morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-07-29
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: broken clouds

Wayne made blueberry pancakes for us this morning which we heartily devoured and then headed out into the third mucky day of intermittent rain.I would see Catdog on the trail a lot and share breaks with her. It wasn't the same without the dog but I don't miss Wags as much as she does.At October Lean-to, Hot Rocks showed up and we talked about how we missed certain creature comforts such as TV and fluffy pillows. We are all half eager to be done with the hike but are still enjoying ourselves. I think we are just tired.We got to Pittsfield Road and the sun was out again. Wayne from the cabin was in his car waiting for Austin to show up because he had the keys to the locks for his canoe. We headed over to the "Cookie Lady's" house nearby but she was not home. No sodas or cookies left on the porch. Still, I relaxed on the lawn chair eating lunch. Hot Rocks started picking blueberries off the bushes next to the house. There were thousands of ripe ones and Catdog and I joined him.Back on the trail, Austin, who is a speedster, Caterpillar, Joker, and Octane all caught up with me at the last shelter before Dalton. By this time I had lost Hot Rocks and Catdog and walked the last three miles into town with Joker.I had heard that Quest and Hawk had arrived there this morning and hoped to hook up with them before finding a place to spend the night. There were a couple of options such as camping at a local's house or going to the Shell station and asking for Rob (that one sounded sketchy but southbounders remarked it was a tremendous deal).I found Quest, Hawk, and Peggy at the Shamrock Inn--an overpriced shoebox motel. Quest let Catdog and me share his room. Since I was leaving early the next day, I gave Catdog the bed and slept on the floor. We all went to dinner at the Shamrock Pub.Joker was kind enough to take any laundry we wished to be washed. Unfortunately, the laundromat was closed so Joker sweet talked the motel clerk into letting him use their facility. That worked out great. I had clean clothes for my visit with my friend Sarah tomorrow in Cheshire.Hawk asked if it were true whether Saltlick had left the trail. I said no. He just wrote me an email to say he was taking a few days off. I guess he's homesick again and now can remedy it by visiting home. But a rumor had spread he had quit.
Date: 2004-07-30
From: Dalton, MA

To: Greylock Summit
Miles today: 17.0

The trail to Greylock is by far the muddiest trail I have encountered on this trip. I climbed it on this hot afternoon with a fully loaded pack (received a maildrop in Cheshire) and a full stomach of rich town food. At one point, I stood teetering on one stone in the middle of a lake of mud hoping I could find the next rock before losing my balance. Too late, I submerged my left foot up to the ankle in the sludge. I left Dalton after eating a fine breakfast at the Duff & Dell's Variety (highly recommended). Raven joined me but he was relaxing and taking a zero day.The first nine miles of my hike to Cheshire were easy and quick. The Cobbles offered me the best view of the day from marble rocks. I could see Greylock and the town of Cheshire ahead in a thick cloud of haze. It will be a hot day.At 10:30, I dropped into the P.O. to pick up four packages--one containing my Merrills I sent home from Damascus ages ago. Time to let go of the LL Bean dayhikers, which were falling apart.As I sat there under a shady tree sorting through my bounce box and food drop, my friend Sarah arrived with her two kids, Isaac and Kaziah. They took me to lunch at Christina's (also highly recommended) and for ice cream. Sarah chauffeured me around to get some denatured alcohol and such but it was getting late. I had to hit the trail and climb the beast before my day was done.It has been great to be back close to home. I never knew how much I missed my friends until I returned to this area. Sarah asked me some poignant questions such as what most do I miss. I gave her some random musings. It wasn't until I was back on the trail that I realize that I miss mental stimulation the most. I needed a good book, something to learn and get my mind working.So later I wrote her an email to let her know this. She plans to send me a good book. Let's hope it isn't too heavy.Greylock was cloudy and a little wet. I managed to find the garage hostel easily enough. Hot Rocks was the only person there. He told me the logistics about paying at Bascom Lodge where I can also get a shower. After I had cleaned up and returned to the hostel, which is a bunch of bunk beds with mattresses in a small room, I considered hanging out by the fire at the lodge. Unfortunately I was too tired. Greylock knocked me out. So Hot Rocks and I talked about the people we have met on the trail since Georgia and how we both want to finish the trip without too many more zero days.Greylock Summit doesn't allow you to cook. It is probably a ploy to make you spend money at the lodge. They also don't tell us about the shelter nearby. In any case, the food service was closed so I ate cereal for dinner. I wasn't too bothered by this because it hit the spot and I was heading into Williamstown tomorrow for some real food.
Date: 2004-07-31
From: Greylock Summit

To: MA 2
Miles today: 6.3

I ate a very delicious family style breakfast at the Greylock Summit lodge. Patrons had various questions for me about the hike. One family, I discovered, is from my home town of Concord and lived not too far from my mother. They were spending a week at the lodge exploring the many trails.Greylock was fogged in, windy, with occasional rain. Originally I was going to meet my Mom up here but called her to suggest we meet at Rt. 2 instead.It was a steep but quick hike down to the state road by noontime. Along the way I saw Caterpillar, Octane, and Austin who stealth camped at Thunderbolt Shelter. Apparently this place was for emergency only but I think Greylock just wants us to spend money at the lodge. Nobody knew they were there last night and they got a good sleep.I have to say that I did too inside the hostel garage. I would recommend the place if you have the $10 to splurge. If I had known about Thunderbolt Shelter and the fact that Williamstown also had showers for cleaning up, I'd probably skip the hostel.My Mom, Aunt, Uncle and cousin were in the car waiting for me on Phelps Ave near Rt 2. The world was sunnier and warmer at the base of the mountain. And they had sodas in a cooler in the back. Perfect.It was a good thing I was taking it easy today. My hip began to hurt as I approached their car. I hope it will feel better with some Ibuprofen and rest.My visit included doing laundry at the laundromat across from the pub where we had lunch in Williamstown. There were hikers all over the place. Some I recognized but many I did not. While Williamstown is a college town, it is also the starting place for the Long Trail. So now I will be sharing the shelters with NoBo's, SoBo's, and Long Trail hikers.Williamstown is an excellent resting place. The outfitter may let you sleep in their backyard for free. The nearby hotel lets you use their pool, showers, and sauna for $5, towel included. And there are excellent shops and restaurants. There are a few grocery stores as well that can provide long-term re-supply.After lunch, I said good bye to my family and hung out in the coffee shop and tried to tackle my journals again. I was still very behind.Shortly, my friends Vonnie and Matt showed up. They treated me to dinner and a folk concert in East Hampton. Excellent time and I must recommend "The Kennedy's". I got caught up on everything that was happening at home. I was also out the latest hour, I believe, since I have been on the trail--1 am.Good visits but I must return to the trail and finally leave MA.
Date: 2004-08-01
From: MA 2

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: light rain

My hip felt better today so that was one less worry. Vonnie, Matt and I woke up early enough to get some breakfast at a diner in Williamstown and for me to hit the trail by 8:30.After all the rich foods and spoiling I felt very good and considered pulling 20 miles today. But the trail was again very muddy--a new challenge that everyone complained about in the registries. The mud was thick and deep. My legs were covered with dried muck by the time I reached the shelter.As I rested and ate a late lunch, fatigue overwhelmed me. The previous late night excursion was catching up to me. So I decided to stay and relax.John and Mary showed up along with a few Long Trail hikers and Epiphanius, whom I have not seen since the Shenandoahs. It poured intermittently outside the shelter. The grounds around the picnic table is a sea of mud. But the water source is a few feet away. Not a bad stop.My big milestone for the day is that I crossed into VT, where the trail coincides with the Long Trail for 97 miles.Otherwise, everything is routine--I hike, eat, and sleep, try to write my journals on a broken pocketmail, and socialize. Life is good.
Date: 2004-08-02
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: few clouds

Okay, never again will I pull this many miles. I was never so happy to see a shelter around the bend as I was today after walking for a good twenty-two miles in wet socks.The shelter this morning was crowded with hikers on the floor and in every bunk. I didn't want to disturb anyone so I waited until more people got up. For the first mile, I walked ahead of Sean, a Long Trail hiker, who seemed amazed that I could keep a consistent 20 feet in front of him. Well, I've only been hiking for five months straight and this was his second day. Actually I was impressed that he could keep up. He planned to hike the LT in three weeks. I'm sure he'll be done sooner at his pace.Shortly after, I took a break and he sped off. I came across the beaver dam boot wash that southbounders warned me about. Basically it was swamp lands as far as you can see with one floating boardwalk as the trail. I searched for a bushwack around it but accidentally stepped on a submerged log. The water went over my ankles to mid calf. Dang, might as well just go for it. And so I walked the fifteen feet over the half floating, completely submerged boards to the other dry side of the trail. I could feel the cold water seep into my boots.I now walked with the water slowly escaping through the seams of my boots, leaving a raw, coarse texture feel against my feet.I had a spare pair of socks but hoped to use the ones I was wearing for as long as possible today. At the Goddard Shelter, a nice structure with a front porch and view, I rung them out and chose to wear them for the rest of the day.I had caught up with Joker, Octane, Austin, Catepiller, et al. I thought they had sped ahead. It was a beautiful dry day, low humidity. I also stopped at Kid Gore Shelter which would have been my resting place for the night if it wasn't so early. It is worth the .2 off trail because it has a tremendous view as well.Half way north to the next shelter I knew I should have stayed at Kid Gore. My feet couldn't take the grimy, clammy feel any longer and my knees were hurting from all the mud dodging. I think I took four or five breaks before reaching the Story Spring shelter, a mere four miles away.Hot Rocks was there and he mentioned that he remembers seeing me at the airport on March 22 waiting to fly down to Georgia. I was carrying a box and reading a newspaper. I told him that I looked around for other possible thru-hikers, he should have chatted with me. He said I looked like I didn't want to talk to anyone. Very possible since I had been up since four that morning.Anyway, I still find it amusing that we are almost 1600 miles into the trail and only now does Hot Rocks let me know that he saw me at the airport in Boston.I think I'll just sleep forever and never wake up. It would be easier than dealing with these muddy boots and pitiful socks.
Date: 2004-08-03
From: Story Spring Shelter

To:  Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

Vermont has a lot of shelters and a lot of mud. But today was even nicer than yesterday and the ground is hardening.A few of us slept in late this morning. That means I got on the trail at 7:30 instead of 6 am. Most of the morning was uneventful until a couple informed me that they left a cooler with drinks near their truck for us. I had a choice between a diet pepsi twist or a non alcoholic beer. Guess which one I chose.Stratton Mtn is the closest we have come to a 4K in a while. I made it to the peak by 11:30 and hung out with Jean and Hugh Joundry, a couple of fire watchers who are now caretakers for the GMC. They have lived their summers in a house that is just slightly larger than Thoreau¢s near Walden Pond. This would be their 36th year of service.They gave me coffee and pointed out the fresh chives on the grounds. Octane, Austin, Joker, Joe Flamingo, and Critter showed up. Even though I walk slower than they, I still manage to keep up with them because they take lots of breaks.After checking out the fire tower, I took off for the north. We all stopped at Stratton Pond and took a quick dip in the shallow water. Nice.The last six miles were a little painful. Although I had donned clean, dry socks this morning and my feet and boots were dry, I still felt small blisters forming on my toes. Nothing drastic, though. But I thought it strange that I walked 21 miles the day before in wet socks and didn't develop anything.Hot Rocks is here at the shelter and mentioned wanting to take a near-zero day in Manchester. Sounds like a good plan since I need to go in there for re-supply anyway. There is a movie theatre too.Currently it is raining buckets outside but I am safe in this cozy shelter. But the rain on the roof is deafening. Still, lots of fun. We have a few "weekend hikers" and a Long Trail hiker to mentor. They didn't know where to hang their food bags.Later... Caterpillar and Joker had to sleep in the shelter because the rain flooded them out of their tents.
Date: 2004-08-04
From:  Spruce Peak Shelter

To: Manchester, VT
Miles today: 2.8

Hooray! I'm finally up to date on my journals. I got into town early with Hot Rocks, Joe Flamingo, and Crossword and grabbed a ride from some chimney sweeps heading into town. We ate breakfast at Friendly's and relaxed with our bottomless cups of coffee.Hot Rocks and I talked of staying the night but the options weren't frugal. So I considered getting as much done as possible and heading to the next shelter north two miles.The post office was a long walk so I hung out at the green near it sorting through my boxes and sending things on their way. People kept approaching me and asking if I were doing the Trail. Nice people.Then I sat down at a coffee shop and worked on finishing my journals. By the time I was done, it was 5 pm, I hadn't had lunch, I was hungry for dinner, and I would still have to hitch out of here.The guy at Ben & Jerry's offered to drive me over to Sutton's Inn. If there weren't any rooms left, he'd take me to the trail. But after bumping into Flip Flop and his brother (this is a different Flip Flop from the one I met in Port Clinton) I managed to snag a cot in their room for the night. It just feels strange that I haven't seen the owner of the Inn yet to pay them.Regardless, I had a comfortable sleep and got to eat dinner at a Southwestern Restaurant that provided small portions for the money--not ideal for hungry hikers.Both Flip Flop and his brother, Chris, plan to hike to Katahdin, but sometimes Chris seems like he's along for the ride while Flip Flop is doing the hike. He is always deferring credit for the trip to Flip Flop yet Chris seems more organized than his younger brother.We also ate dinner with Christine, an AT NoBo, and Steph, a LT hiker. Fun group.
Date: 2004-08-05
From: Manchester, VT

To: Big Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

Happiness is a new filter cartridge. Considering I hadn't replaced the filter since Trail Days, I think the Katadyn Filter is doing pretty well. Part of the secret is finding and using any spigot along the way.Incredible hiking day. I started off slow eating my $12 breakfast in town with Steph, Chris and Flip Flop. We all kept hearing it would rain. It did for a few minutes, but most of the clouds blew over the mountains--gave the views a nice contrast.I finally met Frank, the innkeeper at Sutton's Place, before leaving town. I managed to grab a ride in the back of a pickup from a kind gentleman. He saw Steph also hitching and picked her up too. When we got to the parking lot, Bilbo was driving by in a small car. He slowed down, rolled down the window and asked if I wanted to zero with him, Goose, a woman named Yoga Monkey, and others at his parents¢ vacation home nearby. Sounded tempting but I also wanted to be near Killington by Saturday to meet my sister. I told him that Joker was back in town killing time and may be interested. Off he went.Steph and I started at the same time toward the summit of Bromley, a family ski resort. In fact, the trail goes up a green circle ski slope named Run Around. At the top was a tower for viewing. The rolling mountains with all their different hues of blues spread out before us for miles under cumulus clouds. We stood there in awe. I hadn't seen such beauty since the Balds in TN.Pretty much all day we could glimpse Stratton from various vistas. But Steph was planning a shorter day, being an LT hiker on her first week on the trail, and I did not see her after I sped ahead, determined to put in at least 16 miles.The rocks and roots made my feet sore though. The pain never stops. You just shut it out. But after a day in town, it is more noticeable.I had to climb some jagged rocks to the top of Baker Mtn which is only 2800'. However, I looked north and saw a spectacular view. An ominous dark cloud hovered over Mt. Tabor across the way as if the mother ship was landing. Above me, the storm clouds accumulated. I watched from my rocky perch as a smear of rain transcended the ridge a few miles north. I had two miles to go before reaching the cluster of shelters where I could stay the night. I better get moving before I'm caught in the downpour.It sprinkled but the green tunnel protected me. I reached the first shelter shortly only to find it completely occupied by 11 year old girls and two leaders. They were from a camp and had many questions for me. What fun to be a celebrity. But I really didn't want to stay. So I forged ahead two more miles and arrived at this shelter by a roaring stream. AWOL, an AT section hiker I met earlier today, is here along with Crossword, who may change his name to Jigsaw (because we keep mixing his name up), John and Mary, and Joe Flamingo. It is supposed to drop down to the 40's tonight. Chilly.
Date: 2004-08-07
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Tucker-Johnson Shelter
Miles today: 17.4

I met Sharon and Darren at Cold River Road. Darren planned to hit some towns in Vermont while Sharon and I hiked Killington Mtn. So I decided to slackpack as well.It is hard to say whether I gave Sharon a workout since I found the terrain difficult and my speed slower than usual. [No worries, LD, you did.] We also had intermittent rain to consider while we negotiated a narrow footpath of wet root, rock, and dramatic drop-offs.We reached the summit spur trail right around the time the rain stopped. I had been to Killington before and the area looked familiar. I figured since I was with a guest, we should follow the .2 miles to the peak and started up. Sharon followed with thoughts, I later learned, that she assumed I would skip the summit. In any case, we had to hike a very steep, rocky path to a very cold apex. All the time I kept thinking, "I don't remember this."I did remember that there was a short path to the ski lift which I thought was a chairlift. It is now a gondola. When was I last here?We ate lunch at the snack bar and got a glimpse of some wonderful views--coniferous forest intermingled with fog. Sharon made me a sandwich of cheddar and heirloom tomatoes from Verrill Farm in Concord. What a treat.The trail down seemed long because we could hear Rt 4 for a long time before reaching it. Darren greeted us before we reached the parking lot and remarked that we had made good time. He was also surprised that we did not get soaked by the downpour. Good timing because we also reached the summit while it was clear. Killington was now in the clouds.We headed over to the Long Trail Inn for a few local brews and some dinners. I saw the boys, AWOL, and Millipede there. The inn was booked but they do offer the parking lot across the street for camping. You can use the laundry facilities. Unfortunately, they cannot offer you a shower.Most of us just decided to find other accommodations. I had my sister and brother-in-law drop me at the trailhead and I headed north 1.5 miles to the first shelter--a lonely place a little up the Long Trail. John and Mary were already there cooking. It was good to not be alone.We all looked at the miles ahead. Now that we were seceding from the Long Trail, we no longer had large numbers of shelters for choices. I went to bed knowing I had to do close to 20 miles tomorrow.
Date: 2004-08-08
From: Tucker-Johnson Shelter

To: Wintturi Shelter
Miles today: 19.3

It hasn't gone above 60 degrees in three days.During the night I felt a bump on my left scapula. I couldn't tell if it was a tick or just a swell from a bite. So I asked Mary to look at it in the morning. She said it was just a bump. No broken skin, no bite marks. Strange. It didn't hurt much so I figured I could wait till Hanover to have it checked. Still, it weighed on my mind.I also kept thinking about where I was going to stay in Hanover. There were no cheap places and the low income options were tenting. Whenever I saw a SoBo, I'd ask them what they did.The start of the day was pleasant and easy. We passed Kent Pond--nice for swimming on a hot day--and Gifford Woods State Park, a campground that offered amenities and trail magic to hikers.Then we had a hefty climb to Quimby Mtn. It turned into a beautiful day with blue skies and a nice breeze. My hopes for some warmth returning was dashed, though, when clouds rolled in by afternoon.I felt like I was climbing all day and got pretty wiped out. As I took a break at the Lakota Lake Lookout--an opening in the woods--it began to pour. I had everything spread out on the rocks and had to drag them into the woods to pack again. Kinda funny.I reached the spur trail to Lookout Farm and a privately owned cabin called the Lookout. I was a little over two miles from my destination but felt so tired that I went to the enclosed cabin and took a nap. It was warm and quiet. I probably was out for ten minutes at most. But in that time the rain stopped and the clouds pulled apart. I figured that I should check out the Lookout. To get there, you climb a weather worn ladder to a widow's walk. What a payoff. The stormy clouds dissipated and I beheld a 360 degree view of the green mountains under the shadows and light of puffy clouds and blue skies. It was spectacular.After that, the hike to Wintturi was nothing. I arrived to find Austin and Hotrocks eating dinner. Both raved about Rutland (at Rt 4) as a great place to spend the night since there was laundry, a hostel, and reasonably priced hotels.Gotta remember that if I ever do this trip again--heh.Eventually a crowd appeared and the shelter was filled. Two ladies who are doing the Long Trail this fall showed up late. They were testing the waters and had many questions which Octane and Catepiller dutifully answered.There was also a father and son section hiker team from Ohio who have spent the last eight years completing everything south of here. Their names are Rock and Little Rock.Looks like rain again for the night.