morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-06
From: Time For A Decision

To: Pondering
Miles today: 0.0

Trail Boss and I have been pondering whether I should accept the writing position. I think we won't make a final decision until Monday - when I'll call the company and let them know.MORE HAMMOCK EXPERIENCESIt's been my experience that I am able to stay comfortable in the Hennessy Hammock (with a closed cell pad) down into the mid- forties. I think that is about the limit of my comfort level. Of course, the weather at this time of the year pretty much keeps the lows around mid-fifties or higher. I guess that could drop a bit once I get into the Whites. I think I mentioned before that I have been using a Thermarest Z-Rest pad in the hammock. That's the pad that folds, accordian style. My only real complaint is that it is only 20 inches wide (as are most other pads). Someone told me that Walmart sells a wider, blue closed-cell pad but I didn't get the chance to check that out. Did go over to a REI though and found a Ridgerest, roll-up, closed-cell pad that is 25 inches wide. Now that may not sound like much - just having five extra inches of width. But when you are laying on the pad in your hammock, it does make a difference. Especially when you roll onto either side. A lot better coverage under you. I've tried using an inflatable pad in a hammock. From an insulation standpoint it works. But there is a tendency during the night (especially if you turn on a side) for the inflatable pad to "kick out" from under you. At any rate, pretty soon it will probably be warm enough at night to forego even using a pad. I've heard that most folks don't need a pad when the nightime temps are around 65-70 degrees, or warmer.I read somewhere (or heard from someone) that it helps to spray on your hammock some bug spray prior to the bug season starting. Although you are using the repellant on yourself, putting the spray on the hammock helps keep mosquitos away. This can make a difference getting in/out or if part of your body is laying next to the hammock netting. Worth giving it a try.
Date: 2008-06-07
From: Pondering

To: Hot Weather
Miles today: 0.0

Well, here in Washington DC the heat wave has really hit us. Actually, the weather maps show that the same heat is up around Bear Mountain/Graymoor - the area I would start hiking again. Down here we are supposed to get close to 100 degrees and have a heat index (humidity factored in) close to 110. I can only imagine what it is like on the Trail right now.When I did my SOBO in 2006 there were some periods in New England (I started in July) where the water sources were pretty limited. I did notice that some of the large bouldars had some standing rain water in their indentations. Not much water, maybe one-fourth a liter. But the problem was how to get the water off the rock and into my water bottle. Some folks will use a camp towel and sponge up the water. But it is hard to get the water from the towel into your water bottle - you can spill a good bit outside the bottle.Instead, I bought one of those turkey basters (a mid-size one made of plastic). It works great for sucking up the water and then injecting it into your water bottle. You probably won't use the baster very often, but if you do it can come in very handly. One thing to keep in mind: if you think you need to treat the water you recover with the baster, you also should treat the inside surface of the baster. And that applies to any cups you dip water with - assuming you also normally drink out of the same cup.Assuming I do get back on the trail (not accept the job offer) I am upping my water-carrying capacity to seven liters during the remaining hot months I'll be hiking. Usually I won't carry more than two liters at a time. But that does mean I'll "tank up" those water bottles whenever I come across a new water source. So my goal is to drink as much as possible while still keeping those water bottles full. I know that just sounds like common sense, but there have been times I was tempted to pass up a water source if I still had a half-filled water bottle. Besides those two one-liter water bottles, I also carry a third one-liter bottle for dinner/breakfast. Finally, I carry one of the Platypus Camp Bottles (4-liter, collapsible with web carrying handle). That serves several purposes: if I have to walk a long way to a water source it is easier to carry the water back; as a backup if one of the other bottles gets a leak; and if there are just not many water sources ahead and I need to carry more water. Carrying a full, 4 extra liters of water, is going to weigh eight extra pounds. But it may become necessary sometime.
Date: 2008-06-08
From: Hot Weather

To: Decision Made
Miles today: 0.0

Well, for better or worse, I've made my decision on whether to take the technical writing job. It's probably best that I hold off on telling everyone until I can inform the employer tomorrow, Monday. TRAIL SONGOne day, while I was hiking with StormenNorm and Water Bear about a month ago, we came up with the idea of creating some kind of hiking song dedicated to thru-hikers. Yes, we were pretty bored that day. We toyed with different "catch phrases" that would rhyme and make some sense. We decided to use the tune from "When Johnny Comes Marching Home".We had planned on coming up with several verses, but never got the chance to do more than the first. For those interested, here it is:We're thru-hikers on the trail; hoorah, hoorah.We're thru-hikers on the trail; hoorah, hoorah.We're up at dawn;Where's my bong;Come along;And sing our song.We're thru-hikers on the trail; hoorah, hoorah.(By the way, none of the three of us have any idea what a "bong" is. We just needed another word that rhymed with the others.)
Date: 2008-06-09
From: Decision Made

To: Back to the Trail
Miles today: 0.0

I notified the company that was interested in me of my decision yesterday. I tried to consider all the options and make a decision that made the most sense, that Trail Boss and I would be happy with, and seemed like the right thing to do at this time.For those reasons I decided to turn the job offer down and get my ass back on the Trail - to finish the final third of this thru-hike.Trail Boss has to give me a ride back (the hitch-hiking photo is just in jest) but won't be able to take a day off until this Friday. So there will be a slight delay getting started again. At least it looks like the hottest weather may have passed. I'm sure, though, there will be more high temps before the finish at Katahdin.I've been slightly under the weather the past few days - probably a sinus infection or cold. So it's probably just as well I won't start hiking again until this weekend.For those of you who will be heading south and want to meet for some conversation - I promise to not just keep speeding by you. Besides, I'm sure you will have some good info on what lies ahead for me. I'll pass on my experiences to you, also. I look forward to it.I'll post entries for the days remaining before I head back. Not sure what there will be to talk about, but I'll try to come up with something useful. Since I started my two SOBOs in July, maybe I can throw out some suggestions to any southbounders who haven't started yet.
Date: 2008-06-10
From: Back to the Trail

To: Suggestions for Southbounders
Miles today: 0.0

While I'm waiting to get back to the trail I thought it would be timely to throw out some suggestions for those southbound thru-hikers who will be starting shortly. If you get to Katahdin Springs Campground (jumping off spot for climbing Katahdin) without a reservation (cabin, lean-to, etc.) you might try a couple of places to crash for the night. Check out the Birches for any room. SOBOs aren't supposed to stay there, but who cares as long as there is room.Another thought is to check those folks (hikers or otherwise) who have reserved the lean-tos at the campground. If they are okay with it, you can set up your tent in their reserved "area" and share the space(although a Ranger may come buy and charge you part of the fee for the spot).Third, there are about 4-5 smaller lean-tos just to the right of the bridge as you approach the Ranger office. Those are normally kept available for any overflow campers. You can either ask the Ranger if you can use one or you can try to stealth camp in them. If you get caught - that's your predicament.Fourth, there may be a lean-to/camp spot available at a nearby campground. You'll have to get that info from the Ranger - which means you will probably be charged if you stay there.Finally, although totally against the regulations, you could stealth camp in the woods near the Campground. If caught there is a chance you will be ticketed and made to leave the park (you could, of course, just hike in the next day - but then you face the same "where to camp" problem). There may even be some stealth tenting spots (none that I'm aware of); or make good use of a hammock/cowboy camp.One last thing - check the weather classification (1 through 4) for the day you arrive at the campground. You may be able to use that to your advantage the next day, when you climb. I'll explain later.In my next journal entry I'll go over some things I learned (the hard way?) on the days I climbed Katahdin in the past.
Date: 2008-06-13
From: 100-mile Wilderness Thoughts

To: Fishkill, New York
Miles today: 0.0

Well, here it is Friday the 13th and time to head back to the trail. Trail Boss and I are going to stay at a nice hotel in Fishkill (where did that name came from?) and hit some restaurants before I hit the trail. Staying at the hotel also makes it easier on her drive back - doesn't have to do so all in one day.I see where Water Bear has updated her journals. Interesting reading. She and StormenNorm have just entered New Hampshire this past week. Probably heading into the Whites as I write this. They look like they are consistently putting in 20+ mile days. I think they are on track to easily finish in five months, having started February 1st. They have even been experimenting with night hiking to beat the daytime heat. Good for them!In 2006 I went through the Whites in late August. Yet I can remember seeing some ice and frost on top of Mt. Washington. It was pretty cool at night. This year I'll be hiking the area in July. Will the weather be cool, comfortable, cold, etc.? Will I need to re-carry some warmer clothes? I searched on the web and found a weather table that shows average temps on the trail in Mass., Vermont, New Hampshire (including the Whites) and Maine. Looks like the warmest month is in July. Average lows are in the low 50's and average highs are in the low-mid 70's. Only averages - but doesn't look like any real need for more clothing. If I need it, I'll carry it.Most of my remaining mail drops will be to post offices - timing seems pretty good this time around. One exception is the Plume Visitor Center near Franconia Notch (New Hampshire). Although not advertised, they will usually hold resupply packages for hikers. Might want to Google their phone number and call just to make sure.Based upon past experience, the best locations for mail drops in western Maine are at the hostels in Andover, Rangely, and Stratton. Each town also has a nearby post office that can also be used.Although highly discouraged, I actually mailed a food drop to the Mount Washington post office in 2006. More surprising, the post office was open when I got there (a very small booth in the visitor center). Most surprising - they had my package. This time around I'm skipping a drop for there.If you go into Monson, even if you aren't staying the night there, check out all the stuff in the hiker boxes at Shaw's hostel. It's unbelievable. So many northbounders are lightening their load for the final push through the 100-mile wilderness. Some good things to be had. Of course, I'm speaking from the past perspective of a Southbounder. This time I'm probably going to just dump even more stuff as I head north.
Date: 2008-06-14
From: Fishkill, New York

To: Fishkill, New York
Miles today: 0.0

We got a great deal at the Savoy Suites in Fishkill. They upgraded us to a suite for no extra charge. Had a large flat-screen TV in the main room and another large screen TV in the bedroom. Plus, a full kitchen. We almost felt like going to a food store just so we could cook on the appliances. Went out for a great dinner and checked out the movies that were playing. Nothing really caught our eye, so back to the room to chill for the night.
Date: 2008-06-15
From: Fishkill, New York

To: 3 miles north of NY 301
Miles today: 15.0

Warm and Sunny day. Started hiking around noon after Trail Boss said goodbye and dropped me off near the Graymoor campground. Noticed a large number of folks in a number of large busses at Graymoor. Not sure if that's normal or something was going on.Most of the terrain today was small "ups & downs" within the forest. Not much clearing to walk through except the ocasional roads. There were plenty of streams.Met a group of about 12 men/women/children on the third day of a four day camping trip. They were heading to a nearby commerical campground.Hoped to make the RPH shelter but it was too far for today. Light rain started around 6pm and was "on & off" for the remainder of the evening. Had to find water before I could pick a hammock spot. Passed NY301 with a big lake nearby - but no easy way to access it. The guidebook said there were several streams nearby, but they were dry. Eventually found water and a place to hang the hammock about three miles further. During the night a light rain continued.
Date: 2008-06-16
From: 3 miles north of NY 301

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Partly cloudy until around 6pm - then some heavy thunderstorms and hail.Up at 6:30am. Ate breakfast under the tarp since there was still a light drizzle. On the trail by 8am. Only planning on going to the Morgan Stewart shelter since there are supposed to be some heavy thunderstorms this evening. Arrived at shelter around 2:15pm. Considered going on to the next shelter (would have arrived around 6pm) but opted not to.Met another through hiker, "Major Miles", at the shelter. He had been there since last night and was sick. Couldn't keep fluids down. Might be Giardia. He will spend another night and then work his way to Kent for a medical exam.There was enough sunshine to rig a line and hang up my wet clothes to dry. It is now warm enough during the day time that I don't even put on the rain gear when raining. Wearing the gear I would just get soaked in my sweat, so what's the point? Plan on making up the miles I missed today, tomorrow. Weather is supposed to be a bit nicer.Another through hiker, "Lucky", showed up just before the thunderstorms. He had sectioned hiked in the past and recently retired. Now he is doing a through hike.
Date: 2008-06-17
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Ten Mile River lean-to
Miles today: 21.0

Slight chance of afternoon thundershowers."Major Miles" is not doing much better. He called his wife and they are handling his situation. I'm on the trail by 8am. It was hard to get a good night's sleep last night. The hard, shelter floor is rough on the thin, closed cell pad I'm using. It's one of thos thin, blue pads. I picked it for use in the hammock because it is 25 inches wide. Works great in the hammock but not so well in the shelters. I used to have a Thermarest Prolite 3 inflatable pad, but it developed a leak back in Virginia and couldn't be repaired. I think I may check out the Outfitter in Kent to see if they have something with more padding.Took my morning break at "Nuclear Lake." When I thru-hiked in 2006 I remember this place and thought they had some kind of explanatory sign then. But nothing now, so I'm not sure why it has that name. It is a pretty place though.With the warmer weather, I'm altering my break routine. Every two hours I take about a 30-minute break. Take off my boots and socks and shirt. Everything is pretty much soaked in sweat and I can dry things out somewhat. Making myself drink more water - every 30 minutes (whether I want it or not). Still only having to carry one liter of water because the streams have been plentiful.I'm shooting for the Wiley shelter - the last shelter in New York State. Arrived there at 4pm. The place was a dump - lot's of trash, shelter in poor condition, etc. I checked my guidebook and the next shelter (10 Mile River) is only four miles away. I can be there by 6pm and that's where I headed. Crossed into Conneticut along the way. Got to the shelter and met two hikers who are out for a month and a half ("Hare" and "Tortoise"). They are on their way to Kent where they will meet their sister and all three continue to hike. Only about 8 miles to Kent tomorrow. Back to some decent mileage today - 21 miles.
Date: 2008-06-18
From: Ten Mile River lean-to

To: near Mt. Caleb (north of Kent)
Miles today: 11.0

Sunny in the morning - chance of showers in the afternoon.Started on the trail at 8:30am. Slept really bad last night - again the issue with the closed cell pad. Will see what the Kent Outfitter has. A Thermarest would be just right but have to check to see how it works in the hammock. I've heard that the inflatable pads have a tendency to "slide out" from under you whenever you turn during the night. Someone suggested deflating the pad just a bit and that would help.Met a small group of kids with a leader while climbing up Schaghticoke (can you pronounce that?) Mountain. There is a 1,000 foot elevation gain, but it is spaced out over about a mile in distance. Still - with the warm weather I could feel the sweat coming out.Should be in Kent around 2pm. I checked on my food and realize I will only need to buy one day's worth before I get to Salisbury (and my mail drop). I'll get a few grocery items at a food mart in Kent. The Outfitters is on your right just as you get into town. They only had one Thermarest inflatable - a regular length, Prolite 4. The 4's are a bit more padded and better insulated. They are also more comfortable to lay on. The lady at the Outfitter was nice enough to charge my cell phone while I ranr around town.By the way - cell phone coverage is not good in Kent. At least not with AT&T.Headed over to Carralee's restaurant. Had a Bleu Burger (hamburger with blue cheese), onion rings, and a VANILLA MALTED!!!! Those malts are wonderful - when you can find them. Then a trip just down the block to the library to enter these journals.On the way back, I'll stop at the food mart and pick up my items at the Outfitters. Then back to the trail. Hopefully the rain will hold off for a while.
Date: 2008-06-19
From: near Mt. Caleb (north of Kent)

To: Pine Swamp Lean-to
Miles today: 16.0

Supposed to be sunny all day, today. If that happens, I'll be surprised. It's the afternoon showers/thunder showers that have been so prevalent.Stopped for about 45 minutes on top of Caleb's Peak at a Rock Vista. Decided to pull out all my wet/damp clothes/gear and spread things out in the sun. Thus the reson for staying there so long. While there I met two local lady hikers who had climbed up from the reverse direction.Climbing down from Caleb's Peak is a real adventure. There are a ton of steep, rock steps requiring some careful hiking. Would not want to do that section during a rain.I've decided to "rate" each state as I pass through it. Based upon my past experiences, New York gets a "Good Riddance" due to 1) Poor white-blaze marking near Bear Mountain; 2) Poorly maintained shelters (some); and 3) the Holiday Inn Express in Fort Montgomery charging hikers $325 a night during West Point cadet graduation week - even though they still had plenty of vacant rooms.So far, Connecticut rates a "Going To Miss You." Will be in Massachusetts over the weekend - doesn't take long to get through CT.Saw some more snakes sunning themselves on the rocks. Someone told me in the past there are no poisonous snakes north of New York. Not sure if that is correct or not. If I get bit by a poisonous snake up here, I'll let you know.Confused about which tick causes Lymes Disease. Thought it was the smaller, deer tick. But the warning signs that are posted all over have a picture of a larger, wood tick. So now I'm confused.I'm trying to take at least one picture per hiking day. My iPhone can send them to my email account. Trail Boss then loads them into Trail Journals for me. Or I can do the same thing if I'm at a library (Kent or Salisbury). Think Dalton, Mass. also has a library.Mid-afternoon I met an older female hiker by herself, She was confused which way was north or south. She said she was going to bail out for the night at a nearby motel She asked me to pass that info on to "Sailor" if I met him. Around 6pm I got to the Pine Swamp Lean-to and there was "Sailor." I told him what she said and he was grateful to know she was okay. We were the only two at the shelter that night. Sailor was nice enough to give me a small "sample" bottle of 90-proof bourbon. So you see - do someone a favor, and they will often respond in kind.Sailor mentioned he was going to stay in Salisbury at Maria's McCabe's house/hostel. She lets hikers stay at her nice home. $35 for a real bed, shower, some snacks. She also drives you to a nearby laundromat and a pizza place for dinner. I had not heard about her - but Wingfoot's book did indeed mention her. So I think I'll check her out tomorrow night.
Date: 2008-06-20
From: Pine Swamp Lean-to

To: Maria McCabe's House/hostel
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: few clouds

I made one big mistake this morning. I should have drank my little bottle of bourbon during dinner last night. Instead, I had it with my morning coffee. I paid the price for that (not feeling very good) for half they day. There was only one, real climb today - Prospect Mountain (gain of 600 feet). To offset that climb, there was about three miles of flat, road walking near Falls Village. Towards the end of that walk, there is the Housatonic Bridge. As I approached, there was a sign saying the bridge was closed. If true, that would cause a major problem - the river is very wide and fast flowing. No way to ford.But when I got closer to the bridge, it was only closed to vehicular traffic - hikers could go over it. Later I found out what had happened. About a week ago the bridge was inspected and found to be dangerous to drive across. So the state put up wooden barricades on either end. A day later some unknown motorist threw the wooden barricades over the bridge so he/she could (and did) drive across. I kid you not - I read about it in the Salisbury paper. Know the state has put up concrete barricades - not so easy to pick them up!I got into Salisbury around 3:30pm and began looking for Maria's house. I had the address (and her phone number) but couldn't find the sreet. I called her up and she came and picked me up. She then ran me over to the Post Office to get my mail drop. Really nice thing to do.Her house is a really nice two-story that has three hiker bedrooms upstairs. One can sleep a couple in the bed; another has a single bed; the third has two single beds. So it might pay to give her a call in advance and let her know you are coming.Around 6pm she runs hikers to a laundrymat about two miles away. There is also a Italian Restaurant (pizza) next door. So while your clothes are washing/drying you can eat dinner.There is also another lady in town who takes hikers in. Maria spoke highly of her. They both charge $35 per night. If you stay with Maria, sit out on the porch around 8pm and you will see a wild fox that comes up and takes food from Maria. Good photo opportunity.Salisbury has a nice library, post office, a couple of places to eat, drug store, and a large market "food store" behind the main street.