morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-08-01
From: Congon Shelter

To: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to
Miles today: 17.1

Day 61 (Tuesday)Up at 7Am; breakfast Museli, on trail 8:40 (CT kids on trail 7:40) - we're 2nd to last group out - ahead of the VT kids. Uneventful hiking except for Mother and baby moose we saw near sucker pond (took several pics and video) - passed several NOBOs (stopped collecting names - 1 of whom asked us to tell Scooter to send his cigars if we see him (he suspects they were accidentally packed up that AM). Lunch @ lean to; realized I left my aquafina bottle at the last shelter and asked some NOBOs to dispose of it for me. Crossed state line around 3PM and reached N. Adams around 5PM. Met Hansel at oriental buffet for dinner and brought some Dr. Scholl's orthotics and blister dressings and price Chopper (didn't help feet). Back on trail around 7:30pm for climb to 1st lean-to. Changed in to Waldies (sandles) at 8:10PM b/c couldn't stand hiking in Montrails any longer due to heel impact and blisters (may go back to vasques at first opportunity). Hiked via moonlight until 8:45 PM when Hansel met me at trail jct and we hiked .5 miles to the shelter where we met the CT kids and a good time was had by all (several NOBOs tenting). Sheepfrog and Cleatus signed register 2 days prior, indicating they had hiked in after dark after stopping for AYCE chinese as well. At shelter around 10PM; in bed around 11PM.
Date: 2006-08-02
From: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to

To: The Birdcage (from Cheshire)
Miles today: 11.0

Day 63 (Wednesday)Up at 6:45; on trail 7:30. Alone, CT kids and Hansel just getting up. Slow climb up Mt. Geylock due to heel pain from raw blisters. Summit at 9:40 in cloud. Went to Bascom lodge to wait for Hansel. Called Ilan and Ian and ate a cholocate frozen yogurt. Ordered a fish sandwhich and fries and finally met hansel at 11:00. Left summit around 12:30, passing CT kids on way down (having a good time). Had a major T-storm with hail on the way down, which we later learned spawned a tornado in Cheshire around 3 miles away at the time. Reached Cheshire and caught CT kids again (they passed us at a shelter where we stopped for trail lunch). Ate ice cream in Cheshire w/ slacking NOBOs Yellowbelly and ?? (heading south to Dalton). CT kids were calling Rob from the Birdcage in Dalton for a ride back due to blisters and Hansel and I decided to take the ride in. Got picked up by Happy Feet, a NOBO with a mohawk who had been staying there 3 wks waiting on some friends. Reached the birdcage (Rob Bird's house) around 6:39; showered and hung out. Cleatis and Sheepfrog were both there sporting mohawks; scooter in as well, still debating decision to leave trail. Dinner courtesy NOBO "Chef" (Baltimore, MD) turkey with stuffing, carrots, mashed potatoes and green beans with peppers, eaten while watching south park. Adjourned to garage with Hansel, Chef, and CT kids and good times were had by all. In bed 11:30.
Date: 2006-08-03
From: The Birdcage (From Cheshire)

To: The Birdcage (Dalton)
Miles today: 9.3

Day 63 (thursday)Up at 8:15 snooze til 9:30 - picked up butter, tomatoes, and salsa for chef to make omlettes. Ate omlette and caught ride back to Cheshire with Rob, Hansel and NOBO "Lightweight" slacking southback to Dalton, after stopping at EMS where I spent $140 on new vasques, petzl tikka headlamp, body glide and blister pads. On trail around 12:15 after getting more ice cream in Cheshire. Great view of town from cliffs hiking out of Cheshire. Hiked alone all afternoon w/ hansel and lightweight ahead. Got back to Rob's at 4:30. Passed a few NOBOs on trail but didn't make any introductions. Went to library and checked email, showered and had dinner at Angelino's with Hansel (meatball sub w/ fries). Watched last of the mohicans and talked w/ PJ. In bed 11PM.
Date: 2006-08-04
From: The Birdcage (Dalton, MA)

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 64 (Friday)Up at 7AM; raining steadily outside; snooze 'til 8:15 and gave Chef hint that it would be really nice to have breakfast. Packed up and had breakfast; (blueberry pancakes - very good). Left birdcage at 10:15; returned to AT at 10:30. Hiked thru town and back into woods after crossing Hoosac RR tracks. Passing 1st shelter around 11:00 when Hansel caught me from behind by surprise (I thougt he was ahead, but he had stopped in town at the post office; easy flat terrain hiking - passed a few NOBOs (no names) and reached the cookie lady at 3PM. Ate cookies delivered via her granddaughter, had lunch, hung out and picked 1 qt of blueberries for the caretaker at upper goose pond (plus a few for ourselves). Blueberries were donated by the farm and we left there around 5PM. Reached Rt 20 (Lee) around 8:30 after more easy, steady hiking with last of the mohicans playing in my head. Had considered going into Lee Diner for dinner, but decided against it due to lateness and potential difficulty with hitching back out to trailhead after dark (plethora of food also a factor). Reached upper goose pond 9:30pm - new headlamp (petzl tikka) very good for night hiking. Ate dinner on porch of cabin (couscous with lentils and turkey) - very good. Saw a few hikers come in from some lake high canoeing and met the caretaker who informed us we had inadvertently violated one of the house rules by cooking on the porch and then said "god bless you" and patted me on the back after being informed we had brought blueberries. Tried to sleep in hammock around 11Pm but gave up and slept in bunk upstairs around 12:25 after failing to arange sleeping bag adequately for mosquito protection.
Date: 2006-08-05
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Mt. Wilcox S. lean to
Miles today: 15.8

Day 65 (Saturday)Up at 6am for flueberry pancakes and coffee. Met a nobo with kids and also found SOBO Caveman there after taking a zero at upper goose. Had 2 rounds of pancakes and hit trail at 7:30 with Hansel. Reached the road to Tyringham and 10:45 and caught an easy hitch into town from a local firefighter who pulled a u-turn to take us in. At the town post office, got mail, saw signs for town pool and inquired about it and met local architect, Kevin, a former professional skier, geographical economist and 2 geologists with masters in architecture from Harvard and a place in Montana who brought us back to his place for peach soy juice and omlettes and dropped us back on trail after 2 hrs. We went swimming in the town pond from 1 - 4 and ate cantalope Kevin gave us. The guy who have us a ride into town showed up and we unloaded our cantalope rinds on him. Decided not to stay for $25 fire dept. steak w/ swordfish fundraiser bbq and hiked on. Crossed a cow pasture (pics) and some nice meadows before reaching Mt. Wilcox North lean-to at 7:30pm. We expected to find Cleetus, Scooter, and Caveman there, but found it empty. We were looking forward to spending the night when we found the local stream dry and nearest water 1 mile south, so we decided to hike 1.8 miles to Mt. Wilcox S. lean to and arrived at 9:30. I had to chase hansel down 1/4 mile after realizing he missed the turn into the shelter. 2 nobo women tenting, left their packs at the shelter. Dinner salmon w/ rotini and bacon bits and parm cheese and PB cookies (all good - used cups water intead of 2 3/4 - much easier to cook). In bed 10:30 pm. P.S. hansel is sunburned sick after napping on the dock of the town pond for 2 hurs.
Date: 2006-08-06
From: Mt. Wilcox lean to

To: Great Barrrington, MA (Rt 23)
Miles today: 3.3

Day 66 (sunday)up at 3:30 to hear hansel urinating off the front of the shelter. Again at 5:30. Nobos passed up and left and then a loud family of 4 hiking north showed up. They quieted down after finding us still in bed at 8am and gave us gum and hershey bars for trail magic. Showed the father and 1 of the kids moose video - but showed cow video 1st (they believed me when I said the cows were moose). Turns out they are from N. Adams and section hiking as well as starting a ministry to give trail magic to thru-hikers. Also met nobos pedro and teddy (f). Naped from 10am to 1pm, talked to rents, pj2, aunt terry, uncle andy and josh and met nobos Orangutang and Stinky and good times were had by all. On trail 3PM around 20 minutes after Hansel. passed 4 nobos on trail (didn't catch names) and reached rt 23 around 5pm to find hansel sitting. Decided to hitch into town and had dinner at organic pizza place (very good) and stayed with Kathy and Jon and Anna Greene. Went to pharmacy (price chopper) for sunburn ointment and bought insoles and ice cream. On way back passed the 12 tribes caravan in town and saw Kesher from Rutland and got the bus tour. At Jon and Kathy's place, showered, ate ice cream and watched most of shanghai noon. In bed 11pm. also read Jon Stewart's America (very funny).
Date: 2006-08-07
From: Great Barrington, MA (RT 23)

To: Great Barrington, MA (Rt 7)
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: broken clouds

Day 67 (Monday) Up at 8:15. Breakfast at the Greene's pancakes, fruit salad all very good, Jon (white cloud) dropped me off on trail at 10am; Hansel decided to take a zero and give his sunburn some more time to subside. Hiked 7 miles from rte 23 to rte 7; met nobo cheese whiz and ?? at Tom Leonard shelter and passed a doctor around a "bridge out" crossing a 8 inch wide crevasse (believed to be a joke). Passed several very good views to the east before descending to road and hiking along Housatonic River. Reached farm stand, "The Corn Crib" around 3pm and was perusing the ice cream selection when Hansel walked in. He was riding w/ Kathy to the W.E.B. Dubois museum (a great Barrington native) when they stopped to drop off some hikers at rt 7 and saw me. I decided to go back with them for maximum serendippity and because it was hot out. Museum was closed, so we went to town hall and saw exhibit of ?? (father of modern photojournalism) including photo of Albert Einstein. Bought new Spenco insoles and arch supports at drugstore. Back to the house around 4pm and took a shower and had high tea. Watched my cousin vinny on tape and part of saving silverman on comedy central. Dinner - chicken stir fry with remarkably tender chicken (excellent). AFter dinner, played anagrams with Hansel, Kathy, and Jon, watched the daily show and met their son matt (fmr section hiker) who was just back from a film internship in NYC where he was watching Robert Deniro's new movie with Robert Deniro. In bed around 12AM.
Date: 2006-08-08
From: Great Barrington, MA (RT 7)

To: Sage's Ravine
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 68 (Tuesday)Up at 8AM Breakfast eggs, fruit salad, bagel chunks (addictive) and baked goods. Kathy dropped me at rte 7 around 9:20 (jon was taking hansel back to 23). Got passed by SOBO "Tomato" around 10:20 (fast mover - started 6/28 and hiked PCT last yr from Oregon and doesn't like tomatoes) who reported seeing Caveman one hour prior. Crossed jug end road, but didn't find spring. Great view from the jug (pics). Hung out for a while waiting on Caveman w/o success. Passed a group of kids from outside Hartford (didn't catch organization) one of whom informed me that it was going to be a long way to Georgia. Got passed by 2 more SOBOs travelling with Tomato (Mr. Dayhiker and Marathon). Passed plenty of NOBOs maybe 10, picked up Tyvek's flip flop from Hemlocks shelter; camped at Sage's ravince campsite just north of Ct border when I met a very talkative section hiker named George who informed me that Willcall was 1st NOBO to reach Katahdn this year, not Bonepac (popularly thought to the out of running for yellow blazing - but apparantly not). Summited 6/1 - before I started. Called Mr. Shelley to confirm Wed. dinner. Dinner - turkey stew w/ potatoes - good and chocolate pudding dessert. In bed 9:30pm. P.S. 2 nobo names from today, Catskill Eagle from cooperstown, ny and Yellowjacket. P.P.S. Deer walked through campsite - 9pm - got pic.
Date: 2006-08-09
From: Sage's Ravine

To: Belter's Campsite
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 69 (Wed)Up at 5:30 - very cold - overnight low 51 degrees, snooze until 8:20. Skipped breakfast and on trail 9am. Summit bear mt (highest peak in Ct) 9:40 - steep climb but very easy descent - passed several day hikers on descent. Noted Tomato et al stayed at Riga lean-to last night. Met ridgerunner at 1st salisbury road crossing at 11am and hitched into town from 2nd crossing. Go mail and left not for hansel on his mail drop. Walked .4 miles from town back to trailhead and got some water from a garden hose at an antique shop, which tasted like hosewater. Ate some trail lunch to reduce pack weight (good 30 lbs w/ 5 breakfasts and dinners and 2 lunches and supplements) and resumed hiking at 12:45. Passed a few more nobos including 1 guy who asked me to tell his dad he was going into Salisbury (I did). and a section hiker Rick Wallace from Bristol, Tn 30 miles from trail who said to look him up if I needed naything when I was down there. Reached Great Falls around 3:30 and caught video of NOBO "The Ghost of Natty Boh" jumping off Cliff. around 5 - 9 NOBOs swimming there and several kids. Took a swim (no huge cliff jump for me - thx) and jumped off a 15ft ledge - very refreshing. Left around 4pm for 4:30 meetin Mr. Shlley in Falls Village. Ran into Mr. Shelley at 4:20 near hydroelectric plant and went to dinner in Canaan (italian chicken parm grinder - excellent bread). Ice cream for dessert at caboose restaurant and chatted with town locals. Met friend of Mr. Shelley's for tour of local dinner movie theatre (showing Taladega nights) and got some popcorn. Back to trail at 6:30 after stopping at a convenience store to buy a bic pen for $.65 to replace the pen I left at the Greene's so I could write this journal. Hiked 3/4 mile wheelchair accessible section of AT (in Croocs) and met NOBOs Chainsaw and Friction (planning to camp in falls village) behind restaurant. Ignored trail closure detour sign for RR accident and passed a bunch of derailed plywood in the woods near tracks (pic). Back to the woods, arrived at Belter's campsite - around 8PM and found 2 NOBO section hikers camped out. Chatted a while and then saw what I thought was a sobo on Belter's bump, but it turned out to be a nobo who had hiked past the campsite ??, and had been hiking with Chainsaw and Friction. Set up camp after using 1st "open air" privy this trip and was going for water when I heard a voice yelling "hello" from the AT south of camp. Hiked out and met an out of breath section hiker with tendonitis in his ankle who indicated his dad was 1/2 to 1/4 mile back with bad knees and that he wanted to make sure he didn't miss camp. I directed him to camp and volunteered to bring his dad in after he said he was planning to go back for him. Hiked about 1/4 mile and met his dad and hiked back with him giving him my headlamp so he could use 2 hiking sticks and I used his handheld light. (This was about 9:20pm). We hiked into camp with his son and 1 of the NOBO thru hikers meeting us on the way. Got water and into bed around 9:40.
Date: 2006-08-10
From: Belter's Campsite

To: Silver hill campsite
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 70 (Thursday)Up at 6AM; snoozed to 7:30 at which point I started catching up on 3 days of journal writing. Breakfas around 8:30 - granola with strawberries - on trail around u:45 (moving slow to give Hansel a chance to catch). 2 NOBOs still in camp "at this point, the excitement has worn off". Reached hanglider view around 10:45 and took a long break until 11:15 waiting on Hansel to no avail (great view of racetrack, tho). Passed NOBO Locomotive Joe and learned that Cleetus is 1 day ahead of Chunky from register at Pine Swamp Brook. Hit road to W. Cornwall at 3PM - no traffic and didn't feel like walking the extra 3/4 mile each way for a free beer - hiked on. Passed a few more NOBOs before reaching rt 4 - road to Cornwall bridge where I met Three dollar (nobo) and we hiked together into town, 1/2 miles. He told me Sheepfrog was off trail (he was w/ Cleetus when he got the call). Took a short hitch to general store and got a chicken parm sub, nesquick chocolate milk, and ice cream sandwhich (hit the spot) at 6pm. Yogid a ride back to the trailhead at 6:45PM. Climbed out of valley and called rents for uncle gil's # and arranged to get together Saturday afternoon in Pawling. Reached silver hill campsite at 8pm and decided to stay - beautiful spot and nobody there but me. Found a black cherry almond cliff bar there as well (bonus). Set camp and crawled into bed 8pm and promptly fell asleep. P.S. got stung by a bee between Rt 4 and phonecalls on the left shin - didn't mention it to anyone.
Date: 2006-08-11
From: Silver hill campsite

To: Mt. Algo leanto
Miles today: 10.5

Day 71 (Friday)Up at 6am and cooked dinner for breakfast - black beans and rice v2 w/ fresh salsa (good). Spent a leisurely morning breaking down camp / waiting for Hansel and got on trail at 9am (beautiful sunrise from campsite, btw). Hiked down to the Hoosatantic Riverwalk (4 mi of trail paralleling the river) and passed a guy out walking with his dog and another guy out running with 2 dogs. REached Stewart HOllow Brook Lean to around 11am and met nobos twostep, jj, and ??; gave them pizza for dinner (thinker and crazyhorse only; glue bear was working). Hiked 1/4 mile to Mt. Algo leanto and good time was had by all. Met ridgerunner Marlissa and gave her flack for not replacing register at Stewart Hollow Brook leanto to which she replied "Do you carry a spare register with you?" no, but then again, I'm not a ridgerunner am I? In bed around 10:30 pm. P.S. played with scorpion ant bug combo at shelter for 30 min.
Date: 2006-08-12
From: Mt. Algo leanto

To: Uncle Gil's House (from Hoyt Rd - Wingdale, NY)
Miles today: 11.2

Day 72 (Saturday)Up at 6:30am and found another nobo camper, pixie (f) had been tenting out in a hammock the night prior. On trail at 7:30; Hansel stayed behind long enough to fess up to Marlissa that we had introduced ourselves as Moe and Joe the night prior in case our late nite antics upset her, she would be badmouthing a set of alibis alont trail instead of Hansel and Book. Marlissa apparently found this very amusing and said that no one had ever done that before. (that she knows of). Passed a few Nobos on trail; Hansel caught up to me around 9:30. Hit Bull's Bridge Rd around 1:00 and decided it would be better to hitch to Wingdale from there than to hike another 4 miles in order to ensure we hit the post office before noon. Yogi'd a ride from a guy in a pickup truck at a mini-mart on Rt 7 after failing to hitch from many cars at Bull's bridge, mostly full of dayhikers. At Wingdale PO, I had no package (was expecting my bounce box), so we had lunch at Adam's Dinner (sic) gyro w/ fries - very good and met a nobo who had just lost his cell phone in the truck of a guy he hitched a ride from who was going up the the next county to get a tatoo. Called uncle gil from teh nobo's girlfriend's phone and then again from the diner to arrange pickup and was surprised to discover uncle gi's lack of familiarlity with mapquest. Hitched back to Bull's Bridge after giving uncle gil directions to Hoyt rd and hiked 4 miles from Bull's Bridge to Hoyt rd, passing several dayhikers and weekend hikers along the Hoosatontic and 10 mile rivers. Missed the TMR leanto and had to back track after telling Hansel I would meet him there. Left the leanto at 2:40 hiking for 4pm pickup. Arrived at Hoyt rd @ 3:45 and met uncle gil at 3:50. 5/14 states and 1/3 of miles now officially complete. Rode back to uncle gil's for about 1 hour (I had originally thought we were about 20 min from his house). Showered and my parents came over for dinner (bbq - that's hot dogs and burgers cooked on a grill - not southern bbq) - very good. Assured Mom that mosquitoes were not that bad after she saw my legs and declined offer to beard trim. After they left, watched some band of brothers on the history channel. In bed 10:30.
Date: 2006-08-13
From: Uncle Gil's House (Hoyt Rd)

To: Telephone Pioneers shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

Day 73 (Sunday)Up at 8:00 to catch up on journal. Jackie, Mike, Liana and Max came over at 10 and we had brunch; nice visit and learned that 4 3/4 y.o. max has been to more greatful dead shows than me. Also got pic of max w/ magnets stuck to his nose. Leisurely day, left at 2PM for trail (remembered to freeze water) w/ phone charged thx to dad, w/ uncle gil and aunt Helena. Arrived at trailhead just after 3pm, said goodbuy and hiked s, after advising uncle gil and helena to check out Bull's Bridge (it's neat covered bridge - got a pic yesterday). Hiked 1.2 miles to Wiley Shelter and played some badmitten (poorly) and then ran into "gates of heaven" trail magic site run by cheese??' drank lemonade and ate cookies; hansel had a beer and we hiked on tot he AT RR station just in time to see the train pull out. Passed 4 nobos trying to make tent for the night (20 mi n) at 7pm made a few calls (kellee and carlos, dung, jim/while hiking; arrived at telephone pioneers shelter around 8:45pm after passing the dover oak (largest oak tree on the AT) without realizing what it was. Dinner Beef "stir fry" with couscous, pineapple, peanuts, and soy sauce (very good) and oatmeal cooked. Had another jet boilover. In bed around 10PM. P.S. NOBO Jam-man asked why I was called Book and when I replied "because I have an answer for everything" he said, "Oh I get it - a wise ass." P.P.S. We thought we could order pizza on telephone pioneers shelter but were disappointed to learn it was actually a shelter 1 day south.
Date: 2006-08-14
From: Telephone Pioneers shelter

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 74 (Monday)Up at 7am; met nobo stoker from vernon, nj who had tented the night before. On trail at 9am ahead of Hansel, who caught up to me at Nuclear Lake. Picked up water from the lake outlet stream (shelter was dry) and stopped for hot dogs at Old Rt 55 where I noted Bryan Kiel, former Rollins Pond Adventure Base (a boy scout camp I used to work at) camp director from Fair Lawn, NJ had signed the register in '00. Also noted, "Granite" from Bar Harbor, ME's real name Heather Walls. Had 2 hot dogs with saurkraut and 1 with relish, 2 root beers, and cheetos (Hansel had a chili dog, cheese dog, root beer, Mt Dew and cheetos) and listened to the hot dog guy tell us about a time a thru hiker tried to rob him and he pulled a 44 pistol on the guy who then proceeded to lecture him about how bad he would feeel if he killed him. Arrived Morgan Stewart Shelter around 3PM and advised Jack not to wait for me before going into Stormville for mail and then I took a one hour nap and read 2 sections of Friday's NY Times left there. 3 older section hikers showed up around 5pm and I told them the guy I was hinking with was in town and he replied, "then you're not really hiking with him, are you?" Left around 5:45 and passed NOBO "rice burner" feeling run down. Took some water from stream with warning to treat and filter because it was farm runoff (used double dose aqua mira) and felt much beter hiking in evening after some food (gorp and fruit bar). Reached RPH shelter around 9:30PM after crossing under Taconic Pkwy to find Hansel with a whole sausage pizza for me and ice cold iced tea (awesome). Devoured 4/6 slices in a single shot before taking a break to read the register. Wrote "Tips for dealing with NOBOs" in response to 7/25 "Tips for dealing with SOBO's" and finished pizza. Also noted 5/4 entry from Paul w/ Bunyons (hiking the 8 month plan) and diatribe from Scooter about there can't be 1 god for everyone. In bed 11pm. P.S. saw 3 deer this AM and 1 racoon this evening.