morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

WANO WANO Atlanta Center OE Newsletter ¢ Issue 1      World Association of Nuclear Operators   June 2006      WANO Web Site (Members Only)   WANO Web Site (Public) Industry TrendsForeign Material: Events continue to occur as a result of inadequate control of foreign material. These events have contributed to major equipment damage and plant trips and have been seen in critical areas such as the reactor vessel, control rod drive mechanisms, reactor fuel, diesel generators, main generators, isophase ducts as well as many other systems. In particular two significant foreign material events have occurred within WANO-AC.Closer to Home: Foreign material problems delays Xenon's restart on the Appalachian Trail. An intermittent ache at the 5th metatarsal joint in the left foot posed a potential source of a breakdown on the AT. X-rays of the appendage, revealed presence of a foreign body at the joint. Unfortunately, further examination by an orthopedic specialist could not be arranged until September. In order to salvage 2006, Xenon has been hiking daily out at the Irving Nature Park, increasing load and distance. If there are no flare-ups, a restart will be attempted.A new restart date is July 8th, which is a 2 week delay. This would still allow completion of 4 states - Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire- a distance of about 460 miles, leaving Maine for another year. Coincidentally, the North-East United States has been inundated with the most precipitation in recent memory. A delay of 2 weeks may have been fortuitous!
Date: 2006-07-06
To: New York City
Miles today: 0.0

Finally!!Leave for New York City in less than 3 hours!The first two week delay was to resolve some foot issues.Then just before getting ready to depart one week ago, we received a call that my youngest son was in hospital in Thunder Bay with pneumothorax - collapsed lung. This is fairly common for tall skinny kids between the age of 15 and 30.He is now back at home and has rebounded well. Youth is so resilient.Another few days was required to help out my oldest son.Family time is quality time and family time is priority time.Hiking the AT requires alignment of family, work, health, finances. In church today, the message was one note. "Remind us dear God, that if we tune our hearts to Jesus's heart, we will all hear the same note and come together to create a loving and kind world. In Jesus name we pray. Amen"I am so thankful to be given this opportunity to hike the AT!
Date: 2006-07-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Two days in the Big Apple first to acclimatize to the 39 deg C heat.The bus connections from Saint John to Bangor Me were new this year.Only 8 passengers, I hope Acadian Bus Line is able to keep it going.Just a half hour stopover in Bangor, then almost express bus to New York City.Arrived in the big Apple about 04:00 in the morning. Didn't know what to do.Found Central Park. Did you know at 06:00 in the morning, it is filled with runners and bikers? Shortly, thereafter, found the Tennis courts. Clay courts about 30 of them. Watched tennis for about 2 hours, then I got too hot. The club house there even has showers! The New York Hostel International was only a half hour hike from the tennis courts.Saw the UN buildings, they really need a facelift! Then went to the big hole which is the former World Trade Center. That evening was a guided tour of the Brooklyn lights. The guide is a retired teacher who provided a good insight into the city. Something, that I would never have done by myself.The next day was a guided tour of Greenwich then a ferry ride past the Statue of Liberty. After navigating the NYC subways, the blazes of the Appalachian Trail should be a breeze.
Date: 2006-07-19
From: New York City

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 1Up at 06:00 to catch the 08:00 commuter train to Pawling. It was fairly easy. So much less anxiety than last year. AT Pawling filled my water bottles and met Indiana and Rush Hour who had arrived late last night to the Pawling pavilion. They have been travelling at night to avoid the heat. A sign of things to come?Started hitching a ride to the Big Oak on County 20. Able to get a ride, they first took me to the Appalachian Train Station, but then took me to the Big Oak. This is to keep every thing above board. I am an engineer, not a purist! Dropped off at the big oak, at 10:30 and made it back to the Appalachian Train station by 11:30. Able to get a hot dog and soda ( I am getting American slang!).Off again by 12:30, about 8.0 miles and close to the Wiley Shelter, I was getting concerned about water. Trail Magic! Gates of Heaven Part II - Mac and Cheese have two coolers of ice cold drinks and provisions and lawn chairs!! Filled my bottles, and drank two ice cold lemon teas. So much appreciated.So glad to arrive at the Wiley shelter about 16:00, only 15 minutes away, set up my tent to avoid any mosquitos, but they haven't been bad yet.
Date: 2006-07-20
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Schnaghticoke Mtn Campsite
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 2Up and on the trail by 07:30 to beat the heat.Easily made it to 10 Mile River campsite 4.2 miles by 10:00. This would have been a good campsite. Bull Bridges Gulf Store with sodas and ice cream are only a half hour away.Started up the Schnaghticoke Mtn about 11:30. This is the first 1000 ft climb and it is hot. Took 2 hours and several breaks to get to the top. Boy is it hot! Boy am I out of shape! Boy am I overweight! Another 2 hours and I made it to the Schnaghticoke Mtn campsite. I am dog tired. It was all I could muster, to put up my tent, the bear bag, but I was too tired to filter water!Some other hikers come by much later, when it has cooled down. I am just so beat!The last two days, I have had little appetite. Yesterday, I made half a portion of hamburger helper and threw half of it away. Today, I made two cups of Liptons instant soup. I drank the broth and threw the noodles and vegetables away. No appetite! So tired and no appetite!
Date: 2006-07-21
From: Schnaghticoke Mtn Campsite

To: Kent, Conn
Miles today: 3.2

Day 3Up again and off by 07:30.Just got packed when it started to shower.During the night, several other hikers had arrived to the Schnaghticoke Mtn Campsite. They are travelling early and late to avoid the midday heat.Hiked down to Kent with thru hiker - Old Drum, who is hiking on to Cornwall Bridge which is another 17 miles. That is just too much for me!I have decided to stop overnight in Kent and relax out of the heat.Going to stay at the Fife and Drum, and hope another hiker comes by to split the cost of the room with me. I can hope for luck!I just don't have my trail legs yet. I hope they arrive before my Mastercard limit is exceed.Kent is a nice tourist town. They just don't have hiker hostels or the like!I want to now go and check in and maximize my stay in a luxury room!!!Who said the AT is a picnic!!!
Date: 2006-07-22
From: Kent, Conn

To: Stewart Hollow Brook
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: moderate rain

Day 4Lazy morning. No luck last night, no other hikers showed up last night to share the room. Left the Fife and Drum by 08:00 Made it to Caleb's Peak ( 1160') 2.8 miles by 10:30. Sticks, Fiddlehead and Centipede were also on the trail. They stayed the night at the Epispocal Church. A short distance from Calebs is the St John Ledges. That was a harrowing experience to clamber down between the bolders. Glad I wasn't north bound! The AT then follows the River Rd and Houstonic River for several miles. Stopped at the Stewart Hollow Lean-to @ 12:00. That is far enough for today. Tried to decide whether to pitch a tent or stay in the lean-to. Can you guess what I did? Sticks, Fiddlehead and Centipede had to push on. Shortly after it poured. Wonder how many other soaked hikers will show up. John and Bob - brothers (Locals) came in from the rain. They had started at the Pine Swamp Lean-to 10 miles away. They said they had been travelling over 12 hours! Another two local hikers brothers in their 60's showed up. They offered some good tips on the AT and experience winter camping. Trickster and What? are thru-hikers apparently newly weds. They were married two days before hitting the AT in March! A nice long honeymoon!!
Date: 2006-07-23
From: Stewart Hollow Brook

To: Pine Swamp 
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Day 5John and Bob were up @ 06:00.Atleast they shared their hot water and coffee! On the trail by 08:00 Fairly easy hiking. Made it to Conn 4 4.1 miles by 10:00Israel (trail angel) picked me up and showed me Cornwall Bridge.It is much smaller than Kent. Dropped off at the Houstonic State Park. After looking it over, I decided to push on to the Pine Swamp Lean-to. Took the blue blaze Pine Knob Loop trail back to the AT.Met Trickster and What? along the way.Got to Pine Swamp by 16:00. Bugs appear bad. Put up the tent.
Date: 2006-07-24
From: Pine Swamp

To: Lime Stone 
Miles today: 12.8

Day 6Sputtered overnight. Tent was wet. However the sky was clear all night.Is it dew condensing off the trees?Off by 08:00 and made it into Falls Village 5.2 miles easily by 10:30.Picked up by trail angel - Joe. He showed me around. Unfortunately, on Mondays, the village is closed down. Called home, feeling rather despondent. Had to push on to the Limestone Lean-to which was another 5+ miles.Made it to Limestone by 17:00. Had to use the GPS several times to make sure I didn't miss it. The lean-to is another 0.5 miles off the AT, down a steep creek bed. The spring for water was superb. Apparently the AT had been relocated due to land disputes. Looking at the register, didn't expect any other hikers for the night.Stretch and Goat southbounders came in about 18:30. They immediately start doing pushups.Julie and Cabinman and brother - NOBO's came in about 19:00.On the way out next morning, found that Lightning Bolt, Hawkeye, Bluey and Toast had started down the approach trail but stopped when they saw how far and how steep is the trail to the Limestone Lean-to.
Date: 2006-07-25
From: Lime Stone 

To: Salisbury, Conn
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: clear sky

Day 7Up and on the trail by 08:00.Salisbury is only 5.4 miles and I made it by 10:30!!The AT Companion lists Maria McCabe as putting up hikers.Showers, laundary, and a bed for me.Coming in to Salisbury, I was passed by several younger hikers.The Appalachian Trail is like gel chromatograpy.The AT separates the old DNA from the new DNA. The younger hikers just fly pass us older hikers! Maybe it has to do with conditioning as well. These younger hikers have been on the trail for 3 to 4 months. I know my feet can't fly like these youngsters.Over the past 7 days, my appetite still hasn't kicked in.I haven't had a full meal in 7 days!! Perhaps today will be different!
Date: 2006-07-26
From: Salisbury, Conn

To: Sagnes Ravine
Miles today: 7.4

Day 8Left Salisbury @08:30.Met Lightning Bolt along the way.Also talked to a Ridge Runner - Greg Gaston from Moncton/St Andrews.Greg went to school with the Smiths from Waterbury, in particular same grade as Sandy Smith. Greg talked me into taking the AT to the top of Bear Mtn rather than taking a blue blaze detour around. It was hot but worth it! Made the summit by 12:30 The highest point in Conn. Got to Sagnes Ravine by 14:00.
Date: 2006-07-27
From: Sagnes Ravine

To: Glen Brook 
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: few clouds

Day 9Left Sagnes Ravine @ 07:50.Missed seeing the cute caretaker, age 19.Summitted Race Mtn with no difficulties. Views along Laurel Ridge were spectacular. Made the top by 10:30. Very hot. That was followed by another climb up Mt Everett 2602' by 12:00. Made it into Glen Brook by 13:30.Should I push on for another 3 1/2 miles but there is no allowable camping?Site looks decent. Finally decided to do 14 miles tomorrow.Met Cheesebread & Blackfoot. Montreal stayed here last night!@ 18:30 Iron Wolf showed up. Iron Wolf is a retired biology teacher with bad knees, but is resolved to thru-hike the AT as a promise made to another hiker who died in his sleeping bag this year in Smokies from a heart attack. Iron Wolf thus far has lost 54 lbs!
Date: 2006-07-28
From: Glen Brook 

To: Tom Leonard
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 10Left Glen Brook @ 07:30Rocks were slippery, due to the thunderstorm last night.Made it to the valley floor 4.2 miles by 10:00. Anotherr 3.5 miles to US 7 and the Corn Crib - ice cream and drinks. Able to call home. The Australian Girls - Matilda, Veggiemet, Bluey and Hawkeye were also there. Left the Corn Crib @ 13:00. Another 6.4 miles to Tom Leonard.The last 3.5 miles was hard due to a thunder storm. Met Bionic Princess and Mac along the way. We finally made the shelter bby 17:15, thankfully.Surprises - Mac - makes a birthday cake for his newly wed Bionic Princess. The lean-to is decorated with party favors and blow horns. A really nice party just for the three of us. They have been married for only 1 1/2 months and are doing 2 weeks of the AT for a honeymoon.Mosquitos are bad. Slept in my bug jacket.Three more hikers popped in late. Justin, Matt and Corey.
Date: 2006-07-29
From: Tom Leonard

To: Shaker Campsite
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: few clouds

Day 11On the trail by 07:50.At 4.1 miles 10:00 and Benedict Pond, Trail Magic!!The Runes - Noel and Dave have trail magic set up. BBQ, coolers, and chairs.Had iced tea, apples and egg sandwich. The Aussies showed up at 10:30.@ 12:30 made it to the Mt Wilcox N Shelter. Only another 4.1 miles to Shaker Campsite. The leeward side of the hill is just like Fern Gully. Amazing! Arrived just as it started to sprinkle. Lots of bugs. Set up the tent on the tent platform. They have Shaker knobs for tie points, hence the name.
Date: 2006-07-30
From: Shaker Campsite

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: few clouds

Day 12Rained on/off overnight.On the trail by 08:00.Trail seems hard. Some nice meadows were traversed.Made it to the Goose Pond Rd (7.2 miles) by 12:30.Stopped at a neighbouring household to ask if they would sell me a cola.The guy answering the door must have had a bad day. He just told me to leave.My first negative experience.Another 3 miles to the Upper Goose Pond Cabin. Made it by 13:30.Very nice place!! Swam, washed my clothes.Eventually the cabin filled up.Gypsy and Moss Man are south bounders.Tyvek Man is also SOBO. He is a Viet Nam Vet who is protesting lack of post trauma care for vets. His gear is all contained in Tyvek, and he is bring attention to his cause by hiking barefoot.
Date: 2006-07-31
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Cookie Lady's
Miles today: 11.0

Day 13After pancakes, on the trail by 07:50.Well! Trail Magic on US 20. 12 pack of cold Root Beer. It must just have been dropped off within 15 minutes! Too early, to drink now, so I took two for future use.Getting to the top of Beckett Mtn (2180') was the easiest climb yet! I must be getting into shape! Eating breakfast this morning must defintely help.Passed by all the other thru-hikers from the Upper Goose Cabin, they are in better shape, after 3 months of hiking. Made it to October Mtn Lean-to (8.8 miles) by 12:30. This was my original objective. By 14:30, decided the Cookie Lady, only 2.2 miles away is too enticing. Made that distance in under a hour! Set up tent along with Lightning Bolt.After cookies and lemonade, we helped mow weeds around the high bush blue berries and other farm chores.
Date: 2006-08-01
From: Cookie Lady's

To: Dalton
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: haze

Day 14After coffee and blue berry oatmeal, Lightning Bolt and I are on the trail by 07:00. Fairly humid and hot. Made it to Kay Wood Lean-to (6.6 miles) by 130:30 and into Dalton by 12:00. Trail Magic on the path into Dalton. 12 pack of Cherry Coke was left by the trail!Tom Levardi's place looks decent. Even has courtesy soda's.Went off to do laundary while Lightning Bolt checks in.That night, Tom drove all interested hikers - 5 - to Pittsfield to an AYCE Buffet. That was the biggest meal, I have had in 2 weeks!!
Date: 2006-08-02
From: Dalton

To: Mark Noepal Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: haze

Day 15Up @ 06:00 and an egg bagel samdwich at Deli with Old Drum.On the trail by 07:00.It was an easy hike to Cheshire ( 9.3 m) by 12:00Mailed home ~ 5 lbs of stuff - rain pants, fleece jacket, battery chargers.It was very hot and found the Cheshire Library and internet and updated my journal and kept cool. A huge thunder storm struck abouit 15:30. Ran to the local church hostel, taking refuge at the back of the church, but found it empty. Unknown to me Old Drum was at the front side of the church.Finally @ 16:00 called home to announce my intention to strike up Mt Greylock to Mark Noepal another 4.5 miles. Hiking up the mountain was a bit eirry (sp). Dead fall from the storm was dropping all around as I ascended the mountain. Made it to the shelter by 19:30, where Old Drum had arrived only 15 minutes previously.Lightning Bolt had been there since 13:00.Also in the shelter were Lost & Found and Sunshine - retired naval couple.These three had experienced the big lightning storm a few hour previous.
Date: 2006-08-03
From: Mark Noepal Shelter

To: North Adams
Miles today: 9.6

Day 16Left Mark Noepal @ 08:00.Finally made the top of Mt Greylock (3491') by 10:30Called the Cheshire town offices to enquire about leaving my sunglasses at the public library the day before. Hopefully, they will mail them home!After drinks and visit to the top of the memorial tower, it was an easy descent to North Adams.Lost & Found and Sunshine were staying at the same motel and gave us a ride to an AYCE Chinese Buffet that night.
Date: 2006-08-04
From: North Adams

To: Congdom Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: light rain

Day 17Woke up to pouring rain!!!Lost & Found gave us a ride to Friendly's and Breakfast.But we were not in a hurry to leave!!Finally after a 2 hour breakfast, we were on the trail by 09:00.We met Lighning Bolt about 09:30. He had just come back from hiking to the Mass/Vermont border, and reported the trail was muddy. Lighning Bolt was headed back to North Adams, then to hitch into Williamstown to meet his girlfriend. We informed Lightning Bolt to try to get into touch with Lost & Found. L&F is bumping his car northwards every 3 - 4 days, and needed someone to shuttle his car to Manchester, Vermont. I hope they made contact.Old Drum and I finally made it to the state border and the start of the Long Trail by 11:30. It was still raining.The introduction into Vermont was memorable. The trail was flooded, muddy and the worse conditions I have yet to see on the AT. At a beaver pond close to the Congdom Shelter, the planks were submerged under 15 cm of water, so much for trying to keep my boots dry!!
Date: 2006-08-05
From: Congdom Shelter

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

Day 18On the trail by 08:00.Made it to Route 9. and the road into Bennington.Tried to buy sodas from anyone in the parking lot for hikers to no avail.A girl - Michelle - living out of her pickup asked to accompany us to the Goddard shelter. Old Drum named her Pickup.Made the Melvile Nauheim shelter ( 5.9 m ) by 12:00Shortly thereafter a number of SOBO's came in.The wave of Southbounder thru-hikers are starting to ripple through.Pushed on to the Goddard Shelter by 17:30.The Goddard Shelter is impressive, good view.There were a large number of hikers (14) present.A number of hikers are doing the Long Trail, including Louis and Clark who entertained us on a guitar.Didn't know where everyone was going to sleep. At the end, only 4 stayed in the shelter, whereas everyone else tented. At ~ 3000', the Goddard shelter was cold. That night, I had every stich of clothing on, and even my rain jacket to keep warm. I was wishing I had not sent home that fleece jacket!
Date: 2006-08-06
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Kelly Strand Rd
Miles today: 12.5

Day 19After a cold night, met Old Drum at the top of the Mtn by the fire tower.My first encounter with Dancing Dead Bear, who is setting up his hammock in every fire tower along the AT. He reported a fantastic sunset, sunrise and fireworks display from a neighbouring town, the previous night.Hiked to the Kid Gore Shelter by 10:30, then the Story Spring Shelter by 14:20.We were inform of incredible Trail Magic at the Kelly Strand Rd another 3.6 m away. We tore off, and made the Kelly Strand Rd by 16:00, just in time to catch the Trail Magic. I have never hiked so fast!!Just prior to the road was a cooler full of sodas and beer.Just north of the road was more Trail Magic!!Green Lantern and Short Job - Trail Angels - had set up a table with all the trail food that you could want. They plied us with sodas, beer, cantelope, peanuts, pretzels, sandwiches. Louis and Clark from the Goddard Shelter were also there and showed their appreciation with a few songs. Old Drum gave everyone his rendition of where the name Old Drum was derived. It takes about 15 minutes!After Green Lantern and Short Job left, we set up our tents on that very site!
Date: 2006-08-07
From: Kelly Strand Rd

To: Spruce Peak
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

Day 20Rained hard last night and was still sprinkling in the morning.On the trail by 08:00Topped Stratton Mtn by 10:30, but did not climb the fire tower, as it was cloud bound. Descended to Stratton Pond by 12:00. That was very nice.By then the sky had cleared and the day was nice.Pushed on to the W.B.Douglas Shelter turn-off by 14:30.Continue on to W.B. Douglas Shelter for another 0.5 miles detour or push on for another 3 miles to Spruce Peak.We made Spruce Peak by 17:30.
Date: 2006-08-08
From: Spruce Peak

To: Manchester Center
Miles today: 2.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 21On the trail by 07:30Made it to the highway by 09:00.After 10 cars, Emmaa, a local hiker picked us up and dropped us at the Sutton Place house.Still looking and exploring Manchester.This brings this journal up to date as of 12:00 - August 8th.In the next week, I need to look at where to get off the AT,The schedule suggests that I still can make Hanover, New Hampshire, when I must meet the family, on the way to Ontario.
Date: 2006-08-09
From: Manchester Center

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

Day 22After breakfast @ the Bagel Place, we had to take a cab back to the Trail Head!This might go against the code of the hikers, but Old Drum and I weren't going to spend all morning trying to thumb a ride 5 miles up the road.At the trail head by 09:00. It was a good day of hiking.Styles Peak, Peru Peak, Baxter Peak. The summit of Baxter's Peak is reached by a ridge of hard granite folded on edge rising above the trees. Pretty spectacular. An fairly easy day, we reached Lost Pond by 16:00
Date: 2006-08-10
From: Lost Pond Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: few clouds

Day 23After looking over the schedule, we realized we should have pushed a bit further yesterday, to make it to Killington by Saturday. Therefore, it was necessary to push harder today another 3.9 miles, to Clarendon.On the trail by 08:00, the trail to the next shelter - Big Branch (1.7 m), was easy. We reached Minerva Hinchey Shelter by 16:00. Clarendon was another 3.9 miles. A hour later, we were caught in a shower. The climb up the Clarendon Gorge was awesome, scary, steep and rocky. I was awfully glad, I wasn't climbing alone. We finally reached the Clarendon Shelter by 18:00. Chow chow from Dalton was already there, as well as Roughshaw from Manchester. They had beat the rain. A big group of high school kids from Michigan were also in the shelter. They had been in a wilderness training session with Yellow Belly last spring. Showed Old Drum how to set up his tent in the rain!