morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-25
From: Silver Hill Campsite

To: Sharon Mtn Campsite
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: clear sky

2. Report. My near tem planning continues to be a disaster. I was hoping to easily hike 12 or 15 miles today and if I felt real good maybe stretch it out to 18 miles. But I slept in late and sorta lolly-gagged along. Grandpa was up early and I helped him extract a couple of ticks. Red Dragon got up and I gave him some Jolly Ranchers when he found the hike going tough today. I set out and was soon on a mtn top and able to get cell coverage. I conducted a couple of business calls with Lumpy and JP and then leisurely continued my hike. I took a number of photos and was enjoyinb the hike. He trail was not very difficult.  But I couldn't seem to be making any time it seemed warm and I was drinking a lot of water  I took a rest at the Pine Swamp Lean to and found a NOBO section hiker resting there as well. He too was having a tough day it really got tough for me when he said it was 90 deg. Brat might be balmy in Houston but out here it's hot!!  NOBO and I leap frogged each other several times until we both set down at the Sharon Mtn Campsite. I was hesitant to stop as there were still a coue of hours left, about 3 miles to next campsite, which wouldake tomorrow's hike that much easier. But I was tired and decided not to push any harder today. Set up camp, fixed dinner, shared some mocha with NOBO, filed report and going to bed.  Life is Great!
Date: 2010-05-28
From: Salisbury

To: Glen Brook Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

No cell coverage Fri pm1. CPR. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Salisbury Library. It's the oldest public library in the US and is quite pressive. I enjoyed my 2 visits immensely2. Report.  I spent most of the evening gettting mygear ready and loading up the pack.  I was on Maria's back porch talking to Libra Lady when a gray fox came within about 15 yds. I went inside the house to get my camera and was able to get a couple of photos. But it really was too dark. Maria came out later and brought some cinnamon raisin for the foxes. She says that is their favorite. Sure enough, out came two foxes, grabbed the bagels and back into the woods. Def'n:  early is 0430-0600, avg is 0600-0730 and late is-on. I woke up ealry and was feeling fine for the first time in nearly a week. So I went back to bed and slept I'm for another 40 winks.  Got up fixed breakfast and finished packing. Maria was up and insisted on taking me up the road to where the trail crosses. I agreed and was soon on the trail.  It started with a 1600 ft climb, 1000 ft drop, 1200 climb, 500 ft drop, 700 ft climb, culminating in an 800 ft drop.  The last climb was to mt Everest or maybe Mt Everett ( I don't have my reading glasses on).  I really missed on my overnight planning and my guide book was really incorrect in one section. Thankfully, I had the papawr maps from MLM and JP. But the trail was generally accomodating, quite picturesque and not as challenging as I expected. I arrived at the shelter and was surprised to have it all to myself despite being a holiday weekend. Got set up for night, fixed dinner, stowed foodstuffs in bearbox and now getting ready to a better planning job for tomorrow's hikeMilestones:CT is in the rearview mirrorKatahadin is another 100 miles closer (600+)T2 is another year older - I'm so proud of youCT summary. I really liked hiking CT. The trails were generally accomodating, maintained and well marked.  For example, the 10 Mile River Shelter was listed in my guidebook as being 0.1 mi from the AT. I saw a sign for the shelter and was glad to only have a short distance left. Half a mile later I was thinking this was the longest 0.1 mile I've hiked when I came upon a second sign. A 1/4 mile later I came upon a third sign and this one was truly 0.1 mi to the shelter. Also, at each shelter/ campsite there are hand drawn maps of the immediate vicinty showing shelter, tent sites, privy and wash pits. I didn't like the " no fires" policy and there were enough of these signs Ray Charles could have read them. I also wasn't too fond of the camping at designated areas; but there were enough of these for that was not to be much of an issue.  The scenery was extraordinary.  And I greatly appreciated all the old and historical sightsLife is Great!
Date: 2010-05-29
From: Glen Brook Shelter

To: Tom Leonard Lean To
Miles today: 14.3

2.  Report. I went to bed last night seeing "holes" in the roof that almost looked like the Big Dipper. Innthe morning indiscovered they were appliqu©s posted on the ceilingThe pack:  yesterday before reaching the Mt Everett summit I discovered an abandoned pack on the AT. It was fully loaded and appeared like a section hiker. I called and whistled with no response and read a medical log in an external pocket which was of no help. I called 911 at the summit. The initial responder was loud and clear, then transferrred to second agency with poor connectivity then transferred to third agency and lost signal. I hiked to the camp and tried to call again but had no voice signal. I was able to send an email to Lumpy to fwd to AMC. In the morning I had 4 bars and was able to make a call to the Mass police. I also notified the AMC trail coordinator and left note in shelter journal for the ridgerunner. Later on the trail I met a group of AMC day hikers who were going to hike by the pack and I filled them in as well. Hope no one is lost or hurt. Figured I did as much as I couldThe hike was long and hot  I forgot my gloves at Maria's and she broilught them out to me at a road crossing. Then I tried to leave my map and guidebook in her car. I walked by a bog and was attacked by squadrons of Mosquitos. If you hiked fast they would just follow you. Slow down and they were all over you and heaven help you if you stoppped. There was a mini boardwalk over part of the bog. I was hiking N and this part must have built by the liberals - the wall tilted left. I guess I could have turned around if I wanted the conservative side. I won't say it was bruttally hot but my hiking poles left holes in theUS 7 highway crossing. I was climbing the last 1200 ascent for the day and thought I was very close to the shelter for the night  Et a couple of SOBO section hikers and was told it was 2 to 2 1/2 miles and unfortunately it looked like these guys knew what they were talking about  it was getting late and I was getting low on water. I put it into overdrive and made it to the shelter at 1915. Catchup wasalready in the rack and the Picnic Girls arrived later. I got water and had problems with my Steripen. I'm getting ready for bed and planning a couple of short hikes the next 2 daysLife is Great!
Date: 2010-05-30
From: Tom Leonard Lean To

To: Main Road
Miles today: 14.1

2. Report. Went to bed last night to the singing/ howling of owls. There were at least three of hem. Catchup thinks they're barred owls. Sounded like a bunch of jungle monkeys. We were woken twice by the shelter porcupine. The log reported be wasn't afraid of humans. Porky has really done a number on the shelter. He has chewed the wood up to the top rung on the loft ladder. Catchup was talking about doin lg a favor for the AMC and send the little feller to the big shelter  in the sky. I was going to ask if I coils have some quills. But Porky decided to leave quickly after two minor assaults on the shelterI was up and out on avg time. After a short bike I came upon another pack and gear strewn all around. I then saw a lady sleeping in her bag on a big rock that crossed a little stream. A little later the Picnic Twins blew by me. Saw another couple on the trail that were I'll prepared. Today was cool and breezy and I hiked comfortably. Got to the Shaker Campsite which was my goal for the day, just before 1600. I fixed supper and watered up. Steripen worked fine now. After resting a bit I decided to hike another couple of miles before it got dark. I'm going to give myself a treat tomorrow and wanted to make the hike alittle bit easier. Just as I was leaving Dark Horse arrived Nd was setting up to stay overnight. I was looking to hike a comfortable 2 or maybe 3 miles in the evening cool.  It began with a nice uphill and I was soon soaked in sweat. I them slipped on seis and did a faceplant. Luckily everything was soft and I didn't hurt myself. Then I started following some white marks with blue blazes. Turns out the local community created a loop which is neither in my guidebook nor on the AT map. I hiked to a parking lot and got my bearings recibrated. The. Used the AT map to get backon the trail. This tooke thru the village of Tyringham. It's quite pretty and one of the old churches was playing music over the valley. I soon got back on the AT and lookked for the first spot to shut down. I'm going to bed now and can't wait for tomorrow's treatLife is Great!
Date: 2010-05-31
From: Main Road

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

Note:  New  photos have been posted2. Report. Today was am early start and a relatively easy hike to Upper Goose Pond Cabin. It began with a 1000 ft climb. But as JP says sometimes you have to go down to get up and sometimes you have go up to get down. I climbed 500 ft and then drop 2-300 ft. Climb another 500 ft then drop another 2-300. Climb another 500 ft and I gained my 1000 ft. I arrived at the cabin around noon. My treat was some major R&R at the cabin. Itw was a former hunters cabin now owned by the AMC. It has bunks for 18, and on site caretakers, Jim and Julie. I got in, watered down and had abuts to eat. I then went swimming in the pond and rinsed out my clothes. Put them out on the line to dry and them a short nap. Afternoon was spent canoeing on the pond and taking some photos. Jackrabbit arrived. He's a VT ANG on leave from Afgan deployment taking a section NOBO hike. We had dinner and finished it off with hot mocha. Getting ready for bed. Mission accomplished on the R&RLife is Great
Date: 2010-06-03
From: Birdcage, Dalton MA

To: Birdcage, Dalton MA
Miles today: 14.0

Note: SOBO slackpack today2  Report. It was a very restful night and early morning. After getting up, Rob fixed a pot of coffee and David and I then went to General Store for breakfast. Rob went to work in town and then came back and took me to N Adams. Rob mentioned that the first couple of miles were pretty tough. I was slackpacking and expecting a relative easy climb. I was hot and soon really huffing and puffing. The start was a 2300 ft climb over a couple of miles. My brain was beginning to get a little oxygen deprived. I was expecting to reach the peak real soon or fearing the worse I was about to give up a lot of the mtn I had just climbed. I was surprised to meet Aost There. Be asked about a steep decline and I was still. Rain dead because all I knew was the steady uphill. The trail eventually levelled of a bit when the skies opened up with rain again. Quickly my clothes were totally soaked and my gorilla glue repair on my boots failed miserably. It was cold and windy. When I got to the Greystome summit I went to the lodge to warm up with se coffee and clam chowder.  The photo ops were essentially nil due to the cloud whiteouts. I started the descent and it started raining again. I was expecting to cover some more ground than I actually did. I arrived at Cheshire just after 1700 with a decision: carry on and hope to getto Dalton score dark (another 10+ miles) or call Rob and ask for shuttle ride back to the Birdcage. I did not have my headlamp and chose to take a ride back to Dalton. I got cleaned up and resupplied. Hope my replacement Steripen is at the Cheshire PO tomorrow6. Juice and Jave Coffee Shop, Dalton. 2 Greasy Spoons.  Good breakfast sandwich and very good coffeeJacob's, Dalton.  2 Greasy Spoons. Good meals, reasonale prices , cold beer and hiker friendlyGeneral Store, Dalton. 3 Greasy Spoons.  Beat breakfast sandwich yet - double sausage, egg and cheese and fresh bagel vvery good coffee. Lunch subs are excellent as well and the not German potato salad was noteworthy Bascom Lodge, Mt Greystone  1 Greasy Spoon. The clam chowder was a cup of milk, diced potato, celery slices and a few clam strips (rubber bands maybe?) that met each other about a minute after I placed my order. Coffee was hot but not really noteworthy  Life is Great!
Date: 2010-06-04
From: Birdcage, Dalton MA

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: broken clouds

No cell coverage Fri pm2. Report. I was up early, had some coffee with Rob and thendiscovered the dryer wasn't working. I had a couple of socks in the laundry and was concerned about my wet boots. Hung the clothes over outside railing and went to the Gen Store for another great breakfast sandwich.  Then back to the Birdcage. Sewed up a rip in my pants seam and dried out my boots with the hair dryer. Rob came back after checking his Dalton station and we were off. First stop was Dalton Lumber and Hardware where they have gallon cans of camp fuel and denatured alcohol outside for the hikers. Even had a funnel. Next stop was Cheshire PO. Got my new Steripen, mailed back old pen, shipped fuel bottle and stove home, bounced BIL Doug's coat to Manchester Ctr and mailed a couple of SD cards to Ms P&B  Next stop was AT at MA2. Said goodby and thanks to Rob. He is a great asset for all us hikers!!Yesterday's slackpack was a gentle reminer that this is the Appalachian Mountains and not the Appalachian Plateau. No more of these baby hills now. And I hear this is just a warmup for NH. I started late in the am and began with a 1700 ft climb. It was very warm and the pack sure felt heavy. I hiked to the first shelter and decided to call it a day. It's a very nice shelter and campsite, but you wouldn't believe all the filth and garbage. Tomorrow is National Trails Day (I think) so I spent today cleaning up this site. Fixed dinner, getting ready for tonite and tomorrowIn cleaning up to ite my middle toe on my right foot cledFor some attention. And since it has been some time since I naEd a body part, I'll give it the latest honor and name it "No Nail". - no explanation requiredMilestones1. MA is in the rearview mirror2 Mt Katahdin is less than 600 miles (589.3)MA summary: I also enjoyed hiking MA. Stays at Upper Goose Pond Cabin and the Birdcage were exceptional. The trail magic provided by the Hinsdale Friends of the AT was super. Also saw the most evidence of an active and successful trail maintenance crew in MA.Life is Great!
Date: 2010-06-05
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: light rain

2. Report. I woke up to a nice rain and decided to roll over and sleep it out. It finally stopped around 0900 and I started hiking to the next shelter. It was an easy 1000 ft climb and 7 miles to the shelter. I got there and had some lunch and water, then decided to leave for the next shelter. I may have hiked barely a mile when distant thunder and rain started pouring again. I hiked in the rain for a couple of hours. Everything was soaked all over again. The VT 9 Bennington Gap was interesting.  The 1300 drop was very steep, wet and the longest rock step formation I think Ive seen yet. The climb out of the gap was only slightly less impressive. I got to the next shelter around 1800 and gettoing ready for the evening. Tomorrow's forecast isn't all that great and I may take a wx zero day. Or maybe get up early and try to make the next shelter before the noon rainsLife is Great!
Date: 2010-06-06
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

2. Report. Today was a planned wx zero day and that was a very wise decision. Annie(?) and Oakley were up and out early during the first rain. Ted and I were in the shelter most all allthe day. Around noon, two SOBO section hikers came in during the second rain for a hot lunch before finishing their hike bit cleared up a bit and Dave and Big Jim came in from Congon and later Andy from Seth Warner. They're hiking the Long Trail  last night I stored a good supply of wood inside he shelter. Great move as we were able to easily start a fire. I fixed dinner and placed boots and socks near the fire to dry out. It was cool/cold most of the day. Sun never broke thru and I doubt it got up to 65 deg. Tomorrow should be a long day to try to make up for today's zeroLife is Great!
Date: 2010-06-07
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: scattered clouds

No cell coverage Mon2. Report. For those not familiar with this area, the Long Trail is one of the oldest trails in the US and runs thru VT from the MA border to Canada. For a major portion this trail is joined with the AT. So it is not unusal to see "thru hikers" and section hikers for both the LT and AT on the same trailI didn't sleep very well last night. Most was probably due to selleping during much of yesterdays zero day. Some could be attributed to the snoring and f...ing symphony in the shelter, to which I might have been a minor contributor. I was up early and hiking by 0600. Ted and the 2 huskies were shortly behind followed by Dave and BK. Andy was being held captive by his sleeping bag.  I was bary on the trail a half hour when I was started by this whirling, fluttering, chirping ball of feathers. It then started a death spiral act when I realized it was a grouse hen protecting it's young. I hiked on and came upon a second performance, which wasn't nearl as impressive as the first.  Ted and the dogs soon blew by me. I stopped at the Goddard Shelter for a quick bite to eat a d met Ted resting up there I hiked on a bit and climbed Glastenbury fire observation tower. Then next shelter was close and I stopped in for another snack. Ted and dogs were right behind me. The clouds were darkening up but didn't look too much like rail clouds. There was a slight sprinkle. The hiking wx was great: slightly cool and light wind. The trails were still wet and here were a lot of puddles. I Madeira into Story Spring Shelter and ready to call it a nightLife is Great!
Date: 2010-06-08
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Winhall River
Miles today: 12.5

Report. I must have been a tired puppy last night. I don't remeber getting up but maybe once. I woke up about 0600 for a privy break. When i returned to the shelter my shelter mate Guide was snoozing very well and I could see my breath. So I decided to jump back into my eeping bag. Next awake moment was at 0930!!  I got up and leisurely prepared for the days hike. I like Guide, a big strapping young man recent grad from Lehigh in Mech Eng. It's a good this he is young and husky. I could use his stove to heat my house. He carried a whole roll of duct tape and used a good deal taping up his blistered heels. And I think I saw a 2 lb container of baby powder. I would have talked to him a bit about backpacking and saving weight. But that will have to be for another time. Best wishes GuideMy route today was over the almost 4000 ft Stratton Mtn. However there were two bypass trails that I had considered. If I had gotten up and started hiking earlier I probably would have taken the 1st bypass and tried to make town in Manchester Center. But that was now out of play. I hiked to the first bypass and committed to the Mtn. After about 1/2 mile the clouds began to darken and I was hit with some bb-size hail. I then thought if the wx didn't improve that I'd take the 2nd bypass. There the wx was perfect. So I hiked on and found there was a 3rd bypass higher up the mtn. My concern now was to not get caught on top during a lighting storm which had been very regular the last few days. I got to the top after a 1700 ft climb. Met the two caretakers who have been working there since the 60s. The top was very cold and windy. I climbed the observation tower, took a few pictures. This is the location where the idea for both the LT and the AT were reported to be developed. I chatted with the caretakers, showed them the nite's satellite passes, took some cookies and was off hiking againI have see some impressive beaver dams the last several days. These are some brilliant engineers the way they build these dams. I also saw a batch if trout fry. Here must have been a couple of dozen and about 6-7" in length.  I could have caught a bunch but don't know what inwould have done with themLife is Great!
Date: 2010-06-09
From: Winhall River

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

2. Report. I hiked late and it was dark before I was l set up for the nite. Then my headlamp batteries died on me. Got those replaced using the mini light on my Cabelas multitool. I slept well but it was pretty cold over the night. I was up and hiking on average time. Got to the next shelter and found. a trail maintenance crew busy at work. I thanked them for their service and hiked on into Manchester Center. Stopped by the PO to bounce a pkg to Norwich. The clerk at the PO said it got down to 38 deg in town and I'm sure it was several degrees cooler where I was up in the mtns   Had lunch at the Pizzeria and then went to Price Chopper. Signed up for their card and got supplies for the next week. I then went next door to the local Eastern Mountain Sports store. There I did some major, major outfitting. New boots, socks, inner soles. coat, compressor sacks and rubber pole tips. It's started raining again and supposed to continue on most of the next week. I got the name of super trail angel from Birdman and have a place to stay for the nite. Sleep tight (warm and dry also)tonight.Life is Great!
Date: 2010-06-10
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

2. Report,   Today turned out to be a pretty quiet day, It was raining slightly when I got up and didn't get much better during the day.   I'm staying with Odie and made an offer to work for stay, e.g. I helped clean up his apt while he was off at work at his school. There were a couple of afternoon moments when rain was heavy with some thunderstorms. Glad I wasn't out on the trail today. tomorrow's weather report looks a lot more encouraging and I should be returning to the trail early.6. Manchester Pizzeria 3 Greasy Spoons. Very good reputation and well regarded in the area. The salad was very good as was the dressing. The calzone was quiet filling with nice blend of herbs.Life is Great!