morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-23
From: stealth by Culvers Gap

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

Woke up this morning to a few sprinkles, packed up quickly. We walked about .4 miles to the fire tower and ate breadfast with a view and left around 9am.Today was a slow day for me. After hiking extra miles yesterday I didn't have a lot of energy. I broke my day down into sections. Used lots of mile markers today. After 3.5 miles we made it to Sunrise Mtn, it had a nice stone pavillion, we ate lunch there and watched the rain. We hiked out - 1.3 miles to a woods road, 1.6 more to the trail to the shelter, 2.6 more to High Point State park office. This is where we relaxed and took a dinner break. About 6:30pm it started looking stormy we still had 1.7 miles to do over a ridge. We got back on the trail at 6:55pm. It started thundering, we hoped to beat the storm - didn't happen. We walked about 25 minutes and the lighting was bad enough that we stayed put in a low spot before the second and tallest ridge. It was pouring but we stayed put till the worst had past. We tried to start up the ridge - lightening struck up on the ridge, so we waited a little longer. When we finally did go up to the ridge you could smell smoke. We did not dilly dally we hiked until we were down off the ridge. The storm passed by the time we reached the shelter.I pitched my hammock, crawled in and checked the weather forecast, tornado watches, great. Getting tired, off to sleep for me.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-24
From: High Pint Shelter

To: Unionville, NY/Mayor's house
Miles today: 7.1

Last nite I woke up around 2:30am no tornado had swept me away, life is good. Got up @ 6:30am, on the trail by 7:30am only had 7.1 miles to go.Today was hard my feet were wet and my feet hurt. On my left foot I have 3 blisters (big toe & last two toes) and my right foot blister is on the outside of my heel. Plus last night I sliced my foot right below my big toe. So both of my feet hurt. I moved very slow today but made it to Unionville @ 11am. I was very, very happy to be there. We went to the General store very guaint store. The store had a great front portch with many rocking chairs and a great deli inside. We shopped, drank fizzy beverages, ate sandwiches and rocked on the front porch for about 2 hours. After a relaxing rest @ the General store, we made our way to the Mayor's house.This place is very welcoming, make yourself at home. We showered, did laundry, ate and then for the grand finale watched the British version of American Idol. Dick, who was the past Mayor, required that everyone that stays there to watch this video. The video was of an wanna be opra singer, that grew and eventually won the contest. I enjoyed the video.Well I am in bed in the basement and a little myphed but that is another story, hope I will be able to sleep tonight. I usually have trouble in hostels.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-25
From: Unionville, NY/Mayor's house

To: Vernon, NJ/St. Thomas Episcopal Church hostel
Miles today: 11.8

We had a decent climb today, Pochuck Mtn, but it was the only climb today. The trail wasn't bad, we stopped at the vista for lunch. Thin Mint and Ziggy Stardust stopped too. After lunch I jumped ahead and got to the board walk right as it started to rain. While waithing for everyone I put on my pack cover. Then we started a nice boardwalk over the bog and the rain came - about 30-40 minutes. Even though we got drenched, the other alternative would be hot and muggy.We got to NJ94, home to Heavenly Hill Farm, which sells ice cream and produce. Thin Mint and Ziggy were already there and Powah Nap and Cervase came a few mintes later. Since I had just walked in the rain and soaked I did not get ice cream but I did get watermelon (which I had been craving), choc. milk, and fruit juice - all hit the spot.Swift and I were going to hike but we were wet - sooooo he worked his magic on the locals and procurred a ride for all of us to the Episcopal church hostel for the night.I took a nap and the others walked to the store and got food to cook for dinner. We had access to a full kitchen. Swift cooks also - so we had a wonderful salad, garlic bread and spagetti. There were 6 of us and we sat at a table and ate on real plates, like gentlemen. Cleaned up and offered left overs to the other hikers there.I was tired so I made an early night, read for a while.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-26
From: Vernon, NJ/St. Thomas Episcopal Church hostel

To: Greenwood Lake/Antwons on the Lake
Miles today: 13.5

Up early as is my routine now. I got on the computer and updated a few more entries (it's hard to stay current)Then it was off to Burger King for breakfast and then hitch back to the trailhead. We caught a ride pretty quickly and were at the parking lot at the trail head. Crazy thing though, two hikers cowboy camping right in the parkling lot between two parked cars, they must be nuts any car could of pulled in and not seen them and squished them. I certainly wouldn't of chosen that spot to camp.First thing today is a climb, so we hike on. The climb was mostly rock climbing, fun but long. Once on the top it leveled out, kinda. We crossed into NY today on the trail, I have a picture of the border. NY so far is up on a ridge with humpback like rocks that you go up and down. We were looking for a blue blazed trail to take us to Greenwood Lake - finally we made it. We started going down the blue blaze and I mean down, all I could think about was having to come back up - but it won't be today.We were both out of water so first stop is water. We were on our way to Antwons on the Lake (in the book it sounded like paradise). When we arrived, no management was there, so we called he (Matt) said room 8 was open. The room was nice enough but no pool, no place to eat, no shuttles or slackpacking. It was on the Lake but that was about it. There was a nice place to eat within walking distance and we needed the rest so we decided to stay and take a zero.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-27
From: Greenwood Lake/Antwons on the Lake

To: Greenwood Lake/Antwons on the Lake
Miles today: 0.0

Well even though Antwons did not impress us - we are tired and our legs need a rest so we are taking a zero.I walked into town in the morning for junk food and supplies. Spent the good portion of the day laying around. At 3pm Swift and I walked into town to resupply, it was a challenge but we managed to get enough food.Later we went back to Emerald's Point to eat. Swift ordered snow crab legs and showed me how to eat them and get all the meat. They were very good. He is creating many new habits some good, some not so good. We had a nice dinner, talked about doing a yo-yo, hiking back to GA. I know crazy talk.Walked back to Antwons and settled in for the night, hiking tomorrow - and back up that steep .9 mile blue blaze trail just to get back to the AT.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-28
From: Greenwood Lake/Antwons on the Lake

To: stealth/Buchanon Mountain
Miles today: 10.0

Getting out of towns is always hard, plus today we had that climb back to the A.T. The good news is ice cream in 1.5 miles, bad news is we'll have to wait for them to open. I'm glad we did the ice cream was great.Some where around 12:15pm we started hiking again. It was a hot/humid day and we had gotten a late start. In NY the terrain is either up or down but not flat and we didn't feel like hiking. The miles went slow today, lots of breaks.It was getting toward the end of our hike and we came upon a vista with a great view so we decided to cook dinner there. We sat on the rocks over looking NY but not the city. Instead the view was trees as far as the eye can see - best view for dinner yet. We hiked about 30 minutes more, found a camp site set up and turned in for the night.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-29
From: stealth/Buchanon Mountain

To: stealth/Goshen Mountain
Miles today: 11.5

Woke up this morning and it started to rain. I knew it was suppose to stop in the morning, so I stayed in my hammock listened to the rain, fell back to sleep. I enjoyed being lazy. However, the bad side to that was we didn't start hiking till 10am.I felt good hiking but miles still came slowly. Swift was not feeling it today either, so again a lot of breaks. The profile - up/down/up/down is not conducive to high miles. Plus water has and continues to be a big issue. If it were not for trail angels leaving water chches we would be in trouble. Take today for example, Swift and I reached a road crossing a cooler was there with water jug but they were all empty. We were low on water and not sure what to do. We still need to hike a couple of miles, cook, and hike 10 miles tomorrow before reaching a water source. So we sat and rested - I told Swift I waiting for John (the man who put the cooler there) to come by with more water. You know what happened next - a car pulled up and a man got out opened the passenger door, water jugs - just like the ones in the cooler. I looked @ Swift in amazement and said "it is John". Now that is true trail magic! We sat there and drank to rehydrate and then fillede our water bottles and hiked on.Of course we had heavy packs. I was carrying almost 10 lbs of water and we had to climb. I was greatful for the water so I didn't complain. We stopped on the uphill for a break and decided to cook dinner. Visited with a day hiker that went by, finished up and hiked for another hour or so.We found a campsite, hung my hammock and off to bed i go, journal for a while.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-30
From: stealth/Goshen Mountain

To: Graymoor Spiritual Center
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Okay after the last two days of poor hiking performance, we had to do a good day. The plan - up early and on the trail, hike diligently 17 miles to Graymoor Spiritual Center. Well we were on the trail @ 6:54am, nicely done.We hiked as diligently as we could for the first 1.5 hours - it takes me that long to warm up. Fortuneatly I had my legs loosened up before going up West Mountain, Bear Mountain and all the other climbs we had today. On top of Bear Mountain was a vending machine with fizzy drinks i had two. Then we hiked down the mountain on a new (just opened a couple of weeks ago) trail - it was gorgeous rock steps about 600+ of them. A nice union between manmade and nature. Plus it was hiker user friendly. At the bottem of Bear Mountain was trailside museum, zoo, pool, and park. We of course, hit the concession stand.The AT goes through the zoo, then across the Hudson River - WOW. I can't believe where I am, this is the coolest thing I have ever been a part of. After the bridge a climb of 500' in .3 miles, very steep but again closer to a convenience store and Graymoor camping. Push on we are almost there.Finally the styore - more fizzy drinks, ate a cold supper, did a brief resupply. We got "DB" to drive our packs to Graymoor. We walked, got there and set up in the ballfield. I am hanging over a ravine (hope I don't slip). There are lots of people here tonight. I went to bed early to catch up on my journal - it sounds like they are staying up late. It is 10:24pm now and there is still lot of talking around the campfire.I hope to get an early start tomorrow - we'll see. Today the plan came to fruition, long hard day but it felt good. I love being out here.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-07-31
From: Graymoor Spiritual Center

To: stealth before Shenadoah Mountain
Miles today: 14.8

I was up early as usual but apparently last n ite the whiskey was flowing. So I figured everybody had stayed up late. Swift didn't get up till 8am - so we didn't hike till 9:30am.I felt good and srong this morning and I enjoyed the trail. l The hiking was good all day but after about 8 miles we had to stop for water and then I started carring 4.5 liters. When I carry that much weight, I really slow down. I slow down for two reasons: one because I have too, and two because if I fall with this much weight I will break something. We hiked for a while to a vista where we cooked dinner - time got away from us as usual. So @ 7:45pm we started hiking but were pressured by time to find a campsite. We found a place around 8:30pm and set up camp. Crawled into my hammock, journaled then sleep.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-08-01
From: stealth before Shenadoah Mountain

To: Morgan Stewart shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The trail in NY is fun - it is a little different and a bit of everything. I like the rolling ups and downs and the rock climbing. We have been on the trail without a nero for some time and I feel stronger hiking. Today we got a couple of views that were nice, we might have been able to see "Sing Sing" off in the distance.We also got trail magic: beer, pop, twinkies, bandaides, donut holes, we enjoyed some magic. Thanks Ozgal.Then we headed to Mountain Top deli/store. I got a pastrami sub, ate half/saving half for dinner, a couple of fizzy beverages, and did a short resupply. We hung out there for quite sometime - finally hiking out @ 4pm.Dark rain clouds, low rumble of thunder and dropping rtemps led us to think it was going to rain but it never did. We cut our day short by 2 miles because it was getting late and we were at a shelter, in case it rained we didn't want our feet to get wet.We pitched our stuff, hung with Obiwan and Kooper (the dog), Matt (section hiker, who Swift gave wrong direction to the deli), and Cookie.Ate my dinner, did some journalling - then headed off to the comfort of my hammock. Another deli tomorrow - good food. But right now I must say goodnight.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-08-02
From: Morgan Stewart shelter

To: Wiley shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I felt great today, in the morning we were on the trail @ 7:30am and hiked strong approx 3 mph. Made it to a set of RR tracks. I like RR tracks. I waited there for Swift. The trail was level and easy to hike. Today we also passed the Dover Oak, i got pictures of this magnificant tree. We had a great morning and arrived @ the deli at 1:15pm, which is about 11 miles already only 5.6 miles to go.We filled up on "monsters" and fizzy drinks and got a sub. I also got some fresh fruit and chips. I saved half of my sandwich again for lunch tomorrow. We left the deli and headed back to the trail by way of a garden center which lets thru hikers fill up with water, use the bathroom and shower. I just got water and passed on the shower.The time ticked away and soon it was 3:30 time to go. I saw the ridge before me - it looked big, but before the ridge was pastures. I did get some great pictures though. We entered a nature preserve - the trail was well manicured in the preserve. We wound around in there for most of the afternoon. Small ups and downs, we passed several very big oaks, pretty impressive. Then .4 from the shelter we had trail magic from "Mac & Cheese" water, lemonade, and cookies (choc. chip and oreos). We filled our water bottles and hiked to the shelter.We set up camp, a group of Sobo's were here - we exchanged water info after dinner then headed to bed.Busy journalling while someone else is being read too, nice! I think I need to do some stretching - I have be cramping up in my legs more, don't like that. I know more water & potassium.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-08-03
From: Wiley shelter

To: Mount Algo Lean To
Miles today: 12.4

Now shelters are referred to as Lean to's. This morning a very strange thing happened - Swift was up and packed by 6am! 6am!!!! He was waking me up @ 6am.I got up, in a daze, and got ready. We were on the trail by 7am. Had two significant climbs today. We had plenty of time so we went slow. The first climb was about 500', no problem. I added a new mantra "strong mind, legs follow" each word is a step, it workds great. Between the two climbs was a little county store .2 off the trail. We stopped there for a cold beverage. Now the 2nd climb 1000' up - used the same mantra worked great again. The day was going perfectly, only a few more miles to go. Still managed to take the entire day to hike to the shelter but it was a relaxed day. I got to a stream, the first one in about 500 miles that was actually flowing. I stopped for water, WOW. Then went down stream and cleaned up a bit. Swift showed up a while later, while we were enjoying the stream, "Patch" showed up, a friend we both knew and hadn't seen for 800+ miles. We caught up, exchanged stories, he is getting off for some more dental work but will catch up soon. It was cool seeing him again.The shelter was only a mile away - onward. The shelter was empty. I figured noone stopped there since Kent, CT was only another .3 mile away. We found a spot to set up our tent/hammock and by the time we finished that hikers had arrived: Tiger woods, skid mark, Cliff, buttons, Riv Van, Obiwan, and a couple of Sobo's. We're seeing more Sobo's (people that start at Katahdin) now. Tomorrow .3 to Kent, CT and we're taking a nero! I can't wait. I have had one shower in 11 days.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-08-04
From: Mount Algo Lean To

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 0.3

Up, pack, go! Woke up last nite around 3:30am. I think I am excited about going to town but fortuneatly I fell back asleep. I was up, however, for the day @ 6am and hiking to town by 7am.By 7:45 we were sitting at a sidewalk cafe' with juice & a bear claw. Talking with other hikers and locals. I had ordered a pair of pants and had them sent to the outfitter here in Kent. So we killed a few hours at the cafe waiting for the outfitter to open so I could pick up my package. I walked around, checked out a few of the local shops, bought my t shirt from CT (I am getting a t shirt from every state I pss thru). Kent is a quaint little town.Around 10:30am we wandered down main street toward the Fife'n Drum B&B where we are staying. We did our resupply, laundry, showers (wow what a fantastic shower), more resupply, ate dinner and went to sleep. I didn't get as much feet rest as I wanted or needed but errands needed to be attended to. Tomorrow we hike.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-08-05
From: Kent, CT

To: Kent, CT/Fife'n Drum
Miles today: 0.0

Was up and ready to hike but took a zero instead. My feet hurt and I didn't sleep well.Today I stayed in bed most of the day and watched stupid TV. A great zero. Met "Two of a Kind" hubby and wife hiking Nobo. We talked with them more after supper. Seem like good people.Welll don't want to ruin a perfect zero, so I am getting back in bed to watch some more Pawn Stars.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-08-06
From: Kent, CT/Fife'n Drum

To: Caesar Brook Campsite
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: few clouds

Leaving town again - on the trail by 9am, pretty good. Have a road walk out of town back to the trail. Which is good, allows us to warm up a bit before we climb. Towns are always low, which means as wonderful as they are we have to climb when we leave them. So today its up we go, but I was feeling good. After the climb the trail even'd out for a while. Then we had St. Johns ledges (91 stone steps down). Now I've just done these "so called" steps, who ever counted them was nuts and they weren't steps just rocks thrown down in front of us. Down we went to the Housatonic River.We walked along the river for a while before climbing something, finally made it to our campsite. There was a large youth group so we camped by the stream. We cooked dinner, talked with the ridge runner Jeff and off to bed.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-08-07
From: Caesar Brook Campsite

To: Limestone Spring Lean To
Miles today: 16.3

Today we have a little bit futher to go, so we tried to get an early start. Made it on the trail by 8am.This morning I was not feeling the hike. My lungs hurt, my legs were still, and of course the terrain was choppy. We made it to the first lean to and took a break (thank goodness). We have made it through most of the choppy stuff, plus I'm feeling a bit more warmed up now. Climbed Easter mountain and dealt with a detour and climbed Prospect Mountain and arrived at the trail for the lean to .5 off the trail. What a .5 mile it was, very steep down hill to the shleter, but quite a few people here. Just as we got here, we saw "Two of a Kind" arrive. We set up camp and ate. Swift helped John (two of a kind) plan some of his hike. I am off to bed.I have been taking percocet for a sore shoulder and it makes me tired so I go to bed early. I try to journal but get sleepy early.Tomorrow a short day into Salisbury,CTTigerlily
Date: 2010-08-08
From: Limestone Spring Lean To

To: Brassie Brook Lean to
Miles today: 8.7

Today into Salisbury for fizzy beverages and numerous lunches. Swift says I will really like this town that it has a great grocery and a courtyard to sit in and eat lunch and relax.We started on the blue blazed trail about 8:30am back to the AT, we arrived at the AT @ 8:45am. Today was a good day - good terrain and I got to see the "giant thumb". A big rock that somebody says looks like a thumb. But it was fun to make a big deal about it. I also got my picture with it!!On to Salisbury, CT, we walked in and I got a fizzy beverage and Swift hit the coffee house. We sat in the courtyard outside the grocery store La Bonno's talking to hikers and locals. It turns out that Merrell Streep has a house here and was seen shopping @ the store last nite, pretty cool. Finally after two lunches, many cool drinks, and resuppling we hiked out of Salisbury. It was a nice town, lots of bikers there also.We hiked up to lions head and enjoyed the view then hiked to Brassie Brook lean to - ate dinner and hit the hammock.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-08-09
From: Brassie Brook Lean to

To: Glen Brook lean to
Miles today: 8.9

Another short day but its perfect because we are going over Bear Mountain, Race Mountain, and Mount Everet. So first thing is Bear mtn not a bad climb but a steep downhill. Then we go down into Saige's Ravine. This place is spectacular, magical almost. We stopped to bathe and fill our water bottles. Of course we had to bask in its awesome beauty for a while. It was a beautiful ravine, lush with color, rocks, and deep pools. I wish we could have stayed there longer but we had two more mountains to climb. Race mtn was next, elevation 2430. The climb was steep but fun & challenging. When we made it to the top, there was two families with three children, ranging from 6 to 11 years old having lunch. We moved along the top with some great views (hazy of course) to the very top and decided we needed lunch. Now down Race mtn - WOW - the downs are proving to be much more treacherous than the ups. One more mtn to go. Now remember these three mtns are all packed into 8.9 miles so it's one after another, ugh, my knees. Mtn Everet here I come. 2602. The climb seemed much worse but she was the third mountain and I was getting tired. We got to the top, no view. There used to be a fire tower up here but it had been taken down. We hung out there for a while and rested and then headed down to the lean to for the night. It was a hard day but good. The mountains are getting bigger a slow introduction into the White's.Great day but tomorrow we have to do 16 miles to get to East Mountain Retreat Center. So sleep here I come. Oh by the way I crossed into MA today.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-08-10
From: Glen Brook lean to

To: East Mountain Retreat Center
Miles today: 16.0

Last nite it Thunderstormed, not long but some lightening was close but it rained and we desparately needed it. By morning all had passed. The tarp was still damp but it will dry.Today down Jug End over some slick rocks which slowed us down. Then the trail got flat for a stretch - we managed to find a fizzy beverage machine, drank one and carried one. Another climb broken in half but wow it was steep and long. Then a little up and down to the road, where we get off to go to the East Mountain Retreat Center. It is 1.5 miles off the trail but this is a great place. It is a silent retreat for reflection and meditation run by Reverand Rose, who runs the retreats. I could and may come back at some time.Tomorrow is going to be a zero day. Yippie, I can't wait - a day of peace and no walking. Rite now though it is time to sleep in a soft bedTigerlily