morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-29
From: Shaker Campsite

To: Upper Goose Pond
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke in the middle of the night as something rubbed against my head. I was upon a tent platform 3 ft off the ground and determined that what ever it was it was big. I layed there eyes wide open waiting for a noise or something. Next thing I hear is Circle Walker scream out because as it turns out a racoon did the same to her but she saw it. That made me feel much better. I was more than anxious to get out of there early and try to get to the pond early in the day so I could relax. The heaviness I have felt over the last few days continued and my spirits were low. The trail was easy and similar to the last few with fields and swamps. Much tall grass lay across the trail and it felt like bushwhacking instead of trail hiking. I crossed a pasture with cows and noticed a calf laying still close to the narrow path that I was on. I thought it might have been hurt as it didn't move. When I got a little closer the thing jumped up and took off like a bullet. It looked rather funny as it darted around the pasture. Crossed some more marshlands and walked over some rickety boardwalks. My mind was not in it. I'm feeling fatigued and can't get my mind off of being worn and sore. It makes the hike more difficult when your mind focuses on such things but for the life of me I couldn't shake the thoughts. It seems like every hour I am in a struggle to gain miles and I don't know exactly what the cause is. My knees hurt as do my toes. The heat and humidity has been high and my desire to quench my thirst is never ending. Is it the heat. Could it be something else. I wonder if I got bit by a tick or if my energy level is so low because of my diet. My body is tired and my mind is finding it more and more difficult to ignore it. The mental games are in full swing. I arrived at the Upper Goose Cabin early afternoon and wasted no time getting into the water and cooling off. Another group of thru hikers showed up soon after. None that I had met yet. I was told that blueberry pancakes were for breakfast as was coffee on the house. Something to look forward to.
Date: 2010-06-30
From: Upper Goose Pond

To: Dalton Massachusetts
Miles today: 20.6

Upstairs from one of the 13 bunks I woke to the smell of coffee. Immediately I remembered the promised blueberry pancakes. The night was very cool and with all the windows open so was the room. When I got up I reached intoy bag and pulled out my light down jacket. It felt good on my body as I went downstairs for a cup of coffee. This morning I felt refreshed. Atleast in better spirits than I had been. Still there was less than being my normal self. The air was clean and crisp as I headed out from the cabin. A light wind blew moving the clouds around which periodically blocked out the sun. There was zero humidity and I recognized an increase of energy. My legs felt good, my breathing was strong and I was moving along at a good clip. Before I knew it I had covered 6 miles. The group passed me but I caught up with them at the 8.8 mile shelter. They were getting ready to go when I showed up but they mentioned that they were heading into Dalton to buy some beer because Maketime was finishing his thru hike here. They wanted to suprise him when he came off the trail. He & his wife started a southbound hike last July 1 but had to leave the trail when his wife got called back to work. He decided to finish his hike and began in Georgia in March this year. He is finishing here in Dalton on June 30 exactly 365 days from the day that he started. I felt that that was something I wanted to be a part of so I was determined to do another 20 mile day. The hiking was simular to yesterday and the yesterday before that. There were patches of mud areas as I hiked around the many ponds and low lying areas. I was stopped in my tracks when I thought I saw what I knew to be moose tracks. I thought about it for a few seconds searching my mind for the possible liklyhood of moose in Mass. A short while later I saw in the mud the prints of a moma and cub black bear. Then more moose tracks. A journal entry stated that a moose was seen in the area and the others saw some moose nuggets on the side of the trail. At about 7.5 miles from Dalton I passed Cobb and Maketime. I made it to the trailhead ahead of them and already had a few beers in me by the time they showed up. The festivities began and it was fun experiencing someone who has just completed the trail. It only takes a short while to get the admiration and appreciation of a hiker that you have spent some time with. We are all in this together and we all want each other to finish. We left the trailhead and headed down to Hom Lavardes where we were all spending the night. Tom allows hikers to stay at his home and the whole group of us were doing just that. We all went down the road for dinner and continued the celebration. Congradulations Maketime on your thru hike. Enjoy your well deserved time off.
Date: 2010-07-01
From: Dalton Massachusetts

To: Dalton Mass
Miles today: 0.0

Last night I set my tent in Tom's yard and was able to give Homegirl a late night phone call without disturbing anyone. I was seriously considering starting my RI vacation early which would give me a little more time to heal my aching body and weakening mind. It would also put me around family for the long 4th of July weekend. I still had 40 miles to go to get to the Vermont border. I was hoping to reach that milestone before the start of my 2 weeks off. Homegirl helped me see the sense in an early exit and I was ready for such advise. The statistics are that if someone leaves the trail for more than 2 weeks there is a good chance that they will not come back. I got that going against me. After deciding to do it I had some feelings of guilt. As silly as that might sound it's true. We are always setting some kind of distance goals for many differant reasons but when we deviate from what we expect of ourselves it's kind of a let down. I was feeling some of that but I also knew that I needed to be realistic and do what would be best for me in the long run. I made some phone calls and Tom was willing to give me a ride to Pittsfield where I could catch a bus to Providence tomorrow. I went to the library and caught up on my journal and Ridley and Merf surfed the Web. The library is usually a common place for hikers to go when they hit a town. After a one hour time limit I went to a sandwich joint for lunch and Merf met me there. While 1/2 way into my cheesesteak a bicyclist zipped by. I said to Merf that the biker looked like Catman. I thought he was far ahead me. Later I was sitting in the pub and sure enough in walks Catman. We filled in some of the goings on over the last couple hundred trail miles. Turns out he had a bad fall and split his head wide open on the nasty rocks coming out of Palmerton Penn. He was off the trail for 2 weeks. He also had been at a low point before the fall and the time off rejuvinated him and now he was ready to go again. His words made me feel more at ease with my decision and it is funny how people appear at the right time and provide some encouragement when it's needed most. Thanks Catman. It was a quiet night at Tom's with Catman, little Brown, Merf and myself. Just after darkthirty lights out.
Date: 2010-07-02
From: Dalton Mass

To: Rhode Island
Miles today: 0.0

I'm at the bus station waiting on the 10:30 to Providence. This will end my regular entries for a couple of weeks. I expect to read my journal during my vacation and perhaps come up with a consolidated expression of some of the differant aspects of the trail. Thank you all for following me and signing my guestbook. Your comments are encouraging and has helped sustain me during the last 1500 miles. Don't forget I'll be back ready to go and better than ever. Have a great 4th.
Date: 2010-07-03
From: Rhode Island

To: Rhode Island
Miles today: 0.0

Everything is going well. Yesterday my sister inlaw Jill spent a good deal of time getting my photos onto my journal. All 500 of them. Thanks Jill. I went out and bought some new clothes as my wardrobe needed a little upgrade. My shirt size has gone from a prehike XL to a medium and my waist has gone from a tight 36 to a 32. Actually the 32 shorts are a little big but I expect to grow into them within the next 2 weeks. I am getting to see some people I haven't seen in many years and when they find out what I am doing seem to be pretty impressed. As was demonstrated last night from a familiar bar stool of 30 years ago. Even people here sitting at the bar as they have since I left for Alaska 30 years ago say that hiking the AT was and still is something that they always wanted to do. If I would have stayed here I'd probably be wanting for the same. I'm having fun and am enjoying being around friends and family. Have a great 4th. Strider
Date: 2010-07-14
From: Rhode Island

To: Rhode Island
Miles today: 0.0

As I have said it's the people that are on the trail that make the trail what it is. There are countless numbers of people that are not hiking the trail that go out of their way to support us hikers. The generosity of perfect strangers is somewhat baffeling at first. All acts of kindness lifts our spirits and further emphisizes the community that the A.T. is. Hikers will sometimes come upon a cooler near the junction of the trail and a road crossing. Past thru hikers continue a practice of unexpectedly leaving a cooler full of goodies, cold drinks and even supplies often used by long distance hikers. Sometimes it's a clean supply of drinking water or a container of fuel for our stove. Other times it's a ride into town or an invitation to dinner. Kindness comes to us hikers in many ways. This unsolicited act of kindness is called Trail Magic. Those that perform the magic are called Trail Angels. Often trail angels are past hikers who have experienced Magic while hiking the trail. They want to give back for the good fortune that they once recieved. This practice insures that on some especially cold morning someone somewhere will be at a road crossing with hot coffee and high calore goodies or one will come upon a cooler filled with cold drinks on ice when the heat is intense and the water is scarce. Angels can appear at exactly the right time. All of us hikers have been pulled from an emotional low point by this kindness. The gifts they provide are appreciated and usually consumed in an unnatural manner but the gesture itself is powerful and uplifting energy that is much needed on the trail. Some trail angels are well known along certain routes as they have been consistantly giving for years. They plan their vacations from work and hit numerous road crossings for a week or two. Some will give hikers a ride into town to resupply and then bring them to their house for dinner, shower, wash laundry and then spend the night. Then feed the hiker breakfast before returning them back to the trail the following morning. All trail angels are a big part of the trail experience. There are also other acts of kindness by family and friends who have gone out of their way to help me out and to also spend time with me as I move across the East Coast. A big thank you goes out to all those Trail Angels. Without the help of both strangers and friends thus hike would not be the same. Some names I didn't catch and I appologize for that. Terry & Emory came thru in a big way helping getting Gator and myself together. Terry drove countless miles and hours and Emory had a feast prepared that would satisfy any hikers appetite. Bruce flew in from Alaska to help me adjust my hike so I could meet up with my brother and his two boys who flew in from Hawaii to hike with me. Fellow thru hiker Flow Easy (Mark Kalooz)and his mom AnnMarie took hikers into their home and treated us like family. Other trail magic came from Linda & Dwayne, Elams, Bradingtons, Stephens, Donald & Caroline, Socks, Patty'O, Doug & Susan and the many others. Thanks for helping me get this far.
Date: 2010-07-25
From: Rhode Island

To: St Mary's Cheshire
Miles today: 8.9

There was absolutly no doubt about it that is wasn't going to be easy getting back on the trail. Batteries Not Included ( BNI) and myself were driven The 130 miles up to Dalton Mass by my Uncle Jim and aunt Rainey and my mother. It was a nice ride but I didn't feel quite ready. They said goodbye at a convenience store around the corner from the trail. Actually a 1 mile road hike to get into the woods. A couple of deep breaths and off we go. The trail was moderate and remained under the leafy cover which helped block out some of the suns penertrating rays. It wasn't cool but cooler than what was above the trees. We were shooting for a 14 mile day but it didn't happen. We arrived in the small town of Cheshire early afternoon and stopped at a corner ice cream stand. As thick clouds began approaching a couple told us that the church up the road allows hikers to stay the night on the hall floor. We had a nice dry place to sleep for our first night so that was good. Physically we both had had enough even tho it was a short day. Regroup tomorrow. We went out for burgers and beer to celebrate being on the trail. When we got back to the church there were about 10 hikers spred out. It felt weird being out here especially after so much FAT time on my hands. I actually needed to get away from those evil people. I was surrounded by a bunch of jealous overweight party people who would not leave me alone. Here they would say have another beer or lobster. Then cake and ice cream for dessert. Relentless. Day in and day out. I got out of there just in time but not before I put 15 lbs back on my frame. They were jealous of my thinness and tried to make me just like them. I'm free of all that now. I'm back in the woods where outside pressures and disturbances are few. The toughest are the ones that roll into my head periodically and try to convince me to end this journey. If it was not for the break that I just took I believe that I would have quit. The voice in my head was loud and clear that the rest of me had had enough and at that time I was so weak that I no longer had the strength to fight it. I did the right thing because now I am back. With BNI hiking with me it atleast got me back to the trail.
Date: 2010-07-26
From: St Mary's Cheshire

To: Sherman Brook Campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

The entire gang of hikers was up before 6:00 and out the door before 7:00. The best I can figure out there are about 12 hikers who are doing the entire trail by hiking from road to road. There they get picked up by a supply van that takes them to a designated place for the night. Then they enter the trail from the road access they got off from yesterday and hike another section. Always being picked up at the end of the day. This is a new one for me. I'm not sure if there is a name that identifies that sort of hike. Sometimes they go north to south other times south to north. Differant. It keeps them from having to carry a heavy bag. They carry just enough for a day hike. Both my feet and legs were sore as I began the day. Vermont is known for it's rolling hills and muddy trails. We were already experiencing a great deal of that. The hills aren't as smooth as the outline of trees might lead you to believe. There have been some steep and rocky uphill climbs that are becoming a common part of the terrain. The forest are thick and solid green from the floor to the tree tops. Green grows on everything and it has a cool clean feel to the air. The upper elevations seem to be without the mud and the trail is nice for hiking. I love the pine smell. Access to good drinking water is getting more frequent and the water is cleaner and easier to find at higher elevations. Our legs felt better today. BNI decided to hike on ahead. He is already hiking faster than I and is rearing to go. We met up later in the day and was glad to have our second day done. The tent sites were near a small spring and had platforms spred out. We set up our tents then got water and had dinner. We were both in our tents before dark.
Date: 2010-07-27
From: Sherman Brook Campsite

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

It was a cool quiet night. A couple of hikers came into camp just before dark. All I caught was that they were southbound (SOBO). I was laying in my bag awake but not yet ready enough to get out of my warm bag. BNI came walking up to my tent with my food bag as the sun was still trying to rise. His tent was down, breakfast ate and pack ready to go. He said he was up all night half because he went to bed so early and the other is that he heard all kinds of noises around the tent. The night stayed lit from an almost full moon. The trail today was much mud. Every so often the trail will have a section of deep mud that requires the hiker to find the less muddiest route through the stuff. Sometimes it's just here and there while other times it goes on for awhile. Some relief from the mud comes at higher elevations but the steepness has put a strain on the legs and knees as I try to get myself back in shape for this activity. Early afternoon we crossed a powerline that was exposed to the clear sky and hot sun. We both decided to take a break by laying out in the sun for about an hour. Refreshed and ready to go. Not. We spend over 90% of our hiking time under the cover of trees so it's good to catch some sun every so often. We hiked around many ponds and marshy areas. Moosy looking. I saw some nuggets and a couple prints in the mud. A cow and a calf. The end of the day had us following the Stamford Stream. Right in front of the shelter was a small brook. The water was clear and cold. Finally getting decent water again. It was only BNI and myself in for the night.
Date: 2010-07-28
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: few clouds

It only took three days for BNI to get acclimated to the trail. We stayed at a hiker hostel slept in a tent and slept in a shelter. Our feet and legs had a chance to get stronger. BNI still has alot of those competitive juices in him and being his antse self decided to move on ahead and see how far he can get. Trail journal entries show that he is moving at about a 20 mile + day. Good luck BNI and enjoy. The morning was loaded with the muddy conditions as the day rolled on and the trail worked it's way up Stratton Mountain it became a combination of rock and root. The climb up lasted a long time but a couple heading south warned me that it keeps going and going and going. It did. I was prepared for it so I went to what I learned and kept it slow and kept moving. The rocks and roots were not much of an inconvenience as there was still plenty of space to set a foot down squarely. My body from sole of foot to top of head felt good when I reached the top and still had the energy to climb the fire tower. Glad I did the view was a panoramic mountainous Vermont. I climbed part way up a tower earlier only to find the skies thick with fog and clouds. I still had a 3 mile hike down to get me into Stratton Mountain Shelter. It's a well known shelter and usually full. They must have heard I was coming because it was empty when I arrived. Later on Croft showed up and it was just us in the shelter built for 12. I was hoping to get a swim in but it was late and the .03 hike to the pond seemed too long. The caretaker showed up to collect the $5 fee and chatted for awhile while we ate. She was a 20ish gal that will spend from June thru October in a tent on the banks of Stratton Pond. It's a great little setup with her tent and tarp covering a large wooden platform tucked into a stand of pine. It reminded me of a book I read about a guy( frank broeneke) who built a cabin on a lake in the Alaskan wilderness. It had a solitary and peaceful            look to it. The moon was big and bright but it was very dark in the shelter. Another day which has brought me closer to Katahdin.
Date: 2010-07-29
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: scattered clouds

My last entry include 2 days of hiking. I pulled the info from my written journal and somehow in the process borrowed some from both days. The Goddard Shelter was a newer and very nice shelter. It was very high and had a spring that was clear and very cold. It was real nice to have the pure mountainn water again. I hope it continues. I met a few hikers Jaybird, Croft and Warren Doyle. There were about a 1/2 dozen tenters scattered around that I didn't get to meet.
Date: 2010-07-30
From: Stratton Pond Shelter 

To: Green Mountain House
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

The day started early as usual. The nights have been getting cold at these higher elevations even tho it's still in the 80's during the day. I actually began hiking with a long sleeve shirt on. First time for that since somewhere in Virginia. I like the coolness and I am already carrying the gear that will take me to the end. The trail moved from the Stratton Pond area which is more of a lake thru other low lying pond areas. The trail was mostly downhill but I had a few small hills to climb. It was an easy hiking day and I was glad I was heading into town for the night. I got to the road around 1:00 and caught a ride almost immediately. It was a 5 mile hitch into town. I went to EMS because my Merrill hiking boots recently purchased in RI was already lifting at the toe. I called the company and they said they would send a replacement pair. I then did my shopping for a 4 day resupply. I went to a deli and had lunch. It was another real nice sunshiny day. I was at the Green Mountain House just after 5:00. The house was busy with everyone cooking up dinner, doing laundry and taking showers. This is about as good a setup for a hiker hostel as I have found yet. It is a seperate house with a kitchen, living room, laundry, showers, Internet and use of the gas grill. It's located a little out of town with the Bromley Mountain located right behind the house. It was crystal clear with many stars. The mountains were visable as a shadow as the 1/2 moon provided some light. I caught up with my journal and Other chores then took the top bunk out back in the barn.