morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-01
From: Table Rock

To: Blue Mountain
Miles today: 29.3
Weather: scattered clouds

There are barely any campsites on Blue Mountain before William Penn Shelter. This is obviously a thru-hiker only section. The trail is a bit overgrown with poison ivy and stickery berry bushes. We managed to find a relatively flat spot behind a log, five feet from trail.Waking up a Table Rock was fairly spectacular. The sun rose over our feet, to the east, and filtered through the oaks, bathing us in orange light. We left reasonably early and made our way along the ridge to water.The weather remained pleasant today, maybe just slightly warmer than yesterday. Though the humidity made me sweat, it wasn't as oppressive as it had been near Harper's Ferry, or the zero day in Boiling Springs.The trail passed through several areas where coal was mined in days past. There are many old ruins, dating to the 1800s. A couple of springs run orange with minerals. The water eventually is routed through a pile of limestone to treat the acidity. The water emerges from the "well" as they call it, devoid of live, leaving white marks on the river rocks. We drank some... It should be fine. Water on these PA ridges is hard to find. Sources are typically either off to one side or at the end of a ridge at a gap. This means either a long distance between on trail sources, or a steep hike down one side of said ridge. I am starting to see why some hikers find this part of the trail monotonous. I felt as if I have been hiking the same section for a number of days with warm humid weather and distant water sources. There are highlights of course. The views, the people... But I am looking forward to something new.
Date: 2010-07-02
From: Blue Mountain

To: Past Eagle's Nest
Miles today: 24.4

501 shelter proved to be a longer stay than expected. I had heard that there was a shelter, but the guide book could not confirm this. Well, there was a shelter. After just a few morning miles, we stopped for a break, and to clean up a bit.Water today became a bit more rare. Suddenly I have to think about sources... Sand Spring was practically dry, with just a puddle of stinky mud. However, floating in the mud, was a dozen cans of soda! LB and I cleaned off a couple cokes, swabbed the tops with alcohol, and enjoyed the relatively cool soda.Next, we got water from some barely flowing pools at Eagle's Nest before pushing on to a flat spot, six miles before Port Clinton. We will go in tomorrow for our food boxes and breakfast.
Date: 2010-07-03
From: Past Eagle's Nest

To: Eckville
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

The heat is back. Not in it's full oppressive force, but it has returned. I had a pretty consistent sweat dripping today. There were a couple decent little climbs too. The one out of Port Clinton was slightly steeper than normal, and was tackled just after noon. So much for timing...The highlights of the day were the views of from Dan's Pulpit and the Pinnacle. They are rocky escarpments, treeless, granting views out over the lower farm lands to the east. This is also a known Hawk migration area. We saw a few.Port Clinton was interesting. We arrived in the morning to pick up boxes and have breakfast. Unable to find a working water spigot, we went into the barber shop, where we talked to Frank, a local who certainly enjoyed talking to us. We hung out in the cool shop, out of the heat for nearly an hour chatting. Not a single person came in for a trim. I kinda doubt he gets much business. But the rent is cheap.Now I am at Eckville Shelter, a shed behind a house. There is a bathroom, shower area, picnic table, and tenting areas. We tented out rather than stay in the shed.
Date: 2010-07-04
From: Eckville

To: Bake Oven Knob
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

Happy fourth of July!We spent the evening and night at Bake Oven Knob. Before the knob, we were given water, fruit and yogurt. Then we were given sodas! I like PA residents. And I like holidays!So! We sat above a 50 foot drop as a stream of kids flowed in, ready to celebrate. We ducked off the high knob onto some less comfortable rocks but with better views. We were able to watch sunset to the west and fireworks to the east from the same spot. Though the shows were not terribly close, we did see several. The surrounding towns all seemed to have their own displays.
Date: 2010-07-05
From: Bake Oven Knob

To: Past Stempa Springs
Miles today: 20.7

The sunrise filtered through the trees on our ridgetop perch. After a late night of fireworks, I was slow to get up. But when I did, I flew, leaving Ladybird behind. I had to resupply in Statington, and did manage to catch her in the afternoon.Statington also had a Chinese buffet. I dined there with Bama, a speedy hiker going for a 90 day thru-hike and promoting his line of gear, "Hyperlite Gear". After buying snacks, I hitched out and climbed the exposed hill in 100 degree heat. Sun beat down on me for the next five miles until in tree cover. I met up with LB, before hitting Stempa Spring. We clambered down the half mile trail to a very good cold spring, and staggered back up, under the weight of three liters of water apiece. Camp was made on the ridge top, in the trees.With limited fuel to cook LB had to make a twig fire. I had found a piece of Birch bark earlier which went up like a match. It actually does work the way they show on TV!
Date: 2010-07-06
From: Past Stempa Springs

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 24.1
Weather: scattered clouds

It was hot today. I didn't do so well. I was at one point a bit nauseous. The temperature was up near 100, with considerable humidity. Mopping sweat was futile.I spent much of the day playing catch-up to Ladybird, who had found some unnatural speed. She flew across the rocks while I staggered a distance behind. I don't remember so much of the day. It was all on a ridge in the trees. But Now I am at Delaware Water Gap, DWG with 10 other hikers at the church hostel. I am fed and showered and ready for a break.
Date: 2010-07-07
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I socialized. I went to a bar, where I drank! Well, I drank soda, but still! I enjoyed my day in DWG meeting new hikers and dining with a few. Stretcher, Sparrow, Freeman, Timon... Ladybird and I went to the big town to resupply. Then plan for the New Jersey 72. &2 miles in one day, covering the entire AT length of NJ. Can it be done? Warren Doyle said no.
Date: 2010-07-09
From: NJ/NY state line

To: Greenwood Lake
Miles today: 3.9

After my nap I went up and over the numerous rocky ridges, pulling my self along. It took over two hours to travel four miles. I gingerly stepped my way down the vista trail into town and got a motel room, where I took a cold shower and fell asleep for another three hours.Do I regret my big day?Too early to ask, I'll be sore for a while.How many zeroes will I take?One, maybe two. I would like to see the soccer match Sunday. And I am waiting for my hiking partner. I feel bad for leaving her at mile 43, but she told me to go on.Why did I do it?Not for fame and glory. I did it because Warren Doyle said it was impossible. I would have done the same on an untraveled trail.How could it be done in 24 hours?I would have liked to know the turns and route in the low lands. Blazes get somewhat rare. I walked between five and eight extra miles. I counted over two and a half hours of bonus time. There was a long break at one shelter for water. Knowing what I know now, I think I could have done it in 26 hours. I would have had to jog a little in the farms and wildlife refuge.NJ72 sub 24 is still up for grabs. I challenge someone to do it.
Date: 2010-07-10
From: Greenwood Lake

To: Greenwood Lake
Miles today: 0.0

Rest required. Heels hurting, Legs wobbling... Soda and soccer please!Greenwood Lake is a pretty convenient trail town. The lodging isn't terribly cheap and the grocery store is a bit limited, but it is enough to get to the next town. Sandwiches at Murphy's Tavern are large and sloppy. I don't know why I haven't been told about "The Works Burger" A burger with roasted bell pepper, hot pepper, caramelized onions, pepper jack, lettuce, tomato, and bacon. Chicken sandwiches are nice too! There is a bus here that can run hikers to the city for a mere $10. Much cheaper than the train north of here.And there is a lake. Boats are available for rent, though I can't find a sailboat... Oh well. I am probably taking one more zero due to fallout from my 72. And I can Watch the World Cup Final!
Date: 2010-07-12
From: Greenwood Lake

To: Little Dam Lake
Miles today: 11.3

A double zero... Glad that's over... sorta. Back to this walking thing...I did take a couple double zeros last year and they are great for recovery. I never had any major aches or pains on the CDT. I don't now, but I am generally sore after my long day. Instead of waiting for snow to melt, as I did in Colorado, I was waiting for my thighs to stop spasming. They have calmed down for the moment.So we ducked into a cozy coffee shop for coffee, tea, and scones... fairly good ones actually. I had two!Then back to this hiking thing... There were a couple bigger climbs, and some scrambly rocks, but nothing overly difficult. We met our first south-bounders of the trip, Hit and Miss, a couple hikers who actually paddled the Northern Forest Canoe Trail before hiking south. I of course have planned to do that... in reverse, but the hot dry weather has not helped. It is looking like the NFCT will have to wait. They said to do it after ice out in mid April before the bugs. That was my initial plan, but all my hiker friends recommended I hike the AT north bound... I don't regret any decisions. This just means I will have to return to the northeast to paddle through it.So anyway, Ladybird and I made camp slightly early, setting up both tarp and bug net to protect us from bugs and the possibility of rain. I can hear the skeeters trying to get in. I have heard tale of them squeezing through bug netting... Back foul demon-beasts!Tomorrow we start the Deli tour. Fort Montgomery has one, then NY52, then NY22 I think. We could subsist on sandwiches alone! Cold sodas are alluring as well.
Date: 2010-07-13
From: Little Dam Lake

To: Trailside Museum and Zoo
Miles today: 21.0

Who ordered the rain?It rained rather hard. But we need it. And when I say rather hard, I mean, biblical downpour, drenching, buckets, sheets, red-on-the-doppler, inch-an-hour hurricane stuff. But it was relatively warm.We started off in dry cloudy weather but by noon, we donned pack covers. The rain became progressively harder until it peaked near Bear Mountain Bridge. I voted for a room in which to dry out. Also I wanted to watch the baseball All-Star Game. I have caught it the last two years. Rain+baseball=motel. Also we wanted to walk through the zoo. That will wait until tomorrow morning.Eating out of a gas station tonight, exciting stuff that...
Date: 2010-07-14
From: Trailside Museum and Zoo

To: Stream and Footbridge (1410)
Miles today: 16.9

I wanna see the bears!We waited until 10:00, when the zoo opened, to continue walking. It took quite a while to see the animals and geology displays. The Trailside Museum and Zoo has a collection of local and native critters, many of which are injured in some way. It was worth a visit. The trail is officially routed through the zoo. The lowest point on the entire AT is in front of the bears, 124 feet.Then there was the bridge. We sauntered slowly over the Hudson, taking many pictures along the way. It is a two tower suspension bridge and in my mind is a sort of psychological border to the northeast, the way the Bridge of the Gods over the Columbia is a gateway to the Pacific North West.Then we were back into the rainy woods. I used my poncho as a pack cover, relishing in the cool mist, which quickly became a drizzle, before graduating to actual rain.Just before Graymoor Friary there was a market, on trail at a road... Fort Montgomery was not needed. Noone told me there were groceries available here! Oh well. I did get to watch some of the All-Star game before falling asleep. The National League finally won! Woohoo!Then we made it to Graymoor. They have a shelter for hikers with water and showers. Completely soaked from rain, I didn't feel the need to shower. But I did take water before we continued.Terrain was a good bit less rocky today. We were actually able to make good time from Graymoor to our end point. We are camped with net and tarp set up, food inside. It is far too buggy to go outside to hang food.
Date: 2010-07-15
From: Stream and Footbridge (1410)

To: NY55
Miles today: 20.7

There is a period of recovery after any endurance event. Marathoners need a break... Ultrarunners certainly need a break, sometimes weeks! So it can be expected that a fast-packer or thru-hiker needs at least a few days off after blowing 72 miles... I should take a week off...I hurt. It isn't knees or blisters... It is just a general fatigue. Don't tell me its Lyme... I check religiously. This fatigue is to be expected. It is getting better though. Right now, 20 miles is tough. I long for the days when 25 was typical. They will return... maybe if the weather calms down a bit... The heat has been relentless. A cooling trend is high 80s, which is above average.Anyway, I can't wait to be in thru hiker shape again!Today's deli stop was at NY52. They put lots of meat on the sandwiches in this part of the world. It was also the last resupply before Kent CT. We will be going in on Saturday morning to catch mail at the post office. Visits to the outfitter and eating stops are also essential.
Date: 2010-07-16
From: NY55

To: Schaghticoke Mountain Camp
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I am feeling a little more peppy now. The only tough part of the day was at about 2:00 when I had a nearly uncontrollable urge to take a nap. I did. At a water cache. There were still giant chunks of ice in the cooler!Today was a day dominated by swimming. Just a couple miles into the day, we reached Nuclear Lake. A lake which tests well for radioactive stuff. It is apparently safe... Works for me! We swam and washed up for quite a while before heading onward. After the nap and a bit more walking, we came upon a river. There were parts that were actually over hip deep! Even after 6:00 it was hot enough to warrant another dip. Then up the hill we paced, racing a large thunderstorm for cover at Schaghticoke Mountain. We were briefly sprinkled on, but not soaked. We expertly dodged the cell and made camp at dark, getting cold spring water from a seep beside a mostly dry stream, naturally teeming with mosquitoes.Tomorrow we will be in Kent, an apparently very New England sort of town. We will try to bounce through due to high prices for EVERYTHING. I can't wait to really be in New England. I long to climb above 2000 feet again. It has been a while...
Date: 2010-07-17
From: Schaghticoke Mountain Camp

To: Kent
Miles today: 3.2

A new record! 3.2 miles in one day! Woohoo!Of course we did arrive before the outfitter opened. A visit there was followed by tea, then a visit to the post office, then store, then we decided to stay.Kent might not be "The Quintessential New England Town" but it is darn close. There are steep roofs, white fences, well maintained yards, hardwoods... It is very pleasant, and a bit touristy... There were lots of activities in town today... A book sale, jazz, dancing, and a lot of people milling about. I saw many books I wanted but will resist the temptation to fill up a postal box.We ate at the Chinese restaurant, the only affordable meal in town, and pretty good too!We camped behind the church with Zen Dawg, a hiker whom we have seen off and on since before Harper's Ferry. He will be getting off trail after a very long section. He hiked the whole thing last year.
Date: 2010-07-19
From: Kent

To: Pine Swamp Brook
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

I escaped town successfully, however delayed by an extended stay at the library. Then I grabbed a baguette and some salami before heading out.The trail was routed over a short mountain, then crashed rudely back down to the elevation of the Housatonic River. The trail hits this waterway many times up into Massachusetts. A south-bounder could have a pretty fun Aqua-blaze! Along the river, there were many biting flies and gnats. It was fairly muggy and rather sweaty. This 90 plus degree heat is a bit taxing. After Several flat miles, I climbed up again, this time to stay. As I walked, I skirted a large thunder storm en route to Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to.Apparently I passed Ladybird sometime in the day when she went to an off trail water source, but she caught back up in the evening.Despite the marsh, this campsite is relatively bug free. I put up the bug net but didn't really need it.
Date: 2010-07-20
From: Pine Swamp Brook

To: Plateau Camp
Miles today: 16.6

Old money. New England. Perfectly manicured lawns, no a garbage can in sight. What is a hiker to do with a bag of cracker and candy wrappers? Well, while one person is look out the other makes a mad dash to stealthily dispose of the trash in a can around the back of a private residence. And we didn't even get caught!The grocery was so classy they had endive, radicchio, and beluga lentils! They had eight ounce bottles of Israeli couscous for almost ten dollars! We resupplied out of said classy grocery before heading up past the highway to the first flat spot we could find. Trail today was mellow. We are still suffering from "elevation deprivation" as Ladybird calls it. I need mountains.
Date: 2010-07-21
From: Plateau Camp

To: Laurel Ridge Camp
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: light rain

Delays: Berries and biblical rain.After consecutive days of late starts and late evenings, we decided to walk a short day and set up some rhythm. It was a good thing we picked today! just a couple miles in we found huge patches of blueberries. Bear mountain had great views, but from there we could see the impending doom of afternoon thunder storms. We crashed quickly into Sages Ravine and set up the tarp to pass the storm. We were there for over three hours.Not wanting to push into the evening and climb another peak, we camped at a designated campsite with a bear box and lots of mice, very tame mice that did not respond to the owl calls on Ladybird's iPod Touch. Tomorrow we'll try for a normal day.
Date: 2010-07-22
From: Laurel Ridge Camp

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: scattered clouds

This is a step in the right direction. It is double the mileage of yesterday! We departed at 8:00 and almost made 20 miles! We are stuck by mail and a choice between two 40 mile days, and days around 20. 20 sounds reasonable.After our... better start, we mosied up Race Mountain, taking pictures and snacking on berries the whole way. The views were rather pleasant of the lowlands to the east. Farms lined with thick forests and ponds. After Race Mountain we climbed Everett to our highest elevation since Virginia, 2500 feet. Both peaks were covered in scrubby pines and oaks and rich with blueberries.Just after Jug End Road, we saw Warren Doyle for the first time since Tennessee before Damascus. He was surprised that we had slowed a bit and told me his prophecy about was New Jersey was right. It couldn't be done in 24 hours. This is a major and rather severe case of Tortoise and the Hare Syndrome.Camped int he shelter with the bug canopy hung. It is getting a bit buggy...
Date: 2010-07-23
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Upper Goose Pond
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: moderate rain

Rain? What is this? After a month of hot dry weather in the Mid-Atlantic, the northeast is suddenly wet. It actually rained all day today, and still is raining! I am happy to be dry in the Upper Goose Pond Cabin, a shelter for hikers. I am eagerly awaiting the blueberry pancake breakfast in the morning.I arrived with Ladybird and Tree at about 4:00 We dove immediately into the warm pond, rinsing off the day's mud and rotting vegetation. After a few hours, the count went from the three of us to about ten. The caretakers gave us some leftover dinner and a fantastic blueberry nut bread.
Date: 2010-07-24
From: Upper Goose Pond

To: Upper Goose Pond
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

This is the closest I have taken to a wilderness zero on any of the three big trails. It is quite the spot for one. They make hikers pancakes! They let us use the boats! There is a rope swing, fantastic swimming, an island... The Upper Goose Lake Cabin has caretakers. People take turns, staying at the cabin for a week. Where do I sign up?Last night we had about ten hikers, tonight it is over 20. They really have a habit of stacking up here.So this morning I canoed, and swam. During the heavy rain of the afternoon, I relaxed and snacked daintily on the little food I have to get me to Dalton.I have given some though to attending a music festival in Burlington VT, but the logistics seem overly complicated. I don't feel like taking two six hour bus rides to be off trail for two days... It would be a bit of an interruption.
Date: 2010-07-25
From: Upper Goose Pond

To: Dalton
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: few clouds

We're hostel hopping now! 20 more miles brought us to 83 Depo street and the home of Tom Bomba.. er Tom Levardi, a famous trail angel. He opens his house to hikers during the summer and even does our laundry! I feel clean for the first time since... Gee I don't know!Leaving Upper Goose Pond was tough but when we reached a patch of escaped, now wild, formerly commercial blueberries atop Warner peak, we felt good about our decision. I actually managed to eat enough to get a belly ache, and a fairly strong one at that. The berries were huge and dripped off the bushes like too many Christmas Tree ornaments. I want to go back... The Berry Monster is growing stronger...
Date: 2010-07-26
From: Dalton

To: Crystal Mountain Camp
Miles today: 5.2

This is the first entry of the Berry Monster. San Gabriel is unavailable at the moment, but may return in fall. After yesterday's epic blueberry patch atop Mount Warner, the name is starting to stick.In all seriousness I should keep "San Gabriel" as I am now a veteran hiker of sorts and that is the name by which most people know me... But with people asking "Sam? Sand? or Sans? as in without?" I am temped to go as Berry Monster. I have been called that before. So today was pretty much a zero. We managed to escape the vortex of town late in the day. Most of the hikers at Tom's house, a regular stop in Dalton, went to breakfast at Duff and Del's a cheap eatery. I tried to go to the library but it wasn't open til noon, then I got lazy... but did manage to escape. I will have to reread the section about Dalton in Bill Bryson's book.
Date: 2010-07-27
From: Crystal Mountain Camp

To: Sherman Brook
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

Ahh to sit like a bum in front of a grocery store til after dark... food splayed out like garbage after a visit from a bear... Ice cream, yogurt, and juice containers lay in ruins, vanquished by hungry beasts, sweaty and unshowered.Of course another fun part is finding the trail and a camp spot in the dark...Today we had two fairly descent views. The first was of the town of Cheshire, from The Cobbles, an escarpment of marble with views west and north. There are a couple spectacular camp spots which if later in the evening, I would be inclined to stay at... it was before 10:00 a.m.After a while, we meandered slowly to town for soft serve ice cream. Then it was up Greylock Mountain. We made the long gradual climb quickly, topping out above 3000 feet for the first time since Virginia. The observation tower at the top is the highest point in Massachusetts. It was a clear warm day with a few bugs, but up high, the breeze kept them at bay.The plant life changed noticeably on the way up. Suddenly we left the hardwoods and were walking amongst firs, hemlocks, and spruce.Then we crashed down the north side to North Adams and the big grocery for a five day resupply. Ahh to be a bum. Cherry pits everywhere.