morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-30
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Wiley (Webatuck) Shelter
Miles today: 16.6

Starting Time: 8:45Starting Location: Morgan Stewart ShelterEnding Time: 4:30Ending Location: Wiley (Webatuck) ShelterMiles: 16.6Morning Weather: Sunny and 50'sAfternoon Weather: Sunny and low 70'sBreakfast: CIBsLunch: Bars and gorpDinner: Fettucine Alfredo (Pasta Roni, from now on abbreviated PR)Misc. Food: Hot Dog, Cheetos, Pepsi at hot dog stand on NY22Trail Description: Fairly easy day. Beautiful fields after App. Trail train station. Otherwise, great trail variety (hills, rocks, swamps, fields).People: Glen and Talley, Eric and Emily from NYC (ate hot dogs with them), drunks at shelter who were harmless and finally left after an hour or soAnimals: 3 garter snakes, a frog, a mini-turtle (quarter sized) that appeared to have been stepped onMoney: 4.50 at hot dog standComplaints: Drunks on the trail are the worst that easy road access can offer.Thoughts: First off, I want to congratulate my buddy Steve for completing his first triathalon! This sounds like a daunting task for sure, and he's worked super-hard to ensure success. way to go Stevie!!!Today was a great day! The trail showed its very best side to Biscuits! on this, her longest day ever. She did get her inaugural heel blisters, so we'll be obsessing over them the next couple days. The shelter, however, showed the trail's worst side, where two drunk guys were "living it up" for Memorial Day. We ended up talking with them as they were harmless and well-behaved, but they would have offended any family who might have passed through.
Date: 2005-05-31
From: Wiley (Webatuck) Shelter

To: Mt. Algo Lean-to
Miles today: 12.4

Starting Time: 7:10Starting Location: Wiley (Webatuck) ShelterEnding Time: 2:15Ending Location: Mt. Algo Lean-toMiles: 12.4Morning Weather: Sunny and warmAfternoon Weather: Sunny and warmerBreakfast: CIBs and cereal barLunch: Bars and gorp, Gala appleDinner: Basses, Salad, Chicken Parmesan at the Kent Pizza GardenMisc. Food: Ice Cream in KentTrail Description: Easy, rolling in the morning...tough climb up Schaghticoke Mtn. and Mt. Algo.People: TRex, Tahoe, Pokey, Cato and WellsAnimals: NoneMoney: 40 for dinner, 25 for groceriesComplaints: noneThoughts: Today was a tougher day than I had prepared for. It was only 12.4 miles, but the last couple of climbs were tough. Biscuits! was annoyed by her heel blisters, but not enough to lodge it into the complaints section.But, we passed into Connecticut and New England today! This is my 10th state, and that, my friends, feels pretty good. Also, today I passed the two-thirds mark for the entire trail! We're rockin' now!
Date: 2005-06-01
From: Mt. Algo Lean-to

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3

Starting Time: 7:40Starting Location: Mt. Algo Lean-toEnding Time: 5:30Ending Location: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-toMiles: 17.3Morning Weather: Overcast and low 60'sAfternoon Weather: Sun sort of breaking out...maybe low 70'sBreakfast: CIB and cereal barLunch: bars and gorp, fuji apple, pita and hummusDinner: Tuna, carrots, summer sausage and cheddar cheese, honey bun for desert (yum!)Trail Description: We had a really good time today. There were several 500 ft climbs which were a good workout for Biscuits!. The near-five mile walk along the Housatonic River (a.k.a. flat as a pancake) was great. The river was beautiful...no houses or any kind of development marring the AT section.People: L.K. Disney, Pokey, Tahoe, sectioners from FloridaAnimals: Deer, garter snakeMoney: 0Complaints: Biscuits!' knee started acting up a little today in a manner similar to what I had in my second week. We're starting Advil therapy tonight.Thoughts: Yesterday in Kent we bought the food items listed above for dinner. This was the freshest and tastiest dinner I've had at a shelter. I think I'm going to keep Biscuits! around for her general positive influence. Biscuits! hiked her longest day ever today! It's great to watch her "become" a long-distance hiker. She's going through all the same things I did - the blisters, the doubting, the eureka moments, etc. She's doing great.One cool moment today was crossing the Guinea Brook. There are stepping stones across the 20 ft. wide brook, but the water was too high. The alternate route is to go back up to the road and cross at the bridge. Biscuits! thought this to be wimpy, so we donned our Crocs and waded across what was a fairly quick-moving stream. We had fun, and the cold-ish water definitely felt good on the feet.
Date: 2005-06-02
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to

To: Limestone Springs Lean-to
Miles today: 12.3

Starting Time: 9:00Starting Location: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-toEnding Time: 4:30Ending Location: Limestone Springs Lean-to (tenting)Miles: 12.3Morning Weather: Sunny and warmAfternoon Weather: Sunny and hotBreakfast: BarsLunch: Chicken sandwich (bacon and cheese), cookie at Mountainside CafeDinner: Tuna, fresh lettuce and spicy greens from Pokey's yogiing efforts, pita and hummus, summer sausage and cheese. Hey, we're going into town tomorrow, so we need to drain the food bag, ok?Trail Description: Easy morning rolling along the ridgeline. One last section along the Housatonic, which was nice (including a view of two derailed train cars, and a cool waterfall). Long, easy climb up Prospect Mtn.People: Pokey, Tahoe, Scrubs, Chino, P.J., sectioners who get up way too earlyAnimals: DeerMoney: 15 at cafeComplaints: Biscuits!' knee still hurting, and she wants a shower. Boomerang is used to this filthy existence, so he is not complaining about the shower. Thoughts: We had great weather, great terrain, and a great surprise lunch today. Pokey told us about the Mountainside Cafe and we took full advantage of it (except we passed on the ice cream...bummer).We're heading into Salisbury tomorrow for a day off and a mail drop, and we're looking forward to that...only problem is that the laundry situation is not good (we may have to hand-wash our stuff).
Date: 2005-06-03
From: Limestone Springs Lean-to

To: Salisbury, CT (Maria McCabe's)
Miles today: 3.4
Weather: mist

Starting Time: 7:15Starting Location: Limestone Springs Lean-toEnding Time: 8:45Ending Location: Salisbury, CT (Maria McCabe's)Miles: 3.4Morning Weather: Sunny and 60'sAfternoon Weather: Sunny and 70's with some clouds late afternoonBreakfast: BarsSecond Breakfast: Strong coffee, bagel with salmon, sticky bun at The Roast coffee shopLunch: Cheeseburger with sauteed onions and sweet-tater fries at Holly'sDinner: Egg salad wrap, deli sandwich, potato chips, one sleeve chips o'hoy, Magic Hat #9 from LaBonne marketMisc. Food: Ice cream from ice cream shop owned by The RoastTrail Description: Down into Salisbury.People: PJ, Chino, Pokey, Tahoe, Traveler and Bedroll, Chase and Krinkles, Maria, Linda and JohnAnimals: NoneMoney: 50 at Maria's, lots more at various places in town since Salisbury is expensiveComplaints: NoneThoughts: Today was a short day on purpose - time to let Biscuits! rest. We got into town and immediately loaded up on lots of caffiene at The Roast. We said goodbye to Tahoe there (ending his hike) and went to Maria's. There is no laundry service in S-bury, so we hand-washed our clothes in the tub and then hung them out to dry on Maria's awesome clothesline. Let me tell you, Boomerang isn't cut out for large amounts of handwashing. Biscuits! had to rescue me while I was assigned to other menial tasks.Lunch was followed by a library visit in order to update trailjournals. The library claimed to be the nation's first public library. Pretty cool. Also, we purchased nearly every foot remedy known to man at the pharmacy as Biscuits! and I work out our various ailments.Dinner was had on the porch of the White Hart Inn with Traveler, Bedroll, Chase, and Krinkles. They are all very cool and we had a great time hanging out. Dinner was followed by vegging in front of the tube...we watched "The Sixth Sense" and wondered how America could have been so enamored of such an obvious "twist."We had a great day and loved S-bury. It was a little expensive, but worth it all the same.
Date: 2005-06-04
From: Salisbury, CT (Maria McCabe's)

To: Hemlocks Lean-to
Miles today: 14.1

Starting Time: 8:10Starting Location: Salisbury, CT (Maria McCabe's)Ending Time: 4:10Ending Location: Hemlocks Lean-toMiles: 14.1Morning Weather: Sunny and 70'sAfternoon Weather: Sunny and low 80'sBreakfast: Coffee, OJ, Eggs, Kielbasa, toast by Linda at Maria'sLunch: Bars and gorp, cookies from LindaDinner: Modified ramen, one sleeve chips o'hoyTrail Description: Four big climbs today - Lion's Head, Bear Mtn., Race Mtn., and Mt. Everett. The descent down Bear Mtn. was rocky, steep, and pretty dawg-gone fun. Race Mtn. was awesome! It reminded me of Tinker Cliffs in VA...just a long walk on an exposed rocky drop off. By the start of Mt. Everett we were bonking, but took a break and flew up that very steep baby anyway. The weather was perfect for all the vistas we had today...just a great day. People: Linda and John, Early riser sectioners, tons of dayhikers and weekenders, JayAnimals: Frogs and skeetersMoney: 0Complaints: Skeeters are out in full forceThoughts: Biscuits! took off this morning as if on a mission. She has really improved her hiking - strength, pace, route selection, poling, etc. She's becoming a bonafide long distance hiker!We have a pretty tough schedule laid out for the next few days. Hopefully we can keep to it.Mass. is my 11th state! Biscuits! just completed her first state (Conn.), although she has hiked portions of GA, TN, VA, and NY. Pretty cool!
Date: 2005-06-05
From: Hemlocks Lean-to

To: Mt. Wilcox South Lean-to
Miles today: 19.7

Starting Time: 6:30Starting Location: Hemlocks Lean-toEnding Time: 5:50Ending Location: Mt. Wilcox South Lean-to (tenting)Miles: 19.7Morning Weather: Sunny and 80'sAfternoon Weather: sameBreakfast: CIB and cereal barLunch: Bars and gorpDinner: PR and tunaMisc. Food: Peach from Jay's parents (thanks, O'Hara's!), Berkshire Pumpkin ice-cream and an orange from The CorncribTrail Description: The only thing I remember about today are the mosquitos. OK, that's not quite true, but it's pretty close. More rocky ups and downs today. Nice views as usual (Mt. Bushnell sunrise was especially nice). Mass. is just as or more rocky than PA. People ought to quit singling out PA as the rocky culprit of the entire AT.People: Jay and his parents, Kevin (section hiker)Animals: Many froggies off a courtin'Money: 4.70 at The CorncribComplaints: The section just south of Shay's Monument is a horrible idea. The AT is routed trough a bog that has more mosquitos in it than I have ever experienced. Other hikers said similar things in the Tom Leonard shelter log. Biscuits! literlly had 100+ mosquitos swarming around her for a mile. I heard that this was a relocation of the AT...it used to follow the road. Unbelievable that someone in the local club thought this an improvement.Thoughts: Today saw several milesones - I passed 1,500 miles, Biscuits! passed 100 miles, and Biscuits! had her longest day ever! That's quite a day.Amy and I are both pretty tired since we didn't sleep well last night due to the mosquitos. We're tenting tonight so we can sleep in peace...
Date: 2005-06-06
From: Mt. Wilcox South Lean-to

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Starting Time: 8:00Starting Location: Mt. Wilcox North ShelterEnding Time: 4:00Ending Location: Upper Goose Pond CabinMiles: 15.8Morning Weather: Sunny with somw clouds. Low 70's.Afternoon Weather: Sunny and low 80's, thunderstorm at 5pmBreakfast: CIB and cereal barLunch: Bars and gorpDinner: Noodles and dehydrated beef (Biscuits! original), potatoMisc. Food: Sliced cantelope at cabin (yum)Trail Description: Nice day with a mix of mountains, rural road crossings, fields, etc. More rocky sections, however, are killing mine and Biscuits! feet. People: Kevin, Lindsey and Aslan, Penny and Mike running the cabinAnimals: Dogs at shelter - Journey (reddish lab mix), Nokade (Aussie and Border Collie mix...very A.D.D. doggie)Money: 10 for shelter donationComplaints: Biscuits! has a rash on her back from her pack. She also is having some ankle pain. Biscuits! cut a callous off of my ring toe today, after using Dr. Scholl's callous remover...it was pretty funny watching her wield a knife and amputating part of my body on the cabin porch. Thoughts: What a great cabin! A veritable oasis in the woods. Thank you Berkshire AT Club for supplying this for hikers!
Date: 2005-06-07
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Kay Wood Lean-to
Miles today: 17.6

Starting Time: 8:30Starting Location: Upper Goose Pond CabinEnding Time: 6:00Ending Location: Kay Wood Lean-toMiles: 17.6Morning Weather: Sunny and 60'sAfternoon Weather: Sunny and high 70's, great breezes blowing all afternoon kept some of the bugs awayBreakfast: AYCE blackberry pancakes and stiff coffee @ Upper Goose PondLunch: Bars and gorpDinner: 2 PR's, Mtn. House (cleaning out the bag)Misc. Food: Cookies and Ginger Ale @ the Cookie Lady'sTrail Description: Real easy terrain today. Mostly flat and rolling, with a great view off of Warner Hill.People: Kevin (whom we tried to give the trail name "nukyoolar"), Lindsey and Aslan, Penny and Mike, Long Haul SalleyAnimals: chipmunks, froggies, bright orange salamanders, skeeters, Nokade, scruffy doggy at Cookie Lady'sMoney: 0Complaints: NoneThoughts: We had a really nice time at Upper Goose Pond. All the hikers were real nice, and the caretakers were pleasant and chatty. Their dog, Nokade (Hebrew for "caretaker of sheep"), was as cool as can be, and gladly ate the rinds from our canteloupe.We didn't meet the Cookie Lady, but we met the cookie husband, Roy, who paused his mowing to greet us and chat for a while. He was super nice and offered up cookies and ginger ale. We chatted for 20 minutes or so and I realized that he reminded me strongly of Dillon Johnston, my mentor-ish English professor at Wake Forest. But I'm not sure Dillon had cookies...
Date: 2005-06-08
From: Kay Wood Lean-to

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

Starting Time: 7:15Starting Location: Kay Wood Lean-toEnding Time: 8:40Ending Location: Dalton, MAMiles: 3Morning Weather: Sunny and warmAfternoon Weather: Sunny and low 90'sBreakfast: CIBSecond Breakfast: Eggs, sausage, toast, pancakes at Duff and Dell's Variety StoreLunch: Grinder at Duff and Dell'sDinner: Wings, Cheeseburger and fries at Shamrock's pubMisc. Food: 69 cent slush-eeTrail Description: Down...didn't really pay attention to tell you the truthPeople: Mississippi Alan, TONS of nice locals at the variety store, A.D.D.-question-chic who cut my hairAnimals: Little cute dog at hair place who was washed in the sink just before my hair was washed...seriously. Money: 60 for room at Shamrock InnComplaints: NoneThoughts: We decided to take the day off instead of doing all of our town chores then pushing on. This is OK and is desired...I really feel like taking 3 days off, to tell you the truth. I feel like something has taken the wind out of my sails - no power in my legs, no real desire to crank miles out any more, etc.Dalton is a great town. Duff and Dell's is THE local place - great breakfast and lunch, and tons of people-watching. Their pancakes are the best I've had since Weasie's in Waynesboro! Pancakes, by the way, are my most pronounced trail addiction...I didn't really like them before, but now I can't get enough of them. Next door I saw "The Salon Experience" and decided to get my mop of hair cut and my too-burly beard trimmed. The owner/cutter, a female, was giving her yip-yip dog a bath in the hair-washing sink when I got there. She then directed me to the same sink and washed my hair. I love small town, non-chain store random behavior. This is what makes America great! The girl kept firing questions at me but couldn't/wouldn't wait for the answer, and would fire another. It made for an interesting salon experience.The rest of the day we spent chilling out. Shamrock's pub was good to us as well. I highly recomend Dalton as a great trail town!
Date: 2005-06-09
From: Dalton, MA

To: Crystal Mtn. Campsite
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: clear sky

Starting Time: 10:00Starting Location: Dalton, MAEnding Time: 12:30Ending Location: Crystal Mtn. CampsiteMiles: 4.7Morning Weather: Sunny and hotAfternoon Weather: sameBreakfast: 3 pancakes and sausage at Duff and Dell's (did I mention the pancakes rocked?)Lunch: noneDinner: Bars and gorpTrail Description: Nice little walk through Dalton residential streets (by the park, cemetery, etc.). Up through wet forest to campsite.People: Locals, dude we leap-frogged with to campsiteAnimals: NoneMoney: 8 for breakfastComplaints: Biscuits! is sick.Thoughts: Today was a bad day. Biscuits! got sick last night and barely slept. I awoke in a general foul mood and really wasn't looking forward to hiking uphill in 90-degree, mosquito-laden forest.We made it to the campsite, set up the tent, and immediately fell asleep for 5 hours. I guess this is that other day off that I've been wanting. I must admit that I'm having trouble with motivation. There is a big part of me that is saying, "You've hiked enough." There is the "original idea" part of me that is still saying "You can make it to Maine." The problem is that the first voice is getting louder, and has been vocal since I first entered New York. If Biscuits! hadn't joined me, I think I'd already be off the trail (and regretting it).Other concerns are that my pace is slowed down and my mileage is down. Please note that although some of this is due to Biscuits! joining me, nearly all of it is related to me just getting tired from the whole journey. I'm in a funk and need to pull myself out of it.Anyway, the nap in the woods today was refreshing, and flipping through the Wingfoot book and seeing how little I have to go was enough to get me somewhat fired up.Onward to Maine!
Date: 2005-06-10
From: Crystal Mtn. Campsite

To: MA2 (Redwood Motel)
Miles today: 18.6

Starting Time: 6:30Starting Location: Crystal Mtn. CampsiteEnding Time: 7:00Ending Location: MA2 (Redwood Motel)Miles: 18.6Morning Weather: Overcast and humidAfternoon Weather: Overcast, some breezes to lessen humidity somewhat, but I was DRENCHED all day with sweatBreakfast: CIB and cereal barLunch: Foot long hot dog, fries, cream soda at Bascom Lodge on Mt. GreylockDinner: Fruit, black beans on tortilla, an entire Boston Creme mini-cake (which wasn't that "mini")Trail Description: Downhill into Cheshire and another nice town walk through Cheshire. Long climb up to Mt. Greylock, which is the highest point in MA. Although it was hazy, it was still beautiful up there. Today was the first day since North Marshall in Shenandoah Natl Park that I was over 3,000 feet. A toe-crushing downhill into MA2 area.People: Park ranger, ridgerunner at BascomAnimals: DeerMoney: 10 for lunch, 100 for room, 20 for groceriesComplaints: Room is a dump and still cost $100Thoughts: Today was a long day due to an extended break at Bascom Lodge on top of Mt. Greylock. Biscuits! is still not feeling well, so what did we do? We hiked her second-longest day ever over the highest elevation gain she's done yet. Not too smart... We decided to hole up in a motel, get some fruit and other good-for-you food in her, and see if she improves. An outfitter is also here, which is a bonus. Her pack is not working for her and we are going to see what we can do about it.I felt great today, however. It was hot and humid, and both of us had sweated out our clothes by 10am, but we pressed on, and made good progress.
Date: 2005-06-11
From: MA2 (Redwood Motel)

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Starting Time: 11:50Starting Location: MA2 (Redwood Motel)Ending Time: 7:20Ending Location: Congdon Shelter (tent)Miles: 14.1Morning Weather: Sunny and HOTAfternoon Weather: Sunny, humid, and HOTTER...am I back in GA?Breakfast: Coffee, bagel w/cream cheese at Tunnel City CoffeeshopLunch: Bars and gorp, Hummus and tortillaDinner: PR, tunaTrail Description: Two significant climbs today, which is oh so fun in 90 degree-plus weather. Each state brings something new to the table in terms of trail variety, and Vermont (from the French "Verd Mont," or "Green Mountain") is no different. The Vermont trail is much more primitive - the blazes look much older and less well maintained, the trail is nearly overgrown and is muddy/boggy in many places.People: Motel owner who gave us a ride to outfitter, locals who solicited us for a ride back to trailhead, three employees at outfitterAnimals: Beaver! A beaver in Sucker pond swam right near us, then jumped into the water under our feet when we got near his hiding place...it was like a bowling ball splashing in the water. Also, we saw Jefferson the hiking Standard Poodle...what a geeky trail dog.Money: 150 for Vapor Trail pack, 80 for Salomon shoesComplaints: NoneThoughts: We're in Vermont! My twelfth state and Biscuits!' 3rd!Today I sweated more than any oher day on this hike. Not the most I've sweated for all time, which belongs to an all-day drum corps rehearsal in Jackson, Mississippi in August of '93, but a lot of sweat nonetheless. Biscuits! and I looked like we had jumped in a pool with our clothes on then put on our packs.This morning we waited around drinking coffee for the local outfitter, The Mountain Goat, to open. Once there, we quickly tried on the Granite Gear Vapor Trail for Biscuits!. Her pack was giving her problems, and I love my Ozone, so we got the size-down version of my pack for her. I also replaced my worn-out Montrails with Salomon XA's (Comps or Pros, can't remember which). They are not gortex, whatever the case. These shoes are trail runers with stiffer soles, so this represents a lighter weight shoe than I've had. So far I love them...the super light weight makes it feel like I'm hiking in socks!
Date: 2005-06-12
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: broken clouds

Starting Time: 8:10Starting Location: Congdon Shelter (tent)Ending Time: 3:45Ending Location: Goddard ShelterMiles: 14.4Morning Weather: Overcast, mid 70's, humid as all get-outAfternoon Weather: Sun tried to break through, still 100% humidity. Thundering as we came up the ridge to Goddard, poured rain 20 minutes after we got to the shelter.Breakfast: CIB and cereal bar (Trix...yum)Lunch: Bars and gorp, hummus on tortillaDinner: Mtn. House, Lipton with rehydrated ground beefTrail Description:People: Tex from Missouri (sectioner)Animals: Angry Grouse - when I came up, he tried to flee, as all grouse do, but I was blocking his escape route. So he ran back and forth and made this funny horn-like sound at me.Huge rabbit at shelter who was pretty much unafraid of people. Someone joked in the register about needing the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch ("Three shall be the number that thou shalt count. Four is right out").Money: 0Complaints: Everything is soaking wet with sweat, and nothing can dry out because it is so humid. Only two days to Manchester Center...Thoughts: I passed 1,600 miles today!!!Biscuits! really captured the spirit of a thruhike this morning. As we sat there contemplating the joys of putting wet clothing back on (and I mean every garment needed for your day), she compared backpacking to one big dare. "I dare you to put that wet shirt on." "I dare you to put Deet on at 6:30 in the morning." And so-on and so-forth. It's kind of like the bumper sticker I saw at Amicalola Falls State Park that said "My dream vacation is your worst nightmare."The wet clothes thing is interesting. I have a set of dry clothes, but the back pad of my pack never dried out, so dry clothes would immediately wet out. Even if the pack weren't wet, I would sweat out the clothes in 30 minutes. So, you shrug, grimace, and maybe cuss, and pull wet clothes on to start your day. Then twenty seconds later, a mosquito bites you. Vermont has proven in these last two days to be miserable. I can only hope that is gets better. At least the Goddard shelter is nice. It has a fantastic view (although we have to imagine it since it is hazy). It has a nice porch and a unique look on the inside. The Congdon shelter, on the other hand, was a dump...