morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-06-25
From: Rte 7 Sheffield 

To: Shaker campsites
Miles today: 17.7

Jess made terrific blueberry pancakes this morning.  I had 3 huge ones.  Then I took one for lunch.  She dropped me off at the trailhead at 8 am.  It pretty much started raining right away.I modified my rain attire so I was wearing the tyvek rain kilt with just underwear underneath and I JSU had my bra on under my raincoat.  That way my clothes could be in my pack and stay dry. This worked!  I was fairly comfortable all day and only my skin got wet! It was a little difficult to deal with my snacks and phone without easy access pockets but my rain coat pockets did on.  It would s just hard to get to them with my hip belt buckled.I stopped at both the TOM Leonard and South Wilcox shelters as reprieve from the rain.  In both I ended up talking to Waldo, a section hiker.After the Tom Leonard shelter is an ice gulch where the sun never shines so the snow and ice stay present into summer.  An interesting place that I just peered over the edge at rather than go downAt south Wilcox I made oatmeal for lunch in order to have ended enough fuel to power me the 6 miles I had left.I met Ninja Mouse during the day. He is a retired Iowa farmer.  Very interesting guy.  I learned about some Iowa geology as Jim and I had been to Devils Baxkbone in northeast Iowa.  I guess that area had been missed by the glacier.  The rest of Iowa was bulldozed smooth by the glacier which is why it¢s so flat! Ninja Mouse stopped at Wilcox north and I pushed on to the shaker campsites.  Before I got there the rain stopped and the sun came out!I hit 500 miles today!!
Date: 2019-06-26
From: Shaker campsites

To: October Mtn shelter 
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

Started at 6:20 because I had to hike out a few miles to meet my friend Paula.  Immediately the trail went up Tyringham cobble for some sweet views above the clouds.Then it was through a cow pasture and right through the herd of cows (complete with a bull). The cows were following me around and super friendly.Then over some extensive boardwalks and finally to the Main rd parking lot where I was meeting Paula.We hiked up Mt Baldy and passed knee deep pond.  The woods were pretty but what made the walk outstanding was having terrific company.  The miles flew by as we chatted.  We decided to take the 0.5 miles side trail to Upper Goose Pond cabin.  There was a dock there that was a perfect lunch spot. We met Corey there.  He Is a section hiker and has just caught a bluegill on a homemade fishing rig.  We also met Rabid Raccoon, a thru hiker from TX.After dipping our feet in the water and soaking up some sun we got back on the trail.  We walked through some magnificent mountain laurel, over I90, and our to Rte 20 where Paula got a shuttle back to her car.I continued on.  Finerty pond was lovely and just after that I saw my first bear...well actually 4 of them!  3 cubs and a mama.  I heard a scramble up a tree and there was the first cub!  I got a pic of it and then said ¢where¢s your mama?¢  Immediately it scrambled back down the tree and I saw 2 black blobs move away.  I figured that was the mamma.  I hiked another 50 feet and off to my left I saw all 3 cubs and mama walking away from me.  They were too far to get a good pic.The last 4 miles to the shelter were hard because I was exhausted.  When I got there I met some section hikers ( Craig and Tfoot) and I met the guy who was sleeping when I left that shelter...whetherornot.  Then Corey showed up.  There was some youth group campers around as well.  A very full shelter/campsite.I count this as a my best day on the AT so far!
Date: 2019-06-27
From: October Mtn shelter 

To: Crystal mountain campsite
Miles today: 16.0

I left camp at 7 am and most of the morning was spent dodging mud puddles.  I guess this is a Vermont preview!  I took a break at the power lines for a lunch of almond butter on wraps.  I wanted to be sure to be full when I got to town so I wouldn¢t buy too much food!At the power lines I also called Bascom lodge. It is at the summit of Mt Greylock and rents bunks to hikers.  I was hoping for one on Friday night.  Unfortunately Wilco is happening at Mass MoCA and all the space was booked.  Rats!  (They did t even have a waiting list... I tried!)In Dalton, I went to Angelina¢s and got a 12¢ cheese sub with lots of veggies to go. Then went next door to Java and Juice and got an Arnold Palmer ( iced tea and lemonade) and a banana.  I downed those as I updated my trail journal.  Then it was about 1.5 miles of road walk. Right at the end a woman pulled up in her car and asked if I was a thru hiker.  She had trail magic!  I told her the parking lot was just ahead and I¢d meet her there.  It was her birthday and was gifting others!  I had a Mountain Dew.  Corey arrived (the blue gill guy from Upper Goose Pond).Corey and I hiked the remaining 3.8 miles to camp.  He is interested I. Wild food and medicinal plants and fungi.  We had a real good time chatting and the miles and time flew by.After I set up camp I  ate that entire sub and it was delicious!The campsite is fabulous.  Breezy and big free!
Date: 2019-06-28
From: Crystal mountain campsite

To: Wilbur Clearing Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

I left at 7 am and got to Cheshire, MA just after 9.  I went directly to Dunkin Donuts for an egg and cheese on a bagel and a cup of coffee.  I also got a bagel with veggie cream cheese and 2 plain bagels to pack out.  I did some more trail journal work as I charged my devices.Then it was off to Dollar General for a few things.  Back on the trail at 10:40 after a very long break.I stopped at the Mark Noepel shelter for lunch and chatted with a couple of section hikers, BAD and Sturgeon.Then it was off to Mt. Greylock.  Got there about 3pm and had an ice cream and coke at the concession stand and charged my devices some more. I also checked to see if any bunks opened up...no luck.After I left the lodge I took a quick look around and then set off for the next shelter.  I passed a large group of hiking campers that were going to the same place so I knew it would be busy.Got to camp and set up.  Had dinner with a SOBO guy, Shilo, who left the CDT this year due to too much snow.  He decided to do the AT instead.Here come the campers...it¢s liable to be a noisy night.  Good thing I have ear plugs!
Date: 2019-06-29
From: Wilbur Clearing Shelter

To: Congdon shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: broken clouds

I decided to push through today so tomorrow could be a true nero. Started at 6:45 with a hike up Prospect Mtn.  I was sure it would start raining at any minute but it did not.  I would think this all day and all day would be dry!When I reached the rock garden close to the summit, I had some cell service so I made a reservation at the Catamount Motel in Bennington for Sunday night (tomorrow).  I am definitely needing a shower, laundry and resupply.I stopped at the Seth Warner shelter for lunch.  A section hiker was just leaving.  Spent about an hour there.  Just as I was leaving Fastlane (a thru hiker) arrived.Passed by some really pretty Beaver ponds today.  One had a beautiful stealth campsite.  I was really tempted to stay there but I had my sights on a very short day tomorrow so I kept going.As it turned out I really should have stayed.  The shelter was a very busy place.  I think there were about 10 people in the shelter ( it officially holds 8) and there were at least 10 tents ( some singles and some double...and 2 with dogs (1 was a barker)).  There was no bear box and hanging trees were scarce.  I know a lot of people did not hang their food.  ...and cell service was really sketchy.  I did manage to send Jim a text just to let him know I had made it that far.The good news is that I made it to Vermont!  ...and the mud started right away...
Date: 2019-07-01
From: Rte 9 Bennington, VT

To: Kid Gore shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up early (5) and was ready to get in the trail. It was hard waiting. For the 7:15 shuttle! I had motel coffee and strawberry squares from MaryAnn as a first breakfast.  The shuttle brought us to Stewarts where I got egg and cheese on a bagel as second breakfast.  I was actually on the trail at 7:45.I thought there would be more views today but most were closed in by vegetation.  The best view was on the fire tower on top of Glastenbury Mtn.  I could see Mt Equinox, ADK high peaks, Mt Greylock.  360 degrees of fabulous views.Lots of hiking in balsam for forest today.  The scent of the firs was heavenly.  Wood sorrel is in bloom.  Swainson¢s thrushes were singing.  It really felt like northern forest today.  So different from where I¢ve been.When I got to the shelter I found a campsite with a beautiful view to the east.  I¢m hoping to see the sunrise!I hit 600 miles today!
Date: 2019-07-02
From: Kid Gore shelter

To: Stratton pond shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So it was cloudy this morning so no sunrise....it actually sprinkled a little while I was preparing breakfast.  Left camp just before 7 am.  It was a pretty day in the woods today.  I travelled over 3 footbridges that spanned what I call classic Vermont streams.  Also passed by many beautiful beaver ponds and meadows.  I looked for moose in each of them but didn¢t see any.The big highlight of the day was climbing Stratton Mtn. There is a fire tower at the top.  Again, there was an awesome view of mountains in VT, NY, MA and NH!I got to camp about 3:30pm.  So I made good time despite climbing a substantial mountain.I made a really good dinner tonight:  chili ramen with added peanut butter, 4 cheese mashed potatoes (to make the soup creamy) and dried kale.  A winner!!
Date: 2019-07-03
From: Stratton pond shelter

To: Styles Peak stealth
Miles today: 17.8

Left camp at 7 am.  First stop was Stratton Pond which was flat calm, mirror-like and beautiful. About 4 miles into the hike I found fresh moose prints! There were several right in the trail.  At least the mud is good for something!  I did not see a moose though.The trail was actually pretty nice this morning.  I could get a nice stride going and I made good time. I made Prospect Rock by 9:15 and Bromley shelter (12.7 miles) by 12:30.I had to fill up with water because all my possible stealth sites were before the next reliable water source. 3.75 liters is heavy!I hiked a mile up to Bromley peak, the top of the ski mountain.  The ¢warming hut¢ was not that attractive to me so I kept going.  The view was nice though.It was a steep climb down to Mad Tom Notch where I did find a water cache. Then a steep climbUp to Styles peak.  It was very buggy at the peak.  I found a small spot for my tent and set up fast and jumped in to avoid the black flies and mosquitos.  A short while later a couple showed up and took the other stealth site.  Margo and Colin hiked 700 miles of the PCT and quit due to snow.  They came east and are now hiking the AT instead.At dinner I put on my leggings and sat out to watch the view. There were queen carpenter ants wandering around.  I watched a couple of juncos eat the queens.  They picked them off the rock, gave them a shake to separate them into pieces and then gobbled them up.  They ignored all the regular sized ants.  It was interesting.
Date: 2019-07-04
From: Styles Peak stealth

To: Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: few clouds

Had breakfast looking at the post sunrise view...stunning. Left camp at 7 am.  Passed by pretty Griffith Lake then climbed Baker peak for a really nice view.  I met Peach and Gopher on the way up.  It was good to catch up with them.Baker Peak is a massive rock outcrop.Stopped for lunch at Big Branch shelter which is right on the river with the same name.  Now this would be a perfect place to spend a few days!  Peach, Gopher, Butterfly Girl, and Walking Home were all there.  After lunch we all went down to the river.  Peach and Butterfly actually swam.  The rest of us hung our feet in the water.  We stayed down there an hour or more it was soooo nice.I was pretty tickled that Butterfly Girl adopted that trail name as I told here that would be a good one.  When I met her a couple of days ago she was surrounded by Banded  Purple butterflies.I left ther about 1:30 and hiked on to Little Rock Pond.  I almost went swimming there as well it was so nice but I had miles to do and I was hesitant to laze about.  I needed to move ahead if I¢m going to meet up with Jim tomorrow.I got to the place where I was going to stealth camp but it was not that inviting.  The water in the stream was tea colored due to the tannins and the tent site was right on a road.  So I made the decision to hike another 3.5 miles to the shelter.Lots of people here tonight!
Date: 2019-07-05
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: VT103
Miles today: 7.8

I left about 7am in order to arrive early at the road.  Jim was due to meet me at noon.I took my time and played around trying to remember bird songs.  I watched a Blackburnian warbler singing for quite awhile.The trail passed a view of Rutland airport.  It also passed over 2 footbridges and the suspension bridge over Clarendon Gorge.  Vermont has awesome streams!I arrived at the Cold River at Clarendon gorge at 11:15.  The toad to meet Jim was only 0.1 miles north in of the river. I texted him to tell him I was at the river but I made the mistake of saying I was north of the road when I was actually south...whoops!It was a hot day (90!). And Jim arrived early.  So he spent time looking for me. I was swimming in the river!He did get the dogs to go over the suspension bridge but he did not see me.  I ended up leaving the river and getting to the road about 12:15.  We did find each other!Our plan was to camp somewhere so we went off to Gifford Woods state park.  It was full up for the holiday weekend.  So plan B ...I called around and found that the Rodeway Inn would take us and the dogs.  So off we went.  It was a good move.  We all got to Lou he around in air conditioned comfort.I did go down the road to do laundry and resupply.We had gotten sandwiches at the sandwich shoppe in town so we had those and some cheese and crackers Jim had brought and a fruit salad I picked up.
Date: 2019-07-06
From: VT103

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 1.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I basically took a zero today.  Had our breakfast that came with the room.  I made 2 giant waffles and had a chocolate donut!  Plus Jim has brought miso and we had coffee of course.Then we goofed off and watched TV until checkout.  Then we went to Pine Hill Park to walk the dogs.  We were killing time until noon when we met Tree Trunk and Manula for lunch at the Sandwich Shoppe.  They bought lunch (trail magic!).  We all walked around the farmers market for a bit and then Jim brought me back to the trail.I was still tired and it¢s hard to get motivated when you¢re tired. I also did not like leaving Jim.  I miss home.  All of that made the climb out of the gorge really hard.  Then it started thundering.  I practically ran to the shelter to beat the rain.  I made it!  Bojangles, Kyle and Ray (all Long Trailers) are here as is Raven (AT NOBO).  After the storm we all set up our tents except for Bojangles.  I was glad to not be in the shelter.
Date: 2019-07-07
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Churchill Scott shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained overnight but I stayed dry as a bone.  Left camp about 6:30.  Most people were out of camp before me... I was taking my time. Most of the morning was an uphill climb up Killington.  I still managed to maintain my 2mph speed and got to Cooper Lodge by 11:30.  I ate lunch there.  Dropped my pack.  Then hiked the very steep 0.2 miles up to the summit.  It was super nice at the top.  Breezy, cool and sunny.  I found Peach, Gopher and Walking Home at the bar watching the women¢s World Cup game.  I got an ice cream and a beer and hung out with them for a bit.I was back at Cooper Lodge at 1:30. Then, hiking on I found lots of moose scar but,again, no moose.  I love the north woods.  The balsam for smell so good.  I went through a really pretty area of paper birches.I arrived at the shelter at 3:45.  I was the o loo where until almost 7 when Walking home arrived.  It was really quiet.  I think most folks continued on to town.
Date: 2019-07-08
From: Churchill Scott shelter

To: Stealth site at mile 1716.1
Miles today: 15.0

I left at 6:30am.  The trail was unbelievably beautiful this morning. There was a section of very mature sugar maples with a carpet of wood nettle under them.  Under that was blooming ramps (wild leek).  I know it¢s unnatural but it was still pretty.  I wonder how it is that there is no understory of young trees to replace the old ones when they die off.The AT turned away from the long trail and the number of hikers dropped off noticeably.  I walked through the camping section of Gifford Woods state park.  I was really glad we did not camp there.  The sites were buggy and hard packed sandy gravel.  Just after that I walked along Kent Pond where 2 loons were singing.  My first loons in the trail!I found the side trail toKillington village and took it.  It went to the Base Camp Outfitters where I purchased stove fuel and a mountain house dinner. I left my pack there and walked down the road to the deli.  There I got egg and cheese on an everything bagel and a coffee.  I also got a couple of bagels to pack out.  As I was enjoying my second breakfast at the picnic table outside, DaveNitup showed up!  His wife has been driving him around so he can slack pack.  His ankle still isn¢t great.They gave me a ride back to the outfitters.  There I ran into Cricket.  She and Salamander are just behind me because they hitched to the village rather than walk the spur trail in.Just after getting back on the trail I passed thundering falls, the tallest waterfall I VT that is on the AT.  It was impressive.Then came a long boardwalk with the tallest tall meadow rue I¢ve ever seen.  The next section was a steep climb up Quimby Mtn and a fairly steep climb back down. I met Peach and Gopher slack packing SOBO here.  Peach told me to not stop at the shelter but to continue to the stream for a break.  Which I did.  It was lovely.  It was even better at the next stream!  Vermont really does have terrific streams.There was a great stealth site next to Stony Brook which I came close to setting up at but I really needed to hike 3-4 more miles to make tomorrow¢s plan.  There are not shelters in convenient places right now so I¢m having to guess where good stealth sites will be.Soon after I met a section hiker, Butter Bear, who told me there was a water source coming up that was not in my guides.  Sure enough, I found it and a great stealth site.  Flat, open woods and bug free!  It¢s also pretty stealthy.  A bunch of hikers have cruises past and never saw me... including Cricket and Salamander!
Date: 2019-07-09
From: Stealth site at mile 1716.1

To: Stealth site at mile 1731.8
Miles today: 15.7

So my phone says I climbed 370 flights of stairs today.  I knew it was a lot of up and down!  The first up was to the Lookout. It is a cabin with a sort of widows walk on the roof.  You climb a steep ladder to get there.  Once there, there are benches to sit on and a spectacular view to take in.  I could have spent all day there.  As it was, I had a snack there and then continued in my way.I did run into a bunch of young NOBO hikers:  Drover, Sheepdog, McFly, Trella, and Cake.  They were just getting going at 9 am...a bit late!They left before me but then passed me a bit later as they all stopped at the next shelter and I didn¢t.  I saw them again about 11am at the view of Mt Ascutney site.  I was planning on a lunch break and they were breaking. So I hung out with them a bit until they moved on.  It was a long day of ups and downs. I finally reached Pomfret rd and walked a couple 100 feet to The Back Porch.  This is the home of former thru hikers that make snacks available for sale to hikers .  They have a great back porch that they let you hang out on. I¢d course I ran into the gang there.  I had a soda and a homemade ice cream sandwich that was huge and delicious.  Just what I needed to fuel my next climb!Because I am stealth camping in a dry location, I filled up my 3.5l of water and started walking.  Water is heavy!  The 0.7 miles straight up was a challenge.  Thankfully I have a super campsite! And I watched a fabulous sunset.  And there is plenty of service so I can update this journal!
Date: 2019-07-10
From: Stealth site at mile 1731.8

To: Happy Hill shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

This is my last full day in Vermont!  It was an easy day on the trail if a bit hot. Just a few miles into the day I saw 3 cubs and a mama black bear. The first thing I heard was the cubs climbing a tree then the mother was huffing and hissing at the base of the tree.  I backed up on the trail to give them room to run away.  Instead, mama bear climbed the tree.  The cubs went all the way up into the canopy and mama went up to a large limb about 30¢ up.  She later on the limb like a cat on the arm of an overstuffed chair and stared at me.  It was clear she was not coming down soon.  Of course the trail went practically right under her.  After a few minutes I decided to just walk under her and see what happened.  I did not look at her at all. She didn¢t hiss at me.  All was well and I went on my way.During the day I caught a sweet odor in the woods and I wondered where it was coming from.  Eventually I came out into a field blooming with milkweed.  That was the aroma and it was heavenly in the field.Other interesting plants today including Bulblet Fern on a limestone outcrop and a grape fern (Botrychium virginianum).In West Hartford I walked over the bridge to the blue barn, Linda and Randy¢s.  They are trail angels where I got a soda, muffin, and an ice pop.  Back on the trail, I hiked up To Happy Hill arriving at 3pm.
Date: 2019-07-11
From: Happy Hill shelter

To: Velvet Rocks shelter
Miles today: 7.3

I left camp at 7am. I was not in a big hurry as it would be a short day. As soon as I was off the spur trail to the shelter I met Tortoise.  He is from Milwaukee and is finishing his section hike today.  He has been hiking with Limey and Griz.  They were camped near me last night and quickly caught up to us.  When we came out on the road that took us into town, there trail magic of watermelon and banana bread with chocolate chips.  Yum!We hiked in a loose group to Norwich where we resupply eras the local small grocery.Then we walked over the bridge into NH!  In Hanover we went to Lou¢s restaurant for second breakfast. I had a huge omelet, home fries, and a lemon poppyseed muffin (and coffee of course). We all left stuffed.We walked down the ¢trail¢ (the main drag in town) to the food coop where Tortoise ended his hike.  I bought some snacks in the coop and a huge piece of black bean pie with a side packet of sour cream (to pack out for dinner).I charged my battery while there and had ice cream. Then I walked the mile out to the shelter before afternoon thunderstorms hit.  I got to the shelter about 2 pm and set up my tent.  There was no one around so I read in the shelter.  When the storm hit, I collected water off the roof because the water source for this shelter was a bit of a hike.  After the storm, Dinali arrived. He set up his tent and I ate my dinner.  I was in my tent by 5:30 and decided to read for the rest of the evening.