morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2021-07-06
To: The Priest
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Got within three feet of a rattlesnake today before noticing it. Curled up and dark in color, it looked like a root or some dirt until I got almost too close. It keeps getting more and more humid. And the bugs are getting obnoxious. When there¢s no wind, the entire forest hums with the sound of flies. Had dinner on a ledge on top of Priest Mountain, with lovely views into the valleys below. Sat there and watched the sun set into haze. This is the fifth day since the last town, and my battery bank is already out of juice. Maybe the heat and humidity are causing it to drain faster? I¢ll have to be careful with my phone, so I don¢t run out of charge in the next two days. Much more worryingly, I am out of peanut butter M&Ms.Happiness is watching a sunset.
Date: 2021-07-06
From: near Goose Pond Road

To: Gillmans Corner
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Was on the trail by 6:30. I was hoping to make big miles today, so that the next two days leading to North Woodstock wouldn¢t be overly long.Heard my first red squirrel of the trip today. They sound like rusty door hinges crossed with an angry Italian.The terrain is getting harder. There was a 2000 foot climb up Smart Mountain, with some difficult rock scrambling towards the top. The summit had an old fire tower with great views in every direction, and a fire wardens cabin, where I ate lunch.Then a long descent, followed by a difficult climb up Mt. Cube. Starting to get tired from these climbs, but this is just a taste of what¢s coming.Set up camp near the stone ruins of a long gone building. I picked up pepperoni, summer sausage, and cheddar in Hanover, and I¢ve been adding them to my dinners. Very satisfying.Happiness is being inside a mesh tent, while all the mosquitoes are stuck outside
Date: 2021-07-08
From: Wintergreen View

To: Waynesboro, Va
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I made it to Waynesboro! This means I have completed the southern leg of my Appalachian Trail thru-hike. Earlier this year I hiked between Waynesboro, Va and southern New York, so I have now hiked nearly 1400 miles of the Trail, with a little over 800 miles to go. I¢m getting off the trail now, and will be heading for New York soon, where I will begin my final section, heading north to Katahdin.Happiness is clean clothes.
Date: 2021-07-15
From: Harriman State Park

To: near Palisades Parkway
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

I¢m back in New York, continuing the trail where I left off in May. Took the train into NYC, then a commuter train to Harriman, followed by a 2 mile road walk. It¢s a weird feeling, going from eating breakfast outside Madison Square Garden, to hiking on the Appalachian Trail within the space of two hours. I got some new gear while I was off the trail. I got a new smaller pack (it¢s so clean!) and a summer quilt to replace my cold weather sleeping bag. I also replaced most of my clothes. Today I hiked through Harriman State Park, which is surprisingly rugged considering it is less than an hour from Manhattan. Just like Virginia, it is hot and buggy. Happiness is a bug proof shelter.
Date: 2021-07-16
From: near Palisades Parkway

To: Canopus Hill
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up at 5 this morning and was on trail by 5:30. The hotter it gets, the more I like to start early to get a couple hours in before it gets sweaty.Climbed bear mountain around 8, the summit had toilets and vending machines (ice cream vending machines!!). By this point I was already covered in sweat. The climb down consisted of 1200 steps, which didn¢t do my knees any favors.At the bottom of Bear Mountain, next to the Hudson River, is the Trailside Zoo, the only place on the AT where you¢re pretty much guaranteed to see a bear. All of the animals are native to the area, and most are rehabilitated animals.Then it¢s crossing the Hudson on Bear Mountain Bridge, a half mile long suspension bridge over a hundred fifty feet above the water.A couple hours later the trail passes the Appalachian market, which has a deli inside. I got a Reuben. And a lot of other food.I don¢t think this was the hottest day I¢ve had on the trail, but it may have been the most humid. I think it¢s supposed to cool off in the next day or two. Good. Happiness is a comfy bench in the shade.
Date: 2021-07-17
To: Stormville
Miles today: 19.5

As soon as I get out of the tent, the bugs are on me. It¢s a race to pack my gear before I go mad from the itchy bites. Have to keep moving, or the bugs get me. But if I keep moving, I¢m covered in sweat. Ugh. Stopped for lunch at Canopus Lake Beach, part of a state park. It had a concession stand, so I had a cheeseburger, fries, and a soda. And more fries. And another drink.Later that afternoon, scary storms swept the area. Sought shelter in an underpass beneath the Taconic Parkway. After about 45 minutes, the storms passed and I was able to keep hiking.There was a deli ahead, not far off trail, so I hurried to get to it before it closed at 8. Got there at 6:55. There was a sign on the door saying they were closing at 6 today. Rats. Luckily, there was a pizzeria next door open until 7. Was able to snag half a pizza and a soda before they closed. Hurray!Hurried back to the trail, as there were more scary storms coming. Made it back to the trail and found a spot to pitch my tent just as it started raining. Quickly got the tent up and threw everything inside as the heavens opened up. Lay there for the next couple hours as it rained heavily and lightning flashed every few seconds. Not the most comfortable of evenings.Happiness is pizza.
Date: 2021-07-18
From: Stormville

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: light rain

Got up, walked to the deli (it¢s open!), and got some snacks. Today was cooler than yesterday, so I was only sweaty, not dripping wet. The bugs still sucked though.Had a late lunch at Tony¢s Deli, where I had an amazing Italian cold cut sub. The best part of hiking the Appalachian Trail in New York is the daily access to delis and pizzerias. Happiness is a cool breeze going through the tent.
Date: 2021-07-19
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Silver Hill Campsite
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up early and walked into Connecticut. 9 states down, 5 to go! Crossed a wooden bridge (got real Beetlejuice vibes from it) over the flooded Housatonic River into the town of Bulls Bridge, where I picked up some food at a lovely country store.Walked for a few hours and reached the town of Kent, where I again got food. Kent has a welcome center where hikers can shower, get water, charge their electronics, and generally relax. This is the first town to give off New England vibes.After that, there were several east miles walking on the banks of the Housatonic, which was flooded due to the recent tropical storm. The day ended at a campsite where I ate my dinner on a porch swing.Happiness is sitting on a comfortable seat.
Date: 2021-07-20
From: Silver Hill Campsite

To: Bunker Hill
Miles today: 23.6

Up at 5:30, on the trail by 6. Reached a creek an hour later that was uncrossable due to all the recent rains. Backtracked to a road, which led to another road that crossed the creek and led back to the trail (and passed a gas station, soda in the morning!).Most of the day was spent either on the flooded bank of the Housatonic, or on the mountains just to the west. Late midday got to the tiny town of Falls Village. There was only one restaurant in town today (the rest were closed Monday¢s and Tuesdays), a cafe that served only drinks. I got a 5 dollar milkshake (managed to refrain from quoting Pulp Fiction).Happiness is setting up camp before the rain begins
Date: 2021-07-21
From: Bunker Hill

To: Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had breakfast this morning in Sages Ravine, a gorgeous hemlock-filled valley with a loud stream cascading through it. The eastern end marks the end of Connecticut and the beginning of Massachusetts. 10 states down, four to go.The end of the ravine also had the trail crossing the stream, which thanks to the recent rain, required fording instead of the usual rock hopping. My strategy for fording right now is to take my shoes off, cross in my socks, then put dry socks on, followed by my shoes. Sometime before Maine I need to buy flip flops or sandals, as there are many water crossings.The trail in southern Massachusetts is rough, with many rock scrambles, both up and down. The mosquitoes are also getting worse as I head north. Sometimes I itch all over from the mosquito bites.The trail has worn me down over the last week. Besides all the bugs, the humidity has caused me to break out in sweat pimples on my legs and under my arms. My knees have been getting sore from the rocky terrain. Time to get off the trail for a day.I get off the trail and start walking towards Great Barrington. A local stops and offers me a ride into town; I gratefully accept. He drops me off at a Days Inn near downtown.Showered, got dinner and ice cream from the co-op up the street, and head to bed early. I can tell I¢m in the North now, as the windows in my room are open by default.There¢s a railroad track right behind the motel, and a train comes through around 11 that night, waking me up and scaring the crap out of me.Happiness is not having to swat at mosquitos when I go to the bathroom.
Date: 2021-07-22
From: Great Barrington, MA

To: Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Great Barrington is a charming New England town, with multiple antique shops, book stores, and lots of places to eat. I got the chores out of the way early: laundry, food resupply. Spent a chunk of the day exploring the town, the rest of the day eating and watching television.Happiness is sitting on the balcony, feeling a cool breeze, and drinking black cherry soda.
Date: 2021-07-23
From: Great Barrington, MA

To: Sky Hill
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: mist

And now back to the Trail. Packed up and took the road walk to get back to the trail. When I reached the trail head, stepped off the road and into hell. The trail was flat here and very muddy, due to recent storms. Within a minute, I felt the first mosquito bite. The trail was so muddy that there was no place to stop and set my pack down to get the bug spray out. I started walking faster, looking for a dry patch as the mosquitoes swarmed. Then the mud changed to flood, the water reaching knee deep in parts. Finally, I reached a dry spot where I was able to get the bug spray out and spray myself.The rest of the day was a mixture of mud, bugs, and rocks. I think I enjoyed myself more laying in bed in the motel room.Happiness is quick drying shoes.
Date: 2021-07-25
From: Warner Hill

To: North of Cheshire
Miles today: 19.3

It rained last night, but stopped before I got up. I was able to make it 5 miles to the next shelter just before it started raining again. Hung out in the shelter for an hour until the rain stopped, then hiked into the town of Dalton. Got lunch from a gas station (pizza and Ben & Jerry¢s), which I ate on a park bench.Hiked out of town and up the next ridge. Four hours later, the trail went through the town of Cheshire. Got snacks at another gas station (this one had Ben & Jerry¢s too, but I figured two pints in one day was too glutinous, even for a thru-hiker).Started the climb up Mount Greylock, but stopped for the day when it looked like it would start raining again.Happiness is pizza.
Date: 2021-07-26
From: North of Cheshire

To: Williamstown, MA
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up, broke camp, and hiked the rest of the way up Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts, at almost 3500 square feet. There were great views from the lighthouse at the top of the mountain.Then more than 2500 feet of descent into the town of Williamstown. The town itself had an arts college and definitely had an artsy vibe to it.I stayed in a Howard Johnson¢s on the edge of town. Resupplied, ate a lot, watched lots of television, and went to bed.Happiness is watching the sunset from a rocking chair outside your motel room.
Date: 2021-07-27
From: Williamstown, MA

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Started the day out with Eggs Benedict at a diner. Then dropped off my bounce box at the post office, packed up, and headed back to the trail.My pack is loaded with way too much food for three days, which isn¢t helping my knees, which have been hurting the last few days.After 4 miles, reached the Vermont state line. Rather symbolically, the area in front of the sign is a giant mud patch (the Vermont section of the AT is known for being quite muddy).Around 3 that afternoon, it started raining. Within an hour, I was soaked. I decided to get off trail and spend the night in Bennington, so i could dry out. I found an ATV trail that would take me to town. At first, there were ¢puddles¢ the width of the road, 30 or 40 feet long. I avoided the ones I could, sloshed through the ones I couldn¢t (my shoes are soaked any way). Then the road seemed to end at water. I double checked my map; I was going the right way. I guess the lake next to the road had flooded it. It looked to be a hundred yards across, and I was wet anyway, what the hell? At first it was ankle deep, then calf deep. Not too bad. Then knee deep, then thigh deep, only a fifth of the way across. Then it got to almost waist deep and leveled out. It wasn¢t too bad, the other side would lead to town, and the water was warm. Then I remembered what was almost waist deep, my phone. I pulled it out, I had prudently put it in a ziplock bag before entering the water, and only a few drops had gotten in. Phew! I finished crossing the water and walked the rest of the way into town without further incident.I spent the night at the Autumn Motel, a simple but pleasant motel on the edge of town. Dinner was pepperoni and cheese on tortillas from my food bag, and a bag of Cape Cod potato chips from a gas station.Happiness is warm towels.
Date: 2021-07-28
From: Bennington, VT

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 0.0

I hadn¢t felt very motivated recently, so I decided to take the day off and hang out in Bennington. Spent the day wandering the town and eating. There are many decorated statues of moose and mountain lions in town. Had a ¢large¢ pizza from Dominos for dinner, barely enough to make me not hungry.Happiness is showering two days in a row
Date: 2021-07-29
To: east of West Mountain
Miles today: 16.0

Back to the trail. Left the motel, and on the road walk to the trail head, stopped at Papa Pete¢s for breakfast. They¢re known for their giant 14¢ pancakes. I would have gotten one, but I¢m reluctant to overeat prior to spending several days somewhere without flush toilets. I got an omelet instead. Boring.The trail is pretty muddy in Vermont, and there are many rocks and roots, so I have to constantly watch my step. It¢s also much more physically tiring. On the plus side, it¢s also much cooler.It started raining again early afternoon (I had just washed and dried everything yesterday; oh well). The rain stopped once I was soaked again. A couple hours later, just as I was mostly dried out, it looked like it would rain again. I found a nice flat, dry spot covered in pine needles, set up my tent, and jumped in just as it started raining steadily. Dinner was more cheese and pepperoni on tortillas, then I went to bed.As I was dozing off, it started raining, hard. Crazy hard. I think it was raining harder than anything I had experienced on this trip. Luckily, I¢ve gotten good and setting up my tent, and no rain leaked in.Woke up in the middle of the night; could hear the brook babbling near by. Which is weird, because there was no brook anywhere near my camp site. Grabbed my phone from the tent floor, the floor kind of wobbled when I picked up the phone. Used the phone to look at the floor, it rolled back and forth, like a water bed. Shit. Pressed the floor with my finger, yup, about an inch of water, underneath the tent. Everything that was touching the floor was soaked through, which included my hiking clothes. I looked out side, water had flooded both sides of my tent. My rain jacket, which I had left in one of the vestibules, was now floating in a couple inches of water. I got out of the tent, there was flooding all over the place. The trail had turned into a stream. I spent the next hour digging troughs in the muck around the tent, to help drain the water away. Finally went to bed an hour later, having the tent on mostly dry land. At least my sleep clothes were still dry, as was my sleeping bag, which was on top of my air mattress.Happiness is not drowning in my sleep.
Date: 2021-07-30
To: east of Manchester Center
Miles today: 20.0

Possibly the most difficult day of my hike so far. It started with putting on wet socks, wet shoes. Then packing up my wet tent. Then hitting the wet trail (I feel like there¢s a theme here). Previously the trail was muddy. Now it was a stream. Or a muck pit. I could rarely go a hundred feet without stepping in ankle deep water. Some of the mud was knee deep, so I used my poles to feel them out and avoid them. Every mile or so, a stream had to be crossed, knee deep in some places.Climbed up Stratton Mountain. At the top there was a fire tower with great views. There was a limit of 4 people on the tower at a time, and a line of day hikers waiting to climb, so I skipped it.Hiked later than I wanted to, as finding a flat dry piece of ground was difficult. Set up my dripping wet tent (yuck).It was getting chilly, and it was supposed to get into the 40s tonight, so I set up my quilt as a a sleeping bag for the first time. So far, I¢ve just been using the quilt like a blanket, much comfier than a traditional sleeping bag. The quilt comes with straps, so it can wrap around my sleeping pad, keeping the heat in on cold nights.Happiness is being snug and warm on a chilly, windy night.
Date: 2021-07-31
From: east of Manchester Center

To: Big Branch River
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: few clouds

It was 45 degrees in the town at the base of the mountain when I woke up, so probably closer to 40 degrees where I was. The quilt kept me warm through the night, though I¢ll need to fiddle with the straps to optimize it.The hard part was getting out of bed. Then putting cold, wet socks on. Then cold, wet shoes. By the time I had packed up, my cold wet feet were making me shiver.The trail wasn¢t as wet and muddy as yesterday, but bad enough that feet stayed wet all day. Yuck.Around lunch I reached the summit of Mt. Bromley, a ski resort with great views in all directions.Finished the day on the banks of the Big Branch River. Was able to wash my feet in the river. Happiness is falling asleep to the sound of a rushing river.
Date: 2021-08-01
From: Big Branch River

To: Rutland, VT
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

One of my favorite places to get lunch in New England is a gas station. Cumberland Farms has pretty decent pizza. And Ben & Jerry¢s pints. Yum.Decided to get off trail and spend the night in a motel in Rutland. Maybe experience dry feet for a few hours. Still unable to find fuel for my stove in town, and my current canister is almost empty. Happiness is pizza and a pint.
Date: 2021-08-02
From: Rutland, VT

To: Killington, VT
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Breakfast at Denny¢s. Expectedly disappointing. Then back on the trail. There is something demoralizing about hiking in mud and muck all day, so decided to stay in another motel. This one was at least in a remote, mountainous area. On the plus side, there was an outfitter less than half a mile from the motel that had fuel. Yay! Happiness is sleeping on two beds worth of pillows.
Date: 2021-08-03
From: Killington, VT

To: Breakneck Hill
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: moderate rain

And back on the trail. Started off with a hike past Thundering Brook Falls. Pretty.I had hiked this section of the trail 13-14 years ago, but I don¢t remember much of it. I soon found out why; this section is perfectly forgettable. No big climbs, no views, nothing notable. There are a lot of sections of the Appalachian Trail like this, pretty enough, but nothing to write home about.Happiness is keeping your feet dry most of the day.
Date: 2021-08-04
From: Breakneck Hill

To: White River Junction
Miles today: 21.0

Went off trail this morning to visit the general store in the tiny village of South Pomfret. What I like about Vermont is that even little villages still manage to have a library, a theatre (Shakespeare, not Spielberg), and a community arts center. Locals seem to take pride in the appearance of their homes, and most yards have beautiful gardens.When I got within a couple miles of Hanover, I got cell service again and started looked for a room for the night. The hotels in town, near Dartmouth College, were incredibly expensive. The cheaper ones in the surrounding area were all booked up. That¢s what I get for trying to book the day of in the middle of summer. Finally found a motel that was more expensive than I wanted, but still had rooms available. It was also a two hour walk from the trail. Luckily, the public transportation in the area is amazing. As in buses can take you nearly everywhere you want to go, they run often, and they¢re completely free.Got to the motel, showered, and had a dinner consisting of a pint of ice cream, a big bag of jalape±o potato chips, and a McDonald¢s meal (in that order). Also booked a room for a motel in Lincoln, four days down the trail.Happiness is ice cream; always ice cream.
Date: 2021-08-05
From: White River Junction

To: near Goose Pond Road
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Visited the hotel¢s free breakfast several times this morning, both for food right now, and for food to take with me on the trail. I think this is the last time there will be a chain hotel anywhere near the trail, and probably the last lodging with free breakfast for the rest of the trip.Took the bus to Eastern Mountain Sports to buy a new pair of shoes (my fifth pair). The employees there were some of the least helpful I have ever seen at an outfitter. Usually when you are interested in buying shoes, someone is right there the entire time, offering advice. These two almost completely ignored me, and didn¢t even make eye contact when answering questions I had. Rude. I did find a pair of shoes that fit well though, and bought them.Then a bus back to to where I got off the trail yesterday. A short walk across the Connecticut River, and now I am in New Hampshire! Hooray!Walked through the town of Hanover, past Dartmouth College, and stopped at the Co-op to resupply my food.And back in the woods. It was hard going with extra food weighing me down, and adjusting to my new, heavier shoes (I had been using trail runners, which are popular with thru hikers, but switched to a heavier, more sturdy shoe to help me get through the rough terrain ahead). Hiked until almost sunset (the sun is setting noticeably earlier each day) and set up camp near a beaver pond.Happiness is getting out of town and back in the woods.