morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-10-22
From: USFS 71

To: VT 9/Bennington VT 
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

We checked the maps and guides, but we could not find any road access for 20 miles. We even stopped by a regional forestry office to see if maybe we were missing something. Unfortunately the nice ranger confirmed that we were right. He suggested that I stay at the Goddard shelter located at the midway point.I appreciated his efforts to help, but the thought of spending the night alone in a cold shelter rather than with my husband was not appealing. So I needed to hike the 20.6 miles. I knew it was going to be a VERY long tough day.Right from the start the trail was rooty and rocky. It was also a cold gray damp rainy day. The climb up Glastenbury Mountain was long and steady, with several ups and downs along the way.I kept going at a steady pace and watched the weather. The clouds were building and the wind was increasing. Eventually I made it to the summit of Glastenbury Mtn.   I checked out the lookout tower, which had several thick cables holding it in place against the stiff wind. I could hear the cables groaning under the strain of the wind and quickly decided to skip climbing the tower.The Goddard shelter is just .3 miles from the tower. I decided to take a brief break at the shelter before starting the long descent. In addition to eatting, drinking, and peeing, I made an entry in the shelter journal. Specifically I noted that I had not seen a single critter or person all day. Just as I was putting the journal back in the shelter a guy appeared - a northbound Long Trail thru hiker. Then the sky opened up and it rained like crazy.I ate a few more snacks and chatted with the newcomer while I waited out the rain. I did not want to hike in the storm, but I also knew the longer I sat in the shelter the longer I would be hiking in the dark later.Finally there was a break in the rain and I headed out. I hiked as fast as I could to make up for the lost time. Fortunately after the shelter the AT was on a ridge for a long time and the trail was fairly easy.However the descent into the gap was extremely treacherous.   The trail just dropped off straight down over boulders. It was dark, and the rocks were slick from the rain. I was hoping that Rod did not hike in to meet me. There was no point in both of us risking getting injured in the dark.I carefully picked my way over the wet rocks in the dark. I was really glad I recently replaced my headlamp. At one point I saw 2 gray mice and watched them while I took a little break. The mice were adorable and did not seem to mind me shining a light on them. Then I remembered these are probably the same type of rodents that infest the shelters and torment hikers at night while we are trying to sleep. I moved on.Finally, at 7:45 p.m., I reached the gap where Rod was anxiously waiting for me. He was worried. The AT is calling. I am REALLY glad this day is over. I hope tomorrow is easier.
Date: 2015-10-23
From: VT 9/Bennington VT 

To: MA 2, Hoosic River
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

We made a point to start earlier so I would not be finishing in the dark again. The profile showed a VERY steep descent a few miles before the finishing point. I definitely wanted to be well past that point before dark.The climb out of the gap was steep and tough. Although there were many stone steps to help with the climb, it was still a very steep climb. And the trail was not well marked. With a thick blanket of leaves hiding the tread, I wasted a lot of time and energy searching for the trail.It felt like I spent most of the morning climbing. At the top of Harmon Hill the trail finally started to improve and level out.There was a trail register inside a wooden box on a post. When I opened the door to the box I immediately noticed that the register notebook was shredded, and then I saw the mouse - not as cute as the ones I saw last night. The little guy made his home inside the register box, which may work now, but most likely will be too cold during the winter months.I stopped briefly at the Congdon shelter, where I met yet another SOBO thru hiker. I skipped the Seth Warner shelter.The trail to the VT/Mass border was relatively easy. But once I reached Mass the trail became very rocky. I was also getting tired. All these long tough days back to back, with little sleep, were wearing me out.Then I hit the steep descent. Basically it was a vertical drop over boulders, and then a more gradual climb down through a boulder field. The blazes were no help. There seemed to be no distinct trail. Basically I was on my own to figure out how to get over the boulders and to the next distant white blaze.Then there was a more gradual descent into the gap and the Williamstown/North Adams area. The trail wove through a residential area. A sign posted next to the trail welcomed hikers and listed what was available for us. Although I did not need anything, it was so nice to see that the community made an effort to make hikers feel so welcome. I crossed the Hoosic River and found Rod parked on a side street. I made it well before dark. What a relief.The AT is calling. Thankfully tomorrow will be a shorter day. I am beat!
Date: 2015-10-24
From: MA 2, Hoosic River

To: Main Street & School Street, Cheshire Mass
Miles today: 14.7

The day was cold, gray, and damp - like so many of the other days. Like the other days, I had a long climb up, then another climb up, then yet another climb up.Because it was Saturday there were also a lot of day hikers on the trail. One of the day hikers asked me a lot of questions about what I was eatting on the trail. She said she wanted the information for a paper she was writing for school.Rod was waiting for me at the summit of Mt. Greylock. I was hoping to share a burger with him, or at least a cup of hot cocoa.   Unfortunately everything at the summit was closed for the season. Instead I settled for a Gatorade in the car while I dried my wet clothes using the car heater.We watched 3 guys with giant expedition size packs and wearing blue jeans get shuttled back to their vehicle after just a few days out on the trail. And we watched 2 women finish their thru hike with much smaller packs. I do not understand why folks out for just a few days need such huge packs!Once my clothes were dry I headed back to the trail. The AT wound around the summit and then headed down off the mountain. The trail followed a ridge for a while and then began the long descent to Cheshire.It began to get dark and I put on my headlamp. I also picked up my pace. Down the trail I saw something standing next to the trail. At first I thought it could be a bear, then I realized something was also standing on the other side of the trail. So it was not likely a bear.As I got closer I realized that they were both wearing camo. They were hunters. Then I saw their compound bows, loaded with arrows!! It was dark and they were still apparently actively hunting, right along the AT! I spoke with them briefly and kept going. I was extremely glad I was wearing my headlamp, and they did not shoot me.The AT crossed several crop fields and then finally dropped into the town and onto a street. I was so grateful to see Rod waiting for me. It had been a long, cold, wet, tough day, and I was absolutely exhausted. Seeing the hunters in the dark also freaked me out.The AT is calling. I have one more day of slackpacking with my husband left. With his help, tomorrow I will reach my goal of finishing VT and Mass.
Date: 2015-10-25
From: Main Street & School Street, Cheshire Mass

To: MA 8 & 9, Dalton Mass
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained last night and into the morning. We went to breakfast while waiting for the rain to clear.It was still wet, cold, and windy when Rod dropped me off at the trail. I had a long road walk before the trail finally went back into the woods. Then I had a long steady climb. Of course there were plenty of slippery wet leaves, rocks, and roots. And there was plenty of fog, which obscured just about every view and some of the white blazes. During the climb I met a small group which had apparently spent the night in the woods during the rain storm. They were carrying all sorts of weird stuff, like big folding car camping type chairs. They looked cold, wet, and tired. I do not know why they would have gone camping in the rain.Finally the trail leveled out and I was able to maintain a good pace. But in places the trail was tough to follow, both because of the leaves & fog, and because of the way it was marked. There were double blazes where the trail went straight, and there were turns in the trail marked with just a single blaze.The descent into Dalton was easy, but long. I met 2 nice guys who were out for just a few days. Of course, their packs were huge.I had Rod meet me at Thomas Levardi's house. I camped in his backyard on August 1, when I hiked northbound into Dalton. I wanted to thank Thomas again for his kindness and talk with him about a rumor I heard that he was no longer going to let hikers camp in his yard.I was not able to see Thomas, but I did talk with him on the phone. He confirmed, that after over 20 years of letting hikers camp in his yard, he was discontinuing the practice. This summer some hikers severly abused his hospitality and Thomas decided to remove his information from all AT guides.Unfortunately I have heard about a lot of places along the AT which have closed this year due to bad hiker behavior. There are some hikers who decided that the AT is one big party, and the rules do not apply to them. Rod needed to get back to work, and I needed to be dropped off in Harper's Ferry, WVA on his way back to Florida. So we spent the rest of the day driving to Harper's Ferry. The AT is calling. But first I need to take a little break.
Date: 2015-10-26
From: Harper's Ferry WVA 

To: Harper's Ferry WVA 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I did laundry very late last night, once we reached the Econolodge in Harper's Ferry, WVA. I wanted to make sure Rod's clothes were all clean to head back to Florida, and my clothes were clean to head back out on the trail.Today was a tough day emotionally. It was really nice being with my husband for 2 weeks. He was my ground crew. He figured out the locations of the road crossings, scouted out local places to stay and have dinner, and dropped me off and picked me up at the road crossings. All I had to do was hike with a very light daypack. I felt pampered and very well taken care of, despite the long miles and terrible weather. I would never have completed over 177 miles in 2 weeks without his help. But now he had to go back to work.He helped me run some errands, then he had to start driving back to Florida. We were both so tired. I was worried about him driving back home alone. It was tough seeing him go.I spent most of the rest of the day sleeping. I was exhausted.The AT is calling. I am coming - just please let me get a little rest first.
Date: 2015-10-27
From: MA 8 & 9, Dalton Mass

To: Harper's Ferry WVA 
Miles today: 0.0

I planned to get back on the trail on Wednesday, 10/28. But a very large storm system was coming from the west later in the week and was predicted to bring "severe" weather - high winds, rain, lightening, and potentially tornadoes. I may have to change my plans.I went by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. I did a little shopping and had my picture taken again. As a flip flopper I wanted to make sure the ATC knew I completed the AT north of here and was now heading south to complete the last portion of my thru hike. On my way back to the hotel I walked the blue blazed trail from the ATC to the AT, just as I had done on June 1, when I returned to the AT after the first bout of pneumonia.   When I reached the AT I hiked south. The trail lead through some trees and eventually came out onto the road near the Econolodge. I purposely did this so when I hit the trail again with my full pack I could get back on the AT near the hotel.I worked on my trail journal entries, checked the weather forecast, and went to bed early.The AT is calling. I think it will have to wait until the storm system passes through.
Date: 2015-10-28
From: Harper's Ferry WVA 

To: Harper's Ferry WVA 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

The weather forecast was not good. I was very concerned about the storm system headed east, specifically the high winds, lightening, and possible tornadoes.   I also knew that hiker traffic along the AT this time of year would be very limited. So if something bad happened, like a tree falling on me, it could be a while before someone found me. Under the circumstances I decided to wait out the storm in Harper's Ferry. I sorted through the resupply items I had Rod bring. Half the food would go into my pack, and half the food needed to be "bounced," or mailed ahead. I also started to put my pack together, and I worked on my trail journal entries.The AT is calling. I will be back on the trail as soon as the storm system passes.
Date: 2015-10-29
From: Harper's Ferry WVA 

To: Harper's Ferry WVA 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I contacted a few hostels located further south along the AT to make sure they were still open this late in the hiking season. I also confirmed whether they would accept mail drops and confirmed their addresses. I finished putting together my bounce box and then took it to the post office. I hate to think about how much money Rod and I have spent in postage while I have been hiking the AT. Some folks get by just buying whatever they need in towns along the trail. But my GI system would not do well eatting a steady diet of peanut butter and Ramon noodles. Plus I have prescription medications and supplements that must be sent to me anyways.Before I started the AT I purchased Mountain House and similar dehydrated bag meals in bulk for my dinners. I also bought snacks for during the day and oatmeal/granola for breakfast in bulk. I then repackaged the food in 6 day portions.I likewise bought general supply items in bulk, such as small tubes of toothpaste, contact solution, and Purell. Everything was organized in boxes and labeled. I just email my husband a resupply list with an address where i need the box sent along the trail. He prints the list and address, loads a post office priority box with the food & supplies, tapes the address to the box, and mails it. This system seems to be working well for us.The AT is calling. The storm system has finally passed and I am looking forward to hitting the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2015-11-01
From: Bears Den Hostel, Bears Den Rocks

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Thankfully I slept well. It rained last night and it was still raining when I woke up. So I was in no hurry to leave.The hostel stay includes all you can eat pancakes for breakfast - but you have to make them yourself.   I am not a pancake fan, and I had a pint of ice cream coming to me. So yes, I had Ben & Jerry's for breakfast - again.By the time I left the rain had stopped, but it left the leaves and rocks wet and slippery. It was a gray dreary day. The weather kept the number of day hikers to about a dozen.I took a break at the Sam Moore Shelter, and then moved on. Shortly before the next shelter the Roller Coaster supposedly ended. I did not see much difference.Daylight savings time ended last night. Which means that it now starts to get dark at 5 p.m. - and the days will continue to get shorter. I reached the Rod Hollow shelter after 4 p.m. No one else was there. I quickly put my tent up in the shelter, again expecting to take it down if the shelter filled up. I was not hungry, and I wanted to get my food hung on the bear pole before dark, so I just had a snack for dinner and hung my food.Obviously this was not really my husband's shelter, but for tonight I pretended it was. I miss him.The AT is calling. Hopefully I will get another good nite's sleep, and the rocks on the trail will soon thin out. At least the weekend is over!
Date: 2015-11-04
From: Mountain Home Cabbin, US 522, Front Royal

To: Tom Floyd shelter
Miles today: 2.9

The owner slept downstairs, just off the kitchen. In the morning he prepared breakfast for us, which was included for the $20.00. I noticed in the long list of rules that tours of the main building were available. So after breakfast, at my request, the owner gave me an extensive tour of the construction site in the large main house, which is listed on the registry of historic places and will eventually be used as a B&B. I enjoyed the tour and appreciated the owner taking so much time to show me around.Afterwards I finished putting my pack together and then worked on trail journal entries for a little while before leaving.My pack was extremely heavy. I was headed into Shenandoah N.P. I knew that most places in the park where I could buy food were already closed for the season or would be closed before I got completely through the park. I also knew that getting into a town to resupply from the park would be very difficult - I learned that lesson in the Smokies. So I was carrying enough food for 10 days. This was more food than I have ever carried before, and it made the Blue Beast ridiculously heavy.With the late start and very heavy pack I knew I was not going far today. I also knew that the two guys whose snoring kept me up most of the night were headed to the second shelter (they skipped the tour and hit the trail early). Under the circumstances I was happy just making it to the first shelter.I left the hostel at about noon, after 2 guys who planned to stay in the hostel that night showed up. Both of them also thought the hostel was not typical and had several shortcomings.The AT initially made a short climb out of the gap, then a brief descent, and then started a much longer uphill climb. Fortunately the shelter was just 2.9 miles away. Unfortunately the water source was a long ways back down the mountain. Of course I then had to haul the water back up the mountain. This shelter, like the last shelter, was infested with stink bugs. I again put my tent up in the shelter to keep the bugs off me and out of my gear. As I was making dinner I heard owls calling to each other. Then one of the owls just stopped. It was so sad listening to the single owl calling out repeatedly with no response. (Hmmmm, kind of like at home, when I think I am having a conversation with my husband and I realize he is not listening to me at all.)My food was hung on the bear pole before dark and I went to bed early. I was exhausted. Before climbing into my sleeping bag i checked oit the beautiful stars and crescent moon. I also saw the lights from Front Royal down in the gap. Hopefully I will have the shelter all to myself tonight and I can sleep without having to listen to anyone snore.The AT is calling. I am here, I am ready, just please let me sleep.
Date: 2015-11-10
From: Hightop Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I woke to dead calm - no breeze, no rain, no bird sounds, no critter sounds. Just thick fog, cold, and dampness.The weather apps on my phone showed 100% chance of rain today, but clearing by early tomorrow afternoon.My hiking clothes from yesterday and my pack were all soaked. I could put my spare set of clothes on, but the wet clothes would be heavy to carry. Plus, by the end of the day my spare clothes would also be wet, leaving me with no dry hiking clothes.I could put the wet clothes on, but I would become chilled almost immediately and would remain wet and cold all day. Mentally (and physically) I did not think I could take a third day of being wet and cold all day.The next shelter was 8.2 miles away. The next shelter after that was 21.4 miles away. I could stealth camp somewhere in between, but the ground would be cold and wet, and with the rain, my tent would become wet and heavy.Under the circumstances, I thought my best course of action was to stay warm and dry in the shelter today and wait out the weather. I would leave early in the morning, head to the next shelter, and dry my clothes when the weather cleared.The rain started again. I spent the day eatting, hydrating, and napping. I ate the MRE food first. The pound cake was OK. The cheese and bacon spread was actually pretty good. I took a nap in the morning. I woke up to drink some more water (hot tea) and to have a hot lunch, and then took another nap in the afternoon. I packed my wet clothes and prepared to leave early in the morning. I had dinner, hung my food on the bear pole, and went to bed early. It rained all day and into the night. No one came to the shelter.The AT is calling. I hope my weather apps are right, and the rain clears tomorrow.
Date: 2015-11-15
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

For some strange reason I sleep better in the woods than in a motel room. Last night was no different. I had the room booked for 2 nights, so I slept in.I watched the weather closely. The cold front moved in and low temperatures would be in the 20's at might (colder at elevation) for at least the next few days. Plus a weather system that pounded the Midwest was headed east later in the week.I also noticed that I seemed to be getting a cold. Under the circumstances I decided to extend my stay by 1 more day to watch the weather and to get some rest to try to head off getting really sick.In the afternoon I carried my laundry about 1/4 mile to a laundromat, and then hung the wet clothes all over my room to dry. I went to Ming's Chinese Buffet for dinner. I had read about Ming's in the shelter journals, so I was looking forward to checking it out. What a place!! An AYCE buffet for under $11.00. I tried sushi and crawfish for the first time - both were not bad. I also had frog legs. In all I had 4 full plates of food. I definitely got my money's worth.I headed back to the motel, checked the weather again, and went to bed early, hoping to get plenty of sleep.The AT is calling. I am coming. But first I need to keep an eye on the weather, and determine whether I am getting sick (again).
Date: 2015-11-16
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I was watching the weather very closely. Another weather system was heading east right behind the first - two back to back!! In the west the storms generated tornadoes and flooding. In the east, in addition to the above, the storms could also generate snow at higher elevations.I was also not feeling just the best. My chest felt congested and I was still exhausted. I decided to wait another day or two before returning to the trail.I took a walk through downtown Waynesboro. I picked up dinner to go and a few other food items at Kroger. I also talked with the pharmacist and picked up some Zicam in an effort to avoid getting really sick. Then I headed back to my room to rest.The AT is calling. I just need to watch the weather and get some rest first.