morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-07
From: Palmerton PA

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.5

I woke up in a smelly jail Saturday morning. I got out without seeing a judge and went for breakfast. I then went to the store for some food and OJ. Then to the place where one of the women I met the night before worked and got a shampoo and hair cut. She gifted it to me. Nice trail magic. I hitched the 2 miles back to the trail quickly and was on the trail at 9:30 or so. The climb out of Palmerton is notorious and I wished I had started before the sun was so high. The climb was not as bad as I had heard, but I was totally soaked when I got to the top. There were some nice views but this area is also famous for a zinc smelting plant that killed all the vegetation in the 60's and has been a superfund cleanup site since. Tall grass, few trees and lots of tics. The rest of the day was rocks, rocks and more rocks. There was only one part of this day I enjoyed. At Little Gap, Lush, a 2013 thru-hiker, was grilling hot dogs and had a cooler full of drinks and other snacks doing trail magic. Many of my fellow hikers were there hanging out. Thanks Lush.I hiked an extra 2 miles for water and was whooped when i arrived at the Leroy Smith shelter. This was a nice place and I was joined by the two knoxville boys, Shakespear and Roshambo, along with one southbound section hiker. Today I am grateful for all the friends I have made while on the trail. Day 68
Date: 2014-06-08
From: Leroy Smith Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: light rain

Hopefully, this is my last day in PA, a little over 20 miles. I woke at 5 and made coffee. After two cups and oatmeal, I packed and was on my way at 7. Thanks to my trail boss, I decided to make peace with where I was (Rocksland, PA) and just walked. My feet hurt a little less and the miles went by. I stopped at the Kirkridge shelter for water and lunch. It was the shortest walk off trail for water in a while and a spigot. Nice! Thanks! The day was full of rocks, but seemed easier. Later in the afternoon, I saw Blue Eyes, the ridge runner again. We talked for a few minutes and he ask if I had seen someone that had concerned family and I hadn't. He then said "it was good to meet you. You are almost to NJ". (Out of his area). I began thinking about getting out of PA and swimming. I know it sounds ridiciolus, but I walked over to NJ to swim in the Delaware river. I walked back to town making it 3+miles out of the way. It was worth it. I came back to Delaware Water Gap and checked in at the Church of the Mountain Hostel where i met some new faces and saw some familiar ones. This trail life is really something awesome. Today I am grateful for all the trail angels out here helping us.
Date: 2014-06-09
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Campsite near 1306
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: light rain

I woke up in Church this morning. Seems like it was yesterday I woke up in a smelly jail. Ha! I got up and went out to the picnic table to make some coffee. I sat and relaxed for while and then walked to a small store to buy some food and resupply. It would be over 70 miles before I would have access to another store, so I needed enough for 3 to 4 days. I headed back to the Church and packed for the trail. My pack was heavier than I wanted, but I needed all that food.I left later than I planned, but I have one rule on the trail, leave before 9. It was 2 minutes till when I walked out. I walked down the road and accross the Delaware river on a bridge. I had gone a mile and a half when I realized I had left my hiking poles. Dang it!!!!OK, so it was 9:45 when I left the second time. The climb out of Delaware Water Gap was gentle and the rain last night had everything in a fog. Kind of nice. I climbed to the top and spent several hours on a narrow ridge. There were many spots where a view could be seen if it were not foggy. I will gladly take the cool temp in exchange for the views. I came upon an old fire tower that had a No Trespassing sign on it but if on wanted to, nothing was keeping them from going up to take a look. I was alone so no one would know.......The rocks didn't stop in PA like I had thought. Nope, they kept right on coming in NJ. My left ankle was bothering me so I decided to camp in a few miles. My love of coffee had me carrying an extra 2 litres of water because there would be none for the next 5 miles and I was getting tired. I saw something in the trail just ahead me. It looked like a skunk without the stripe. I approached with caution. It didn't seem afraid of me ,but moved slowly away. I took it's picture and posted it in my photos here. Later I saw lots of deer. I mean lots. Around 6 or so I found a nice camp spot. I set up camp, cooked dinner and hung my food in a nearby tree. After 70 days out here, this will be my first night to be alone in the Forrest and to be in NJ. Today, I am grateful for Nevil from way back at Woods Hole Hostel who reminded me to be grateful for something every day.
Date: 2014-06-10
From: Campsite near 1306

To: Mashipacong Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: light rain

I woke this morning to a light rain just after 5. I made coffee in the vestibule while still in bed. I enjoyed a second cup and then packed while in the tent. The rain let up and I retrieved my food bag from the tree where I hung it the night before. I finally took down my tent and was on the trail by 7. I decided to dump my extra water because there was a spiggot a mile down the trail. Unfortunately, it was off and I had just finished all my water. It was 5 more miles before I would get water. The rocks continued for another 20 miles. After 12 miles I crossed a road and saw a sign that said Gyp's Tavern and sandwiches. It was lunch time so I stopped for a burger and beer. Wow. I plugged my phone in and talked to a local gentleman who told me of his adventures on the AT in the 60's while I ate. His name is Ski. (long story). I got back on the trail and went to Sunrise Mountain Pavilion where there was the same view I had seen everywere else today. Fog. I read my guide book and noticed the shelter I planned to stay at had a spring. 0.6 miles farther. I decided to carry my water in. I stopped at a brown creek and got water enough to make morning coffee. I wouldn't have drank it if I weren't boiling it. I hiked the final 2 miles to find the bear box full of 5 gallon jugs of fresh water. I dumped mine and rinsed with clean water and filled from the jugs. It was a nice cool day and I am glad to have another 20 rocky miles behind me. Today I am grateful for trail angles again.
Date: 2014-06-11
From: Mashipacong Shelter

To: Unionville, NJ Town Park
Miles today: 15.4

I woke about 5:30 to light rain and low clouds. I made my morning coffee and oatmeal. I also noticed my phone had died overnight. I am not talking a dead battery; the LCD screen went crazy. I packed quietly and left at 7 without waking the 4 others in the shelter. I soon found myself at Highpoint State Park. I went in the park office to use the phone to call and let Tamara I no longer have a phone and it may be a while until I can resolve the problem. They were really nice and gave me some hot chocolate. I left in the rain. Soon I was at Highpoint, wwhich is, you guessed it, the highest point in NJ. There is a wooden tower there and I climbed up but could only see fog and rain. This was the 3rd straight day of the same. I hiked on. I decided I was going to take it easy and not get in a hurry the rest of the day. After a step descent, I was in a marsh walking on boardwalks. There was lots of it. The air was filled with the smell of blooming wild roses. I crossed a road where the Murray cabin aka secret shelter is located. It was too early to stop for the night, but I wanted to see this place so I turned left. It is a really cool little place on a beautiful piece of property. The owner has allowed thru hikers to use it for 15 years. No one was there. I filled my water bottle and headed back to the trail. I crossed NJ 284 and got out my notes. I saw there was the small older town of Unionville, NY just a half mile down the road. I was a little concerned that I may be short on food so I decided to see if I could get a hot meal and then get back on the trail for a couple more miles. Some great older homes there were restored to make this a great stop. Have I mentioned I love stopping at these old towns? I found a dozen other hikers there and they convinced me to stay. The town allows free tent camping for AT hikers at the town park. I set up my tent and made my bed then headed to Wit's End Tavern, the only place to get food other than a pizza place. I was corrected 3 times when I referred to the place as a town. It's a village they say. They have a post office. Town or village, it is one of my favorite stops and hikers are most definitely welcome. I hung out with the other hikers (mostly section hikers) and locals for a while then went back to my tent under a big Catalpa tree and drifted off to sleep. Another good day. Today I am grateful for all the locals that make us feel welcome in their towns err villages.
Date: 2014-06-13
From: Warwick Turnpike, NJ

To: Vernon NJ
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I gave myself the day off to rest. I hung out at the church, did my laundry, went to the post office, ate, got caught up on my trail journal, ate and relaxed. I met First A and Tent Maker. I pretty much just relaxed. I have a late shuttle back to the trail Saturday. The storms are supposed to be gone and the sun will be out for the remaining 4 miles of NJ. We will see. Today I am grateful for clean, dry socks.
Date: 2014-06-15
To: Stealth camping
Miles today: 18.0

Another great day on the trail started with me making coffee while laying in my tent. I have gotten pretty good at this lately. After the first cup, I retrieved my food bag and had breakfast. I was packed and on the trail by 7:15. It wasn't long before I was scrambling up and across more rocks. I guess I really didn't know that much about the trail here in NY. Not only is it very pretty here, it is much more challenging than I anticipated. I know there are some big mountains coming, but I was under the impression that there were some fairly easy and level days of hiking. None of that since the Shenandoah Park. An hour or so into my hike today, I found a cooler with trail magic. It had apparently been there a day or two because the trash bag was fuller than the cooler. However, inside I found a bottle of sweet tea and some peanut butter crackers. Something I really miss out here is sweet tea. When i left there was enough for a couple more hikers. After a view of the NYC skyline, I made my way across Palisades Parkway just 34 miles from NYC. After negotiating the Lemon Squeezer and a tricky little move after, I continued up west mountain. I had heard from TopO and knew he and I would be reunited for more hiking together, but I would have to work at catching him. Going up West Mountain, I began to give out. It has gotten hot and I just couldn't muster the energy to go much farther. I found a nice spot with a view of Bear Mtn. And the Hudson River Valley. I made camp and enjoyed my Knorr pasta and hung my food bag in a nearby tree. This day I was grateful for the view.
Date: 2014-06-16
From: Stealth camping

To: Graymoore spiritual life center
Miles today: 13.1

I woke early this morning to the light of the moon shining on my tent. It was 4:45 and I decided to make some coffee and lay in my tent and watch the sun rise. I had picked a perfect spot for that. I retrieved my food from the tree and had a quick breakfast before packing up and hitting the trail at 6.I descended West mountain and climbed bear mountain by 7:30. The trail on Bear Mtn was really nice with lots of stone steps. My plan was to go to Ft Montgomery to pick up two packages from home and resupply my food. As I came down to the Hudson River Valley. I passed the lodge and zoo on my way. The trip through the zoo is part of the trail but it hadn't opened for the day so I headed on to Ft Montgomery to retrieve my mail. I had sent it to the HI express and found it to be on the far side of town. 2 miles out of my way. As I walked up I saw smiling faces and a voice yelling Grasshopper. It as a group of section hikers I had seen a couple times earlier. Lead Dog, their organizer and planner, greeted me. They were leaving for the trail as soon as their shuttle arrived. They had a box of food left over and I went through it and was able to skip going to the store for food.I went by the post office and then to a pizza place across the street and ordered a veggie pie and charged my phone. I then hiked back to the zoo entrance and went through. There were lots of school kids there. I crossed the Hudson River on an old steel bridge and began the obligatory up hill after all river towns. The cooler days have vanished and it was already hot. It was pass noon and I struggled with the heat, a heavy pack and the up hill. A few hours later I found a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. There were other hikers showing up at this store the AT passes. The afternoon was getting late and everyone was heading to Graymoore spiritual life center. A monastery that has a ball field, they allow through-hikers to camp and they had a cold shower and electrical outlet for phone charging. I was trying to catch a friend so I needed to do more miles but I wanted to be done with this hot day so I went with the others to Graymoore and camped. I met some interesting hikers there. A low mileage day, but I enjoyed the time with fellow hikers. Today I was grateful for a fully charged phone.
Date: 2014-06-17
From: Gramoore spiritual life center

To: Stealth camp
Miles today: 24.0

I woke early and found that it had rained. I just love putting my tent up when it's wet. I left before anyone there. This was to be the hottest day yet. It reached 90 and it kind of kicked my but. The nicest part of the day was when I went to the RPH shelter and GRRRR was there doing trail magic. He had a grill and was making hot dogs and had all the condiments along with cold drinks and other snacks. It was nice and a few others were there including Lead Dog and crew, on the last day of their section hike. I was trying to catch my buddy Top O but I decided to hang out with Lead Dog. We left and headed to a stealth site near a road that had a NY deli 0.3 miles off trail. We set up camp and hiked to the deli for food and beer. We carried beer back to camp and stayed up late. It was a great day and I did 24 miles so I got a little closer to Top O. Today I am grateful for all the people I have met on the trail and in the trail towns.
Date: 2014-06-18
From: Stealth camp

To: Ten Mile River shelter
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: broken clouds

I woke to the sound of a jack brake on an 18 wheeler. We had camped only a mile from a road and the traffic was already heavy at 5. I knew it would be another hot day so I started packing up my camp. The others woke and we said our goodbyes and I was on the trail at 6:15. A few hours of cool weather passed and it was getting pretty hot. I came to Nuclear Lake and no one was around so I went for a skinny dip. I guess I spent an hour there. I moved on to Wiley. Shelter and had a quick lunch then continued on. I was hopping to catch Top O today so I needed a big mile day again. I saw Reroute slack packing south and we talked a bit. I continued till almost 6 when I came to Ten Mile River shelter where I found Top O, Moose, wet dog and Knapsack. I dropped my pack and went to the river for a swim. Today was the first time I got two swims in one day since I have been out here (80 days). It was good to be with my friends. I made dinner and went to bed satisfied,   but exhausted. Today I am grateful that I have gotten so quick at getting water from the stream, that I can get out with only 20 mosquito bites instead of the 50 bites I was getting a few days ago..
Date: 2014-06-19
From: Ten Mile River shelter

To: Stewart Hollow Brook sheltr
Miles today: 0.0

Today I woke at 3:40 to the sound of Knapsack packing for the trail. I made coffee as soon as he left. Before I finished my first cup, it began to rain. We had a lazy morning as it rained. I had 3 packs of oatmeal with an ounce of olive oil and another cup of coffee and it was still raining. Our plan was to go into Kent CT for a resupply and then back to camp. We finally got out of camp at 7:45 and walked a mile or two of fairly easy trail and road before heading into the CT hills. And hills they are. I keep thinking some of these states will be easier. Not. I think we finished 9 or so miles to the road that leads to Kent. It is a about a mile of road to get to town and you go by Kent College. A nice town. We went to the outdoor store where I got fule and some candy. Then to a hot dog stand where I had one with krout. And one with chilli. Then on to IGA for too much food. I like having it, I just don't like having to carry it up and down for days. Hmmm. So then we go to a pizza and sandwich shop. I think we were 7 then and our phone chargers filled every outlet in the place. We stayed till around 6:30 and headed back to the trail to do another 7 miles finishing up just after dark with a long flat hike along Housatonic River and a budweiser found a mile from the shelter in a trail magic cooler in hand. Moose, Wet Dog, Knapsack, Boomer and Smudge with his brother were there cooking. We stayed up till 10 or so and moose had already left. Today I am grateful for honey buns and brownies.
Date: 2014-06-20
From: Stewart Hollow Brook sheltr

To: Falls Village
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: broken clouds

Since we got in late, we got off to a slower start. We left camp before most but not till 7:30 or so. It was quite cool and seemed dryer. We started as we finished the previous day following the river on some easy terrain. We were soon climbing and descending the CT hills. We stopped for second breakfast and we're soon joined by Moose who slept at a camp site we passed by. Boot Burner and Thirsty came in a few minutes later. The 3 of them left in front of us. We arrived at Pine Swamp Brook shelter and found the 3 others there. I had planned on getting water there but the brook was dry. We had lunch anyway. We saw a snake trying to swallow a frog. Everyone was trying to get a picture. I thought is was entertaining to watch everyone with their phones out. Moose, Boot Burner and Thirsty left and Wet Dog and Knapsack showed up looking for water also. Top O and I left and found water 30 min later. Wow! Not only was the weather nicer, the mosquitos were not bad today either. We discussed going into Falls Village for a soda and a burger since it was just off trail 0.3 miles. At 5:30 we came to the road crossing and parking area where Falls Village was near and Moose and Thirsty were there eating pizza. They had it delivered to the parking area. They offered us a slice and we were glad to help out. Boot Burner soon showed up. We told them we were going into the Village to camp in the back of the Toy Maker Cafe. They allow through hikers free camping, electrical outlet and water. We planned on having breakfast there. The rest of the crew headed back on the trail to a shelter a couple miles in. Top O and I went to set up camp and then to the only place open for dinner. We grabbed some beer and headed back to camp to find Wet Dog and Knapsack. We finished the beer while talking about our day. Knapsack was getting off trail and Wet Dog was to take a zero. We may never see them again. You never know out here. Today I am grateful for the cooler weather and less bugs.
Date: 2014-06-21
From: Falls Village

To: The Hemlocks shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: scattered clouds

We slept in a bit this morning and were in no hurry because we wanted to have breakfast at the Toy Makers Cafe and they opened at. 7. I made coffee and stood in the sun. It was 49 degrees and it felt chilly. Maybe I shouldn't have sent. That fleece home. For breakfast I had strata. I had never tried it but the owner recommend it.. It was awesome. I highly recommend this place for anyone passing through. After breakfast, we packed up and were on the trail by 9. The day was another cool, low humidity one. We were soon climbing Bear Mountain along with 200 other locals. That must be one of the premier hiking destinations in the area because it was crowded. The summer solstice (6-21) is also the day for a through hikers tradition. It's hike naked day. Since we would be leaving CT and entering MA on this day, I thought MA might less crowded so I planned my naked hike for a little later in the day. After lunch we went down Bear Mtn and then up and over Mt. Race and Mt. Everett. It was getting late and I was exhausted. I stopped at Guilder pond for a skinny dip bath and decided to hike naked the rest of the way to the Hemlock shelter. I passed one couple. He ask if I had lost my clothing. I hiked on. When i got to the shelter there were 8 guys there that had hauled a giant cooler full of coors light into the shelter for a Bachelors party. I of course, had to explain the hike naked tradition. We spent the rest of the night blended into the party. They gave all we wanted drink and hot dogs. I also met a previous through hiker named Luna. She kept to herself in the shelter. Another fine day in the forrest. Today I was grateful for the plentiful, clean, clear water every hour.
Date: 2014-06-22
From: The Hemlocks shelter

To: Mt Wilcox South shelter
Miles today: 19.7

I woke to the sun filtering through the forest and onto the inside wall of the shelter. The fellows from the bachelor party were starting to move about by 7 and I was on my second cup. I had a light breakfast and was packed by 7:45 and we were on the trail by 8. The morning was mostly uneventful. We went through one section of pine forrest about a mile long where the mosquitos were the worst so far. It was a mile long cloud of them. Top O took off running to get away.We crossed a road just before noon and walked a few blocks west for a soda and began our biggest climb of the day. It was warmer and more humid today but still not as bad as last week. We took a break after a climb and enjoyed a view of the area we came from and had a snack. We soon found ourselves at Benedict Pond. We both missed it in the guidebook. 5 minutes later we were swimming/bathing in the nice cool wwater. We spent a while drying in the sun knowing we were just 30 minutes from our destination at Mt Wilcox South shelter. It is a nice shelter with room for 12 but Top O and I had the place to ourselves. I picked 2 ticks off me while I smacked at mosquitos and cooked my dinner. I have been jazzing up my Knorr pasta sides with a freeze dried veggie blend I made before trip, a little jalape±o and some olive oil. Survivor Man came to visit but was tenting because of the bugs. I slept with my head net on and listened to the mosquitos buzz as I drifted off. Today was day 83 and we covered 19.7 miles. Tomorrow is shower and resupply day. Today I am grateful to be in MA for the first time.
Date: 2014-06-23
From: Mt Wilcox South shelter

To: U.S. 20 & Lee MA
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Today we got an early start and Survivor Man hiked with us the first half of the day. He went to the home of some section hikers we had met way back near Pearisburg, VA. The humidity was on the rise today and it was a little warmer. The mosquitos must like this weather because they are pretty aggressive, even after the deet bath I took. We saw Prom Queen and Trail Wife for the first time in a couple of weeks and Boot Burner for the first time in a few days. He was doing a no talking day to increase his awareness while in the forest. Top O and I made it to town just after 3 and showered, did laundry, ate lunch and went to get food for the next few days. We planned our next stop and had beer at the local watering hole. We met a couple of guys who just started heading south. They said they are heading to Springer. I figure we will start seeing south bound through hikers in another week or two. I haven't heard from P&R. In a while but I read their post sometimes. Tomorrow we get a late start with a ride coming at 8. Today I'm grateful for having a bed to sleep in and being able to wash my hair for the first time in 10 days.