morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-07-24
From: William Brian Shelter 

To: Graymoor Spiritual Center
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: light rain

Woke up at 5 but waited until 6 when it slowed down. Everyone was pretty lethargic with another day of crappy weather, and I was the one of the first out around 8.There were three mountains to cross in the morning - Black, West, and Bear. But the trail actually switch backed or went around the sides so it wasn¢t too bad. The weather was switching between rain and sun. And there were all types of fruit - blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and even some crabapples.At the top of Bear Mountain was a vending machine (which was awesome because there had been limited water sources and I was out), port a johns, and a cool tower. You were supposed to be able to see New York City, but it was too foggy. The wind was pretty crazy up there. On the way down, it was like the trail was just recently redone with nice steps and gravel tread. There were some informational signs about trail work which were interesting, I think we take for granted things like retaining walls, etc.At the base of Bear Mountain was Hessian Lake and a big recreational area. But for me the best was a cafe with WiFi! I must have stayed there a few hours and still didn¢t get much done. The only thing that sucked was it actually got nice out - didn¢t rain all afternoon but I was inside.The trail then actually went through a zoo. It was interesting and I didn¢t know what to expect, as it was free you could just walk right in. I had some concerns about seeing animals in cages after being so open in the woods, but I think signs explained well the reasons and how they were doing in a humane way. Apparently right in front of the bear cage was the lowest point on the AT.The trail then crossed the Bear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson River. It was super windy, and probably pretty views but I was focused on staying upright!I still had to resupply so decided to push it. Probably not he best idea right there as it was a steep 500 foot climb up Anthony¢s Nose. Luckily it leveled out after that and I made good time.Unfortunately, I realized I left my headphones at the cafe so couldn¢t listen to podcasts. I haven¢t had my phone out in the bad weather, but since it was actually sunny for a few hours...The Appalachian Market is a gas station/convenience store right on the trail that has a deli and supposedly good resupply. I wasn¢t impressed- I think the gas station in Delaware Water Gap had a better selection and prices. I wasn¢t really sure how many days to get/where I will resupply next which made it difficult too. Unfortunately they didn¢t have headphones or tortillas, and the ziplock bags were twist tie which is not as good protection from rain.There wasn¢t a close shelter, but everyone stays at a spiritual center just down the road close to the market. There is a ball field can camp in, spigot, portajohns, and a small pavilion. I had planned to set up in the pavilion in case rain, but it was pretty crowded so hopefully will be a dry night!
Date: 2018-07-25
From: Graymoor Spiritual Center

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: broken clouds

I had trouble falling asleep, but still woke up before 5. I got up around 5:30 and was out around 7. Luckily it didn¢t rain much last night, and the wind dried my tent out.As soon as I started hiking, a storm came through. This was the first thunder I¢ve heard in the last five days of rain, and I saw some lightning. Luckily that passed and just turned back into rain. I was feeling pretty good and making decent time.I had heard that the Canopus Lake beach was right off the trail and had water, bathrooms, etc. Well, it was about 0.3 away on a tough trail. Sunrise and a couple other hikers were there when I arrived, but apparently the water wasn¢t on (also meaning no flushing toilet). The concession was closed with the weather, and a lot of it was under construction getting renovated. I called the park and whoever answered was surprised and said she would send someone. I didn¢t have high hopes, but found a port a potty by the construction site. When I got out, of course the water was back on in the bathrooms! At least it provided a spot to have a dry lunch.The lack of sleep hit me in the afternoon and I got super lethargic. With the early start I was originally thinking about the shelter in 28 miles, but ended up just at the one about 19.RPH Shelter actually used to be a cabin and is right next to a road. Has a water spigot and trash cans. The shelter was a bit crowded so decided to tent, rain had let up for a bit. I tried to set up under a tree but realized I was only really half under it. Supposed to rain bad tonight so we¢ll see!
Date: 2018-07-26
From: RPH Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: light rain

Well, my hopes for a dry night were dashed. I fell asleep by 9:30, but was woken up by the rain an hour later. And it continued straight for about six or seven hours, or at least the tree above me kept dripping. I woke up about every half hour to ensure my stuff wasn¢t getting wet. I think I may need to replace my ground sheet as water was seeping through. But overall I stayed dry.I finally got up around 5:30 and it was just foggy outside. But it was too wet to dry out my tent, so I packed up and was one of the first out around 7:30.The rain held off for the morning, and despite having the extra pack weight due to waterlogged tent/fly, made good time. There were limited smooth rocks so I didn¢t have to go slow and worry about falling.As soon as I left the shelter after lunch, it started raining a bit and I was like ¢Typical!¢ but it was only a passing cloud.I continued making good time in the afternoon, and got to NY 22 about 3pm. This crossing is notable because there is a train station right there that will take you to NYC (only operates on weekends) and a gardening store that is hiker friendly. As I walked in, some people were already there and told me there was a food truck next door but was closing soon. So of course I had to rush over and get a burger!The nursery was awesome- charging stations, water, and outdoor shower. And they let me hang my gear to dry. I stayed there until 5 when they closed then got back on the trail.It was so nice having dry gear- made my pack like 3 pounds lighter! And hopefully not quite as musky smelling.The sun actually came out, which was a welcome sight. I got to the shelter about 7, and even though there were pads right by the shelter, I decided to set up on a slopes spot further away. Zephyr arrived shortly later, but no one else from the Willam Brian/Graymoor/RPH group made it. Would have liked to have hung out with them more, but HYOH not slowing down!Luckily I was still full from the food truck so didn¢t need to make dinner, but I still didn¢t get into bed until after 9!
Date: 2018-07-27
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Mt. Algo Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: broken clouds

For some reason I couldn¢t fall asleep last night. It was a long day and I didn¢t eat late, so not sure why but I wasn¢t even tired. Think I finally fell asleep around 2, of course still woke up at 5:30.Last night a few of us decided to all jump on the same Bear line. What I didn¢t think about was the fact that we would need to pull it down in the morning. With the PCT method, you have to pull down the line to get out the holding stick. This is not normally hard to do, but when there are three bags on it takes a bunch of muscle. Everyone was still asleep, so it took me about fifteen minutes to get it down!I got on the trail around 7:15 and didn¢t feel too bad considering the lack of sleep. The weather wasn¢t bad, and I shortly crossed into the border with Connecticut (¢Gateway to New England¢ - aka we are near cool states!¢)After following the Ten Mile River, the trail climbed sharply uphill a few times. This wore me out, and I was feeling it as I got to a shelter for lunch. I was thinking about taking a nap, but figured it would be best just to go on.As soon as I had packed everything up and was ready to head out, the skies darkened and I heard a bunch of thunder. This normally wouldn¢t have stopped me, but the upcoming section was supposed to have a bunch of crazy rock scrambles not good to do in inclement weather.I decided to wait it out and take a nap. It was actually really nice being able to watch the storm from the dry shelter. I put out my pad and was about to lie down when a hiker came running in. He was debating going on, but ended up calling a family member to stay at in Kent.The weather started clearing, but given the wet rocks and my exhaustion, called it a short day. I became what I talk crap about - people that just go to the next shelter when it¢s raining and get there early so there¢s no room.Flex and Curly Turtle arrived shortly later. They were debating shelter or tenting, but with likely rain later set up in the shelter. I was hoping it would just be us, but knew that wouldn¢t be the case.More people started arriving and setting up tents, including many that I was ahead but now caught up. I had just finished my chores when a huge downpour started. There were a few leaks in the roof we were able to duct tape, I¢m glad I didn¢t tent!A big group arrived around 8 so we crunched to make room for them. I was a little annoyed, as I feel when you get late to a shelter you can¢t expect a spot. They were kind of loud and and getting water over everything. And there was a lot of moving around when I was trying to get ready for sleep. But we weren¢t going to kick them out in the rain! In the end, there was enough room and everyone was finished up by 9 so I was just being cranky.
Date: 2018-07-28
From: Mt. Algo Shelter

To: Caesar Brook Campsite
Miles today: 14.0

Woke up at 5:30 and took my time getting ready, out around 7. It was gray and foggy, but dry. It was only a quarter mile walk to Route 341, which led to Kent. Originally I was going to skip it, but with yesterday¢s change in plans I needed to resupply.There weren¢t any cars out so early, so I walked the mile into town. Kent was very cutesy with a bunch of boutiques and cafes. Of course the latter was more interesting to me, and I did a crawl similar to Harpers Ferry. They even had a farmers market, but there were only two booths - worse than Marion!After taking care of resupply and errands, I got back to the trail around noon. The first few miles were easy, then I got to the section I was worried about doing in the rain yesterday- Caleb¢s Peak and St. John¢s Rocks. They weren¢t horrible, but definitely would have sucked doing in the rain. Luckily the sun was out and it was dry - didn¢t fall once!The next few miles were on a gravel road along the Housatonic River so were completely flat and smooth. I don¢t remember a section like that since the Creeper Trail our of Damascus!Some dark clouds and thunder started rolling in. I stopped by a shelter where some overnighters were quickly setting up camp to escape the rain, but I was like nope can¢t do this again!The trail started climbing back up the mountains, and just then the rain came. It wasn¢t a complete downpour and the thunder bypassed, so not bad! I guess I have low expectations now, okay with getting wet. Actually, one of the challenges I wanted to work on by hiking the AT is being better in inclement weather. Of course, no one likes being caught in the rain, but so often at home if it was raining I would just stay inside.The only issue was the rocks were wet, making the downhills harder. I just went slower, resulting in a few less miles than I wanted.When I got to the campsite, there were a bunch of people there including Sunrise and Mademoiselle. That¢s what happens when you do shorter days, people catch up! Also there were some overnighters, I forgot it was the weekend but they weren¢t loud and went to bed before I did.You are technically not allowed to camp anywhere not official in Connecticut, so they have nice campsites with water sources, privies, and bear boxes. Well this privy had no roof so was basically just a hole in the ground, but at least I didn¢t have to dig!I was a bit slow taking care of everything, and didn¢t get to bed until 9.
Date: 2018-07-29
From: Caesar Brook Campsite

To: Brassie Brook Shelter 
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at six and was out around 7:30. I was feeling good and the sun burnt off all the fog, but there were a few PUDs (pointless ups and downs, no views) that were annoying and slowed me down. I passed a few big parking lots and was kind of surprised there was no trail magic on this sunny weekend day, but I shouldn¢t expect it!I took a long lunch at the Great Falls, then realized there were a couple of further options past the shelter I was planning so could put in more miles.The afternoon actually went better than the morning for me, which is weird because I usually feel the best right away and wind down as the day goes on. Lion¢s Head, which was supposed to be a tough climb, wasn¢t that bad. Even got some views!Oh, and I passed 1500 miles today which was exciting! I¢m glad there was a formal sign, otherwise I probably wouldn¢t have noticed!I got to the second shelter and was thinking about going on to a further campsite, but it was over a mountain so figured don¢t push it. I picked one of the far sites to have space, but no one else ended coming so I could have set up closer! Oh well, it was nice to get done early. And someone left the most recent copy of Outdoor Magazine, so I have a lot to do!
Date: 2018-07-30
From: Brassie Brook Shelter 

To: Monument Mountain Motel 
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at 5:30, and it was surprisingly cold. Not sure if it¢s because I¢m further north, higher elevations, or just random.Got out around 7 and Bear Mountain wasn¢t bad. Could have done yesterday. But Mount Race and Mount Everett were pretty tough both up and down, went less than two miles an hour. There were some decent views though, including some ridge walking, and I got above 2,600 feet.Finally I got back down and the terrain eased up. Unfortunately, it was really swampy and full of mosquitoes and bees. I got stung a few times which was awesome. I made it to Route 7 about 3, later than I wanted but not bad. I called Joe, who shuttles around hikers for small donation. He arrived about ten minutes later and drove me to the motel. It was a little more expensive than it should be, but this is kind of a ski resort town.They didn¢t have laundry, but could do it at the motel next door. After I washed, he clothes still smelled! May be permanent at this point...I had heard there were free hiker dinners on Mondays at the community center which was less than a half mile away. I walked over, and it was listed as a ¢community dinner¢ and seemed to be a gathering place for families with people with disabilities. I was definitely the only hiker there. They made me feel welcome though, and had good (but not enough) food.Luckily, there was a brewery next door. Unfortunately, their WiFi wasn¢t great so I only stayed a bit.There was a grocery store on the way back, so I could resupply. I figured out I only needed 2 days worth, but still got way too much!When I got back to the motel, I couldn¢t find my hiking shirt anywhere (I had been wearing my long sleeve base layer). I know I had washed it, so went back over to the other motel but it wasn¢t there either. I know it has to be around somewhere, but I must have spent over an hour looking to no avail!
Date: 2018-07-31
From: Monument Mountain Motel 

To: Mt. Wilcox Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Woke up at 5:30 even though the bed was super nice. Ate about 1,000 calories of cereal and milk from the grocery store and took care of some chores.One of my parents¢ friends were randomly in town, unfortunately I didn¢t know before motel and resupply. But she came and picked me up and we went to the outfitter for a replacement t-shirt. Well, I use the term outfitter loosely as it was mostly furniture intended for rich ski homes. There were a few button down shirts or cotton tees, but nothing technical that could wick moisture. We went over to the Goodwill and I found a cutoff that would do if necessary, but then we went to the department store and found some athletic gear.It was nice to get chauffeured around town, but I hate clothes shopping and now didn¢t get to the trail until 10:30. Unfortunately, the campsite I was planning on was closed due to recent aggressive bears, and since I was starting late had to pick the shorter shelter which was only 13 miles away (I didn¢t want to stealth camp with the bear situation). So I took my time and was still running early as the terrain wasn¢t bad.A few hours in, I cross a road and get to a parking lot with a creepy white van. I see an AT logo on it, a guy gets out and asks if I¢m thirsty. Turns out his name is Casper (which explains the ghost logo) and just drives around giving trail magic. It was nice to kill some time and get a cold Gatorade, but I wish he would have been at those times I didn¢t just come from town!Even with the slow pace and trail magic, I still got to the shelter before six. There were a few hikers already there, had set up a fire for mosquitoes that I haven¢t seen for weeks (we¢ve all been too lazy). I finished all of the chores before 8, but I guess was nice being done early.
Date: 2018-08-01
From: Mt. Wilcox Shelter

To: October Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: clear sky

I woke up at 5 and was the first out at 6:30. There was a shelter 30 miles away and the terrain didn¢t look bad, so I decided to push it.A few miles in at a road crossing was supposed to be a snack stand, but it was closed and locked when I walked by. Might have been too early? Similarly, passed a few trail magic coolers but all were empty or filled with trash.I made decent but not great time. I passed the Upper Goose Pond Cabin which would have been great to stay at if it worked out. It is technically a shelter, but has a caretaker who makes pancakes in the morning. I think I passed about 12 SOBOs coming from the cabin, I must be in their bubble.The rain started drizzling, then turned into a downpour for the next few hours. Luckily there was no thunder, but I was soaked and the trail was a mess. Doesn¢t look like they use water bars so it just pools on the trail.I got to the first shelter around 4:30, and a couple was already there. I was debating pushing on because I really wanted to do a 30, but it would have been a haul. Peer pressure they convinced me to stay. Of course the sun came out after I set everything up, but oh well.A guy at the shelter last night said he heard this was the wettest AT season in over 15 years. Not sure if it¢s true or how they even measure that, but did make me feel I wasn¢t alone in thinking it!
Date: 2018-08-02
From: October Mountain Shelter

To: Mark Noepel Shelter
Miles today: 25.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up at 6 and was out around 7. Skies were gray but dry. The trail was pretty flat, but with all the mud and standing water pools, couldn¢t go that fast. But the mosquitoes loved it! Unfortunately even though I think it was on a ridge, there were no views and felt like the green tunnel.I got to Dalton around noon. The trail goes right through town, including a cafe and gas station. The latter was supposed to be a good resupply, but was probably the least hiker friendly I¢ve seen on the trail. They didn¢t carry or were out of typical hiker foods - oatmeal packets, peanut butter, tortillas, tuna, ramen, etc. I basically just bought a bunch of protein bars to last me a few days!The trail continued on sidewalks for the next couple of miles. It was a nice change and helped me pick up some time as I stayed in town a bit longer than planned.About an hour outside of town, it started to downpour (for a change). I got to Cheshire which was another road walk which sucked because it was all exposed. There was an ice cream stand/grill right on the trail, so I escaped in there and grabbed a bowl of chili. As I continued walking through town, I passed a lady checking her mailbox who called out, ¢You need some shelter?¢ I was planning on going on a few miles, but wouldn¢t have minded drying out in a home. But she continued, ¢I think you can stay at the church¢ so I was like eh all good.I continued to another road crossing with a bigger gas station. Unfortunately, they didn¢t have much either but I grabbed a sandwich for dinner since I was running late. By the time I was done, the rain had stopped and even some splotches of sun came out.It was only four miles out of Cheshire, but they were all uphill. I still made pretty good time and got to the shelter around 7:30. All of the tent sites were taken and shelter was almost full! This was after the last few nights either being alone or having a few other people. I guess I¢ve caught up to another bubble, not sure if NOBO or SOBO. Bit a bunch of old guys so I¢m expecting snoring! I got the last spot on the upper level which was surprisingly warm and dry.
Date: 2018-08-03
From: Mark Noepel Shelter

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

I didn¢t get much sleep as my earplugs fell out and my sleeping pad had a slow leak. I got up around 5:30 and was out around 7. It was foggy but dry.A few miles in was Mount Greylock, the tallest point in Massachusetts. I was excited as it has 360 degree views, probably the best since Virginia. Unfortunately it was too foggy to see anything.It rained a little bit in the morning but not for long. The sun actually came out for a bit as I walked through North Adams. There was a grocery store I was thinking about adding to my resupply but it was a little far off trail.Once out of town, the sky got super dark - I almost got out my headlamp. It varied between downpour and drizzle, I heard some thunder and lightning but it wasn¢t directly over. The trail was a mess though- muddy and water flowing sometimes over ankles.I hit the sign for Vermont shortly after. It is also the start of the Long Trail, which the AT follows for a while. Exciting because really going to be on the mountains again, plus only 3 states left!I got to a shelter around 3:30, originally planned to go to the next one but with the weather and terrain I was pretty tired. It was a smaller, older shelter but still a couple of spots left so I decided to stay.Slowly it filled up with a mix of NOBOs, SOBOs, and Long Trail sectioners. It was a packed house, but everyone was pretty cool. The rain finally let up around 8, but by then it was getting dark.Oh and today I think I hit the 1600 mile mark too!