morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-29
From: Shaghticoke Mountain Campsite

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 10.2

Today is for Tommy Cantwell, his wife, and all the Cantwell family. Rising early, I pack my tent and hike with Gazelle the short 3 miles into Kent. I have the address and phone number of Phil and Mary Gargan. Mary is a sister of Fr. Joe Rabbitt who worked with me in Nigeria. Their house is very near the A.T. I hitch a ride and a young lady named Caitlin drives me to 16 Macedonia Brook Road. Nobody at home. Mary is in Florida, Phil gives tennis lessons. I learn all this from their neighbour, Louisa, who drives me back into Kent where we search for Phil. No luck. I go to the Post Office, do some shopping ¢ a big gang of hikers are in town taking Zero days and hanging out. I decide to get back to the Trail. As I am walking out of town, somebody calls ¢Tipperary¢ from a car. It¢s Mrs. Heaney, Mothman¢s mother, who is slack packing her son and some other hikers. She drives me back to the Trail. We call again to Phil¢s house and I leave a note. Cold soda and cakes from Mrs. Heaney and I am ready for the road. It¢s as hot as hell as I begin my journey, sad to have missed Phil. The walk is hard and the heat and extra weight makes it worse. I climb Caleb¢s Peak (1,160) and then one of the trickiest downhill over some ¢hairy¢ rocks called St. John¢s Ledges. My heart was in my mouth as I hit the Housatonic River Road. I met a young hiker from Mullinavat, Brian Butler, who recognised the Tipp jersey. We chatted for some time. He was with a group headed for the Rocks I had left. The walk along the River was beautiful and went on for over 2 miles till I reached the Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter. Even though it was only 5.30 and a lovely evening, I decided to call it a day. I was tired and had enough for one day. A little over 10 miles but they were tough ones out of Kent. Leaf, Stretch, Spin and Skittles arrived, everyone with news of Phil. He got my note and went into town looking for Tipperary. All the hikers were able to tell him at exactly what time I headed out. Tom and ¢Senicalce¢, a lovely couple from Florida, came - she with her arm in a sling. Broke two bones in her wrist and is still hiking. Two section hikers, camped nearby, came and took photos. They were fascinated with this motley group of Thru-hikers and how well we knew each other. Skittles and I shared the shelter; the others tented. I was both too tired and lazy to pitch mine, so I took my chances with the bugs instead. I was thinking of Phil and how, maybe, I should have waited at his house. I would try phoning him tomorrow
Date: 2003-07-30
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to

To: West Cornwall Road
Miles today: 9.0

Today is for all the Langley family, Archerstown. I hit the road early. It is hot and humid as I continue on the river road. It is fantastic in the early morning. Birds making all sorts of noises. I regret not knowing more about these creatures. But soon the road turns away from the river and I am forced once again to climb. You¢d think I¢d be getting used to it by now. Up Silver Hill and down again to the road. More tricky dickey as they try their best to get us on the rocks. The heat is intense as I wander on. I think on the events of yesterday; I would have like a rest day in Kent. I decide to ring Phil as soon as I get to a road crossing. I walk 9 miles before I hit the West Cornwall Road and hitch a ride into town. Luckily, Phil answers and is so anxious to meet up. Not half as anxious as I am to get out of this heat. In fact his house is very near and in 20 minutes he arrives. Phil is 77 years young, and fit and active. He worked as a butcher in this area before retiring and dedicating himself full-time to tennis. A proud Kilkenny man who talks of his youth in the Marble City. I shower and change, and together we prepare one of the best meals I have had on the Trail. Two big steaks, and what¢s left is cut and made ready for the Trail next day. Some cold Guinness only adds to the flavour. I make some phone calls and we talk till the late hours. Mary is delighted we have met and sorry to have missed the ¢craic¢. Nine miles today. We called that a Nero Day ¢ not quite a Zero.
Date: 2003-07-31
From: West Cornwall Road

To: Plateau Campsite
Miles today: 17.7

Today is for Phil and Mary Gargan, Kent, Connecticut. I was up early and got a little writing done and got my ¢report¢ ready for posting. It is not always easy to write on a daily basis. The weather, the time, the Shelter and most especially tiredness are all factors that make it difficult to keep pen to paper. Phil and I ate a good breakfast. I called Seamus and Kathleen F. It is always great to hear you on the phone. Phil had three pairs of boots for me to choose from ¢ he heard me talk with you about boots coming via Brenda Healy to New Jersey. One pair fitted perfectly, so I left the old Brashers that had served so well for 1,500 miles. I wore the new ones that very morning and would try them out. Phil drove me back to West Cornwall Road through countryside he knew so well. I walked to Pine Swamp Shelter where I offloaded some of the Phil insisted I carry. Homer and Rubber Band Man were delighted at the sight of fresh bananas. It was a glorious day for walking and the terrain was not so bad. So much depends on how you are feeling that day. I was so happy after my time with Phil that everything seemed easy. I climbed Mt. Easter (1,350) on my ease. You can¢t beat the bananas!! Rubber Band Man passed me and I passed him. Together we searched for a good spring. He refuses to carry water. When he finds a good source he drinks like a camel and hopes he will survive till he reaches the next source. Again we crossed the Housatonic River. I met this hiker and before I could greet him, he says, ¢oh you must be Tipperary, should I call you Father¢. He was McCormack (his people came from Castlepollard), Trail name ¢Seabees¢, who was taking a Zero. I later met his wife and sister-in-law. I will be seeing more of him up the way. The walk from Falls Village, over the Housatonic yet again and down along it¢s bank, was one of the most memorable of the Trail. We came to a Natural Spring and Rubber Band Man did his camel act. The water was ¢super¢. A long climb up Prospect Mountain (1,475) I sat down and devoured some calories. In the cool of the evening I walked the five miles down to the outskirts of Salisbury. Some Guatemalan workers gave me some Iced drink as I passed by. ¢Snuggles¢ and ¢Apollo¢ walked with me to the Plateau Campsite. They went on. Rubber Band Man and I pitched camp. It looked like rain. Someone had left some beer in the ¢well¢. A lovely ¢apperativo¢ as I cooked the pasta. Jason, Trout Lilly and their dog arrived. I hadn¢t seen them since the ¢Doyle¢ Duncannon. She didn¢t recognise me without the hair and beard. ¢Freeway¢ arrived as I was getting ready for bed. I had barely closed the rain fly when the heavens opened. Good timing. I slept well as the rain poured down for hours. At times like this I¢m glad to be carrying a good tent.
Date: 2003-08-01
From: Plateau Campsite

To: Hemlock Lean-to
Miles today: 13.2

Today is for Elaine Bradshaw, her parents and family and her friend Margaret in Kilkenny. Rising early I packed my wet tent in the bag. It weighs so much more when wet but it kept me good and dry during the heavy rain that poured all night. I climbed the Lion¢s Head (1,738) and made slow progress in the misty, rain dripping morning. I met Leaf at the next Shelter. I stopped and ate a good second breakfast. The hunger in the morning is something else. I could eat stones. ¢Mellow Yellow¢ and ¢Hep Cat¢ were leaving as I arrived. I passed ¢Take-¢er-Easy¢, ¢Orbit¢ and ¢Homer¢, who had camped on the Trail and were slow about getting started. We chatted for some time. Today was going to be tough with four big climbs. Worse still, the rocks were wet and dangerous. The second test of the day was Bear Mountain (2,316) and this was easy enough on the up but ¢a right huar¢ on the down. Leaf and I walked for some time together. I got a heavy fall when my poles and camera went flying down the rock face and I was left with a bemused smile as I sat on my hurting ass. I caught up with Leaf who also came a cropper. He cut his leg and sprained his thumb in the fall. It was almost dark as Leaf and I crossed the Connecticut-Massachusetts line at 12 noon. I stopped for grub before the next big climb. Again I met up with Homer and his gang who had passed me earlier. Sapes Ravine was easy but again the downward was ¢a caution¢. Rubber Band Man caught up with me and we hiked and chatted together. He was raised a Baptist but is asking all sorts of questions. He is a great guy, from Texas. Together we headed for the big one, Mt. Everett (2,602) which was tough on the up and then a long series of rocks on the Edge as we walked along the cliff. All we could see was the swirling mist as it came up around us. I thought of the Connor Pass on a wet Irish day. We were not to see any of the sights from the top, but we were just happy to get down safely. The rain came as we slowly came off the mountain and searched for the Shelter that never seemed to appear. We came upon one derelict stone hut and concluded (wrongly) that it was the old Shelter. We journeyed on thinking that we would pitch our tents, when we came to ¢Hemlock Lean-to¢. All the gang were there and glad to be in from the rain. ¢Seabees¢ and ¢Mothman¢ arrived later. I cooked two suppers I was so hungry. ¢Stripe¢ gave me some fuel as I had purchased the wrong kind. It was early to bed as the night closed in ahead of schedule.
Date: 2003-08-02
From: Hemlock Lea-to

To: Tom Leonard Lean-to
Miles today: 14.5

Rained hard during the night but the morning was dry and overcast. Today is for the Ryan family, Glenough, who helped me prepare for this trip. Thanks to Mary, my feet are doing just fine. Left the Shelter at 7.45 ¢ a little later than usual but with so many people sleeping in the Shelter, I didn¢t want to be the first to wake everybody. ¢Stripe¢ was off early. He is meeting his wife today and taking 2 Zero days. ¢Mellow Yellow¢ and ¢Hep Cat¢ also left early, then ¢Seabees¢, followed by myself. I was wearing the runners again ¢ wet from yesterday (everything wet) but after a few minutes the body warms up and it¢s ok. I caught ¢Seabees¢ and we hiked for a few hours. The Trail was wet and slippery and the downward off Jug Elbow (1,750) was scary. I saw ¢Seabees¢ take a tumble in front and ¢Tinamu¢ behind me take a bad fall but thankfully, no one was injured. But it put me on ¢Red Alert¢. Those first few miles were tough as they come. I kept praying to stay upright and not worry about miles. Strangely, we were just crossing the 1,500-mile mark. When we got to the road I went for water and Seabees went ahead. I met a father and his two young girls, Molly (11) and Anna (9). They walked 14.5 miles today. The next section was through bog and marsh where the mosquitoes were awful. There is always something to complain about. I ate lunch on US 7 and dried out my tent. ¢Dutch¢ and his wife drove up and offered me a ride to town but I wanted to move on. Homer and Mothman arrived and I walked and chatted a mile or two with Mothman, who comes from New Jersey. The day had come alive after a slow start with the sun breaking through the cloud around noon. I crossed the Housatonic River (again) and then in the hot afternoon I climbed East Mountain (1,800). I feel really fit and surprise myself on the ¢ups¢. When the rocks are dry it is so easy. ¢Snuggles¢ and ¢Apollo¢ passed and I enjoyed the next 5.5 miles. ¢Leaf¢ and I stopped to eat around 16.00 and walked and chatted to the Tom Leonard Shelter. We have been together on the Trail since Easter Monday. Leaf was hiking on but I decided to rest my weary bones. 14.5 miles today and a long hike to a water source. Seabees, Mothman and some Southbounders are sharing the Shelter. The bugs are active but won¢t stop me from sleeping.
Date: 2003-08-03
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: haze

Today is for Irma Franca and all my old friends in Vila Penteado, my first parish in Brazilo. I left camp at 6.30, hoping to make a long trip to Goose Pond Cabin. The morning was hazy, humid and full of bugs. I decided to walk carefully on the wet rocks. Congratulating myself on staying upright yesterday, I felt I would do good in my new boots but less than 10 minutes later I got a mighty fall as I slid on some wet rocks landing on my ass and going five yards downhill. Again, no damage done!! I often marvel at these falls and how I pick myself up intact. Now I was going down to low-lying ponds where the bugs nearly drove me mad. Mozzies and bleeders would land on all parts of the body. The more I killed, the more they seemed to arrive. It was 5 sweaty miles to the first Shelter where Leaf, Rubber Band Man and Skittles were still in camp. Karma was also there. We chatted and filled up with water and I hiked on to the second shelter. Tunnel Vision passed me. Later, I met the gang again as we ate a little around 11.00. 7 miles done and 14.3 miles to go. The lads went on ahead and I walked in the horrible heat. I had never sweated like this before. Thunder was in the air and it seemed like rain must fall. At 12.30 I ate a hurried lunch expecting the rain, but still it held off. I was praying for the heavens to open to drown the bugs and cool the air. In spite of the heat, I still made good progress. While I had some big climbs, the terrain was easier than the past few days. When I came to Tyringham Main Road, I called to a house for water. They were Fenelley¢s from Kilkenny (originally). 7 miles to go. I decided to have a go. There is something about the challenge. One hell of a climb up to Webster Road (1,800) and the forest was getting dark at 16.00 hours. Then the rain started and I wandered slowly on rocky sections of the Trail. I kept waiting for Goose Pond Road, which never seemed to come. 2.8 miles to go and the rain came down in buckets. I laughed and sang as I walked the last few miles along Upper Goose Pond. The rain was better than the heat, better than the bugs by far. 18.50 I came to the Blue Trail to the Cabin. 0.5 miles to go. Take-¢er-Easy and Bull came up behind me. A good swim and wash in the lake and I was ready for supper. 21.8 miles today and my first blister on the side of my big toe. Must be the new boots!!
Date: 2003-08-04
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

A late night as we ate pancakes and drank real coffee. 19 hikers in the Cabin but most of them had come early, were anti-social and had occupied the bunks. Floor space was all that remained for ¢Hiker Trash¢. Today is for Nicky Fanning, Marcia and all the Fanning family, remembering John, his Dad, and Peg. Rising early, I helped Peggy get the kitchen in order. She taught me how to make the pancake mix and cook them on the hotplate. Pancakes and coffee for everybody. Some were taking a Zero day and going boating on the lake (Pond). Bull and Skittles wanted me to stay but the ¢Wanderer¢ within wanted to hit the Trail. At 9 I eventually was ready to hike. The morning was cloudy and soon the rain came down. For 2 hours I walked in the heavy rain, climbing up Becket Mountain (2,180). Then the rain stopped and the forest was beautiful in the sunshine and raindrops from the trees. The ground underfoot was wet and boggy as we skirted ponds and beaver dams. The bloody mozzies were awful. I ate a quick lunch and made my way to October Mountain Shelter. I met many Southbounders with stories from way up North and telling me where to stay and what was on offer in each town. Nearly all young college kids who are hiking south. At least, that¢s my impression so far. Most of them would have left on May 24th when the Park opens; some of the very fit ones left around June 10th. 2.2 miles through more swamps and bugs I came to a main road where I stopped at a house for water. It was a Blueberry farm, so I loaded up with vitamin B. Here I met a young couple called ¢Fly by Night¢, a pilot and ¢Smoothie¢, who is in the advertising business. We walked and chatted all the way to the Kay Wood Shelter, where I had intended staying, but we made such good time and the thunder and rain had passed over that I walked another 3 miles to Dalton. We got lodgings with Tom le Vardi, who offers his lawn and garage to weary hikers but this week he is in residence and takes the hikers inside. Showered and cleaned up, my 2 new friends and I went to a nearby ¢Red Sox¢ pub for dinner and 2 beers. It was heaven. Back at Tom¢s house we watched TV and were served huge helpings of ice cream. There are 2 very nice Southbounders here also. I slept on the floor with blanket and pillow provided. Another 20.6 miles today and the new boots are fine, even in the wet conditions. I am feeling well and looking forward to the challenge of New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.
Date: 2003-08-06
From: Cheshire, Mass

To: North Adams, Mass.
Miles today: 14.0

Today is for Terry Parker, England. I had the hall to myself last night and what a beautiful hall. I cooked breakfast for a change and was up and hiking by 6.30. 7.7 miles to the top of Mt. Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts. The Trail was wet and in many places it was more like a creek. My boots were taking in water early in the day. The climb was steady and was I glad to have stayed in town last night. The way I was feeling I¢d have collapsed before reaching the Shelter. But this morning I was refreshed and ready for the uphill. 4.4 miles of climbing before I came to the Mark Noepel Shelter. I did not go in. I ate on the Trail and fortified myself for the final push to the top. A mere 700 feet to climb. The morning was dark and misty but as I neared the summit, the sun was trying to break through the cloud. I stayed around the ¢Lodge¢ for about 2 hours ¢ climbing the highest point and generally relaxing in the dining room. No sign of the boots yet, but not to worry. I am doing fine with the ones I have. It¢s really wellies I¢d need the way the weather has changed. By 1.30, with the belly full, I was ready for a long and dangerous downhill. It was slow and in many ways more difficult than climbing. Again the tiredness returned. The more I speak with other Northbounders, they all seem to be feeling the same. I think the humidity, the heat and general state of the Trail are some of the causes. After 1,500 miles, I suppose the body is feeling the pinch. Many people have dropped out and it is here that it becomes very much a mental game. So I keep moving slowly but forward. When I reached the road, I decided to hitch a ride to North Adams and try my luck at the Catholic Church. Cars whizzed by at speed and I was wondering if Hikers were not welcome up here, when 2 young ladies in a sports car stopped. Jennifer, the driver, recognised the Tipperary jersey. She worked in Limerick in a sports shop for 6 months. They drove me to the church where a lovely 66-year old Fr. Dan Nolan welcomed me and in less than 10 minutes, I was seated at table with him. Then something funny. The pastor arrived and he was not happy at all. He wanted papers, documents, and identification. A legal jerk who made Fr. Dan look stupid for accepting me into the house. He buzzed off, never to be seen again while Fr. Dan and I had a great evening. A good bed, shower and TV. I celebrated Mass the following morning at 7. Tomorrow would hopefully be my last day in Massachusetts.
Date: 2003-08-07
From: North Adams, Mass.

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: haze

Today is for Peadar, Kathleen, Cathal and Fatima and all the Cullen family. Mass with Fr. Dan at 7 and breakfast. The cook arrived and insisted I carry a ¢doggie bag¢. Fr. Dan drove me back to the Trail and explained the history of this area of Massachusetts. 8.30 and I was on Trail. A hell of a climb over rocks and boulders as I inched my way to the Vermont/Mass. Line. Again the day was misty and humid. I would be happy to leave Massachusetts where the Trail was probably the worst since leaving Georgia. The Trail took us from one mosquito-infested ¢Beaver Pond¢ to the next. The rain spoiled the few possible views ¢ so I looked forward to crossing that line and hopefully Vermont would be better. I met a Southbounder, O¢Riordan at the State Line and together we devoured the fruit and muffins. I was somehow expecting the terrain to change but it was more of the same. The rain had made the Trail muddy and slippery. I stopped at ¢Seth Warner¢ Shelter for lunch. ¢Sean O¢ (O¢Rahilly), 72 years young, passed me like ¢a fart in the wind¢. He is really amazing. He moves at such a pace. The evening is hot and sticky and I am happy when I reach the Congdon Shelter. The last mile is pretty as the Trail moves alongside a beautiful stream that is in full flood with all the recent rains. Sean O and Seabees are in camp. Leap Year and 2 Southbounders arrive. We cook supper and enjoy a good chat around the ¢table¢. Dutch arrived late and puts up his hammock. Again the talk comes round to the general feeling of tiredness and we try to encourage each other to ¢hang in¢. Some are saying we have less than 600 miles to go, but that is one hell of a distance. But it shows the way we are thinking. We have walked over 1,500 miles, so 600 looks manageable. Hanging our wet socks and gear to dry during the night, we settle in for another early night on the Trail. Sleep comes easy after another tough 14 miles. But we are in Vermont with only 3 States remaining.
Date: 2003-08-08
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Today is for Pat and Tess Hackett and all the Hackett family. More heavy rain during the night but the morning was dry and misty. I got ready and was on the road by 6.30am. Sean O passed me soon after travelling at a tremendous pace. Remember he is 72 years young. The climb up Hermon Hill (2325) had the heart back to full throttle. But worse was to follow. For nearly two miles I had to go downhill over rocks and boulders that would frighten the daylights out of you. The rocks were not which added to the fun. Sometimes the steps were so gigantic that even ¢Fionn of the Fianna¢ would have difficulty getting from one to the other. When I came to the Bennington Road there was Trail Magic. Some hiker from Washington DC was returning to his car after a few days hiking and he wanted to off-load his ¢leftovers¢. Cans of soda, tins of oranges, apricots and peaches were soon devoured. Snack bars galore were loaded up. Thru-hikers never refuse food. Seabees (Matt McCormack) and I headed up the hill and headed up the hill and had to sweat huff and puff as we climbed back up to City Stream (1360). The terrain was wet and in places you could ¢sink to the traces¢. Seabees and I walked together. All day we seemed to be climbing. We were full from all the food we ate by the roadside that we only stopped for lunch around 14.30 at Little Pond Lookout (3060). It was one of the rare views on an otherwise wet and dismal hike. I had a terrible headache all afternoon, the first on the trail. Must have been all the food I ate earlier. Just after lunch the rain came down heavy but ¢Seabees¢ and I plodded on again uphill till we finally came to Goddard Shelter at the summit of Glastenbury Mountain (3748). Sean O was fast asleep when we reached there around five. Two brothers arrived, one a thru-hiker, the other doing two weeks, both from Alabama. I cooked an early dinner and the weather cleared for a short time. I walked .3 miles to the Fire Tower at the summit: a magnificent view in the late evening of Stratten Mountain (3936) in the distance. I would be headed there tomorrow. Jason & Trout Lilly, Smoothie and Fly by Night, Snuggles and Apollo all arrived around 7.30 and camped nearby. 14.4 miles today, feeling good and my boots are doing fine. The headache cleared and I was ready for another early night. It looked like more rain.