morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-21
From: WEST CORNWALL ROAD

To: LOWER COBBLE ROAD
Miles today: 17.5

From: West Cornwall RdTo: Lower Cobble RdToday's Mileage: 17.5Total Mileage: 1484.2First I want to say thank you to all my family and friends for remembering my birthday and signing the Trail Journals and leaving me messages on my phone. It felt good to be remembered even when I feel so distant from everyone!Today Mary Anne dropped us off around 7:15 because we had a big day planned. Well, we immediately lost the blazes in the first 30 minutes as we climbed some rocks. I know I have explained how important the white blazes are, but when you can't find them a sort of panic sets in. Calamity finally went back down and found where the trail had gone between two rocks. She then talked me along a trail, which told us we have not been the only ones lost up there. We found the blazes and all was well. It was a great day for a hike, weather wise, and the trail today was some of the best we have been on in a long time.Around 8:00 AM we started to hear the race cars; there is a closed 1.5 race track where people go to run their cars. Paul Newman is said to have filmed some race car scene here. It was so loud we could hear it from 8:00 AM to around 1:00 PM in the afternoon. I was glad to finally get away from the sound!Jut before we got to US 7 we ran into Little Pony and Billy Goat. We walked down to the road together and there was Mary Anne. We all had sodas and moved on as we had 10 more miles to go. Here the trail was even better. We walked on an AT handicapped accessible trail. Great walking! We then did some road walking and crossed the Iron Bridge over the Housatonic River. This bridge was built by the same company as the one we went over in PA.   We walked by Great Falls which were not only beautiful but very refreshing looking. Many people were enjoying this special day. We walked through some very old pine woods today. I call it the "Little Red Riding Hood" woods as it reminds me of that story. I like the pines as the needles are soft on the feet. We arrived at Lower Cobble Rd, near Salisbury, CT, around 4:30 and Mary Anne picked us up to do laundry and resupply and pack to be back on the trail tomorrow. I was very glad for this break and appreciate all the support Mary Anne has given me and also to Calamity Jane and many other hikers along the way.
Date: 2007-07-22
From: LOWER COBBLE ROAD

To: GLEN BROOK LEAN-TO
Miles today: 13.5

From: Lower Cobble RdTo: Glen Brook Lean-toToday's Mileage: 13.5Total Mileage: 1498.4What a difference a heavy pack makes. I felt like I was struggling all day. I know it is the fact I have not had a full pack in a few days plus coming out of town with a full pack is always difficult.We met Quarter Moon coming down the trail as we started out. I have not seen him since Tennessee. He said Ohm had broken his hand at a shelter and he was meeting him to get back on the trail. So once again Mary Anne got to do her trail magic and take him into town. We had a few really hard climbs today but some of the views were spectacular especially from Race Mt. You could see forever and the trail went along a cliff for about 1/2 mile with a sheer drop off on the side. We crossed into Massachusetts today, our 11th state with only four more to go, but they say they are the hardest. We had to climb up Mt Everett which I thought was very difficult as it was so steep and rocky. When I finally made it to the top and Calamity Jane was sitting waiting for me I said that I thought it was very respectable to quit in Massachusetts. She said sit down and rest and then we will keep walking north!We finally got to the Glen Brook Lean-to (that is what they call the shelters here) and it had beautiful camping sites but a lot of mosquitoes. They even had tent platforms. I set my tent up on one but Calamity could not make hers work on it so had to settle for the ground. It was late when we finally settled in for the night. I thought Connecticut was a great state. The trails were less rocky and the ups and downs not too bad. It had great signage on almost every mountain and at all the camp sites and shelters. And it was short!
Date: 2007-07-23
From: GLEN BROOK LEAN-TO

To: TOM LEONARD LEAN-TO
Miles today: 14.4

From: Glen Brook Lean-toTo: Tom Leonard Lean-toToday's Mileage: 14.4Total Mileage: 1512.7It was very cloudy this morning and we knew we were going to get wet today. We were out of camp at 6:20 and moving down The Jug End. It was very steep and treacherous and we were glad it was not raining. We stopped at the Corn Crib for a soda and it started to rain. Uncle Tom came in also and we all sat in the gazebo and talked about the trail. I have not seen him since PA. His ankle seems to be doing better but he is still wearing a brace on it. We also met Byte Code again. We first met him yesterday on the top of Race Mountain. We headed out in the rain and did a little road and field walking and went over the Housatonic River for the fourth time (I think). We passed the Shay's Rebellion marker and I thought about when I would teach that subject to my students and also about all the history we are walking through in these New England hills.We then climbed over June Mtn (that one was for you, June Bug) and East Mtn. Now these climbs are very rocky and steep and hard in good weather, in the rain it was extremely dangerous. You needed to watch every step as all the rocks and the roots were slick. At one up, (or maybe two) I was actually crawling up the side of the rocks on my hands and knees! I can't wait to get to the Whites! I really do not like hiking in the rain but we finally made it to the shelter and immediately changed into dry cloths. Byte Code was here and a section hiker and later Chef (the ridge runner) came in. There was also a section hiker who was in a full set of pajamas I again set my tent up in the shelter as the bugs are so bad and the tent spots have all been taken, and it very wet outside.
Date: 2007-07-24
From: TOM LEONARD LEAN-TO

To: LAKE BUEL
Miles today: 1.0

From: Tom Leonard Lean-toTo: Lake Buel RoadToday's Mileage:1.0Total Mileage: 1513.8As you can see from the mileage we did not get very far today. We were both wet and everything was damp and Calamity was not feeling well so we decided to go into Great Barrington, MA for the day. We went to the Days Inn and took showers, did laundry, and went out to eat and then we rested for the rest of the day. It was good to be clean and dry after yesterdayBut Calamity is thinking of quitting the trail and that will change a lot for me and a feeling of sadness has invaded my soul.
Date: 2007-07-25
From: LAKE BUEI 

To: SHAKER CAMPSITE
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: scattered clouds

From: Lake Buel RoadTo: Shaker CampsiteToday's Milege:10.1Total Mileage: 1524.0We woke up to a beautiful sunny day, had breakfast, and called a cab to take us back to the trail. At the first shelter, Mt Wilcox South we met Owl. We have not seen him in awhile and thought he was way ahead, but he and Little Cubit had gone into New York for a few days and she went home so she could go back to school and Owl came back to finish the trail. It was great to see a familiar face as we are now passed each day by a few north bounders that are all young males who hike long miles and are very fast, so you really don't get to know anyone out here now. The trail today was very nice. One guy walked by and said it wasn't a very interesting day which was true but I will take boring and easy any day. We met our first true southbound thu hiker. His name was Chili and we talked to him for awhile. He said the worst part so far was the Mahoosuc Notch in Maine which is supposed to be the hardest mile on the trail!We got to Shaker Campsite at 2:30 which is very early to stop but we couldn't do the 10 more miles to Goose Pond and there does not seem to be much camping along the trail. Besides the Shaker Camp site had a bear box and two tent platforms which Calamity and I took and set up our tents and had a relaxing day. Some young section hikers came through going south with very large packs so I hope they were okay. Two thru hikers, 30-Pack and Half-Step came in as well as two section hikers we met on Race Mtn the other day. Then another thru hiker, Shiver, joined the group. It is good to see people again at the night spots.
Date: 2007-07-26
From: SHAKER CAMPSITE

To: UPPER GOOSE POND CABIN
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

From: Shaker CampsiteTo: Upper Goose Pond CabinGot a late start this morning as we were only doing 9.9 miles today. We were on the trail at 7:30 and walking north. It was a cool foggy morning but you knew the sun would warm up the day quickly. Calamity Jane gave Shiver a few of her snacks as she ran out of food and was hiking the 12 miles to US 20 to get a ride into Lee to get some food. We never saw her for the rest of the day. We took a lot of breaks and walked fairly slowly. We had a couple of hard ups and a few rocky places but most of the day had good trail and we were at Upper Goose Pond Shelter at 1:30. On one of our breaks, we were sitting on the side of Goose Pond Rd eating our lunch and met a couple from Chicago, a man in a car asked us directions to the pond (of which we had no idea) and a family from Maryland with two little girls were hiking into the pond. So it was a busy and interesting spot.The Upper Goose Pond Cabin was great. It was all enclosed with screens on the windows and had about 15 bunks upstairs with all new mattresses, four tent platforms, and a lake you can swim in. Comet (he flew passed us today) was there when we arrived and we talked to him for awhile but he moved on to the next shelter. Quarter Moon and Ohm (broken hand and all) came in later and also the section hikers we have seen for the past few days. A southbounder and then Little Pony and Billy Goat arrived. We all stayed in the bunk house, Promise Keeper and Oorah (I just met them) are tenting, also Evil Eye and Buttercup (2). It was more people than I have seen in a long time. After we ate dinner, Grampi (who hiked in 2001) needed help getting water so I volunteered. We canoed across the pond to a spring, with about 15 huge jugs. Grampi filled and I carried them back to the boat and then we brought them back to the cabin. It was work but I loved being on the water. It felt relaxing and calming to be glideing across this beautiful pond.Later Ohm, Quarter Moon and I talked about all the people we know and told stories about them until 9:00 PM which is called hiker midnight so we were all tired. It felt good and made me feel part of the trail more than I have for awhile and as I am sure now Calamity is leaving and I need all the friends I can find.
Date: 2007-07-27
From: UPPER GOOSE POND CAMPSITE

To: PITTSFIELD ROAD
Miles today: 11.0

From: Upper Goose Pond ShelterTo: Pittsfield Rd (Cookie Lady)Today's Mileage:11.0Total Mileage: 1544.8I woke up early at the Upper Goose Pond and went downstairs to write. It was very pleasant to be in this cabin for the night. People started stirring up stairs and Grampi (the caretaker) got up to start the pancakes so I went up stairs to pack. What a nice way to start the day with blueberry pancakes and wonderful company. I talked to Grampi about the caretaker position and I think I would love to do it for a week next year so will look into to it when I get back. Calamity Jane and I left at 8:00 and headed to the Cookie Lady's house. Ohm and Quarter Moon needed food so they were going into Lee, but said they would meet us later and Little Pony and Billy Goat were not sure where they would end up. Today was much like the last few with some ups and downs but generally good trail. I did not realize how muddy Mass would be or how buggy. We passed a lot of ponds on the tops of mountains and much of the trail was mud, but they had boards to walk on the worst parts.   Again today the mosquitoes were awful but we met Lady and the Tramp (her dog) (southbounders) and they said they heard the bugs were the worst from here south to Great Barrington, so maybe we will get a little relief. I have been wearing a head net and using DEET to survive. I really thought they would be much worse in New Jersey than here. We took a lunch break at October Mtn. Shelter and met Wiffle, another south bounder. He said he was at the front of the pack so we should start meeting them everyday now.We arrived at Roy and Marilyn Wiley's house about 3:00. She is known as the "Cookie Lady" as she gives out cookies and water to thru hikers. They also let you camp on their lawn. The have a U-Pick it blueberry farm with many wonderful blueberry bushes. Ohm and Quarter Moon arrived shortly after and in a little while Little Pony and Billy Goat came in and said they were staying. After we all had cookies and lemonade and coke (they sell those for $1.00) and had our tents set up Roy brought out the lawn mowers and we all worked in the blueberry bushes for about an hour. Calamity and Little Pony and Ohm (with his broken hand) pulled the long grass down and away from the bushes and Quarter Moon and I mowed the grass down. We did a whole section and munched on a few berries as well. The only problem I had was a blacksnake kept getting in my way and I did not want to run over it! The berries were wonderful to eat and the berries we had in our pancakes this morning had come from here. Apparently they send them with the south bounders as Lady and the Tramp had 3 pounds with them this morning.We all then decided to see if we could get a pizza place to deliver and we all, including Roy and Marylin had pizza for dinner. We again sat around discussing the trail and its people before climbing into our tents for the night.
Date: 2007-07-28
From: PITTSFIELD ROAD

To: DALTON MA..
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: heavy intensity rain

From: Pittsfield Rd. (Cookie Lady's House)To: Dalton, MAToday¢s Mileage: 9.6Total Mileage: 1554.4We woke up to rain and thunder storms this morning. That has not happened often during the hike. Little Pony and Billy Goat got up in the rain packed up and hiked out. Calamity and I waited for awhile and it finally stopped and we were on the trail by 9:00 AM. That was really late for us but we only had a 9 or so miles to town and a hotel so we were not in a hurry.The morning was humid, buggy, and muddy. But the walking was easy so the miles went quickly. We began to hear thunder again and the sky darkened and it began to pour. We were close to the shelter but managed to get soaked by the time we got there. We had caught up with Billy Goat and Little Pony and we all had lunch together at Kay Wood Lean-to. This shelter was named for Kay Wood a 1972 thru-hiker. Ms. Wood continues to work as a trail maintainer in her 80's. The skies again cleared and we hiked on. Ohm and Quarter Moon and a few other young thru-hikers passed us as we walked. We arrived in Dalton and walked on the streets through town to the Shamrock Inn. My friend Mary Anne arrived as we going into the room as today was the last day Calamity Jane will be walking with me. She has officially left the trail. She is tired of walking and wants to go home. I, of course, am devastated and will miss her terribly. We hiked into Hot Springs together and have been with each other on and off since then. I want to thank her for being my hiking partner for so many miles and for all the wonderful and hard times we have shared. I will miss her every day.I really wanted to quit but thanks to all the wonderful support from family and friends I decided to keep walking north.
Date: 2007-07-29
From: DALTON MA..

To: MARK NOEPAL LEAN-TO.
Miles today: 13.7

From: Dalton, MATo: Mark Noepel Lean-toToday' Mileage: 13.7Total Mileage:1568.7Mary Anne dropped me off sans Calamity Jane and off I went into the woods alone. Now I have been following CJ for hundreds of miles out here and so my first hour I was not careful enough and somehow got off the trail! I should have gone back, but did not and after one hour of walking I ended up back in the same place Mary Anne dropped me off! This of course freaked me out and I was certainly careful the rest of my time looking for white blazes. I saw a few southbounders and had some good conversations with them. I met Quarter Moon, Ohm, and some others who were slack packing the 23 south miles over Greylock. They had asked me to go with them but I do not think I was up to walking 23 miles even without a pack. I walked into Cheshire and stopped at the little deli store for ice cream that is right on the trail. It was a good break and the women in the store was wonderful and gave me very good directions to the trail. Even with the direction I had to stop and ask a man who was cutting the lawn, but found the trail and started up Mt. Greylock. I met and talked with some more south bounders up there and talked a long time to a couple of workers about the trail. I arrived at the shelter at 3:30 PM and of course was alone at that time. The water source was the best I have seen in days. I relaxed, wrote in my journal, and started dinner. Spoon arrived. He is a 70 something southbounder from New Zealand who hiked the trail north in 2004! He was wonderful company and we talked forever. It looked like rain so again I asked if I might set my tent up in the shelter and he thought it was a great idea. Around 7:00 Little Pony and Billy Goat showed up. That was a surprise as I thought they were taking a zero and I was very glad to have them with me on my first night alone. Again we all talked, traded stories and went to bed
Date: 2007-07-30
From: MARK NOEPAL LEAN-TO.

To: MA STATE RD 2
Miles today: 9.6

From: Mark Noepal Lean-toTo: MA 2 State Rd. (Redwood Motel)It never did rain in the night and I was up and out by 7:30 AM. This morning as I was eating a Cliff bar I broke part of a filling off. My luck seems to be waning at the moment, but I will get through all of this. I had to climb the rest of the way up Mt. Greylock, but it wasn't too bad and the bugs were not bad for the first time in days, but the mud did persist. Mt. Greylock was very interesting. The lodge was closed until 2009 but it was still nice to be up on the highest peak in Massachusett's (3,491). It has a huge war memorial that has a glob at the top. The books say that the mountain has inspired literary giants from Thoreau to Hawthorne. Herman Melville could see the peak from his writing desk at nearby Arrowhead. And they have scattered engraved rocks around with inspirational messages on them for hikers. I needed those today.I had a snack and met some workers that were bringing pipe up to the lodge. I talked to them for a long time as they wanted to know about the trail. I thought that Little Pony and Billy Goat would catch me but I never saw them all day.I did meet many young southbounders today, and some section hikers struggling up the steep side of Greylock. It took me awhile to walk down the mountain. There seems to me a lot more quartz rock in this area. Also the ground seems to turn from clay to sand to black dirt to mud all in a day.I met Sliver who I have not seen in ages and she also was doing the 23 mile slack pack south. It was around 11:00 AM and she still had a long way to go (I later heard she did not make it and had to spend the night in the woods with no equipment).My friend, Mary Anne, was busy trying to find a dentist for me in town, but with no luck. None of the many dentist would see me. So if you are hiking, I hope you do not need anything in North Adams or Williamstown. I hiked the short but hot distance to the motel and luckily there was a pharmacy across the street, and got a tooth filling repair kit, (I didn't even know they made them) and fixed it myself until I can get to Manchester, VT. Little Pony and Billy Goat showed up here at the Redwood Motel also as they have a friend joining them for a while. We went over to the Stop & Shop and bought chickens, salads, and ice cream and brought it back and had dinner together. It was fun to sit in a bug free environment and laugh and talk with trail buddies.
Date: 2007-07-31
From: MA STATE RD 2

To: CONGDON SHELTER
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

From: MA 2 State Road (North Adams)To: Congdon ShelterToday's Mileage: 14.1 Total Mileage: 1591.8I am finding I sleep better in my tent than I do in a motel room. It was past midnight before I fell asleep. I woke up at 6:00 AM, packed up, said good-bye to Little Pony and Billy Goat and headed out to road walk back to the trail. Most of the morning was uphill and uneventful. I did meet to northbound thru hikers, Circuit Rider and Sherlock. They said hi and walked by me. There has not been much to look at lately except your feet.But after four miles of walking, I came to the Vermont boarder. With some states there has been no recognition of the state line but this was wonderful today. On tree there was a sign that said welcome to Mass. and a register and across the tail on a tree it said Vermont and there was an explanation of the Long Trail. Here the AT joins the Long Trail for 105.2 miles and the trail should become a more crowded place with both AT and LT hikers on it. The LT will split and continues to the boarder of Canada for another 167.8. The LT was completed in 1930 and is said to be the inspiration for the AT.Well I said goodbye to Massachusetts, and will miss the fairly easy if muddy terrain. I will remember this state for the mosquitoes, Upper Goose Pond Cabin, where Calamity left the trail, and where I lost a filling. I am pleased to also remember it as a state I did not fall in. So welcome to Vermont. So far it also has been very muddy, rooty, and rocky so I did not make very good time. I never knew these New England states were sooooo muddy. You climb up to the top of a mountain and there is a pond and the trail is covered in thick black mud that would suck your boots off if you stepped in the middle of it. And this is after a few dry days. They ask you not to even hike these trails in April and May. I can't imagine what they must be like.When I got to the shelter at 5:00, Jeff, (now Better Man as he says he is becoming a better man by hiking the LT) a Long Trail hiker was here reading the new Harry Potter. Granit had read it and left it there. Way to heavy for me to carry! Then Comet showed up (met him at Upper Goose Pond) but only stayed to eat. Then Blissful and Paul Bunyan (mother and son) arrived. I had heard they were off the trail and they were, while her ankle healed. But they are back on to finish. We talked a lot and as they were so far ahead of me to begin with they did not know a lot of the same people. They did know Beach Bum, Duckwalk, and Micro who I started with. But it was very nice to have company tonight. I set up my tent in hopes of a good night's sleep.