morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-23
From: NY 22

To: Hoyt Rd
Miles today: 6.8

Got started on a drizzly rainy morning. Weather expected to be poor all day. First up and over some farmer's hayfields, waved to a man out on his tractor. In some places the trail crosses private property via easement rights, this may have been a case of that, I don't know. Met a lady out with her dog, running in the rain to get back to her car. Finally got up to the forested part which is Pawling Nature Reserve. Very nice stretch of forest and I noticed some birdsong while there. A small climb at the beginning, but not hard hiking at all. Came to a road crossing with trail magic watermelon! Yummy! Thanks so much! I stood in the rain and gobbled it up. From there I hiked on over to Wiley Shelter where I met a southbounder from Georgia. Sat out the rain for a bit while chatting, then decided to head for a motel room to get out of the rain. Called it a day early and went to dry out.
Date: 2010-07-24
From: Hoyt Rd

To: Kent CT
Miles today: 11.5

Made a good start from Wingdale around 8:30 and set off hiking. After a brief bit of up and down I got to more serious climbing over Ten Mile Hill. Believe me, these "hills" have been challenging enough! Once over I walked a while along 10 Mile River where it joins the Houstianic (sp?) River. Lotta big rocks and white water there. Nice to walk along the rivers.After a bit I headed up Schaghticoke Mtn. This was a good climb, seriously hot (like mid-90's), high humidity, and BUGS! Yuck, all swarming around my head. Hiked bandito style for a bit of relief, bandanna over nose and mouth, but I found that to be stifling. I had to keep stopping just to breathe. Ugh. Anyway, somewhere near the top they just faded away so I guess they have some elevation max or something. Schag... Mtn is a really pretty mountain and has it all. The southern ascent is a decent climb, the top has some small ups n downs, some rocks for climbing around and through, and a tough descent on the north end. Major rocky trail, I thought I might be back in PA. Took me a long time to tackle this mtn, it reminded me of the one before Paul Wolfe Shelter, south of Waynesboro VA. It just kept on and on and on. Excellent end to end day hike I'd say.It was Saturday so I met several folks on the trail. A trio of young men told me about a Youtube project called A Day In The Life. Check it out! Anyway, they asked me to talk about my hike for their project, so I did! Winners will be included in a film at Sundance Festival next year! So, all of you photog people out there, go to Youtube and do something cool!Well, I needed to re-supply in Kent. Got a ride into town with some trail maintainers, the skies opened up, I never got out of town. Kent is a really cute little town.
Date: 2010-07-25
From: CT 341 (Kent)

To: CT 4 (Cornwall Bridge)
Miles today: 11.1

Started the day by walking back to the trailhead. It was a very pretty morning but quite muggy. First I crossed a field and noticed streams running! The rain is finally starting to get some water moving on the ground. Yay! It's been so dry. As always, time to head up the hill, another decent climb. By decent I mean gets the heart pumping but not killer steep. Actually, I like the steep climbs, it's when there's tough footing that I struggle. So, I got to the top and there was all the winding around through the forest and small ups and downs. All of a sudden a chocolate standard poodle bounded toward me, assertively defending his territory. Hs stopped short at my knees and I spoke quietly to him until his owner showed up. I wouldn't say we made friends but we came to an understanding, LOL! As I've watched all the trail dogs along the way I've come to the conclusion that on the trail, dogs can get a bit anxious because they don't understand where their territory is and it changes everyday. Dogs who need to understand their territory get really stressed by this. Anyway, I think that was the poodle's issue, although their tent was a solid 50 feet off the trail. Nutmeg, my terrier, would've had a huge problem with this. Elsie, the shepherd, probably could have adapted. As I said at the beginning of this adventure, bringing a dog on the trail is hard work!Hiked on and down off the mountain. The trail took a long stretch along the Housatonic (?) River. I think I've got that spelled right now! I think it was about 4 miles. Humidity was high and at that low elevation the bugs were awful. I walked along with a cloud of bugs around my head, quite annoying. I spend most of my days drenched in bug repellant too. Yuck! The river was really pretty, saw a guy out in it flyfishing, and a young couple out swimming. This river looks a bit chancy to me for swimming, lots of currents, but they were enjoying themselves. As I walked along the river there were brief light showers. More rain headed my way.I was getting really hungry as I headed up the next hill. I had decided to wait to eat my lunch at higher elevation, hoping to avoid some bugs. I'm starting to think maybe my fatigue is coming from not eating enough. I've lost 40 pounds along the way, so perhaps now I need to amp up the calories a bit, so today I had chicken, chocolate pudding, and carrot salad for lunch. I also need to get back to eating something at first break too, in fact, I need to remember to take first break. So, I planned to stop at the Silver Hill Campsite junction to eat, but when I got there other people had already claimed the spot. I continued up to the top and found a great spot. The rain had reached steady drizzle status but it was ok. Lunch was delicious. I checked messages and learned Beans was in the next town so I set off to meet him. Wound up staying in Cornwall Bridge, watching it pour down rain. Good to see Beans again. I admit, I am glad to be in out of the rain.
Date: 2010-07-26
From: CT 4 (Cornwall Bridge)

To: US 44 (Salisbury)
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: few clouds

Wow! What a great day of hiking! Beans and I set off around 8:30 and first had to cross Guinea Brook. Took me a bit to find my way, I do not trust my boots. I stuck to my plan and took a pack-off break at 2 hours in. Ate some gorp. We hiked on to Sharon Mtn Campsite and stopped again for lunch. I had a ham and swiss on rye that I got at the deli this morning. I love the deli walk! While we sat eating I met my first southbound thruhiker. He started at Katahdin 6/1. Didn't really want to chat much so he moved on. Good luck to ya buddy!After lunch we hiked down off the mountain to a 3 mile or so road walk. First up, a gas station, with a coke machine! Boy, was that ever good. The road walk itself was kind of dangerous, no shoulder, cars revving it up as they leave town. Didn't like it much. Walked past Lime Rock Racetrack which we had seen from above. We watched some drivers work practice runs. Lime Rock is also the community name and the road turned at the Trinity Episcopal Church. I took the photo of this for my dad because he's Episcopalian. (Mom, please make sure he sees this!)Finally we got off the road and back into the woods. This was cathedral-like forest, big old tall trees, lots of hemlocks. I was concerned to see one section where trees are being cleared, I don't know why. Then later we went through a stretch with some hefty birch trees down, but no younger trees growing. I wonder, why no new birches in this forest? I don't know the answer. Anyway, our goal for the day was Limestone Spring Lean-to and when we got to the junction, around 6:30, we decided instead to make a run for Salisbury. That shelter was half a mile off the trail , and you know how I feel about that, LOL! So here we are at a boarding house in Salisbury. Tough downhill at the end, but short, so tolerable. A very good day.I appreciate all the comments and emails of support I've received. All the kind positive words really help keep me going when it gets tough. I heard before the hike that the AT is something of a headgame and as I've struggled through this lately all the support I've gotten has been incredibly helpful. Thank you.
Date: 2010-07-27
From: US 44 (Salisbury)

To: Race Brook Falls Trail Campsite
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

Spent the morning around Salisbury with Beans, eating, resupplying, post officing, and so on. Late in the morning I said goodbye to Beans and to Vanessa Breton who so generously opened her home to me. Started with a decent climb out of town up to Lions Head and on up to Bear Mountain. On the climb I saw some Indian Pipe, really flourishing in clumps. Never seen so much in bunches before. There was a large pyramid of rocks atop Bear Mtn and I could look across the valley to where Beans and I burst into the field yesterday. It always amazes me to see where I hiked from. The blueberries on Bear Mtn were the best of the hike, perfectly ripe and large and sweet. Yummy!After Bear Mountain was Sages Ravine. I'd heard it was a tough downhill into the ravine which was true, but it was ok. I did it just fine and didn't really get scared, it all worked out just great. At the bottom was a fairytale forest with a fine brook tripping down the hill. I sat with my feet in the water and ate a late lunch. Beauty! As I headed out of the ravine a couple of southbounders were headed in to camp. I set off to climb Race Mtn which was a gradual ascent. Heard owls which was cool and Race Mtn had great cliff walks. At first I was nervous but got over it and enjoyed the views. As I started off the mountain I realized I was running out of daylight so I headed for camp and called it a day. Oh yes, and as I left out of Sages Ravine I entered Massachusetts. Yay!
Date: 2010-07-28
From: Race Brook Falls Trail Campsite

To: Boardman St, Great Barrington
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Got going around 9:00 and first up was the climb up Mt Everett. Stopped at the Elbow Trail junction for first break, then hiked on off Jug End which took forever! Long long rocky downhill. I was hurrying to meet friends and frustrated at my slow progress. When I got to South Egremont Road there were Felix and Pilot. So much fun to meet them! I hiked on a bit further and we all met again for strawberries, sodapop, cookies, etc. We had such a good time I decided to stay in Great Barrington, so I hiked a bit more then called it a day. We had a wonderful dinner, then ice cream. What a fun fun day! Right before going off to sleep I got a text from Beans, he was at the same motel! What a small hiking world I am living in.
Date: 2010-07-29
From: Boardman St, Great Barrington

To: Shaker Campsite
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: few clouds

Had ambitious plans to get going early, but when I opened my door it was raining. Rain delay! Ran into Beans and we, along with Felix and Pilot, went out for a great breakfast. Avocado/tomato/mozzarella omelet for me. Finally got going around 11:00 and soon after that missed a blaze and got lost. After all this it took me nearly 3 hours to get the 5 miles to Leonard Shelter for lunch. Apple, cheese, OREO's! Good lunch! Mtn Dew! Nice ravine there too, pretty spot for lunch. Crossed MA 23 to find Magic from On The Loose and friends. Climbed the hill and passed Benedict Pond, nice! Next, the ledges, pretty rock formations but not tough climbing. Hiked with MacGyver and met a couple of southbounders, Oh-Boo and Pluto. Left MacGyver at N Wilcox Shelter and ran for Shaker Campsite.
Date: 2010-07-30
From: Shaker Campsite

To: October Mtn Leanto
Miles today: 18.7

Got out of camp my usual, around 9:00, and made my way the first few miles to Jerusalem Road. Just off the trail, and the road, is a piped spring, flowing into a bathtub. Slightly surreal to find this site in the woods, but I'll take it all right. Just glad to find a spring!Hiked a bit of up and down and came to Goose Pond Road where I stopped for a MAJOR lunch. I cooked up ramen noodles with mashed potatoes stirred in and chicken and it was good! Last night I ate one piece of jerky while setting up camp in the dark, figured I needed to eat something. I had cookies too. While the cooking was going on I checked my phone for messages and I had a few from my friend Beans. For his own reasons he's decided enough is enough and he's gone home to Oregon. I shall miss him greatly for his sense of humor, his honesty, and his willingness to wait up whenever I said "Beans, wait up, I'm scared." Luckily I have a new friend to stay in touch with but the trail will not be the same without him.Goose Pond was so beautiful, I wish I had time to stick around a while and swim. I met On The Loose there, told her about Beans, cried a little, then moved on. Crossed the Mass Turnpike, I90, then US20. Funny, I used to live just off these roads, about a thousand or so miles west, I guess. Made the climb up Becket Mountain and passed Finerty Pond. Very very pretty. Now here I was again, racing the sunset as I raced toward October Mountain Leanto. A quick climb up Bald Top took my breath away as the sun was setting, seen through the trees, and all the muted colors of violet and orange hanging in the mist of the forest. Plenty of birdsong too. It was so beautiful. Got in to camp after dark again but that sunset was worth it. I like hiking at dusk.
Date: 2010-07-31
From: October Mtn Leanto

To: Dalton
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Started the day by hiking a couple of miles to Washington Mountain Rd where the Cookie Lady lives. Well, she was not around when I got there, but her husband, the Cookie Man, was. Alas, no cookies. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and he was quite busy with his customers for his U-Pick-Em Blueberry operation. I needed water, which I got, and waited patiently to check on the status of mail I had bounced north to him. Drat! Lost package. It was only 2 days of food, but still aggravating. I told him if it shows up just give it to other hikers coming along (Mom, it may get sent back to you). It was not really a problem at all though. While hanging around I got in some quality time petting Rufus the dog. Can you believe the kindness and generosity of these people to concern themselves not only with me and my maildrop, but all the hikers that come through? They even let people camp in the yard. I tell you, some of these trail angels knock me out!When I left there I headed for Dalton. I've been moving along as briskly as I could, but I got word an upcoming planned meeting allowed me to slow up just a tad, and so I did. Along the way as I came over another little peak I burst out onto an outcrop with a wonderful look at Mt Greylock - tomorrow's challenge. What a breathtaking view! Wow! She's the biggest mountain we've seen since Virginia, over 3000 feet. After that sight I really did get moving in to Dalton.In town I went to the home of Tom Levardi, an extraordinary trail angel who allows camping in his yard, showers, laundry, tv-watching, shuttles, and basic kindness. He put me up in a room in the house which was so nice. I headed out to the local tavern and had a great burger, then snoozed the night away. These trail people just keep knocking me out!
Date: 2010-08-02
From: Mt Greylock Summit

To: Williamstown MA
Miles today: 6.3

Had a leisurely start from the lodge, knowing I did not have too far to go today. I'm good at leisurely starts. Once I got on the trail I really wanted to get to town where I was looking forward to meeting a friend. Nice hike as I set off, steep off the peak, lovely mountain top forest. Got to Mt Williams where there was a register, and Aspen and Toothpick were there yesterday! Well, I owed them a call, so decided NOW would be a good time, and they were staying another day in WTown! Finally! I get to see these two again! I was so excited!Coming off Greylock is a long, long, steep downhill. Not hard, not scary, just tough on the knees and takes forever. Still, same old, one foot in front of the other, and eventually I found myself in town. Called the friend I was meeting and she came to pick me up. This is my first time to meet her in person; I know her from the quit support site I mentioned yesterday, where she is known as Tomatogirl. What a thrill to meet her! Turns out she was around a while before I got there and wound up shuttling other hikers to the PO and hanging out. I think that qualifies Tomatogirl as a trail angel! She loved it!She immediately took me to the pink diner where I had the chili dog.Later I called Aspen and Toothpick and the 4 of us went out for a wonderful dinner and laughed the night away. I was so happy to see those two again. They hike out in the morning while I'll be hanging around WTown for a few days, so I'll be back to chasing them, but boy, did we have fun together! What an excellent day!
Date: 2010-08-06
From: Williamstown MA

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

Had breakfast at the Dunkin Donuts, then headed out for the trail. Began by crossing the river, then almost immediately, up the hill I went. Crossed into Vermont!!!! I cannot believe this! I know I keep saying this but I am astounded every day as the hike goes forward. There's a sign at the Vermont line as it is also the end of The Long Trail, which I think is the USA's first "long" trail. Older than the AT. The two run along together for a bit, maybe a hundred miles or so. At the Vermont line I met Asa who is thru-hiking the Long Trail, going northbound. Very nice man from Vermont. Also, laughably, right by the sign was a big mud pit! A sign of things to come that I was unaware of at that moment. Oh my goodness, there is mud everywhere! Boot sucking mud!! It's the entire width of the trail, I cannot figure out how to avoid it, it's all over my legs, I'm just trying not to sink in over the ankles of my boots. Somehow in camp I saw a girl with fairly clean boots. I have NO IDEA how to do that. An amazing sight. There were lots of pretty ponds along the way. These ponds are amazing too. Somehow they hold water, plenty of it, at the top of the mountains here. At home in TN the water would leach down through the limestone, so I assume this has something to do with a granite base layer of rock. If anyone knows, I would be interested. Ha! I can only speculate about the geology here. Got in to Congdon Shelter right before dark, had dinner and settled in to sleep. Dang! It's been a long time since I slept in a shelter! Not too many skeeters, lotta people tenting here.
Date: 2010-08-07
From: Congdon Shelter

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

Got a fairly early start out of the shelter, knowing I had a big day ahead. By the time morning break rolled around I had climbed down to VT 9, which goes to Bennington, and had my break by the stream that flows there. Whew, that was a rocky, steep downhill, tough on the knees. Absolutely top notch privy there by the road! LOL! Funny what becomes most important out here! Anyway, after the break came the big uphill. Do I say that every day? That's what the AT is all about. There was a woman at the shelter complaining about the big climb ahead today and I thought, why are you here? That's what this trail is! I am glad to be getting back into the higher elevations too, today I climbed to 3748 feet, highest since VA I think. It just makes me feel good. I don't mind the climbs at all. Please don't point out me complaining about it later, OK? There's mud everywhere on the trail, no getting around it, just deal with it. Had lunch at Hell Hollow Brook, peanut butter and chocolate pudding, yum! The brook was pretty, there was a lot of up and down on the ridge line today, then later in the afternoon came the climb up Glastenbury Mountain. Big granite stones to hike up, the trail folks had a lot of work to do trail building here. It was rather steep, but one step at a time gets me up the hill. I stopped for water near Goddard Shelter which had a beautiful little spring running really good. I LOVE spring water. Lots of time the brook water is a little brown. I purify it, but that color is still there.   I LOVE spring water! Oh, already said that. Goddard Shelter was very very nice, lovely view, and I ran in to Gouda!!!!! Geez, was Carolina the last time I hiked around him? We chatted a bit, then I moved on, headed for the next shelter before stopping. We made plans to meet in the next day or two. Fun fun fun to see him. Up to the peak of Glastenbury where there was a fire tower. No, did not climb it, no time really. The forest was lovely up here, all spruce forest, bavarian like. I have no idea why I think of it like that, but I do. Hansel and Gretl, haha! Got in to Kid Gore Shelter and luckily got a shelter spot since it was almost dark and tentsites were few. Ate Moroccan Stew which I still really like a lot, and a shelter mate poured a shot of tequila into my tea with honey. It's really pretty good like that! Then, sleep...
Date: 2010-08-08
From: Kid Gore Shelter

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

Wow! What a morning! Woke at 5:40, laying in the shelter, and looked out to see the sunrise over the mountains and a distant pond. Stunning! Just puts me in a good mood! I always start out slow in the morning, my feet are usually tender and it takes me a while to get in gear, so I push it to try and get 4 miles in two hours. Frustrating when two hours roll by and I'm still not there. That was this morning. Anyway, as I finally sat there eating my snack, along comes Gouda from Goddard Shelter. That sounds funny! We talked a bit about plans for the day, then I moved on. Was a long gradual downhill to Black Brook, crossed the road and Deefield River, then stopped for lunch. Next up, Stratton Mountain! What a beauty she is! Started out with a long gradual ascent, had me thinking it was gonna be easy. Foolish foolish me! After a mile or so it got a bit tougher, solid climb up the hill. Trail magic water! From who? Tom Thumb's family, again! They so so rock! And, who comes along? None other than Tom Thumb. Nice to see him again. He had been to the ski area with a friend for a bit of R&R, hence the magic. We talked about the Philly Inquirer article, caught up on hiker news, then he bolted and left me in the dust. As always! I don't mind that at all, but it was so funny that article said I was fast and no mention of him. Made us laugh A LOT! Anyway, up and up I went, it got steeper, forest turned to birch, then maples and such, then spuce. There was a firetower up top, Tom was up there when I got to the peak, but no, I needed to keep rolling. The day was slipping away and I still had a few more miles to go yet. One of these days I'm gonna have time and I WILL climb one of those things. If I can find someone to hold my hand anyway, LOL!   Next, the downhill, and on to Stratton Pond Shelter. The shelter is not on the pond, but the spring water source is, so I had a look. Sadly, another case of me arriving too late in the day to get in any R&R (think swimming) but it sure was lovely. Ate some pistou and cole slaw that a really good friend made (THANKS!). Met another Long Trail hiker and Asa was there too. Also, a man from Carolina with two boys around age 10. Fun night, then sleep.
Date: 2010-08-09
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Manchester Ctr
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

Nice start to the day going by Stratton Pond one more time. It was just as beautiful as last night. From the pond I was bent on getting to Manchester Center and hiked as hard as I could. A few hours later I was having a snack and along came Gouda! We decided to hike along together and get lunch in town. Yesterday was his birthday so a celebration was in order! We hiked along a pleasant roadwalk for a bit, met a sobo named Skittles the Great with 2 friends, then began the ENDLESS hike to the road crossing. It took forever to get there, but our luck was good, we got a ride into town fairly quickly. Ate a pizza, salad, drank some wine, then said bye-bye to Gouda and took care of my town chores. Finally, got to Green Mountain House Hostel, where Jeff could not have been nicer. Enjoyed dinner and hanging out with several other hikers, both nobo and sobo. A lovely lovely stay.