morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Graymoor

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

June 19th: Hiked 18.8 miles from Graymoor to RPH Shelter. Total miles hiked: 1424.6, 761.3 to go. Today's hike was kind of uninspired without any real views or points of interest. Pretty much felt like I was covering miles, nothing more, nothing less but the weather was nice from start to finish. On the positive side, I ended up running into some old trail friends including Who's Asking, who I haven't seen since Woods Hole some 800 miles ago. Also met up with Tommy Hawk, Goat and Foxy. Another plus is the RPH is located near a residential area which makes pizza delivery possible. I ordered a. 16 inch pizza with anchovies because I could. Settling in for the night where I hope to get updates on the Bruins game. Looking to put in some bigger miles tomorrow to get me into shooting distance to Kent CT, the next big trail town. Will be meeting Jan on Saturday for a bus man's holiday of camping at the state park. Kidding aside can't wait.
Date: 2013-06-20
From: RPH Shelter

To: Hammersly Ridge
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

June 20th: Hiked 21.6 miles from DPH Shelter to Hammersly Ridge. Total miles hiked: 1446.2, 739.7 to go. Felt like a lazy day but I still managed to make decent miles. Homing in on Kent, CT where I will be meeting up with Jan for an abbreviated visit. True story. This morning when I first hit the trail, I was on the phone with my son Liam and he asked me, out of the blue, if I planned on hiking a marathon today. I said NO! Just a few minutes after we hung up, Shepard came flying up behind me on the trail. I kept pace with him long enough to ask him where he was headed for the day and he replied that there was a notice in the shelter we had stayed at last night that the NY/CT boarder was 26.2 miles, the exact durance of a marathon so he felt he should go there. Coincidence or are the AT gods trying to tell me something? Ok I'm thinking, I will try for the boarder as well. Before long Shepard was out if sight. Several minutes later I came across Shepard and Foxtrot (who also passed me at a high rate of speed) talking to a guy on the trail. When I caught up to them, the guy introduced himself to me as Ralph and told me he maintained that section of the trail. Now Ralph looked so familiar to me but I couldn't place him. He recommended a NY deli that was .4 miles east from the trailhead just 3 miles ahead. Tell a thru-hiker that there is good food within reasonable walking distance and they have to go. Now people who know me know that I never remember a name or forget a face and when I told the guys that I knew Ralph from somewhere, they told me that he had been featured in a segment of the National Geographic documentary. Mystery solved. When we got to the deli, I ordered a breakfast sand which and a sub to go. Excellent. Over the next hour an a half more hikers arrived, including Zook, who I haven't seen in weeks. Once again, the AT has a way of reuniting old friends. Ended up spending so much time at the deli that any chance of hiking the marathon was shot. Still I would rather spend time with friends than walking monster miles so today was a really good day. Tomorrow I will hit Kent, CT a popular trail town where I am getting picked up by Hilary a FB friend. I actually met Hilary about 15 years ago through my work but lost touch over the years. We recently reconnected through a mutual friend where she has been following my blog. Got to love social media. Hilary lives near Kent and offered to put me up for the night where I can clean up, do laundry and sleep in a real bed. After over a week in the woods, I couldn't ask for anything better.
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Hammersly Ridge

To: Kent
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

June 21st: Hiked 16.7 miles from Hammersly Ridge to Kent, CT. Total miles hiked 1462.9, 723 to go. Today I hit CT, my 10th state and for the first time I am hiking in New England. Today was hot and humid and I felt sluggish all day. Thankfully it was a short walk as I made my way into Kent, CT. Being treated to awesome trail magic from Hilary Cooklin, an old work contact who has been following my progress and has offered to put me up for the night. The timing could not have been more perfect. This has been the longest I have gone without a hot shower or laundry since leaving Springer and right now I feel beyond homeless. That and the fact that I have been logging long tough miles has me feeling a little burned out. Even today, the trail was full of surprises. Don't think of CT as a mountain state but today there were a couple of climbs that rivaled NY. The trail was pretty but my mind was preoccupied with tonight and tomorrow when Jan will be joining me for a night of car camping, indescribable luxury for a thru-hiker. Also trying to coordinate a time to hook up with my good friend Meredith and her boyfriend Bob. They live on the left coast but as fate would have it they are currently on vacation in the area. Lots happening in this small trail town and I am really looking forward to some overdue down time.
Date: 2013-06-24
From: Silver Hill Camp

To: Housatonic River Road
Miles today: 15.7

June 24th: hiked 15.7 from Silver Hill Campsite to Housatonic River Rd. total miles hiked: 1488.9, 697 to go: Today was hot, real hot. The thermometer toped out at 94 degrees and 95% humidity. Hiked most if the day with Smooth Sailing (who I have not seen since week 3), Sampson and Howdy All. All of us were sucking wind as the sun just sapped our strength. The miles came extremely hard and painfully slow as we pushed ourselves down the trail. Another day without poles only added to my misery. I finally hit the wall in the afternoon and knew that I had to get off the trail. Fortunately for me we hit a trailhead with a nearby hostel called Bearded Woods One-of -a-Kind Bunk and Dine. Run by Hudson and his wife Big Lu this place is unbelievable. For $50, you get a bed, a shower, laundry, a Family Style dinner (stupid good) a full breakfast as well as shuttle service to and from the trailhead. When we arrived I felt down and out but my spirits lifted when I got there and a bunch of my fellow hikers were already there including Fit (who hikes so fast I gave up hope of ever seeing him again), Zook, Foxy, Which Way and Scarecrow. The physical lift me up came when dinner was served. We feasted on bread and salad and a pot roast served over a pasta with tomato sauce. Unbelievable hiker food. Breakfast will be served at 6am and then back on the trail and another blazing hot day. Can't wait!
Date: 2013-06-25
From: Housatonic River Road

To: Guilder Road
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: broken clouds

June 25th: Hiked 20.4 miles from Housatonic River Rd to Guilder Pond. Total miles hiked: 1509.3, 676.6 to go. Today I reached MA, my 11th state. 10 down, just 4 to go. Today brought another first for me, slack packing. For my FB friends, slack packing is when you carry a smaller pack that just contains the essentials: food, water, bug spray..... The way it works is simple. I stayed at The Bearded Woods last night (loved it) so this morning they dropped me off at the same trailhead where they picked me up yesterday. Since I will be staying at the hostel again tonight, I was able to carry a much lighter loaner slack pack. I then hiked the 20+ miles north where Hudson from The Bearded Woods picked me up and shuttled me back to his hostel. Tomorrow after breakfast he will drive me back to where he picked me up today and I will continue on my way using my full everyday pack. The big advantage is weight. Where my regular pack weighs upwards of 40 lbs, a slack pack fully loaded weighs around 5 lbs. I decided to slack pack because of the extreme heat, the difficult hand over hand rock climbing (without trekking poles) and the fact that I was spending another night at the hostel anyway. Glad I decided to stay the extra night because shortly after I got off the trail the heavens opened up. Tomorrow is supposed to be hot as well but a general cooling trend by Thursday should make things more comfortable. Feeling totally depleted in this insufferable heat.
Date: 2013-06-26
From: Guilder Road

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: moderate rain

June 26th: Hiked 14.8 miles from Housatonic River to the Tom Leonard Shelter. Total miles hiked: 1524.1, 661.8 to go. This was a very trying, exceedingly difficult day. It wasn't because of the heat and humidity but there was plenty of both or the persistent light rain, which only added to the humidity. One word, Mosquito. Swarms of them tormented me all day. it didn't help that much of the day was spent hiking through marsh land and along a river but even at the higher elevations the Mosquitos persisted. I used up half a can of deet and still they swarmed. I used so much deet with so little effect that all I could do was keep swatting and keep moving. Can't really describe the hike itself just the mad hopeless dash to stay ahead of the swarm. In the late afternoon I slipped off some rocks and although I kept my balance, it was a fitting end to a bad day when came down hard on a grouping of rocks just below me and bruised the heel on my right foot. Hobbled into the shelter area about an hour later set up camp and spent the first several minutes laying in my tent trying to regroup and chase away the dark thoughts. To end on a positive, I have now hiked 4 days in my new boots with no blisters.
Date: 2013-06-27
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Shaker Camp
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

June 27th: Hiked 11.2 miles from Tom Leonard Shelter to Shaker Camp. Total miles hiked: 1535.3 , 650.6 to go. With Jan picking me up on Friday afternoon in Lee, MA, I had 2 days to hike 23 miles. Rather than going long today and short tomorrow (in the rain most likely) I decided to cut the miles in half and give my body and feet 2 lite days and needed rest. Left camp this morning covered in enough deet to qualify as a Federal Super Fund site but if my choice is death by Mosquito or chemical intoxication, I'll take the latter! Today was a big improvement over yesterday. Blue sky (though they called for rain) vs the light rain that fell yesterday and although the Mosquitos were still bad, today, unlike yesterday, there was a nice breeze that broke up the swarms. I had forgotten just how pretty the Berkshires are and the hike today highlighted all of it's allure including gentle rolling hills, ponds and pine groves. Was nice to get off the trail early and get my tent set up (on a wooden platform no less) before the rain hits.shortly after I arrived, I was joined by Bean. Last time I saw Bean was way back in Gatlinburg, well over 1000 miles ago. Just love these AT reunions. Really looking forward to a couple of days off to reconnect with family and friends. Spending tomorrow night at my parents in Scituate then off to RI on Saturday morning to attend a wedding where I will see many of my friends. Haven't been back home since Feb and I can't wait to reunite with the people I love.
Date: 2013-06-28
From: Shaker Camp

To: Lee MA, Rt 20
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

June 28th: Hiked 11.5 miles from Shaker Camp to Rt 20. Total miles hiked: 1546.8, 639.1 to go. Had a really good day. Knowing that Jan was picking me up for a weekend with family and friends was a big pick me up. Rained hard all night but the wooden platform really helped drain the water and the inside of my tent stayed nice and dry. Hit the trail by 6:00 with Bean and aside from one steep climb early, the trail followed a gentle grade. By 8:30, we had already covered half the miles I had for today so I said goodby to Bean and really slowed my pace. Practically at a crawl, I came across a bunch of hikers, some old friends and a few new ones, swimming in a lake. Was too inviting to walk on by so I jumped in clothes and all. Think of it as a combination laundry cycle/bath. Splashed around for a while before hitting the trail. I went to school out this way and forgot just how beautiful the Berkshires are and the AT's route showcases it's best. Toward the end of my hike I crossed over the Mass Pike, just one if many highway crossings I have done since beginning my journey only this one was a milestone of sorts. Last Fall Jan and I drove to Niagara Falls with our good friends and neighbors Bob and Lois G. When we drove under the overpass Bob pointed out the Appalachian Trail sign bolted to the side and said you will be walking across that. To memorialize the moment I replied when I do, I'm giving you a call. Well I did and I did. Made it to RT 20 shortly after where I'm waiting for Jan and what I'm sure will be an unforgettable weekend.
Date: 2013-06-29
From: Lee MA, Rt 20

Miles today: 0.0

June 28th-July 1st: Zero Days Had a wonderful time spending time with family and friends over the weekend but for the past several days I have been fighting fatigue and joint pain. I had attributed it to the heat and humidity but by Saturday I was feeling lethargic with nothing in the tank and a headache I couldn't shake. I was planning on getting back on the trail on Sunday but when I woke up I was still feeling lousy so decided to return home with Jan to get checked out. Stopped at the Londonderry Urgent Care Center on the way home. They said my symptoms were classic Lyme Disease and given the fact I have been hiking the trail in some of the most tick infested areas in the country, they prescribed a 21 day regimen of Doxycycline and lots of rest. After a couple of doses I am already feeling better and although I am anxious to get back out there, I plan on taking a couple of more days to regain my strength, enjoy my time at home and take full advantage of all the conveniences of modern living.
Date: 2013-07-02
From: n/a

Miles today: 0.0

July 2nd: Zero Day Had a nice relaxing day at home. Feeling better but still tired. Bought some new inserts for my hiking shoes and did some long overdue maintenance on some of my equipment. Planning on getting back on the trail tomorrow but will leave the option of leaving on Thursday if I am still dragging. Will be nice to get back out there but want to make sure I'm fully rested and good to go before I take another step towards ME.
Date: 2013-07-03
From: Lee MA, Rt 20

To: October Mt Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

July 3rd: Hiked 7.2 miles from Rt 20 to October Mt Shelter. Total miles hiked 1554, 631.9 to go. Truth be told, my doctor would have a kinipshin if he knew I was back on the trail but if my options are "relaxing" on the sofa staring at the ceiling and watching bad TV or walking halftime on the AT, listening to song birds, lazy mountain streams and the wind blowing through the trees, I'll take door #2 every time. My son Michael dropped me off at the trailhead around 3:30 and almost immediately I felt a sense of ease. Not sure what it is about the Berkshires but they have an effect on me that is hard to describe. Unlike the Great Smokey Mountains that are larger than life and in your face, the Berkshires are subtle and unassuming. The Smokies scream for attention, "climb that ridge line boy and be overwhelmed by my awesomeness". The Berkshires speak in sweet tones, hardly a whisper, "slow down my brother, better still sit down on that log, open your eyes and I will come to you" The Berkshires envelop you. Beauty on a small scale, up close and personal, my kind of place. Tomorrow I will hit Dalton, MA, a well known trail town. Plan on stopping for lunch and scoping things out before deciding my next move. I hear there are supposed to be some pretty good 4th of July celebrations and with a name like Patriot, you have to pay attention to these things.
Date: 2013-07-04
From: October Mt Shelter

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

July 4th: Hiked 11.8 miles from October Mountain Shelter to Dalton, MA. Total miles hiked: 1565.8, 620.1 to go. Today was blistering hot with withering humidity. Didn't break camp until 7:00, late for me, and the sweat was pouring off me before I got started. Thankfully the trail was flat with only a couple of 200 foot climbs. The mosquitos were out in force but when I got off the trail last week, Jan had bought a chemical spray that you apply to your clothes to repel ticks and mosquitos. It works! I could see clouds of the little monsters but I seemed to be invisible to them. Made it to Dalton around 1:00. Walking down Depot Street, I came across Thomas Levardi's house. Somewhat of an AT legend, Tom has been welcoming hikers into his home for the past 30 years. This is not a hostel but a private residence. When I walked by, Tom was having a cookout for 8 hikers, I made 9. Tom invited me in, let me take a shower, laundry and offered me a place to pitch my tent. An amazing guy, Tom turns no one away and by 4:00, 14 of us had made ourselves comfortable on his front porch and under the shade trees. Cody Coyote, Wild Blue, Frost, Nomad, The Triplets, Rabbit, Rainbow Braid, Mainiac, Gonzo and Shepard were just some of the hikers on hand. Fired up the grills again at 6:00 for round 2 before settling in for the night. All and all a really fun day with friends. Maybe on the lazy side but just what the doctor ordered. A big thanks to Tom who opened up his home to a multitude of grungy hikers. He isn't set up to accommodate so many but because its the 4th and many of the businesses were closed for the day, everyone was invited to stay. Just one of the many amazing trail angels along the way who make the AT what it is. A very special place.
Date: 2013-07-05
From: Dalton MA

To: Mt Williams
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: scattered clouds

July 5th: Hiked 19.5 miles from Dalton to Mt Williams. Total miles hiked 1585.3, 600.6 to go. For the first time in a couple of weeks I can feel my strength coming back. Still really hot and humid but the trail was relatively easy in the morning as I felt my trail legs coming back. Hit the town of Chester around noontime and had (what else?) a half pound cheese burger at the local pub. After cooling my heels, I got back on the trail for the 8 mile slog to the summit of Mt Greylock, the highest peak in MA. This was a real test of stamina as I climbed nearly 2500 feet during the hottest part of the day. Staying hydrated was a big challenge and by the time I got to the top, I was totally spent. I knew the day would come when I waxed nostalgic for the cold and that day was today. Funny how I remember complaining about frozen water and frozen boots. Seems like forever ago but the remedy for cold is hiking. Move and keep moving. Heat is counterproductive. The only way to beat the heat is to lay low and do as little as possible and even then it is almost always a losing battle. Which begs the question: why would anyone put themselves through this? And honestly I'm really not sure why. All I do know is each morning I wake up groggy and spend several minutes rubbing life back into my feet before slipping on damp, rank clothes before unzipping my tent and facing the omni present mosquitos but as I make my way down the trail northbound towards Katahdin, I always think that there is no place I would rather be. Stealth camping on Mt Williams tonight-on the summit with killer views! Was making my way to a shelter but I could see bad weather blowing across the valley from the summit. Decided to set up camp to beat the rain. As it turn out, the rain missed but I still ended up with a nice site. Should hit VT, my 12th state tomorrow afternoon.
Date: 2013-07-06
From: Mt Williams

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: light rain

July 6th: Hiked 18.1 miles from William Mt to Congdon Shelter. Total miles hiked: 1603.4, 582.5 to go. Today I hit VT, my 12th state. 11 down just 3 more to go. Today was yet another hot and humid one in a seemingly endless barrage. The worst part is everything (and I mean everything) is in a perpetual state of damp. Nothing drys out here and the weather is definitely taking a toll. Everyone I talk to his low energy and moving slow or stating off the trail altogether. I was planning on doing the 21 mile run to Bennington, VT but it became real clear real fast that wasn't happening so I opted instead to get off at North Adams, MA a short 4 miles into my hike to re-provision. Bought enough supplies to get me to Manchester Center, VT, a two and a half day hike. Crossed into VT around noontime and started down the famous Long Trail that follows the AT for the first 105 miles. Really hope this heat breaks and I can't believe I'm saying this but if it takes rain to cool things off, let it rain, let it rain.
Date: 2013-07-07
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: scattered clouds

July 7th: Hiked 18.7 miles from Congdon Shelter to Kid Gore Shelter. Total miles hiked: 1622.1, 563.8 to go. MAN SPRAYS SKUNK not exactly a standing headline, But...late last night when I got up to relieve myself, I inched over to the wood line by my tent. I had my headlamp but had it was turned off so I wouldn't attract the bugs. As I was standing there doing my thing, I noticed movement by my feet as my night vision kicked in. Startled, I stepped back only to hear a light screech followed by scampering. By this time I had the presence of mind to turn on my headlamp only to see a skunk waddling into the woods. Why he didn't spray back I'll never know. Probably in a state of shock. Back in my tent I had to laugh picturing the skunk going home and saying, "you wouldn't believe". I get late night visits from small critters all the time but this one was memorable for both of us. Leaves me wondering if he will have take a bath a bath in tomato juice? (Jan's line, not mine) Oh yeah the hike. It seems the AT is continuing to test my resolve. Another hot and muggy day but if I'm looking for the silver lining, the bugs don't seem as bad. Maybe it is the higher elevations or maybe I'm becoming immune to the little monsters but they are definitely less bothersome. Beginning to get a taste of the Long Trail. I have often heard jokes about Vermont's mud season but I'm not laughing out here. Large tracks of the trail are covered with water and mud which makes for tricky traversing but still, I must admit, it is really pretty out here. The late afternoon brought thunder heads and light rain so hopefully this is the beginning of the end for all this heat and humidity . Regardless I can't control the weather. All I can do is walk and I'm getting pretty good at so tomorrow come rain or shine, I will continue northward one step at a time.
Date: 2013-07-08
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

July 8th: Hiked 15 miles from Kid Gore Shelter to Stratton Pond Shelter. Total miles hiked: 1637.1, 548.8 to go. Another hot, muggy and yes miserable day. Usually I am up at first light but today I just couldn't get kick started. Typically I average about 2 miles an hour with breaks but today was a struggle to maintain a mile and a half. The trail was a muddy mess and with a light rain falling only got worse as the day wore on. The highlight of the day was Stratton Mt. At over 3900 feet it was pleasantly cool and for the first time in recent memory, I had to layer up before heading down. There was a care taker at the summit who told me heavy rain and flash floods are forecast for tonight so rather than tenting, I am opting for a shelter. For those who have been following me know all to well, when I sleep in shelters to avoid rain it pretty much guarantees a starlit night.