morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-11
From: Brien Memorial Shelter

To: Graymoor Friary
Miles today: 15.2

Another wonderful rainy rocky ups and downs day! I believe the rain is better than the heat, but not by much. Jelly Bean is going on her own again as I am just too slow for her hike schedule. I hope she has a great trip and slows down enough to enjoy it. My pace is two miles an hour, between 15 to 20 miles a day while still trying to enjoy the hike. I will miss Jelly Bean's company and sense of humor that trancends the bad days and pains. I hope to see her again down the Trail. As with all the hikers I have met along the trail - the motto is always Hike Your Own Hike! Setting up my tent alone under the covered ballfield cabana at the Friary, I met Brother Leo who was most gracious and informative. The Brothers of this Friary have been taking in hikers since 1983 and the homeless since 1909. They used to provide a dinner nightly but discontinued that this year, due to budget problems. Too bad. It is pouring rain again all night long ensuring a wet muddy AT tomorrow. I put my tent up under the Hiker Pavilion and while it is still damp I have defeated the mosquitos for one more night. Since I was able to get cell service, in anticipation of the other hikers I ordered Pizza, salads, and sodas from a nearby Pizza delivery who was smart enough to post a menu in the Pavilion. I could give out my own Trail Magic tonight! Then once the sodden masses trudged in I found out they had all just eaten at a hot dog stand a couple miles back so we ended up having lots of food left over. Oh well. No good deed goes unpunished. Oh yeah and it rained all night again. You can laugh about it or cry so I will try to keep laughing.
Date: 2006-07-12
From: Graymoor Friary

To: Shenandoah (Cold Spring, NY) Tenting area
Miles today: 17.6

My feet are killing me. I am not sure if it is the different boots (I had my old Columbia ones sent from home to replace the falling apart pieces of crap North Face ones I had bought.) Or perhaps it is the constant wetness for the past ten days, the rocks or the daily grind of everything altogether, but my footsies are screaming today! I caught a ride into Cold Springs,NY by a Deputy Sheriff who let me know that hitchhiking is illegal in N.Y. Oops! No luck at the outfitters for a new pair of boots. Too Big or not wide enough for my trail flattened feet. (sounds like the story of the Three Bears). My feet have gone from a 9 1/2 regular to a 10 wide. I think I am going to try fewer miles for a few days and hope the weather dries them up some. Of course, that will bring 90 F heat again, so you can not win here. I have given up on the hiker tradition of growing a beard until the end of the Trail. It is just not me, and I really dislike the look and feel of it. I stopped in at a hair-salon and got a #2 buzz cut again (nearly bald) and the beard cut off too. (what a hiker won't do to cut the weight of his load). Mary Beth was a real N.Y. Hottie, sweet and sassy as they come. Make your boyfriend get off the couch and do the AT, Mary Beth - you will love it. Wish I were young again at times.For Brian at the salon desk who wanted to be in Trail Journals - here you are as promised!Exhausted again tonight.TOT "Don't look back thirty years from now at a list of things you didn't get around to doing". Barry S. Smith aka Bare Bear AT 06
Date: 2006-07-13
From: Shenandoah (Cold Spring, NY) Tenting area

To: Nuclear Lake
Miles today: 14.8

I really have to do something drastic to help my feet! New boots? Very painful, unable to keep going like this even though the trail is just rocky ups and downs. Nothing really too big or difficult. The rising temperatures are getting to me and everyone else. After the record rains and floods, then the record bugs and mosquitoes, what next? Now the newspapers are talking about "Record Heat" in this area. The AT Class of 2006 is strong enough, you can stop testing us anytime now Lord, Thank You.
Date: 2006-07-14
From: River campsite

To: KENT, CT
Miles today: 14.0

After getting a $75 ride to Kent,CT for new boots (Merrills) then back to the Trail again I proceed on in the rain. Is it never going to have sunny nice weather again? We do not get this kind of wet in Florida! More hiking in the new boots along the river which was nice. Easy ups and downs and the stiffer soles are helping. (This was a go back and make it up section after having hitched to Kent for the new boots.)
Date: 2006-07-15
From: campsite along river near Kent

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 15.6

After another painful day where I limped more than hiked, I had hitched into Cold Springs. At the outfitters I was unable to find appropriate boots (they did have more North Face crap though) and I paid $75 for a ride to Kent,CT Outfitters where I got a pair of Merrills that have a stiffer sole and unfortunately Goretex hot tops, but I had to find something that would protect my sore feet better than what I have been hiking in. Essentially taking a Nero day and going to a concert tonight if the rains hold off. A super nice lady, Bonnie could not have been nicer or more helpful to me in my time of dire need. I stumbled into town headed for a hostel BUT The Kent church hostel was CLOSED. I went to City Hall to see if anyone knew of a place to tent legally (The Guide warned about tenting anywhere but the church) A business woman going to the City Council meeting , Bonnie offerred to let me sleep in her office, where I enjoyed air conditioning and a sink shower. I was seriously up against getting off the Trail - it was that bad! I had a sick feeling in my gut for two days dreading that new boots might not be enough. Resting has helped. Once again Trail Magic has helped me to continue when I was ready to drop.
Date: 2006-07-16
From: Kent, CT

To: Sharon, CT
Miles today: 15.9

With record heat in the 100F degree area everyday, I have wimped out and took expensive ($100 dump of a shared room) refuge in a motel with AC. Many hikers are qetting 'off the trail' now due to the heat. Although I am only planning low mile days while breaking in the new boots, it is so hot that going up and down these CT hills is not appealing at all. 15 mile days feel like 25 due to the heat. Maybe the rain for thirty straight days wasn't so bad after all? My TOT "Be careful what you wish for."
Date: 2006-07-17
From: Sharon, CT

To: Falls Village, CT (Hydro Plant)
Miles today: 9.3

Another exceedingly hot and humid day. At the Hydro-electric Plant there was wonderful Trail Magic from 'Walkie Talkie', 'Brave Dave aka Camper Trash', 'George', and 'Privy Boy' (all 97 AT Thru Hikers) who provided 35-40 hikers with hot dogs, sodas, candy and a nice shaded camping area not normally available for hikers near the hydro-electric plant. They had been able to secure special permission for the thru hikers! SWEET and it made it an easy decision to not go on but to camp out with all of the other hiker trash. An existing shower out of doors next to the hydroelectric plant was cold water only but welcome in the high heat and humidity. I took two fully clothed showers myself a couple hours apart just to cool off. Two ladies who showered down to their underware got a crowd of men watching! (I was not one, at least I had the decency to walk a hundred yards away to the camp and watch.) My clothes dried within minutes in the heat but they were a little cleaner too. A group of us went back to the river to swim with the leeches on the rope swing but the water was too low and 'Compost' hurt his ankle seriously. I pray he does not have to leave the trail. It looks ugly, but he is a tough guy and still smiling. Tenting overnight after the very short day resulted in a breakfast of muffins, eggs, and sausage which made the hot walk easier. The Class of 2006 present were:Bare Bear, Jelly Bean, Sleep Walker, Energizer Bunny, Pumpkin, Dirt, The Chocolate Bandito, Dead Bear, Johnny Appleseed, Moe, Ponch, Excitable Boy, Silverfoot, Tex, Wildbill, Mike and Zan The Australians, Rip and Holly Treehugger (Pillbox where are you?), The Sexy Monk, Chef, Dinosaur and Hellbender, Charlie Foxtrot, Curly and Swanson, Compost, Moviestar Dave, Snickers, Ork and Bean, and 2004 Millipede. What a wonderful bunch of hiker friends. Everyone got their share of teasing and fun today. In a scene reminding me of JAWS, all of the hikers were comparing their worn torn clothes and indexing their injuries so far.
Date: 2006-07-18
From: Village Falls, CT

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: clear sky

Another big day in the heat wave of 2006!! We made it a whole 7 1/2 miles. Everyone is sharing up to be able to afford the $75-100 a night motels here in the great North. There is apparently a nationwide heat threat advisory going on. Even in the woods the temperatures are near 100F every day. How bright are we the Class of 2006 to be out here right now? A few hikers have gone to NY or Washington etc., but it is hot (over 100F) there too. No solutions but short days and hide in whatever Air Conditioning, such as this library, you can find. Once again we were able to get a ride into town due to wonderful Trail Magic just when you need it most.
Date: 2006-07-19
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Monument Mt. Motel Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: light rain

From a city with the first library in America to a city where Alice's Restaurant was written - quite a day! Three small mountains to climb (2300 Feet) and the Shay's Rebellion Monument. I keep seeing lots of Garter snakes everyday, but no poisonous ones lately. The rumor is that there are no poisoneous snakes in Maine. I find that hard to believe. Hot, but only high 80's, not the 100 degree temperatures hikers had feared. It was a hard day and I had only planned a 15 mile day to a shelter but felt ok and continued on to a hiker motel for $22 each (four to a room). Tomorrow is an easier day if I stop at the Hiker Hostel (only $10 per night). I sure could use an easy day. Like they say in the military, "The only easy day was yesterday." In my heart I know that I will make Katahdin. It is simple, no matter how much rain, or heat, or pain; no matter how many snakes or bugs; I'll hold out for the Katahdin hugs. It is mental not physical, you drive on because you have a choice to suffer and go on or stop and fail to complete your dream.
Date: 2006-07-20
From: Monument Mt. Motel Grt. Barrington, MA

To: East Mountain, MA Retreat
Miles today: 8.4

A nice cheap breakfast at Friendlys, then an easy but rocky up and down hike to a hiker hostel retreat. The lady owner, Reverend Lois Rose, was very friendly and cool. She hosts up to 300 hikers a year. For $13 I got a bed with clean sheets, laundry, shower and phone access to order a pizza from town. No AC, but up in these higher mountains it wasn't really necessary. I am taking my time for the next few days to allow my mail drops to catch up. Secretly I am hoping my bad foot will heal a little too. I plan on being in Dalton, MA on Monday. Several packages that I remailed from Duncannon and Bear Mountain were overdue by two weeks and even with Priority Mail the USPS could not seem to get them to me in a timely manner. I can get a package from Florida faster than one 150 miles apart between two northern cities. Go figure. Only 659 miles to go and I am anticipating an early September Katahdin date. Feet Don't Fail Me Now!
Date: 2006-07-21
From: East Mountain, MA Retreat

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin, MA
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: broken clouds

Mass is not the Green Mountains I had expected. It is the Green Mountains but the Trail is rocky with lots of exposed roots, very wet and muddy (mud literally a foot deep in spots) and averages an inch or two of water all the time. Apparently the record rains have been here and the usual showers are not letting the trail dry out. The terrain is up and down two or three mountains per day. They are not real high, about 2-3K feet each, but there are constant smaller ups and downs to keep the hiker amused. Yes that was a joke, I am not amused.At today's destination I had the pleasure of swimming in a crystal clear lake with little fishes nibbling on my legs. The water was warmer at the surface but as soon as I dove down, it got to around 50 degrees quickly. I stayed in for a half hour so I could get myself clean as there is no electricity or water supply at the cabin. The cold water also helps my foot which is swollen everyday and quite painful. At the cabin it did not have bug screens and unfortunately some section hikers new to the trail did not have much consideration for the thru hikers who were all in bed by 8 p.m. The newbies partied loudly until nearly midnight (there was alcohol involved) and there was much whispered conversation about vengence from the thru hikers. Since we tend to get up to hike at 6 a.m. we figured we would be able to wake them too. However, I noticed that everyone was as quiet as could be in the morning despite the prior night rudeness to us.
Date: 2006-07-22
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: haze

I planned a long hiking day while I can as the terrain is going to be much harder when the White Mountains are reached. I can recall the Whites being tough when I was younger than I am now so I expect it to be harder now. I have to really push myself to get in 20 miles though. I am constantly exhausted and want to stop and rest. Very tired and sleepy. The trail continues to be rough, rocky and muddy but the one thing I will remember about the northern sections is how many swampy mosquito areas there were and the the endless roots to trip over. I had always thought of Florida as swampy yet from New Jersey northward these northern states have more swamps and mosquitos than in Florida. True.
Date: 2006-07-23
From: Dalton, MA

To: Cheshire, MA Harbour Inn B&B
Miles today: 8.3

A short day to let my body heal some. A group of us (The Australians, Dick Tracy, Bare Bear, Sleep Walker, Jelly Bean, and Lone Wolf) tried a church hostel, but it turns out there were no showers as advertised, no laundry either. I like the Wingfoot Guide but he sure has a lot of errors in there! So, I joined with four other hikers (including Bean and Sleep Walker) to go to a Bed and Breakfast at Harbour Inn. Wow, what a beautiful place. The owner Eva let us take rooms for one set price and cram 2-3 hikers in each to bring the price down. I liked it so much (especially the homemade muffins and jellies) that I arranged to hike over historic Graylock Mountain and Bascom Lodge and get picked up on the far side to come back for a second night. I will have my pack on however. I will leave my tent out to dry, and not carry the food package so it seems much lighter. It is as close to 'slack packing' that I have allowed myself.
Date: 2006-07-24
From: Cheshire, MA Harbour Inn B&B

To: MA2 Road (B&B 2nd night)
Miles today: 14.0

Ah, the luxury is wonderful at the B&B and I will be back when I drive thru someday. Although it rained a littel, mostly it was a bright hot day. Mt. Graylock had a stunning view with the marvelous artwork of a tower on top. I had hot wings in the snack bar, ice cream, and a nice cold soda then hiked down the back side of the mountain to be whisked back by car to a hot shower and soft bed. If I could afford the money this AT stuff could be much easier. I have already spent twice my anticipated ten dollars a day budget. How do you put a price on a dream?
Date: 2006-07-25
From: MA2 Road

To: VT 9 Bennington Autumn Motel
Miles today: 18.4

Today was back to real hiking work as the miles add up. Another state line as I pass into Vermont, leaving Massachusetts behind. Lots of hills, a few snakes (garter) but the real watch now is for moose. Everyone want to be the first to see a moose. In the town of Bennington (where my little sister Susan went to college)I had to go to the Post Office to mail some things home and stayed at a real dump for the outrageous price of $77. I was too tired to care and fell asleep with the moldy smell of peeling paint, old cigarette smoke stained and burned coverlets and as many bugs in the room as if I had stayed in the woods. It was the second expensive dump I have stayed in now on the AT. I did see my first Moose, however, a paper mache painted one displayed downtown as part of an art festival. It is still hot, around 90F today.
Date: 2006-07-26
From: VT 9 Bennington Autumn Motel

To: Storey Spring 
Miles today: 19.4

It was a mile side trip to the Post Office retracing my steps out of town. I tried for nearly an hour to get a ride but even my HIKER TO TRAIL bandana was not helping. I was able to find a birthday card in a gas station minimart to mail home to my darling daughter. I had walked all the way back to the dumpy Autumn Motel and of course the clerk acted amazed at any thought of shuttling hikers back to the trail, although, according to the Wingfoot Book, this service was to be provided. NOT. Wingfoot is frequently wrong on lots of things. Then Trail Magic in the form of the lovely Ms. Meg Campbell and her daughters, Piper and Elsie. They turned in to pick up the four hikers who were ready to hike the five miles back to the Trail. Meg was a real sweetie and said both she and her husband were hikers. Thank you Campbells! Todays hiking was more Vermont, rocky areas, some really muddy boggy mosquito wetlands and a couple of beaver ponds. No Moose sighted in the woods yet, but I am sure Bullwinkle is not far away as tracks were spotted several times along the trail. I caught up to 'Kutsa' today and got a photo of Kutsa and her husband 'Montreal', not to be confused with the other hiker 'Montreal' who is taking seven days off to visit NY with his girl Josie. HINT: Select a Trail name that is different folks. Of course when Montreal is your given name you are stuck with it. I have now met three "Lone Wolfs" on this trip alone. I did not get to the Story Spring until 6:30 p.m. so I ate in a hurry and got into my tent to escape the hoards of mosquitos. At least a quiet night as all the thru hikers wandered in so tired everyone went to bed after a friendly hello. No camp talk tonight!
Date: 2006-07-27
From: Storey Spring 

To: Manchester, VT Barnstead Inn
Miles today: 21.1

Today's highlight was definitely the old 1923 Fire Tower viewing spots and then Stratton Pond where a brief swim in the chilly waters refreshed me. Three big mountains plus more tracks from Moose were all along the trail but the big guys with antlers still remain hidden for now. I think it is the Bear sighting thing again. Every step I take is closer to going home and I am very ready. A grueling day with a really sneeky two mile up at the end just when you think you are going to go down to the road. Totally exhausted, I stumbled to the road then caught a ride with Justin into town. At the Mountain Goat Outfitters I met the lovely and vivacious Jessica who found a great place for me to stay for the night (normally $150 per night) at a hiker 1/2 price rate only two blocks away. With hikers sharing rooms it is possible to afford if not cheap. Jessica even drove us to it. I had a great nights sleep as the rain crashed outside and I was delighted I had made the decision to stay overnight in town. Due to the "severe thunder storm warnings", I decided to stay an extra day at a hiker residence called Suttons. It was clean, simple, and has no AC, but close to everything a hiker needed and if the weather permits - a Free Jazz Concert in the Park two blocks away tonight. (canceled due to the ever present rain). Humm, maybe some wine tonight? Truly a hikers friend, stop by and say Hi to Jessica at Mountain Goat Outfitters if you are ever in Manchester Center, VT.
Date: 2006-07-28
From: Manchester, VT Barnstead Inn

To: Manchester, VT Suttons Place
Miles today: 0.0

Taking a day off to rest and enjoy. Heavy rains and thunderstorms are making the mountains miserable for hiking anyway. A lot of hikers are coming into town but just about every lodging is booked up in this tourist town. I lucked out, got a shared room with a bath down the hall for $40. Not bad. It is great to be able to do the laundry and put on dry clothes. I even broke down and bought a new pair of shorts to replace my very baggy worn ones. It is so great to be able to throw away clothes because they are too big, smile smile.
Date: 2006-07-29
From: Manchester, VT Suttons Place

To: Lulu Tye Shelter, VT
Miles today: 19.5

No concert, it got rained out last night. Several brief rain showers were experienced during the days hiking today. It still managed to reach high 80's in temperature despite the rain. Some highlights were the long climb up to the peak of Bromley Mountain where there was a ski lift (probably a much easier route). Another cool sight was three new beaver dams built on a stream next to the trail. I had started out early aned heard some noise int he buses to my right, the lake was to the left. I thought it was a deer so I stopped. I had a beaver come out of the woods right next to me and hop up onto a stump only five feet away! I watched him for a few seconds, but was unable to get a photo before he disappeared into the lake with a tremendous splash of his big flat tail. I will never forget that image though as he was only feet away from me, and stopped atop the stump for about five seconds before he decided the lake was safer than looking at me. Unfortunately the beaver dams had flooded the trail which caused the hikers to have to traverse up an extra hill bushwhacking through weeds and brush. I chose the shelter to stop at although the Green Mountain Club charges $5 a night to use the shelter or to tent. It would be ok if the trail was maintained properly, which of course it is not. I have a hard time understanding how these "Clubs' can charge to use public areas and the shelter is filthy and yet the same cost as a tent site. No shower or anything else to to make it better than the hundred free shelters elsewhere on the AT.
Date: 2006-07-30
From: Lulu Tye Shelter, VT

To: East Claredon,VT Country Squire Inn
Miles today: 12.9

After yet another night of torrential rains, the dawn brought clearing skies but the heat persists in spite of the rain. Record heat is all across the nation apparently and AT hikers are getting our share. It has been 84-88F even in the shady woods even up in the 2500 to 3000 foot levels. Down in the lowlands it is near 100F everyday still. I keep wondering how long this can continue and it is sure making it hard to keep up my miles. Many hikers are taking zero days in town (we band together to save money by putting up to four in a room at times). Others opt for slack packing, being driven up to the tops of mountains and walking down without your pack. That just doesn't seem right to me so I'll just keep on doing it the old fashioned way - put your pack on, walk up and down mountains northbound until you get to where you stop. Seems simple enough, but I envy the twenty somethings that frolic down both sides of the mountains enjoying their hike while I struggle to go up then down. Perhaps I am just a stubborn old mule to do it the hard way. The highlight of the day was at the end when the Clarendon George was reached. A beautiful setting. It has been a local swimming hole for 200 years. The rapids only let you slide for about 30 yards before you have to swim out, but it had many local families there enjoying a break from the heat. Hikers too joined in. The cold mountain water was great on my legs as I had managed to sprain my right ankle, and twist up both knees in the past two days. Two hours were spent froliking in the water and just people watching. The average hiker seems to be falling about twice a day due to the muddy slick roots and rocks. The icy water felt great and eased the soreness of my bruised body. It was only .1 mile walk past the suspension bridge of the Gorge to the highway and for a change, I got a hitch even though it was after I had walked halfway up a steep hill to the Inn. Country Squire Inn was cheap and old, but nice. No AC, but it cooled off by 10 p.m. to comfortable sleeping temps. The elderly lady that ran it was very kind and did my laundry for $2 which I told her was too little and that she should be charging more.