morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-21
From: Trois Soeurs Shelter

To: Tamogodi, PQ
Miles today: 0.0

We were up early and were on the trail by 6 am. The only problem was the mosquitoes. They were just plain terrible!   The weather was warm and humid and it turned out to be the warmest day yet . We were at the motel by 2 P.M. It also has a campground and was not officially open yet for the season. A note attached to the door told us to call the owner and we did. He told us where the key to the office was and he would be down to see us later. We settled in a room which was very nice and clean. Had a shower, found the laundry room did our laundry. Than we relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. The owner came he drove us to the restaurant and grocery store where we bought supplies for 4 days because tomorrow we start the Matane Reserve . This section has a very limited access road.ADDY
Date: 2005-06-22
From: Tamogodi, PQ

To: Lac Tombereau.
Miles today: 0.0

We started The Matane Reserve,this section of the I.A.T. is very remote and was inaccessible until a few years ago. It crosses the western part of the Chic Chos mountain range which extends eastward to the Parc de la Gaspesie. Lots of wild life and mountains in excess of 1000 meters. We stop at Post John where we had to register with the Ranger. The trail was well marked and easy to follow. Met two gentlemen that were out for a day hike and one fisherman who gave us a couple of trout for supper. Camped on a platform near the lake next to two young guys, one from France and the other from Switzerland. Otto was happy because he was born and grew up there.ADDY
Date: 2005-06-23
From: Lac Tombereau.

To: Lac du Gros Ruiseau
Miles today: 0.0

We were up and on the trail by 6 am, because we knew that it was going to be a tough day one major climb after another with our heavy packs.   By the end of the day we had climbed over 2000 meters. We were glad to get to the platform and put the tents up.ADDY
Date: 2005-06-25
From: Lac Beaulieu

To: Route No 1
Miles today: 0.0

Not a very long day but for some reason I was extremely tired today, no energy at all. We had a lot of difficult climbs. The mount Nicole Albert was very hard and there were some very nice water falls along the way. We were at Rout No 1 before 1 pm. We waited about 1 hour before the first car came by. One nice couple out for a drive gave us a drive into Cap Chat, a distance of 40 km. We got a room at a bed and breakfast named "L'Arc Canciel" run by a very nice lady that agreed to do our laundry for us. After a shower it was time to go grocery shopping at the local grocery store. Back home we arranged for a drive back to the trail for the next morning with the local outfitter.After phone call home it was time for supper a French Restaurant .
Date: 2005-06-26
From: Route No 1

To: Mt. Logan Shelter Pic de L' aige 
Miles today: 0.0

We were at the trail by 6 A.M. We wanted to get an early start because of all the climbs and with our heavy packs the going was going to be slow. The morning started with some smaller climbs. Next came Mt. Coleman 975 meters , Mt Collins 1036 meters around noon. It was the toughest climb yet; the sun was so hot and the climb very hard. Lots of caribous singing but we did not see any. The trail followed the mountain top with some ups and downs. The views are out of this world all the way to Mt Logan. Before we got to the shelter we come across this strange water source. This pipe on the side of the mountain and the water would flow stop and start flowing again. The shelter was older but very nice and big. The sun set and sun rise turned out to be the most spectacular of to whole trip.
Date: 2005-06-27
From: Mt. Logan Shelter Pic de L' aige 

To: La Mesange
Miles today: 0.0

After such a wonderful evening on Mt. Logan I was very thankful to be able to do this hike after being so sick last year. I have lots of people to say thank you to: my wife Frances, all my family and friends, and all the doctors that supported and helped me along the way . The day was long but not that hard. We made good time especially in the morning. We entered le parc de la Gaspesie and passed three shelters where people were just getting up and having breakfast. We stoped at the third one for dinner. Three couples on three days hike were just finishing breakfast. They had a hard time believing that we had already hiked 15 km. We made it to La Mesange by 4 pm and shared the shelter with three ladies that were on a week hike.
Date: 2005-06-28
From: La Mesange

To: La Paruline Shelter 
Miles today: 0.0

The hightlight of the day was that we passed the half way point. We had lots of climbs with some very nice views .The trail is well marked and easy to follow. We got to the shelter early and went for a nice swim in the lake; there is a drink water source twenty feet from the shelter. There was already four women there and two more arrived a bit later. They said that two men with reservations were coming behind them. Otto and I decided to set out next to the shelter as we wanted to leave early in the morning and didn't to wake the whole shelter. We just got in our sleeping bags when a Ranger arrived and was not pleased to find us there and he wanted us to pack and hike 5 km up the trail to a platform. After some heated discussion he let us stay there.
Date: 2005-06-29
From: La Paruline Shelter 

To: Gite des Monts Albert
Miles today: 0.0

Some rain early part of the morning. Les Monts Albert are really spectacular; all covered with rock of brown color for about 10KM. We also had to walk over sections still covered with ice and snow and it made for some tricky going. Got to the interpret center by 2pm. After checking the food section we decided to hitchhike in to Saint Anne des Mont and spent the day doing laundry. Spent the night in a motel and took the bus back to the trail in the morning.
Date: 2005-06-30
From: Gite des Monts Albert

To: Mont Jacques Cartier
Miles today: 0.0

We had to take the bus up to the base of Mont Jacques Cartier because nobody is allowed on the mountain is between 10 and 4. This is to give the caribous time to feed early morning and late afternoon. There are hundreds of people that go up and down the mountain every day. We started up the mountain at 10 it took Otto and I one hour to walk up we were the first one up there. We had dinner and hiked west back to the Gite des Monts Albert. It was an easy walk because we had rented day packs and were only carrying food and water for the day . Most of the people take the bus back down. On the way down we met lots of people out for day hikes. There were some very nick views. Mont Jacques Cartier is the highest mountain on the trail near 1300 meters.
Date: 2005-07-01
From: Mont Jacques Cartier

To: Les Cabourons Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

We spent the night in the campground by the interpretation center and in the morning took the bus back up to Mont Jacques Cartier . We had to wait until ten o'clock because that is when the bus leaves. We resumed our east hike and the day was a nice. Easy hike with very nice trail and easy climbs. Just me and Otto in the shelter.
Date: 2005-07-02
From: Les Cabourons Shelter

To: Lanse Pleureuse
Miles today: 0.0

The weather was cold and cloudy. Some speactular views coming down Mont Saint Pierre. The trail was easy and we were making good time .The rain came down hard just as we were getting into Mont Saint Pierre. Stopped at Camping Municipal to pick up my summer sleeping back and mail my winter one home. Stopped at the local motel for dinner. Talked with the owner who knew all about the trail and the first hiker that came through. When we came out the rain had stopped but the wind was fierce and going up the mountain was very tricky. Made it to the local campground by 4 pm and had supper at the local restaurant.
Date: 2005-07-04
From: Cap Centre de La Madelaine

To: Start Petite Valle
Miles today: 0.0

We walked on some old wood road and along the Saint Lawrence all day. Nice easy walk. The shore of the Saint Lawrence is all rock and you have to be very careful not to turn an ankle. Got to Petite Valle early afternoon and stopped at the local grocery store to pick up a few things for the next day. When we told them we were looking for a place to spend the night they invited us to spend the night at their interpretation center by the shore. What a nice and comfortable spot to spend the night, one of the best for the whole trip.
Date: 2005-07-05
From: Start Petite Valle

To: Les Cascade Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Temp 28-30 C. What a difference a day makes! Really hot and muggy and to make matters worse, the trail was imposable to follow most of the day. Lots of blow downs across the trail and we had to bushwhack most of the day. Got off the trail many times and had to find our way back. Very tired and glad to see the shelter. Went to bed early after supper.
Date: 2005-07-06
From: Les Cascade Shelter

To: Zephir Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Started on the trail and it was no better, still lots of trees down across trail which made it hard to follow. After a while we decided to get off the trail and walk along route 132 and the Saint Lawrence for most of the day and rejoin the trail late afternoon before the shelter. We wanted to spend one last night in a shelter since they are so nice. This shelter had suffered quite a bit of vandalism the picture window and the stairs were broken. We were still able to spend the night after some cleaning up.
Date: 2005-07-07
From: Zephir Shelter

To: Riviere au Renard
Miles today: 0.0

The morning was mostly ups and downs but nothing major. The afternoon was flat and easy. We were in Rivere au Renard by 3 P.M. We had to hitchhike a short distance to get in town and to a motel. After a shower and some laundry we made our way to the grocery store to pick some food for the last two days on the trail. It seems impossible that it is almost over. ADDY
Date: 2005-07-08
From: Riviere au Renard

To: Parc Frillion
Miles today: 0.0

Since we had only 45 km to go we decided to try to divide it into two days. We had arranged with a taxi to pick us up and drop us off at trail head by 6:30 and he was on time. We had some major climbs to start with; the trail in the park was well groomed and easy to follow with some very nice scenery. Stopped for dinner by one of the lakes. We made it to the camp site early ,we were happy to relax and enjoyed our last evening on the trail. A group of five young men from France arrived at the camp site just as it was getting dark.
Date: 2005-07-09
From: Parc Frillion

To: End of the Trail Gaspesie Coast
Miles today: 0.0

We were up early and on the trail before 6 am. We wanted to finish early and get back to Gaspie before we were to get on the bus to get back home: Montreal for Otto and Shediac N.B. for me. The sceanery along the trail was breathtaking most of the morning we were still higher than sea level and could see the ocean most of the time. There was also some awesome lookouts. We made good time and were at thr park head office by ten. We did not realize that we had another 4 km to the end of the trail and had to walk back to thr Park Office and hitchhiked to Gaspie and to the bus station. That was the fasted 8 km of the whole trail. It was worth it because we saw one bear and two whales in the distance. Made it back to thr Park Office and had a shower and started hitchhiking. Finally a gentleman from Montreal picked us up and dropped us off at the bus station just has the one o'clock bus to N.B. was starting to load. I asked the driver to wait for me while I purchased a ticket. Finally I was on the bus and on the way back home! I am glad to have been able to have hiked this trail and feel a great sense of accomplishment. Thank you to all the people that help along the way. I would not been able to do it alone . Michelle, thanks for editing and posting my journal.
Date: 2005-09-10
From: Dalton, MA

To: none
Miles today: 0.0

I've decided to jump onboard with the Trailjournals fad because I think it will force me to record more of my trip as well as enable those interested in my journey to receive updates. I can't really predict how often I will update or how current they will be but Kathy S. has agreed to do postings on my behalf, thanks mom. I hesitated to undertake the task of creating one of these journals because I thought it would become an undesirable commitment and interfere with my days off the trail but I'm going to give it a shot. Anxious, my trailname. Excluding all but a few hikers I've met so far, the vast majority adopt a nickname that they use on the trail for purposes I imagine, of more easily referencing other hikers and to further the other worldly aspect of the trail. Some arrive at their name becuase of a particular characteristic, habit, persona or agenda, either choosing it themself or be given it by another hiker. I quickly chose my name out of fear that someone might decide to label me something terrible that I would be stuck with. The librarian says: "You've been on since 1:40, you gowta get awf"
Date: 2005-09-13
From: Mass

To: Mass
Miles today: 0.0

Compiled from memory and brief notes. I'm now out of the big mountains until nearly the end of the trail which is really sad but I'll admit to looking forward to some easier terrain. Ryan Hoeft's visit for Labor Day weekend was great. Together we did about 80 miles around the Killington section and used the Inn at Long Trail as our base camp for a few days. The Inn has probably been my favorite establishment thus far along the trail, catering to hiker needs with smiles. The head chef actually drove me 5 or so miles into the neighboring city of Rutland, VT and waited on me to resupply. Some really nice trail magic. My set-back for the week included getting chemical burns on my feet resulting from excess detergent in the previous load of laundry I did back in Hanover when I fanagled my way into a Dartmouth dormitory and then when my feet got water-logged in the rain the soap had too much time to saturate the skin. I guess that's karma. My appetite was still running rampant when I got out of VT into MA and food highlights included three All You Can Eats (AYCE) in one week which included Pizza Hut lunch buffet, a Chineese job and the Old Country Buffet to put me over the top. I think it's safe to say that I pretty much lost control at all three, particularly the Chineese and I recall feeling nausous for sometime aftewards. That about satiated my appetite. In Dalton, MA, I took a zero miles day and lounged around the picturesque New England town. This was fun and much needed.
Date: 2005-09-17
From: Connecticut

To: Connecticut
Miles today: 0.0

My oh my this week was rough. Shortly after leaving Dalton, I began feeling not so sweet. My neck and shoulders ached, I felt fatigued and wasn't all that hungry. I worried that I contracted Lyme disease but ruled that out once the diarrhea took over. For two days I did little but sleep and defacate, it was horrible. About every other hour round the clock, I would feel a little churn in my gut and try to ignore it. A minute later I would be high-stepping to the outhouse or privy. I had to get off the trail and was miracuolsy rescued by an x-thru-hiker, J Bird I believe, who drove me to the nearby pharmacy sans helmet aback his old Harley. I think that experience scared off any possible interest I may have once held about riding motorcycles. Another thru hiker, Wildthing from Chicago, hooked me up with her dad, a Dr. who called in the appropriatly titled prescript of Flagyl on my behalf. The worst part about the whole illness was that it ruined my plans to visit Julie, friend from MSU, in NYC as I was planning on racing down the trail to Pawling NY just beyond the Connecticut border and training into the city from there. Because of her work schedule she was only able to host me on the weekend and since I was delayed I was unable to make it on time. My last day in Conn. brought me another Hurricane aftermath from the one that came up the Gulf Coast. The front crept up really quickly, the sky darkenend, then the most intense downpour I've encountered on the trail thus far with lightening and marble size hail bouncing off the trees and coming at me from all angles. All I could do was laugh and keep on walking.I started feeling anxious once more and decided to undertake a suicide plan to hike roughly 30 miles a day so that I could hit NYC the next weekend. This involved a slightly painful shift to waking at 5:45 am and walking by 6:30-45ish just as the sun began to rise. Food highlights for the week included walking off the trail a mile after the big storm and eating $7 worth of gas station junk food, snacky cakes, ice cream bars, cokes. A breakfast in Kent Conn, of Brie cheese and baguette, pecan rolls and Stewarts Birch Beer, mmmm that was good.
Date: 2005-09-20
From: New York

To: New York
Miles today: 0.0

Another long day, still hoping to train into NYC from NJ on Friday evening. Saw many white tailed doe today throughout the state parks. Thinking about getting into archery and then possibly some bow hunting. Didn't acheive my goal today, made 23 miles instead of 25. Resolving to try harder for adhering to my goals although the lack of water in NY is making it tough. Really surprised and impressed with the Husdon river and Bear Mtn. Bridge landscapes-mysty mountains. Food highlights: Italian combo at Deli in Ft. Montgomery, ate half in store with cherry cola and then wrapped up other half for after my final 5 miles. Finished off with large slice of pepperoni. No that's not true, finished off with double decker Moonpie and 32oz peach snapple then ascended 1200' in less than 1.25 miles. Struggled to keep G.I. in check. Probably camping illegally in Bear Mtn. State Park. Nice sunset.
Date: 2005-09-21
From: Bear Mtn., NY

To: Wild Cat Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: clear sky

Another long day. Saw more deer and talked to an Old Timer who gave the classic gloom and doom story for the coming miles. Per usuall, 3 pm rolled around and I was searching in desperation for a Cocacola. A man resembling Mel Gibson in the Road Warrior pulled up on a beautiful BMW motorcycle and I could see a Yogi oppurtunity. We chatted for a bit about where the closest store would be for drinks (which he found on his GPS) and he offered to drive down on his bike and pick me one up! Perfect I say. He refused money and was back in minutes with my one liter of heavenly ellixer. We chatted for a few mintues- he was a Tropical Medicine proffesor at NYU coming back from a meeting in the city. I told him it would have been nice to have him around last week when I had the Turkey Trots as I had gotten that parasite, not believed to be Giardia. He said that if it wasn't Giardia it didn't come from the water and that "What you got litterally came from eating someone else's shit. But there's worse things." Yeah...I suppose. Shared the lean-to with Jimbo who is finsihing his flip flop.
Date: 2005-09-23
From: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Vernon, NJ

To: Da Bronx
Miles today: 20.0

Revised plans to hike 29 miles into Uniionville, NY on the 22nd for 18 into Vernon as the hostel was said to be very accomadating. It certainly was with some internet. laundry and kitchen access with leftover food. The A&P had awesome Gelato! I figured I could get a hitch out of Vernon to a NY commuter place but that didn't happen so I had to do the 20 up to Port Jervis. I didn't anticipate getting to NY until Saturday but that section of trail was so flat that I dominated it in record time. I stopped into Murray Prop., a little farm owned by an ex-thru-hiker and lounged around for a time after lunch. The donking started honking so loudly that he brougt me back to reality and I began to think seriously about trying to make it to NYC. Damn that thing was so loud, eeeeeeehaaaaaaww. I packed up and started walking with the tunes going on the pod. The miles starting ticking away and before I knew it it was 2 miles to the highway and about 3pm. I was so worked up about getting into the city that I strided right past the monument for the highest point in NJ. I exclaimed to myself, "ta hell with the highest point in NJ, I'm going to da Bronx!" Got two unbelievably easy hitches into town and was disheartened to find that the train didn't leave until 9:25, about 3.5 hours away. I called Julie in NYC and she insisted that I take that late train into the city as she had made plans earlier in the week to go into Manhattan with her friends to a bar with over 100 taps. Well, that was all the incentive i needed. I passed the time at that Asian Buffet, until the train departed. Arrived at Penn Station under Market Square Gardens about 12:15 and was pretty anxious about walking to the bar with my pack on and shall we say, "out-of-town-appearance". It turned out to be fine and I made it to the Giner Man in about 15 mintues. When I walked in, I got some definite stares and some guys started asking me "what da fuck was in dat pack". I told them it was my life and that I was hiking the AT and they loved that, then insisted on buying me a beer. Anything I.P.A. I say and thanked them, then bumbled through the crowd to find Julie. The reunion was great and Julie's friends were completly welcoming. It turned out to be a 4 am evening of a lot of fun with an insanely fast cab ride back to the Bronx, scored by Punjabi dance music. Quite a day.
Date: 2005-09-25
From: NYC

To: NYC
Miles today: 0.0

The weekend in NYC was incredible: beers, pizza, world class art and so much more. Couldn't have had better weather for Central Park on Saturday afternoon and was fortunate enough to catch a roller skating dance party that brought out all the freaks. New Yorkers were great, so friendly I couldn't believe it. Here's an example of one dialogue that occured Sunday night in my host's, Julie, local watering hole, The Tinker, in the Bronx (still allows smoking despite the ordinance)when I went up to the bar to order a round. Prostitute 1: "So you gonna hike all da way ta Georgia? I really like dis hair, ann dis beard. Look at him, Sparkle." Prostitute 2(Sparkle): "Yeah, ain't you worried 'bout snakes and bears coming after you all da time? I'd be scared, that's fo show." Me: "Actually they aren't really a big problem. I'm much more fearful here in the city, especially right now."But in truth, it was great to explore some of NYC, the Metropolitan museum was fantastic, especially the mediaval arms collection and Rembrandt portraits. Julie was a great host and kept the weekend hott with entertainment including getting her nose pierced in SOHO and much more. Only downside was trying to get back out to the trail which involved running through both the Bronx and lower Manhattan at lunch hour with the full pack and being a sweaty tourist on the train. Yeah Yeah, I too heart NY.
Date: 2005-09-28
From: Buttermilk Falls Trail, NJ

To: Mtn. Church Hostel, Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

Whoop whoop, Anxious enters a new state, PA, and just like everyone said, "PA Rocks!" Nasty nail-like, rolly-polly rocks with rattlers lurking. Another Crisp Autumn day without any color on the trees. Enjoyed many delectables in the Water Gap -- hot dogs, pie, pizza, etc. Met another SOBO "Tataruga", 30ish female from Oregon via Boston via Brazil. Bumped into two great characters in Del Wat. Gap Nat. Forest, "PA Pinenut" and "Birdbrain", more A.T. X'ers in 60s and 70s, really jovial old fellas who got me on their camcorder -- best of luck to them.