morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-04-09
From: Wapiti shelter

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 7.0

Woods Hole Hostel exemplifies the highest standard of trail hostels. Rich in trail history and a hiker-home in the mountains, Woods Hole is a must-stay for any trekker or mountain-life lover. Do not miss Woods Hole Hostel.My top-ten hostels on the AT are clean, sanitary, organized, have fabric mattresses (not vinyl "prison pads"), offer meal options or a hiker-kitchen, are walking-distance to the trail, are clean and organized, may have private rooms, respectfully enforce rules, treat hiker-guests like "kin", and (with redundancy intended) are clean and organized! Succinctly, the best hostels are like B&B's at hiker rates. Woods Hole tops the list!
Date: 2018-04-14
From: Niday shelter 

To: Newport Road
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

General consensus among hikers today is that from Pickle Branch Shelter to Scout Trail near Va.624 (across 6 trail miles) is the most rugged, challenging, exhilirating stretch of trail yet hiked by NoBo's. The interminable ascent to Cove Mtn. summit may set a record for the most false summits approaching the true, steep peak.
Date: 2018-04-15
From: Newport Road

To: Catawba road
Miles today: 7.0

Why do I hike? The oft-asked, genuine question deserves introspection and serves to remind us hikers to self-seek our 'raison d'etre' on a trail. Obviously, benefits include physiological health, psychological balance, immersion in nature, expanding experiences, an insatiable appetite, a sense of confident self-reliance, and association with like-minded people who understand why we hike.Research elucidates the proprioceptive benefits:"Proprioception refers to the body's ability to sense movement within joints and joint position. This ability enables us to know where our limbs are in space without having to look. It is important in all everyday movements but especially so in complicated sporting movements, where precise coordination is essential."Also, hikers enjoy:"Vestibular input with emphasis on balance and changes in body position which -Can be very regulating, soothing, and organizing for the nervous systemWorks on motor planningBody in space and body awarenessBilateral integrationFactors to Consider:Nice and quiet, calm, soothing Connecting with nature is incredibly beneficial for the nervous systemSelf-paced"So, trek on!
Date: 2018-04-16
From: Catawba road

To: Daleville, Va
Miles today: 19.5

A blustery morning on the iconic McAfee Knob stimulated multiple run-and-pose shots of an angry background sky over the most-photographed spot on the AT. Pith helmet was blown off twice and rescued twice. Snow teased the gusts as wind chills again dropped to frigid.The 90-mile trek from Pearisburg to Daleville is an arduous, rugged section of the AT with 22,000-feet of cumulative elevation gain over often rocky treadway, scenic ridgeline rambles, bucolic meanders through pastures, a top-tier hostel, and abundant solitude to seek fellowship with the wilderness.
Date: 2018-04-17
From: Daleville, Va

To: Delaware Water Gap, Pa
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Economists explain diminishing returns as: a point at which the level of benefits gained is less than the amount of money or energy invested. It's not that I have lost interest in this AT journey. I haven't. Hiking in the wilderness is intrinsically rewarding. I have reached a comfortable level of satiety in which I am no longer compelled to go beyond "the next blaze" until there are no more blazes. Eschewing labels and being a bit of a free spirit, I choose to leapfrog north to resume hiking where my 2013 hike left unfinished business. Having thru-hiked (2011) and completed the entire trail in sections (2009-2010), my ambition now is to complete another entire AT journey by trekking to Gorham from DWG. I will be satisfied to have hiked all the AT three times.Today I "zero" on Amtrak and Martz bus so I can be back on-trail tomorrow.
Date: 2018-04-18
From: Delaware Water Gap, Pa

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 12.0

The hike up from the Delaware River crossing into New Jersey happily paralells an athletic, tumbling stream for a mile. Soon the AT branches off into rocky treadway through hardwoods and a few conifers. I laughed out loud at seeing hemlocks again. I am still on the same trail with many familiar attributes. The rocks look the same; the weather is the same. Yet, this is much more peaceful, far from the near-frantic blather of the growing cluster of hikers in Virginia.Around Sunfish Pond today I paused for a contemplative meditation where mystical rock towers evoked my pensive pose resembling a Rodin sculpture. My chance encounter today with Buddhist pilgrims seeking enlightenment on this trail emphasized the peace we may bring with us. They smiled constantly, speaking softly yet intelligibly, and seemed to glide effortlessly over rugged treadway along the pond shoreline. The monks conveyed joy, peace and compassion as they admired our surrounding natural beauty, and respected the quietude of the moment.The trail provides. A balance was enjoyed today with familiar natural features and a refocus of serenity, contemplation and peace on the trail. Being here, now, is simply enough.
Date: 2018-04-20
From: Brink shelter

To: Rutherford shelter tent site
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

Jovial banter from an exuberant group of Brown University students mingles with spring peepers calling from a nearby pond. I am tenting near Rutherford Shelter tonight. Skies are clear, breezes are variable and temperature drops below freeze levels are expected. The tent can feel warmer, shielding the wind. The shelter is full anyway, with collegiate escapees lining across the deck shoulder to shoulder. I haven't seen such a stuffed shelter since the Smokies. "What a long strange trip it's been.", the Dead told us, and I think apropos to this journey. When my student neighbors tonight asked why I would leapfrog to New Jersey, I quipped, "The hiker bubble in Virginia was encroaching around me so I came here for the solitude!" Nine listeners laughed. My camera function is partially restored though I still try to limit myself to one or two photo shots a day. Otherwise I would be taking pictures frequently. Today I waited, not sure why, but as I fetched water I was amazed to spy a skunk cabbage blossom under the log on which I perched. The rare find qualified perfectly as the best photo opportunity today.
Date: 2018-04-21
To: Pochunk shelter
Miles today: 18.0

Last night the frogs and Brown Bears quieted just after dusk. Barred owls then vociferously settled a territorial dispute. Rodents I had seen when I first arrived at the then-unoccupied shelter were inactive, as often happens when predators (this time the owls) are present.Treadway in New Jersey is mostly very rocky from DWG to High Point, though generally the climbs are not so steep nor as long as elswewhere on the AT. Rocky trail reappears on Pochunk Mountain where I found another unoccupied shelter. A reclusive couple is tenting nearby. As I look out from the shelter a saffron sky rests atop a distant ridgeline as lights in the Wallkill valley glow softly in the twilight. All is well.
Date: 2018-04-22
From: Pochunk shelter

To: Prospect Rock 
Miles today: 17.0

Wild turkeys announced the dawn on Pochunk. A glorious springtime day began with breakfast of coffee, two bagels, an orange/cranberry muffin, a granola bar and tea. The fresh-baked goods were purchased during resupply yesterday at Horler's general store in Unionville, N.Y. I would the 900 calories, and more later today.The trail wanders back and forth a bit over the N.J./N.Y. line. It also varies widely from boardwalk swamp-walking to an abrupt, major ascent up appliance-size boulders on Wawayanda Mountain. The elevation gain is 900' in a mile making this "Stairway to Heaven" one of the steepest, rockiest climbs on the AT. New Jersey surprised me again sharply ascending Prospect Rock where the trail finally enters N.Y. to stay (until Connecticut).Such a warm spring day brought out droves of day hikers on the popular boardwalk and again on Wawayanda with hikers climbing to the goid views from the Pinwheel rock outcrop. Spring also drew swamp buttercups into bloom, and the black flies and mosquitoes like the warm-up, too.Tenting is a great option tonight, on the north slope of Prospect Rock with pesky bugs active until dusk, then temps cooling into low 30's again. I will sleep well.
Date: 2018-04-23
From: Prospect Rock 

To: Buchanan Mountain
Miles today: 14.0

Serene solitude allowed a gradual wakening on Prospect Rock. Breakfast was coffee, a boil-in-bag of brown rice with plenty of cranberries added, two oatmeal/raisin cookies and tea. The trail ahead would burn all calories consumed today.New York may get the prize for the most hidden trail blazes. With last fall's leaves still covering the forest floor the trail at times was obscure. Blazes appeared only after cursory wandering around. A bit navigation savvy was sometimes needed to sniff out the trail. Other times I just looked for the most extreme route over a ridge since that is the pattern in New York.The AT goes generally southwest to northeast across theTaconic Range which is perpendicular to the trail. Often I would hustle up and over a ridge, descend into a ravine, then scramble right up again on some very steep, bouldery climbs. The stubborn rocks in the treadway rarely receded. I wonder if drunken lunatics designed the trail route across New York. On one climb a black vulture perched very near, as if waiting for me to become carrion.Along the trail diapensia and anemone were found blooming. Maple blooms occasionally dust the trail with crimson imitation snow. Spring may be here to stay. A gloriously sunny day afforded good views of Greenwood Lake and a peak ahead at Bear Mountain with its stone tower.A pleasant campsite on Buchanan Mountain is home tonight. Turkeys have already called out their version of Taps, so it's lights out here.
Date: 2018-04-24
From: Buchanan Mountain

To: West Mountain shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

One wild turkey announced reveille pre-dawn, which got me up and moving to make the most of primo hiking weather: cool, cloudy, breezy.Clambering crossways over near-veritcal, bouldery ridges resumed immediately after leaving my solitary stealth tent site. Buchanan, Arden and other Taconic peaks challenged and rewarded with exhilirating ascents topped off with good views and fresh breezes.New York is notorious for keeping trail legs in shape with redundantly rigorous cliff-scaling. Recalling the predictable rhythms of the trail helped transcend the insanity. Boulders and sharp, upturned rocks will recede allowing a semblance of pace then "stairway to heaven" climbs will break up that monotomy. After Fingerboard Mtn. a cadence was kept to the Doors' "People Are Strange". More abrupt climbs ensued, this time gaining views of the Hudson River and, 32 straight miles south, The City skyline. New Yorkers need not identify Manhattan; it is just The City. Later, at West Mountain shelter, I pondered the irony of my view from a remote, backcountry shelter as I could gaze from afar at our nation's most populace metropolis.Trail crews have recently been working on West Mountain, as evidenced by freshly positioned stone steps, and with highline block-and-tackle mechanisms left in place for continuing the work after rains pass over.From inside the shelter, lights can be seen twinkling along the Hudson, though mist and fog are beginning to obscure distant views. This West Mountain shelter is a favorite of mine with spectacular views and predictable solitude being a half-mile from white blazes. The stone walls are held in place ingeniously by simply friction and gravity. The top course and chimneys have mortar in the chinks; otherwise it is a fascinating structure, providing a solid bunker for a good night's sleep.
Date: 2018-04-26
From: Fort Montgomery, NY

To: Streamside - S. of Catfish Loop Trail
Miles today: 13.0

Besides being a rigorous hiking state for the AT, New York is a.k.a. "The Deli State". I walked across the street from the Bridge Motel to have breakfast at the nearest deli -- there were three within walking distance.Walking across the bridge over the Hudson allowed good views with Bear Mountain behind and the river winding out of sight downstream toward The City.Terrain and treadway abated the intensity of climbs and clomps today. The course resembled southern trail sections with more roly-poly action and less cross-ridge clambering. .A few days ago I inadvertently left my microfiber towel . . . somewhere. I've wondered where I forgot to pack it, but no worries now. Today I found a microfiber towel on a rock beside the trail, rain-washed (yesterday) and now dry! The trail provides.Tonight a babbling brook nearby provides soothing white noise, and two barred owls and a wild turkey called out as I journaled. Not too far away a tree snapped and crashed to the ground. Apparently it was just its time as the breeze is gentle tonight.
Date: 2018-04-27
To: RPH shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Ubiquitous wild turkeys again sounded reveille pre-dawn. With rain forecast for mid-morning, this got me up to break camp and get on the trail with everything dry. I line my pack with a heavy trash bag and I use a pack cover on the outside. Essentials stay dry.Walking in drizzle/drippage/sweatage today I wondered what may have been the tipping point for that enormous tree to fallen just last evening, near my campsite. I wondered, too, about the absurdity of the rhetorical query, "If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make any sound?" That question demonstrates our arrogant anthropocentric attitude toward natural events. The inherent assumption is that natural events must be observed by people to be validated or verified. Our civilized disconnect from nature can keep us apart from, rather than a part of natural processes. Of course natural events occur without human witnesses. Hiking the trail keeps me immersed in authentic natural events every day. Birdsong, flower blooms, variable breezes, undulating terrain, flowing streams, inspiring vistas . . . all existed before I passed by and continue to exist after my ephemeral visit. It is my privilege to have witnessed myriad natural processes.
Date: 2018-04-28
From: RPH shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Spinach calzone was breakfast, leftover from last night's local delivery order. RPH shelter is one of three on the AT where pizza places deliver to nearby road crossings. Last night supper was chicken parm with house salad.Abundant sunshine brought out blooms of dutchmans' breeches, colt's foot, and more. The forest floor is greening, hopefully preceding a leafed-out canopy soon.Today's treadway showed evidence of popular day-hiking stretches. Not only had the ersatz Taconic tectonic roller coaster ameliorated to allow consistent pacing, but the leaf cover was often pulverized, scattered or matted by substantially more boot steps than on the more rugged cliff climbs of the previous few days.Still, only two other hikers shared the shelter on this rainy Saturday night. With a dry night's sleep, I should hike into New England tomorrow.
Date: 2018-04-29
From: RPH shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Spinach calzone was breakfast, leftover from last night's local delivery order. RPH shelter is one of three on the AT where pizza places deliver to nearby road crossings. Last night supper was chicken parm with house salad.Abundant sunshine brought out blooms of dutchmans' breeches, colt's foot, and more. The forest floor is greening, hopefully preceding a leafed-out canopy soon.Today's treadway showed evidence of popular day-hiking stretches. Not only had the ersatz Taconic tectonic roller coaster ameliorated to allow consistent pacing, but the leaf cover was often pulverized, scattered or matted by substantially more boot steps than on the more rugged cliff climbs of the previous few days.Still, only two other hikers shared the shelter on this rainy Saturday night. With a dry night's sleep, I should hike into New England tomorrow.
Date: 2018-04-29
From: Telephone Pioneers shelter

To: Ten Mile shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

A few miles into the hike today I was able to eat a second breakfast and recharge my phone at the last near-trail deli in New York. As I hiked on toward Connecticut, the trail crossed over hillside pastures with disinterested bovines contentedly grazing along the trail. White blazes then led me back into the woods on amenable treadway, until swamps offered boot-sucking muck with assorted dizzy-gnats and skeeters. Most states throw in one more challenging climb or scramble before hikers cross the border. New York takes NoBo's through swamps for a change of scenery.Connecticut welcomes hikers with a good grind-it-out climb up Ten Mile Hill, gaining 600' elevation in less than a mile.Ten Mile shelter faces a large, maybe two-acre grass field. I can imagine a village encampment here on summer weekends. Tonight I am fortunate to have sublime solitude.
Date: 2018-04-30
From: Ten Mile shelter

To: Stewart Hollow Brook shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Along the short trail to the privy this morning a nodding trillium was blooming near fern fiddleheads. I spend so much time staring at the hiking trail while walking just reflexively planning the next step-and-a-half I notice the trailside plants and treadway rocks in stride. Learning to identify a few natural items enhances familiarity on the journey. Today, though, with comfortable treadway before Shaghticoke Mtn and after St John's ledges the trail allowed me to "lift mine eyes unto the hills . . .", raising my gaze along the riverside scenery of Ten Mile and Housatonic Rivers. Two whitetail deer bounded across the trail and several songbirds were seen. Rocks study is interesting, but it was nice to look up and around while walking for a change.Another solo night in a brookside shelter will be enjoyed tonight. The natural flowing, splashing, burbling sound pleasantly drowns out the din of overhead jets hustling to and fro Hartford and NYC. Flow, river, flow.
Date: 2018-05-01
From: Stewart Hollow Brook shelter

To: Bearded Woods Hostel
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Robins had begun building a nest in the shelter rafters so they resumed their construction at dawn, bringing morning birdsong up close and personal as they vocalized their opinion about the intruder under their roof. Later, with my gaze again gratefully raised from the treadway I watched kingbirds, blue birds and sparrows twig-hop alongside the Housatonic River.The trail parallels the river for a few miles granting a welcome contrast to the seemingly interminable ridge-hopping of the past few days. After cruising alongside the rippled, sun-sparkled river I appreciated the balance of terrain and was ready when the next climb up Silver Hill challenged my stride. My first cold-water ford came at Guinea Brook where recent rains had submerged puncheons (stepping stones) requiring either wading across or a mile detour. Off came the boots and socks, on with the Crocs and that mountain water felt great to hiker feet! Once across, off came the Crocs an out came lunch while feet dried in the sun. Soon socks and boots were on and hiking resumed. Not far from the brook a wild turkey took flight, soaring down the slope I had just climbed.A few more good climbs brought me to a previously arranged rendezvous with "Hudson" the hostel owner who drove me to my home for the night.
Date: 2018-05-02
From: Bearded Woods Hostel

To: Limestone Springs shelter
Miles today: 14.0

Breakfast was generous and the hostel is immaculately clean and comfortable. Hiking up the Sharon Mtn slope I was startled by a ruffed grouse which exploded from a trailside laurel thicket. Also seen today were chipmunks running the length of a fallen tree and countless black flies.Healthy hemlocks here seem unaffected by the wooly adelgid. Several majestic specimens of hemlock had a trunk girth three men could not reach around. The shade under these ginormous trees was much appreciated as the temperature reached into the 80's.Mist from the Great Falls of the Housatonic also cooled this hiker as the trail passed near enough to enjoy the spray.I paused long and studied the currents and flowage of the beautiful Housatonic. I am yearning to get my own canoe floating somewhere again.Night is gently falling in the quiet forest around this shelter. A howling canine seems quite near, maybe a few hundred yards. Google stories report gray wolf populations may be returning to northwest Connecticut, where I am in the wild woods tonight. Gray wolves prey on deer, rodents, and carrion and they generally consider humans to be dangerous. They avoid us, although my hiker socks may smell like carrion. This not the bark of a dog I hear, now several times. Nor is it the yip of coyotes. Should be an interesting night.
Date: 2018-05-03
From: Limestone Springs shelter

To: Brassie Brook shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I scanned the area around the shelter a couple of times last night with my high-beam headlamp and saw no eyes looking back at me. It may have just been a prankster who walked up from a nearby trail parking area just to express his wild side. The howling stopped when I first went out to have a look. If it was an imitator, it was very convincing, then it was over.The actual wake-up call this morning was the flute-like melody of a wood thrush, right at dawn. Later, more thrushes were heard on the descent into Salisbury, Ct.A liesurely lunch from the grocery deli allowed time to sort, remove extraneous packaging and load resupply items into the pack. Salisbury is a quaint, peaceful colonial town, and hiker-friendly as well. Back on the trail with a heavy pack the climb up Lion's Head was taxing. Heat and humidity climbed also. Hot, dry pine needles released a pleasant aroma on the muggy, buggy mountain. A garter snake was sunning directly on the warm treadway.With afternoon T-storms forecast an early shelter stop was accepted and I took a nap in the shelter shade.Again I have this temporary home to myself. Lady Fortuna has granted me another solitary brookside night.
Date: 2018-05-04
From: Brassie Brook shelter

To: Glen Brook shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Starting off the day was a good climb up Bear Mountain. The impressive cairn on the peak bears a plaque saying the pyramidal pile was built in 1882 to make Bear the "highest ground in Connecticut". The athletic brook flowing through Sages Ravine perfectly hamonizes with the cool shade of hemlocks along the trail. The brook leaps over several cascades and swirls through deep pools on its way to join the Housatonic. A small patch of ice remained frozen under an overhanging rock. Lush green moss thrived on fallen logs and shaded stones. A gentle breeze blew its freshness into me.Then, peacefully, I entered Massachusetts.The ledges of Race Mountain offer grand views looking east across Mass. and Conn. A stiff breeze on the open slabs was welcome as it blew the black flies off me momentarily.The major treacherous climb of the day was the ascent up steep rock slabs on Everett Mtn. My fallable memory allows me to rediscover much of this New England trail virtually anew, though I do recall the wild climb up sheer open rock on Everett. Since 2011 trail maintenance workers have bolted wooden block steps directly to the ledges. The climb is safer, more manageable and hikers stay off the eroding edges of the marked trail.T-storms were forecast again for afternoon and evening, so another early stop in a shelter was chosen. Less than hour after arriving at Glens Brook shelter, thunder rumbled and the storm gave me its energy. More showers are forecast for tonight so I am staying put under the shelter's metal roof.