morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-27
From: PA 61

To: Rocky Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.3

It feels good to be back! I decided to start off my return with a short jaunt in the wrong direction. Not wrong as in south, but on a completely different trail! In my defense I started out correctly, but when I reached a road crossing, I crossed over and continued on the other side, on A trail. Unfortunately, it was not THE trail. The AT in fact picked up on the other side about 100 yards west. Fortunately I figured it out within the first mile and turned around. Much better than a friend of mine who went 8 miles south instead of north All in all, great day to be back. Though I feel I owe all the other hikers an apology, as I seem to bring rain with me everywhere! The weekend was beautiful but tonight brings showers for tomorrow...good thing I picked up a new rain jacket while I was home!
Date: 2013-05-28
From: Rocky Mountain Shelter

To: Tom's Run Shelter
Miles today: 19.2

Since yesterday I have been traveling with a fantastic group of 6 hilarious and fun loving hikers. It has been wonderful getting to know them and laughing at every turn. One of the girls (yes there are 3 of us!) is a fellow believer and we have had such a great time connecting and sharing with one another how we see and feel God out here on the trail. We agreed that one of the greatest gifts we've been given has been a sense of humor and cheerful attitude about a lot of things. This morning, as it poured yet again, we were able to face it with joy and enjoyment. These same rains that have sent some thru hikers home who were sick of the constant wet. Instead we laughed till the tears came over the smallest things. I know I won't be able to keep up for long, but in the meantime I feel very blessed. We spent the day leapfrogging each other and stopping at every opportunity for snacks and conversation, so it was a very social day!Lesson of the day: public bathrooms are more versatile than previously imagined: so far we've washed clothes, shaved, washed hair, done dishes, and charged phones in them, once spending a whole hour in one!
Date: 2013-06-07
From: Allentown Shelter

To: Jailhouse Hostel
Miles today: 19.1

Yesterday and today brought continuous rain showers, which under normal circumstances would be fine, except that the trail crossed boulder fields nearly exclusively for the last two days. Today we crossed the Knifes Edge (seriously, google images of it, but specify in Pa), which was some of the most technically challenging climbing I've done yet. In the rain it was especially treacherous. Fortunately, one of my friends was hiking with me at the time, and it was much more comforting to cross that ridge with someone else. It took nearly a half hour to cover that .2 miles, but we did so safely, and afterwards thought "that was kinda fun, now that death is no longer imminent!" We pushed on to Palmerton, PA today to get out of the rain by staying over in the "jailhouse hostel", a free hiker hostel in the basement of the city bureau- pretty cool! A shower and a roof overheard has done wonders for the spirit so far, but it's packed due to the weather! Hopes are high that the rain lets up a bit tomorrow
Date: 2013-06-08
From: Jailhouse Hostel

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

Dear troop 116, Dan Stoltzfus, the Virginia boys, and trail angels everywhere; You don't know us, but we come from all over the country, and even the world to hike this trail. Most of the time it's great out here, most of the time we love what we do. But sometimes the going gets pretty tough.Our food sucks, our feet hurt (a lot). We are exposed to every element, insect, and creature. It gets hot, it gets cold, we get wet. We walk, we climb, we fall. We become exhausted, physically and mentally. And yet, we have to do the same thing day in and day out, and it can be wearisome.But then sometimes, someone(s) very special go out of their way to give us a hand, and the effects are noting short of magical. When someone takes the time to show some support, it reminds us that we are doing something worth believing in. To you it may only be some food or a camp chair. But to us, it is an overwhelming show of generosity, compassion, caring, support, and love. You manage to fulfill not only the most basic of needs (hunger, thirst, fatigue), but also the emotional and mental ones, both of whose stores can occasionally run dry, and which are much harder to fill. By doing so, your energy fuels us and give us the strength to go on. And for that we thank you, from the very bottom of our hearts.Sincerely, Your biggest fans: LostNFound and friends
Date: 2013-06-15
From: Pochuck Mountain Shelter 

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: clear sky

Crossed into New York today! I traveled with a neat couple named Hiccup and Forge today as we escaped the jersey swamp and into the NY hills. Feeling much better than yesterday, having met some new people and dried out a bit, and enjoyed some hot dogs and beer from a few very generous weekend hikers, we set out for what would be longest day yet! I was confident and hoping to take advantage of the possibility of a WHOLE rain free day. The goal: a shelter 23.6 miles away. The profile looked unimposing in the book, and a farmers market, border crossing, and creamery en route spurred us on. We stopped to enjoy some fresh fruit (and I snagged a zucchini to throw in my dinner), celebrate a new state, and for Ice cream in the evening (this state has road crossings with delis and stands like every day!) and did indeed make it to our destination just before dark. However, it took all day, as we did not relixe that the last 9 miles would consist of primarily hand over hand rock climbing, including a ladder (yes, an actual aluminum painters ladder. Because, you know, sheer rock face and all). It was exhausting, yet gratifying and I was pleased with the accompaniment and the company!
Date: 2013-06-16
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

New York has been so much fun so far, the scenery is beautiful, the terrain is interesting, the weather has not sucked completely, and we've been having a blast! It's a lot more up and down and rock scrambles than I've been used to, so I'm pretty beat at the end of the day, but it keeps things interesting throughout the day, and I'm really having fun on some of the climbs. As I get stronger, the terrain gets harder, so it's hard to tell that I'm actually improving, but I've been able to maintain a pace through the increased challenges, so in this case I shall count stagnation as progress!Today as I sat and ate my lunch, i heard someone whistle at me, and looked up to see two very dear friends that I hadn't seen since Delaware Water Gap- Ebo and Beacon! I assumed I was way behind and was hoping to catch them soon, but never expected to see them coming up behind me. I practically shrieked with joy and hugged them both. They said they couldn't believe I had pulled ahead and were so excited to catch up again. I just laughed because two days prior I had been so sad over "losing" most of my friends, and here they pop out of nowhere. This trail is so unpredictable in so many ways. One of the greatest lessons I am learning is to let go of control. We cannot control nearly every aspect of our lives out here, the weather, the terrain, the passage of time or others. Yet despite not being in control, so far everything has worked out, without my meddling- imagine that! I hope to grow in this and learn to live a more peaceful and relaxed life.
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Spiritual Life Center

To: Stormville, NU
Miles today: 24.2

Yesterday pretty much got away from us completely. Starting the day out in town means good breakfast, and often snagging treats for the road. I had to wait for the mail to come at the post office, so by the time this all transpired and I unpacked my boxes, organized the goodies into sacks, and got a ride back to the trail, it was nearly 11. Then 5 miles later, the trail comes to a deli and market, where i met up with some friends that I've been traveling with on and off for a few weeks- Not It, Wolfgang, and Who's Askin, so we enjoyed a picnic lunch and refilled water, stretching this activity out for nearly 2 hours. By this time it had started thunder storming, so we headed 1 mile more to the Graymoor Franciscan Monastery, where they allow hikers to use their picnic pavilion for shelter. Arriving in he early afternoon and having gone only 6 miles, the logical thing seemed to be: call it a day! So we spent the rainy afternoon under the pavilion playing cards and reveling the use of the nearby flushing toilets. That night, we all slept soundly on top of the picnic tables, and no one fell off.Today however, was the opposite: An early rise and start, followed by a hilly 19 miles to the next shelter. The weather was spectacular- clear, cool, and sunny, and we made it by 4 pm. I reunited with Tommyhawk, Goat, and Foxi, and we hiked together most of the day, catching up and telling stories. All in all it was nearly a perfect day, except that about 1/3 of the way in, i had a nasty spill that tore up my knee pretty bad. I'm confident it will be fine, but it's a bit sore, and ill be keeping an eye on it anyway. After an early dinner, it was suggested that we hike a bit farther, and with everyone in concession, the 5 of us took off for another five. A lovely campsite ended the day near the road, where a conveniently placed deli would provide a lovely breakfast in the morning (truth be told, that was kinda the whole point. Hikers and their food!)
Date: 2013-06-20
From: Stormville, NU

To: wiley shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: clear sky

The " Online Dating Profile of a Thru-Hiker"Name: likely something embarrassingLikes: ramen, long pointless walks in the woods, ziploc bags, public restrooms, free stuff, sitting Dislikes: staying up past 9 pm, anything heavy, biting insects, low-fat foodsIdea of a perfect first date: you bring me food and then pack the trash outIdeal mate: a Sherpa (own mule a bonus)Turn ons: strong muscular thighs, bad tan lines, any amount of personal hygiene whatsoeverHonestly, the standards are not high, but the hiker most likely is. Prone to group sleeping arrangements, toileting in the woods (and then discussing it), and talking about pointless things for long periods of time, there is little room for shame or self consciousness. Really, just a free spirit seeking someone like-minded, with food and a car.
Date: 2013-06-22
From: Kent, CT

To: Pine Swamp Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

Yesterday was a short day into the town of Kent, CT. Foxi and I rose early to make the 13 miles into town by noon, and though it was a hot and strenuous morning, we made it! The Mosquitos here are simply unbelievable. Usually they only attack when one is not in motion, but lately they swarm by the hundreds, biting no matter how fast you walked. Stopping- for breaks or even food- is nearly impossible as you are instantly covered by tens of them, biting through clothing even! This has been especially unpleasant by the fact that I am already covered nearly head to toe in poison ivy (how I have no idea- I've never gotten it before) and am quite itchy. It had started as a small spot and has slowly spread all over. While in town, I washed every article of clothing, including my sleeping bag and liner to prevent further spreading, and also purchased some pink stuff that is supposed to help with the itching. Here's to hoping! We enjoyed a leisurely afternoon of chores and town food, ultimately sleeping behind a store that permits hikers to camp overnight for free. This morning we we enjoyed a nice breakfast before hitting the very hilly trail. Two weeks ago 17 miles felt like a short distance, but this terrain contains much more elevation than before, making it feel much longer. However, we took several breaks to swim In the river along the way and it was lovely! Hiking is nice, but it's the mini adventures, spontaneous field trips, unlikely activities, campsite camaraderie, and good pals that make this trail truly great!
Date: 2013-06-23
From: Pine Swamp Shelter

To: Riga Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: scattered clouds

It's like something out of a bad dream- you're being chased by an angry swarm of hungry bloodsuckers. They pursue relentlessly, nipping at your heels ( and arms and legs and neck and face and hands). As soon as you stop to take a breath, they descend with fierce speed and determination. No amount of fighting back, or casualties on their part, slow their advances. At least, that's how my mind, active and dramatic, narrates my desperate attempt to dodge these outrageous mosquitos. It's enough to drive one to the brink of madness. But then, the woods break and you emerge on a clearing, and miraculously, not a single one followed! This is surely cause for celebration and for taking advantage of the situation. Excellent suggestions for this joyous occasion are: sprawl out under a shade tree and nap, go for a quick dip in the Housatonic River, jump through the waterfalls, or escape to a nearby town. These were all ways that we broke up our long, hot, and itchy day today, and they were each such refreshing and luxurious periods of relaxation. They alone made the brutal bug attacks bearable. I have mentioned before how surprisingly close misery and pleasure can walk hand in hand. I see this daily- something will seem like the worst thing ever, maybe a neverending climb, some rain, or poison ivy. But then shortly after, something amazing happens, maybe a beautiful view, a hummingbird flies by, you go for an impromptu excursion or swim, or see a friendly face. And suddenly the struggle is forgotten. Every time I feel defeated or unhappy, I think, really THINK, about what we are doing out here. We get to spend our days following our desires. If it is to walk far, we walk far. If it is to socialize, we do so. If it is visit somewhere, we go. We have fun, see amazing things, go neat places, meet special people, and work hard. When you really think about it, life is not so bad. In fact, it's downright incredible.
Date: 2013-06-25
From: Riga Shelter

To: Bearded Woods Hostel
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

I was in pretty bad shape by the end of the day yesterday, both Foxi and i were. The trail went up and down 3 pretty high and rocky mountains, which normally wouldn't be a problem, but in the high heat and humidity and with no tree cover, it took an exceptional toll physically. On the high exposed rock in the glaring sun in midday, it had to have been close to 100 degrees, and combined with the exertion I was feeling pretty sick and a bit faint. But mostly, I was frustrated with myself for reacting so poorly to the conditions. Some others seemed to be having less of a problem, and I was feeling a bit pathetic. But trying to "tough it out" seemed to make matters worse. As we were taking a much needed break, two friends came by who were slackpacking from a nearby hostel. They were getting picked up at our 15 mile mark to return, and strongly recommended that we stay there that night. A phone call and reservation were made and we were being picked up within 2 hours. And thank goodness- by the time I reached the bottom of the third mountain I was in tears; hot, sick, and exhausted. I thought "if I can't do this, there's no way I will be able to climb the rest of New England". Feeling defeated, I resigned to taking a "short day".Upon arrival at the Bearded Woods hostel, I found the place full of hikers in similar condition. Full grown men who had hiked all the way from Georgia talked about how the day had beaten them, that the heat had broken them down, and they had been pushed past their limits. I was reassured by this, as it meant my struggle was not a result of my own weakness, but was an average reaction. Additionally, having only taken 1 other day off since I started, had simply gotten worn out. I would never have accepted so few days off when I was working, so why was I pushing myself so hard out here? I do want to catch up with some friends, but not at the expense of my health or physical condition. Rest is vital to continuing on, and I am trying not feel guilty about taking a day off. This place is nothing short of amazing. Built just last year, it is unbelievably clean, comfortable, and beautiful. For $50, one gets a shuttle to and from the trail, a bed, shower, laundry done for you, a full 3 course family style dinner and breakfast. The food alone would have cost that much in a restaurant- we're talking salad, pot roast, rolls, beer, fresh fruit and dessert. For breakfast: pancakes, eggs, toast, coffee, juice, and fruit. I couldn't believe that this place was for real! After a day of relaxing, eating real food, watching movies, and cleaning up, I feel that my strength and resolve have returned, and I can return to the trail refreshed and with all that I had lost over time. I've learned how important it is to rest and allow your body and mind to rejuvenate, and could not be more grateful for the timing and quality of the Bearded Woods- I truly believe that this saved me from my own wit's end, and cannot thank them enough. Every hiker should stay at this truly incredible establishment!
Date: 2013-06-26
From: Bearded Woods Hostel

To: Mt Wilcox North Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

Feeling well rested and human again, we set out under gray skies and rain clouds. We had been very blessed with about 4 consecutive sunny days (longest stretch yet!), and only a few thunderstorms at night. This was the first time I was actually hoping it would rain! Hopefully that would bring down the temps and keep the hoards of mosquitos at bay for a bit. It was quite pleasant and a bit cooler this morning as we went up and over East mountain, and I found i thoroughly enjoyed this climb- what a difference a bit of rest and a few degrees make! Fortunately the rain held out till I reached the top, as it traversed primarily the "breeching whale" rock formations, that in rain would have been more than sketchy. But then it merely sprinkled the rest of the day, and miles and hours flew by, overall a very pleasant day. Yesterday at the hostel, I spent a good deal of time talking to other more experienced hikers, and took away a lot of valuable insight:- this is to be a vacation, not a stressful unpleasant job. Nothing needs to be done, follow your heart and find ways to have some fun along the way - work WITH your body, not against it. Beating it into submission will not get you to Maine, being kind to it will. Therefore:- take more time off, rest more frequently, and for longer periods of time. The days will seem easier rather than tedious or impossible- Katahdin (or in my case, Springer) is not going anywhere. The mountains will be there when I get there, whenever that may be. It's a journey, not a destination.- there will always be people faster, and there will always be people slower. Let them do whatever they want, it doesn't matter, and it's not a race.I am hoping to truly ingest and apply these principles to the remainder of my hike. I had always viewed my self worth as what I could accomplish, how well I could perform, or in terms of productivity. This, I realize, is not healthy, but I had been transferring that mentality to my hike. A day was only viewed as successful if X number of miles could be done or if I could keep up with so-and-so. No more! It's time to kick back and really start enjoying this thing, it's a brilliant opportunity, and I hope to carry over these things to my life after the trail as well. As Hudson told me yesterday "the trail has much to teach of you are willing to learn."
Date: 2013-06-28
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Levardi's
Miles today: 20.6

Man oh man did it pour it last night! Complete with heavy thunder ad lightening. Fortunately, I was cozy inside the Upper Goose Pond Cabin, which is one of the most amazing places on the trail so far. It's a full sized cabin downstairs, with a porch, rocking chairs, wash station, library, and bunk room upstairs that actually has vinyl mattresses! We had planned on just stopping in for a break, but upon seeing it knew we had to stay. We spent the whole afternoon swimming in the lake, reading on the porch in the breeze, and chatting with the other 15 hikers that were staying the night. It was the greatest! The sun even poked out and here there. But the icing on the cake: pancakes and coffee In the morning. Yup that's right, the lovely caretaker Nancy had made a mound of pancakes for breakfast that I swear came right out of a dream. Delicious, thanks Nancy!!I've heard of people claiming to run through Mass because the mosquitos are so bad, and I'm starting to share the urge! This morning I scored a quadruple play- I swatted my arm and killed 4 with one slap. There is not an inch of my skin that is not so itchy I want to tear it off. Fortunately, my father overnighted a rx for prednisone to help combat this poison ivy. After a quick 1.5 mile detour yesterday into Tyringham, I am now the proud owner of some roids that will hopefully kick this poison for good. The swimming helps too The forecast today was for rain, thunderstorms, and even small hail, but during the day it was only been cloudy and breezy, and actually quite pleasant. I can't believe how fortunate we've been with weather lately (knock on wood), especially compared to the very wet last two months. But I'll happily take this turn for the better! Tonight we are camping in the yard of a nice gentleman in the town of Dalton, MA, and it's thunderstorming again, but my tent holds up well and I should stay nice and dry.
Date: 2013-06-30
From: Cheshire, MA

To: North Adams, MA
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Yesterday was a short day, only going from Dalton to Cheshire. I had to make it to the post office in Cheshire by 11:30 to pick up my mail or I would get stuck until Monday. We easily made it early and had the rest of the day to resupply and hang out. We took the bus to the mall to go to the movies and the outfitters. After buying a much needed pair of socks, I stopped to play with a toy in the window of a store. I heard someone laughing and turned around- there stood my friend Ebo! He had been off trail ill for a few days but had caught up and I was thrilled to see him. He told me my two other friends Frodo and Beacon were on their way and our happy reunion was had! We went to see a movie and returned to Cheshire where we stayed at the very hospitable St Mary of the Assumption church. It had been about two weeks since I had seen my friends, so we stayed up waaaay past "hiker midnight" (9pm) and talked until nearly real midnight! It was great to catch up.Today we climbed over Mt. Greylock, Massachusetts' highest peak, and my tallest mountain of 3500 feet. It went well and the rain held out during the morning. We had a nice lunch on the summit and descended in the rain, which made the steepness a bit more challenging. But we covered the miles and the mountain quickly, arriving in North Adams, a mere 3 miles shy of the Vermont border, by 2:30 pm! So Chinese food and a dry hotel room were on the agenda, complete with showers, a movie, and reading. It is wonderful to be back with good friends and we're stoked to hit a new state in the morning!