morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-03
From: Housatonic River Dam

To: Ten Mile River Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0

We packed our things quickly and early this morning. There is no camping in non designated areas in Connecticut... however there are no designated areas within a long strip of the AT, so we took it upon ourselves to designate the area for the night and left no trace behind.The aqua blaze is over. We canoed over 53 miles in 2 days. We were on the water working for 8+ hours per day. It was not quite as difficult as hiking with the weight on our backs, but difficult none the less. I told Spoon that he was a genius for putting the trip together. It cost each of us around $50 for an experience of a lifetime (in addition to hiking the AT). We all got through it safely and we stayed parallel with he AT the entire time. We told the outfitter that we would help spread the word on the trail that there is a chance to aqua blaze the Housatonic through Connecticut. We consider ourselves pioneers... the first ever to aqua blaze the north!!!The remainder of the river was fairly tame. The class 2+ from yesterday was the biggest rapid. There was no need to scout any paths through the rest of the trip. We got to a point where we would hear the rumble of some quick water and we would just hit it and decide our route as we were pushed along. Spoon and I worked very well together. We established a system that proved to be flawless. We agreed that we both were just getting in to it when the trip ended.After dropping the canoes off at Bulls Bridge in Kent CT. We hiked 2 miles out to Ten Mile River lean-to. It is just the five of us here. Mango, Grettle and Cubby have their gear hanging everywhere. The plastic trash bag liner was no match for being submerged in a river and everything that they own is soaking wet. Spoon and I stayed crisp and dry... we are sure to constantly remind the others!It has been a long couple of days and I got next to zero sleep last night with the mosquitos. My new sleeping bag is awesome, but it still suffocates me when pulled over my head. I guess that any good bag is going to insulate the heat from your breath when pulled over your face. The bugs are not as bad here and I hope to catch up on some sleep.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-04
From: Ten Mile River Lean-to

To: New York City
Miles today: 137.7

Not exactly sure what happened today. We are in New York City... I found myself walking the streets, following the crew amidst thousands of New Yorkers. I thought... how the hell did we get here?When we woke up at the lean-to Spoon and Grettle were concocting some kind of plan that sounded like it was off trail. It involved trains and buses and the mention of the city. Grettle called her friend who lives in New York and we had a destination. We hiked 10 or so miles to the train tracks that go to the city. There was literally a wooden sign next to the tracks that said, Appalachian Trail Train Station... that was it. The AT tracks only ran on the weekends so we hitched a ride to a larger station where we purchased train tickets to Grand Central Station for $12. We hopped off the first train to catch another and then it took approximately 1 hour to get in to New York City from there. Mango and Grettle were familiar with the city and Spoon, Cubby and I pretty much followed them. Spoon and Cubby have never been to New York and I have only explored it slightly.Once at Grand Central Station we walked about 10 blocks to the sub way where we took another train to this town of Hoboken (which is actually in New Jersey). Grettles friend Jacqueline is housing us for the night. She lives in a 2 bedroom apartment with a roommate. As bad as we smell and grizzly as we look, we have been well received by Mango and Grettles friends. We took showered and did our laundry.A group of 9 of us went to a local bar on the corner for a drink. We caught an awesome view of the NY skyline from across the Hudson River. Our intent is to get back on the trail tomorrow... but I am willing to bet that we don't make it out of the city tomorrow. We can't even get in and out of these little suburban towns never mind just "passing through" New York City... it's just not going to happen. ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-05
From: New York City

To: New York City
Miles today: 0.0

Still in New York City. Today we went to Times Square, Central Park, MTV, Hard Rock Cafe and we traveled on just about every type of public transportation available. I am happy that I got to visit some of the places that we did... however I am just not a fan of the city, I never have been. I try to enjoy myself as much as I can but I am uncomfortable all of the time. The city and what it brings does not impress me. I would rather be on a farm in the country.Tonight we are staying with one of Mango's friends, Juan. He just moved in to his apartment one week ago. He has no furniture or tv or anything in the living room. He has been apologetic about not providing us with a better place to stay, but his empty apartment is ideal. The air conditioner is on and we are spread out on the open hardwood floors. The plan is to get up at 5:45am tomorrow morning. We need to catch a bus to Port Authority... then we take a shuttle to Grand Central Station... then we take a train to White Plains NY... then we take another train back to where we left the trail. Once we get on the trail we will have a couple of options as to how many miles we hike. The decision will be based on timing. While in NY I decided to purchase some recovery supplements from GNC. I would like to step it up a notch with my upper body exercises while on the trail. I am going to arrange a schedule of push ups, pull ups, abdomen and shoulder workouts and stick to the regiment on a daily/weekly basis. The whole crew is on board with the exercises. We do them now but they are more sporadic.I can not wait to get back in the woods. These 2 days in NY City have sucked the life out of me. ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-06
From: New York City

To: RPH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm at RPH shelter in New York. The shelter is made of yellow cinder blocks and has bunk style beds. I'm sleeping under a table because all of the bunks are taken by north bounders and day hikers. Spoon and Cubby are scattered on the floor, Mango and Grettle are in their hammock outside.. I was so happy to get back in to the woods today. I feel as though my trip to the city drained more energy out of me than hiking a long day on the trail.During my 16 mile hike today I was obsessively thinking about exercising more on the trail. I stopped at a deli that was about 1 mile off the trail and packed out 2 subs. I ate one at the deli and the other half 15 minutes ago (9pm).I slipped my therma rest mat from under my bed and went out in the grass around the back of the shelter. I did all of the yoga stretches that Grettle has taught me over the past couple of months. I took my time and concentrated on my exaggerated breathing between stretches. I am trying to improve my posture and focused allot on strengthening my core. The sun was just finishing going down during my 25 minutes of stretches.After the stretches I did all of the abdomen exercises that the group has been doing (also taught to us by Grettle). I did 50 crunches, 50 bicycles, 50 cross crunches with one leg up, 50 leg lifts, 50 of another variation of one leg lifted and 50 more bicycles. Actually it is a set of 500 repetitions, I'm forgetting a couple. I took the protein supplements that I have been carrying around and finished with more neck stretches and 20 minutes of meditation... I feel 100%.I announced to the group that I am leaving as soon as I get up in the morning. Tomorrow is a 20 mile day and I want an early start.I just swiped a millipede off of my bare back!   ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-07
From: RPH

To: Greymore Center
Miles today: 0.0

I am at Greymore Center in NY. The shelter is built by and on the property of a monastery. We are welcome to stay here and use the water and their bathroom and shower (shower is cold water only). I cooked the Beef Stroganoff freeze dried Mountain House meal that my parents brought me when they visited. The portion was for 2 but I polished it off in less than 5 minutes... 720 calories.1.5 hours after the Mountain House meal I got hungry again and ate 2 packets of Oatmeal (out of the package with cold water... to avoid boiling water and dirtying kitchen gear). I also ate 1 packet of plain tuna for the extra 20 grams of protein.I hiked alone for just under 20 miles today. Several miles in to the hike I came across Canopus Lake. The lake was beautiful and it was 80 degrees outside. I snuck down off of a road that bordered the lake. I swam out a couple of hundred yards and tried to touch the bottom by grabbing soil with my hands. It got extremely cold as I went down and I never bottomed out. I got out for a moment to contemplate getting back on the trail. Cubby passed me while I was out of the water and asked to look at my maps before he moved on. After he left I swam for another 30 minutes. I swam in the lake for a total of 1 hr.Even with the long morning break in the lake I was making decent time on my speed. I had time to slack a bit and still accomplish the 20 miles. I found some blueberry bushed and picked at them for 20 minutes or so.2 miles before reaching the shelter I saw a large female deer in the woods. She allowed me to approach her a little ways off the trial. I took a few pictures and then a large buck with full antlers got up from his laying down position. They sat there together starring at me. The female walked deeper in to the woods and over a hill. The male and I starred at each other for a few minutes and then he followed the same route as the female. I got pictures of them both but only separated.   ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-08
From: Greymore Center

To: Fort Montgomery NY
Miles today: 0.0

We passed through Fort Montgomery NY. We met one of Grettles oldest friends and her family. While in town I resupplied on food. The next town I plan to be in is Unionville NY in three days.Great resupply... I got 9 heavy protein bars with more than 30g each. I got 9 medium weight protein bars with more carbs and 15g of protein. And I got 9 organic trail mix bars with lots of good fats, carbs and protein. I also bought organic oatmeal and another bottle of vegan mens one per day vitamins. We went to a cheese and meat specialty store called "The Pork Store" by recommendation of Grettles friends mom. I think the people were Dutch. I always make an effort NOT to eat pork and the name of the store was unappealing... however, The Pork Store is now one of my favorite places that I have been (off the trail). The older gentleman behind the counter was awesome. He was passionate about cheeses, sausages and meats. I explained that I was on the AT and I needed a dry sausage that won't go bad over a few days. Before I was done speaking he already gathered 3 types of dry sausage and was explaining the difference in flavors and hardness of the meat. He was happy to shave a piece off of one of the sticks in his deli window. Both Spoon and I chose the more spicy of the three. The man asked if he could help me with anything else and I mentioned that some cheese would probably go good with the sausage. He smiled and put out his plastic glove covered hands as to tell me to hang on one second. As he was walking away I said I'm a fan of smoked cheeses. He returned with a sample slice of cheese for Spoon and I. It was a delicious smoked Swiss, it was REALLY good!. I asked for a proportionate piece to the sausage meat. The man was so happy to provide what we wanted. He was literally tiptoeing around to gather our requests. He loved his product and knew everything about it. I left the store not thinking about the hike... I just wanted to get to camp so that I could sit down and enjoy my sausage and cheese. The hiking was difficult today. The mountains are steep in this part of NY. There were lot's of boulders to scramble through and around. The water sources are drying up the further we move south. Streams and brooks are now dry for the most part. We pass over roads and the trail runs through so many towns now that we fill up at hoses, spickets and sinks. Spoon says that the water sources start getting better once we hit the south.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-09
From: Fort Montgomery NY

To: Wildcat
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wildcat shelter... same type of terrain as it has been. The mountains are fairly steep and there are lots of giant rocks to scramble on. There were several spots where trail angles (trail magic people) left gallons of water by the roads. Thank God because I don't have a water pump (sent home to be exchanged... mine broke) and I have been hiking far ahead of the crew.
Date: 2008-08-10
From: Wildcat

To: Wawayanda
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Only 13 miles today to Wawayanda shelter. Wawayanda is in New Jersey! We crossed over mid day. The state line was identified amongst some giant boulders near Prospect Rock about 8 miles in.There is no water available at these shelters. The stream near by is dry. We passed a sign for a ranger station about 1 mile before the shelter. We all trekked back down the trail and filled up at the station. It was a huge state park center with rest rooms and an office. No one was there but the restroom was open and there was a water spicket available on the side of the building. I filled up on water, utilized the luxurious indoor plumbing and dumped my trash.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-11
From: Wawayanda

To: Unionville NY
Miles today: 0.0

Next to The Bird Cage in MA, there is only one place where I have heard I MUST stay at along the trail... the mayors house in NY. It's a bit confusing because I am actually in NJ along the trail, but NY and NJ border each other so closely that Unionville is actually a NY town.North bound hikers have said that the mayor of Unionville is an awesome guy. He will allow you to stay in his home, lend his shower, laundry and potentially feed you. The second that I showed up here Dick (mayor of Unionville NY) welcomed me whole heartedly and offered all of the things listed above. He said that he only had one request and that was to watch a 20 minute video before we left his house. Once the entire crew (Mango, Grettle, Cubby, Spoon) showed up we watched a DVD of Paul Pott's... it was a British version of American Idol.Paul Pott's won a previous years competition by singing opera. The DVD was created (and presented) as an inspirational piece. Paul Pott's was an unlikely idol winner and won solely based on faith and his passion for doing what he really loved which was singing opera (otherwise he was a salesman). Once the video was over the the mayor gave us an emotional speech encouraging all of us to continue living life to it's fullest. He admired our courage to hike the trail and reassured all of us that we were on the right path (literally and metaphorically). He gave us his story on why he takes in hikers and said it's the closest he will ever get to the trail. He lives vicariously through our stories. Dick is an awesome guy, he's kind and genuine (like most trail angels we have met). This evening we ate home made chicken soup, garlic bread and fresh salad from the garden. We will be slack packing 23 miles tomorrow. ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-12
From: Unionville NY

To: rt 206 NJ
Miles today: 0.0

Some great views today. The slack pack went well. No matter what... 23 miles is still tough on the body, however minus the 35-40 lb pack is huge. We move much faster and there is less stress on the back and knees.Once again we are staying at the mayors. Tonight we had a full turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, green bean salad, corn on the cob and apple pie. The Saturday before we arrived at the mayors a story was published in the Unionville news paper on the mayor and him caring for thru hikers on the AT. After the article came out other people from the town began to donate food and supplies to help support the mayor. Our turkey dinner was one of the first meals that came from that donation. We all were sure to show our appreciation for the food and support from Unionville. We were served a small cup of wine and the mayor made a toast to living life to it's fullest.There is one more south bounder staying with us tonight. He picked up the trail name "Light Weight" because he got on the trail 9 days ago with a pack that weighed over 100 lb. Light Weight is a big guy at around 300 lb. He is from Long Island NY and wants to walk to VA to meet his uncle... he does not consider himself a thru hiker. Light Weight says that his real nick name is "Bull"... we all agreed that is the name he should keep. Bull's shoulders look to be 30" wide and he is built like... a bull. He carries 4 days of water at a time, he carries a Walmart 8'x9' tent, he had a full compound bow with 15 aluminum arrows and he has over 30 lb. of food. We tried to give him advice on paring down his gear, but he is insistent that he knows what he is doing. We all wish him the best of luck getting to VA.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-13
From: rt 206 NJ

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We made it in to the Delaware Water Gap today! This is the NJ - PA state line! We are now in Grettles home state and where Mango went to school at Penn State University. Before reaching our final destination at the Water Gap we stopped at Sunfish Pond for a swim. The pond was only 0.2 miles off of the AT trail and it was sooo worth the stop. It was about 90 degrees this afternoon and the humidity was ridiculous. I swam in the pond for over 30 minutes. Mango and I set up his hammock between 2 trees and took turns relaxing in the sun swinging on the hammock... it was blissful.After a long hike and our swim at the pond we hooked up with another one of Grettles friends. Katlyn is a park ranger at the Delaware Water Gap (National Park). She has taken us in at her house for the evening. Katlyn lives with 3 other rangers in an old house provided by the state. The house is huge and the living room is full of couches, chairs and plenty of floor to sleep on.Once Katlyn told some of her friends that thru hikers were staying at the house they wanted to come over and hang out with us. We lit a fire and cooked some BBQ. I almost feel like we are getting too spoiled on this trip... almost! Katlyn played her acoustic guitar around the fire and sang both classics and some of her own music, it was awesome, sentimental and relaxing.Katlyn is loaded with information about the area. She explained to us that the Delaware Water Gap is basically a gap that was carved through one mountain. The Delaware River runs right through the center of them. Over millions of years the river eroded the mountain walls all of the way down to what we see today. Years ago the state wanted to attempt to damn the river and turn the area in to a lake... literally just flood the entire town and turn it in to a lake? Actually that is how she got the state issued ranger house. It was originally taken from a family when the project for the damn began to roll out. People lost their homes and were forced to move out... the home was soon to be 100 ft. under water. The plans fell through mid way. It was realized that if the mountains themselves could not contain the Delaware... how could a man made damn? The rock bed could not support that type of structure. So the project fell through, but the land was already taken and now redistributed to state park employees. There is still strong bitterness about the whole issue. I find it super interesting and am honored that I have the opportunity to not only stay in one of these houses but I have a personal resource of all the local information I care to ask about! ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-14
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We have been offered so much generous hospitality by Katlyn and Grettle and Mango's friends. We were invited to stay at the ranger house once again. The house became the central place for many other friends from PA to come out and meet. This evening there are 12 people in the house. Everyone is laughing and having a great time. I retreated to an empty bedroom upstairs to catch some rest. My stomach has been killing me since last night. I threw up a few times and lost a full nights sleep. I am not sure if I have a bug or got food poisoning or drank some bad water but I am low on energy and am nocuous still. I am drinking a ton of water and trying to will the sickness away. It is simple... I can not be sick.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-08-15
From: Wind Gap

To: New Tripoli
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I do feel better today. I am not near 100% but do feel better. My main objective is to stay well hydrated, eat the right foods and continue taking my vitamins. I feel like there is a bug or toxin in my system and I am doing my best to flush it out physically and overcome it mentally. Thankfully we only hiked 13 miles today to New Tripoli Campsite. Some of Mango and Grettle's friends hiked with us and we needed to keep the mileage low. I still managed to hike ahead and keep a decent pace. I did pull off the trail once to throw up a little bit, but I felt better once it was up. My appetite is lacking but I am forcing myself to keep up the calorie intake. I keep thinking that the more I ingest, the better my body can recover.We lit a campfire tonight. One of Mango's friends brought a little electronic game called "Catch Phrase" and we played it for several rounds. Catch Phrase is a game of trivia and quick wits. I enjoyed it and it kept my mind off of my stomach. I do feel even better than this morning and am hoping that by tomorrow my nausea is completely gone.The Pennsylvania rocks have been reasonably difficult. The trail is scattered with thousands of sharp rocks that move when you step on them. It slows the hiking pace and is dangerous for the ankles. Today we passed over an area called Knifes Edge. It is a very thin ridge atop a streak of mountains that overlook the farm lands of Penn. The rocks were difficult to scramble on. I had a blast and the views were some of the best that I have seen for days. Pennsylvania is a beautiful state.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"