00, Country Mkt snacks 5.88Today's Wx: AM-Overcast, occasional "brightening" periods, 50s.PM-At 11:20, while at Wiley Shelter, the sun came out (so noted because it was an event!). Then warm and sunny-70s until 6:25, when a driving thunderstorm deludged the 1300' hill I was on! This was my worst heavy rain, but I knew it wouldn't last long and it was gone in a half hour.In the office at 6:45 and at the road at 7:15.Down from the shelter to County 20/Dover Road, I got water from the Champion's tap-thanks. The Dover Oak is right next to the trail and is immense. The AT actually becomes a real trail again, but the fields you walk through now can be dewy or rain soaked (like today), so prepare to get wet.Then you cross a stream, followed by a good boardwalk to arrive at the AT train siding. Across the road, next to the AT start, is a hot dog trailer that many hikers, who signed in at the Pawling Nature Preserve, say is pretty good-it wasn't open when I went through. In the preserve, at the left turn to go on the combined AT/yellow trail, I saw a small garter snake on the foot boards. I think it was dying as it was mouth agape. Then, almost immediately, I saw a red deer cross the foot boards and stare at me. This was unusual because of the deer's color-very reddish as opposed to the browns and greys I've seen on trail so far.I visited Wiley Shelter-right on trail-lots of gear and buckets. It was a pretty nice set up and the sun came out while I ate lunch and dried my socks and boots.As I approached the Schaghticoke Mountain Campsite, I saw my first viper! It was facing toward me and was stretched out and would not move! It actually hissed at me-no rattle-even when I tossed a few stones and sticks to get off the trail. All to no avail, so I went around it. It's colors were grayish and it had subdued markings-not sure that it was a timber or eastern diamondback. Perhaps it was the viper that begins with an "A", which I've never heard of before the AT, with a clear viper head and a small rattle set for a 4' snake.Then there was the last 2 miles of rainy fun before I arrived at the road and walked into Kent. I was at the Pasta Grill waiting for my buddy, Dennis, who was my roommate at the USAFA for our junior year. He teaches chemistry up at a prep school near Salisbury and I will spend a couple evenings at his place.This hike is dedicated to Bulls Bridges Gas Station & Country Market for taking such good care of thru hikers-thanks!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAMA 05
Date: 2005-05-29
From: Conn 341

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 17.0

Today's hike:17/1469.4 Conn 341 to Pine Swamp Brook Lean-toToday's Wx:Nice-partially cloudy, 60s, with rain overnight Sunday.In the office at 12:00 and at the lean-to at 8:15.A good climb out of Conn 341, with some up and downs. Then you get to the River Road, which begins about a 5-mile flat trail next to the Housatonic River, followed by a long sections of rocky ups and downs to the Pine Swamp Brook lean-to. This shelter has plenty of water-a stream running into a beaver pond, but it may be buggy during the day-as some SOBOs said. However, it was bug free when I arrived at 8:15 PM.This hike is dedicated to Klizaville-my thanks to Dennis and Janice for the warm hospitality!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAMA 05
Date: 2005-05-30
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to

To: Conn 41
Miles today: 16.4

Today's hike:16.4/1485.8 Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to to Conn 41Money spent: $11.00-Hart Inn snacksToday's Wx:Perfect-partially cloudy, 60sIn the office at 6:45 and at the Conn 41 at 2:45.Today's hike was a good one-under a beautiful day, with a lot of different trail conditions: from rocky erosions, to boggy wetness, to pine softness. The magnificient vista at Rand's View really made the hike today!I also saw two rattlers buzzing at the entrance to their den, as well as a hen turkey beside Conn 44.I ended up at the Hart Inn in Salisbury and Dennis came and picked me up for one more evening at Klizaville.This hike is dedicated to Memorial Day and to my friends who are no longer with us:Frank PineiroTom BeauclairRon BorthwickTim ConwayMike GerardiJohn GraperRod GressStan HinokiRich KumpfCT MarshDave MartinDave MasonSteve MorrisDave McGuireMark ShadbegianMark SizemoreTom SoissonJohn SouthreyRick SpottHarley StoneEd ThomasMark TunisWill WillzArt ReidTom CarlsonRandy GaspardBurt SlusherMay they all rest in peace..The ability to move and freedom are as one!GACT 05
Date: 2005-05-31
From: Conn 41

To: MA 41
Miles today: 17.8

It is so wonderful to be in Massachusetts-one of the fifty best places on earth!Massachusetts is my 11th state on the AT!Today's hike:17.8/1503.6 Conn 41 to Mass 41Money spent:$26.67-Manhattan Pizza 16.80, Eagle Shoe repair 13.10, snacks 3.40, breakfast tip 2.00, Carr Hardware 1.37 all in Great Barrington MAToday's Wx:Beautiful day for hiking-partially cloudy, high 60s, with light sprinkles in PM.In the office at 11:30 and at the road at 8 PM, but had to walk into South Egremont.The hike today was a stunner and pretty easy with a lot of varied terrain. It was so easy I wasn't sure I'd passed Lion's Head as my altimeter watch only read 1500 vs 1700ish-I really KNEW where I was when I passed the sign for Ball Brook Campsite at 4 miles within an hour and a half! It took me 2.5 hrs to get to Bear Mountain, which has a plaque saying it is Connecticut's highest point. That climb was a good up, although it was thru hiker easy, but today it was a little wet with the run off from recent rains. The descent also was pretty rocky and wet for about 300 feet.The stunner of the day was the Sages Ravine Brook which was roaring from many side waterfalls which made the brook a fast moving current. The trail follows the brook until you get to the "ravine" which is where you cross the water and see the welcome to Mass sign.Race Mountain through the ascent to Mt Everett was a rock scramble at times with steep boulder faces and an awesome ridge walk after Race Mtn. I saw the most gorgeous rainbow this afternoon looking eastward off the mountains. Finally, the descent to Jug End along the ridge end was a pretty smooth path amongst the pines; however, the descent down to Jug End Road was rocky and pretty steep. Before I started hiking today, Dennis took me to Great Barrington MA to get my boots fixed at the Eagle Shoe and Boot Company-they fixed them with no problems. Before that we had breakfast at the Mountainside Cafe (off the Mohawk Trail) which I didn't get to yesterday due to the AT re-route off the Warren Turnpike, just down from Housatonic High School (near Falls Village CT).Also in GB, I went to the Carr Hardware for an O-ring for my stove lid, a nut and bolt for backpack repair (already have used one to repair the stays), and denatured alcohol. When I got to South Egremont (after walking in-no one picked me up!), I couldn't find a room, but Lou was kind enough to take me to Great Barrington to the Days Inn. When I got there, I called Dennis to say goodbye and thanks but Janice said, "Why aren't you here with us!" which, along with the fact that it would have been a tough hitch back to the trail from Great Barrington, convinced me to return to Klizaville for one more night!!A special thanks to Lou who gave me that ride from South Egremont into Great Barrington MA to the Days Inn Hotel.This hike is dedicated to myself on the last day of my 28th Air Force service year and to USAFA Class of 1977 as we pass the 28-year landmark. We are always "Just Passing Through!"The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAMA 05
Date: 2005-06-01
From: MA 41

To: Mt Wilcox North Lean-to
Miles today: 17.1

Today is the end of my 14th week on trail.Today's hike:17.1/1520.7 MA 41 to Mt Wilcox North Lean-toMtG:654.3Money spent:$4.00 at the Corn CribToday's Wx:Partially cloudy, low 70s.In the office at 10:00 and at the lean-to at 7:15The mosquitoes were fierce just past Mass 41, so I had to use mosquito wipes for the first time today.Stopped at the Corn Crib (0.1 west at US 7) for a drink, ice cream, candy bars (Snickers of course), and to call home. While there, Dis arrived so we hiked into the Mt Wilson North Lean-to together for the evening.A pretty good hike today. Mostly flat, but had three climbs of about 500'. Passed many small ponds and crossed the Housatonic River. Also, passed the monument for last skirmish of Shay's Rebellion which occurred in 1787.I met Pegleg and Kindred and their FOUR dogs when I stopped at Tom Leonard Lean-to. They wanted to begin at Katahdin and go SOBO, but Baxter State Park is closed for snow!! So, they began at Mass 41 and are going NOBO until the park, along with Katahdin, is open.This hike is dedicated to the Corn Crib at US 7, near Sheffield MA.Thanks to Ruth Ziegler for her kindness and care for hikers.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAMA 05
Date: 2005-06-02
From: Mt Wilcox North Lean-to

To: October Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: clear sky

Today's hike:22.8/1543.5 Mt Wilcox North To October Mountain Lean-toToday's Wx:Perfect-partially cloudly, low 70s.In the office at 7:15 and at the lean-to at 6:15.I met Isaac walking up Tyringham Main Road (we originally met at the Days Inn in Great Barrington), so we walked together until he turned to go to the Upper Goose Pond Cabin. Dis and I said our goodbyes and then we motored onward to October Mtn.Today was Eft day-the little orange beauties were everywhere. I also saw a hen grouse who played "hurt" to decoy us (Dis and I) away from her nest.All day long it was frogs (and toads), bogs, and bugs everywhere on the trail. However, the hiking was mostly easy with a few ups.Tonight at October Mtn we have Dis and Woolybugger (three-day local hiker) and a butt load of mosquitoes!This hike is dedicated to Mr Warner-my junior high school gym teacher at Lincoln Junior High School in Oceanside, California.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAMA 05
Date: 2005-06-03
From: October Mountain Lean-to

To: Dalton MA
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: scattered clouds

This is my 100th day hiking the AT, so I'm celebrating by staying overnight in Dalton. I have 15.55 mpd average for that timeframe, with a 16.37 mpd for every day I've hiked (95).Today's hike:11.8/1555.3 October Mountain Lean-to to Dalton MAToday's Wx:Nice-cool, hazy, and sunny, 60s.In the office at 7:30 and in Dalton at 12:35.At 12:45 I was at Tom Levardi's place eating lunch with a beer. Then he brought out the ice cream and cookies!! They also have a great hiker box there from which I obtained a few goodies!I visited the Kay Wood Lean-to and it is a great shelter if you don't plan to overnight in Dalton (3 miles away). It has a lot of room with a loft, but a rather steep descent about 15 feet in front of the shelter.This hike is dedicated to the Tom Levardi for his excellent kindness and the trail magic he provides for hikers-thanks a ton Tom!!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAMA 05
Date: 2005-06-04
From: Dalton MA

To: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to
Miles today: 20.3

Today's hike: 20.3/1575.6 Dalton to Wilbur Clearing Lean-toMtG: less than 600Money spent:$142.77-lodging 70.80 & dinner 40.18 both at the Shamrock, groceries 22.94, Duff & Del's bfast 6.35, laundry 2.50Today's Wx:Sunny and warm-70 at 9AM, then 85+ in the afternoon, with humidity-easily the warmest AT day this year.In the office at 9:00 and at the lean-to at 8:40, with an hour pause in Cheshire and about two hours at Bascom Lodge (Mt Greylock) for dinner.The baby black flies have come out on Greylock-WOW!! and more fun to come!The hike to Cheshire was a good trail and fun with the neat Gore Pond and the Cobbles (marble outcroppings). Also, I had a good milkshake at Diane's Twist which is just across the Hoosic River.Then the assault on Greylock begins. You begin at 1000' and climb to 3491 feet to summit Massachusett's highest peak. The temperatue was 84 at 1000', 78 at 2000', and 71 at 3000' which made the hike very pleasant. The climb, while going up 2400' was very doable due to the forest walk-mostly pine-with cooling breezes and pretty good terrain, although there were many roots. However, the last 300 feet are pretty rocky-almost like a water gully trench.I had a wonderful dinner at Bascom Lodge-salad, barley soup, chicken primavera with pasta, rolls, dessert, and coffee. Then I hiked the three miles to Wilbur Clearing for the night.Special thanks to Laura at the Shamroch Inn and to Brian Stokes who gave me AT info and ice cubes at the trail turn off School St in Cheshire.This hike is dedicated to Mr Tom Levardi who is in a class to himself with his wonderful trail magic-thanks a lot Tom!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAMA 05
Date: 2005-06-05
From: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

It is so wonderful to be in Vermont-one of the fifty best places on earth!Today's hike:17.1/1592.7 Wilbur Clearing Lean-to to Congdon ShelterVermont is the 12th state on my AT thru hike.Money spent:$36.55-Yesterday 22.05-milkshake 3.25, dinner at Bascom Lodge 16.80, and tips 2.00; Today-14.50 at Stop and Shop.Today's Wx:Sunny and warm-80s, with puffy clouds. In the office at 8:00 and at the MA-VT border at 12:25! This followed an hour break in North Adams for food and hygiene items. I visited the Seth Warner Shelter for 45 minutes until 3 PM, then onward to arrive at Congdon Shelter at 6:15.Hiking from Wilber Clearing was easy, but there was a good downhill, along which there were posted signs for No Trespassing due to the town watershed for North Adams. There was also a sign to notify the hiker concerning a proximity to a local rifle range. You end up passing the North Adams Water Treatment Plant, continue your trail walk a little farther, and then you walk down by houses and the school. When you get to the T-intersection (Mass 2) you can turn left (west) for 1/3 of a mile and get good re-supply at the Stop and Shop supermarket.The hike out crosses a river and goes beside a house (actually uses their driveway!) and then goes uphill 1700' to the border. The first mile or so it skirts a nice creek for water and cooling off!Today it was a good climb, but sweaty as the humidity was high and temps were 84 at North Adams, but cooled as the altitude increased, to 72 at border.Hiker Note: There was a blue blaze bad weather option at 1800' as the trail is a little rocky for a bit following that height-it actually strongly resembles a water sluice-I'd not like to go up it during a rainstorm. I saw a small 7" garter snake (I believe that is #10) close to Eph's Lookout.The Seth Warner shelter area is a good set up with a well running stream for water. Leaving you will climb to 3000' then descend to 2550 at the Roaring Branch, which appears to have been swallowed by a couple of large beaver ponds! Then you climb to 2800' and the trail really gets nice for last 1.5 miles-an easy forest walk. The last mile you walk right beside a hugh beaver dam on a boardwalk and later follow a good stream, before arriving at Congdon, which has a smaller stream that is a tributary for the large one.At the shelter tonight for the last evening with Dis as he will meet his brother tomorrow in Bennington and take a few zeros-good hiking my friend!This hike is dedicated to Mr Art Lupino-one of my high school gym teachers at Oceanside High School in Oceanside, California. He didn't take any BS from anyone, but when I was a senior he would confide his worries about his daughter with me (she was my age). This was actually the first time I remember an adult treating me like another adult-we didn't do "self-esteem" in those days!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVT 05
Date: 2005-06-06
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Today's hike:23.3/1616 Congdon to Story Spring ShelterToday's Wx: Sunny and warm-70s with humidity. At 4:13, the forest darkened like about 8PM, very still with not even bird chirps or flies buzzing, and then boom-the thunderstorm hit! I waited it out for 25 minutes and then hiked on in the light rain.Cheapskate states:NH with their hut system, but at least you get dinner and breakfast. Then Vermont is charging to stay at shelters!, but no trail maintenance is visible so far-I can't wait to see these pay-to-stay 90-year old shacks! Pretty soon every state will get in on this act and the ATC will need to administer a "thru-hiker" fee system-yikes. [Note: Presently the VT shelters are not charging due to the cost for caretakers.]In the office at 7:30 and at the shelter at 7:40.Visited Melville Nauheim Shelter (just after Vt 9) for H2O and snacks, arriving at 10:30 after a 1000' climb up.Left Kid Gore at 5:40 to lightening skies following the rain storm. Just past Caughnawaga Shelter, there is an immediate climb to 3300' and then it was all downhill, passing two large beaver ponds, until a couple hundred foot climb into the shelter.I am going to miss hiking with Dis. We basically hiked our own hikes each day, but spent several evenings at shelters together. For two people so different, I really enjoyed his company. He is going up to Montpelier to visit a brother and got off at Bennington-farewell my friend.Tonight we have Ken and Katie, John, Vince Canuck & Java Pete-two Canadians, Restless, and two guys out in tarps. The six in the shelter graciously made room for this wet, old dog.This hike is dedicated to Campmor the outdoor supply warehouse. I have purchased a lot of my gear from them over the years.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVT 05
Date: 2005-06-07
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Vt 11/30
Miles today: 21.1

Today's hike:21.1/1637.1 Story Spring Shelter to Vt 11 (Manchester)Today's Wx:Sunny, 70s.In the office at 6:30 and at the the highway at 5:00.A buggy, quick walk to Stratton-Arlington Road, followed by the climb of Stratton Mountain, which has a firetower to view the surrounding area.At the summit, there were also many bird-catching nets strung up on the trail by VINS-Vermont Institute Of Natural Sciences. They were banding birds and looking for specific birds.Today was Eft/Newt day on the trail. They were everywhere as they often are following rain.The hike after Stratton Mtn was mostly a flat forest walk-very pleasant, but very boggy at times.I'm in Manchester Center tonight at Sutton's Place and eating dinner at Candeleros Southwestern Grill-a texmex place-yum!This hike is dedicated to Anthony B who picked me up, gave me a ride to Sutton's Place, and drove me around Manchester-thanks a lot Tony! The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVT 05
Date: 2005-06-08
From: Vt 11/30

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

This is the 15th week of my AT hike.Today's hike:10.1/1647.2 Vt 11/30 to Peru Peak ShelterMtG: 528Money spent: $211.15-Sutter's Place lodging 40, Candeleros dinner 29.65, Max Flat lunch 38.46, Mrs Murphy's Donuts 2.30, Cigars 19.30, Yankee $ Store 21.14, Outfitters-The Mountain Goat 26.21 and EMS 15.99, Price Chopper 22.97, McDs 5.44, laundry 3.00, Chuck's shoe repair 8.00, Today's Wx:Sunny, humid, and warm-70s.Light breezes that brought in an afternoon T-storm.In the office at 2:00 and at the shelter at 7:15.Interesting items:I have been seeing a lot of moose sign-scat and tracks since getting to Vermont-which surprised me. I thought I'd only see this up in Maine, maybe in New Hampshire. Today there were actually two distinct tracks on the trail-one large set and another smaller set-perhaps a cow and her calf. I have been looking at all the beaver ponds to hopefully see one, but to no avail. Then today I am carefully picking my way around the roots, rocks, and bogs when I hear a rustle and sure enough there was a moose right ahead of me on the trail!! It was about 30' ahead and loped off when it saw me-WOW!Later, a rabbit startled away to my right, but turned suddenly and it ran into my right foot.We also had the trail standard flush up of upland game birds and of course many of my Eft friends after the rain.Also, I saw two garter snakes.The climb out of Manchester takes you over Bromley Creek, past Bromley Shelter, and finally to Bromley Mountain, which is a full-up ski lift area with several runs-one of which you hike as you reach the final ascent-it is all a grassy area.Manchester was really great:Sutton's Place-Good place right in town. Charged me $40 vs THC price of $30 and had no hot water in the evening or morning and upstairs room was too warm had to go down to the TV room to sleep.Maxwell's Flat Road-Good drinks and food, but service wasn't so great.Candeleros Mexican-A winner in every way-great chow, drinks, location, and service.The Spiral Press Cafe-An absolute winner!Chuck the Cobbler-He fixed my hiker boots and charged a fair price.Outfitters: the Mountain Goat and EMS-Anne was super at TMG, she helped me get what I needed quickly. The folks at EMS were helpful as well.Mrs Murphy's Donut Shoppe-Open at 6 AM and great donuts, coffee, and prices!At Peru Shelter I found Yogi-he had just made it before the first T-storm, while I made it just prior to the second T-storm.Honorable mention for today's hike goes to Teddy and Brittany and the rest of the wonderful folks at the Spiral Press Cafe and Bookstore-thanks for the great coffee and use of the Internet for my trailjournal and picture uploads!This hike is dedicated to Jan who gave me a ride back up to the trail-she wasn't even going that way!!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVT 05