morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-20
From: Dennytown Rd. in Putnam Valley

To: Pawling NY
Miles today: 26.0

I guess if I were to add key words to this post I would most likely use words like ¢trail magic¢, ¢a helping hand¢ or ¢the friendly American¢ because that is what these past two days symbolized more than anything else.During my last post I wrote that after a very intense stomach virus, a night of vomiting, I had set out again northward (while also meeting Dave Martin) and stopped at clearing on trail at Dennytown Rd. in Putnam Valley and I was not sure how I would fair the night. Well at about 22:30, it became quite clear that no one was going to get any sleep there because of a giant horde of mosquitoes nesting right next to us. A couple who was there and I decided that although it was biting cold and in the absence of a better alternative location we would begin moving slowly northward towards Pawling. I had begun to feel better, although I was still generally in a weakened condition, and we moved on throughout the night (first light came at around 05:00) and around 09:00 we reached a road crossing (I am pretty sure it was Rt. 55). That was where my hiking partners and I said our goodbyes. There were a number of cars at the junction and the folks there all showed their concern. Of particular mention was the Hispanic gentleman, from Honduras I believe he said who pointed me in the direction of Pawling and even made sure I was safely going to reach my destination, which turned out to be some 12 miles down the road. By the time, I reached the Native Landscapes Garden Center where I was to collect my packages; I was what could only be defined as a ¢total loss¢ and severely dehydrated. Fortunately, the center is a ¢hiker friendly¢ location right along the trail so I collected my packages, found a corner to get some long awaited shuteye, drank a lot to rehydrate myself and reorganized by backpack. In short, I guess that I have to revise my previous post about finishing at Dennytown Rd. In actuality,whether you like it or not, my day finished on Sunday morning at Pawling. I also want to thank all of the ¢trail angels¢ who throughout the weekend ¢hunt down¢ hikers and stuff them with cakes and drinks. Today there was a couple that did this. The woman had thru-hiked the AT a few years back so she of course understood what I was experiencing. There also were the two guys from the ¢Campmore¢ store who gave me new socks, some gels and stuff to drink. There was one guy Josh, who had heard about the Port Clinton incident and gave me some of his own food and even $10 in $1 bills so that I could get myself something to drink, ¢I am an American and therefore you are my guest¢. These are but a few, there were others and I thank them all.
Date: 2010-06-21
From: Pawling NY

To: W. Cornwall Rd, Sharon CT
Miles today: 34.0

Restocked and rehydrated after Pawling, I moved northward, entering Connecticut and officially becoming a ¢New Englander¢ for the next few weeks. I called it a night, my 46th in a row, at the crossing of W. Cornwall Rd, near Sharon CT. Tomorrow, if all is well, I will enter Massachusetts and come one state closer to Maine.
Date: 2010-06-22
From: W. Cornwall Rd, Sharon CT

To: ATC Kellogg Center
Miles today: 32.0

I am convinced that whoever laid the AT through Massachusetts did so just so foreigners like me would have to break our jaws saying the name! Anyways this morning I started out from West Cornwall Rd, near Sharon, CT, where the topography was quite reasonable and moved northward until 13:00 when I began to climb the mountainous area of SW Massachusetts, again that name,:-(Mt Evertt, etc. . Everything went well until the rains came at 15:00 and then I encountered the first of a series of giant, steep rocks that quickly became very slippery. This caused me to slow my pace, I was especially careful not to fall again in a way that might cause me problems¢¦and of course, I fell, but nothing serious. I have finished my day at an abandoned ATC Kellogg Center where I have found a nearby shack to sleep a dry night before getting wet again tomorrow.
Date: 2010-06-23
From: ATC Kellogg Center

To: Rt. 20 Lee, Mass.
Miles today: 34.0

It was around 20:30 when I crossed the Massachusetts Turnpike (US Rt. 90!) overpass and reached US Rt. 20 near the town of Lee that is also known as ¢Jacobs Ladder Rd¢! For all my non-Israeli readers you need to understand the funny irony of these roads since back in Israel, Rt. 90 is the major N-S highway that crosses through the E. Galilee region where I live and in fact stretches some 310 miles to Eilat. ¢Jacobs Ladder¢ in Israel is the name of an annual music festival held in the Galilee so as far as I was away from home, I felt at home. I even had the pleasure of crossing ¢Jerusalem Rd.¢ at Tyringham, MA. Coming down from the hills, that morning was quite slippery because of the significant downpour the night before. Since additional rain is expected tomorrow, I decided not to move past Rt. 20, as the continuing segment of the trail seemed slippery as well, especially in the dark and I felt it was unnecessary to aggravate the bumps and bruises I already have. That can wait for day light.
Date: 2010-06-24
From: Rt. 20 Lee, Mass.

To: Rt. 2 North Adams, Mass.
Miles today: 42.0

I arrived late in North Adams so I just set myself up in front of the YMCA for the night, a half a mile from the trail. Actually it was quite a lovely day until about 15:00. After that the trail was slammed with two separate fierce storms. Anyone out there like me got really wet, probably slipping and falling quite a bit. First thing tomorrow, I will cross into Vermont where I will begin climbing once again on average 2,500 ft but also as high as 3,740 ft to the summit of Glastenbury Mountain, the state's highest peak. Things should be great if the rains can hold off for a while, (but I'm not betting on it) and I know now that all this is nothing but practice for the Whites coming up so very soon.
Date: 2010-06-25
From: Rt. 2 North Adams, Mass.

To: Stratton- Arlington Rd. Arlington VT Mt. Stratton
Miles today: 41.0

I moved out of North Adams early, at 05:40 exactly. My arriving late in the town yesterday, not seeking out a motel along Rt. 2 and the resultant conveniences, rather camping in front of the local YMCA made getting up and out all that much easier. Some 4 miles down the trail, I stopped, made my standard video message that I sent home, telling everyone that I had crossed from Massachusetts into Vermont and with only New Hampshire separating us, Maine was quickly approaching. THOUGHTS IN THE FOREST, OUT THERE ALONE.At this point of the trail there is little to do other than reflect. The forest, certainly here in New England and other portions of the AT as well, seems endless, you can lose your direction, within the blink of any eye. Danger is always around the next corner, whether it's slipping on a wet root or a bunch of dead leaves where a rock or tree root lies in waiting. It is fascinating however to observe what seems to me at least as a large number of animal species still with habitats along the trail. Just in this section of MA and VT alone along I've observed squirrels, snakes, deer, rabbits, salamanders (the reddish-orange kind) and of course the bears. While everyone I've met or heard from has always said something like ¢oh, those black bears, they're not too dangerous¢ or ¢you want to see frightening bears, you should run into a grizzly...¢, for me hearing their growl can make my blood freeze up as I move forward towards my next nervous meeting with one of them. Then there is the weather. This is an aspect that changes from good to bad to horrible almost without any warning! Just all of a sudden, lightning, thunder and boom, a tremendous downpour, the kind I remember as a kid in Argentina, soaking you and everything on you to the bone. Although as I have said before, down south, the truly difficult part of this thru-hike is the loneliness. On the other hand, it is a loneliness that sharpens all of your senses, it is what helps you survive. I see things, hear everything, anything that moves and have grown stronger as I understand that ¢wow, I am doing this on my own¢. Once again I pulled another long day, if not the longest of my days, with no one to talk to, no human or animal population crowding the trail and decent weather to top it of, I just kept on moving northward and in the wee hours of the morning stopped where the trail meets the Stratton- Arlington Rd. Amazingly, incomprehensibly, proudly... all three actually I just noted that the mile marker states 1,623 miles. I will get a few hours of shuteye after which just like the previous 50 days, fold camp and move NOBO!
Date: 2010-06-26
From: Stratton- Arlington Rd. Arlington VT Mt. Stratton

To: Rt 140 Wallingford VT
Miles today: 39.0

After getting a few hours of sleep following the "all-nighter" I did yesterday I broke camp this morning at the Stratton ¢ Arlington Rd and as usual headed north. By 20:00 I had reached VT Rt. 140 and figured after some nearly 40 miles, I could stop here to camp for the night. I don¢t know for sure, maybe because I am "seeing" Maine, but it seems that attaining daily mileage like this is getting easier. Anyways, I will set out tomorrow around 05:30 headed for Killington where I have some new packages waiting for me.
Date: 2010-06-27
From: Rt 140 Wallingford VT

To: Chateauguay Rd
Miles today: 38.0

This morning I was ¢out the door¢ at 05:30 and that afternoon I reached Killington where I picked up another set of packages (Port Clinton will not happen again!). After reorganizing my backpack, and getting a bite to eat, I moved on until about 22:00 when I reached where the trail meets Chateauguay Rd, which is little more than a dirt road halfway between Killington and Woodstock and settled down for a very rainy night deep in the forests of Vermont. Tomorrow I expect to head out rested, refreshed and ready to cross into New Hampshire.
Date: 2010-06-28
From: Chateauguay Rd

To: Hanover NH
Miles today: 30.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a very wet one¢¦tomorrow will be as well with tremendous amounts unexpected precipitation. I am for the most part by myself on the trail. All the other ¢normal¢ folks either are in shelters or had succeeded in reaching the nearest town where they have stopped until the storm blows over. I did my best to move forward, slowly and carefully. The forests have become wetlands; everything is alive and muddy. It is strange and even a bit scary out here all by myself. Suddenly I understand that we are truly but guests of nature.The significant downpour caused the creeks in the area of South Pomfret, near Totman Hill and Barlett Brook to overrun their banks, making crossing these streams very wet and very dangerous. The water reached my knees and there was a real risk of being taken away in a torrent of floodwaters. Eventually, I finally reached Hanover where I decided to stop for the night since moving forward under these conditions would have been irresponsible and foolish. I will get some sleep and wake up refreshed and rejuvenated ready to conquer the Dartmouth campus and the Whites beyond, with expectation that the bulk of the storm has passed and yes I know ¢no pain, no gain, no Maine¢.
Date: 2010-06-29
From: Hanover NH

To: Rt 25A Cube Mountain NH
Miles today: 35.0

Well it turned out to be a pleasant day after all. I left Hanover at a fast clip looking to get as far north as possible before the rains returned and what do you know, the storm that I had been expecting held off. This enabled me to keep hiking until around 23:00. I reached NH Rt. 25A under Cube Mountain, a matter of 35 days during my first day in New Hampshire. The topography is as you can imagine very challenging and add to this a lot of mud and gushing streams from the previous storms.
Date: 2010-06-30
From: Rt 25A Cube Mountain NH

To: Franconia Notch -Interstate 93 and Highway 3
Miles today: 35.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today I left Route 25A near Wenthworth at 06:00 climbed Mt. Moosilauke (all 4,802 ft) and finished 35 miles later at 23:00 at the junction of Interstate 93 and Highway 3 in Franconia Notch. Tomorrow will be a particularly challenging day starting with a steep climb up Mt. Lafayette. The weather looks good for the next few days, hopefully that will offset somewhat the other inherent difficulties. I will definitely seek a shelter to sleep in tomorrow night, no "under the stars" for me on the peaks of these mountains. I feel that I am entering the "money time" and Maine is coming ever closer.
Date: 2010-07-02
From: Franconia Notch -Interstate 93 and Highway 3

To: Pinkam Notch 
Miles today: 53.0
Weather: broken clouds

This is the classic case where ¢one picture is worth a thousand words¢ and little more needs to be said other than after arriving on June 30th at Franconia Notch, I continued my climbing and the next day reached Crawford Notch where I camped for the night. July 2nd (Today) was a great day for thru hiking. The skies were clear, no rain and from the summit of Mt. Washington you could see forever. After doing the obligatory photographs (thanks to the folks who helped me take my picture), I headed down the mountain and have stopped at Pinkam Notch at the entrance to the trail for the night (no I didn¢t stay at the Joe Dodge lodge). Tomorrow I will head out early to complete the Whites and, yes boys and girls, enter the Great State of Maine! I am going to get a good night¢s sleep.
Date: 2010-07-10
From: Pinkam Notch 

To: Mt Katahdin!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Yes boys and girls, WE DID IT! In pouring rain (thankfully not cold) I pulled myself to the summit of Mt. Katahdin and the Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail. I am exhausted but overwhelmed with excitement. A friend of mine was waiting at the base of the mountain to drive me southward to JFK International Airport. Therefore my next entry will be from the porch of my home in Moshav Ramot Naftali with more details and photos, Ciao for now.
Date: 2010-07-25
To: Home- Post Script
Miles today: 0.0

One of the major issues throughout my hike was my diet, whether I was eating enough.There were various pros and cons that I knew beforehand concerning my diet. What was it that kept me moving even though I was tired, hungry and losing weight?Essentially, my primary nutrition came from supplements well known to ultra long distance runners.This consisted mainly of a cocktail of carbohydrates gels, whey protein powder and bars, electrolyte water supplements, pills such as endurolytes, magnesium citrate and...God forbid lots of caffeine. I carried with me at all times a small 750 ml bottle in which I put 1 package of Java liquid coffee and filled it with fresh cold water from any spring, this was in addition to my regular water bottles. I also bought gels that contained caffeine. During the day, I drank at least two 750 ml bottles of cold coffee. It kept me working and walking with no legs cramps. It also kept my awake so that I could put in extra walking hours at night.The cons: It was heavy equipment to carry and sometimes took the place of regular food (that was even heavier to carry). Although there is caloric value to these supplements, it does not replace normal food and certainly does not calm your hunger. While they kept me moving and energetic, I was also hungry and lost about 25 pounds by half way.During the second half of the hike, I started to add plain bread to my diet and honey buns to kill the hunger and somehow managed to stop further weight loss that in all came to about 30 pounds. Since was clear enough that Maine's temperature would be more like a Brazilian jungle as compared to the Lafayette Ridge in NH, I took some risks the last few weeks because I knew needed to get in some big mileage and therefore got rid of about half of my equipment in order to be lighter. For example, instead of a sleeping bag, I carried only a liner, I took no change of clothes, only two 750ml bottles, no survival and first aid, no tarp or ropes. My pack went down to 20 pounds, so I decided to add more real food and I guess I managed to gain some 5 pounds the last week. I ate nonstop. Before heading into the 100 Mile Wilderness I loaded up on bread, salami, cheeses and cakes and even some fruit. Whenever possible I would start the day with three Cokes instead of water to add calories, not a healthy diet overall but one that kept me rolling at a hard pace throughout the AT.
Date: 2009-10-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So still trying to get some practice in and went out again but stayed closer to home, flatter land but a good 13 mile hike and practice with my gear. I think i might prefer a tent to the hammock, I know most people go the other way. I just feel a little squished in the hammock. So anyway I tried my Big Agnes Copper Spur 1, i really like the tent it performed perfectly but condensation will be an issue. My Western mountainering Versalite bag rated to 10 deg. is super. I love it, i was so warm.Remember me mentioning that my left foot had been sore when out on the Knobstone, well again this time when i got home for 24 to 36 hrs i had to walk with a limp because it hurt. You know the kind of hurt that says something isn't right. Well i called my Dr. asked if he could order xrays to see if i had a stress fracture, he told me they would have to do a MRI which he scheduled. The first MRI i had done, they are loud and the fact that you can't move for 45 min is a pain also. But finally got the call back from the dr. they said that i had several stress related injuries in the left foot. Now what that means exactly i'm not sure. Dr. suggested that i follow up with an Orthopedic for any treatment. So I called made an appt for next Tues. am anxious to talk with him. I am really glad i went with my gut on this one. So i can do whatever I need to, to make sure I am trail ready come March. I would hate to get out there and two weeks in not be able to walk and have leave the trail. I guess everything happens when it is suppose to. For the time being i am taking it easy, no carrying any weighted packs. It even hurt when i picked up my grandson to carry him to bed, so there you have it - it was not my imagination.Guess i will just have play with my gear and camp out in the backyard. Heading out for family visit, fall festivals, will be fun. bye for now.
Date: 2009-10-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Okay a bit of a set back. Went to the Dr. yesterday cuz my foot had been hurting. He said that it was not in my head that i really did have something going on.   Dr. B said i was an interesting case though, whoopie!! I apparently have a fatique/stress related injury to the navicular bone in my foot (small bone in the middle of the foot, pain usually radiates medially byl the arch). Good news is he did not put me on any restrictions but said to try arch supports and/or insoles. Said the best prescription he could give me was a dose of "commen sense" if my feet hurt stop doing what it is that is making them hurt. I asked him if i pamper them would i be in shape to thru the AT or would i get out there hike for a couple of weeks and be in so much pain I would have to stop. Unfortuneatly he said that could happen, so i have to play it by ear, make short days whatever it takes. I went to Earth Adventures (outfitter here in Fort Wayne, IN) and bought some Superfeet insoles, wore them a couple of hours yesterday and will increase the time over the next couple of days. I am feeling positive about them, I hope they will do the trick. I will try to get out to do some easy low miles on the weekends and see how the feet feel. Send good vibes my way!I think also I will run out and get some calcium, I figure it can't hurt right?I just want to be 100% when I hit the trail. It will be tough enough without starting with a liability.Mary
Date: 2009-10-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I just looked at my guestbook for the first time, still learning how to move around trailjournals and exploring all that i can do. So I just wanted to say that I am really looking forward to meeting all of you that have signed my guestbook and are planning to be on the trail next year. Time is quickly ticking down, especially now that we are entering holiday season. Before we know it it will be next year!!
Date: 2009-10-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well I am increasing the time I am spending in my superfeet insoles. But its hard because on one hand i want to try to stay off my feet to make sure they really have the rest they need to heal. On the other hand, i need to walk on the new insoles to break them in and see if they are going to alleviate the pain. The doc did not put me on any restrictions so --- i'll play it by ear.I also have started to put up my gear list. I just purchased a MSR dromedary bag and hydration kit, they also have widemouth lids that are compatible to the hydration kit that you can buy separately. I love this system. I think i will buy extra for a mail drop if i have a gear malfunction. These items are on my gear list but i bought mine locally.Yesterday i sent off my reservations for a bunk at the Hiker Hostel, they said I should recieve confirmation soon. I will be arriving on 3/11 @ 7 am, I am planning to start my hike on the 12th. That way I have a day for supply and exploring and get my proper mojo going. Wow it all seems to be falling into place, this thing is really going to happen. Some days it just seems like a dream. Yea i am still terrified of the unknown, not knowing to to expect. See i am the type of person that likes to know what i am getting into before i start. But i decided it is time to walk on the wild side, force myself outside of my secure comfort zone, see what "Mary" is really made of. Well enough of the philosophical for now. I get to go to the dentist, yippie.See you on the trail in 161 days.
Date: 2009-10-11
To: $$$
Miles today: 0.0

I currently am unemployed and have been for about 5 years. Don't get me wrong I chose to be this way. But with the ecomony the way it is, the need for $$ is becoming more of an issue. So I toy with the idea of working yuck. Just something part time, ya know a little extra cash flow.I have found that you have to do everything on line. I have making applications online, no personal connection. Not to mention I get no feed back, i hate that. You never know if your application is ever seen by a human or if you answer one question wrong and some program boots your app. because of it. I am very frustrated with the whole process. With that being said, I know lots of people get jobs that way, so it makes me wonder "is it me?". Well anyways, I tried again. I was at ToysR Us Christmas shopping for the little ones and saw a sign in the window, thought that would be the perfect part time seasonal job. So I got online and filled out the app., now the waiting game begins. I maddening things is I don't apply for jobs that I would not be good at or for jobs that i don't want. I think sometimes employers see my education and past experience and think oh she will never stay so I get passed over. They don't stop to consider that maybe I want some part time or different. Send me some good mojo, would be nice to throw a few extra $$ in my hiking fund before March.I have not been doing any hiking or too much walking do to my foot problem. I am concerned though and think i will call the Doc again on Mon. because it still is sore/weak to walk on. What i am scared of is even though the Doc said "no restrictions" I can't help thinking that being on my feet even if just for daily activities is not making things worse or prolonging the healing (if there is even healing to be done). Will give him a call and question him some more on the subject. Its not that i want to be in a non weight bearing cast, but i want to make sure I am 100 + % in March 2010. See you all out on the trail, I'll be the one with the gimp!!