morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-10
From: High Point shelter

To: Vernon NJ
Miles today: 18.9

A lot less rocks and climbing today but A LOT more mosquitoes. We stopped in Unionville NY and picked up my replacement trekking poles, had a great lunch at Sara's Soda shop and purchsed the strongest bug spray in town (which was only 25% DEET). After that it was a just a long day of fighting off bugs as we traversed some of the swampiest AT territory so far. Ran into Tree Hugger and Rip again today, but saw no other hikers. When we were close to Vernon, we met Bob the maintenance guy for this section of trail. He said he would give us a ride to town if he didn't have to work. No problem I thought we are almost to the road crossing we take to town. When we got to the next crossing though I found out it wasn't our crossing and we still had another 3 or so miles to go. NO!!! My feet were really aching. Luckily the last 2 miles were out of the swampy woods and actually along a meadering walkway over top of a huge freshwater marsh with a cool breeze and no mosquitoes. When we reached the road to town, there was Bob waiting to give us a ride. We stopped for a quick ice cream then he dropped us off at the Hostel in town where we showered, did laundry, hit the A&P and ate dinner around 10. ts going to be an early morning ... pack up by 8.
Date: 2006-07-11
From: Vernon NJ

To: Wild Cat shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: few clouds

Bob the caretaker for this section picked us up at the hostel and dropped us and Chardonnay at the trailhead. It was buggy at first but once we got on the ridge line they cleared out. Just past the NJ/NY border, a small but intense thunderstorm was swirling around. It was mainly north of us so we continued up the rocks on Bellvale Mtn., when suddenly a bolt of lightning crackled above our heads. We decided to climb down lower in a less exposed area and waited for the storm to pass. The rocks are changing radically from pointed angled slabs to huge rounded globs of pink quartzite. Easier to navigate but still some steep climbs. I think I like NY as much as NJ, nicely maintained trails and manageable terrain. As we were getting close to the shelter for the night we came to a road crossing with a sign advertising Home made ice cream. It was beginning to thunder pretty fiercely so of course we had to check it out. Two scoop cups each and a root beer float to split and we headed back for the last 2 miles. Almost there and we were hiking to the sound of thushes and thunder. Then the skies opened up and it just poured for the last 15 minutes of the hike. No one was at the shelter and since the mosquitoes were horrendous we decided to set up the tent in the shelter. After we set up up, another hiker appeared and it was Chardonnay. She was happy to see we had set up because she was hoping to set hers up. So she set up next to us and we sat around and talked back and forth between tents.
Date: 2006-07-12
From: Wild Cat Shelter

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light rain

Rocks and Rain! The terrain is changing again with lots of big boulders and opening up of the forest. Unfortunately just about the same time we got hit by thunderstorms yesterday, we got hit with them today. As we were approaching the ridge of Buchanan Mtn. thunder rumbled and lightning cracked just a little too close for comfort. So Greg and I and Chardonnay and another hiker Dick Tracy waited just below the ridge for the storm to move on. Then we began climbing. The lightning moved on but the rain did not and it was torrential! Soon the trail turned into a waterfall and we found ourselves climbing up water. The going was rough and rocky and the going down even more precarious as now the rocks were slippery. Nerve wracking to say the least. When we finally made it down, we found out the name for that particular portion of trail was aptly named "Agony Grind." With only a few miles to go to the shelter, we ran into some trail magic by Paddy-O. He was cooking up calzones by the side of the road. Perfect timing. I must have looked really frayed because he kept assuring me the rest of the trail would be easier. I was leery as coming up was something marked on the map as the Lemon Squeezer. It turned out to be a very thin slot between two huge slabs of rock. Greg had to take his pack off to get through! By the time we got to the shelter the rain had pretty much stopped. There were already 3 section hikers there plus Chardonnay. We decided to tent out nearby. Very nice scenery now with large open woods and slabs of flat rock everywhere. Very different from NJ.
Date: 2006-07-13
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Fort Montgomery
Miles today: 14.2

The rain moved out and the day was cool and breezy. The trail was full of ups and downs that instead of following a path were more like boulder scrambling up an down huge gullies. Tough on the feet, oh yeah and on my leg which I slid on yesterday in a minor butt fall. Had beautiful clear views today of the Hudson River area and could even see the skyline of NYC. Hiked to the top of Bear Mtn. in Pallisades Park for a relaxing lunch on the rocks. The hike down was strange because we went through a state park with pond and swimming pool and the Trailsides Museum and Wildlife Center which was more like a miniature zoo. In fact the lowest point on the trail was right in front of their bear exhibit. We walked into Fort Montgomery, picked up our mail drop and then walked another half mile to the Holiday Inn express only to find that they had no rooms. So back we went to a smaller motel we had passed, this time carrying our mail drop package and a 12 pack of beer. My feet are killing me. They haven't gotten bigger per se but I do believe wider. The boots I bought in PA are just too tight and the terrain is too demanding to not have comfortable shoes.
Date: 2006-07-14
From: Fort Montgomery

To: Dennytown Rd campsite
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: few clouds

Only 770 miles to go! Time is just flying. The proprietor of the Bear Mtn. Bridge Motel was nice enough to give us a ride back to the trailhead. Nice people and a very nice little motel. Dick Tracy also stayed there. Started the day off with a quick walk over the Hudson River on the Bear Mtn. Bridge. Although it was hot and humid today we were rewarded with very little bug activity and a relatively easy, rolling terrain with nothing in the way of boulder piles or rock gardens. We really needed this after the last couple of days. With all this rain, the forest floor has exploded with mushrooms of all sizes, colors and shapes. We saw a couple of really teeny frogs too, about the size of your thumbnail. Very cool. Met a 61 year old section hiker, Buzz, who started yesterday and is hiking for 2 weeks and expects to get to about Vermont. We met him as he was taking a quick siesta in the woods after his lunch. We were going to stay at a designated campsite but it sounded like there were some kid groups there so we filled our water and hiked just about another mile and found a nice flat grassy area for our tent amongst the rocks and settled in with Raspberry Splash cocktails (vodka and raspberry crystal light mix) and a dinner of homemade vegetable soup. It will be an early night as tomorrow is supposed to be hotter so we need to get an early start.
Date: 2006-07-15
From:  Dennytown Rd campsite

To: Morgan Stewart shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: clear sky

It was a long hot day. We stopped and had lunch at the RPH shelter and met up with the Conn. challenge folks (King Pin, Twist, Miss Parkay, Leprechaun). We got to the shelter and no one else was there and the bugs were out so we decided to put our tent out in the shelter. Around 10 pm we spotted headlamps and dog lights coming up the trail. The dog walkers came up to the shelter and we couldn't see their faces due to their headlamps and they said "Pi and K'ache" and we said "Yeah" And it turned out to be our frieds Danny from DE and Louie from PA. They tracked us down from our last journal entry and talking to hikers and checking registers! They were off for the week and wanted to come up and help us and maybe hike with us! The rest of the night was spent hanging out and talking and drinking beers with our Trail Demons!
Date: 2006-07-16
From: Morgan Stewart shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

After the surprise last night, we agreed to meet Dan and Louie 16 miles ahead at Wiley. Kathy took some of the weight off of her pack, Greg took a full pack. At 10 am we stop and chatted with a hot dog vendor who told us to be on the look out for deer ticks as there we lots of cases of Lymes so far. He said Nuclear Lake was a great place to swim, but other locals told us it was a scene of a nuclear accident so we opted not to go in. Although it was hot, a breeze managed to fill in. We napped at a shelter about 2 and the afternoon was spent crossing farm fields and the AT train station which takes you into NYC. Shortly before our last road crossing Danny and the dogs met us to hike out the last bit of trail.
Date: 2006-07-17
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Mt Algo Lean-to
Miles today: 12.4

Hot humid day hiking out of NY into CN. The bugs weren't bad but by noon the heat was full on. We hiked over 10 mile hill at the confluence of 10 mile and the Housatonic. We took a quick swim/and washed clothes. It was heavenly but only briefly as we had to climb the steep 1000 ascent up the sunny side of Schaghticoke (I don't know how to pronounce it either) Mtn in the sweltering 100 degree heat. Shortly before summit, with sweat squirting out of his face, Greg confessed he had to sit down and rest. It was at this point that we both realized if we were going to make it thru the White Mtns. of NH we were have to lighten our loads.
Date: 2006-07-18
From: Mt Algo

To: Cornwall Bridge
Miles today: 11.4

1st slack pack day. Went into Kent to get shoes for Kathy. After breakfast/lunch we hit the trail. Louie loaned us a day pack. It was supposed to be very hot so we chose to do about 10 miles. After about 5 we met up with Louie and Dan for a swim break at the Housatonic. Chardonnay also joined us. The rest of the hike was pretty easy except for the heat and the bugs...and we were happy to meet up with Louie and Dan to camp at Housatonic Meadows State Park which we were put into "overflow" area because dogs were not allowed. After showers, a storm finally broke the heat wave. It was a long fun night. Greg looked at his watch and realized it was 4 am and we had a long day ahead.
Date: 2006-07-19
From: Cornwall Bridge

To: Plateau Campsite
Miles today: 22.5

Working on about 4 hours of sleep, we got on the trail, cooler because of the small storm finally broke the heat wave. With lots of ups and downs after 11 miles we met up with Dan and Louie. They suggested a nice spot at Housatonic Falls to meet for lunch and a few beers. We hiked another 2 miles and had a wonderful lunch rest at the falls. It was already after 6 but wanting to take advntage of the slackpacking and great weather, we hiked the remaining 7 miles. Arrived at the parking area, grabbed our packs from their truck and hiked the remaining mile up to Plateau to meet up with Louie and Dan. They had hotdogs, kraut and chili ready for dinner. Great end to a great day. Our longest day so far!
Date: 2006-07-20
From: Plateau Campsite

To: Jug End Rd
Miles today: 16.7

Nice hiking today. We climbed the Lion's Head and Bear Mtn. Then walked through the nicest part of Conn., Sages Ravine, then we hiked into Mass. Had lunch on top of Race Mtn. Quite tired as we have been staying up late, but handled the 1400 foot gain climb up Mt Everett. At the top we took a break, joined by Baldilocks who told us he had to slow himself down. We continued down the steep descent to meet up with Dan and Louie with cold beers at the end of the day. They had decided to stay an extra day and offered us slackpacking for another day. YEAH.
Date: 2006-07-21
From: Jug End Rd

To: Lake Buel Rd.
Miles today: 12.0

Late start because of late night at the brewery. Louie drove us to the trail. We met up with thru/setion hikers. Louie offererd everyone beers (of which we par took). First 6 miles were flat and we made great time. Then we crossed the Housatonic going up about 600 feet where we met up with Louie and Dan and they had gone back to the brewpub and got a growler of the stout. We had some and headed out. The trail went up another 600 feet when a storm hit us. We hiked the rest of the way to a shelter nearby. We started down the mountain to meet up with Louie and Dan and get our packs. By the time we met with Dan and the dogs, the mosquitoes were fierce so we decided to get a place in town for the night which turned out to be the campground and a pizza joint for dinner.
Date: 2006-07-22
From: Lake Buel Rd.

To: Great Barrington
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Zero day in Great Barrington. Well since we couldn't get a room anywherer else we slept at the private campground last night. Packed up our stuff, hit this room, and sampled the wares at the Bershkshire beers next door. Louie and Dan saw us off after a few and the rest of the night is dedicated to getting our packs ready for tomorrow.
Date: 2006-07-23
From: LAke Buel Road

To: Shaker campsite
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Left our lovely overpriced room after updating the journal, sending emails and grabbing a little breakfast. Picked up some goodies to eat on the way out of town. It was a hard hitch back to the trailhead but we finally got a ride and there was trail magic there. But we passed since we were all stocked up. The day was pretty easy as the terrain rolled into typical New England forest filled with hemlocks and white birch. Every once in a while you come across a stone wall in the woods, once rearing up to protect property from invasive neighbors, now only protecting against large ferns. We got to the campsite early, there were already a family (I think) that had taken over the whole site drying out their stuff from the night before. Greg and I found a spot above them and quickly made camp and cocktails. There is nothing better than sitting in your tent, having an evening drink while mosquitoes buzz just out side the perimeter. Greg is cooking up a grand chili dish for tonight that will fuel the 19 or so miles we are planning on doing tomorrow. We are actually going to eat before it gets dark and get a long, good night's rest. Awesome.
Date: 2006-07-24
From: shaker campsite

To: October Mtn Lean-to
Miles today: 18.7

Well we hit some lowlands of Mass. and they are boggy and buggy. But the weather is nice, not too hot and a bit of a breeze. Lots of rolling ups and downs with huge evergreen roots and mossy rocks. We were surprised when we got to the shelter to find COLD BEERS. Apparently there was some previous trail magic here and these were the leftovers. So after pitching the tent and changing into long pants and jackets to ward off the mosquitoes, we enjoyed a few cold ones. Hot Springs and Mr. Parkay came by and the four of us continued to make a dent in the beer pyramid, while enjoying the ambiance of the first fire we've had in a long time.
Date: 2006-07-25
From: October Mtn Shelter

To: Dalton
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

What a wonderful day! The trail flattened out a bit and besides a few little hills, it was easy going. Greg spotted a foot print in the mud that could only have been made by a moose. This wilderness area is supposed to be the best place to see moose in Mass. We stopped in Dalton a Tom Levardi's house, he offers hikers a free place to overnight. As soon as we got there Tom offered us ice cream (which turned out to be sundaes). Then he drove us to the P.O. to do some mailing and other chores. Dinner (chili) at Tom's is on the menu. Nice guy! Nice town! Hate to leave but we have to make our way up Mount Greylock.
Date: 2006-07-26
From: Dalton

To: Mark Noepal Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

After a few beers with Baldylocks, Caboose and Walkabout at the local pub, we got up by 6 and started getting ready for the big climb out to Greylock Mtn. We had a hearty breakfast at the diner down the street then packed up. Chardonnay, Caboose, and Walkabout slack packed 23 miles from Williamstown back to Dalton over Greylock, we decided to hike over Greylock north. It was a hot humid day but by the time we got about 2000 feet it got cool and breezy and the bugs were not too bad! Actaully my feet which have been feeling like meatloaf lately felt OK going up the mountain. We met our first Katahdin to Springer southbounder named Pepper hiking with his dog. He gave us great info on the trail upcoming...that perhaps the Presidential Range won't be as hard as predicted. Nice smoke too. We stopped in Cheshire for ice cream and there were a bunch of hikers (north bounders and slackpackers) that we hung out with for a while. We hiked the 3 and a half miles up the mountain in about 2 and a half hours. My feet loved going up the mountain! We arrived at the shetler and Baldylocks was there with Ponce and Mo then Donkey and his Dad arrived as well as Centipede and someone else already set up on the tent platform. Greg found a nice spot for our tent in the woods and I set up the tent while Greg got water and dinner (homemade seaford chowder) going. By 8 it was still daylight and everyone except for G and I and Donkey and his Dad were up still working on dinner. Not sure where we are going or how far tomorrow. That's a first.
Date: 2006-07-27
From: Mark Neople Shelter

To: Seth Warner shelter VT
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: haze

Hiked alittle bit with Caboose, finished the last couple miles up to Mount Greylock, over 3000 feet. I really enjoyed hiking up, up, up. On the way up we met Tyvek Man. He made all his gear out of Tyvek and was hiking barefoot. He said he was doing it to draw attention to a cause called the Long Road Home which helps veterans with post traumatic stress disorder. He also said he had been barefoot since 1972. Had a really good day and hike until late afternoon when thunder started as we were hiking along the ridge. We sped up to get off the ridge but couldn't beat the storm. It wasn't too bad and we were able to keep our selves, boots and gear pretty dry. Then a second storm rolled in, with much more rain. By the time we got to the shelter we were muddy and soaked and my rain fly doesn't seem to be working as my pack was wet. The shelter was packed with boyscouts and most tent sites were taken by the few boyscout leaders. So we set up farther away from the shelter and went back to make dinner and drinks. Soon after dinner the skies began to darken again so we went to bed early.
Date: 2006-07-28
From: Seth Warner shelter VT

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

Got up late and felt pretty bad. Everything was stil preety wet so we didn't linger and got on the trail. I'm not sure if I like Vermont. So far its been a lot of mud, trees, rocks and roots that you have to navigate. Stopped at Congdon shelter for a snack and met up with Caboose and Walkabout. It began to rain so we all decided to hang out at the shelter and wait for it to possibly pass. Greg was going to brew some tea, Caboose offered her Starbucks. So we all enjoyed a Fabulous cup of coffee and watched it rain. It rained and rained and rained. So the four of us decided it would be ridiculous to get back on the trail to hike 6 miles in a downpour. So we got comfy in the shelter. Shortly later, another couple, a Mom and her 13 year old daughter, emerged through the rain. They are hiking the Long Trail (from VT to Canada, part of which coincides with the AT). It continued to rain all night.
Date: 2006-07-29
From: Congdon shelter

To: Goddard shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: light rain

Woke to clouds and mist. But still not liking VT too much. Lots of mud, and rocks and roots. But its not extreme. Constantly changing going up and down but not too long either way. Hiked about 5 miles to a road crossing where there was supposed to a shuttle to town at 9:30 am but alas no shuttle. But we did find Paddy-O in the parking lot bringing trail magic from NY. He ended up taking us into town to the outfitters, liquor store, grocery store and sub shop then back to the trailhead. What a great guy! We hung out with him for another 2 or so hours. Dinosaur and Hellbender came out of the woods and joined us. Someone else, Bluebird, arrived with some more magic. We headed back on the trail with our stomachs full of goodies like iced cappachino, cookies and bananas. It was more rocks, roots, and mud and my legs weren't liking it. Around 4 the skies grew ominous and I speeded up not wanting to get hit with yet another thunderstorm. We reached the mountaintop Goddard shelter(full) around 6 and set up the tent. Dinosaur and Hellebender were there plus several other through hikers and secton hikers. The clouds were swirling around in gusts just above the ground creating an eerie Dark Shadows feeling. After a quick cocktail and wonderful pasta dinner we turned in.
Date: 2006-07-30
From: Goddard shelter

To: Somewhere on Stratton Mountain
Miles today: 14.0

Campsite just north of FS road 341. Woke to tin grey skies and morning fog. Most folks were gone but Hellbedner, Dinosaur and last night's Birthday boy Collin. After coffee and bagels we hit the trail. By now the sun was breaking through and it looked to be a good day. The trail was still rocky, rooty and muddy but a lot of the standing water was gone making it less soupy and easier to trek. Actually the high woods of VT remind me of the rain forest of Washington state. Evrything is thick and green and covered in moss and mushrooms. I saw some moose poop but no moose yet. Other hikers have spotted them already and I will relieve VT of its faults if it gives me a chance to see a couple of these monsterous beasts. he weather continued to improve with a constant cool breeze. We met up with Hellbender and Dinosaur all day long at different stops and told them of the campsites Paddy-o told us about.
Date: 2006-07-31
From: Somewhere on Stratton Mountain

To: Manchester
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up early to clear skies and cool breezes. Finished the 3 miles up to the top of Stratton Mtn (3936 feet). At the top we met a couple of caretakers who gave us a lot of local info about the Mtn and the wildlife. We climbed the firetower (I even climbed all the way to the top). We could see all the surrounding states and their high mountains. After talking to the caretakers we discovered that many of the hermit thrushes we have heard are actually Swainson warblers. Also the 9 second warbler we have been hearing may be a winter wren. We're gonna check on that one. Today was just up and down, small ups and downs but I guess since the mud was alittle drier it wasn't all that bad. Got into Manchester around 5, picked up some packages at the Inn and checked in. Our room turned out to be bigger than expected. While having a cold "Long Trail" beer at the bar, we saw Dinosaur and Hellbender outside and asked them to share the room with us. After laundry, resupplying, repacking and showers it was just nice to sit back on a bed and drink a beer. Tomorrow is supposed to HOT HOT HOT about 107 degrees including the Heat Index.
Date: 2006-08-01
From: Manchester

To: manchester 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up to not only a stiff leg (could barely walk) but also hives all over my body from the anti inflammatory drugs I took the night before. So as Dinosaur and Hellbender headed back out to the trail, we looked for another place to stay for the night. Manchester is a pretty cool town so we spent the day checking email, contacting people, hanging out at the bookstore and lots of little chores. We found a nice little house, Sutton's Place, that we got a room for the night (sans AC). Frank the proprietor was very nice made us feel right at home. Had a great dinner at a southwestern restaurant then back to the hot house for a night reminiscent of summers at home.