morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-06
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Greenwood Lake, NY
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

1352.6 Miles Vernon, NJ 6/6/13Left Wind Gap early on 6/3 and headed for the Delaware Water Gap. Made it there about 4 PM and headed for the Church of the Mountains Church. They have a hiker hostel there. When we got there, we knew everyone that was staying there. On the way into town we met a local that was day hiking the trail. He offered to slack pack us the next day. We decided to go about 10 miles and pick up our packs and hike another 7 miles to a camp site. When the guy picked us up, he said that he found a road farther along the trail and we could go about 13 miles before we picked up our packs. When we got to the spot where we were supposed to meet him, that's where the confusion started. His GPS had a differant name for the road than our trail guide book. So we missed him. We were at one place and he was at another. So now we had no choice than to go on very far to where we could meet him. We ended up doing 24.6 miles that day. I was a little worried if I was ever going to see my pack again, but I did. So we ended up knocking off some big miles that day.The rocks seemed to be clearing up some until yesterday. It was another all day affair on the rocks. Walking, slipping, kicking, toe catching, climbing over, climbing around, and climbing on rocks. No fun at all. We did a hard 19 miles to High Point Shelter. This shelter is located near a state park that has the highest point in NJ in it.Today we did another 19 miles to Vernon. This was the kind of hiking I've been waiting for. Nice, mostly level trails with few or no rocks all day. We made it to the highway about 4 PM and hitched a ride into town to the St. Thomas Episcopal Church. They have a hiker's hostel in the downstairs of their building. Shower, bunk, and wash clothes for $10.00. This is very nice and clean place, and it has the added bonus of a Burger King one block away. I told Mot that we have to take a low mile day soon and get into a shelter or campsite early and rest and relax. We've been pounding out some big miles and I think it's starting to wear on me a bit. Mot agrees. We may have to wait until after tomorrow because we can be in New York if we do a 17 mile day. We'll have to see what the weather is like. It's raining now and it's supposed to rain tomorrow, so we'll see what it's like then. Maybe if we slow down a bit, Hoosier and Sampson can catch up to us. It would be good to see them again.Happy TrailsPunkin PieSomewhere on the AT
Date: 2013-06-07
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Greenwood Lake, NY
Miles today: 0.0

Friday 6/7/13Still stuck in Vernon, NJ. We were not aware of the hurricane or tropical storm that was coming up the East coast, so we're sitting it out today. There are 6 of us waiting until tomorrow to leave town. Me, Col. Angus, Mot, Dirty Bird, Bicuits and Gravy, and Sconnie. We have a 1000 foot climb out of here and there is supposed to be some very difficult rock climbing involved. I was told by one of the locals that some of it is hand over hand climbing. This isn't something most of us want to do when the rocks are wet. We may not have a choice tomorrow. Rain or not, I'm moving on. Mot's wife is mailing him a new stove to pick up in Peekskill, NY. Gloria is going to mail my base layer back to me since I've been cold every night since I switched sleeping bags. Also, I'm going to send my other change of clothes home to reduce my pack weight. Looks like on laundry day I'll be sitting in the laudromat with nothing on except my rain gear. All the things we are doing to reduce our pack weights is because we know we're getting close. 833.3 miles to go!! I remember when I was excited to just make it that far. Plus we have all the beutiful scenery of New England to look forward to. Especially my favorite moutains, the Whites of New Hampshire. Every morning I wake up earlier so I can get the most miles possible. Mot and I agreed that when it gets really hot out, we'll try to get going by 4 or 4:30 AM. Hike until 1 or 2, set up tents, or stop at a shelter, take a short siesta, eat good, then hike on to our destination for the day. Or maybe, if it's too hot, just stop for the day.I got this tip from Jason Miller of Brockway who did a flip/flop hike of the trail.So I hoping by tomorrow night I can scratch NY on my hiking pole along with the other 8 states I've entered.Happy TrailsPunkin PieSomewhere on the AT
Date: 2013-06-09
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Peekskill, NY
Miles today: 0.0

1384 Miles. Fingerboard Shelter. Harrington State Park, NY 6/9/13Saturday morning Butch Cassidy gave us a ride back to the trailhead. We had a big climb right off the bat. By noon we reached NJ/NY state line. That afternoon the big rocks started. We've been climbing big rocks constantly yesterday and today.   Today was an extremely difficult day. We only had to go 14 miles but they were very tough miles with a lot of hand over hand climbing. That's still better than walking on rocks. One of the highlights yesterday happened when we were above Greenwood Lake. Although we were about 50 miles away, we could see the New York City skyline. Pretty amazing.From here we're going to. Peekskill to re-supply. I should be there by Tuesday. Happy TrailsPunkin PieSomewhere on the ATmm
Date: 2013-06-10
From: Bear Mountain, NY

To: Peekskill< NY
Miles today: 0.0

1397.2 Miles. Bear Mountain, NY 6/10/13We got an early start today because it was supposed to start raining sometime after noon. The hiking was much easier today, no big rocks to climb over. We had a couple big climbs in the morning but made good time anyway. I suggested that we stop and eat lunch before the heavy rains started. Just as we were done eating and put on our rain gear and covered our packs it started raining hard. We still had one big climb to do, to the top of Bear Mountain. We dreaded making the climb in our rain gear because it gets so hot hiking with all that stuff on. As it turns out, we were pleasantly surprised. About 1/3 on the way up the mountain we hit a road then turned off of the road and started climbing stone steps. The steps went practically all the way to the summit of the mountain. Where there was any change in elevation, 4' or 40', there would be steps made out of stone. You could see the marks in the stone where they were chiseled out. When we got to the summit there was a large stone observation tower. The was the spot where we were supposed to get beautiful views of the Hudson River and the New York City skyline. Not today, we were socked in and couldn't see 10 feet. So we hiked down the back side of the mountain. The rain was coming even harder and Col. Angus suggested we stay at the Bear Mountain Inn at the bottom of the mountain. I wanted to hike on about 5 miles past there to get closer to Peekskill. The Col. made tempting suggestions about cold beer, hot showers, and a city food dinner. It didn't take long to convince Mot, He was soaked and had enough. By the time we got to the inn, I still wasn't going to stop there but Col. Angus negotiated a very good deal with the manager and all of us stayed in one room at a very good price. I was the last one down to the dining room for dinner and Col. Angus had the restaurant manager at our table talking to him. After he left the table, the waitress brought out a plate of antipasta and said that plus the first round of drinks were free courtesy of the restaurant manager. Got a bridge you need to sale, give it Col. Angus.Tomorrow we'll go into Peekskill. Mot and I have packages to pick up at the Post Office plus we have to wash some clothes and re-supply. We are going to try to find a place called the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center. It's a monastery and they let hikers stay in their ball field picnic shelter for free. It has water, privy and showers in the warm months. We'll set up there, head into town and do all our business, then back out to our tent site. From Peekskill it's only about 46 miles to Connecticut. So I should be there by the end of the week.Mot and I will be saying goodbye to Col. Angus about Wed. or Thursday. He's a section hiker and is only doing the section from the Delaware Water Gap to Connecticut. Whether he makes it or not, time constraints will force him off the trail by then.Happy TrailsPunkin PieSomewhere on the AT
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Kent, Conn.
Miles today: 442.8
Weather: broken clouds

1441.4 Miles Telephone Pioneers Shelter 6/13/13Tuesday morning I left the Bear Mountain Inn and headed for Peekskill. The trail goes through a zoo to get out of town. When I got to the gate, it was locked. The zoo didn't open until 10 AM. There was a white blaze on a tree right inside the gate so we had to get In. Mot and looked for a way in. About 50 feet down along the fence, we found a small section of chain link fence hooked on some nails. We unhooked it and went on in. It almost looked like it was on purpose. Anyway it worked for us. After going through the zoo, we came out of the main gate, which was open. Once back out onthe street we headed across the Hudson River.   Since it was 4 lane highway all around, We hiked over a mountain to get to a 2 lane road so we could hitch into Peekskill.   Once there, our first stop was laudromat, then the post office. We stopped and had lunch at Mexican sidewalk restaurant.   On the way out of town, Mot stopped and got a shave and a haircut. I'm not shaving or getting a haircut until I'm finished with my hike.After we left Peekskill we hitched a ride back to the trail and hiked to the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center. It's monastery that lets the hikers camp on their ballfield. They have running water, privies, and a pavilion with electric.The next morning Mot, the Col. and I left early. This going to be the Colonels last day on the trail. We hiked together as far as Fahnestock State Park. That's where we said goodbye to Col. Angus.Today it started raining as soon as we left RPH shelter. We wanted to do about 24 miles but the rain and slippery conditions slowed us down and we stopped here. We will probably put up our tents here for the night.Happy trails,Punkin pieSomewhere on the ATfor the night. One thing I've noticed through out New Jersey and New York is the number of large trees that are uprooted along and across the trail.   This was probably caused by Hurricane Sandy.Hopefully tomorrow I'll be in Connecticut.   The weather is supposed to be lousy tomorrow too. I hope my socks dry out by morning. I'm down to one set of clothes now so I have to wear what I got. Mot and I aren't sure how far we're going tomorrow.   The way the shelters fall we either have to go short, 12.5 miles or long, 24 miles. We'll probably try to get as close to Kent as we can, a
Date: 2013-06-15
From: Kent, Conn.

To: South Egremont, Mass
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

1462.9 Miles Kent, CT 6/15/13It rained most of the day on Thursday, 6/13 so we ended up at a shelter about 17 miles up the trail. We were glad to get out of the rain. It rained all night and didn't stop until 6:30 in the morning. The small stream that we crossed to get to the shelter was swollen over it's banks and we had to make a wet crossing. That was an indication of how the entire day was going to go. The trails were full of running or standing water and the streams were all running over their banks. After about 2 hours our feet were completely soaked. Almost all the stream crossings were wet crossings and we were either wading through standing water on the trail, walking in running water, or sinking in mud. The terrain was actually pretty easy, but we just couldn't make any time with the conditions the way they were. We hiked as far as the Schaghticoke Mountain Campsites. When we got there Paw Paw was there and already set up. We checked the other tent sites and they were all covered with water. So Paw Paw let us set up in his site with him. By then it was about 6:30 and the mosquitos were eating us up. So I put up my tent and cooked in the vestibule and ate dinner inside my tent. The next morning was a little nicer. At least the sun was shining. Everything else was wet. We were going into Kent, CT. Mot has a friend whose brother lived near there and they were going to pick us up and take us to there house to spend the night. There names are Bill and Ann Champagne. When we got to Kent, Ann picked us up and drove us to their house. They let us use their pickup and Mot and I went to Danbury to the Eastern Mountain Sports store. I'm still getting cold at night and I was going to buy a warmer sleeping bag. I opted instead for a cold weather base layer shirt and another sleeping bag liner. This one is supposed to add 24 degrees to the bag. After that we drove to a Wal-Mart and re-supplied. Before we left we spread everything out in Bill and Ann's yard to dry out. We used a garden hose to wash the mud out of our hiking shoes, they were caked inside and out. When we got back, the hot sun had everything dried out nicely. We started re-packing our gear and re-packaging our food. Ann cooked a delicious dinner for us complete with strawberry shortcake for desert. I know I've said this before, but this is another example of people I've never met before going way out of their way to be kind and help me during my hike. Thanks Bill and Ann!!!I'm not sure how we're going to do it tomorrow. We get dropped off at the trail where we got off or if Bill can get us driver, we may slack pack about 17 miles. Whatever, we're setting our sights on being in Massachusetts by the end of the week. I hope we get some good weather for a while.Happy TrailsPunkin PieSomewhere on the AT
Date: 2013-06-18
From: South Egremont, Mass

To: Dalton, Mass
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

1509.7 Miles South Egremont, Mass. (Hemlock Shelter)Sunday morning Ann cooked Mot and I a huge breakfast and Bill went out and bought some delicious pastries.   After we got filled up, we loaded up, and Bill and Ann drove us back to where we got off of the trail near Kent. We didn't get started until almost 9 AM. We had a big climb right off thebat and our packs were heavy from the re-supply. We didn't get to the shelter until 7:30 and I was worn out. The next day we were hiking along the Housatonic River. It was running high and the trail was flooded in some spots. When we came out of the woods there was a group of students, teachers, and parents from the Kellogg School in Falls Village, CT. One of the teachers was talking to them about the AT and the people that hike the trail and out we popped, as if on cue. They were a fantastic group of students. They asked us questions and we talked for a while. We took pictures with them. I really enjoyed that stop, the trail had been getting a little boring for awhile.   Shortly after meeting them we got to see a huge waterfalls just up river. Today was some tough hiking but I had some highlights. I got another highpoint. Bear Mt. Is the highest point in CT. Then about 2:30 this afternoon I crossed into Massachusetts. State # 11. I've got 90 miles of this state then it's into Vermont. Also today, I crossed the 1500 mile mark on the trail. The mountains are starting to get bigger again but they're not going to slow me down now. My legs feel like steel and my lung capacity has doubled. Plus Katahdin is whole lot closer than Springer!!Happy TrailsPunkin PieSomewhere on the AT
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Lee, Massachusetts

To: Vermont/Massachusetts State Line
Miles today: 0.0

1546.8 Miles. Lee, MassachusettsThe hiking has been.pretty niece since our two big climbs a few days ago.   Weds. 6/19 was a good day. We hiked across a large valley for a big part of the day then back up Into the mountains. Near Great Barrington we stopped at a hostel called the East Mountain Retreat Center.   For 10$ I got a mattress on the floor, with a pillow, a towel and a shower. We got there about 4 PM and plenty of time to get cleaned up and order pizza for dinner. The only 3 hikers there were Gummy Bear, Mot and me. After we ate everyone was in their bags by 7:45. I got a very well needed nights rest and felt great in the morning. On Thursday our goal was Upper Goose Pond Cabin which is operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club. We made the 19 miles to tbe cabin about at about 6:30. The cabin is very nice and very close to the lake. We quickly got a bunk and ate dinner tben turned In. This morning we hiked the 1 1/2 miles to the highway and quickly hitched a ride into Lee. Mot is finally coming around to believing In the power of my magic thumb. We got a fast ride Into town and got dropped off in front of the grocery store.   We picked up a few things we needed and now I'm sitting in the laundromat In my rain pants waiting for my clothes to dry. After this stop we'll eat our way out of town and hitch a ride back to the trail. It's only 46.6 miles to the Vermont line so we should be there by Monday or Tuesday. I am looking forward to my 3 favorite states, VT, NH, and ME.Happy TrailsPunkin PieSomewhere on the AT
Date: 2013-06-22
From: Chesire, Massachusetts

To: Vermont/Massachusetts State Line
Miles today: 0.0

1575.1 Miles. Cheshire, MassachusettsAfter we left the laundromat, we headed for McDonald's for a feeding frenzy. When we left there, we were walking through the parking lot on our way back to the highway to hitch a ride back to the trail when a car pulled in and a guy offered us a ride back to the trail.   He dropped us off and we started our 1800 foot climb out of Lee with full packs and full bellies. We decided to only go about 7 miles to the first shelter and quit early. It payed off. The next morning (Saturday) we were hiking by 6 AM. We originally were only going to go about 16.5 miles to a campsite. But the combination of the easy terrain and a lot of rest made us decide to push on to Cheshire, about 22 miles. There is a Catholic church there that lets hikers sleep in their activity hall, St. Mary Of The Assumltion. I had hoped that they would have a Mas on Saturday evening. We got there about 4:05 and Mass started at 4. Mot was kind enough to join me. So in we walk to a full church smelling very badly of BO and bug dope. I tried to find an empty pew but everyone had people in them. The people were very friendly to us and after Mass we Introduced ourselves to Fr. Dave and he showed us where to plop down.Tomorrow we'll make our assault on Mt. Greylock, 3491 feet.. it's the highest point in Massachusetts. Another highpoint. Also, we're only about 18 miles from the Vermont state line. So I may be in Vermont by tomorrow night.   Movin' on quickly, HOOSIER, WHERE ARE YOU?
Date: 2013-06-24
From: Bennington, VT

To: Vermont/New Hampshire State Line
Miles today: 0.0

1607.7 Miles. Bennington, VTWe got an early start on Sunday. We wanted to make the summit of Mt. Greylock while the weather was clear. We made it to the top about 10:15 AM. We had a quick lunch because we wanted to make it Into Vermont. We were doing ok until we hit North Adams. That's where we were drawn Into town by the powerful pull of an All You Can Eat Chinese Buffet. We just couldn't resist it. So we went into town and got a belly full and got back o the trail.   By then there was no way we were going to make it Into Vermont.   So we hiked about 2 miles out of town and set up our tents for the night. We made it into Vermont Monday morning about 7:30. We had decided to hike to the highway and hitch a ride into Bennington for the night. When we got to the road, a car pulled up and a gentlemen named Steve offered us a ride into town. He drove us to motel and shuttled around town to wash clothes and to Wal-Mart to pick up some things. Steve is a great guy and really enjoys helping the hikers. Tomorrow he is shuttling back out to the trail. We can't thank him enough for his help. We are staying at the Catamount Motel In Bennington.   They give hikers a very good rate are friendly to us. The rooms are very clean and comfortable. Tomorrow we'll head North. I've got to make a stop in Manchester Center, about 40 miles from here. My liner socks are wearing thin and there is an outfitter there that will have some.3 states to go. The mountains are getting bigger, and the climbs are longer. The mosquitoes and the gnats are driving us nuts. But we're determined to see this through to the end.Happy TrailsPunkin PieSomewhere on the AT
Date: 2013-06-26
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Vermont/New Hampshire Line
Miles today: 204.0

1645 Miles. Manchester Center, VT. (Spruce Creek Shelter)Steve dropped us off at the trailhead about 7 AM and we started our climb up away from the highway.   By 2 PM the thunderstorms rolled in and we hiked in a hard rain with thunder and lightning until we reached the shelter. This morning we put on our wet clothes and started out again. About 2 hours in we were crossing a beaver dam when we saw a moose.   It ran at first, but stopped long enough for me to get a few pictures.   After that we had to climb the almost 4000 foot Stratton Mountain.   I was happy to see how easily we made the climb without stopping.   I told Mot that 3 months ago I would have had to stop about 10 times before I made it to the top.   When we got to the top there was a surprise for us. A young bull moose was standing in the middle of the trail and wouldn't move. So we took a bunch of very close pictures of it. Then we had t bang our poles together, yell at it, and throw some rocks at it. Finally it begrudgingly moved off of the trail far enough to let us by. It rained again this afternoon. This is the second day of rain with rain forcasted for the next 5 days. I have some great pictures of that but my phone won't let me upload them. I got an update from Verizon and everything has changed on my phone.   I'll have to find a Verizon store and get it checked out. Tomorrow we're going into Manchester Center to get a few things and dry our clothes and gear.p>Happy TrailsPunkin PieSomewhere on the AT
Date: 2013-07-01
From: Killington, VT

To: VT/NH Line
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

1700 Miles. Killington, VTWe left Spruce Mountain shelter Thursday morning to hitch into Manchester Center.   When we got to the trail head there was a couple of cases of pop there.   There were only a few full ones, so Mot and I stopped and drank one. Duck and 180 came right after us and they had one too. I found out later who left it there. Thanks Sit a Bit. We made into town and took care of all our business. And of course went to McDonald's and ate and ate. The weather forecast was for severe thunder storms that afternoon, so we hitched out of town and hiked the few miles to the next shelter and waited until the next day to move on.The Long Trail section of the AT is very nice and easy to hike if it weren't for tbe rain. 3 days of rain have turned the uphills into rivers, the low spots into lakes, and every where else into mud. We start each day trying to dance around the water and the mud, but after an hour or so, we end up just slogging through the middle of it.   There is just no way to avoid it. At the end of the day, when we reach our destination, we take our boots and socks to a stream and rinse the mud out of everything. Yesterday we hiked over Killington Peak. That will be our last big mountain for a while. I really like this area of Vermont. Gloria and I have been here several times skiing at Killington and Pico. But now I'm seeing it from a different perspective.   We hiked the back sides of the ski areas and saw some things that I didn't know were there. After Killington Peak I hiked on to what is called "Maine Junction". That is where the AT leaves the Long Trail. The Long Trail continues North for about 166 miles to Canada and the AT turns North East towards New Hampshire. We have about 45 miles to the VT/NH line and should reach it by Wednesday or Thursday. I'm making a stop in Woodstock to pick up a package and resupply. Then we'll be leaving the Green Mountains and headind into the White Mountains.   We're getting closer to one of my favorite places, the Presidential Range of the Whites and the crowning jewel of New England, Mt. Washington. Happy TrailsPunkin PieSomewhere on the AT