morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-30
From: Fahnestock State Park

To: Stormville Mountain
Miles today: 11.0

We were on the road literaly at 7:45 back to the trail. Most of the hiking was easy except for the heat. It might have been the hottest day yet at 85 degrees. The day ended with two big climbs. The first mountain was 3.5 miles long and all we wanted to do is get to the second one because that is where we would camp. We found a flat area which is not easy in the mountains. We had Easy Mac and Cheese for dinner, it is microwavable but did just fine in the pot. There is a Deli 1.3 miles away so looking forward to breakfast and lunch tomorrow. Suds does not like walking extra miles off the trail!
Date: 2006-05-31
From: Stormville Mountain

To: TelephonePioneer Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

As soon as we got in the tent the big winds came down the mountain and it started to rain. We were expecteda big storm but it never happened. The Deli was great with very friendly people. The terrain today was more forest- very nice. We passed Nuclear Lake which they claim has been testedand is safe but we did not go in. Too many mosquitos and we just ran out of deet! Hope the next two days are not too bad. Several young thru-hikers at the shelter that kept us entertained. Suds must have been practicing her jousting moves. Somehow her pole got lodged between a tree and her neck. Ouch!We still smell.
Date: 2006-06-01
From: TelephonePioneer Shelter

To: Whiley Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Two of the thru-hikers left at 4:30 trying to beat the heat. Probably would have been a good idea for us too. We passed the largest Oak tree on the AT this morning, just before hiking through and up a pasture in the sun. The trail crosses the railroad tracks right at the AT station, appropriately enough. It is a commuter train to NYC but only stops at that station for the weekends. As we were crossing we spotted a hot dog stand and each had a nice treat. Until we had to climb through another farm with 3 stiles which are steep wooden ladders that allow you to safely cross an electric fence. In one field the trail went through weeds as high as Suds! The next several miles were muddy and boggy almost lost our boots. As we approached the final hill before the shelter we saw 4 lawn chairs and 2 coolers. Trail Magic. However it had been there a couple of days and all the good stuff was gone (like the beer and ding dongs). We did add more bug spray. Shortly after arriving at the shelter a big thunderstorm came through. We were just sitting and watching the storm when another hiker came running in. That storm passed and we decided to tent rather then sleep with the mice. After putting up the tent another storm rolled through and knocked a huge branch out of a tree. Let's hope that was the last one. We saw several wild turkeys today and could even here them gooble from the shelter. This is our last night in NY! The CT stateline is only a mile away.
Date: 2006-06-02
From: Whiley Shelter

To: Schaghticoke Mountain 
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

CT waskind to us in the beginning but it got very rocky and steep towards the end of the day. It was overcast most of the day but no rain. We walked along 10 mile river for a short time and then along the Housatonic River. It was a nice sight. We camped on the side of a mountain and were in our tent early because of mosquitoes. Still unsure where we are staying in Kent tomorrow. We walked a half mile to a store with a phone for lunch but they had taken out the phone last week. We crossed Bulls Bridge, a covered bridge from the 1800's. The prior bridge at the same location was travelled often by George Washington. It has started to rain.
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Schaghticoke Mountain 

To: Kent CT
Miles today: 3.5

It rained all night and morning,it sure is fun packing up in the rain. Still rocky on our hike today. Walked a mile into the town of Kent. We picked up our drop box, no luck getting our film developed. Look for photos next time.We managed to get the last room in Kent-It's graduation!Suds managed to lose a shirt, not the one on herback.Thanks for all the guestbook messages and words of encouragement, it helpsus along. Onto a very fancy Inn where we get to take showers and put on our same wet and stinky clothes. (no coin laundry).To my former Kenwood students - don't forget to do your homework!Happy Graduation Nicole!
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Kent CT

To: Silver Hill Campsite
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Suds found her shirt!Today we experienced a new thing - we arrived at our destination and decided to continue to the next campsite. We had a few hills early but most of today was flat as we walked beside the Housatonic River. The weather was beautiful today, cloudy, some drizzle, and in the mid 60's. There was one section that was very difficult coming down, so many rocks, not enough places for feet, and not enough places for feet. It was nice to have picnic tables at the campsite at which to eat. We shared the site with a ridge runner, who's job is to check sections of the AT and educate hikers on Leave No Trace principals.
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Silver Hill Campsite

To: Sharon Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It was cold last night but we awoke to a somewhat sunny day that didn't stay that way. We had six mountains to cross today, total elevation gain of about 2200 feet. We were also confronted by a brook (river) that was over its stepping stones. Suds found a way halfway across, but Una Mas was having trouble on the slippery rocks. Finally we decided to take off our boots and hang them around our neck and donned the crocs. Boy that water was cold!
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Sharon Mountain Campsite

To: Limestone Lean-to
Miles today: 9.9

A section hiker named Ben joined us in camp last night and is camping at this site tonight. We also have a thru hiker in the shelter with us tonight. We walked through a nice section today by the river (still the Housatonic) that we actually crossed twice today. Connecticut has two unique features. It passes through an Indian reservation belonging to the Schaghiticoke Indians and the AT coincides with a wheelchair accessible section. We also passed through the Derby Dam with waterfalls. We had a very steep half mile descent to arrive at the shelter. Una Mas repaired her sleeping pad - we'll see how well it works.
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Limestone Lean-to

To: Riga Lean-to
Miles today: 8.0

Woke up to rain so we were happy to be in the shelter. The mattress pad works great again. It was much better sleeping. It was an easy 3.5 miles to the road to town. Suds lightened her pack by sending a couple of items home, and Una Mas checked her e-mail at the library. We had lunch in town. No reason to sit in the rain and eat a sandwich. The final 4.5 miles went quickly since we didn't take any breaks because it was pouring rain. The profile of the Loin's Head lookout scared us, but it wasn't all that bad, even in the rain. There were two steep rock descents but luckily one had a ladder and the other had a rope to assist us. We are currently at the only shelter in Connecticut with a view, and all we see are the fog and blowing trees. Almost everything we have got wet today. Hoping this wind dries some things out over night, and hoping the temperature doesn't drop too much further. It is 50 degrees at 6:00, no idea what the wind chill is. The couscous we had for dinner helped warm us up.
Date: 2006-06-08
From: Riga Lean-to

To: Hemlock Lean-to
Miles today: 11.7

The wind did eventually die down and it stopped raining, although the only thing that dried over night was Una Mas' pack cover. There was still a lot of water on the trail, and the rocks were still wet and slippery. We entered a new state today, Massachusetts, and said goodbye to Connecticut. So far Mass has been nothing but rocks. Two big mountains today, straight up the rocks. But we are at a very nice shelter that sleeps twelve. It has double bunks plus a higher platform. Apparently bear activity has increased in this area. Last couple of shelters had bear boxes (these disappeared in NY) and this one had a notice to hang food. Suds fell several times today on the rocks. Looking forward to hotel, shower, and finally laundry tomorrow night, and a zero day after that.
Date: 2006-06-09
From: Hemlock Lean-to

To: Great Barrington
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another hiker came in around midnight and hung his food in the shelter. So much for our bear bagging. Una Mas had trouble sleeping after that, but it was so dark she couldn't tell if her eyes were open or shut. Not likely to see a bear approach. The map made it look like an easy, mostly downhill hike today. But it sure didn't show the rocks. We had some tough climbs down from very slippery rocks.Geek alert:My equation for the day: Take rocks and add variable X where X is in the set {leaves, moss, pine needles, algae} and you get an average risk for falling. But add variable Y sub t where Y equals rain and t ranges from 0 to -3 days, and the risk of falling increases expondentially. Una Mas' butt is black and blue, and Suds fell even more. We finally arrived off the mountain and thought we only had flat forest until the monument of Shay's Rebellion until we were swarmed by mosquitoes. We put on deet (again) but it didn't stop them from buzzing your head and searching for the one point where there was no repellant. We basically ran for 4 miles with our packs, right through our normal lunch break. We were exhausted but happy to arrive at the road to town. We called a cab to take us to our hotel where we were finally able to wash our clothes and ourselves.
Date: 2006-06-11
From: Great Barrington

To: Great Barrington
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Still resting. But here is a typical day for us:Up at 6:30 - 7:00Grab food and filter more water for breakfastEat breakfast, get dressed, pack upUsually on the trail by 8:00Hike for a couple of hours, then a short break (10 mins)Hike until 12:00ish, 30 minutes for lunchHike until we reach our destination, usually between 3:00 and 5:00Filter water, put up tent or set up shelterChange out of wet, sweaty clothes, hang and hope they will dryFix dinnerPut up foodIn bed by 8:00 at the latestRepeat
Date: 2006-06-12
From: Great Barrington

To: Mt. Wilcox South
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

OK, Massachusetts seemed to redeem itself today. The trail was much nicer to our feet and knees and there were only a few sections that had swarming mosquitoes. We put on our deet and tried to ignore the ones that entered our noses, eyes, and mouth. We passed a great little pond that would have been perfect for a dip had the temps been higher. but we liked them right where they were - mid 70's. At this shelter this evening we've been visited by a red-headed woodpecker and a humming bird, which came right up to our colorful food bag sitting on the picnic table.
Date: 2006-06-13
From: Mt. Wilcox South

To: Tyringham Fire Dept Pavilion
Miles today: 7.7

A beautiful day for a hike, upper 70's and sunny! The terrain was fairly easy, mostly downhill. See, Mass did get better. Of course we aren't finished yet. We stopped at a campsite for lunch but couldn't stay very long because of all the black flies. when we arrived at the road crossing for town, we had another .6 miles down to the Post Office and an additional .3 to the Fire Department. We had to wait until 4:00 for the PO to reopen, but it was our lucky day. It was Tues, one of the two days the public library next door is open, so we only had to sit outside until 3:00. While waiting Una Mas walked to find the fire department to check out our space for the night. It is a huge pavilion with outlets for recharging the phone. The local police was sitting in the parking lot and he informed me the closest store was four miles away. Oh well. A bit leter he drove by us outside the PO/Library and asked if we still needed a ride, so he drove Una Mas to the store. He was OK, even if he was a Dallas Cowboys fan and thinks Kyle Boller is a stiff. We spent the night on top of picnic tables at the pavilion. While at the library we learned about the Tryingham Rake. Also, no falls for two whole days!
Date: 2006-06-14
From: Tyringham Fire Dept Pavilion

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: broken clouds

After the mile walk back to the trail (up hill, that doesn't officially count) we had a pleasant walk in the morning. A duck scared the bejesus out of Suds, although we think she scared the duck even more. Then we ran into two thru-hikers we had camped with in NY, Red Dane and Artful Dodger. We were glad to hear we had the same destination for tonight. About 3 miles from the cabin it started to sprinkle. Since it was fairly warm, we decided to only put on the pack covers, but not the rain jacket or pants. Bad decision. It poured on us. And the deet Una Mas had put in her hair ran down the face and into the eyes, making it very difficult to see. We finally arrrived at the trail to the cabin, just .5 miles to go. We were drenched by the time we arrived, but at least we had dry clothes to put on. We hung our wet clothes on the line with little hope. The caretaker for the cabin was out but the door had been left unlocked and it was already full of hikers. We claimed our cots in the bunk room and hung out in the dry cabin. The cabin had no running water or electricity, but it does have a gas stove hikers can use. It has a covered porch, living area, and sleeps about 18 people. In nice weather hikers can swim or canoe at the pond. When the caretakers arrived (mother and daughter) we discovered it was the daughter's 21st birthday. She shared her two bottles of wine and her cherry pie with us. What a treat! A benefit of staying here is the coffee and pancakes in the morning, all for a small donation. Drawback - every time you enter the bunkroom it smells of dirty hikers. There are 10 of us here tonight.
Date: 2006-06-15
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: October Mtn Lean-to
Miles today: 9.3

Of course our clothes were not close to dry. Oh well, they will dry on us. We woke to the smell of pancakes and they were yummy. The cabin was surprisingly quiet with all those hikers in one room. We crossed the Mass Turnpike today on a bridge much like the one over I-70 in Fredrick. We couldn't hear the traffic yesterday over the rain. It was a fairly easy hike today except the feet were so wet from the socks and boots and there was a lot of mud on the trail. Lots of black flies at this shelter. A nest attached to the privy has three baby birds in it. This shelter, like some of the last ones we've stayed at, have chew marks on the wood from porcupines, but we haven't encountered any yet.We've checked in at home and found out everything is going fine, especially with our animals that we miss very much. The girls are doing a great job providing them with lots of love.
Date: 2006-06-16
From: October Mtn Lean-to

To: Shamrock Inn, Dalton
Miles today: 11.8

Got out of camp fairly early for us - 7:30. We visited the Cookie Lady at 8:30 and surprised her by our early appearance. Una Mas had just filled her water bottle from the spigot when she walked out of the garage, so she went back in and got us 6 oatmeal raisin/chocolate chip cookies. She has been providing this service to hikers for years; she enjoys meeting the different people walking through. The remainder of the hike was relatively flat, but very muddy. We had lunch at the next shelter, 9 miles into our hike. Great hiking rate for us. Then it was less than 3 into town with one mountain between us and beer. We checked in and picked up Suds' new, lighter sleeping bag (she's trying to lighten her load in hopes it helps her knee). It was Una Mas' turn to walk to the laundramat to take care of that task. We had dinner and beer at the local pub. Another yummy town meal. Congratulations to Grandma and Grandpa Martin!
Date: 2006-06-17
From: Shamrock Inn, Dalton

To: Crystal Mtn Campsite
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: light rain

Short hike today since we still had town chores, like shipping Suds' old bag to NH for Una Mas to use during the White Mountains, and updating the journal at the library that didn't open until 11:00. After a sub sandwich for lunch we finally left Dalton. We tried to wait for the morning showers to clear but we weren't that lucky - we got a little rain. The hike was all uphill, but footing was good. No good bear bag limbs around. We spent 45 minutes on the only limb we could find but finally got the rope over. Hope it holds our food tonight. Consensus is that Suds was very lucky to have NOT stepped on that snake since it was a poisonous Copperhead! We also have a name for the orange newts we've been seeing after rain storms. They are called efts.
Date: 2006-06-18
From: Crystal Mtn Campsite

To: Bascom Lodge
Miles today: 12.3

Happy Father's Day, Dads! We are staying tonight at a lodge on the top of the highest point in Massachusetts - Mt. Greylock at 3491 feet. It has a monument to the state's war dead with a beacon that shines at night. It resembles a light house. Una Mas climbed to the top (89 steps!) while Suds rested her knee. This was not our original destination. We got up early because we had heard the temps were supposed to go to the 90's today, so we were on the trail at 6:45! It was steep down hill to the town of Cheshire where we stopped at a gas station for snacks. Then it was all uphill the rest of the day. Mt. Greylock is the first 3000+ foot mountain we've had to climb, so we planned to stop at the shelter 5 miles up instead of doing it all in one day. But after arriving at the shelter at 1:00, we took a rest and tried to do the 3.5 more to the lodge which offerred relief from the flies. They were incredible. There must have been 50 horse flies on the pack after it had been sitting for only minutes. Our companion book also indicated the lodge served a family style dinner at 6:00 so we had a target time. However, it neglected to mention that you had to make reservations by noon. We did get some ice cream and soda and hung out on the deck which had a beautiful view. We even played a game of trivial pursuit in the evening (Suds won). We did get in on the breakfast tomorrow, even if we have to wait until 8:00. Since there are so few people here, they manager moved us from the bunk room into a private room at no extra charge.
Date: 2006-06-19
From: Bascom Lodge

To: Redwood Motel, North Adams
Miles today: 6.3

Breakfast was FANTASTIC! We got french toast, eggs scrambled with swiss, home fries, sausages, fresh cantalope, orange juice, and coffee, all served family style at our table (we were the only two diners). All this for only $7 a person. It was the best meal on the trail thus far. It's a good thing we mostly went downhill with that full belly. At the road crossing at North Adams we walked to the grocery store to resupply. While there we ran into other hikers that informed us of the forcast for severe weather, including strong winds and hail. We had planned to hike just two more miles to a campsite. The next shelter was five more miles past that, which just wasn't attainable by us. So we opted for the motel across the street. And boy were we glad. It poured! And we were dry and clean.
Date: 2006-06-20
From: Redwood Motel, North Adams

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: few clouds

Our biggest day yet! That's because we had to make up those two miles we didn't complete yesterday. Also, finished another state. We entered Vermont today and were greeted by other hikers Red Dane, Artful Dodger, and Pickwick. We seem to have left most of the horse flies behind us, but still have to deal with the black flies, gnats, and mosquitoes. We walked past a beaver pond today, but the cool part was we were below the water level as we passed the part that was dammed. We have met people that are hiking the Long Tail, which shares the AT trail for 105 miles until Killington. The AT turns right towards Maine and the LT continues north to Canada. After 14 miles it was nice the shelter was right on the trail, our hiker friends were inside, and there was an inside picnic table where we relaxed.
Date: 2006-06-21
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Little Pond Mtn
Miles today: 9.5

We are camped on the side of the trail because the two shelter distances didn't work for us. It was either 6 or 14.7. And a big day today would leave a tiny day tomorrow since we are on a schedule to meet a friend on Friday you will take us in, feed us steak, and let us soak in her hot tub! We did well on the very steep down and uphill today over VT Route 9. Our hiking times seem to be improving and we think we might finally be getting our hiking legs. But the flies here are horrible. Suds wore her rain coat with hood and a hat while cooking trying to keep them off of her. We were in the tent at 5:30 and it was hard beeing couped up for that long.
Date: 2006-06-22
From: Little Pond Mtn

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

We had a visitor last night, but neither of us were brave enough to turn on the flashlight and look out. We just heard footsteps and then it ran into the tent. It stayed in the area for a while and must have run into one of our guy lines because it let out a noise. We think it was either a porcupine or a racoon. The flies didn't leave us over night, so it was a quick camp break and onto the trail. We climbed Gastenbury Mountain (in the rain) and were over halfway to our destination at 10:00. Our friends from the past couple of days had stayed there last night and were still there when we arrived, avoiding the rain. We stayed two hours at the beautiful shelter with a great view (when it's not raining) with a privy that holds five people! Just over 4 more miles to tonight's shelter which is also full of flies and one very brave chipmonk. This shelter also has a great view of the mountains we have yet to climb and an unknown lake. Our dinner tonight was Ramen noodles with Ragu and Momma Braccio's meatballs for course one. Then later we made buritoes with taco meat and cheddar cheese in warmed tortilla wraps. Both were very delicious.
Date: 2006-06-23
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Somewhere in VT
Miles today: 8.2

It rained in the middle of the night, but we were nice and dry in the shelter, and it stopped before we got up. The trail today seemed more difficult for both of us, maybe because we were anxious to meet our friend. Maybe it was the uneven footing or all the mud. Maybe it was all of it. Una Mas fell once, Suds submerged one whole boot in a mud puddle. Back to our old selves. But we are clean and laundered now, resting at our friends house.Thanks to everybody who has signed the guest book and are following along with the journal. It means a lot to us to get your messages. Your support helps us through the rough times. We miss everybody very much.
Date: 2006-06-24
From: Somewhere in VT

To: Still somewhere in VT
Miles today: 0.0

It's always an adventure with Susan. We helped her get her truck out of "storage". By storage we mean a friends open barn. A family of mice had made a home in the engine (we discovered after 10 minutes of trying to open the hood). But Rosie is back on the road again. Una Mas got her fix of ethnic food from the Indian restaurant in Brattleboro, and we did some great shopping at Sam's Outdoor store.
Date: 2006-06-25
From: Still somewhere in VT

To: William B. Douglas Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

This is the first section we had completed before, but Stratton Pond is still beautiful, although we didn't camp by the pond this time. Una Mas climbed the fire tower on Stratton Mountain and watched the fog roll in. But luckily we were dryly in the shelter before the skies opened.