morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-07-10
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton MA - Tom Levardi's
Miles today: 20.6

Dalton MA - 20.6 milesI was up at 5:30. The pancake breakfast started at 6:10, and was very good. I finally left at 6:30 and after the 1/2 mile walk back to the trail, I was finally proceeding north at 6:45. The trail was easy, and I moved along easily. I stopped for a break next to a brook, then continued to October Mountain Shelter, where I stopped again. Once again, the trail continued with little elevation change. I reached the road where the Cookie Lady lives and went over. They weren't home, so no cookies today, but Jeff Davis, Sugar Plum, Conan, and Uncle Spider were there helping them clean up their blueberry patch. They actually hiked by here yesterday and helped for a while, then hiked on to Dalton. They then got a ride back today to help out some more. I talked with them, then went on. I want to get to Dalton today. Shortly, I caught up to Sting Ray and walked with him the rest of the way to town. He is thru hiking and lives in Dalton, so he is going home to spend a few days, then continue north. I walked into town and stopped at Tom Levardi's. Tom is a trail supporter who lets people stay at his house. He told me his house was full, but I could camp in the back yard. Fine with me. The four hikers from the Cookie Lady's place were there as well as others. I put up my tent while other hikers who were at Upper Goose Pond last night, started to arrive. Tom brought out hamburgers, hot dogs, and pasta. Jeff cooked them up on the grill. I ate a good dinner, then went to the store and bought a 2 liter of root beer, and Danish for everyone. A good evening was had by all. Thanks to Tom for all he does to help hikers. He is an extremely nice man.
Date: 2012-07-11
From: Dalton MA - Tom Levardi's

To: Bascom Lodge - Mt Greylock
Miles today: 17.3

Mt Greylock - Bascom Lodge - 17.3 milesI was up at 5:35. There was a lot of dew last night, so I had to put my tent away wet. I left with Meat at 6:30. We went to Java 'n' Juice for breakfast. I had an egg and ham on a bagel. It was 7:30 before we finally started walking out of town. After walking along city streets for a mile, the trail entered the woods and started to climb. As soon as it did, Meat took off while I continued at my own pace. The climb was gradual but tiring. Soon I reached the top and the trail continued with small ups and downs, then finally down as it headed for Cheshire. Cheshire is only 9 trail miles north of Dalton. I got there about 11AM. The sandwich/ice cream place I was going to eat at didn't open until 11:30, so I went to the Post Office to pick up the socks I had Cheryl mail me. Afterwards, I went back to the sandwich/ice cream shop to wait for it to open. I put my tent out to dry while I waited. Promptly at 11:30 they opened and I got a meatball grinder for lunch. After eating it I went back and got a large ice cream. It was so good!When I finally left the lunch place it was 12:30. The next 8 miles of trail to Bascom Lodge on My Greylock was all uphill with some flat places thrown in. Mt Greylock is 3494 feet. It's the first time I've been above 3000 feet since Virginia. The elevation climb from Cheshire to Greylock was 2500 feet; again, the first time since Virginia. It was tiring but since it was over 8 miles, it never got too hard. However, I better get ready. This is just the start. I am only 10 miles from the Vermont state line and in Vermont the mountains will start to grow again crossing 4000 feet and the climbs will get harder. Then, after Vermont will be New Hampshire and the White Mountains. There I'll be back above 6000 feet with steep elevation changes. Bascom Lodge is on the summit of Mt Greylock along with a monument to Massachuesetts war heroes. I got a bunk at the lodge, then checked out the monument, including climbing to the observation deck on top. It was great. Afterwards, I went back to the lodge to get a shower and make dinner. After dinner, I went back to the monument to watch the sunset. The sky was clear, so while it was a nice sunset, it wasn't the best. The best sunsets are when you have a few high whispy clouds. The kind you can still see through, but will collect the red and orange hues as the sun sets and make a colorful sunset. Well, it was a great night anyway.
Date: 2012-07-12
From: Bascom Lodge - Mt Greylock

To: Bascom Lodge - Mt Greylock
Miles today: 0.0

My Greylock - Bascom Lodge - 0.0 miles17th zeroIm just not interested in walking today. I didn't get up until 8:00. That has to be the latest since I started. I fooled around until 10:00, then packed up because check out is at 10:00; but, I still didn't put on my hiking clothes. I stayed in my camp/town clothes. Then I went downstairs and sat around. I saw Payman, Two Step, Sugar Plum, Sculler, and Sting Ray go past and talked to them but I never got up to walk. I just stayed. Finally, about 1:30, I booked a bunk for another night. I wanted to take a nap, but they told me they have to clean up the room yet and I could have it later. So I napped on the couch in the lounge. Then about an hour later, I got my bunk and took another nap. About 4:00 I went down and got a burger for dinner and saw Jeff Davis hiking past. About 6:00 Z came in, he is going to stay here tonight also. An easy, but boring day. Tomorrow I have to hike on. I plan to hike 6 miles to US Route 2, go east 3/4 mile to get breakfast and resupply. Then I will hike into Vermont.
Date: 2012-07-13
From: Bascom Lodge - Mt Greylock

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

Seth Warner Shelter - 13.2 milesLess than 600 to goUp at 5:30 but slow to get moving. I didn't leave until 6:20. It was a 6 mile downhill to North Adams, MA. I got to US Route 2 at 9:00, and turned East. There is a Friendly's for breakfast and a Price Chopper for resupply 3/4 mile down. I stopped for breakfast first, then on to the grocery for resupply. While there, I bought a pint of ice cream to eat now, and food for 4 days. It should last until Manchester. As I started back to the trail, Chesty and Roadhouse came out and were headed back too. We got back to the trail and started hiking again a little after noon; a 3+ hour stop. Now that it's afternoon, it's getting hot and the trail starts up, of course. It's a 1600 foot climb to the next shelter and since it's 90 degrees, I struggled. I finally got there a little before 4:00. Since the next shelter is 7 more miles and the heat is killing me, this is it for today; 13.2 miles. Besides, it would be great if Dakota Dan or Dame Q would catch up. They are both about a 2 days behind right now. Well, at least I made it to Vermont today. John Miksit(Alwaysfine) and I started our 16 year section hike at North Adams, and spent our first night at Seth Warner Shelter. So this section will be a trip down memory lane. Another state, Massachusetts, is done. Also, as of today, I have less than 600 miles to go.
Date: 2012-07-14
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

Goddard Shelter - 21.6 milesOver 1600 milesI was up at 5:30 and left at 6:00. I walked about an hour and a half and was starving, so I stopped for my first snack about 7:30. While I was stopped, Chesty and Roadhouse went by. When I continued about a hour later, I found them stopped at a stream, so I stopped again. This time to get water, but I ate again also. Shortly afterwards, I reached the Congdon Shelter. I just signed the register and continued on. An hour later I reached Harmon Hill, and stopped again. John Miksit, Alwaysfine, and I camped here after our 2nd day on the trail in '91, so I had to take a break here. Eventually, I continued on and hiked down to Route 9 and across the stream where I stopped for water. While there Jeff Davis, Conan, and U Haul went past. Afterwards I hiked up to the Melville Nauhiem Shelter cutoff, and Jeff and the gang were all sitting there, so I stopped, too. I got water again, and ate again. An hour, later I reached Porcupine Ridge and stopped. This was another campsite from our 1991 hike. Afterwards, I hiked the remainder of the way to Goddard Shelter. A 21.6 mile day. Goddard is a nice shelter. I am sharing it with Houdini and Chesty. Roadhouse and several section hikers are camped nearby.
Date: 2012-07-15
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Stratton Pond Shelter - 19.3 miles rain on afternoonLast night Houdini convinced me to just do 9 miles to the Story Spring Shelter because the weather forecast says rain this afternoon. So based upon that, I slept in and didn't get up until 7:00, then didn't leave until 8:20. The walk to Story Spring Shelter was easy, and I was there at 12:30. Chesty and Roadhouse were already there. I sat down and ate lunch. It's wasn't raining yet and I didn't want to stop hiking yet, so I continued on. It's 10 more miles to Stratton Pond Shelter. Ten minutes after I left, it started to rain lightly. That continued for a couple hours; then it started to rain harder. I climbed up Stratton Mountain in the rain. Again Chesty and Roadhouse were already there. There was no view from the firetower on the summit, so we started 3.3 miles down to Stratton Pond. Then it started to rain harder. Roadhouse stopped a half mile before the shelter to camp. He didn't want to pay the $5 fee for camping at the pond. Chesty and I continued to the shelter. It was raining hard as we arrived. There were 2 small groups of young people there. There was still room for us, but it was noisey and crowded all evening. Fortunately, when I went to bed about 9:00, they started to quiet down and get ready for bed. Everyone was in bed and quiet by 9:30.
Date: 2012-07-16
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Manchester Center, VT - 10.7 milesSince the groups were good last night I slept in until 6:00. I packed up quietly, as usual, and left at 6:45. I had to go by the spring on the way out to get water since I didn't bother to do it last night in the rain. I really started walking about 7:00. The trail from Stratton Pond to Spruce Peak, about 7 miles, was easy and went by quickly. I was there a little before 10:00. Falling Rock was still there from last night. He said it was a full house last night. I ate a snack, then turned my phone on to call the hostel in Manchester. I saw I had a text from Houdini, saying he reserved a room at Sutton's Place, so I quickly called him and asked if he wanted to split it, which he agreed to do. I hiked the last 3 1/2 miles out to the road and tried to hitch into town. It took about 15 minutes to get a ride from a nice couple who have hiked part of the trail before. They drove me 6 miles to town, and dropped me off next to the laudromat and Friendly's. I changed into my rain pants and a clean shirt and put everything else in the washer. Then I went across the street to Friendly's and got a burger and fries with an ice cream for dessert. While there, I sat next to Sagebrush and Skyline and talked. When I left, I ran into Chesty and Roadhouse. They were just getting into town. I finished drying my clothes at the laudromat, and off to the Price Chopper to buy resupply. Afterwards, I bought Shoe Goo at the Outfitter. The soles on my 'new' shoes are starting to peel back starting at the toe, and I want to try and stop it before they come apart. I walked to Sutton's Place, and told him I was the person sharing with Houdini. (Houdini wasn't there yet; he started the day 10 miles behind me.) We got the room. I patched my shoes and repackaged my resupply. By that time, Houdini had arrived. After a shower, we went to the pizza shop for dinner. It was 1/2 off night and we got a Family size pizza with everything on it to split. It was great.
Date: 2012-07-17
From: Manchester Center, VT

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

Peru Peak Shelter - 10.1 milesHoudini got up late, so I slept in till 7:00. Houdini, No Sweat, and I left Sutton's Place together and walked into town. No Sweat went to the Price Chopper to resupply, while Houdini and I went to Mrs Murphy's Donut Shop for breakfast. I had an egg muffin with ham, OJ, and 2 Boston Cream donuts. Afterwards, I didn't have much motivation, and we just sat there until almost 10. Finally, Houdini left to go to the library and I went outside to hitch a ride back to the trail. It took me 35 minutes to get a ride, but that turned out to be a good thing. The guy who gave me a ride owns a sandwhich and ice cream shop a 1/4 mile East of the trail. He just opened this summer, and is not listed in the guide book, and he was hoping to get word of mouth advertisement for his shop. I told him I would tell all the SoBos I saw in the next couple of days, so he gave me a free ice cream cone. Mint Chocolate Chip; great. It was almost 11:00 before I finally got started hiking. The trail immediately starts to climb Bromley Mountain. It was a long 3 mile climb, but I reached the top and was treated to a beautiful view. I stopped to enjoy it. On the summit is a ski lift, and the warming hut there is available as a shelter. I hiked down Bromley to Mad Tom Notch. There is a hand operated water pump there, so I made it a lunch stop. Afterwards, I climbed Sykes Mountain and stopped to enjoy the view. While there, I checked my phone and learned Steamer is off the trail due to a stress fracture in his foot; and Dakota Dan probably will never catch up since he is still a few days behind. He is also going to stop in Hanover to wait for his daughter to catch up to him. I hiked on, going over Peru Peak and finally down to Peru Peak Shelter. It's 4:45, and I can hear thunder in the distance. The weather forecast is for thunderstorms tonight, so even though I've only gone 10 miles I'm staying here tonight. Later, I was joined by Snake Eyes and Slippery, both are SoBo thru hikers. I had an enjoyable, relaxing evening. It did start to rain about 8:00 but it didn't last long. But you never know, it might start again. No matter. I'm inside for the night.
Date: 2012-07-18
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: moderate rain

Minerva Hinchey Shelter - 19.6 milesIt rained hard last night. Thunderstorms kept rolling through, but it wasn't raining when I got up. I was up at 5:45, left at 6:15. Cloudy but dry. The trail went up Baker Peak and into the clouds. Normally there is a good view from here, but today I'm in the cloud. I descended Baker Peak, just walked past Lost Pond Shelter without going over, and walked to Big Branch Shelter where I stopped for my first lunch and water at 9:00. Doctor SML was there and we talked, then left together. After about a mile, I went on alone. The walk over to Little Rock Pond Shelter was easy, and I stopped at the shelter for a 2nd lunch. No Sweat and Falling Rock were there eating s'mores. They offered me some, so I had two, plus some of my own food. We left together, and walked fast to Greenwall Shelter Cutoff, where we all stopped for a break; my 3rd lunch. No Sweat and Falling Rock left before me, so when I left, I was walking alone again. The trail went up and over Bear Mountain to get to Minerva Hinchey Shelter. I am staying here tonight. No Sweat and Falling Rock went on another 3 miles to Clarendon Gorge to camp, but I started 5 and 10 miles further back respectfully. There was Trail Magic, Shasta Tiki Punch, sitting in the stream staying cold next to the shelter. Great, I had one, it tasted so good. Shortly Hermes, 2 SoBos and Doctor SML arrived.
Date: 2012-07-20
From: Yellow Deli hHostel - Rutland VT

To: Yellow Deli Hostel - Rutland VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

US Route 4, Rutland VT - 0.0 miles18th zeroI didn't sleep well last night. The windows were open for the air but the street below was noisy all night with people coming and going. I got up at 7:00. The stay includes an eggs and biscuits breakfast at 8:00; we all went. Afterwards, No Sweat and I combined our laundry and got it washed and I decided what resupply I needed. About 11:30, Sparrow, No Sweat and I left to go to the New Batman movie at the theater aross the way. It was almost 3 hours long, but it was good. Afterwards, I went to the Walmart to resupply. The Twelve Tribes people who run the hostel invited us to their Sabbath dinner tonight. Staying at the hostel is free tonight because of the Sabbath. In addition, Rutland has a street party every Friday night in the summer. It's on the street right in front of the hostel. Blazer, Sparrow, Spoon, and I all went to the dinner. They start with song and dancing, then dinner, then more song and dancing. When we entered, there was a dining area and a dance floor. Spoon has been staying here for the last few weeks, and Sparrow has been to other Twelve Tribe communities previously. So they knew what was going to occur and sat down on the dance floor. Blazer and I did not know what to expect and sat at a table in the dining area. Soon, all the tribe people started to gather and after a few welcoming remarks, one of them started playing a horn while others started to sing and some danced. After every song everyone would sit down and it was quiet until someone would feel moved and started to sing a song. Then everyone would join in, including the guy on the horn, and the dancing would start again. After about a half hour, people started standing up and giving thanks in very thoughtful and deliberate talks. Following this, it was dinner time. Everyone moved to the dining area where we were sitting. Several Twelve Tribe members joined us and we all talked as we ate. I still do not know alot about this community, but apparently they follow the Old Testament and are Jewish like, but not Jewish. They live together, and share all work and resources. Some work in the deli, others take care of the hostel, and Outfitter next door. They pool all of their income and resources. After dinner, as they were about to start dancing again, Blazer and I excused ourselves and left. We wanted to go to the street party, and I wanted more to eat. Although their food was good, I was still hungry. So we walked around. The town closes off this block every Friday night, and there are vendors and bands playing. There were people everywhere and it was a real party atmosphere. I got some tenderloin and vegetables, and a soda, then followed that up with a large cookie. Nice. Initially there was a band on the east end of the street playing, then later there was a band on a stage on the west side. It was a great evening watching all this. The party ends at 10:00 and I went back to the hostel. Surprisingly, things quieted down quickly when the party was over and I went to bed.
Date: 2012-07-22
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Camp at view 
Miles today: 17.8

Camp at view - 17.8 milesSlept in to 6:20. Didn't leave unroll 6:50. I've been getting lazy in the mornings, but oh well, I'm still in good position to finish. It's not a race. It's about the smiles not the miles. I left still intending to walk 21.5 miles to Thistle Hill Shelter. First, I walked to 'The Lookout', a cabin with an observation deck on its roof. It was nice and I sat on the observation deck for about an hour. Afterwards, I hiked down to Edge of the Woods Farm Market at VT Route 12. I saw Sugar Plum and 2 SoBos there and talked to them for a long time. I bought a Strawberry Rhubarb pie and we all shared it. After they left, a guy from British Columbua renting the house next door came by and we talked a long time. Finally, U Haul and Doctor SML arrived and we talked. Now I was getting hungry again, and I went back inside and bought a pint of ice cream. That was so good. Finally all 3 of us left, but now it was 5:15. I had been there for over 3 hours. That put my plan to get to Thistle Hill Shelter in jeopardy. It's still 8.2 miles away. So I left just figuring I would walk for a while and stop whenever I found the right place. I walked another 4.5 miles and came to a great view with a nice place to camp. So that was it for the night. I made dinner and enjoyed the view. This is a much nicer place than the shelter anyway. By the time I got there, put up my tent, made dinner and cleaned up, it was late. I went to bed.
Date: 2012-07-23
From: Camp at view 

To: Hanover NH, Trail Angel Sally Bellews Art Studio
Miles today: 18.4

Hanover, NH - Sally Bellew's Art Studio - 18.4 milesVermont completeLess than 450 miles to goIt was an easy walk today. The trail was smooth and nice with only minor hills. I made it to Thistle Hill Shelter early and didn't stop except to get water. I went on. I stopped for an early lunch next to a stream, then continued on to Happy Hill Shelter where I ate again. From there it was an easy 4 mile walk into Hanover. I reached Hanover about 3:00. All the SoBos told me there was a list of 'host families' that would put you up in their house. I checked the message board, then went to the Dartmouth Outdoor Club center to find it. No luck. Not only wasn't it there, but the people there didn't even know what I was talking about! Next I went to the Outfitter since I need fuel and seam grip. I asked them about the list. No luck again. All right, now I'm getting hungry, so off to the pizza shop. They give thru hikers a free slice, and I bought 3 more. After eating I saw 2 SoBos sitting on a bench. So I asked them about the list. Finally pay dirt. They had a copy and didn't need it anymore, so they gave it to me. I started calling people; no luck. It's now 5:30-6:00 and everybody was filled up for the night. Finally I was down to the last person, Sally Bellew. At first she said she already had 2, and that's all she takes. When I explained she was the last person and everybody else was full, she kindly decided to take me, but told me I had to rush to get the last bus to her place. It was 6:05, and the last bus leaves from Dartmouth at 6:15. I hussled back to Dartmouth and made it to the bus stop just in time. When I got off the bus, Sally was waiting for me and took me to her art studio. There I got a much needed shower. She suggested I just wash my clothes in her sink. I thought there wasn't a washing machine, so I did. Later, when Lady Forward came back from town, she went downstairs and moved her clothes from the washer to the dryer! If I only knew the machines existed they would have gotten much cleaner. Anyway, now I put my clothes in the dryer, so at least they will be dry in the morning.
Date: 2012-07-24
From: Hanover NH, Trail Angel Sally Bellews Art Studio

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: light rain

Moose Mountain Shelter - 10.9 miles morning rain1750 miles completeUp at 6:20, packed up and caught the 7:15 bus back to Hanover. In Hanover I went to Subway for breakfast and bought another sandwich which I will carry for lunch. Then off to the food co-op for resupply. After repacking I was finally ready to walk at 9:40. Of course, the trail immediately goes uphill, just like it always does as you leave town; and as always my pack is heavy with the new food I bought. It went up for a mile and a half, then started a series of small ups and downs. Shortly the sky clouded over and it started to rain. It rained hard but fortunately it didn't last. I stopped for lunch twice at streams where I could also refill my water bottle. On the second stop, about 2 1/2 miles from the shelter, there was a note that there was no water at the shelter. So I left, carrying 3 liters of water up the hill to the shelter. I reached the shelter about 4:00. It is breezy and cool this evening so I had to get out of my wet clothes. Then I sat around the rest of the evening.